Hong Kong: Algernon Yau to visit bay area cities Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau will join a delegation this afternoon to visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Dongguan, the Government announced. Organised by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the aim of the trip is to help delegates keep abreast of the latest development of the Greater Bay Area for better integration into the nations overall development. Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong on March 23. During his absence, Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan will be Acting Secretary. This story has been published on: 2023-03-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Im going through menopause. Well, thats not quite true. Im in the midst of perimenopause, which leads to menopause, which, unlike perimenopause, is less a process than it is a marker. Let me explain. Perimenopause is a period of time typically beginning in a womans 40s and lasting anywhere from a year to a decade. Its when a womans reproductive system starts to get signals (or give signals) that its time to switch everything off; in other words, that shes reaching the end of her fertile years. Perimenopause is often accompanied by moodiness and irregular periods. This can make life for some women, like me, a confusing, distracting, irritable occasional hellscape. Advertisement Menopause, on the other hand, is an end. Theres no specific moment when menopause happens. A woman is said to be in it when a year has passed without a menstrual period. In that sense, a 50-year-old woman who has not had a period is in menopause. So is a 70-year-old woman whos been without a period for 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon Ill be that woman, too. A few years ago, I began to suffer from symptoms that I didnt think much about, at first. There was irritability, and my tendency to cry at the littlest provocation. My periods happened more often; usually every 3 weeks instead of every 4. There were night sweats so horrible that Id wake up having soaked one side of the bed so thoroughly that Id have to scoot over to find a warm, dry patch. The sheets were easy to launder; the mattress less so. I wondered what the woman who comes to clean my apartment thought of me. Advertisement Earlier this month, journalist and writer Susan Dominus published a cover story in the New York Times Magazine about menopause and the ways that the medical establishment is failing women. It was a much-needed, deeply reported, substantial feature and was shared back and forth by a not-insignificant number of my female peers, all of us Gen Xers in our late 40s and early 50s. In addition to outlining the ways in which this phase of a womans life has been misunderstood and misdiagnosed, it touched on menopause marketing, which is to say the companies that are capitalizing on current conversations about menopause to sell products and services to an underserved audience. Advertisement There are, in fact, a lot companies getting into the menopause space. Friends my age (Im 50) report ads for supplements and exercise regimens targeted to menopausal women dominating their Instagram feeds. There are also at least half a dozen new, VC-funded companies being foundedusually by entrepreneurial women of menopausal agethat are looking to help peri- and menopausal women navigate the confusing labyrinth of medical advice around things like hormone replacement therapy, and to connect users with medical professionals who can help. Advertisement Advertisement And then there are conferences. This past weekend, I attended a $200-a-head event on the west side of Los Angeles called The New Pause, a sort of one-day symposium-slash-conference marketed to women who are facing, or going through, perimenopause and menopause. (I didnt quite get the new partI still dontbut, oh well.) Sponsored by Swell, a membership-driven first of its kind midlife community, and Stripes, actress Naomi Watts middle-aged answer to Goop, the all-day event, the second of its kind (the first was in New York last October), was held at a fancy hotel in Santa Monica and attended by a few hundred of the sorts of women you might find in the conference room of a fancy hotel in Santa Monica. In other words, a bunch of rich-looking white ladies, many of them blond, wearing neutral colors in soft fabrics like cashmere and brushed cotton. There were some leather pants, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before I go any further, I want to acknowledge the elephant in the room. I am neither rich, rich-looking, nor white, nor a lady who carries a Kate Spade bag. Meaning: This is the place in the story where it would be the most natural, and easiest, for me to launch into an overly judgmental, snarky recounting of a gathering of middle-aged women with whom I have nothing in common. Except: I think I might. In fact, if Im honest, Im not necessarily that dissimilar to the women with whom I sat for six-plus hours (with breaks!) on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, listening to a series of talks and panels about everything from female sexual medicine (a term Id never heard before) to energetic joy and raising ones vibration, to proper nutrition. I, too, am a woman of a certain age who worries about skin hydration, thinning hair, emotional ups and downs, and any number of other things that I am, quite frankly, ashamed to admit I worry about at all. (Vaginal dryness isnt one of them. Yet.) Advertisement Advertisement Still, Im also terribly suspicious of anything that is marketed to me as a woman; more so when its marketed as some sort of solution or respite to living as a middle-aged menopausal woman. I saw a lot of this marketing in action at the event, where, in an anteroom/space off to the side of the conference room, a dozen or so tables were piled high with products for inspection and for sale. Included among them was Nutrafol, a supplement that purports to help thicken and strengthen thinning hair. There was also some sort of protein bar that calls itself power food for the pause. (Its a protein bar. With kale in it.) So heres what happened inside the room: A bunch of us, myself included, sat upright on a bunch of upholstered, straight-backed chairs and listened to over a dozen womentherapists, scientists, doctors, advocatessit and stand on a stage and talk about navigating menopause both mentally and emotionally. Some of it was a bit off-the-wall. One woman simply stood on stage, directed us to close our eyes and put our hands on our hearts, and then asked us, again and again (and again), What makes you happy? (Eventually I settled into her prompt and came up with a few ideas: my friends, food, animals, travel, hikes, Maine.) Another speaker, the writer Joel Stein, got up on stage to make jokes about blowjobs and his menopausal wifes recurrent urinary tract infections. (I knew there would be a room full of vibrant, beautiful women that I dont have to use a condom with, was his opening line.) This was pretty mortifying, and not at all funny. Advertisement But what else? Well, there was a lot else and not all of it was cringe-inducing. One panel, which featured an OB-GYN I know socially, discussed the controversies around hormone therapy. (At one point, the lone male on the panel mansplained something to one of the female speakers.) There were speakers who discussed heart health and happiness. And while I wasnt on board with the fashion designer who got up on stage to talk about joy rockets and how to feel juicy and amazing, I, and, it seemed, most of the audience, was rapt during that aforementioned panels interrogation of a Womens Health Initiative report from 2002 that suggested a higher incidence of reproductive cancers with use of hormone replacement therapy and sent a generation of women throwing their pills into the wastebasket. (The report has since been debunked.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is to say that there were both highlights and lowlights in that room, and I dont just mean expensive hair-coloring jobs. But Id be lying if I said that the message of the symposium was about aging with grace: It was more about aging with intent and perhaps a few vaginal suppositories containing CBD. (And yes, that is a real thing.) Which is another way of saying that, along with the marketing and advertising opportunity that The New Pause presented for its promoters, the conference did try to address some of the serious health and medical issues and risks that come with being an aging woman. In that respect, The New Pause was successful. But I wondered, after having spent those six-plus hours in that fancy conference room, what the women in that room, myself included, really are in need of. Is it creams and gels and cooling face mists to combat hot flushes? (One of the panelists claims that the correct word to use is flushes, not flashes.) Is it community and conversation? The latter existed at The New Pause, but there are certainly better, more equitable (and affordable) ways to jump-start and sustain conversations than fancy conferences in Santa Monica. Or membership-only online groups. I think a big part of the reason that the New York Times cover story struck such a nerve is that not only did it unapologetically lean into an issue that has been whispered about and tiptoed around for decades, it educated its readers about options to treat perimenopausal symptoms and empowered them to advocate for themselves among medical professionals and researchers who have overlooked their issues for so long. Readers felt seen, and heard. This, in some respects, felt like a New Pause of its own. And they didnt have to pay $200 for it. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/absolutely-not-australia-denies-quid-pro-quo-with-us-over-taiwan-in-return-for-nuclear-subs-1108559496.html Absolutely Not: Australia Denies 'Quid Pro Quo' With US Over Taiwan in Return for Nuclear Subs Absolutely Not: Australia Denies 'Quid Pro Quo' With US Over Taiwan in Return for Nuclear Subs Australia has denied any quid pro quo deal with Washington over Taiwan in return for nuclear subs. 2023-03-19T10:25+0000 2023-03-19T10:25+0000 2023-03-19T10:25+0000 aukus australia aukus asia-pacific region south china sea richard marles china taiwan joe biden anthony albanese /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108559869_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8837e67aa916581e5e3ca96484ee32d7.jpg Australia has emphatically denied it offered the US any commitment to support it in a potential conflict over Taiwan as part of the AUKUS deal.Canberra never indicated it would wade into a Taiwan status conflict in return for American Virginia-class submarines to be delivered to Australia starting in 2032, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said. When questioned on Australian television if there had been any "quid pro quo" involved with Washington on the issue, Marles responded:And I couldnt be more unequivocal than that, he added.Marles, who doubles as the defense minister, refused to be baited into speculating about a future conflict with China over Taiwan, an island governed independently from mainland China since 1949, which Beijing views as a breakaway province. He added that it was a completely separate question.Richard Marles proceeded to vehemently defend his countrys plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of the bloc founded in 2021 by Australia, the UK, and the US (AUKUS). The Australian official offered a rehash of the typical rhetoric used by Washington in relation to the alleged "China threat." According to Marles, Chinas assertiveness in the South China Sea was one of the key reasons why Australia needed to acquire nuclear-powered capability.Details of the three-phase plan to provide Australia with conventional nuclear submarines were unveiled on March 13 after a meeting in San Diego, California, between US President Joe Biden, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Specifically, the plan involves the deployment of at least three American and one British submarine to Australia by 2027 as a first step, as well as the creation of the necessary infrastructure and training of Australian personnel. Subsequently, Australia will receive several additional submarines from the bloc's partners, while the ultimate goal of AUKUS is to jointly develop and build a new type of nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine - dubbed SSN-AUKUS - for the UK and Australian navies. It would be based on a UK design, while utilizing technology from all three countries.The AUKUS deal has been slammed by critics on a great many fronts. Australian National University Emeritus Professor Hugh White, a former deputy secretary of the Defense Department, told media that Canberra was to hand over some serious dollars to the US, along with a likely "promise" to wade into a potential future conflict with China.This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States. The US dont really care about our submarine capability they care deeply about tying Australia into their containment strategy against China, Professor White said.China has railed against the AUKUS deal from the outset, criticizing the trilateral pact as an alliance against China that serves as a relic of the Cold War. At a recent briefing, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the AUKUS partners had completely ignored the concerns of the international community and gone further down a wrong and dangerous road.He said the deal would stimulate an arms race, undermine the international nuclear non-proliferation system and damage regional peace and stability.China also categorically dismissed the alleged "China threat" being repeated by Washington and its NATO allies. Claims that Beijing is significantly beefing up its military forces and "bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan" were slammed by China as deliberately inflated, and only serving to provoke regional confrontation.Moscow has also warned that the trilateral security pact is aimed for long confrontation with the countries of the region for many years by promoting NATO infrastructure in Asia."The Anglo-Saxon world with the creation of bloc structures like AUKUS, with the promotion of NATO military infrastructure in Asia, is making a serious bid for confrontation for many years, because I cannot imagine how the great Asian civilizations will simply be taken under control, as, unfortunately, was the European Union, and will obediently carry out the plans of Washington and our other Anglo-Saxon colleagues," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the opening of the founding congress of the International Movement of Russophiles. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230313/china-warns-west-not-to-cross-red-line-on-taiwan--1108341688.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/worst-deal-in-history-former-australian-pm-slams-aukus-submarine-purchase-1108439440.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230314/lavrov-warns-aukus-may-lead-to-long-regional-confrontation-for-years-to-come---1108368018.html australia south china sea china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko australia, quid pro quo deal with washington, over taiwan, in return for nuclear subs, american virginia-class submarines, taiwan conflict, taiwan status, self-governed island, part of mainland china, develop and build new type of nuclear-powered, conventionally armed submarine, ssn-aukus, alleged china threat, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/abu-ghraib-horrors-of-us-occupation-of-iraq-1108563125.html Abu Ghraib: Horrors of US Occupation of Iraq Abu Ghraib: Horrors of US Occupation of Iraq Abu Ghraib was a prison in the Iraqi city of the same name, located 32 kilometers west of Baghdad. The first buildings were constructed by a British contractor in the 1950s and were designed from the outset as a place of detention. 2023-03-19T10:21+0000 2023-03-19T10:21+0000 2023-03-19T10:21+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq iraq war us military us saddam hussein prisons /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106983/96/1069839660_0:75:1484:910_1920x0_80_0_0_8e7659ee04c0b15edf267e8026dedd90.jpg Under Saddam HusseinDuring Saddam's leadership, the Mudiria al-Amn al-'Amm, or Directorate of General Security (DGS), operated the high-security prison where, according to Western media reports, mass torture and execution of political prisoners of the government took place.In fact, however, there was no evidence that the prison was a political and not a conventional one. The latter is suggested by a mass amnesty for common law prisoners who were paroled in 2002, just before the Western coalition invaded Iraq.There is also little evidence of mass executions, as research on mass graves near the prison has confirmed the burial of 993 prisoners over the entire period. However, according to Western claims, between 4,000 and 12,000 prisoners were executed in "Saddam's torture center" in 1984 alone, and about 1,500 in 1997.During US-Led International Coalition InvasionIn 2003, after the fall of Saddam Hussein's government, the Americans inherited an already empty prison. With its convenient location and ready-made infrastructure, Abu Ghraib became the main detention center for Iraqi prisoners of war and political prisoners.Until August 2006, the prison was used jointly by coalition forces and the Iraqi government. Convicted criminals served their sentences in the block under the full control of the local authorities. The rest of the prison was under the control of US Armed Forces and was used as a forward operating base and correctional facility.Under the control of US forces, Abu Ghraib had several categories of detainees:Thus, during the US presence, Abu Ghraib became a place of detention for prisoners from a broad spectrum of the predominantly local population, held on arbitrary grounds and suspicion, in violation of the "detention and imprisonment" principles of the Geneva Convention.Exposing TortureIn the spring and summer of 2003, human rights organizations that went to Iraq with the US began to draw attention to the use of violence by the occupying forces against Iraqi prisoners of war and detainees.In November 2003, Abdel Turki, the US-appointed human rights supervisor for the Iraqi interim administration, reported to Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, numerous cases of torture and abuse of detainees in the country's prisons, including Abu Ghraib. As Turki later recalled, there was no response.Word of what was happening at Abu Ghraib got out, and the news spread quickly. One such report in the spring of 2004 nearly sparked a large-scale popular uprising in Baghdad.It all started when a letter written by one of the female prisoners began to circulate and ended up outside the prison. The gist of the message was that the women imprisoned at Abu Ghraib were constantly being abused by the Americans, and sometimes by loyal Iraqi guards, and that many of the women ended up pregnant because of their abusers.A copy of the letter was distributed by hand and posted on the walls. In one Baghdad mosque, the letter was read during a sermon.As a result, popular resistance to the coalition intensified in Iraq. Unarmed people stoned US military convoys, shouted anti-American slogans, and attacked military vehicles. And in some parts of Baghdad, there were armed ambushes.But the investigation into the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib did not begin because of this, but because of the curiosity of Joseph Darby, an American military police officer who, in December 2003, borrowed a CD from his colleague Charles Greiner for his own use. The CD contained, among other things, gruesome evidence of torture and abuse of prisoners in the prison. Three weeks later, he reported this to his superiors.On January 13, 2004, a command investigation was opened against 17 members of the military for abuse.The commander of the coalition ground forces in Iraq, Ricardo Sanchez, appointed Major General Antonio Taguba to lead the investigation into the torture at Abu Ghraib.On February 23, 2004, 17 military personnel, including a battalion commander, company commander, and 13 military police privates, were suspended from duty pending the investigation.On March 20, a spokesman for US coalition forces announced that preliminary investigations had resulted in criminal charges against six soldiers. Hearings in the case began on April 9.None of the official statements at the time were much of a secret, because the information was softened as much as possible - it was about "abuses," "abuse of power," and "antics of individuals."In early to mid-April, however, CBS obtained a copy of Tagubas report, along with all of the photos. US authorities tried to stop reporters from publishing this information, but when they learned that famed journalist Seymour Hersh knew what was going on and was preparing to publish it in The New Yorker, they began to act proactively.On April 28, 2004, CBS aired a report on the investigation, accompanied by some pictures of torture of detainees (some of the most innocuous) - and the report soon appeared in media around the world. The information was presented in a very softened form, with references to the Taguba Report - what was happening were the antics of individual sadists and abusers who had somehow infiltrated the US forces, and it was an isolated violation, not a systematic practice.The prison authorities and Brigadier General Janis Karpinski were blamed for failing to educate the guards about the provisions of the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and detainees.Staff Sergeant Ivan Frederick, Sergeants Javal Davis, Michelle Smith, Santos Cardona, and Jeremy Sivits, and Armin Cruz were "designated" as direct organizers of the torture. Among the most active participants were two servicewomen, Lynndie England and Sabrina Harman. Sgt. Charles Greiner was recognized as the unofficial leader.They all came from rural America and had a low level of education, so they were perfectly suited for the role of outsiders. Especially since there was no doubt about their guilt - they appeared in the abuse photos.In the course of speaking with Janis Karpinski, it became clear that there was a separate Cell Block 1A at Abu Ghraib, run by military intelligence, where high-value detainees were interrogated. CIA and Pentagon officials regularly appeared there, and their visits were not recorded in any way.Karpinski went on to say that Israeli special forces were present at the prison (something denied by the Israeli Defense Ministry).According to Karpinski, the intelligence officers were behind the torture, and she and her subordinates decided to take the blame. The guards themselves stated that they were following orders from military intelligence officers to extract confessions and useful information from the detainees.However, orders from military intelligence regarding the treatment and torture of detainees were only given verbally and never in writing.Ultimately, clarity on all these questions was provided in the New Yorker articles by Seymour Hersh himself. He received information from his sources that what happened at Abu Ghraib was not the antics of guards who violated their official duties, but a secret special Pentagon program, codenamed "Patina," aimed at tracking and destroying Al Qaeda terrorists, previously worked out in Afghanistan and the Guantanamo Bay prison. US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was in charge of the program, and George W. Bush could not have been unaware of what was going on.As it turned out, the systematic torture began in August 2003, when Major General Geoffrey Miller, the head of the Guantanamo Bay detention facilities, arrived in Baghdad, where sleep deprivation interrogations, cold torture, and fixation in uncomfortable positions were widely practiced. He also persuaded US commanders to place all prisons under the control of military intelligence. All of this was authorized by Ricardo Sanchez.It was this program and Miller's recommendations that were applied at Abu Ghraib, in an even harsher form than at Guantanamo. The program was also adapted to the realities of the Middle East, so that the emphasis of the harassment was on the sensitivity of Arabs to humiliation of a sexual nature, especially in public. The photos were taken for the purpose of further blackmail and coercion to become informants for US intelligence agencies.According to the testimony of a number of detainees, US soldiers raped them, rode on them, and forced them to fetch food from prison toilets. In particular, the detainees said "They made us walk on all fours like dogs and bark. We had to bark like dogs, and if you didn't bark, they hit you in the face without mercy. Then they threw us in our cells, took away our mattresses, poured water on the floor and made us sleep in this mud without taking the hoods off our heads..."In early May 2004, US military leaders acknowledged that some of the torture methods did not comply with the Third Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War and agreed to issue a public apology.12 members of the US Armed Forces were found guilty of charges related to the Abu Ghraib incidents. They were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.The investigation did not identify any senior Pentagon officials responsible for the incident.On March 9, 2006, the US military command decided to close the prison.In August 2006, all Abu Ghraib detainees were transferred to other prisons in Iraq, and on September 2, the prison was taken over by the Iraqi government. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/senior-iraqi-military-tells-sputnik-about-american-crimes-during-2003-invasion-of-iraq-1108538945.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/indulging-in-cruelty-us-atrocities-in-iraqi-prison-of-abu-ghraib-1108228265.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/us-military-operation-against-saddam-hussein-operation-iraqi-freedom-1108502478.html iraq Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International iraqi city, abu ghraib, mass executions, us occupation of iraq, iraq war, war in iraq https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/berlins-stance-on-arrest-warrant-for-putin-flags-drive-for-escalation-russian-ambassador-1108571514.html Berlin's Stance on Arrest Warrant for Putin Flags Drive for Escalation: Russian Ambassador Berlin's Stance on Arrest Warrant for Putin Flags Drive for Escalation: Russian Ambassador The stance of some German government officials on the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Russian President Vladimir Putin causes concern and indicates their intention to further escalate tensions with Moscow, Russian Ambassador to Germany Sergey Nechaev said on Sunday. 2023-03-19T12:26+0000 2023-03-19T12:26+0000 2023-03-19T12:26+0000 world russia international criminal court (icc) vladimir putin germany /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/09/16/1080543329_0:119:3071:1846_1920x0_80_0_0_613250570c690d052e6e6321d837c643.jpg "The irresponsible statements by some German representatives that they support the illegal and completely absurd ICC decision and are prepared to implement it are extremely worrying and indicate how far removed from reality they are in their efforts to escalate the conflict with Russia further," Nechaev was quoted as saying by the Russian Embassy in Berlin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeatedly stated that Russia is not a party to the ICC and its jurisdiction is not recognized by Moscow so any of its decisions against the country are null from the legal point of view.Russia will proceed based on its interests in the issue of the Russian-German diplomatic relations after Berlin's statement on the arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov said.The Kremlin spokesman reiterated that Russia considered any decisions of the ICC "legally null" for Moscow.Earlier in the day, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said that the warrant for the arrest of Putin would be in effect after the International Criminal Court (ICC) makes a request on the warrant's enforcement.On Friday, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin as well as Russia's Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, citing "unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation." Meanwhile, German Justice Minister Marco Buschmann told German media that the arrest warrant for Putin will be in effect in Germany after the ICC makes a request on its enforcement. German Chancellor Olaf Sholz also backed the warrant during his visit to Japan on Saturday, saying that "nobody is above the law." russia germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International german government officials, international criminal court, escalate tensions with moscow https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/democrats-defend-vote-for-deregulation-law-blamed-for-svb-collapse-1108552672.html Democrats Defend Vote For Deregulation Law Blamed For SVB Collapse Democrats Defend Vote For Deregulation Law Blamed For SVB Collapse The 2018 banking deregulation bill that exempted some banks from stricter Federal Reserve oversight and stress tests, has been a topic of discussion since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. 2023-03-19T03:43+0000 2023-03-19T03:43+0000 2023-03-19T03:52+0000 americas us silicon valley bank silicon valley bank collapse us justice department us securities and exchange commission (sec) us federal reserve bernie sanders /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/0d/1108351089_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_5bd1a33045f95bd3504aae8dbd0944b2.jpg Democrats are defending their vote for a 2018 banking deregulation bill that President Biden and other party members are blaming for the collapse of SVB and Signature Bank last week. The legislation was viewed by proponents as a way to offer relief to small and midsize banks that were struggling with rigorous regulations put in place under the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.Forty-nine Democrats plus one Independent joined Republicans to pass the bill. While Democrats are now blaming that rollback for the banks' failures, proponents of the legislation argue that the regulations were impossible for small, medium-sized, and regional banks to comply with.The 2018 bill raised the asset threshold for the regulations from $50 billion to $250 billion, freeing some banks from stricter Federal Reserve oversight and stress tests mandated under the Dodd-Frank Act.At least one Democrat has expressed regret for their vote, Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) who said it was time to "bring requirements closer in line to our original Dodd-Frank standards" due to "recent events." Still, most other Democrats who voted for the 2018 bill still support it and caution against jumping to conclusions about the cause of the collapses.Those exempted from the regulations included Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which both subsequently collapsed, with SVB collapse becoming the second largest one in US history with unclear aftermaths.The Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission alongside with the Federal Reserve are all investigating recent collapses. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/at-least-186-us-banks-at-potential-risk-of-a-run-similar-to-svb-economists-warn--1108531654.html americas Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Egor Shapovalov Egor Shapovalov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Egor Shapovalov us, us doj, us sec, doddfrank wall street reform and consumer protection act, doddfrank, are democrats responsible for svb collapse, is trump republicans responsible for svb collapse, democrats lame themselves for bank crisis, world bank crisis, bank deregulation law https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/eu-warmongers-uncomfortable-with-truth-about-us--nato-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1108563551.html EU Warmongers 'Uncomfortable With Truth' About US & NATO Proxy War in Ukraine EU Warmongers 'Uncomfortable With Truth' About US & NATO Proxy War in Ukraine EU warmongers are uncomfortable with the truth about the ongoing US and NATO proxy war in Ukraine, said Irish MEP Michael Wallace. 2023-03-19T10:02+0000 2023-03-19T10:02+0000 2023-04-12T17:05+0000 russia ukraine ukraine crisis weapons nato proxy war world european union (eu) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108562932_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_8766ffc15fbb5893a11579b324fb2335.jpg "Warmongers" in the European Parliament have been accused of attempts to silence the truth about the "madness" of continuously fanning the flames of the Ukraine conflict by funneling weapons to the Kiev regime.Michael Wallace, a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Ireland's South constituency, went on Twitter to denounce the continuing US and NATO proxy war in Ukraine.Wallace, a member of the GUE/NGL Left group [Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left in the European Parliament], has repeatedly weighed in on the ongoing proxy war in Ukraine, and denounced how Washington's European allies willingly toe the line, pumping more and more military supplies to the Kiev authorities. "Pumping more arms into Ukraine is madness," he claimed.Western countries have been supplying Ukraine with various types of weapon systems, including air defense missiles, multiple launch rocket systems, tanks, self-propelled artillery and anti-aircraft guns since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Amid this US-spearheaded resolve to prop up Kiev authorities, MEP Wallace has claimed that Ukraine was being used by the United States and NATO to undermine Russia "down to the last Ukrainian. Speaking on a local Irish radio station, he said providing arms to Ukraine was only going to prolong the war. They would give all the guns to prolong the conflagration, he added. Furthermore, there shall be no peace or stability as long as NATO exists, Wallace warned.Last year, Wallace, with another Irish MEP, Clare Daly, defended his decision not to vote in favour of a European Parliament resolution urging increased military support for Ukraine. "We don't believe that pouring more weapons into Ukraine is a good idea. We think more Ukrainians will die and it's going to have a terrible effect on an awful lot of people," he had stated.Daly added that she disagreed with a one-sided narrative that excuses the Western role in what is now happening.Since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the so-called collective West started drumming up military support for the Kiev regime, and sending weapons there. Moscow repeatedly warned the US, its NATO allies, other European leaders of the folly of weapons support for Kiev, underscoring that it risked turning the Russia-NATO proxy conflict in Ukraine into a global conflagration. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230316/assad-to-sputnik-world-war-iii-already-unleashed-by-west-in-form-of-proxy-war-1108458380.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230305/tulsi-gabbard-slams-us-warmongering-elite-for-waging-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1108073315.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko eu warmongers, us and nato proxy war in ukraine, irish mep michael wallace, pumping ukraine with weapons, to prolong the conflagration, russi's special military operation in ukraine, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/israel-palestine-agree-to-create-mechanism-to-curb-violence-egyptian-foreign-ministry-says-1108577197.html Israel, Palestine Agree to Create Mechanism to Curb Violence, Egyptian Foreign Ministry Says Israel, Palestine Agree to Create Mechanism to Curb Violence, Egyptian Foreign Ministry Says Palestine and Israel have agreed during a security meeting in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh to establish a mechanism to curb violence and counter inflammatory statements and actions, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Sunday. 2023-03-19T17:54+0000 2023-03-19T17:54+0000 2023-03-19T17:54+0000 world israel palestinian authority /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101333/85/1013338512_0:58:1100:677_1920x0_80_0_0_85633627333c044932e1ad124c8c84b4.jpg Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday hosted a five-sided meeting between Israel, Palestine, Egypt, the United States and Jordan aimed at de-escalation in the region. The sides have also agreed to take step toward improving the economic conditions of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to hold such meetings "with a view to consolidating the basis for direct negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis," according to the statement. israel Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel, palestine, israeli-palestinian relations, israel palestine agree to curb violations https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/lowering-russian-oil-price-cap-unprofitable-for-us-as-crude-costs-dip-would-hit-its-producers-1108571170.html Lowering Russian Oil Price Cap 'Unprofitable' for US, as Crude Costs Dip Would 'Hit Its Producers' Lowering Russian Oil Price Cap 'Unprofitable' for US, as Crude Costs Dip Would 'Hit Its Producers' The US is reluctant to lower price cap on Russian oil as drop in crude costs would hit its own producers, said russian expert. 2023-03-19T13:50+0000 2023-03-19T13:50+0000 2023-03-20T11:17+0000 russia 2022 russian oil price cap oil prices g7 world european union (eu) sanctions /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/17/1107745190_0:181:2997:1867_1920x0_80_0_0_c1c3e574b66b6288e1a966f0210f097e.jpg It would be unprofitable for the United States if the price cap for Russian oil were revised downwards, since this mechanism also affects prices for American producers, Sergei Kolobanov, Deputy Head of the Department of Fuel and Energy Sectors at the Central Center for Strategic Research told Sputnik.Kolobanov weighed in on plans by the Group of Seven (G7) nations this month to reevaluate the $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil that went into effect on 5 December 2022, to determine whether any recalibration is needed.Buying from Russia was more profitable than dealing with other suppliers' higher costs, Kolobanov explained. He added that the search for ways to transport oil from Russia other than by sea - after the European Union's ban on seaborne exports - has driven up the costs of transporting raw materials in the world, further hitting the potential revenues of producers.Earlier in March, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Elizabeth Rosenberg, said that the G7 countries intended to revise the price ceiling for Russian oil later in the month. Media reports indicated that some countries, such as Poland, Lithuania, and Estonia, are proposing to lower it from $60 to $51.45 per barrel. However, reports suggested that the G7 countries, in particular the United States, did not back a change to the Russian oil price cap.At the same time, according to Kolobanov, the countries that are now most actively in favor of lowering the oil price cap are not oil-producing states, and their statements are "to a high degree populist in nature".After Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine, the so-called collective West unleashed a sweeping sanctions campaign against Moscow. Actively searching for ways to limit Russia's energy-related revenues, notably from oil and gas, the European Union imposed an embargo in December 2022 on Russian crude oil. Then, along with the G7 nations and Australia, the EU bloc agreed to a $60 per barrel price cap on Russia's oil, to be reviewed every two months so that it can remain at 5 percent below the International Energy Agency benchmark.After that, Brussels agreed to the European Commission's proposal of a $100 per barrel ceiling for Russian diesel fuel, and a $45 per barrel for discounted products such as fuel oil, with the measure going into effect on 5 February 2023. The self-harming sanctions came at a time of rising diesel prices as Europe struggles to secure imports from alternative sources.In response to the restrictions, Moscow banned the supply of Russian oil and oil products if the contract directly or indirectly provides for a price cap, in line with a decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, the presidential decree allows for the possibility of issuing special permits.In late December, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that oil and gas price ceilings are unacceptable to Russia, and that the country will never agree to the destruction of market pricing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230314/russia-building-up-shipping-fleet-to-transport-oil-amid-price-cap-coalition-1108390656.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230208/price-cap-on-russian-diesel-to-raise-costs-for-europe-disrupt-logistics-energy-expert-1107077628.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko owering price c, price cap on russian oil, revision of g7, eu price cap. uprofitable for us, lower crude costs would hit us producers, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/macrons-approval-rating-drops-to-record-low-of-28-amid-pension-reform-poll-1108576489.html Macron's Approval Rating Drops to Record Low of 28% Amid Pension Reform: Poll Macron's Approval Rating Drops to Record Low of 28% Amid Pension Reform: Poll The approval rating of French President Emmanuel Macron has dropped to 28%, the levels unseen since the 2019 yellow vests protests, an IFOP poll commissioned by French magazine Le Journal du Dimanche showed on Sunday. 2023-03-19T16:47+0000 2023-03-19T16:47+0000 2023-03-19T16:48+0000 world france emmanuel macron pension reform approval rating /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/01/1107913705_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_4574c18a584dc86f4a5eb6f2ba6592c8.jpg It is noted that the president's approval decline came after Macron's decision earlier this week to invoke the Article 49.3 of the French constitution, which allowed the government to override the parliament to raise the retirement age. The poll was conducted online among 1,928 adult French citizens from March 9-16 from different population segments. The margin of error stood at 1%-2.3%. In January, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne unveiled a draft of the pension reform that the government plans to adopt in 2023. Under the reform project, the French authorities intend to gradually raise the retirement age in the country from 62 by three months per year starting from September 1, 2023. By 2030, the retirement age will reach 64. The draft reform has caused a massive backlash in French society. There have already been seven general strikes and hundreds of demonstrations in France within the last two months, with over 1 million people taking part in most of them. During the protests, clashes often broke out between the police and protesters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230317/job-walkouts-mass-rallies--fiery-rhetoric-what-are-the-nationwide-french-protests-about-1108499942.html france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International france, macron approval rating, pension reform, protests against pension reform https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/mexican-president-says-fentanyl-crisis-caused-by-lack-of-hugs-among-us-families-1108551926.html Mexican President Says Fentanyl Crisis Caused by 'Lack of Hugs' Among US Families Mexican President Says Fentanyl Crisis Caused by 'Lack of Hugs' Among US Families Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador made controversial comments regarding the fentanyl overdose crisis in the US by suggesting that the crisis is due to a breakdown of family values in the US. 2023-03-19T00:51+0000 2023-03-19T00:51+0000 2023-03-19T02:58+0000 americas us mexico andres manuel lopez obrador drug gangs drug trafficking drug fentanyl /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0c/07/1081384142_0:12:3072:1740_1920x0_80_0_0_80fceb306572243872f5b1d7868e6f0e.jpg Lopez Obrador has faced criticism from US officials for his comments, which some have called insensitive and unhelpful in addressing the crisis. However, he has stood by his claims that Mexico's close-knit family values have helped to protect the country from the wave of fentanyl overdoses.Despite Lopez Obrador's denial that Mexico produces fentanyl, US authorities estimate that the majority of illegal fentanyl is produced in clandestine labs in Mexico. The drug is often pressed into counterfeit pills that resemble other medications.Lopez Obrador also argued in favour of a Mexican-US ban on using fentanyl in medicine. Although little of the drug crosses leaks hospitals.Experts blame Mexican cartels for trafficking the synthetic opioid, which is responsible for around 70,000 overdose deaths per year in the US, according to recent statistics. The cartels are said to make significant profits from the US market, leading them to focus their efforts on that region rather than their home market in Mexico.The US government has been working to address the crisis, with actions including considerations of designating Mexican drug gangs as terrorist organizations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221215/dramatic-footage-shows-florida-officer-accidentally-overdose-on-fentanyl-during-traffic-stop-1105472395.html americas mexico Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Egor Shapovalov Egor Shapovalov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Egor Shapovalov us, mexico, mexican president, lopez obrador, us fentanyl overdose crisis who is responsible for fentanyl crisis, lack of hugs in us families, mexican drug cartels, opioid crisis us, drug labs https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/moscow-hosts-opening-of-second-russia-africa-international-parliamentary-conference-1108565210.html Moscow Hosts Opening of Second 'Russia-Africa' International Parliamentary Conference Moscow Hosts Opening of Second 'Russia-Africa' International Parliamentary Conference Sputnik is live as Sunday sees the Second International Parliamentary Conference "Russia-Africa" held in Moscow, where the participants meet and discuss the agenda of the event. 2023-03-19T10:03+0000 2023-03-19T10:03+0000 2023-03-19T10:03+0000 africa russia second russia-africa summit moscow live /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108564753_0:258:3084:1993_1920x0_80_0_0_2c711831bfb3432ec6ade4459d3654a6.jpg Sputnik is live as Sunday sees the Second Russia-Africa International Parliamentary Conference held in Moscow, where participants will meet and discuss the agenda of the event. A total of 14 heads of legislative bodies and representatives from 40 nations have announced they will attend the summit. There will be 200 African lawmakers present in all, together with Russian and African experts. On the first day of the conference, round tables are expected to be held on the following topics: "Legislative Solution to Economic Problems" and "Indivisible Security: Parliamentary Powers and Contributions."Follow Sputnik's live feed to find out more. africa russia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Moscow Hosts Opening of Second 'Russia-Africa' International Parliamentary Conference Moscow Hosts Opening of Second 'Russia-Africa' International Parliamentary Conference 2023-03-19T10:03+0000 true PT122M15S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, second russia-africa summit, moscow, live, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/moscow-parliamentary-conference-russia-africa-to-go-hand-in-hand-deepen-economic-ties-1108574164.html Moscow Parliamentary Conference: Russia, Africa to 'Go Hand in Hand,' Deepen Economic Ties Moscow Parliamentary Conference: Russia, Africa to 'Go Hand in Hand,' Deepen Economic Ties On the first day of the conference, the participants held round tables on the development of multifaceted cooperation between Russia and African countries. 2023-03-19T16:27+0000 2023-03-19T16:27+0000 2023-03-19T16:27+0000 africa russia second russia-africa summit meeting conference parliament cooperation moscow /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108573829_1:0:3642:2048_1920x0_80_0_0_d31bb42e80451f7a37e30f52c693afa5.jpg On the first day of the conference, the participants held round tables on the development of multifaceted cooperation between Russia and African countries, focusing on the role of parliaments in the promotion of economic ties, as well as on possible legislative solutions to the most glaring socio-economic issues. In particular, African speakers expressed the strong commitments of their countries to further enhance Russia-Africa cooperation in various fields of mutual interest, indicating that Moscow is a longstanding partner. Russia should "go hand in hand" with African nations to prevent another economic colonization of the continent by the West, said Jacob Mudenda, chairman of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe.He noted that both his own country as well as other African states are rich in various resources, have a young and dynamically developing population, and that therefore, the GDP of African nations is expected to increase continuously. In this regard, he underlined that they need infrastructure for development, including railways and air transport, something Russia could potentially help with. Mudenda stated that African countries are interested in the development of telecommunication technologies and the Internet, cooperation in energy, agriculture, and water management. The Zimbabwean official also mentioned that there is a need to further develop trade relations between African states and Russia. Talking about the development of bilateral trade during the round table, themed "Legislative Solution to Economic Problems," Russia's Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Vasily Osmakov said that Russia is going to increase the number of trade missions in Africa this year.According to the deputy minister, a trade office in Ethiopia will open in the second quarter, and the possibility of opening a representative office in Nigeria is currently also being studied. Osmakov added that at the moment, there are only four Russian trade missions in Africa. However, he explained that the personnel of the missions in the West will be transferred to new trade missions that will be established in African countries. Moreover, Russia continues to expand an accreditation network of its trade missions in neighboring African countries.He also revealed Russia's plans to create its own leasing company in Africa, which is expected to provide African businesses with equipment, specialized machinery, motor vehicles, rolling stock, and many more. Apart from that, Osmakov noted that Russia plans to expand the insurance limits established by the Russian Export Credit and Investment Insurance Agency for businesses that cooperate with African countries. The deputy minister explained that insurance and credit are the key barriers for Russian exporters to Africa, saying that any financial hedging of exports to African countries is more expensive than the insurance of goods headed to developed markets. Representatives of Russian large businesses and state corporations took part in the conference, expressing their desire to enhance cooperation with Africa and dubbing the event as a great opportunity to do so. The discussions were also focused on cooperation between Russia and African states in healthcare. In particular, Russia confirmed its readiness to support African countries in the fight against various epidemics. It was noted that in this field, Russia already has ties with more than 10 countries.Moreover, according to a member of the Duma Committee for the Protection of Competition, Irina Filatova, Russian pharmaceutical manufacturers are ready to provide African countries with export supplies of necessary drugs, technological transfer to African production sites, and also build factories for the production of drugs developed in Russia. Apart from that, Russia's Sechenov Medical University confirmed that it is ready to provide its African partners with a comprehensive system for the production of drugs and the training of pharmaceutical specialists. The heads of delegations from 40 African countries, who attended the Russia-Africa parliamentary conference, confirmed that they need Russia's help both in economic and social issues, Vice-Speaker of the State Duma Pyotr Tolstoy stated. According to him, Russia is willing to cooperate with the whole world, but above all with those partners whose approach is "honest and sincere." Tolstoy added that during the bilateral meetings held by the State Duma's chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin, the heads of the delegations expressed their support for Russia's efforts to ensure security and a multipolar world.The vice-speaker highlighted that inter-parliamentary communication brings about an opportunity to strengthen ties both in the executive branch and at the level of heads of state. He noted that these discussions touch upon the topic of "general security without prejudice to other" parties, as well as food and economic problems. Russia's African partners, he noted, "saw the possibilities of Russian business" and will return home with a whole range of projects, while Russian and African parliamentarians will work on model laws. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/second-russia-africa-parliamentary-conference-kicks-off-in-moscow-ahead-of-july-summit-1108562406.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221221/russia-delivers-100000-doses-of-vaccine-against-covid-19-to-djibouti-1105661246.html africa russia moscow Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Maria Konokhova Maria Konokhova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Maria Konokhova russia, africa, moscow, second russia-africa international parliamentary conference, cooperation, economy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/nato-reportedly-mulling-300000-strong-force-on-russias-borders-amid-fast-dwindling-war-chests-1108553413.html NATO Reportedly Mulling 300,000-Strong Force on Russia's Borders Amid Fast-Dwindling War Chests NATO Reportedly Mulling 300,000-Strong Force on Russia's Borders Amid Fast-Dwindling War Chests NATO is reportedly mulling deploying a 300,000-strong force on Russia's borders, despite dwindling war chests. 2023-03-19T07:42+0000 2023-03-19T07:42+0000 2023-03-19T10:33+0000 military nato russia volodymyr zelensky ukraine crisis /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108552983_0:161:3070:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_b5af9fd6ff093b493ac733bdbbed0ca3.jpg NATO is seriously considering deploying a 300,000-strong force along Russias borders, but these ambitious aspirations may turn into a challenging stress-test for the alliances members, according to a US report. As the US and its allies continue to ramp up their hefty military assistance to Ukraine, meeting NATO's needs may come up against resistance from European capitals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been constantly clamoring for more military support from the so-called collective West, and Kiev's voracious appetite for arms has already resulted in fast-depleting supplies of weapons and munition stockpiles in Europe's NATO-states.NATO may have to resort to a good deal of pressuring, coordinating and coaxing if it wants its new military plans to come to fruition, said the report.For its plans on the eastern flanks to materialize, NATO will face the daunting task of convincing individual countries on the European continent to contribute everything from extensive amounts of costly weapons, equipment and ammunition, to soldiers, and training efforts. But considering how low many war chests of NATO members have been running on munitions alone, there is reportedly a risk that not all allies will be up to the task. The need to contribute ever more weapons stockpiles and troops to NATOs new plans may come at too great a cost for many countries already worried about their own defense stockpiles.As Russias special military operation in Ukraine, launched in February 2022, continues, Kiev regime's forces are running down stockpiles of artillery shells gleaned from the West at lightning pace. Accordingly, both the US and EU are brainstorming how to source more weapons quickly to aid the restocking of supplies, but procurement is going to be a spanner in the works of NATOs ambitious plans, added the report.This spring, the alliances military leaders will be submitting their updated regional defense, according to the US media report. NATO will be pushing for significantly more troops and especially more forces at readiness to supposedly counter Russia, a senior NATO military official was cited as saying.The report goes on to clarify what is meant by this readiness". The so-called first tier of this process may presuppose an estimated 100,000 soldiers from Poland, Norway and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), ready to move within 10 days, Heinrich Brau, a former NATO assistant secretary-general for defense policy and force planning was cited as saying. Afterwards, a second tier of troops would be expected to deploy from countries like Germany in between 10 and 30 days.But though that may seem quite doable on paper, in effect the process would present a massive challenge, as it would require quickly redeploying lots of people and equipment, along with the required training, and, of course, sizeable costs. Furthermore, for all of these plans to materialize, many allies militaries will need to boost their own recruitment, hike up defense spending, and all told, everyone involved would be forced to procure more weapons, ammunition and equipment. Even finding companies that are able to fast-track the production of good-quality bullets would be a challenge.Even NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who recently emphasized that allies have boosted production in recent months, taking into consideration new requirements for ammunition stockpiles, was quoted as saying this month:The current rate of consumption compared with the current rate of production of ammunition is not sustainable.Looking ahead, once NATO has prepared the blueprints for its ambitious military plans, its allies will be pressured to cough up readily available troops, planes, ships and tanks. And whether they are ready to gear up to the challenge remains to be seen. Leaders of the alliances 30 member countries are set to meet in Vilnius, Lithuania, for their summit on 11 and 12 July 2023.But there is also another contentious and divisive issue involved - defense investments. Whereas back in 2014 NATO leaders pledged to spend 2 percent of their GDP on defense within a decade, at the Vilnius summit the leaders will be forced to contemplate a new target.Two percent as floor is the center of gravity at present, but "2 percent would not be enough for everybody, one senior NATO official was quoted as cautioning.The allies' response to all these demands will show whether NATO will succeed in matching its ambitions to reality, the report concluded.As NATO reportedly mulls edging its forces ever closer to Russia's borders, it is worth recalling that Moscow has persistently sought to warn the alliance about the implications of its continued eastward expansion. Despite promises famously made in February 1990, when US Secretary of State James Baker vowed to the Soviet Union that NATO would not move one inch eastward of a reunified Germany, the Clinton administration broke the pledge in the mid-Nineties. NATO embarked upon a push to incorporate more and more Eastern European members into the bloc, and has since swallowed up more than a dozen countries in Eastern Europe, rejecting a Russian request for a halt to its expansion.In December 2021, Russian Foreign Ministry officials handed two draft proposals on security guarantees between Russia, the US and NATO to US diplomats in Moscow, and published them in full on the ministry's website shortly after. Moscow had outlined the "red lines" which it believed should not be crossed. The document called on Washington to pledge not to continue NATO's eastward expansion, and to refrain from cooperating militarily with post-Soviet states (except those which are already members of the alliance). It similarly called for Ukraine's incorporation into the bloc to be forbidden. However, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg rejected the stipulation on Ukraine's status, saying that the alliance stands with Kiev's "right to choose its own path", and suggesting that the alliance never promised not to expand.Furthermore, after the escalation of the security crisis in the Donbas after the US-sponsored coup in Kiev in February 2014, Kiev's authorities scrapped the notion of neutrality, as the countrys constitution was amended to include the strategic course of joining the EU and the Western military bloc. In February 2022, days before Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a speech at the Munich Security Conference, announcing that Ukraine may revoke its non-nuclear weapons status. Shortly after, Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to Zelenskys comments, saying Moscow would consider even attempts to create a tactical nuclear device by a neighbor that questions Russias territorial integrity as a strategic threat to Russia.As for Moscow, ever since its special military operation in Ukraine prompted the so-called collective West to start drumming up military support for the Kiev regime, it repeatedly warned French, German, and other European leaders of the folly of their anti-Russia policy, which only fed the flames of the conflict. Moscow warned that weapons support for Kiev risks turning the Russia-NATO proxy conflict in Ukraine into a global conflagration. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230312/appalling-state-of-european-defense--its-dependence-on-us-laid-bare-by-ukrainian-conflict-1108303731.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230228/pentagon-ukraine-conflict-revealed-weakness-of-us-munitions-production-base-1107878337.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221230/major-political-errormoscow-warned-about-nato-expansion-in-2001-declassified-docs-reveal-1105922136.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20211226/putin-on-red-lines-west-has-pinned-russia-into-a-position-where-it-has-nowhere-to-fall-back-to-1091813306.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230114/from-no-nukes-pledge-to-dirty-bombs-how-kiev-broke-its-promise-to-reject-nuclear-weapons-1106324715.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko nato, 300,000-strong force, on russia's borders, dwindling war chests, supplying weapons to ukraine, russia's special military operation in ukraine, kiev regime, depleted stockpiles, ammunition, shells, procurement, fast-depleating supplies of weapons and munition stockpiles in european nato-states. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/north-korea-test-fires-ballistic-missile---reports-1108552454.html North Korea Test-Fires Ballistic Missile, Flies 800km North Korea Test-Fires Ballistic Missile, Flies 800km SEOUL (Sputnik) - North Korea has test-fired an unspecified ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, South Koreas Yonhap news agency reports, citing the... 19.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-19T02:37+0000 2023-03-19T02:37+0000 2023-03-19T03:52+0000 world north korea missile tests north korea missile launch /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/02/1a/1107812408_25:0:530:284_1920x0_80_0_0_7836abe78ba8d11bc3d99853baba5e7a.png The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Tongchang-ri area on North Koreas west coast at 11:05 a.m. (02:05 GMT) on Sunday.The latest test-firing comes three days after Pyongyang launched a Hwansong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in response to joint military drills held by the United States and South Korea over 11 days called "Freedom Shield 23." Pyongyang condemned the drills, calling them preparations for a "war of aggression."North Korea also claimed on Friday that 800,000 of its citizens volunteered to fight against the United States "Imperialists and puppet traitors [who] are trying to destroy our independence and right to live and develop."The Japanese Coast Guard also stated that the object fired by North Korea could be a ballistic missile, and has issued a warning following the launch. According to Japanese media, the missile landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. The missile test also comes days after leaders of South Korea and Japan agreed on stronger security cooperation. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International north korea, missile tests, north korea missile launch https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/one-person-dead-following-ukrainian-troops-shelling-of-donetsk-1108557615.html One Person Dead Following Ukrainian Troops Shelling of Donetsk One Person Dead Following Ukrainian Troops Shelling of Donetsk A young man died in the Kirovskyi District in the city of Donetsk as a result of shelling carried out by Ukrainian troops overnight 2023-03-19T06:56+0000 2023-03-19T06:56+0000 2023-03-19T06:56+0000 russia donetsk ukraine dpr russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/06/1108096702_0:257:2731:1793_1920x0_80_0_0_8371fe95b0b8e5b641c66709e5e6e70f.jpg The man was fatally injured while driving in his car in Donetsk. Several buildings, including one residential one and a grocery store, were damaged in the shelling. The Donetsk Peoples Republics (DPR) mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes (JCCC) said on Telegram that Ukrainian troops fired over a dozen rockets from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) at the Kirovskyi District in the city of Donetsk overnight. The DPR mission also said that Ukrainian troops shelled the Kirovskyi district using 155mm NATO-caliber shells. Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, after the Donetsk and Lugansk peoples republics appealed for help in defending themselves against Ukrainian provocations. In response to Russias operation, Western countries have rolled out a comprehensive sanctions campaign against Moscow and have been supplying weapons to Ukraine. On September 30, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, signed agreements on the accession of these territories to Russia, following referendums that showed that an overwhelming majority of the local population supported becoming part of Russia. donetsk ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian troops, donetsk shelling https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/russian-president-putin-visits-mariupol-kremlin-1108553131.html Russian President Putin Visits Mariupol: Video Russian President Putin Visits Mariupol: Video Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid a visit to Mariupol, inspecting the city infrastructure and talking to local residents, the Kremlin press service informs. 2023-03-19T04:29+0000 2023-03-19T04:29+0000 2023-03-19T08:19+0000 russia vladimir putin russia mariupol /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108558317_0:0:2000:1125_1920x0_80_0_0_5c895d56691e77c34456eed14ed546ad.jpg "In particular, they discussed the construction of new residential microdistricts, social and educational facilities, housing and communal services infrastructure, medical institutions," the Kremlin said on Sunday. Khusnullin told Putin that Mariupol residents were actively returning to the city following restoration works. Public transport is up and running in Mariupol, the deputy prime minister said, adding that the city's first streetcar routes are expected to start operating by the summer.According to the Kremlin, Putin flew to Mariupol by helicopter and then traveled around several city districts by car, making stops to talk to local residents. In particular, Khusnullin showed Putin the building of the city philharmonic hall, telling the president that its construction was fully completed in three months.The reconstruction of the city center of Mariupol, where many historical buildings are located, is planned to be completed by the end of 2023, the deputy prime minister said.Earlier, the Russian president has visited Crimea on the ninth anniversary of the region's accession to Russia and visited newly opened historical and architectural sites on the peninsula. During the trip, the Russian leader was accompanied by Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev. Russian flags were raised on the Crimean mountains to mark the anniversary of the region's reunification with Russia. russia mariupol Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian president vladimir putin, visit to mariupol https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/saudi-king-invites-iranian-president-to-pay-official-visit-to-saudi-arabia-tehran-1108576284.html Saudi King Invites Iranian President to Pay Official Visit to Saudi Arabia: Tehran Saudi King Invites Iranian President to Pay Official Visit to Saudi Arabia: Tehran Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent a letter to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, inviting him to visit Saudi Arabia following the official resumption of bilateral relations between the countries, Deputy Chief of Staff for Political Affairs to Iran's President Mohammad Jamshidi said on Sunday. 2023-03-19T16:20+0000 2023-03-19T16:20+0000 2023-03-19T18:43+0000 world saudi arabia iran diplomatic relations /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108577329_0:143:3137:1907_1920x0_80_0_0_9dc7093af8f33953cf03ebbb001b7258.jpg "In a letter to President Raisi, H.E Salman bin Abdulaziz the King of Saudi Arabia welcomed the deal btw the 2 brotherly countries, invited him to Riyadh & called for strong economic/regional cooperation," Jamshidi tweeted. The Iranian official added that Raisi had welcomed the invitation and stressed the country's readiness to expand cooperation with Riyadh. Earlier in the day, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced that he would soon meet with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, after the two countries agreed to normalize their relations. On March 10, Iran and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement mediated by China to resume relations, as well as open embassies and representative offices within two months. The joint statement was signed after days of talks between the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and his Saudi counterpart, Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, in Beijing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230311/china-brokered-iran-saudi-deal-threatens-to-push-us-out-of-the-gulf-and-washington-knows-it-1108298905.html saudi arabia iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International saudi arabia-iran relations, diplomatic relations, diplomatic relations restoration https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/scott-ritter-biden-led-the-charge-to-invade-iraq-1108559645.html Scott Ritter: Biden Led the Charge to Invade Iraq Scott Ritter: Biden Led the Charge to Invade Iraq Joe Biden led the charge to push the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, according to Scott Ritter, who served as the United Nations chief weapons inspector in the country from 1991 to 1998. 2023-03-19T15:00+0000 2023-03-19T15:00+0000 2023-03-19T15:16+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq us 2003 invasion of iraq war wmd cia fbi /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108575218_0:11:1256:718_1920x0_80_0_0_0b0a2ee6e3d277d707bc5bb41743aece.jpg In the lead up to the war, then-Senator Biden used his position as chair of the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee to help sell the George W. Bush Administrations plans to a skeptical American public. He gave speeches and organized Senate hearings that promoted the administrations false claims about Saddam Husseins WMD program. In October 2002, Biden spearheaded a joint resolution that gave Bush sweeping powers to use military force against Iraq.According to Ritter, Biden brushed moral and geopolitical concerns about invading Iraq aside because he did not want to face accusations that he was taking a pro-Saddam stance. Bidens failure to speak out against the war, he added, helped result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, tens of millions displaced, and broader chaos in the Middle East.The conflict was not cost-free for the United States either, resulting in thousands of American troops dead and tens of thousands maimed.Sputnik News spoke with Ritter ahead of the twentieth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq. Over the course of a 50-minute long video interview, the former UN inspector explained how the US government created a false pretext for the war, sought to intimidate dissidents into silence, and why Washington failed to learn anything from its costly debacle.Road to WarIn August 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait over the oil-rich monarchys refusal to forgive Baghdads debts from the Iran-Iraq War. Less than six months later, in mid-January 1991, the United States and its allies launched a massive aerial bombing campaign followed by a land offensive to dislodge Iraqi forces from Kuwait.Ritter told Sputnik that the main reason why the George H.W. Bush administration decided to militarily intervene because it feared that control of Kuwait combined with Iraqs existing oil wealth would provide Hussein with disproportionate influence over global oil markets. The problem with this rationale, however, was that few Americans viewed it as a compelling enough reason to go to send troops abroad. The most popular anti-war chant of the era was No American blood for oil.Although Iraqi forces fully withdrew from Kuwait in February 1991, the American propaganda campaign against Hussein continued moving ahead at full speed. The new focus was on Baghdads alleged weapons of mass destruction program, which Washington claimed posed a danger to the United States and the Middle East at large.Although Iraq had indeed at one point sought to develop WMDs, there were two problems with this narrative, according to Ritter. The first was that even if Iraq possessed WMDs, they were not much of a threat since the US military had spent decades preparing to fight against potential adversaries who used chemical or biological weapons. Even more significantly, however, the US did not actually want to disarm Iraq.Ritter explained that US policymakers pushed the WMD narrative because they were embarrassed about Husseins continued political survival despite sweeping sanctions against Iraq. They needed a pretext to keep the pressure up on Baghdad and push for regime change. After all, how could they allow a man that they had openly compared to Hitler remain in power?We [inspectors] were just there as a placeholder to create a political situation that allowed the continuation of sanctions, he said. It was never about disarmament, always about getting rid of Saddam Hussein. The problem is, after six months, Saddam was still there. Now, what do you do? What's the next step?Ritter revealed that although there were back-channel communications between the transition teams of President-elect Bill Clinton and Baghdad about resuming relations, these negotiations were cut off after US intelligence agencies faked an Iraqi assassination attempt on George HW Bush, who had just left the White House, during a visit to Kuwait in April 1993. Clinton retaliated by firing missiles at Iraq and maintaining the sanctions regime against the country. In 1998, he signed the Iraq Liberation Act, which stated regime change was the official objective of US policy in Iraq.Silencing DissentDespite this political background, Ritters team of UN inspectors worked to avert war by dismantling Iraqs remaining WMDs. We accounted for 95-97 percent of their weapons of mass destruction, he said. We were monitoring the totality of their industrial infrastructure so they couldn't rebuild these weapons. Anything that wasnt unaccounted for would have aged out, same goes for precursor chemicals.Yet the US government constantly tried to move the goal posts for the inspectors, demanding that they prove with 100 percent certainty that Iraq had no WMDs (an objective that was effectively impossible to achieve). Ritter sought to raise his concerns with senior US officials, including the director of the CIA, but was repeatedly brushed aside.Things took a decided turn for the worse in 1996, when the FBI began harassing Ritter and his family, even threatening him with arrest. This persecution only intensified after Ritter resigned from his UN inspector role in 1998. On the very same day as his resignation, the FBI leaked a false allegation to CBS Evening News that Ritter had been passing on state secrets to Israel. In reality, Ritter had been engaged in an intelligence liaison activity that was approved by none other than the CIA itself.Although the accusations against Ritter were obviously false, the CBS News report led to the Southern District of New York opening a three-year long investigation into him.Lessons Learned?Twenty years after the Iraq Invasion, Ritter sees little evidence that the American foreign policy establishment has learned from its mistakes. He explained that US policymakers have absolutely no incentive to embrace realism and restraint since most of the major political donors support military interventionism abroad. This problem is compounded by the fact that there is no meaningful anti-war movement in America. Criticism of US foreign policy is usually driven not by principle, but by opportunistic party politics.However, Ritter suggested that Americas era of political complacency may be coming to an end. He noted that the main reason why many Americans turned a blind eye to their governments reckless foreign policy adventures was because they were able to isolate themselves in a cocoon of consumer-driven comfort. Yet this sort of escapism is becoming less and less viable. In the face of rapidly mounting political, social, and economic problems, Americans will be confronted with the choice between reforming their country or perishing.The nation that emerges [from this crisis] won't look anything like the nation that exists today. It can't because this nation is fundamentally broken, sick, diseased, he said. We have to cure the disease, heal the wounds, and recast ourselves as a nation of one of equals, one that can sit down at a table with the rest of the world and not try to dictate outcomes, but instead talk with people and negotiate outcomes that are mutually beneficial to all, but more importantly, that are beneficial to the American people instead of just the American political elite. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/senior-iraqi-military-tells-sputnik-about-american-crimes-during-2003-invasion-of-iraq-1108538945.html iraq Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Simes Dimitri Simes Dimitri News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Scott Ritter: Biden Led the Charge to Invade Iraq Joe Biden led the charge to push the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, according to Scott Ritter, who served as the United Nations chief weapons inspector in the country from 1991 to 1998. 2023-03-19T15:00+0000 true PT50M42S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Simes Dimitri invade iraq, us and its allies, military operation, saddam hussein, invasion of iraq https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/second-russia-africa-parliamentary-conference-kicks-off-in-moscow-ahead-of-july-summit-1108562406.html Second Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference Kicks Off in Moscow Ahead of July Summit Second Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference Kicks Off in Moscow Ahead of July Summit The two-day second International Parliamentary Conference Russia-Africa dedicated to the multipolar world kicks off on Sunday in Moscow. 2023-03-19T12:08+0000 2023-03-19T12:08+0000 2023-03-19T12:08+0000 africa russia moscow saint petersburg second russia-africa summit summit conference parliament mp vyacheslav volodin /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/05/0f/1082904411_0:137:3155:1912_1920x0_80_0_0_6d840fe95bccb4aeca6b7bf001427a4f.jpg The two-day second International Parliamentary Conference Russia-Africa dedicated to the multipolar world kicks off on Sunday in Moscow.The conference is being attended by representatives of scientific, educational and expert communities from Russia and African countries, members of the State Duma, heads of federal executive bodies, senators of the Federation Council, heads of legislative bodies of Russia's constituents, and representatives of the business community. More than 40 delegations from most African countries will take part in the conference. They will discuss burning issues of the international parliamentary agenda with their Russian counterparts, as indicated on the State Duma's website.Meetings between the State Duma's chairman, Vyacheslav Volodin, and a number of heads of delegations speakers of parliaments and chambers of parliaments of African countries are scheduled to appear at the conference.Delegations of African parliamentarians began arriving in Moscow on Friday. On the same day, Volodin had a meeting with the speaker of South Africa's National Assembly of Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Volodin said that there were opportunities to strengthen cooperation in various fields between Russia and South Africa using parliamentary methods.The plenary session of the International parliamentary conference 'Russia-Africa in the Multipolar World' is scheduled for 20 March, and will be held in the Hall of Columns. Yuri Ushakov, presidential aide on international affairs, told reporters that President Vladimir Putin will address the Russia-Africa parliamentary conference on 20 March.According to the State Duma's website, the main goals of the Russia-Africa conference will be both the intensification of Russian-African interparliamentary contacts and the establishment of permanent dialogue between the Federal Assembly of Russia and parliaments of African states. Also an important topic will be the support and development of innovative projects and attracting public attention to parliamentary activities.The second Russia-Africa summit is scheduled for July 2023 in the city of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Particular attention at the second Russia-Africa summit will be paid to education, as Russia and Africa are preparing for a new technological leap, Oleg Ozerov, ambassador at large for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said on 16 March. As the Rector of Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy said previously, about 27,000 students from African countries study at universities in Russia, more than 5,000 of them on scholarships subsidized by the Russian federal budget.The first Russia-Africa summit was held in the Russian city of Sochi in October 2019, and the first Russia-Africa international conference was held in Moscow the same year.Bolstering ContactsRecently, contacts between Russia and African countries have intensified. The chairman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matvienko, said that she passed an invitation to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune from Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to Russia and take part in the second Russia-Africa summit.The Russian delegation of the Federation Council arrived in Algeria on 15 March. The next day, Matvienko met with the chairman of the Algerian Council of the Nation Salah Goudjil. Negotiations are also planned with the chairman of the National People's Assembly of Algeria Brahim Bougali.Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously visited the continent, including meetings with representatives of the foreign ministries of Mali, Eritrea, Angola, South Africa, and other states. Western countries have expressed concern about the Russian foreign minister's visits.Earlier, Sputnik interviewed Russian members of parliament on what closer contacts between Russia and Africa mean in the modern world.As Russian MPs noted, it is no accident that Russian-African relations have become the target of increased Western activity. The reasons for the West's concern are simple - either political or economic. As one of the MPs recalled, up to half African states had opposed, abstained from, or refused to vote on anti-Russian resolutions since March 2022. And the "selfish motive" that the West suddenly "remembered" about its former colonies was seen and realized in Africa.African countries' pragmatic approach and unwillingness to support anti-Russian sentiments have disappointed the West, and against the background of unsuccessful visits to the continent by American and European politicians, the Russia-Africa summit planned in Saint Petersburg has also alarmed foreign partners, the parliamentarians added.The MPs said France, Germany, and the US had been frequenting Africa. However, their attempts were "not crowned with triumph".Politicians do not rule out attempts to directly interfere in relations between Russia and Africa. According to them, new sanctions may become a tool for such interference. "They will definitely try to get in and drive a wedge," the MPs said.Relations between Russia and African countries are natural and, as the parliamentarians noted, although Africa is neither pro-Russian nor anti-Western, there is a clear unity in the main thing: the countries of the "continent of the future" no longer want to be participants and hostages of new cold wars between the great powers. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230310/west-scared-by-close-russia-africa-relations-russian-mps-say-1108266210.html africa russia moscow saint petersburg Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Roman Sanin Roman Sanin News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Roman Sanin second russia-africa summit, second russia-africa interparliamentary conference https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/south-korea-us-hold-air-drills-after-north-koreas-missile-launch-reports-say-1108561295.html South Korea, US Hold Air Drills After North Korea's Missile Launch, Reports Say South Korea, US Hold Air Drills After North Korea's Missile Launch, Reports Say South Korea and the United States conducted on Sunday joint air drills involving a US nuclear-capable B-1B strategic bomber after North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, a South Korean news agency reported 2023-03-19T08:25+0000 2023-03-19T08:25+0000 2023-03-19T08:25+0000 military us south korea military drills /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0a/05/1101520749_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_e7a6781088cf8420098dc38bc32746fc.jpg The joint US-South Korea drills took place over the Korean peninsula as part of the ongoing Freedom Shield exercise that started on March 13 and also involved South Korean F-35A fighter jets, US F-16 fighters and B-1B strategic bombers. A similar exercise was held in the area on March 3. Earlier on Sunday, media reported that Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile from the Tongchang-ri area on North Korea's west coast. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missile flew some 800 kilometers (497 miles) and fell outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. The latest North Korean test-firing comes three days after Pyongyang launched a Hwansong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in response to joint military drills conducted by the US and South Korea. south korea Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International south korea and the united states, joint air drills https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/sudanese-ruling-council-seeks-to-set-civilian-rule--prevent-authoritarian-one-reports-say-1108570928.html Sudanese Ruling Council Seeks to Set Civilian Rule & Prevent 'Authoritarian' One, Reports Say Sudanese Ruling Council Seeks to Set Civilian Rule & Prevent 'Authoritarian' One, Reports Say The chairman of Transitional Sovereign Council Colonel-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has stated that the country's authorities are working to establish civilian rule and prevent the nation from falling into tyranny. 2023-03-19T13:02+0000 2023-03-19T13:02+0000 2023-03-19T13:02+0000 africa north africa sudan transitional government military transitional council /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108570749_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_fcc64905a26de2821381467a3b089d51.jpg The chairman of Sudan's ruling Transitional Sovereign Council Colonel-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan has said that the country's authorities are working to establish civilian rule and prevent the nation from falling into "authoritarian rule", the media has reported. He also emphasized that the country's military will support the Sudanese people and will always be on their side, saying that the army was "part of them and is the backbone for the state and people".This week, the vice-president of the council, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, held a meeting with the non-signatory parties of the framework agreement signed last year. After the meeting, the council announced that the non-signatory parties expressed their desire to reach a political agreement that will end the crisis in the country. On 5 December 2022, Sudan's civil leaders and the armed forces signed a framework agreement that provides for the establishment of a transitional civil administration. On 8 January this year, a political dialogue based on the framework agreement kicked off in Sudan.The framework agreement aims to solve the crisis that erupted on 25 October 2021, when Al-Burhan announced exceptional measures that included dissolving Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's transitional government and declaring a state of emergency. africa north africa sudan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Maria Konokhova Maria Konokhova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Maria Konokhova north africa, sudan, sudan's army chief abdel fattah al-burhan, transitional government, military coup, political process, framework agreement https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/swiss-biggest-bank-ubs-to-acquire-credit-suisse-for-over-3bln-1108577862.html Swiss Biggest Bank UBS to Acquire Credit Suisse for Over $3Bln Swiss Biggest Bank UBS to Acquire Credit Suisse for Over $3Bln Switzerland's biggest bank, UBS, said on Sunday that it was going to acquire Swiss-based global investment bank Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.2 billion). 2023-03-19T20:08+0000 2023-03-19T20:08+0000 2023-03-19T20:08+0000 world ubs credit suisse group ag silicon valley bank collapse /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102508/22/1025082223_0:54:3618:2089_1920x0_80_0_0_37d1ea36a81264779145b40d9766958d.jpg Earlier in the day, the Swiss National Bank announced the acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS, adding that it would provide necessary assistance for the deal. The acquisition deal is expected to create a business with over $5 trillion in total invested assets and "sustainable value opportunities," according to the bank. On Wednesday, Credit Suisses share price plunged nearly 30%, sparking concerns about a liquidity crunch. The incident followed the recent collapse of several US financial institutions, including Silicon Valley Bank.It was previously reported that UBS was considering buying Credit Suisse for $1 billion. Then, later on Sunday, it was reported by the Financial Times that the offer was raised to over $2 billion. That offer seemingly increased again before the announcement of the deal was made. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ubs buys credit suisse https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/syrian-emirati-presidents-discuss-positive-dynamics-in-middle-east-1108577044.html Syrian, Emirati Presidents Discuss Positive Dynamics in Middle East Syrian, Emirati Presidents Discuss Positive Dynamics in Middle East The presidents of the United Arab Emirates and Syria, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan and Bashar Assad, respectively, have discussed positive dynamics in the Middle East and the ways to reach stability in the Arab countries, Assad's office said on Sunday. 2023-03-19T17:35+0000 2023-03-19T17:35+0000 2023-03-19T17:35+0000 world syria uae bashar assad /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/0b/1081126306_0:207:2905:1841_1920x0_80_0_0_dca6a902af56811ba22dbc431b5f6b45.jpg Earlier in the day, Assad arrived in the United Arab Emirates accompanied by a delegation of ministers to hold talks with Mohamed bin Zayed. The UAE's president said that it was important to return Syria to the Arab world and build strong relations between all Arab states, the statement read. It added that the Emirati and Syrian leaders discussed the development of economic cooperation. The UAE became the second country of the Arabian Gulf which Assad visited after devastating earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey in early February. Abu Dhabi has already allocated $100 million to Syria and sent hundreds of tonnes of humanitarian aid to the country to mitigate the natural disaster's consequences. syria uae Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International syria-uae relations, situation in middle east, bashar assad, sheikh mohamed bin zayed al nahyan https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/turning-to-europe-japan-pushes-forward-with-joint-6th-gen-fighter-with-italy-and-uk-1108506556.html Turning to Europe? Japan Pushes Forward With Joint 6th Gen Fighter With Italy and UK Turning to Europe? Japan Pushes Forward With Joint 6th Gen Fighter With Italy and UK Recently Japan has changed its partners in their next-generation multirole fighter jet development programme. 2023-03-19T15:45+0000 2023-03-19T15:45+0000 2023-04-06T12:15+0000 6th generation fighter jet japanese self defense force (jsdf) mitsubishi electric military japan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/07/0e/1097297720_0:208:3072:1936_1920x0_80_0_0_512a03477acf5b3d6a989c562ce4a570.jpg On Thursday, the defense ministers of Japan, Italy, and the UK held meetings in Tokyo on pushing forward with their joint Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). Japan plans to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet called the F-X to gain an advantage in the air over potential rivals.Three companies are working on such project in collaboration: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and its subdivisions, Italy's Leonardo, and the UKs BAE Systems are the key developers involved in the GCAP program.By 2035, they aim to have jointly acquired a concept and key technologies that will distinguish it from and surpass existing fifth-generation jets, such as the US' F-22 and F-35, as well as China's Chengdu J-20 and Russia's Sukhoi Su-57.The developers not only need to implement the latest high-end technology, but also determine what features would make the jet fundamentally different from other aircraft in service.So far, fifth-generation combat aircraft are generally the most advanced and capable. The first prototypes of fifth-generation fighter jets were first introduced in the 1990s, and since then, several countries have been developing and producing their own versions of the advanced fighter jets. The criteria for an aircraft to be called a fifth-generation fighter jet varies by country and program, as there is no set standard. Some common characteristics include: advanced radar-evading technologies to minimize radar cross-section, active phased array radar (APAR) on par with modern communication systems, the ability to reach supersonic cruise speed, and fuselage integrated weapons systems.Thursday's ministerial talks were a continuation of the Joint Leaders Statement.The collaborating parties aim to develop an initial concept by 2024, with a preliminary design ready by 2025.The development comes as Japan has decided not to continue joint development of a new sixth-generation fighter jet with the United States. The project, which was originally planned as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, was meant to produce a new advanced fighter jet for the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force. However, Japan reportedly decided to cancel the project due to concerns over Lockheed Martin not wanting to share key secrets needed for development with the Japanese side. The decision was met with disappointment on the US side, as the joint project was seen as a key element of US-Japan defense cooperation. https://sputnikglobe.com/20200220/photo-japans-ministry-of-defense-reveals-concept-for-next-gen-f-x-godzilla-fighter-1078363059.html japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International 6th generation fighter jet, japanese self defense force (jsdf), mitsubishi electric, japan https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/us-nurtured-plans-of-destroying-iraq-years-before-2003-invasion-ex-official-says-1108572318.html US Nurtured Plans of Destroying Iraq Years Before 2003 Invasion, Ex-Official Says US Nurtured Plans of Destroying Iraq Years Before 2003 Invasion, Ex-Official Says America had nurtured plans of destroying Iraq years before the 2003 invasion, said 2023-03-19T14:53+0000 2023-03-19T14:53+0000 2023-03-19T14:53+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq us iraq iraq war 2003 invasion of iraq saddam hussein george w. bush tony blair taliban /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/13/1108570518_0:94:2001:1219_1920x0_80_0_0_5d0610d6fc4a215d856ce6f58c84b129.jpg The US was determined to destroy Iraq years before the 2003 invasion, an Iraqi official has told Sputnik.Two decades since the US military entered Baghdad, Farouk Al Fityan, Iraqs last ambassador to Greece before the US invasion of the country, has shared with Sputnik his recollections of what happened 20 years ago.On February 5, 2003, then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell addressed the United Nations, claiming the United States had ample evidence of Iraq's production of weapons of mass destruction, and demonstrated a vial containing "anthrax" to illustrate the point. However, the so-called proof presented by Washington failed to impress the UN Security Council, which did not authorize the United States to use force. Indeed, by the time of the unauthorized US-led invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein had eliminated the country's chemical weapons and other weapons of mass destruction programs. The Bush administration was subsequently revealed to have fabricated evidence of Iraqi WMDs.After the occupation of Afghanistan, it became evident that Iraq was next in line, Farouk Al Fityan said.The US launched its invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. At the time, the US explained its move by highlighting that Osama bin Laden had masterminded the attacks, and that the Taliban* had offered sanctuary to members of al-Qaeda**. However, the Taliban never recognized the US assertions that the group had any ties to the 2001 attacks. The US invasion went on to claim the lives of thousands of US soldiers, and more than 100,000 Afghan troops, police, as well as civilians caught in the crossfire.Amid the hostility emanating from Washington, Baghdad attempted to consolidate international opinion, and the Iraqi foreign minister at the time, Naji Sabri, serving under then-President Saddam Hussein, was trying to involve a number of Arab countries, especially the Gulf States, in this process, Farouk Al Fityan said. Shuttle diplomacy was undertaken to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, and Bahrain After the Beirut summit in 2002, visits were made to Cairo, Damascus, and Algiers. The Foreign Ministry also reached out to Iran and other neighboring countries, hoping to break the mechanism of war conceived by the United States.At the same time, the former Iraqi official said, American President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair had already set the stage for what would follow.When the blockade of Iraq was imposed after the Gulf War (19901991), everyone suffered a lot. It was very difficult to get medicine for children, not to mention food. The hardest years were from 1991 to 1995, the Iraqi ex-official said, adding:Subsequently, the Oil-for-Food Program (OIP) was established by the UN in 1995, allowing Iraq to sell oil on the world market in exchange for food, medicine, and other humanitarian necessities. Due to the blockade and false accusations of possession of weapons of mass destruction, Iraq had to deal with multiple international inspection teams. Baghdad opened the doors for the teams, albeit the Foreign Ministry was fully aware of their lack of impartiality.According to Farouk Al Fityan, his country's leadership was convinced that there would be no US offensive, as had happened in Afghanistan. They expected that everything would be limited to some air strikes on some objects, but in fact, "America's decision to destroy Iraq had already been made."*organization under UN sanctions for terrorism.**Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other countries https://sputnikglobe.com/20220815/afghanistan-battle-was-lost-from-beginning-built-on-us-desire-to-reshape-world-in-own-image-prof-1099579645.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221230/how-saddam-husseins-execution-scarred-iraq-and-changed-us-foreign-policy-forever-1105930776.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/abu-ghraib-horrors-of-us-occupation-of-iraq-1108563125.html iraq Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko america nurtured plans of destroying iraq, years before 2003 invasion, false premise, leader of iraq saddam hussein, hiding weapons of mass destruction, farouk al fityan, iraqs last ambassador to greece, ex-director of the office of the foreign ministry of iraq, before the us invasion, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/west-applying-lessons-learned-from-iraq-war-to-stifle-dissent-over-ukraine-ex-uk-envoy-1108565474.html West Applying Lessons Learned From Iraq War to Stifle Dissent Over Ukraine: Ex-UK Envoy West Applying Lessons Learned From Iraq War to Stifle Dissent Over Ukraine: Ex-UK Envoy Orwellian messaging and media control techniques the Western powers honed in the run up to and during the Iraq war are being applied two decades later to stifle any dissent over involvement in the Ukraine conflict, former UK ambassador Peter Ford told Sputnik 2023-03-19T09:53+0000 2023-03-19T09:53+0000 2023-03-19T15:47+0000 20 years since us invasion of iraq iraq ukraine us west iraq war /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/07/1a/1083461678_0:0:3083:1734_1920x0_80_0_0_3bb1d79f92f01ac4790bbc3f42d5b0e3.jpg On March 19, 2003, the US launched the invasion of Iraq based on what turned out to be the false premise that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction. The US and Western press strongly beat the drums for war before the invasion. A FAIR watchdog group poll revealed that 70% of American sources cited in stories in the run up to the invasion were pro-war and a mere 3% were categorized as anti-war. The war itself was accompanied by images and stories about human rights abuses, including the crimes committed by American personnel at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, although some journalists were targeted for covering such issues. Polls in recent weeks and months have shown that voters in US and Western countries are growing weary of supporting and providing arms to Ukraine in the conflict with Russia - with many calling for negotiations to commence. There has been criticism, particularly in the United States, about the near complete lack of debate or opposition to using billions of taxpayer dollars to fund a foreign war. Even the anti-war Democratic progressive bloc in Congress has so far backed sending military aid to Kiev. Ford observed that despite the fallout over the Iraq invasion the US government, amplified once again by the mainstream media, continues to lecture others about respecting a "rules-based order." Dozens of countries took part in the Operation Iraqi Freedom at different times, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and Australia. Within three weeks of the invasion Iraqi civilians and US troops pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad. Although Bush declared "mission accomplished" in May of 2003, the US remained embroiled in fierce fighting that would leave over 4,400 American troops dead before combat operations ended in 2011. iraq ukraine west Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International control techniques, western powers, iraq war, ukraine conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/what-has-tanzanias-first-female-president-achieved-in-two-years-1108539945.html What Has Tanzania's First Female President Achieved in Two Years? What Has Tanzania's First Female President Achieved in Two Years? Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to mark her first two years as the country's leader on March 19, a historic milestone that has been marked by both challenges and achievements. 2023-03-19T07:02+0000 2023-03-19T07:02+0000 2023-03-19T07:02+0000 africa east africa tanzania samia suluhu hassan president john magufuli india south africa politics /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/12/1108540438_0:190:2967:1859_1920x0_80_0_0_9d1e5f49efce1e45a617d81bfbec4b66.jpg On 19 March, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan marks her first two years as the country's leader, a historic milestone that has been marked by both challenges and achievements.Sworn in as the nation's first female head of state after the sudden death of former President John Magufuli due to a heart attack on March 17, 2021, President Hassan has been at the forefront of leading the East African country through a period of significant change.As Hassan, who is constitutionally serving the remainder of Magufuli's second five-year term until October 2025, marks her second year in office, it is worth taking a closer look at her experience as Tanzania's leader and the achievements she has made during her tenure so far.Internal PolicyAfter she took office in 2021, Hassan kicked off her presidency by revoking some of the most controversial policies of her deceased predecessor and fellow Chama Cha Mapinduzi party member, Magufuli, nicknamed "The Bulldozer." She announced a national strategy dubbed the "4Rs," which stands for "Reconciliation, Resilience, Reforms and Rebuilding the nation.For instance, under the 4Rs strategy, the 62-year-old leader ended a ban on pregnant girls and teenage mothers attending school. In addition, she lifted a ban imposed by the former president on four opposition newspapers and introduced a COVID-19 vaccination campaign that Magufuli had rejected.To improve and promote the multiparty atmosphere in Tanzania, she lifted a ban on political rallies in the country. The move came more than six years after her predecessor, President John Magufuli, first introduced the widely criticized measure in 2016. Hassan assured political leaders invited to the State House in Dar es Salaam that security organizations "will definitely allow you to conduct your rallies" unless "there is any threat."In the same vein, the head of state and other officials have often spoken on how vital the preservation of the Eastern African country's cultures and traditions is. In this regard, Hassans government introduced a ban on children's books that promote cruelty, abuse, violence, or immorality. The government argued that such books fly in the face of Tanzania's "cultural norms and morals" and violate "the good practices of bringing up children."Speaking of infrastructure and economic development in the country, Hassan has prioritized the timely completion of the flagship projects initiated by her predecessor. Additionally, she has greenlit new development projects to advance Tanzania's progress. Last year, President Hassan attended Expo 2020 in Dubai, where she successfully promoted Tanzanian products and investment opportunities, culminating in a business partnership deal with the United Arab Emirates.Regional and International CooperationIn late 2022, Tanzanian President Hassan announced changes to the country's foreign policy due to the political, social, and economic changes taking place in the world and the attempts of superpowers to drag Africa into their conflicts.She emphasized the need to address the impact of such conflicts on the nation's currency, energy, and food security. The president also highlighted the shift of the global economy's main economic activities to Asia and urged Tanzania's ambassadors to think about how Tanzania could benefit from this.The president also emphasized the country's commitment to the implementation of a blue economy the sustainable use of ocean resources and the need to bring it on board with Tanzania's foreign policy.As for the implementation of the new Asia-oriented Tanzanian policy, the East African leader has managed to build strong relations with China, the world's second-largest economy. In November 2022, Samia Hassan paid a three-day state visit to China. According to a joint statement based on the results of the visit, the two countries agreed to promote industrial complementarity and production capacity cooperation, with a focus on energy and mineral development, processing and manufacturing, green development, and the digital economy. Furthermore, China marked its plans to assist Tanzania in developing infrastructure and maritime trade.In line with Hassan's strategy to build ties with Asia's biggest economies, Tanzania agreed with India, one of Tanzania's biggest trading partners, on an arrangement to use national currencies in trade between the two countries. According to data from the Indian High Commission in Dar es Salaam, the trade exchange between Tanzania and India is estimated at $4.5 billion.Tanzania is also advancing regional cooperation with African states, including in the defense and economic spheres. In this regard, in September 2022, Tanzania and Mozambique penned two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for cooperation on peace and security, along with mutual defense cooperation.In addition, last month, President Hassan and her Zambian counterpart Hakainde Hichilema agreed to accelerate the updating of a 1,710-kilometer (1,060-mile) pipeline, known as the Tanzania Zambia Mafuta (Tazama), that has been running since 1968 and transports more than a million tons of crude annually from Tanzania's port of Dar-es-Salaam to the city of Ndola in Zambia.As part of the efforts to strengthen ties between East African nations, Tanzania and Kenya in November launched the construction of the Mtwapa-Kwa Kadzengo-Kilifi (A7) road between the two countries. The 40-km road is part of a $61.4 million project involving the construction of the multinational Malindi-Lunga Lunga/Horohoro-Tanga-Bagamoyo road corridor in East Africa.Earlier this week, the Tanzanian president made a state visit to South Africa to promote more security and trade cooperation between her country and the second-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.Ambitions for Tanzania's 2025 General ElectionSamia Hassan became Tanzania's first female vice president in 2015, after being elected on the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party's ticket with President Magufuli. In late October 2020, Hassan was re-elected with Magufuli for a second five-year term, during which she took office as president on March 19, 2021, in the aftermath of the sudden death of the country's head of state at the age of 61.Hassan is supposed to lead the nation under constitutional requirements until Tanzania's next presidential election in October 2025. Given the fact that she would serve more than two-thirds of what would have been the late Magufuli's second term as president, she is eligible to run for only one presidential term in the future.While saying that she became president "because of God's wish," the female president noted during an event to mark the International Day of Democracy in Dar es Salaam on September 15, 2022 that women have something to prove in the 2025 general election, confirming that she is intending to run for re-election.If elected in 2025, Hassan will make history once again, becoming the first elected female head of state of Tanzania, and the second elected female president in Africa after President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, who took office in 2018. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230104/tanzanias-president-revokes-6-year-ban-on-political-rallies-1106028629.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221121/tanzanian-president-declares-foreign-policy-changes-amid-wrenching-politics-of-superpower-states-1104479032.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230220/zambia-and-tanzania-to-speed-up-crucial-oil-pipeline-modernization-1107603952.html africa east africa tanzania south africa Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Muhammad Nooh Osman https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/0e/1080170965_2:0:2050:2048_100x100_80_0_0_1de8233c87df0979e7e74f61b6ffacad.jpg Muhammad Nooh Osman https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/0e/1080170965_2:0:2050:2048_100x100_80_0_0_1de8233c87df0979e7e74f61b6ffacad.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Muhammad Nooh Osman https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/0e/1080170965_2:0:2050:2048_100x100_80_0_0_1de8233c87df0979e7e74f61b6ffacad.jpg tanzania, samia hassan, samia suluhu hassan, female president, female presidents in africa, female president in tanzania, samia hassan marks two years, who is mama samia suluhu husband?, rais wa jamhuri ya muungano wa tanzania, samia suluhu hassan cv, tanzanias first female president, achievements of samia suluhu hassan, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230319/why-trumps-indictment--conviction-cant-axe-his-2024-bid-but-may-enhance-his-election-odds-1108562603.html Why Trump's Indictment & Conviction Can't Axe His 2024 Bid, But May Enhance His Election Odds Why Trump's Indictment & Conviction Can't Axe His 2024 Bid, But May Enhance His Election Odds US conservatives see former US President Donald Trump's possible arrest as further reinvigorating his base ahead of the 2024 election. 19.03.2023, Sputnik International 2023-03-19T10:17+0000 2023-03-19T10:17+0000 2023-03-19T10:17+0000 americas us donald trump stormy daniels hush money michael cohen manhattan new york new york city 2024 us presidential elections /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/02/1098021969_0:0:3073:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_d8b0bcaa54e851d91dbcf2e5bc639da2.jpg On March 18, Donald Trump signaled that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday in connection with an ongoing investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg concerning Trump's alleged 2016 payment of $130,000 in hush money to adult movie star Stormy Daniels via his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen.The DA's inquiry into the "hush money case" was earlier condemned by the former president as a partisan "witch hunt." Having warned about his possible arrest, Trump called on his supporters on Saturday to "protest, take our nation back!"US conservatives believe Trump's arrest may further energize his supporters."If the Manhattan DA indicts President Trump, he will ultimately win even bigger than he is already going to win," echoed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) in a lengthy statement.House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik also stated that the potential development is likely to bolster the America First movement.GOP House Speaker Kevin McCarthy immediately reacted to Trump's statement by announcing that he has directed House committees to probe whether federal funds are being used for "politically motivated prosecutions":"Here we go again an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump," McCarthy tweeted.Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the probe into Trump "persecution, not prosecution" and urged Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis to join him in a condemnation of this action. Nikki Haley earlier officially tossed her hat into the ring of the 2024 election, while DeSantis has not announced his plans yet.What Does the US Constitution Say About Indicted & Convicted Presidential Candidates?Trump can't be barred from running for re-election even if he is indicted and marched into prison, unless he strikes a plea deal that includes foreswearing public office, according to the US mainstream press. The crux of the matter is that the US Constitution does not list the absence of a criminal record as a qualification for the presidency.As per constitutional experts, the US Supreme Court earlier ruled that Congress cannot add qualifications to the office of the president. What's more, a state cannot ban an indicted or convicted individual from running for federal office. This means that neither the US Congress nor New York state authorities can prevent Trump from proceeding with his 2024 bid over the "hush money case" or other cases.Previously, Trump condemned all probes underway against him and vowed that criminal charges wouldnt stop him.The US mainstream press admitted that an indictment or even conviction of the former president wouldn't dishearten his base. Quite the contrary, it could give him additional political points. The media has drawn attention to the fact that Trump benefited from both of his congressional impeachments among MAGA Republicans. However, the ongoing legal scandal might not go over well with US swing voters, and may become a source of additional strength for DeSantis (should he run), the media presumes.Trump's 'Hush Money Case' is Deeply FlawedMeanwhile, legal experts argue that Trump's case is based on shaky legal and ethical ground.While the exact charges in the "hush money case" have not been announced so far, legal scholars allege that the Manhattan DA's indictment would cite falsifying business records under New York Section 175 in relation to payments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. Cohen served jail time after pleading guilty to using campaign finances in relation to Daniels. The DA's potential charge could be based on Trump's labeling his reimbursement of Cohen as a "legal expense," as prosecutors argue that it actually was not.11 days prior to the 2016 presidential election, Cohen, approached Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) and asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) about an alleged affair with Trump between 2006 and 2007. He paid her $130,000. Supposedly, Cohen was later reimbursed. Trump has repeatedly denied having had an affair with the adult movie star."The payments were made to a lawyer, not to Stormy Daniels," Trump's attorney, Joe Tacopina, argued last week, talking to a US broadcaster. "The payments were made to Donald Trump's lawyer, which would be considered legal fees. Michael Cohen ... was his lawyer at the time and advised him that this was the proper way to do this to protect himself and his family from embarrassment. It's as simple as that."However, prosecutors could say that the money Trump paid to Cohen went to Stormy Daniels and was therefore not a legal fee. Thus, by qualifying it as a legal fee in its books, Trump's organization could have falsified business records.There are also speculations that the DA could convert the case, which is currently considered a misdemeanor, into a Class E felony, if he can prove that the former president's alleged "intent to defraud involved further criminal intent to either hide the commission of another crime or to assist in the commission of that other crime."Jonathan Turley, a renowned criminal defense attorney, tweeted on March 18, that "this is a flawed case if it is based on a state charge effectively prosecuting the federal election violation. That federal case was rejected by the Justice Department. There are also statute of limitation questions that could come into play." Turley also quoted "considerable challenges for a conviction."Previously, federal prosecutors reportedly did not consider charging Trump over the payments, as the Justice Department instructed them that a sitting president can't be indicted, according to the US press. Federal prosecutors also looked into the case after Trump left the Oval Office, but decided not to seek an indictment considering the issue "trivial and outdated."Another US prominent lawyer, attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz, stated on Saturday that Trump may be convicted in New York, "because the jury pool will be very much against Trump and the judges will be very much against Trump," but that the former president will probably ultimately win on appeal. "There is no crime here," Dershowitz told the US media in relation to Trump's case.Meanwhile, legal experts warn Trump against resorting to inflammatory rhetoric, citing his call for protests. These calls have already been used by Trump's antagonists to draw parallels with the Capitol Riots. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/mccarthy-accuses-manhattan-da-of-political-vengeance-over-possible-trump-arrest-1108550027.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230318/trump-expects-to-be-arrested-tuesday-following-illegal-leaks-from-daniels-probe-by-manhattan-da-1108537709.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230218/trump-favored-against-biden-harris-in-hypothetical-2024-presidential-matchups---poll-1107560610.html americas manhattan new york new york city Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova us 2024 presidential election, donald trump's 2024 bid, trump's possible indictment in hush money case, manhattan district attorney alvin bragg probe, trump's possible conviction in hush money case, hush money case is flawed, new york jury is anti-trump, why trump can't be barred from running even if indicted and convicted Freehold Raceway hosted its annual St. Patrick's Day Race on Friday (March 17). In the third race on the card, every horse was driven by a driver of Irish descent. While many of the drivers were familiar faces at Freehold Raceway, James Whelan and his nephew Michael Whelan made the trip from Canada to join the festivities. Freehold's very own 'Irish' Joe Hanney took home the win and bragging rights over his fellow countrymen. Hanney left from the rail position with Sheeza Shark N to take a seat behind the odds-on favourite Eden Paige N and Jim Marohn Jr. Hanney pulled Sheeza Shark N at the top of the lane after a perfect pocket trip to take the win in 1:57.4. The 13-year-old mare is owned and trained by Laurie Molnar. Eden Paige N finished second with Macjectic Toddy N and Steve Smith closing for third. Freehold resumes live racing on Saturday (March 18). (SBOANJ) Divine Art and Give Me This Dance, who are in the middle of a great rivalry at this meet, get another chance to settle the score in the $12,500 Alan Kirschenbaum Memorial for the pacing mares on Sunday (March 19) at Cal Expo. There will be 13 races presented under the Watch and Wager LLC banner with first post set for 4:55 p.m. Give Me This Dance is a four-year-old daughter of Wind Me Up who races for Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte, takes her lessons from Jose Castillo and will once again have Brad Irvine giving directions. After finishing second to arch-rival Divine Art in their first two meetings at this stand, Give Me This Dance has won two of the last three clashes, including a length and a half score in the Distaff Open two weeks ago. Irvine settled early in that affair, made a power brush to command turning for home and came home smartly to hold safe as the 4-5 favourite that evening. Divine Art (pictured victorious above) is a four-year-old by Outrageous Art who is owned, trained and driven by Gerry Longo. She arrived at this meet having won 12 straight races in her native Canada, then added five straight scores here before having the streak snapped at the hands of Give Me This Dance in the February 19 Sire Stakes. She came back to account for the February 26 stakes dance over a sloppy track, then completed the exacta in their most recent match-up two weeks ago. Completing the cast are Senga Nightmare, Park With Me Nancy, Salary and Blue Star Mystic. Low takeout wagers offer true value A reminder there are two wagers offered here each night that come with a reduced 16 percent takeout rate. They are the 20-cent early and late Pick 5 and the 20-cent Pick 4, with the latter featuring a $25,00-guaranteed gross pool. Sunday nights Alan Kirschenbaum Memorial is named for the longtime owner/breeder and past president of the California Harness Horsemens Association, who passed away in 2012. Kirschenbaum was a major factor in California as an owner, breeder and amateur driver for many years. Cal Expo track announcer and simulcast host Gary Seibel was a longtime friend. I met Alan in the early 80s at Pompano Park in Florida, when I was the track announcer and publicity director there and Alan was working for trainer George Berkner. We hit it off right away. From time to time, when we would get into a long conversation about anything and everything, he would say to me, this (Hollywood) is my job, harness racing is my passion. That was so evident in what he did in and for the sport, both nationally and, unquestionably, here in California. (Cal Expo) A one-time bullfighting cowboy from Manitoba, Daryl Thiessen had suffered his fair share of injuries over the years. He started driving Standardbreds in 2019, however, and was starting to make a real name for himself around Ontarios B-tracks when the COVID pandemic shut down racing in that province in the spring of 2021. Thiessen decided to travel west and ply his trade in Alberta, but was involved in a devastating accident at Century Downs shortly thereafter. The road back has taken him all across North America, and has had more downs than ups, but inspired by the strength of his father, and with the spirit of a true cowboy, Thiessen has found his way back to Ontario, and is looking to pick up where he left off, doing what he loves the most -- racing horses. To read the full story featured in the March 2023 issue of TROT Magazine, click one of the following links: A Lincoln couple will be among the performers traveling to Scottsbluff this week as the UNL Operas touring production presents Giuseppe Verdis, La Traviata, at the Midwest Theater on Saturday, March 25. Suna Gunther is directing La Traviata, while her husband Thom, a guest artist, performs as one of the lead characters in the opera, Germont. For Suna, it is her second time touring with the UNL Operas rural touring program, which started in 2016. The UNL Opera has had one performance this season, performing in Ord earlier this month. The mission of the traveling opera program, developed by UNL Opera director William Shomos, is to perform in rural communities where live opera isnt a regular occurrence. Interestingly, that means that the UNL Opera students are also performing in unique settings, having performed in theaters in Friend, Norfolk and North Platte. For this seasons first opera, they traveled to Ord, where, Suna and Thom shared, its theater is made of out of cornhusks. Thom explained the cornhusks are pressed into the panels of the theater, aptly named The Golden Husk. The acoustics are really good, Suna said. It was really fun to sing there. It was my second time bringing an opera there, Suna said. I was there last year for a production of Amahl and the Night Visitors. Both of the times that weve been to Ord, theyve just been so welcoming and enthusiastic about the opera. It was a really good time. I think the students had a really great experience there. This season is the first for Thom traveling with the UNL Operas touring program. It is the first time with the touring program for her husband, Thom, who plays one of the leads, Giorgio Germont. Thom, who grew up in Iowa, is an alumnus of the University of Nebraska, having attended there from 2006 to 2008 when he earned his masters degree. The couple were living in upstate New York when Suna, who grew up in Chicago, accepted a teaching position at UNL and they moved to Nebraska two years ago, bringing their young family closer to family, and now among the traveling group of performers that brings opera to rural communities. La Traviata, one of the worlds best-known operas, is Giuseppe Verdis story of a scandalous relationship between Violetta, a courtesan, and a wealthy young man, Alfredo. The UNL Opera describes it as a story that illustrates the passion, hope and cost of love. Many people will be familiar with other stories loosely based on the story in La Traviata, such as Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman. In fact, those who are fans of Pretty Woman, will recognize it as the opera that Julia Roberts and Richard Geres characters attend in the film. A year and a half ago, the couple were both performers in a production of La Traviata. However, this time, Suna is directing, rather than performing, while Thom will revive the role of Germont, Alfredos father. Suna feels like her experience performing in opera, and in La Traviata specifically, have helped her in her directorial debut. Its always kind of fun when you are sitting in staging rehearsals and kind of being given different directions to envision how that matches or contributes to your own vision for a show, she said of being an opera performer. Ive always wanted to direct Traviata. I think that its such an interesting and beautiful piece. Having performed the opera benefits Sunas directing vision, she said. I think that its really allowed me to have the luxury of really knowing every word thats being said on stage. Ive done my homework over the years, rather than just months. So, its allowed all of that to kind of marinate in my brain, for my ideas to evolve, and to really have an in-depth look at each of their characters and their relationships to one another, and to the place that theyre in. Thom, who currently teaches at Doane University and the Omaha Conservatory of Music, has performed the role of Germont previously. For me, being in multiple productions of the same role is really fun because each director that Ive worked with has a different take on the character interactions, he said. So, when Im singing the show, the words are the same, but the interactions or the subtext gets to change around quite a bit. Its pretty fun. For many people in Saturdays audience, it will likely be the first time that they have seen an opera performance. And, though La Traviata is set in 19th century France, themes throughout the opera are relatable to modern audiences. For example, in the opera, Germont is the antagonist in the opera, convincing Violetta to end her relationship with Alfredo as its threatened his own daughters engagement because of Violettas reputation. However, as the story is told, his motives are relatable. I think, hes an unwitting villain, Thom said. He doesnt realize what hes doing. He is trying to protect his children and make the best choices for them, something to which all parents can relate. While his son is having a dalliance with Violetta, a courtesan who abandons her previous life when she meets Alfredo, he explains. Germont is trying to get his daughter married into a family of a higher class, to improve her station in life. Knowing his sons dalliance isnt looked on favorably, he worries that hell be unable to be successful in his efforts to get his daughter married. Im coming in to protect my family, protect our wealth, in that sense, and protect her, getting her into a good marriage. ... I dont see it (the relationship between Alfredo and Violetta) as a relationship that serves both my son or my daughter in the future. In 19th century France, Violetta wouldnt have been able to enter into aristocracy, and marrying beneath your station would have been considered a sign of financial troubles in the family. Eventually, the couple are reunited, but not in time to avoid tragedy. Suna said, I often think about, if Germont had to do it all over again, knowing what he knows at the end of the opera, would he do the same thing or not, you know? And I dont know that I actually know the answer to that question. I think that he deeply regrets the pain that he causes at the end of the opera, because she has a terminal illness, and she ends up dying, but... But, at the same time, Thom said, finishing Sunas sentence, I think he really does think that hes doing the right thing, for most of the opera. The paradoxes that we face in our lives are themes we can all relate to, Thom and Suna said. Thats one of so many universal messages and things that we kind of grapple with in this opera that we can totally relate to, Suna said. Thom and I are both parents, and we think we know whats best for our kids, but Im sure well encounter moments in our lives where it turns out that our kids knew better than we did that was best for them. Other themes, such as Violetta struggling with her mortality and how shell be seen after she dies, will also resonate. From the very first note of the opera, she knows that she has this disease, and that shes not going to last very long in this world, Suna said. So, I think she has different ways of kind of dealing with that throughout the opera, whether it be trying to live life to its fullest and party and be as vibrant as she can while she still has the energy to do it, or whether its making these lasting sacrifices that cause her and her loves pain now, but shell be remembered for being a good person. The opera will be performed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and is open to the public, being billed as a gift to the community. A director's chat by William Shomos will precede the opera, starting at 6:30 p.m. Read more from Thom and Sara Gunther on the work that goes into producing and performing La Traviata in this weeks upcoming Hometowns edition, which is inserted into the Star-Herald Wednesday. The UNL Operas visit to Scottsbluff is made possible by UNL Friends of the Opera and funds generously donated by James C. and Rhonda Seacrest family to establish and support the Tour Nebraska Opera Fund, bringing live operas throughout the state. Gering residents Rita Stinner and her husband, former state Sen. John Stinner, have been cited as being instrumental in bringing the opera to Scottsbluff. Rita Stinner is a member of the Friends of the Opera board. While in Scottsbluff, the UNL Opera will perform and work with students at Gering Junior High School. Performers with UNL Opera will also give special presentations during a private reception being held at the Midwest Theater on Friday, March 24. Owen Palms involvement with hiring international workers came about by coincidence. Scott Schiffs was deliberate. Both Scotts Bluff County agribusiness professionals and the Ukrainian and South African natives they have respectively hired typify a growing openness to boosting local employers workforces from abroad. Alex Tkachenko, 45, who sent out resumes to U.S. John Deere dealers in 2011, joined Palms Scottsbluff-based 21st-Century Equipment as export manager 11 years before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. More recently, 29-year-old Michael Henwick permanently left South Africa in 2020 to rejoin Schiff Farms, Scott Schiffs multicounty farm and ranch operation based northeast of Minatare. Both mens wives were able to join them, and they say they and their children have found the North Platte Valley to be an ideal place to live. I think if theres more opportunities like I had here to grow and be cultivated into what I am today, more and more guys would come here if they knew there was an easier road to come and stay here, Henwick said. Tkachenko, a U.S. citizen since 2017, has especially seen that through co-workers and fellow church members concern and donations as he has taken humanitarian aid to Ukraines front lines three times since the invasion. Hes planning a fourth trip soon. Fifty dollars, a hundred dollars, we were pulling together, he said, saying that helped him buy a van he keeps in Poland between trips to haul supplies. The neighbors, like every time they say, Alex, when will you come back? Schiff, who owns 18,000 irrigated acres and some 40,000 rangeland acres stretching into Box Butte County, said hes one of several Panhandle agricultural producers who employ legal immigrants from South Africa. He hired his first ones through the federal H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa system in 2011. Theyre generally white Afrikaners, whose ancestors controlled political power in Black-majority South Africa until the nations apartheid system of racial segregation ended in 1994. Well, its impossible to find the people locally, he said. The operations that have grown a lot in the last 10 years have started using foreign workers. White South Africans make up about half of Schiff Farms 50-person workforce. Schiff also employs eight H-2A workers from Mexico, mainly with his cattle operation. They can stay up to three years as long as they rotate between the farm and cattle sides every few months. A couple have gained permanent worker status and returned, Schiff said. Though Henwick grew up in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Pretoria, he frequently visited an aunts cattle-feeding operation about 2 hours north of the South African capital. I had a mechanical background, but when I started looking to come to America, I started learning more extensively about farming, he said. After finishing school in 2011, Henwick worked for 2 years for a baking supply company. He became a manager within a year, working in logistics, shipping and receiving. But the job paid only about $600 a month. I couldnt afford my life anymore, he said. There isnt opportunity there like there is here. He obtained in 2014 his first in a series of H-2A visas, returning to South Africa each winter. Henwick went first to Oklahoma and then North Dakota, generally traveling with the custom-combining crews who harvest winter wheat up and down the Great Plains. Thats how he came into contact with Schiff, he said. He was driving near Alliance when he suddenly spotted a man he knew from South Africa. I pulled him over with my truck, and we talked and he was the one working for Scott, Henwick said. Schiff agreed to take him on when he could return. Henwick went home once more, married his wife, Nastasia, in early 2017 and came to Scotts Bluff County with her that December. Rotating between jobs like Schiffs other international workers, Michael Henwick drove a feed truck for five months and worked sprayers and harvesting equipment. He and Nastasia went home once more at the end of 2019. Their three-month stay turned into six when COVID-19 struck, but Schiff applied for their permanent resident status in between. The couple returned in June 2020. Theyve since welcomed two children Levi, 20 months, and Talia, born Jan. 20 to their home on Schiffs main spread near Minatare. They expect to receive their green cards at years end and apply for U.S. citizenship in three to five years. Michael Henwick said he recently found his way back to mechanical work when Schiff assigned him to working on engines, farm equipment, trucks and trailers. My story has changed a lot through the opportunities I have been given. A blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag can be seen in Palms front lobby at 21st-Centurys corporate headquarters at South Beltline Highway and Fifth Avenue. Tkachenko and his wife, Natasha, came with two suitcases and a little money. Thats all they had, Palm said. He was lucky in that he had a visa and he had to have a sponsor. Somehow, we connected. The Tkachenkos grew up in the Black Sea port city of Kherson, which Russian forces captured in the wars first week in March 2022 and held for eight months. Growing coalition points abroad in relieving Nebraskas workforce woes A coalition of agricultural, business and other industry leaders from one end of the state to the other is undertaking work to encourage the state to recruit internationally to grow its workforce. But Ukraine has long been known as the breadbasket of Europe, and Tkachenko, who holds a degree in English from Kherson State University, got a job offer after his 2006 graduation in agriculture rather than teaching. He joined Imperial Agro, a Ukrainian agribusiness concern founded by U.S. investors. Soon he found that I just preferred chasing the combine, being in the field and talking to customers rather than being in a teaching job. Tkachenko already had experienced American life by working six summers on J-1 visas at YMCAs in California during college, he said. His Imperial Agro duties, which included selling soybean inoculants and doing trade shows, brought him into contact with U.S. dealers of used equipment badly needed after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union and its collective farms. By 2010, Alex and Natasha Tkachenko, who married in 2002, were looking to put his skill set to use in the United States. They already had their daughter, Anastasia, now 16, and now also have a son, Timothy, 10. Since I was involved in equipment shipping and imports, I sent a lot of resumes to John Deere dealers, Alex said. Theyre top-shelf. Palm saw the resume. Owen responds to me and sends me a reply back: Thats an interesting resume. Lets meet. Im going to be in Ukraine in one week. They met in Kahovka, about 40 minutes from Kherson, and Palm offered him the job. But it took about a year and cost about $10,000 in U.S. dollars to get a permanent resident visa for all three Tkachenkos, Alex said. They took the train to the Polish capital of Warsaw in April 2011 to interview with U.S. immigration officials, then flew to Chicago. Youre sitting on an immigration office bench at OHare International Airport to finish the process, Tkachenko said. We slept on those benches in the Chicago airport, waiting for the next flight. Just two to three months after starting work in Scottsbluff, I jumped in the airplane and I was in Ukraine. Hes gone home three to five times a year since for trade shows and visiting 21st-Century customers. Every time I go to my hometown, people say, Its like you never left, Tkachenko said. Thats how he came to be in Kherson on Feb. 24, 2022, when Russian President Vladimir Putins forces started bombing Ukrainian cities and stormed across the border with a goal of forcibly reuniting the one-time Soviet republics. I see explosions (from the windows) by the airport, he said. I got dressed real fast. Thats when people learn how to pack their life in 40 minutes. Tkachenko didnt escape the country until Feb. 28, leaving with Natashas parents and her sister. Alex had to leave them behind in Warsaw, but his in-laws joined him and his family in Scottsbluff in November. When he goes back to Ukraine, mixing humanitarian aid with 21st-Century business, he takes supplies right to the front lines where Ukrainian troops have driven the Russians back toward the border in recent months. The closer I get to the front line, I get less afraid, Tkachenko said. Thats what works for me. When putting on the production of The Sound of Music, the Center Stage Alliance starts nearly eight weeks in advance as the complexities of a musical require plenty of practice and preparation for the dozens of cast and crew involved. As they came together in the final week of rehearsals tech week director Josh Myers still had plenty of notes for everyone as they shot for perfection before opening night at Mac Gray Auditorium in Statesville on Thursday. But they got pretty close to that when the lights came down and they treated audiences to the young, carefree governess Maria and the von Trapp family in 1930s Austria. It was incredible. I dont know any other words than it just was magic, Myers said. There were a lot of problems through tech week, which is not uncommon for tech week, but there will be a lot of hiccups and doubts and fears and you wonder if everythings gonna come together on opening night. I never really doubted it because I knew what I had in the people and how much work they put into it. I knew it would just fall into place. But, then to still to go from the final dress and the hiccups it had to opening night and it runs almost flawless and to see the reaction of the crowd, to see, how happy the cast was afterwards. I dont know how it could be any better. Honestly, it was a very good feeling of satisfaction. Long nights of rehearsals paid off when those two pages of notes were down to just a handful of small things they wanted to work on going forward. Audiences still have several more chances to catch the classic musical with a matinee performance today at 3:30 p.m., as well as March 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought at centerstagealliance.org for $16 a person. Tickets bought at the door are $20. At the March 23 showing, it will be Costume Night as people are encouraged to wear Sound of Music-themed attire and if you do, a ticket is only $5. Arrive by 6:30 p.m. if you want to enter the costume contest. Center Stage Alliance is a nonprofit organization offering expert training in the arts to our community and taught by professional arts educators, according to its website. A Wytheville family and the George Wythe High School community are grieving the loss of a teenager who died in a house fire Sunday morning. Wythe County Chief Deputy Anthony Cline said emergency crews responded to the Brower Lane home some time after 9 a.m. after a family member woke to the fire. Two adults and a 17-year-old were able to escape the home, but Cline said 16-year-old Daniel Busha died in the fire. This is tragic, Cline said. Its a sad situation. Our hearts go out to the family. The 17-year-old was treated for injuries she received during her escape through a window. An adult was still being treated for smoke inhalation Sunday afternoon. Busha was a sophomore at George Wythe High School. In a brief statement on the schools Facebook page, school officials said counselors would be on site to help any students or staff members beginning Monday. Schools Superintendent Wesley Poole said on Monday that the additional counselors would be available as long as students or staff need. Its a tragic event, Poole said, adding that the school system is behind the family 100%. Anything they need from us, were here to help, whatever we can do. Our hearts are with them, he said. The Virginia State Polices arson investigation team is investigating the cause of the fire, however Cline said it is not believed to be suspicious in nature. The Max Meadows Fire Department, Barren Springs Fire Department, Ivanhoe Fire Department, Lead Mines Rescue Squad, Virginia State Police, Wythe County Emergency Management and Wythe County Sheriffs Office responded. Barren Springs fire crews had just finished up extinguishing an earlier fire in the Poplar Camp area when they were alerted to the house fire on Brower Lane. Fire Chief Josh Stitt said crews were dispatched to a garage fire on Lead Mines Road around 6 a.m. Stitt said the private garage, which was not attached to another structure, had been used to house old race cars. By the time units arrived, some ruins were sitting on the ground, Stitt said, over top of what remained of the structure. No one was inside the building when it caught fire. While the fire was contained to the single structure, Stitt said homes on either side of the building, as well as a few vehicles, suffered some heat damage. The cause of that fire is still yet to be determined, but Stitt said it is believed to have originated from a wood stove inside the building. Vidal Villagren was working in construction when he fell 12 feet off a roof on the job. He lost mobility in both hands. The injuries were so serious he needed surgery and spent six months in a cast. When Villagrans hands finally healed, he wanted to return to work. His boss said no, Villagran said; they didnt need someone who could no longer do labor-intensive jobs with his hands. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries helped him file a claim, but going back into construction was not an option with his injuries. Villagran, a 36-year-old father of three who lives in Woodland, had few choices. Thats when he decided to enroll at Lower Columbia College. He will soon have an associates degree in automotive technology once he graduates this June. When I had the accident, I will say it was bad, Villagran said. But now its turned into something good because now I can study. ... When I was younger, it was my dream to study and be an automotive technician. Making it to Woodland Villagran was born into a family of farmers in Guatemala where they cultivated produce like corn and potatoes. His family didnt have much, he said, but he always knew he liked working on cars. In 2010, Villagran decided to move to California to find work. Three years later, his wife and oldest son joined him. They moved to Woodland, where he found work in construction and roofing. Once he could no longer work with his hands in the same way after the accident, Villagran decided to pursue his childhood dream of learning automotive technology at LCC. (My advisers) asked me what I wanted to do when I go back to work, and I thought, OK, this is my opportunity, he said. It wasnt too hard because it was something I already liked to do. But finding his footing in a college environment wasnt easy, he said. He knew little English and often had to use online translation tools to understand his teachers. His classes were expensive, but he was able to earn scholarships and grants that paid for his school in full. The LCC Foundation and The Daily News Students in Need funding program began eight years ago as a way to provide emergency grants for students like Villagran, who have the determination but little access to resources that help with costly classes. The drive supports the schools Student Success Fund, which helps LCC students most likely to drop out because they cant pay for necessities like tuition, books or even gas to get to class. Last years campaign made nearly $4,000 more than the goal of $35,000. This years goal is the same. 2023 Students in Need What: The kickoff for the annual fundraising campaign as part of a partnership between TDN and LCC Foundation. When: Sunday, March 19 through Sunday, May 7. Goal: $35,000. How to give: Payments will go directly to the LCC Foundation online at tdn.com/students or by mail to Lower Columbia College Foundation, PO BOX 3010, Longview, WA 98632. Turn to A3 to cut out a donation coupon. The college reported students who get some of this funding complete college at nearly double the rate of their other classmates. I have a lot of help, Villagran said. Everyone here is a good person. His wife supported him throughout the hardships, Villagran said. She stays at home with their three children, a 13-year-old boy, a 6-year-old daughter and a 7-month-old infant. Since neither of them make a reliable income, Villagran said he knew he had to finish his degree to give them all a better life. When I talk about my family, I feel... Villagran said, tearing up at the thought of his wife and kids. Its hard, but she took care of all of us. The goal, he said, is to eventually open his own auto business. For now, he will use his degree to get work at a dealership, build good credit and buy his family a home in Woodland. The possibilities are wide open, he said. I think especially for Hispanic people, its good to say that if you have dreams, dont stop, he said. Everybody can keep going. I believe in the power of opportunity and access to education. Communities with higher educational attainment rates tend to fare better across a variety of indicators. Education levels correlate with literacy, unemployment and household income statistics. Educational attainment is also strongly associated with health outcomes, including quality of life. Lower Columbia College provides that opportunity to generations of families within our community. Access to an affordable and accessible education can seem out of reach for many. This is why, now more than ever, Lower Columbia Colleges Student Success Fund is the tool our community needs to help students fulfill their dreams of careers that sustain families. The Student Success Fund allows counselors at LCC to award small emergency grants to students that are in jeopardy of dropping out or not graduating because they are short on funds needed for tuition, books, childcare, transportation, emergency housing, or tools and school supplies. On behalf of Lower Columbia College, I would like to thank The Daily News and you, our tremendous community, for supporting the future of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties with the Students in Need campaign. Every dollar raised through the campaign will go to the LCC Student Success Fund. Since launching the Student Success Fund in 2012, the LCC Foundation has distributed over $585,000 in emergency grants to help over 976 students in need. The average grant is around $600. These one-time grants have meant the difference between success and failure for many students who are either continuing their education or have become proud college graduates. I am so grateful to the community for the incredible support of the Students in Need campaign over the last seven years. This year, The Daily News set a goal of $35,000 for its eighth annual campaign to support LCCs Student Success Fund. Your gift, large or small, holds the potential to change a life and make an impact in your community for years to come. Because of you, we are transforming lives through education. You can, too! Are you searching for an ecomerce platform to help you build an online store and sell products? In this Sellfy review, we'll talk about how this eCommerce platform can let you sell digital products while keeping full control of your marketing. And the best part? Starting your business can be done in just five minutes. Let us then talk about the Sellfy platform and all the benefits it can bring to your business. What is Sellfy? Sellfy is an eCommerce solution that allows digital content creators, including writers, illustrators, designers, musicians, and filmmakers, to sell their products online. Sellfy provides a customizable storefront where users can display their digital products and embed "Buy Now" buttons on their website or blog. Sellfy product pages enable users to showcase their products from different angles with multiple images and previews from Soundcloud, Vimeo, and YouTube. Files of up to 2GB can be uploaded to Sellfy, and the company offers unlimited bandwidth and secure file storage. Users can also embed their entire store or individual project widgets in their site, with the ability to preview how widgets will appear before they are displayed. Features Sellfy includes: Online Store Sellfy is a powerful e-commerce platform that helps you personalize your online storefront. You can add your logo, change colors, revise navigation, and edit the layout of your store. Sellfy also allows you to create a full shopping cart so customers can purchase multiple items. And Sellfy gives you the ability to set your language or let customers see a translated version of your store based on their location. Sellfy gives you the option to host your store directly on its platform, add a custom domain to your store, and use it as an embedded storefront on your website. Sellfy also optimizes its store offerings for mobile devices, allowing for a seamless checkout experience. Product hosting Sellfy allows creators to host all their products and sell all of their digital products on one platform. Sellfy also does not place storage limits on your store but recommends that files be no larger than 5GB. Creators can sell both standard and subscription-based products in any file format that is supported by the online marketplace. Customers can purchase products instantly after making a purchase there is no waiting period. You can organize your store by creating your product categories, sorting by any characteristic you choose. Your title, description, and the image will be included on each product page. In this way, customers can immediately evaluate all of your products. You can offer different pricing options for all of your products, including "pay what you want," in which the price is entirely up to the customer. This option allows you to give customers control over the cost of individual items (without a minimum price) or to set pricing minimumsa good option if you're in a competitive market or when you have higher-end products. You can also offer set prices per product as well as free products to help build your store's popularity. Sellfy is ideal for selling digital content, such as ebooks. But it does not allow you to copyrighted material (that you don't have rights to distribute). Embed options Sellfy offers several ways to share your store, enabling you to promote your business on different platforms. Sellfy lets you integrate it with your existing website using "buy now" buttons, embed your entire storefront, or embed certain products so you can reach more people. Sellfy also enables you to connect with your Facebook page and YouTube channel, maximizing your visibility. Payments and security Sellfy is a simple online platform that allows customers to buy your products directly through your store. Sellfy has two payment processing options: PayPal and Stripe. You will receive instant payments with both of these processors, and your customer data is protected by Sellfy's secure (PCI-compliant) payment security measures. In addition to payment security, Sellfy provides anti-fraud tools to help protect your products including PDF stamping, unique download links, and limited download attempts. Marketing and analytics tools The Sellfy platform includes marketing and analytics tools to help you manage your online store. You can send email product updates and collect newsletter subscribers through the platform. With Sellfy, you can also offer discount codes and product upsells, as well as create and track Facebook and Twitter ads for your store. The software's analytics dashboard will help you track your best-performing products, generated revenue, traffic channels, top locations, and overall store performance. Integrations To expand functionality and make your e-commerce store run more efficiently, Sellfy offers several integrations. Google Analytics and Webhooks, as well as integrations with Patreon and Facebook Live Chat, are just a few of the options available. Sellfy allows you to connect to Zapier, which gives you access to hundreds of third-party apps, including tools like Mailchimp, Trello, Salesforce, and more. Pricing and Premium Plan Features Get Sellfy 14 day free trail from here Free Plan Price: $0 The free plan comes with: Up to 10 products Print-on-demand products Physical products Starter Plan Price: $19/month Starter plan comes with: Everything is Free, plus: Unlimited products Digital products Subscription products Connect your domain 2,000 email credits Business Plan Price: $49/month The business plan comes with: Everything in Starter, plus: Remove "Sellfy" branding Store design migration Cart abandonment Product upselling 10,000 email credits Premium Plan Price: $99/month The premium plan comes with: Everything in Business, plus: Product migration Priority support 50,000 email credits Sellfy Review: Pros and Cons Sellfy has its benefits and downsides, but fortunately, the pros outweigh the cons. Pros It takes only a few minutes to set up an online store and begin selling products. You can sell your products on a single storefront, even if you are selling multiple product types. Sellfy supports selling a variety of product types, including physical items, digital goods, subscriptions, and print-on-demand products. Sellfy offers a free plan for those who want to test out the features before committing to a paid plan. You get paid the same day you make a sale. Sellfy doesn't delay your funds as some other payment processors do. Print-on-demand services are available directly from your store, so you can sell merchandise to fans without setting up an integration. You can conduct all store-related activities via the mobile app and all online stores have mobile responsive designs. Everything you need to make your website is included, including a custom domain name hosting, security for your files, and the ability to customize your store The file security features can help you protect your digital property by allowing you to put PDF stamps, set download limits, and SSL encryption. Sellfy provides unlimited support. Sellfy provides simple and intuitive tax and VAT configuration settings. Marketing strategies include coupons, email marketing, upselling, tracking pixels, and cart abandonment. Cons Although the free plan is helpful, but it limits you to only 10 products. Payment plans often require an upgrade if you exceed a certain sales amount per year. The storefront designs are clean, but they're not unique templates for creating a completely different brand image. Sellfy's branding is removed from your hosted product when you upgrade to the $49 per month Business plan. The free plan does not allow for selling digital or subscription products. Conclusion In this article, we have taken a look at some of the biggest benefits associated with using sellfy for eCommerce. Once you compare these benefits to what you get with other platforms such as Shopify, you should find that it is worth your time to consider sellfy for your business. After reading this article all of your questions will be solved but if you have still some questions let me know in the comment section below, I will be happy to answer your questions. Note: This article contains affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you buy sellfy premium plan from our link. The marketing industry is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a way to save time and execute smarter, more personalized campaigns. 61% of marketers say AI software is the most important aspect of their data strategy. If youre late to the AI party, dont worry. Its easier than you think to start leveraging artificial intelligence tools in your marketing strategy. Here are 11 AI marketing tools every marketer should start using today. Jasper is a content writing and content generation tool that uses artificial intelligence to identify the best words and sentences for your writing style and medium in the most efficient, quick, and accessible way. Key Features It's trusted by 50,000+ marketers for creating engaging marketing campaigns, ad copy, blog posts, and articles within minutes which would traditionally take hours or days. Special Features: Blog posts have been optimized for search engines and rank high on Google and other search engines. This is a huge plus for online businesses that want to generate traffic to their website through content marketing. 99.9% Original Content and guarantees that all content it generates will be original, so businesses can focus on their online reputation rather than worrying about penalties from Google for duplicate content. Long-Form Article Writing Jasper.ai is also useful for long-form writing, allowing users to create articles of up to 10,000 words without any difficulty. This is ideal for businesses that want to produce in-depth content that will capture their audiences attention. Wait! I've got a pretty sweet deal for you. Sign up through the link below, and you'll get (10k Free Credits) 2. Personalize Personalize is an AI-powered technology that helps you identify and produce highly targeted sales and marketing campaigns by tracking the products and services your contacts are most interested in at any given time. The platform uses an algorithm to identify each contacts top three interests, which are updated in real-time based on recent site activity. Key Features Identifies top three interests based on metrics like time on page, recency, and frequency of each contact Works with every ESP and CRM Easy to get up and running in days Enterprise-grade technology at a low cost for SMBs 3. Seventh Sense Seventh Sense provides behavioral analytics that helps you win attention in your customers overcrowded email inboxes. Choosing the best day and time to send an email is always a gamble. And while some days of the week generally get higher open rates than others, youll never be able to nail down a time thats best for every customer. Seventh Sense eases your stress of having to figure out the perfect send-time and day for your email campaigns. The AI-based platform figures out the best timing and email frequency for each contact based on when theyre opening emails. The tool is primarily geared toward HubSpot and Marketo customers Key Features AI determines the best send-time and email frequency for each contact Connects with HubSpot and Marketo 4. Phrasee Phrasee uses artificial intelligence to help you write more effective subject lines. With its AI-based Natural Language Generation system, Phrasee uses data-driven insights to generate millions of natural-sounding copy variants that match your brand voice. The model is end-to-end, meaning when you feed the results back to Phrasee, the prediction model rebuilds so it can continuously learn from your audience. Key Features Instantly generates millions of human-sounding, brand-compliant copy variants Creates tailored language models for every customer Learns what your audience responds to and rebuilds the prediction model every time 5. Hubspot Seo HubSpot Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an integral tool for the Human Content team. It uses machine learning to determine how search engines understand and categorize your content. HubSpot SEO helps you improve your search engine rankings and outrank your competitors. Search engines reward websites that organize their content around core subjects, or topic clusters. HubSpot SEO helps you discover and rank for the topics that matter to your business and customers. Key Features Helps you discover and rank topics that people are searching for Provides suggestions for your topic clusters and related subjects Integrates with all other HubSpot content tools to help you create a well-rounded content strategy 6. Evolve AI When youre limited to testing two variables against each other at a time, it can take months to get the results youre looking for. Evolv AI lets you test all your ideas at once. It uses advanced algorithms to identify the top-performing concepts, combine them with each other, and repeat the process to achieve the best site experience. Key Features Figures out which content provides the best performance Lets you test multiple ideas in a single experiment instead of having to perform many individual tests over a long period Lets you try all your ideas across multiple pages for full-funnel optimization Offers visual and code editors 7. Acrolinx Acrolinx is a content alignment platform that helps brands scale and improves the quality of their content. Its geared toward enterprises its major customers include big brands like Google, Adobe, and Amazon - to help them scale their writing efforts. Instead of spending time chasing down and fixing typos in multiple places throughout an article or blog post, you can use Acrolinx to do it all right there in one place. You start by setting your preferences for style, grammar, tone of voice, and company-specific word usage. Then, Acrolinx checks and scores your existing content to find whats working and suggest areas for improvement. The platform provides real-time guidance and suggestions to make writing better and strengthen weak pages. Key features Reviews and scores existing content to ensure it meets your brand guidelines Finds opportunities to improve your content and use automation to shorten your editorial process. Integrates with more than 50 tools and platforms, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, WordPress, and most web browsers. 8. MarketMuse MarketMuse uses an algorithm to help marketers build content strategies. The tool shows you where to target keywords to rank in specific topic categories, and recommends keywords you should go after if you want to own particular topics. It also identifies gaps and opportunities for new content and prioritizes them by their probable impact on your rankings. The algorithm compares your content with thousands of articles related to the same topic to uncover whats missing from your site. Key features: The built-in editor shows how in-depth your topic is covered and what needs improvement Finds gaps and opportunities for new content creation, prioritized by their probable impact and your chance of ranking 9. Copilot Copilot is a suite of tools that help eCommerce businesses maintain real-time communication with customers around the clock at every stage of the funnel. Promote products, recover shopping carts and send updates or reminders directly through Messenger. Key features: Integrate Facebook Messenger directly with your website, including chat history and recent interactions for a fluid customer service experience Run drip messenger campaigns to keep customers engaged with your brand Send abandoned carts, out-of-stock, restock, preorder, order status, and shipment notifications to contacts Send branded images, promotional content, or coupon codes to those who opt in Collect post-purchase feedback, reviews, and customer insight Demonstrate social proof on your website with a widget, or push automatic Facebook posts sharing recent purchases Display a promotional banner on your website to capture contacts instantly 10. Yotpo Yotpos deep learning technology evaluates your customers product reviews to help you make better business decisions. It identifies key topics that customers mention related to your productsand their feelings toward them. The AI engine extracts relevant reviews from past buyers and presents them in smart displays to convert new shoppers. Yotpo also saves you time moderating reviews. The AI-powered moderation tool automatically assigns a score to each review and flags reviews with negative sentiment so you can focus on quality control instead of manually reviewing every post. Key features: Makes it easy for shoppers to filter reviews and find the exact information theyre looking for Analyzes customer feedback and sentiments to help you improve your products Integrates with most leading eCommerce platforms, including BigCommerce, Magento, and Shopify. 11. Albert AI Albert is a self-learning software that automates the creation of marketing campaigns for your brand. It analyzes vast amounts of data to run optimized campaigns autonomously, allowing you to feed in your own creative content and target markets, and then use data from its database to determine key characteristics of a serious buyer. Albert identifies potential customers that match those traits, and runs trial campaigns on a small group of customerswith results refined by Albert himselfbefore launching it on a larger scale. Albert plugs into your existing marketing technology stack, so you still have access to your accounts, ads, search, social media, and more. Albert maps tracking and attribution to your source of truth so you can determine which channels are driving your business. Key features: Breaks down large amounts of data to help you customize campaigns Plugs into your marketing technology stack and can be used across diverse media outlets, including email, content, paid media, and mobile Final Saying There are many tools and companies out there that offer AI tools, but this is a small list of resources that we have found to be helpful. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below this article. As marketing evolves at such a rapid pace, new marketing strategies will be invented that we haven't even dreamed of yet. But for now, this list should give you a good starting point on your way to implementing AI into your marketing mix. Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission if you buy any premium plan from our link. Are you looking for a way to create content that is both effective and efficient? If so, then you should consider using an AI content generator. AI content generators are a great way to create content that is both engaging and relevant to your audience. There are a number of different AI content generator tools available on the market, and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. To help you make the best decision, we have compiled a list of the top 10 AI content generator tools that you should use in 2022. So, without further ado, lets get started! Jasper is a content writing and content generation tool that uses artificial intelligence to identify the best words and sentences for your writing style and medium in the most efficient, quick, and accessible way. Features It's trusted by 50,000+ marketers for creating engaging marketing campaigns, ad copy, blog posts, and articles within minutes which would traditionally take hours or days. Special Features: Blog posts have been optimized for search engines and rank high on Google and other search engines. This is a huge plus for online businesses that want to generate traffic to their website through content marketing. 99.9% Original Content and guarantees that all content it generates will be original, so businesses can focus on their online reputation rather than worrying about penalties from Google for duplicate content. Long-Form Article Writing Jasper.ai is also useful for long-form writing, allowing users to create articles of up to 10,000 words without any difficulty. This is ideal for businesses that want to produce in-depth content that will capture their audiences attention. Pros User-friendly interface Generates a wide variety of content types Guarantees 100% unique and free-plagiarism content SEO friendly Create articles of up to 10k words Cons Not the cheapest AI writer on the market Pricing Jasper.ai offers a free trial Starter Plan: $29/Month Features: 50 AI copywriting skills Unlimited projects, Up to 5 user logins The cheapest option covers up to 20,000 words generated each month. Boss Mode: $99/Month Features: Up to 100k words are generated each month and can go up to over 300k. Wait! I've got a pretty sweet deal for you. Sign up through the link below, and you'll get ( 10k Free Credits Copy.ai is a content writing tool that enables its users to create marketing copy, social media posts, Facebook Ads, and many more formats by using more than 90 templates such as Bullet Points to Blogs, General Ads, Hook Text, etc. The utility of this service can be used for short-term or format business purposes such as product descriptions, website copy, market copy, and sales reports. Key Features: Provides a large set of templates where you can input the data and the AI will generate Templates with around 10 or more options to make it easy for the user to choose. Smooth and efficient user experience with chrome extension where one can easily transfer information from Copy.ai to a content management forum, Google docs, etc without having to switch tabs. Generates content in 25 languages where your input and output language may differ if you are not a native English speaker. Pros The best option for short-length content generation such as market copy, sales reports, blogs, etc. Facebook community and email support for users to understand the AI better and to interact with other users. Beginner-friendly user experience with various templates to help the process of content generation. Free plan and no credit card required. Cons The free plan from Copy AI is a welcome sight, however, it is just suitable for testing the software. Pricing Free Trial 7 days with 24/7 email support and 100 runs per day. Pro Plan: $49 and yearly, it will cost you $420 i.e. $35 per month. Wait! I've got a pretty sweet deal for you. Sign up through the link below, and you'll get (7,000 Free Words Plus 40% OFF) if you upgrade to the paid plan within four days. Claim Your 7,000 Free Words With This Special Link - No Credit Card Required Just like Outranking, Frase is an AI that helps you research, create and optimize your content to make it high quality within seconds. Frase works on SEO optimization where the content is made to the liking of search engines by optimizing keywords and keywords. Features: Generate full-length, optimized content briefs in seconds and review the main keywords, headers, and concepts in your SEO competitors content in one intuitive research panel. Write high-converting, SEO-optimized copy and make writers block a thing of the past with automated outlines, blog introductions, product descriptions, FAQs, and more. An intuitive text editor that uses a topic model to score your content Optimization against your competitors. A dashboard that automatically identifies and categorizes your best content opportunities. Frase uses your Google Search Console data to serve up actionable insights about what you should work on next. Pros Unlike Outranking, the interface to Frase is very user-friendly and accessible. Users who are content writers and have to research get a lot of time to write and ideate instead of juggling from one website to another as data can be easily accessed on Frase for research on a topic. Optimizing content with keyword analysis and SEO optimization has been made easier with Frase's Content Optimization. Reports on competitors' websites help in optimizing our own articles and websites. Content briefs make research very easy and efficient. Cons The paid plans are a bit pricey because they include many tools for content optimization. Pricing Frase provides two plans for all users and a customizable plan for an enterprise or business. Solo Plan: $14.99/Month and $12/Month if billed yearly with 4 Document Credits for 1 user seat. Basic Plan: $44.99/month and $39.99/month if billed yearly with 30 Document Credits for 1 user seat. Team Plan: $114.99/month and $99.99/month if billed yearly for unlimited document credits for 3 users. *SEO Add-ons and other premium features for $35/month irrespective of the plan. 4. Article Forge Popular Blog Writing Software for Efficiency and Affordability Article Forge is another content generator that operates quite differently from the others on this list. Unlike Jasper.ai, which requires you to provide a brief and some information on what you want it to write this tool only asks for a keyword. From there, itll generate a complete article for you. Features Article Forge integrates with several other software, including WordAi, RankerX, SEnuke TNG, and SEO Autopilot. The software takes information from high-ranking websites and then creates more credible articles to rank well in search engines. If you want to generate content regularly, Article Forge can help. You can set it up to automatically generate articles based on your specific keyword or topic. Or, if you need a lot of content quickly, you can use the bulk content feature to get many articles in a short period. Pros Excellent for engaging with readers on multiple CMS platforms No spinner content. Create multiple unique articles Extremely quick and efficient One of the cheapest options online Cons You need to pay attention to the content since its not always on point Only ideal for decent-quality articles if youre lucky Pricing Whats excellent about Article Forge is they provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can choose between a monthly or yearly subscription. Unfortunately, they offer a free trial and no free plan: Basic Plan: $27/Month Features: This plan allows users to produce up to 25k words each month. This is excellent for smaller blogs or those who are just starting. Standard Plan: $57/month) Features: This plan allows users to produce up to 250k words each month. This is excellent for smaller blogs or those who are just starting. Unlimited Plan: $117/month Features: If youre looking for an unlimited amount of content, this is the plan for you. You can create as many articles as you want, and theres no word limit. Its important to note that Article Forge guarantees that all content generated through the platform passes Copyscape. 5. Rytr Superb AI Content Writing Assistant Rytr.me is a free AI content generator perfect for small businesses, bloggers, and students. The software is easy to use and can generate SEO-friendly blog posts, articles, and school papers in minutes. Features Rytr can be used for various purposes, from writing blog posts to creating school papers. You can also generate captions for social media, product descriptions, and meta descriptions. Rytr supports writing for over 30 languages, so you can easily create content in your native language. The AI helps you write content in over 30 tones to find the perfect tone for your brand or project. Rytr has a built-in plagiarism checker that ensures all your content is original and plagiarism free. Pros Easy to use Creates unique content It supports over 30 languages Multi-tone writing capabilities Cons It can be slow at times Grammar and flow could use improvement Pricing Rytr offers a free plan that comes with limited features. It covers up to 5,000 characters generated each month and has access to the built-in plagiarism checker. If you want to use all the features of the software, you can purchase one of the following plans: Saver Plan: $9/month, $90/year Features: Generate 100k characters per month Access 40+ use-cases Write in 30+ languages Access 20+ tones Built-in plagiarism checker Generate up to 20 images per month with AI Access to premium community Create your own custom use-case Unlimited Plan: $29/month, $290/year Features: Generate UNLIMITED* characters per month Access 40+ use-cases Write in 30+ languages Access 20+ tones Built-in plagiarism checker Generate up to 100 images per month with AI Access to premium community Create your own custom use-case Dedicated account manager Priority email & chat support 6. Writesonic Best AI Article Writing Software with a Grammar and Plagiarism Checker Writesonic is a free, easy-to-use AI content generator. The software is designed to help you create copy for marketing content, websites, and blogs. It's also helpful for small businesses or solopreneurs who need to produce content on a budget. Features The tone checker, is a great feature that helps you ensure that your content is consistent with your brands voice. This is excellent for crafting cohesive and on-brand content. The grammar checker is another valuable tool that helps you produce error-free content. The plagiarism checker is a great way to ensure that your content is original. Pricing Writesonic is free with limited features. The free plan is more like a free trial, providing ten credits. After that, youd need to upgrade to a paid plan. Here are your options: Short-form: $15/month Features: Access to all the short-form content templates like Facebook ads, product descriptions, paragraphs, and more. Long-Form: $19/month Features: Awesome tools to help you write short and long-form content like blog posts, ebooks, and more. 7. CopySmith Produces Quality Content in Seconds CopySmith is an AI content generator that can be used to create personal and professional documents, blogs, and presentations. It offers a wide range of features including the ability to easily create documents and presentations. CopySmith also has several templates that you can use to get started quickly. Features This software allows you to create product descriptions, landing pages, and more in minutes. Offers rewritten content that is both unique and plagiarism free. This feature helps you create product descriptions for your Shopify store that are SEO-friendly and attractive to customers. This is an excellent tool for new content ideas. Pros Excellent for generating eCommerce-ready content No credit card is required for the free trial SEO-ready content Cons The blog content isnt the best Better suited for short copy Pricing CopySmith offers a free trial with no credit card required. After the free trial, the paid plans are as follows: Starter Plan: $19/month Features: Get 50 credits monthly with up to 20 plagiarism checks. Professional Plan: $59/month Features: Upgrade to 400 credits per month with up to 100 plagiarism checks. Enterprise Create a custom-tailored plan by contacting the sales team. 8. Hypotenuse.ai Best AI Writing Software for E-Commerce and Product Descriptions Hypotenuse.ai is a free online tool that can help you create AI content. It's great for beginners because it allows you to create videos, articles, and infographics with ease. The software has a simple and easy-to-use interface that makes it perfect for new people looking for AI content generation. Special Features You can create custom-tailored copy specific to your audiences needs. This is impressive since most free AI content generators do not offer this feature. Hypotenuse takes data from social media sites, websites, and more sources to provide accurate information for your content. If youre selling a product online, you can use Hypotenuse to create automated product descriptions that are of high quality and will help you sell more products. Pros Excellent research capabilities Custom-tailored copy Automated product descriptions Cons No free plan Pricing Hypotenuse doesnt offer a free plan. Instead, it offers a free trial period where you can take the software for a run before deciding whether its the right choice for you or not. Other than that, here are its paid options: Starter Plan: $29/month Features: This plan comes with 100 credits/month with 25k Words with one user seat. Its an excellent option for individuals or small businesses. Growth Plan: $59/month Features: This plan comes with 350 credits/month with 87.5k words and 1 user seat. Its perfect for larger businesses or agencies. Enterprise pricing is custom, so dont hesitate to contact the company for more information. 9. Kafkai Leading AI Writing Tool for SEOs and Marketers Kafkai is an AI content generator and writing software that produces niche-specific content on a wide variety of topics. It offers a user-friendly interface, as well as a high degree of personalization. Features Kafkai offers a host of features that make it SEO-ready, including the ability to add keywords and tags to your content. Kafkai is designed explicitly for creating niche-specific content, which can be a significant advantage for businesses or bloggers looking to target a specific audience. Kafkai produces high-quality content, a significant advantage for businesses or bloggers looking to set themselves apart from the competition. Kafkai offers a unique feature that allows you to seed content from other sources, which can be a significant time-saver when creating content. Pros Quick results with high efficiency You can add seed content and phrases It can be used to craft complete articles Cons Its long-form-content generator isnt very high quality Pricing Kafkai comes with a free trial to help you understand whether its the right choice for you or not. Additionally, you can also take a look at its paid plans: Writer Plan: $29/month Create 100 articles per month. $0.29/article Newsroom Plan $49/month Generate 250 articles a month at $0.20 per article. Printing Press Plan: $129 /month Create up to 1000 articles a month at roughly $0.13/article. Industrial Printer Plan: ($199 a month) Generate 2500 articles each month for $0.08/article. 10. Peppertype.ai Best AI Content Writing Software for Blogging Peppertype.ai is an online AI content generator thats easy to use and best for small business owners looking for a powerful copy and content writing tool to help them craft and generate various content for many purposes. Features You can choose from various pre-trained templates to create your content. This can save you a lot of time since you dont have to spend time designing your templates or starting entirely from scratch. Peppertype offers various copywriting frameworks to help you write better content. Peppertype is lightweight and easy to use. This makes it perfect for beginners who want to get started with AI content generation. Peppertypes autocorrect feature automatically corrects your grammar and spelling mistakes as you type. This ensures that your content is free of errors. Peppertype tracks user engagement data to help you create content that resonates with your audience. Pros It doesnt have a steep learning curve It helps users to create entirely original content The basic plan comes with access to all of their frameworks and templates Built-in style editor Cons More hits than misses on content generated Tons of typos and grammatical errors Pricing Unfortunately, Peppertype.ai isnt free. However, it does have a free trial to try out the software before deciding whether its the right choice for you. Here are its paid plans: personal Plan:$35/Month Features: 50,000 words included 40+ content types Notes and Text Editor Access to templates Unlimited projects Active customer support Team Plan: $199/month Features: Everything included in the Personal Collaborate & share results Access control Export results Request custom content types Enterprise pricing is custom, so please contact the company for more information. Final thoughts: It is no longer a secret that humans are getting overwhelmed with the daily task of creating content. Our lives are busy, and the process of writing blog posts, video scripts, or other types of content is not our day job. In comparison, AI writers are not only cheaper to hire, but also perform tasks at a high level of excellence. This article explores 10 writing tools that used AI to create better content choose the one which meets your requirements and budget but in my opinion Jasper ai is one of the best tools to use to make high-quality content. If you have any questions ask in the comments section Note: Don't post links in your comments Note: This article contains affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you buy any premium plan from our link. 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: Experts are divided whether AI will ever fully replace journalists, but widely expect it handle more mundane tasks. Journalists had fun last year asking the shiny new AI chatbot ChatGPT to write their columns, most concluding that the bot was not good enough to take their jobs. Yet. But many commentators believe journalism is on the cusp of a revolution where mastery of algorithms and AI tools that generate content will be a key battleground. The technology news site CNET perhaps heralded the way forward when it quietly deployed an AI program last year to write some of its listicles. It was later forced to issue several corrections after another news site noticed that the bot had made mistakes, some of them serious. But CNET's parent company later announced job cuts that included editorial staffthough executives denied AI was behind the layoffs. The German publishing behemoth Axel Springer, owner of Politico and German tabloid Bild among other titles, has been less coy. "Artificial intelligence has the potential to make independent journalism better than it ever was - or simply replace it," the group's boss Mathias Doepfner told staff last month. Hailing bots like ChatGPT as a "revolution" for the industry, he announced a restructuring that would see "significant reductions" in production and proofreading. Both companies are pushing AI as a tool to support journalists, and can point to recent developments in the industry. 'Glorified word processor' For the past decade, media organizations have been increasingly using automation for routine work like searching for patterns in economic data or reporting on company results. Outlets with an online presence have obsessed over "search engine optimization", which involves using keywords in a headline to get favored by the Google or Facebook algorithms and get a story seen by the most eyeballs. And some have developed their own algorithms to see which stories play best with their audiences and allow them to better target content and advertisingthe same tools that turned Google and Facebook into global juggernauts. Alex Connock, author of "Media Management and Artificial Intelligence", says that mastery of these AI tools will help decide which media companies survive and which ones fail in the coming years. And the use of content creation tools will see some people lose their jobs, he said, but not in the realms of analytical or high-end reporting. "In the specific case of the more mechanistic end of journalismsports reports, financial resultsI do think that AI tools are replacing, and likely increasingly to replace, human delivery," he said. Not all analysts agree on that point. Mike Wooldridge of Oxford University reckons ChatGPT, for example, is more like a "glorified word processor" and journalists should not be worried. "This technology will replace journalists in the same way that spreadsheets replaced mathematiciansin other words, I don't think it will," he told a recent event held by the Science Media Center. He nonetheless suggested that mundane tasks could be replacedputting him on the same page as Connock. 'Test the robots' French journalists Jean Rognetta and Maurice de Rambuteau are digging further into the question of how ready AI is to take over from journalists. They publish a newsletter called "Qant" written and illustrated using AI tools. Last month, they showed off a 250-page report written by AI detailing the main trends of the CES technology show in Las Vegas. Rognetta said they wanted to "test the robots, to push them to the limit". They quickly found the limit. The AI struggled to identify the main trends at CES and could not produce a summary worthy of a journalist. It also pilfered wholesale from Wikipedia. The authors found that they needed to intervene constantly to keep the process on track, so while the programs helped save some time, they were not yet fit to replace real journalists. Journalists are "afflicted with the syndrome of the great technological replacement, but I don't believe in it", Rognetta said. "The robots alone are just not capable of producing articles. There is still a part of journalistic work that cannot be delegated." 2023 AFP Construction continues on a new home for the Union Pacific No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive engine that will also house a Marine One Helicopter and be able to host large events. Max Angerholzer, CEO of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, told the College Station City Council the new building is expected to open in June 2024, shortly after what would have been the late former president George H.W. Bushs 100th birthday. Currently, the train is boxed up as the new building is being built over top of the locomotive. For us, we see this as a gateway to going to the original building, a way to attract more visitors and tourists to College Station, but also, we feel so strongly that were focused on our relationship locally, too, Angerholzer said during a presentation. We want to make sure that all residents of College Station feel they have ownership of what were doing at the Bush Presidential Center moving forward. Aside from the train and helicopter displays, Angerholzer said the new building will have a cafe, exhibit space, and 29,000 square-feet of continuous space to host events. Angerholzer added the new building can accommodate up to 1,500 people for an event. The building wont be ticketed and will feature pop-up exhibits for visitors. Our vision for this new building is if you walked in there, there would be a small exhibit that would be highlighting what you could see in the original building and that would encourage people to go in, Angerholzer said. In 2005, Union Pacific Railroad surprised Bush by painting one of its locomotives to resemble Air Force One and named it No. 4141 to honor him as the 41st president. The train was brought to College Station in connection with a train exhibit at the museum. The No. 4141 Engine returned to College Station in December 2018 when it led the Bush funeral train from Houston to where the former president was laid to rest alongside former First Lady Barbara Bush. In 2019, Union Pacific announced it would donate the locomotive to the museum. In February 2021, the Texas A&M Board of Regents essentially donated two acres in front and to the south of the library and museum to the museum for the new building after they approved a $1-per-year lease. During his presentation, Angerholze said the Bush Library and Museum has almost 200,000 visitors annually and over 50% are from out-of-state. He also noted the library brings around $5 million in revenue to the local economy each year After Angerholzers presentation, council member Bob Yancy asked if College Stations economic development and tourism teams would be able to promote and book the space to outside groups. Angerholzer said yes and added Bush Library officials have yet to take bookings on the building. Even though were on track with our construction right now, I dont want anybody to book it and then us not be ready, Angerholzer said. But thats the plan. We want to make this available to the university, the community and outside groups. 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During the month, the Chamber of Commerce has hosted ribbon cutting ceremonies at three housing developments that add more than 200 housing units to the community. This helps to secure Grand Islands growth into the future, said Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele, who attended Fridays ceremony. Steele said with the addition of the Legacy 34 apartments and Tabithas senior housing project during the last month, the community is making progress in meeting its future housing needs. We still need more housing, but its optimistic now to know that we have developers coming to Grand Island building housing, he said. The Orchard Development is a mixed income subdivision delivering ownership and rental opportunities supported by neighborhood amenities. A playground and small park are planned later this year. The row houses dedicated Friday offer a low-income point of entry for Grand Island as rents are based on what would be affordable for people in the 60% of the area median income bracket. Steele said affordable housing is critical to Grand Islands future. The more available and affordable housing units, the more families moving to Grand Island to fulfill the labor needs of community businesses. Median household income for Grand Island between 2017 to 2021 was $58,162. We have a lot of housing coming online and the City of Grand Island stands ready to help in any way we can, Steele said. Justin Johnson, project manager for Hoppe Development, said the company is dedicated to safe and affordable housing because we know its an essential aspect to all communities. We want to thank the City of Grand Island and this great community for supporting our development efforts here at The Orchard and our other local projects, he said. The Orchard is the fourth housing development for Hoppe Development in Grand Island since the mid-1990s, including the Old Walnut School housing development. Its truly been a great community to work in, Johnson said. When all is said and done, this development will consist of 160 to 180 residential lots and most for sale and a portion for rental like these 24 units that were featuring today. Hoppe Development is a vertically integrated real estate development company focused on the affordable housing needs of the communities they serve. Hoppe Development works throughout the Midwest with capabilities in land acquisition and master planning, entitlement and land use, project planning and finance, construction execution, and long-term management and compliance. The companys goals are to work collaboratively with communities to translate housing needs into tangible projects. They also innovate novel financing, design and construction capabilities to achieve unit affordability. They also build and manage housing projects that are desirable for their target market The Hoppes came to Lincoln from Prussia at the end of the 19th century. The first generation started a grocery store and the second generation built Hoppe Lumber Yard. John L. Hoppe Jr. and Fred Hoppe expanded the business to include commercial and residential real estate. In 2019 Fred Hoppes son, Jake Hoppe, joined to help grow and diversify the housing development business. Johnson said Hoppe Development will be breaking ground to expand The Orchard Development for additional housing units later this year. HASTINGS Hastings College had four students participate at the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association spring conference and play in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band, on March 2-4 in Lincoln. Patricia Cornett, director of bands from Temple University, served as the clinician for the Intercollegiate Band. She conducts the wind symphony at the university and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. Students representing Hastings College included: Erick Rodriguez of Grand Island, alto saxophone; Alana DeBellis of Hastings, clarinet; Jake Darling of Omaha, trumpet; and Karl Ludwig of La Junta, Colorado, tenor saxophone. The Intercollegiate Band features more than 100 students from colleges and universities across Nebraska. Students are selected to be part of the band by nomination of a director and the needs of the ensemble. Academic honors Jerome Silva, of St. Paul, was among the more than 5,100 students named to the Deans Academic Honor List for the fall 2022 semester at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Silva is a student in the College of Arts & Sciences. Students honored on the Deans List earned a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.70 with no grade lower than a C while enrolled in at least 12 graded semester hours. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. King Charles II was known as the Merry Monarch. After years of exile during Oliver Cromwells Puritan Commonwealth, Charles was restored to the throne in 1660. He looked for ways to reward the men who supported his restoration and a grant of land in North America seemed appropriate. The charter that made these men, and their heirs and assigns, the true and absolute Lords Proprietors of Carolina was signed on March 24, 1663. The eight lords that were listed were: Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon; George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle; William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven; John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton; Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury; Sir George Carteret; Sir William Berkeley; and Sir John Colleton. In the hopes of creating a strong, permanent settlement, the king gave the eight men broad powers that were close to those he enjoyed as monarch. They could establish civil structures, collect taxes and duties, maintain order, and they held game and mineral rights. The charter also guaranteed some religious and political freedom to those who settled the province, which stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and roughly covered the area from the southern border of Virginia to Florida. The government of Carolina consisted of a governor; a council, of which half were appointed by the Lords Proprietors; and an elected assembly. Settlers of the colony had the right to import and export goods, personal and property rights, and the right to be tried in the colony for crimes committed there. In 1665, the original charter was replaced by another that extended the northern boundary to include the Albemarle region, which was growing in population and prosperity. None of the original proprietors ever set foot in the colony. (TBTCO) - Bao hiem Bao Viet va Benh vien 199 - Bo Cong an tai Son Tra, a Nang vua ky ket hop tac trien khai bao hiem suc khoe e em lai nhieu loi ich cung gia tri gia tang cho khach hang cua hai ben. Theo o, trong thoi gian toi ay, Benh vien 199 se phoi hop e trien khai gioi thieu 3 chuong trinh bao hiem suc khoe bao gom Bao Viet An gia, An Tam Vien phi va Bao hiem Intercare toi khach hang cua vien. NEWCASTLE Chris Russell Russ Christensen, a resident of the homestead he was born on in 1930, was inducted into the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2021. Except for the years he served as a medic in the army during the Korean War, he has lived his entire life on the homestead his father acquired in 1910. The house I was born in is still there, about 150 feet from where I live now, Christensen said. In fact, the iron bedstead I was born in is still in that house. Growing up as far out of town as he did, along the Cheyenne River, he rode his horse to school. Christensen said that the schoolhouse changed locations often, sometimes every year. Some years he rode three or four miles to get there. But then, the following year, it might be within walking distance. I remember walking through snow, sometimes, along tracks in snow piled up higher than I was, he remembered. It seems odd to know that kids today will ride the bus just a few blocks to school now. Christensen met his wife, Ruth, while serving in the U.S. Army. A native of New Jersey, she came out west, where she and Russ raised three sons, Mike, Tom, and Bill. Christensen raised cattle, sheep and Appaloosa horses for years. He still runs a cow-calf operation, according to wyomingcowboyhalloffame.org. Since we lived so far out of town, he said, You had to learn how to make do with what you had. You couldnt just go to town and fix something. His son, Bill, said that this was something his father passed on. Often with seven children in tow in a stock truck or on horseback, he taught his kids, nephews, and nieces the value of hard work and ingenuity. But he passed on much more. Dad has probably forgotten more about cows, sheep and horses than most people will ever know, Bill said. Bill says this make do with what you got attitude has helped his father stay on the farmstead for his 93 years. But he also stated that there is more to this cowboy than that. Keep your nose clean, Bill said of other values taught by the elder Christensen. Keep your word and dont lie. Those are the matters he passes on to anyone he is around. He also (is) a very loyal man. Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns, whose family has been friends with the Christensens for three generations, corroborates that information. Integrity has always been the way of life for the Christensen family, Stearns said, When Russ looks you in the eye, you know you have his word. And his word would always be kept. Instead of all these papers, you must sign in quadruplicate, she said somewhat sarcastically. Russ would give you a handshake, and you knew it was a done deal. The Christensen family helped the Sedgwick family move into the area in the early 1900s. Stearns dad, who was a little boy at the time, told her that it was 30 below zero when the Christensens picked up her family in Edgemont, South Dakota. They brought them out to just north of Mule Creek Junction by wagon. Thats how the whole family was, Stearns said, You know they would always help you out when they could. And if they said they would do something, it got done. She said Christensen was no different. To this day, his word is his bond. The latest session of the Wyoming Legislature may have just ended, but its already time to start thinking about next year. Thats because much of the critical work that lawmakers do happens outside the Capitol. Its called the interim, the 10 or so months when lawmakers are not gathered together in Cheyenne. During that time, they meet in small committees to study pressing issues and draft legislation to address them. The work is critical. Many of the major bills that come up during the session begin as discussion items at a committee meeting that might be held in Lovell or Sundance. And those bills are often sponsored by a committee that studied them, dramatically increasing the likelihood they become laws. Those issues dont come out of thin air. Instead, the Legislatures Management Council sets the priorities for each committee to study. Next week, theyll be doing exactly that. Here are some topics we hope will get chosen for study: Workforce Its no secret that employers are having a hard time filling positions. Our state government is hardly immune. In the past year, weve learned that multiple agencies are struggling to fill critical jobs. Gov. Mark Gordon has made those staffing issues a priority, but they continue to vex multiple agencies including the Wyoming Highway Patrol, which is missing a quarter of its troopers right now. Wyomingites prefer small government. But remember: These vacancies have real-work impacts. Fewer troopers means slower response times when its your car on the side of the highway. Education The most pressing issues in public education are often the ones that receive little attention. Weve warned against the distractions of trying to ban things that arent actually taught in Wyoming schools. But the interim session is a perfect time for studying how to better address a serious issue: how to retain teachers, many of whom have considered leaving the profession. Everyone would agree we want talented, knowledgeable educators in Wyoming. How do we attract them and then ensure they stick around? Wed also like to see study of some of the more sweeping proposals related to charter schools. One bill last session would have dramatically remade our education system by giving parents public money to send their children to private schools. A proposal of that magnitude should be carefully examined by a committee for all of its possible impacts, whether positive or negative. Mental health There is general agreement that more Wyomingites, and more Americans, are struggling with mental health challenges especially young people. But there is little agreement as to why thats the case. This is especially concerning in Wyoming, a state with a history of some of the countrys highest suicide rates. During the past session, there was considerable debate about the effectiveness of the states relatively new 24/7 suicide hotline. Funding for that hotline will be debated again soon. Before then, it would be helpful to know just what kind of impact its having here. Housing and property taxes Anyone whos lived in the West recently knows just how much housing prices have increased. The same goes for property taxes. Lawmakers deserve credit for offering many approaches to address those issues during the just completed session. But most of those proposals died. The next 10 months will provide plenty of time to study more fixes and ones that are more likely to gain success next year. Criminal justice Wyoming is one of the few Western states that doesnt allow medical marijuana or legalized cannabis. What are the implications for that policy decision when it comes to our criminal justice system, our economy and our health care? Would reforming our laws save our government money? Cause more crime? Reduce dependency on opioid painkillers? We should know the answers to those questions, especially when polling by the University of Wyoming shows that 85 percent of residents back medical marijuana and more than half support legalization. Wed also like to see lawmakers study transparency measures for juvenile justice. An investigation last year by the Star-Tribune and WyoFile found that lawmakers themselves had little information about a rise in violence and isolation at the Wyoming Boys School. Those same lawmakers now have an opportunity to study ways to ensure theyre informed about our most vulnerable youth. The interim session represents some of the most critical work thats performed by lawmakers. We hope these issues will get the attention they deserve over the next 10 months. Wyoming will be better for it. Kevin Solomon was a healthy baby with no complications. But at nine months old, when his parents noticed that a bruised knee wasnt healing properly, they knew something was wrong. Solomon was diagnosed with haemophilia A, an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly. This can lead to spontaneous bleeding as well as bleeding following injuries or surgery. Former commissioner of police (CoP) Gary Griffith on Saturday said Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds was incorrect when he said that a crime plan is the responsibility of the CoP. Griffith said a Minister of National Security formulates policies to ensure that the law enforcement agencies can operationalise them. A Green Valley insurance agent was indicted by a grand jury on mail-fraud charges for allegedly pocketing insurance premiums paid by clients. A federal grand jury on March 2 returned a six-count indictment for mail fraud against Victoria Totten, 71. The indictment alleges that Totten, while working as a licensed insurance agent, defrauded various elderly clients out of about $114,000 by fraudulently advising them to pay their insurance premiums in advance, and directly to her company, instead of making payments to the insurance companies. The indictment also alleges that Totten falsely represented the terms of the premium payment structure offered by the insurance companies, claiming that payment should be made in advance to lock in a lower rate. And instead of transmitting the victims premium payments directly to the insurance companies, Totten misused large portions of the victims funds for her own personal use and to pay insurance premiums for her other clients, according to the indictment. Tottens attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. She has been summoned to appear in court on March 24, according to court documents. Totten operated her businesses under the names AZ Medical, AZ Med, Arizona Medical and VT Powers & Associates, the indictment says. The indictment cites six instances where insurance premium notices and other insurance documents were delivered to Tottens post-office boxes as part of the alleged scheme. A conviction for mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted, a restitution judgment will be imposed against the defendant for any losses sustained by the victims. An indictment is a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a co-worker during an argument, Tucson police say. The incident happened at a business near South Campbell Avenue and East Ajo Way just after 6 a.m. Thursday, police said in a news release. Officers found 40-year-old Carlos Jimenez mortally wounded. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. Jimenez was stabbed at the unidentified business during an argument with a co-worker, Miguel Elian Martinez, 21, according to the news release. Martinez fled after the stabbing, but was arrested a short time later without incident, police said. He was booked into the Pima County jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Bond was set at $500,000. PHOENIX A legislator is attempting to salvage at least part of his controversial plan to override local zoning rules in the name of affordable housing after it was overwhelmingly rejected because of opposition from cities and towns. The move come after a bipartisan vote in the Senate last week to quash the plan by Sen. Steve Kaiser, a Phoenix Republican, to require cities to allow everything from higher density housing and taller multi-family complexes to eliminating requirements for off-street parking. City lobbyists said these were decisions best left to locally elected city councils. Also helping to doom the measure was the lack of any guarantee the radical revamp of state laws that give cities the right to control zoning would actually lead to more affordable homes or apartments. Kaiser said in an interview that some of the wide-ranging measures provisions are clearly dead, including one that said builders had the absolute right to convert existing commercial, mixed-use or multi-family property to much taller and larger apartment units, and another that would allow developers to cram as many as six homes onto one lot. The small lots, people dont like that, Kaiser told Capitol Media Services. The small lots were the part of the plan designed to kick-start the building of starter homes, entry-level homes affordable enough for first-time homebuyers. Other parts of the measure will be revived, he said. Those include requiring cities to allow backyard casitas known as auxiliary housing units as long as they are not used as short-term rentals; allowing construction of duplexes and triplexes; and allowing manufactured housing to be used. Kaiser said those provisions probably have enough support to make it through the Republican-controlled Legislature. Limiting design reviews and allowing boarding houses also will likely be revived, he said. The plan was supported by developers and some housing advocates, and won the backing of some Democrats in the Senate. I think there are necessary tools in this bill that need to be implemented in order to really address the housing crisis that we are facing, said Sen. Anna Hernandez, D-Phoenix. And I think it will give us opportunities to build more diverse housing, more innovative and tailored to what some of our working families need or what some of our youth needs or some of our seniors. Other Democrats opposed the plan, including Sen. Priya Sundareshan of Tucson, who said her city already has made a lot of progress on issues addressed in the measure, including allowing backyard housing units. And the problem that we see is that this pre-emptive approach might actually undo some of the efforts made there by overriding the regulations made to date and override potentially other initiatives that they have been taking in order to address the housing crisis, Sundareshan said. The opposition was bipartisan, with Sen. John Kavanagh calling Kaisers plan all-around bad. The Fountain Hills Republican called local zoning a sacred thing, and noted that people make decisions on where to make the biggest investment of their lives based on things like big lots and the assurance that a developer cant buy a vacant nearby property and cram it with six tiny homes. Trust me, friends, I am no stranger to pre-empting cities and towns. But I do draw a line at kneecapping, Kavanagh said during the vote on the bill, SB1117, which failed 20-9. And this bill kneecaps local control. And local control is basically what our constituents want. Kaisers plan is premised on the contention that local zoning rules and NIMBY-ism, the not-in-my-backyard opposition from existing residents to new development, is a key reason Arizona has a major housing shortage. But Nick Ponder, a lobbyist working with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, called that a flawed argument at best. He said cities do not control who buys and holds land, or when owners decide to build on their properties. He also noted there is a backlog of about 23,000 apartments waiting to be built in Maricopa County, some with permits and approvals dating back to 2018. Theres parts of the process we control, theres others that we dont, but what we can control we want to improve upon, Ponder said. But the way that SB1117 does it just is a no-go for our municipal residents. He said local opposition is not the only reason some developments are denied. Ponder also noted that cities have been hamstrung in addressing the housing shortage by laws backed by the state apartment association, builders and conservative groups like the Goldwater Institute, groups now pushing for the changes in Kaisers bill. He said builders pushed legislation barring cities from collecting impact fees for things like the costs of extending water and sewer lines and paving streets, so new homes now are essentially subsidized by cities and towns. For their part, apartment owners got lawmakers to bar cities from requiring 10% of new units to be affordable. And Goldwater pushed a law mandating unregulated short-term rentals, which has led to conversions that limit available long-term housing and helped drive the current housing shortage. Ponder pointed out that Goldwater is currently suing Phoenix for offering a tax incentive for a builder to incorporate affordable housing and donate to the state Housing Trust Fund, which finances low-income housing. So were being attacked left and right on things that we try and do to make things affordable, Ponder said. And now the same entities who have attacked us left and right and taken away the tools are the ones who are saying now they have the solution to the problem. For his part, Kaiser said he has no love for the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and their lobbyists. He led a study committee over the fall and winter after a much more aggressive bill he sponsored failed last year. He said he wrote the current bill based on conclusions that cited over-regulation as a major hindrance to developing new housing. Despite the Leagues participation, he said theyve fought the proposal tooth and nail. Theyve been terrible to work with this whole time, Kaiser said. He complained the League is offering its own amendment, one they didnt have the courtesy of informing him about after his bill failed. So this is how they operate, Kaiser said. You know, they lie and then they also do subversive (expletive) like this where they just try and work around you. So I have zero respect for the League and how they operate. Ponder said the League indeed is crafting its own bill that would address some of the major issues while giving cities the right to choose which parts to implement. Although still being written, it would require cities to take steps such as allowing auxiliary housing units if they were in backyards and not three or four stories tall, as he said Kaisers bill would allow. It also would allow for fewer regulations on off-street parking for some developments near public transit and would approve higher-density housing and incentives if affordable housing is included. Other parts of the proposal would require cities to choose from a list of optional items like allowing single-room occupancies or duplexes or triplexes. PHOENIX Its being billed as a method to get more rapid election results. But a measure awaiting Senate debate would strip people who get early ballots in the mail of the option to hang on to them until the last minute and then simply drop them off at a polling place on Election Day. SB1135 would require last-minute voters who received early ballots to stand in line, surrender the early ballot, produce identification and then wait their turn to fill in the ballot again. No ID? They would have to go home and get it if they want that new ballot to be counted. State Sen. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, is pushing for the change. He noted that early ballots dropped off at polling places cant be counted until after all other ballots are tallied and that slows up results. If people want the convenience of early ballots, Kavanagh said, they would still have the option of mailing them back so long as that mail arrived at county offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day. But theres something else at play. Many Republican lawmakers contend early balloting is subject to fraud. Kavanagh sketched out a scenario where his early ballot might be stolen by an election fraudster who picked it up while repairing his air conditioning. He and other foes of early voting are unconvinced by requirements that county election officials compare the signature on the ballot envelope with the voters signatures already on file. That is unreliable, Kavanagh said. Popular option with voters Only thing is, efforts to outlaw early voting entirely have not gained traction at the Legislature, at least in part because nearly 90% of Arizonans like to have that option. Lawsuits by the Arizona Republican Party to have the process declared illegal have faltered. SB1135 would give early voting foes a partial victory by reducing the number of early ballots cast. If lawmakers approve, it would end an option used by hundreds of thousands of Arizonans who get early ballots but want to wait until the last possible minute to vote. Even former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, showed up at his polling place on Election Day last year with his early ballot already sealed in its envelope. At least part of the issue comes down to the question of convenience versus speedy returns. This past election more than 290,000 residents of Maricopa County alone decided not to put their early ballots in the mail or place them in drop boxes, deciding instead to take them directly to polling places. Some of that was due to exhortations by Kelli Ward, then the chair of the Arizona Republican Party, that people should wait in line and vote in person. That plugged into claims by former President Donald Trump and others that early voting was inherently insecure and subject to fraud. But early ballots brought to polling places are not counted until after those that are voted in person are tallied. That delay in final counts for more than a week only added fuel to claims that there was something amiss in the process. Those claims are still being pursued by some unsuccessful GOP candidates, despite court rulings theres no evidence of such fraud. Kavanagh wants to effectively eliminate those same-day drop-offs of early ballots. People could still show up at polling places with early ballots. But then the ballots would be spoiled made uncountable and the voter would be handed a new ballot after presenting the same identification already required of those who go to the polls now. Sen. Priya Sundareshan, D-Tucson, said shes not sure the change is appropriate. It would be taking away the option that many people currently understand is a way to quickly get your ballot dropped off on the day of the election, she said. Voters cant have it both ways Kavanagh, however, disputes the idea that early ballots are meant to be dropped off. Early ballots come with a return envelope, he said. Its clear that the purpose of the early ballot is to give people the convenience of not having to go into a polling place. When you take the early ballot option and instead show up on Election Day, youre simply slowing down the election and causing more work at the polling place, which further slows down the actions of other people who are there. He said people need to decide whether they want to vote early or vote on Election Day. You cant have it both ways, Kavanagh said. Its causing confusion at the polls and its slowing election results. Sundareshan wasnt buying the argument that those late-early ballots gum up the works at polling places. You walk in with that early ballot in the envelope as signed and you simply drop it off, she said. There is no standing in line as would now need to occur under Kavanaghs plan, Sundareshan continued. You would have to spoil it, have to provide ID, have to then vote a standard ballot. Kavanagh said she is missing his point. The main logjam is election results, he said. We waited for days with elections being undetermined. And people dont want that. Why would I have your ballot? What was not discussed, however, is there are those who, despite getting an early ballot by mail, purposely wait until the last minute and not just to see whether there is any late-breaking news about a candidate. In the 2016 Republican presidential preference primary, Marco Rubio dropped out a week before Election Day. That left Rubio supporters who voted early out of luck as there is no way to recall and re-vote those mail-in early ballots. Another issue is that Kavanagh crafted SB1135 in a way to require those who now show up with early ballots in signed, sealed envelopes to not just have to exchange them for regular ballots but also to produce identification. That is not now required of those who simply drop off their early ballots. Kavanagh made it clear that, issues of delayed election results aside, he doesnt like that voters can drop off ballots without showing ID. If you dont have ID, we dont even know if thats your early ballot, he said. How do I know you didnt find that early ballot on the street or you stole it from a friends house? Why would I have your ballot? asked Sen. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe. Because youre an election fraudster, Kavanagh responded. You stole it from my house when you were repairing my air conditioner. Mendez asked, So this whole bill is from the idea that someones going to rob you of your ballot and go try to drop it off? PHOENIX When biologists began their annual count of the Mexican wolf population in November, they hoped to find at least one more wolf than the previous year. They soon realized that the numbers far exceeded their expectations. Recovery of wolves in the wild accelerated at an astonishing rate in 2022, with the population growing from 196 to at least 241 wolves, with 136 counted in New Mexico and 105 in Arizona. The encouraging numbers were released Feb. 28 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Jim deVos, Mexican wolf coordinator with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said its the first time since the count began in 1998 that the number of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico surpassed 200. Here we are on our 25th-year anniversary and were up over 240, deVos said. No matter how you measure, 2022 is a fabulous year. It was the seventh consecutive year of population growth, more than doubling the pack size since 2017, according to the three departments. In a press release, Brady McGee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican wolf recovery coordinator, applauded the progress. We recorded more packs, more breeding pairs and a growing occupied range, proving we are on the path to recovery, McGee said. Im going to hope that within my lifetime well see recovery and delisting of a very unique animal that was part of the biotic community of the American Southwest, he said. Thats exciting. Biologists were most impressed with the number of pups that survived this year, deVos said. Of the approximately 121 pups born in 2022, at least 81 survived, according to the wolf count, which was conducted by an interagency field team from November through February. The typical survival rate for pups in their first year is 50%. Sixty-seven percent survival of pups in the wild, thats monster, deVos said. That says the health of the population is good, both the physical health and the genetic health. This years report also documented 59 packs and 109 collared wolves in the wild, which is 45% of the population. Biologists conducted ground and aerial surveys to gather information for the count. Its important to count the wolves at the same time and way every year, deVos said, to maintain consistency. The agencies said that while this years numbers show great success, the Mexican wolves still have more progress to make before they can attain the ultimate goal of being taken off the endangered species list. For the Mexican wolf to be delisted, the population must be more than 320 for eight years, the last three of which have to be steady or increasing, according to deVos. The Grand Canyon chapter of the Sierra Club said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs to focus on more than just the raw numbers of the population. Yes, its great that the numbers are going up. But having one population of wolves in a restricted area, that is not recovery, said Sandy Bahr, Grand Canyon chapter director. Thats not what is needed for the biological diversity of the area. Thats not what is needed for the wolves. Bahr said the agencies need to continue to work for more genetic diversity and more well-bonded pairs. Cross-fostering is a method used by the Mexican wolf interagency field team to increase genetic diversity in the wild population. Biologists introduce captive-bred pups to a mother who already has pups near the same age so that the genetics are diversified. Bahr argued that cross-fostering is not enough and that more adult wolves need to be released into the wild as bonded pairs. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program started in 1998 when the species was near extinction and just four wolves were counted. The effort has gained momentum with the numbers doubling between 2015 and 2021, from 98 to 196. Videos: Southern Arizona wildlife caught on camera Golf course coyotes howl at sunset in northwest Tucson Downtown Tucson got a rare visit from a wild coatimundi. Just an ordinary bike ride ... following a bear Bobcats play in Tucson backyard Watch now: Bear sightings reported around Pima County Watch now: Bobcats playing on an Oro Valley Golf Course Watch now: Mountain Lion strolls outside home in Tucson Foothills Watch Now: Trail cameras catch mountain lions at Tucson home. Watch now: Family of bears takes a stroll in southeastern Arizona Watch Now: Mountain lion roaming in the Coronado National Memorial Watch now: Ding, dong! Bobcat filmed by front door camera in Tucson Watch now: Bear captured in Sierra Vista neighborhood, released Watch now: A cool cat takes a cool nap in the Foothills Watch now: Young bear seen in NW Tucson captured and released Watch now: Bear spotted rummaging through trash can in Oro Valley Watch now: Bobcat's breakfast near Oro Valley Watch now: Breakfast with the deer on Tumamoc Watch now: Bobcat kitten plays with mother behind Tucson residence Watch now: Rescued porcupine released back into wild Watch now: Bobcat kittens play in a dry fountain Watch now: Bobcat stops by Tucson waterhole for an overnight drink Watch Now: Collared bobcat raises kittens in Tucson neighborhood Watch now: Javelina family takes an evening stroll in midtown Tucson Bobcat plays with its kitten in Tucson backyard Watch now: Mountain lion seen up-close on camera outside Tucson home Watch now: Bobcats in love in the Tucson area Watch Now: Family of deer eating breakfast on Tumamoc Hill Watch now: A hummingbird plays in the sprinkler Watch now: Breakfast time for the Quail family in the Tucson area Watch now: Frequent visitor to northwest Tucson home munches on meal worms Watch now: Playful lizards visit a Tucson back yard Watch now: Startled mountain lion at Loews Ventana Canyon Watch now: A true lounge lizard in Tucson Watch now: A spotted skunk threatens the worst at Saguaro National Park Watch now: Bobcat makes himself at home Watch now: Mountain lion outside a home in the Tucson Mountain foothills Watch now: Family of bobcats spotted in Foothills back yard Watch now: Backpackers intense standoff with mountain lion near Tucson Watch now: Javelina rescued from trash can in Foothills neighborhood Watch now: Owl takes a bath in trough on Tucson's northwest side Watch now: Coyote pups play in front yard near Tucson Estates Bighorn sheep scatter in Catalina Mountains during aerial survey Counting sheep: Arizona Game and Fish to survey bighorns near Tucson Watch now: Bears splish-splash at springs in Rincon Mountains east of Tucson Watch now: Bobcat vs. snake in Tucson yard Watch now: Bighorn sheep enjoy post-monsoon greenery near Tucson Watch now: Bear has a rub-a-dub in watering hole near Tucson Releasing bobcats for research Research project continues tracking Tucson's urban bobcats Watch Now: Bobcat Sadie and a friend drink from a backyard fountain. Watch now: Javelina mama and babies BEIRUT The recent deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which caused billions of dollars in damage, has boosted the prospects of Syrias once widely shunned president return to the Arab fold, but it appears unlikely to jump-start large-scale reconstruction in the war-ravaged country. As Syrias conflict entered its 13th year this week, President Bashar Assads government still refuses to make concessions to his domestic opponents, rejecting long-standing demands by the United States and its allies as a political solution remains elusive. Oil-rich Gulf Arab countries have been stepping up efforts to normalize ties with the Assad government, but analysts say the ongoing political paralysis is likely holding them back from pumping billions of dollars for reconstruction into Syria. The Feb. 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people, including about 6,000 in Syria, exacerbated the destruction caused by Syrias 12-year conflict which has killed nearly half a million people. The World Bank estimated in an initial post-earthquake assessment that the disaster had caused $5.1 billion worth of physical damage across both government- and rebel-held Syria. It estimated some $226 billion in losses including economic and physical damage during the first four years of the war in 2016, about four times Syrias 2010 gross domestic product. Since the balance of power shifted in Assads favor over the past few years, the government has rebuilt small parts of the country with the help of its allies. These include a section of the centuries-old market in the northern city of Aleppo and some historic mosques in Aleppo and the central city of Homs. However, entire cities, towns and villages remain in ruins, while the conflict has caused lasting damage to the countrys electric, transportation and health systems. The quake worsened the situation. International medical and humanitarian agencies fear dangerous outbreaks of diseases because the countrys battered water and sanitation systems were further damaged by the quake. The Red Cross global chief recently said that rebuilding infrastructure ought to be a priority. Still, the quake and recent rapprochement between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia, who since 2011 have supported rival groups in Syrias conflict, may be a turning point in Damascus political fortunes. Assad appears poised to make a political comeback in the Arab world, more than a decade after the 22-member Arab League suspended Syrias membership over his brutal crackdown on protesters and later on civilians during the war. International sympathy following the quake appears to have sped up the regional rapprochement that had been brewing for years. Before the tragedy, the United Arab Emirates had already reestablished ties with Damascus, while Syria had been increasing its contacts with Turkey, a main backer of the opposition. After the disaster, formerly hostile Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia delivered aid to government-held Syria, along with Assads traditional backers Russia and Iran. Washingtons key allies began restoring or bolstering diplomatic ties with the Syrian government. Tunisias president recently said he hopes to reestablish ties with Syria, while the foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt met with Assad in Damascus for the first time since 2011. The regions top parliamentarians agreed in a Baghdad summit last month to work toward ending Syrias political isolation. Saudi Arabias foreign minister acknowledged that there is a growing consensus among Arab countries that dialogue with Damascus is necessary. Riyadh is hosting the next Arab League summit in May, where most states hope to restore Syrias membership after it was suspended in 2011, the Arab Leagues Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Tuesday. Syria hopes that such reconciliation will unlock long-awaited funds to rebuild the battered country. However, analysts said it is unlikely to happen at any large scale for now. Reconstruction and its funding are thorny issues and are not currently on the table, said prominent Istanbul-based Syrian economist Samir Seifan. One reason is the sheer size of the challenge. Seifan estimated that Syria suffered about $150 billion in physical damage, and said reconstruction could ultimately cost over $400 billion as it includes lost opportunities such as development projects that would otherwise have been carried out. Some Arab nations, such as key Syria opposition backer Qatar, want Assad to make concessions to the opposition in order to reconcile, he said. But perhaps the largest barrier to ending Syrias international isolation is that Washington has not had a change of heart about Assad. We have been clear when it comes to our policy on the Assad regime, a U.S. State Department spokesperson told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity under regulations. Absent enduring progress toward a political solution to the Syrian conflict, we will not normalize relations with the regime, nor will we support other countries normalizing relations. Syria has not implemented U.N. Security Council resolution 2254 adopted in December 2015 as a road map to peace in Syria. Acceptance of the road map is a key demand of the U.S and the European Union for normalizing relations with Damascus. BEAVER, W.Va. (AP) Theatre West Virginias new general manager Gayle Oakes said shes ready to break a leg. After a few weeks on the job, Oakes said she is planning some major changes including new music for their historical dramas, updates to the stage, new Broadway productions and fundraisers that get the entire community involved. This is my dream job, Oakes said. Like honestly, it makes me happy going to work every day. But its a lot, a lot of work. Oakes, who grew up in Channahon, Illinois, a small town on the banks for the Illinois River just a stones throw from southwest Chicago, said she has wanted a career in theater since she was young but was always told it would likely be a long shot. I always wanted to do theater, but I had a parent that was like, You cant make a living off theater, Oakes said. This is how Oakes ended up at Mississippi State University studying zoology, a major she instantly knew was the wrong choice after attending a few classes. I hated every minute of it, she said. And then my roommate, shes like, You need to go to the community theater. ... and I got involved with community theater and then switched to a theater major. Before completing her major, Oakes said she got wrapped up with the excitement of traveling, which led her to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, where she met her husband, who was a park ranger. The two then traveled and worked as park rangers in a number of states including Utah, Washington and a few others before eventually settling in Beckley in 2008. Oakes said her husband now works as a park ranger for the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve out of an office in Grandview Park just down the road from the Cliffside Amphitheater where Theatre West Virginia (TWV) stages its outdoor productions. Oakes said she was already familiar with TWV even before being selected to replace the former general manager Scott Hill, who retired in January. In 2014, a year after the TWV Board of Directors voted to close the theater company, Oakes said she worked as a stage manager for TWV. She said she also worked as the technical director last year. Prior to getting her full-time gig with TWV, Oakes worked as a pharmacy tech at the Beckley VA Medical Center while also running a non-profit, faith-based performing arts ministry called Beckley Children Theatre Ministry. Oakes said she started her nonprofit theater after learning about the TWV boards decision to close the theater company. The story behind it was, my son was in the academy, Theatre West Virginias Academy. Hes a little 5-year-old kindergartner. He went to rehearsal that night they gave him his part he had this little part where he got to sing and they gave him this little CD to practice so he could learn his one little line that he had to sing, she said. ... He was just so excited. Well, that next day, I got a call that they were closing. and it devastated him. Oakes said the incident was the inspiration behind starting Beckley Children Theatre Ministry, which she intends to continue as TWV and her nonprofit theater operate during opposite times of the year. She added that it still feels a bit surreal that she has a job that shes dreamed about since she was a child. My husband is completely opposite of me and running my ministry hes always thought, he loves the ministry part of it, but its a lot of work a lot and Im gone a lot, she said. And I always told him, if I can get paid to do this, Im jumping on it. and sure enough, when this came available, I jumped on it. I couldnt pass it up. This is my dream job. While taking a tour of the Cliffside Amphitheater in Grandview this week, which still has a yellow brick road painted on the stage from a previous show, Oakes pointed out all the things shed like to add or improve. First and foremost, Oakes said she wants to refurbish the two towers attached to either side of the stage. She said she hopes to qualify for grant funding to pay to update the towers by adding railings and replacing some of the rotted wood. She said she is also looking to update and repaint the sound towers located on either side of the audience section. Oakes said she recently found out that park employees will be able to handle this project. I was up here last week for my first week just to see what was going on and saw that they were redoing the bathrooms, which I didnt even know about, she said. ... Then the head of maintenance came up, and we were talking about these towers. I said, Yeah, Im trying to see if I can get some funding to at least get them painted. Next thing I know, I come out here and he says, Hey, were starting on the towers in two weeks. Do you want anything changed on it? ... The park service people are great. If youre great to the park service, theyre great to you. Coming in as the new director, Oakes said she only plans to do two shows this year: Hatfields and McCoys, which will run June 22 to July 5, and Rocket Boys: The Musical, which will run July 14-29. Thats all well have time for this year because were behind with me just coming in, but next year I would love to totally change it up and do a major Broadway production for our first show of the year, she said. Even for those whove seen Hatfields and McCoys and Rocket Boys: The Musical, Oakes said they can expect to see a few changes that will keep the show fresh and interesting. For Hatfields and McCoys, Oakes said they have someone working on new music as well as all new choreography. She added that she is also looking into getting part of the stage fixed in order to bring more pyrotechnics to the shows and possibly bring back Honey in the Rock, which hasnt been done for several years. She added that shes also got about a dozen fundraiser ideas bouncing around in her head, from battle of the bands to painting chair for cast members, that shes hoping will bring more people to the theater. Although its been only two weeks, Oakes said she cant wait to dig in and see her ideas come to life. In doing this job, Oakes said shes also living proof that you can make a living out of the theater. I knew it was possible, she said. I just had to get there. It began during one of Tulsa author and comedian Barry Friedmans visits to his fathers home in Las Vegas. Maybe it was that time when Friedman was exchanging vouchers for free meals at one of the buffet restaurants in the casino where he was performing. His father, Jack, first expressed concern about who was going to be paying for the meal, then expressed wonder which, for the elder Friedman, was usually couched in the phrase, Wow-we-wow that comedians could get access to the buffet for free. Dad, Friedman explained, the food, lets face it, is usually pretty awful. Yeah, Jack Friedman responded, but you get the variety. Or maybe it was some other moment when Jack Friedman said or did something that struck his sons funny bone in a unique and direct manner so much so that Friedman chose to share the anecdote on his Facebook page. I did it as much out of curiosity, to see if anyone else would enjoy it, and respond to it, as much as I did, Friedman said. And I realized that my dad did something every day that would crack me up in some way. Friedman wasnt sure if many people would find his fathers off-center observations about food, technology, exercise, family, tonsorial embellishments and eccentric accounting practices as funny as he did. But not long after I started writing these things, I had a friend say to me, Barry, this stuff youre writing about your dad is great I cant wait to get home each night to read what hes done next, Friedman said. Friedman continued to post almost daily descriptions of life with his father, from the time the elder Friedman moved from New Jersey to Las Vegas, then from Las Vegas to Tulsa, until his father died Nov. 1, 2022, at age 96. He has compiled about a third of a decades worth of vignettes into a new book, Jack Sh*t: Voluptuous Bagels and Other Concerns of Jack Friedman (Babylon Books, $28.99). Originally my thought was for this to be a single book, Friedman said. But I had it up to about 200 pages, and I hadnt got to the part where he moves to Tulsa. My publisher was also interested in my doing some sort of book series, and the sheer volume of material meant that this would suit that purpose. Friedman said the plan is for the subsequent volumes to be published between now and December 2024. One of the charms of Friedmans writings about his father is the quotidian nature of the vignettes, be it discussions about grocery lists, or which of Jacks friends and relatives are still alive and kicking, or how to operate a computer or cellphone. Other than chronology, there is no real narrative line that links the individual moments together and that, Friedman said, was deliberate. We know, of course, how the story is going to end, he said. But the thing about my dad, up until the very end, he was someone always ready and willing to experience whatever. He was a great one for living in the moment, wringing every last drop of joy out of whatever he was doing, even if it was eating a sandwich. He was also someone who wanted to be the funniest person in the room, Friedman said. But at the same time, I never got the sense that he was trying to create material for me. This was just the way he was. He writes in the book about the time he mentioned to his father about the Facebook posts, and asked if it was all right for him to continue to do so. Are you getting rich off my fame? Jack asked. Dad, Barry replied, you have no idea how many parts of that last question were incorrect and hilarious. One thing that Friedman endeavored to do was not present his father in any kind of negative light. While Jack was known to say some things, usually to women, that might read as inappropriate, Friedman said: There was never any meanness in it. The last thing I wanted to do was to humiliate him or embarrass him in any way, he said. He almost always gets the last word. And when you look at some of the crazy things he said, you realize that he was never completely wrong. He was doing taxes for people when he was in his 80s, and I remember saying to him that the way he was filling out this guys tax forms couldnt be right, and that he was probably going to be audited, Friedman said. And my father said, If the IRS dont like it, theyll send a letter. Which, strictly speaking, is correct you mess up your taxes, youre gonna get a letter from the IRS. For Tulsa Ballet principal dancer Arman Zazyan, the challenge of performing the title role in Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music is not simply what he has to do on stage. What makes this role so challenging, and so interesting, to do is that I must portray something that I have never personally experienced, he said. Its such an emotional role, as well, but these emotions are ones that cannot be openly expressed. Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music, which former resident choreographer Ma Cong created for Tulsa Ballet in 2019, dramatizes through dance a pivotal time in the life of the composer who created some of the most beloved music in history, including his six symphonies, his opera Eugene Onegin, and his scores for the ballets Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky is at the height of his fame when the ballet begins, when a chance meeting happens with a young violinist named Josef Kotek, to whom the composer feels an instant attraction. However, to act upon that attraction in 19th-century Tsarist Russia could prove literally to be fatal, as same-sex relations were a criminal offense, punishable by death. Tchaikovsky tries to divert his inclinations with two women, pursuing one and ultimately marrying the other, even though he cannot muster the passion for them that he continues to feel for Kotek. This conflict between head and heart, body and soul, society and the individual reaches a fever pitch, ultimately driving Tchaikovsky to suicide. Cong developed the ballet with composer and librettist Oliver Peter Gruber, who collaborated with Cong and Russian historian Daniela Kolic on the libretto, and who also assembled and arranged the ballets score that combines excerpts from Tchaikovskys music with original compositions. Tracy Grant Lord, the award-winning set and stage designer from New Zealand, created the look for the ballet. The 2019 world premiere was something of a dream come true for Tulsa Ballet artistic director Marcello Angelini, who had wanted to create a ballet about Tchaikovsky for two decades. I always felt that creating a work on his life would give a new sense of perspective to audience members who come to see The Nutcracker every year, Angelini said. Imagine all this beautiful music coming from such a tormented soul. Angelini added that the richness of the production from the sumptuous music to the elegantly understated costumes and the mobile, multi-level set to the intricacy and expressiveness of Congs choreography is part of the ballets message. (All these things are) juxtaposed with the struggles of Tchaikovskys personal life, which make this work heartbreaking, Angelini said. No human being should be forced to live his or her life in hiding and in fear. Zazyan was one of the dancers upon whom Cong originally set the ballet, and Zazyan said that experience helped make getting back into the choreography easier than learning a work from scratch. But what is still not easy is the emotional side of the role, he said. I love roles that present complex and passionate characters, who must deal with challenges in order to find love. With Tchaikovsky, however, the main obstacle is society, Zazyan said. I have never been in a situation where, if I am in love with someone, I would not be able to express that, where I could not say I love you to the person I love. To have these deep and passionate feelings, and knowing there is no way you can express them its just not fair. During the course of Tchaikovsky: The Man Behind the Music, Zazyan is seldom off-stage. Yet he said the physical demands of the ballet are actually the easiest part of performing this role. As much dancing as I have to do, there is so much more going on in my head with this role, Zazyan said. All the real conflicts are between his heart and his head, and there is no one he can share all these feeling with. By the end of the night, Im more more mentally and emotionally exhausted than I am physically tired, he said. But thats one of the reasons why this ballet is so special. What Tchaikovsky goes through is something that people still go through today. Abby Kurin, managing director of the OKPOP Foundation, says she is very confident that the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture will generate the necessary funds to be completed and opened to the public. With the support of invaluable board members, as we navigate next steps, the priority of the OKPOP Foundation remains clear, and thats identifying and securing funding opportunities to open OKPOP as soon as logistically possible, Kurin said in an interview with the Tulsa World. The OKPOP Foundations fundraising objective is $30 million the estimated final number needed to complete the project. Asked about the plan to generate funds and the reception thus far in advancing fundraising efforts Kurin said: The OKPOP Foundation is in the traditional silent phase of fundraising, and we are also building a campaign Cabinet including influential and noteworthy Oklahomans. While we are not to the point of announcing major gifts committed, we believe the confidence and networks of these individuals validate our path to success. As we continue identifying statewide and nationwide donor prospects for charitable support, the OKPOP team consistently provides early-access tours. One source not mentioned by Kurin was the state of Oklahoma. The state contributed $25 million through a revenue bond issue in 2015 but has shown little interest in kicking in more. Talk of possibly receiving some of the federal American Rescue Plan Act money given to Oklahoma seems to have come to naught. Kurin is guiding OKPOPs development arm to identify charitable funding sources, sponsorships and naming opportunities to advance the OKPOP mission. She said the goal is to open in late 2024. The hiring of Kurin, former executive director of the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture Tulsa FMAC for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, was announced last month. The museum building was constructed at 422 N. Main St., across the street from Cains Ballroom. The foundation has identified potential funding sources through state and federal allocations, local and national prospective donors, foundations, corporations, grants and founding memberships. The foundations funds will help OKPOP design and build exhibits, provide financial support for the first three years, fund endowments to ensure long-term stability, and continue to acquire and maintain collections. At Tulsa FMAC, Kurin promoted Tulsa as a cultural and creative hub, film destination and top music city. Im excited for new challenges with this role at the OKPOP Foundation, she said. Ive always been passionate about highlighting Oklahomas creative industries, and this opportunity connects me to support the mission of OKPOP, where they will show how creatives have made their impact on the world. Its important to highlight the educational component. Yes, the museum will be incredible and unlike any other in the U.S., and it will also be space for education and inspiration. Kurin indicated that priorities for funding include exhibit design and construction, security, programming, signs, community outreach and accessibility. She shared figures from a Tulsa Regional Chamber 2019 impact report that estimated that OKPOP will add $36.5 million to the local economy annually. According to Travel Oklahoma, tourism is the third-largest industry in Oklahoma and generated $10.1 billion in 2021 from direct visitor travel spending, Kurin said. As the only museum of its kind, OKPOP will be a draw for locals and tourists from around the world. OKPOP will most definitely add to the tourism landscape of Oklahoma. The OKPOP Foundation, a 501(3) organization, was created in 2019 to support the mission of OKPOP, a subsidiary of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The foundation is composed of more than a dozen members from across the state. Abby brings a tremendous network and valuable insight from her involvement in the film and music world, D. Scott Petty, OKPOP Foundation chair and senior vice president of business development at Simmons Bank, said in a press release. Her role will be integral to administering the foundations strategies. We are grateful to the Tulsa Community Foundation for funding Abbys position. October 2019 video: Taylor Hansons speech at the OKPOP Groundbreaking Global e-commerce exports are poised to grow from $800 billion to $8 trillion by 2030, providing a significant opportunity for Indian businesses to expand their international sales. (Representational image: AFP) Chennai: India has the potential to increase its e-commerce exports to $350 billion by 2030. This will require focus on developing the ecosystem for e-commerce exports and framing an independent e-commerce export policy, said Global Trade Research Initiative. Global e-commerce exports are poised to grow from $800 billion to $8 trillion by 2030, providing a significant opportunity for Indian businesses to expand their international sales. Currently, e-commerce exports account for only $2 billion or less than 0.5 per cent of India's total goods export basket. The country must plan to export $350 billion, or about one-third of its total goods, through e-commerce by 2030, said GTRI. This will require focus on developing the ecosystem for e-commerce exports. India's current e-commerce export provisions are a patchwork of rules framed for regular B2B exporters. This creates an enormous compliance burden on small firms, and India needs to address all such issues in one place. The Indian government should issue a separate e-commerce export policy. E-Commerce policies in China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, etc., have helped many firms sell globally. As the needs of the e-commerce export sector are vastly different from the regular export sector, the E-commerce Export Policy should be an independent document addressing all pain points faced by exporters. This policy should be jointly issued by the RBI, Customs, and DGFT after making necessary changes to their regulations. The policy should include provisions for business development, easing regulatory burden, and setting up a national trade network. India's strengths in high-demand customized products, expanding seller base, and higher profit margins per unit of export place it in a prime position to benefit from this trend. India has a rich tradition of producing bespoke, handcrafted products that are increasingly in demand by discerning customers who value quality and uniqueness over mass-produced goods. Key product groups with high potential for export include handicrafts, jewellery, ethnic wear, decorative paintings, and Ayurveda products. The internet, technology, and secure online payments have made exporting via e-commerce simple and safe, enabling small firms from a wide range of cities and regions to participate in international trade. Over 100,000 Indian sellers are already exporting through e-commerce, and this number is set to multiply. Exporting through e-commerce channels can result in higher profits per unit of export, as businesses can cut out intermediaries like indenting agents, bulk buyers, and shopkeepers Former President Donald Trumps good friend U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin insisted that Trumps return to Tulsa was strictly about watching the NCAA Division I wrestling finals and showing what this city has to offer. No fundraisers. No speeches. No press conferences. My boys actually made the ask down in Mar-A-Lago when we were down there, Mullin said, referring to Trumps Florida home and where Mullin also has a residence. When he found out it was going to be in Tulsa, he said, Ill be there. Trump did keep about as low a profile as a former president running for president can in an arena full of people, but he did shake a lot of hands and pose for a lot of photos. And Mullin got to introduce a lot of constituents to a man who could be the past and future president of the United States or, judging by a Trump social media post early Saturday morning, an appointee with a Manhattan criminal court. Or both. Almost three years after Trumps 2020 reelection campaign suffered a reversal in the BOK Center, the former president made a successful if subdued return, with no drama and little controversy. Ensconced by Mullin and Mullins three sons in a boxed-off area in the northeast corner of the BOK Center floor, Trump shook hands and posed with each of the national champions as they came off the elevated mat in the center of the arena 30 yards away. Otherwise, Trump did nothing to draw attention to himself after he walked across the floor to his seat a half-hour before the final session began. Trump was expected to stay in the floor seat for only a few matches before ascending to Mullins private suite. Instead, he stayed put for all 10 matches, watching closely while Mullin, a former wrestler, explained the finer points of the sport. Trump talked with fans between matches, but reporters were kept well away. Earlier in the day, Trumps all-caps post on his Truth Social platform said he expects to be arrested on corruption charges in New York on Tuesday. His lawyers later walked that back, but reporters following the case closely say all signs point to charges soon. The former president is embroiled in several other legal imbroglios, including accusations that he tried to unduly influence the 2020 vote count in Georgia. Speaking before Trumps arrival, Mullin dismissed the New York case as sheer politics. Theyve been after the president (Trump) since Day 1, Mullin said. The (Manhattan) district attorney needs to concentrate on putting bad guys in jail. Mullin seemed to compare the charges against Trump with unproven and largely discredited claims that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, Trumps 2016 opponent, committed criminal security breaches while in the Obama administration. Everybody sees this for what it is, Mullin said. Its not what this country is about. We had an opportunity to get after Hilary, and we didnt. Gov. Kevin Stitt, who spoke to the press with Mullin, refused to be drawn into any discussion of Trump. He said he was there to talk about what a great event the wrestling tournament was for the city and state. The governor did not sit with Trump, and Stitt acknowledged that he is good friends with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to challenge Trump for the 2024 Republican nomination. In his morning social media post, Trump called for his followers to take to the streets in protest of what he said is his pending arrest, and around two dozen followers gathered on the corner of First Street and Denver Avenue in hopes of a glimpse. Trump, however, arrived from a different direction. Trump did receive a warm if not overwhelming reception inside the BOK Center. For sure, it did not rival the attention given the wrestlers on the center mat. Photos: Former President Donald Trump attends NCAA Wrestling Championships in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump in Tulsa Trump Wrestling Trump Wrestling Trump Wrestling Trump Wrestling Trump Wrestling Trump Wrestling Check out our latest digital-only offer and subscribe now Bank breaker: U.S. Sen. James Lankford wanted to know last week what the failure of banks in California and New York had to with Oklahoma, especially after the Biden administration said it will assure that all depositors, including those surpassing the $250,000 FDIC limit, will be fully insured by assessing a fee on other banks. Let me tell you whats happening in the next few months, Lankford said in a floor speech on Tuesday. Banks in Oklahoma in rural towns are about to pay a special fee to be able to bail out millionaires in San Francisco. Now, what Oklahoma banks and bankers had to do with that bank failure in San Francisco, I have no idea. Lankford said much the same on Fox News and during a Finance Committee hearing with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin later in the week. What Im asking is: Will my banks in Oklahoma pay a special assessment to be able to make Chinese investors whole in Silicon Valley Bank? Lankford said. Uninsured investors will be made whole in that bank, and I suppose that could include foreign depositors, but I dont believe there is any legal basis to discriminate among uninsured depositors, Yellen replied. According to reports, 90% of depositors in Californias Silicon Valley Bank exceeded the $250,000 that is normally the limit of coverage by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., commonly known as the FDIC. The bank had a large number of Chinese depositors and investors. Its largest share-holder is an insurance company with ties to the Chinese government, and SVBs Chinese affiliate, operated with Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, was heavily involved in Chinas tech industries and developing its financial sector. Thus, the banks collapse has the potential to further strain the already delicate U.S.-China relationship. But Lankford argued that the FDICs move to protect SVB and Signature Bank of New York depositors is a backdoor tax on everybody else and is causing money to be shifted from smaller institutions to too-big-to-fail ones on the theory that in case of a run the federal government will step in again. Opening bid: Members the Republican Study Committee put energy production at the top of the list of concessions they want from the Biden administration in exchange for raising the debt limit, according to a release by RSC Chairman and Oklahoma 1st District Congressman Kevin Herns office. Thats a little bit of a surprise, given the emphasis put on debt and deficit when Republicans took control of the House two months ago. But its probably fair to say the debt-and-deficit votes were split among several more specific categories, including cut discretionary spending, fully offset the debt limit increase and debt to GDP targets. Hern surveyed the RSC, a caucus that includes a majority of House Republicans, in anticipation of the debt limit fight. The first step is admitting that both sides have contributed to our spending problem in the two decades since our last budget surplus, Hern said in a memo to the membership. Republicans and Democrats alike have ignored the debt as it grew and grew; we can ignore it no longer. One more brick: Second District Congressman Josh Brecheen joined the parade of Republican House and Senate members to the southern U.S. border to proclaim Biden administration and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas failures at keeping illegal immigrants out. Brecheen asked U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz if he disagreed with Bidens decision to stop construction of a wall begun by the Trump administration, to which Ortiz replied, Yes, sir. Hern, meanwhile, tweeted: We must impeach Secretary Mayorkas. Hes failed to protect Americans at the border. Biden is unwilling to hold his Cabinet members accountable, so Congress will. Dots and dashes: Fourth District Congressman Tom Cole told Reuters he favors an independent commission to come up with a way to put Social Security back on sound long-term financial footing. Lankford and Mullin voted nay on a procedural vote leading to the repeal of the authorizations of the use of military force originally enacted for the first Gulf War in 1991 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The two senators supported a resolution to block an effort to declare the Equal Rights Amendment adopted even though the original time limit for ratification expired in 1979. Cole was part of a delegation visiting Taiwan. Breechen signed onto legislation that would make qualifying for food stamp benefits more difficult to obtain for those ages 50-65. Mullin is part of a bi-partisan group pushing for more federal impact aid, which goes to school districts affected by large federal land holdings, such as military bases, which shrink the local property tax base. Mullin is the new co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus. Randy Krehbiel, Tulsa World OKLAHOMA CITY State agencies are covering the bulk of the costs for Gov. Kevin Stitts office in Washington, D.C., but some lawmakers are questioning why they werent consulted about the funding. Seven state agencies all led by Stitt appointees are paying a combined $300,000 annually for the office near Capitol Hill while the Governors Office picks up the remaining costs, according to public records obtained by the Tulsa World. In the most recent fiscal year, the state spent about $345,000 on the D.C. office, which Stitt considers to be a top priority. Rent payments and salaries for the offices director and deputy director accounted for most of the expenses. A GOP lawmaker who plays a key role in writing the state budget said the governor did not follow the normal appropriations process to fund the office. But members of the Stitt administration say the office has paid dividends for the state in terms of helping secure millions of dollars in federal funding and forging government connections to advance Oklahomas priorities. Stitt established the D.C. office in 2021, despite earlier objections from then-U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, to advocate for Oklahoma on federal issues and clinch federal funds for state agencies and projects. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Human Services are each funding the office to the tune of $75,000 annually, according to signed contracts with the Governors Office obtained through a public records request. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the office of the states secretary of energy and environment each contribute $37,500 annually. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority, State Department of Health and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services each contribute $25,000 a year. The governor solicited input on the D.C. office from members of his Cabinet, and the consensus was that it would create an immediate return on investment for the state, said Stitt spokeswoman Carly Atchison. After Cabinet members discussed who would use the D.C. office and benefit from its resources, these seven agencies volunteered to chip in on the costs, she said. The Cabinet was very supportive, and these agencies were happy to contribute to have this opportunity to work with the congressional delegation, other states, and the White House and federal agencies to maximize their agencies impact and service to Oklahomans, Atchison said. Although Stitts Cabinet secretaries signed memorandums of understanding in August 2021 solidifying the cash flow from specific state agencies, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, said he only recently became aware of the funding mechanism for the office. It is not unusual for agencies to sign memorandums of understanding, which are allowed by state law. Stitt should have asked the Oklahoma Legislature for funding for the office, Thompson said. In the past few years, the Legislature has kept the Governors Office budget flat at $3.5 million. House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, said she wasnt aware that state agencies were helping pay for the governors D.C. office. She questioned why agency heads never brought up the arrangement in legislative budget hearings. It is known that (Stitt) has requested agencies to submit flat budgets to the Legislature but has failed to mention he requires these agencies to financially support his office in our nations capital to schmooze with Washington elites, Munson said in a statement. This is not a fiscally conservative approach to spending taxpayer dollars and lacks transparency, she added. Justin Brown, Stitts secretary of human services and former head of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, said he was quick to volunteer funding for the D.C. office because a significant portion of the state agencys budget comes from federal funds. Director Christina Gungoll Lepore and Deputy Director Geoff Smith have helped connect Oklahoma DHS officials to their counterparts in other states, federal partners, national nonprofits and members of the states seven-person congressional delegation, Brown said. Those relationships played a crucial role in the U.S. Department of Agricultures recently selection of Oklahoma as one of five states in which Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will be able to use mobile payment methods as an alternative to physical SNAP cards, he said. Im confident if it werent for relationships and (the federal government) knowing that we could execute on a new strategy or plan, its unlikely we would have been selected for that, Brown said. Oklahoma Department of Transportation Director and Stitts Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz called the D.C. office a game-changer. The office works in tandem with the federal delegation to notify state agencies of federal grant opportunities and streamlines communication between state and federal agencies, he said. ODOT has received more than $200 million in federal grants since the D.C. office opened, though Gatz said its hard to pinpoint how much of that funding is directly attributable to the office. Its been a great thing for Oklahoma to have that office up there, he said. Im glad we tried the model, because its been everything I thought it could be and more. Before the D.C. office was created, ODOT was paying $84,000 a year for a lobbyist on the federal level. The agency no longer contracts with a lobbying firm. Atchison said the office has helped connect Stitt and his Cabinet secretaries with members of President Joe Bidens Cabinet, federal agency leaders, and dozens of foreign ambassadors and diplomats. On several trips to Washington, Stitt met with the Mexican ambassador to the United States to discuss opening a Mexican consulate in Oklahoma City. The office has also helped the state play defense in some instances. Lepore alerted state officials last year about federal legislation that could have resulted in Oklahomas losing $934 million in federal pandemic relief funds. That led the state to join the National Governors Association in opposing that provision, which was eventually cut from a larger spending bill, Atchison said. Most recently, the office helped get Stitt on the phone with Environmental Protection Agency officials to discuss a toxic waste shipment that was scheduled to come to Oklahoma from the site of an Ohio train derailment. My vision in setting up an office in Washington, D.C. was to have someone from the governors office working to help capture as many federal dollars as we can for our state, since just under half our budget is federal money, Stitt said in a statement. I also wanted to grow Oklahoma by telling our story nationally and internationally. Video: Gov. Kevin Stitt signs bill to incentivize business development in Oklahoma Lawmakers this session are sending mixed messages to parents. Are we unsuspecting victims who need saving from unknown predators and secret agendas? Or are we always right and government ought to stay out of the way? The right-wing fringe wants it both ways. In an appalling debate last week, the House voted down House Bill 1028, which would prohibit school officials from using corporal punishment on special needs children. Its concerning that school officials still hit students when decades of research have shown more effective and nontraumatizing results. The bills co-sponsor, Republican Anthony Moore from Clinton, didnt think there would be much pushback to approval. The author, Republican John Talley of Stillwater, proposed the bill to protect disabled kids from the pain of a paddling. Who would argue for striking special needs children? Thats when Rep. Jim Olsen, a Republican pastor from Roland, stood up. He tends to pull from the Old Testament when he wants to punish or discriminate. His arguments were spare-the-rod Scripture, which he read from his Bible, with a dash of parents rights, dismissing groups that oppose paddling. Gods counsel is higher than the American Academy of Pediatrics, said Olsen. Gods word is higher than all the so-called experts. The New Testament is my preference; Jesus spread the Good News about a better way to live life and treat others. I do not recall Jesus beating children including misbehaving children into submission. He would likely preach against that kind of thing. Lawmakers discussed how schools could avoid lawsuits if an official hit a child hard enough to leave marks. That group concluded that if a parent gives written permission, then its OK. In a strange logic, Rep. Randy Randleman, a Republican from Eufaula, said spanking is almost always inappropriate but sometimes necessary. He said teachers need the threat of corporal punishment to keep kids in line. You cant touch me. I hear that over and over. I dont want to hear that in school, said Randleman. Children and youths should always have say over who can touch them. Safety programs are built around teaching kids how to protect themselves against unwanted touching. That ought to include being hit by a teacher or school administrator. These pro-school spanking arguments are a nod to parental rights, but children have rights, too. If a school staff does not know how to intervene without hitting, thats not the fault of the student. Its up to the adults to find better methods. A glaring hypocrisy among the conservative parents rights arguments is with transgender children. The same lawmakers who vote for the right to spank vote the opposite in gender-affirming health care. For days, parents of transgender children took off work to rally at the Capitol and talk to lawmakers, begging them to see their perspective. They have heart-wrenching stories of choosing between gender-affirming therapies or risk their child to suicide. The concern of suicidality is not an exaggeration. Youth suicide rates have skyrocketed, and its more pronounced among LGBTQ+ youth. In December, the Trevor Project found that 50% of U.S. transgender and nonbinary youth had seriously considered suicide in the past year. Gender-affirming care has been shown to reduce suicide ideation and attempts. Bills that ban gender-affirming health care continue to advance through the Legislature. One bill would make it a crime for Oklahoma parents to seek such care even outside the state. If these bills become law, families will be forced to move. That cannot be what Oklahoma represents. Another example is the tug-of-war over library books. Parents arguing for bans say they have a right to keep their kids from content of which they disapprove. Of course, they really mean to keep it from all kids, not just their own. Other parents will view that same material as appropriate or even necessary for their childs well-being. The fringe tend to go with book bans, ignoring the parents who argue for freedom to allow their children access to various content. Parenting is hard, and no one really knows what they are doing. We depend on others to help guide and offer support. A harsh reality is that not all parents are up to the task. Some may not have a support system. Oklahoma has the nations top adverse childhood experiences rates. Prosecutors and child welfare workers see up close the effects poor parental choices have on children. Some parents need more help than others. These are Oklahoma families facing the traumas of poverty, deaths, addiction, domestic violence or poor health. They arent going to fill out application forms for niche schools or seek social supports on their own. Its plausible that some of those students being paddled by school officials are being hit by their parents at home in more violent and traumatic ways. Lawmakers basing all decisions on the most engaged, educated and stable parents ignore this other, more hidden, part of Oklahoma. Recently, a Moms for Liberty group went to the Capitol wearing shirts that said I dont co-parent with the government. They posted photos with State Superintendent Ryan Walters and Gov. Kevin Stitt on social media. That T-shirt message strongly discounts how much parents especially parents in crisis depend on others. Public institutions have a responsibility to keep children safe from violence but not act as an arbiter of morality. Vietnam is the second fastest-growing digital economy in the world, following India, and has the fastest e-commerce growth in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said at the Vietnam Connect Forum 2023 held in Da Nang on Friday. According to the deputy prime minister, Vietnam has recorded an average digital economy growth rate of 38 percent per year over the past few years. The nations digital economy was valued at some US$23 billion last year. According to Google and Temasek, the value of Vietnams digital economy may reach $49 billion by 2025 and $120-200 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade informed that Vietnams retail e commerce revenue in 2022 grew 20 percent year on year to hit $16.4 billion, making up 7.5 percent of the countrys total retail sales of consumer goods and services, news site Vietnamplus reported. Deputy PM Quang said boosting innovation is the top priority of countries to recover and develop after the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam is not an outsider to the trend. Its development strategies include sustainable development and enhancement of the digital, circular, and green economy. The Southeast Asian country has made strong commitments on sustainable development, carbon emission reduction, and transition to clean energy. At the Vietnam Connect Forum 2023, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said Vietnam needs to shift from the natural resource-based growth model to a greener and more sustainable development model. Green growth and digital transformation must be top priorities, Deputy Minister Ngoc added. The conversion from an agricultural economy to a modern multi-sector economy has resulted in an increasing energy demand, which has led to energy security risks, air pollution, and climate change. Regarding orientations for the development of the central and Central Highlands regions, Deputy PM Quang said they are important regions. The Central Highlands region will be developed based on agriculture and forestry with processing being a motivation and tourism expected to make breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the north-central and central coastal areas are planned to develop a marine economy with synchronous and modern socio-economic infrastructure, and the resistance to natural disasters and climate change. As of 2045, some industrial and service hubs are expected to be established in the regions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam is the second fastest-growing digital economy in the world, following India, and has the fastest e-commerce growth in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said at the Vietnam Connect Forum 2023 held in Da Nang on Friday. According to the deputy prime minister, Vietnam has recorded an average digital economy growth rate of 38 percent per year over the past few years. The nations digital economy was valued at some US$23 billion last year. According to Google and Temasek, the value of Vietnams digital economy may reach $49 billion by 2025 and $120-200 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade informed that Vietnams retail e commerce revenue in 2022 grew 20 percent year on year to hit $16.4 billion, making up 7.5 percent of the countrys total retail sales of consumer goods and services, news site Vietnamplus reported. Deputy PM Quang said boosting innovation is the top priority of countries to recover and develop after the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam is not an outsider to the trend. Its development strategies include sustainable development and enhancement of the digital, circular, and green economy. The Southeast Asian country has made strong commitments on sustainable development, carbon emission reduction, and transition to clean energy. At the Vietnam Connect Forum 2023, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said Vietnam needs to shift from the natural resource-based growth model to a greener and more sustainable development model. Green growth and digital transformation must be top priorities, Deputy Minister Ngoc added. The conversion from an agricultural economy to a modern multi-sector economy has resulted in an increasing energy demand, which has led to energy security risks, air pollution, and climate change. Regarding orientations for the development of the central and Central Highlands regions, Deputy PM Quang said they are important regions. The Central Highlands region will be developed based on agriculture and forestry with processing being a motivation and tourism expected to make breakthroughs. Meanwhile, the north-central and central coastal areas are planned to develop a marine economy with synchronous and modern socio-economic infrastructure, and the resistance to natural disasters and climate change. As of 2045, some industrial and service hubs are expected to be established in the regions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tran Thi Hai and his husband, residing in Nui Thanh District, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, have used their own budget to build a boarding house and offer free shelter for underprivileged students. The boarding house has become an address of love and nurtures the kindness and dreams of many poor students. House of kindness Only 10 minutes after school finishes, students ride their bicycles to return to the boarding house. Despite being busy as a bee, both Hai and her husband try to observe students living in their boarding house and care about their studying. We are happy to see them going to school regularly and studying hard. "Their families believe in us and say that their children have made progress. "Money is not a matter to help them pursue their learning journey." The help to the disadvantaged and the community by the family of Hai is well known in Nui Thanh Town of the namesake district. Local authorities and associations often visit and support the boarding house. Hai decided to use her money to build the boarding house for poor students after she and her husband did charity in remote areas and saw the difficult life of residents there. Meanwhile, her house is nestled in the center of Nui Thanh Town and near many large schools. Nui Thanh District is large, so many students have to travel dozens of kilometers to reach their schools, while some have to rent rooms near their schools. Hai said she had discussed with her husband the plan to use their savings to construct the boarding house. In June last year, a six-room boarding house with sufficient living and studying facilities was built near Hais house. Each room in the boarding house measures 20 square meters. In the beginning, many people thought that the boarding house was built for rent and poor students could not afford the rooms. However, when the boarding house was put into use, Hai hung a banner in front of it, stating that it is free for poor students and workers. This surprised many local residents and teachers as each student had to pay VND500,000-1 million (US$21-43) per month to rent a room in Nui Thanh. Meanwhile, Hais boarding house, which is beautiful and clean and has enough facilities, is free of charge. Students at the boarding house can keep their mind on studying without thinking of paying room rent. Photo: P.N. / Tuoi Tre Another way of giving Hai and her husband have supported the community in many areas over the past many years. They also bought an ambulance to carry patients in difficult circumstances to hospitals. Hai said building the free-of-charge boarding house is also a way of giving. It is aimed at long-term purposes: nurturing poor students dreams and shortening their path to school. More importantly, underprivileged students will see the support of others and give back when they mature. According to Hai, all six rooms in her boarding house have been occupied by students of Nguyen Hue High School in Nui Thanh District. The boarding house is fitted with cameras and Wi-Fi. Hai also bought new bicycles and put them in front of the boarding house so that students can use them to go to school. Nguyen Tinh, from Tam Thanh Commune, Nui Thanh District, who is a student living in Hais boarding house, expressed his happiness to have safe and convenient accommodations. Tinhs family is poor. To go to school, he had to take a bus or travel to the school from the early morning. After Hais boarding house was completed, she asked teachers to introduce students to her place. Tinh came and received a room of which many rich students would be jealous. Tinh said the room is spacious and comfortable, he welcomed two other disadvantaged students to the room. In the clean room, tables are put in corners, helping these poor students pursue their studying dreams. At the end of the boarding house, Hai also prepared stoves and saucepans so that students can prepare their meals to save money. Im grateful to Hai as she allows me to live [in her boarding house] at no charge and pursue my dream of going to school," Tinh said. She not only helps me but also sets my parents mind at rest when I have a safe accommodation as this is the first time I have lived far from my family." Besides Tinh, the boarding house is now home to 18 other students. All of them were recommended by their teachers or acquaintances. Hai gives priority to students who live far from school and face many difficulties in life but show great studying determination. Chau Huyen Ha Tram, residing in Tam Tra Commune, Nui Thanh District, said her house is nearly 30 kilometers from her school. To reach the school on time, she had to wake up at 4:00 am and catch a bus. Tram recalled that when coming to Nui Thanh Town for studying, she used to think of dropping out of school due to the far distance and high living costs. Living in the free boarding house, Im truly happy. My mom does not have to worry about my room rentals anymore," Tram said. In addition, Hai and her husband take care of us, encourage and remind us to study, which urges me and other students here to try harder." Cao Thi Anh Suong, a student from Tam Son Commune, Nui Thanh District, said she was excited when reaching the boarding house but she was also worried that the owners would later collect rentals from her. However, all rooms are free. We tell each other not to make noise and to keep order and go to school on time so as not to affect the boarding house owners and neighbors, Suong said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Tran Thi Hai and his husband, residing in Nui Thanh District, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, have used their own budget to build a boarding house and offer free shelter for underprivileged students. The boarding house has become an address of love and nurtures the kindness and dreams of many poor students. House of kindness Only 10 minutes after school finishes, students ride their bicycles to return to the boarding house. Despite being busy as a bee, both Hai and her husband try to observe students living in their boarding house and care about their studying. We are happy to see them going to school regularly and studying hard. "Their families believe in us and say that their children have made progress. "Money is not a matter to help them pursue their learning journey." The help to the disadvantaged and the community by the family of Hai is well known in Nui Thanh Town of the namesake district. Local authorities and associations often visit and support the boarding house. Hai decided to use her money to build the boarding house for poor students after she and her husband did charity in remote areas and saw the difficult life of residents there. Meanwhile, her house is nestled in the center of Nui Thanh Town and near many large schools. Nui Thanh District is large, so many students have to travel dozens of kilometers to reach their schools, while some have to rent rooms near their schools. Hai said she had discussed with her husband the plan to use their savings to construct the boarding house. In June last year, a six-room boarding house with sufficient living and studying facilities was built near Hais house. Each room in the boarding house measures 20 square meters. In the beginning, many people thought that the boarding house was built for rent and poor students could not afford the rooms. However, when the boarding house was put into use, Hai hung a banner in front of it, stating that it is free for poor students and workers. This surprised many local residents and teachers as each student had to pay VND500,000-1 million (US$21-43) per month to rent a room in Nui Thanh. Meanwhile, Hais boarding house, which is beautiful and clean and has enough facilities, is free of charge. Students at the boarding house can keep their mind on studying without thinking of paying room rent. Photo: P.N. / Tuoi Tre Another way of giving Hai and her husband have supported the community in many areas over the past many years. They also bought an ambulance to carry patients in difficult circumstances to hospitals. Hai said building the free-of-charge boarding house is also a way of giving. It is aimed at long-term purposes: nurturing poor students dreams and shortening their path to school. More importantly, underprivileged students will see the support of others and give back when they mature. According to Hai, all six rooms in her boarding house have been occupied by students of Nguyen Hue High School in Nui Thanh District. The boarding house is fitted with cameras and Wi-Fi. Hai also bought new bicycles and put them in front of the boarding house so that students can use them to go to school. Nguyen Tinh, from Tam Thanh Commune, Nui Thanh District, who is a student living in Hais boarding house, expressed his happiness to have safe and convenient accommodations. Tinhs family is poor. To go to school, he had to take a bus or travel to the school from the early morning. After Hais boarding house was completed, she asked teachers to introduce students to her place. Tinh came and received a room of which many rich students would be jealous. Tinh said the room is spacious and comfortable, he welcomed two other disadvantaged students to the room. In the clean room, tables are put in corners, helping these poor students pursue their studying dreams. At the end of the boarding house, Hai also prepared stoves and saucepans so that students can prepare their meals to save money. Im grateful to Hai as she allows me to live [in her boarding house] at no charge and pursue my dream of going to school," Tinh said. She not only helps me but also sets my parents mind at rest when I have a safe accommodation as this is the first time I have lived far from my family." Besides Tinh, the boarding house is now home to 18 other students. All of them were recommended by their teachers or acquaintances. Hai gives priority to students who live far from school and face many difficulties in life but show great studying determination. Chau Huyen Ha Tram, residing in Tam Tra Commune, Nui Thanh District, said her house is nearly 30 kilometers from her school. To reach the school on time, she had to wake up at 4:00 am and catch a bus. Tram recalled that when coming to Nui Thanh Town for studying, she used to think of dropping out of school due to the far distance and high living costs. Living in the free boarding house, Im truly happy. My mom does not have to worry about my room rentals anymore," Tram said. In addition, Hai and her husband take care of us, encourage and remind us to study, which urges me and other students here to try harder." Cao Thi Anh Suong, a student from Tam Son Commune, Nui Thanh District, said she was excited when reaching the boarding house but she was also worried that the owners would later collect rentals from her. However, all rooms are free. We tell each other not to make noise and to keep order and go to school on time so as not to affect the boarding house owners and neighbors, Suong said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ten people in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam were hospitalized for Botulinum poisoning, with one of them dead after eating pickled carp. Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday night told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital, where the patients are in treatment, had called for the formers support on the morning of the same day. Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital, through an online consultation, diagnosed the patients with Botulinum poisoning. Due to the urgent situation, Cho Ray Hospital decided to send three experts and an antitoxin to Quang Nam to treat the patients. They arrived in Quang Nam on Saturday afternoon and assessed the conditions of the patients. Doctors discuss treatment regimens for patients. Photo: N.H. / Tuoi Tre There are three clusters of patients. The first cluster includes three women and two men residing in Phuoc Duc Commune, Phuoc Son District, Quang Nam Province. They developed symptoms of stomachache, vomiting, and fatigue 12-24 hours after eating pickled carp. After receiving treatment at the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital for three days, a 40-year-old woman died, while the four remaining cases are now in stable condition. The second cluster is a female patient in Phuoc Chanh Commune, Phuoc Son District. Just one day after eating pickled carp, she vomited a lot and became weaker, so she was hospitalized. She suffered respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator on Thursday. Meanwhile, the third cluster consists of three males and a female, who are members of a family in Phuoc Kien Commune, Phuoc Son District. They ate pickled carp on Thursday and showed symptoms of vomiting the next day. Two of the men became quadriplegic, suffered respiratory failure, and were put on ventilators on Saturday, while the hands and legs of a 12-year-old boy and a 24-year-old woman became weaker. Doctors of Cho Ray Hospital and the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital in Quang Nam Province check the conditions of a patient. Photo: N.H. / Tuoi Tre Doctor Le Quoc Hung, head of the tropical disease department at Cho Ray Hospital, who was dispatched to Quang Nam, said all the patients ate pickled carp, which was kept in closed boxes for two to three weeks, facilitating the growth of the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium. In addition to assisting in the treatment of the patients, Cho Ray Hospital has sent a report on the cases to the Ministry of Health and asked the Quang Nam healthcare sector to keep local residents informed to prevent similar happenings. The three patients who are on ventilators have been prescribed Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent, a Clostridium Botulinum antitoxin provided by Cho Ray Hospital. In 2020, many localities in Vietnam reported similar poisoning cases after eating vegan pate. Hanoi even recorded a botulism death. At the time, due to the shortage of antitoxins, the World Health Organization provided Vietnam with vials of antidote worth over US$6,000 each to treat botulinum poisoning cases in the Southeast Asian country. The antidote vials were sent from Thailand and Europe. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ten people in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam were hospitalized for Botulinum poisoning, with one of them dead after eating pickled carp. Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday night told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital, where the patients are in treatment, had called for the formers support on the morning of the same day. Doctors at Cho Ray Hospital, through an online consultation, diagnosed the patients with Botulinum poisoning. Due to the urgent situation, Cho Ray Hospital decided to send three experts and an antitoxin to Quang Nam to treat the patients. They arrived in Quang Nam on Saturday afternoon and assessed the conditions of the patients. Doctors discuss treatment regimens for patients. Photo: N.H. / Tuoi Tre There are three clusters of patients. The first cluster includes three women and two men residing in Phuoc Duc Commune, Phuoc Son District, Quang Nam Province. They developed symptoms of stomachache, vomiting, and fatigue 12-24 hours after eating pickled carp. After receiving treatment at the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital for three days, a 40-year-old woman died, while the four remaining cases are now in stable condition. The second cluster is a female patient in Phuoc Chanh Commune, Phuoc Son District. Just one day after eating pickled carp, she vomited a lot and became weaker, so she was hospitalized. She suffered respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator on Thursday. Meanwhile, the third cluster consists of three males and a female, who are members of a family in Phuoc Kien Commune, Phuoc Son District. They ate pickled carp on Thursday and showed symptoms of vomiting the next day. Two of the men became quadriplegic, suffered respiratory failure, and were put on ventilators on Saturday, while the hands and legs of a 12-year-old boy and a 24-year-old woman became weaker. Doctors of Cho Ray Hospital and the Quang Nam Northern Mountainous Region General Hospital in Quang Nam Province check the conditions of a patient. Photo: N.H. / Tuoi Tre Doctor Le Quoc Hung, head of the tropical disease department at Cho Ray Hospital, who was dispatched to Quang Nam, said all the patients ate pickled carp, which was kept in closed boxes for two to three weeks, facilitating the growth of the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium. In addition to assisting in the treatment of the patients, Cho Ray Hospital has sent a report on the cases to the Ministry of Health and asked the Quang Nam healthcare sector to keep local residents informed to prevent similar happenings. The three patients who are on ventilators have been prescribed Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent, a Clostridium Botulinum antitoxin provided by Cho Ray Hospital. In 2020, many localities in Vietnam reported similar poisoning cases after eating vegan pate. Hanoi even recorded a botulism death. At the time, due to the shortage of antitoxins, the World Health Organization provided Vietnam with vials of antidote worth over US$6,000 each to treat botulinum poisoning cases in the Southeast Asian country. The antidote vials were sent from Thailand and Europe. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 55-year-old Georgian man has been arrested for allegedly appropriating nearly US$30,000 from a gold shop in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam. The Hai Phong Police on Saturday informed the arrest of the foreigner. In particular, at 6:00 pm on February 27, P.D.D., a 24-year-old resident in Dong Hai Ward, Le Chan District, Hai Phong City, reported to the Le Chan District Police that he lost $30,000 to a foreign man. He said that at about 5:40 pm on the same day, the foreign man arrived at his gold shop at 96D Cho Hang Street in Dong Hai Ward to exchange Vietnamese banknotes for U.S. dollars totaling $30,000. The foreigner could not speak Vietnamese, so he used Google Translate for communication. After receiving $30,000 from D., the foreigner put the money into three envelopes. Each envelope had a small plastic square through which they could look inside the envelopes. When D. did not pay attention to the envelopes, the foreign man exchanged the three envelopes with three similar items containing a $100 banknote each. He put the envelopes into a yellow leather bag and gave it to D., reasoning that he did not bring enough Vietnamese banknotes. He added that he would go home to fetch more Vietnamese banknotes and return to the gold shop. After he left, D.s family members checked the bag and found that the envelopes contained a $10 banknote and paper each. After appropriating D.s money, the Georgian man and Gurtskaia Roman, another 47-year-old Georgian, arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi to flee to Ho Chi Minh City and then Cambodia. During their journey, they repeatedly changed means of transport to put the police off the scent. However, the Hai Phong Police cooperated with the security force at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Police to track them. At 0:15 am on February 28, the two Georgian citizens were arrested as soon as they landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The two were later taken to Hai Phong City. The police also confiscated the money and other exhibits. Sordia Gia was prosecuted on charges of swindling to appropriate assets. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A 55-year-old Georgian man has been arrested for allegedly appropriating nearly US$30,000 from a gold shop in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam. The Hai Phong Police on Saturday informed the arrest of the foreigner. In particular, at 6:00 pm on February 27, P.D.D., a 24-year-old resident in Dong Hai Ward, Le Chan District, Hai Phong City, reported to the Le Chan District Police that he lost $30,000 to a foreign man. He said that at about 5:40 pm on the same day, the foreign man arrived at his gold shop at 96D Cho Hang Street in Dong Hai Ward to exchange Vietnamese banknotes for U.S. dollars totaling $30,000. The foreigner could not speak Vietnamese, so he used Google Translate for communication. After receiving $30,000 from D., the foreigner put the money into three envelopes. Each envelope had a small plastic square through which they could look inside the envelopes. When D. did not pay attention to the envelopes, the foreign man exchanged the three envelopes with three similar items containing a $100 banknote each. He put the envelopes into a yellow leather bag and gave it to D., reasoning that he did not bring enough Vietnamese banknotes. He added that he would go home to fetch more Vietnamese banknotes and return to the gold shop. After he left, D.s family members checked the bag and found that the envelopes contained a $10 banknote and paper each. After appropriating D.s money, the Georgian man and Gurtskaia Roman, another 47-year-old Georgian, arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi to flee to Ho Chi Minh City and then Cambodia. During their journey, they repeatedly changed means of transport to put the police off the scent. However, the Hai Phong Police cooperated with the security force at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Police to track them. At 0:15 am on February 28, the two Georgian citizens were arrested as soon as they landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The two were later taken to Hai Phong City. The police also confiscated the money and other exhibits. Sordia Gia was prosecuted on charges of swindling to appropriate assets. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Health authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have reported an additional 12,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients over the past three years, on top of its annual number of 17,000-18,000 TB cases, given the support of international healthcare organizations, especially the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The figures were revealed by Nguyen Huu Hung, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, at a free-of-charge TB health screening event held on Saturday in District 5. The event also gathered Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, along with other health officials and employees at home and abroad. Walensky discussed with healthcare workers the procedures for taking chest X-rays and returning the results to local residents, while sharing with local people the benefits of TB screening. A local healthcare worker tells Nguyen Thi Lang, an 82-year-old resident in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, and her husband how to take care of her skin after a latent TB skin test. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre At the event, more than 300 locals, including the elderly, co-infected patients, and those with probable TB infection received TB screening tests, latent TB skin tests, and chest X-rays, among others. People with abnormal X-ray test results will take a sputum test to find TB bacteria that can cause an infection. Healthcare workers will guide those with TB infection through treatment and care measures. One of the beneficiaries, 82-year-old Nguyen Thi Lang, residing in District 5, said, Its my first time taking a TB screening test for free. The event is very essential for elderly people who cough a lot like me. It took Lang and her husband around an hour to finish the TB screening tests. Their chest X-ray test results came back normal. Also, they were told to return there to get the latent TB skin test results in the next two days. Aside from its achievements in TB diagnosis, treatment, and care, Ho Chi Minh City has faced multiple obstacles to reach the Vietnamese governments goal of ending TB by 2030, as the population density and mobility are much larger than that in other localities in the country. Nguyen Huu Lan, director of Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital in the city, said the citys current population density is 4,476 people per square kilometer, 15.5-fold higher than Vietnams average figure. A man gets a chest X-ray test, in addition to receiving TB screening and latent TB skin tests at no charge at a TB health screening event in Ho Chi Minh City, March 18, 2023. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre TB outbreaks will spread rapidly in densely populated areas, Lan added. During the fourth coronavirus wave in the city in 2021, the number of TB patients in the community declined 24 percent against the pre-pandemic period in 2019. The head of the Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital said it is essential to conduct TB screening in the community, as many patients could spread the bacteria to those they daily spend time with, such as family members and friends. Echoing the view, the deputy director of the municipal health authority underlined the need to detect probable TB cases in the community as soon as possible to timely provide them with medical treatment and care. To do so, the health official proposed international healthcare organizations, especially the CDC, continue their support for the city in implementing TB and HIV prevention and control programs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Health authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have reported an additional 12,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients over the past three years, on top of its annual number of 17,000-18,000 TB cases, given the support of international healthcare organizations, especially the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The figures were revealed by Nguyen Huu Hung, deputy director of the municipal Department of Health, at a free-of-charge TB health screening event held on Saturday in District 5. The event also gathered Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, along with other health officials and employees at home and abroad. Walensky discussed with healthcare workers the procedures for taking chest X-rays and returning the results to local residents, while sharing with local people the benefits of TB screening. A local healthcare worker tells Nguyen Thi Lang, an 82-year-old resident in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, and her husband how to take care of her skin after a latent TB skin test. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre At the event, more than 300 locals, including the elderly, co-infected patients, and those with probable TB infection received TB screening tests, latent TB skin tests, and chest X-rays, among others. People with abnormal X-ray test results will take a sputum test to find TB bacteria that can cause an infection. Healthcare workers will guide those with TB infection through treatment and care measures. One of the beneficiaries, 82-year-old Nguyen Thi Lang, residing in District 5, said, Its my first time taking a TB screening test for free. The event is very essential for elderly people who cough a lot like me. It took Lang and her husband around an hour to finish the TB screening tests. Their chest X-ray test results came back normal. Also, they were told to return there to get the latent TB skin test results in the next two days. Aside from its achievements in TB diagnosis, treatment, and care, Ho Chi Minh City has faced multiple obstacles to reach the Vietnamese governments goal of ending TB by 2030, as the population density and mobility are much larger than that in other localities in the country. Nguyen Huu Lan, director of Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital in the city, said the citys current population density is 4,476 people per square kilometer, 15.5-fold higher than Vietnams average figure. A man gets a chest X-ray test, in addition to receiving TB screening and latent TB skin tests at no charge at a TB health screening event in Ho Chi Minh City, March 18, 2023. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre TB outbreaks will spread rapidly in densely populated areas, Lan added. During the fourth coronavirus wave in the city in 2021, the number of TB patients in the community declined 24 percent against the pre-pandemic period in 2019. The head of the Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital said it is essential to conduct TB screening in the community, as many patients could spread the bacteria to those they daily spend time with, such as family members and friends. Echoing the view, the deputy director of the municipal health authority underlined the need to detect probable TB cases in the community as soon as possible to timely provide them with medical treatment and care. To do so, the health official proposed international healthcare organizations, especially the CDC, continue their support for the city in implementing TB and HIV prevention and control programs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A group of 16 visitors from Shanghai arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, placing them among the first Chinese travelers to come back to Vietnam following Chinas resumption of outbound group tours to the Southeast Asian country starting from March 15. Ho Chi Minh City is the first destination in their eight-day and seven-night itinerary in Vietnam. After the southern metropolis, the tourists will head to Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne, three tourist hotspots in Vietnams Central Highlands and central regions, and later return to Ho Chi Minh City. At the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the Chinese vacationers wore ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) and non la (the iconic Vietnamese conical hats) while being briefed on this tourist attraction. A member of the group told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his last outbound trip before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out was to Vietnam. After China dropped restrictions on overseas tours for its citizens, he and his relatives also opted to visit Vietnam as their first outbound trip post-pandemic. I want to explore more beautiful beach destinations in Vietnam such as Nha Trang and Mui Ne during my return to this country, he said. Chinese tourists are pictured exploring the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the first destination on their eight-day and seven-night tour to Vietnam. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Besides the Saigon Central Post Office, the Chinese tourist group visited many other destinations in the city and bought lots of souvenirs, including ao dai sets. The return of Chinese group tours is considered a positive signal that will help revive travel firms, said Le Hong Tu, director of BT Tour Company. Since the end of last month, the company has worked with its partners to make preparations to welcome back the Chinese visitors. As Chinese tourists are raring to travel abroad again, we received bookings for group tours right after the Chinese government resumed outbound travel. We sped up efforts to prepare for the return of Chinese travelers, Tu said. Two Chinese pose for a photo with 'ao dai' (Vietnamese traditional costume) at the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on March 17, 2023. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre After the first group of Chinese tourists to the city, a number of travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City have also received requests for quotes. The city is expected to serve more Chinese tourist groups this month, adding that next month would be hectic to serve tourists from the market. Nguyen Quoc Ky, chairman of Vietravel Holdings -- a Vietnamese provider of travel, aviation, and other related services -- said Chinese travelers prefer beach destinations with white sand and crystal clear water, but there is still much room for major shopping hubs like Ho Chi Minh City to woo visitors from this market. Popular destinations in Vietnam need to closely work with travel agencies that are capable of receiving and offering quality services to foreign visitors, Ky suggested. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A group of 16 visitors from Shanghai arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, placing them among the first Chinese travelers to come back to Vietnam following Chinas resumption of outbound group tours to the Southeast Asian country starting from March 15. Ho Chi Minh City is the first destination in their eight-day and seven-night itinerary in Vietnam. After the southern metropolis, the tourists will head to Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Mui Ne, three tourist hotspots in Vietnams Central Highlands and central regions, and later return to Ho Chi Minh City. At the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the Chinese vacationers wore ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume) and non la (the iconic Vietnamese conical hats) while being briefed on this tourist attraction. A member of the group told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his last outbound trip before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out was to Vietnam. After China dropped restrictions on overseas tours for its citizens, he and his relatives also opted to visit Vietnam as their first outbound trip post-pandemic. I want to explore more beautiful beach destinations in Vietnam such as Nha Trang and Mui Ne during my return to this country, he said. Chinese tourists are pictured exploring the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, the first destination on their eight-day and seven-night tour to Vietnam. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre Besides the Saigon Central Post Office, the Chinese tourist group visited many other destinations in the city and bought lots of souvenirs, including ao dai sets. The return of Chinese group tours is considered a positive signal that will help revive travel firms, said Le Hong Tu, director of BT Tour Company. Since the end of last month, the company has worked with its partners to make preparations to welcome back the Chinese visitors. As Chinese tourists are raring to travel abroad again, we received bookings for group tours right after the Chinese government resumed outbound travel. We sped up efforts to prepare for the return of Chinese travelers, Tu said. Two Chinese pose for a photo with 'ao dai' (Vietnamese traditional costume) at the Saigon Central Post Office in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on March 17, 2023. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre After the first group of Chinese tourists to the city, a number of travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City have also received requests for quotes. The city is expected to serve more Chinese tourist groups this month, adding that next month would be hectic to serve tourists from the market. Nguyen Quoc Ky, chairman of Vietravel Holdings -- a Vietnamese provider of travel, aviation, and other related services -- said Chinese travelers prefer beach destinations with white sand and crystal clear water, but there is still much room for major shopping hubs like Ho Chi Minh City to woo visitors from this market. Popular destinations in Vietnam need to closely work with travel agencies that are capable of receiving and offering quality services to foreign visitors, Ky suggested. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Published on: March 19, 2023 | Updated on: March 20, 2023 Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath moved the first bill and explained its objectives. (File Photo: DC) Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council passed two bills--AP Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill 2023 and AP Para Veterinary and Allied Council Bill, 2023. Finance minister Buggana Rajendranath moved the first bill and explained its objectives. Similarly, animal husbandry minister Seediri Appalaraju moved the second bill. CTV is bringing Canadians a mini Gilmore Girls reunion with its new original drama Sullivan's Crossing (premiering March 19 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app), which stars Canadian Morgan Kohan, alongside Gilmore Girls alums Scott Patterson and Chad Michael Murray (also the star of One Tree Hill). Sullivan's Crossing centres around Maggie Sullivan (Kohan), an ambitious and talented neurosurgeon in Boston who finds herself in some complicated legal trouble. Having to lay low, Maggie journeys to a Nova Scotia campground called Sullivans Crossing, her childhood home, which is run by her estranged father Sully (Patterson). Helping Sully out on the campground is Cal (Murray), who had no idea Sully had a daughter. As Maggie is thrust back into this close-knit community, she has to face her complex past, while her future looks more chaotic than ever. She's someone who's built a life around her, to the way that's expected of her, and is finding that maybe it's not fully true to her, and I think a lot of people can find resonance with that, which I did, Kohan told Yahoo Canada. Her finding herself back in a small town and kind of reckoning with those two versions of herself was really interesting to me. I'm from a small town as well. So I have some experiences of that. That really resonated with me." Sullivans Crossing: Chad Michael Murray, Morgan Kohan and Scott Patterson in the new CTV Original Drama Based on the Robyn Carr novels, adapted by showrunner Roma Roth, who is also executive producer of Netflix's Virgin River series (based on Carr's books as well), Sullivan's Crossing really taps into two beloved TV genres. There's the medical drama aspect with Maggie's career, with light echoes of a show like Grey's Anatomy, but it's also very much a family drama, sort of like a This Is Us or Parenthood. I feel like there's so many different parts that we get to play with," Kohan said. "There is the family drama, there is the medical side of things, there's the city life, there is the small community relationships and friendships. That, I think, just makes it a little bit different. Story continues I believe that everyone will see something in the show that they can resonate with and see themselves a part of. Scott Patterson as Sully Sullivan in the CTV Original Drama "Sullivans Crossing" (Michael Tompkins) 'He was a guy that was not unlike Luke from Gilmore Girls' The moment the first images of Sullivan's Crossing were released, fans of 2000s TV were quick to express their excitement about TV legends Patterson and Murray coming together for a new show. For Patterson, he explained that his character "grabbed" him after reading some of the scripts. Having lengthy conversations with Roth about Sully, Patterson found similar beats to his Gilmore Girls character Luke. He was a guy that was not unlike Luke from Gilmore Girls, and I thought at that moment, well OK that's a little bit intriguing, Patterson told Yahoo Canada. Not that I wanted to repeat myself, but I read the first couple scripts and I thought, ... this is a guy who is as complex. He has a real history and a real connection to that land. I guess he really resonated with me, and on a lot of different levels, the way that Luke did. I had a choice whether I wanted to do this or walk away. I mean, I'm not a spring chicken anymore and I have the luxury of sort of passing on things, ... whereas Gilmore was the beginning of my career. But I just thought I could do a lot with [an incomplete canvas], which is the kind of writing that I like. I don't want it all spelled out for me. Chad Michael Murray as Cal in the CTV Original Drama "Sullivans Crossing" (Michael Tompkins) For Murray, he revealed that it was showrunner Roth's "selling" the character of Cal and his journey, including the trials and tribulations of his past that bring him to Sullivan's Crossing, that made the actor want to come on board for the show. This is a guy that I identified with," Murray said. "I felt a symbiotic relationship in healing, I also felt that hes just good for the world. Cals journey is a lot deeper and a lot darker than you would imagine. I think that he came to Sullivans Crossing to heal and that's something that we don't know about him. ... I'd like to really believe you're going to fall in love with him. There's just something very open minded and beautiful about what his journeys been and how he comes together in this world of Sullivans Crossing. Morgan Kohan as Maggie and Scott Patterson as Sully in the CTV Original Drama "Sullivans Crossing" (Michael Tompkins) 'She's one of the best young actors I've ever worked with' While there's no denying that Patterson and Murray are TV icons, they are both also very quick to praise their Canadian co-star Kohan. She's very gifted, she's very intelligent," Patterson said. "Her acting IQ is very high and there isn't a lot of discussion that needs to take place with her. She's sort of an unknown commodity in the States and that's not going to last for long. She'll become very known. She's got that actor's shorthand where she just gets it very quickly and we just do the scene. Very impressed with her and she's one of the best young actors I've ever worked with. Chad Michael Murray as Cal and Morgan Kohan as Maggie in the CTV Original Drama Sullivans Crossing (Michael Tompkins) Murray, teasing what's to come between Cal and Maggie, is telling Canadians to "get your popcorn ready" because it's a relationship that he believes "people are going to want to fight for." Also, made more impactful by the acting synergy between Murray and Kohan. Morgan was so inviting and she was number one. Checked in early, checked out late, ready to go, ready to do the work," Murray said. "She was always open to hearing anything that other people wanted to bring to the table." "We just created that dynamic between Cal and Maggie that her and I really were able to create as well, just a bond of friendship. She comes to hang out with the kids and my wife, and we got to know each other really well. For an actor like Murray, who really epitomized the teen heartthrob for an entire generation, moving from the teen-based drama world to a more multigenerational drama is part of "growing with your fanbase." I think the audience is going to adapt with us," Murray said. Scott and myself were both at the WB, that turned into the CW, ... and those were more teen dramas, teen angst, but dramas. Now you can take it to more adult drama and more adult storylines." "The fanbase that grew with us back starting in 2003, 2004 is now 20 years removed from that. They're 20 years older. We have the moms and the dads now, that grew with us, all wanting to watch more adult content, something that they can identify with, a relationship that they can get excited about. It's an exciting thing to be a part of and I just hope that everyone jumps on for the ride and goes on this journey, because I'll tell you, they really start ramping up around [Episode 5]." (Bloomberg) -- North Korea test-fired a suspected short-range ballistic missile, adding to its barrage of launches in the past month that included two rockets designed to deliver a nuclear warhead to the US mainland. Most Read from Bloomberg The missile was fired around 11:05 a.m. local time on Sunday toward waters to the east of the Korean peninsula, Yonhap News reported, citing South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. It flew for about 800 kilometers before falling into the sea outside Japans exclusive economic zone, Japans Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said in a televised media briefing. It may have flown on an irregular trajectory and a detailed analysis is underway, Ino added. Kim Gunn, South Koreas Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, held a conference call with his US and Japan counterparts Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi to discuss the latest North Korean provocation. The three officials condemned the North, calling its actions a threat to peace and stability that clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions, South Koreas foreign ministry said in a statement. The US and South Korea conducted a joint aerial drill over the Korean peninsula involving a B-1B bomber and fighter jets on Sunday, South Koreas defense ministry said in a statement following North Koreas missile launch. It was part of large-scale military drills by the US and its ally this month called Freedom Shield and lasting Mar. 13 to Mar. 23 designed to bolster defenses. Kim Jong Uns regime last week fired what it said was a Hwasong-17 ICBM hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol went to Japan for a summit to repair ties and improve security cooperation. Kim said that launch was meant to strike fear into the enemies of North Korea as the joint military exercise were being stepped up. Story continues North Korea had already shot 12 ballistic missiles since Feb. 18 that included two ICBMs and what appeared to be a new close-range ballistic missile designed to hit US bases in South Korea. The tests also included two cruise missiles fired from a submarine, which appeared to be another first. Firing Range Japans Ino said the actions by North Korea threaten the security of Japan and international community, and they are absolutely unacceptable, while the US Indo-Pacific Command said the missile launch doesnt pose an immediate threat. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of the leader, has warned Pyongyang would turn the Pacific into a firing range if the US continued drills. She also hinted the state could start testing whether its warhead designs can withstand the heat of re-entering the atmosphere. North Korea has demonstrated its missiles could fly as far as the US mainland but there are questions as to whether the warheads would be able to stay intact to reach their targets. Read: Japan Needs South Korea to Defend Against Kims Missiles North Korea put on its biggest display of ICBMs during a military parade in Pyongyang in February. Kim oversaw the event, with his preteen daughter on hand to watch from a seat of honor. Her attendance signaled theres another generation ready to take over the Cold Wars last continuous family dynasty. Last year, North Korea fired more than 70 ballistic missiles, the most during Kims decade in power, as it modernizes its arsenal and increases its ability to deliver a nuclear strike against the US and its allies. Kim could even ratchet up tensions higher with his first nuclear test since 2017. The North Korean leader pledged to exponentially increase his atomic arsenal in the new year to stifle what he called US and South Korean hostile acts, in a policy-setting address released on Jan. 1 where he left almost no opening for a return to long-stalled disarmament talks. The US and South Korea in late January pledged to step up the scope of their joint exercises at a meeting of their defense ministers in Seoul. The drills had been scaled down or halted under former President Donald Trump, who was hoping the move would facilitate his nuclear negotiations with the North Korean leader. Those talks, however, produced no concrete steps to wind down Pyongyangs nuclear program, which has only grown larger as disarmament talks sputtered. In recent months, Japan has joined in some of the drills that have included the US and South Korea, a move that angered Pyongyang, which has responded with shows of force to signal its displeasure. --With assistance from Chris Bourke. (Updates with details of international reaction from third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Student Rasheed Baluch lifted the lid on living at Gary Linekers 4.5 million Surrey mansion (Gary Lineker) The refugee who stayed at Gary Linekers house has hailed him a caring and loving defender of humanity. Student Rasheed Baluch lifted the lid on living at Linekers 4.5 million Surrey home a day after the Match of the Day star hosted an FA Cup special having been reinstated by the BBC. The presenter had his suspension for a tweet likening the language of Tory government asylum seeker policy with Nazi Germany. Desperate Rasheed, 35, was given free bed and board for 20 days while studying a law course. Sharing his story for the first time, the activist said: He has been given the right of freedom, right of thought and expression. So if the institutions react so negatively against the statement of Gary, it is undemocratic and unfair. Gary has come forward to defend humanity. It should be a point of pride for the public. Mr Baluch, who is from the mountainous Balochistan region which straddles Pakistan and Iran, told the Sunday Mirror the presenter is friendly and open-minded and loved hearing his story and listened attentively. Gary Lineker, pictured, as her arrived at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley on the BBC. (Danny Lawson/PA) (PA Wire) He added: Although Gary is a star, he leads a simple life. He is never proud of his status. He is a very sympathetic, caring and human-loving man. He gave me an Oyster card which contained 100 top-up for my transport to university. Lineker responded on Twitter, writing: Ah Rasheed, how sweet of you. Mr Baluch was welcomed to the presenters Surrey property through Refugees At Home, before the former lawyer went on to stay with the charitys co-founder Sara Nathan and then later found a place on his own. He also said during the interview that the backlash against Lineker was unfair. Meanwhile, Lineker cancelled his appearance on Match of the Day Live on Sunday due to illness. Former England player and presenter Alex Scott hosted coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Brighton & Hove Albion and Grimsby Town on BBC One. Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality at the Ashmolean Museum. Picture by Ed Nix A MONSTROUS creature, part man, part bull stalks a huge labyrinth from which it can never escape. The Minotaur, as it was known, was big, angry and hungry; specifically for human flesh, feasting on young men and women which were delivered to him in his maze at the palace of his father King Minos of Crete in Knossos. And so the beast the result of an unnatural coupling between the Kings straying wife and a particularly dashing bull would have lived out his days had it not been for a plucky Athenian prince called Theseus. Keen to stop the cycle of human sacrifice, the young warrior rolled up at Knossos and, armed with a ball of thread, navigated the labyrinth and put paid to his taurine foe once and for all. The story is myth, of course. The bull-beast, maze and the slaying of the young. Or is it? READ MORE: Oxford TV historian Janina Ramirez is captivated by the treasures of the Labyrinth at the Ashmolean Are elements of it, in fact, true? Was there really a labyrinth at Knossos and were youthful victims ritually offered as sacrifice? Oxford Mail: Labyrinth at the Ashmolean 12/02/2023 Picture by Ed Nix Labyrinth: All pictures by Ed Nix The fact behind mythical Knossos is the tantalising subject of a groundbreaking new show at the Ashmolean Museum, which opens this week. Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality is a unique exhibition that features more than 200 objects half of them on loan from Athens and Crete. They are shown, for the first time in more than a century, alongside the Ashmoleans own Cretan collection; the most important outside Greece. Oxford Mail: Labyrinth at the Ashmolean 12/02/2023 Picture by Ed Nix And, beyond the Aegean, there is no better place to mount such an event, for it was a former keeper of the Ashmolean who was instrumental in revealing the secrets of Knossos, being granted permission, in 1900, to excavate the abandoned site now the most archaeological site in Greece, after the Acropolis in Athens. Sir Arthur Evanss dig followed centuries of searching by travellers for the mythical Labyrinth. But he did not discover the site of the Palace of Knossos; that was down to a Cretan scholar called Minos Kalokairinos. Story continues The enthusiast had been forbidden from digging at the site, though, over fears any finds made could be taken off the island and shipped to Constantinople by its then Ottoman overlords. Oxford Mail: Labyrinth at the Ashmolean 12/02/2023 Picture by Ed Nix Evanss archaeological finds, however, fuelled the imagination with frescos, clay tablets and a stone throne suggesting that was indeed the site of the Labyrinth. Some of those treasures feature in the Oxford show ranging from jaw-dropping statuary and ceramics to the most delicate pieces of jewellery and fine art. Fresco fragments depict life in ancient Knossos and decorated amphora and beautifully crafted tools give an insight into ancient Minoan society. They are joined by dazzling crafts, temple repositories, and ceremonial weapons including a blade which may have been used for human sacrifice, a hint at the possible origins of the Minotaur myth. Oxford Mail: Labyrinth at the Ashmolean 12/02/2023 Picture by Ed Nix A recurring theme is the bull itself. Andrew Shapland, the Ashmoleans Sir Arthur Evans curator of Bronze Age and Classical Greece, suggested the use of bulls in religious ritual as illustrated in the show with images of young men and women running among the animals may also be at the heart of the enduring Minotaur story. An imposing marble Roman statue of a Minotaur guards entrance of the maze-like exhibition. This represents a reunification to tell the story of the myth, says Xa Sturgis, the museums charismatic director, who celebrated the collaboration between the museum and counterparts in Athens and Crete. This is an exhibition which only the Ashmolean could mount. Since 1903, the museum has held the largest and most significant collection of Minoan archaeology outside Crete, thanks to one of my predecessors as Ashmolean director, Sir Arthur Evans. Oxford Mail: A glimpse into the Labyrinth at the Ashmolean Picture: Ed Nix Long thought of as an archaeological pioneer, Evans and his interventions at Knossos are now being reconsidered in their historical context. The exhibition offers both an exploration of Minoan culture and Greek myth and a deeper look at British archaeological history. He adds: Although some of Evanss finds have long been on display at the Ashmolean, these are the duplicate objects that he was allowed to export from Crete. For the first time, this exhibition brings some of his finds to Oxford that had never left the island. Oxford University cultural historian Dr Janina Ramirez has praised the exhibition, singling out its celebration of the prominent role of women in ancient Knossos. Oxford Mail: Labyrinth at the Ashmolean 12/02/2023 Picture by Ed Nix Dr Ramirez, who is a successful writer and a familiar face on television having presented popular programmes exploring the history of art, said: The discovery of Knossos is the stuff of archaeological fantasy. It is real life Indiana Jones stuff, with beautiful art going back five millennia. By Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - Italy wants the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to unblock a $1.9 billion loan to Tunisia, fearful that without the cash, the country will be destabilised, unleashing a new wave of migrants towards Europe, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said. Tunisia's bailout talks with the IMF have been stalled for months, with the United States, amongst others, demanding far-reaching reforms from President Kais Saied to free up the cash. Efforts to secure the bailout have been hampered by Tunisia's political upheavals since July 2021 when Saied seized most powers, shutting down parliament and moving to rule by decree. Saied has never publicly backed an IMF deal, leaving donors worried he may reverse eventual reforms after the money arrives or blame them for any resulting economic pain. However, Tajani has spoken to IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and urged her to show flexibility to stave off possible financial collapse. "I reiterated the need for the Fund to intervene quickly in favour of Tunisian stabilisation and growth with economic and financial support," Tajani told Reuters. The minister has spoken about the problem with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and raised the issue with counterparts in Slovenia and Croatia on Friday ahead of a forthcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also "working the phones", one official said, warning that Italy faced an "invasion of migrants" in the coming months if Tunisia did not get the money. Italy has taken in 20,046 boat migrants so far in 2023, a record number, putting the country on course to beat the all-time high for arrivals set in 2016, when 181,436 people reached land in a flotilla of flimsy boats. According to unofficial United Nations data, 12,000 of those who have reached Italy this year set sail from Tunisia, against 1,300 in the same period of 2022 -- an inversion of the previous pattern whereby Libya was the main launchpad for migrants. Story continues "Uncontrolled irregular migration can only be reduced by improving the conditions of security and economic stability," Tajani said, adding that Italy was looking to boost training opportunities for Tunisians as an alternative to migration. "PUSHED OUT" However, a government official in Rome said the situation was complex, acknowledging that the majority of those leaving Tunisia this year were Africans from sub-Saharan countries who had decided to head to Europe as a result of a crackdown there on outsiders. Last month, Saied said in comments widely criticised by rights groups and the African Union that undocumented sub-Saharan African immigration was a conspiracy aimed at changing Tunisia's demographic make-up. He ordered security forces to expel any migrants living in Tunisia illegally. This was forcing people to flee the country, even if they had previously had no intention of making the dangerous crossing to Europe, a senior official with the United Nations said. Of the arrivals this year to Italy, the top country of origin is Ivory Coast (3,223), followed by Guinea (2,906). The U.N. official said they had largely left from Tunisia. By comparison, 1,535 Tunisians had come to Italy so far this year. "The stability and prosperity of Tunisia, with respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, are crucial for the stability of the entire Mediterranean region," Tajani said. Meloni took office in October promising to reduce illegal migration flows, but numbers have only increased since then. The issue has become much more sensitive after at least 86 migrants drowned in a shipwreck off southern Italy late last month, sparking accusations that not enough had been done to save them -- a charge the government has denied. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer) An infamous pop-up diner promising rude service and great food is set to return next month with one big change after a swathe of complaints. (Image: DANIEL HORDON) An infamous pop-up diner promising rude service and great food is set to return next month with one big change after a swathe of complaints. First launched in Australia and having since expanded worldwide after going viral on TikTok, Karens Diner flips customer service on its head with rude wait staff and terrible manners. The brand first came to the North East with a pop-up venue last month (February 4/5) in Newcastle drawing in huge crowds. Read more: We tried the Karen's Diner pop-up in Newcastle - and it was terrifying Bosses at the chain have announced two new pop-up dates next month over the Easter weekend on April 8 and 9. But organisers have promised the food will be bottomless after being inundated by complaints following the first pop-up event. Customers were left disappointed when they were served one slice of pizza, compared to the bottomless offering which had been sold to them. Announcing the new dates in a statement Karens Diner said: As you already know, Karens on Tour came to Newcastle. Mother Karen she saw, she came, she conquered! But even now youre all still whining, you have got your way as we're coming back for easter. To get more stories direct to your email basket go here Now Mother Karen has told us to tell you that this time the food WILL be bottomless. Ryan Blackburn, Managing Director of Karen's On Tour previously said: Once youre in a Karens youll not be thinking about strikes, Brexit or electricity costs, youll just be wanting to survive. Customers would need to expect plenty of sass, great food, and a sprinkle of bad attitude, so don't expect special treatment as its all about Karen, and she won't be taking any nonsense. "All will be able to have fun and wind the staff up to unleash their inner Karen and see their full Karen potential." Read next: Story continues Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus digital subscription from as little as only 1.50 a week. Click here Diners are told to expect turbulent service, singing waiters and regular visits from the manager who is quoted to be "the biggest Karen of them all". Since launching in Sydney, Australia in 2021 diners have since opened up across the UK in Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Newport. Last week the Echos sister paper the South Wales Argus reported how the Newport venue received a zero food hygiene rating after inspectors visited the restaurant last month. The war became an exercise in might-is-right regime-change (AP) We are fighting over there, sundry British politicians used to say, so we dont have to fight over here. It was a neat formulation, and what it meant was that the UK, or the West in general, was taking the fight to the lawless whether in Afghanistan or Iraq so as to pre-empt another atrocity akin to 9/11. Twenty years after the UK joined the US in its assault on Iraq, however a conflict, let us remember, for which there was no UN mandate and was opposed by many EU countries, including France the UK is an enthusiastic party to another war that is being waged, if not exactly over here, then a lot closer to over here than anyone surely envisaged. There are many differences, of course, between the wars in Iraq and Ukraine, not least the technological advancements of two decades and the new world of instant communications. There are sharp differences in the type of warfare: the war in Ukraine can be seen as an old-fashioned European land war for security and territory, while the Iraq war was fought, at the outset at least, largely from the air. There is also a sense which the rights and wrongs are reversed: the US and Europe are united in seeing a moral obligation to help defend Ukraine from the unilateral and illegal invasion by Russia. Over Iraq, not only was the West divided, but the US and the UK failed to gain a UN mandate for their intervention and then it turned out that Iraq no longer had the illegal stocks of chemical weapons that had been the pretext for the attack. The war became an exercise in might-is-right regime-change, with disastrous results for the supposed beneficiaries, the Iraqis. It was repeated in Libya, with similarly anarchic results, and might have been repeated again in Syria, had not the UK parliament commendably said no. But there are also similarities, some of them uncomfortable, which suggest that not as much was learned as could and should have been learned from the catastrophe that the Iraq adventure became. Story continues And this is despite a brace of lengthy and expensive investigations the Butler review and the Chilcot Inquiry into how the Iraq war came about and what went so wrong. The first is that, in both cases, many opportunities were lost to avert the resort to arms, and subsequently to curtail the hostilities. Before the attack on Iraq, there were negotiations; there were UN resolutions, there were inspections designed to uncover Iraqs supposed WMD. But military campaigns have their own inexorable logic; once prepared, they are hard to stand down. The UN is an inadequate instrument for preventing a war, once one party or another has decided that the use of military force is a realistic, or to them, the only option. The same might be said of Russia before it invaded Ukraine, but also the Wests failure to see that their rebuffs to Russian diplomacy and demarches in the half-year before the invasion were fatefully narrowing Russias options. Second, experts were discounted. In the months before the Iraq War, there were extensive, and admirable, efforts to find out where and whether Iraq held what were termed weapons of mass destruction. Not only were none found, but authoritative reports that they had been destroyed were disbelieved. Not only were the weapons experts discounted, but the Iraq experts whose concerns for Iraqs history and culture were ignored, along with their warnings that Iraqis were unlikely to strew flowers in the path of the US, or any other, invader. Both Russia and Western countries can be faulted on the same score Russia for apparently not understanding the changes that had taken place in Ukraine since the Soviet collapse, and similarly misjudging their likely welcome. But policymakers in the West, too, failed and still fail to appreciate the historical roots of the conflict currently facing stalemate in Ukraine, and not heeding warnings from experts about the depth of apprehension in Russia as Nato increased its presence in territory it regarded as vital to its own security. A third lesson concerns the disproportionate influence exerted by vocal emigres. The US Administrations view of Iraq appears to have been swayed to a large extent by a circle of emigre Iraqis around Ahmed Chalabi, who presented himself as the natural post-Saddam leader of his country but proved out of touch and unable to command the trust of his erstwhile compatriots. In the US and the UK, emigre Ukrainians were preponderantly loyal to Petro Poroshenko, who had been elected after the Euromaidan uprising of 2014 toppled Viktor Yanukovych, deemed to lean more towards Russia. Unfortunately for Ukraine, while emigres in the West overwhelmingly supported Poroshenko in the 2019 elections, they were out of tune with their compatriots, who voted by a landslide for Volodymyr Zelensky, a former lawyer, actor and producer, who was running on a platform that included negotiating an end to the five-year old conflict in the Donbas with Russia. It took more than a year for most Western leaders (with the honourable exception of France) to switch their support to Zelensky by which time the moment for broaching peace with Russia had largely passed. Those now lavishly praising Zelenskys war leadership should recognise that if they had been as enthusiastic following his massive victory in a democratic election, there might have been no war. A fourth lesson might relate to the use of intelligence. The way that intelligence was used or abused in the US and the UK to justify the war on Iraq is well known, although, alas, no ones career or reputation seriously suffered as a result. The same countries use of intelligence before Russias invasion of Ukraine almost daily published reports of the mustering of hundreds of thousands of combat-ready Russian troops has been presented almost as a rehabilitation of the intelligence services. After all, they can claim to be right. But was this the point of releasing this intelligence information? These one-sided reports which omitted to say that Ukrainian troops were massing on their side of the border with a view, as Russia believed, to trying to reclaim the territory controlled by pro-Russia rebel forces seem designed to deter a Russian invasion by warning Moscow that their intentions were known. But the knowledge did not deter; arguably, it scared Russia into invading Ukraine while it still could. A fifth lesson might be about considering the real interests of the people whose interests you purport to represent. Among the US objectives in Iraq, shared to an extent by the UK, was to liberate Iraqis from tyranny and bring democracy. What Iraqis experienced was destruction and anarchy. The countrys Kurdish minority may have fared better, but they still do not have the independent homeland they craved. As yet, Ukrainians are adamant they will fight on. Theirs is a war, after all, being fought for the survival of the nation which is the message from their Western supporters, too. Every now and again, however, there are glimpses of another agenda on the part of some in the US and the UK, where the purpose is less to save Ukraine than to destroy Russia as a great power for ever. To the extent that this agenda exists, so does the question: is this war really being fought for the benefit of Ukrainians, or are they being used for others selfish ends and what might the consequences be? And so to the last lesson: what has become known as the day after. This is the point at which the war in Iraq went so desperately wrong, with a military force inadequate to meeting the obligations of an occupying power; the dissolution of Iraqs army, letting loose armed fighters to pursue their own clan wars, and years of disorder which fuelled jihadism in Syria and elsewhere. The day after has yet to come in Ukraine. The Zelensky government has nonetheless shown considerable foresight in preparing, so far as is possible, for the logistics and financing of reconstruction the scale of which grows by the day. But this is only a part of what lies ahead. What, for instance, will be the damage from all the war deaths, disabling injuries and emigration? Will a civil peace even be possible in a country, replete with firearms, where in once occupied areas neighbours took different sides? Twenty years on, Iraq still offers a graphic illustration of what happens when even the best-intentioned outsiders get the day after wrong. It must be hoped that, when the time comes, this might turn out to be at least one lesson learned. Police personnel outside the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his remarks during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in New Delhi, Sunday (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan) New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday lashed out at the Centre over "sending police to Rahul Gandhi's residence". A Delhi police team led by a special commissioner arrived at Mr Gandhi's home in connection with a notice issued to him over his "women are still being sexually assaulted" remark during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The police detained several Congress workers who gathered at the former party presidents house to protest against the police presence. Top Congress leaders, including Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Rajya Sabha MPs Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jairam Ramesh, had also reached Mr Gandhi's residence. Taking cognisance of his social media posts, the Delhi police sent a questionnaire to Mr Gandhi, which he did not answer. Speaking to the media, special commissioner of police Sagarpreet Hooda said they conducted a local inquiry to collect details if any woman had approached Mr Gandhi during the Yatra's Delhi leg about their ordeal, but no such incident came to the notice of their officials. Also, they could not find any victims. He added: "We tried to contact Mr Gandhi, but he was abroad then. So, today, I, along with my team, went to his residence and communicated with his staff about the same. After we get details, we want to ensure that legal action is taken in the matter at the earliest and there is no loss of evidence and no victim should be further victimised or abused." The police team arrived at the Tughlaq Lane residence of Mr Gandhi at about 10 am and was able to meet him around noon, and left the place at 1 pm. Mr Gandhi gave the 10-point reply hours after a Delhi police team knocked on his door for the third time in five days. He also sought 10 days to give a detailed response to the questions posed by the Delhi police over his January 30 remarks. It is reliably learnt that no information in the reply of Mr Gandhi can take the investigation forward. Addressing a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters here, Mr Gehlot, Mr Ramesh and Mr Singhvi said the move was a clear case of "vendetta, intimidation and harassment" in order to create an atmosphere against the former Congress chief. Hitting out at the Delhi police action, Mr Singhvi said the statements in question were made by Mr Gandhi in Srinagar on January 30. It does not fall under the Delhi police's jurisdiction. He also wondered why the city police force was showing such alacrity in making frequent visits to Mr Gandhi's residence after 45 days of the remarks made by him. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also hit out at the Centre and said, "To divert from the Adani issue, they (the BJP) are asking all these questions by sending the police. Mr Gandhi and Congress will not get scared. No matter how much they try to save Adani, we will continue to question them." Mr Gandhi also termed the police action "unprecedented" and asked whether this had anything to do with his position taken both inside and outside Parliament on the Adani issue. He also asked whether any other political party, including the ruling party, has been subjected to such kind of scrutiny or questioning over their political campaigns. The former Congress president questioned the urgency shown by the Delhi police in making two visits in as many days after an initial gap of 45 days after he made his speech in Srinagar. Hitting back, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra noted that Mr Gandhi had spoken during his Bharat Jodo Yatra about women meeting him and telling him about being sexually assaulted. The police needs to investigate such incidents. That is why the Delhi police followed the legal procedure and sought to meet the Congress leader for details, he said. Mr Patra further added: "Mr Gandhi had claimed that he met women who told him that they were raped and molested but didn't get justice. The Delhi police has been asking for details, but Mr Gandhi wouldn't give any. Assuming he didn't lie then, it shows his feeble commitment towards ensuring justice." TRA VINH Three clam farming co-operatives in Tra Vinh Province with a total area of 433ha have been awarded the Aquaculture Stewardship Council quality certification. They are the Thanh Cong Co-operative in Cau Ngang Districts My Long Nam Commune, Tien Thanh Clam Co-operative in Chau Thanh Districts Long Hoa Commune and Long Thanh Agriculture Co-operative also in Long Hoa. The province Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the International Collaborating Centre for Aquaculture and Fisheries Sustainability (ICAFIS) held a ceremony to hand over the certificates to the co-operatives on Wednesday. Also at the ceremony, the Ben Tre Seafood Joint Stock Company and the Hung Truong Phat Aquamarine Product Joint Stock Company in Ben Tre Province and the Lenger Seafoods Viet Nam Company Limited in Nam inh Province signed an MoU to develop value chains for clam farming with the three co-operatives, the province Fisheries Sub-department and ICAFIS. Tran Van Dung, deputy director of the department, said the ASC certifies responsibly farmed seafood that minimises negative impacts on the environment and communities and proper implementation of labour regulations. Products certified as meeting ASC standards are preferred in many markets, especially the EU, he said. The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province is only the third clam farming area in the world to get the certification, he said. It would help the province export its clams, enhance its brand and add value, he pointed out. With a coastline of 65 kilometres, the province has excellent conditions for breeding clams in alluvial grounds and large estuaries along coastal areas. But its clam farming has faced difficulties in the past because of the small scale and lack of brand name, processing facilities and steady demand. It has seven clam breeding co-operatives which farm a total of 1,000ha and have an annual output of 4,000 - 6,000 tonnes. It has identified clams as a key aquaculture species that offers high value, helps create jobs and improves incomes, especially of poor people. It plans to increase the total clam farming area to 3,300ha by 2030. VNS HCM CITY Central Retail Vietnam's sourcing team has met with businesses and suppliers in the south-east to discuss co-operation opportunities at a trade promotion conference between HCM City and its neighbours in Binh Phuoc Province last week. Representatives of the retailers fast-moving consumer goods and fresh food divisions apprised their interlocutors about their purchasing processes, documentation, packing, and labelling requirements. The meeting should make it easier for businesses and co-operatives to bring their products into Central Retails Go! and Big C supermarket chains, they added. Central Retail struck deals with six suppliers in the southeast region: VINAHE Co., Ltd (roasted cashewnuts), Nham Nhung production establishment (coffee, cashewnuts), Ha My JSC (cashewnuts), Co Co Viet Nam Food JSC (coconut jelly, aloe vera-based products), La Media establishment (melon), Kim Long Hi-tech Cooperative (melon, longan and pineapple). The south-eastern region consists of Ba Ria Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong, ong Nai, and Tay Ninh provinces and HCM City. VNS HCM CITY MM Mega Market Vietnam on Friday kicked off the Taste of Korea programme, bringing nearly 200 signature Korean products with discounts of up to 40 per cent to local customers. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Cho Sung Bae, director of Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation in HCM City, said the Taste of Korea event is a good opportunity to introduce various Korean food from fresh agricultural products such as strawberries, grapes, and mushrooms to processed foods including kimchi, teokbokki, beverages and sauces to MM Mega Markets professional customers as well as household customers. The Korean gastronomy has long been popular and become a favorite of Vietnamese customers, said Nguyen uc Toan, merchandise director of MM Mega Market Vietnam. The programme plays an important role in promoting bilateral trade as well as providing Vietnamese customers with safe and high-quality Korean food and beverages, Toan said. It also provides an opportunity for Korean citizens living and working in Viet Nam to experience and buy high-quality products as if they were living in their home country, he said. Customers have the opportunity to experience Korean flavors through exciting activities, including sampling Korean products, shopping with attractive discounts, and enjoying Korean cuisine made by MMs professional chefs on the weekends. The event will run at 12 MM stores nationwide until March 29. VNS PHNOM PENH Around 500 Cambodian people and those of Vietnamese origin in Borebo District, Cambodia's Kampong Chhnang Province, have received free health checks and medicine. The activity was organised on Saturday by the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, Cho Ray-Phnom Penh Hospital, the Khmer-Vietnamese Association, and local authorities. Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang expressed his sincere thanks to the Kampong Chhnang provincial administration and authorities of Borebo District for supporting and creating favourable conditions for those of Vietnamese origin in the locality to have a stable life. He called on the provincial administration and Governor Sun Sovanarith to continue paying attention to creating conditions for the Kampong Chhnang provinces Khmer-Vietnam Association to operate more effectively as well as facilitate the lives of those of Vietnamese origin. The embassy also handed over 500 packages of gifts to disadvantaged households living in Borebo District. VNS Shoyu ramen is the most common noodle soup, with a broth made of soy sauce, in Japan. There are different versions of shoyu ramen: it can be cooked with either pork or chicken, garnished with different toppings, and served with different condiments. Today, lets give it a try with the signature red mustard chicken ramen by Executive Chef Nguyen Van Nguyen of Crowne Plaza Vinh Yen City Centre. Travel to Japan through your own kitchen with this easy-to-follow recipe. Ingredients: serving 1 person Ramen noodle (instant ramen noodle is OK): 150g Chicken (boneless): 200g Chicken stock: 300ml Red mustard: 50g Chicken egg: 1 Nori: 30g Beansprout: 30g Bok choy: 50g Japanese soy sauce: 20ml Mirin (Japanese cooking rice wine): 20ml Salt: 5g Sugar: 5g Minced pepper: 5g Cooking oil: 10ml Spring onion: 10g Paprika powder: 3g Ginger: 5g Garlic: 5g Tool: Cooking twine Method: Chicken: Marinate boneless chicken with pepper, salt, paprika powder, red mustard and chopped ginger. Roll the chicken, tighten it with cooking twine and pan-sear at 150 Celsius degrees until light brown. Put the pan-seared chicken in a pot with 300ml of chicken stock and 3ml of Japanese soy sauce and 3ml of mirin. Braise for 20 minutes. Remove the braised chicken from the pot. Remove the cooking twine. Slide the chicken roll into 1cm-thick pieces. Egg: Boil the egg for 5 minutes. Remove the egg from the boiling pot. Immediately put the egg in a bowl of iced water to prevent the heat from completely boiling the egg. Remove the eggshell when its cooled down. Boil a mixture of Japanese soy sauce, mirin, chopped spring onion, chopped garlic, chopped ginger and sugar. Turn off the heat, let it cool down and pour it over the egg. Let the egg soak in the mixture for 3-5 hours or overnight in a fridge. When used, cut into halves. Noodle & bean sprouts: Boil the noodle and bok choy with the chicken stock for a few minutes. When removing the noodle and bok choy from the boiling pot, ensure the noodle is still stretchy, and the boy choy is still crunchy and green. Poach the bean sprouts. Remove them from the pot and let them dry. Presentation: Put the noodle into a big bowl. Top up with the sliced chicken on one side and the bok choy on the other side. Top up with the two halves of egg, poached beansprouts, chopped spring onion and nori. Pour the chicken stock into the bowl. Sensory evaluation: Chicken: tender Presentation: colourful and beautiful You can enjoy this Japanese iconic chicken ramen and many other savoury dishes by chef Nguyen and his talented team at HOP Kitchen restaurant, located on the 4th floor of Crowne Plaza Viinh Yen City Centre, 396 Me Linh Road, Lien Bao Ward, Vinh Yen City, Vinh Phuc Province. Tel: (84) 2113 778899. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy interacts with a beneficiary of Jagananna Vidya Deevena at Thiruvuru on Sunday. (Photo: DC) Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said he has been waging a spirited war with the "unethical gang of four", which pursued a "policy of plunder, stash and devour", and with its "foster son who supported it." The chief minister came down heavily against Telugu Desam and other opposition parties after releasing the Vidya Deevena funds at a public meeting Thiruvuru on Sunday. Reiterating his challenge to the opposition parties to contest all the 175 assembly seats alone, he asked them why they were trying to forge alliances against the YSRC if they strongly believed that the present government did no good to the people. "Why are the wolves coming together," he asked. The chief minister dared the Opposition to contest all 175 assembly seats without any alliance among them and see the results in the next elections. "My strength and my courage are the people and I need no tie-ups," he said. "You are my confidence and you will only take me forward by hand-holding me. I don't believe in alliances. I will depend on the people and God. Ultimately, the good only will triumph," he said. Jagan stated that during the TD rule, several students committed suicide while some discontinued their studies. The government failed to clear the fee reimbursement dues. He said that the present government cleared the TD rules arrears of Rs 1777crore to colleges and has been implementing the scheme with its heart and soul in it. "As a result, the number of professional students and campus recruitments rose to 1, 20,000 and 85,000 now -- from 87419 and 37,000 respectively under the TD rule." Jagan said, "The gang of four has neither family ethics nor political values. I am appealing to the people to support the YSRC in the next elections, seeing the difference between the rules of the YSRC and the TD." The Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bible and Quran teach us that only the good would win over the evil, Jagan said, and asked the people not to be misled by the evil designs of the opposition parties. Education minister Botsa Satyanarayana said, "CM Jagan believed that education is not welfare but an investment. YS Rajasekhar Reddy brought fee reimbursement and his son is taking forward the fee reimbursement scheme with high spirits." He recalled that in the earlier TD government, this scheme was limited to those with an income of one lakh, but CM Jagan raised the limit to Rs 2.50 lakh and made this available to all. " I have been a minister for long and I have never seen programmes like the welfare schemes and development programmes of CM Jagan. Think for yourself." In response to the appeals of the Tiruvuru MLA K Rakshana Nidhi, the chief minister granted rs 26 crore for constructing a bridge on Kattaleru stream and Rs 50 crore for bringing Krishna surface water to A Konduru Mandalam for reducing the recurrence of kidney ailments caused by polluted water. by Nguyen My Ha Rice field crabs, as their name suggests, are the small crabs living in the wet rice fields, popularly dotting the landscape of Viet Nam. They used to provide a daily intake of calcium to farmers, and for a long time used to be a rare source of rich protein. Many country style dishes were made from the crabs, which are not only small, but have no chewable or meaty claws. In size, it's maybe one 20th of a sea crab, though 500g of rice field crabs can make a bountiful hot pot of soup that serves at least a family of four. The body of the crab must be washed, and the hard shell torn off, but do not throw them away. As the tiny amount of fresh roe in the shell shall be taken out with a toothpick, then later sauteed with chopped shallots and green onion for dressing on top of the soup bowl or hot pot. The crab body, about the size of a thumb and its eight little legs get all pounded with a mortar and pestle, or ground in a meat mixer to make a sticky brownish paste, which later be rinsed with clean water. The crab soup used to be an everyday meal for everyone, but today, with delicacy food shops mushrooming on every street corner, rice field crabs have become more expensive and harder to get, as restaurants purchase in bulk to satisfy their large group of customers. Nguyen Thi Anh, a known name on Ha Noi's culinary scene, is an active member of the Ha Noi Association of Chefs as well as a much-loved guest on national TV. Besides her current job at a 5-star hotel in town, she has recently opened a restaurant that can serve 80 guests at a time in the suburban district of Thanh Tri. Her expertise is east Asian food, mostly Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, which offer a well blend of local delicacies with international food standards. She has the delicacy Ma ao (VN120,000) or pig's cheeks on the menu, which she marinates with Chinese ingredients in the Hong Kong style, resulting in tender slices of meat that melt on your palate. This is great to go with beer, or for children to have with white rice. Anh married a native of Hai Phong port city, which has the best squid nuggets, fish cakes and crab noodle soup with fresh flat brown rice noodles, like fettuccine. The delicacy Banh a cua Hai Phong (VN40,000) is served for breakfast, with the fish cakes and fresh rice noodles shipped from the city to her shop in Ha Noi. The restaurant's signature dish is the hot pot, which comes in different sizes at VN300,000, VN500,000 and a special at VN650,000. Assorted options, including beef heel muscle, soft bone ribs slices, shrimps and pork slices range from VN100,000 to VN150,000 a plate and other side dishes such as tofu, veggies or fresh vermicelli, and more come in at VN30,000 each. As we were a big group, we ordered a special hot pot with all the meat dishes and vegetables available. Unless you're a very picky eater, or allergic to crab or seafood, sharing a meal with your friends or family can be both heart-warming and fulfilling. If you don't like sharing or having others sticking their chopsticks into the common pot, use a spare ladle and larger chopsticks for the pot, and use your own set for yourself. No matter how delicious food can be, having food from a joint pot requires some small courtesies to make it safe and joyful. If you only enjoy the cheerful atmosphere, and cannot stand having others eating your food, then get yourself a dish from the menu and enjoy in others' presence. A ride from downtown Ha Noi to the restaurant in Tu Hiep Commune takes about half an hour, so it's quite troubling to go during work time. But for weekends, it's a great area to visit, as it's not too far away, and close to some beautiful serene pagodas and rice fields. A large flower and bonsai company named Thang Long is located nearby, and a small market square can be visited in the village. After a brief visit or bicycle ride to the local temple and pagoda, a late lunch at Binh Phat can definitely provide you with some energy for the trip back to town. Despite its modest appearance, you can be sure that you're dining on a sophisticated delicacy carefully concocted with local ingredients, with a 5-star hotel level of accuracy and attention. VNS LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a new law that will allow a monument near the state Capitol marking the number of abortions performed in Arkansas before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Sanders' office said Friday night that the Republican governor signed the bill that will allow the creation of a privately funded monument to the unborn on the Capitol grounds. The bill, approved by lawmakers last week, requires the secretary of state to permit and arrange the placement of the monument. It also requires the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission to oversee the selection of the artist and the design of the monument, with input from anti-abortion groups. A law Arkansas approved in 2019 banning nearly all abortions took effect last year when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the 1973 Roe decision. Arkansas ban only allows abortions to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Tennessee lawmakers approved legislation in 2018 allowing a similar privately funded monument on its Capitol grounds. The monument has not yet been installed. Arkansas' proposal faced opposition from some anti-abortion Republicans who said it was counterproductive, and Democrats who said the monument proposal was divisive. Other monuments on the state Capitol grounds include a sculpture of the nine Black students who integrated Little Rock Central High School. A Ten Commandments monument was installed on the Capitol grounds in 2018. A company called Surge Development has announced it will place a 388-unit apartment complex at China Spring and Steinbeck Bend roads. The eye-catching part about this development is its previous name: Citrano Heights. When the name Citrano comes to mind, many may think of Sammy Citrano, the high-profile owner of George's Restaurant, or his son, Kyle Citrano, managing partner of the George's location on Hewitt Drive. Sammy Citrano confirmed his indirect involvement in the project in an interview. He said he bought 17.5 acres of land at that intersection the week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The land remained in his possession until last year, when Surge Development struck a deal for it. Citrano said he became aware that online information referred to Surge's proposed apartment complex as Citrano Heights, kind of a working name. Citrano said he kindly asked the company to change it. Surge Development CEO Tom Poteet said the company is honoring Cirtano's request. The Surge website and other online sources place the projected completion date at July 15, 2025. A description says it will consist of eight three-story apartment buildings containing 388 units. Poteet said he and his team specialize in multi-family development, and Greater Waco has become a targeted area. "I think this location has a lot of potential for our product. It is within a busy corridor. Lots of growth is going on near the (Waco Regional) airport and China Spring. It's already zoned multi-family, and it was listed for sale," Poteet said of the site. "I think it will quickly be encompassed by much more development when all is said and done." Surge already has dipped a toe into local waters, having broken ground on 216-unit Zoe Apartments at Meyers Lane and Interstate 35 in Lacy Lakeview, "where framing should begin in the next week or so," Poteet said. He said a third potential project would bring a 77-unit apartment complex to Greater Waco, and Surge "is working through city of Waco site approval." Poteet said his development on China Spring Road could push $70 million. "It's all about getting the financing done," said Poteet, adding Surge has submitted site plans to Waco City Hall, where approval is pending. Yes, he said, he received a call from Sammy Citrano about the name, which Surge will change to Anderson Heights for future reference. Citrano would not reveal how much he made from the deal, and scoffed at the notion he is diversifying into the multi-family housing field. "I don't build apartments," Citrano said. "I bus tables." Hidden Treasures on market Caritas of Waco has a building to sell, specifically its Bellmead Hidden Treasures thrift store at 3016 Bellmead Drive. It is one of two thrift stores operated by Caritas, which will consolidate operations at its Bosque Boulevard location, Caritas Executive Director Ann Owen said in a press release. "We have enjoyed being a part of the Bellmead community for over 36 years and are grateful for the customers who supported us. We hope they will continue to search for hidden treasures in our store located at 3912 Bosque Boulevard," Owen said in the press release. "The sale of the Bellmead store will allow us to concentrate on offering a larger inventory at the Bosque location, and not only continue offering affordable items, but generating revenue to support our many programs." Caritas sells clothing, household goods and furniture in its stores. Chamber ambassadors Those smiling faces that show up at ribbon-cuttings, ground-breakings, and other big events hosted by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce are called chamber ambassadors. Anyone wishing to join their ranks is invited to a mixer from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the chamber building on South Third Street, next to Waco City Hall. A chamber press release has rundown of benefits attached to being an ambassador, including professional recognition for individuals and their business, networking opportunities and business leads. Information is available by emailing info@wacochamber.com. Waco Memorial opening Waco Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremations will host a grand opening for its new funeral home at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Waco, Hewitt and Robinson chambers of commerce will participate. Amenities include "a modern hill country designed building with natural light throughout; large spacious chapel with seating for up to 180 and open foyer with capacity to accommodate standing overflow; state-of-the art audio/video capabilities; large multi-purpose room with seating for up to 80 with flex space and catering equipment to accommodate receptions, large visitations or small services, and two visitation rooms with seating areas," a press release says. "We are honored to have served the families of Waco and surrounding communities for decades, and are excited for the opportunity to provide the families we serve with the exclusive convenience of handling all funeral, cemetery and reception needs in one convenient, state of the art facility," general manager Cami Hight said in the press release. Waco Memorial Park is located at 6623 Interstate 35 South. Business roundup In the "this-and-that" category is news that a J.Crew outlet store will occupy the former Jos. A. Bank shop at Central Texas Marketplace. Cava Mediterranean Grill is poised to displace McAlister's Deli at 812 S. Sixth St. And China Spring will get a Starbucks shop this year. Total non-issue I said goodbye today to a friend whose family is moving out of Texas. He and his family are moving because they have two children who are transgender, and they are worried about what the future holds for them here in Texas. I hate to see this creative, loving, community-involved family move away and take their many gifts with them to some other lucky community. Im not especially worried about them I think they will thrive but I think its a shame for Waco and for Texas. According to the research I have done, between the years 2017 and 2019 about 1.42% of Texans between the age of 13 and 17 identified as transgender. By way of comparison, 2017 estimates indicate that about twice as many young Texans that same age were experiencing homelessness. Those are the most recent comparable figures I could find. The whole anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ furor we are currently experiencing in Texas feels to me like a problem that has been created when there doesnt have to be a problem at all. Good grief! When it comes to LGBTQ matters, we can just let people live their lives! I know many gay people and a few trans people, and I dont get what all the anxiety is about. They are just people. The sooner we quit trying to make a big deal about it and learn to accept each other and get along, the better. On the other hand, we do have real problems youth homelessness is just one example that are not getting the time and attention they deserve. I wish our legislators and really all of us would spend as much energy being outraged that some kids are having to couch-surf their way through high school as we do being outraged about the non-issue that some kids are trans. Ashley Bean Thornton, Waco For Peaches Upon hearing that Dr. Peaches Henry was a candidate for the Waco ISD school board, I exclaimed to a friend, I know of no one who is better qualified. Affectionately known locally as Dr. Peaches, she has devoted her entire life to education. Born in Palestine, Texas, she went on to earn an eye-popping six academic credentials, from a bachelors with special honors at the University of Texas to a doctorate at Columbia University. She could have taught anywhere in the world, but committed herself to Waco and her commitment did not stop at the classroom door. From 2007 to the present, she has faithfully served on WISD advisory boards, PTA associations, campus decision-making committees and significant search committees. Through it all, she has become a seasoned advocate and passionate voice for quality and outstanding performance in our schools. Her striving for excellence is vividly exemplified in the academic journey of her son, Corey. Graduating in the top 6% of his class at Waco High, Corey went on to earn a degree at UT. Then he graduated from an elite law school, passed the bar exam, and now practices elder law in New York. Like mother, like son. Channeling her teaching expertise, Henry has also spearheaded educational initiatives for all of Wacos sons and daughters whether as a spark plug for the Lean on Me Mondays tutoring program, writing supportive notes for students during STAAR testing, championing the Hidden Figures STEM project, or kick-starting the Greet-a-Scholar Day in the Transformation Waco zone. Wacos leaders have recognized Henrys wisdom and infectious go-to spirit by appointing her to the library commission, Dr Pepper and First National Bank advisory boards, and the Waco Leadership Forum. Experience. Expertise. Competence. Commitment. Jack A. Hill, Waco MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha left for Delhi after being summoned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi liquor scam probe. (Photo: Facebook) Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is gearing up to tackle an array of scenarios in the Delhi liquor scam probe, even as MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha left for Delhi on Sunday over a summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning on Monday. It is unclear if Kavitha will attend the questioning and if there is a possibility of the ED arresting her, which is likely to cause tension in the national capital. Accompanied by minister K.T. Rama Rao, she took a special flight from the Begumpet airport, even as uncertainty surrounds her appearance at the ED office on Monday. Kavitha will take counsel from legal experts on whether she should attend the questioning or skip the summons for a second consecutive time, given that her plea against the ED summons is listed for hearing in the Supreme Court on March 24. After Kavitha filed a plea, the ED also filed a caveat petition, requesting that an order not be passed without hearing their arguments. This is the third time that Kavitha has been summoned by the ED, after she was questioned on March 11 and then given a summons for questioning on March 16, which she missed. She has, again, been asked to appear at the ED office at 10.30 am on March 20. Sources said that Kavitha was unlikely to appear for questioning and may seek additional time, citing the petition pending in the top court. Minister T. Harish Rao and Rajya Sabha member Joginapally Santosh Kumar also left for Delhi, while more ministers, BRS MLAs, MLCs and MPs are also expected to reach Delhi by Monday morning. Scores of BRS workers and Bharat Jagruthi activists are already camping in Delhi in support of Kavitha, planning to hold protests in Delhi in the event of the ED arresting Kavitha. On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy of the YSRC, who was summoned for questioning, skipped it citing ill health. According to the ED, Hyderabad businessman Arun Pillai, auditor Buchi Babu, P. Sarath Chandra Reddy, Magunta Srinivalusu Reddy, his son Raghava Reddy, Abhishek Boinpally and K. Kavitha played key roles in the Delhi liquor scam, representing the South Group in formulating the controversial Delhi excise policy. The ED alleged that the AAP leaders in New Delhi received kickbacks totalling Rs 100 crore in exchange for formulating the liquor policy in favour of the South Group. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) will host its seventh annual Women in Information Technology (IT) Conference on Friday, March 24, featuring a lineup of speakers, presentations and breakout sessions. The daylong event, hosted by EICC's IT department, is open to local women in the IT field, current students and/or those considering a career in technology. The conference will take place at the Scott Community College Urban Campus, 101 W. 3rd St. in downtown Davenport. There are many women working in the profession, but those numbers are not nearly what they could be, EICC IT instructor Roberta Osmers said in a news release. These are great jobs that women are especially well-suited for. This conference is one way we are attempting to draw more attention to the profession and the role women can play in it. Attendees will learn about cyber security, project management, new innovations in technology, career search and interview skills and what it's like to be a women in the workplace, among other things. This years keynote speaker is Abigail Johnson, founder and CEO of Veterans Tech Support, a nonprofit that provides computers and technical help to veterans. She will present "Veterans Tech Support: Technology Training for our Nations Heroes" and share her story how a 14-year-old student was able to land the 2021-2022 Pilot Pen "Science FriXion" STEM Grant and establish a successful 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A sampling of other sessions include: Technology Hiring and Compensation Trends. Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance: Convergence of Requirements. Nursing Informatics: Combining Science and Tech. The cost to attend is $25, to include lunch. Additionally, WIT Conference scholarships are available alongside discounted rates for current students. To register, visit eicc.edu/WIT. For more information, email EICC certified program planner Tyne Rieck at tlrieck@eicc.edu. Photos: EICC students compete in inaugural welding competition 051822-qc-nws-welding-03.jpg 051822-qc-nws-welding-05.jpg 051822-qc-nws-welding-04.jpg 051822-qc-nws-welding-01.jpg 051822-qc-nws-welding-06.jpg 051822-qc-nws-welding-02.jpg The leading legislative advocate for a bill that would impose new restrictions on proposed carbon dioxide pipelines is optimistic that the Iowa House will vote on it before an upcoming deadline, but he is reticent about its future beyond that. State Rep. Steven Holt is a Republican from Denison. I have high expectations that this legislation will come to the floor of the House before our funnel deadline, said Rep. Steven Holt, R-Denison, who has shepherded the bill through subcommittee and committee votes. Holts comments were part of an Iowa Press discussion that aired over the weekend on Iowa PBS. The main feature of the bill is a requirement that the pipeline companies obtain voluntary easement agreements for 90% of their routes before they are eligible to use eminent domain to force easements for the rest. It would also give broad authority to county governments to restrict those routes and would delay permits for the pipelines until new federal safety guidelines are finalized next year. Holt said its very possible the bill will be amended when it finally reaches the House floor. Holt and more than 20 others introduced the bill about a month ago. It was approved by the House Judiciary Committee by a 12-7 vote in late February. Rep. Norlin Mommsen, R-DeWitt, has proposed an amendment to it that would gut most of the new restrictions but would allow landowners to be better compensated for damage caused by pipeline construction. Holt said he has not talked extensively with senators about whether there is sufficient support for the bill if it clears the House, and that he doesnt know whether Gov. Kim Reynolds supports it. A spokesperson for Reynolds did not immediately respond to a request to comment,but in an October debate Reynolds indicated support for the current laws that regulate pipelines. Rep. Lindsay James, a Dubuque Democrat who is the House minority whip and appeared on Iowa Press with Holt, holds a dim view of the bills future. My understanding is that this is dead on arrival in the Senate and that the governor will not sign this into law, she said. To survive a March 31 legislative deadline, the bill must be approved by the House and a Senate committee. Its unclear when the House might vote on it. Transgender bills Holt and James clashed on legislation that would force school children to use restrooms that align with their assigned sex at birth and that would outlaw gender-affirming medical care for transgender children. No one wants a politician making private medical decisions that parents and kids should be making with their doctors, James said. She accused Republicans in Iowa and elsewhere of politicizing the issue to the detriment of children. Holt worries that children who are trying to navigate identity crises will undergo treatments that have irreversible effects. He said he is sensitive to the plights of children who are already receiving the medical care, and hopes they can end the care or find out-of-state doctors to continue it within six months. The transgender bathroom bill is also a safety issue, Holt said. Do we need to wait until there is an assault on a young woman by someone who has decided to pretend that they are transgender and use a changing facility or a restroom? Holt said. He said there have been some documentations of assaults but was not more specific. James said the bills are part of a legislative onslaught against the LGBTQ community and that new laws will most likely be challenged in court. This is a very political agenda that is putting our kids right in the middle of partisan politics instead of actually thinking about how do we create communities for kids where they can go to school and learn in a safe learning environment where they feel like they belong, she said. The episode of Iowa Press is scheduled to air at noon Sunday.(tncms-asset)7056dec9-2c44-552f-a33d-362eea3820e9[0](/tncms-asset) We paid attention to the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, L. Locke Rasmussen, containing a refusal to grant permission to the Russian side to participate in the investigation of sabotage at Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. It is well known that for two and a half years Denmark deliberately delayed consideration of the issue of granting Nord Stream 2 AG a permit to build the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in the exclusive economic zone of the kingdom. A very significant attitude. Obviously, even then Copenhagen worked out the instructions of its overseas patrons. This time, the head of the Danish Foreign Ministry called a spade a spade. Copenhagen, which so zealously defends US interests in Europe, was initially not interested in conducting an investigation that could shed light on the true perpetrators and customers of the terrorist attacks. The vague reaction of the Danish side to the information transmitted to it about the discovery by Nord Stream 2 AG of an object in the area of the welded joint during the survey of the SP-2 gas pipeline in February 2023 is another confirmation of this. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly commented on the actions of the Danish authorities on Nord Stream. We emphasize that to date , the Danish authorities have not bothered to give any intelligible answer or provide any results of the investigation to any of the numerous appeals of the Russian side . And this despite the fact that it is Russia, as the owner of the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines, that is the injured party. Copenhagen did not consider it necessary to give any response to the official message of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation M.V. Mishustin sent back in October 2022 to the Prime Minister of Denmark M. Frederiksen with a proposal for the participation of representatives of the Russian competent federal executive authorities and PJSC Gazprom in the investigation. Despite the refusal of the Danish side to jointly investigate sabotage, the Russian Foreign Ministry will continue to seek answers from Copenhagen to the questions posed earlier. Sweep under the carpet this question will not succeed. We proceed from the fact that only a comprehensive and open international investigation with the mandatory participation of Russian representatives is able to provide the public with reliable and objective data on the causes, perpetrators and customers of sabotage. Maria Zakharova Weather Alert ...WINTER MAKES A BRIEF RETURN THIS WEEK... Another cold storm moves into the region Monday into Tuesday bringing gusty winds, significantly cooler temperatures, and chances for rain and snow showers. * WIND: Gusty southwest winds this afternoon and evening will be even stronger on Monday and Monday night. Please see the Wind Advisories for additional details. Gusty west winds to continue Tuesday and Wednesday as well. * SNOW: The word most of us don't want to hear at this point. Yes, snow will move into the region Monday night into Tuesday morning, mainly in the Sierra from Tioga Pass north, northeast California, and far northern Nevada near the Oregon border. Totals along the northern Sierra crest may reach 5 to 10 inches, with 1 to 4 inches possible in northeast CA west of US-395 and the Tahoe Basin. The question remains how much will stick to roadways given the recent warmth and mid-April sun angle. Expect slowdowns in the Sierra Monday night during the period of heaviest snowfall. Spotty light rain and snow showers are possible into western Nevada. * COLD: Temperatures will drop about 20 degrees by Tuesday, with the winds making it feel that much colder. There is a 50-80% chance of sub-freezing overnight lows Tuesday night and Wednesday night even in lower valley locations. You may want to turn off irrigation and protect exposed pipes, along with any new sensitive vegetation. ...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM MONDAY TO 8 AM PDT TUESDAY... * CHANGES...None. * WHAT...For Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning, southwest to west winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected. Wind prone locations may see gusts to 65 mph. * WHERE...Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden Area. * WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 8 AM PDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Travel will be difficult for high profile vehicles Monday afternoon and evening along I-80, I-580, and US-395. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Now is the time to secure loose outdoor items such as patio furniture and trash cans before winds increase which could blow these items away. The best thing to do is prepare ahead of time by making sure you have extra food and water on hand, flashlights with spare batteries and/or candles in the event of a power outage. && Massive damage to crops has been reported due to light-to-moderate rainfall followed by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds on Sunday. (Representational Image: DC) Visakhapatnam: Many parts of north coastal and south coastal AP and Rayalaseema witnessed widespread light-to-moderate rainfall followed by thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds on Sunday. Massive damage to crops has been reported. A report from Anantapur said hail storms with gusty winds damaged outstanding orchards and crops in the region for the past two days. A progressive farmer, Chidambar, who established a farm in more than hundred acres incurred a loss of around a crore after the orchards and crops were badly damaged. Most parts of the coastal AP region received heavy rain on Saturday due to a trough embedded with the cyclonic circulation over neighbouring states of AP. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speed of 30-40 kmph are likely at isolated places over all the districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, Yanam and south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region on Monday, the weather office said. As a result of the rain, the maximum temperature dropped in many districts. Narasapur recorded a maximum temperature of 25.5 degree C, about 7.5 less than the normal. Gannavaram recorded 29.7 degrees, a drop of 6.5 degrees, Cuddapah registered 33.10, a drop of 6.1 degrees and Kakinada 28.5 degrees, recording a drop of 6.1 degrees. The rainfall recorded during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Sunday: Amalapuram of BR Ambedkar Konaseema district and Garugubilli of Parvathipuram district received a cumulative rainfall of 8cm each. Rapur of Nellore district received 7cm, followed by 6cm in Velairpad of Eluru district, 6cm rainfall in Veeraghattam of Manyam district, 6cm in Mangalagiri in Guntur district and 5cm in Seethanagaram in Manyam district. The report from Anantapur said farmer Chambar, who was also running a chit fund company had invested heavily in the farms at Kesinepalli in Narpala mandal towards introducing modern techniques. He also set up sheds for several crops. The untimely heavy rainfall with hail storms caused massive damage to all crops in the region. Chidambar said he incurred a loss of more than a crore. About 15 acres of muskmelon, five acres of ridge guard, 10 acres of kakara and 10 acres of mango as also shade houses were damaged as the hail storms hit the entire field, he said. Many other farmers too suffered huge losses due to hail storms and gusty winds in the region. Banana, Mango and papaya orchards at the close-to-harvest stage were badly damaged. Farmers staged a protest at Tadipathri main road in Narpala mandal seeking compensation from the government for the huge losses. Farmers protested along with banana, mango and other produce that fell due to heavy rain. Traffic was disrupted for a few minutes. Anantapur MP T.Rangaiah called the protesters over the phone and promised governmental support to them. In Intervening Parties Debate Past Irregularities in Avangrid-PNM merger case (Journal, March 12), Western Resource Advocates attorney Cydney Beadles claims I, as the hearing examiner, and the Public Regulation Commission committed irregularities in the Avangrid-PNM merger case and we treated the case in ways (she has) never seen before. In my 42 years as an attorney, these are the first insinuations of impropriety claimed against me. Until my recent retirement, I worked for the PRC for 17 years, including 12 years as a hearing examiner and three years as head of the Hearing Examiners Office. Beadles claims should not be allowed to also reflect more broadly on the Hearing Examiners Office or the commission. Beadles first complains I exclude(d) dozens of benefits offered by Avangrid from consideration because the agreements came after an arbitrary deadline. The arbitrary deadline, however, was the date the evidentiary hearings ended. Two parties objected to the consideration of the new benefits unless the hearings were reopened and the benefits were properly admitted into evidence. I gave all parties the opportunity to ask that the hearings be reopened, but no party did so, including WRA. Second, Beadles claims I exclu(ded) testimony by 10 expert witnesses who supported the merger. This is false. No expert testimony was excluded. I also addressed the substance of the arguments offered by all 36 witnesses. Third, Beadles states I improperly concluded that the interlocking corporate structure of Avangrid and its parent firm, Spanish company Iberdrola S.A., made it too difficult for the commission to regulate against self-dealing despite applicable PRC and federal regulations. The potential for ratepayers to subsidize the companies unregulated businesses was one of the reasons I recommended the merger be rejected. Beadles may disagree with my conclusion, but the conclusion is not an irregularity. Fourth, Beadles complains about my decision to submit confidential legal documents from Spain about a criminal investigation involving a top Iberdrola executive that commissioners were allowed to review, but nobody else in the case could see. She states the Spanish investigation, which was dismissed by the Spanish courts in July 2020, apparently had a significant impact on commissioners. But intervenors had no chance to review the confidential report to provide a different perspective or challenge its relevance. The facts are these. The four documents at issue initiated the Spanish courts criminal investigation into the person who was both Avangrid chairman and Iberdrola CEO. Iberdrola provided the documents to the commission but stated Spanish law prohibited their disclosure except to the hearing examiner and commission. The European press, however, had already obtained and reported extensively on the same documents, and several of the European news reports were provided to the parties prior to the hearing and admitted into the evidentiary record. My decision included a seven-page discussion of the documents with four minor redactions of information not previously published. Finally, the criminal investigation was dismissed in June 2022 not in July 2020 after the commissions December 2021 rejection of the merger. The dismissal was based upon the expiration of the statute of limitations. Beadles is free to disagree with the recommended decision and the commissions final ruling, but she should not misstate the facts to attack my integrity or that of the commission. The N.M. Public Regulation Commission has joined with PNM, which it regulates, and Avangrid, mega out-of-state would-be PNM buyer, to ask the N.M. Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal denying the PNM purchase. Why? So the powers that be who be they? can see if they can get a different, preferred decision from the newly-appointed three-member PRC. Really, how unethical or worse is that request? Is New Mexico the only place where such a thing could take place? Is this an example of what Lew Wallace was talking about? Pray not. With new PRC Commissioner and former PNM co-worker Pat OConnell having recused himself from the PNM case, if it is remanded it will be a two-person vote. Does that coin toss, irrevocable decision sound like its in the best interest for PNM energy customers and New Mexico as a whole? Why does the governor want the sale so much? Who can come forth with that information? Let the purifying light of day reveal all. Remember, the previous five-member elected PRC voted unanimously to deny the PNM purchase. And lets not forget that hearing examiner Ashley Schannauer also recommended denying the purchase, warning in the decision, the potential harms of the proposed transaction outweigh the benefits. Shame on the dozens of pseudo intervenors who signed off on the PNM sale after they each received their one-time buyout promise. Especially the environmental groups. Sold their souls for a few coins. How many Judases are among us? The PNM rank-and-file I have spoken to are not in favor of the purchase. Maybe its because of the many millions of dollars in reward the executives will receive after the purchase for selling out New Mexico. Maybe its because local management control will be gone dont believe what youve read about local management being in control or customer services and community services will diminish, or energy rates will surely rise, or the highest-paying jobs will be moved out of New Mexico, or New Mexico will lose its only New York Stock Exchange-traded company. Keep it local. Connecticut-based Avangrid and/or its parent company, Spain-based conglomerate Iberdola, have been charged with racketeering in New York, alleged fraud in Maine, and other problems in Mexico, Spain and who knows where else. Why bring such business practices to New Mexico? Fewer and fewer mega companies control American critical infrastructure, and energy is no different. It goes against the desire of the American people. Such consolidation silences the local customer voice. That means you. The critical component of electricity infrastructure can be one important way New Mexico can maintain a real independence from international corporate monopolies. If the PNM purchase is approved, local control will be gone, and electricity rates will begin to rise, victim to multi-national conglomerate control. Who will care about low income New Mexicans then? Say what you will about PNM, but a PNM thats headquartered in New Mexico is infinitely better than a PNM outpost of an out-of-touch multinational behemoth. Keep your fingers crossed the Supremes will sing true for New Mexico with your interest at heart. Mayor Keller went public on March 2, telling Albuquerque he is suing to close down Adam Market because the landlord has refused to cooperate with the citys requirements to stop criminal activity at the most dangerous intersection in Albuquerque, where over $100,000 has been spent by law enforcement, and over 500 shots have been fired since the city began recording gunshots. The request, which the landlord refused, was to close the convenience store immediately. Months of city investigation have failed to find any relationship between the owners and the tenant operating the convenience store and any criminal element. The merchants do not want crime at their property, and the landlord has offered the city, as a donation, a business lot across the street if the city will build a police substation there. It has beefed up security and offered to do more, but it is the city that has failed to cooperate. Since the city wants to be a sanctuary site for (undocumented) immigrants, it is the city and not the only convenience store left in this area that is creating the problem and is refusing or unable to prevent crime from occurring near that site. The one time that store employees fired shots at criminals there, the employees were arrested. There has been no showing that closing Adam Market and depriving the community of a convenience store there will stop or even slow crime on East Central. The criminals there will merely redistribute in the community, and presumably the city will systematically attack and close gathering points as they are identified, rather than providing police services to stop the crime the city enabled with its own policies in the first place. The governor of New Mexico and the mayor of Albuquerque always favor large retailers over local business. They were closed during the COVID pandemic; the big-box stores stayed open all the time. The ART bus system killed retail. Contrary to the premise used to sell it, neither Northeast Heights residents nor tourists flock to city buses to go shopping on Central. The bus system is so unattractive that even making it free has not led to increased use, and now you can only get on the ART buses at stations six to 12 blocks apart and only buy what you can conveniently carry. When Walmart recently closed stores in Illinois and Wisconsin over shoplifting and other crime in its properties, the only one west of the Mississippi that it closed was on San Mateo between Central and Zuni. The city immediately announced it is buying the property in order to look for a replacement retailer there, since the community needs more places to shop. We do not hear that the city wants to replace Adam Market with a different retailer or is even willing to buy the property. The city just wants to level the building and tells you that will make the crime problem better and the city safer. Keller says the city wants to amend its nuisance ordinance so it can sue property owners for damages and not just destroy their property if crime occurs on their premises. Are the bus station and Civic Plaza at risk? Probably not. Convenience store owners like Adam Market are victims of crime, not the cause of it. The landlord did not spend money improving this location for the benefit of criminals. Probably they will just gather down the street at the new library which I am sure is in no danger of being closed when it happens. The New Mexico Supreme Court will convene on April 3 in Espanola as part of a civics education program allowing students to learn about and witness the role of the judicial system in our democracy. This is the third year for the Rule of Law Program, which allows students to attend an oral argument in person or watch it virtually. The Supreme Court Law Library has prepared a lesson plan and case summary materials for participating schools. At the oral argument, attorneys will explain their positions on the legal issues in a criminal case appeal and the justices can ask questions to clarify matters. While the court deliberates in private after the hearing, attorneys for the parties will remain to answer questions from students. Watching a court proceeding helps students understand the role of the judiciary and the rule of law the principle that all people and institutions answer to the same laws and are treated equally and fairly under those laws. The judiciary upholds the rule of law by providing a forum to bring forth grievances, injuries and alleged violations of the law for resolution. U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens once wrote it is the confidence in the men and women who administer the judicial system that is the true backbone of the rule of law. In the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Marbury v. Madison, Justice John Marshall reminded us it is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases must of necessity expound and interpret the rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each. The first two years of the Rule of Law Program were incredibly successful, notwithstanding the limits imposed by the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the court held an in-person oral argument in Las Cruces and provided access to the public through a live stream. We plan to do the same this year at the Nick Salazar Center for the Fine Arts on the campus of Northern New Mexico College. Schools are invited to have their students attend. The oral argument on April 3 will begin at 1 p.m. The court will consider a case State v. King that raises questions about state and federal constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures by the government. The case involves a traffic stop in Farmington and subsequent arrest of the driver on an outstanding warrant. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and a search warrant was obtained. A central legal question is whether the Constitution allows law enforcement in New Mexico to seize a persons vehicle after an arrest without exigent circumstances. That, generally speaking, means something so urgent that it requires immediate action and creates an exception to the general requirement to obtain a warrant under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article II, Section 10 of the New Mexico Constitution. Schools should contact Tamara Mitchell in my office, at 505-827-4932, suptdm@nmcourts.gov, if they are interested in having students attend the oral argument in person or remotely. I also am available to visit schools or student groups to discuss the judicial process and rule of law if they are unable to attend the oral argument in person On behalf of each member of the court, we look forward to this opportunity to engage students in learning more about our judicial system and its role in our democracy. Pulse. It creates a rhythm, and once sustained, it can last as long as memory permits even as long as a lifetime in reference to anatomy. When it comes to music, the flow of energy that derives from a melodic beat can transform an individuals life. Greg Trimble was drawn to the vitality of Congolese music and soon after relayed his passion to crafting traditional African instruments. Circa 1985: The plane touched down on the tarmac in the Peoples Republic of Congo. Trimble gathered his luggage with the other passengers, but as the line to the customs shack began to expand, distancing the eager movers from the stragglers behind, he was alone in the middle, vulnerable for spiritual guidance. He stood to explain the moment, his arms curling the air toward his torso. Im walking along ridiculously, stupid, innocent, open, and all of sudden, in front of me, theres this energy, he explained. Trimbles sincere connection to his surroundings has allowed him to live to the beat of his own drum figuratively and literally and has encapsulated each significant moment of his journey in his memories. Drawn to the beat Trimble was born in Canada but spent part of his youth in Oklahoma where he experienced his first intense connection to nature. Escaping from the heat under the protection of a natural thick canopy, he found a new truth just steps away from everyday life. I could step through this threshold into this shaded magical reality just like walking through the wardrobe into this other world, Trimble reminisced. Through the trees and along the bank of the creek, Trimble would walk among frogs and tortoises, embracing his findings. It gave me an orientation at that young age that Ive valued ever since, he said. Like an introduction to life on Earth. Trimbles family returned to Canada, and he eventually became a reforestation tree planter on uninhabited islands off the coast of British Columbia. He said his crew would stay for up to a month in these uninhabited areas completing the tough, methodical task of lining new conifers. In his 12 years working in ecology, he said he planted around 1.5 million baby trees. Perhaps the flow of planting trees was an indicator of Trimbles link to rhythm, and when the opportunity to acquire some conga drums arose, it was almost meant to be. After getting the beautiful instruments, his passion soon formed and strengthened. I was just starting to feel this pull towards conga drumming, hand drums, those rhythms that originated in Africa, he said. I had no idea how to play them I just knew I was doing the right thing. During the restoration off-season, he crossed the border into America and drove down the coast. A simple note at a random coffee shop then changed his path. Congolese artists were hosting a drum workshop in the exotic hills of northern California and Trimble immediately saved a spot. I had this big emptiness inside me that was hungry for nurturement of the soul, and it was a cultural reality that I just recognized in my own individual self, Trimble said. I knew that I was looking to fill that gap. Crafting his calling After years attending the Congolese workshop, Trimble jumped on another opportunity to study under the tutelage of acclaimed Congolese musician Titos Sompa. In 1985, Trimble and a small group of others accompanied Sompa to the musicians homeland, then the Peoples Republic of Congo, for a five-week excursion. Trimble said Sompa became the most influential mentor in my personal life. In the process, he felt an energy that helped fill the aforementioned gap. The demeanor and the psychic atmosphere from when youre in Africa is everywhere you go, he said. I saw some really profound things there. Trimble considers himself fortunate for completing the adventure unlike others in the group, viewing the experience as positive. He and an entourage would travel to villages on the distant outskirts of Brazzaville, embracing the culture and learning all the elements of Congolese music and art. Trimble explained, We would gather around a fire and then they just started playing the Congolese music, this amazing polar rhythmic hand drumming, deep soulful, pulsing powerful stuff. When he returned from his trip to Africa, he received a spiritual, revelatory-level quality of message that would change the trajectory of his life. It said its really important that you manifest into the world all these various instruments from traditional sub-Saharan African culture, he said. I understood that was my life path, how I was going to be useful. In this world, to have something creatively productive to do, which all humans need, its part of our nature. Trimble didnt learn how to make instruments while in the Congo, but learned how to deduce the process through exuding experience, experiment and research. He acquired gourds of various sizes and shapes, cuts of quality wood and goat skins, all which he considers sacred resources. Through his New Mexico shop, Crossroads Musical Instruments, Trimble crafts and offers a variety of traditionally-inspired African instruments, both electric and acoustic. He makes kalimbas, koras, drums and lamellophones, his personal favorite. The instruments range in size from large to hand-held and some feature hand-painted designs. All, however, precisely capture and resonate the enchanting sounds of traditional African music. Making these instruments is something Trimble will never give up, for its his calling. I just feel that its right I have so much passion for it, Trimble said. As the years have gone by, that drive, that impulse, is not diminished whatsoever. Connecting communities During one of his communitys gatherings on Goat Rock Beach in Sonoma County, California, Trimble met a young man named Chris Berry, who would later also apprentice with Sompa and eventually become a Grammy award-winning musician. Berry moved to New Mexico and Trimble would visit during Berry and his wifes annual music workshops in the Land of Enchantment, forming his own connections, which included Eric and Elise Gent, owners of Railyard Performance Center in Santa Fe. Trimble especially formed a great friendship with their son, Hountor. Hountor Gent, who runs the live music for classes at Railyard, has known Trimble for over 25 years, and he said he was really drawn to Gregs instruments. Not only the sound of them, but the incredibly beautiful artwork that he does and the attention to detail, he said. Ive got four of his instruments hanging in my kitchen and more in my studio. Hountor Gent would visit Trimble back in California until Trimble permanently moved to New Mexico in 2017. They would both help promote the energy and significance of African music. Its about community, Hountor Gent said. Its about bringing people together in celebration and in times of need. Theres a rhythm that draws a person into African music, putting them in motion, connecting them to the culture and synchronizing their soul with the beat of the earth. Trimble explained that it nurtures the human spirit. Greg has a very unique style from his background studying in the Congo. His instruments and his playing really reflects those experiences hes had, Hountor Gent said. Gregs possibly the most passionate person youll ever meet in your life, he added. His passion is in everything he does, the art that he makes, the relationships that he has, the opinions that he has, everything. His passion is boundless and unapologetic. The beat goes on Trimble undoubtedly has a passionate connection to the natural world, but believes were all linked to a sacred reality. I think its inside every single human being; its part of the gift of this human life, and thats the core essence of who you are, which people call the soul, he said. I think that the highest human creative endeavor is music because of how profound it is in its nurturement of the human souls. A pulse is intrinsic, and though overlooked because of that naturality, much like our inherent ability to blink, its within all of us. It gives us the chance to move to the beat of our own drum, if were willing to tap our finger on it and follow the music. Stylized dragonflies soar across Mary Morezs painting, combining echoes of the past with the edges of modernism. The late Navajo painter, designer, curator and graphic designer captured everyday events of tribal lives. Santa Fes Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian is showcasing her work in The Mary Morez Style: Transformations in Tradition through April 15. Morez created book and record illustrations, textiles, drawings and paintings. She was also an art consultant to the Museum of Navajo Art, (now the Wheelwright Museum) and a curator at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. I think she was a pivotal person in terms of feminist discourse, said Wheelwright curator Andrea Hanley. She paints a lot of women; she captures a lot of what Indian women do. Born near Tuba City, Arizona, Morez suffered from both polio and rheumatic fever as a girl, and underwent numerous operations as a result. Raised by her grandparents, she studied at the Phoenix Indian School, where she was adopted by a non-Native couple and learned about a culture not of her own. She earned a bachelors degree from the University of Arizona and received a scholarship to the Ray-Vogue Art School in Chicago. In the early 1960s, Morez received another scholarship through the Southwestern Indian Art Project that would prove pivotal to her artistic life. Directed by the University of Arizona and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, the project also exerted a profound impact on the field, becoming critical to the founding of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. Morezs instructors included a virtual whos who of Native American art history, including Lloyd Kiva New (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Loloma (Hopi). Morez, and other Native students, including Fritz Scholder (Luseno), Michael Kabotie (Hopi) and Helen Hardin (Santa Clara Pueblo) became central figures in their respective fields and forged a new movement merging traditional tribal art forms with contemporary aesthetics. Morezs drawing Study of a Navajo Woman reveals her delicate approach, conveying her subjects face with just a few carefully chosen lines. Its one of my favorite drawings ever, Hanley said. Shes got his graceful stylistic skill and emotional depth. Her studies of Navajo motifs are especially poignant. Morezs work landed in the Heard Museums landmark exhibition Shared Visions: Native American Painters and Sculptors in the 20th Century in the early 90s. In Father Sky, shes looking at the Navajo creation story, Hanley added. The triptych Pow Wow Night delves into more current events, weaving traditional aspects of Navajo culture with contemporary abstraction. The artists childhood illnesses filled her with compassion for others who suffered, Hanley added. She volunteered at the Phoenix Indian Hospital. Morez continued to suffer from complications as an adult, and ill health led to a 15-year period when she did very little painting. However, in the 1990s she again took up the brush. Everything I have learned over the years goes into my paintings: philosophy of the Navajo, the environment, religion everything, she said. Morez lived in Phoenix for much of her career. She died in 2004. Dr. Sidney and Ruth Schultz reigned over the Santa Fe Indian Market for years, she crowned by her propeller pith helmet, and he in his patchwork pants and koshare bolo. Ruth, a 25-year member of the Albuquerque Museums Advisory Committee, died in 2019. Orthopedic surgeon Sidney followed her in 2022. Avid collectors of Native American art, the couples legacy is now on view at the Albuquerque Museum through a donated collection of beadwork, ceramics, paintings, prints and more in Indigenous Art, Culture, and Community through July 23. The exhibition features more than 50 works by more than 30 artists. Many of them have won top honors at Santa Fe. The lineup includes such familiar names as Jamie Okuma, Sandra Okuma, Helen Hardin, Lonnie Vigil, Ben Harjo, Teri Greeves, Marcus Amerman, Les Namingha and more. The Santa Fe Indian Market has served as a nucleus of Native American creativity for much of its 101 years. Featuring some 1,000 Native artists from more than 200 Indigenous communities, it lures more than 100,000 people to Santa Fe every August. The exhibition explores the evolution of these artists styles, grounded in traditional materials and techniques. The reason were doing this exhibition is to celebrate a really important gift to the collection, museum director Andrew Connors said. Ruth kept pushing the museum to support Native artists more thoroughly, he added. From beaded Converse to miniature pots, Native art continually evolves with innovative contemporary works. The Schultzes collected from and got to know the living Native artists they supported. Ruth and Sidney would often see the quality of the artists before they began winning ribbons, Connors said. Some pieces represent a family affair. Jamie Okuma, (Luiseo/Shoshone-Bannock) famous for her beaded high-heeled Louboutin boots, is the daughter of Sandra Okuma, (Luiseo/Shoshone-Bannock) a maker of more traditional objects such as purses. The pair use thousands of glass seed beads in their work. Sandra focused more on traditional regalia and small objects, Connors said. These are the first pair of Louboutin boots (Jamie) beaded. Shes made a couple of pairs now that are in museum collections. That fashion runs from Native regalia to Louboutin boots. We have a wonderful doll she created of a mother holding the hand of a child with a pull toy. With the doll you see the exact same colors you see in the boots, so theres a wonderful continuum. Marcus Amerman (Choctaw) integrated pop culture into contemporary work through his image of Janet Jackson gracing the cover of Rolling Stone and a portrait of George Armstrong Custer bookended by Native Americans. Artists ranging from Jaune Quick-to-See Smith and Andy Warhol have also incorporated Custer into their work to shed light on the Battle of Little Bighorn and the brutal treatment of Indigenous people. While Amerman uses traditional beading techniques, he shows the deep influence of popular art, Connors said. He says U.S. culture is also my culture, he explained. Most of these artists dont live in two worlds; they live in a complex world. Dine painter Anthony Chee Emerson incorporated the Schultzes into a Wheres Waldo? image of the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Parade in his acrylic on paper. The couple stand in front of a tan truck in the middle top section. Emerson has participated in Indian Market since 1982 when there were only 25 booths. Indian Market has evolved and changed tremendously across its 101-year history. Originally organized by non-Native staff at the Museum of New Mexico and the School of American Research, today its staff and board members are primarily Native American. It remains the largest juried art market of its kind in the world. To experience Ron Franscells new book, Deaf Row: A Mystery, to the fullest, try these steps. First, read it in the standard method from page one consecutively to the last page. Youll meet the mysterys protagonist, grizzled retired homicide detective Woodrow Mountain Bell. He probes the long-unsolved, grisly murder of Cherish Nelson, a high school girl in fictional Midnight, Colorado. Second, as you read along, be sure to dog-ear the pages bursting with Franscells gritty descriptions a sentence, a paragraph or a page of the silver-haired people and the gray places of rural Colorado in this raw, wintry crime novel. Third, pause a day or two and return to those descriptions so that Franscells prose can truly ignite your senses. Youll be glad you took the time. What kind of descriptions? Heres a partial profile of the hoary waitress in the fictional cafe Burgatory in a fictional Purgatory: She smelled like cigarettes and Aqua Net hair spray. Her tired eyes were set deep. They looked as if she smeared on blue eye shadow with her thumb and drew on her eyebrows with a Sharpie. A hard life was written all over her face, but she probably made other lives hard, too, Bell thought. Her name tag says Dont Even Ask, but her name is Rosemary Midwinter. Shes a returning character whose surname casts a cloud over the story. Bell is one of the crusty coffee klatchers who gather mornings at Tommyknockers Diner in Midnight. The klatch is called Deaf Row. Father Bert Clancy, Bells closest friend, offers his fellow klatchers a daily, humor-injected, blessing such as this one: Lord, we thank You for the thrill of life. As our knees begin to ache, our fingers lose their dexterity, and our midnight trips to the john increase, we ask that You watch over us, especially in the dark. Among the other members of Deaf Row are Cotton Minahan, the old fire chief who retired soon after getting a ticket for drunk fire-truck racing; Dan Coogan, retired editor of the towns weekly newspaper, the semi-conscious Midnight Sun; Dr. William Frederick Bones Ely, a retired general practitioner who bragged about circumcising every mayor of the town since 1979; and the annoyingly analytical Roxy Snipes, who is preoccupied with a running game of solitaire on his 30-year-old Tandy computer. Franscell constantly applies his ample literary skills, as with this description of a long-shuttered, dust-filled building that Bell and Father Clancy cautiously enter: The abandoned Schattenland Lunatic Asylum rose from the forest like a rotten tooth. The former asylum figures prominently in the story that brings up many dead bodies. Much of the story of Deaf Row comes from actual case files that are blended with his imagination, Franscell said in a phone interview from his home in Placitas. It is Franscells fourth fiction novel and 19th book overall, many of them true crime. Of that total, eight are in his Crime Buffs Guide series, including Crime Buffs Guide to Outlaw New Mexico, published in 2015. Franscell was a journalist for many years, having worked on newspapers in Wyoming, California, New Mexico and Colorado. As a senior writer for the Denver Post, he said he was asked to write pieces that were less journalism and more narrative storytelling. While at the Post, Franscell lived in Idaho Springs, Colorado, the town that was the inspiration for the fictional Midnight, he said, and the central tale in Deaf Row is based on the disappearance of a girl in the 1980s in Idaho Springs. It was the case of a teenage girl who went missing and to this day has never been found. The disappearance still haunts this town. Small towns have longer memories than urban centers, Franscell said. He said hes preparing a sequel to Deaf Row that is based on a real-life, still-open double murder case in Placitas about half a century ago. The authors website is ronfranscell.com. If you go Ron Franscell will discuss and sign copies of Deaf Row: A Mystery from 3-4 p.m. Friday, March 24, at the International District Library, 7601 Central Ave. NE. Beginning on Saturday, April 1, the National Park Service will begin charging a fee for its fishing permits in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The fees will go to support the management of its fishing program. The new fee schedule will be $20 for an annual pass ($10 for youth 12-17); and $5 for a 7-day pass ($3 for youth 12-17). A state of New Mexico fishing license is also required to fish within Valles Caldera. For more information visit nps.gov/vall. Relationships drive so much of what happens in life, whether its business or personal. In the case of Presbyterian Healthcare Services and Iowa-based UnityPoint Health, a relationship between the two companies top executives helped lead to a proposed parent organization one they say will ease cost burdens and consolidate administrative functions of the two health systems. UnityPoint President and CEO Clay Holderman previously worked as the executive vice president and COO at PHS. Dale Maxwell, on the other hand, has served as CEO and president of PHS since 2016. Maxwell and Holderman worked closely together at PHS, building a trusted relationship in the process and one that still exists even though the two no longer work together under the same roof. That relationship, Maxwell says, led to the news of a proposed parent organization that dropped earlier this month. Both health systems, like many others across the country, had faced losses since the onset of the pandemic, he said. Clay (Holderman) and I, based on our relationship from him working here at Presbyterian for a number of years, maintained contact over the past two years, Maxwell said. We were talking about the challenges in health care and how in order to continue to deliver high-quality care in both of these markets, we were going to have to do something substantially different. Maxwell added: At the same time, both boards were looking at the same issue and both systems were trying to understand what changes were necessary to be made. Clay and I talked about, Well, maybe theres something we can do together. Those talks have happened for some time, but they really started coming together in September, Maxwell said, as both health systems were looking to get through the challenges that COVID created. Those challenges for Presbyterian, he said, were rising costs with stagnant revenue. Roughly 75% of Presbyterians revenue comes from state or federal governments, he said, which has remained fixed or flat, thus creating an operating loss. These issues are not unique to Presbyterian, Maxwell said. He said the boards of PHS and UnityPoint looked at other options to get through the challenges COVID presented, but partnering with UnityPoint made the most sense because the two are like-minded systems. I wasnt able to get Holderman on the phone, but he did speak with news organization Beckers Hospital Review about the proposed parent organization, echoing much of what Maxwell said. The fact that Dale (Maxwell) and I have a trusted relationship, the discussions between our boards, these have been a huge facilitator of speed trust has been a great accelerator of the process, Holderman told Beckers. Holderman, in his interview with Beckers, pointed to the strength of Presbyterians health insurance arm, Presbyterian Health Plan, and the strength of UnityPoint which is in its robust hospital ecosystem with more than two dozen hospitals spread across three states. Holderman said the coming together of the two health systems would generate an estimated $11 billion in annual revenue. There are some barriers that need to be crossed first before the parent organization is formed. That includes notifying and receiving approval from the state Attorney Generals Office, the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS. But the proposed parent organization, which is still in its exploratory phase, may not have come together this quickly if Holderman and Maxwell didnt have that relationship. As the saying goes: Its not what you know, its who you know. TChief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is likely to ask the TSPSC chairman to step down owing moral responsibility for paper leakage. ( File Photo: PTI) Hyderabad: The beleaguered Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) may soon undergo a major overhaul as some top officials may be asked to resign. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao is likely to ask the TSPSC chairman to step down owing moral responsibility for paper leakage that led to the cancellation of four recruitment exams and erupted into a major political conflict with opposition leaders organising protests to call for a high-level probe. Following the TSPSC question paper leakage, Chandrashekar Rao is planning to implement sweeping reforms in the Commission to prevent question paper leakages and ensure its effective functioning in the future. The Chief Minister is believed to be furious at TSPSC chairman B. Janardhan Reddy and secretary Anita Ramachandran. He is reportedly of the view that the situation could have been prevented if the chairman and secretary had taken appropriate and effective steps to closely monitor the activities of the staff in the "confidential section" dealing with question papers, evaluation, and so on. Since the TSPSC is a constitutional body and chairman cannot be removed by the state government, it is learnt that the Chief Minister may ask the chairman to resign owing moral responsibility for paper leakage. The Chief Minister reportedly decided to transfer Anita Ramachandran from secretary post. These changes are expected once the Special Investigation Team (SIT) submits its inquiry report on paper leakage to the state government. Official sources informed Deccan Chronicle that the Chief Minister has been holding meetings at his official residence in Pragathi Bhavan with legal experts, senior government officials, former officials and members who worked with the UPSC, TSPSC, APPSC as well as academicians to gather their feedback on the reforms to make the TSPSC recruitment process "foolproof". According to sources, the TSPSC secretary, who will be an IAS officer, will be given more powers in conducting recruitment exams and handling confidential matters related to the examinations. Further, the TSPSC office is expected to be relocated from Nampally to a more secure location. These measures are expected to be implemented shortly after the SIT submits its report on paper leakage incidents to the state government. Public Service Commissions such as the TSPSC are constitutional bodies, and state governments do not interfere in their activities. As secretary, an IAS officer will represent the state government in TSPSC. Anita Ramachandra is currently the secretary of the TSPSC. However, the secretary currently has no role in the exam procedure. TSPSC's chairman and members handle all "confidential works" related to exams, question paper preparation, paper evaluation, and so on. Sources informed that the CM now plans to entrust confidential exam-related duties and responsibilities to the secretary, who can report directly to the government if any anomalies are discovered. The TSPSC regulations are in line with the regulations brought by the Andhra Pradesh government in undivided AP in 1963. After the bifurcation of the state in 2014, the state government adopted these regulations, which are called "TSPSC Regulations". The CM now plans to change these regulations and bring in sweeping reforms in TSPSC for its effective functioning in future. In March 2020, the five elected members of the state Public Regulation Commission unanimously approved a J.P. Morgan-backed buyout of El Paso Electric Co. with virtually no controversial issues raised in the case. Nine months later, the commission opened a year-long public hearing process on Avangrids proposed acquisition of Public Service Co. of New Mexico that put Avangrid and its parent firm, Spanish company Iberdrola, S.A., through the regulatory wringer. In most respects, the two cases included very similar issues that regulators needed to address. But the PRC took a strikingly different approach to the J.P. Morgan-backed buyout of EPE, approving that deal with little discussion of controversial issues raised in Texas. Now, Avangrid-PNM merger supporters are asking why the PNM buyout was treated differently from EPE, and whether the commission applied a different standard when rejecting the PNM buyout. Avangrid-Iberdrola scrutinized Former Commissioners Stephen Fischmann and Cynthia Hall said they werent aware of controversial issues regarding J.P. Morgan when they voted to approve the EPE acquisition because organizations intervening in the case never raised significant concerns, and nothing in the evidentiary record from the hearings raised red flags. I hadnt heard about any issues when the J.P. Morgan hearings were underway, Fischmann told the Journal. I have to plead ignorance. Maybe we would have looked into concerns if the hearing examiner or case intervenors like the Attorney Generals Office had brought them up. The opposite occurred in the Avangrid-PNM case, where PRC hearing examiner Ashley Schannauer examined minute details of Avangrid and Iberdrolas corporate structure and their business practices elsewhere after merger opponents brought up regulatory problems with those companies. That included Avangrids management of utilities it owns and operates in the Northeast, claims about excessive Iberdrola control over Avangrid decision-making, and a criminal investigation in Spain involving some Iberdrola executives that the Spanish courts ended up dismissing. That process ended in December 2021, after commissioners concluded that the PNM acquisition was not in the public interest. They cited alleged Avangrid mismanagement of its northeastern utilities including a cumulative $64 million in regulatory fines paid by those companies over the years plus Iberdrolas corporate control over Avangrid operations that could make it difficult for commissioners here to regulate. At the time, Fischmann said huge opportunities for conflict of interest seemed built into the merger deal. (Their) unethical behavior makes me concerned that the structure of Avangrid and Iberdrola is antithetical to promoting public interest, Fischmann said in a public meeting. EPE treated differently In the EPE acquisition case the year before, similar issues were raised by regulators and buyout opponents in Texas and in Washington, D.C. None of that controversy was discussed by New Mexicos PRC, which also had to approve the deal alongside Texas and federal regulators because EPE serves more than 100,000 electric customers in southern New Mexico. At the time, the EPE proposed buyout was facing significant issues. The Infrastructure Investment Fund (IIF), a $12 billion private investment vehicle thats advised and generally managed by J.P. Morgan, paid $4.3 billion to acquire EPE in July 2020 after receiving all regulatory approvals, despite extensive public concern that J.P. Morgans involvement could create serious conflicts of interest in future financial transactions with EPE. During regulatory hearings in Texas, J.P. Morgan insisted that IIF was a completely independent entity, and that it only provided advisement services to the fund. Yet in the discovery process, Washington, D.C.-based consumer watchdog Public Citizen revealed that 48 of J.P. Morgans paid employees were IIF executives who provided fundraising, asset management and acquisition services to the fund, basically managing everything IIF does. That raised concerns in the U.S. Senate about potential self-dealing by J.P. Morgan at the expense of EPE ratepayers. In March 2020, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Democratic Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jeff Merkley of Oregon sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission calling for an evidentiary hearing before the FERC ruled on the acquisition. El Pasos customers deserve to know who is purchasing their utility, the letter said. Public Citizen and others said the IIF-control issue was critical given past J.P. Morgan regulatory violations. That included a $410 million FERC fine in 2013 for manipulating electric power markets for its own profit in California and the Midwest. And, during the EPE hearing process itself, the U.S. Justice Department conducted a criminal investigation into J.P Morgans manipulation of precious metals markets and unlawful trading practices. That investigation culminated in a $920 million fine and criminal convictions against top J.P. Morgan executives months after the EPE acquisition closed. Despite those issues, New Mexico joined Texas and federal regulators in approving the acquisition after J.P. Morgan and the IIF agreed to appoint a majority of independent representatives to the EPEs 10-member board of directors to ensure nonpartisan decision-making. PNM independence proposals ignored In the PNM acquisition, Avangrid also agreed to an independently controlled PNM board, plus explicit checks and balances to safeguard against corporate self-dealing. But the PRC did not consider those commitments when rejecting the PNM buyout because hearing examiner Schannauer omitted them, saying that they were submitted past deadline for new evidence to be considered in the case. Merger supporters now want to know why independent utility control was welcomed for EPE but rejected in the Avangrid-PNM deal. If the settlement in the EPE case was considered acceptable, why wouldnt that also be considered workable in New Mexico with Avangrid and Iberdrola? asked utility industry veteran and former PRC commissioner Doug Howe. That was never even brought up by the PRC for consideration. In addition, Avangrid promised $334 million in economic benefits if allowed to acquire PNM, including $67 million in direct rate credits for PNM customers. In contrast, EPE ratepayers received $130 million in benefits, which included $30 million in rate credits. But the PRC dismissed the Avangrid negotiated benefits as insignificant. During one PRC open meeting, Fischmann called the benefits fools gold that didnt address the underlying risks of the merger. The negotiating parties, Fischmann said, kind of ignored the fundamentals to get their little piece of fools gold, reflecting special deals that favor individual interests, not public interest. PRC emphasis on the significance of Spains judicial investigation of Iberdrola executives also contrasts with the way the commission viewed J.P. Morgans fines and penalties for regulatory violations and criminal conduct. During PRC open discussion, then-commissioner Cynthia Hall said the Spanish investigation was particularly problematic because it indicated an aggressive modus operandi by Iberdrola. Despite the Spanish courts dismissing the case in June 2022, some former commissioners still cite the investigation as valid justification for rejecting the merger. I stand behind my vote to deny this merger, said former commissioner and now State Auditor Joseph Maestas in a recent Facebook post. The confidential Spanish investigation report regarding Avangrids parent company, Iberdrola, shined a light on their alleged nefarious corporate behavior and practices that seemed to cascade down to Avangrid. Howe said such positions smack of bias. Iberdrola wasnt even formally accused of anything it was just an investigation and the case was dropped, yet it rose to the center of everything during the merger hearings, Howe said. Contrast that with the J.P. Morgan case, which wasnt just an accusation, but a Justice Department investigation that resulted in nearly a $1 billion settlement and criminal convictions. Still, while the PRC didnt discuss the J.P. Morgan issues raised in Texas, Fischmann said Avangrid and Iberdrolas resistance to accepting an independent board of directors until the very end of the hearing process generated mistrust among commissioners. In contrast, J.P. Morgan was extremely cooperative about accepting protections for EPE independence, Fischmann said. That made commissioners feel better about PRC ability to work with them. SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham didnt get everything she wanted during this years 60-day legislative session. But, fresh off winning reelection to a second term, the Democratic governor said she was able to work with lawmakers to win approval with a few exceptions for most of her top priorities. Shortly after lawmakers wrapped up their work Saturday at noon, Lujan Grisham said she did not foresee bringing legislators back to the Roundhouse for a special session. She also lauded legislators for their approval of a slew of bills dealing with health care access and abortion protections, saying New Mexico would be a national beacon as other states enact restrictions on abortion medication and gender-affirming care. If youre looking for a shining moment for this Legislature, look no further than their work on health care, said the governor, citing the creation of a new state health care authority, prescription drug changes and approval of a rural hospital fund. Lujan Grisham also praised legislators for their approval of legislation providing free school meals for all K-12 public school students and for crafting a bipartisan compromise to resolve at least for now a fight over the states medical malpractice laws. She was directly involved in the negotiations, said Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, proposing a phone call to insurance industry officials. That led to a deal being struck shortly thereafter. However, Lujan Grisham was less effusive in her praise for lawmakers on crime-related issues. She said only about one-quarter of the total bills dealing with public safety were approved by legislators, and vowed to keep pushing for policy changes aimed at making it easier to keep defendants charged with certain violent crimes in jail pending trial. Proposals seeking to overhaul the states pretrial detention laws have stalled in the Democratic-controlled Legislature in each of the last two regular sessions, due to concerns about the legality of such a shift and whether it would even be effective in reducing violent crime rates. I know that you want me to say Im disappointed, but Im motivated, Lujan Grisham said during a news conference in the state Capitol. Im very motivated to find additional ways to make sure that we really do everything in our power to make our communities and state safer. I think that each of us are dedicated to that, but we come at it a little differently, she added. House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, defended lawmakers handling of crime issues, as a $9.6 billion budget bill includes $100 million for a law enforcement officer recruitment fund and $10 million for an outstanding warrant roundup, among other provisions. I think we did really well when it comes to public safety, Martinez told reporters during a separate news conference. He also said changes to the states pretrial detention laws would not solve the states high violent crime rate, saying, Im telling you, that is not the silver bullet. Session featured Cabinet-level turbulence It wasnt an entirely smooth legislative session for Lujan Grisham, as three Cabinet secretaries left their jobs during the session, including the heads of the state Public Education Department and the Human Services Department. In addition, confirmation hearings were not held on two of the governors appointees Indian Affairs Secretary-designate James Mountain and Cultural Affairs Secretary-designate Debra Garcia y Griego who both faced widespread opposition. The Governors Office did not formally submit Mountains nomination to the Senate Rules Committee amid an uproar over past sexual assault charges that did not lead to a conviction. But Lujan Grisham stood by both appointees, with a spokeswoman saying this month the governor had full faith in both appointees. Meanwhile, some legislative initiatives the governor opposed such as creating a child advocates office to help oversee the Children, Youth and Families Department failed to pass this session, even after early momentum and bipartisan support among lawmakers. House Minority Leader Ryan Lane, R-Aztec, said the Legislature should more eagerly assert its independence from the governors influence. There needs to be a healthy tension between the Legislature and the executive, in my opinion, he said. I think thats one of the things thats been lost in this building. Lane said the abortion legislation sought by Democrats this year wasnt necessary, given that abortion is already legal in New Mexico. Its just inserting partisan politics in a space we dont need it, he said. No special sessions on the horizon Since taking office in 2019, Lujan Grisham has called at least one special session in every year except for her first year as governor. She suggested a special session on crime bills would not be in the works, though she cautioned lawmakers to expect public pressure on the issue after an election cycle in which crime played a prominent role. I try not to use special sessions as a tool to force issues that we dont have good collaboration on, Lujan Grisham said. But she said she would have called a special session on medical malpractice issues, had lawmakers not been able to broker a late-session compromise. Looking ahead, Lujan Grisham also said she would continue to seek passage of additional gun-related legislation, citing specifically proposals to enact a waiting period for firearm purchases and increasing from 18 to 21 the minimum age for buying certain types of guns. New Mexicans should know that as long as Im governor, Im going to keep trying to reduce to the highest degree, gun violence and violence in particular, the governor said. She also indicated she would not give up on attempts to change the states pretrial detention laws after high-profile cases involving defendants who are released pending trial and are subsequently arrested for another crime. Everyone here knows Im introducing that again and again and again, said Lujan Grisham, who joked she might pursue a constitutional change that would allow her to run for a third consecutive term as governor. In 2022, an average of 100 bullets were fired every day across Albuquerque. And of the bullets fired last year, at least 234 of them injured or killed someone. Officers dispatched to the gunfire collected 13,000 bullet casings and detained 75 suspects. But 9,000 of the times they went looking, police found no evidence of a shooting. We know this thanks to ShotSpotter, a system that alerts police to the location of any gunfire throughout much of Albuquerque. But how the Albuquerque Police Department could use this data to fight gun violence and the technologys overall effectiveness remains unclear. Nearly three years into the citys $3.2 million contract with the California-based company, APD describes the tool as a spoke in the wheel of crime fighting, helping officers make arrests and gather more evidence. Last month, Mayor Tim Keller told the Journal relying on technology such as ShotSpotter helped prop up officer shortages after repeatedly failing to reach the goal of 1,200 officers. But as city officials and police administration repeatedly praised the technology, those who represent the officers on the ground call it a big fat waste of money that only takes up officers time. And aside from anecdotes, measuring tangible results from the technology and whether it is worth the price tag, is difficult. It appears the majority of homicides and nonfatal shootings detected by ShotSpotter would have been responded to and investigated anyway. Homicides, though being solved at a higher rate, skyrocketed to record levels in recent years and despite drops in other types of violent crime over that same period. In a statement, a ShotSpotter spokesman said more than 80% of gunfire goes unreported to 911 and the technology fills that data gap by alerting police of virtually all gunfire in a citys coverage area within 60 seconds. This enables a fast, precise police response, ultimately helping police officers save lives and collect critical evidence for investigations, the spokesman said. Albuquerque, like many other cities, has benefited from the technology, and in 2022 reported that 179 victims were found thanks to ShotSpotter. For years, ShotSpotter has riled up advocacy groups and civil rights organizations in cities long besieged by gun violence like Baltimore and Chicago being blamed for police shootings, overpolicing and wrongful charges. While ShotSpotter is still fairly new to Albuquerque, several studies have found underwhelming outcomes of the technology elsewhere including recently completed research out of Kansas City that found no substantial benefits, despite more evidence collection and a drop in victim-less gunfire. Peter Simonson, executive director of the ACLU of New Mexico, said ShotSpotter falls in line with the tech industry constantly plying police departments to adopt high tech fixes to solve traditional crime issues. All too frequently, we dont really get much bang for our buck out of those investments, he said. At its worst, Simonson said ShotSpotter sends officers into already overpoliced neighborhoods with little idea about what they could be walking into, endangering both officers and citizens. Simonson said responding to a 911 call at least gives officers context to make informed decisions. Shaun Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque police union, said ShotSpotter puts more work on an officers plate. He said the only benefit is knowledge that there is an excessive amount of guns being fired on a regular basis all over the city of Albuquerque. Willoughby said he sees few other upsides to the technology. What is the actual benefit? What cases can they honestly point to that have been 100% solidified, an individual arrested and prosecuted because of ShotSpotter? Willoughby said. He added, If they dont have that data, and they have a $3 million price tag but they dont have the equity in what we get out of it as a community its a big fat waste of money. Thats what it is. In light of Willoughbys criticisms, APD Chief Harold Medina said ShotSpotter was instrumental in getting more than 150 murder suspects off the streets in the last 15 months. Even if ShotSpotter was the first to detect the gunfire, its unclear how many of those arrests occurred because of the system. It has been awhile since Shaun has done police work and he has lost touch with what is necessary to help prosecute cases, he said in a statement. Expanding ShotSpotter The city of Albuquerque signed a six-year contract with ShotSpotter and the technology went live in July 2020. When it was unveiled, Mayor Keller said he believed its going to help bring down gun violence in Albuquerque. Initially, most of the devices were spread across the Southeast, Southwest and Valley area commands, made up of mostly low-income neighborhoods with higher rates of violent crime and homelessness. By the end of 2022 the price tag more than doubled as the technology expanded to portions of each area command. Following the expansion, the alerts doubled and the systems success rate measured by the finding of evidence such as casings or victims after an alert tripled. ShotSpotter also agreed to add coverage at no extra cost for the Balloon Fiesta, purportedly for active shooter preparedness. APD would not detail the exact coverage territory throughout the city and ShotSpotter maps were redacted from documents provided through an Inspection of Public Records Request. City Councilor Pat Davis, whose southeast district has the most ShotSpotter devices and alerts, said he is lukewarm on the technology. Im sort of hit or miss on ShotSpotter and some of these other technology solutions that are replacing boots on the ground, he said. At the end of the day, nothing replaces a police officer. Davis, a former officer himself, said he has seen anecdotal accounts where an alert leads to an arrest but the technology itself is unlikely to bring about a prosecution. For that, he said the city needs to lean on good detective work and hire more officers. I understand the political want to jump in on things like this and there may be some value there, he said. But if you dont have the cops to follow up, its all just another set of data that tells you you have a problem without really connecting to a solution. How and if it benefits Albuquerque in the long run, Davis said, is left to be seen. Better than 911? Albuquerque Deputy Chief of Police J.J. Griego said initially the department used ShotSpotter on its own but now utilizes it in tandem with other crime-fighting tools. Its not ShotSpotter in and of itself, the same way its not a 911 call in and of itself, he said. We have to leverage all of our different technologies together in order to make everything more effective. For example, he said police can get a ShotSpotter alert and tap into city cameras and get eyes on the situation. Griego said there have been shootings with no 911 call and an alert led them to a victim whose life they saved. However, in 2021 there was a 911 call for every shooting victim. Similar data for the ShotSpotter alerts in 2022 wasnt immediately available. APD spokeswoman Rebecca Atkins said thats because the analysts who retrieved the data for 2021 had left the Real Time Crime Center. Journal reporting has not found any homicide or nonfatal shooting cases from 2022 that were responded to based solely on an alert from a device. Griego said a ShotSpotter alert is classified as a Priority 2, or a serious crime in progress. The priority is elevated if its joined by a 911 call about someone screaming or a car speeding away. The company touts that it offers police a faster response time and in Albuquerque the average alert notification time was 46 seconds, but the average police response time to an alert was just under 12 minutes, according to APD data. Griego said APD will not pull an officer off a call for an alert, but they do go to every detection to look for evidence, even if its hours later or the next day. He said, unlike a 911 call, ShotSpotter sends an officer to a more exact location where any casings found are entered into a database. Officers and/or crime scene specialists responded to 18,023 alerts in 2021 and 2022. Police found no evidence of a shooting on more than 14,000 of those dispatches. Willoughby, the Albuquerque Police Officers Association head, said officers dont appreciate the extra workload. The sentiment for an officer is that theyre completely slammed theyre constantly running, Theyre understaffed. Its just one more thing for them to do, he said. Willoughby said the technology hasnt helped curb violent crime in the slightest and the $3 million could have have gone toward hiring and retaining officers or a million different things that our police department needs. Successes, nuanced benefits Albuquerque police could not give a hard number on how many arrests were made as a direct result of a ShotSpotter alert. Instead, the department shared 61 success stories from 2022. ShotSpotter appeared to clearly benefit police in at least 14 of those cases, when an alert helped lead police to the crime scene, take a suspect into custody, find a shooting victim or uncover other criminal activity. In one case, an alert led police to a bullet-riddled home where they found children in unhealthy living conditions. In another police were on a domestic violence call and a nearby alert helped tie gunfire to the incident, arresting a suspect. The dozens of other success stories had witnesses, 911 calls or suspects who remained on scene, making it unclear how much of a benefit the technology was. Sometimes the technologys benefits were more nuanced. In the gunfight that left Leonard Fresquez dead, ShotSpotter differentiated the gunfire determining the suspect, Qiaunt Kelley, shot first and not in self-defense. In the homicide of Brandi Rael, police used ShotSpotter alerts and phone records to tie suspect Michael Kelly to several shootings involving the alleged murder weapon. It is unclear if ShotSpotter has helped in prosecutions, but 2nd Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman said his office will take all the evidence it can get. I think its very helpful. Obviously, we prosecute a lot of cases without it but I think when we have it, it only enhances the evidence collection, Bregman said. Were happy to have all and any evidence we can on any case. What is ShotSpotter? ShotSpotter is a system of sensors located throughout Albuquerque that can distinguish and locate gunfire. When gunfire is detected in the ShotSpotter coverage area, the sensors triangulate the location to within 75 feet where the shot originated. Then, artificial intelligence software weeds out fireworks and other noises before an out-of-state ShotSpotter analyst listens to the detection to further confirm it was a gunshot. Once confirmed, the alert with the location, closest address and number of gunshots is sent to the Albuquerque police dispatch center, officers computers in police vehicles and their smartphones via the ShotSpotter app. Each department decides how to prioritize ShotSpotter alerts and the Albuquerque Police Department has it dispatched as a Priority 2 or serious crime in progress. ShotSpotter has been around for decades and, according to the company, has been implemented at one time or another in more than 130 cities nationwide. Although only a few years old in Albuquerque, numerous studies and surveys have been done on the technology and its effectiveness over the years. On its website, ShotSpotter described the system as, By itself, it is not a cure-all. But when used as part of a comprehensive gun crime response strategy, it can contribute to positive outcomes for the police and the community, according to the website. A study by a group that receives funding from ShotSpotter reported a 30% drop in assaults, including gun-related assaults, in St. Louis County after the system was implemented. The study also found the overall number of arrests were unchanged by the technologys use. In addition, some community surveys have been favorable to the tech. But other research has found fewer benefits of Shotspotter, including a recently completed 15-year study of the program in Kansas City. Professor Eric Piza, director of Crime Analysis Initiatives at Northeastern University, began to study the ShotSpotter program there in 2019, where it had been in operation since 2012. The study considered crime data dating back to 2005, prior to ShotSpotter being implemented. We find very little crime prevention benefit of this technology, he said of the studys findings. Piza said ShotSpotter didnt change the upward trajectory of violence in Kansas City, which is facing spikes similar to Albuquerque and other U.S. cities. He said the study found the collection of physical evidence on scene was 21% higher and victim-less gunfire was 20% lower in the ShotSpotter area compared with the control area. But, he said, those on-the-ground benefits didnt translate to a consistent reduction of gun violence in the area covered by ShotSpotter. Piza said there was no meaningful change in the number of cases solved or the level of fatal and nonfatal shootings. However, he said the study found a benefit of ShotSpotter was speed, with an alert beating out a corresponding 911 call by an average of 125 seconds. That doesnt mean first responders arrive sooner, but it means they could. It could be life or death for someone whos been shot. That may seem trivial, but its not. Thats essentially a two-minute head start, he said, adding that they didnt have data to say whether it paid off. Similar studies with similar findings have been done on the technology across the nation. Lawsuits have even been filed related to the usage of ShotSpotter by police and prosecutors alike. In 2021, the Chicago Inspector General found ShotSpotter seldom showed investigative value and rarely produced evidence of a gun-related crime. Additionally, Chicagos OIG found the technology changed police behavior, leading to unwarranted stops and pat downs after an alert. Despite those concerns, Chicago renewed its contract with ShotSpotter for another two years for $2 million. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Its now been a year since a man convicted of street racing and causing a crash that killed an Albuquerque father of six never showed up for sentencing. Prosecutors told KRQE-TV on Friday that they are far from giving up on locating Francisco Reyes Merlos. We will find him. I can assure you that. It may not be tomorrow or the next day. We have leads. We will pursue this investigation, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said. Reyes Merlos will absolutely be charged with new crimes. Reyes Merlos was sentenced in February 2022 to four years in prison after entering a plea deal in the death of Travis Dehart. He had faced vehicular homicide and other charges. The judge allowed him to leave after he promised to turn himself in the following month. Authorities say Reyes Merlos was street racing in April 2019 when he crashed into Dehart and his 15-year-old daughter. The father was teaching the teen how to drive. Police say Dehart was killed instantly. The daughter was injured but survived. Investigators say Reyes Merlos was doing 89 mph down a city street. Before Reyes Merlos left the courtroom that day, he had apologized to Deharts family. Ive since then matured, and Im no longer that kid from three years ago, speeding up and down Montgomery, Reyes Merlos said at the time. Instagram Celebrity The 51-year-old, who is no stranger to calling out her daughter on social media, believes that the model's decision to reserve her cosmetic procedure is not worth celebrating. Mar 19, 2023 AceShowbiz - Tokyo Toni believes Blac Chyna's decision to reserve her cosmetic procedure isn't worth celebrating. Taking to Instagram, the 51-year-old called out people who praised her daughter for doing so. " 'Blac Chyna, this is so sweet [that] you're taking your butt shots out yo face!' Toni argued in the Friday, March 17 post. "B***h what? Really? 'Oh, we so proud of her to do that!' " Toni ended the video by proclaiming, "Y'all some clowns." Chyna has gone under the knife for butt implant removal and breast reduction. She also stopped using "long stiletto nails" which makes her feel "so free." On Wednesday, the former fiancee of Rob Kardashian informed fans that she wanted to have her face fillers dissolved. "I am getting these fillers dissolved from my cheeks and from my jawline because enough is enough and all has to come out," she said in an Instagram video. "And that's just as simple as that." Once Chyna was in the clinic, she told the doctor that she was "tired of the look" because it "totally changed" her face. "I am ready to get back to Angela. Blac Chyna is Blac Chyna and I feel like I've outgrown that and it's time for a change," she explained before the doctor started injecting the dissolver. Cosmetic procedure aside, Toni is no stranger to slamming her daughter Chyna online. The model herself has blocked her mom on social media, noting that they have "tried to work out things and whatnot." "Only thing I can do as a daughter is honestly just love her cause she's still my mom at the very end of the day," Chyna further elaborated on Jason Lee's self-titled show. "And I still love her to now, even sitting right here now. And I dont take things so much to the heart because you just never know what the next person is going through." You can share this post! Paramount Pictures Movie The new member of 'Scream' franchise felt like the 'new girl on the first day of school' but quickly felt at ease with the other cast because they were so welcoming. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Samara Weaving called herself the "new girl on the first day of school" when she got to work on "Scream VI". The "Ready or Not" actress plays Laura Crane in the latest installment of the slasher franchise and, though she was nervous about joining established cast members Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, and Melissa Barrera, she was relieved everyone was so welcoming towards her. "The cast is such a sweet group of people and they've worked together before so there was this feeling of being the new girl on the first day of school. We all went out to dinner and they were so welcoming and just a great group to work and be on set with," she told Australia's Marie Claire magazine. Samara admitted the original "Scream" film was one of her inspirations when she made her first horror movie, "Ready or Not", back in 2019. She said, "The original is so good. I love the two killers, but I especially love Drew Barrymore in the opening scene It's definitely one of my favourite movies now." While the actress was just four years old when "Scream" hit cinemas in 1996, she had another scary experience visiting the cinema that year, a family outing to see Glenn Close in "101 Dalmatians". She admitted, "I couldn't sit through it. My parents took my sister and I, and I got so scared that mum had to take me out and we sat in the lobby eating ice cream while my dad and sister watched the rest of the movie." You can share this post! Cover Images/Palace Lee Celebrity Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are revealed to have agreed to 'tenancy arrangements' on Frogmore Cottage after the couple stepped down as working royals and moved Stateside. Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not required to pay rent on their Windsor home after paying back the money used for its refurbishment. Previously living in the five-bedroom Frogmore Cottage while still working members of the royal family, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle agreed to refund the 2.4 million taxpayers had spent on refurbishing the abode when they stepped back from official duties and moved to California. While it was reported they would pay a "commercial rate" for the property - which would cost an estimated 150,000-230,000 a year, Buckingham Palace have now stated the lump-sum payment they returned wiped out their rental obligations as the money was seen as "rent in lieu." A spokesperson told the Mail on Sunday newspaper, "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a contribution of 2.4 million to the Sovereign Grant which covered the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage. They have fulfilled their financial obligations in relation to the property." "In line with usual practice for the Sovereign Grant report, the accounting treatment was scrutinised and signed off by the National Audit Office and the Treasury. As with any such agreement between landlord and tenant, further details regarding the Sussexes' tenancy arrangements would be a private matter." Harry and Meghan - who have children Prince Archie, three, and Princess Lilibet, 21 months, together - moved into the property in spring 2019 after extensive work transformed it from a number of separate properties into one large family home but, when they stepped back from royal duties the following year with plans to be "financially independent," Buckingham Palace released a statement saying it was the couple's "wish to repay Sovereign Grant expenditure for the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage, which will remain their UK family home" and they later said they would continue to pay a "commercial rate" of rent for the property. Accounts show they paid five-month rent before handing over the 2.4 million lump sum in September to cover the refurbishment costs. Official reports for the Sovereign Grant - which detail public spending on the royal family - show the money was split into three headings and recorded on two sets of accounts. The sum is listed as both "rental income" and "recharges for functions and other income" in the 2020/21 figures, and the following year the final part of the money is listed as "deferred income under current liabilities." Former Cabinet Minister and Privy Counsellor Norman Baker has blasted the deal. He said, "It is outrageous that Harry and Meghan should be able to live in a huge house on these terms while regular people struggle to put food on the table." The house is now rumored to be handed over to Prince Andrew who was fired as a working royal due to Jeffrey Epstein scandal. It's unclear whether or not he will stay there rent-free, but there is no uproar over the report that he's moving into Frogmore Cottage. You can share this post! Focus Features Movie The 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' actor loves expressing emotions with his actions and body language instead of dialogue as he plays an art thief in the psychological thriller Mar 20, 2023 AceShowbiz - Willem Dafoe found playing a largely-silent role in "Inside" a pleasure. The 67-year-old actor takes on the role of art thief Nemo, who gets trapped inside a New York penthouse when a heist goes wrong, in the new film and he insisted it didn't seem like a "challenge" having to get across his character's emotions with his actions and body language rather than dialogue. "I didn't see it as a problem or a challenge, that was the pleasure. That was the opportunity, to tell you the truth. Just a different way of doing things, not using words so much, not bouncing off other people, bouncing off of places, things, objects," he told ComingSoon.net. The movie was shot chronologically and Willem insisted the filmmaking process was an "actor's dream." He said, "It was a very task-oriented performance. That's where you start, by doing things, and then you'll have an experience, and with each choice you make, with each action you make, there's a consequence and then, story starts to emerge. So, it was a very organic way to work. We shot chronologically. So it was an actor's dream, actually, to work this way." The actor hopes the movie will raise important questions about people's relationships with technology and the darker aspects of material wealth. He said, "This guy gets trapped in this place and he's surrounded by all the things we value as objects, as material, priceless art, luxurious apartment." "But it's no use to him. What he needs are basic human things. And to see those things that we value in one context, become worthless in another context, always opens up all kinds of questions as to what their inherent value really is." "It puts us in a questioning frame of mind about things that we take for granted, and brings us to things like questions, naturally, I think, like what is our relationship to technology? We know it helps us, but what is the shadow side of that? We know art can be beautiful. We know art can become an object of wealth, but what's the shadow side of that?" "These sort of things crop up in the course of the movie, not in a didactic way or, not an explicit way, but those themes, I think, are kind of interwoven or, not even interwoven, they're present just in the scenario, and I think the audience will bring what they will to it, and have a dialogue with themselves." You can share this post! Bharat Gaurav train passengers are being welcomed with flowers at Secunderabad railway station (Deepak Deshpande/DC) HYDERABAD: The first Bharat Gaurav train for Telangana-Andhra Pradesh departed from Secunderabad station on Saturday taking over 700 passengers to places of religious importance like Puri, Konark, Gaya, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Prayagraj. The train was flagged off by South Central Railways general manager Arun Kumar Jain. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has started the Punya Kshetra Yatra taking the devotees to religious places. The tourists were welcomed with Kuchipudi dances and flowers on platform no. 10 at the station. Rama Brahamam, a designer from Hyderabad, was at the station to see off his parents who are around 80 years. "I found this package best for my parents. Even booking the tickets which include lodging and boarding was easy." The entire trip seems to be very easy with this train, said Narsimha Reddy and Srinivas Reddy. Sankuntalamma, from Nalgonda, said, "We are traveling along with relatives. The grand welcome made us feel so special." Srinivas, a State Bank of India employee who was traveling along with his family on this train said, "Its the most comfortable trip." Arun Kumar Jain, said, " The train offers a unique opportunity to pilgrim passengers to visit these prominent places without the hassle of planning individual itineraries. Bharat Gaurav trains will give a fillip to the growth of tourism in the country, while also fulfilling the desire of passengers in the most convenient manner." Rajni Hasija, CMD, IRCTC, said "the entire itinerary has been planned keeping in mind the significance of the places along with tourist interests. It provides an economical, safe, and most comfortable option for people planning to visit these places." The communist thugs controlling America's legal system have chosen to cross the Rubicon, it seems. President Trump says he will be arrested Tuesday now that New York City's corrupt, Soros-funded district attorney has cooked up some cockamamie criminal indictment against him involving Stormy Daniels the same political pawn who was already ordered to pay the president 300,000 dollars in legal fees as restitution in a prior case. If anyone needed further evidence that we reside under a post-constitutional Uniparty regime with utter disdain for the rule of law, add this to the long list of government crimes and usurpations committed against the American people. No doubt the politicians and their State-controlled agents in the press will actually hail President Trump's arrest as shimmering validation that "no one is above the law." What poppycock! What glittery abuse of power. What abominable descent into tyranny! If Bill and Hillary Clinton had ever been properly charged for their decades-long crime spree involving perjury, rape, investment swindling, real estate scams, stolen White House furniture, Chinese bribery, campaign finance violations, family foundation fraud, mishandling of classified secrets, conspiracy to defraud the United States with the Russia hoax, Epstein-linked prostitution and child-trafficking, or their uncanny proclivity for leaving a trail of dead associates in their wake, their rap sheets would stretch from here to the moon. Had Barack Obama ever had to properly answer for illicitly using the IRS, EPA, DOJ, FBI, and Intelligence Community to target, harass, and persecute his political opponents or account for his stunning success in using his political office to transition from one of America's poorest presidents to one of its wealthiest, he and his wife would not so absurdly yet flippantly claim that his presidency was aboveboard and "scandal-free." If there were not a two-tier "justice" system that exists only to protect Deep State friends and demolish Uniparty enemies, Joe Biden's notorious reputation over the last half-century as a bought-and-paid-for stooge of foreign governments and domestic crime syndicates with a family of drug users and reprobates who profit solely from his politically-protected name would have at least kept him far from the White House, if not serving time in prison. Only Donald Trump the man who donated his salary for serving the American people and who has lost a fortune parrying endless and spurious criminal, civil, and regulatory attacks finds himself in legal jeopardy, with his life, liberty, and property all on the line. Taking bribes from Chinese communists? No problem. Laundering money through Ukraine? No big deal. Fabricating an international conspiracy framing Donald Trump as a Russian spy? What's the harm? Selling America out to her enemies in Iran, China, and anywhere else politicians and their corporate patrons can make a buck? By all means! But sacrifice your security, reputation, and good fortune in order to run for office against the Uniparty's collective will and make America great again? Well, that, my friends, must be punished to the hilt, lest the American people learn to govern themselves without first consulting D.C.'s occupying forces for approval! If it were not already startlingly evident that the permanent Deep State, Uniparty, and leftist legal mercenaries had jettisoned American liberty long ago for some sinister, repressive, WEF-inspired, corporate-fascist regime, the desperate and despotic efforts to take down the one politician in America who has put himself in the crosshairs for no other reason than to save and rebuild the crumbling nation before it's too late would take the cake! Now is the time to see who stands where, whose verbiage is nothing but fluff, and whose words are backed with mightier stuff. If Republican Party leaders do nothing while the Deep State locks Trump up, then that party is dead. If Americans who claim to respect free speech say nothing while a political leader is imprisoned for his words, then their appalling silence will speak volumes. If Americans who wrap themselves in the American flag and claim to stand for liberty instead hide and wilt away, then we will know once and for all who really sacrifices for America's rights and freedoms when every day becomes Independence Day. There stands Trump, fighting the good fight, refusing to give in; now we will see where every politician, pundit, or self-proclaimed patriot stands, too. These are surely the times that try men's souls. They also provide us an opportunity to test America's leaders when times get rough and find out just whose souls are found wanting. This did not have to happen. American leaders have had many opportunities to confront evil and nip tyranny in the bud. Too many stayed quiet while the national security surveillance State worked to take down a sitting president. Too many stayed quiet while the Uniparty stole the last election. Too many stayed quiet while the Deep State censored Americans' free speech. Too many stayed quiet while leftist legal henchmen locked up J6 political prisoners for the thoughts within their heads. Too many stayed quiet when the installed president of the United States called half the country "enemies," "extremists," and "terrorists." At any point, had enough elected officials finally risen, ground their heels into the dirt, spat upon their hands, and said "no," this present tyranny would not exist. If today is not the day to stand for freedom, then freedom is in mortal danger. And any politician refusing to back up words with real action is as cowardly and worthless as the multitude of pretenders. Mike Pence likes to say he had no choice but to certify the scandal-plagued 2020 election because his constitutional obligations afforded him no other legal options. That is a debatable point, and if it were not debatable, Congress would not have spent two years crafting the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, a Uniparty gem that Biden signed into law just before the new year as part of an omnibus spending package funding the federal government. Intended to formally restrict the vice president's Electoral College certification duties to nothing more than sheer pageantry, the passage of the law certainly suggests that Congress agreed with those who have insisted that Vice President Pence could have refrained from certifying the disputed 2020 election had he possessed the intestinal fortitude to do so. Putting that legal question aside, though, here is another one: why would Vice President Pence participate in any process regardless of how he perceives his legal obligations that forces him to abandon moral conscience and ethical duty? His insistence that he had no choice in the matter smacks of the worst kind of "just following orders" devotion to the State. Surely there are higher authorities to consider than the legal counsel of Pence's personal attorneys. Surely Pence or any other politician who proclaims allegiance to American liberty knows that unjust laws are no laws at all. Surely any American leader worth his salt knows that rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God! Sir Thomas More, considered the legal luminary of his time, chose principle and beheading over betrayal of his own conscience and acquiescence to King Henry VIII. Likewise, Patrick Henry, prominent Virginia attorney and member of the House of Burgesses, declared without hesitation, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" Where are the Thomas Mores and Patrick Henrys in America today? If members of Congress roll over while President Trump is abused, then that body is a rotting corpse. When the Constitution is twisted to support something it does not, then people of principle have a duty to reject those lies. When persecutors posing as prosecutors dispense tyranny as justice, then friends of freedom must rise before despotism takes all our lives. Do not be silent before evil! Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. With sudden unseasonal rains in the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh, mango trees have lost their blossoming flowers, apart from the small-sized mango fruit. Growers are also worried that the unseasonal rains may reduce mango quality. (Representatinal DC Image) TIRUPATI: Unseasonal rains that have hit parts of Varadaiahpalem, Tada, Sullurpet, Puttur and Yerpedu areas of Tirupati district, apart from some regions of SPSR Nellore and Prakasam districts may affect the quality and quantity of mango yields. With the advent of sudden rains in the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh, hundreds of mango farmers are worried a lot. In Tirupati district, Varadaiahpalem Mandal has already received 52.2 mm of rain, followed by Tada 36.2 mm and Sullurpet 31.4 mm. In Nellore district, Seetharamapuram received 32.2 mm of rain, while Ulavapadu recorded 21.6 mm, Varikuntapadu 18.6 mm and Kandukur 14.6 mm of rain. Several areas in the Prakasam district too received rain. As a result, mango trees have lost their blossoming flowers, apart from the small-sized mango fruit. Growers are also worried that the unseasonal rains may reduce mango quality. N. Narayana Harish, a mango grower from Tirupati Rural, said: "Mango supplies will increase in the market in the coming days. But there will be a decline in quality and demand. As a result, prices may fall," he observed. During the next 48 hours, Meteorological Department has predicted further rains accompanied by high-speed winds in East Rayalaseema districts. Severe weather conditions may lead to further shedding of the blooms, thereby inflicting irreversible damage. As per horticulture experts, last year's mango output declined due to late blooming and fruiting, high use of pesticides during the first spray, and increase in the number of male flowers. This year, however, the rainy season had been good, followed by a mild winter. This resulted in abundant blossoming in mango trees. While producers had been anticipating a good output, unseasonal rains have raised concerns. Mangoes are grown over 2.76 lakh acres in Chittoor, Tirupati and some parts of Annamaiah districts. The delicious fruit is shipped not just across the country but internationally. Chittoor's Totapari variety mangoes attract traders from neighbouring Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, as well as Maharashtra, Punjab, and Madhya Pradesh. From Just the News, March 18: Former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton said Saturday on CNN that if prosecutors indict President Trump but fail to convict him, he could get back in the White House. "Having very much in mind the one rule of law for everybody, if they indict and fail to convict in New York, I think historians will look back and say that this is the act that re-elected Donald Trump president," Bolton said. Perhaps the usually anti-Trump Bolton misspoke. Perhaps he intended to say former president Trump will be elected to a second term if he campaigns from a New York prison cell, provided, of course, he does not strangle himself with his bed sheet first. Does anyone really believe a carefully selected New York County (Manhattan) Supreme Court jury would acquit Donald J. Trump of any alleged criminal offense? The result of a New York County criminal trial of Mr. Trump is as predictable as a result of a Trump rump trial in Washington, D.C. How can the Democrat political machine in Manhattan not get a Trump conviction, given that Biden got nearly 87% of the Manhattan vote on November 3, 2020? And President Trump got less than 13% of the Manhattan vote in 2020. (Please see the presidential vote totals for New York County (Manhattan) in this Wikipedia link.) What does this forthcoming indictment signal if not the establishment's intent on rigging the 2024 presidential election by means of a phony-baloney political indictment? Consider the reaction of Prof. Alan Dershowitz to a Trump indictment based on the Stormy Daniels matter, long ago buried, but now revived by Manhattan D.A. Bragg. This is "targeted injustice" according to Dershowitz. Note that only John Solomon's Just the News website carried Prof. Dershowitz's response. Generally, the media as usual are compliant with a Deep State move against the former president. What better indication of how utterly unjust the justice system in deep red country when it comes to matters concerning Mr.Trump? Mr. Trump predicts he will be placed under arrest Tuesday, March 21, and calls on supporters to protest. Look for "Jan. 6" to be replaced by "Mar. 21" as the date of MAGA "insurrection" by the totalitarian forces in the country. Perhaps what John Bolton really meant to tell CNN about a Trump indictment is that if the totalitarians prevail in making a political prisoner of Donald J. Trump, then, quite obviously, we are no longer a land of liberty. Coda: Quite soon after I submitted this draft, the Washington Times reported that House speaker Kevin McCarthy denounced a forthcoming Trump indictment as interfering with the 2024 presidential election. He also criticized Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg for "an outrageous abuse of power." Good for Mr. McCarthy. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Last March, the Federal Election Commission fined Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign $8,000 and the Democratic National Committee $105,000. Their crimes were the obscuring of their funding for the infamous "Steele dossier." The Clinton campaign attempted to disguise payments to Steele as "legal services" and "legal and compliance consulting" in campaign filings. Lawyers working for the Democrats in 2016 hired research firm Fusion GPS to investigate Trump. The firm then paid former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele and his company, Orbis Business Intelligence, to conduct opposition research. The Steele dossier was replete with spurious claims and conspiracy theories. It was passed on to politicized government agencies which used it as one of the reasons to spur the Mueller probe. The probe lasted for almost two years, cost $32 million of taxpayer funds, and hung like a sword over the Trump presidency. The vast disinformation campaign was the first step by the Democrats towards outlawing political opposition. But nobody was punished for this. The subsequent Durham probe has yielded nothing so far and is unlikely to in the future. Hillarys campaign paid Christopher Steele via her campaign for the dodgy dossier of falsehoods and then mischaracterized the expense as legal service payments. Yet all that Hillary, her campaign, and the Democrats received was a symbolic slap on the wrist in the form of a fine. Now about President Trump: It is being reported that Trump could be indicted in the coming week. President Trump himself has said he could face arrest this week. What is Trumps crime? Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen (whom Robert Mueller deemed a non-credible witness earlier) alleged that Trump directed him to make the hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election campaign. Daniels claims she had an affair with the former president, which Trump has denied. Cohen claimed the Trump Organization reimbursed him for the payment to Daniels and cited it as legal expenses. Driving this witch hunt against Trump is Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and even the Washington Post has raised questions about the merit of the case. There is one report that his office is now "in chaos." Legal egalitarianism is a fundamental tenet of any civilized democracy. The punishment must be based on the crime and not the individual committing it. But these immutable standards are gradually being abandoned by the Democrats. Consequently, the U.S. is looking like a third-world totalitarian dictatorship where political opponents face the wrath of the law and government agencies on political grounds. In the past, there have been Democrat and Republican presidents, but none have ever faced criminal charges despite committing violations during their presidencies. So why is Trump a target? For that, we have to look at the record of these previous presidents who have received favorable treatment. Irrespective of their party affiliation, on major issues such as big government, open borders, amnesty to illegal aliens, crony capitalism, and gratuitous foreign wars, they all share a consensus. They may have minor differences on silly social issues that are inconsequential. Trump was the only modern president to not start a new foreign war nor escalate an existing war. Trump attempted to protect the border. Trump empowered people with his robust economy. Trump talks about draining the swamp and ending the monopoly of the bloated and politized government agencies. It was reported that he has a plan in place to dismantle the deep state. The Washington Democrat establishment simply cannot risk having Trump as president again; they have earned their monopoly after decades of efforts and shady tactics, and they will not let go easily. There are other perils related to a potential arrest of Trump. The Democrats failed to push their 'January 6 deadly insurrection or Assault on democracy narrative despite their prolonged show trial and relentless media coverage. Recently Tucker Carlson debunked some of the falsehoods used to propagate the deadly insurrection narrative. If Trump is indeed arrested and his supporters decide to engage in protest, there could be a serious risk. The Democrats always have their rioter wings on standby and we have seen that on multiple occasions. All they have to do is order their thugs to infiltrate these peaceful protests and engage in violence. They could even stage a riot, following the Jussie Smollett style of a hoax by giving rioters MAGA hats and making them shout pro-Trump slogans as they wreak havoc. This could be used as an excuse for another round of crackdowns against political opponents, except that they could claim the peril is nationwide. Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) is already pushing this claim when President Trump has called upon his supporters to protest when he is arrested. They could push this domestic terrorist narrative and add white supremacy to it and use it to declare an emergency. Since the pandemic, the Democrats realized how they can use emergencies as an excuse to trample over civil rights and liberties and expand their powers. The Democrats know that their P.R. wing, which masquerades as the media, is always there to amplify their falsehoods, make justifications for all of their actions, and portray them in a favorable light, no matter what they do. The Democrats know that government agencies that are meant to be watchdogs on behalf of the citizenry have become their lapdogs. These lapdogs obsequiously wag their tails when they see their Democrat masters in anticipation of a biscuit. This is a national crisis like never before. Image: Twitter screen shot Few would dispute Leonardo da Vincis preeminence as one of the top thinkers and artists of the Renaissance era. According to an Italian professor, da Vinci may have been only half-Italian. The professor contends that da Vincis mother may have been a slave from the Circassia region in what is now Russia. That fact is worth contemplating when we think about the lefts desperation to do away with Christianity, fossil fuel, and capitalism. This new take on da Vincis heritage comes from research among hitherto unseen documents: Leonardo da Vincis mother was kidnapped and enslaved as a teenager in the Caucasus and sent to Italy, a new analysis of nearly 600-year-old documents suggests. The documents, discovered by an Italian historian, suggest that da Vincis mother, Caterina, was kidnapped and torn from her home by the Black Sea in Circassia before being shipped to Venice. [snip] If theyre accurate, it would mean that Leonardo da Vinci, considered to be one of the greatest painters and scientists of the Italian Renaissance, was only half-Italian. Carlo Vecce, the documents finder and a professor of Italian literature at the University LOrientale of Naples, has used the discovery as the subject of a historical novel. The book called Il Sorriso di Caterina(opens in new tab), or The Smile of Caterina, the Mother of Leonardo contains factually accurate details from his research, Vecce said. The findings, however, have yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Leonardos mother was a Circassian slave, Vecce said at a news conference on Tuesday (Mar. 14). Taken from her home in the Caucasus Mountains, sold and resold several times in Constantinople, then Venice, before finally arriving in Florence, where she met a young notary, Piero da Vinci, who was Leonardos father. Read more here. Image: Leonardo da Vinci portrait by Francesco Melzi. Whether this revised history is correct or not, its useful to remind all of us that slavery was not a uniquely American institution. It was ubiquitous in the pre-modern world. Every society, at every time and in every place, had slaves. There were logical reasons for slavery. Pre-modern societies, even the affluent ones, always existed at the subsistence level. One unduly cold, wet, or dry year could spark a famine. That meant that, when these societies went to war, the idea of keeping prisoners of war was laughable. Unless those captured were rich men who could be held for ransom, the only options were to kill them or to utilize themthat is, to enslave them. What the leftists ignore in their headlong rush to do away with fossil fuel is that humans have always needed energy sources to elevate themselves even slightly above an existence greater than the apes from which they descended. Windmills and waterwheels provided some energy, but it was insufficient for the needs of growing societies. The only alternative energy on which people could draw was the brute strength of others, whether beasts of burden (e.g., horses, mules, oxen) or fellow humans. What ended slavery was a combination of three things: Christianity, fossil fuel, and capitalism. Christianity, of course, painted slavery as a moral evil. Factories running on steam, coal and, eventually, fossil fuel were able to outproduce slavery. In the beginning, though, while still in thrall to a slave mentality, factory owners treated their employees despicably, turning them into underpaid, overworked wage slaves. However, the increase in the standard of living brought about by fossil fuel and burgeoning capitalism turned the table on wage slavery, righting the balance of power between employer and employee. And that, my friends, is the lesson to be drawn from potential new evidence about Leonardo da Vincis mother, the possible slave: Christianity, fossil fuel, and capitalism, all of which leftists aggressively seek to overthrow, are why we dont have slaves in America today. As numerous right-minded (note: those not led by Democrats!) states take legal steps my home state of Georgia being one of those to protect children from radical and irreversible medical "transgender" procedures, this past Friday (3/17/2023), the largest newspaper in Georgia, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), published an article littered with pro-transgender propaganda. The article is entitled "Trans kids say they have target on their back with GOP initiative." The authors spend many of their words detailing the lives of several "transgender" youths in Georgia, who supposedly would be harmed by legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable children. The article does rightly note that the Georgia bill "would ban health care professionals from giving hormones such as estrogen or testosterone to transgender minors. Doctors also would not be allowed to perform surgeries on children seeking to align with their gender identity." One of the biggest bits of propaganda that runs throughout the piece is the idea that giving hormone treatments and radical cosmetic surgery to children is "health care." It is not "health care" to mutilate and disfigure children. It is child abuse and should be treated as such. The article details children as young as five years old whose foolish parents subjected them to a "gender transition." The authors write: Jen Slipakoff, a Kennesaw resident, said her daughter [sic] first started talking about being transgender when she [sic] was 5. Up until then she [sic] had been raised as a boy. She's [sic] 15 now. "We already knew exactly what was happening before she [sic] ever said anything," Slipakoff said. "She [sic] has an older brother, so our house was full of traditional boys toys. And our daughter [sic] would play with those toys in a very different way than our son was. She [sic] would take her little soldiers shopping instead of putting them on the battlefield. She [sic] was always drawn to what we would consider traditional girls toys and traditional female clothing." When she [sic] turned 5, she [sic] asked her [sic] mother to change her [sic] name. The article also reports on a family with two "transgender" children: Someone who is nonbinary doesn't identify as strictly male or female. Dare, a 16-year-old from Dacula who uses "they" as their [sic] pronoun, said they were [sic] about 10 when they [sic] started to think they [sic] may be nonbinary. "I've always been gender neutral my whole life," Dare said. "My mom talks about how, when I was really little, I would pick toys from the boys aisle and the girls aisle." Dare and their [sic] sibling, a 13-year-old transgender boy [sic] named Jay, told their parents about their gender identities about the same time in 2020. Imagine that! Two "transgender" kids from the same family! As historically rare as is "transgenderism," this would be a near statistical impossibility unless, of course, something else is up, which the AJC ignores. On the occurrence of "transgenderism," Kimberly Klacik recently asked an important question with a telling answer. She asked, "Why aren't kids in the hood transitioning to the opposite sex? I know the answer, just wanted to see if you knew." Interestingly, an excellent answer came from Sara Higdon, a self-described "transexual, Catholic, Veteran, minarchist/voluntaryist" who also happens to be a contributor to "Gays Against Groomers." Answering Mrs. Klacik, Higdon writes: Well because the typical demographic is upper middle class white kids of progressive parents, for two reasons. They have time and money to worry about such things, and have been conditioned to believe through Critical Theory that they are an oppressor and there is no way they can ever escape that status, so they see this as a way to join an oppressed class for which they are celebrated for instead of condemned. It's the relationship between CRT and Queer theory. Want to guess in what demographic Jen Slipakoff resides? (This will give you some clues.) The transgender craze sweeping America and various other parts of the world is not a medical phenomena, but rather a social contagion, fueled by the evil LGBT arm of the radical left, and aided and abetted by the likes of the AJC. The biggest lie behind the transgender agenda is the notion that one can change one's sex. The facts on who is a male and who is a female are one of the oldest truths in the history of humanity. We shouldn't need legislation to protect children from the wicked lie that sex change is possible, but the left has brought us to this point. Lastly, as Mrs. Slipakoff spoke before the Georgia Senate regarding the legislation, the AJC reported her saying, I'm happy to report, she [sic] has never been bullied by her [sic] classmates[.] ... That's not to say she [sic] doesn't have bullies. Here in this room right now, they sponsored this bill and they're the ones that are going to vote for it. ... She [sic] doesn't want and she [sic] doesn't need your protection. She [sic] wants you to leave her alone. Likewise, in one of the comments on the AJC article which was a response to another comment someone identified as "Benjamin McKoon" wrote, "Ever thought, hmmm... I wonder if this is any of my business??? Nope? Then shut the f--- up and leave the kids alone inbred idiot." As the evil LGBT agenda has progressed throughout the U.S. the last several decades, "Just leave us alone!" or something similar has been a frequent cry from LGBT activists. However, as I've often pointed out, "live and let live" has never been a hallmark of the LGBT agenda. This is quite evident if we only look at what's occurred recently on the issue of "transgenderism." "Just deal with it" was how a deluded Massachusetts male who's competing as a female and helping his school win a state title this year put it when asked about boys competing against girls in sanctioned competitions. To help paint "transgenders" as being "targeted" in Georgia, the AJC article makes mention of how Georgia law, and the Georgia High School Association, requires athletes "to compete based on their biological sex." How do you think Atlanta LGBT activists would respond to being told to "just deal with it" when it comes to this policy? As was recently reported at Twitchy, the American left is filled with LGBT "mind your own business" hypocrites: The radical trans Left loves to tell anyone who raises moral and ethical questions about the movement to mind their own business. Meanwhile, it's the radical trans Left that insists on making themselves a part of everyone's business literally: "Now bake us a cake bigot" What? No. "Stop playing that video game bigot" What? "Do not misgender me or we will ticket and fine you. Also get you fired" You said for me to just mind my business. "Pay for our surgeries" Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) February 10, 2023 Georgia's legislators, and our governor, Brian Kemp, need to stand strong in the face of the AJC's transgender propaganda and protect children from the hideous lies of the transgender agenda. Trevor Grant Thomas: At the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America. tthomas@trevorgrantthomas.com Image via Pxhere. Professor Jonathan Turley, one of the few brave honest liberals in academia, is far too nice a person to speak with utter contempt in his voice. But the substance of what he has to say about the indictment and pending arrest of former President Donald J. Trump exposes contemptible behavior on the part of the New State justice system. In two brief clips from an interview he did Saturday with Molly Line of Fox News, he exposes the flimsiness of the case against Trump and the illicit origin of the indictment. First, how Trump could end up convicted even though the charges are likely to get thrown out on appeal: (rush transcript via Grabien) LINE: I just want to get your thoughts on the motivations of prosecutors may have as we look ahead to what could be a pretty interesting week here in Manhattan. TURLEY: Is the ultimate grave digger indictment. They literally dug up a claim, a theory from 2016. A theory that the Department of Justice decided did not work prosecution. And Braggs own predecessor, of course, did not bring this case. It is really something that is really painfully obvious as a political prosecution in my view. It is a very weak case legally. This is a misdemeanor under New York law that they hope to convert into a felony. By essentially prosecuting a federal crime the Justice Department declined to bring. In prosecution. That is going to be a hard thing to sell to some judges. But they might succeed. You cannot pick a better jurisdiction for the judges or juries in New York, obviously. This is the nightmare jury pool for Donald Trump. And he has to take this seriously. This is found to be a class c felony. I think the recommended minimum is a year in jail. There are serious risks here. There are also serious flaws in this indictment. I am not entirely sure Bragg did not run out of time. Think their strong arguments to make the statute of limitations ran on this claim. Perhaps even more interesting to me, and providing a telling talking point for President Trump, is how DA Bragg (who was elected with a million dollars of support from George Soros funneled through the Color of Change PAC) originally passed on the indictment but was forced into it by a book written by a fired subordinate, that Turley regards as ethically suspect. (Grabien rush transcript) LINE: You talk about time. Why now? TURLEY: Molly, that is the question. Because Bragg himself threw a flag on this play. I mean, he stopped the two prosecutors who were moving toward a trial. They resigned in protest. One of them then wrote a book. In my view, that book was deeply improper and unprofessional. The book was about prosecuting someone who had not been charged, let alone convicted. But it triggered a huge amount of pressure on Bragg. It does appear that it works. He then proceeded to bring this case. Photo credit: Grabien screengrab Illegal aliens, brimming with a sense of entitlement, have gotten aggressive lately. On March 13, thousands pushed their way through barriers into El Paso, demanding asylum in the U.S. and saying the Joe Biden app for applying for asylum was too jammed to work, while the prospect of literally waiting in line was too much to ask. "Open the doors to your country," the migrants shouted, not in English, of course. This attitude issue comes as a new border surge is on its way. According to the Wall Street Journal, 49,291 migrants have crossed into the Darien Gap in southern Panama from Colombia in the first two months of the year, braving snakes, poison frogs, jaguars, mud, pirates, criminals, angry Indian tribes, and drug cartels to make their way north to the U.S. That's more than five times as many as the 8,964 who crossed last year. Most who survive will be single, military-aged young men. And those are far from the only ones on their way here. Many are coming in from the northern border, others are coming in by boats, some are getting in through Alaska, and many more are using Mexico as a transit country, avoiding the dangerous Darien Gap. As for the border itself, the Wall Street Journal reports that it's now become a zone of death: EAGLE PASS, TexasLocal officials keep a refrigerated truck to hold the bodies of migrants who drown in the currents of the Rio Grande while trying to cross the border into the U.S. Across the river, families having picnics or walking along the waterfront promenade of Piedras Negras, Mexico, say they sometimes see bodies floating by or bobbing among the reeds under a bridge. We had times when we received four or five bodies a week, said Hugo Gonzalez, owner of Funerarias Gonzalez in Piedras Negras. At one point, there were a lot of corpses and there was nowhere to put them. We just didnt have enough refrigerators at the funeral home. A spike in deaths along the most dangerous stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border reflects the escalating number of migrants seeking to cross into the U.S. from troubled home countries. At the same time, U.S. immigration policies are allowing fewer of them legal entry. Many migrants have turned to human smugglers and WhatsApp messages to help them navigate more lightly patrolledand treacheroussections of the border to enter illegally, U.S. officials said. The bodies of more than 890 migrants, a record number, were recovered by U.S. authorities along the border in the 2022 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, according to the Biden administration, a 58% increase over 2021. They drowned in fast-moving sections of the Rio Grande or, after successfully crossing, died falling from cliffs along mountain passes or from dehydration while lost, said U.S. border agents and police who recover the bodies. Hundreds more were reported missing. Obviously, Joe Biden's claim that illegal border crossings have fallen sharply was another of his gaslights. The mixed messages that Biden is sending to migrants is fueling a late surge of illegal border crossers that won't let up any time soon. On the one hand, he's laid out easy-peasy asylum policies -- all an illegal border crosser has to do is to get into the U.S., for free, is to say the magic word "asylum," and he'll be let in for as long as it takes for an immigration court to adjudicate his case. He can also look forward to nobody looking to deport him in a few years if the court rejects his case, because the Biden administration isn't bothering with "longtime residents," claiming that it has bigger priorities. On the other hand, Biden is starting to create the appearance of clamping down on illegal border crossings as the 2024 election approaches. In January, Biden announced this: My message is this, he said. If youre trying to leave Cuba, Nicaragua or Haiti, or have agreed to begin a journey to America, do not, do not just show up at the border. In a concession designed to offset the humanitarian impact of the new restrictions, Mr. Biden said that as many as 30,000 people per month from the four countries would be given the chance to migrate legally to the United States if they have the means to afford a plane ticket, get a sponsor, download an app, pass a background check and meet other requirements. And the Haitian migrant response? Haitians make up the biggest group that has embarked on the dangerous trek that can last four or five days through thick rainforest infested with poisonous snakes and cocaine-trafficking gangs. In January and February, 16,744 Haitians crossed the Darien Gap, up from 1,101 in the year-earlier period, according to the immigration data. Haitians have been fleeing their impoverished Caribbean nation, which has been battered by growing violence and social unrest since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Haitians who moved to South American countries such as Brazil and Chile in recent years have also been heading north. Seems they know enough about Joe Biden to ignore what he commands. Country-shoppers in search of the best value, multi-state border crossers, people who have already been granted asylum elsewhere, people with every intention of flying back and forth from the U.S. to the country they supposedly fled in terror, based on their asylum claims, people who wave the flag of the country they are desperate not to be sent back to, are among the Haitians who have surged in response to Joe's self-vaunted migrant solution. You can bet there are similar dynamics among the Venezuelan, Nicaraguan, and Cuban border crossers in the same Biden program. At Biden's State of the Union, he claimed his "solution" was working: Weve launched a new border plan last month. Unlawful migration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela has come down 97 percent as a consequence of that. And according to the Dallas Morning News, Biden's minions insisted: The Biden administration says the latest data highlight that expanding lawful, orderly pathways to enter the United States results in fewer people risking their lives to sneak into the country illegally. But the other facts and data tell a different story. Instead of fewer migrants based on Biden's 30,000 asylum-seekers through the app plan, it's exponentially ... more. According to ABC News, the numbers look like this: Agents detained migrants more than 2.5 million times at the southern border in 2022, including more than 250,000 in December, the highest on record. According to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, Border Patrol agents stopped migrants about 130,000 times in February, similar to January. So much for near-zero crossings, as Joe Biden claimed. In addition, the Border Patrol chief says the situation is out of control. Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee are looking to turn up the heat on DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in the wake of bombshell testimony from Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz that the chairman of the committee described as "earth-shattering." Ortiz had been the main witness at the committees field hearing in McAllen, Texas, on Wednesday and had bucked the administration on a number of issues. Ortiz told lawmakers that he disagreed with President Bidens call to stop wall construction, said there were policies in place that were holding agents back from doing their job, and backed agents who had falsely been accused of whipping Haitian migrants. But the takeaway from lawmakers was Ortizs statement that the U.S. does not have operational control of the border a statement that contradicted what Mayorkas told lawmakers last year and that multiple sectors were overwhelmed by the historic migrant flows being encountered. "In five of those nine southwest border sectors, we have seen an increase in flow and that has caused a considerable strain on our resources and really has forced the Border Patrol to move so agents and even migrants to some of the other areas," he said in response to a question about whether the border is secure. It may well be that migrants are reading that Biden's easy-entry border policies are about to end and the drawbridge is going up soon, which would explain why so many are coming now in order to get in while they can. That's a natural trigger for a surge. But wait -- the Biden message to migrants is even further mixed by his other inchoate plans. According to the Washington Post: The administration is also bracing for a potential migration surge after May 11, the date it has set for the expiration of pandemic-related health restrictions along the border. Migrants are not stupid. They know that when the gates open again, they'd better be near the front of the pack for any chance to bust their way in. It may well be that the 49,000 heading up from the Darien Gap are coming because they know that Biden will soon open the gates again by ending Title 42 come May and they don't want to wait for the next bid to shut that pathway down. Biden's proposal to deny the right to apply for asylum to applicants who have crossed multiple borders to get to the U.S., instead of fled to the first safe country of refuge, the way real refugees do, is apparently still just a proposal, a sop to win over border state voters perhaps, without it ever going beyond being a proposal. That may be Biden's plan all along -- make a tough border proposal that won't be followed through on -- solely to ensure the "optics." A former Obama official, Dan Restrepo, who's been wrong about everything in the past, claimed that open borders weren't the problem at all, just the public relations: Dan Restrepo, a top White House adviser on Latin America during Barack Obamas presidency, believes the American public will accept high levels of immigration if a systematic process can be followed. The challenge in managing migration is the sense of chaos and disorder that can be created by images of overwhelmed processing facilities and the like at the physical border, he said. Its less the numbers and more the imagery that bothers voters. Pull down the shades and pretend the train is moving, as the old Brezhnev joke goes. Pay lip service to border security, and by actions, get the word out to migrants that the border's open. That's how Biden has created the makings of what may be the biggest border surge of all. It's coming, it's costly and Joe Biden is the one behind it. Image: Screen shot from CNN/Reuters video, via YouTube My mom used a pressure cooker that was the terror of the household. It bounced around all over the counter and, unless the heat was applied and the pressure released with incredible care, it was like having a bomb in the kitchen. When I look at what the Democrats are doing in America, I am reminded of that pressure cooker. Their latest scheme is to arrest Trump even as they announce that they are doubling down on persecuting the almost entirely peaceful J6 protesters who unwittingly trespassed in the Capitol. The first action builds pressure; the second denies Americans their constitutional safety valve. I fear that this cannot end well. Lets think about the chronology just to make sure we understand whats going on: The Tea Party emerged in 2009. Even though its rallies were peaceful and always left the rally locations immaculate, Democrats in and out of the media described Tea Partiers as dangerous, racist, wild-eyed activists. The template was in place. Trump mulled the idea of running for president, and leftists were initially excited because they foresaw an easy Hillary victory against him. Trump became the primary candidate, the crowds turning out for him were unprecedented, and Hillary was revealed to have violated multiple national security laws, only to limp into the election thanks to a James Comey fix. Trump won, and Democrats had a massive, very public, complete mental breakdown. Shortly before Trump entered office, high-level Democrats (Hillary? Obama?) instituted what came to be the Russia collusion hoax. These ordinary Americans at a Tea Party protest in 2009 are the same ones the Democrats targeted on J6 and are targeting now. Photo by a1mega. CC BY 2.0. Despite the Russia collusion hoax, the Ukraine phone call hoax, a failed impeachment, and myriad other faux scandals, Trump looked like a shoo-in for reelection. The economy was booming, China was being constrained, illegal immigration was diminishing, peace was blossoming in the Middle East, and there were no new wars or concentration camps. Something needed to be done. Enter COVID. Democrats use COVID to shut down the economy, close schools, censor speech, and institute mail-in balloting that, in many states, was illegal according to their own constitutions. Most significantly, they use the self-inflicted death of a felon with major heart disease whod taken fatal levels of illegal drugs as an excuse to launch the BLM revolution. And it was a revolution, designed to overthrow the government through hysterical racial division and attacks on Americas infrastructure: cities burned, and activists targeted the White House, law enforcement, and the federal judiciary. (Remember the Portland federal courthouse siege?) The election results are ludicrous. A hugely successful president who managed rallies with tens of thousands of people despite COVID and who had caused significant numbers of minorities to cross to his side lost to a corrupt, demented, racist, and very stupid puppet who campaigned from his basement, in an election riddled with manifest problems, everything from mail-in voting (with all the evidence and envelopes immediately and illegally destroyed), to counting stoppages in the middle of the night. Trump asks people to protest, clearly meaning a peaceful, First Amendment protest, something he emphasized several times on January 6. Cheerful, non-violent people head to the Capitol to make their voices heard. Unbeknownst to them, theyve been set up. Despite warnings about potential violence, Nancy Pelosi refuses more security and keeps the Capitol Police in the dark. Operatives tell Trump supporters to enter the Capitol, remove the no trespassing signs, and force entry into the building. Two weeks ago, by showing that the QANON shaman narrative was a lie, Tucker Carlson busted the cornerstone of the J6 narrative. Remember, as the law has said for over 300 years, Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus (False in one thing, false in everything.) Then, two things just happened simultaneously, one of which you know and one of which you may not know: You already know that Trump announced last week that hes about to be arrestedon a charge Manhattan DA Bragg must know is invalidand he asks people to protest: What you may not know is that at roughly the same time, the DOJ warned the D.C. federal court that, despite already charging more than 1,000 people for unwittingly entering the Capitol on J6 (thanks to those unindicted operatives), it still plans to indict more than 1,000 other people on J6 charges. Democrats have created a situation in which Trump supporters will inevitably protest (egged on by Trump himself), and theyre making it plain that they will destroy anyone who protests this time around. Conservatives are about to be caught in an incredibly dangerous pincer move. The fact is that whats happening is deserving of protest. What were seeing is that, to those in power, there are two legal systems in America. Democrats have demanded the de-incarceration of violent criminals, defunded the police, refused to arrest or charge the BLM and Antifa activists who caused billions of dollars of damage and dozens of deaths, stopped enforcing our border laws, and given a pass to everyone from Hillary Clinton to the Biden family for corruption and national security violations. Meanwhile, theyre suddenly all about law and order when it comes to entrapping and destroying the common people who, by exercising their First Amendment rights, stand between Democrats and total political power. This is creating a dangerously volatile situation that Democrats only think they can control. When legal, unarmed, only marginally violent protests are turned into the most dangerous insurrection since the civil war, the Democrats have effectively closed a safety valve available only in free societies. Now, theyre making it plain that they intend to increase the pressure while still keeping the valve closed. Unless conservatives thread this needle with incredible wisdom, Im afraid that the pressure in America may build to uncontrollable levels. There is already more than enough hyperbole surrounding the transgenderism controversy, so this commentary will focus less on the moral and political aspects of the emotional controversy, and more on the sedate and sober implications of sociology. Wait! Just in case you're thinking, how boring, we're going to include an NSA (National Security Agency) report on UFOs. No, really even though the two may be unrelated, the principles governing one study are strikingly similar to the other. To anyone older than fifty years, the arrival of the transgender ideology, and the ferocity of its advocacy, is vastly more earth-shaking than many younger people, already having been exposed to leftist propaganda all their lives, will understand. Many of them have suffered serious penalties for even the slightest, most reasonable doubts about that propaganda, but that is the case only because of the widespread acceptance of, and faith in, leftist dogma. It is never to be questioned, not even in the slightest. If you do not march in Nazi-like lockstep, then you are called, ironically, a Nazi. In 1965, a man named Lambros D. Callimahos was working as a cryptologist with the NSA. He produced a seminal paper on how the United States should, and indeed must, for the sake of national survival, study what was then known as the UFO (more recently UAP) phenomenon. As I read excerpts from that highly influential paper, I became struck as to how closely his words in the sixties could apply in the 2020s to the transgender movement and, allow me to reiterate, apart from the moral and political aspects, which generate such intense emotion. First, Callimahos addressed the question of how many UFO reports might be hoaxes. He said, If UFOs, contrary to all indications and expectations, are indeed hoaxes hoaxes of a worldwide dimension hoaxes of increasing frequency, then a human mental aberration of alarming proportions would seem to be developing. Such an aberration would seem to have serious implications for nations equipped with nuclear toys and should require immediate and careful study by scientists. The only hoax attributable to the transgender phenomenon is that men can become women, and vice versa. This is not to say that gender dysphoria is not a serious medical and/or psychological affliction needing compassionate intervention. It is to say that the correct treatment is rarely, if ever, irreversible mutilation or profoundly consequential hormonal treatment especially by allowing naturally gullible and immature children to make life-changing decisions that are too often profoundly regretted. Clearly, to us old folks, society has already undergone a "mental aberration of alarming proportions." The dilemma is no longer that of a young, impressionable child, but that of a largely delusional society. The next quote from Callimahos is equally prescient. If UFOs did turn out to be largely illusionary, the psychological implications for man would certainly bring into strong question his ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. The negative effect on man's ability to survive in an increasingly complex world would be considerable making it imperative that such a growing impairment of the human capacity for rational judgment be subjected to immediate and thorough scientific study so that the illness could be controlled before it reaches epidemic proportions. We may be beyond that point by now. How much more delusional can a society become than to imagine that manhood and womanhood are merely subjective? When we allow the rare exception to become the rule, to require society to kneel, as did (albeit voluntarily) Drew Barrymore before trans activist Dylan Mulvaney, then we are on the cusp of being compelled, by law, to act against our most strongly held beliefs. The final quote I will present addressed the question of what has historically happened whenever a technologically advanced civilization has encountered one less advanced. In many cases, the less technological culture disappears, subsumed into the dominant one, losing its language and laws, contributing only subliminal vestiges of its heritage to the society that proverbially writes the history books. Only in rare cases, such as in postwar Japan, can a conquered society retain most of its identity. Do the captivity characteristics of modern civilization cause a similar lessening of man's adaptive capability, of his health, of his ability to recognize reality, of his ability to survive? In our case, we are the ones who have been conquered. There is no overnight form of revolution, whether peaceful or not, upon which we can pin our hopes for a return to normalcy. Imitating what Japan did, we must find a way to yield only what we absolutely must, and entrench, where we can, the principles that make America great. When eventually we do encounter alien civilizations, we will need those skills. Image via Needpix. Former president Trump has a big week coming. As I understand, he is going to be arrested and indicted on Tuesday: Former President Donald Trump said leaks indicate that he will be arrested on Tuesday next week after reports said the Manhattan District Attorney's office is preparing to issue an indictment for alleged hush money payments Trump made as a presidential candidate in 2016. On Saturday morning, Trump posted about the possible indictment on Truth Social, indicating that he will be "ARRESTED ON TUESDAY." We will wait for that to happen. In the meantime, the former president has a big date in Texas. This is the story: Former President Donald Trump will be holding the first rally of his 2024 campaign later this month in Waco. The rally, announced Friday, will be held the evening of March 25 in a Republican state where the former president has a large following, increasing the chances of a packed house. The rally comes as Trump is facing the possibility of becoming the first former president in U.S. history to be indicted, with law enforcement officials in New York currently making security preparations for the possibility of legal action in the coming weeks. Honestly, I have not been watching the Trump rallies this year. However, I can't wait for this speech. My good guess is that most of people at the rally will welcome #45 and talk about a double-standard of justice. It's not only the good people of Waco; even Elon Musk has problems with the rumored indictment. Mr. Musk believes that it will put Mr. Trump back in the White House. I am not familiar with the Stormy Daniels story, but it does not rise to the level where you would arrest a former president. Of course, I am assuming that the people making this decision to indict are rational people. They are not, and they have painted themselves in a corner by talking so much about the case. PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (PTI file image) NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Fumio Kishida will hold talks in the national capital on Monday during which both leaders are expected to discuss developments related to the Indo-Pacific region, including increasing Chinese military assertiveness and Japanese development assistance to India in several sectors. Mr Kishida will reach New Delhi on Monday morning and return on Tuesday morning. During the meeting, both the Prime Ministers are expected to discuss bilateral ties in a wide range of areas, covering defence and security, trade and investment, science and technology, education, healthcare and critical and emerging technologies. The meeting between the two Prime Ministers is being held at a time when India and Japan are holding the presidencies of the G-20 and G7, respectively. The visit of the Japanese PM is expected to give both countries an opportunity to cooperate and discuss how the G-20 and G7 can work together on critical global issues, including food and health security, energy transitions and economic security. It may be noted that India and Japan share a special strategic and global partnership. Bilateral ties were elevated to "global partnership" in 2000, "strategic and global partnership" in 2006 and "special strategic and global partnership" in 2014. Japan is a close partner with which India has both an annual summit and a 2+2 foreign and defence ministerial meeting. Last year, Mr Modi met the Japanese PM thrice Mr Kishida visited India for the 14th annual summit in March, Mr Modi visited Tokyo in May for the Quad Summit and he visited Tokyo again in September for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The foreign ministers of both nations had also recently decided to ramp up bilateral defence ties. It may be noted that defence and security cooperation has emerged as one of the most important pillars of the bilateral special strategic and global partnership and an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. According to observers, the successful conduct of the first fighter aircraft exercise "Veer Guardian" in January 2023 in Japan between the two countries was a significant milestone and was followed closely by the fourth "Dharma Guardian" army exercise, which was conducted for the first time in Japan. Maritime security cooperation, including Navy-to-Navy cooperation, has seen significant progress with a large number of exercises being conducted. In November last year, India took part in the international fleet review in Japan and the Malabar exercise off the coast of Japan. This was preceded by the JIMEX between our two navies in September. Both nations are also making steady progress under the Defence Equipment and Technology Agreement signed in 2015. So far as commercial and economic ties are concerned, the bilateral trade stood at $20.75 billion last year, which was the largest ever. The two nations have set up Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) to promote economic partnership, investment, industry and infrastructure development. There are currently 11 functioning JITs spread across eight states. India and Japan have had a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement since 2011. The agreement covers not only trade in goods but also services, movement of natural persons, investments, intellectual property rights, customs procedures and other trade-related issues. Both nations also have an industrial competitiveness partnership under which both countries are cooperating to promote industrial cooperation between the two countries. India and Japan have signed memorandums of cooperation on the Technical Intern Training Program and Specified Skilled Worker. The two countries had also launched a clean energy partnership during the annual summit held last year. It aims to promote energy cooperation through diverse and realistic energy transitions utilizing all energy sources and technologies to ensure energy security, carbon neutrality and economic growth. A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed to death at a house party in Leeds. West Yorkshire Police said officers were called to a disturbance at a property in Salisbury Grove, Armley, where a large number of people had been gathered, at around 2.48am on Sunday. The teenager, from Leeds, was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officers dispersed people from the area and said no arrests have been made. West Yorkshire Police are treating the death as murder and a crime scene is in place at Salisbury Grove as forensic teams investigate. Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 17-year-old boy who was stabbed in an incident at house in Salisbury Grove, Armley, Leeds, in the early hours of this morning.https://t.co/cLYIWkwBpR West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) March 19, 2023 Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes said police want to speak to anyone who was at the party or anyone who might have footage from the area in the early hours of Sunday. He said: The loss of a young life in such sudden and violent circumstances is an absolute tragedy and we are treating this incident very seriously and doing everything we can to identify those responsible. We are continuing to support this young mans family at what is clearly an incredibly difficult time for them, and we are committed to getting them the answers they need as we progress our enquiries. Our investigation is still in its very early stages and we are carrying out extensive inquiries to build up a picture of the full circumstances of this incident. We are aware there were a large number of people attending a party at the address when the victim was attacked, and we are keen to speak to anyone who was there and who witnessed any part of this incident. We would also like to hear from anyone in the area around the time of the incident who has any relevant CCTV, phone or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation. He added that officers would maintain an increased presence in the area to reassure the local community. Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 quoting Operation Pedalbourne, or to get in touch via the West Yorkshire Police website. Boris Johnsons defence against claims he lied to Parliament over the partygate scandal could be published on Monday as he prepares for a showdown with MPs. The Privileges Committee is expected to publish the lengthy submission from Mr Johnsons barrister Lord Pannick KC before the former prime minister gives evidence on Wednesday in a session which could decide his political future. An estimated 220,000 of taxpayers money has been allocated for Mr Johnsons legal bills and allies insisted he expected his position to be vindicated after submitting a detailed and compelling account of his case. Boris Johnson pictured at a gathering in 10 Downing Street during lockdown (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office/PA) The seven-member Privileges Committee, chaired by Labours Harriet Harman but with a Tory majority, will decide whether Mr Johnson misled the Commons with his denials of lockdown rule-breaking in No 10 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. If the MPs believe he did mislead the House, they will consider whether it was reckless or intentional and amounted to a contempt of Parliament. His lawyers have already queried the process being used by the Privileges Committee, including pushing for him to be legally represented at the hearing, arguing for a higher standard of proof than the balance of probabilities, and suggesting he must be shown to have intended to mislead Parliament for a contempt to have occurred. After an interim report by the committee earlier this month said evidence strongly suggested breaches of coronavirus rules would have been obvious to the then-prime minister, Mr Johnson claimed it was clear that he had not committed a contempt of Parliament. He said there was no evidence in the report that I knowingly or recklessly misled Parliament or failed to update it in a timely manner. Mr Johnson has also sought to cast doubt on the findings of Sue Grays report on partygate, after she quit the civil service because she intends to take up a role as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers chief of staff. Allies of Mr Johnson claim that, despite his insistence he will be vindicated, the process against him could amount to a witch hunt. They have also sought to cast doubt on the impartiality of Ms Harman after a social media post last year indicated she believed Mr Johnson had misled Parliament. Former minister Conor Burns, an ally of Mr Johnson, said: Boris Johnsons contention is that what he told the House of Commons was, to the best information supplied to him, true when he told that to Parliament, and I welcome the fact that he is going to bring forward evidence to back up that. Its not unusual, anyone who has appeared as a minister in the House of Commons knows that you rely very heavily on briefing that youre given. On BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour he added: I rate Harriet Harman highly, but she did tweet in April 2022 that if (Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak) admit guilt, by which she said was accepting a fixed penalty notice, then they are also admitting that they misled the House of Commons. If u get covid regs FPN u can either admit guilt or go to ct to challenge it. If PM and CX admit guilt, accepting that police right that they breached regs,then they are also admitting that they misled the House of Commons. Or are they going to challenge? https://t.co/jtk8bjj9mo Harriet Harman (@HarrietHarman) April 12, 2022 Boris Johnson contests that, but it seems to me the person who is chairing this committee has predetermined it and that causes me a degree of anxiety for Parliaments reputation in handling this with integrity. Mr Burns, who spoke to Mr Johnson on Sunday afternoon, said: He is looking forward to the opportunity of getting his case out there, to putting his case to the committee on Wednesday, to answering their questions. Tory peer Lord Greenhalgh said he hopes the former prime minister gets a fair and just hearing but voiced concerns about the process. The peer, who was a deputy mayor when Mr Johnson was in Londons City Hall and became a minister under him as prime minister, has backed a campaign for the four Conservative MPs on the committee to pull out of the kangaroo court. He told Times Radio: Im concerned that it will be a witch hunt. Pressed on the Conservative Post campaign for the four Tories to pull out of the process, Lord Greenhalgh said: Im hoping as a parliamentarian that there will be fairness around this, that is my fervent hope. But if not, then the thing should not go ahead. Fellow Tory peer Lord Kirkhope warned against the nonsense of putting pressure on MPs on the committee. Home Secretary Suella Braverman would not be drawn on the Privileges Committee process, but said she admired the former prime minister. Boris Johnson was a really important leader for our country he got Brexit done, he delivered the Covid vaccine, and he led the UK support for Ukraine, she said. For all of those things, Ill be an admirer of his. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said he expected Mr Johnson to give a robust defence of his actions. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: The Privileges Committee will vindicate Boris Johnsons position. The evidence will show that Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament. The Privileges Committee is examining evidence around at least four occasions when Mr Johnson may have misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that lockdown rules were followed. He is expected to highlight previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages from senior civil servants and members of his No 10 team showing he had relied on their advice when he made his statements to Parliament. He will also publish messages which show other senior figures in Downing Street believed the gatherings were covered by the workplace exemption in the lockdown rules. The committee will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any punishment, but the ultimate decision will fall to the full House of Commons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee and is expected to grant a free vote in the Commons on any sanction that may be recommended. A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could ultimately trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019. Former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng suggested the hugely intelligent, sensitive, brilliant Mr Johnson could mount a political comeback and return to lead the party. He told GB News hes been written off so many times but he is someone who I would never rule out or count out. Laws could be changed to make it easier for police chiefs to sack rogue officers, the Home Secretary said. Suella Braverman said it was currently very difficult for chief constables to kick out officers who fall short. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has estimated that hundreds of officers in his force have been getting away with misconduct and even criminal behaviour, but he currently has no way of removing them. The Home Office launched a review of the police disciplinary process earlier this year after serving Met officer David Carrick was convicted for being a serial rapist. Home Secretary Suella Braverman in Rwanda (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Problems with vetting officers across police forces were also identified by His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The Met is braced for a difficult week with the publication of Baroness Caseys review of the culture and standards in the force, commissioned in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens. Ms Braverman gave Sir Mark her backing to raise standards in the Met, although she acknowledged there were serious problems in policing. She told reporters accompanying her on a visit to Rwanda: Thats why the inspectorate carried out a wholesale review, not just for the Met but of all police forces, and laid out around 40 recommendations on what police forces should be doing to raise their standards with vetting and processing. Ive announced changes that we are going to make, or consult on at least, on the dismissals process. We have found that its very difficult for a chief constable to dismiss an officer who falls short. If the law needs changing, I will do that. But ultimately, we need to ensure that all standards are raised, and the Met Commissioner was really serious about achieving that goal. She said there had been real failings in the Met, some of which had tragic consequences. Whats important now is we get behind the commissioner and his turnaround plan, and we support him and his deputy to ensure that the Met is recruiting and retaining the best people to protect the public and improving its standards and keeping people safe. The commissioner has my backing to do that. But she added: Weve got to remember the vast majority of Met police officers are brave, courageous and uphold the highest standards. Scotland Yard hopes the Casey review will be an opportunity to reset relations with communities in the capital and help the process of rebuilding trust following cases such as Couzens and Carrick. I have a heartfelt plea. This is an opportunity for the many outstanding officers & staff to work with communities to reset where needed much of what she says will resonate with you too its some of you who have informed it 2/3 Lynne Owens (@DameLynneOwens) March 18, 2023 In an indication that the report makes for uncomfortable reading, the Mets deputy commissioner Dame Lynne Owens, who has seen it ahead of its publication, said for those of us who care, our emotional response will be raw and the force should expect critical commentary in its wake. She said: I have a heartfelt plea. This is an opportunity for the many outstanding officers and staff to work with communities to reset where needed. Much of what she (Casey) says will resonate with you too. Britains relationship with the EU is recovering from a very low point of no trust during the Boris Johnson era, according to Germanys ambassador to the UK. Miguel Berger praised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for having developed a relationship of trust with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, adding: This is something we can build on. Mr Berger said the EU now has full confidence that the UK will implement what has been agreed over Brexit matters in contrast to the experiences with Mr Johnson when prime minister. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during a press conference at the Guildhall in Windsor following the announcement that they had struck a deal over the Northern Ireland Protocol (Dan Kitwood/PA) MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the Stormont brake section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday. Downing Street believes the measure which potentially gives the UK a veto over the imposition of new EU rules in Northern Ireland was the most significant part of the agreement. It represents the first Commons test for Mr Sunaks deal with the EU and he could face a Tory backbench rebellion. The Windsor Framework as a whole seeks to reduce the volume of Brexit red tape on the movement of GB goods bound for Northern Ireland that was created by the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mr Berger told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: I think its a very good compromise that has been worked out quietly over four months between the European Commission and the British Government. It preserves the Good Friday Agreement, it preserves east-west trade, it means that the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can stay open, so I think it achieves all the main objectives. What I hear very often from business people in Northern Ireland is what they need is predictability and stability and I think the Windsor Framework can achieve that. Mr Berger added: We understand the sensitivities of the DUP and other unionists but at the same time I think we need a compromise which allows us to have the necessary confidence in the agreement, and I think this has been achieved. We are very confident not only that there will be an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons but also this is an agreement where we can build on to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Mr Berger added: We have full confidence that the British Government is really going to implement what was agreed and, as we know, that was not the case with Boris Johnson. Asked to describe the relationship with former prime minister Mr Johnson, he said: I would say that the relationship was really at a very low point, there was no trust that things agreed will be implemented and this is absolutely different now. I think we can look to a brighter future in the relationship. The so-called Stormont brake mechanism enables a minority of Stormont MLAs to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland. The process could ultimately lead to the UK Government vetoing their introduction. Details of how the brake will operate are due to be outlined in the secondary legislation, which the Government has said would be published on Monday. The DUP, which collapsed powersharing in Northern Ireland in protest at the protocol, has said the Windsor Framework does not deal with some fundamental problems created by existing arrangements. It is my current assessment that there remains key areas of concern which require further clarification, re-working and change as well as seeing further legal text.@J_Donaldson_MP https://t.co/LEwXjBRphN DUP (@duponline) March 14, 2023 Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden told Sky News: Im confident the vote will succeed and pass, and I hope we will do so with the support of the DUP but ultimately that is for them. Labour will vote in favour of the regulations on Wednesday and shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy told the same programme: I think its a step forward and we will support a step forward. Rishi Sunak is prepared to go and start cleaning up some of his own mess, were certainly not going to criticise him for that and theres no question that this is something that is now urgent, its incredibly important and trying to remove some of that friction, some of those barriers on the island of Ireland has long been our priority. Decisions in the SNP are being taken by too few people, Kate Forbes said after the party was rocked by the resignation of its longstanding chief executive. Peter Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeons husband, quit with immediate effect on Saturday following a row over the partys membership numbers. His departure came shortly after that of media chief Murray Foote, who said there had been a serious impediment to his role. Mr Murrell said he took responsibility after misleading information was briefed to the media over membership numbers, but said there was no intent to mislead. Peter Murrell has quit as SNP chief executive (Andrew Milligan/PA) It comes amid the leadership contest to succeed Ms Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister. Ms Forbes, who is on maternity leave from her Government role as Finance Secretary, is facing Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan in the contest. She told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg: I think at the heart of this is the fact that the decisions within the SNP have been taken by too few people. I think thats well recognised across the political domain. SNP members want to know that our institution is democratic, that they can influence it, that they can shape policy. Ms Forbes also said the SNP needs to improve its ability to listen and deliver. Three MSPs are running to replace Nicola Sturgeon (Jane Barlow/Andrew Milligan/PA) She highlighted the failure to turn the A9 road into a full dual-carriageway, as the party has long-promised. Referring to the trunk road as Scotlands backbone, she said: We said we would dual that, we havent done it. We need to be able to deliver. She also said she would rule out further tax rises if she becomes first minister. Ms Forbes said there has been quite a stunning level of scrutiny and perhaps backlash from some quarters around her religious views. She said other people of faith have held high office in the UK and she vowed to ensure Scotland is a tolerant and pluralistic nation. In another interview with Skys Sophy Ridge On Sunday show, which was recorded before Mr Murrells resignation, she said she had confidence in the integrity of the election process. In response to Ms Forbes Sunday interviews, Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: Kate Forbes is at it again claiming she is the change candidate to put right the failings of the SNP Government, despite having been one of the most senior members of it. She had some brass neck publicly lamenting the SNPs failure to dual the A9, as if she was a helpless bystander. As a Highlands MSP, she ought to have been banging the drum for this since 2016; while, as finance secretary for the last three years, shes been in charge of the purse strings and could have made this happen if it was that important to her. Similarly, she talks of the need to keep taxes down, while blithely ignoring the fact that shes made Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK. Her slogan is Continuity wont cut it and thats right. The only problem is that Continuity Kates fingerprints are all over the SNPs dismal record in government, just as much as Humza Yousafs are. The leadership contest is due to conclude on March 27. Gary Lineker has cancelled his appearance on Match Of The Day Live due to illness, BBC Sport has said. Lineker returned to presenting duties on Saturday after he was taken off air by the broadcaster last weekend over his comments comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany. Former England player and presenter Alex Scott will be hosting the coverage of Sundays FA Cup quarter-final between Brighton & Hove Albion and Grimsby Town on BBC One from 1.50pm instead. Due to illness, we've got a line-up change for today's live FA Cup coverage of Brighton v Grimsby on BBC One. As viewers will have noticed yesterday, Gary Lineker was struggling with his voice and unfortunately it has deteriorated overnight. Alex Scott will be hosting instead. pic.twitter.com/qJGUxqW1oG BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 19, 2023 A post by BBC Sport on Twitter said: Due to illness, weve got a line-up change As viewers will have noticed yesterday, Gary Lineker was struggling with his voice and unfortunately it has deteriorated overnight. Following the announcement, Lineker wrote on Twitter: Ive been silenced literally, by a nasty cold so, annoyingly, wont be working at @OfficialBHAFC this afternoon. As he returned on-air on Saturday, he had told fellow England footballers-turned-pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards that it was great to be here. He also posted a photo of himself at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester and told his Twitter followers: Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football. Meanwhile, a refugee who lived with Lineker for 20 days while studying a law course spoke about his relationship with the 62-year-old former England striker. Rasheed Baluch, from the mountainous Balochistan region which straddles Pakistan and Iran, told the Sunday Mirror the presenter is friendly and open-minded and loved hearing his story and listened attentively. Ive been silenced. literally, by a nasty cold so, annoyingly, wont be working at @OfficialBHAFC this afternoon. Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 19, 2023 He added: Although Gary is a star, he leads a simple life. He is never proud of his status. He is a very sympathetic, caring and human-loving man. He gave me an Oyster card which contained 100 top-up for my transport to university. Lineker responded on Twitter, writing: Ah Rasheed, how sweet of you. Mr Baluch was welcomed to the presenters Surrey property through Refugees At Home, before the former lawyer went on to stay with the charitys co-founder Sara Nathan and then later found a place on his own. He also said during the interview that the backlash against Lineker was unfair. Linekers agent Jon Holmes also said in The New Stateman this week that his client has a passionate interest in refugees and immigration and he thought he had special agreement with BBC director-general Tim Davie to tweet about these issues. Gary Lineker, right, with fellow pundit Alan Shearer on Match Of The Day (Martin Rickett/PA) He also highlighted Lineker was not a political pundit and assiduously avoids taking part in on-air political programmes. On Monday, Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers. He also apologised for what he acknowledged had been a difficult period after BBC Sport staff and commentators walked out in support of Lineker, with highlight shows significantly shorter than usual and aired without presentation or commentary last weekend. He also described the BBCs commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a difficult balancing act. Mr Davie added: The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBCs social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air. SNP leadership candidate Humza Yousaf has said the partys row over membership numbers is an own goal. Longstanding chief executive Peter Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeons husband, resigned on Saturday as he took responsibility for misleading figures being briefed to the press. The SNPs membership figures were revealed on Thursday after all three candidates vying to replace Nicola Sturgeon called for transparency around the exact number which had fallen by about 30,000 in just over a year. On Sunday, Mr Yousaf visited the Glasgow Gurdwara where he met members of the citys Sikh community. In a brief speech to members of the community in the gurdwaras prayer hall, he thanked them and spoke about his own Punjabi heritage. After the partition of India, his grandfather travelled to the Pakistani side of the Punjab, he said. The Health Secretary said: Keep me in your prayers I take prayers wherever I can get them from. This job can sometimes be quite difficult. Humza Yousaf met members of Glasgows Sikh community (Robert Perry/PA) Speaking to journalists afterwards, he was asked about the resignation of Mr Murrell and media chief Murray Foote. Mr Yousaf said: The party scored a bit of an own goal here, we should have released those membership numbers earlier on at the beginning of this contest. But I want to reassure the members, although the last few days have absolutely been challenging, I wouldnt suggest otherwise, theres still a strong foundation to build upon. Over 70,000 members makes us the biggest, largest political party in Scotland by some distance. Humza Yousaf makes an offering at the gurdwara (Robert Perry/PA) Asked if someone in the party should apologise for the turmoil of the previous days, he said Mr Murrell had done the honourable thing in resigning. He added: I want to pay tribute to Peter for the exceptional service hes given. Mr Yousaf said it would be important to appoint a new chief executive who could bridge the disconnect felt between branches and headquarters. Discussing the partys finances, he said: Ive not delved into this I dont know the finances of the party because I dont hold an office-bearer position. But clearly If Im elected leader of the SNP its one of the first things Id want to get up to speed on. Boris Johnson could face a witch hunt when he appears before MPs investigating his partygate comments, an ally of the former prime minister has warned. Lord Greenhalgh said he hopes Mr Johnson gets a fair and just hearing but he voiced concerns about the Privileges Committee process. The peer, who was a deputy mayor when Mr Johnson was in Londons City Hall and became a minister under him as prime minister, has backed a campaign which calls for Conservative MPs on the committee to pull out of the kangaroo court. Asked if he believes the four Tories should withdraw, he told Times Radio: I choose my words more carefully than that. Im concerned that it will be a witch hunt. He said he is concerned that were going to get a McCarthyite approach to justice on the Privileges Committee a reference to US senator Joseph McCarthys zealous efforts to find Communist sympathisers in the 1950s. I certainly hope that Parliament goes through the process properly, and that the former prime minister should get a fair and just hearing, Lord Greenhalgh said. We want swift justice and I think this has gone on for too long and we also want to have sure justice. Pressed on the Conservative Post campaign for the four Tories on the committee to pull out of the process, Lord Greenhalgh said: Im hoping as a parliamentarian that there will be fairness around this, that is my fervent hope. But if not, then the thing should not go ahead. Fellow Tory peer Lord Kirkhope warned against the nonsense of putting pressure on MPs on the committee. Im a bit concerned that the amount of pressure that has been piled by a small number of our parliamentarians on that committee which, of course, has a majority, a Conservative majority, but its not a committee that is really meant to work down party lines, and I hope it doesnt. I think they must resist that, he told Times Radio. Mr Johnson is expected to give a robust defence of his actions but ultimately his fate will be in the hands of MPs, Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said. The former prime minister will submit a written dossier of evidence to MPs ahead of a public hearing on Wednesday as he attempts to clear his name over allegations he misled Parliament about partygate. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Dowden told Sky News on Sunday: Im sure Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of himself and then it will be for the committee to determine the outcome of it. Asked whether there will be a free vote for Conservative MPs if the committee recommends sanctions, Mr Dowden said it is the standard practice on House matters. Boris Johnson pictured at a gathering in 10 Downing Street during lockdown (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office) Im not sure final decisions have been made but that would be the precedent that we would expect to follow, he said. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: The Privileges Committee will vindicate Boris Johnsons position. The evidence will show that Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament. In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggests breaches of coronavirus rules in No 10 should have been obvious to Mr Johnson. It is examining evidence around at least four occasions when he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that rules were followed. Allies of Mr Johnson said he would provide a detailed and compelling account to the committee before his appearance, showing he did not knowingly mislead the House. The Sunday Times reported he will point to a series of previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages from senior civil servants and members of his No 10 team showing he had relied upon their advice when he made his statements to Parliament. He will also publish messages which show other senior figures in Downing Street believed the gatherings were covered by the workplace exemption in the lockdown rules. Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of his actions amid the partygate affair (Victoria Jones/PA) The committees investigation is being chaired by Labours Harriet Harman, although the seven-strong panel has a Tory majority. It will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any punishment, but the ultimate decision will fall to the full House of Commons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee and indicated he will grant a free vote to Tory MPs on any sanction that may be recommended. A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could ultimately trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019. Former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng suggested the hugely intelligent, sensitive, brilliant Mr Johnson could still mount a political comeback and return to lead the party. He told GB News hes been written off so many times but he is someone who I would never rule out or count out. Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of his actions but ultimately his fate will be in the hands of MPs, a Cabinet minister has said. The former prime minister will submit a written dossier of evidence to MPs ahead of a public hearing on Wednesday as he attempts to clear his name over allegations he misled Parliament about the partygate scandal. He will provide the statement to the Privileges Committee as he battles to save his political career. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden told Sky News on Sunday: Im sure Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of himself and then it will be for the committee to determine the outcome of it. Asked whether there will be a free vote for Conservative MPs if the committee recommends sanctions, Mr Dowden said it is the standard practice on House matters. Boris Johnson pictured at a gathering in 10 Downing Street during lockdown (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office) Im not sure final decisions have been made but that would be the precedent that we would expect to follow, he said. In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggests breaches of coronavirus rules in No 10 should have been obvious to Mr Johnson. They are examining evidence around at least four occasions when he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that rules were followed. Allies of Mr Johnson said he would provide a detailed and compelling account to the committee before his appearance, showing he did not knowingly mislead the House. The Sunday Times reported he will point to a series of previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages from senior civil servants and members of his No 10 team showing he had relied upon their advice when he made his statements to Parliament. He will also publish messages which show other senior figures in Downing Street believed the gatherings were covered by the workplace exemption in the lockdown rules. Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of his actions amid the partygate affair (PA) The committees investigation is being chaired by Labours Harriet Harman, although the seven-strong panel has a Tory majority. The committee will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any punishment, but the ultimate decision will fall to the full House of Commons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee and indicated he will grant a free vote to Tory MPs on any sanction that may be recommended. A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could ultimately trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019. The enemy properties are vested with the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), an authority created under the Enemy Property Act. (AFP Photo) NEW DELHI: The Union home ministry started the process for eviction and sale of enemy properties, the immovable assets left behind by people who took citizenship of Pakistan and China. There are a total of 12,611 establishments called enemy property, roughly estimated to be worth over Rs 1 lakh crore, in India. Telangana has 158 such properties while UP has 6,255, followed by West Bengal (4,088), Delhi (659), Goa (295), Maharashtra (208), Gujarat (151), Tripura (105), Bihar (94), Madhya Pradesh (94), Chhattisgarh (78) and Haryana (71). There are 71 enemy properties in Kerala, 69 in Uttarakhand, 67 in Tamil Nadu, 57 in Meghalaya, 29 in Assam, 24 in Karnataka, 22 in Rajasthan, 10 in Jharkhand, four in Daman and Diu and one each in Andhra Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The enemy properties are vested with the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI), an authority created under the Enemy Property Act. According to a home ministry notification, the guidelines for disposal of the enemy properties have been changed under which the process for eviction of enemy properties now shall be initiated with the help of the District Magistrate or Deputy Commissioner concerned before the sale of properties. In case of the enemy properties valued below Rs 1 crore, the custodian shall offer for purchase to the occupant first and if offer of purchase is refused by the occupant, then the enemy property shall be disposed of in accordance with the procedure specified in the guidelines, the notification said. Those enemy properties having valuation of Rs 1 crore and below Rs 100 crore, shall be disposed of by the CEPI through e-auction or otherwise as may be decided by the Centre and at the rate determined by the Enemy Property Disposal Committee. Missing 15-year-old Faith Marley was caught on CCTV leaving a bus station in Glasgow with an unknown man, Police Scotland have said. Faith, from the Leith area of Edinburgh, has not been seen since she travelled from the Scottish capital on a Citylink number 900 bus which arrived at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow shortly after 11.05am on Wednesday. She was then spotted on CCTV meeting a man shortly after 11.20am before the pair left the bus station in the direction of North Hannover Street. Faith Marley, 15, was reported missing from the Leith area of Edinburgh on Wednesday (Police Scotland handout/PA) Police said they remain very concerned for Faith, and are hoping to identify the man she was with to help them in their search. Faith has been described as about 5ft 7ins, of medium build and has dark blonde shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black hooded top, leggings and black and white high-top converse shoes when she was last seen. The man pictured with her has been described as white, with dark hair and is likely to be aged between 20 to 30, police said. He was wearing a grey jumper, black trousers and black shoes and was seen pulling a white or silver case or box with a blue bag on top of the handle and carrying a dark-coloured backpack. Chief Inspector Cath Thorburn said: This sighting in Glasgow is now the most recent confirmed sighting of Faith. While nothing from our inquiries suggest she has come to any harm, she has not now been seen since Wednesday morning and we remain very concerned for her. We would urge anyone who believes they may have seen or heard from Faith at any time since Wednesday to get in touch urgently. We are working to identify the man seen in her company leaving Buchanan Bus Station as he may have information which could help. If you know who he is or if you recognise yourself please come forward. If you can help, please call us immediately on 101, quoting reference number 0385 of Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The leader of a civil servants union has questioned how the Government has been able to produce a pay offer for nurses while declining to begin negotiations for their own workforce. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said it was great news that progress was being made in talks with health leaders, but added that the Government has displayed utter contempt for their own workforce. He said that PCS members: including civil servants in Government departments; Border Force; the DVLA; and the British Museum; had been offered the lowest pay increase across anyone in the public sector at 2%. Speaking on Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Serwotka said that many of these workers felt they had no choice but to stage lengthy strikes because many are living in work poverty. This includes more than 1,000 Passport Office workers in England, Scotland and Wales who are staging industrial action for five weeks from April 3 including over the Easter and early May Bank Holiday weekends. When asked how this lengthy walkout sounds to outsiders, Mr Serwotka said: It sounds like giving everything they can to strain every sinew to force their employer to recognise that when theyre going to foodbanks to claim benefits because they work for the Government, it is obscene. Weve tried for months to get the Government to engage. Its great news that theyre talking to the health unions and education unions, but why wont they talk to their own workforce? Rishi Sunak applauded his workforce during the pandemic, he lauded us for delivering the furlough scheme, for delivering three million claims to universal credit. Mark Serwotka speaking during a strike rally in Trafalgar Square in central London on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA) Many people died in the civil service who went into work to keep our borders safe and provide frontline services, yet a 2% pay rise is lower than anywhere in the economy and they will not even negotiate with us. I think most of your viewers would find that utterly astonishing and thats why people are having to take escalating strike action, because theyve got no choice if they want to get themselves out of work poverty. He said that 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks, 45,000 claim in-work benefits, and 49,000 workers across the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are on the national minimum wage. Mr Serwotka added that the fact Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden did not mention the PCS strikes during his earlier appearance on the same show goes to confirm the utter contempt they hold their own workforce in. Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Victoria Jones/PA) The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was asked about the pay talks with teaching unions and junior doctors, and how the pay offer for nurses would be funded. Mr Dowden, who has played a key role co-ordinating the Governments response to strikes, said: Finding this money is not easy. But we think that in this context of ensuring that we reward nurses properly and we prevent disruption, that we can find the money to do this but it wont be easy. He suggested the money could come from the 160 billion NHS budget or from within wider Government spending. Given the pressure that health services around the world are under, were not going to take services away from the front line, he added. A fresh appeal has been launched to help police trace a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for three days. Faith Marley, from the Leith area of Edinburgh, was last seen on CCTV meeting a man in Glasgow. Police said the teenager travelled from the Scottish capital on a Citylink number 900 bus which arrived at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow shortly after 11.05am on Wednesday. She was then spotted on CCTV meeting a man shortly after 11.20am before the pair left the bus station in the direction of North Hannover Street. Faith Marley, 15, was reported missing from the Leith area of Edinburgh on Wednesday (Police Scotland handout/PA) Police said they remain very concerned for Faith, and are hoping to identify the man she was with to help them in their search. Faith has been described as about 5ft 7ins, of medium build and has dark blonde shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black hooded top, leggings and black and white high-top converse shoes at the time she was last spotted. The man she was seen with has been described as white, has dark hair and is likely between the age of 20 to 30 years old, police said. He was wearing a grey jumper, black trousers and black shoes and was seen pulling a white or silver case or box with a blue bag on top of the handle and carrying a dark-coloured backpack. Chief Inspector Cath Thorburn said: This sighting in Glasgow is now the most recent confirmed sighting of Faith. While nothing from our enquiries suggest she has come to any harm, she has not now been seen since Wednesday morning and we remain very concerned for her. We would urge anyone who believes they may have seen or heard from Faith at any time since Wednesday to get in touch urgently. We are working to identify the man seen in her company leaving Buchanan Bus Station as he may have information which could help. If you know who he is or if you recognise yourself please come forward. If you can help, please call us immediately on 101, quoting reference number 0385 of Wednesday, 15 March, 2023. The Rwandan government has said it is ready to absorb the thousands that will come from the UK as the Home Secretary visited the country to affirm her commitment to the migration deal. Yolande Makolo, spokeswoman for the Rwandan government, said she did not consider living in Rwanda a punishment, adding: Were determined to make this a success. Ms Makolo told reporters the African nation has always been prepared to take the migrants, describing the country as welcoming to refugees. Home Secretary Suella Braverman and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs Vincent Biruta sign an enhanced partnership deal in Kigali (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Speaking to reporters on Saturday, she said: We dont consider living in Rwanda punishment. Living in Rwanda is actually a good thing for us. We have built this country literally from scratch in the last 30 years or so. Were very proud of what weve done here. We have Rwandans behind us Rwandans are welcoming to migrants and refugees. We want to contribute to improving the global migration system, which is not fit for purpose. Its broken. Lets be honest, its not working. Its not meant for the kind of problems we have today. Her words come as a Home Office source said Ms Braverman was making plans for the first flights to the country to come by the summer. Ms Makolo said: We are proud to be partnering with the UK in an innovative partnership that is seeking to address this global challenge. This is what this partnership is about. Were in it for the right reasons. For us as Rwandans, we do not want to see young Africans dying on these dangerous journeys, dying in the desert or being buried at the bottom of the sea. Ms Makolo added: We have always been prepared to receive thousands of migrants over the course of the initiative. Weve always been ready for that. We are going to be ready to absorb the thousands that will come from the UK along the life of this partnership. Were determined to make this a success. TV historian Dan Snow is leading calls for the return of the head and tail of an exceptionally rare shark which was found dead on a beach in the New Forest. The body of the shark, believed to be a smalltooth sand tiger, was found by walkers on Lepe Beach near Southampton on Saturday and was seen by the broadcaster. But Mr Snow said that before the body could be recovered by biologists to study it, the head and tail had been removed. He has joined calls for the remains to be returned so they can be studied by experts. We went to secure the shark for science last night. But we were too late!Please please- of you have the head get in touch. The scientists want to have a look at it and then it's yours to keep. https://t.co/gS8SYQxAp4 Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) March 19, 2023 He posted on Twitter: We went to secure the shark for science last night. But we were too late! Please please- of you have the head get in touch. The scientists want to have a look at it and then its yours to keep. Biologist friends like @Ben_garrod identified it as an exceptionally rare visitor to these shores and asked me secure it. The head, tail and fin were grabbed before I get assemble a big enough team to drag it off the beach to the nearest road. It is not illegal to take parts from dead fish washed ashore so theres no judging but if you took the head please get in touch, let the scientists have a look and then its yours to keep. A spokesman for The Shark Trust said the discovery was an exciting find. He said: Although not able to examine the shark first-hand, several photographs have been circulated, and Shark Trust staff and colleagues identified the shark as a smalltooth sandtiger (Odontaspis ferox). Yesterday's reports of a stranded #shark proved especially exceptional as images indicated it was a Smalltooth Sandtiger, rare within its range let alone the UK South Coast!Saddened to hear that the head & tail were removed by the cover of darkness. https://t.co/18lys7GtMg pic.twitter.com/E9O1buUqVZ The Shark Trust (@SharkTrustUK) March 19, 2023 Despite their circumglobal distribution, smalltooth sandtigers are seldom encountered and considered naturally rare. In the north-east Atlantic their range reaches to the French coast at the top of the Bay of Biscay, making this report an exceptional one. A large shark growing to 4m in length smalltooth sandtigers feed on small fish and squid, putting their long, slender teeth to good use. Usually found towards the seabed, this is a globally vulnerable species, with numbers thought to be in decline. With smalltooth sandtigers likely exceptionally rare visitors north of Biscay, this report is an exciting one. And while efforts were made to secure the specimen for research, recent images show that the shark was butchered overnight with the head and tail removed. The head in particular holds the key to unlocking intricate details of the sharks life, even from before birth, so wed welcome news of its whereabouts. Sighting records like this help shape our knowledge of species distributions. This sighting may have been a vagrant, but by maintaining records of occasional finds new patterns may start to emerge, making all records important. Irelands Eurovision performance will be big and bold, Wild Youth lead singer Conor ODonohoe has promised. The group will represent Ireland in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool on May 9 with their song We Are One. ODonohoe said he believes the song lives up to the size and stature of the contest, adding he is undergoing a training regime to get ready. Were definitely not taking any shortcuts, and it will definitely be as big and bold as you think its going to be, the singer told the PA news agency. I dont want to give anything away. Its all very, very cool. ODonohoe revealed the creative process for writing the song, which focuses on unity and togetherness. I wasnt writing about Eurovision in mind, but I also wasnt writing it not with the Eurovision in mind, he said. I just wanted to write a good song and have it at the Eurovision. But the Eurovision for me is also such a big stage, I wanted to write a song that could live up to the stature and the size of the stage and the arena and the scale of the Eurovision. Our Song We are one is officially out. This song means so much to us. And is our submission for the Eurosong to represent ireland at the Eurovision. Please steam it, buy it, love it . WY x Link in bio pic.twitter.com/U27P7Iy8FB Wild Youth (@bandwildyouth) January 27, 2023 The singer said it wasnt difficult to get the other band members, Callum McAdam, Ed Porter and David Whelan, on board for the bid. Everyone was very with it, he said. I think Davids as big a Eurovision fan as I am; Cal just loves playing the drums so once hes on a stage and hes playing the drums hes happy, and Ed totally bought in and believed in the vision too. Everyone was thrilled to be going for it to be honest. Wild Youth performed on the Eurosong edition of RTEs The Late Late Show for the chance to represent Ireland at this years contest, beating other contestants including former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon and his band Public Image Ltd. Wild Youth will represent Ireland at the first semi final of the Eurovision Song Contest (Andres Poveda/RTE/PA) ODonohoe said he was terrified in the run-up to the RTE show. I had no idea what way it was gonna go, he said. I felt that we had really put ourselves in kind of a vulnerable position. People thought it was an advantage being a band that was, lets say, known before we went on to the Eurosong, but also theres a lot of things in play that if we didnt win, and we were the act that was kind of known, it would have massively jeopardised anything going forward. A lot of people tell me that we were mad, that we were going for it. Without risk, theres no reward, in my opinion. So it was a risk, but were very happy that we did it. He added: Knowing that we won by a public vote, it is quite a nice feeling and knowing that people want us and feel that were good enough to go and represent our country. And I hope that we can live up and match all their expectations and I hope that we can just make everyone very proud. Conor ODonohoe said he is in training before his Eurovision performance (Brian Lawless/PA) ODonohoe said he was eating healthier and singing while running to ensure he is on top form in Liverpool. Its a big stage and theres like a runway so Im definitely having to put down the McDonalds and pick up the carrot sticks. I do my vocal lessons every day, and I listen to the song and then I run on a treadmill while I sing the songs. Wild Youth are embarking on a tour of Eurovision events across Europe ahead of the contest, with gigs in Barcelona, Warsaw and Amsterdam. To reach the final on Saturday May 13, Wild Youth will have to qualify from Tuesdays semi-final which also includes entries from competition favourites Sweden and Finland. The first big win for us is just trying to get out of that semi-final and staying focused on that, ODonohoe said. And then if we get through that semi-final, who knows? The Irish have done crazier things. Ireland has participated in Eurovision more than 50 times and has a record seven wins, but has failed to qualify for the final since Ryan OShaughnessy entered with his song Together in 2018. By Lidia Kelly (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Mariupol, Russian state media reported on Sunday, in what would be the Kremlin leader's first trip to the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine's Donbas region since the start of the war. The visit came after Putin travelled to Crimea on Saturday in an unannounced visit to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia's annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine, and just two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader. Mariupol, which fell to Russia in May after one of the war's longest and bloodiest battles, was Russia's first major victory after it failed to seize Kyiv and focused instead on southeastern Ukraine. Putin flew by helicopter to Mariupol, Russian new agencies reported citing the Kremlin. It is the closest to the front lines Putin has been since in the year-long war. Driving a car, Putin travelled around several districts of the city, making stops and talking to residents. Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, was reduced to a smouldering shell after weeks of fighting. The Organization for Security and Cooperation and Europe (OSCE) said Russia's early bombing of a maternity hospital in Mariupol was a war crime. The ICC issued an arrest warrant on Friday against Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine, a highly symbolic move that isolates the Russian leader further. While Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made a number of trips to the battlefield to boost the morale of his troops and talk strategy, Putin has largely remained inside the Kremlin while running what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Kyiv and its allies say the invasion, now in its 13th month, is an imperialistic land grab that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people in Ukraine. In the Nevsky district of Mariupol, a new residential neighbourhood built by Russian military, Putin visited a family in their home, Russian media reported. "The head of state also examined the coastline of Mariupol in the area of the yacht club, the theatre building, memorable places of the city," theInterfax agency cited the Kremlin's press service. Mariupol is in the Donetsk region, one of the four regions Putin moved in September to annex. Kyiv and its Western allies condemned the move as illegal. Donetsk, together with the Luhansk region, comprise most of the Donbas industrialised part of Ukraine that has seen the biggest battle in Europe for generations. Russian media reported on Sunday that Putin also met with the top commander of his military operation in Ukraine, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov who is in charge of Moscow's war in Ukraine. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Lincoln Feast) New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) criticized fellow Republicans, including former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for their increasingly isolationist views on the war in Ukraine, writing in an op-ed that opposing U.S. aid is not a viable foreign policy. Simply opposing aid to Ukraine because President Biden supports it is not a viable foreign policy, Sununu, who is mulling a potential presidential run, wrote in The New York Times. To abandon Ukraine would set off a negative chain of events for U.S. interests domestically and abroad. Sununus targeting of the rising tide of anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the Republican Party comes after Trump and DeSantis made comments in the past weeks that have stirred controversy on the issue. Trump said in response to a Fox News survey of declared and potential 2024 presidential candidates that Europe was relying on the U.S. to defend it against Russia, which he said is unfair to us. DeSantis argued in the same survey that supporting Ukraine was not in the vital national interests of America. The Florida governor also referred to the war as a territorial dispute. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a territorial dispute, as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis described it this month, Sununu wrote in Saturdays op-ed. Russia is engaged in a war against an innocent people, and it must be condemned. Sununu took even harsher aim at Trump, looping him in with Republicans who the New Hampshire governor said have lost their moral compass on foreign policy. Some in the Republican Party have lost their moral compass on foreign policy, as evidenced by former president Donald Trump, who once called Putins invasion genius and savvy, Sununu wrote. As Republicans, we should support freedom, not abandon it. GOP lawmakers who have pushed back on the Biden administration for the level of U.S. support to Ukraine have argued that the government should not be offering a foreign country a blank check to fight a war. Sununu wrote in the Times that the price of supporting Ukraine is much less than allowing Russia to overpower the nation. There should never be blank checks when it comes to government funding, and all tax dollars must be spent and accounted for wisely, Sununu wrote. Yet the price the United States is paying in Ukraine today is far less than the price we will face if Putin continues his westward march, threatening the sovereignty and security of NATO. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A drugstore in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) The U.S. State Department issued a warning Friday for Americans to exercise caution when buying medications from drugstores in Mexico, posting the health alert a week after a letter from two lawmakers and an investigation by The Times. The U.S. Department of State is aware of recent media reports regarding counterfeit pharmaceuticals available at pharmacies in Mexico, including those tainted with fentanyl and methamphetamine, the alert said. Counterfeit pills are readily advertised on social media and can be purchased at small, non-chain pharmacies in Mexico along the border and in tourist areas. The new notice is stronger than previous language on the departments website, which warned that counterfeit pills were common in the country. It did not specify that they could be purchased at legitimate pharmacies or that they might contain such potent and deadly substances. The State Department warning is a good and necessary step, said Chelsea Shover, a UCLA researcher whose team documented the problem this year. But theres still a lot we dont know about the scope of this issue, and I think finding that will be critical to issuing more precise warnings and taking action. The department did not answer a list of questions about the advisory, instead sending a statement. On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City issued a Health Alert informing U.S. citizens of the danger of counterfeit pharmaceuticals available at pharmacies in Mexico, including those potentially tainted with fentanyl and methamphetamine, it read. Mexican agencies and officials did not respond to requests for comment. In recent weeks, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has denied that his country is involved in the fentanyl trade, despite ample evidence. The State Departments warning came one week after Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) sent a letter asking the department to immediately warn Americans traveling to Mexico of the danger they face when purchasing pills from Mexican pharmacies. The letter cited The Times investigation and the UCLA researchers findings, both of which documented dangerous counterfeit pills being sold over the counter at drugstores in northwestern Mexico. U.S. tourists who unwittingly purchase counterfeit pills from Mexican pharmacies both with and without a prescription, according to the Los Angeles Times face deadly risks from medications that have effectively been poisoned, the lawmakers wrote. A spokesperson for Markeys office said Saturday that the alert was an important first step but that the senator has not yet received a response from the State Department regarding the letter he and Trone sent to the department. I am glad that the State Department has heeded my call to issue a health alert for Americans visiting Mexico that raises the alarm about the dangers of pills contaminated with fentanyl and other powerful drugs being sold at some Mexican pharmacies, he said in an email. Of the 17 pills Times reporters tested this year, 71% came up positive for more powerful drugs. In three cities, tablets sold as oxycodone or Percocet tested positive for fentanyl; in two cities, tablets sold as Adderall tested positive for methamphetamine. Many pills were nearly indistinguishable from their legitimate counterparts, and all were purchased over the counter from small, independent pharmacies in northwestern Mexico. The UCLA team found similar results when it tested 45 samples from four cities in the same region. Using infrared spectrometry, the researchers also found heroin in three pills they purchased. Though it was known that counterfeit medications had become increasingly common on black markets in Mexico and the U.S., it was not previously well known that the powerful synthetic drugs had made their way into pharmacy supply chains. Drug market experts predicted that the contaminants would have fatal consequences. Whenever you have counterfeit products that contain fentanyl, you are going to have people use them and die, Shover said at the time. Five weeks later, The Times published an investigation detailing the final hours of Brennan Harrell, a 29-year-old California man who died in 2019 after consuming fentanyl-tainted pills purchased at a pharmacy in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. His parents said they cooperated with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which conducts and assists with trafficking investigations in the U.S. and in Mexico. Agents looked into the matter, the Harrells said, but did not alert the public about the potential risk. A DEA spokesperson declined to comment on the State Departments alert Friday, referring to an earlier DEA email. We do not regulate Mexican pharmacies, which is why we have recommended you reach out to authorities in Mexico, the email said. U.S. Department of State issues the travel warnings/resources for Americans traveling out of the country, so we refer you to them on information provided to American citizens visiting Mexico. Harrells parents fought more than three years for the State Department to issue a prominently placed warning about the dangers of Mexican pharmacies. This warning should have come almost in 2019, when I alerted the State Department, Brennans mother, Mary, told The Times on Saturday. Any other deaths, she said, are on their hands, and how many deaths we will not know. In part, thats because Mexican autopsies do not consistently include tests for fentanyl. Additionally, drug experts say the countrys mortality data vastly undercount overdose deaths. While more than 91,000 people died of overdoses in the U.S. in 2020, Mexico saw fewer than two dozen fatalities from opioids that year, according to the countrys official data. That same year, the U.S. recorded more than 68,000 opioid overdose deaths. The State Department issues travel advisories for every country, rating the level of caution U.S. travelers should take. The lowest-level advisory color-coded blue suggests people should exercise normal precautions while abroad; the highest-level advisory, coded red, warns that Americans should not travel there due to life-threatening risks. For specific and often shorter-term safety concerns in another country, the department puts out alerts about things such as demonstrations, crime trends and weather events. On Monday, the State Department issued a broad travel alert for spring break that warned travelers about concerns in Mexico, including crime, drownings, medical emergencies and pharmaceuticals. Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients, the alert said. Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments. That alert was largely a repetition of existing guidance on the site and did not include warnings that the lawmakers had requested regarding counterfeit medications sold in drugstores. On Friday, the State Department published the more detailed warning, Health Alert: Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals, offering more specifics about the concerns raised in recent reporting. However, the department did not answer a question about how long its alert would remain in place. Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, the alert said, are often readily available for purchase with little regulation. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a captured Ukrainian city on Sunday for the first time since invading the country last year. Putin made an unannounced trip to the coastal city of Mariupol, a city Russian forces reduced to near ruins with artillery fire earlier in the invasion. Footage shows Putin driving around the city at night while Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin explains the efforts Russian forces are taking to rebuild the city. Putin's regime has touted the rebuilding efforts in Mariupol as evidence of its claim to be liberating Ukrainians from fascistic leaders. Mariupol saw some of the most dramatic and intense fighting of the early months of Russia's invasion, with Ukrainian forces holding out in a steel factory after Russian forces had all but taken the city. Ukraine's soldiers eventually surrendered in May. WHAT'S THE ICC THAT ISSUED PUTIN'S ARREST WARRANT AND WHAT CONSEQUENCES DOES HE FACE? Putin's visit came just days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him over the abduction of Ukrainian children away from their families last week. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT LAUNCHES 'LARGEST EVER' PROBE INTO WAR CRIMES The ICC warrant has little real-world impact, however, given the court's limited jurisdiction. The move was immediately dismissed by Moscow. Putin will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow later this week, with China attempting to negotiate peace terms between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism of China's entrance to the peacemaking scene but said he is open to dialogue. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Xi is expected to have a phone call with Zelenskyy sometime after his visit to Moscow. Such a call would be the first personal interaction for the pair since before Putin's invasion. BJP State President Bandi Sanjay Kumar is welcomed by BJP party workers during the inauguration of BJP SC Morcha State Executive Meeting at Nampally in Hyderabad on Sunday. (Photo: P.Surendra) Hyderabad: In a continued attack on the BRS over the TSPSC paper leak, the BJP on Sunday announced it would take up a deeksha at all district headquarters from Monday to press for the sacking of IT minister K.T. Rama Rao. BJP state chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar addressing the partys Scheduled Caste Morcha state executive committee meeting at the party headquarters on Sunday said that they will hold the deeksha from 10 am to 1 pm with the slogan "We want our jobs". "We shall continue our agitation till the Chief Ministers son is dismissed from the Cabinet and the unemployed youth who lost their precious time and energy be compensated with Rs 1 lakh each," he said. Claiming that the IT minister was involved in the scam, Bandi Sanjay said: "A retired official presently working in the CMO and other several bigwigs have a role in the conspiracy. Yet, the government is trying to wash its hands away by taking action against small fries and blame the BJP to divert the attention of the people from their people." Bandi Sanjay also questioned Chandrashekar Raos silence on the issue, when "30 lakh unemployed youth are facing problems" due to the leak. "But his son speaks on issues of every other department, except his own IT department. He is not bothered about children being mauled by stray dogs or dying by falling in open drains or people getting killed in fire accidents," he said. Bandi Sanjay claimed that the BJPs stance on the issue was backed by the job aspirants and that the party would serve their interests after winning the state polls this year. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a Modern Ambedkar, the BJP president said Modi followed the Antyodaya philosophy of Deen Dayal Upadhyay and initiated several revolutionary programmes for the benefit of various sections with the slogan Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas. "Sixty per cent of the beneficiaries of the PMs schemes were from Dalit communities," he said. Bandi Sanjay accused Chandrashekar Rao of cheating Dalits by reneging on his promise of making a Dalit the Chief Minister, providing three acres and disrespecting the Constitution. "It was only on a strong warning from the BJP that the KCR government speeded up works on the Ambedkar statue at Tank Bund," he said. He also accused the state government of pushing Telangana into a debt trap, citing its indiscriminate borrowings. "There is no way the BRS would repay all these loans, if it is voted to power again," he said. He called upon the Dalit Morcha to take the lead in launching a campaign to bring the BJP to power. A raccoon dog in its enclosure. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) A new report suggesting that the coronavirus may have originated in raccoon dogs has energized scientists who have long argued that the pandemic began at a wildlife market in Wuhan, where the pathogen jumped from animals to humans. But to the smaller faction of researchers who maintain that the coronavirus was the result of a laboratory accident, the raccoon dog findings described in an Atlantic article published on Thursday failed to produce convincing evidence of a natural origin that rules out human involvement. It speaks volumes that this weak and missing data is considered the strongest evidence for a market origin, molecular biologist Alina Chan of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard told Yahoo News. A leading proponent of the lab origin hypothesis, Chan noted that even the natural origin proponents analyzing this data have said it is not definitive and not direct evidence of infected raccoon dogs at the market. Anna Bross, a vice president for communications at The Atlantic, defended the much-discussed article. The Atlantic's report is careful to state what is now known and what isn't," she wrote to Yahoo News in an email. We have reached out to many experts and are eager for the data to be made public; we will be continuing to report on this story as it develops. Recent disease outbreaks including of HIV, Ebola and the bird flu are believed to have had zoonotic origins, and most scientists still believe that the coronavirus began in a similar manner. But they have lacked definitive evidence to prove their case. So, for that matter, have proponents of the lab leak theory of origin. Security personnel gather near the entrance of the Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by the World Health Organization in 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP) The furious disagreement over how the coronavirus began is only likely to intensify as Congress continues to investigate the pandemics origins. Both of its chambers recently passed a bill demanding that President Biden declassify intelligence collected by U.S. agencies investigating the question. The White House has not yet said whether he will sign the measure. I'm optimistic that more evidence will be made public, Chan said, and proponents of either hypothesis can reevaluate their confidence at that time. For supporters of the market origin theory, however, the research described in the Atlantic is the most persuasive to date of a zoonotic, or animal, model to describe how the coronavirus entered the human population. Nearly 7 million people have died from COVID-19 since late 2019, when the first cases were reported. According to the researchers, swabs taken at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhanlong suspected as the pandemics epicenter show evidence of genetic material from raccoon dogs (animals that look like raccoons but are actually genetically closer to foxes) mixed with markers of SARS-CoV-2, as the coronavirus was initially known. Now we have definite proof that animals were there that could carry coronaviruses at the time of the outbreak," said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based nonprofit that supported controversial virus research in Wuhan before the 2019 outbreak. Daszak has backed the zoonotic hypothesis from the start of the pandemic. To me, Daszak said in a telephone interview, its another piece of evidence that the market was where it began, not the lab. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market sits closed in January of 2020. (Dake Kang/AP) Still, mysteries abound. And given the uncertainties about the underlying data and research neither of which has yet been made public detractors of the market origin hypothesis charged that the raccoon dog evidence is an attempt to shift the narrative back to a once-prevalent hypothesis that has lost ground in recent months, as evidence (mostly circumstantial) pointed ever more strongly to human involvement. At least so far, I see this entire story as a media creation, former National Security Council official Jamie Metzl told Yahoo News on Friday. He recently testified before Congress in favor of the lab leak hypothesis. I have yet to see any evidence or the suggestion of any evidence that would or could prove that the virus passed from a raccoon dog, or any animal, to a human." With a headline billing the Strongest Evidence Yet That an Animal Started the Pandemic, the Atlantic article describes research being conducted by Kristian Andersen of Scripps Research Translational Institute, Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona and Edward Holmes of the University of Sydney. Although as the article acknowledges no conclusions have been published by the researchers or scrutinized by the scientific community at large, social media was rife with celebrations that the question of how the pandemic began had finally been put to rest. The new findings should settle the question of how the pandemic started, Pulitzer Prize winning science writer Laurie Garrett wrote on Twitter. But the lab leak proponents will never yield. Indeed, for some lab leak supporters, the raccoon dog revelations were little more than a sign of scientific desperation. If this is the Strongest Evidence Yet, then the lab leak hypothesis wins hands down, said microbiologist Pat Fidopiastis of the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Andersen, Worobey and Holmes have not made their work available to the public. None of them responded to Yahoo News requests for comment. A 2020 electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. (Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/CDC via AP) According to the Atlantic, the trio studied genetic material collected from market stalls by Chinese investigators in February 2020, weeks before the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. Earlier this month, a trove of previously unavailable data from those swabs was uploaded to an international database, GISAID, where it was promptly discovered by French evolutionary biologist Florence Debarre, who alerted colleagues around the world. The data from the Huanan Seafood Market swabs apparently turned out to show DNA from raccoon dogs mixed with RNA from SARS-CoV-2. Several species had been previously suspected, including bats and pangolins, as the intermediaries responsible for infecting humans. The raccoon dog is now the prime animal suspect. Its exactly what youd expect if the virus was emerging from an intermediate or multiple intermediate hosts in the market. I think ecologically, this is close to a closed case, University of Chicago computational epidemiologist Sarah Cobey told the New York Times. What the years-old swabs cannot reveal, though, is the sequence of events that created the genetic mashup that is now riveting and dividing scientists. Raccoon dogs were already known to be susceptible to coronavirus. The far more difficult question is whether raccoon dogs could have served as the inadvertent vehicle for an entirely new pathogen. For that to be the case, a raccoon dog would have to have been infected with the new coronavirus before passing it on to an initial human host, thus establishing itself as the missing link in the chain of transmission. So far, conclusive evidence for that two-step process simply does not exist. The viruses sampled at the market were the human outbreak virus, Chan of the Broad Institute pointed out. Workers produce N95 respirators in Paterson, N.J. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) To make matters more complicated, the data in question disappeared from the GISAID database after it was accessed by Andersen and his colleagues. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on China to release the data pertaining to coronavirus origins. Beijing has been highly reluctant to do so, denying altogether that the virus originated in China, whether in a market or a lab. Even if the missing GISAID information is made public again, it will be impossible to say, in 2023, how the genetic data from raccoon dogs and the coronavirus came to share a sample from 2020. The data uploaded to GISAID doesn't distinguish whether the virus in the wildlife stall was brought there by a raccoon dog or by a person infected due to the superspreading in the market, Chan said. It doesn't even tell us if the raccoon dog was infected or if a surface contaminated by a sick person and the raccoon dog had been swabbed. Thousands of people moved through the market daily; by February 2020, at least some of them were shedding viral particles as they went from stall to stall. That some viral particles ended up in a cage where a raccoon dog was housed may be the expected outcome. The P4 lab inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology. (Ng Han Guan/AP) The claim is that genetic data indicate that raccoon dogs may have been present at Huanan Seafood Market at some point prior to January 2020. The claim, even if taken at face value, adds little to the discussion, Rutgers microbiologist Richard H. Ebright told Yahoo News in an email. The data do not indicate that a raccoon dog was infected with SARS-CoV-2, much less that a raccoon dog was infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to a human. Metzl was even more blunt. There is a zero percent chance that the evidence released so far constitutes a smoking gun proving a market origin of the pandemic. Anyone suggesting that this is the case is engaging in fraud, he told Yahoo News. Animal intermediaries for human viruses can take years to find, and some believe that looking for the origins of the coronavirus is a fruitless exercise that does nothing to prepare the world for the next disease outbreak. Still, a recent poll found that 7 in 10 Americans want to know where and how the pandemic originated. Once regarded as a conspiracy theory, the notion of a laboratory accident the Wuhan Institute of Virology is the main suspect has entered the mainstream. President Biden ordered American U.S. intelligence agencies to produce their own estimates of how the pandemic began. American intelligence agencies remain divided, and largely uncertain, but evidence appears to have been building in favor of human involvement. Last month, the Wall Street Journal revealed that researchers with the Department of Energys high-level Z Division had grown more confident about a lab leak. A raccoon dog foraging in a forest. (ARTERRA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) If the coronavirus did originate with raccoon dogs, there would likely be infected members of the species in the wild, since it is not plausible for a virus of such high transmissibility to have arisen at a single stall in Wuhan without leaving a trace of its origins. These researchers will need to go out into the wild and find a raccoon-dog specific CoV that has close enough overall genetic relatedness to SARS-CoV-2 to be a reasonable proximal ancestor, Fidopiastis of Cal Poly told Yahoo News. Chinese authorities have denied a market origin as steadfastly as they have a lab leak. Last year, researchers with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other institutions, ruled out the possibility that the coronavirus jumped from raccoon dogs or 17 other species sold in Wuhan. Using data from the swabs conducted in 2020 the same data that appeared briefly on GISAID earlier this month and caught Debarres attention the Chinese group asserted that no animal host of SARS-CoV-2 can be deduced and that the Huanan market was an amplifier, but not the origin, of the coronavirus. The lead author of that paper was George Gao, the former head of the Chinese CDC. Gao told the publication Science that the findings touted in the Atlantic represented nothing new. Still others believe that the research is a valuable step, even if definitive assertions are premature. These data do not provide a definitive answer to how the pandemic began, Tedros of the WHO said on Friday. But every piece of data is important to moving us closer to that answer. West Asian energy constitutes an important geo-economic dimension to Chinas growing stakes in West Asia. Oil and gas have remained at the core of global security issues over this past decade as China began to wield a buyers clout and Russia the clout of a supplier. (AP) In a world of geopolitical and geo-economic shifts, the Peoples Republic of China turned yet another page in recent history by bringing together two Asian adversaries -- the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. China brokered a peace agreement that will help to restore diplomatic ties between the adversarial neighbours. Way back in 2011, I was in Bahrain reading a paper at an international conference on The Gulf and Asia. By using the word Gulf rather than the Persian or Arabian Gulf, the conference organiser, the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (where I subsequently worked as the director for geo-economics and strategy), was buying peace from the neighbourhood. The Arab states never liked the Western prefix of Persian. Iran always viewed itself as the regions grandest civilisation, viewing the Arabs as bedouins (nomadic tribes). In my paper on India and the Gulf, I used the official Indian term West Asia to refer to what the West views as the Middle East. After my session was over, the tall and handsome adviser to the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, walked up to me to say: I always appreciate the fact that India refers to our region as West Asia. It is the appropriate term. Not Middle East. Call it what you will, but through the last century the region has had two dimensions to its global identity -- Islam and Oil. The British defined the borders. The Americans offered security guarantees as long as they controlled the flow of oil. The West befriended the Islamic elites of the region, seeking their oil and the petrodollars that the latter reinvested in the West. States were established, like Saudi Arabia, and other regimes destabilised, as in Iran, in the name of religion but in fact for oil. The focus of the 2011 IISS conference was on the change underway in the global oil economy and its implications for the security of the Gulf. The participants at the conference recognised that the United States was becoming less dependent on Gulf oil, having chosen to increase domestic production, and Europe was diversifying its sourcing, including from Russia. China and India, along with Japan and South Korea, had emerged as increasingly important customers. The distinguished analyst of the global energy economy, Daniel Yergin, had just published his book, The Quest: Energy, Security and the Remaking of the Modern World (Penguin Press, New York, 2011), which drew attention not just to Chinas growing importance as a consumer of oil, but also to Russias emergence as an important supplier of oil. Oil and gas have remained at the core of global security issues over this past decade as China began to wield a buyers clout and Russia the clout of a supplier. In the Gulf, they constitute the focus of regional security. While Russia is now engaged in a war that has reduced its clout as a supplier to Europe, it has turned its attention eastwards to the growing markets of China and India. The two Asian giants have also been, and will continue to be for some time to come, major markets for West Asian oil and gas. Before China-India relations turned for the worse, due to the border clashes, both countries were exploring ways to join forces as major consumers of West Asian energy to counter the sellers cartel. While this attempt to create a formal alliance of buyers has not yet borne fruit, the fact that West Asia has become dependent on Asian rather than Western markets has the potential to increase the buyers clout provided that the Asian consumers can come together. While access to West Asian energy constitutes an important geo-economic dimension to Chinas growing stakes in West Asia, there is also the geo-political aspect defined by the declining influence of the United States in the region. What should India do? Imports constitute 85 to 90 per cent of Indias oil consumption. Over 60 per cent of oil imports come from the Persian Gulf region. While the Gulfs share of oil imports and inward dollar remittances into India has been declining, it still remains substantial. Millions of Indians still live and work in the region. Clearly, the Gulf is of both geo-economic and geopolitical significance for India. Through its membership of what has been called the West Asian Quad I2U2 -- comprising the United States, India, Israel and the United Arab Emirates -- it appeared as if India was enhancing its clout in the region. It remains to be seen if this was indeed a well-advised move. India has historically had a presence both in Southeast Asia and West Asia. Has it strengthened or diluted its influence by joining hands with the US and Australia in one Quad and with the US and Israel in the other? Joining hands with Japan in the east and with UAE in the west is quite understandable, given the historical and contemporaneous links with both nations. However, it is not clear if the wider Asian region to Indias east and west appreciate India joining hands with the other two, in each instance, or whether India would be better off pursuing an independent regional policy in its wider Asian neighbourhood. India would be well advised to pay closer attention to Chinas strategy of establishing bilateral links with countries in its neighbourhood, not riding piggyback on others. Both in Southeast Asia and in West Asia, Indias neighbours would like to see India stand on its own feet, rather than with the aid of diplomatic crutches provided by the Western powers. At the 2011 Bahrain conference I was asked by an Arab participant: What does India want in West Asia? My reply was quick and categorical. Stability, peace and development. The West has not provided this to the region. It is in Indias long-term interest that there is greater stability in its wider Asian neighbourhood. Today, China promises to provide it. However, then and now, India in fact remains a force for stability and development in West Asia. A clear articulation of this worldview is necessary before the region once again becomes a theatre of Big Power conflict. STATEMENT OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS ON DEPLOYING WOMEN POLICE OFFICERS ON PNP FRONT DESKS Laging nakakabuti na magdagdag tayo ng kababaihan sa kahit anong organisasyon, lalo na sa ating kapulisan na alam nating male-dominated. Sana nga lang ay hindi i-"type cast" o limitahan ng posisyong "customer relations" ang ating mga babaeng pulis. Hindi ba't babaeng agent ang nakahuli sa tinawag na "world's worst pedophile"? Patunay na kayang-kaya ng mga babaeng law enforcer na maging lider, intelligence officers, even ground commanders, in the line of fire. Women's proficiencies go beyond the desk. Women can excel in many roles if given the chance. And I still look forward to the first woman PNP chief. I also hope that women already in the police force can help steer the PNP towards a more humane, inclusive, and rights-based standard of conduct. Tulong-tulong tayong mga babae. ***** Context: https://mb.com.ph/2023/3/17/why-okubo-wants-to-replace-desk-officers-in-ncr-police-stations-with-female-cops https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1744929/metro-policewomen-to-do-front-desk-duty-as-customer-relations-officers Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav during a meeting with Samajwadi party workers, in Kolkata. .(PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra) Kolkata: Exuding confidence that an opposition alliance would take shape in the days to come, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav said regional parties would play a key role in putting up a fight against the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, on the role of the Congress in this proposed opposition front, Yadav said it is for the grand old party to decide. "Efforts are on to forge an opposition alliance or front. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao are making efforts (on their own). I am confident that in the days to come, an opposition alliance will take shape, which will fight against the BJP," he told PTI Video in an interview. To a question whether he is putting the Congress and the BJP on the same pedestal, the SP chief said it is the regional parties in various states which are fighting the saffron camp. "In many states, the Congress doesn't exist in comparison to the BJP, but regional parties are fighting tooth and nail against the saffron camp on the ground, and I am hopeful that they will succeed," he said. When told that regional parties such as the JD (U), RJD and the DMK are keen on having the Congress in the opposition alliance, Yadav said they are already in a coalition with the grand old party. It is a question of a big fight, and the Congress itself will decide its role in this fight, he said. Asked who would be the face of the opposition camp in the next Lok Sabha elections, Yadav said it would be decided after the polls and is "not a pertinent question" right now. "You are talking about face. What about the (BJP's) face in 2014 and 2019, who made false promises to win the election? he said without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. None of the promises made by the BJP in 2014 and 2019 was fulfilled, the SP chief claimed. When asked whether his party would contest in the Raebareli and Amethi Lok Sabha seats in UP considered pocket boroughs of the Congress, Yadav alleged that SP workers are being killed in Amethi. "In Amethi, our cadres are being killed. The Samajwadi Party workers are questioning who will fight for them. It is the Samajwadi workers there who are supporting each other; the Congress workers are not coming out in our support," he said. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is the MP of Raebareli while her son and former party president Rahul Gandhi was defeated by Union minister Smriti Irani from Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Yadav said the Samajwadi Party would leave no stone unturned to stop the juggernaut of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh in the next Lok Sabha polls. "If the BJP wants to come to power in 2024, it has to win in UP. We will ensure that the BJP is defeated in UP and also in the country. In Uttar Pradesh, we will fight with our existing allies," he said. The SP and the Congress had joined hands in the 2017 assembly polls in UP but lost to the BJP. In the Lok Sabha polls held two years later, the grand old party was kept out of the SP-BSP alliance in the state. Speaking on the Adani issue, the SP chief slammed the Centre for allegedly allowing the loot of the country's assets and public money. He asked, "Why no question is being asked about the so-called number two (richest man)? Why is there no accountability on public money in LIC and SBI which is getting lost?" The Hindenburg report that alleged accounting fraud and stock manipulation at the Adani group, came just as a Rs 20,000 crore follow-on share sale of the conglomerate's flagship firm Adani Enterprises opened in January. I'm fine, as I'm very fortunate to own my home I own, but I'm feeling the pinch on my mortgage with other inflation costs I rent and it's expensive, but it could be worse I'm seriously considering leaving the valley if something doesn't give Vote View Results Photo: Hypersonix The American militarys different branches and organizations are almost all involved in this effort, and new developments are announced almost on a monthly basis, although it kind of seems little progress is actually being made. This March, Americas hypersonic dreams are related to an Australian company called Hypersonix Launch Systems. Hypersonix is a name weve heard before. Its crew is currently involved in efforts to develop no less than three pieces of hardware meant to be used for space exploration, be it of the civilian or military variety: the DART AE hypersonic drone, the Velos Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (VISR) flight demonstrator, and the Delta-Velos Orbiter reusable hypersonic launch platform.Of interest to us this weekend is the DART, because it is one of two technologies the U.S. Department of Defense selected earlier last week for prototype testing, as part of the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT1) program.DART is a machine three meters long (10 feet) that weighs 300 kg (661 pounds). Its still in development stages, but when ready for full time duty it should be capable of reaching speeds of Mach 7 (5,370 mph/8,642 kph) and travel to distances of up to 500 km (311 miles).The American military needs less than that for its purposes, as the contract it awarded to Hypersonix for DART testing only calls for the thing to reach a top speed of Mach 5 (3,836 mph/6,173 kph) and fly for just 3 minutes. So, sometime over the next 12 to 18 months, the Australian company will have to come up with a prototype that could be tested in a so-called representative environment, while at the same time keeping a maneuverable/non-ballistic flight profile.I said Hypersonix is one of two companies fighting for more attention with the military when it comes to this kind of HyCAT1 solutions. The second would be Fenix Space, a California-based startup thats working on a technology it describes as game-changing: that would be launching a rocket into space and by using an airplane to literally tow it through the air to a specific altitude from where it can go about its business on its own.The American military says it had to turn to both foreign companies and rather unconventional technologies because at the moment the slow pace of hypersonic research and development has significantly impacted the DoDs ability to mature hypersonics technology and retain a competitive advantage. Well just have to wait and see if results come faster this way. Photo: Thunderbike Romans are known to us even today thanks to the many things they managed to achieve long before other nations even knew were possible. Romans built roads and aqueducts, utilizing concrete on a scale never before seen, were a highly organized society and, most importantly, forcibly spread their knowledge and influence all over Europe and even on neighboring continents.This spreading of civilization would not have been possible without the help of the mighty Roman army. Highly organized and well armed, it managed to bring under Romes rule about 20 percent of that times world population.The Roman army also had a soft spot for bling, so its soldiers went into battle not only well-armed, but very ornate, too. Because in that age red was the color of the Roman God of War, Mars, thats what they mostly used for the main garments hidden under their armor, in combination with colorful edges, elaborate helmets, and massive shields. An impressive (and scary) sight, for sure.The image of an ornate Roman soldier ready to wage war against savages is exactly what this custom Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST put into my head. And not only because of the color chosen for the main body parts. The front fairing with its small windscreen looks like a soldiers helmet complete with crest, the fuel tank and side panels are the body armor, and the bags at the rear are the sheet metal guarding the soldiers legs.The bike even has a fitting name. Its makers, the Germans from Thunderbike , call it Red Rush, for obvious reasons. Its a Low Rider modified not only with the use of a paint job, but also with the fitting of no less than 25 custom parts to replace the stock ones.Changes start on the ground, on which sit Metzeler Cruisetec tires that warp around custom wheels, sized 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear. Quite the difference, but perfect for making the bike appear as if it leans back as it accelerates down the road.Aside for the obvious paint job, a series of other, smaller bits add style to the ride: the covers deployed where they were needed, with the most visible one on the clutch, or the LED lights fitted front and rear. Then, weve got things like the custom footrest or the aftermarket saddle wrapping up the visuals.The engine of the Low Rider still appears to be the stock one, only enhanced by means of a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhaust system in black, for proper contrast.Unlike many of the Thunderbike rides we get to discuss here, the Red Rush is listed as for sale by the Germans. Pricing is however a bit of info reserved for the ones truly interested in getting it. What we can tell you is that the extra parts used on this build amount, alone, to almost $9,000. With the blessing of the ESA member state UK Space Agency, Rolls-Royce revealed on March 17th, 2023, that a new round of funding had been secured for a design proposal to develop a novel form of nuclear fission microreactor. One built for the express purpose of aiding NASA/ESA ventures onto the Moon. Of course, this inevitably involves the support of the Artemis program.In addition to an early investment of 249,000 from the UK Space Agency, Rolls-Royce will use this most recent cash infusion of 2.9 million to create technology that would enable fission reactors on Earth to function in the near vacuum of the lunar surface. Rolls-Royce believes it will be able to field a nuclear reactor light enough to be sent to the Moon before the end of this decade with the aid of some of the UK's greatest nuclear research programs, including Oxford University."The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme. We're proud to work collaboratively with the UK Space Agency and the many UK academic institutions to showcase the best of UK innovation and knowledge in space," said Abi Clayton, Director of Future Programmes for Rolls-Royce."This funding will bring us further down the road in making the Micro-Reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth. The technology will deliver the capability to support commercial and defense use cases alongside providing a solution to decarbonize industry and provide clean, safe, and reliable energy."Making traditionally large and heavy nuclear reactors light and compact enough to launch into space aboard booster rockets has long plagued global aerospace manufacturers. In the past, the US Department of Energy has funded similar design studies with mixed results. But with the right selection of lightweight building materials, skilled astronaut personnel, and powerful nuclear fissile fuel, chances are good this pie-in-the-sky fantasy could be a reality far sooner than you might think.As of the present day, the first NASA Artemis mission to actually step foot on the lunar surface isn't expected to launch until 2025. This means if NASA and the ESA are able to stick to this tentative schedule, this gives astronauts a mere four years to prepare a prospective landing sight to accommodate a nuclear power system on top of the obligatory human-crewed Moon base.No word yet on what kind of booster rocket could theoretically accommodate cargo of this nature. But it's a safe bet that decision will come down either to NASA's Space Launch System, possibly in block 1B or block two forms, or more likely SpaceX's Starship. It's a mad dash to make the deadline , and it starts right now. Nearly three years ago, Google said on an Android Auto support page that its app would be provided with full support for touchpad input At that time, the company acknowledged that not all apps supported car touchpads, promising to improve Android Auto in this regard.Touchpads arent necessarily very common in the automotive industry. They are used by only a handful of carmakers, such as Acura and Mercedes. Despite the low adoption, Google wanted to refine this input method.Users who want to interact with Android Auto can do it either with voice commands or directly via touch input. The most common method is touch, especially as the majority of Android Auto head units support it.The recommended option, on the other hand, is voice command integration. This way, drivers wouldnt have to look at the screen, and the hands-free experience would generate less distraction behind the wheel.The touchpad input can be used particularly in cars where touch support isnt available. It makes sense mostly when the vehicle is parked, especially as drivers need to keep an eye on the screen to browse Android Auto.Nearly three years after Google confirmed the touchpad support coming to all apps, the feature is still nowhere to be seen. The announcement is still there on the Android Auto support page, and Google hasnt shared any other information on the progress it might have made on this update.In the meantime, all of Googles efforts are directed at Coolwalk. Announced in January, Coolwalk allows users to run more than one app on the screen at the same time. Previously, this functionality was exclusive to wide displays.Coolwalk uses a layout similar to the CarPlay Dashboard, and apps are running in dedicated cards. Google is presumably focused on ensuring proper app support in Coolwalk right now, so other improvements might not be a priority in the short term.The rollout of Coolwalk is happening in stages. The redesign isnt part of a specific app update because Google wants to make sure everything is running as expected. The server-controlled release gives the company more time to analyze the reliability data collected from devices. If any major bug is discovered, it can suspend the rollout for specific hardware until a fix is developed.The search giant did not share an ETA as to when it wants to bring Coolwalk to all users, but this is expected to happen over the course of this year. Right now, the fastest way to get Coolwalk seems to be enrolling in the Android Auto beta program where testers already got access to the new UI. Curiously or not, the second-largest U.S. automaker aka the Blue Oval company is not going to sit this one out, but still feels out of place. It is not because it lacks the will to succeed. Instead, we simply stumbled upon a couple of projects from General Motors Chevrolet and Stellantis (or, rather, its Dodge subsidiary) that do not bode well for the Ford Mustang that flashed before our CGI eyes and had a long-lasting impression.As such, let me talk about that one first and only then get on with the main Dodge versus Chevy showcase. Mind you, these are all dream cars, so do not start crying that they are unobtainable or run amok shouting aloud your eternal outrage. Better take a seat and enjoy the virtual tales, frankly, if you do not me asking that or giving additional counsel. So, let us get on with it.Andrej, a Vienna-based 3D generalist (aka anthe.cr3 on social media) that also loves to dabble with automotive stuff and has a passion for Blenders Cycles has produced a CGI studio shot of a Ford Mustang coupe (the loathed Mustang II , as far as we can tell) that feels like an ongoing Tesla or Edison experiment more than a stylish vintage pony car. Still, the fans appreciated it as amazing work due to an abundance of colorful and intricate details. So, I am also giving it an honorable mention.Meanwhile, Abimelec Arellano, the virtual artist better known as abimelecdesign on social media, has prepared a purposedly luxurious, cruiser-like vision of how vintage Mopars lend themselves very well for a restomod project at least a digital one. And it turns out that the mid-size 1970 Dodge Coronet which was originally a full-size car before switching to an intermediate B-body for the fifth generation is also no exception from the classic-to-modern norm. When done properly, that is.Such is the case here, of course, as the luxury cruiser vibe goes hand in hand with the deep blue exterior sprinkled with chrome details, as well as the rich and opulent yet vintage-looking leather-clad interior. The pixel master further explains that the body was mostly left intact save for an active rear spoiler at the back that acts depending on speed and a 1980s BMW-inspired front-hinged hood. The cockpit, meanwhile, gets a taste of Porsches Terra Cotta hue with suede touches and its own subtle redesign. Of course, a couple of SRT secrets could not be missing in action, right?The first touch of SRT comes in the form of Challenger sport seats but even more importantly a 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat V8 with at least 707 ponies on tap also lurks under the hood. Plus, there is also a rear seat delete to make this stylish monster a tad lighter, as well as a nice set of dark HRE C109 wheels to wrap everything neatly. Alas, if you would rather have something from the GM stable, no worries, as Emmanuel Brito (aka personalizatuauto on social media) comes to the rescue.His latest journey of wishful thinking discovery is one odd color combination for a 1967 (third-generation) Chevrolet Nova dark gunmetal gray with lots and lots of rose gold details on the grille, hood gills, the dual-tone aftermarket wheels, the centered dual exhaust, as well as on the exposed V8 that is protruding through the meaty hood! These luxurious CGI steroids are not alone on this hypothetical restomod, though, which unfortunately has an obscured interior. Instead, there is also a Whipple supercharger for those who love power in a ride!Thus, sadly, now we must choose. Which one of these three virtual projects would make it into your dream restomod garage? Could it be the Ford Mustang II, the blue but cheerful Hellcat Dodge Coronet, or the rose gold Whippled menace of a slammed 67 Chevy Nova? Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. TPCC president A.Revanth Reddy said that the Congress party will stage protests across the state on March 19 against the scam. Reddy said that he will participate in the deeksha at Gandhari on Sunday. (DC) HYDERABAD: TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy alleged that IT minister K.T. Rama Rao was trying to save his party leaders from the TSPSC question papers leakage scam by stating that only two persons were involved in the scam. Making scapegoat of lower-grade employees, he was protecting the BRS bigwigs, who were involved in the racket, said Reddy, whose Haath se haath jodo padayatra continued in Kamareddy Assembly constituency on Saturday. On Rama Raos argument that an IT minister cannot be linked to TSPSC affairs, he asked on what basis did he and T. Harish Rao review the issue while ignoring education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy , chief secretary, DGP and SIT officials. Stating that question papers of all competitive exams were leaked by the BRS government, he said that nailing the culprits was important. MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha faced allegations in recruitment of Singareni jobs in 2015 and 2017, he alleged. The leakage of Eamcet question papers and faulty valuation of Intermediate answer sheets led to 25 students dying by suicide, he said. Reddy demanded that the TSPSC case should be investigated by either CBI or a sitting judge. The TPCC president said that the Congress party will stage protests across the state on March 19 against the scam. Reddy said that he will participate in the deeksha at Gandhari on Sunday. New 2024 Comet May Be Extremely Bright for Washington / Oregon Coast; S. Coast Eclipse Oct Published 03/14/23 at 5:23 PM By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) Late next year, make sure you're looking up if you're on the Oregon coast or Washington coast. It's may be a whole year and a half away, but it's getting the kind of press attention that 2017's total eclipse received a good year or two ahead of time. Yet another reason to head to the Washington coast or Oregon coast later that year: if you want to get some exceptional comet shots by the sea. (Above: Comet Neowise on S. Oregon coast / Bandon, courtesy Manuela Durson. A detail of the full shot - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more) Astronomers have discovered a comet that could be among the brightest we've seen in the skies of Earth. Astronomers call it C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) or A3 for short, and the big beauty is estimated to appear to human eyes around June of 2024, but reach its brightest in September of that year. Comet A3 will reach perihelion (closest approach to the sun) on September 28, 2024, and reach its closest path to Earth in October. Some estimates are that it could get as bright as a magnitude -5 which is about as bright as Venus. Others say around .07, which would make it approximately the brightness of an average star in the sky. In any case, what we'd be seeing from areas like Gold Beach, Forks or Seaside is a bright spot with a sizable tail, something the Oregon coast or Washington coastline hasn't seen since Comet Hale-Bopp in the '90s. That one shone at a magnitude -1.8. C/2023 A3 was just discovered last month by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in South Africa, and in January it was first spotted by Tsuchinshan Observatory in China. This is why there's the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS added onto the name. Amateur astronomer Filipp Romanov caught these shots of the new visitor to our solar system back in February, showing considerable movement. Currently, the comet is in the vicinity of Saturn's orbit. At the moment, astronomers around the world are predicting it to whiz by closest to Earth on October 13, 2024. But the big caveat here is that there's still plenty of interstellar stuff that can alter its course between now and the fall of 2024, so revisions are likely down the road. Along with revisions to its ETA, scientists caution there's a lot of other things that can happen to C/2023 A3 as well, like getting melted too soon and self-destructing altogether. They are made of unpredictable dust and ice, and it's entirely possible this one won't live up to expectations. Those on the Oregon coast and Washington coast may be able to spot it using astronomy optics in that June. In August of 2024, it gets lost amid the glare of the sun, emerging in September. By that time, if we're all lucky it will be lit up by its encounter with Sol heated and set aglow - and hopefully develops a massive tail. The sun reflecting off the ice should even brighten it up further, say scientists. However, that still all depends if it makes it through our solar system intact. 2017 eclipse photo Oregon Coast Beach Connection There is a jaw-dropping eclipse of the sun coming to the south Oregon coast in October. October 14 will only create these wild, exceptional sights farther south, including the towns of Corvallis, Newport, Eugene, Florence, Coos Bay and Bandon. It first comes ashore at Reedsport in the afternoon. Portland or any other town in Washington won't get to see what will be an annular solar eclipse. That means it's ring-shaped and won't be a full eclipse. Those on the south Oregon coast will still get to see a ring of fire, but the world won't get dark for a minute like the 2017 eclipse. Oregon Coast Hotels for this event - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Comet Neowise taken by the ISS Comet Neowise, Oregon Coast Beach Connection More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Oregon Coast Aquarium Develops Landmark Treatment for Sea Star Wasting Syndrome Published 03/13/23 at 6:53 PM By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) - Since about 2013, the West Coast of the U.S. has seen much of its sea star population decimated, simply dying off and literally dissolving into the ocean. Hitting its height that year and in 2014, the Oregon coast along with other states saw some 90 percent of them disappear, killed by a still-mysterious disease called sea star wasting syndrome (SSWS). (Photos courtesy Oregon Coast Aquarium) SSWS turned them into gelatinous piles that were unrecognizable, mysterious objects that hit the ocean floor off this coast and others from Alaska down to Mexico, eventually liquefying into nothing. One integral species, the sunflower sea star (Pycnopodia helianthoides), was hit especially hard. It's now listed as endangered. Finally, in 2018 the colorful creatures had begun to rebound. However, even inside the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the famed Newport attraction had dealt with the deadly affliction. Some of their sea stars had died this way. Now, some staff at Oregon Coast Aquarium appear to have come up with a way to treat them, and with a rather high rate of success. Like the sea star movements themselves, it's a slow, slow process, taking place essentially one sea star at a time. Unfortunately, it's not something that can be done on a grand scale in the ocean. But it may be a step in the right direction. There is no known cure for SSWS, but thanks to the efforts of aquarium staff, there is now an effective treatment, said aquarium spokesperson Courtney Klug. For the last two years, aquarist Tiffany Rudek has been developing a means of treatment for ill, stressed or injured sea stars. With a rather high degree of success, she's saved many of these revered echinoderms' lives. Rudek started off by working closely with jelly specialist Evonne Mochon Collura at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, and then submitting a formal plan of treatment after developing and refining several steps. Once narrowed down, they've been posted online so that others around the world can also treat sea stars at their facilities. What they came up with was somewhat revolutionary, creating protocols that had a few layers, while concentrating on supporting the sea star's immune system. It turns out this is a method that can be used to treat injuries as well as the disease. Mochon Collura at left, Rudek at right When stars show symptoms at the aquarium, such as skin lesions and twisted limbs, they are taken to a quarantine area for Rudeks treatment, Klug said. The stars are placed into a cold water holding area and a buffer containing specific trace elements is applied. It's all about giving them an ideal environment to heal. They are then given a probiotic that is specific to invertebrates, one which prevents the growth of harmful bacteria and any type of secondary infection. This includes a bath to remove parasites and fungus. This is all completed and repeated with the goal of creating a low stress environment for the stars, and an unwelcoming environment for harmful bacteria and parasites, Klug said. So far, this method has proven successful with 17 sea stars of varying species, including the Aquariums three sunflower sea stars. Rudek's colleague Mochon Collura said her thinking was decidedly out-of-the-box and just what was needed. With a lot of focused, hard work and plenty of creativity, Mocon Collura said, Rudek said it worked like a charm, nursing over two dozen sea stars back to health. Rudek and Mochon Collura will continue trialing the method and collaborating with other labs and sea star working groups. While the trial is in its early stages, and the sample size is relatively low, Aquarium staff are optimistic with these very promising results. Rudek is looking forward to the impact the treatment may have in other facilities: We opted to share this method, because not sharing didnt feel right, she said. There are sea stars dying rapidly, and what weve developed is working - theres a chance it could help so many people and so many stars. 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, Oregon. aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Hotels in Newport - Where to eat - Newport Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Oregon Coast History Then and Now Photos: Perpetua, Waldport, Bandon, Depoe Bay Published 03/12/23 at 4:33 PM By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Oregon Coast) - Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes..... said one extremely influential rock star some 50 years ago. That famous line from Bowie is itself history now, in a song talking about things in the present all becoming history at one point. (Above: at left, Waldport's bridge today, photo copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. At right, blowing up the old bridge, courtesy photo) Certainly here on the Oregon coast, change is a constant. It's not just the waves and winds eroding stuff away and changing shape, it's progress itself, and sometimes even things returning to a more natural state by the urging of mankind. It's not always bad stuff we do. There's a lot going on here, and the stark differences aren't something we always notice unless we see old historic photographs or we return to a fave Oregon coast beach after a decade or more. Among such examples is towering Cape Perpetua and the Devil's Churn. Above, here's what the area near Yachats looked like in the '30s. The zig-zagging pathway downward doesn't look as manicured as it does now. There's even a bridge over the Churn at the bottom which undoubtedly didn't last long with the way Oregon coast storms like to batter the region. What's also striking in this before / after is sequence is the flat, cleared area where the parking lot and the restrooms are now. Also compare and contrast the modern vs. 100 years ago: the trees now are so much higher than they were then. Blowing Up of Alsea Bay Bridge in Waldport. The famed Alsea Bay Bridge you now see in Waldport isn't as old as the Art Deco architecture implies. Waldport's largest feature is nearly 3,000 feet long and is one of the prime connections across Highway 101. But it's the second bridge here, after the first one was blown up in 1991. The original, designed by Conde McCullough, was finally the big connection for the central Oregon coast after Highway 101 had gone up. McCullough's famed accomplishment was completed in 1936 with a huge celebration that is said to have had as many as 15,000 present (estimates differ.) That first bridge for Waldport started to get run down later in life, with rust being one of the primary problems. Chunks of concrete from its underside started to crack off and hit the Aslea Bay as well. In 1972 it was decided to phase this one out and build a new Alsea Bay Bridge. Construction on that began in the late '80s, side by side with the old one. Completed sometime in 1991, there was another huge dedication in August known as the largest celebration since the first one in '36. The yellow crystal lights and the Art Deco-style stone pillars they sat in were retained with the new Oregon coast bridge, as well as other design elements, keeping the tradition. Sometime after that, demolition slowly began on the historic Waldport bridge, starting with slowly dismantling parts of it. Finally, it was blown apart with dynamite and the remnants slowly cleared over the next several months. Hotels in Waldport - Where to eat - Waldport, Seal Rock Maps and Virtual Tours Yachats By Air in the Past. Oregon Coast Beach Connection has been lucky enough to snag two historical aerials of Yachats. First up is Yachats in 1959. It makes a point of the Adobe Motel back then, now known as the Adobe Resort for at least three decades. What's remarkable is the lack of anything else nearby. The adorable central Oregon coast town is essentially bare of mankind's constructs. It's all still wild country. Fast forward to 1993, there's this infrared shot from ODFW. Infrared shows heat sources, and the agency was likely looking at plant life in the area. The Adobe has a strikingly different configuration, and it's thicker than before. Meanwhile, there's a ton of other buildings and roads by this time, looking more or less like it does today, even just 30 years after the first shot. Hotels in Yachats - Where to eat - Yachats Maps and Virtual Tours Bandon Early in the Century. These old photographs can really reveal some fascinating discoveries, especially with this one provided by the Bandon Historical Museum. Back about 100 years ago or so, the southern Oregon coast town had completely different names for its landmark rock structures. Then, this set contained the Lion and the Monkey though it's hard to be sure which is which. Photo Manuela Durson - see Manuela Durson Fine Arts for more. Fast forward to now, the rock structure that's prominent in both shots is known as the Castle. None of Bandon's rocks here are officially named by the state or the city, and consequently some folks in town have different names for them than others. A few names even cause considerable argument. Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours Depoe Bay in '50s. It's possible this old-timey shot is from the '60s too, though it's difficult to zoom in enough on the image to clearly see the cars. Depoe Bay is a late comer on the Oregon coast, only officially becoming a city in the '70s. Even so, little has changed from this vantage point, showing what would eventually become the Oregon Coast Aquarium store and then later the Whale Watching Center. Hotels in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Depoe Bay Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast. LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Mark Serwotka has queried why the Government will not talk to civil service worker unions (Kirsty OConnor/PA) Kirsty OConnor The leader of a civil servants union has questioned how the Government has been able to produce a pay offer for nurses while declining to begin negotiations for their own workforce. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said it was great news that progress was being made in talks with health leaders, but added that the Government has displayed utter contempt for their own workforce. He said that PCS members: including civil servants in Government departments; Border Force; the DVLA; and the British Museum; had been offered the lowest pay increase across anyone in the public sector at 2%. Speaking on Skys Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Serwotka said that many of these workers felt they had no choice but to stage lengthy strikes because many are living in work poverty. This includes more than 1,000 Passport Office workers in England, Scotland and Wales who are staging industrial action for five weeks from April 3 including over the Easter and early May Bank Holiday weekends. When asked how this lengthy walkout sounds to outsiders, Mr Serwotka said: It sounds like giving everything they can to strain every sinew to force their employer to recognise that when theyre going to foodbanks to claim benefits because they work for the Government, it is obscene. Weve tried for months to get the Government to engage. Its great news that theyre talking to the health unions and education unions, but why wont they talk to their own workforce? Rishi Sunak applauded his workforce during the pandemic, he lauded us for delivering the furlough scheme, for delivering three million claims to universal credit. Mark Serwotka speaking during a strike rally in Trafalgar Square in central London on Wednesday (Yui Mok/PA) Yui Mok Many people died in the civil service who went into work to keep our borders safe and provide frontline services, yet a 2% pay rise is lower than anywhere in the economy and they will not even negotiate with us. I think most of your viewers would find that utterly astonishing and thats why people are having to take escalating strike action, because theyve got no choice if they want to get themselves out of work poverty. He said that 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks, 45,000 claim in-work benefits, and 49,000 workers across the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are on the national minimum wage. Mr Serwotka added that the fact Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden did not mention the PCS strikes during his earlier appearance on the same show goes to confirm the utter contempt they hold their own workforce in. Oliver Dowden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Victoria Jones/PA) Victoria Jones The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was asked about the pay talks with teaching unions and junior doctors, and how the pay offer for nurses would be funded. Mr Dowden, who has played a key role co-ordinating the Governments response to strikes, said: Finding this money is not easy. But we think that in this context of ensuring that we reward nurses properly and we prevent disruption, that we can find the money to do this but it wont be easy. He suggested the money could come from the 160 billion NHS budget or from within wider Government spending. Given the pressure that health services around the world are under, were not going to take services away from the front line, he added. Service founder still on a high after being named our 999 Hero Rodney Connor with, from left, Shield Accident Management's Monica Hughes, Hope Street's Kerri Quinn and UTV's Paul Clarke at last year's awards SPIRIT of Northern Ireland winner Rodney Connor was already flying high after being recognised as the driving force behind the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. He was named our 999 Hero at last years awards, but the icing on the cake came when he was given the royal seal of approval months later. Rodney and his wife, Elizabeth, were invited to a royal carol service at Westminster Abbey just before Christmas after his tireless work was recognised at our ceremony. He told us: Had I not got that acknowledgement from yourselves, we wouldnt have got that [invite]. It was the royal carol service, and Lord Brookeborough invited us, but that came from the coverage you gave us. It was a beautiful occasion. Establishing the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland and seeing it up in the air and successful meant an awful lot and gave me great satisfaction. But to be even considered for your awards, that was something else, and I really appreciated that. To be with all those other good people, it was really something I appreciated very much indeed. Unfortunately, we dont hear enough about the good things in life we often hear the bad things. So, what these awards are doing is great, and the event itself I enjoyed very much indeed. That I was considered alongside all those very good people meant a lot to me and my wife. Its nice to be appreciated its very humbling. It restores your faith in humanity and lets you see there are many good people out there who, unfortunately, we dont hear about very often. This gives them recognition, and that is very important and for me. I really appreciated getting the acknowledgement. Rodney Connor with, from left, Shield Accident Management's Monica Hughes, Hope Street's Kerri Quinn and UTV's Paul Clarke at last year's awards Rodney was presented with his award by actress Kerri Quinn and UTVs Paul Clarke. His proud wife said: It was very important for him to get that award. The awards ceremony was tremendous to be a part of. Castlederg-born Rodney dedicated a decade of hard work and commitment to realise his ambition of getting the life-saving service set up. Since 2017, it has been sent to more than 3,000 emergencies, making a difference to countless people across the community. He set out on his journey in 2006, when he was the chief executive of the old Fermanagh District Council. Rodney put his life and soul into making his dream a reality, knowing how vital it would be for rural communities in particular. His hard work saw him honoured at last years Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, in association with Ulster Bank, and he can be proud of the legacy he has built. Rodney said: Im no longer on the board, but I keep in touch with whats going on. The Air Ambulance has been very successful. To think that Northern Ireland was the only part of the United Kingdom that didnt have one makes it even more satisfying because of the number of people who are benefiting. The doctor continues the treatment in flight and decides which hospital is best for the patient to be brought to. When theyre there, they can continue that treatment. Its working exceptionally well. Thats why its so important, and you can see how much it is appreciated when you go anywhere, but in particular when you go to rural areas. [There have been] parents who have seen their children badly injured, but their situation vastly improves because of the speed of getting the necessary care to them. Even people who have lost loved ones, they know that everything that could have been done was done. That gives them some comfort. Monica presenting Rodney with his award Rodney said that with the service being a charity, fundraising never stopped, and he hopes media coverage of the awards will go towards raising awareness of what the ambulance does. He added: To keep going, we need to raise at least 2million every year. Were dependent entirely on groups and local people because we are a charity. Were depending on peoples goodwill. The support weve had from everyone has been superb. Hopefully, we will continue to be successful in raising our funds. The 999 Hero award recognises someone in the emergency services who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. This year, the category is again sponsored by Shield Accident Management. Director Monica Hughes said: The significance of acknowledging last years winner, Rodney Connor, who helped the air ambulance attend 3,000 emergencies after more than a decade of hard work and commitment, has reiterated just how robust the people who live in Northern Ireland are. From the outset, we chose to sponsor the 999 Hero award as we feel that those selfless people who work for our blue-light services deserve to be celebrated and recognised for the true heroes they are. Rodney with the Air Ambulance helicopter The awards show, hosted by UTVs Pamela Ballantine and Q Radio presenter Ibe Sesay, will be held at the Culloden Resort and Spa in Cultra on June 30. Read more Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards: Nominate your 2023 unsung heroes The deadline for nominations is April 30 and the process for putting someone forward is simple. Just email your nomination to spiritofniawards@sundaylife.co.uk with an explanation of why you think they deserve to be recognised. Alternatively, you can post nominations to Sunday Life Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, 33 Clarendon Road, Belfast BT1 3BG. The awards Eamonn Holmes paid a touching tribute to his late mum as he marked his first Mothers Day without her. The Belfast-born GB news presenter said not a day passes when he doesnt hear her voice. In an emotional article, he admitted that he has dreaded this date since his mum Josie died last November. She passed away aged 93, following a long illness. Today I face the day I never wanted to face. Its Mothers Day, and for the first time in my life I dont have a mother. Well, not a living one, the broadcaster penned in an article for the Sunday Express. I cant give that love anymore and its another anniversary I have to deal with. Her birthdays been and gone, so has Christmas, Easter is yet to come, and Mothers Day is today. In my heart she will never really be gone. Not a day goes by that I dont hear her voice, he added. The broadcaster reflected candidly on the memory of his late mum, crediting her high standards for keeping his feet on the ground throughout his showbiz career. Josie was very special to me. Her standards were high and her tolerance of bull very low. She called it as she saw it and she never had time for pretentiousness- a great leveller in my showbiz life Eamonn said. The 63-year-old stated that it was the greatest sorrow of my life, that he couldnt attend his mothers funeral as he was recovering from back surgery and suffering from prolonged health issues. Josies funeral took place in St. Patricks Church in Belfast, and Eamonn was grateful for the technology that allowed him to attend virtually via a video link. The presenter wrote fondly about his late mothers underlying sarcastic humour, a quality he suggested that he inherited from her. He also showed great appreciation for his beloved mum, praising her ability to keep her sons in line as they were growing up. She passed the test on every front. She had five boys and kept us all in line whilst also protecting us from the Troubles. This was not easy for a mummy to do. Eamonn also took to social media yesterday to share a video of his late mother, reading an interview he gave to the Belfast Telegraph, in which he described his love for her. This is my first year without a Mother on Mothers day. But I did an interview last year and I said how much I loved her. How glad I am that I did. As you can see, she seemed pretty happy, he said on Saturday. If you still have a mum, give her a hug from me and dont forget her tomorrow, he captioned the video posted on his social media account. The TV presenter posted a health update to his Instagram account earlier in the week, as he was pictured wearing a harness to support him in attempting to walk again. He informed his followers: Learning to walk with purpose today. Gosh Im trying so hard. The harness gives me more confidence than I have. Wish me well. Laws could be changed to make it easier for police chiefs to sack rogue officers, the Home Secretary said. Suella Braverman said it was currently very difficult for chief constables to kick out officers who fall short. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has estimated that hundreds of officers in his force have been getting away with misconduct and even criminal behaviour, but he currently has no way of removing them. The Home Office launched a review of the police disciplinary process earlier this year after serving Met officer David Carrick was convicted for being a serial rapist. Home Secretary Suella Braverman in Rwanda (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Stefan Rousseau Problems with vetting officers across police forces were also identified by His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The Met is braced for a difficult week with the publication of Baroness Caseys review of the culture and standards in the force, commissioned in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard by serving officer Wayne Couzens. Ms Braverman gave Sir Mark her backing to raise standards in the Met, although she acknowledged there were serious problems in policing. She told reporters accompanying her on a visit to Rwanda: Thats why the inspectorate carried out a wholesale review, not just for the Met but of all police forces, and laid out around 40 recommendations on what police forces should be doing to raise their standards with vetting and processing. Ive announced changes that we are going to make, or consult on at least, on the dismissals process. We have found that its very difficult for a chief constable to dismiss an officer who falls short. If the law needs changing, I will do that. But ultimately, we need to ensure that all standards are raised, and the Met Commissioner was really serious about achieving that goal. She said there had been real failings in the Met, some of which had tragic consequences. Whats important now is we get behind the commissioner and his turnaround plan, and we support him and his deputy to ensure that the Met is recruiting and retaining the best people to protect the public and improving its standards and keeping people safe. The commissioner has my backing to do that. But she added: Weve got to remember the vast majority of Met police officers are brave, courageous and uphold the highest standards. Scotland Yard hopes the Casey review will be an opportunity to reset relations with communities in the capital and help the process of rebuilding trust following cases such as Couzens and Carrick. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In an indication that the report makes for uncomfortable reading, the Mets deputy commissioner Dame Lynne Owens, who has seen it ahead of its publication, said for those of us who care, our emotional response will be raw and the force should expect critical commentary in its wake. She said: I have a heartfelt plea. This is an opportunity for the many outstanding officers and staff to work with communities to reset where needed. Much of what she (Casey) says will resonate with you too. Oil and gas have remained at the core of global security issues over this past decade as China began to wield a buyer's clout and Russia the clout of a supplier. (AP) In a world of geopolitical and geo-economic shifts, the Peoples Republic of China turned yet another page in recent history by bringing together two Asian adversaries -- the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. China brokered a peace agreement that will help to restore diplomatic ties between the adversarial neighbours. Way back in 2011, I was in Bahrain reading a paper at an international conference on "The Gulf and Asia". By using the word "Gulf" rather than the "Persian" or "Arabian" Gulf, the conference organiser, the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies (where I subsequently worked as the director for geo-economics and strategy), was buying peace from the neighbourhood. The Arab states never liked the Western prefix of "Persian". Iran always viewed itself as the regions grandest civilisation, viewing the Arabs as bedouins (nomadic tribes). In my paper on "India and the Gulf", I used the official Indian term West Asia to refer to what the West views as the "Middle East". After my session was over, the tall and handsome adviser to the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, walked up to me to say: "I always appreciate the fact that India refers to our region as West Asia. It is the appropriate term. Not Middle East." Call it what you will, but through the last century the region has had two dimensions to its global identity -- Islam and Oil. The British defined the borders. The Americans offered security guarantees as long as they controlled the flow of oil. The West befriended the Islamic elites of the region, seeking their oil and the petrodollars that the latter reinvested in the West. States were established, like Saudi Arabia, and other regimes destabilised, as in Iran, in the name of religion but in fact for oil. The focus of the 2011 IISS conference was on the change underway in the global oil economy and its implications for the security of the Gulf. The participants at the conference recognised that the United States was becoming less dependent on Gulf oil, having chosen to increase domestic production, and Europe was diversifying its sourcing, including from Russia. China and India, along with Japan and South Korea, had emerged as increasingly important customers. The distinguished analyst of the global energy economy, Daniel Yergin, had just published his book, The Quest: Energy, Security and the Remaking of the Modern World (Penguin Press, New York, 2011), which drew attention not just to Chinas growing importance as a consumer of oil, but also to Russias emergence as an important supplier of oil. Oil and gas have remained at the core of global security issues over this past decade as China began to wield a buyers clout and Russia the clout of a supplier. In the Gulf, they constitute the focus of regional security. While Russia is now engaged in a war that has reduced its clout as a supplier to Europe, it has turned its attention eastwards to the growing markets of China and India. The two Asian giants have also been, and will continue to be for some time to come, major markets for West Asian oil and gas. Before China-India relations turned for the worse, due to the border clashes, both countries were exploring ways to join forces as major consumers of West Asian energy to counter the sellers cartel. While this attempt to create a formal alliance of buyers has not yet borne fruit, the fact that West Asia has become dependent on Asian rather than Western markets has the potential to increase the buyers clout provided that the Asian consumers can come together. While access to West Asian energy constitutes an important geo-economic dimension to Chinas growing stakes in West Asia, there is also the geo-political aspect defined by the declining influence of the United States in the region. What should India do? Imports constitute 85 to 90 per cent of Indias oil consumption. Over 60 per cent of oil imports come from the Persian Gulf region. While the Gulfs share of oil imports and inward dollar remittances into India has been declining, it still remains substantial. Millions of Indians still live and work in the region. Clearly, the Gulf is of both geo-economic and geopolitical significance for India. Through its membership of what has been called the West Asian Quad I2U2 -- comprising the United States, India, Israel and the United Arab Emirates -- it appeared as if India was enhancing its clout in the region. It remains to be seen if this was indeed a well-advised move. India has historically had a presence both in Southeast Asia and West Asia. Has it strengthened or diluted its influence by joining hands with the US and Australia in one Quad and with the US and Israel in the other? Joining hands with Japan in the east and with UAE in the west is quite understandable, given the historical and contemporaneous links with both nations. However, it is not clear if the wider Asian region to Indias east and west appreciate India joining hands with the other two, in each instance, or whether India would be better off pursuing an independent regional policy in its wider Asian neighbourhood. India would be well advised to pay closer attention to Chinas strategy of establishing bilateral links with countries in its neighbourhood, not riding piggyback on others. Both in Southeast Asia and in West Asia, Indias neighbours would like to see India stand on its own feet, rather than with the aid of diplomatic crutches provided by the Western powers. At the 2011 Bahrain conference I was asked by an Arab participant: "What does India want in West Asia?" My reply was quick and categorical. Stability, peace and development. The West has not provided this to the region. It is in Indias long-term interest that there is greater stability in its wider Asian neighbourhood. Today, China promises to provide it. However, then and now, India in fact remains a force for stability and development in West Asia. A clear articulation of this worldview is necessary before the region once again becomes a theatre of Big Power conflict. The Home Secretary has said there is a gross misperception about Rwanda in the UK after being asked if the migration deal affected the Governments ability to criticise the country on other issues. Neighbouring nation the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) accused Rwanda of firing rockets into its territory last year as tensions between the two nations remains high. But Ms Braverman said any concerns ministers had with Rwanda about the support of rebels in DRC would be raised in private, describing the relationship between the African nation and the UK as close and frank. Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours a building site on the outskirts of Kigali (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Stefan Rousseau Speaking to reporters on her visit to Kigali, Ms Braverman said: Well, the way I view our relationship with Rwanda is one that is a close relationship and a frank relationship. Ministers, if there are concerns, well raise them in private and thats the right way that international relations operates. What I would say is that there is a gross misperception about Rwanda in the UK. Actually, this is my third visit to Rwanda in the last 15 years or so, and Rwanda is a safe country. And thats not just me saying that, thats our High Court putting it in an exhaustive judgment. Our scheme complies with international law it complies with the European Convention on Human Rights and complies with the Refugee Convention. Ms Braverman continued: Rwanda is a forward-looking dynamic economy. Rwanda has a real role and its a beacon in the region for providing humanitarian relief and refuge to refugees in the region. So I think that there there are myths about Rwanda and really, Im here to be a champion of our friends in Rwanda and to work in partnership with them. Pressed on whether the deal affected the Governments ability to criticise Rwanda on other issues, Ms Braverman said: As I said, if there are any concerns, those will be raised by relevant ministers in private. Boris Johnson will face MPs on the committee next week (PA) Jonathan Brady Boris Johnson could face a witch hunt when he appears before MPs investigating his partygate comments, an ally of the former prime minister has warned. Lord Greenhalgh said he hopes Mr Johnson gets a fair and just hearing but he voiced concerns about the Privileges Committee process. The peer, who was a deputy mayor when Mr Johnson was in Londons City Hall and became a minister under him as prime minister, has backed a campaign which calls for Conservative MPs on the committee to pull out of the kangaroo court. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Asked if he believes the four Tories should withdraw, he told Times Radio: I choose my words more carefully than that. Im concerned that it will be a witch hunt. He said he is concerned that were going to get a McCarthyite approach to justice on the Privileges Committee a reference to US senator Joseph McCarthys zealous efforts to find Communist sympathisers in the 1950s. I certainly hope that Parliament goes through the process properly, and that the former prime minister should get a fair and just hearing, Lord Greenhalgh said. We want swift justice and I think this has gone on for too long and we also want to have sure justice. Pressed on the Conservative Post campaign for the four Tories on the committee to pull out of the process, Lord Greenhalgh said: Im hoping as a parliamentarian that there will be fairness around this, that is my fervent hope. But if not, then the thing should not go ahead. Fellow Tory peer Lord Kirkhope warned against the nonsense of putting pressure on MPs on the committee. Im a bit concerned that the amount of pressure that has been piled by a small number of our parliamentarians on that committee which, of course, has a majority, a Conservative majority, but its not a committee that is really meant to work down party lines, and I hope it doesnt. I think they must resist that, he told Times Radio. Mr Johnson is expected to give a robust defence of his actions but ultimately his fate will be in the hands of MPs, Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said. The former prime minister will submit a written dossier of evidence to MPs ahead of a public hearing on Wednesday as he attempts to clear his name over allegations he misled Parliament about partygate. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr Dowden told Sky News on Sunday: Im sure Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of himself and then it will be for the committee to determine the outcome of it. Asked whether there will be a free vote for Conservative MPs if the committee recommends sanctions, Mr Dowden said it is the standard practice on House matters. Boris Johnson pictured at a gathering in 10 Downing Street during lockdown (Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office) Sue Gray Report/Cabinet Office Im not sure final decisions have been made but that would be the precedent that we would expect to follow, he said. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: The Privileges Committee will vindicate Boris Johnsons position. The evidence will show that Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament. In an interim report, the Privileges Committee said the evidence strongly suggests breaches of coronavirus rules in No 10 should have been obvious to Mr Johnson. It is examining evidence around at least four occasions when he may have deliberately misled MPs with his assurances to the Commons that rules were followed. Allies of Mr Johnson said he would provide a detailed and compelling account to the committee before his appearance, showing he did not knowingly mislead the House. The Sunday Times reported he will point to a series of previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages from senior civil servants and members of his No 10 team showing he had relied upon their advice when he made his statements to Parliament. He will also publish messages which show other senior figures in Downing Street believed the gatherings were covered by the workplace exemption in the lockdown rules. Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden said Boris Johnson will give a robust defence of his actions amid the partygate affair (Victoria Jones/PA) Victoria Jones The committees investigation is being chaired by Labours Harriet Harman, although the seven-strong panel has a Tory majority. It will publish its findings on whether Mr Johnson committed a contempt of Parliament and make a recommendation on any punishment, but the ultimate decision will fall to the full House of Commons. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he will not seek to influence MPs on the committee and indicated he will grant a free vote to Tory MPs on any sanction that may be recommended. A suspension of 10 sitting days or more for Mr Johnson could ultimately trigger a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat, which he held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019. Former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng suggested the hugely intelligent, sensitive, brilliant Mr Johnson could still mount a political comeback and return to lead the party. He told GB News hes been written off so many times but he is someone who I would never rule out or count out. Rescue workers stand next to a car crushed by debris after an earthquake in Cuenca, Ecuador, Saturday, March 18, 2023.. The U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 about 50 miles south of Guayaquil (Xavier Caivinagua/AP/PA) Xavier Caivinagua A strong earthquake shook the region around Ecuadors second-largest city on Saturday, killing at least 12 people, damaging homes and buildings, and sending panicked residents into the streets. The US Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 in the countrys coastal Guayas region. It was centred about 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Guayaquil, Ecuadors second-largest city. Videos shared on social media show people gathering on the streets of Guayaquil and nearby communities. Police near where a car was crushed by debris after an earthquake shook Cuenca, Ecuador (Xavier Caivinagua/AP/PA) Xavier Caivinagua The South American countrys emergency response agency, the Risk Management Secretariat, reported one person died in the Andean community of Cuenca. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle trapped under the rubble of a house. President Guillermo Lasso tweeted a message asking residents to remain calm. In the coastal state of El Oro, three people died and several were trapped under rubble. In the community of Machala, a two-story home collapsed before people could evacuate and a buildings walls cracked, trapping an unknown number of people. The agency said firefighters worked to rescue people while the National Police assessed damage, their work made more difficult by downed lines that interrupted telephone and electricity service. People reported objects falling inside their homes in Guayaquil, part of an urban area of more than three million people about 170 miles (270 kilometres) south west of the capital, Quito. A report from Ecuadors Adverse Events Monitoring Directorate ruled out a tsunami threat. A pier sank in the city of Machala. The earthquake was also felt in northern Peru. One video posted online showed three anchors of a television show dart from their studio desk as the set shook. They initially tried to shake it off as a minor quake but soon fled off camera. One anchor indicated the show would go on a commercial break, while another repeated, My God, my God. Supporters of Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gather for a rally in the capital Mexico City (Marco Ugarte/AP) Marco Ugarte Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has staged a massive rally in Mexico Citys main plaza attended by tens of thousands of people. Though it was called to commemorate Mexicos 1938 expropriation of the oil industry, many of those attending the event on Saturday agreed it was the de-facto opening salvo to the 2024 elections that will choose the presidents successor. Perhaps conscious of recent tensions with the United States over overdose deaths in America from fentanyl smuggled in from Mexico, Mr Lopez Obrador spent part of his speech praising former president Franklin Roosevelt, who did not actively oppose the 1938 oil expropriation despite the fact many of the firms were American. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador greets supporters at the rally (Marco Ugarte/AP) Marco Ugarte Mr Lopez Obrador said of Roosevelt: The best example of the authenticity of his Good Neighbour policy was his respect for our nations sovereignty. It may be one of the last rallies that will be headed by Mr Lopez Obrador, who is known for his folksy style and charisma. The process to nominate a presidential candidate for his Morena party will begin later this year, and at that point the candidate is likely to take centre stage. But most agree that few of the presidential hopefuls can match the popularity of a president whose approval ratings are routinely above 60%. That is especially true for the Morena party, which was largely built around Mr Lopez Obrador. Tens of thousands of people attended the rally (Marco Ugarte/AP) Marco Ugarte Rally attendee Alberto Martinez, 59, said he hopes Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum will be the partys nominee. We like her education, her prudence, he said though he vowed to back anyone Morena chooses. Most polls show Ms Sheinbaum as the front-runner in the race, followed by Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard. The important thing is for the ideology of Lopez Obrador to continue, Mr Martinez said. This train is already in motion, somebody just needs to get aboard and drive it. Former President Lazaro Cardenas, one of Mr Lopez Obradors heroes, delighted Mexicans when he expropriated the largely foreign-owned, privately operated oil industry on March 18, 1938. One of Mr Lopez Obradors main policy initiatives has been to save the state-owned oil company that Mr Cardenas founded from crushing debt and low oil production. The president arrives on stage at the rally (Marco Ugarte/AP) Marco Ugarte Those attending the rally in the Zocalo wholeheartedly approved of Mr Lopez Obrador, who has struck a nationalist stance, drastically reducing the ability of US anti-drug agents to operate in Mexico. Blas Ramos, 69, an electrical engineer, held up a sign reading: Get out of Mexico, FBI, CIA, Gringos! He said the president is right to oppose US calls to designate Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations or to use the American military to crack down on the gangs. They are hypocrites, he said of US politicians calling for such measures, because they dont do anything to reduce drug consumption in their own country. Support for the president was almost total among those at the rally (Marco Ugarte/AP) Marco Ugarte The synthetic opioid fentanyl, which kills about 70,000 Americans per year, is mainly manufactured in Mexico with precursor chemicals smuggled in from China. Mr Lopez Obrador has claimed that Mexico does not produce fentanyl something most experts disagree with and that the US has a fentanyl problem because American families do not hug their children enough. Mr Lopez Obrador thundered against the US proposals at the rally: Mexico is a free and independent country, not a colony or protectorate of the United States. Co-operation, yes, submission, no. Dissident has nothing to say ahead of her sentencing A senior republican and former IRA hijacker convicted of possessing secret dissident terror notes is remaining tight-lipped as she waits to find out if shes going to jail. Fionnghuala Perry (65) was found guilty of two counts of collecting information useful to terrorists following a non-jury trial at Belfast Crown Court last week. Perry, from Clonard in west Belfast, was bailed following her conviction and is due to be sentenced later this month. The pensioner faces a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. When Sunday Life called to her home, an associate of Perrys answered the door and said she was in the shower but added: Shes only after the verdict and is waiting for sentencing, so she would have nothing to say. During a raid on Perrys home in 2018, cops seized a box of Chloe perfume containing seven cigarette papers with tiny terror notes written on them, the court heard last week. The notes held details of firearms, ammunitions and explosives seized from the home of Kevin Barry Nolan in September 2015 and constituted a security debrief, according to prosecutors. They contained a mixture of plain language and code words, including shortbread and Rice Krispies, and were linked to Perry after cops compared the handwriting with a benefits application she made in 2017. Police recovered 651g of Semtex, 200 rounds of ammunition, a magazine, two guns with silencers and two improvised detonators from Kevin Barry Nolans home in 2015. He was later convicted of having explosives and weapons with intent, and was sentenced to seven years in jail. Perry holding a picture of Bobby Sands at a protest Perry, often referred to as Nuala, was a founding member of Saoradh in 2016 and is a senior member of the New IRA in west Belfast. She has been jailed twice for IRA activities, first between 1975 and 1977 and again between 1981 and 1982. Speaking to a scholar at Durham University in 2016, she told how she felt the IRA was on the verge of victory when she joined in 1975. She said it felt like it was kind of in the bag, adding: I worked in the [ceasefire] incident centre then, which meant I actually would have been on the phones, and if there had been any breach of the ceasefire, the Army would have phoned up. You were talking to people who were your enemy, and they accepted you as a person, not just as these... Irish troublemakers and disturbers. I thought at that stage, Something could give here. In the same study, Perry spoke of the Provisional IRA having an elitist mentality towards smaller republican groups such as the INLA, explaining: We thought we were the supreme army. Kevin Barry Nolan After getting out of prison in 1982, Perry worked in Sinn Feins fledgling housing department, which she described as a stunt to get the people on our side before the 1983 general election. Speaking in another academic study in 2020 with the same scholar, Dr Jack Hepworth of Durham University, she revealed her contempt for Sinn Feins electioneering. She said: People were coming in with their problems. I mean, I was still a member of the IRA, but people were coming in and talking to you about problems with their housing. We were saying, Yes, well do this, well do that, but to me it was being filed under, Lets pretend, and We dont want anything to do with that. I found that a very difficult thing to do. Perry cut ties with the Provos in the late 1990s and went on to become a strident critic of Sinn Fein, as well as a founding member of Saoradh in 2016. Some of those pictured with Perry at its first meeting Sharon Jordan, Davy Jordan, Mandy Duffy and Kevin Barry Murphy are facing directing terrorism charges arising out of the Dennis McFadden sting. Perry, from Waterville Street, will be sentenced later this month. Diplock at 50: The big names and the big cases down the dark years of the Troubles If Ward comes back to the town, there will be trouble Travellers are warning of trouble if a serial sex attacker considered one of Northern Irelands most dangerous inmates is released back into their community. Hated pervert Tom Ward is in line for a transfer from high-security Maghaberry jail to the Burren House open prison in Belfast. This means the predator given an indeterminate sentence for a second sex assault conviction in 2011 will be free to walk the streets at weekends. The Travelling community in Coalisland, which Ward called home until he was caged a decade ago, does not want him back. Members are predicting violence if the 35-year-old dares step foot again in the Co Tyrone town, where his first victim lives. One told Sunday Life: If Tom Ward comes back to Coalisland, there will be trouble. Our community doesnt care who he is related to, the good Travellers here wont stand for it. He will end up attacking another woman. He was only out of jail a short time when he sexually assaulted his second victim. Tom Ward had an open condom in his pocket. Why was it open if he didnt intend using it? It could have been much worse for the second woman he attacked. Ward is a Category Three sex offender and is considered a huge risk to the public. As well as having convictions for assaulting two women, he was found guilty in 2015 of beating up a prison officer. Despite this he is in line for a move from Maghaberry to cushy Burren House open prison. A room in Burren House open prison Ward was first jailed in 2006 for two-and-a-half years for falsely imprisoning a woman and sexually assaulting her. The thug knocked his victims teeth out when she tried to fight back. After Ward was released the womans husband warned he would strike again, and within weeks he was back in custody. This time it was for stalking a female jogger in Cookstown. He followed the terrified victim for over a mile before subjecting her to a brutal sex assault. When Ward was searched by police he was found to have an open condom in his pocket. He received an indeterminate sentence and has been behind bars for the past decade. Insiders at Maghaberry Prison describe Ward as remorseless and revealed he often refers to himself as King of the Gypsies. He nicknamed himself Muscles and is notorious for picking on smaller inmates. As part of his release programme Ward has been on several UTRs (unaccompanied temporary releases) with family. He has also been approved access to female relatives despite being a danger to women and being deemed the most high-risk level of sex offender. A Prison Service spokesman said: People in our care approaching the end of their sentence will be tested prior to release back into the community. Individuals will have fully engaged in a number of tests, which challenge and support them to make positive change in their lives. After being fully risk-assessed, they begin a graduated release programme into the community, firstly under supervision then progressing to short time bounded periods of unaccompanied release where they work in the community. Preparing people for release is a vital part of rehabilitation as it reduces their risk of reoffending which helps to make the community safer. President Putin. (AP) The world waits with bated breath for any positive news out of Chinese President Xi Jinpings three-day visit to Moscow beginning Monday. He may be meeting the war crimes accused Russian President Vladimir Putin, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court, a body that Russia does not recognise, but then neither do the US, China and Ukraine. The warrant itself holds little meaning as there is nil chance of Mr Putin putting himself anywhere in the vicinity of the 102 nations that recognise the ICC. It is just symbolic of the countless crimes committed in the 13 months the war has been raging in Ukraine after Russias invasion. By a Ukrainian count, more than 73,000 war crimes have been committed by more than 600 Russians, of whom Mr Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights stand accused of illegally deporting around 16,000 Ukrainian children and placing them in institutions or foster homes in Russia. Within hours of the announcement of Mr Xis visit came the news of the ICC warrant. Even so, it is only the Chinese President who wields a measure of influence over Mr Putin enough to beseech him to stop a war that his military has been unable to win, leading to the biggest stalemate in a war that has affected world peace as well as the global economy. The West may view the Chinese peace initiatives, including the one that miraculously opened up avenues in erasing the hostility in the Saudi Arabia-Iran relationship, as China seeking global domination in Mr Xi Jinpings historic third term. The Chinese supremo may, however, view his association with Russia, which he placed on a "no limits" pedestal last year at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, as a golden opportunity to pursue his agenda for peace. The West, now totally committed to aid the defence of Ukraine in the war with weapons and other assistance, may be cynical about Mr Xis motivation to act as the broker for peace. But there is no justification to the US putting down Mr Xis peace moves as "ratification of Russian conquest". All the world wants is for someone to tell Mr Putin to stop a war he started. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security Councils Indo-Pacific coordinator, speaks during a press conference at the residence of the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Wellington, New Zealand, March 19, 2023. A senior White House official on Sunday underlined U.S. concerns about Chinas close ties with the Solomon Islands as he began a weeklong tour of Pacific island countries. Kurt Campbell, the U.S. National Security Councils coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, stopped in New Zealand during the weekend before heading to the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Weve quietly underscored that there are a few areas that we would have concerns by, if for instance, the Solomons chose to work in a manner that would encourage or support military power projection in the region, Campbell said at a press conference in Wellington, New Zealands capital. His tour comes on the heels of a Chinese special envoys dash through the region. The delegation led by Campbell includes officials from the State Department, USAID, the Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. We think those steps would be unwelcome not just to the United States but to other countries in the Indo-Pacific, he said, referring to China and the Solomon Islands. Were working closely with all the countries in the Pacific. We recognize the challenges, but were here to continue the dialogue. Campbells trip is part of ongoing efforts by the Biden administration to improve U.S. relations with Pacific island countries in a region where China has emerged as an alternative source of aid, infrastructure funds and trade. Beijings relations with the Solomon Islands in particular have burgeoned after the Pacific island country switched its diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019. Last year, China and the Solomon Islands signed a security pact, the scope and obligations of which remain unclear as neither has released the text of the agreement. Campbell said the United States was very grateful that the Solomon Islands took part in President Joe Bidens summit with Pacific island leaders in Washington last year. Weve had subsequent high-level interactions in a range of areas. Im here to discuss our desire to maintain close relations with the Solomons, he said. Campbells tour follows last weeks announcement by the leaders of Australia, United Kingdom and the United States that Australia would buy U.S. nuclear-powered submarines in the early 2030s and build its own nuclear subs by the following decade using British and American technology. The so-called AUKUS pact, analysts say, is squarely aimed at China, which has doubled its annual military spending in the past decade though it still spends far less than the United States does on its armed forces. Chinas recently appointed envoy for Pacific island countries affairs, Qian Bo, also has visited the Pacific lately. Earlier this month he traveled to the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. After Qians visit to Vanuatu, the secretariat of the Vanuatu-based Melanesian Spearhead Group a forum of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the Kanak independence movement in New Caledonia said it was considering a security and development cooperation agreement with China. Qians Micronesia visit ended with discord. He said he had cordial discussions with Micronesias President David Panuelo. However, Panuelos spokesman told BenarNews that no meeting had taken place between the two. Subsequently, a leaked letter from Panuelo to Micronesian lawmakers accused Beijing of trying to undermine Micronesias sovereignty and called for the country to cut ties with China and recognize Taiwan. American involvement in the Pacific diminished after the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, with a reduction in embassies and U.S. development assistance through its Peace Corps agency. Earlier this week, U.S. Indo-Pacific military commander Adm. John Aquilino told an event in Singapore that relations with Pacific island countries were back on track. He also said Chinas inroads with the Solomon Islands had been a wake-up call for U.S. officials. Campbells assessment appeared more cautious. We realize that we have to overcome in certain areas some amounts of distrust and uncertainty about follow through, he told reporters in Wellington on Sunday. Were seeking to gain that trust and confidence as we go forward, Campbell said. Much of what we are doing has been initiated by the president, but I want to underscore that its quite bipartisan. 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 The event was a teaser of what is coming at the international G20-DIA Grand Summit slated for Aug 2023 in Bengaluru Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in collaboration with The GAIN accelerator recently organised the Bengaluru Meet of G20 Digital Innovation Alliance for digital startups and innovators. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India has launched a flagship G20 Digital Innovation Alliance (G20-DIA) to recognise and support innovators with digital solutions for various world economies under Indias G20 presidency. MeitY has chosen the six themes which are of critical significance for global communities. These themes are: Health-tech, Ed-tech, Agri-tech, Fin-tech, Secured Digital Infrastructure, and Circular Economy. The Bengaluru Meet aptly themed as driving digital innovation for world economies saw active participation by top government officials, global stakeholders and diplomats, corporate leaders and 300+ attendees from the thriving digital startup community in Karnataka. The event was inaugurated by Dr EV Ramana Reddy, ACS, Department of IT, BT & S&T, Govt of Karnataka (GoK). In his inaugural speech, he spoke of Karnatakas strong digital innovation culture, track record and the GoK push for Digital India through proactive policymaking which have catapulted Bengaluru to the global top 8 startup ecosystem stage. Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, Director & CEO, co-host C-CAMP said, Many in India still do not have access to the best healthcare available in the country, a problem where digital health can change the narrative. C-CAMP has a portfolio of over 70 deep tech digital health startups and we foresee digitalisation to make healthcare accessible even in remote areas affected by challenges like lack of expertise, timely intervention and infrastructure. As an event under Indias G20 presidency with the theme of One Earth. One Family and One Future, the Meet included two panel discussions. The first one on Framework to support innovative startups through strategic collaboration across G20 nations was moderated by Dr Saiyed, with eminent panellists, Jonas Brunschwig, Consul General of Switzerland & CEO, Swissnex, Dr Subi Chaturvedi, Chief Corporate Affairs and Public Policy Officer, InMobi, Ashok Chandavarkar, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Intel India, Suhas Gopinath, Founder & CEO, Global Inc, and Dr Amith Singhee, Director & CTO, IBM Research India. The second panel discussion on Catalysing digital transformation in Tier 2 & 3 cities moderated by co-host Varad Rajan Krishna, The GAIN included industry veterans Dr Ravi Bhardwaj, Sr. Director, Product Development, GE Healthcare and Dr CM Patil, CEO, Krishi Kalpa, Siddhartha Anand, Vice President, KDEM as well as promising young entrepreneurs from startups, Dozee Health, Spotsense and Giftolexia. The key takeaways from the panel discussions were, (1) how a Digital India has boosted global innovation ecosystem with countries in the Global North like Switzerland viewing India as a knowledge capital and not just a large market, (2) how Govt support for Digitalisation is driving impact at the national scale for otherwise Tier 1 innovators for business expansions in Tier 2 and 3 geographies. The transaction will be financed through borrowings and will achieve financial closure in the next few days Mumbai-based Eris Lifesciences has announced acquisition of 9 dermatology brands from Dr. Reddys Laboratories, based out of Hyderabad, for a total consideration of Rs 275 crore. The brands are largely in cosmetology segments like anti-acne, moisturisers, cleansers, anti-ageing, hair health, melasma etc.. Post this deal, Eris will rank 3rd in its dermatology covered market with a market share of ~ 7%. Eris entered the dermatology segment through the acquisition of Oaknet Healthcare for Rs 650 crore in May 2022 and strengthened this franchise with the acquisition of 9 dermatology brands from Glenmark in Jan 23 for Rs 340 crore. Inclusive of this deal, Eris has invested Rs 1265 crore in acquisitions in FY23, primarily in building up its dermatology franchise. This has also resulted in significant diversification of Eris therapy base. Pre-Oaknet, Eris derived 80% of its revenues from the Cardiometabolic and Vitamin Mineral Nutrients (VMN) segments. The concentration of these therapies is now down to 65% while the contribution from the Emerging Therapies has increased from 12% to 28% with dermatology emerging as Eris fourth largest therapy with a 15% share in overall revenue. Commenting on the acquisition, Amit Bakshi, Chairman & Managing Director of Eris Lifesciences, said, Starting with our inception in 2007, it took us 13 years to add the First 1000 crore of revenue. However we are adding the Next 1000 crore of revenue in just 4 years by deploying our internal cashflows along with external funding to drive a mix of organic and inorganic growth while protecting our margins. We expect this will continue to be a way of life at Eris going forward. Only through joint efforts and collaborations we can achieve the goal of making India TB free by 2025: Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, recently addressed the Partnership Action against Tuberculosis (PAcT) Summit, in New Delhi. Dr Mandaviya also flagged off 75 trucks with tuberculosis (TB) awareness messages that have been provided by Apollo Tyres Foundation, who are actively supporting the Ni-kshay scheme. These trucks will travel and carry the messages of TB-free India across states. The whole country is enthused and mobilised in the spirit of Jan Bhagidari to work towards elimination of tuberculosis (TB). Synergised with the clarion call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end TB in the country five years ahead of SDG2030 target, more than 71,000 Ki-shay Mitras have come forward and are today supporting over 10 lakh TB patients through nutritional support and other means, as part of Union Governments Ni-kshay scheme for elimination of TB through mobilisation of all walks of stakeholders across corporates, NGOs, peoples representatives, individuals etc., said the Minister. He added that the initiative of 75 trucks branded with TB messages from five locations (Delhi, Mudra Port- Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jalandhar and Agartala) will boost efforts to address TB among truckers communities and others closely associated with the community. He also urged other corporates, institutions, trade bodies, associations and individuals to come forward and actively support Indias battle against tuberculosis. According to this new information the Russians have known about alien civilizations for several decades, to many this comes as no surprise,... The Chinese regimes flags and American flags are displayed in a company in Beijing on Aug. 16, 2017. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images) The poll, which was conducted between March 913, asked 1,795 American adults about their views on a range of political topics. One question asked respondents to identify who they consider the greatest threat to the United States among the countries of China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. A majority of 61 percent viewed China as the biggest threat to the United States, while 22 percent said Russia. Eight percent of respondents said North Korea poses the biggest threat and two percent said Iran. Less than a percent of respondents identified Venezuela or Cuba as the top threat, while three percent of respondents volunteered an unlisted option and four percent said they did not know. China was the top concern for respondents across party lines. 79 percent of Republicans, 64 percent of independents, and 47 percent of Democrats selected China as the leading threat to the United States. By contrast, 38 percent of Democrats, 18 percent of independents, and 10 percent of Republicans saw Russia as the leading threat. The Quinnipiac findings are similar to those from a recent Gallup poll, which showed that 50 percent of U.S. respondents considered China the biggest threat to the United States, compared to 32 percent who said that Russia was the bigger threat. That Gallup poll found even broader negative views of China, with more than eight in ten Americans expressing unfavorable views of the country. China and TikTok U.S. officials have shared increased concerns over China and its ruling communist party in recent months. In February, U.S. officials decried the transit of a Chinese high-altitude balloon over U.S. airspace, alleging the balloon was one of several recent efforts by the Chinese government to spy on the United States. U.S. officials have pointed to the popular social media app TikTok as another avenue for Chinese government actors to surveil Americans. TikTok is owned by a Chinese parent company called ByteDance. Multiple reports have indicated that TikTok and ByteDance employees can and have accessed U.S. user data from China. FBI Director Christopher Wray has also warned that TikTok could be used to conduct influence operations against U.S. citizens, manipulating users content to promote views favorable to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The new Quinnipiac University poll found that a 49 percent plurality of U.S. respondents preferred banning the app in the United States, while 42 percent opposed a ban. Nine percent said they dont know whether either way where they stand on a ban. Views on the proposed TikTok ban differed with respondents political views: 64 percent of Republicans and 50 percent of independents said they support a ban on TikTok. A 51 percent majority of Democrats opposed a ban on the app, while 39 percent supported said they support a ban.... Welcome to Quick Q Monday Medias weekly series dedicated to finding out more about the personalities that matter most in the media landscape. Each week, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age ask figures across corporate media, business, sport, federal politics, radio, television and culture to answer questions about their lives, careers, hobbies and news habits. This weeks conversation is with Woody Whitelaw, co-host of KIIS FMs national drive show with Will McMahon. Will McMahon (left) and Woody Whitelaw host the KIIS FM drive show. How did you get your big break? I was very lucky. I was doing a comedy sketch show in a dingy pub and Steve Vizard happened to come to a show and approached Will and I about a career in entertainment. An Australian father accused of training pilots for the Chinese military has been transferred to a maximum-security NSW jail without explanation, his supporters say. Daniel Duggan, a 54-year-old former US marine, was arrested by Australian authorities last year under an agreement with the US government, which has accused him of illegally assisting the Chinese state. Former pilot Daniel Duggan was arrested last year after allegedly assisting the Chinese state. Duggan, who denies the charges, is due to face a Sydney court on Monday as he fights extradition. That appearance comes a week after he was moved from Silverwater remand centre to Lithgows maximum security prison. Farrah Agustin-Bunch, a doctor turned naturopath and social media influencer. Credit: @drfarrahmd/Instagram It is alleged she then recommended the woman blend a fresh potato with a clear liquid product, fashion it into a patch and place the patch on lumps in her breast and armpit. The patient later died, according to Smiths defence, lodged with the Supreme Court. Court documents allege the patients death certificate named the cause as secondary malignant neoplasm of the large colon and rectum, among other contributing factors including breast malignancy. The GP also alleges Agustin-Bunch humiliated him at work by organising somebody to come to his clinic and serve him the court papers in front of patients, in an exchange that was filmed and uploaded to social media. The UK-born doctor also claims Agustin-Bunch hired a private investigator who took photographs of his partner outside their home. In another document submitted to the court, Smith claims an ovarian cancer patient followed Agustin-Bunchs medical advice and used her natural remedies, such as vitamin C and cabbage, to treat her pain while refusing chemotherapy. When the woman told Agustin-Bunch she was feeling pressure to have chemotherapy, documents submitted to the court detail that the naturopath allegedly told her: Dont believe them. They told that to one of my patients, but she is still alive after three years. Documents submitted to the court said the woman, who lived in Dubai, later died. In documents lodged with the Supreme Court, Agustin-Bunch who described herself on Instagram as a specialist in natural therapies for cancer, diabetes and other illnesses with over 150,000 patients treated disputes she made wild and outlandish therapeutic product claims. Agustin-Bunch, who is represented by Australian law firm Armstrong Legal, has lodged 90 defamatory claims from 10 videos uploaded by Smith. She alleges her reputation is tarnished, the implications on her family severe, and she has suffered loss and damages. Her lawyer, Joseph Palamara, said in a statement his client denies Smiths allegations, describing many of them as distorted, exaggerated and taken out of context. The lawyer said Smiths videos created an internet pile-on in which thousands of people uploaded vile and hateful comments about Agustin-Bunch on websites, and these included that she is a murderer, an evil whore, serial killer and a witch. Dr Smiths social media publications constitute a very personal and relentless online attack against Dr Agustin-Bunch, Palamara said. He has essentially alleged, among other serious matters, that Dr Agustin-Bunch is a psychopath and a sociopath. The pair have never met. Smith said it all began in 2020, when he started posting videos online providing general health tips aimed at people in the Philippines, as a way to practise the language of his Filipina partner. He soon realised there was widespread and unregulated medical misinformation advertising natural therapies as cures to serious diseases in the South-East Asian country. Loading Smith then began making videos debunking what he saw as bogus cures. I never set out to defame anyone, I was just trying to do a good deed, he said. He came across Agustin-Bunchs natural medicine clinic that treated cancer patients, which has since been shut down. Shes committing obvious health fraud and quackery. It is outrageous. People write to her with their questions like, whats the treatment for stage 4 cancer? Shell just respond with her products, like Pixie Dust, or tell them to use vitamin C and garlic. In a series of videos, Smith took aim at Philippines-born Agustin-Bunch and her online products, which included magnesium branded as Pixie Dust, which she suggested could be used to help treat diabetes, hypertension, gastritis and cancer, along with Boston C, a scientific blend of herbs and extracts that she recommends as a natural treatment for serious illnesses. Australias strict defamation laws have led to it being labelled the defamation capital of the world something that has weighed heavily on Smiths mind. Despite having medico-legal insurance, Smith has funded his entire defence privately as his indemnity insurer is unable to cover him for a defamation lawsuit. Fundraising campaigns have started in Australia and the Philippines to try to help him pay mounting legal costs. But the doctor refused to back down and said he hoped the case would shed light on medical misinformation spreading in the Philippines, where he claims families have been destroyed by Agustin-Bunchs alleged misconduct. A shortage of bus drivers caused 178 services to be cancelled statewide on Friday amid 205 disruptions, in a major local spike of an emerging nationwide problem. Brisbane and the Gold Coast were Queenslands worst-hit regions as average daily bus service disruptions statewide rose from 80 in 2022 to 120 in the first three months of 2023, before hitting 205 on Friday. Commuters wait for a bus that may never come during Brisbanes busy peak hour on Friday. Credit: Tony Moore Translink, Brisbane City Council, public transport lobby group Rail Back on Track, and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union all acknowledge the problem. The council currently employs 2500 bus drivers. West Australian teachers are struggling to keep up with growing workloads, as teacher shortages and threats of violence continue to increase, a new survey has revealed. The 2022 annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey results were released on Monday by the Australian Catholic University, which included responses from 2500 school leaders nationwide. An alarming 47.8 per cent of school leaders triggered a Red Flag email in 2022. This is an increase of 18.7 per cent on 2021. Credit: iStockphoto The results showed that in WA, school leaders and their staff were struggling with burnout, stress and anxiety over a range of factors. It showed 55 per cent reported they were subjected to threats, including cyberbullying, or physical acts of violence the highest ever since the survey started 12 years ago. Australias foreign service has begun searching for a new ambassador to Ukraine, but it remains unclear whether the successful applicant will be able to take up the position in the war-torn country. The decision to begin advertising internally for a new head of mission means that Australias current ambassador to Ukraine, Bruce Edwards, is unlikely to ever return to the post in Kyiv. Australias embassy was co-located with Canadas in Kyiv before the Russian invasion, but Australian ambassador Bruce Edwards has been based in Poland since February 2022. Credit: Bloomberg/DFAT The Australian mission has been based in neighbouring Poland since last February. Edwards has returned to Ukraine just once since the invasion when he escorted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese into the capital last July alongside a heavy security presence. More than 12 months after the invasion, at least 67 of the 81 diplomatic missions that left the Ukrainian capital have now reopened including the embassies of the United States, Britain and Canada. The Productivity Commission has cast doubt over the federal governments decision to build nuclear-powered submarines in Australia, using its major report into the nations economy to argue for a complete re-appraisal of how the country meets its defence needs. In the same week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed off on the AUKUS submarine project with the United States and Britain, at a cost of between $268 billion and $368 billion, the commissions five-year review of productivity found that in most cases Australia was better off not developing its own defence production capability. The Productivity Commission has raised doubts over the need to build nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. The commissions report, Advancing Prosperity, made 71 recommendations across more than 1000 pages of analysis. It follows a long-term decline in Australias productivity growth rate, which over the past decade has slipped to its lowest level since the 1950s. Part of the report focused on government infrastructure spending and procurement, particularly around defence, which it noted had for years suffered from imperfect processes and huge cost overruns. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has offered enthusiastic bipartisan support on submarines, and the budget cuts that will be necessary to fund them future budget cuts which should be a cause of some dread, but thats a subject for another day. Such ardent togetherness, such a shared sense of mission, is so rare in our politics, and its a shame Dutton cant muster it when it comes to Liberal support for the Voice. But it was the most enthusiastic he had been in a while talking about the submarines. A former defence minister and home affairs minister, Dutton was in his comfort zone. Military hardware, he could do. A broader church? The Liberal Party is attempting to appeal to women, but Opposition Leader Peter Dutton cant leave it to his deputy, Sussan Ley. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Another day, and apropos a different war, deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley was back where the votes are, for the Liberal Party talking about women. In the context of the so-called superannuation wars, Ley gave a speech in late February to a Liberal business breakfast in Perth, where she talked up the Coalitions expansion of the superannuation early withdrawal policy it took to the 2022 election. She said early super withdrawals could be used to benefit a cohort of older women impoverished by divorce and family violence. Lets look, for example, at a 58-year-old woman who has been the victim of domestic violence, who has sacrificed her career to build her family, who knows she is facing significant upheaval when she leaves a violent husband, Ley said. Imagine how many women would be economically empowered, how many would be able to secure their financial independence for life, if we took an expanded version of the last elections Super Home Buyer Scheme to the next election. The Albanese government has ramped up the defence of its planned overhaul of superannuation tax concessions, accusing the Coalition of hypocrisy over its own reforms to the sector that will leave 30 per cent of people worse off in three decades time. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said new Treasury modelling revealed the previous governments failure to index the threshold of its own superannuation tax changes, passed in 2016, would affect triple the number of Australians as the changes it is proposing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says new projections show the Coalitions own superannuation changes will affect 30 per cent of people. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Labor plans to increase the tax on the earnings of super balances of more than $3 million from 15 per cent to 30 per cent from mid-2025, affecting about 80,000 or 0.5 per cent of account holders. In its first full year of operation, the change is forecast to raise $2.3 billion. It has come under fire for not planning to index the $3 million threshold. That criticism has increased since Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher revealed that by the early 2050s about 10 per cent of people will be affected by the change. Commodore Scott: Firstly, our submarines have always operated at extended ranges from Australia, in strategically significant waters. So, there is no change there. And there are a couple of reasons why were working with the US and the Brits on this. They are strategic allies for us and they have similar national values. And they have the capabilities that we need. So theres probably a pretty unique situation here, where we can combine not only the political intent, but also the industrial capability of three nations to really strengthen the undersea capabilities of all of us. Loading Fitz: But $368 billion! Were you shocked by that price tag? Commodore Scott: I expected something of that order. Were not buying a couple of new station wagons. We are taking Australia from a position where it is not a nuclear-power-capable nation to a position where it is a nuclear-power-capable nation. And the avenue for that vehicle, yes, is our submarine capability. It is a massive leap. Fitz: And yet, former diplomat David Livingstone wrote in the Herald this week that by the time our subs are ready to go theyll already be obsolete, that Unmanned Underwater Vehicles will take over, and other very sophisticated weaponry will be able to blow crewed subs of the water. Commodore Scott: When I joined submarines 35 years ago, Peter, I was told that the oceans were going to become transparent and so submarines would be obsolete. The fundamental fact is that remaining undetected beneath the surface of the ocean continues to be far easier than remaining undetected on the surface of the ocean or above it. So yes, all of those areas are being advanced. Absolutely. China is working very hard on technologies like that. And I expect they will be deploying them into, you know, the South East Asian region. So, is it becoming harder? Yes. Does that mean that the relative value of the capabilities is diminished? I dont think so. Not relative to anything else that you can do in the oceans. Loading Fitz: But if, Commodore, were now pressing the button on $368 billion worth of expenditure on crewed submarines, including some being ready in 2042, surely, prima facie, thats a bit odd when, as you acknowledge, un-crewed submarines are coming down the line fairly fast? Commodore Scott: It would be about the effective combined use of those capabilities. So, I know from being out at sea and deployed on operations, that being on location, to see and hear and understand whats happening around you has its own tremendous inherent value that you cannot replace with uncrewed craft. Fitz: Meanwhile, Paul Keating has basically said this is the worst decision since forever, that it is a disgrace and that the Albanese government should get nicked. He is a former prime minister who always had a great strategic vision for Australia in Asia, and for Australia being independent. What do you make of his criticism? Commodore Scott: I disagree. I think it gives us the capability that we need for the defence of the nation into the future. I think the pathway that has been described of how were going to get there is clear. I think its achievable. And I think that the acquisition of a nuclear submarine capability for the Australian Navy matches our strategic demand. Fitz: In your new book, Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life, you write about how excited you were to first hear that the Morrison government had torn up the agreement with the French, and were joining the US and the UK in a new alliance to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines through an enhanced trilateral security partnership, named AUKUS... Fitz: Well, weve now had two governments whove taken that view, because the Morrison government first led us down this path, and that has been followed by the Albanese government. Just how dangerous are the waters that Australia is sailing in, to have two successive governments take such radical action? Commodore Scott: Well, over the last 20 years the navies of India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and, importantly, China, have all modernised and expanded their submarine fleets, and that is all since we stopped building Collins Class subs. So, every major regional Navy in the Indo-Pacific has modernised or expanded their submarine fleet in the last 20 years, while we have not. If theres an undersea arms race in the Indo-Pacific, we are not leading it. And moving in this direction on the nuclear-powered submarines is what will bring us back on to something like a level pegging with some of those navies. Loading Fitz: But what of regional danger? You will note that the Herald this week has run a series which has attracted a lot of comments, saying that war with China is possible within three years. What do you make of that? Commodore Scott: I think its probably a fair and reasonable assessment. As to where nuclear submarines come in, I do not pretend to know where the threats to our national security might come from in the next 10 or 20 or 30 years. But I do believe that a nation equipped with a nuclear-powered submarine capability in that time, will be better placed to face whatever threats do come down the line. So in the next five years, it might be China and Taiwan. Maybe well get involved, maybe we wont. But five years after that, what will the threat to our national security be? Where will it come from? I dont know. But I do see investment in this capability as a sage investment in our future national security and, therefore, prosperity. Fitz: Let me give you a burst of what the satirist Mark Humphries put on ABC 7.30 on Thursday evening, pretending to be a Navy Commodore like you: One thing you can be sure of, when Australia says were going to build some submarines, we mean it ... except for the 12 submarines we proposed building in the 2009 Defence White Paper ... and the Japanese submarines we planned to buy back in 2014 ... and the French submarines we agreed to buy back in 2016. We are basically Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride if all the grooms were submarine contracts ... but this time we definitely mean it. Harsh but fair? Commodore Scott: Thats a really good question. The political rhetoric over the last 20 years on submarines has run pretty bloody hollow because theres been no shortage of announcements and decisions, but they havent been followed by a single [extra] submarine for the Navy. Follow-through on this decision is absolutely critical. But as a decision on its own, and you know, particularly as a trilateral decision, its got a lot of strength and a lot of weight. It says: We value our sovereignty, we value our independence, and this is how much were willing to invest to make sure that we can protect it. Personally and professionally, that absence of action on all those decisions has just ground me down over the last 20 years. But whats different now is the strategic environment. I think Australians can see not only the opportunities that China provides, but also the threat that it might pose. Fitz: In sum? Commodore Scott: Every time a submarine goes to sea, it causes a shift in the calculus of regional political and military leaders. Nuclear subs have the stealth, range, endurance and the potency to operate as a deterrent or as an exceedingly capable, offensive platform. And they can shape the geostrategic environment of our region. Fitz: But Commodore, did I mention? $368 billion?! Jesus wept! Commodore Scott: Yep, its a lot of money. Fitz: But in your view, worth it? Commodore Scott: Every cent! Quote of the week If anyone in this theatre commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for Best Actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech ... If anything unpredictable or violent happens during this ceremony, just do what you did last year: nothing. Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel in his opening monologue, referencing Will Smith slapping last years host, Chris Rock. Joke of the week A poodle and a collie are walking together when the poodle suddenly unloads on his friend. My life is a mess, he says. My owner is mean, my girlfriend ran away with a Schnauzer, and Im as jittery as a cat. Why dont you go see a psychiatrist? suggests the collie. Australian military planners have been increasingly concerned about the increase of grey-zone warfare: acts including trade embargoes that fall somewhere between what is traditionally viewed as war and peace. Loading A shipping blockade could cut off almost all of Australias trade, while the destruction of underwater cables would block it from sending or receiving financial transactions. A lot of damage can be done to Australia without anyone ever having to set foot upon our shore, Marles says. So our national security lies much further from Australia. He warns that it would be difficult to patrol all of Australias vast coastline in a conflict and says that is not the reason why Australia is buying nuclear submarines. The way you need to think about what submarines do is really less about patrolling that massive coastline, which you would need a lot of submarines to do, Marles says. Its about the question mark that you place in an adversarys mind. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles operates the periscope of submarine USS Asheville at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. Credit: Did I have anxiety? Sure: How the AUKUS agreement was put together Two days after the May 21 election last year, Marles had a message for the nations military chiefs. In a meeting at Defences headquarters in Canberra, the incoming defence minister and deputy prime minister made it known that the timeframe for building nuclear submarines under the AUKUS agreement didnt make sense. It was a point that the former Morrison government was loath to accept after announcing the pact with Britain and the US in September 2021, but one Marles saw as integral to turning the idea of nuclear submarines into a reality. The nation was facing a serious capability gap, whereby the current fleet of conventionally powered submarines would begin going out service in the late 2030s before the AUKUS submarines were due in the 2040s. The glaring capability gap was already on the minds of Defence officials negotiating the agreement, but Marles says it was important for him to raise it with them directly. Once we were elected, literally the first thing I was saying in the conversations I had with Defence was how do we bring this forward, Marles says. How do we deal with the capability gap? That is the central question which we really need to have answered as part of the optimal pathway that we end up delivering. That question was answered on Tuesday, when it was announced that Australia would buy between three and five Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the US from the start of the next decade. At the same time, Australia will build a new class of boat in tandem with Britain the AUKUS-class which will be delivered from the early 2040s. But the decision announced last week was never a certainty. After the Albanese government came to power last May, it became clear that their predecessors were leaning towards buying Virginia-class boats off the production line in the US, before building the same class of boat in Adelaide. This came with three sets of problems. The first was that Americas shipbuilding was already at capacity. The second was that the US planned to stop building Virginias from the early 2040s the very moment they would begin rolling off the Australian production line. The third was that this would create a loser, Britain, who would get nothing out of the deal. To overcome these three obstacles, two things needed to happen. Firstly, the US needed to be prepared to sell Australia some of its existing boats that had already been in service in return for Australia investing the bulk of $3 billion to increase its shipbuilding capacity. Secondly, Britain needed to agree to move on from its Astute class submarine, and operate a joint platform with Australia. Marles admits there were times early on when it felt like there was no answer to the question of the capability gap. Did I have anxiety? Sure, he says. This was far from certain that it would be able to be delivered. Marles says the two necessary developments the US agreeing to sell Virginias and Britain agreeing to operate a shared platform started to become possible in the second half of last year. Defence Minister Richard Marles says the AUKUS agreement was never a certainty. Credit: Rhett Wyman I think people understand that we do live in pretty challenging times. Richard Marles There are conversations I can remember where it really felt like there was an answer out there that would actually meet our needs, he says. But it wasnt like weve all agreed to do x. It was that maybe we could walk down this path and you think: Well that is a path that make a lot of sense. He says the work of his counterparts, military chiefs, the foreign ministers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his counterparts, were all integral to the deal coming together. Marles says Australia never wanted to operate an orphan that is, we wanted to operate a class of submarine with one of the other countries so that you have all the benefits of being able to share both the industrial and the operational risks associated with something of this size. We needed to be building something that others were building and thats just not where the Virignias were going to be at, he says. So all of that needed to be worked through. But equally when you see the logic of that, its why it was so important that where we got to with Britain was a place where we were building a common platform and that took a huge step that were grateful for. Marles says he has repeatedly acknowledged that AUKUS began under the former government and the fact that it is bipartisan really matters. But he also says there has been a lost decade in which Australia cancelled agreements with Japan and France which presented a a whole lot of challenges for the country now in terms of dealing with questions such as the capability gap. But it does matter that AUKUS remains a bipartisan effort and I believe that it is. The future beyond 10 years Ever since the 2020 Defence Strategic Update warned Australia no longer has 10 years warning time of a conventional conflict, military experts have questioned why Australia is getting its new fleet of submarines after that period. Marles says Australia faces an enduring critical period, and I definitely think the landscape that we are in right now is very complex. It is the most complex set of strategic circumstances that weve faced, he says. The future beyond the next 10 years, I think, is going to be challenging as well and we need to be providing for that future. And thats what this decision is doing. Marles says he believes Australians understand that they are living in challenging times, despite the interventions of Labor luminary Paul Keating who last week downplayed the threats posed by a rising China. Loading Keating last week said the Albanese government had signed up to the worst deal in all history, saying Marles was well-intentioned but completely captured by the idea of America. Paul Keating was not the only veteran of bruising political battles to offer free advice last week. Ken Henry, head of treasury during the Howard and Rudd years, spoke to the Tax Institute. The speech was highbrow. His jokes veered dry: There is no point planting a seed in a desert when what is needed is continental-scale reforestation. But amidst the thicket of facts and words, Henry made some sharp points. When it came to tax breaks, old people were winning. Young people were being done over. The intergenerational social compact would fracture. We had to collect more tax. Incrementalism was not useful: it simply set up a single target on a battlefield occupied by well-resourced attack forces. Henry was too polite to quite say so, but all this boiled down to a harsh critique of the state of Australian politics and the Albanese governments approach so far. Much more needed to be done and if something didnt change soon, Australia was stuffed. Illustration by Joe Benke. Credit: Henrys arguments about the scale of policy changes that are necessary arent new. Similar points have been made by experts like Rod Sims and Danielle Wood. To a fair extent, they are even accepted at least theoretically by both the treasurer and the head of his department. And yet, there is a sense that such facts exist in a universe parallel to the one in which Australian politics is actually conducted. They are deferred to in much the way people these days reference biblical parables: nice to say, everyone agrees in their beautiful truths, but nobody really believes you can live that way. They have not, in other words, done the slightest bit of damage to the consensus that continues to prevail among the hardbitten practitioners of politics, including MPs and journalists: that reform is hard, incrementalism is smart politics and deserves applause. Find a way to increase revenue by $50 billion a year, as Henry suggests? Ha. Ha. This blog covers software patent news and issues with a particular focus on wireless, mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers, connected cars) as well as select antitrust matters surrounding those devices. It felt more like last drinks at the office Christmas karaoke party than a pitch for fresh government at a Liberal party rally in one of western Sydneys most at risk seats. Blue T-shirt clad branch members singing and dancing to classic rock anthems such as Thunderstruck and TNT hardly screams vision for NSW. But here we are: state election 2023. Liberal supporters and ministers at the NSW Liberal Partys Keep Western Sydney Moving rally on Sunday. Credit: Edwina Pickles With just six days until polling day about 150 Liberal party faithful gathered on Sunday in the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre in Penrith, where incumbent former minister Stuart Ayres is fighting to retain the key electorate on a wafer-thin margin of 0.6 per cent. Meanwhile, in Parramatta, Labor struggled to fill a small lecture theatre at Western Sydney University for leader Chris Minns final campaign rally. Opposition leader John Pesutto will move to expel controversial Liberal MP Moira Deeming from the parliamentary party room after she attended a rally that has been associated with neo-Nazis. Deeming attended the Let Women Speak rally organised by British anti-trans rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull at Parliament House on Saturday. Moira Deeming was seen with campaigners in areas of Parliament House that are restricted to the public. Credit: Twitter About 30 people from neo-Nazi group the National Socialist Network, dressed in black and most with their faces covered, attended the protests on Spring Street supporting Keen-Minshull, repeatedly performing the salute and holding up a sign using offensive anti-trans language. Pesutto on Sunday night announced he had met with Deeming earlier that day, and discussed her involvement in organising, promoting and participating in a rally with speakers and other organisers who themselves have been publicly associated with far right-wing extremist groups including neo-Nazi activists. Vladimir Putin is a man who kills children. He is someone who kidnaps them from home and family. That is the contention of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC): its judges have examined his evidence and found every reason to believe it, issuing two indictments against Putin. There will be more to come, but the murder and the abduction of innocent children crosses a red line. Although he will not stand in the dock at The Hague any time soon, he is now confirmed as an international pariah, with predecessors like Pinochet, Milosevic, Gaddafi and Al Bashir all of whose indictments were a prelude to their fall from power. A family walks past a portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin, displayed in the window of a childrens library in St. Petersburg. Credit: AP None had nuclear bombs to ward off arrest, but they will not protect Putin against an army coup (if, for example, sanctions become too hard to bear) or against the frailties of age, when we may see him hobble into court like an old Nazi. What makes this indictment significant is that international criminal law has advanced since the ICC was established, far enough to see through the Russian claim that this court has no jurisdiction to try him. It is true that for technical legal reasons it cannot put him on trial for the crime of aggression (i.e. violently invading a UN member state) of which he is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. But he bears what is termed command responsibility for war crimes such as killing civilians or deporting children which are committed on Ukrainian territory by troops under his ultimate authority. Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Chinas willingness to play a constructive role in solving the Ukraine crisis, in an article released on Sunday, the eve of a visit by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. In what the Kremlin said was an article written for a Chinese newspaper, Putin called Xi his good old friend and said Russia had high hopes for his visit, the Chinese leaders first to Russia since Putin launched his special military operation last year. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other in 2022. Credit: AP We are grateful for the balanced line of (China) in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes. We welcome Chinas willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis, Putin said. Xi and Putin signed a no limits partnership agreement weeks before the invasion last year. China has publicly remained neutral in the Ukraine conflict, while criticising Western sanctions against Russia and reaffirming its close ties with Moscow. Quito: Juan Vera lost three relatives when a strong earthquake that shook parts of Ecuador and Peru on Saturday brought down his nieces home. The government has offered to pay for the womans funeral and those of her baby and her partner, but Vera wonders why local authorities allowed his relatives to live in such an old home to begin with. Because of its age, that building should have been demolished already, Vera said outside the morgue in Ecuadors community of Machala, where he was waiting for the three bodies to be released. Im sorry, the mayors office is the entity that has to regulate these things through its planning departments so that the buildings are in good condition to be rented out or inhabited. A man photographs a building that collapsed after an earthquake shook Machala, Ecuador on Saturday. Credit: AP The earthquake with about 6.8 magnitude, as reported by the US Geological Survey, killed at least 15 people, injured hundreds and brought down homes and buildings in vastly different communities, from coastal areas to the highlands. But in Ecuador, regardless of geography, many of the homes that crumbled had a lot in common: They housed the poor, were old and did not meet building standards in the earthquake-prone country. Hyundai Motors joins the list of increasing plant acquisitions in India Honda rides into highly competitive mass segment with 100cc bike Luxury carmakers lean on YOLO impact, gear up for big ride in small towns China plus one: Low labour costs and growing workforce give India the edge Minorities face little bias in labour markets Trade unions urge Centre to scrap four labour codes, convene conference With Tata Motors ramping up production and gaining ground towards becoming the second-largest car manufacturer in India, Hyundai India, which currently holds that position, is considering inorganic expansion to stay the course. Last week, the Korean automaker signed a term sheet with General Motors (GM), which had announced it would exit India in 2017, for a potential acquisition of its Talegaon plant in Maharashtra. However, legal battles initiated by 1,000-odd former employees of the Talegaon plant continue to present a challenge for the acquisition process. GM told Business Standard that the former employees are not part of the deal with Hyundai. But last week the General Motors Employees Union (GMEU) which represents these former employees who want employment with the new owner of the plant told this paper that it will continue to exercise all legal options. Sandeep Bhegade is the president of GME To read the full story, subscribe to BS Premium now, at just Rs 249/ month. Key stories on business-standard.com are available only to BS Premium subscribers. Already a BS Premium subscriber?LOGIN NOW Register to read more on Business-Standard.com A 660-MW unit of the National Thermal Power Corporation's plant at Barh in Patna district was synchronised with the grid on Sunday morning, which is likely to result in supply of an additional 405 MW electricity for Bihar, a company official said. According to NTPC spokesman Vishwanath Chandan, the unit was successfully synchronised at 9.30 am. "The super critical based power project in Bihar has a total installed capacity of 3,300 MW with five units of 660-MW each. With today's development, we can look forward to the last unit becoming operational in 2023-24, Chandan said. The three units that became operational earlier are already successful in generation, and have been contributing over 1,600 MW electricity to Bihar, he said. "The successful synchronisation of the plant would pave way for commissioning of the unit prior to the declaration of commercial operation of the plant, he said. Under the synchronisation process, the plant was connected to the grid to see the load factor, and to ensure all other aspects were working as per protocol. Also Read NTPC Green Energy to raise up to Rs 9,000 cr through rupee term loan NTPC Group crosses 3GW of operational renewable energy capacity NTECL pays Rs 100.11 crore interim dividend to NTPC for its 50% stake India's thermal power generation rises by 16% at 87,687 MU in November FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Obstacles India will face on its home turf Bank of Baroda raises interest rates on retail term deposits by 25 bps PM Mitra parks to boost India's $100 bn textile export goal, says industry FSIB to soon start selection process for new LIC chairman this month DLF to invest Rs 3,500 cr in next 4 yrs on housing project in Gurugram First Citizens considering to make an offer to buy collapsed SVB: Report If the unit meets parameters such as turbine, boiler, water inflow and outflow laid down by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), it gets commissioned within 90 days and is run for 72 hours continuously at full load, before being declared fit for commercial generation, Chandan said. "The five units of Barh plant are being constructed on around 3,200 acres of land at a total cost of over Rs 21,000 crore, he said, adding, the plant draws water from the Ganges and receives coal supply from the mines of CCL located in Jharkhand. Police on Sunday conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab in their manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh, arresting 34 more supporters and shifting four men in custody to a jail in far-off Assam. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has, however, asked the state government to respond on Tuesday to a habeas corpus petition, that claiming that the preacher is already in illegal police custody and should be released. Justice N S Shekhawat held the hearing at his home-office as the courts were closed. Police stuck to their version that the Waris Punjab De chief gave them the slip during a car chase in Jalandhar district on Saturday, when the crackdown against the group began. They have slapped fresh FIRs against the Khalistan sympathiser and his supporters. Section 144 of the CrPc, which prohibits congregations, was imposed in the union territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Prohibitory orders were already in force in some parts of Punjab. Police recovered a second vehicle in the case, an abandoned pick-up with a gun, a sword and several cartridges in Jalandhar district's Salema village and said it appeared to be a part of Amritpal Singh's cavalcade. Also Read Amritpal's 4 aides brought to Assam; to be kept in Dibrugarh Central Jail Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's supporters clash with police in Amritsar Punjab Police doing its job, Amritpal to be nabbed soon: AAP's Saurabh Fugitive Amritpal Singh's 'close aide and financer' arrested: Report Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh declared fugitive: Jalandhar Police Efficient processing key for strengthening millet value chain: Official Will take action to stop vulgarity on OTT in the name of creativity: Thakur CBI files FIR over irregularities in teachers' recruitment in Bengal school Will bring out private vehicles scrapping policy: Union minister Choubey Andhra CM disburses Rs 699 cr for students' education fee reimbursement The crackdown has come weeks after Singh and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released. Twenty-one Amritpal supporters were taken into custody near Boparai Kalan in Jalandhar district when they tried to stage a 'dharna' over the previous days' action. These detentions are apparently not part of the arrests' tally given by police 78 on Saturday and 34 more on Sunday. Earlier, police said nine firearms have also been seized. The state remained on high alert. Security forces took out flag marches at several places including Ferozepur, Bathinda, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Batala, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Moga and Jalandhar in a show of strength. The Punjab government also extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Monday noon. The official order, which exempted banking services, said this was to prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order. Four of the arrested men were brought to BJP-ruled Assam's Dibrugarh by a 27-member Punjab Police team accompanying them, according to an Assam Police officer. The men, now lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, were identified as alleged fund raiser Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Pradhanmantri' Bajeka. Sometimes, persons arrested in one state are sent to another state's jail, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters. We will provide them all security in the jail," he said. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, soon after the Ajnala episode. Days earlier, Amritpal Singh had also made a veiled threat to Shah. Security has also been tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh said his son may have already been detained by police. He faces a threat to life, the fugitive's father said. There is no information since yesterday. We feel he has already been detained." Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said Amritpal Singh is still absconding. Whatever the Punjab Police does in this case will be within the ambit of law. Everybody has a legal right and can avail whatever remedies are available under the law. He said police have acted in a transparent manner and Amritpal Singh was seen escaping at the naka laid for him in Mehatpur. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal called it a game of chor-sipahi (robbers and cops). Sometimes, they manage to escape. But we will soon arrest him, he said, maintaining that there was no lapse on Saturday. The officer said Singh's vehicle was chased for 20 to 25 kilometres. There were narrow streets and somehow he managed to escape by changing his vehicle". He said two of his vehicles have been seized so far. Police have now registered an FIR against Amritpal Singh and his supporters for breaking through a police checkpoint and another related to the recovery of a firearm in the vehicle found in a Jalandhar village. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Singh said another FIR was registered Saturday night under the Arms Act after the arrest of seven of the preacher's associates in that district. Police warned that strict action will be taken against anyone spreading rumours, saying it was monitoring fake news and hate speeches from different countries, states and cities. The crackdown follows the FIR registered a day after the storming of the Ajnala police station on February 23. The preacher and his supporters were accused of spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attacking police personnel and obstructing public servants in discharge of their duties. Six police personnel, including a superintendent of police, were injured in Ajnala. Opposition parties had flagged the incident as a sign of the Aadm Aadmi Party government's failure to maintain law and order and expressed fears that Punjab could slide back to the days of Khalistan militancy. Dubai-returned Amritpal became the head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year. Four Assam Civil Service (ACS) officers have been suspended for alleged financial irregularities in the execution of projects under the MP Local Area Development Fund, officials said. The CM's Special Vigilance Cell had carried out an inquiry into the allegations and detected "irregularities and anomalies" in the execution of works and utilisation of funds of Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan for 2021-22 and 2022-23, they said. All the accused have been placed under immediate suspension, pending drawal of departmental proceedings, an official order said on Saturday. The suspended officers include the deputy secretary in the Home and Political Department, and the additional deputy commissioner and the assistant commissioner of Kamrup Metropolitan. Former US President Donald Trump announced his return to Facebook two years after being banned from the social media site, amid a possible arrest this coming week. Facebook and Instagram owner Meta Platforms announced on January 25 that it would give Donald Trump access to his accounts again. Meta said that the public should be able to hear from politicians, but warned that Donald Trump would face "heightened penalties" if he once again breaks the platforms' policies, per Reuters. Donald Trump Facebook ban was imposed for his backing of the rioters who attacked the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to an HNGN report. Trump: 'Sorry To Keep You Waiting' It has been uncertain if Donald Trump would be actively posting on the accounts despite his reinstatement. On Friday, he posted on Facebook: 'I'M BACK!' Together with a 12-second old CNN breaking news clip from when he won the US Presidency, where he said, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Complicated business." Donald Trump Facebook supporters welcomed his return to the platform. While some users suggest that the ex-POTUS should practice cautiousness in his posts. User Adam Lee Marcus commented: "I thought I heard the sound of 81 million heads popping. Will you please post for EVERYONE to be nonviolent and to avoid even the appearance of violence? The left and right both want a war. The rest of us independents who want to be left alone just want peace. You can nip it in the bud. Please." Donald Trump, who will run for president again in 2024, might benefit from the use of Facebook and Instagram as important platforms for voter outreach and fundraising. As of February 9, Trump has 34 million Facebook fans and 23 million Instagram followers. Read Also: SNAP Benefits Update Ex-POTUS Claims He Will Be Arrested Next Week Meanwhile, on Saturday, Donald Trump claimed he expects to be arrested in the long-standing investigation into a hush money scam involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Donald Trump posted on social media, referring to himself that a "leading Republican candidate and former president of the United States will be arrested on Tuesday of next week." The former president did not state the reason for the arrest, according to CNN. After Trump's tweet, his team said that it had heard nothing from the prosecution. In New York City, meetings between local, state, and federal law enforcement organizations have been taking place all week to discuss security measures for a potential Donald Trump arrest. Donald Trump urged reaction from his supporters on Saturday, writing: "Protest, take our nation back." According to the report, the former president has been pressing for his staff to incite his following and thinks an indictment would benefit him politically. The possible Donald Trump arrest could be a historic moment. If Trump, who is standing for reelection in 2024, were to be indicted, it would immediately shift the political discourse around a person with an already polarized opinion. Following President Donald Trump arrest anticipation, his most ardent followers rushed to social media Saturday to denounce his possible arrest. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) noted that possible Donald Trump would be "an outrageous abuse of power" by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, per Forbes. Mccarthy also said he would ask committees to look into if government money was used to influence the 2024 presidential election "with politically motivated" indictments. On Saturday, Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted that Trump "did nothing wrong" and that Justice Department officials were cooperating with Bragg to pursue Donald Trump arrest. She also likened the situation to what communist regimes do to "destroy" their political adversaries. Related Article: Vladimir Putin Arrest Warrant for War Crimes @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday said the Centre has approved Rs 2,000 crore for the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission to supply piped drinking water to households. Saha thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for approving Rs 2,000 crore to implement piped water scheme. At present, 56 per cent households of the northeastern state have piped water facility and the state has a plan for water supply to all households. "I am glad to share that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has approved Rs 2000 crore for Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission 2023-24 and the fund is more than total of Rs 1,930 crore Tripura received in the last 3 years", he told reporters after attending a party programme at Rabindra Bhavan. "I wholeheartedly thanked PM Narendra Modi ji and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ji for sanctioning the fund. This will ensure piped drinking water to more households", Saha said. Earlier, the chief minister, BJP state president Rajib Bhattacharjee, former Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Verma joined a programme to facilitate party karyakartas for the BJP's victory in the Assembly elections. Also Read President Murmu flags off first Kolkata-Agartala express train from Tripura Manik Saha holds campaign in Agartala, says people have faith in BJP Tripura polls 2023: BJP to talk about good governance, says CM Manik Saha 110 mn rural households in India now have access to tap-water connection Tripura govt plans setting up medical college, hospital in tribal area Rs 450-cr Balagarh terminal to boost trade at Kolkata port: Official UP set to get its third international cricket stadium in Varanasi Delhi Police action is to divert attention from Adani issue: Kharge National-level societies on organic products, exports to help farmers: Shah President Droupadi Murmu visits Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu "The BJP's victory in the 2023 Assembly election was not easy and smooth as the opposition tried hard to prevent the party's win. But it was the party karyakartas under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda who have made the party's win possible", said Bhattacharjee. He called upon party leaders and karyakartas to kick start organizational work to ensure the party's victory in two Lok Sabha seats to be held next year. "PM Modiji, Amit Shah ji and Nadda ji had helped the party state unit in the Assembly elections and now it is our turn to give two Lok Sabha seats to the Prime Minister", he added. New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that a new 'Vande Bharat Express train is expected to be introduced on Delhi Jaipur/Ajmer route before April 10. While speaking to ANI, the Union Railway Minister noted that some technical changes are needed in this route before the operation of the Vande Bharat Express, fully. "Two initiatives to be taken in this route. First increasing speed on this route by making certain changes in the track, like installation of a double distant signalling system and removing some curves. After these initiatives, we will able to run trains on 130 KMPH to 160 KMPH," he said. "Secondly, a special pantograph (an apparatus mounted on the roof of an electric train to collect power through contact with an overhead line) has also got prepared and the new train would arrive in Jaipur on March 24," Vaishnaw added. He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is on the path of transformation. Also Read Is the Vande Bharat Express ahead of its time? Who's the brain behind Vande Bharat? PM Modi virtually flags off Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat express Surekha Yadav becomes first woman loco pilot of Vande Bharat Express train Railways plans to launch Vande Bharat trains for freight operations Wind energy projects made 64.54 bn electricity units in April-Jan of FY23 Untimely rain hits standing rabi crops in north, central and south India PM Modi lauds Assam guv, CM's gesture of visiting 3 iconic places in Delhi MLC poll results indicate anti-incumbency, rebellion: Chandrababu Naidu Rahul Gandhi defends his 'democracy under attack' remark at Par panel meet "Many steps have been taken up in the last 7-8 years towards the modernisation of railways. In the next 3-4 years, we will be able to export Vande Bharat technology," he said. Ashwini Vaishnaw also inspected New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express and takes feedback from passengers. Minister said that the passengers had given positive feedback. "They told that trains are more clean than earlier, they are on time, and platforms are also very clean," he told ANI. The finance ministry has initiated the process to appoint a new Reserve Bank deputy governor in place of MK Jain, whose extended term is coming to an end in June. The applicant should have an experience of 15 years in banking and financial market operations, said a public notice, indicating that candidates from the private sector will also be considered for the appointment. Traditionally, one of the four deputy governors is from the public sector banking industry. If the government decides to appoint someone from the private sector, it would be a first for the Reserve Bank of India. Jain, a senior public sector banker, was appointed deputy governor for an initial period of three years in 2018 and extended by another two years in 2021. The central bank has four deputy governors - two from within the ranks and one commercial banker and an economist to head the monetary policy department. "It may be noted that the Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee (FSRASC) is free to identify and recommend any other person also, based on merit, who has not applied for the post. The committee may also recommend relaxation in the eligibility and qualifications/experience criteria, in respect of outstanding candidates," the notice said. Also Read FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2023: Obstacles India will face on its home turf One year since Tatas took over Air India, here's how the journey has been Budget 2023: A look back at some major announcements in previous Budget Budget 2023-24: Manufacturing sector eyes revised taxations, new PLIs Union Budget 2023: Experts don't expect surprises in social sector outlay J&K L-G lays foundation stone of 1st direct foreign investment project Madras HC allows AIADMK GS polls, directs not to declare the outcome Rahul Gandhi promises police to share info about his remarks, seeks time Madras HC delays AIADMK general secretary election results till March 22 Like Congress, BJP will lose for misusing central agencies: Akhilesh Yadav According to the notice, applicants should have extensive experience as a full-time director or board member and possess an understanding, at a very senior level, of supervision and compliance in the financial sector. Strong competencies working with financial performance data, including interpreting, summarising and communicating high-level output and strong and clear communication skills on matters of public policy are also listed as criteria for sending an application. The last date for submission of application for the position is April 10 and those applying for the post should not exceed 60 years of age as of June 22, 2023, according to the notice. The appointment will be made for three years and the person will be eligible for re-appointment. The post will carry a pay scale of Rs 2.25 lakh (Level-17) per month. Even as the government has increased the focus on conservation of wildlife, instances of human-animal conflict have resulted in loss of life of both humans and animals over the years. A large number of elephants have lost their lives due to various reasons ranging from electrocution, poisoning to accidents. As per the information from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, between 2019-20 and 2021-22, a large number of elephants were killed due to various reasons including electrocution and others. The data said that a total of 198 elephants were killed by electrocution across the country, 41 by trains, 27 by poachers and 8 by poisoning during the same period. On the other side, a large number of humans also became victims of the conflict leading to their deaths. Elephants killed 1,579 humans in three years - 585 in 2019-20, 461 in 2020-21, and 533 in 2021-22. So far as the states are concerned, Odisha recorded the highest number of these deaths at 322, followed by Jharkhand at 291, West Bengal at 240, Assam at 229, Chhattisgarh at 183, and Tamil Nadu at 152. So far as the deaths of elephants are concerned, out of the 198 elephant deaths caused by electrocution, Assam recorded 36, Odisha 30 and Tamil Nadu 29. Assam (15 out of 41) also had the highest number of elephant deaths caused by trains, followed by Odisha (8) and West Bengal (5). Poaching deaths were the highest in Meghalaya (11) while poisoning deaths were the highest in Assam (7). The Ministry in a Parliament reply on July 25 said that assessments of human-wildlife conflicts indicate that the main causes include habitat loss, growth of population of wild animals, changing cropping patterns that attract wild animals to farmlands, movement of wild animals from forests to human dominated landscapes for food and fodder, movement of human beings to forests for illegal collection of forest produce, habitat degradation due to growth of invasive alien species, etc. The Parliament standing committee on Environment and Forests in its March, 2023 report took note of the human-animal conflict. The Committee noted that Project Tiger and Project Elephant are crucial to the initiatives of the Ministry relating to wildlife conservation, not just from an ecological standpoint but also for its societal and economic value. "The initiatives of the Ministry, or the lack of it, have a direct bearing not just to the project but also to the human population living in these vulnerable areas. With increasing reports of man-animal conflicts, it becomes even more important that the Ministry sharpens its focus towards these projects and also allocate more funds for meeting necessary expenditures. The Committee therefore recommends that the Ministry ensures that funds allocated in R.E. 2022-23 be optimally utilized. Further, the Ministry should seek additional allocation under this head so as to ensure that no conservation initiative is left because of inadequacy of funds," said the panel in its report. Also Read WB govt plans to appoint 600 young 'gajamitras' to protect elephants Elephant herd enters rubber estate in Kerala; resist drive to push them out World Wildlife Day 2023: Spotlight on the role of business in conservation Large numbers of wild boars die in TN, MTR official suspects swine flu Apple includes 'Emergency SOS via Satellite' demo in iOS 16.1 beta WB govt plans to appoint 600 young 'gajamitras' to protect elephants Crackdown on Amritpal: SMS, internet suspension extended till March 20 Delhi Police at RaGa's home over 'women being sexually assaulted' remark Fugitive Amritpal Singh's 'close aide and financer' arrested: Report Jharkhand reports first case of H3N2, five fresh cases of Covid-19 As per the Ministry, financial assistance is provided by the Ministry to States/Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger', and 'Project Elephant' for activities like creation and maintenance of water holes for wild animals in Protected Areas, soil and moisture conservation measures, establishment of anti-poaching camps, strengthening wildlife veterinary care, eradication of weeds, creation and maintenance of fire lines, deployment of Tiger Protection Force and special Tiger Protection Force etc. Critical elephant habitats are notified as 'Elephant Reserve' for focus and synergy in elephant conservation and to reduce conflict. The notification is carried out with the approval of the Steering Committee formed in the Ministry. So far 32 Elephant Reserves have been established across major elephant States. --IANS kvm/bg The Legislative Council election results are an indication of the people's rebellion and anti-incumbency in Andhra Pradesh, Opposition leader and Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday. Thanking voters for taking the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to victory in three graduates' constituencies polls, the former Chief Minister called it a "people's victory", saying the electorate had reposed complete faith and confidence in the party. Election candidates aligned with the TDP won from Uttarandhra (North Andhra), East Rayalaseema and West Rayalaseema constituencies. Jagan Mohan Reddy always believes in money and muscle power and in indulging in atrocities," TDP supremo Nara Chandrababu Naidu said. "He transformed all the elections in these four years only into selections." Prophesying that the ruling YSRCP would vanish into oblivion soon and not return to power, he pointed out that the courts had pulled up the ruling dispensation many times. The recent polls covered as many as 108 Assembly segments where 5,000 to 25,000 voters exercised their franchise in each one of them. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy dared the Opposition parties to contest all 175 Assembly seats in the 2024 polls. Also Read Chandrababu, Pawan Kalyan decide to work together to 'save democracy' TDP holds Andhra Pradesh govt responsible for Guntur stampede that killed 3 7 TDP workers killed in scuffle during Chandrababu Naidu's rally in Andhra UK PM Liz Truss hints at benefits cuts, courts fresh Tory rebellion BJP had no role in Rajasthan Cong rebellion: Poonia denies Gehlot's claim Untimely rain hits standing rabi crops in north, central and south India PM Modi lauds Assam guv, CM's gesture of visiting 3 iconic places in Delhi Rahul Gandhi defends his 'democracy under attack' remark at Par panel meet Karnataka gives nod to 78 industrial projects of Rs 5,298-cr investment Projects worth Rs 32,000 crore underway in Ayodhya: UP CM Adityanath Declaring that he had no need for any political tie-ups with other parties, Reddy said that the people of the state were his strength and courage. "You (people) are my confidence and you will only take me forward. holding my hand," I will not run after alliances as I don't believe in them," the Chief Minister said addressing a public meeting in Tiruvuru in NTR district. "I will depend on the people and God. Ultimately, the good only will win. The national-level multi-state cooperative societies recently approved by the Union Cabinet for promotion of organic products and exports, will help increase farmers' income manifold in the next 10 years, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said here on Sunday. Shah, who was here to inaugurate the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) 'Kisan Bhavan', also made a strong pitch for the farmers to adopt natural farming, which he said will help increase their income and also protect the soil and environment from the harm caused by chemical fertilisers. "I assure you that the work started by (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi saheb will not just double but increase the income of every farmer many times in another 10 years. Only two cooperative societies for export and organic products will help increase farmers' income many times," he said. He said that PM Modi made an important decision in the cabinet to set up three multi-state cooperative societies, of which two are very useful for the state's farmers. "One will transfer the profits to the farmers directly for the organic produce procured from them," Shah said. Another cooperative society will help the farmers export their produce from any village in the country and serve as an export house with the profit to be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts. Also Read Govt amends Multi State Cooperative Societies Act to bring in transparency Kerala cooperative secures second position in global sectoral ranking Process started to merge Amul with 5 other cooperative societies: Amit Shah Legislation governing multi-state cooperative societies set for big change Centre should change its attitude towards cooperative banks: Sharad Pawar President Droupadi Murmu visits Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu WB teachers' scam: ED recovers 350 OMR sheets from real estate promoter J&K L-G lays foundation stone of 1st direct foreign investment project Union Health Minister to chair two-day global conference on digital health Govt invites application for RBI deputy governor post; M K Jain to retire "For this, in the coming month, I will meet the chairman of district cooperative banks and APMCs in Gujarat to get them registered with cooperative societies. This will make farmers prosperous," said Shah, who also laid the foundation stone of Junagadh district cooperative bank building here. The cabinet had in January this year approved setting up of National Export Society, National Cooperative Society for Organic Products and National Level Multi-state Seed Cooperative Society. The minister said that the arrangement for testing of land and natural farm products will be set up in each district in the coming five years for the purpose. He said the government has also decided to set up a cooperative society in each of the country's panchayats, which will help reach the Centre's schemes to the farmers. "Cooperatives benefit farmers. The central government's budget does not reach you (farmers) because the cooperative structure is not proper. If the cooperative structure becomes strong, then all the schemes of the central government will start reaching you," he said. Shah said that the large-scale use of urea has spoiled farm land, and lakhs of farmers have moved towards natural farming. "We will have to move fast towards natural farming and show a way to the world. I assure you that on the basis of scientific data it is established that natural farming does not reduce yield but rather increase it," he said. To get a better price, there is a need for marketing and certification of such produce and ensuring that fake organic products do not hit the market, he said, adding that 'Amul' has already started marketing such products. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Sunday that the New Education Policy, which is intended to make youth global citizens, will be implemented soon. "The purpose of education is to make someone a complete man, and the new education policy will do so. If I say in simple terms, the purpose of the new education policy is to make the new generation global citizens," Shah said. Shah who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat attended the fourth convocation ceremony of Gujarat Central University here in Gandhinagar. Addressing the students at the convocation ceremony, he said, "Your batch of the Central University of Gujarat will be known as the batch of "Amrit Kaal" and with this comes a responsibility." He said, "children should know about the fight for independence. We have achieved a lot in these last 75 years. You should all know about it. And for the next 25 years, it becomes your responsibility to make India achieve great heights in the 100th year of Independence. The Union Minister also told the students that they are graduating from a land, which has historic importance. Also Read Over 71,000 Vibrant Gujarat projects implemented: Socio Economic review Gujarat Assembly elections: BJP upbeat ahead of counting of votes HM Amit Shah on 3-day visit to J-K from Sep 30, to address 2 rallies Amit Shah to hold two public meetings in Gujarat today ahead of polls Delhi govt implemented 77 projects of education, health in 5 years: Sisodia Efficient processing key for strengthening millet value chain: Official 34 more Amritpal supporters held, key aides shifted to Assam prison Will take action to stop vulgarity on OTT in the name of creativity: Thakur CBI files FIR over irregularities in teachers' recruitment in Bengal school Will bring out private vehicles scrapping policy: Union minister Choubey "You all should also remember that you are all graduating from the land that has a history of giving a lot to the country - such as Shri Krishna, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Patel," he added. Laying thrust on the NEP 2020, he said, "no one has protested against the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and it has been accepted by all and will be implemented soon." "I would request you all to study the new policy, especially the teachers," he said. Shah also said that the purpose of education is to make someone a complete man, and the new education policy will do so. He also said that a person can think well in the language of his/her mother tongue. Earlier on Saturday also, Shah emphasised on the importance of mother tongue and urged people to get out of the "inferiority complex" in using it adding that the mother tongue is a means of personality development. The Home Minister lauded the New Education Policy and said that it incorporates the thoughts of great men like BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and others. He made these remarks at the convocation ceremony of the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara. "In the New Education Policy, it also includes the thoughts of Sayari Rao regarding accessible education, the thoughts of Sardar Patel on women empowerment, and the thoughts of BR Ambedkar regarding education for knowledge. Do anything in your life, but do not leave your mother tongue. Get out of the inferiority complex that you will not be accepted by your language. Language is an expression," Shah said. "If any person thinks in his own language, he thinks well. If he conducts his research, the capability of his research increases manifold. There can be no bigger medium of personality building than the mother tongue. I urge all of you to come out of the inferiority complex," he added detailing the benefits of using mother tongue. The Home Minister also cited his interactions with the people from foreign countries and said that they do not know which was the native language of their country. "I meet people of foreign countries. When they talk in English with me, I ask them which was the language of your country. They look down a little, we do not even know which was the language of our country. We have the best literature, grammar and poems in our languages. This is why PM Modi has made mother tongue (language) compulsory under the new education policy," he said. Shah recalled Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said that the world remembers him today because of his selflessness. "It is an important day. It is today when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had entered Burma. When he entered Burma, he had said that I am stepping into a free India. It is the history of the world that it remembers only those who succeed. Netaji did not succeed, but the world respects him even today because he never did anything for himself," he had said. Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that Turkey is seeking a state visit to Egypt as a chance to jumpstart diplomatic ties. The Foreign Minister added that he hopes to discuss with Egyptian ambassadors after ten years. Turkish FM State Visit Restores Cooperation with Egypt These were the comment made Saturday at a joint press conference with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry while visiting Cairo. Ten years ago, ties between the two Arab countries were severed, reported Middle East Eye. Cavusoglu added that Ankara is moving with steps to have normal relations with Egypt. Saying efforts will be made not to have another break in ties again. Shoukry says discussions about restoring ambassadors when it's the right time and the positive impact it will have. A month ago, the Egyptian official was in Turkey to show Cairo stood with Ankara and Damascus affected by the killer quake. It took 50,000 lives in both countries as the worst natural disaster, noted Arab News. The bilateral ties between Ankara and Cairo were not good for over ten years because of their differences. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey did not acknowledge the ascension of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the Egyptian leader who replaced Mohamed Morsi. Morsi is the first leader elected in free elections, and an ally in 2013, cited DW. He said that Erdogan and Sisi want to resolve the separation of ties between Ankara and Cairo to the highest levels of diplomatic ties as the goal of the visits. Read Also: Turkish FM Schedules Visit to Russia for Planned Quad Meeting Turkey, Egypt To Mend Diplomatic Relations It was mentioned the two countries had sent their senior foreign ministry officials to explore the possibility of restoring ties amidst the differences that brought it on. Last May 2021, the Turkish delegation went to Egypt to thresh out what would be needed to discuss normalization. This coincided with a greater diplomatic effort by the Turkish government of Erdogan to less tension with Cairo, Israel, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). During November last year, the leaders of Ankara and Cairo had shaken hands in Qatar, which Egypt saw as the thaw in the ten-year chill in relations. Turkish officials had told the outlet that the Egyptian government wanted the handshake with Erdogan as the final proof that Sisi was the legitimate leader of Egypt. Ankara's resistance has stopped, and preferred a positive approach. Issues To Sort Toward Reconciliation These first steps to normalizing interactions with the two Arab countries have a few points that need to be settled. It would be the contest on who has the right in Libya to develop the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean and the Muslim gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean which Cairo calls extremists. Both still kept their economic ties intact even as diplomacy was in the gutter. Proof of this is the fact Ankara imported $4bn worth of Egyptian products in 2022. The reconciliation of their mutual interests comes about with the economic turmoil that Cairo is suffering with foreign currency as deficient. Last month Cairo said that Turkey plopped in $500m capital investments. The Turkish FM says that diplomatic ties with Egypt, which is the subject of a state visit, are crucial for the two Arab states. Related Article: Egypt FM Realigns Relations with Syria, Turkey After Long Hiatus @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the gesture of Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state government's ministers to visit the National War Memorial, National Police Memorial and the PM Sangrahalaya here. In a tweet, Kataria said, "I along with CM Dr. Himantab Biswa Sarma and his cabinet colleagues, had the profound privilege of visiting the National War Memorial in New Delhi today." "We paid our tribute to the valiant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in safeguarding our nation's territorial integrity," he said. "As the day progressed, we embarked on an awe-inspiring journey through the remarkable National Police Museum and the distinguished Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, marveling at the extraordinary exhibits on display," Kataria said. Tagging Kataria's tweet, Modi said on Twitter, "A great gesture by the Assam Governor @Gulab_kataria Ji, CM @himantabiswa Ji and Ministers of the Assam Government to visit three iconic places in Delhi- the National War Memorial, National Police Memorial and PM Sangrahalaya. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has assured the Delhi Police that he will share the information about the claims that he had made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra speech in Srinagar, and also said that he needed some time for this. "We have met Rahul Gandhi, he has said that he needs time to give his statement. Mr Gandhi said that the Yatra was so long and he needed to recollect who had connected him and his team. After receiving details he has assured to share them with us," said a police official who did not wish to be named. A Delhi Police team led by Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dr Sagar Preet Hooda and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi Pranav Tayal had reached Gandhi's residence at Tughlak lane early this morning to serve him a notice. According to sources, the police team on March 15 had waited for three hours at Gandhi's residence to serve him notice, however, he did not meet them. Again on March 16, senior officers visited his residence and served the notice after waiting for one and a half hours. A senior police officer said the notice was issued after the police took cognisance of social media posts and sent a list of questions. " ...in one particular case, I asked a girl (who had been raped) if we should call the police? She said 'don't call the police... I will be shamed'," Rahul Gandhi had said during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. Also Read Rahul Gandhi visits memorials of former Prime Ministers, Mahatma Gandhi Was our economy bigger when we fought the British: Rahul Gandhi slams BJP Rahul Gandhi attacks BJP, its ideology as Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Haryana Delhi Police at RaGa's home over 'women being sexually assaulted' remark Don't betray India, says Anurag Thakur to Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders Madras HC delays AIADMK general secretary election results till March 22 Like Congress, BJP will lose for misusing central agencies: Akhilesh Yadav Amritpal's 4 aides brought to Assam; to be kept in Dibrugarh Central Jail Congress is essential to any meaningful opposition in 2024: Jairam Ramesh Jumbo Jeopardy: 270 elephants lost to electrocution, poaching in 3 years Speaking with the mediaperaons, Special CP Hooda said that Gandhi made the statement on January 30 in Srinagar. "This is a very serious matter and we came here to gather more information in this connection. We need information regarding his speech and the victims so that we could initiate legal action into the matter and victims could get justice," said Hooda. --IANS atk/dpb The proposed night navigation facility at the Kolkata dock system, and the upcoming Rs 450-crore terminal in West Bengal's Balagarh will enhance productivity of the Syama Prasad Mookherjee Port by 30 per cent, a top official said on Sunday. The SMP, earlier known as the Kolkata Port, is working closely with IIT-Chennai and Belgium's Port of Antwerp to roll out night navigation over the next three months, he said. The Balagarh terminal is expected to be operational in the next 24 months. The Balagarh Island lies about 85 km upstream from Kolkata port's main docks on the Inland Waterway-1 in Hooghly district. "The upcoming terminal along with night navigation will significantly enhance the port's productivity. The initial plan was to introduce night navigation until Uluberia, but the port has now decided to extend it until Diamond Harbour, " SMP Deputy Chairman (Kolkata) Samrat Rahi told PTI. At present, the night navigation system is available till Haldia. Also Read Hockey World Cup final, Germany vs Belgium: Germans out to stop Red Lions 10 arrested in Brussels amid unrest after Belgium-Morocco World Cup match Germany approves reduced investment of China in Hamburg port deal Kolkata underwater metro to be completed by December 2023, says KMRC Fifa World Cup 2022: Belgium crash out; Morocco, Croatia march to last 16 UP set to get its third international cricket stadium in Varanasi Delhi Police action is to divert attention from Adani issue: Kharge National-level societies on organic products, exports to help farmers: Shah President Droupadi Murmu visits Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu WB teachers' scam: ED recovers 350 OMR sheets from real estate promoter "It will improve the turnaround time of ships from Kolkata docks by 30 per cent and a capex of Rs 17 crore will be required, Rahi said. The port will also introduce "virtual buoys" to guide vessels along the 130-km distance between Sagar Island and the Kidderpore Dock System (KDS), and a digital 3D simulation of its docks will be used for night navigation with the aid of artificial intelligence, he said. This can save at least USD 10,000 for a ship in retention damages, according to officials. Meanwhile, to expedite the Extended Port Gate Facility' at Balagarh, a team of senior officials, including SMP Chairman P L Haranadh visited the project site last week. Currently, the project is in advanced planning stage. The idea is to shift cargo in barges at Dimond Harbour with a floating crane and bypass the Kolkata Dock. This will have dual a benefit-- decongest the port and reduce city pollution," Rahi said. The terminal will handle both container and bulk cargo, and is set to be constructed on 100 acres of port land on the island. "The total proposed cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 450 crore, out of which Rs 350 crore is expected to come from public-private partnership (PPP) partners, for the construction of berths, procurement of equipment, and development of associated facilities," Rahi said. SMP is expected to handle more than 65 million tonnes of cargo by the end of 2022-23, the officials said. State governments swung into action assuring farmers of compensation for the damages suffered and promised to undertake surveys to assess the loss. Widespread rains accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorm hit several districts across the North, West, Central and Southern parts of the country putting at risk the ready to harvest rabi crops. In Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to undertake surveys to assess the loss and promptly compensate the farmers, while in Gujarat, chief minister Bupendra Patel held a high-level meeting on Sunday to review the situation, and in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, the state administration swung into action due to incessant rains and hailstorm in the main wheat-growing areas. The actual impact of the rains on crops such as wheat, mustard, etc will be known after the assessments. In MP, wheat crop in the mail Malwa-Nimar belt as well as Gwalior and Chambal division was hit by the unseasonal rains. In Rajasthan, speaker Om Birla toured the unseasonal rain-affected regions of Bundi, while the state administration assured compensation. Also Read Rabi sowing starts better than last year; but wheat sowing yet to begin Is it time for India to abandon GMO crop fears? Wheat acreage up nearly 10% as rabi sowing nears halfway, shows data Mustard gains in initial rabi sowing, markets bullish on wheat Rabi sowing tracker: Mustard covers 72% of normal area, wheat spikes Efficient processing key for strengthening millet value chain: Official 34 more Amritpal supporters held, key aides shifted to Assam prison New Education Policy will be implemented soon: Amit Shah in Gujarat Will take action to stop vulgarity on OTT in the name of creativity: Thakur CBI files FIR over irregularities in teachers' recruitment in Bengal school In Punjab, wheat growers were worried after rains lashed many parts of Punjab on Saturday, leaving farmers worried as showers accompanied by high-velocity winds flattened the wheat crop at some places in the state. In Gujarat, several parts of Kutch, Patan, Ahmedabad, Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Banaskantha, Surat and other districts received more than 15 mm rainfall on Saturday evening, while 81 talukas witnessed showers in 24 hours till 6 am on Sunday, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. Strong winds flattened standing wheat crop at about 150 hectares of land in Mukerian, Tanda and Sham Chaurasi areas of this district, while in Muktsar also, rains and high-velocity winds flattened the wheat crop at some places. Punjab this season brought 34.90 lakh hectares of area under wheat crop with a projected output of 17 million tonnes. Shortly after Amritpal Singh, the chief of pro-Khalistan outfit chief 'Waris Punjab De' was said to be on the run, Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday late evening confirmed that the radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". "Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway," Chahal said in an exclusive interview with ANI. Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Police launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operation (CASO) in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De (WPD) against whom several criminal cases stand registered. During the operation, a total of 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained for questioning. Sharing more details, the official spokesperson of Punjab Police said, "On Saturday afternoon, several activities of WPD were intercepted by the Police at the Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven persons were arrested on the spot. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them." "During the statewide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different calibres have been recovered so far," said an officer. Also Read Just a few people funded by Pakistan: CM Bhagwant Mann on Ajnala clashes Radical preacher Amritpal Singh's supporters clash with police in Amritsar Congress MP Santokh Chaudhary dies during Bharat Jodo Yatra, march halted Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh still on the run from Punjab cops: Report Amritpal Singh maintaining close links with ISI, terror groups: Sources Rs 900 cr sanctioned for holistic development of agriculture sector in J&K US President Joe Biden to host PM Modi for state dinner this summer It remains very fragile: Jaishankar on situation at LAC in eastern Ladakh Rising infections: States on alert as Covid-19 cases hit 4-month high Over 200 universities on board for CUET-UG, up from 90 last year: UGC The spokesperson informed that WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempting to murder, attacking police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. "Case FIR No. 39 dated 24-02-2023 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," he added. He said that all persons involved in criminal offences shall be dealt with in accordance with the law and all persons wanted by the police should offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights of legal defence shall be protected, he added. Meanwhile, the police requested all the citizens not to pay heed to fake news and rumours. "Situation in the state is completely stable. All persons indulging in mischievous activities for disturbing peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly," the police said.Earlier in the day, mobile Internet services were also suspended in several districts of Punjab until 12 noon on Sunday. The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal's close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through police barricades erected outside the Ajnala police station. The police later said "in the light of the evidence presented", it has been decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan will be discharged.Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 following orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police. Reacting to the incident, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said that these "1000 people" don't represent Punjab, and alleged that they are "funded by Pakistan" to disrupt peace in the state. In order to check the rising incidents of human-elephant conflict (HEC), West Bengal has launched a unique human-driven initiative, named "Gajamitra (Friends of Elephants)". Under this scheme, the state Forest Department has started the process of appointing 600 local youth from HEC-prone pockets both in north Bengal as well as in south Bengal as these Gajamitras. According to West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, the recruitment process has already started. "Once the recruitment process is complete, the selected youths will be provided with android sets with the specially developed Gajamitra App installed there," he said. The selected youths will procure advance information about the movement of elephant herds, alert the forest department and local people, so that preventive measures can be taken for avoiding HEC, the minister added. It is learnt that 200 such Gajamitras will be deputed in the HEC-prone pockets in South Bengal, while 400 will be for North Bengal. "The number is double in case of North Bengal since numerically the incidents of HEC in North Bengal are much higher than in South Bengal," a senior forest department official said. The districts in South Bengal to be covered under the Gajamitra scheme include West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia. The districts in North Bengal that will come under its purview are Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. "Despite lesser number of districts in North Bengal being HEC prone, still incidents on these counts are much higher," the official said. Also Read Elephant herd enters rubber estate in Kerala; resist drive to push them out Human price of shrinking forests: Odisha tops deaths inflicted by elephants PM Modi condoles loss of lives in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri flash floods PM Modi virtually flags off Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat express Bengal flash flood: 450 rescued from Jalpaiguri's Mal river; BJP scans area Crackdown on Amritpal: SMS, internet suspension extended till March 20 Delhi Police at RaGa's home over 'women being sexually assaulted' remark Fugitive Amritpal Singh's 'close aide and financer' arrested: Report Jharkhand reports first case of H3N2, five fresh cases of Covid-19 Regional parties to play key role in defeating BJP in 2024: Akhilesh Yadav Considering that incidents of HEC are higher in North Bengal, the forest department in association with the railways has earmarked another project on this count in the region. The project is installation of a sensitive sensor alarm system along the railway tracks running through the jungles of the Terai and Dooars region in north Bengal to prevent elephant deaths after colliding with speeding trains. "This initiative is mooted considering that a vast portion of these railway tracks pass through the forests that have a number of crucial elephant corridors," the official said. Explaining how this sensor alarm system will work, the official said that upon arrival of elephant herds near the rail tracks, the system will send alerts to the nearest railway station as well as to the nearest forest range office. "On receiving the alert the nearest railway station will send an alert to the drivers of the trains moving in the region, so that they slow down and prevent collision with the tuskers. On the other hand, on receiving the alarms the forest department personnel posted at the nearby range office will take precautionary measures to ensure the elephant herd safely moves away from the railway tracks," the official said. As part of the pilot project, the system will be installed covering a distance of approximately 50 km from Diana River Bridge at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district to Matharihat in Alipurduar. "This area is especially notorious for HEC," he said. As per the latest statistics, during the last three years 11 elephant deaths due to train accidents have been reported from West Bengal. --IANS src/bg Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday inaugurated an event to mark the golden jubilee year of the entry of women in the Tamil Nadu Police department and said that women's police hostels would be constructed soon in Madurai and Chennai. The function was organised at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Periamet. CM also released a special cover, launching the 'Aval' project and flagged off a bicycle rally. Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers made various announcements to mark the 'Golden Jubilee' of Tamil Nadu Women Police Personals. While speaking on the Stage Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin appreciated women police for their service and also made various announcements. On the 50th anniversary of Tamil Nadu women police M K Stalin said, "Daily Roll Call for Women Police will now be from 8 AM instead of 8 AM. Women Police hostel would be constructed soon in Madhurai and Chennai." "In all the Police stations, a separate retiring room with a restroom would be built for women police. In all districts police child take care would be made available to take care of the children of women police, added CM Stalin. Also Read Tamil Nadu CM's son Udhayanidhi Stalin sworn in as minister in cabinet TN districts start survey on guest workers in state after CM seeks info Oscars 2023: CM Stalin felicitates elephant whisperers Bomman and Bellie Udhayanidhi's elevation triggers 'Sunrise vs Sonrise' debate in Tamil Nadu CM Stalin writes to EAM, seeks intervention over attacks on TN fishermen Will challenge NGT order: Kochi Mayor on Rs 100 cr compensation imposed Parl panel suggests analysing feasibility of variable speed limits on NHs Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh declared fugitive: Jalandhar Police Rs 900 cr sanctioned for holistic development of agriculture sector in J&K US President Joe Biden to host PM Modi for state dinner this summer Talking about the rewards, CM Stalin said, "Kalaingar Police Award and trophy would also be given to women police each year to recognise women police skills." "Police higher officials would be advised to give leave and transfer for women police personnel according to their family situation", he added. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said world-class stations will be set up in Rajasthan which has seen a multifold increase in grants for the rail sector. Addressing a 'Brahmin Mahapanchayat' called by Vipra Sena, he said, "The grant given to Rajasthan 10 years ago was Rs 600 crore, but this time the state has got a grant of Rs 9,532 crore." Vaishnaw said world-class railway stations will be built in Abu Road, Ajmer, Alwar, Asalpur, Jobner, Balotra, Bandikui, Chittorgarh and Dausa, among other places. "We have to give a new future to Rajasthan," he said. In the programme, the Vipra Sena raised multiple demands such as increasing the 10 per cent reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) to 14 per cent, making misbehaviour and assault on priests a non-bailable offence and removing encroachments from temple lands. The BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari said a board for the Hindu religion should be made on the lines of the Waqf board. Former BJP state president Arun Chaturvedi said that the country will strengthen when Brahmin is empowered. He also called upon the people of the community to help the needy people belonging to the Brahmin community. Also Read Rail Budget FY24: Focus on incomplete projects, big push for Make in India BSNL to start 5G services in 2024, says telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Deliberations on draft telecom bill being conducted: Ashwini Vaishnaw 1.6 mn jobs being generated by Centre every month: Ashwini Vaishnaw India to get 400 'Vande Bharat' trains, 200 revamped stations: Vaishnaw Delhi Police to deploy 20,000 personnel for 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' on Monday Lakhs of farmers headed to Delhi for 'kisan mahapanchayat' on Monday: SKM India would emerge as leading power in Amrit Kaal, says EAM S Jaishankar Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam will be a milestone in TN-Gujarat ties: Mandaviya Govt should give compensation to farmers for damaged crops: Congress MLA Congress leader Pushpendra Bhardwaj said the Congress and BJP each should give tickets to 30 Brahmin leaders in the upcoming assembly elections. Images of Turkey's 5th Gen TFX fighter on its first taxi testing on a runaway were successfully stated by the Defense Industries Agency. These pictures were allegedly taken at the Turkish Aerospace Industries' facilities in Ankara, noted the Daily Sabah. TF-X Fighter Completes Taxi Testing This development in Turkey's indigenous TF-X fighter program was first revealed by the Turkish defense news website SavunmaSanayiST on Twitter. The Turkish Defense Industry Agency chief Ismail Demir posted on social media that the National Combat Aircraft will be leaving the hangar on March 18. "Our plane is on the runway today!" he added. Demir praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his leadership for following through with the advanced fighter program. He added the start of the advanced fighter program in 2010 has been fraught with problems. A turning point was the exclusion of Turkey from the US F-35 development, which allowed resources to shift to the TF-X by 2019. Based on the claims of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), which developed the prototype with 5th gen technology and relevant systems. Ankara's target is to have 2030 flying with the Turkish Air Force. Sources say that Ankara is the only of a few nations with the capacity to make low-observable aircraft specialized for next-generation combat. The weapons bay makes it 5th gen, which is internal, super maneuvering, and has a better sensor suite to scan for threats. These are characteristics of the 5th gen aircraft. Turkey's advanced fighter has all the upgraded capabilities that are associated with the 5th gen warplanes. Advanced data processing with AI and target sensing functions included. Read Also: Chinese 6th-Generation Fighter To Beat NGAD Program with Possible First Flight Expected by 2026 Turkey's 5th Gen TF-X Fighter Seen in the front of the jet is a new sensor array that was first seen in pictures revealed early this year, reported Eurasian Times. It is supposed to be a multi-purpose electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) with an infrared search and track (IRST) under the frontal part of the airframe. The IRST is on a prismatic box that lessens radar bounce under the cockpit section in a two-tone gray color, states Lockheed Martin. The exhaust nozzles of the jet are the same as several General Electric F110 engines, and these engines were added without a hitch. TUSAS plans the advanced fighter to have F110 turbofans made locally with a license. Later, the American engine will be replaced by a domestic production engine made in Turkey. Plans To Manufacture Local Engine Speculations The manufacturer delivered these F110s, and long ago a deal with Rolls-Royce had been talked about before. But the deal did not pan out due to issues. A Russian engine was discussed at one point, but the Ukraine conflict prevents that from happening anytime soon. Not enough data exists about the Turkish stealth airplane, but it does look like the Raptor in design. How soon the jet will be ready for operations is still being determined, but a deal for F-16s from Washington shows how many new jets are needed. It has come to the point that the delay will force Ankara to buy elsewhere due to US delays in its decision. Turkey's 5th Gen TF-X fighter has been seen taxi testing to prepare it for operation on the planned date. Related Article: Turkey Reveals Its TF-X 5th Generation Stealth Fighter Replacing the Planned Acquisition of US F-35s @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Congress leaders on Sunday accused the BJP-led central government of diverting people's attention from the Adani issue after the Special CP (L & O) Sagar Preet Hooda met Rahul Gandhi on Sunday and sought to know the names of sexual harassment victims whom he had mentioned during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said they would not be scared by such actions. "To divert the people from the Adani issue, they (BJP) are asking all these questions by sending the police. Rahul Gandhi & Congress will not get scared," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said. Kharge stressed that no matter how much they (BJP) try to save Adani, they "will continue to question them". Special CP Law and Order Sagar Preet Hooda today met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice served to him by the police to seek information on the alleged sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Police said that Rahul Gandhi said he needs some time and will give the information which they asked for. Also Read Rahul means Bharat, Bharat means Rahul, says UP Congress chief Khabri Indian embassy in China celebrates Gandhi Jayanti at Beijing's art museum Rahul Gandhi visits memorials of former Prime Ministers, Mahatma Gandhi Sonia, Priyanka join Rahul Gandhi for Congress' Bharat Jodo Yatra in Delhi In Kochi, Rahul Gandhi reminds Congress leaders of one man-one post rule NGT forms panel to verify claim of air pollution around AIIMS Delhi Layoffs in US will bring lot of work to India: GlobalLogic CEO Nitesh Banga No need to panic, but precautions needed: Experts on rising H3N2 cases Rs 450-cr Balagarh terminal to boost trade at Kolkata port: Official Centre has sanctioned Rs 2,000 cr for Tripura under Jal Jeevan Mission: CM Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot held the Centre responsible for sending police to Gandhi's residence. "Delhi Police went to Rahul Gandhi's residence although he had said he will give an answer in 8-10 days. It's impossible to believe that without the direction of the ruling government the Delhi Police can take such actions," Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot told reporters at a press conference in Delhi hours after he reached the residence of Rahul Gandhi. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "If Rahul Gandhi will not give the names of the victim women (of alleged sexual harassment) then how will they get justice?" Biswa mentioned that he had also said that he had met militants, then shouldn't he inform the police?" "We held a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. He said he needs some time and will give us the information which we've asked for. Today we've served a notice which has been accepted by his office and if questioning needs to be done then we will do it," said Special CP Hooda. "Rahul Gandhi said it was a long yatra and he met many people and needs time to compile it. He has assured us that he will give the information soon and we will begin our proceedings as soon as we receive the information", CP Hooda added. Japan says North Korea has launched a suspected missile toward the sea. Japan's coast guard said it confirmed that what appeared to be a North Korean missile was fired Sunday morning. Further launch details were not immediately available, it said. South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited the South's military as saying that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. Calls to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff were not immediately answered on Sunday. The launch, if confirmed, would be the North's fourth round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last week. Also Read North Korea fires ballistic missile days after US-South Korea joint drills North Korea fires unspecified ballistic missile into East Sea: South Korea India condemns recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch by N Korea North Korea launches ballistic missile off east coast, says Seoul official North Korea launches ballistic missile toward eastern waters: Seoul Japan will carefully monitor investigation against Putin: PM Kishida More than 50% of Afghan journalists lost jobs since Taliban takeover: Rpt South Korea set to normalise military intelligence sharing with Japan About 800,000 civilians willing to join military to fight US: North Korea 400,000 gallons of radioactive water leaked from US nuclear power plant The North views the drills as an invasion rehearsal. At the prodding of regulators, UBS has put aside its initial opposition to a deal and is exploring possible structures that could be executed quickly to halt a deep crisis of confidence, people briefed on the discussions said. UBS is asking the Swiss government to take on certain legal costs and potential future losses in any deal, said the people, with a Reuters report putting the figure at about $6 billion. UBS Group AG and Swiss officials are racing to put together a deal for the firm to take over battered rival Credit Suisse Group AG this weekend as they seek to navigate thorny issues such as a government backstop and the fate of the smaller firms investment bank. Under one likely scenario, the deal would involve UBS acquiring Credit Suisse to obtain its wealth and asset management units, while possibly divesting the investment banking division, the people said. Talks are still ongoing on the fate of Credit Suisses profitable Swiss universal bank, which is likely appealing to UBS but may leave the countrys domestic banking sector too concentrated, the people said, asking not to be identified describing private discussions. The complex discussions over what would be the first combination of two global systemically important banks since the financial crisis have seen Swiss and US authorities weigh in, some of the people said. Still, talks are accelerating and all sides are pushing for a quick solution after a week that saw clients pull money and counterparties step back from some dealings with Credit Suisse. The goal is for an announcement of a deal between the two banks by Sunday evening at the latest with Saturday still possible, the people said. A government-brokered deal would address a rout in Credit Suisse that sent shock waves across the global financial system this week when panicked investors dumped its shares and bonds following the collapse of several smaller US lenders. A liquidity backstop by the Swiss central bank this week briefly arrested the declines, but the market drama carries the risk that clients or counterparties would continue fleeing, with potential ramifications for the broader industry. Representatives for UBS, Credit Suisse, and the Swiss finance ministry declined to comment. Also Read UBS in talks to buy embattled Swiss rival Credit Suisse, says report Credit Suisse meets to weigh options, under pressure to merge with UBS Credit Suisse under pressure to merge with UBS, meets to weigh options Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive Credit Suisse offers to buy back debt securities worth 3 bn Swiss francs Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive Credit Suisse meets to weigh options, under pressure to merge with UBS Washington turns to Wall Street to help rescue dying First Republic Bank Credit Suisse faces crunch weekend as lifeline offers limited reprieve Was the Fed too late on SVB even though it saw problem after problem? The discussions raise questions over the future of Credit Suisses bold plan to spin out its investment banking unit under the storied First Boston brand. The firm had been working to legally and operationally separate the business that would become CS First Boston, but those efforts are in nascent stages. Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerner said this week that the firm was looking at a potential initial public offering for the business in 2025. Other financial firms including Deutsche Bank AG are monitoring the situation in case attractive Credit Suisse assets go on the block either in a UBS acquisition or other form of breakup, according to people briefed on those discussions. The investment bank is the bit that most people want to spin off, said James Athey, investment director at Abrdn. Thats likely where a lot of these exposures are. So thats the challenge that needs addressing. Credit Suisse has also been shrinking its trading business, but that still carries a large chunk of the banks capital requirements. Credit Suisse had 1.2 billion Swiss francs ($1.3 billion) in legal provisions at the end of 2022 and disclosed that it saw reasonably possible losses adding another 1.2 billion francs to that total, with several lawsuits and regulatory probes outstanding, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. UBS executives had been opposed to an arranged combination with its rival because they wanted to focus on their own wealth management-centric strategy and were reluctant to take on risks related to Credit Suisse, Bloomberg reported earlier this week. Credit Suisse has been unprofitable over the course of the last decade and has racked up billions in legal losses. Credit Suisses market value has plunged to about 7.4 billion Swiss francs, from a 2007 peak of more than 100 billion francs. UBSs market value is 60 billion francs. Clients pulled more than $100 billion of assets in the last three months of last year as concerns mounted about its financial health, and the outflows have continued even after it tapped shareholders in a 4 billion franc capital raise. A fusion between the two Swiss banking giants, whose headquarters face each other across Zurichs central Paradeplatz square, would be an historic event for the nation and global finance. Read More: Credit Suisse Weakness Disclosure Adds to Risks: Legal Outlook The two banks, both counted by the Financial Stability Board as systemically relevant globally, are interlinked through frequent exchanges of executives from one side of Paradeplatz to the other. Both Chairman Axel Lehmann and Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerner are former decision-makers at UBS. By Marion Halftermeyer, Katherine Griffiths, Steven Arons and Dinesh Nair Michael Klein, the CEO-designate of Credit Suisse Group AGs investment-banking spin off, may struggle to realize his dream of building a new CS First Boston as the Swiss lender nears a forced sale to UBS Group AG. Klein and others had already been talking to interested parties as they sought to line up investors for the business. The last few days may force the acceleration of those efforts in an attempt to save the carve-out effort, according to people familiar with the matter. Credit Suisse said last year it has a $500 million commitment from a potential backer in CS First Boston, but has never named the investor. UBS is showing little appetite for Credit Suisses investment banking business as part of a government-brokered takeover, putting plans to legally and operationally separate and eventually list that business in doubt. The efforts to separate the business that would become CS First Boston were still in early progress as a renewed crisis of confidence struck Credit Suisse this week. The spinoff has been a centerpiece of the troubled Swiss lenders restructuring efforts and an attempt to protect and grow its best-performing investment banking businesses, such as advising on mergers and acquisitions. Chief Executive Officer Ulrich Koerner said as recently as this week that the firm was looking at a potential initial public offering for the business in 2025 and that it had several parties that were interested in becoming investors. The riskier investment-banking and trading operations have become a sticking point in the UBS takeover talks, Bloomberg reported earlier. In one scenario, UBS could seek to divest or unwind part of the investment banking operations, according to people familiar. Also Read Weak financials, shaky management: What's wrong at Credit Suisse? Credit Suisse loses Asia deputy wealth management head as departures mount Credit Suisse reports loss for fifth straight quarter, shares slump 10% UBS in talks to buy embattled Swiss rival Credit Suisse, says report HDFC Bank is now ten times bigger than the crisis-struck Credit Suisse Wall Street falls on banking crisis worries; First Republic Bank tumbles ECB supervisors meet over banking stress as US rescue eases immediate fears US regulator eyes Friday bids for SVB and Signature Bank, says report ECB hikes rate by 50bps to 3.5% despite bank chaos; highest since Oct 2008 Euro, Swiss franc recover as market mood improves, traders await ECB meet Breakup Scenario In a breakup scenario, Credit Suisse may still seek to carve out the investment bank and could even seek to accelerate the effort, said one person briefed on the discussions of potential options. Such a move would likely be complicated and need regulatory buy-in, one of the people said. The people asked not to be named discussing the private talks. Credit Suisse last year tapped board member and longtime dealmaker Klein to lead CS First Boston, and he stands to miss out on a large payday if the deal fails. He stepped down from the supervisory board, and recently sold his boutique investment firm to the bank in a $210 million deal which is yet to close. Spokespeople for UBS and Credit Suisse declined to comment on the matter. A spokesperson for Klein didnt have an immediate comment. Another scenario would be that the parts of the investment bank that had been destined for First Boston end up in a bad bank, to be wound down, one of the people said. Credit Suisse said in its annual report this week that senior leaders of the First Boston investment banking spinoff will own as much as a fifth of that business if it proceeds with plans for an initial public offering. Employees would be awarded restricted share units in CS First Boston, which would vest three years after the offering and be subject to a further holding requirement. The effort had captured the attention of Wall Street as a spinout unprecedented in modern finance and a rare business model that featured a boutique-like advisory practice with the need for a bigger balance sheet to support its leveraged finance unit. Klein had promised a partnership-like structure that recalled an earlier era and gave star dealmakers a share in the upside. Between 50 and 100 existing CS First Boston managing directors would be up for partnership in the boutiques new organizational structure, which will be similar to that of banks like Goldman Sachs Group Inc., executives said at a recent off-site meeting, according to people who attended the presentations. Japan will carefully monitor the developments of an investigation against Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday, reported Kyodo News. PM Kishida made the above remarks while holding talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Tokyo. He also supports the International Criminal Court's issuance of an arrest warrant for Putin on the grounds, he oversaw the war crime of forcible deportation of Ukrainian children during the Russia-Ukraine war, Sholz said. In a first, the court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state of a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Although neither Ukraine nor Russia is parties to the court, Kyiv grants the ICC authority over war crimes. Earlier, ICC on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Russian President and Russian official Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for the alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia, reported CNN. According to Kyodo News, following the summit, in a joint news conference with Scholz, Kishida said that they both agreed that they would never accept Russia's threat to use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining sanctions against Moscow. Also Read Japan's economy minister resigns over ties to Unification Church Japan to okay $490 billion in stimulus to cushion impact of inflation Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sacks 3rd minister in a month Japan PM Kishida in Paris to discuss Ukraine, climate, food security Apple's Japan unit gets $105 mn tax bill for sale of iPhones to tourists More than 50% of Afghan journalists lost jobs since Taliban takeover: Rpt South Korea set to normalise military intelligence sharing with Japan About 800,000 civilians willing to join military to fight US: North Korea 400,000 gallons of radioactive water leaked from US nuclear power plant Strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude kills at least 13 in Ecuador, 1 in Peru The meeting took place as Japan, which is currently in charge of the Group of Seven, tries to set the groundwork for a G-7 summit that will be held in Kishida's home constituency of Hiroshima in May. Last year, Germany held the G-7 presidency. Along with the European Union, the G-7 also includes the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, and the United States. In January, Kishida travelled for a week to the G-7 countries apart from Germany in the run-up summit in the city in western Japan. In light of increasing concerns that Russia may use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine in the ongoing war, Kishida has been eager to present his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons at the G-7 meeting in Hiroshima, which was completely destroyed by an American atomic bomb in August 1945, according to Kyodo News. Kishida and Scholz stated during their discussion on Saturday that they will work together to ensure the success of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima. The two leaders also agreed that, given their desire to join the United Nations as permanent members of the Security Council, Japan and Germany will cooperate to reform the organisation. Along with the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia, there are five regular council members who have the power to veto. All are nuclear forces. The council, according to some critics, has come across as dysfunctional, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On Saturday in Tokyo, Japan and Germany conducted their first-ever high-level intergovernmental discussions. In response to China's expanding military and economic influence around the world, the countries confirmed that they would increase their economic security cooperation in the mineral and semiconductor industries. This would strengthen supply networks, Kyodo News reported. North Korea on Sunday slammed the United States and United Nations for having raised the issue of Pyongyang's human rights issue recently at the UN Security Council and the regime's missile provocation, Yonhap news agency reported citing North Korea's state media. On Friday, the US co-hosted an informal meeting highlighting the human rights violations in North Korea at the UNSC. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized North Korea's recent test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a violation of UNSC resolutions. In response to the meeting, North Korea's mission to the UN in a statement said that Pyongyang "will counter the illegal 'human rights' campaign by the US and its followers with the most powerful means," Yonhap news agency reported citing Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The mission stressed that it defines the "pressure campaign" as a violation of the dignity and sovereignty of the North and "resolutely denounces and rejects it," as per the KCNA report. Reacting to UN Secretary-General's statement, Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused Antonio Guterres of "adding fuel to the flames" and "far from helping easing the tension in the Korean Peninsula and the region," Yonhap news agency cited KCNA report. In a separate statement, North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister for international organizations said, "I think it is good for defusing tension and for himself that the UN secretary-general remains silent rather than meddling in the Korean Peninsula issue as now." Also Read S Korea, US fire 4 missiles into East Sea against N Korea's provocation US condemns North Korea's launch of intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea fires unspecified ballistic missile into East Sea: South Korea North Korea's Kim calls for key party meeting to review state affairs North Korea confirms ICBM test, warns of more powerful steps against rivals Ukraine crisis: President Putin visits Russia-occupied port city Mariupol Israeli PM Netanyahu urges military chief to contain reservist protest Cyclone Freddy death toll hits 447, over 362,000 displaced in Malawi Sri Lanka govt debt rose to 115.2% of GDP by the end of 2022: Report Amid political turmoil, Imran Khan-led PTI seeks clearance for Lahore rally Meanwhile, Pyongyang fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) towards the East Sea on Sunday, Yonhap News Agency reported citing the South Korean military, Yonhap news agency reported. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Tongchang-ri area on the country's west coast at 11:05 am (local time). It said that the missile flew for around 800 kilometers, as per the news report. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in a statement condemned the North Korea's ballistic missile launches as an act of provocation that affects peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the international community as well, as per the news report. "We strongly condemn the North's series of ballistic missile launches as an act of significant provocation that harms peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the international community, and a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," the JCS said in a statement as per the news report. It further said that allies will conduct their combined military drills in a "high-intensity" and "thorough" manner, while vowing to maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond to any North Korean provocations. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted that legal proceedings could be initiated to declare former prime minister Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a banned outfit, Tribune reported. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Rana said that the legal team of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was examining the matter in light of several revelations that could lead to a reference being filed against the party. He however clarified that it is ultimately up to the courts to officially ban a political party. According to him, Punjab Police along with other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation against the "no-go area" in Lahore where a purported political leader had allegedly created an "atmosphere of fear". Sanaullah said that the action was taken after resistance was encountered during the execution of court orders, leading to concerns about a possible terrorist organisation's presence, Tribune reported. "The operation resulted in the clearance of the no-go area in Zaman Park. Despite having a search warrant, officials did not enter the residential area," he added. Also Read Govt to not allow PTI's long march to enter Islamabad: Pakistan Minister Imran Khan found guilty of corrupt practices by Pak EC; disqualified Pakistan: Imran Khan led PTI annouces countrywide protests from today Pakistan court to indict former PM Imran Khan in contempt case today Imran Khan's party to contest bypolls in all 33 vacant parliamentary seats Pak police register terrorism case against PTI leaders for vandalism Vladimir Putin visits Crimea on anniversary of its annexation from Ukraine Trump will be re-elected in landslide victory, if arrested: Elon Musk Oil pipeline with India vital for fuel security in Bangladesh: PM Hasina Japan PM likely to unveil 'Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' during India visit The interior minister said that 65 people have been arrested from the outer part of the building, most of them do not belong to Punjab and their role is suspicious. He further said that guns, petrol bomb-making equipment, slingshots and other weapons were recovered from Zaman Park. Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab police launched a surprise search operation at Imran's residence, hours after he left to appear before a local court in Islamabad, and arrested several party workers. Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah. The PTI lead!ership has strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was "part of a London Plan to eliminate him", the Dawn reported Tribune reported that the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore himself monitored the operation as the police used heavy machinery to break down the gate of PTI chief Imran Khan's residence. Police were accompanied by water cannons, bulldozers, and a prisoner van. They soon demolished PTI camps in the area with the help of cranes and removed barriers and containers. Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said that weapons were recovered during today's search operation. "We have recovered weapons from Imran Khan's house. There are more arms present there. An impression was being given that it is a no-go area but we have cleared it," the Punjab IGP said during a press conference, flanked by Caretaker Punjab Minister for Information Amir Mir. He said that there were also some bunkers constructed at Zaman Park whereas some bullet-proof equipment was also found. He added that all illegal encroachments have also been removed, Tribune reported. Legal proceedings against Imran Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. The 70-year-old politician has been demanding a snap election and holding protests across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan's demands, saying an election would be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis, awaiting a bailout package of USD1.1 billion from the IMF. The case before the Islamabad High Court accuses Imran Khan of selling luxury watches and other items that were given to the state during his 2018-2022 term as prime minister. The Election Commission of Pakistan found him guilty and barred him from holding public office for one parliamentary term. Imran says he is avoiding the hearings because he fears for his safety. South Korea's Defence Ministry initiated the process to normalise the General Security of Military Information Agreement, which is a military intelligence-sharing deal, after the mutual agreement between Seoul President Yoon Suk-Yeol and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Yonhap News Agency reported. The defence ministry said it sent a letter to the country's foreign ministry asking for measures to normalise the GSOMIA deal. The foreign ministry is soon expected to send an official letter to its Japanese counterpart in response, officials said. Meanwhile, Japan's Defense Ministry on Friday welcomed the stable implementation of the pact, but the exact measures Seoul was seeking were unclear, The Japan Times reported. This agreement came after Japan and South Korea leaders met and promised to rekindle ties in a fence-mending summit in Tokyo, reported CNN. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "From now on, I would like to open a new chapter in Japan-South Korea relations through frequent visits by both sides that are not tied down by formality." He made these remarks in Tokyo after meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday. Also Read South Korea, Arab nations to hold new round of FTA talks next week Kamala Harris to visit demilitarized zone during her visit to South Korea North Korea fires unspecified ballistic missile into East Sea: South Korea About 800,000 civilians willing to join military to fight US: North Korea Kamala Harris to visit S Korea amid Pyongyang's nuclear testing threat About 800,000 civilians willing to join military to fight US: North Korea 400,000 gallons of radioactive water leaked from US nuclear power plant Strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude kills at least 13 in Ecuador, 1 in Peru How new tanker giants are sprouting from nowhere to keep Russian oil moving Beijing asks bankrupt Pakistan to release dues for CPEC power firms Leaders of South Korea and Japan haven't met in 12 years because of strained relations stemming from a wartime labour dispute, and other issues. A report published in CNN stated that just hours prior to the trip, North Korea had launched its fourth intercontinental ballistic missile in less than a year, a long-range ballistic missile, into the waters off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula. This launch served as a stark reminder of the shared security challenges the two countries face. In the joint statement on Thursday, Kishida said in response to North Korean nuclear and missile threats, Japan and South Korea had decided to resume bilateral security talks. They also reiterated the significance of the "free and open Indo-Pacific" and their commitment to cooperating to defend the global rules-based order. Yoon also declared his support for "fully normalising" the military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan. Yoon said, "I believe the two countries should be able to share information on North Korea's nuclear missile launches and trajectories and respond to them." A long-running dispute about Japan's use of forced labour during its colonisation of Korea led South Korea to scrap its military intelligence-sharing deal with Japan in 2019, which brought their ties to their lowest point in decades. An Azerbaijani delegation led by Anar Ibrahimov, a member of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, will participate in the 44th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the European Council, Azernews reports. According to the received information, the General Secretary of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Mathieu Mori officially invited the Azerbaijani delegation. The session will be held on March 21 and 23 in Strasbourg. In addition, the members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the Council of Europe Congress are expected to participate in the meetings of the political party groups of which they are members today. The speeches of the secretary general of the Council of Europe Maria Peychinnovic Buric and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Tini Cox are planned at the 44th Session of the Congress. During the session, it is also planned to discuss the implementation of the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the monitoring of election results in a number of Council of Europe countries. North Korea announced on Saturday that 800,000 of its young citizens had volunteered to join the military in the fight against the United States. A report released by the government-run Korean Central News Agency said that hundreds of thousands of students and "working young people" from all around the country had offered to volunteer to join "in a campaign to defend the country and "annihilate the enemy," as UPI reported. The volunteers were determined "to eliminate all the war maniacs" swarming around like "tiger moths," the article added. While Korean and American soldiers conduct 11 days of joint training, the report said that the measures are vital to combat "moves to provoke a nuclear war" by the United States and South Korea. NEW: North Korea says 800,000 youth signed up for military service in a single day Friday at state-organized rallies, according to state media, saying they will "completely wipe out US imperialists and puppet traitors" and achieve "reunification" More @nknewsorg soon pic.twitter.com/Y4hJPGxiN5 NK NEWS (@nknewsorg) March 17, 2023 Washington and Seoul said the exercises intended to address North Korean threats. The continuing US-South Korea joint military exercise Freedom Shield, which will carry on until Thursday, has drawn a furious rebuke from Pyongyang. In April, US President Joe Biden will meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. US Slammed Latest North Korea ICBM Test The mass enlisting news comes after North Korea launched an ICBM into the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan on Thursday, just hours before South Korea's president traveled to Tokyo for a summit to talk about countermeasures against Pyongyang's growing nuclear threat, as per an Al Jazeera report. The governments of Seoul, Washington denounced the launch, and Tokyo since ballistic missiles from the North are prohibited by resolutions of the UN Security Council. The White House lambasted North Korea for firing an intercontinental ballistic missile hours before a meeting with South Korea and Japan in Tokyo. Read Also: Donald Trump Posts on Facebook: 'IM BACK!' National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement that the United States "strongly condemns the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) intercontinental ballistic missile test," per a previous HNGN report. In addition, the White House spokesperson urged other countries to condemn the recent North Korean missile launch, saying that the national security team is in constant contact with its allies. South Korea, Japan Boost Ties To Counter North Korean Threats The South Korean head of state, Yoon Suk-yeol, visited Japan for the first time in 12 years to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the meeting between the two Asian leaders, they discussed measures to strengthen the two nation's business, political, and security partnerships, amid the continued threats by the regime of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un. The White House praised the summit and referred to Japan and South Korea as "indispensable" partners." A State Department spokesperson noted that the US hails Japanese Prime Minister Kishida and South Korean President Yoon for the "positive" measure moving forward. The US official remarked that "improved ties" between the two US allies in the region will help "embrace trilateral opportunities to advance our common regional and international priorities," which includes the vision for a "free and open Indo-Pacific, according to Reuters. The two nations decided to end a nearly four-year trade dispute over certain high-tech elements used in chips, which has hampered their ties despite the growing political significance of semiconductors and guaranteeing their supply. They also decided to restore a security discussion that had been put on hold in 2018 and to resume their usual annual bilateral meetings. Yoon also pronounced the GSOMIA intelligence-sharing agreement to be fully normalized, reversing Seoul's threat to leave it in 2019. Related Article: Turkish FM Seeks To Restore Diplomatic Ties with Egypt @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. South Korean exports to Japan will rise 3.5 trillion won ($2.69 billion) this year if Seoul's export structure to Tokyo returns to the status it had in the 2017-2018 period before a trade dispute flared up in 2019, a business lobby said on Sunday. Japan accounted for 4.5 per cent of South Korea's overall exports in 2022, down 0.4 percentage point from an average of 4.9 per cent for the 2017-2018 period, according to a report released by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KORCHAM). Steel, petrochemicals, electronics and auto parts companies will benefit if the two countries put their estranged ties back on track after years of a trade dispute over key materials, the KORCHAM report said. In 2019, Tokyo imposed export controls on three materials critical for the production of semiconductors and flexible displays, and officially removed South Korea from its list of nations given preferential treatment in trade in apparent retaliation for the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling that ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to Korean forced labour victims. In response to the export controls, South Korea filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the trade dispute, calling it a discriminatory act, Yonhap news agency reported. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo warmed significantly after South Korea announced its decision earlier this month to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labour on its own without asking Japan for contributions. Also Read S Korea's job additions hit 22-year high in 2022, 28.08 mn employed South Korea posts decline in foreign population for second straight year Singapore chamber says pro-SME budget offers opportunities in India China's Covid-19 policy responsible for exodus of MNCs, says report Belarus opposition says fate of country, Ukraine intertwined US B-1B strategic bomber returns to S.Korea as N.Korea fires missile Biden's $6.8 trn budget in jeopardy as Congress resumes sitting on Monday 4.4-magnitude earthquake jolts Tajikistan, no casualties reported so far Pak government exploring legal options to declare PTI a banned outfit Afghanistan seeks UN support for wheat storage amid concerns of drought On Thursday, Seoul decided to withdraw the complaint filed with the WTO as Tokyo vowed to lift its export restrictions on the three materials -- fluorine polyimide, photoresist and hydrogen fluoride -- to South Korea. On the same day, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit in Tokyo. --IANS int/khz/ Long awaited, SpaceX Starship vehicle could launch on its first-ever orbital test flight by the end of April this year, according to CEO Elon Musk. However, the first flight depends on licence approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). "SpaceX will be ready to launch Starship in a few weeks, then launch timing depends on FAA licence approval," Musk wrote on Twitter. "Assuming that takes a few weeks, the first launch attempt will be near the end of the third week of April," he added. Starship consists of a giant first-stage booster called Super Heavy and a 50 metres upper-stage spacecraft known as Starship. Both stainless-steel vehicles are designed to be fully and rapidly reusable, and both are powered by SpaceX's next-gen Raptor engine -- 33 for Super Heavy and six for Starship. Musk said recently that there is only a 50 per cent chance that the first-ever orbital mission of SpaceX's huge Starship vehicle will be a success. Also Read SpaceX may attempt Starship rocket launch in March, says Elon Musk Last-minute problem keeps SpaceX rocket, astronauts grounded: Report SpaceX's Starship only 50% likely to pass first orbital mission: Musk SpaceX launches four astronauts from US, Russia, and UAE to space station Musk's deep space rocket Starship completes flight-like dress rehearsal Credit Suisse crisis nears finale as UBS discussions on takeover heat up Top headlines: UBS eyes Credit Suisse takeover, Amritpal declared fugitive Credit Suisse meets to weigh options, under pressure to merge with UBS Washington turns to Wall Street to help rescue dying First Republic Bank Credit Suisse faces crunch weekend as lifeline offers limited reprieve But he also stressed that SpaceX is building multiple Starship vehicles at the South Texas site. These will be launched in relatively quick succession over the coming months, and there's about an 80 per cent chance one of them will reach orbit this year. "So I think we've got, hopefully, about an 80 per cent chance of reaching orbit this year," Musk said during an interview at the Morgan Stanley Conference. "It'll probably take us a couple more years to achieve full and rapid reusability." The giant, stainless-steel vehicle will be the most powerful rocket ever to fly, featuring about 2.5 times more thrust at liftoff than NASA's iconic Saturn V, Space.com reported Musk as saying at the conference. SpaceX is developing Starship to get people and cargo to the Moon and Mars, and perform a variety of other spaceflight tasks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid a surprise visit to Mariupol -- the Ukrainian port city captured by Russian forces, the media reported. The visit is believed to be Putin's first to a newly-occupied Ukrainian territory. In a video, Putin is seen driving a car through streets at night and speaking to people, the BBC reported on Sunday. It was, however, not known when the footage was taken. During the visit, the Russian President is also reported to have met top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don city. Putin travelled to Mariupol by helicopter. In the video, he is in the car with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who explains how the city is being rebuilt, Tass news agency reported. Putin also appears to visit the Philharmonic Hall, which was used to stage trials of defenders of the Azovstal iron and steel plant, a huge industrial complex where Ukrainian troops held out before eventually surrendering. Mariupol has been under Russian occupation for more than 10 months after being devastated in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the conflict. Also Read It's time to take Pak-occupied Kashmir back: Congress leader Harish Rawat Religion occupied key place in social system since time immemorial: Prez J-K govt to regularise colonies occupied by PoJK refugees: Lt Guv Sinha Russia triggers plan to formally annex occupied Ukrainian regions India objects to US envoy Blome's visit to PoK, raises issue: MEA Israeli PM Netanyahu urges military chief to contain reservist protest Cyclone Freddy death toll hits 447, over 362,000 displaced in Malawi Sri Lanka govt debt rose to 115.2% of GDP by the end of 2022: Report Amid political turmoil, Imran Khan-led PTI seeks clearance for Lahore rally South Korean exports to Japan expected to rise if ties normalise: Report Ukraine said more than 20,000 people were killed there. UN analysis estimates that 90 per cent of the buildings were damaged and around 3,50,000 people were forced to leave, our of a pre-war population of about 5,00,000. A group of local residents has told the BBC that "Russia is conducting an expensive campaign to rebuild the city and win over the hearts and minds of its people". The purpose is to assimilate Mariupol and make it Russia's own. Russian authorities say 3,00,000 people are now living there. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to occupied Crimea on the ninth anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of the peninsula, just a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant, TASS reported. According to Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, earlier Putin was expected to join the cultural and historical event virtually but he himself arrived at the site and gave a surprise to everyone. On Friday, the president's schedule was also partly devoted to the situation on the peninsula. Putin held a meeting devoted to the socio-economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol, as per the TASS. Putin traditionally participates in festive events on March 18. He repeatedly attended gala concerts dedicated to this date at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium, held special meetings with the public and visited Crimea personally. The last time Putin visited the peninsula was in July 2020. He inspected the Zaliv shipyard in the city of Kerch to take part in a keel-laying ceremony for several naval ships. In December 2022, he visited the Crimean Bridge, which was being repaired after a terrorist attack, according to TASS. Earlier, on Friday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official. The warrant is believed to be one of the first charges against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, part of a global effort to hold the Russian president and the Russian Federation accountable for atrocities beginning with the full-scale February 2022 invasion, reported CNN. Also Read Vladimir Putin faces grim choices after blast hits prized Crimea bridge UNGA: India votes with West on 3 procedural matters, silent on Ukraine Ukraine urges nations to vote to preserve its territory in UN resolution India votes against Russia's demand for secret ballot on Ukraine in UNGA Ukraine war: Crucial bridge linking Crimea to Russia hit by huge explosion Trump will be re-elected in landslide victory, if arrested: Elon Musk Oil pipeline with India vital for fuel security in Bangladesh: PM Hasina Japan PM likely to unveil 'Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace' during India visit Jaishankar chairs Parliamentary consultative committee on India's G20 Prezy Facing arrest warrant, Russia's Putin visits annexed Crimea Rains, high The warrant cites Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for children's rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory to Russia. The Kremlin blasted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC. "We consider the very posing of the question outrageous and unacceptable. Russia, like a number of states, does not recognize the jurisdiction of this court and, accordingly, any decisions of this kind are null and void for the Russian Federation from the point of view of the law," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tweeted. Rejecting the warrant on Friday, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the ministry of foreign affairs, said, "Russia is not a member of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it. Russia does not cooperate with this body, and possible [pretences] for arrest coming from the International Court of Justice will be legally null and void for us." Meanwhile, former Russian President and deputy chair of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, compared the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin to toilet paper. Taking to Twitter, Medvedev said, "The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used," with the toilet paper emoji. Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on Sunday said that Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju should apologise over his remarks for calling some of the retired judges "anti-India". While speaking to ANI, Saurabh Bhardwaj said, "Now for him to say that judges are anti-India, it is very shameful. Kiren Rijiju should apologize to the whole country that he is calling the Supreme Court judges anti-India." "Kiren Rijiju should not cross the 'Lakshman Rekha'. It is unfortunate that despite being a Law Minister, he crossed this 'Lakshman Rekha'. Today the country is proud of its Supreme Court. Get a survey done all over the country, today there is only one institution in which people have faith, and that is the Supreme Court," he said. Earlier Union Law minister Kiren Rijiju made the remark at a public event. "A few retired judges have now become activists and are part of the anti-India gang where they are trying to turn the judiciary against the government," he had said. Saurabh Bharadwaj further stated that Kiren Rijiju and BJP ministers should learn from Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on how to speak about institutions on public platforms. "Kiren Rijiju and the ministers of the central government should learn something from Mr Chandrachud. It is not the job of a judge to do public speaking, but still, the kind of balanced speech Mr Chandrachud is giving on the public forum, all the ministers and especially Kiren Rijiju should learn from him on how can you follow the limits," he said. Also Read Law minister Rijiju reviews performance of matters on railway litigations Two new SC judges sworn in, total strength of apex court reaches 34 CJI D Y Chandrachud administers oath of office to five new SC judges Govt doing everything possible to strengthen judicial system: Kiren Rijiju Justice DY Chandrachud takes oath as the 50th Chief Justice of India Punjab Police doing its job, Amritpal to be nabbed soon: AAP's Saurabh Rijiju's anti-India gang remarks are attempt to pressure judiciary: Raut PM Modi has changed political culture of the country: BJP's J P Nadda Rahul attends Parl panel on external affairs, denies anti-India remarks Violators are now pretending to be victims: Anurag Thakur to Rahul Gandhi "I have a lot of respect for the Chief Justice. Despite repeated provocations, the Chief Justice is not getting agitated and is keeping his point in front of the people in a simple way," he added. Saurabh Bharadwaj also pointed out how can central government appoint judges. He said, "Today, the governors of the central government are troubling the state governments, Adani's case is there so how can the central government appoint a judge in such cases, Central Government is a party in these court matters". Saurabh Bharadwaj further stated that the BJP party is unnecessarily getting involved with the Chief Justice of India over conservative matters. "I want to know whether the sexual orientation of the people who are given tickets by the BJP, made ministers, is checked. It is nonsense that even while making a judge, sexual orientation will be seen. The country is being taken away in a cheap debate. People who will be listening to this talk of ours abroad will laugh at the central government and the central ministers. These people are getting entangled with the Chief Justice of India in conservative matters," he added. This follows the Union Territorys first Gulf Investment Summit in Srinagar in March 2022. The administration said the objective was to bring together investors, decision-makers, senior government officials, and local business community for a dialogue on concrete investment opportunities in the state. Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) has received a record investment of Rs 1,547.87 crore in the current fiscal year (until January). According to data presented this month in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Home Affairs, this is the highest ever compared to the earlier fiscal years. Enterprise Ireland announced last week that its client companies are celebrating record growth in the United States. Along with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the organisation hosted a series of events across seven US cities, from Washington to San Francisco. 'Close Relationship' St. Patricks Day is a crucial opportunity to celebrate the long-standing close relationship that exists between Ireland and the United States, which has never been more meaningful or more fruitful, said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Trade between our countries is at an all-time high. Ireland has continued to increase direct investment in the United States annually, even during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating the unwavering commitment Ireland and the United States have to one anothers economic success. Irish Companies In USA While in Washington DC, Taoiseach Varadkar met with a number of Irish companies in the area, including Manna, Europes largest drone delivery operation, which has announced its launch in the USA and a strategic investment from Coca-Cola. Manna is commencing a trial in Dallas/Fort Worth area in partnership with multinational real estate development company Hillwood, to initially offer drone delivery to a select number of Hillwood's residential developments. This move comes in tandem with a strategic investment in Manna from Coca-Cola HBC, strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company. Through its Ventures arm, Coca-Cola HBC, collaborates with disruptive start-ups that have synergies with its business ambitions in the areas of last mile, vending, coffee technology and sustainability. Strategically Important Speaking last week, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, Leo Clancy said, The United States is strategically important for Irish companies scaling internationally. In addition to the opportunities open to our firms here, we are very glad that they invest here at scale, employing over 100,000 people in the US." He added, "The achievements of Irish companies here proven that innovative businesses who can collaborate well, create mutual benefit for both our economies." Source: www.businessworld.ie The Centre Pompidou, a Parisian cultural complex that houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe / Korea Times file By Park Han-sol The Centre Pompidou, a Parisian cultural complex that houses the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe with over 120,000 works, is set to open a Korean branch in Seoul's 63 Square, more commonly known as the 63 Building. According to the French daily Le Monde, the prominent art institution is partnering with the Hanwha Foundation of Culture to establish its Seoul outpost by the fall of 2025 which spans 11,500 square meters within the skyscraper. The renovation of the space will be helmed by Paris-based architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. The partnership involves Hanwha's payment of "an envelope of 20 million euros over four years, which gives it the right to use the 'Centre Pompidou' trademark," the newspaper reported. "The company has been in talks with the French institution regarding the matter, but the details are still being finalized," a Hanwha Group representative noted. There have been several attempts made in the recent decade considering the possible opening of the Centre Pompidou's satellite museum in Korea, none of which ever came to fruition. Last year, local governments in Busan and Incheon sought to realize the project in their respective cities. Named after the late French President Georges Pompidou, the center first opened its doors to the public in 1977 as a multidisciplinary cultural complex boasting a modern and contemporary art museum, a library and a performance theater. Its iconic "inside-out" architecture and the mechanical escalator known as the "caterpillar," designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, have made the building one of Paris' most popular landmarks. In recent years, the Centre Pompidou has been eyeing a global expansion through the establishment of its outposts outside of France. It opened a branch in Spain's Malaga in 2015; in Brussels in 2018; and in Shanghai a year later. It also signed a contract with Saudi Arabia to construct a satellite museum, which is expected to open in 2027 or 2028, to highlight the creators from the Arab region. Apple Pay promotional image / Korea Times file By Lee Yeon-woo Apple Pay is finally set to land in Korea on Tuesday. Despite the intense anticipation surrounding its launch, the service is expected to face challenges for some time due to a lack of necessary infrastructure and service providers. According to industry sources, Apple will release its payment service Apple Pay on Tuesday, a month and a half since the Financial Service Commission (FSC) gave permission to launch the service in February. The service allows Apple users to register their card number on Apple devices, and make payment without carrying plastic cards. Currently, the service is only available to users of Hyundai Card, as other card companies have not yet signed up to participate. The news has raised the number of debit cards issued from Hyundai Card in February by 162,000, or 7.3 percent, compared to January. The number also marked a whopping 40 percent increase compared to a year ago. Its arrival has also had a noticeable impact on the stock prices of companies related to the service. For example, Sungwoo, a producer of wireless communication devices, saw a 5.57 percent increase in its stock price to 3,030 won ($ 2.32) on the latest Friday market, while ELUON, which produces a chip for near-field communication (NFC), showed a 5.61 percent increase. Electronic payment service operators such as Korea Information & Communications (KICC) and KG Inicis have also enjoyed an uptrend. Several major retailers in Korea, including convenience stores and supermarkets such as Lotte Mart, Homeplus, and Costco, have already prepared to adopt the new Apple Pay service. Additionally, some department stores and coffee chains, such as Ediya and Mega Coffee, are reportedly in the process of preparing to adopt the NFC terminals. However, doubts have been raised about whether the service can hold a threatening influence in the market as expected. Despite some retailers' participation, the service still faces significant challenges in Korea due to the limited number of stores equipped with NFC terminals. Currently, below ten percent of the credit card member stores in Korea are equipped with the necessary infrastructure, and they are primarily major franchises due to the expense burden. Shinsegae-affiliated stores' refusal to participate in the service is another negative factor. One of its affiliates, Starbucks Korea, is known to have customer groups overlapping those of Apple Pay young adults in their 20s and 30s. The service is also not yet available for public transportation. "For the moment, many people will find it hard to use the service due to the current low distribution rate of NFC terminals," said Seo Ji-yong, a business administration professor at Sangmyung University. "The situation could improve depending on how quickly the service can gain market share in the domestic payment service industry." This March 3 file photo provided by Seoul's defense ministry shows air forces of South Korea and the United States carrying out a joint drill over the West Sea and the central inland region. Yonhap A U.S. nuclear-capable B-1B strategic bomber returned to South Korea for joint exercises Sunday, just 16 days after its previous deployment, as Pyongyang fired yet another ballistic missile into the East Sea, according to the defense ministry. The drills took place in skies over the Korean Peninsula as part of the Freedom Shield exercise that has been under way since March 13, and also involved F-35A stealth fighter jets of South Korea and U.S. F-16 fighters, the ministry said. A B-1B bomber was previously deployed to the peninsula on March 3. The deployment, seen as a show of force against North Korea, came as the North fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea earlier Sunday, three days after Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The defense ministry said the joint air drills demonstrated the robust combined defense posture of the South Korean and U.S. air forces and commitment to extended deterrence, while enhancing the allies' interoperability and wartime capabilities. "S. Korea-U.S. alliance is maintaining the highest level of combined defense posture against North Korea's consistent threats to regional stability and will achieve 'peace through strength' based on the allies' robust capabilities and posture, while enhancing trust in the U.S. extended deterrence," the ministry said in a statement. (Yonhap) Elections in Nigeria Archives 19 electoral commission staff kidnapped, later rescued in southeastern Imo state, official says MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AA) - Nigerias election commission officials counted ballots after polls to elect new state governors closed on Saturday, amid reports of violence in several parts of the country. At least 19 ad hoc electoral officials were kidnaped and later rescued in the southeastern Imo state, said Chinenye Chijioke, the spokesperson of the Independence National Electrical Commission (INEC) in the state. Also, local media reported that two people were killed in the city of Bori in the southern Rivers State when police opened fire to disperse voters protesting alleged election irregularities. Voting in Lagos, Nigeria's business hub also witnesses violence. In a video message, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the opposition Labour Party (LP) in the state, said his party agent was shot dead. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi told Anadolu that the details of violence will be released later. Nigerians headed for governorship poll on Saturday to elect new governors in 28 of the countrys 36 states for a four-year term. Olanrewaju Kola/AA Maria Zakharova AA Images Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova's comments come day after ICC issued arrest warrant for Putin MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Saturday said annulment of sanctions and lawsuits in international courts against Russia is one of the conditions for settlement in Ukraine. In a statement on the ministry's website, Zakharova said to achieve "sustainable peace," it is necessary to stop supplying arms and sending mercenaries to Ukraine. Ukraine also has to return to a neutral, non-nuclear, non-bloc status, denazified and demilitarized, all threats emanating from its territory have to be removed, and rights of Russian-speaking population should be guaranteed, she added. "New territorial reality ... should be internationally recognized. The annulment of all illegal sanctions and lawsuits against Russia in international courts should become an integral part," she stressed. Zakharova's comments came a day after the International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the country's children ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova. Commenting on Ukraine's foreign minister's statement, promoting the country's "formula of peace," Zakharova said: "We are dealing with another attempt by the Ukrainian side to misinform the international community and its own citizens." She said Ukrainian authorities do not sit at the negotiating table, and instead move forward a "set of ultimatums," which include the withdrawal of Russian army "even from Crimea," and payment of reparations and surrender to international tribunals. Zakharova said this "formula of peace" has nothing to do with peace, its goal is "to achieve Russia's capitulation with the help of the West." The spokeswoman stressed that opinion of Ukraine's authorities would have significance "only if Ukraine retained sovereignty and independence from Washington." "However, this is not the case. The Kyiv regime has long been a tool of the US and other NATO countries in the fight against Russia. And they are not at all interested in a peaceful settlement in Ukraine," she said. Zakharova cited US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said Washington plans to continue arms supplies to Kyiv, and does not plan diplomatic interaction with Moscow regarding a peace settlement. She also recalled that US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby in response to China's recent peace initiative said a "cease-fire right now would constitute another continued violation of the UN Charter." "We have repeatedly said we are open to really serious proposals from the West and Ukraine on a political and diplomatic solution to the crisis, but the language of ultimatums is unacceptable to us," she emphasized. Elena Teslova/AA Well, it took Geely Philippines long enough. About two years after we said they needed a sub-compact crossover to penetrate the local market... gettyimagesbank Government likely to adjust cap on weekly working hours below 60 By Jun Ji-hye While the government has been pushing to extend a mandatory 52-hour cap on the country's 40-hour basic workweek, a recent survey showed that people actually wish to work less than 40 hours per week. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) unveiled the results of its survey on work-life balance, Sunday, after interviewing 22,000 people aged between 19 and 59 from Sept. 20 to Oct. 7 last year. The results showed that people wished to work 36.7 hours a week on average: regular employees wished to work 37.63 hours a week, while temporary and daily employed workers wished to work 32.36 hours a week. The younger they were, the less time they wanted to spend working. Those aged between 19 and 29 wanted 34.92 hours, while those in their 30s wanted 36.32 hours. On the other hand, those in their 40s and 50s wanted 37.11 hours and 37.91 hours, respectively. While the average daily break time, including meals, was tallied at 64.45 minutes, 40.1 percent of the respondents said their break times were insufficient. "Working hours have consistently decreased following the spread of the culture respecting work-life balance, but laborers in Korea still work long hours," a KIHASA official said. "Considering working hours that people actually want, the government should continue to keenly monitor and manage working hours in the country." The official added, "Break times should be thoroughly guaranteed as they are linked directly to workers' health and safety." gettyimagesbank President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee pose with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko during a dinner hosted by Kishida at a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo's Ginza, March 16. Reuters-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul During a speech on the sidelines of his participation at the recent World Economic Forum (WEF), President Yoon Suk Yeol highlighted the country's strengths in manufacturing, specifically of electric vehicle batteries and semiconductors. Yoon hopes South Korea can leverage these advantages to become a "global pivotal state" and a crucial partner in supply chains worldwide, helping advance the progress of Seoul's version of the U.S.'s Indo-Pacific Strategy. Clearly, space for collaboration and cooperation is limited by the continued confrontation between the world's two largest economies the U.S. and China in the Indo-Pacific region regarding issues over the Taiwan Strait, North Korea's nuclear threats and the securitization of semiconductor technology. Since he took power last year, President Yoon has been vocal about backing Washington's quite protectionist geoeconomic-centric trade initiatives, most of which are focused on countering China's growing role in global supply chains and cross-border investment. He has praised the CHIPS and Science Act and expressed interest in joining in the Chip 4 alliance, a strategic grouping aimed at securing semiconductor supply chains, offering subsidies and coordinating policies, with like-minded countries including Japan and Taiwan. Because of the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, Washington's important East Asian allies are now finding their autonomy constrained when it comes to handling U.S.-related foreign affairs. Unlike the previous Moon Jae-in administration, which had pursued "strategic ambiguity" as a means to carefully navigate between the U.S. and China, the incumbent Yoon administration is clearly moving toward "strategic clarity." President Yoon favors "extended deterrence" with more positioning of U.S. military assets closer to the Korean Peninsula as a way to deal with the evolving threats from North Korea. And from Washington's standpoint, one major hurdle was cleared after President Yoon agreed with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to resume regular visits to each other's countries, as well as ease trade and historical tensions, when the former unveiled his controversial plan to resolve the wartime forced labor issue. According to the plan, South Korean victims of forced labor will be compensated through a foundation funded mostly by South Korean companies without direct contributions from the Japanese companies they toiled for during World War II. This idea is a major reversal from a 2018 ruling by Seoul's top court, which ruled that Japanese companies should compensate South Koreans who were forced to work in their factories. Multiple polls have shown over 60 percent of South Korean citizens opposed Yoon's proposal, with many of them demanding that the Japanese companies must contribute to the foundation. President Yoon Suk Yeol joins Japan Business Federation Chairman Masakazu Tokura, right, and Kim Byong-joon, acting chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, at a Japan-Korea business roundtable meeting in Tokyo, March 17. AP-Yonhap "Bad Japan-South Korea relations do serve as a ceiling for what can be expected in trilateral cooperation (with the U.S.), so these actions are raising the ceiling higher," Scott A. Snyder, a senior fellow for Korea studies and director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the New York-headquartered Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), told The Korea Times. Washington has been a facilitator, indirectly, in mending the soured Seoul-Tokyo ties, as the U.S. would prefer their relations be unfettered by historical tensions and able to advance mutual interests in keeping an open Indo-Pacific region. Sarah E. Kreps, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, another influential think tank based in Washington, assessed that the Yoon-Kishida summit, the first such official state-level meeting in 12 years, was a meaningful signal of strength to help deter North Korean threats. However, she added President Yoon may face a conundrum ahead. "There's a reason why international politics are often seen as a chess game. The moves are complicated and not thinking a few steps ahead can lead to checkmate. In this case, the South Korean president has a real conundrum," Kreps told the Times, separately. "The history creates a complicated and salient backdrop to any detente because the Korean domestic audience is skeptical of warming relations with Japan. Further, the tight economic relationship between China and South Korea removes one of the potential upsides of closer relations with Japan, a tripartite relationship that the U.S. has seen as an obvious counterbalance to China," she observed. Kreps, also a director of the Cornell Tech Policy Institute at Cornell University, stressed there's an element of "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" dynamic that is incentivizing a thaw between South Korea and Japan. "These relationships are complicated but the last seems to be winning out for now," she responded. Regarding any visible deliverables for South Korea from Yoon's summit with Kishida, Kreps said, "Because South Korea-Japan relationships are so sensitive, the only deliverable may be the meeting itself." But Snyder assessed that deliverables have been the unwinding of the negative spiral of Seoul-Tokyo relations and their restoration to the level of 2017, prior to the 2018 decline. "Yoon also sees a number of potential tangible benefits going forward a possible G7 invite, Kishida's reciprocal visit and the removal of Japan-related obstacles as Yoon prepares to visit the U.S. next month." The CFR expert didn't expect President Yoon to face a conundrum, though he will have to contend with some messy domestic politics as a result of Japan's restrained response to South Korea's compromises. "The risk here is that political polarization in South Korea makes progress with Japan potentially reversible under a different South Korean administration. It is in the best interest of all concerned to have a sustainable rather than a reversible solution to problems between Korea and Japan," Snyder said. People gather in front of the Japanese prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, March 16, to protest the meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. Xinhua-Yonhap The high-level contest between economic prosperity and security considerations in South Korea's strategic outlook was a key matter of concern even during the former Moon administration, after Seoul's relations with Beijing turned bad because of South Korea's decision to allow the deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in the country. But with semiconductor and battery technologies being strategic disruptors in the country's relations with both the U.S. and China, the emerging reality is expected to create difficulties for Seoul in continuing a policy of "strategic clarity." The reconciliatory mood between Seoul and Tokyo will be used as a booster to accelerate the process of Beijing becoming marginalized in the manufacturing of advanced chips. As China is still dependent upon South Korea's help to improve its chip self-sufficiency rate, Beijing is highly sensitive about Seoul's position. Multiple research firms estimate that a complete decoupling from China in the global semiconductor supply chain could lead South Korea to lose up to 50 trillion won worth of investments. Experts say it's necessary for South Korea to avoid an overly adversarial relationship with China, while also aligning more closely with the U.S. Kreps said Japan's decision to drop export controls with respect to South Korea will have the effect of isolating China on the issue of chip supply chains. "South Korea continues to play a balancing act between the U.S. and China, leaning toward the former but seeking not to alienate the latter. But increasingly, because the U.S. takes steps to isolate China on everything from chips to TikTok, South Korea is having to take sides," Kreps at Brookings said. "I do not expect Yoon to say much about China other than that improvements in relations with Japan are not aimed at China," Snyder said. "But an improved Japan-South Korea relationship does remove a pretext that China has historically utilized particularly under the (impeached) Park administration in efforts to create distance between South Korea and Japan." A man on Lee Highway told police he believed someone has hacked his phone to remove settings but when he showed the officer the phone, the settings were available. The man also said someone has caused his phone to open apps to burn through his data. He believed someone has taken data from his phone. He didnt have proof of his accusations, but wanted to document his complaints. He said he would be following up with his attorney. He had taken the phone to AT&T and he said they also recommended to make a police report. * * * A woman on Grove Street told police she was in a verbal argument with her boyfriend and needed a way back to her vehicle. Police gave the woman a ride to her car at the Hamilton Inn on Rossville Boulevard. * * * An employee of Steel Warehouse at 600 River Terminal Road told police a former employee was recently fired and got into a verbal altercation with the manager. Shortly after, the former employee was escorted out of the warehouse and took off running. The employee was worried the man would return. * * * A man on 6th Avenue called police and said he had been drinking and his cousin was over at his house and he wanted her to leave. Police arrived and the cousin said she was already packing up her items and was waiting on her ride to come and get her. The complainant said he was fine with his cousin waiting for her ride. * * * A woman on W. 13th Street Court told police her daughter started cussing and yelling at her in her own home. She wanted her daughter to leave and not come back. The daughter was gone before police arrived and were not able to inform her about trespassing. The officer patrolled around the area in an attempt to find the daughter, but were not successful. * * * Police were called to a disorder at a residence on E. 23rd Street. The disorder was only verbal and the woman was leaving for the night to give the man some space. Police saw no indications of any physical altercation. * * * While working an accident on Central Avenue, a citizen approached an officer complaining about an unregistered vehicle parked on the street for over two years. The officer ran the tag, which came back to a woman. The officer called the last known number on file and was told the woman no longer owns the number. Approximately a hundred feet up the road, the officer saw a gold Altima with no tag. The officer ran the VIN, which came back to a man. The officer spoke with the man over the phone and told him the vehicle needs to be removed from the city road if it is not registered. The officer explained to the man the unregistered vehicle would be towed the next day if it was still on the street. The officer placed a sticker on both vehicles. * * * A man on E. Main Street told police someone had broken into a building he owns. The man discovered the glass door on the west side of the building was damaged. He said an office door inside the building had been opened, however no items appeared to have been stolen. The man estimated the cost of damage to the door to be $180. * * * An officer saw a Budget rental truck stuck under the railroad bridge at 3300 Alton Park Blvd. The officer found that the driver of the truck was working with Budget staff to let the air out of the tires in an effort to free it. After letting almost all of the air out of the tires, the truck was able to free itself. Unfortunately, upon trying to turn the truck around, the driver managed to peel the two front tires off of the rims due to lack of air pressure. The truck was now stuck again. Budget representatives called for their own tow and the truck was eventually removed from the roadway. The officer notified INFO channel of the incident and they passed the information along to the railroad in case they wished to send an engineer out to inspect the bridge. * * * A man told police he was riding the mechanical bull at Whiskey Cowgirl at 1819 Broad St when he injured his hand. He said the employees of this business were being aggressive with him. The officer spoke with two staff members who said the man had arrived intoxicated and later requested to ride the mechanical bull. These employees said the man was riding the bull in a way that was not correct or safe and was instructed to stop. As a result, the employees said the man became aggressive and caused many customers to leave. The employees requested the man to be trespassed. He was instructed to leave and not return or he would be arrested for trespassing. Sammi Sweetheart Giancola made waves when her Jersey Shore castmates announced her return to reality TV in March 2023. Now that Sammi Sweetheart is coming back to Jersey Shore, lets take a look at where she started and where shes been since the original show ended in 2012. Sammi Sweetheart Giancola | MTV/Twitter Why did Sammi leave Jersey Shore? The original series ended in 2012 after season 6. After that, the cast of Jersey Shore went their separate ways for a bit. Some of them did spinoff shows, but Sammi stepped out of the reality TV spotlight for the most part. Sam did make a few public appearances after Jersey Shore, but when Jersey Shore: Family Vacation was announced in 2018, she was not part of it. I am not the same person as I was when I was 22, Sammi wrote on Instagram. At 31, I am currently extremely happy in every aspect of my life and want to avoid potentially toxic situations. While the decision not to film with her roommates was difficult, Sam wasnt part of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation for the first five seasons. Sammi from Jersey Shore now owns two boutique stores Instead of jumping back into reality TV right away, Sam focused on other aspirations. In 2013, she opened Sweetheart Styles, an online boutique that offers clothing, accessories, and home decor. Later, in 2021, Sammi opened a brick-and-mortar store on the Ocean City, New Jersey boardwalk called Sweetheart Coast, offering many of the same products. Sammi Giancola is dating Justin May in 2023 Sammis dating history includes Ronnie Ortiz-Magro from Jersey Shore and her ex-fiance Christian Biscardi. In 2023, the reality star is dating Justin May. According to social media, Sam first posted about her current boyfriend on Twitter in November 2021. Justins Instagram bio doesnt tell us much, but his Facebook says he went to Toms River High School East and studied at Rutgers. His first Instagram post featuring Sam dates back to January 2022. Sammi Sweetheart now is part of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation because Ron is gone On March 11, 2023, Sammi Sweetheart nearly broke the internet when the cast of Jersey Shore shared a photo of her in front of a green screen. The world hasnt seen her in a reality TV setting for over 10 years, so their reactions to Sammis return to Jersey Shore were justified. Throughout the weekend, more images surfaced of Sammi recording with Nicole Snooki Polizzi, Deena Cortese, Angelina Pivarnick, Jenni JWoww Farley, Mike The Situation Sorrentino, Pauly DelVecchio, and Vinny Guadagnino at the Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, Pennsylvania. At publication, its unclear of how much well see of Sam in season 6. But with Ronnie gone, Sam could be around for the long haul. A source close to the show claims Ronnies exit was what inspired Sam to finally come back. When does Sammi return to Jersey Shore Now that fans know Sammis back, they want details about which episodes shell be involved with. The first half of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 6 is airing at publication. Since the cast is filming the second half in March 2023, we could have new episodes as early as May or June. But that remains to be seen. Stay tuned to Showbiz Cheat Sheet for updates on Sammis return and when new episodes of JSFV Season 6 will drop. Watch new episodes of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation on MTV Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Have you ever felt pressured to invite someone on a trip or vacation that you dont know very well? One woman is wrapped up in some family drama after she invited her brothers ex-wife and nephew on their family vacation, but not her brothers current girlfriend or her son. Her family background is an interesting one, for sure. She and her husband have well-paying jobs but no children. So, they like to travel as often as they can. On many different occasions, theyve paid for different family members trip expenses so they can join them on vacation. Shes close with her younger brother, who, at one point, was married to her best friend. They had a four-year-old son together. Although they divorced, shes still tight with her ex-sister-in-law. Her brother started dating a new woman named Ashley about nine months ago, and she has a five-year-old son named John. Ive only met John a handful of times, she explained. Hes a nice kid, but I dont really know him. I only know Ashley on a first-name basis, in a way. We talk occasionally but nothing in-depth. She and her husband plan to go on a Disney World trip this summer in Florida with only her ex-sister-in-law, AKA, her best friend, and her four-year-old nephew. Theyll also be going to Universal Studios and chilling out in Orlando for a few extra days. She and her husband are paying for the two of them to go, which adds up to around $2,000. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Billy Grahams NC home becomes retreat center for ministry leaders in need of restoration A North Carolina residence once home to world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth, and their children during the most critical years of his ministry has been transformed into a sanctuary for pastoral restoration thanks to a local businessman, actor Kirk Cameron and the Grahams' third daughter. Charlotte businessman Stephen L. Thomas, Cameron and writer/speaker Ruth Graham joined together to make it possible, according to the website Billys Home Place. It offers several experiences designed to rejuvenate pastors and help believers discover Gods will through diving deep into Gods Word, it says, adding, If you serve as a vocational missionary or pastor with 20 or more years, take a few moments and fill out the Pastoral Rest and Sabbatical Form. There is no charge for pastors or missionaries who stay at Billys Home Place. About two years ago, the original family home of Billy and Ruth Graham in Montreat was put up for sale, listed at $599,000, as their daughter sought to raise funds for her own daughters medical treatments. The property was sold for $750,000 on Sept. 1, 2021, according to Redfin. Ruth Graham, whose daughter was suffering from a multisystem disorder that affects different areas of the body, told The Christian Post in a statement at the time that her parents purchased the home in the late 1940s. It was selected because it was right across the street from my grandparents, she said. I was born during the time my family lived in the house. The Los Angeles Crusades and [my fathers] tour of England happened during those years. it is where it all began. The Grahams moved from the house in 1957 but remained in Montreat. The home had been used as a vacation rental in recent years. Guests of the home were given access to experience the Grahams young family life through the cottages original furnishings, books, photos and mementos. The two-story home is still in pristine condition and surrounded by several picturesque walking trails and streams. The Billys Home Place website says, Rich in Christian history and gospel-legacy, this humble estate is more than a standing relic of a life well lived. Rather this house serves as a continuation of Dr. Grahams legacy. A retreat for weary pastors and missionaries; a solace to seek the face of God. It is to that end that Billys Home Place was established. Throughout the centuries, it says, the home has served as a symbol of anointing, where God chose to utilize a humble servant to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. Often composing sermons and studying at a small writing table in his second-floor study, its library represents the countless hours Billy Graham dedicated to praying for unrepentant souls and those in need of Christ, it adds. The website notes that while Graham eventually earned the title of "America's Pastor," speaking in arenas and coliseums worldwide, his earliest ministry unfolded around the fireplace and kitchen table of this unassuming mountain residence. Christian psychiatrist reveals 3 things faith leaders can do to protect their mental health Driven in part by the suicide of her church leader uncle in 2021, Dr. Ayana Jordan, a Christian addiction psychiatrist recommended several things faith leaders can put into practice to ensure they're functioning optimally as they work to serve their communities. Jordan, who is also the Barbara Wilson associate professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU's Grossman School of Medicine, shared her professional wisdom with a group of faith leaders at a mental health faith-based summit hosted by the New York City Mayors Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships at the International Interfaith Research Lab at Teachers College, Columbia University on Thursday. So we are not immune to the social isolation and to the emotional and psychological duress that we are experiencing [during the pandemic], Jordan told the group as she asked faith leaders to think about the soul as the life source within. What are we feeding our life source to make sure that it's functioning optimally? she asked. I think about the essentials of our existence. Our physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual well-beings. We can't just be totally focused on our spiritual well-being if we're not focused on our emotional, our physical. How can you take care of others if you are not fed? she posited. If your diabetes are out of control, if you're depressed, if you are experiencing insomnia? So really understanding our life source has to receive attention in all of those elements. Jordan then explained how practicing gratitude, spending time in nature, and self-compassion can help faith leaders experience better mental health. Gratitude Really waking up every day and having a sense of gratitude, really practicing gratitude and saying out loud, I am so thankful for this. Every single day [works], she explained. It's not just having gratitude for the sake of gratitude, but it actually changes, trains our brain to release negativity, and replace it with positive thinking. And that happens in the limbic system, is structured within a vein on either side of the thalamus that actually allows you to release negative thoughts and focus on the positivity. Spend time in nature Breathing in fresh open air is also quite therapeutic, she added. Really thinking about how can you spend more time in nature, marvel at God's greatness, and the beauty and wonder therein but also really having that time to breathe in the natural oxygen, she said. We don't have to go later into the city to go to an oxygen bar and paying for oxygen. But being in nature and having the opportunity to really breathe in oxygen, allowing our minds to function optimally, allowing our hemoglobin to take the oxygen to places in our organs that we need to thrive. Self-compassion Practicing self-compassion, she added, can help faith leaders and people, in general, avoid burnout. So protecting and myopically focused on making sure those essential elements are balanced the spiritual, emotional, psychological, social and physical is being compassionate with ourselves. Just because we have an hour free doesn't mean it has to be overscheduled, she says. Sometimes I look at my calendar and I remember I start talking with my project coordinator. I said, 'No, I just need a day.' And I used to feel guilty about that. Like, are you kidding me a day for a black woman in America? Yes, to walk around Harlem and look at the birds. Pigeons. And be grateful for it. The Rev. A.R. Bernard, leader of New York City's 40,000-member Christian Cultural Center, who has some 45 years of experience in ministry, was also on a panel discussing the best practices for optimum mental health and he praised Adams for boldly declaring his relationship with faith and the role that faith plays in his life. He also thanked millennials for their work in helping to destigmatize the discussion of mental health in the public square. When 9/11 hit, I got a call for a gathering of clergy. Because what they found was that the first responders who were being traumatized by what they were dealing with, on a daily basis, it was so intense. They didn't want to meet with a health care or mental health professional, he recalled. They wanted to meet with their Imam, their pastor, their priest, a rabbi. That was 22 years ago almost, a lot has changed. One of the reasons why they wanted to meet with their clergy person is because of the stigma associated with mental health and seeking mental health care, he explained. Thank you for the millennials, for removing the stigma. So now you can say, I'm going to see my therapist, or like my therapist said to me the other day and not have people look at you funny. We've come a long way. But it was very real. Because along with many, many clergy, some of you here, we felt the stress the trauma that 9/11 brought. Bernard also drove home the need for pastors to take sabbaticals as a part of their self-care regime. However you arrange your life creates a rhythm. That rhythm establishes a pattern. If that pattern is healthy, good, keep the arrangement. But if that pattern is unhealthy, and causing you deep and profound stress and mental anguish, then you've got to go back to how your life is arranged, he said. The Sabbath was first and foremost, a principle to be practiced before it became a religious identification for people. Because it's during the days of creation that God worked and then rested before there was an Israel. He rested, Bernard explained. If we don't understand the need to rest, then we will arrange our lives, our time, in a way that forces us to rest because work will continue to expand to the time given to it. And if you don't control that, you're gonna burn out, he added. Research conducted by Barna Group in January 2021 and March 2022 showed that more pastors faced with stress, loneliness, political divisions and other worries like their church being in decline considered quitting their jobs. The share of pastors who gave serious consideration to quitting full-time ministry within the last year increased from 29% in 2021 to 42% in March of 2022. Joe Jensen, Barnas vice president of church engagement, told The Christian Post at the time that the growing number of pastors now looking to leave their full-time positions is cause for alarm. This particular stat, this is the highest weve ever seen it, Jensen said, pointing to the burnout he believes many pastors are experiencing in the wake of the pandemic. Weve been tracking this in our State of Pastors report that we did with Pepperdine University in 2016, 2017. We didnt have this exact stat but we were tracking burnout. [And] pastors were feeling burnout and the risk factors involved, Jensen said. In his presentation, Bernard explained that the failure of pastors to properly incorporate rest in the work can lead to unwanted consequences. I've worked with pastors who have burned out, caught some just before they burnt out. One particular church and pastor, he's worked for 30 years, and he took vacations, but he never took a Sabbath. So we actually created a policy and built it into the corporation, the church corporation that requires a Sabbath every seven years, which means that the pastor has to take some time off, not vacation time on a beach, but time to refresh, to renew, to strengthen, which included mental health professional counseling, the Brooklyn pastor explained. And we created a document, and the church had the budget (sometimes a pastor can't afford it) and the church made it a part of the budget. We established that in our church as well. And it's called a sabbatical policy. And sometimes if you don't do it structurally, it's not going to happen. Travel: Forget Mexico, visit these 3 places instead Forget Mexico. Thats my advice to readers seeking advice on where to go this spring. Admittedly, its probably unfair to paint an entire country as unsafe for Americans to visit. After all, a visit to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta is no more dangerous than a visit to Chicago or Portland given the rise in crime in many big U.S. cities. That aside, my labeling of Mexico as unsafe for tourists has more to do with the countrys government under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The leftist president is, at best, unable to maintain the internal control and security of Mexico and, at worst, enabling the cartels that not only control most of the country but threaten the U.S. side of the border. I have little confidence that Americans in Mexico can count on Mexican state or federal authorities when things go bad. With Mexico off my list for the foreseeable future, the following three places listed in no particular order are where readers should consider going this spring. Panama Panama, the country and not the city in Florida, is both foreign and familiar. Foreign because its outside the United States but familiar because the former Panama Canal Zone was once a territory, English is widely spoken and Panama is home to a large community of American and Canadian expats. Consider staying in Casco Viejo, as Panama Citys old town is called, at the Central Hotel, which faces a plaza and Spanish colonial-era Roman Catholic cathedral. Nearby is the Panama Canal Museum. Beyond the streets of Casco Viejo, visitors can also transit through the eponymous canal, which owes its existence to President Theodore Roosevelt. While the canal has obviously changed over years, a boat journey across the Isthmus of Panama is still a bucket list trip. San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan isnt just the capital city of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory since the Spanish-American War. Having celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2021, this is by far the oldest city in the United States. Old San Juan is the picture-perfect fortified old town and mostly dates to when Spain was the colonial power. This is also where a couple thousand cruise ship passengers disembark and explore the city on any given day. Beyond the cobblestone streets is the oceanfront strip in Condado, where visitors find a beach that rivals Miami Beachs South Beach and the famed Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Consider staying at El San Juan Hotel, an iconic resort thats flagged under the luxury Fairmont brand. Algarve, Portugal The Algarve, Portugals southernmost region, is largely undiscovered by Americans. Most of the English-speaking tourists here are British and seldom leave one of the 130 beaches, which means they miss out on rich history, vibrant culture, incredible food and underappreciated wine. Some of the must-visit towns and cities include Tavira on Portugals southeastern border with Spain, Moncarapacho, Olhao (pronounced oll-yow) and Silves with its cathedral and castle that date to the Moors. The Algarves only airport in Faro is served by the major low-cost European airlines, which offer connections from the big European hubs. You can also fly into the Portuguese capital of Lisbon from several U.S. airports and connect on flag-carrier TAP. Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Christian Post. Billy Graham's family home up for sale to help pay for granddaughters medical treatments The original home of the late evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth, is now for sale as their daughter is raising funds to pay for her daughters medical treatments. The original home of the Grahams, a wooden cottage, is on the market for the first time. The house is listed at $599,000. The cottage, still owned by the family, was where the renowned minister lived with his wife and children while Graham traveled to share the Gospel in the most pivotal years of his ministry. The charming cottage has a storied history it was the familys residence during the time the evangelist became a household name," a press statement reads. "Located at 198 Mississippi Road, the four-bedroom, two-bath home is being marketed exclusively by Brian Etheridge of Premier Sothebys International Realtys Asheville office." The couple's daughter Ruth said her parents purchased the home in the late 1940s. It was selected because it was right across the street from my grandparents, the younger Ruth Graham said in a statement shared with The Christian Post. I was born during the time my family lived in the house. The Los Angeles Crusades and [my fathers] tour of England happened during those years. it is where it all began. The Grahams moved from the house in 1957 but remained in Montreat, Ruth Graham told the Ashville Citizen-Times. She said she is selling the home to help pay for her daughters medical costs as she suffers from Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The multisystem disorder affects different areas of the body, such as lungs, kidneys and the lymphatic system. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with a very rare disease that attacks women of childbearing age and there will be some significant medical bills in her future," she said, according to WCNC Charolette. I am so grateful that I have this provision that I can make like any mother who would move Heaven and earth when your child needs you. The third of the reverend's five children revealed that her daughter had the diagnosis for about three or four years." "And they say from that time forward, you have six to eight years," she explained. "So the time is growing close." Ruth Graham, who owns the home, reportedly notified her siblings of the sale and asked them first if they wanted to buy the house. She did not speak with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. But a spokesman for the organization told The Citizen-Times that the Graham siblings love each other deeply and support each other. The home has been used as a vacation rental in recent years. Guests of the home were given access to experience the Grahams' young family life through the cottages original furnishings, books, photos and mementos. The two-story home is still in pristine condition and is surrounded by several picturesque walking trails and streams. Several offers have already been received. Billy Graham's personal pastor shares what the Church can learn from ministry of 'humble' evangelist Billy Grahams friend and pastor reflected on his yearslong friendship with the famed evangelist and shared the lessons and values he believes the Church can glean from the life and ministry of a man he said mirrored the very heartbeat of God. Mr. Graham's heartbeat and passion and reflection of the very face of God showed deeply, penetrated my own heart and life, Don Wilton recalled in an interview with The Christian Post. I've never been around a man personally like that, who so deeply and genuinely and consistently reflected the face of God's grace. As a pastor myself, one can only imagine the enormous depth of the blessing that God conferred on me every time I was with him every week. Most Saturdays for 15 years, Wilton, the senior pastor of nearly 30 years at the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and founder of the global network, The Encouraging Word, drove to Grahams home in Montreat, North Carolina, to discuss family, politics, sports, and their spiritual lives. In the days before the famed evangelist died in 2018 at the age of 99, Wilton sat next to him, holding his hand. Most people, the closer you get to them, the more you realize they have clay feet, Wilton said. But the closer I got to this man, Billy Graham, the more I realized that he was just full of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that showed throughout his life and his demeanor. Everything pointed to Jesus. To honor his friends life and legacy, Wilton recently releasedSaturdays with Billy: My Friendship with Billy Graham, a book that includes more than 20 stories recounting his friendship with Graham. In addition to photographs accompanying the stories, the book includes some of the greatest lessons Wilton gleaned from Grahams life and ministry. The South African pastor said something that defined Graham was his deep love for his family especially his wife, Ruth, who died in 2007. It was not uncommon for me to be sitting outside having tea with Mr. Graham and he'd be staring out the window. I'd say to him, Mr. Graham, what are you looking at? he recalled. And hed say, I can just see Ruth standing in the kitchen preparing something nice for us. It sounds very simplistic, but he had such a very tender and deep love for her that when she went on to be the Lord, he had a deep gap and grief in his heart. Graham, he said, also had a deep love of good food and especially coffee. He shared how, later in his life, the pastor would sneak black coffee despite doctors orders because he didnt appreciate coffee that had stuff in it (Thick-It). One day, after the doctor left, he reaches over and he grabs my cup of coffee and starts drinking it. I said, Now, brother Billy, what do I do with yours? And he said to me, Well, my facilities are just around the corner. In other words, he told me to dump his coffee and the medical staff wouldnt know, Wilton said with a chuckle. But the most potent and influential thing about the evangelist, the pastor emphasized, was his striking humility despite his celebrity status. Over 70 years, Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people at more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. If you were to paint a picture of Don Wilton and Dr. Billy Graham, here's the picture: A nobody who thought he was a somebody, talking to a somebody who really thought he was a nobody, he shared. Mr. Graham was known all over the world; he was a famous man who dealt with prime ministers, presidents, kings, queens, celebrities, and the most famous athletes in the world, yet he consistently exemplified the uncommon unattainable spirit of humility that Christ expects of us. He never elevated himself; he only elevated Jesus Christ. It was his humility and unfaltering faith in Christ that allowed Graham to be so unapologetically focused on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world without compromise, Wilton said. Grahams life, Wilton said, reflected Galatians 6:14 a verse that was posted in a number of places around the late pastor's home. It reads: But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Mr. Graham was respected by all people, and yet was unapologetic about holy living and righteousness and the wrath and judgment of God and salvation exclusively through Jesus, he said. The modern church, he said, would do well to emulate Grahams passion for keeping the Gospel of Jesus Christ the main thing in a post-Christian culture that is desperate for answers. Mr. Graham stood in the largest stadiums of the world and said, 'God loves you.' He believed implicitly in the life-transforming power of the cross of Jesus, and He preached that passionately and unapologetically and loved people in that same way, Wilton said. I'm deeply concerned about our country and our people and about policies that violate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he continued. How do I balance that in my life as a Christian? How do I be a testimony but stand for the truth of God's Word? It's something that each one of us has to really do business with God about, because our world is really desperate for answers, and our people today are in desperate need of the true meaning of the Gospel and the power of the Gospel to change people's lives forever. Through sharing his friendship with Graham, Wilton said he hopes to encourage readers to take a very simple yet real look into the heart of this precious man and be blessed by his presence while at the same time drawing near to the heart of the Lord. I pray that people would read Saturdays with Billy and pass that on to others so that others would be blessed. That's what Mr. Graham did. His whole life was passing blessings on from one person to the next. We just pray this book is an extension of the witness of the life and testimony of Dr. Billy Graham. Thousands of people hold a protest near City Hall in central Seoul, Saturday, denouncing President Yoon Suk Yeol's March 16 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Yonhap Opposition leader accuses president of being 'Japan's servant' By Jung Min-ho What was mostly welcomed by Japan and many allied nations as a meaningful step toward a future-oriented relationship between Seoul and Tokyo has left President Yoon Suk Yeol in a political bind at home. After his summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo last week, Yoon faces a strong backlash from victims of Japan's wartime forced labor, civic groups and opposition politicians who call his bid to recover the frayed bilateral ties a "humiliating" concession. Thousands of protesters packed the streets in front of City Hall in central Seoul, Saturday, to criticize the government's attempt at resolving the issue through a fund raised by a Korean public foundation instead of seeking payment from Japan. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), was among the demonstrators. He accused the administration of choosing to be "a servant of Japan" while ignoring the tears of the victims. "Despite the stated opposition of the victims, the Yoon administration is pushing ahead with its third-party solution. No matter how illegal, how unconstitutional, how nonsensical, it will push for the deal, if it can appease Japan. Isn't this a humiliating attitude?" Lee asked. Rep. Lee Jae-myung, left, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, takes part in a protest near City Hall in central Seoul, Saturday, denouncing President Yoon Suk Yeol's March 16 summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The demonstrators slammed the summit as "humiliating diplomacy." Yonhap NC Baptist Convention Honors Billy Graham for Life's Work Sharing Gospel of Jesus Christ Worldwide The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina has passed a resolution honoring the late Rev. Billy Graham in advance of what would have been the famed evangelist's 100th birthday. At their annual meeting in Greensboro on Monday, the messengers at the convention adopted the "Resolution in Appreciation for the Life of Billy Graham." "That the messengers to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina meeting in Greensboro, North Carolina, November 5-6, 2018, grieve the passing of Billy Graham on February 21, 2018, while also celebrating, honoring, and commemorating his life and ministry as a beloved Southern Baptist who traveled the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ," read the resolution in part. "... we desire to celebrate Billy Graham's legacy by committing ourselves to sharing the gospel, living lives of personal holiness, and finding joy through an eternal peace with God accomplished by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ." Once adopted, BSCNC Executive Director Treasurer Milton A. Hollifield Jr. presented Graham's former executive assistant David Bruce with a plaque engraved with the resolution text. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Graham was raised on a dairy farm. He later graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois, now the home of the Billy Graham Center Museum. Many believe Graham has preached the Gospel to more people than anyone else in history. According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham preached live messages to nearly 215 million people in over 185 countries and territories. Graham also preached to hundreds of millions of people over a span of several decades through television, video, film and webcasts. In February, months shy of his 100th birthday, Graham died peacefully at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, due to various health problems connected to advanced age. Will Graham, a grandson of Billy Graham (whose full name is William Franklin Graham Jr.) and the son of Franklin Graham, sent The Christian Post a statement regarding his grandfather's passing. "We mourn that he is no longer with us physically here on Earth, but we don't grieve as those who have no hope," Graham said. "My grandfather invested his entire life in sharing the promise of eternity through Jesus Christ, and today he had the opportunity to realize that hope himself, kneeling before his Savior and hearing the words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'" Nigeria: Militants wielding axes, machetes kill 27 Christians ahead of gubernatorial election In a recent wave of violence, militants targeted Christian communities in Nigerias Kaduna state resulting in at least 27 deaths, according to a U.S.-based persecution watchdog whose sources suspect the attacks were aimed at preventing Christians from voting in the gubernatorial election. The assailants, who had previously attacked the Agwan Wakili area in Kaduna, killing at least 17 people, returned this week and struck the Mubushi and Langson communities, which left at least 10 dead a few miles from Agwan Wakili, the watchdog International Christian Concern reported. At least 10 people have been reported killed in this weeks attack on Langson, the Nigerian newspaper The Guardian reported. According to ICC, 14 others were injured. Security forces had been deployed to the sites after the attacks, the group added, noting that its representative visited the scene to document the aftermath and gather photographic evidence, but military officials confiscated his phone. During the night-time attack, most villagers were sleeping outdoors due to the intense heat, while others kept watch as they had received a prior warning, ICC said, adding that witnesses suggested the attack was carried out to prevent Christians from voting in the election. A local leader was quoted as saying that the assault was a political massacre of Christians in areas where the ruling All Progressives Congress party was likely going to lose Saturdays gubernatorial election. An area leader from the Labour Party was also running for governor of Kaduna, and the people of the attacked communities were expected to vote for him. The source added that Christian farmers in Nigeria often face heightened violence during election periods. Another ICC source said some militants are members of the Nigeria army. An ICC staffer received a message from a contact indicating that a helicopter had flown over the community shortly before the attack, potentially to survey populated areas, analyze security measures and facilitate the militants infiltration. Earlier this month, gunmen suspected to be bandits killed the son of a village pastor and abducted his wife, along with three others, in an attack in Karimbu-Kahugu community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna. Christian rights groups have warned for years about the deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nigeria amid the rise of terror groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the northeast. Advocates have also warned about an increase in deadly violence against predominantly Christian communities committed by radical herders in the farming-rich Middle Belt states as the country deals with desertification and erosion of natural resources. Critics of the Muhammadu Buhari government contend it is not doing enough to thwart the violence. However, the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden reaffirmed its decision to remove Nigeria from its list of countries of particular concern for religious freedom violations after conducting what it described as a careful review. Nigerian Christians, human rights groups and members of Congress objected to the Biden administration's decision to lift the CPC designation from Nigeria. The CPC designation carries with it the possibility for sanctions and other deterrence actions to influence those countries to improve religious freedom conditions. A 2021 religious freedom report released by the State Department in June 2022 noted, There was pervasive violence involving predominantly Muslim herders and mostly Christian, but also Muslim, farmers, particularly in the North Central, but also in the North West (where most farmers were Muslim) and South West regions. The report added, According to the Nigeria security tracker maintained by the Council on Foreign Relations, there were an estimated 10,399 deaths from violent conflict during the year, compared with 9,694 in 2020. According to the watchdog group Open Doors, Nigeria ranks No. 6 on the organizations 2023 World Watch List, which lists the top 50 worst countries for Christian persecution. The watchdog group reported that in 2022, 5,014 Christians were killed for their faith, and 4,726 were abducted. This week in Christian history: Pope rejects Henry VIIIs annulment request; German missionary dies Throughout the extensive history of the Church, there have been numerous events of lasting significance. Each week brings anniversaries of impressive milestones, unforgettable tragedies, amazing triumphs, memorable births and notable deaths. Some of the events drawn from over 2,000 years of history might be familiar, while others might be previously unknown by most people. The following pages highlight anniversaries of memorable events that occurred this week in Christian history. They include the missionary David Brainerd ending his work, the death of a prominent German priest and evangelist, and the pope refusing to end Henry VIIIs first marriage. 1 2 3 4 Next We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form By Kim Ae-ran "My Other Self: Conversations with Christ on Living Your Faith" is a spiritual classic written by Clarence Joseph Enzler (1910-1976). This book was first published in 1940 under the title of "My Other Self in which Christ speaks to the soul on living His Life." Since then, it has become a steady seller, and its Korean translation also came out in 2015. Modeled on the 15th-century classic "The Imitation of Christ" (Following the Christ) by Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471), this inspirational book helps Christians today hear the voice of Christ who addresses readers personally as "my other self." Through a creative, devout and profound dialogue between Jesus and readers, Clarence Enzler leads us to go through the journey of the Christian life, beginning with the call to live in friendship with Christ and fulfill His holy desire. Written in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and readers, "My Other Self" urges us to embody God's love and compassion for others. The book is divided into three parts: the call, the means and the end. The first part invites us to live in friendship with Christ, ultimately leading to change in our lives. The second part leads us to discover the graces and tools we need to grow closer to Christ, such as detachment, virtue, humility, prayer, the Eucharist and Mass, sacrifice and the avoidance of sin. The third part invites us to learn where this journey with Christ will take us and the eternal joys that await us. Each chapter includes short but eloquent and devotional meditations on scripture and prayers. The goal of the journey is a life of union with Christ and complete joy in eternity. The key point of this book is faith that helps us to build an intimate relationship with God. All in all, the Christian life is a life of faith that trusts in Jesus who gave himself for us and who will never stop loving us. Born in 1910 in Dubuque, Iowa, Clarence J. Enzler studied at Columbia University and held a doctorate in Sociology from the Catholic University of America. He was always a spiritual person who thought about the priesthood before he met his wife. He struggled with being a stutterer but he eventually overcame the speech impediment while raising a family. For 32 years from 1937 to 1972, he worked full-time as a speechwriter in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He wrote speeches for eight different secretaries of agriculture under six different presidents. Being a prolific author, he wrote four religious books and reflections in his spare time. He is best known for his classic Lenten devotional booklet "Everyone's Way of the Cross," which was first published in 1970. He was ordained a deacon in the Archdiocese of Washington in 1972 and had the privilege of giving the homily at his priest son's first Mass in 1973. Enzler and his wife Kathleen Crowley Enzler had thirteen children. Enzler served in St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in Washington until his death in 1976 at age 66. "My Other Self" is much more than a meditation on Christian living and a discursive monologue by Jesus. With the mysterious, gentle and compassionate voice of Christ, it can be steady reassurance and advice for a confused and anxious world filled with various crises. The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul. When available, please feel free to visit her blog, "A piece of sunshine," at mtorchid88.blogspot.com. By Yun Byung-se President Yoon Suk Yeol has just completed his milestone visit to Japan. Fierce debates are underway about the resulting balance sheet. Each has its own yardstick. I asked my imaginary ChatGPT about the key themes: 12 years, normalization, future cooperation, new era/chapter, past history and mutual trust were some words that popped up on my screen. Believe it or not, it is the first time in 12 years that a South Korean President crossed the Korea Strait to have a summit with his Japanese counterpart. Some pundits used to call this period, particularly the last five years "a lost era" in Seoul-Tokyo relations to highlight the abnormal absence of summitry between the closest neighbors. December 2011 marked the beginning of the breakdown. In Kyoto, then President Lee Myung-bak and then Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko had an intensive yet fruitless exchange on the comfort women issue. It was only four months after the Korean Constitutional Court's landmark decision on that issue. This decision was followed the next year in 2012 by another tectonic Korean Supreme Court ruling on the forced work issue during the Japanese colonial era. The ruling was finally endorsed by the Supreme Court's full panel in 2018 but triggered a diplomatic earthquake in post-1965 Korea-Japan relations. To make matters worse, in the course of 2017 and 2018 the preceding Korean government virtually killed the agreement between Seoul and Tokyo on comfort women issues formally announced in 2015 after four years of tough negotiations to follow up on the above 2011 court decision. More than anything else, the follow-up process of the 2018 Supreme Court decision for monetization to compensate wartime forced labor victims turned into a nuclear time bomb that could explode the backbone of bilateral relations anytime. The Korea-Japan relations plummeted to the worst ever since the historic normalization in 1965. What has happened since 2018 is too familiar to us. It was a de facto Cold War of "eye for eye, and tooth for tooth," routinized on several fronts political, diplomatic, economic and military, etc. Strategic and personal trust between the two sides was totally lost, with anti-Japanese and anti-Korean sentiment rising to critical levels but left unattended by both governments. It quickly turned into a five-year-long unprecedented frozen relationship or retrogression. Even by the standards of progressive governments in Korea, such a situation was unusual. Particularly, it was a far cry from the approach of President Kim Dae-jung who in 1998 boldly offered an olive branch to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. Their leadership and statesmanship produced a historic joint declaration on the future-oriented ties in late 1998 titled "A New ROK-Japan Partnership towards the 21st Century." Prime Minister Obuchi expressed his "deep remorse and heartfelt apology" for the pains caused by Japan's colonial rule and President Kim reciprocated by stating that "the present calls upon both countries to overcome their unfortunate history and to build a future-oriented relationship based on reconciliation." It was a bilateral initiative to roll back deteriorating relations by institutionalizing a framework for cooperation between the two countries on past history, North Korea, regional cooperation, and human security in a post-Cold War world. As for President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida, both took office in an extremely adverse policy environment worst-ever bilateral relationship inherited from their predecessors, existential nuclear threat from North Korea, ever-growing U.S.-China strategic competition, the Ukraine war and global energy crisis as well as rising protectionism, not to mention divisive political landscape at home, to name just a few. Against this background, it is no wonder that since the days of his candidacy, President Yoon chose to benchmark the 1998 Joint Declaration. Once in office, President Yoon made consistent efforts to tackle the deadlock head-on. The Yoon government's March 6 formula to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through a government-affiliated fund was the product of eight months-long intense efforts to cut the Gordian knot. Also, President Yoon's visit to Tokyo last week seems to be an expression of his strong resolve to translate his commitment into action. On both fronts, he had to bear the brunt of the opposition's criticism. He probably knew a Tokyo visit at this stage could risk his approval ratings. Like Nixon going to China in 1972, with the Cold War at full boil, it was an act of extraordinary daring by a Korean President. Last week, President Yoon and Prime Minister Kishida made a crucial breakthrough in the deadlocked relationship and laid good ground for future-oriented cooperation in this year of the 25th anniversary of Kim-Obuchi Joint Declaration. They removed several stumbling blocks either simultaneously or by Korea's bold first move, showing their "potential of resilience." It is an important first step not only for normalizing the bilateral relationship but also for strengthening trilateral cooperation involving the U.S. which is keen to closer coordination of the linchpin (Korea-U.S. alliance) and the cornerstone (U.S.-Japan alliance). The task ahead is to carry this positive momentum forward and build more trust between the two sides through specific follow-up actions. Resuscitated shuttle diplomacy between the leaders and diverse channels of strategic, economic, military and cultural cooperation should fill up the vacuum left by the prolonged confrontation and further serve to expand new windows of opportunities in bilateral, regional and global agendas. Prime Minister Kishida's reciprocal visit to Seoul will be another landmark in the reconciliation process. Nevertheless, caution is in order, because the current state of affairs is not solid yet and the road ahead is expected to be bumpy, particularly due to Korea's domestic division on compensation formula and several intractable issues between Seoul and Tokyo that always require wisdom and finesse. If either side is tempted to score domestic political points, the barely regained momentum could be weakened. Neither side should be "penny-wise, but pound-foolish." We already have several lessons from recent history. The historic 1998 Joint Declaration did not last long, due to the Japanese textbook dispute and other problems. In July 2015, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's special envoy solemnly told the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (WHC) that "a large number of Koreans (and others) were brought against their will and forced to work under harsh conditions (in Japan's Hashima Island)." This irreversible statement is contained in relevant official decisions of the WHC. While those decisions still remain to be fully implemented, another heritage issue is emerging as a new source of tension. Thus, bold diplomacy should be reciprocated in good faith in the coming weeks and months in government, business and political sectors. In that regard, Ambassador Hisashi Owada, former vice foreign minister and father of the current Japanese empress struck the chord of many people in both countries. He is reported to have told the annual Korea-Japan Forum last year that we need to understand human aspects of Korea-Japan relations in dealing with past historical issues, going beyond legalistic ones. For his part, President Yoon also told the domestic and international audience on several recent occasions that Japan is our close partner for the future. As the saying goes, "Those who adhere to the past won't be able to cope with the future." Likewise, "Those who forget the past, cannot see the future." It is incumbent upon both of us in Korea and Japan to set out on a new and long journey at this historical inflection point, learning lessons from history. It takes two to tango. 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. This column does not necessarily reflect the views of The Korea Times. 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. NEW MEXICO Endangered Mexican wolf population makes strides in US ALBUQUERQUE Endangered Mexican gray wolves are making more strides, as more breeding pairs and pups have been documented since reintroduction efforts began in the southwestern U.S. more than two decades ago, federal wildlife managers said on Feb. 28. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the results of its annual survey in New Mexico and Arizona, saying this is the first time the population has topped 200 since the first wolf release in 1998 and the seventh straight year that the numbers have trended upward. In all, at least 241 of the predators were counted, marking a nearly 23% increase over the previous year and a doubling of the population since 2017. The annual count started in November, with members of the interagency field team conducting ground and aerial surveys of a rugged forested area along the Arizona-New Mexico line. Aside from tracking radio-collared wolves, they used remote cameras and collected scat to estimate the population. It's estimated that thousands of Mexican wolves once roamed from central Mexico to New Mexico, southern Arizona and Texas. Predator eradication programs began in the late 1800s and within several decades, the wolves were all but eliminated from the wild. The rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America, Mexican wolves were listed as endangered in the 1970s and a U.S.-Mexico captive breeding program was started with the seven remaining wolves in existence. Wolf-livestock conflicts have been a major challenge of the reintroduction program over the past two decades, with ranchers saying the killing of livestock by wolves remains a threat to their livelihood despite efforts by wildlife managers to scare the wolves away and reimburse some of the losses. OKLAHOMA Voters reject legalizing recreational marijuana OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma voters on March 7 rejected the legalization of recreational marijuana, following a late blitz of opposition from faith leaders, law enforcement and prosecutors. Oklahoma would have become the 22nd state to legalize adult use of cannabis and join conservative states like Montana and Missouri that have approved similar proposals in recent years. Many conservative states have also rejected the idea, including Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota last year. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and many of the state's GOP legislators led the "no" campaign. Oklahoma voters already approved medical marijuana in 2018 by 14 percentage points and the state has one of the most liberal programs in the country, with more than 2,800 licensed dispensaries and roughly 10% of the state's adult population having a medical license to buy and consume cannabis. On the March 7 legalization question, the "no" side was outspent more than 20-to-1, with supporters of the initiative spending more than $4.9 million, compared to about $219,000 against, last-minute campaign finance reports show. Michelle Tilley, campaign director for Yes on 820, said despite Tuesday's result, full marijuana legalization was inevitable. She noted that almost 400,000 Oklahomans already use marijuana legally and "many thousands more" use it illegally. GOP lawmakers join call for death penalty pause OKLAHOMA CITY Three Oklahoma Republican lawmakers joined a former corrections official on Feb. 22 to call for a moratorium on the death penalty amid growing concerns about the state's brisk pace of lethal injections. Rep. Kevin McDugle said he supports the death penalty but believes Oklahoma's next death row inmate scheduled to die, Richard Glossip, is actually innocent. Glossip, who has long maintained his innocence, is scheduled to be executed on May 18 in the murder-for-hire killing of his former boss, but Oklahoma's new Attorney General Gentner Drummond has ordered an independent review of his conviction. Oklahoma has executed more inmates per capita than any other state since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. Since that time 10 death row inmates have walked free after being acquitted at a new trial or because prosecutors declined to refile charges that were dismissed by a court. Public support and use of the death penalty in 2022 continued its more than two-decade decline in the U.S., but support remains high in Oklahoma. A state ballot question in 2016 on whether to enshrine the death penalty in the Oklahoma Constitution received more than 65% of the vote. Still, McDugle cited a recent Oklahoma poll that suggests that support wanes considerably when respondents are offered sentencing options like life in prison with or without parole. Oklahoma has carried out eight executions since resuming lethal injections in October 2021 following a six-year moratorium after problems with drug mix-ups and a botched lethal injection in 2014. IDAHO Bill would bring back execution by firing squad BOISE Idaho could bring back firing squads as a method of execution under legislation introduced by a panel of lawmakers on Feb. 22. The state eliminated its never-used firing squad option in 2009, but has been unable to secure the drugs needed for lethal injection executions. Only Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and South Carolina currently have laws allowing firing squads if other execution methods are unavailable, but a judge has put South Carolina's law on hold until a lawsuit challenging the method is resolved. In the bill sponsored by Idaho Rep. Bruce Skaug, a Republican from Nampa, firing squads would be used when lethal injection isn't available. Skaug noted that the state canceled the planned execution of Gerald Pizzuto Jr. late last year after Idaho Department of Correction officials said they were unable to get the chemicals needed for lethal injection. Pizzuto has spent more than three decades on death row for his role in the 1985 slayings of two gold prospectors. Skaug acknowledged that death by firing squad can cause severe pain, but he said it was a better option than lethal injection. The vast majority of states that allow executions use lethal injection as their primary method, though some states also allow other methods like electrocution. There have been only three firing squad executions in the United States since 1976, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Eight people, including Pizzuto, are on death row in Idaho, according to the Department of Correction. WYOMING Higher water use a possible side effect of frigid temps Demand for water in Casper and other nearby communities was a bit higher in December and January than years past possibly a side effect of a particularly cold and snowy winter. In December, Casper produced 177 million gallons of water, according to minutes from a January board meeting. That's about 9.2.% higher than its average December output for 2017 through 2022. Bruce Martin, Casper's public utilities manager, told board members that water demand usually only strays a couple million gallons from the average during winter months, the minutes say. Martin said there was a notable increase in demand for water during the polar blast that swept through Wyoming in late December. That could be because so many people were running their faucets to avoid frozen pipes, he told board members. At one point, a temperature gauge at Casper-Natrona County International Airport plunged to minus 42 degrees the lowest ever reported in that location. The system reported a similar increase in demand in January. The surge in water use shouldn't have any negative impact on the water system as a whole, though, since wintertime usage is much less than summertime. First Company, the theater company based at First United Methodist Church, will present "Once Upon a Musical," more than two hours of songs from old and new, classic and contemporary Broadway musicals. The show runs Friday through Sundays through March 26. By Kim Sang-woo After a year of war in Ukraine, transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security can no longer be discussed separately. The reality of a predatory authoritarian power in Europe launching a war of conquest against a weaker neighbor has shaken the United States and its Indo-Pacific friends and allies out of complacency. Vladimir Putin, a revanchist, who dreams of restoring the Tzarist Russian Empire, started the Ukraine war, so could Xi Jinping, who has revanchist ambitions and dreams of reviving a neo-Tianxia order in Asia, resort to force to put a democratic self-governing Taiwan under the Chinese Communist Party's rule. At the Munich Security Conference in February, the Ukraine war dominated most of the conversation. As expected, Western nations expressed continued support for Ukraine despite the mounting costs and risks. But the most important issue was the deepening divide between the United States and China on the Ukraine war. Surprise and irritation was expressed by many transatlantic leaders that members of the Global South were not more aligned against Russia. The Global South countries view the Ukraine-Russia conflict more as a "proxy war" between Russia and U.S.-led NATO. And many think that NATO's expansion is one of the main causes of the war. As victims of centuries-long Western colonization and decades-long Cold War politics, the Global South is acutely sensitive about being entrapped by great power conflicts. While expressing sympathy for Ukraine, some question why Western powers did not provide the same degree of support and assistance in other conflicts and refugee crises elsewhere. Speaking in Munich, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg argued that the conflict in Ukraine was a global fight, not a regional one, and that the very fate of the international order depends upon what happens in Ukraine. Indeed, acquiescence to Russia's aggression could have a real impact on international norms, emboldening not only Putin, but potentially China, North Korea and others that may aspire to alter the territorial status quo. On Feb. 23, 141 U.N. member states voted in favor of a General Assembly resolution calling for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine, with just 7 member states voting against it. In this sense, overall global solidarity against Russia's war of aggression remains strong. However, if the transatlantic leadership is to maintain this broad coalition against Russia's invasion over time, it will need to do a better job of understanding how the conflict is seen outside of Europe and the United States. Today's global order is not the same as that of the Cold War, and framing alignment as an "us versus them" proposition fails to take into account the dynamics of the current system. The Munich security report 2023 calls for a "Re:Vision" of the global order. To be successful, it must be more than preserving the past, but rather a vision for the future and a more inclusive and equitable world order for all. The really scary prospect is that there is a real chance that Putin's nuclear saber-rattling might turn to the actual use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine: He cannot afford to lose this war, but has few options to win, and has shown no compunctions about slaughtering the innocent. Moreover, Putin has suspended Russian participation in the New START treaty further jeopardizing efforts to reduce nuclear dangers. The war in Ukraine has led South Koreans to think that only the possession and presence of nuclear weapons can deter an invasion, observing that a nuclear-armed Ukraine would not have been invaded in the first place. The perceived similarities between South Korea and Ukraine both facing a nuclear neighbor that relies on nuclear threats to prevent U.S. involvement despite the fact that South Korea is a U.S. treaty ally and Ukraine is not have lent credence to South Korean arguments that it must develop a self-reliant defense strategy consisting of nuclear weapons. The prospect of the denuclearization of North Korea and hopes for a successful dialogue are at their lowest point in decades. While the U.S. alliance provides both conventional and nuclear deterrence, South Korea's public opinion calls for a defense posture where South Korea does not have to depend entirely on outside help for its survival. In an age of unpredictable nuclear usage and weakening of nuclear taboos, a growing number of South Koreans believe only the possession of nuclear weapons can properly prepare the country for the unpredictability and instability that will follow North Korea's actual deployment of both tactical and ICBM nuclear weapons. Moreover, South Korea is closely watching Taiwan where there have been parallels drawn between the two. Both countries are being targeted by nuclear-armed countries with historical and revisionist aims toward reunification. The two primary constraints preventing South Korea from going nuclear are the 1992 Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The fact that only South Korea is tied to the principle of the 1992 agreement, while North Korea blatantly disregards it, makes it increasingly difficult to justify to the South Korean people why we should continue to stand by the agreement. The NPT has been the main international agreement constraining South Korea's nuclear armament. But now, nuclear advocates argue, the sophistication and offensive nature of North Korea's nuclear weapons are a clear and present danger to the survival of South Korea. And this meets the conditions outlined by Article 10 of the NPT that allows the withdrawing country to avoid international sanctions. While the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has so far maintained the country's commitment to the NPT principles, it is likely that supporters of a nuclear South Korea will continue to call for the government to invoke Article 10 and formally withdraw from the NPT Quo Vadis? Kim Sang-woo (swkim54@hotmail.com), a former lawmaker, is chairman of the East Asia Cultural Project. He is also a member of the board of directors at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Foundation. Cora Mitchell is an Editor and Visual Journalist at The Columbia Missourian pursuing a Documentary Journalism major and a Film Studies minor at the University of Missouri. Mitchell has always loved photography and making videos since they were a kid, and believes the best way to tell the stories of under-served and marginalized communities is through the visual medium. Follow this search 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 Elizabeth Pruitt is a photo editor for the Missourian. She is in her last year at the University of Missouri studying photojournalism. Pruitt was drawn to the limitless possibilities of photography. She hopes to capture meaningful moments and tell the stories of those whose voices get lost in the sea of journalism. She enjoys working with Arts & Culture and entertainment beats but is willing to try new things to advance her skills. Follow this search 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 You must be logged in to participate in the Show Me the Errors contest. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade has made a commentary on the anti-Azerbaijani statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated March 18. The document reads: We strongly condemn and reject the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated March 18, which demonstrates the continuation of groundless territorial claims against the Republic of Azerbaijan, aims at undermining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, and grossly interferes in its internal affairs. We once again urge Armenia, which is unable to digest the start of returning of former IDPs, victims of Armenia's ethnic cleansing policy, to their homelands, to accept the reality that came to be as a result of the 44-Day Patriotic War in the region, and to refrain from aggressive steps and revanchist policies. To label the return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their homes as a violation of the Trilateral Statement and illegal settlement is yet another clear manifestation of hypocrisy by Armenia, which, in violation of international law and four UN Security Council resolutions, kept the territories of Azerbaijan under occupation for 30 years, forcibly expelled about 1 million Azerbaijanis from their homelands, and brutally destroyed all Azerbaijani historical and religious monuments in the region. This statement demonstrates Armenia's features of racial discrimination and hatred. At the same time, this statement demonstrates that Armenia, a monoethnic state that has pursued a large-scale policy of ethnic cleansing against Azerbaijanis for decades, has not refrained from the abhorrent goal pursued by ilthe legal settlement of Armenians not only from its own territory, but also from the countries of the Middle East in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan, as well as Armeniazation of Azerbaijani territories, and the goal of hindering the return of Azerbaijanis in every possible way. It should be noted that the reference to the settlements of the Republic of Azerbaijan by fictitious names is another manifestation of Armenia's territorial claims against Azerbaijan. It seems that Armenia, which has just become familiar with international law and the principle of respect for territorial integrity, should continue its enlightenment in this area. The Prague and Sochi Statements demand Armenia to end its territorial claims against Azerbaijan, and to recognize and respect the latters sovereignty and territorial integrity. Nevertheless, the recently escalating rhetoric of the political leadership of Armenia, including the aforementioned statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, aggressive statements, especially the actions aimed directly at the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, demonstrate that Armenia yet another time does not intend to utilize the historical opportunity for peace. The claim by Armenia that Azerbaijan, who initiated the signing of a peace treaty after the war of 2020, presented the 5 basic principles for building relations and the text of the peace agreement, is not interested in the peace agreement, is another obvious example of deception. It is well known that Armenia, which did not respond to Azerbaijan's proposal to sign a peace agreement for more than a year, and then conditioned the signing of a peace agreement to the delimitation process that usually takes a long time, and to other destructive proposals, obstructs the peace treaty under various pretexts, exaggerating certain elements and creating confusion about its essence. With such statements, Armenia is trying to cover up its artificial delaying of the peace treaty negotiation process, as well as its recent blow to the process by refusing to attend the next round of negotiations in December 2022. As it is known, even before the 2020 war, from the first day Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan came to power, the chain of provocations committed by Armenia, both verbally and in action, undermined the negotiation process on the settlement of the former Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and led to a serious increase in tension in the region. It is also well known that under the leadership of N.Pashinyan, Armenia adopted a military doctrine and a national security strategy that envisages the concept of a new war for new territories and defines the countrys strategic goal in the negotiation process as preserving the results of the war and that after the July 2020 clashes, following the impunity syndrome, Armenia put forward 7 unjustified conditions against Azerbaijan. Armenia, not forgetting its pattern of putting forward conditions, now interferes with the process of reintegration of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan. In order to prevent Azerbaijan's determined activity in the direction of conducting a dialogue with the Armenian residents, the Armenian side does provocations that induce the representatives of the Armenian residents to oppose the proposal of holding the next dialogue in Baku, while putting forward 3 conditions for the process. It seems that the Armenian side has not adapted to Azerbaijan's successful dialogue with the Armenian residents in the last two years on the construction of the new Lachin road, the Sarsang reservoir, and in a number of other directions. The fact that the Armenian side does not hide its hostile attitude towards the term reintegration and describes this concept as a challenge to dialogue and peace, indicates its intention to continue its groundless territorial claims under new forms and new names. If the Armenian side is interested in peace in the region, it should stop the attempts to interfere with and hinder resolute reintegration contacts of the central authorities of Azerbaijan with the Armenian residents. The attempts of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to convince the international community that this country is not a monoethnic state can be considered Armenias first steps towards understanding that mono-ethnicity is actually an anomaly in the multi-ethnic Caucasus region. Regarding the claims of Armenia against the success of Azerbaijan as a multinational state, let us note that it is well known that many ethnic peoples live in conditions of unity and stability in the territory of Azerbaijan, and contribute to the success of the state, and hold a number of high positions, including the membership at the Milli Majlis (Parliament). The Armenian side should understand that the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan is a commitment along with the right. Necessary conditions to live in Azerbaijan will be created for Armenian residents, who accept this. Armenia should give up its intention to use the ethnic minorities in the territory of Azerbaijan in its unsuccessful and insidious policy, and instead of trampling on the rights of hundreds of thousands of Western Azerbaijan Community forcibly evicted from their native lands in the current territory of Armenia, and preventing dialogue with them at all costs, should respond to calls of this community for dialogue with Armenia for the purpose of peaceful, dignified and safe return. Thus, the practical indicator that Armenia has given up the concept of ethnic incompatibility and the title of a mono-ethnic state based on ethnic cleansing, and has chosen peaceful coexistence and multiculturalism can only be by creating conditions for the members of the Western Azerbaijan Community to return to their historical lands. Armenia, which ignored the calls and decisions of international organizations to end the occupation during the 30-year-long occupation period, should also stop its efforts to use the international organizations in its revanchist policy in violation of territorial integrity, and immediately stop attempts to interfere in the cooperation and relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan with international organizations. Despite all illegal intervention attempts, blackmail and threats by Armenia, Azerbaijan continues its cooperation with the international community, including UN specialized organizations, in direction of carrying out large-scale restoration and reconstruction work after ending the occupation of its territories, and in order to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons. We remind Armenia that the delegation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees witnessed the large-scale destruction caused by Armenia in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation in October 2021, including in the settlement of Sugovushan. Unlike Armenia's vandalism, Azerbaijan, with its restoration and reconstruction work, proves that the true owners of the region have returned, and further aggression attempts in these areas will be prevented. The activity of international organizations in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue within the framework of the national legislation of Azerbaijan, and interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan will never be allowed. Regarding the false and misleading claims of the Armenian MFA regarding the implementation of the Trilateral Statement, we would like to remind that Armenia, which refuses to fulfill the 4th, 6th and 9th paragraphs of the statement in particular and in general never complies with international agreements, has illegally intruded its military servicemen into the territory of Azerbaijan and committed military provocation against Azerbaijan only two weeks after the signing of the Trilateral Statement. Despite the attempts by Armenia to present these detainees as prisoners of war, these people were not recognized as prisoners of war, and the International Court of Justice as well as the European Court of Human Rights rejected this claim and the demand for their release. Furthermore, Armenian side, contrary to the Trilateral Statement, has set to fire a number of houses, destroyed forests, planted landmines and booby traps in the areas it was withdrawing from, despite having been given an additional timeline by Azerbaijan for the withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin. Contrary to the Trilateral Statement, Armenia has not yet fully withdrawn its armed forces from the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, and despite its assurances while signing the Trilateral Statement, it continues to occupy a number of settlements and territories, including 7 villages of Gazakh district and 1 village of Sadarak district. The fact that Armenia proposes to organize the delimitation process on the basis of Soviet maps and does not accept these villages as settlements of Azerbaijan is a violation and an indication of Armenias false intentions. Besides, Armenia carries out the deployment of landmines and other terror activities in the territories of Azerbaijan by transferring newly produced landmines to the territories of Azerbaijan. The initial denial by Armenia of the existence of landmine maps for 8 months, and it presenting unreliable landmine maps later as a result of international pressure are well known. It is also known that more than 55% of the mine explosions in the territory of Azerbaijan happened in areas outside the maps handed over by Armenia. As a result of these provocations of Armenia, after the 2020 Patriotic War, 286 people became victims of landmines, of which 49 people, including 3 journalists, were killed. At the same time, it is clear that Armenia, with all its efforts, has grossly violated the Trilateral Statement and prevented the opening of a communication line that would ensure unhindered movement from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan. It is crystal clear that Armenia, which has resorted to so-called "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" tales to divert attention from these peace-threatening steps, is looking for further provocations to convince the international community of its false claims. The cruelty with which Armenia committed mass killings against Azerbaijanis, killed 613 civilians in one night in Khojaly and committed acts of genocide are also well known. The facts that about 4,000 Azerbaijanis have gone missing as a result of the policy of aggression against Azerbaijan, that Armenia has refused to provide information on the missing persons, and that a number of mass graves have been discovered in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from the occupation are impossible to deny. Despite such an aggressive policy of Armenia, Azerbaijan released many detainees, conducted searches after the 2020 war, and handed over more than 1,700 Armenian bodies to Armenia, as well as nearly 200 bodies as a result of Armenian provocation in September 2022. It seems that Armenia has forgotten these measures taken by Azerbaijan for humanitarian purposes in goodwill and on a unilateral basis. Once again, we call on the political leadership of Armenia to act responsibly, to refrain from provocations, statements, and false rhetoric that undermine the opportunities for peace created in the region after the 44-day war. WAVE Website / Courtesy of KCCI By Kim Hyun-bin The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) established a collective intelligence platform "WAVE" to attempt to solve problems of all mankind such as climate change, environmental degradation, and human rights failings. At "thewave.net," ideas from people all over the world are gathered to solve various problems facing the globe. While Korea is stepping up its efforts to host World Expo 2030 in the city of Busan, WAVE's purpose is to realize the Expo through a digital platform where all human problems are contemplated and communicated together. "Wave is an attempt to get away from gathering tourists by constructing a nice building like the existing Expos and creating a national pavilion for each country to exhibit for six months," an official from the KCCI explained. The KCCI earlier had a test operation of WAVE, where discussions sought solutions to around 30 issues such as marine debris and mangrove forest restoration projects. The solutions have been scheduled for implementation. There was a question on what to do with over 5 million tons of food waste produced annually in Korea and how it could be reduced. A Korean Startup Nuvilab provided an answer: "How about food scanning? Scan your food tray; it tells you the nutrient and calories of the food on the tray. It will induce a person to take only as much food as they can eat." A local organization adopted food scanning following the suggestion, and it reduced its daily food waste by 45 kg. It is easy to participate in WAVE. Anyone can write and make a comment. One can choose from 10 topics, including environment, climate change, eco-friendly energy, education, medical/sanitation, disabled/children, urban/social infrastructure, technological innovation, and poverty/hunger. An automatic translation is also provided to overcome the language barrier. "We seek a global community where global stakeholders, from governments and companies to citizens and NGOs, work together to address problems faced by humanity. I wish that all people in the business sector promote the world that WAVE creates," Woo Tae-hee, Vice Chairman of the KCCI said. "World Expo 2030 in Busan will be a first step toward building a sustainable expo. We will present the successful expo by WAVE and pass it on to the next host country to make it a bigger wave carrying hope to future generations." Masculinity has been in crisis for as long as anyone can remember. The usual explanation is that post-industrial society doesn't much care for brawn. We're all office-dwellers now, mutely churning out spreadsheets for other spreadsheet producers. The theory makes sense as far as it goes. But something else has changed much more recently: a rejection of the very concept of masculinity. The polling company YouGov found that just eight per cent of people have positive views of white men in their 20s, by far the lowest of any ethnicity or age group. Males are routinely presented as inherently dangerous, aggressive and animalistic, incapable of controlling their own instincts. Males are routinely presented as inherently dangerous, aggressive and animalistic, incapable of controlling their own instincts You can see it on public transport, where government advertisements announce that staring is sexual harassment. We blokes can't even be trusted to use our eyes properly. Teenage boys are routinely disciplined by their schools for even the most minor infractions of an insurgent sexual politics. A friend's son at a smart English day school was recently hauled up for the crime of unprompted communication with a girl. The boy had sent a message introducing himself to a student from another school. There was, according to the friend, no sexual element to the message. It was a simple greeting. No matter. That kind of behaviour is unacceptable. This moral shift has been encouraged by social media and an expansive higher-education sector that delights in tearing down the old order. Things we once took for granted are merely 'constructed' and anyone who disagrees is a misogynistic privilege-hoarder. The new believers are able to muster online, forcing their revolutionary worldview into the wider culture and on to institutions that simply want a quiet life. Look at the Global Boyhood Initiative (GBI), which is writing a new curriculum currently being piloted in a couple of London schools on gender equality for children Last year, the GBI published a report on the state of British boys that starts by suggesting that gender is 'not tied to sex organs', and then goes on to call families 'gender and heterosexuality 'factories' '. A cottage industry of 'toxic masculinity' tutors has emerged after the Everyone's Invited campaign that followed a wave of anonymous allegations of sexual impropriety at Britain's top private schools that began in 2020. This includes an organisation called Beyond Equality, which sells its services to hundreds of UK schools, putting on workshops in which they tell boys to strip themselves of the 'restrictive, burdensome armour' of masculinity. The reason, it says, is to put a stop to 'gender-based violence'. The implication is clear: men need to be reprogrammed. 'Boys are now seen as potential perverts,' explains one female former teacher, who quit the profession last year. 'There was this obsession with the victimisation of women. I thought we had been getting somewhere with sex and relationships, teaching the children to treat people with respect, but that has been totally set back.' A few weeks ago, a school in Essex sent a letter to parents telling them that their children were to be prohibited from having any romantic relationships with fellow students. All physical contact was to be banned, including a simple hug. In the letter, the school said the policy was designed to 'keep your child safe. If your child is touching somebody else, whether they are consenting or not, anything could happen. 'It could lead to an injury, make someone feel very uncomfortable, or someone being touched inappropriately'. Who on earth really believes that children might injure themselves by holding hands? This frantic prudery is a result not of a resurgence of conservative values, but of a progressive fear of men. Appalling behaviour is apparently everywhere. In 2021, Ofsted compiled a report that found 79 per cent of schoolgirls said sexual assault happened 'a lot' or 'often' at their school. But there seems to be an inability to hold two notions in our heads: that sexual assault is bad and that treating men as inherent sex pests is also bad. A reasonable worry about assault appears to have morphed into an institutional misandry. There is a lack of recognition that, as with all crimes, the proportion of perpetrators is vanishingly small. The awful behaviour of a few is leading to the mistreatment of all. Another teacher, working at a London college, agrees: 'The new sexual framework reaffirms the gender roles that boys are these really strong, insensitive masculine beings and girls are these wimpy things that need to be careful. 'We seem to be saying, "You're a girl, you're going to be taken advantage of, you need to be scared." ' There's a failure to contend with the idea that the awkwardness of young manhood the playground scuffles, the stilted attempts at courtship are the necessary growing pains of becoming a well- adjusted grown-up. The result of all this over-policing is boys who feel uneasy, anxious and angry. Since 2017, the NHS has found that the proportion of boys with probable mental health issues has increased by more than 50 per cent and is now at nearly one in five. The suicide rate for boys aged 15 to 19 has more than doubled in the past decade. Child psychologist Julie Lynn Evans supported Everyone's Invited, seeing it as a necessary response to decades of dodgy male behaviour. But now she worries the pendulum has swung too far. 'The boys came out of lockdown into this slightly hysterical atmosphere of 'Don't touch, that's inappropriate, that's assault.' 'They are being treated as guilty until proven innocent. They can hardly move for fear of doing something wrong.' I worry that boys are so browbeaten by activist adults that they are turning into purposeless young men. In the US, the proportion of males under 30 who haven't had sex in the past year has tripled since 2008, now at a third. While data is still being collected, reports suggest the same trend is occurring in Britain. We have seen plenty of hand-wringing about incels ('involuntary celibates'), the uber-misogynists who rage against women. But I suspect that the same politics that frets about 'toxic masculinity' in part gives rise to the most toxic form of manhood. Tell someone enough that you dislike their character and they'll naturally object. Resentment becomes mutual. Inevitably, then, there has been a backlash from boys. It has come in the form of Andrew Tate, the British-American social-media personality who projects an 'ultra-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle'. Tate was arrested last year at his garish Romanian party house where he is accused of exploiting trafficked women. His videos, in which he tells sad men to stop taking antidepressants and get to a gym, have caused something of a moral panic among Britain's teachers. It has come in the form of Andrew Tate (pictured), the British-American social-media personality who projects an 'ultra-masculine, ultra-luxurious lifestyle They fear that his self-professed 'misogyny' is turning boys into horrors. Female teachers have complained of teenagers writing 'MMAS' a sexist meme used on social media standing for 'make me a sandwich' on their homework. Why are teenage boys so excited by Tate? According to the former teacher, boys would tell her: 'I know this guy's a t****r, but he's funny and he has a point. He's challenging these ideas that really need challenging.' Tate seems more symptom than cause. Young men have been moving away from progressive politics for at least the past few years. The political theorist Eric Kaufmann found that the young, specifically men, are turning to the Right. In 2020, well before the likes of Tate came about, 18-year-olds were found to be as Right-wing as people in their 40s. Meanwhile, a majority of under-40s now believe that women's equality has gone so far that it discriminates against men. There's certainly something going wrong with young men. For one thing, they are far more likely to be unemployed: a third of those aged 18 to 24 are not in work or seeking it, compared to a fifth of the working-age population. Part of the problem is that British women have outperformed men in university applications since the mid-1990s. So the girls simply produce better CVs. Consider, too, the prospect of activist HR departments wanting to fulfil gender-equality quotas: of course they'll opt for the better candidate if she brings with her the glow of doing good. This explains why men on the cusp of adulthood are finding it harder to get not only jobs, but girlfriends. Men tend to value physical attractiveness in partners, while women are interested in a wider set of attributes, including earning potential. It's almost a certainty, too, that these single, workless men are still living with their parents. After all, the enormous cost of housing means that two-thirds of people in their 20s do. So we come to a startling conclusion: young men are increasingly unloved, unemployed and unable to live independently. Lynn Evans's description of teenage boys could as easily apply to men in their early 20s: 'They're in their bedrooms and only really speaking to friends online. They're also gaming and watching a ton of pornography. They're living in a sort of fantasy world.' Why bother going out into a hostile environment to find a job and a girlfriend when the need for a sense of achievement, along with sexual desire, can be sated in your childhood bedroom, however artificially? What's happening looks like the phenomenon of the Japanese hikikomori, adolescent males who resign themselves to their bedrooms for months, spending their days playing video games and kept alive only by sad mothers. We seem increasingly unwilling to accommodate any form of masculinity. The result is a breed of angry and unhappy young men, rejecting a world that rejects them. Fresh from issuing a soundbite that last Wednesday's Budget was simply 'papering over the cracks of 13 years of economic failure', Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared on Radio 4's Today programme. Presenter Amol Rajan read out to her a list of childcare measures announced in the Budget. Which did Labour oppose, he asked, and what would she and her party do differently? Reeves waffled for a minute, then admitted she would support all of them. Rajan tried a different tack. Labour's Education spokeswoman Bridget Phillipson had recently made a major speech on childcare but it didn't contain any costed proposals. So what actually was Labour's childcare policy? Reeves waffled again, then said: 'We'll set all our plans out closer to an Election.' Rajan moved on to immigration. Did Labour support higher or lower net migration? Reeves muttered something about apprenticeships. What about tax thresholds? Did Labour support or oppose the Government's policy? Reeves stonewalled, before insisting: 'I've got plans!' What were those plans in respect of tax thresholds, Rajan enquired again. 'I can't say,' Reeves replied. Labour's Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (left) is talked of as one of her party's brightest stars. Chat with any of Sir Keir Starmer's (right) team, and they speak of her in almost reverential tones Labour's Shadow Chancellor is talked of as one of her party's brightest stars. Chat with any of Sir Keir Starmer's team, and they speak of her in almost reverential tones. 'Rachel is a brilliant performer,' one Starmer ally recently told me. 'She's the real deputy leader.' At the moment, Reeves is not performing brilliantly. She's pedestrian. She's over-hyped. And as the last week has shown, she's opening the door for a Tory fightback on the economy. Ask Reeves's cheerleaders if she's really so great, what is it that she's actually done, they will look at you blankly. As if some sort of sacrilege has been uttered. Then they reach for the same, well-worn list of purported achievements. Top of it is Labour's lead on the economy. The voters currently rate Labour better on economic competence, with YouGov's tracker on the issue giving it a small, if unspectacular, six-point lead. But that represents a drop from 17 points since last October. And given the economic pain unleashed by the Truss Budget, the cost- of-living crisis and the highest tax burden since the Second World War, it hardly represents a ringing endorsement of Labour's own economic policy offering. Reeves's allies are also keen to highlight what they call her 'economic outreach'. One told me: 'She's been doing a lot of work rebuilding relationships with the business community and it's working. You could see it at party conference. The suits were back.' And again it's true the boardrooms of corporate Britain are opening to Reeves and her team. But that's only to be expected. UK plc chief executives can read the opinion polls as well as anyone else. They recognise that the 44-year-old former Bank of England economist is on course for No 11 and are making the appropriate ingratiating noises. But aside from being showered with warm words, they are as much in the dark about the detail of Labour's economic strategy as the rest of the country. A further success cited by Reeves's admirers is the claim she outflanked the Government over the windfall tax for the energy companies. 'That was all Rachel's strategy,' a Shadow Cabinet colleague told me. 'It tied Boris Johnson, and then Truss, in knots. It was one of our biggest wins.' Reeves is not attempting to win the economic debate. Instead, she's sitting back and hoping Jeremy Hunt (pictured delivering his Budget to the House of Commons on Wednesday) and Rishi Sunak will lose it But it wasn't Rachel Reeves's strategy. It was Gordon Brown's. The idea of using a windfall tax on blue-chip profiteers to draw a political dividing line between Labour and the Tories was first rolled out in the mid-1990s. And the fact that Reeves is having to appropriate it nearly 30 years later is telling. Labour likes to claim its economic policy vacuum is a product of tactical ingenuity. 'We're not going to give the Tories any easy targets,' one adviser claimed. 'We're going to keep our powder dry till the timing is right.' But Reeves's powder is becoming so dry it's in danger of blowing away into thin air. At the equivalent stage of the electoral cycle in the 1990s, Gordon Brown had seized control of the economic debate with a series of bold policy initiatives. A windfall tax. A national minimum wage. Public Private Partnerships. The welfare-to-work programme. What is Rachel Reeves offering? A National Economic Council. A Modern Industrial Strategy. An abstract ambition for Britain to somehow have the highest sustained growth in the G7. Even the one major plan she has announced her staggeringly expensive 28 billion green industrial revolution is being watered down, with Reeves now saying it will be subordinated to her fiscal and debt-reduction rules. Labour strategists believe they are minimising the opportunities for the Tory attack machine to come spluttering back to life. But the opposite is true. For the first time since Boris Johnson became embroiled in the Partygate farrago, Tory officials believe they may have identified a route to victory. With the economy acting as their compass. 'Labour's economic strategy is baffling,' one senior Tory adviser told me. 'It's just a lot of vague nonsense. There's no coherent plan. Highest growth in the G7? Well great, we all want that! The question they need to answer is how are they going to deliver it.' Ask any Shadow Minister that question and you are met with blank looks. The reality is Reeves is not attempting to win the economic debate. Instead, she's sitting back and hoping Jeremy Hunt and Rishi Sunak will lose it. But that's no longer the surefire bet it was back when Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng were setting the economy ablaze. Though it didn't get the political juices racing, Hunt landed his Budget successfully. 'Given the limited room to play with and the limited amount of money available it went well,' a Treasury ally said. 'We know people wanted us to do more, especially on tax cuts. But we'll get there. This has laid the groundwork.' Meanwhile, Labour is becoming nervous at the way the dire growth predictions for 2023 are slowly being revised up. The day before the Budget, Reeves distributed an advert that stated: 'Under the Tories, the UK is the only G7 country with negative growth this year.' It was a wholly false claim based on an outdated International Monetary Fund forecast. But it was illustrative of how concerned the Shadow Chancellor is to manipulate the economic narrative, rather than rely on the facts. Labour leader Keir Starmer, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, meet staff at a Siemens factory specialising in Railway infrastructure, on March 10 2023 in Glasgow Ministers also believe Reeves has fallen into a trap by pledging to reverse the scrapping of the 1million lifetime tax-free pension allowance. One told me: 'It's bizarre. Why has Labour suddenly decided to go to war with people such as doctors, headteachers, air-traffic controllers, the top brass of the military and civil servants?' For their part, Labour strategists say pensions reforms are another Tory own goal one that will allow them again to be framed as being on the side of the rich, rather than hard-working families. And although the Office for Budget Responsibility has junked its prediction the economy is heading for a technical recession, its forecast of a 0.2 per cent contraction in 2023 should give Sunak and Hunt cold comfort. Any form of sustained economic contraction will have a negative and from the Government's perspective, probably terminal impact at the ballot box. But, for the moment, Tory spirits have been raised. 'We can now see a path to staying in power,' one official told me, adding jokingly: 'It's a very narrow path. But fortunately Rishi and Jeremy are both very thin!' Rachel Reeves's job is to block off that route. But at the moment she's failing. If Labour's Shadow Chancellor really does have a plan to bring Britain the highest growth of any major global economy, excellent. It's high time to share it with the rest of us. We need to talk about sheep. The unavoidable truth is that sheep are the principal obstacle standing in the way of meaningful nature recovery in Britains national parks and other agriculturally marginal landscapes. There is no getting around it. The sheep have got to go. Britains uplands, once comprised of extensive wood pastures, and temperate rainforests closer to the coast, have been cleared to make way for sheep. The environmental cost has been catastrophic. Tens of millions of sheep have almost entirely stripped the hills and valleys of their green mantle. Apart from in small pockets, trees, scrub, wildflowers, and birdsong are largely absent from our uplands. All you find are sheep. Go and visit almost any of our national parks and youll see for yourself. Sheep are the principal obstacle standing in the way of meaningful nature recovery in Britains national parks and other agriculturally marginal landscapes, writes Ben Goldsmith. [File image] Sheep are susceptible to a range of parasitic infestations and consequently need to be dipped regularly in virulent chemical pesticides such as clikzin, which seeps into the natural environment poisoning the soil, and the invertebrates on which the whole food chain depends. These treatments render sheep so toxic that even maggots are unable to consume them if they happen to die on the hillside, which they often do. Its not just wildlife that loses out; sheep have a brutal impact on the hydrology of our landscapes. By compacting the soil and expunging vegetation, the animals create bare hillsides which are simply unable to collect and store rainfall, making soil erosion, flash flooding, and seasonal drought far more frequent and more severe, costing the country billions each year. Sheep are not native to Britain. They come from the arid hills of Asia Minor. Sheep suffer terribly in Britain, soaked through as they stand exposed out in the rain on our windy, wet hillsides. Their feet have a tendency of rotting in our perpetually sodden ground. The fact that even English acorns are toxic to sheep says it all. And, surprisingly, Britons dont eat much lamb or mutton. There are, however, plenty of people who argue passionately that sheep are an important component of our national food security. This is mostly nonsense. Sheep tend to be raised on our less productive land, in areas not suitable to growing crops. Theres strong evidence to suggest that, if you take into account winter feed which must be brought in from elsewhere, and the negative hydrological impact on more productive farming further down our catchments, upland sheep farming is likely to be net negative in terms of actual food production. Britains uplands, once comprised of extensive wood pastures, and temperate rainforests closer to the coast, have been cleared to make way for sheep. The environmental cost has been catastrophic. [File image] Most sheep farming is hopelessly non-viable too in economic terms, unable to provide a decent living to hard-working sheep-farming families. As the average age of sheep farmers creeps ever higher, their take-home income creeps ever lower. In sheep farming, there are now no winners, only losers. In landscapes dominated by sheep, much of which fall within our national parks, the decline of nature has gone hand in hand with economic and social decline. So why are Britains most beautiful landscapes crammed with sheep? The answer is that until recently, like all farming, the sheep industry has been propped up with unconditional taxpayer subsidies under the EUs appalling Common Agricultural Policy. Under this, huge amounts of taxpayers money are dished out each year to farmers according to simply how much land they use. In the past, these subsidies drove most farmers to grub out ancient hedgerows and remove trees, ponds and wetlands, rough margins and any other ineligible features in order to maximise space for harvesting subsidies. Now however, outside of the EU, England has grabbed the opportunity to end the madness, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are likely to follow. The Agriculture Act (England) 2020, first conceived by Michael Gove, replaces the CAP with a new Environment Land Management Scheme, known as ELM a world first, built on the premise of public money for public good. Farmers who, as well as fulfilling their vital role as food producers, take seriously their responsibility as stewards of the natural environment will be rewarded by taxpayers for doing so. Of course, there are circumstances in which sheep are desirable. Sheep can work well in the rotational practices favoured by regenerative farms in our productive heartlands. Sheep can also aid in the conservation of certain precious cultural landscapes, such as flower-rich hay meadows. And, of course, there is a beautiful, ancient tradition of keeping pedigree sheep hefted in some areas of upland Britain, but the numbers were always far, far lower than they are today. Wool is a brilliant alternative to synthetic materials for a range of uses, but we are so heavily oversupplied with it that wool prices have fallen virtually to zero. British-grown lamb, mutton and wool should be specialty, homegrown products to delight in. Not mass produced at a huge cost, mostly for export, at the expense of great swathes of our countryside. It was native, horned cattle that were the dominant livestock in Britain until recent times, when sheep took their place. In Ireland, Wales and Scotland, it was the English who cleared the trees for building navy ships, before clearing the people and their cattle from the land in wave after wave of so-called clearances to make way for hordes of livestock. In many parts of Britain, the arrival of sheep was the single greatest cause of the loss of upland villages. This dark history makes the modern enthusiasm for the animals all the more perverse. Pictured: Ben Goldsmith. Tens of millions of sheep have almost entirely stripped the hills and valleys of their green mantle Today, it is in our most sheep-wrecked landscapes that farmers are best placed to deliver the kinds of public goods that the new English farm support scheme envisages. Moreover, Britain joined the nations of the world in pledging to restore 30 per cent of our land and 30 per cent of our sea for nature by 2030. If we don't begin in our upland national parks, then where? It is so important therefore that the ELM is especially generous in these areas in which it is harder to make a profit producing food. Upland farmers are are understandably feeling vulnerable at this time of change. We need to support them in a fair and just transition back to a more traditional, extensive and diverse way of farming, largely with native cattle, whose wild ancestors grazed and browsed here in vibrant wood pastures through aeons. In low numbers, cattle are less forensic and less voracious in their grazing than sheep, allowing vegetation to establish in mosaic semi-open woodlands that are rich in wildlife of all kinds. By their dung, a single cow generates a quarter of its own body weight in insect life in a single year, providing food for amphibians, birds and wildlife of many kinds. Native cattle, such as Longhorns, are the key now to breathing life back into both the ecology and economy of our remoter landscapes. A while ago, I visited Geltsdale in the Pennines, where the tenant farmer Tom Wilson decided a decade ago to swap his intensive sheep enterprise for a herd of native cattle. Managing several thousand sheep had been hard work and, as the end of his Countryside Stewardship scheme approached in 2010, a local Natural England representative suggested switching to cattle and a much wilder way of farming. A deal was struck on a pioneering new stewardship scheme. The transition wasnt easy; initially, the family missed their sheep, but they soon fell in love with their beautiful, shaggy Longhorns and, today, the awakening landscape is dotted with emergent scrub and young trees of all kinds. Amid the melancholic cry of curlews wheeling overhead and birdsong the likes of which Ive never heard anywhere, Geltsdale is mesmerising. Some consider a reversion to older ways of farming with native cattle instead of sheep a threat to traditional farming communities. Straight out of the Mad Hatters Tea Party was how one commentator described plans for a wilder approach in our national parks during my time as a non-executive director of Defra. Nothing could be further from the truth. Families who have worked the same land for generations are best placed to lead this great national renewal and breathe life back into our landscapes. And grazing cattle in the traditional way amid scrub and trees, known as silvopasture in farming circles, is the best way to secure their future while reviving nature in our degraded hills. It's time for (most of) the sheep to go. She spent four months before in hospital with her baby Nicole Austin spent 130 days in the NICU willing her tiny premature daughter Bowie to survive. And two weeks after they made it home, the new mum was shattered to receive a cruel health blow herself: she was diagnosed with late-stage, incurable cervical cancer. The signs had been there - fatigue, nausea, weight loss - but the mother-of-two and her wife Kristy had dismissed them as side effects of having a newborn in hospital. Speaking to FEMAIL Nicole said the Sydney-based family, including their toddler Liv, arrived back home on December 20 ready to shut the door on the scariest period of their lives. They were overjoyed to be out of hospital just in time for Christmas after four months, even if it meant negotiating motherhood with an oxygen tank on hand. 'We were also pretty nervous to be leaving the hospital because we had relied on the doctors and nurses so much, and coming home with a baby that needs oxygen is quite scary,' she said. Nicole Austin, pictured with her daughter Bowie, was diagnosed with cancer two weeks after spending 130 days in hospital with her newborn, wiling her to live The mum, pictured with wife Kristy, toddler Liv and newborn Bowie, had gastro symptoms checked out eight days after the family came home from hospital 'It was a massive day for us, we were so excited to be able to spend the holidays together.' But fate wasn't done with the family and on December 28 it was Nicole's turn to head to hospital after she suffered gastro symptoms that she simply couldn't shake. 'It came with a huge amount of pain I can only describe as pressure in my abdomen,' she said. The family had just celebrated Christmas, and being out of hospital when their lives were turned upside down again - her 'gastro' symptoms exploded on December 28 'Liv handed me a doll, kind of threw it on my stomach, and I went through the roof,' she said. The pain was excruciating, and as the rest of the family were gastro free she decided to check it out. 'I thought if it wasn't gastro it must have been some kind of parasite or something,' she said. But doctors decided to send her for an ultrasound 'just in case', and, on January 4, a mass was found on her liver. 'The technician said I couldn't go home and needed a CT scan, which is when they found the tumours in my lungs and ovaries,' she said. Nicole struggled with pregnancy from the 20-week mark when doctors found she had a shortened cervix At this point Nicole knew something was bad, but hadn't even considered cancer. 'The imaging people told me I had to go straight to my doctor, I asked if my wife could head to work that afternoon and they said no,' she said. Feeling anxious, the 38-year-old took herself to the doctor while her partner stayed how with their children. 'He said "There's no easy way to say this, you have got cancer", I was just shocked and cried the whole way home,' she said. 'I don't really remember that night but I know I walked in the house and Kristy knew straight away that it was really bad. I told her and we just held each other.' Their tiny daughter was born six days after Nicole's waters broke at 22 weeks and five days The cancer, a squamous cell carcinoma originating in the cervical region, started to grow less than nine months before it showed up on the scans. 'It all happened so quickly, they cant tell me when it started growing but they do know it wasn't there nine months ago. They know this because Bowie was conceived using IVF, which is an invasive process and a tumour in that area would have been seen. It also would have been picked up later, as the mother was under the microscope from the 20-week mark. 'I was diagnosed with a short cervix during my 20 week scan, so I was referred to the Royal Hospital for Women, in Sydney,' she said. At 22 weeks and five days Nicole's waters broke, and they received the devastating news that the pregnancy was not yet viable. Nicole, who has always lived an active lifestyle, is terrified for her partner Kristy, left 'It is only when something like this happens you realise the importance of counting by days,' she said. Everyone worked hard to keep the baby inside, with every day giving her a stronger chance of survival. 'I was naive then because I thought you went into labour when your waters broke, but we got her to stay inside for another six days,' she said. 'The professor explained that miracles don't happen at midnight, she needed every minute inside,' she said. Bowie came in September and all of Nicole and Kristy's energy went into looking after their toddler and willing their baby to live. In retrospect Nicole said she should have realised something was wrong in November - but everyone was focused on Bowie by then. She's also devastated that she may not be able to see her daughters grow up or 'make her mark' on them 'I was lethargic and had night sweats, and that's when I started losing weight,' she said. Doctors haven't told Nicole she's terminal - however they have explained there's no cure for her disease. They have prescribed 18 weeks of chemo and told her once it's done they can 'reassess'. 'I am okay for a day or two and then I am super nauseous, then on day four I get flattened by fatigue for a few days, I am not very helpful,' she said. 'By day seven I am back to being able to be a contributing member of the household, but the nausea lingers, it can linger the whole time.' She is at the point where eating is difficult, but is conscious she needs to maintain her current weight of 46 kilos at minimum, and put some on if possible. 'My liver is so enlarged by the tumours that it has started to push against my stomach, so when I eat and my stomach gets bigger it is very painful,' she said. Nicole can be halfway through a sandwich and get a jolt of extreme pain. She is feeling positive about the chemo, and her body's ability to fight the disease so she can have more time with her family. But that doesn't mean she isn't afraid. Her terror is for her family. Nicole is now going through chemo - which she receives every three weeks, in the hopes of shrinking the fast-growing tumours 'I can't stop thinking about Kristy, who is going to be left to be a single mum to these two children.' she said. 'And that they will grow up without me being there to make my mark,' she added. She is sad for herself. 'You never think it is going to happen to you, and I try not to complain, I am trying to stay positive but there is that little voice that says it is just unfair,' she said. 'I wanna see my girls grow up, I want to be there for Kristy.' It also breaks her heart that she doesn't have as much energy as she used to. 'I can't pick up liv, and Bowie wriggles a lot so I don't feel safe holding her as much,' she said. 'It is also really hard to hear Liv ask if I am away sleeping again, because she has started to understand I am sick.' Nicole and Kristy have taken long service leave, maternity leave and sick leave in order to be there for Bowie, and now to stick together as a family unit. Their friends set up a Go Fund Me to help get them through the difficult time. Nicole and Kristy have taken long service leave, maternity leave and sick leave in order to be there for Bowie, and now to stick together as a family unit One of their friends has started a fundraiser to help them get by when their income streams finally run out. Nicole hopes she will be back to work soon, but there's no guarantee. The mum wants other women to know the signs and to head to the doctor the moment something's not right. She regrets pushing her own health to the side, even though she didn't realise that's what she was doing at the time. 'I was lucky, doctors were onto it straight away. But if you think something's wrong and they don't then be consistent because I have met people with devastating stories about being ignored when they knew something was wrong,' she said. KooRoo's battery swapping station / Courtesy of LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (LGES) has pushed ahead with its new businesses and helped its employees increase competency, by establishing in-house companies, such as KooRoo and AVEL, the battery manufacturing unit of LG Group said Sunday. KooRoo, which was established last year, started trying this year to commercialize its battery swapping stations (BSS). These enable electric motorcycle riders to swap their battery packs at stations, instead of spending time recharging their batteries. "If the electric motorcycle ecosystem grows, it will help delivery services, be eco-friendly, quiet and safe," said Ahn Hong-duk, head of KooRoo. "We will prioritize developing BSS-tailored battery packs and stations, and then will nurture the electric motorcycle ecosystem by utilizing data we will collect." AVEL, which was established last October, seeks to run virtual power plants on Jeju Island by utilizing energy storage systems (ESS). Given that the use of renewable energy has prevented the stable operation of energy grids under bad weather, AVEL decided to take advantage of ESS run by LGES. "We plan to develop a system that can accurately predict the amount of renewable energy generation and efficiently utilize and manage the energy stored in ESS," said Kim Hyun-tae, head of AVEL. LGES has developed various measures for the independent operation and stable settlement of its in-house companies. In the early days of their launch, the in-house companies have been operated as independent organizations under the supervision of a chief strategy officer. They have built business operation infrastructure rapidly with all round support from related business units in the group. "We expected the newly launched 'companies-in-companies' to overcome the fear of failure and push forward with innovative thinking and endeavors to increase the future customer value for the company," LGES CEO Kwon Young-soo said. "We will work to make LGES a company that seeks mutual growth with individual workers through the introduction of more independent in-house companies in the future." (Advertorial) Dannielynn Birkhead was just five months old when her mother Anna Nicole Smith died of a prescription drug overdose aged 39 on February 8, 2007. Anna Nicole gained early fame as a model for Guess and Playboy magazine before later becoming known for her marriage to 89-year-old oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall when she was just 26. But while her American mother - whose rollercoaster life mirrored the tragic circumstances of Anna Nicole's heroine Marilyn Monroe - was no stranger to fame, Dannielynn prefers to shy away from the spotlight. In May 2021, her father and Anna Nicole's ex Larry Birkhead told TMZ that his 16-year-old daughter has said no to several modelling and acting gigs over the years. American celebrity photographer Larry, 50, said acting really isn't Dannielynn's 'thing' and admitted she doesn't have a manager or modelling portfolio, preferring to stay out of the limelight. Dannielynn Birkhead was just five months old when her mother Anna Nicole Smith (pictured together) died of a prescription drug overdose aged 39 on February 8, 2007 However the father-daughter duo make an exception for Janet Jackson concerts, adorable Instagram snaps together shared on Larry's public social media page and the Kentucky Derby. The annual American horse racing event is a fixed fixture in the pair's calendar and holds a special place in the family's heart as Larry met Anna there in 2004 when she was photographed in a famed pink hat. At the time of the birth of Dannielynn, Anna Nicole insisted the child's father was her lawyer Howard K Stern and had his name placed on the birth certificate. Yet, following her death in a Florida hotel room in 2007, Larry managed to successfully prove that he was Dannielynn's father and secured custody, bringing her to live with him in Kentucky. Anna Nicole's marriage to the billionaire Marshall should have entitled the former model to a share of his fortune, with some of that passing to Dannielynn. But despite being regularly touted as one of the richest children in America, Dannielynn was not entitled to any share of Marshall's estate following a court case in 2014 which ruled Anna Nicole's estate was not due to inherit anything from her late husband. Speaking to Inside Edition in 2017, Larry said: 'We saw a video on YouTube that she was one of the 10 richest kids in America. Then she wanted to go to the mall. And Im like, "No, its not that. Trust me, its not that".' In the programme, Larry also took the opportunity to deny claims that there had been a rift with Anna Nicole's mother, Virgie Arthur. While her American mother - whose rollercoaster life mirrored the tragic circumstances of Anna Nicole's heroine Marilyn Monroe - was no stranger to fame, Dannielynn (pictured with her father Larry in 2014 at the Kentucky Derby) prefers to shy away from the spotlight In May 2021, her father and Anna Nicole's ex Larry Birkhead told TMZ that his 16-year-old daughter (pictured together) has said no to several modelling and acting gigs over the years He said: 'Ive never talked about that before, but I get hurt by that headline. Annas mom has seen Dannielynn, shes seen her a few times. I say that only because I want the story to stop. 'If Annas mom wants to see Dannielynn, she knows how to get a hold of me and she can call me anytime.' Despite her famous mother, Dannielynn has a normal life living in Louisville, Kentucky, where she reportedly enjoys singing and dancing. Three days after Dannielynn was born, Anna Nicoles 20-year-old son from her first marriage, Daniel, died of a drug overdose. Larry said: 'I think she died of a broken heart because of her son. She never recovered.' Anna Nicole was performing in a strip club when she met the elderly oil tycoon J Howard Marshall, and became an instant sensation after featuring on the cover of Playboy and replacing Claudia Schiffer as the model for Guess jeans. She married Marshall in 1994 she was 26 to his 89 and his death a year later sparked a long court battle between Anna Nicole and the Marshall family over the tycoons 1 billion estate. She began dating Larry, a photographer, in 2004, but it wasnt an easy relationship, he admitted in 2013 in the documentary Life After Anna Nicole. She had an entourage and that got in the way sometimes, but I loved her and we talked about marriage. I was just some guy I never thought Id have a chance with Anna Nicole Smith, but we ended up having a child together. American celebrity photographer Larry (pictured with his daughter in 2022), 50, said acting really isn't Dannielynn's 'thing' and admitted she doesn't have a manager or modelling portfolio, preferring to stay out of the limelight However the father-daughter duo make an exception for Janet Jackson concerts, adorable Instagram snaps together shared on Larry's public social media page and the Kentucky Derby To preserve Anna Nicoles status as a sex symbol she insisted they keep their relationship a secret, and she only informed Larry he was to be a father via a text message. But I really wanted to be there at the birth, he said. I pictured myself in the delivery room and I thought the worst thing that could happen was that Id faint. I was so wrong. Without warning, Anna Nicole decamped to the Bahamas with her lawyer, Howard K Stern, and a couple of months later, in September 2006, gave birth to Dannielynn news Larry only learned after paying a subscription fee to access Anna Nicoles website. Id been planning on being there for the birth, and then one day it was just ripped from me. It was puzzling when she took off. I never saw her again, so we didnt have any kind of closure. Larry had become embroiled in a custody battle over Dannielynn after several men came forward claiming to be the father, including Anna Nicoles lawyer Howard K Stern, a previous boyfriend Mark Hatten and, most bizarrely, Zsa Zsa Gabors husband Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, who claimed to have had a ten-year affair with her. It hadnt mattered to me that Anna had wanted to keep our relationship secret, but when I had to prove paternity it became difficult. I only had about 20 pictures of us together but I could have been a fan, anyone. In the end, while Dannielynn was living in the Bahamas with Stern, DNA tests confirmed Larry was the father. I didnt get to see my daughter for months, but Ive got her now and thats all that matters. Though he insists he wants to keep Dannielynn out of the limelight, Larry let her do a photoshoot for Guess jeans like her mother. Dannielynn loves the Guess pictures of Anna, he said, Its like a connection to her. Its not a regular thing though. Dannielynn wore her mother's hat to the Kentucky Derby in 2019. Anna Nicole had worn the hat to the derby in 2004 The annual American horse racing event is a fixed fixture in the pair's calendar and holds a special place in the family's heart as Larry met Anna there in 2004 when she was photographed in a famed pink hat Larry insists that their daughter just wants to be her own person but still takes comparisons to her mother as a compliment despite it getting tiresome at times. Her father also admitted to TMZ that he isn't sure if the offers they have received have to do with her striking resemblance to her mother or the fact that she is actually the daughter of the quintessential blonde bombshell but they are being turned down regardless. Larry said Dannielynn is more concerned with getting her homework done than fame as she has an interest in art, animation, and drawing. She did previously show acting chops, according to her father, but ultimately decided to not pursue it. However, the door isn't completely closed on acting as Larry told the publication that she would definitely take a role on Stranger Things or The Mandalorian. Safiya was meant to graduate the day the Taliban took power. Her family were due at Afghanistans top business university for a ceremony at the restored Darul Aman Palace near the capital, Kabul. At 22 years old, she was a symbol of Afghanistans progression highly educated and about to start her own business. We were so excited, Safiya, now 24, tells me. My two best friends and I planned to wear matching pink suits under our gowns for the graduation. She was one of 30 females on her business administration course, outnumbered by men but evidence the country was opening up to women, albeit slowly. A degree from Kardan University, which two years earlier had got the countrys top rating, was a guarantee of success. But instead of collecting her honours in a mortarboard and gown on 15 August 2021, Safiya was peeking through her bedroom window watching people running towards the airport to escape the Taliban. An hour and a half after her graduation ceremony was due to start, she saw the Taliban marching down her street waving their white flags with the Islamic Shahada declaration of Muslim faith inscribed on it. Women queueing for food handouts in Herat. Alex Crawford looks into how the Taliban are virtually erasing women from public life The Taliban flag was soon everywhere not the traditional symbol of surrender but the inverse of the Islamic State flag (black with the same inscription in white). It was a visual declaration of dramatic change for the country after two decades of international occupation. For Safiya and all Afghan women life had irrevocably altered. It meant the end of studying, of working, of careers, of having choices, of having a voice. There were ten Taliban Rangers [pickup trucks] and Taliban in each vehicle waving flags with rockets on their shoulders, she says. I was terrified and shut the window. My brother came home and told us that our neighbour, an Afghan army general, had told him the Taliban had taken Afghanistan and he was leaving to go to the airport. By the afternoon of what was meant to be a celebration, the Taliban was knocking on the familys front door, looking for the army general. The Taliban had seized power and now they wanted revenge. When they couldnt find the general, they demanded food from Safiyas family. Rockets on shoulders can be very persuasive. They took our country, our dreams and our goals. They can force us to marry them too But worse was to come for the houseful of mainly young women. Safiyas father had died years earlier and the family was headed by their mother who was a girls school headmistress. The Taliban had noticed young women in the house and hours later they returned wanting more than just food. They said they were ten unmarried men, Safiya recalls, and my brother had a duty to give his sisters to them for marriage. My brother lied to make them go away. Then my mother called my uncle and asked him to help us. As the senior male in the household, Safiyas uncle was taken more seriously by the young Taliban fighters and was able to ward off the persistent demands. I cant bear to think about that, Safiya says. I know by the way they took our country, our dreams and our goals, they can force me to marry them too. But I would rather die than marry a Taliban fighter. Safiya and all other Afghan women are being erased from public life. Theyre barred from education above year six. Theyre banned from working, apart from some medics. Theyre mostly prevented from working for international aid agencies (NGOs), where much of the workforce is female, and prevented from travelling without a male chaperone. Theyre told to wear a hijab in public. Every aspect of life you can think of is severely restricted for the female Afghan. I first met Safiya when she approached a member of my team as we were filming a Taliban checkpoint near her home, a week or so after the Taliban entered Kabul. She was half bent with terror, crouching low trying not to be spotted talking to us by the Taliban gunmen nearby as she gestured to my colleague Chris for help. I saw you filming and I was so scared, but I thought I had to try to tell you about what is happening to my family, to Afghanistan, she says. Alex talking to Marwa, who escaped to the UK in 2021 and now lives in Manchester. She tells Alex how she wants to get her degree and go back home to help women Today Safiya, who Ive stayed in contact with since we met, is virtually paralysed after the taxi she was in was stopped at a Taliban checkpoint and deliberately rammed by a Taliban truck. The impact was catastrophic. An X-ray shows she has a bulge in her L4 and L5 discs pressing against her spinal cord causing sharp and constant pain. She needs immediate physiotherapy and probably surgery. Yet her family are forced to move home regularly, abandoned by the international community who told them they were being empowered, then after the takeover left them to be hunted by the Taliban who regard them as enemy collaborators. The Taliban have taken everything away from us our lives, our dreams, our hope, she told me when we met towards the end of last year. We talk every few days through WhatsApp, phone and emails, and on that occasion, I had arranged for her to travel with her uncle as chaperone to a safe house in Kabul, where we could speak. Safiya, the youngest daughter, has three elder sisters and two brothers. Her father worked in the former government and together with their headmistress mother, they were respected community figures. Two of her sisters are defence lawyers, the third worked for international charities, running female empowerment workshops. Her older brother is a doctor and the younger a musician. None has worked since the Taliban took power. Her younger brother was arrested for spreading music. One of her sisters, whos also an artist, had her studio smashed up by Taliban who deemed her paintings un-Islamic. Teenage girls being taught at a secret school in Afghanistan, part of a growing network that has sprung up since the ban Safiya tried to collect her degree certificate but nearly paid for it with her life. She was stopped entering the university by a Taliban gunman. He judged that her hijab showed too much hair. He pointed his gun at my forehead and shouted at me to cover my hair, Safiya says, her voice still trembling. I was so scared. My mother sorted my hair but we were too frightened to do anything else. My mother said, Your certificate is not worth your life. Since then, Ive been too frightened to return. This is what life is like for women in Afghanistan. Its not really a life, one of her sisters tells me. When I was there with my team recently, it felt like the country was a dystopian nightmare considered too outlandish for any novel. There were pockets of optimism, but these have been extinguished now university education is also off-limits. We filmed at one of the few female-only universities left. But that too has since closed. I was pregnant with my fourth child when I first reported on Afghanistan two decades ago, I remember talking to Taliban officials with my baby daughter growing inside me as they avoided looking me in the eye and refused questions directly from me. They insisted on my question (in English) being repeated by a male colleague (in English) before replying through the accompanying man (in English) who then repeated the answer (in English) to me. That baby is now a 20-year-old university student, not much younger than Safiya but with a starkly different life afforded to her by dint of her passport. Throughout my daughters life, I have reported on the Afghanistan tragedy and the horrendous events in a country culturally rich, geographically beautiful and with bountiful natural riches such as copper, gold and gemstones. Afghanistan has vast untapped resources which could explain the desire to conquer it by a string of countries. But surely one of its biggest assets is its women now largely hidden, beaten and cowed into silence. He pointed the gun at my forehead and shouted at me to cover my hair In the summer of 2021, I met 20-year-old Marwa in the weeks leading up to the Taliban takeover. I was with my crew filming in a female-run cafe in Kabul. It was crowded with men and women sharing tables unheard of under the current regime. Marwa was friendly and willing to talk about her fears of the Taliban taking over even as most of the country including her were in denial. Shed studied in India and was an activist. She wanted to learn more and was dreaming big. Within weeks, she was one of those running to the airport as Safiya looked from her window. I remember telling Marwa not to go but she went anyway, sending me videos and voice notes from the airport crush as she begged to get on the evacuation flights. There was a small opportunity to escape and her family somehow made it. Shes been living in a British hotel room ever since, first near Leeds and now Manchester, where I track her down. Shes still waiting to be allocated a house, misses her homeland and is riddled with guilt at getting on a plane and leaving behind everyone and everything she knows. I want to finish my degree, says Marwa, to go back to Afghanistan and rebuild it and help the women there. I miss my country. I miss my friends. I miss the food. Shes reluctant to say anything that might be construed as criticism because she appreciates the lifeline shes been given. I know Im lucky, she says. Here you can be anything you want. The belief is that everyone has the ability to do something. But I cant sleep thinking about my friends and whats happening in Afghanistan. We still have hope. They cannot take that away from us. But its difficult. Hope is swiftly fading for Safiya though. We are losing all hope, she says. Since I was injured, Ive felt so depressed. We dont go out and even when my brother goes to get food, he wears dark glasses and a mask. One of my sisters has tried to take her own life. We are all very scared. A grieving widow will mark Mother's Day with a charity walk for her daughter who suffered seizures brought on by grief after her father died. Faye Smith, from Sheffield, lost her daughter Gabi in 2013, exactly two years to the day her husband took his own life. Doctors believe the seizure, which killed her as she took a bath, was triggered by the stress of losing her father. The mum-of-two, 56, is now planning a memorial walk this Mother's Day weekend in her daughter's memory and says walking has offered her solace and support during her grief. The walk will take in some of Gabi's favourite spots, and it is the last walk she ever did with her mum and brother Zach, now 26, just six days before her passing. Faye Smith, from Sheffield, with her daughter Gabi, who died aged 12, and her son Zach, now 26 Faye Smith, from Sheffield, will mark Mother's Day with a charity walk for her daughter who suffered seizures brought on by grief after her father died Faye, who has formed the Hope Walking group, said: 'Gabi loved to walk, she loved the outdoors, just like me. 'Walking has become my therapy over the years and on the tenth anniversary of losing Gabi, we will walk and remember her with love.' Gabi's world was shattered when her 47-year old father took his own life after struggling with alcohol addiction. Around a year later, aged 11, she suffered a severe seizure, out of the blue. Faye said: 'We were driving home one night after dropping her brother, Zach, off at a birthday party and she suddenly shot back in the car seat and collapsed forward onto the dashboard. 'Her lips were blue, and her eyes were rolling back. I rushed her to hospital, and for a while they thought it might be epilepsy. 'But tests suggested it was something called non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD). It's rare and doctors said it was probably triggered by the trauma of her dad's death.' There is no cure for the disorder but Gabi responded well to therapy and she worked through her grief, began making friends again, and Faye felt she was returning to the bright, happy, child she had been before her trauma On March 16 2013, on the second anniversary of her father's death, Gabi (left) drowned in the bath, on what started as a normal Saturday morning Tests suggested Gabi had something called non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD) which is a rare condition and doctors said it was probably triggered by the trauma of her dad's death There is no cure for the disorder but Gabi responded well to therapy. She worked through her grief, began making friends again, and Faye felt she was returning to the bright, happy, child she had been before her trauma. But on March 16 2013, on the second anniversary of her father's death, Gabi drowned in the bath, on what started as a normal Saturday morning. Faye said: 'Gabi hadn't come out of the bathroom so I banged on the door. When she didn't reply, I broke the door down. We tried to revive her, and she was rushed to hospital, but it was too late.' Faye said: 'Nothing can prepare you for the death of a child or ease the pain. But I wanted to honour Gabi's memory.' In 2016, Faye took a solo trip around Australia. It was a trip she had promised Gabi they would do together and she took Gabi's teddy bear, Fudge, along with her. Faye, who has formed the Hope Walking group, said Gabi 'loved to walk' and it has 'become therapy over the years' On the tenth anniversary of losing Gabi, the group will walk and remember her with love Faye is planning a walk from Ashford in the Water to Bakewell and back round the Monsal Trail, which was a favourite of Gabi's and the last walk she ever did with her mum and brother just six days before she died She said: 'Gabi and I used to talk about all the animals we wanted to see, so I was ticking those off as I went. I saw an echidna, a kangaroo, a wallaby, a Tasmanian devil, all in the wild. 'And each time, I was saying ''Gabi look, I've seen it!''. I believe she knew I was doing it all for her.' Faye, who runs communications agency Keep Your Fork, returned to Sheffield feeling energised and positive, already making more plans in Gabi's memory. This coming Mother's Day weekend will mark 10 years since Gabi's death. In 2016, Faye took a solo trip around Australia. It was a trip she had promised Gabi they would do together and she took Gabi's teddy bear, Fudge, along with her Faye travelled around Australia in her daughter's memory and saw all of the thing they had planned to see together Walking has become an important part of Faye's life and over the years different women friends have joined her What is non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD)? Non-epileptic seizures can look and feel like seizures caused by epilepsy. However they are not actually caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, like epileptic seizures. Non-epileptic attacks happen when the brain is unable to control specific thoughts, memories, emotions or sensations. This could relate to a stress or trauma that has occurred. Symptoms include: People lose control of their body Shaking or other movements of arms and legs Blacking out Unresponsive Change in breathing Source: The Brain Charity Advertisement Faye is planning a walk from Ashford in the Water to Bakewell and back round the Monsal Trail, which was a favourite of Gabi's and the last walk she ever did with her mum and brother just six days before she died. It is being organised with the help of the Sheffield 40s Ramblers Group, which Faye joined four years ago to help with her recovery. The group is fundraising for the England Coast Path Appeal. Faye said: 'Over the years, and the challenges I have faced, walking has helped me to heal and to grow. 'It has become such an important part of my life, a form of therapy, and over the years different women friends have joined me; some are walking to get through a bereavement or a divorce, menopause or health issues. Some have empty nests and time on their hands. 'Gabi loved to walk and I will be thinking of her every step of the way, giving me hope, strength and a new belief in myself.' Take a good look around your friendship group is there that one friend that laughs just a little too hard at your partner's jokes? Ever caught her glancing at him a little too long? Ever recognised a shared inside joke they have or catch a hint of flirting. I'm telling you right now it's not the sexy secretary at his work you need to keep an eye on, it's your best friend! Trust me, I speak from experience, and I've been the victim and (shamefully) the villain in this scenario. You see I'm a massive flirt. I can't help it, seriously - I would flirt with a chair if it let me. It's simply in my DNA. The problem with being a flirt by nature is it can get you in some tricky situations. So I recognise how some friendship groups might find themselves in a spot of bother when one partnered up flirt meets a fellow partnered up flirt. I'm not excusing it, but I can see how it happens. Take a good look around your friendship group is there that one friend that laughs just a little too hard at your partner's jokes? Ever caught her glancing at him a little too long? Last week, Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix (right) discovered her boyfriend Tom Sandoval's affair upon finding an intimate FaceTime video on Tom's phone between him and friend Raquel Leviss, causing the two to split on March 3 And confession, most of us fellow-flirters will do it harmlessly throughout our day, like with the person who makes our coffee, or the guy at the bar, but we justify it by thinking well it doesn't really matter because I'm never going to see them again. But what happens when that flirting reaches your friendship group? From my experience, it's very dangerous to flirt with someone you are going to see on a fairly regular, and intimate basis. It starts as a cheeky flirt at a friends BBQ, but then it happens again at a birthday party, and before you know it, you've gone out with your bestie and her partner for a boozy dinner and you're exchanging foggy glances over the chardonnay bottle. We see it play out time and time again. I had one friend discover her husband was cheating with her best friend when he forgot they had the baby monitor set up in their kitchen, and he took the bestie up to the kids room for a heavy make out session. Yep, all that grunting, groaning and heavy breathing was broadcast straight into the kitchen where both their significant others were sitting. Idiots. An insider close to Leviss (pictured) expressed, 'Raquel has left Los Angeles and gone home to be with her family. She knows she hurt Ariana, but doesn't know how to say she's sorry' 'Viewers are treating it like the biggest scandal in the world but take a good hard look in your own friendship circle and I think you will find it's played out in some form in your own life,' Jana says These friendship catch ups are all designed to bond. The lunches, the family trips away, the birthday parties. Add a little booze to the situation and a harmless bit of unintentional flirting can lead to a cheeky affair and a big ol' heartbreak before you can even mutter 'oopsy daisy!'. We're seeing this very scenario play out on Vanderpump Rules at the moment. In case you're not an avid viewer like myself, there is a couple called Tom and Ariana, who have been dating for 10 years, but a recent episode revealed that Ariana had found a raunchy video of Tom with her BEST FRIEND (!!!) Raquel getting up to all kinds of sexiness. Viewers are treating it like the biggest scandal in the world but take a good hard look in your own friendship circle and I think you will find it's played out in some form in your own life. I once went out with a very naughty bloke who found himself in weekend detention (aka prison). I was at university and campus was two hours away which meant I couldn't pick him up every Sunday when he was released. (I know, romantic right!). The Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal: How it played out It was revealed that castmates Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss were allegedly having a 'full-on affair' for months, leading up to his split from Ariana Madix, Raquel's close friend. The cheating scandal broke as it was revealed Sandoval and Ariana split after it emerged he had been 'hooking up' with Raquel, DailyMail.com has confirmed. Leviss and Sandoval 'have been communicating inappropriately for months' according to a source who spoke with Page Six, and now 'want to be together.' Madix - who dated Sandoval for nine years - is said to have found out about the alleged cheating with Leviss on Wednesday, ending their nine-year romance shortly afterwards. Split: Last week it was revealed that Sandoval and Leviss were allegedly having a 'full-on affair' for months, leading up to his split from Madix; Sandoval and Madix pictured Feb 2023 A source also informed Page Six that Sandoval and Leviss had been meaning to inform Madix about the affair 'for weeks.' They waited so long, though, that Madix wound up discovering their secret herself Wednesday night when she saw Leviss' texts on Sandoval's phone. Madix unfollowed Sandoval and Leviss on Instagram after learning about their months-long affair. She also unfollowed Schwartz, who allegedly found out about his pal's cheating 'a month ago.' Sandoval, who is also business partners with Schwartz, wrote on his Instagram that his costar only learned of his infidelity 'very recently' and 'did not condone' his actions. Messy: Madix unfollowed Sandoval and Leviss on Instagram followings news of the affair. She also unfollowed Schwartz, who allegedly learned about it 'a month ago'; Leviss pictured 2022 Advertisement Anyway, back then one of our mutual friends had a car and offered to give him a lift. Something deep inside me thought this was a little suss, I mean surely she has better things to do with her time then pick him up every Sunday, but I ignored the red flag and let it play out. A couple of months later, after sharing regular intimate car rides with him, another friend called to say she had spotted them at McDonald's making out in a booth. Well blow me over with a feather! I was heartbroken, but deep down not surprised. Why, because your gut is never wrong! I had watched their slow attraction build. The inside jokes, the lusty glances. These car trips had brought them close and in a nudie rudie way I was not happy with! Now you may think this is a one-off event that happens very rarely, but according to research from the University of Colorado Boulder's Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Americans who admit to having extramarital sex most likely cheat with a close friend. Yep! Just over half (53.5 per cent) of those reporting extramarital sex said they were unfaithful with someone they knew well, such as a close friend. The reasoning behind this high statistic was because the two cheeky cheaters had already built up inherent qualities with each other, including emotional intimacy, closeness, friendship, and support. So there you go. If you think your partner is getting a little too close with your bestie stay alert. It's a jungle out there! Side note: is nobody loyal anymore? Saira Khan, 52, was a contestant on the first series of The Apprentice. Since then shes appeared in a number of reality shows and, in 2016, launched her organic skincare brand, SairaSkin. She lives in Oxford with her husband, Steve, and their children Zac, 14, and Amara, 12. Women have to be assertive to succeed I grew up in a culture where the way you look - your hair, your clothes - is a symbol of your honour, your femininity, your self-respect, your modesty. If you start being a bit edgy, a bit different, people look at you in a certain way. Its frowned upon, you get criticised. People will even say you look ugly. And, for a lot of my life, I tried to be a people pleaser. But as Ive got older, its all about being happy in my own skin. I grew up in a culture where the way you look - your hair, your clothes - is a symbol of your honour, your femininity, your self-respect, your modesty Back in 2004, before I went on the first season of The Apprentice, I remember going to my hairdresser and saying I wanted something short and impactful and I ended up with these bright red curls that I hated. But I had to tell myself: This isnt about my hair. This is about my aptitude and my talent. These days I enjoy being adventurous with my hair but I realised then your confidence doesnt come from what you look like, it comes from how you feel inside. And being on that show made me feel that, as a woman, its OK to have an opinion and be assertive, to want to succeed and to make money. But I also realised that not everyone wants women to be like that. So I was also having to deal with the backlash. And that was pretty tough. Sometimes that means making changes. I dont have to prove myself to people who arent important to me. I dont think you can ever live your life until you dont care what those people think I came off Twitter because it was giving me anxiety and making me feel depressed. But I love Instagram and TikTok. Social media has been fundamental to the success of my skincare business SairaSkin. Im 53 this year and I feel like Im living my best life because Ive talked about a lot of the skeletons in my cupboard my endometriosis and IVF, the fact I was abused when I was young, the difficulties of being an Asian woman and a British Asian woman. I dont have to prove myself to people who arent important to me. I dont think you can ever live your life until you dont care what those people think. Two years ago I lost my mother, on the eve of her 96th birthday. Still sharp as a tack, she was doing the crossword until her final days and remained firmly in possession of the sense of humour and relentless curiosity which had defined her. Like anyone suffering such a loss, I will feel her absence all the more acutely this Mothering Sunday. Betty OConnell was an extraordinary, determined woman. She had raised three children as a single mother after my father died when she was 51. Her resilience influenced who I am today. We underestimate our mothers at our peril. They have much to teach us, if only well listen. As the generation which came before us, their experiences are a precious social history. The small battles they fought made us who we are. And today too late, after her death I am learning more about the woman who raised me than I could have imagined. Like anyone suffering such a loss, I will feel my mother Betty's absence all the more acutely this Mothering Sunday Mum, like many of her generation, had extraordinary secrets. She was one of the famous Bletchley Park codebreaker girls, despatched as a wartime teenager from the family home in Coventry to Buckinghamshire. As a member of the Womens Royal Naval Service (WRNS for short, but better known as the Wrens), she signed the Official Secrets Act and never disclosed much of what went on behind those famous gates to anyone. Not even to my father, a Royal Marine who led a commando unit during the D-Day landings. If anyone asked, she blamed her fading memory for her inability to recall the events of those days. I wish I could remember the details of it all, shed say. But what she had also forgotten was that she had kept a diary. My brother found it, stashed in a box in her attic with some old letters, while going through her things last summer. Bound in brown crocodile leather, it held a time capsule. The gilt-lined pages were filled with rows of her distinctive, elegant handwriting, the entries dating from November 1944 to January 1946. She describes the gruelling eight-hour shifts at Bletchley including overnight to operate the code-breaking machines, the dispiriting lack of men at the local dances and the films she loved to watch. Finding it now is bittersweet. How I wish Id been able to talk to her about those days in more detail. Ten thousand people worked at Bletchley Park, the hub for Britains military code-breaking operation during the war. The vast majority, 8,000 in all, were women. They deciphered secret communications from the Axis powers and broke codes from the German Enigma and Lorenz machines, using counter-devices developed by the British the Bombe and the Colossus. Many were billeted to the stately homes nearby Mum to Woburn Abbey. Her dormitory, Rodney Nine, became the subject of a poem, written as she sat on one of the Abbeys enormous lavatories. Tis my intent to compose a rhyme/Dedicated to Rodney Nine/To Ronnie, Pam, Jean and Joy/ Bar and Nan whom oft I annoy/Rene the mother of us all/Ready to answer every call. Rene was Irene Dixon, and she and Mum were known as the Morecambe and Wise of the Wrens. The ditty appears to confirm a rumour that the WRNS would sunbathe naked on the Abbey roof. As Mum also wrote: Jean is her name, and her suntan is proof/Of the browning power of the Abbey roof. She also wrote often of the local dances they frequented known as hops. She rated them according to the ratio of men to women, and noted a dislike for the Yanks, as she called the American soldiers. At one, in March 1945, shed met a Polish RAF officer called Michael. He was extremely nice I enjoyed myself very much, she wrote. Mum later describes waiting by the phone for him to call and heads off for liaisons he cannot, in the end, make. She admits to being thoroughly depressed by thwarted attempts to see him. But they did meet again. An entry records that shed had to work hard to get a pair of suitable stockings for the occasion. On arriving into Bedford by train, her hat had blown off in the wind and shed had to borrow his coat to stay warm. She never forgot him. When I went to Poland on holiday a few years ago, Mum hoped I might track him down. She still had the embroidered leaves from the uniform of a captured German officer that Michael had given her. Those years werent all fun. There was boredom and sadness at the relentlessness of war. Mum recounts how terribly tired she was and how she hated Bletchleys night shifts. They had to feed a tape through various wheels on the Colossus machine, standing upright the entire time. She desperately wanted the war to be over. But when that moment came those at Bletchley were told two days before Churchill officially announced the ceasefire to the nation it felt flat, she recalls. A message came to us at work that war was over, she wrote. Everyone went mad literally mad. But no news bulletin confirmed it and everything became very flat. Mum had once hinted, just before she died, about being among the VE Day crowds in front of Buckingham Palace. I didnt believe her. But she describes in the diary the pure joy of the celebrations. After the war, she returned to the diary only twice. In January 1946, she documents the death of her brother, David, who had been in the RAF but was killed in a plane crash before being demobbed. Never again will my whole being be alive and happy, she wrote. With David, part of me has died forever. The final entry is another romantic lament. A man had dumped her and had written a letter in which he said: I hope you find someone else. She was very angry about it. And, curiously, because I know who he is although I wont name him here Im aware she met him once a year, in a pub, for the rest of her life. Some flames never die. Mum went on to marry my father, Guy OConnell, who died when I was 11. She never remarried, using her shorthand skills to become a secretary and hotel receptionist. And she never forgot her days at Bletchley. She went back, several times, for reunions and events. She and Rene Dixon reconnected and had another ten years of friendship later in life. I once watched as they were invited to see, for the first time, the Lorenz Schlussel-Zusatz machine that had defined their early lives. The size of a car engine, it made German troop movements and messages between the High Command vanish into smoke. But the team at Bletchley had cracked its code. That day, Betty and Rene had held each other by the arm and squinted at it. It seemed to haunt the room. Clearly, it had haunted this pair, too. Mum could not have foreseen that the diarys first readers would be her children, nearly 70 years into the future a very different time. How I wish we could talk about it now. Treasure your mother today, talk about the past. We can all, as I have, learn from our mothers. Paddy OConnells fee for this article has been donated to The National Museum of Computing at Bletchley. Princess Eugenie has shared an unseen photo of her son August for Mother's Day - as Sarah Ferguson lovingly described her daughters as her 'sunshine'. This afternoon, Eugenie, 32, posted a photo of her and her two-year-old enjoying a walk in a frosty field on her Instagram. The royal - who is expecting her second child later this year - was pictured walking hand-in-hand with her son. While the soon-to-be mother-of-two was wrapped up warm in a black coat in the undated photo, her son looked adorable in a cream cable-knit jumper and trousers. The doting mother then went on to address her toddler in the caption of the post. Princess Eugenie - who is expecting her second child later this year - posted a photo of her and her two-year-old son August in a frosty field to mark Mother's Day The soon-to-be mother-of-two told her son August that she 'loves being [his] Mumma' in a gushing Instagram post She wrote: 'I love being your Mumma! Happy Mother's Day! Xx.' The post amassed over 12,000 'likes' just minutes after it was shared this afternoon - prompting Zac Posen - who designed her wedding reception dress - to leave a flurry of love heart emojis in the comments. 'Beautiful picture, one fan replied. 'Happy Mothers Day to all! Another added: 'Beautiful pic and August Philip is so adorable!' Earlier today, Sarah Ferguson paid tribute to her both her daughters in a gushing Mother's Day post. The Duchess of York, 63, lovingly referred to Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 32, as her 'sunshine' on Instagram. The proud mother shared a throwback photo of her daughters arriving at their late grandfather Prince Philip's 80th birthday celebrations in Windsor in 2001. She wrote: 'Im so proud of my girls and the beautiful women and mothers they have grown up to be. I feel extremely blessed to call them mine. Sarah Ferguson 63, talked of how proud she was of Princess Beatrice, 34, and Princess Eugenie, 32, in an Instagram post. She shared a snap of the two princesses taken in 2001, on their way to a service to mark the late Duke of Edinburgh's 80th birthday in Windsor The royal author called Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice her 'sunshine always and forever' in the sweet post 'My darlings, you are my sunshine always & forever. #happymothersday.' Eugenie - who was 11 at the time of her grandfather's 80th - wore an all-lime green outfit with dress and jacket with a small green leather clutch, while her elder sister - who was 13 - wore a similar outfit in pink. Fergie's daughters will likely both be marking Mother's Day with their own children today. Eugenie, who lives between the UK and Portugal with her husband Jack Brooksbank, welcomed her son August on February 9 2021. In late January, the royal announced she is expecting her second child, due to be born later this year. Meanwhile, Beatrice and her husband Edo Mappeli Mozzi are the proud parents of one daughter, Sienna, born in September 2021. The couple also co-parent Edo's son Wolfie, six, with his ex-partner Dara Huang. Royal fans shared their best-wishes for Mother's Day with the Duchess of York after she shared her feelings on the platform. The royal, who is commonly known as Fergie, talked of how proud she is of the women and mothers her daughters have become Royal fans shared their well-wishes with Sarah and her family after she shared the Mother's Day post 'You have been an inspirational mother,' one said. 'Youve really done an amazing job raising such wonderful down to earth women. You should be so proud,' another wrote. A third said: 'Wishing you and your girls, a very happy Mother's Day.' In the early hours of this morning, King Charles marked first Mother's Day without The Queen by sharing poignant childhood photo with his 'beloved Mama'. The monarch, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, showed their support for others who have lost parents on their Instagram account this morning. Charles and Camilla captioned the post: 'To all mothers everywhere, and to those who may be missing their mums today, we are thinking of you and wishing you a special Mother's Day.' The post has amassed over 240,000 'likes' since it was uploaded in the early hours of this morning A man has revealed how he discovered a 400-year-old mural hiding in plain sight on a wall in his flat. Dr Luke Budworth, 29, was shocked to uncover a series of friezes at his home in Micklegate, North Yorkshire. Earlier this year, the medical researcher - who works at Leeds University - welcomed builders into his home to have a new kitchen fitted. While working in the property, the team discovered the first piece of the painting -which features scenes from a 1635 book called Emblems written by poet Francis Quarles. Luke explained: 'The first people to originally find it were the kitchen fitters who saw it under my kitchen cupboard. Dr Luke Budworth, 29, pictured with the 400-year-old painting in his flat in Micklegate, North Yorkshire 'When they found it, I know there was a parallel piece of wood on the other side of the chimney that could have the same thing. 'I never thought anything of it before, I thought there were pipes behind it.' Explaining how the mural had been hiding in plain sight for years, he continued: 'We always knew there was an odd piece of the wall but just thought the flat was really wonky as it's been a million different things over the years.' The history buff, who is originally from Cheshire, says he was originally drawn to Yorkshire due to its cultural significance. After discovering a piece of history in his own home, Luke says he couldn't help but start ripping away the layers wallpaper to uncover more of the 17th century painting. He continued: 'At first I thought it was old Victorian wallpaper, but soon I could see it was actually drawn onto the wall of the building next door - so it's older than this building itself. 'It's estimated that it's from around the 1660s, so the civil war era. 'It's bonkers to think that it was here before things like the great fire of London and things like that.' Dr Budworth is now hoping to secure funding for conservation work to be carried out on the painting The mural features scenes from a 1635 book called Emblems written by poet Francis Quarles (pictured) After uncovering all of the friezes in his flat, Luke is now hoping to secure funding for conservation work to be carried out on the painting and help discover more about the social history of the area. He continued: 'I'm very excited to have found them and loving them, but they're also kind of a burden. From what I gather, there's no external funding and conservation fees are thousands of pounds. 'I've covered them up for now so direct sunlight doesn't hit them and make them lose their colour.' Until then, he currently has a replica of the historical piece of artwork on display in his home study. Luke added: 'We've printed off a high-res version of them and put the replica on top to cover them up. Until he secures the funding, Dr Budworth has put the mural on display in his home office and covered it with a replica of the painting so light doesn't damage it Historic England said the painting was an 'exciting rediscovery' and said Luke's mural was of 'special interest' 'Hopefully we can get the word out and see if any societies or PhD students want to do some experimental conservation projects. 'I also hope that this inspires other people on Micklegate start looking at their own walls suspiciously.' Historic England's senior architectural investigator for the north region, said Luke's friezes are an 'exciting rediscovery'. 'We think they are of national significance and in the context of York, where domestic wall paintings are quite rare, they are of special interest,' he said. A spokesman for Historic England said: 'We think they are of national significance and in the context of York, where domestic wall paintings are quite rare, they are of special interest.' Students at St Andrews University shared behind-the-scenes clips from the set of the final season of The Crown. Filming for the sixth series is currently underway at the Prince and Princess of Wales' old university - where they met as students in 2001. Videos shared on TikTok show Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey - who have been cast as Kate Middleton and Prince William - filming scenes on the historic campus, which dates back to the 15th century. One viral clip shows Meg holding hands with model and actor Oli Green, who appears to have been cast as one of Kate's former flames. Before the Prince and Princess of Wales became an item, Kate was believed to be dating fourth-year law student Rupert Finch. The 15-second clip - which was filmed by a student - shows Meg dressed in a navy jacket, khaki skirt and brown knee-high boots while her love interest is preppy in a checked jumper and jeans. The scene opens with Kate gazing at her love interest before they then walk into one of the university buildings. As they leave campus, the actress playing Kate acknowledges William - who is passing past them - with a smile. After walking through an old gate, William then turns around and gazes at Kate - which prompted their live audience to gasp from where they were watching. Predicting his next move, a student is heard yelling: 'He's going to run back, he's going to run back! The video ends with students cheering as McVey dashes after his co-stars. Impressed with the casting of the show, the student captioned her video: 'Will and Kate DUPE.' In a follow-up video, the student claimed they were holding up a sign for Meg which read: 'Go girlie!' Excited St Andrews University students have caught a glimpse of Meg Bellamy, left, and Ed McVey, right, who play young Prince and Princess of Wales, filming around their campus After spotting the sign, the actress beamed at the crown and fist-bumped the air in between takes. The student gushed: 'Also - the actors are actually so sweet too.' Filming from their classrooms, halls and bedrooms, St Andrews' locals revealed how they spotted Dominic West, who plays a middle-aged King Charles in the series, McVey and Bellamy in the streets of their town. Students currently at St Andrews have joked that it feels like they have had an exclusive first look at The Crown's upcoming series, because so many films have been recorded on their campus. 'We've all basically watched the new season thanks to the students at this point,' one joked. 'You think that, that girl, that no one knows right now, is going to be massively famous in a few months,' another observed about Meg Bellamy. McVey, Bellamy, accompanied by actor and model Oli Green, right, have been spotted filming all over campus Students filmed as camera rolled, commenting enthusiastically on the action unfolding below them People have commented on how 'sweet' Meg, who plays Kate Middleton, has been to students, and shared a clip of their interaction 'I have seen so many St Andrews Crown clips that I have basically seen season six.' one joked. Meanwhile, some noted how Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of the new Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, is currently studying at St Andrews, and must be aware of the show filming. 'I find it quite hilarious that Prince William's cousin Lady Louise attends this Uni while they're filming the Crown aka a Show that is about her family,' one said. While some reportedly begged Netflix to let them be extras on the show - with some claiming the job pays 250 a day - others moaned that filming could get in the way of their studies, and one even revealed she was paid 50 by the crew to let them film from her student room. Students currently at St Andrews have joked that it feels like they have had an exclusive first look at The Crown's upcoming series, because so many films have been recorded on their campus The film crew have been spotted all over the town in recent days, from the local harbour to a pizza restaurant where the character of Kate was working as a waitress. Many students have shared their own videos of the set on social media, with one captioning her post: 'Watch the Crown be filmed on my university campus.' Another shared a video of Dominic West and Ed McVey filming Prince William's first day at the university with the caption: 'You wake up to The Crown season six outside your flat.' One person even managed to get close to set while Ed McVey entered the university's library, with many remarking how much the young actor, 22, looks like a teenage William. And another student revealed she was offered 50 from the crew to let them set up a camera in her bedroom to capture one of the scenes on the university grounds. 'If the lighting is looking extra good in season 6 of The Crown just know it was coming from my bedroom,' the student revealed. Meg Bellamy, 19, was pictured filming scenes in an Italian restaurant in St Andrews last week. She was seen in a red shirt and waistcoat READ MORE: How does Meg match up to being a Middleton? The VERY striking similarities between actress portraying Kate and the future Queen Advertisement Meanwhile, eager students recreated scenes from the third series of the show, asking Netflix to hire them, while others claim that being an extra on the show could help them earn 250 for a day's work. But while many enjoyed the Crown-mania taking over their university halls and town, not everyone welcomed their facilities being booked for filming. 'Imagine just trying to study or finish an essay and The Crown blocks off the library. I would cry,' one said. 'Filming and construction in the library when exams are in a month! Lucky us,' another said. 'Trying to get to class in sallies and fighting off camera crew is insane,' another student noted. It was during his time at St Andrews that Prince William met and fell in love with fellow student Kate Middleton, now the Princess of Wales. They became friends in their first year before romance blossomed after William saw 'hot' Kate strut down a charity fashion show catwalk in a sheer dress. They graduated in 2005 and William proposed five years later. Meg's rise is set to be meteoric after she was plucked from obscurity to play the Princess of Wales when she submitted a self-taped audition to the makers of the show after seeing the role advertised on social media. Announcing the casting on Instagram last September, she wrote: 'Pinch me please... So excited to announce that I will be playing Kate Middleton in Series 6 of Netflix's The Crown. 'It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew and I will strive to do Kate justice.' A 12-year-old girl has been accepted into Mensa after an intelligence test revealed she has a higher IQ than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Anwita Patil, from Sale, Greater Manchester, achieved a score of 162, the highest possible score in her age category, placing her above the scientists who are believed to have had an IQ of around 160. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, Anwita's parents said they had been amazed by their daughter's natural intelligence growing up. Her mother Anu, who has a PhD in Mathematics, said: 'We used to do maths challenges together, but sometimes I didnt get the answer and (Anwita) would. 'She thinks completely differently, and this is for things that arent taught in school.' Anwita Patil, 12, from Sale, was accepted into Mensa after an intelligence test revealed she has a higher IQ than Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking Anwita sat two tests when she was 11 which analysed her linguistic ability and lateral thinking as well as her visual and spatial awareness. After achieving a maximum score in one of the tests, she qualified to join Mensa, the largest and oldest high-IQ society in the world, which only accepts those who can prove they have an IQ in the top two per cent of the population. Her mother and her father, Jay, an NHS consultant, said they were not surprised that their young daughter qualified for membership but had no idea she would pass with the highest possible score. But the child genius does not spend all her time solving maths problems and enjoys playing piano as well as learning Bharatanatyam - a classical Indian dance form. She celebrated her astounding results by having a gathering with friends and family shortly after she turned 12. Jay explained that his daughter, a pupil at Withington Girls' School, wants to use her intelligence to help solve global issues. He explained: 'Anwita is quite fascinated by the practical applications of maths in various subjects be it science, engineering or computers. 'Anwita hopes that she will help solve societal challenges using her skills and experience when she grows up.' The schoolgirl, who was 11 at the time of taking the test, scored 162 while Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking are believed to have an IQ of around 160 Her parents took her for an intelligence test after she was getting maths problems correct that her mother, who has a PhD in the subject, could not answer She will now join 18,000 other members of Mensa in the UK and Ireland, which aims to provide a 'stimulating intellectual and social environment for its members.' Founded in 1946 in Oxford by Lancelot Lionel Ware, a scientist and lawyer, and Roland Berrill, an Australian barrister, the organisation encourages those with lively minds to interact with each other at events, meetings or by chatting online. Members are asked to prove their IQ where the average adult has an IQ of 100 and a score above 140 is considered to be that of a genius. One of the tests, the Cattell III B, has 150 questions which assess comprehension through passages of texts. The maximum possible score is 161 for adults, and 162 for under-18s. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, center left, and Kao Kim Hourn, center right, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), discuss ways to fortify cooperation between Korea and ASEAN nations during a meeting in Indonesia, March 17 (local time). Courtesy of Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport By Lee Kyung-min Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong has met with top policymakers in Indonesia, in a move to fortify cooperation in the areas of mobility, infrastructure and city building, as well as overseas development assistance (ODA) in the logistics, aviation and transport industries, the ministry said Sunday. The top transport policymaker is on a five-day trip to the Southeast country seeking expanded bilateral cooperation to help 52 strong industry players win large orders for development projects there. Other than Indonesia's authorities, Won met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to advance the reciprocity between Korean and ASEAN nations, as pledged early during the summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Hourn November of last year. "I hope to share knowledge and experience of Korea's policy drives and technological advancements with ASEAN nations," Won said during the meeting with Hourn, March 17. Among the top priorities for the ASEAN countries are; establishing infrastructure for smart city building; future vehicles including electric vehicles (EV); and areas that will contribute to rapid modernization of cities and help in lessening traffic congestion. "Tailored and selective implementation of Korea's advanced technologies will be able to help ASEAN peers see a major improvement overall," Hourn said in response, according to the ministry. Won had a discussion with his Indonesian counterpart Budi Karya Sumadi, to seek the support of the country's transport authorities in helping more Korean firms to join the construction projects, including mass rapid transit (MRT) and light rail transit (LRT). Also known as heavy rail or metro, MRT is a type of high-capacity public transport generally found in urban areas. LRT is a form of passenger urban rail transit characterized by a combination of tram and rapid transit features. "Korean builders' capabilities have been proven here, as illustrated by the 1A, or the first phase, completed for Jakarta LRT operation," Sumadi said, according to the ministry. "We hope Korea-Indonesia ties will deepen further for mutually beneficial goals." The LRT project will proceed with increased participation of Korean state-run and private entities, as indicated by a one-on-one between Won and Heru Budi Hartono, acting governor of Jakarta. He has been head of the presidential secretariat since 2017. "Years of collaborative works of privately run LG CNS, DAEA TI and Samjin Elex, and state-run Korea National Railway helped the successful operation of Jakarta LRT," Won said. "Korea hopes that more Korean builders will be able to oversee the next construction phase, 1B, for the Jakarta LRT." The government will promptly follow up with a request that Korea should export "the soul of Korea," as quoted by Bambang Susantono, Indonesian transportation engineer and economist who has been the head of the Nusantara Capital City Authority since 2022. "Korea will provide assistance in the form of sharing policy steps in the housing, construction, IT, mobility, culture and smart city sectors, for the better, safer living conditions for the people of Indonesia," Won said. Judi James says the photos hinted at Kate's 'sadness' about children growing up The Princess of Wales' 'bittersweet' feelings about motherhood are revealed in a new Mother's Day photo, a body language has claimed. Earlier today, the Prince and Princess of Wales posted two new images of Kate spending quality time with her children in the Sandringham estate to mark Mothering Sunday. In the first image, the mother-of-three is pictured posing in a tree in Norfolk surrounded by her three children. Speaking to FEMAIL, body language expert Judi James said the Princess' children made it clear with their poses that they feel 'protective' of their mother. Analsying the heartwarming photo, the expert explained: 'Its the children that have adopted the more protective-looking poses around [Kate]. The Prince and Princess of Wales released two new family photos to mark Mother's Day today - including this image of Kate and the children posing in a tree on the Sandringham estate 'Charlottes mimicry of her mothers pose suggests she sees Kate very much as her role-model. 'George leans in with his torso, which is slightly in front of Kates, and the way he puts his leg out in front of her hints at a desire to protect. 'Even little Louis seems to want to show how much he cherishes and protects his mum. 'Sitting with a proud smile, he has stretched one arm out across Kates torso, with his hand on her knee.' What's more, Judi noted how the tree the family are sitting in symbolises 'strength and continuity' - while Kate appears to be 'one of the team'. She added: '[Kate's] body language is all about integration and joining in the play as one of them, rather than a parent invading their private space. On top of this, the setting also demonstrates how Kate and William's small family is 'branching out' as their children get older. The expert said Kate's true feelings about motherhood are even more evident in the second image - which shows her cradling her youngest son. Body language expert Judi James says Kate cradling Prince Louis in this image shows she has 'bittersweet' feelings about him growing up As she beams down at him, Louis is seen adorably clutching onto his mother's hand. Judi explained: 'This pose shows Kate fully back in mum role again, cradling Louis in her arms and looking down with a warm, loving and caring smile that seems to encapsulate the emotional side of being a mother.' However, the expert says Kate's body language hints at her sadness about her youngest son getting older. Judi continued: 'Louis was always the child she tended to carry around the most when he was a baby. 'Although she clearly cherishes the way he is growing up to be confident, spontaneous and playful, this pose suggests there is also some bittersweet emotions about losing that constant mother/baby contact. Judi James says Prince Louis was the child Kate Middleton 'tende to carry the most'. The family pictured on the Buckingham Palace balcony in June 2019 Judi James says the Princess of Wales may have some sadness about losing the 'constant mother/baby contact' with her youngest son. Kate and Louis pictured in June 2022 'If he is going to be her last child, these feelings of sadness mixed with love could be magnified for her, too.' The couple captioned the post: 'Happy Mothers Day from our family to yours.' The newly released images were taken on the same day as their Christmas card from last year. For this family shoot, Kate and William turned to their favourite - and most trusted - photographer Matt Porteous. The environmental photographer previously captured the image they used for their 2021 Christmas card as well as Prince George's third birthday portraits. The Prince and Princess of Wales' post has already amassed 90,000 likes and fans rushed to gush over the sweet images. One replied: 'Happy Mother's Day Princess of Wales and to all Mother's who celebrating today. Lovely pics!' Another gushed: 'Happy Mothers Day to the greatest inspo when it comes to motherhood.' 'Such lovely photos,' a third said. 'Wishing a very happy Mother's Day to the Princess of Wales.' A woman has blasted Waitrose after the 35 bouquet of flowers her family bought for Mother's Day arrived in an absolute state. The anonymous recipient was sent blooms from the supermarket chain but said the basket was upside down and the plants buried in compost. She received the 35 bouquet of pink roses as an early gift for Mother's Day but was left in disbelief when she discovered the damage. The 'disappointing' flowers were bought by her husband on behalf of her children, who currently are not in the country. She said the plants were not held securely in place and created 'such a mess'. An anonymous mother was left disappointed after she said her flowers from Waitrose were damaged when she unboxed them The mother contacted Waitrose to complain and was told she would be reimbursed. She said: 'I opened the box and the whole thing was upside down and the plants were underneath the soil. 'The roses looked very sad and the buds had come out. I think it was because they hadn't packed it properly. 'It was really really disappointing. They were for Mother's Day on behalf on the family. I couldn't believe it - it was a real shame. 'I have been shopping in Waitrose since they launched and god knows how much I've spent there.' Although the plants were delivered the right way up, the mother believed Waitrose were at fault due to the lack of internal packaging. She added: 'When it was delivered to the door it was the right way up, but there was nothing to hold it in there which makes me think it was the Waitrose packaging. 'It was just such a mess everywhere.' The woman's husband had bought the flowers on behalf of her children who are not in the country The recipient believes that the damage was caused by a lack of internal packaging when the product was delivered The basket was reportedly upside down and the plants were buried in compost when she came to open to box A spokesman for Waitrose said: 'We are very sorry this didn't meet our normal high standards. 'We've arranged for a replacement and a gesture of goodwill to be sent to our customer.' The mother is not the only customer who has been disappointed with the blooms delivered to her door this week. Tanya Sweeney, from Dublin, shared her disappointment after claiming the online blooms that she had ordered looked nothing like the colourful spring bouquet she was expecting. Twitter user Tanya Sweeney, from Dublin, claims she thought she was getting a colourful spring bouquet from online retailer eflorist Tanya claims the bunch she received had no colourful blooms in them and wilted after a few days She took to Twitter to show that the 'surprise mam' bouquet that she ordered from online retailer eflorist turned up as a bunch of lacklustre white flowers. The customer posted pictures showing: ' 1. What I ordered from @eflorist 2. What arrived: 3. What they said when I made a complaint.' She said her complaints fell on deaf ears, posting a response from the company's customer service team which says the flowers, thought to be worth around 35, 'are fresh' and 'meet the colour scheme advertised'. The company concluded the response by saying it would not be pursuing her complaint. Sweeney added later that the response was 'an embarrassment!', saying she was only contacted after sending the company multiple emails. MailOnline contacted eflorist for comment. The company deny that complaints were ignored and say they 'had been assisting this customer throughout their issue and agreed a resolution that the customer was happy with'. They added that the image the customer used as a comparison on Twitter was not the product they had ordered and told MailOnline: 'We understand their frustration and regret that our service was not faster in resolving the issue however their complaint has been resolved.' Carrie Johnson has posted a sweet childhood photo of her and her mother Josephine McAffee to celebrate Mother's Day. The former PM's wife - who turned 35 yesterday - shared the heartwarming image with her 65,000 Instagram followers this afternoon. The picture - which was taken in the early 1990s - shows the mother and daughter sharing an orange juice. While Carrie was dressed in a cream cardigan, her mother looked chic in a white blouse and blue knit. What's more, Carrie appears to be the spitting image of her mother - as the two had the same bob at the time of the photo being taken. Carrie Johnson, who turned 35 yesterday, shared a throwback picture of her and her mother Josephine McAffee sharing an orange juice on her Instagram story today Alongside a red heart emoji, the mother-of-two simply captioned the photo: 'Mama.' She's famously close with her daughter and even reportedly formed a 'household bubble' at 10 Downing Street in lockdown so she could help Carrie and Boris with their children, Wilfred, two, and daughter Romy, 15 months. Josephine is a former lawyer who worked for The Independent - which is how she met Carrie's father Matthew Symonds, who co-founded the paper in 1986. The low-profile couple welcomed their daughter Carrie on 18 March 1987. Carrie's gushing Mother's Day post comes after she celebrated her 35th birthday yesterday with a visit to Port Lympne Safari Park. She shared photographs of herself feeding a giraffe and petting a rhinoceros at the Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent. She also posted images of her son Wilfred, two, and daughter Romy, one, interacting with the animals at the 600-acre reserve. In one image, Mr Johnson - who was prime minister between 2019 and 2022 - is seen holding his youngest as a curious giraffe leans its head towards them. McAffee, a former lawyer who worked for the Independent, is close to her daughter and has even lent the former Prime Minister and his wife a hand in raising their son Wilfred, two, and daughter Romy, 15 months. Pictured outside 10 Downing Street in 2021 Carrie and Wilfred are also pictured with Tapirs, an animal the mother-of-two says is her 'new favourite'. Sharing a snapshot of her day on Instagram, Ms Johnson - who has worked as an environmental campaigner - said: 'Back in my happy place for the most wonderful birthday. 'Tapirs are now my new favourite animal. Such a magical place where the animals are truly looked after and many are returned to the wild when they can be.' The wildlife park, where tickets cost 29 for an adult and 26 for a child, is a favourite of the family, and Carrie has been pictured visiting before with her son. Port Lympne says it is 'very different from a conventional zoo' - as they 'ensure that the animals always come first'. It is the most successful breeder of clouded leopards and de brazza monkeys in the UK, and of western lowland gorilla and fishing cats in the world Sharing a snapshot of her day on Instagram, Ms Johnson said: 'Back in my happy place for the most wonderful birthday' Its website reads: 'We do our best to provide a fantastic visitor experience and we are constantly striving for new ways to ensure that we are one of Kents best days out, whilst not forgetting the primary reason we are here to ensure the survival of endangered animals.' At its heard, the reserve is a breeding sanctuary for rare and endangered species. It is the most successful breeder of clouded leopards and de brazza monkeys in the UK, and of western lowland gorilla and fishing cats in the world. The charity aims to return animals to their natural habitat 'wherever possible'. The wife of the former prime minister shared photographs of herself feeding a giraffe and petting a rhinoceros at the Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent Port Lympne says it is 'very different from a conventional zoo' - as they 'ensure that the animals always come first' In one image, Mr Johnson - who was prime minister between 2019 and 2022 - is seen holding his youngest as a curious giraffe leans its head towards them James Middleton has shared a previously unseen picture from his wedding day as he paid tribute to his mother Carole on Mothering Sunday. The Princess of Wales' younger brother, 35, shared a photo of him and Carole Middleton, 68, on his Instagram account. In the previously unseen photo, the youngest Middleton sibling is pictured hugging his mother on what appears to be his wedding day. He wrote in the caption: 'You make my world go around. 'Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there and especially to this one.' James Middleton, 35, who lives in Berkshire, shared a snap of he and Carole Middleton, 68, on his Instagram account to Mark Mother's Day Announcing his marriage with a picture of him and bride Alizee on Instagram in September 2021, James said: 'Words cannot describe how happy I am' In his image, which was shared with his 243,000 followers, Carole appears dressed for warmer temperatures in an orange printed dress. Hugging her from behind, James beams for the camera as he holds out his left hand for the camera - appearing to show off his new gold wedding ring. In September 2021, James married Alizee Thevenet in Bormes-les-Mimosas in Provence and wore a cream suit with a blue shirt for the special occasion. Following their ceremony at the town hall, Alizee and James celebrated their marriage with 50 of their closest friends and family at Chateau Leoube, an exclusive vineyard in the village that produces some of France's finest rose wine. Royal fans loved the sweet gesture, noting how good James and his mother looked in the photograph. 'So cute! Happy mother's day,' one said. 'That's a happy photo, another another, while another added 'such a cute photo!' 'Happy Mothers Day to your amazing mum, she did an amazing job raising the three of you,' one added. James dedicated his Mother's Day post to Carole Middleton, saying she made his world 'go around' Pictured: James and his mother on the day of his sister Pippa Middleton's wedding in 2017 in Englefield The royal couple shared two images of Kate with their children on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk last year The second image shows Kate lovingly cradling her youngest son Prince Louis, four, in her arms The Prince and Princess of Wales' post has already amassed 90,000 likes and fans rushed to gush over the sweet images Earlier today, the Prince and Princess of Wales posted two new images of Kate spending quality time with her children in the Sandringham estate to mark Mothering Sunday. In the first image, the mother-of-three is pictured posing in a tree in Norfolk surrounded by her three children. The Princess of Wales is dressed casually in a white blouse, jeans and a white trainers and has her hair styled in her signature loose waves. Meanwhile, her two sons donned blue shorts and short-sleeved shirts for the photoshoot while Charlotte donned a denim jumpsuit with a red tassel trim. Royal fans gushed at the picture and sent their well-wishes to the Middleton family to mark the occasion The second image shows Kate lovingly cradling her youngest son Prince Louis, four, in her arms. As she beams down at him, Louis is seen adorably holding onto his mother's hand. The couple captioned the post: 'Happy Mothers Day from our family to yours.' The newly released images were taken on the same day as their Christmas card from last year. For this family shoot, Kate and William turned to their favourite - and most trusted - photographer Matt Porteous. The environmental photographer previously captured the image they used for their 2021 Christmas card as well as Prince George's third birthday portraits. A home 'hacks' guru has revealed her top five tips to say goodbye to dust in your home and save time time while cleaning. Chantel Mila, who goes by Mama Mila online, said the five hacks won't break the bank and will keep the home dust-free for longer. She recommended not wearing shoes around the house, dusting with a damp cloth and even vacuuming curtains. The Melbourne mum-of-two also suggested emptying dryer and other hidden filters regularly and to line tall cabinets with newspaper. 'If you always feel like you're dusting your home, these five inexpensive tips will help reduce dust and save you time when cleaning!' she said. Scroll down for video Chantel Mila (pictured) who goes by Mama Mila online has revealed her top five hacks for cleaning dust and keeping it out of your home Chantel said to take shoes off at the front door to stop dust and dirt from getting into the house and to regularly vacuum curtains and window sills To stop dust from getting into the house Chantel said to make sure people leave their shoes at the door. Her second tip is to vacuum curtains and window sills 'to prevent dust blowing through the house'. Thirdly, Chantel said to wipe dust away with a damp cloth to ensure it is captured and removed instead of getting 'shifted' around a surface. 'Empty your dryer filter to remove lint and check if you have any hidden filters,' she added. Finally, the mum puts sheets to newspaper on top of tall cabinets to catch dust and make cleaning them easier. Mama Mila: Five tips to keep your home dust-free for longer Take shoes off the entry to prevent dust from entering the home Vacuum curtains and window sills to prevent dust blowing through the house Damp dust to ensure dust is captured and removed instead of shifted around Empty your dryer filter to remove lint and check if you have any hidden filters Line tall cabinets with newspaper to make dusting easy Advertisement Chantel recommended wiping away dust with a damp cloth and to frequently clean out dryer and other hidden filters She shared the tips in an Instagram video where viewers were took to the comments to say they loved the 'helpful' cleaning tips. 'I've just started damp dusting and it's much better!!' one mum said. 'I need to do the windowsills and blinds more often. We recently got an air purifier, I am blown away by how much of an impact it has had on our breathing!' another wrote. 'A breath of fresh air in a world filled with unhealthy habits,' a third replied and a fourth wrote: 'The shoes off is a game changer!'. Others shared their own tips for keeping their homes free of dust. Finally, the mum puts sheets to newspaper on top of tall cabinets to catch dust and make cleaning them easier. One viewer said cling film works just as well 'I use clingfilm on tops of my kitchen cupboards,' someone suggested. 'Clean your dryer filter half way through the drying cycle to speed up drying time, or better yet hang as much of the laundry is feasible. I hang everything except sheets,' a second explained. Previously, Chantel wowed with the three life hacks she swears by to make her shoes and makeup last much longer. She uses clever tricks to make her perfume last longer, easily remove stains from suede shows and fix broken makeup compacts. 'Three easy life tips you'll wish you knew sooner,' the mum said when she shared her tips on Instagram. Chantel's first tip was to rub Vaseline on your wrist before spraying perfume to make the scent last longer. The Melbourne mum-of-two uses clever tricks to make her perfume last longer, easily remove stains from suede shows and fix broken makeup compacts She rubbed a circle of Vaseline on her wrist and then sprayed three sprays on top. Another handy trick is to remove stains from suede shoes, which are notoriously difficult to clean, using micellar water. The mum put some micellar water on a cotton pad and then gently wiped stains from her high heels. Her final and favourite trick is to fix a broken makeup compact using rubbing alcohol. Mama Mila's best life hacks: 1. Rub a small amount of Vaseline on the skin of your wrist before spraying perfume to make the scent last longer. 2. Remove stains from suede shoes by putting some micellar water on a cotton pad and gently wiping. 3. Fix a broken makeup compact using rubbing alcohol. Advertisement She poured a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol on top of the makeup palette and used a knife to blend it together, when it dries out the powder looks brand new. The mum said the hack is one of the best and 'has saved so many of my makeup pallets.' Her followers loved the tricks. 'Vaseline really? Trying this,' one woman said. 'The Micellar water on suede wow! Will need to try that one,' another wrote. 'Wish I knew about that suede technique before throwing out my fu*king sneakers,' another said. Many were very excited by the third tip to fix makeup palettes as it is a 'great money-saver'. 'Oh. My. God. #3!!!!!' an excited woman wrote. Two brothers have revealed how the business they set up with just 150 is now a fashion empire worth millions. George, 29, and Mike Heaton, 32, started their streetwear luxury label Represent in 2011 in their hometown of Horwich, Greater Manchester. After originally making their own printed t-shirts, the duo have since expanded into luxury loungewear and shoes. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, the ambitious brothers explained how their business is now worth millions and will shortly be available to shop in Selfridges. George said: 'It doesn't feel like we're trying to sell clothes to anyone because people just get it. Pictured: George Heaton. The brothers live and work together in Horwich, and are building their dream headquarters there George, 29, and Mike Heaton, 32, originally from Horwich, started their streetwear luxury label Represent in Bolton in 2011, when they were respectively 18 and 21. Pictured: the brothers styling a model on a photoshoot 'I started on the basis of making my own clothes, things that I would want to wear, in the most luxurious fabrics they can be, but at an affordable price point.' The brand's collection covers all the streetwear basics, with prices for their graphic tees ranging in price from 60 to 100, while their sweaters go from 110 to 140. The pair grew up in Bolton and went on to study graphic design at Runshaw College in Leyland, and later the University of Salford. Aged 18, George printed some of the graphic T-shirts he and his brother imagined for a college project, and the idea behind Represent was born. The pair began to advertising their brand on Instagram, catching the attention of celebs like Justin Bieber, who wore the brand on his UK tour. Strong of this initial success, George said this organic way of advertising heard Represent a strong, loyal following online. In 2019, he revealed that the brand was turning over 8million, and had goals to reach 10m, but saw their profits plateau. The label's popularity exploded with the Coronavirus pandemic, as more customers turned to online shopping during lockdown. The brand's collection covers all the streetwear basics, with prices for their graphic tees ranging in price from 60 to 100, while their sweaters go from 110 to 140. Pictured: a Represent sweater, priced at 140 Mike, the oldest of the two brothers. The brand started advertising on Instagram in 2011, and the business blew up in 2020. The pair share snaps of their outfits on their social media George revealed that the brand took advantage of the fact people were at home and spending more time online than ever to launch products every week to reach out to more customers. Now, Flannels, END, Harrods, Browns and Harvey Nichols all stock the brand and the brothers claim their business is now worth millions. The pair, who are proud of their partnerships in the UK and the US plan to expand globally in the coming years and allow the customers who discovered them online to experience what Represent is about physically as well. George and Mike are about to release a collaboration with the Motley Crue in Los Angeles, with the line's launch party taking place at the iconic club the Viper Room. Pictured: Mike working on pictures for Represent's online presence. The brothers started their business on social media in the 2010s The duo is also eying home products and beauty lines in the future. The brand is based in Horwich, where the duo employ 60 members of staff and plan to hire an extra 40 by the end of 2023. They are also busy building Represent's dream offices, which will include a chef and a 6,000sqm gym for their staff. The two brothers, who document their regular visits to the gym on their personal Instagram account say a healthy lifestyle is part of the ethos of their brand, and want to encourage their staff to join in. Meanwhile, the pair are still living together in a shared house in Horwich, but admit they have very different schedules. The brothers are happy to have created their brand together, and admit the whole business feels like a big family, with some of their collaborators having been involved in the brand since its early days. Medical tourism is enjoying a boom as record NHS waiting lists force UK patients abroad for treatment. European clinics are reporting significant surges in Brits choosing them for joint surgery, such as hip and knee replacements, which are among the most delayed NHS treatments. The rise comes as the NHS struggles to cope with backlogs caused by industrial action, winter flu, the pandemic and patients stuck in hospital because a lack of social care. The current NHS England waiting list for treatment stands at a record 7.21 million and, despite a slight fall in January, it could climb above ten million as services buckle under the strain. Orthopaedic procedures are top of the waiting lists with NHS data showing 700,888 patients on hold for knee, hip and other operations, the largest total for more than a decade. More than 60,000 patients have been waiting more than a year, compared to 436 on the list in January 2020, according to the British Orthopaedic Association. Clinics and hospitals across Europe are reporting an influx of patients keen to beat the NHS waiting lists and attracted by fees that are around 50% of UK private health charges. The in rise UK health tourists: How struggling NHS and sky-high prices to go private are driving Brits aboard for routine surgeries like knee and hip replacement Turkish healthcare provider Acibadem, which has 24 hospitals, has even opened a contact centre in London to liaise with potential UK patients seeking treatment. The Nordclinic in Kaunas, Lithuania, saw UK inquiries jump by 53% during 2021 and is expecting to treat more than 2,000 Brits this year. The clinic forecasts that the number of orthopaedic patients from the UK will double to almost 500 during 2023 with knee and hip replacements the most sought after surgery. 'This significant and steep increase in patient numbers is an indication of the strain being felt by the NHS, says Vilius Sketrys, the clinics commercial director. The first thing prospective patients say to us is that they are driven abroad because of the waiting lists. 'They dont want to put their lives on hold and spend several years in pain and discomfort before they are able to resume normal life. They tell us of waits of up to four years for joint surgery and other operations although we understand there can be variations depending on the region. 'But they all feel they have no option but to go private to get on with their lives. Hip replacements at many UK private clinics can range from 10,000 to 15,000 but European clinic fees are charging around 7,000 for the operation, flight and hotel costs plus physiotherapy rehabilitation. Maja Swinder, international patient coordinator, at EuroTreatMed, a medical travel agency with close partnerships with five clinics in Poland, says: We have noticed a growth in patients from the UK when compared to 2019, especially in the field of orthopaedics. These patients could not wait any longer - for many the pain became unbearable, and they could not sleep, walk their dog or play with grandkids. 'Travelling abroad for diagnostics such as MRI has also became popular because diagnostics and specialist consultations are now hard to access within the NHS, making it difficult for patients to identify what medical problem they are facing. 'Some patients also choose us for their next surgery due to the high level of care, comfort and physiotherapy packages that are on offer. For example, we can provide an all-inclusive, 14-day package, with a hospital stay, surgery and high-quality implant, daily physiotherapy, medical care, medication and full board at the price of approximately 7,500. 'A few days ago, a patient from the UK said that she was quoted 23,500 for private knee replacement surgery involving 2-3 days in the hospital but no physiotherapy or check-ups.' EuroTreatMed confirmed that one Polish clinic has seen the number of orthopaedic patients from the UK rise by almost 30% from 2019 to 2022. Now that travel restrictions are easing, our clients are reporting more people from the UK are looking at options, says Keith Pollard, a senior consultant at healthcare intelligence analysts LaingBuisson. They are driven by the cheaper costs and the long NHS waiting lists. Reducing the waiting list will be a two to three-year task and that is a powerful driver. I can only see demand increasing as the backlog remains. The telling factor is that more people are travelling to Europe for orthopaedic operations where once it was predominantly for cosmetic and dental procedures. The European medical tourism market is growing at 18.9% a year and is predicted to be worth almost 13 billion annually by 2026, according to figures from analysts Market Data Forecast. The waiting lists have also led to a huge increase of self-pay patients in the UK but you can get the treatment for around 50% of the cost in Europe, adds Pollard, also editor in chief of the International Medical Travel Journal. The main advice is to do your research on the clinics and what support they offer but there are a lot of excellent services and facilities available and places like the Baltic countries have well-established healthcare systems with impressive clinics. Private healthcare is also booming in the UK with spikes in people taking out insurance plans or opting for private treatments to beat waiting lists. NHS England reported its highest bed occupancy in the week ending January 8 with more than 14,000 beds taken up by patients medically fit for discharge but unable to go home because of insufficient social care. The governments ambitious catch-up programme delivered 70,000 more elective operations in November compared to the same month pre-pandemic and it expects the NHS to raise elective care activity to 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels by 2024-25 as part of an 8 billion elective care recovery programme. The Department of Health and Social Care has also introduced a range of measures to tackle the elective surgery backlog including a 1.5 billion fund to increase hospital theatre capacity and deploy technology. 'I had 7,500 for a hip-replacement in Lithuania instead of waiting three years on NHS' Lesley Gibbs, 62, from Milton Keynes decided to go to Lithuania for her hip-replacement Lesley Gibbs opted to travel to Lithuania for treatment when facing a three-year wait for a hip replacement. The pain from her right hip was a constant source of discomfort and was compromising her ability to perform her job organising critical repairs on the rail network. Lesley had been on the waiting list for a hip operation but the delays and dysfunction in the NHS hit home when she was returned to the back of waiting list after being diagnosed with anaemia. I had already been waiting for almost two years and could barely put any weight on my right foot and the pain was terrible, says the 62-year-old. I had a pre-op test and it came back that I was anaemic so they took me off the list. I had a lot of other tests but I was just low on iron and after six months I could go back on the list but it would be another two years. I was at the back of the queue again. Lesley, from Milton Keynes, who works for Network Rail, researched private options but was quoted 18,000 for UK private clinic hip replacement. I couldnt take the pain anymore and it was really affecting my job so decided I had to go private which was disappointing because I have worked all my life and am a big supporter of the NHS, she adds. I did lots of research and found Nordclinic and their approach was so professional with lots of testimonials from other UK patients. Lesley paid 7,500 for her operation, pre-op clinical tests, flights, 4-star hotel accommodation and physiotherapy over the two weeks in February she stayed in Kaunas, the nations second largest city, along with her partner Tony Hill. There were lots of other people at the clinic, from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, who were all there for the same reason that they had to wait so long for an operation date, says Lesley, who believes her hip might have degenerated because of her long experience playing darts at a good level. I cant believe it was all done so quickly and efficiently whereas on the NHS I had such a long wait during which time my condition deteriorated to the point where I registered disabled because I couldnt walk more than 20 yards without excruciating pain. I couldnt sleep so my life was just getting worse and worse. I was on crutches and cried when they said I had another 18 months to two years to wait. Now Im free from pain, I dont need crutches and Im going back to work next week. It has been a great success and I would recommend other people look at taking this route rather than waiting and enduring pain and watching their life fall apart. 'I paid less than 8,000 for a knee replacement surgery in Poland... half what it would have cost in the UK' Paul Hutchings, 60, took a trip to Poland for his new knee. He says he would recommend it Paul Hutchings was not surprised when the persistent pain in his knee meant he needed a replacement joint but he was staggered by the lengthy waiting time for an operation. Walking and moving around was painful and uncomfortable and the wear and tear damage to my knee classed me as a high need for a replacement yet I was looking at another 18 months before I could be booked in, he says. My quality of life was badly affected so I had to do something about it. I shopped around and did some research both in the UK and Europe before deciding where to choose. Paul, 60, had recently sold the office cleaning and property maintenance business he had built up over almost 40 years and used some of the funds to pay for an operation at a clinic in Zabrze, near Katowice, Poland. I went through EuroTreatMed who were very open and helpful and I also spoke to a former patient who was British who had been in pretty much the same position as me in terms of needing an operation but facing a long NHS wait, adds Paul, from Colchester. The cheapest price in the UK was 16,200 but it was less than half that in Poland, including flights, accommodation and daily one-to-one physio for two weeks. I flew out on December 5 and was back home on the 20th. The rehab is a slow progression but Im in no pain now and am able to walk about comfortably. It is disappointing that I couldnt get the op on the NHS but thankfully I could afford to go private, and Id recommend the clinic and its service. 'I went to Lithuania for hip-replacement surgery... it cost me half what I was quoted in the UK' Birte Nielsen, 75, also went to Lithuania for hip-replacement surgery, and now 'feels great' Kitchen design company founder Birte Nielsen chose Lithuania for her hip operation after being struck down with debilitating sciatica. The possibility of a hip replacement was first raised in 2019 but no date was fixed and it was on hold throughout the pandemic. But as the pain intensified she was booked in for pre-operative assessment in October last year, which she had to cancel when she contracted COVID. I thought it would involve a slight delay but I was told that the next pre-op assessment was four months away in February with any operation another 18 months after that, says Birte, 75, from London. I phoned my local hospital every day to get a cancellation but nothing was available and my doctor said he would probably retire before I got the new hip. Birte researched former patients from the clinic along with its operational track record and had online consultations about the procedure before travelling to Kaunas in January. They organised everything and I felt in safe hands at every stage of the process. I spoke to my surgeon before the operation and knew who he was which I am not sure is the case on the NHS, particularly as they are trying reduce the backlog. My surgeon has 15 years experience and only does hips - he has done 3,500 hip replacements. To me, it was gold standard clinical care and they were friendly and supportive throughout. My pain has gone and I feel great now. I stayed in the Radisson Hotel for two nights and then in a spa facility that had 24 hour medical cover and it cost around half of what was quoted for a private hip replacement in the UK. I recognise that not everyone can afford to go private but for me it was money well spent and it means I am no longer on the NHS waiting list. Major high street names such as M&S, Iceland and B&M are all to close stores this month as the impact of the pandemic, cost of living crisis and rising energy costs continue to contribute to shuttered windows at UK stores. Other brands affected include Clintons, Argos, M&Co and Homesense. As more and more people take to shopping online, many UK high streets struggle to maintain enough footfall to justify the cost of maintaining stores. The closures are set to take place within weeks and are happening across the country. Here is a handy guide to all the shops closing their doors this month, and whether your local store is affected. As more and more people take to shopping online, many UK high streets struggle to maintain enough footfall to justify the cost of maintaining stores Argos Since Argos was taken over by supermarket giant Sainsbury's, it has been closing down stores in order to incorporate them into its existing shops. On March 22 Argos is set to close its standalone store in the Pyramids Shopping Centre, in Birkenhead, Merseyside. The chain shut its Coatbridge branch in Lanarkshire, Scotland on March 11. Further ahead, Argos will close both its Cardiff Bay store in July and its Newport, Wales, branch in the summer. Here is the full list: Coatbridge, Lanarkshire - Closed Birkenhead - Closing March 11 Cardiff Bay - Closing July Newport - Closing Summer B&M Discount retailer B&M will see another two stores shut this month (stock image) As recently as March 4 B&M closed its store in the Maesglas Retail Park in Newport, Wales. It will now close its Kilmarnock store in Queens Drive Retail Park on March 26. B&M will also shut its Bristol shop in Broadwalk Shopping Centre on March 29. While some are closing, the retailer does plan to expand in other areas. A new store opened in Barnsley on March 4 and the company will take over the old Debenhams site in Scunthorpe soon. Here is the full list: Newport - Closed March 4 Kilmarnock - Closing March 26 Bristol - Closing March 29 Barnsley - Opened March 4 Scunthorpe - Opening TBC Clintons Card retailer Clintons will close a shop in King Street, Whitehaven, on March 19. Its store on Market Street in Bolton is also set to close, but no date has yet been set. Whitehaven - Closed March 19 Bolton - Closing TBC Homesense Homesense is closing one store this month in Swansea, but an exact date has yet to be confirmed. Iceland The retailer shut its site in the White Rose Centre in Rhyl on March 14 (stock image, Iceland store in Exeter) Iceland will shut its shop in South Street, Newport, on the Isle of Wight for good on March 25. On the same day, the branch at St Catherine's Place, Bedminster, Bristol, will also close. The frozen foods specialists will then close its outlet at the Deiniol Centre, Bangor, Wales on March 27. The retailer shut its site in the White Rose Centre in Rhyl on March 14. Here is the full list: Rhyl - Closed March 14 Newport - Closing March 25 Bristol - Closing March 25 Bangor - Closing March 27 Marks and Spencer M&S will close its Fenchurch Street store in London on March 31. The supermarket announced last year that it was closing 67 of its larger shops as part of a huge overhaul of its business, although just one of those closures is to take place this month. M&Co M&Co has gone into administration twice in two years and is to close eight shops over the next two weeks M&Co is closing its Wick and Fort William stores on March 25. Six stores will then shut on April 1, M&Co sites in Lewes, Gosport, Belper, Beccles, Newquay and Lerwick affected. M&Co fell into administration for the second time in two years in December 2022. Here is the full list: Furious shoppers have condemned Tesco for slashing their Clubcard reward vouchers' value again as they protest about 'spending more but getting less'. The supermarket giant has announced this week that it is reducing the value of Clubcard vouchers that are spent with its Reward Partners for the second time in five years. As part of the Clubcard scheme, customers can use vouchers in Tesco stores, but they can also currently triple their value by exchanging them to access more than 100 Reward Partners - including Disney+, Thorpe Park, Pizza Express and Cineworld. The scheme originally saw shoppers able to boost their vouchers' value by 2x or even 4x - but this was reduced to a standard 3x in 2018 which also sparked a revolt among shoppers at the time. Now, as of June 14, Clubcard vouchers will only be worth 2x their value if exchanged at any of Tesco's Reward Partners. Furious shoppers have condemned Tesco for slashing their Clubcard reward vouchers' value again Shoppers can currently triple the value of their vouchers by exchanging them to access more than 100 Reward Partners. This will be reduced to 2x The announcement has been met with anger, with enraged shoppers branding the move 'an insult to customers'. As furious shoppers flocked to social media amid the cost-of-living crisis, one user said: 'So...we all have to spend more at Tesco to do our food shops, but get less reward for it. Thanks for the support @Tesco'. Another added: '@Tesco clubcard vouchers reduced in value again? They were 4x then 3x and now 2x? A loyalty scheme that is showing dwindling returns for that loyalty - and an insult to customers while to you still rake in record profits. Disgusting. #howlonguntil1x A third weighed in on the controversial move, adding: 'Dear @tesco. Just got your email re clubcard voucher exchange value changing to 2x, not 3x the value. Really disappointing! Not that long ago they were worth 4x the value. Are you not making enough profit already?' Meanwhile, a fourth complained: 'We were always grateful for the Clubcard X4 when our kids were younger, it helped out massively on days out, we used our vouchers to buy towards Merlin passes which saved us so much money. We use it now for ourselves and X3 is good, but what an insult #X2 is to customers!' Tesco had informed their shoppers of the move via email - and on their website - announcing: 'From 14 June 2023, when you exchange your Tesco Clubcard vouchers for a Tesco Clubcard Reward Partner code, they'll be worth 2x their value. You'll still get up to 3x the value until 13 June 2023. 'We're making this change to the scheme to make sure we can continue to provide a wide range of rewards that meet the needs of all our Tesco Clubcard members, while keeping prices low for everyone. 'Tesco Clubcard continues to have the biggest and most generous Reward Partner scheme with access to over 100 Partners at 2x your Clubcard voucher value.' Tesco has more than five million customers, offering products including pet insurance, savings accounts and credit cards. Furious shoppers flocked to social media to criticise Tesco for reducing the value of vouchers again The UK's biggest supermarket appeared to be a pandemic winner, raking in 2.2bn in 2022, up from 1.1bn the year before, perhaps frustrating shoppers more. Tesco customers have also been warned that the supermarket's Clubcard app will be scrapped from April 18. It will be replaced by another app - the Tesco Grocery and Clubcard app - which will incorporate other features of the supermarket. Any unused points or vouchers will not be lost however. A spokesman for Tesco said: 'Clubcard unlocks the best value from Tesco - from thousands of exclusive deals through Clubcard Prices, to money off your groceries and fuel, or accessing double the value of your vouchers with more than 100 Clubcard Reward Partners. 'Millions of people tap their Tesco Clubcard every time they shop, benefiting from access to more than 8,000 weekly deals on Clubcard Prices, which we've now rolled out across every part of our stores so from food to clothing, Tesco Mobile to Tesco Bank, you can now find even more great deals. 'And with potential savings of up to 351 a year, more people than ever before are making the most of the immediate value that Tesco Clubcard offers. 'We are making a change to how members can use their vouchers with our Reward Partners, but they will still be able to unlock great value in the same range of ways as before.' Some crises explode, like the banking meltdown of the past few days. Others are slow burn, such as the decline in the status of the UK stock market. Here's a striking figure. The market value of US giant Apple, at just under 2trillion, is not far off that of the entire FTSE 100 blue chip share index. It illustrates in a nutshell how the UK stock market is, in comparison with Wall Street, unloved and undervalued. Stalwarts of the Footsie such as BP, GSK and BAE Systems are, in the words of one fund manager, looking 'insanely cheap' compared with their US counterparts. But suggestions that the UK is a pariah market, cold-shouldered by all and sundry, are very overcooked. Nor is the US, where several big names plan to decamp, any kind of corporate Nirvana, even for tech firms. The debacle at Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic et al is testament to that. Flying the flag?: British pension funds have an aversion to UK shares As for the higher valuations that can supposedly be achieved Stateside, they are often a chimera, as we reported in The Mail on Sunday yesterday. Figures from the London Stock Exchange show the majority of UK firms that have listed in the US, including fashion group Farfetch and the parent company of Soho House, have seen their shares fall. On average they are down nearly 40pc since float. Are entrepreneurs such as Matt Moulding, the founder of online shopping business THG, or Will Shu of Deliveroo really the victims of a churlish, unappreciative City, who would have done brilliantly had they listed in the US? That idea should be taken with a pinch of the proverbial. Even if the perception of London as a market in crisis is unfair, it exists and is in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. One big issue is the fact that British pension funds have an aversion to UK shares. Another startling statistic: in 2021, the Canada Pension Plan invested more in one British company, Octopus Energy, than the entire UK pensions system put into private equity and growth capital. Old-style final salary pensions have shunted into gilts because trustees want to reduce risks. But as final salary schemes decline, 'defined contribution' plans are growing and they will increase further through auto-enrolment. This is a big opportunity for individuals to back British business and to fund economic growth through their pension savings. Local authority retirement schemes could also plough hundreds of millions of pounds into supporting the UK economy. What else can be done? The Government must speed up its planned reforms to the 'Solvency II' capital rules, to free pension funds to invest in UK infrastructure and growth equity. Smaller pension schemes should be encouraged to team up, so they are in a position to take more risk, in hopes of higher returns. The scrapping of the lifetime allowance in the Budget sends out a positive message about pension saving. Pension funds routinely have environmental and social mandates: as part of that, why not canvas members to see if they want money channelled into productive investment in the UK. The current position is absurd. The UK has one of the largest pools of savings and most highly developed private pensions systems in the world. Yet when it comes to mobilising it to reboot the economy, we seem paralysed. If our own pension funds refuse to invest in UK shares, it is hardly surprising that companies spurn the stock market here in favour of New York or Amsterdam. A Korean Air Boeing 787-9 is seen in flight. / Courtesy of Korean Air By Kim Hyun-bin As the number of international flight passengers is rapidly rising to pre-pandemic levels, domestic airlines are scrambling to expand international routes and add more airplanes to their fleets. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Sunday, international flights have recovered to close to 70 percent of their pre-COVID numbers. The number of passengers on international flights stood at over 4.5 million in both January and February, continuing its explosive growth since the second half of last year. The number exceeded 1 million for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19 in June, last year, increasing to 3.08 million in October and then exceeding 4 million in December. The number of international air passengers is expected to continue surging in the future as the recovery of Chinese routes will pull up the figure. The ministry agreed with the Chinese government to expand flights between Korea and China to the pre-COVID level on March 3. As a result, the number of flights to China, which was 62 per week as of the end of February, will increase to more than 200 from the end of this month. "China and Japan routes are the most profitable routes as the load factor exceeds 95 percent," an industry official familiar with the matter said. "Usually, a load factor above 70 percent is considered profitable for the airline." With the resumption of visa-free travel to Japan in October last year, international air passengers increased significantly. Airlines are busily expanding their routes to meet the demand of international passengers. Korean Air plans to significantly increase its flights to 622 per week on 78 international routes next month. Asiana Airlines also plans to expand international flights from 312 flights a week on 54 routes this month to 349 flights a week on 55 routes starting next month. Domestic low-cost carriers (LCCs), including Jeju Air, will also focus on resuming and increasing flights to China and Southeast Asia in the first half of this year. Based on plans by each airline to increase flights, international flights are expected to recover to 80 percent of the pre-COVID level this summer. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the number of air passengers will reach 4 billion by 2024, an increase of 3 percent compared to 2019. Thousands of jobs are at risk in the City as UBS takes over embattled lender and rival Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse employs around 5,000 people in the UK, making the firm one of the largest investment banking employers in the country. UBS has roughly 6,200 staff in the UK, with many based in its City of London premises. Writing on the wall: There are questions for what this deal could mean for many British jobs Colm Kelleher, chairman of UBS Group, said in a statement that the tie-up 'represents enormous opportunities', adding that his bank's long-term aim would be to 'downsize' Credit Suisse's investment banking business, aligning it with the 'conservative culture' of UBS. Although the buyout creates one of the biggest banks in the world, with a balance sheet of roughly 1.3 trillion, there are questions for what this deal could mean for many British jobs. The city regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, said it is likely to approve the deal, stating that it 'continues to engage closely with UK and international regulatory partners to monitor market developments'. The Bank of England said: 'We have been engaging closely with international counterparts throughout the preparations for today's announcements and will continue to support their implementation. 'The UK banking system is well capitalised and funded, and remains safe and sound.' The news of the buyout was also welcomed by the central bank in the US. Here DailyMail.com takes a look inside America's most notorious 'murder homes' Advertisement A real estate expert who has appraised some of America's most famous murder homes has revealed how a violent death can shave up to 25 percent off a property's value. So-called 'Master of Disaster' Dr Randall Bell - who was consulted on the sale of the California home where OJ Simpson's wife Nicole Brown was stabbed - says it usually takes around seven years for a home to recover from the stigma, but some never do. This week the 1,700-acre family farm belonging to double murderer Alex Murdaugh was put on sale for $3.9million, while the property where child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, six, was slaughtered is selling for $7 million. Dr Randall Bell is nicknamed the 'master of disaster' for his ability to sell homes with murderous histories Dr Bell says realtors face an uphill battle to find buyers as many people are too spooked to take a chance on homes with murderous histories - otherwise known as 'stigmatized properties.' It perhaps explains why the University of Idaho recently made the decision to demolish the house where four of its students were slain. 'Murder homes in rural areas fare worse than those in cities,' Dr Bell told DailyMail.com. 'My guess is that's because it's more eerie out in the countryside. Urban areas are busy and they have high crime rates and people tend to move on from it. 'But in rural areas people have more time to sit and think about it.' He estimates that on average a property's value plummets by between 10 and 25 percent in the years after a murder. However, he says the market is unpredictable, meaning some sell for full price while others "never recover".' What's more, thrifty buyers on a budget may be inclined to invest in a 'murder' house as their deadly histories can provide discounts. Dr Bell recalls being offered a significant discount on the mansion where 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult were found dead after a mass suicide attempt. 'It was a really low price but my wife looked at me like I was crazy,' he said. Here, DailyMail.com takes a look at the most famous US murder houses - and how their values have been affected as a result. $7 million estate where JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in 1996 Beauty pageant contestant JonBenet Ramsey was just six years old when she was bludgeoned and strangled to death in her home on December 26, 1996. Her death came several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. Her death was ruled as a homicide but nobody was ever charged in the case. The home in Boulder, Colorado, was sold to a group of investors for $650,000 in 1998 before being snapped up for $1 million by Tim and Carol Milner in 2004. But this week the Milners put the house up for sale again for an eye-watering $7 million. The couple has attempted to sell the property on five different occasions in the past, according to its Zillow listing. A Zillow advert describes it as a 'stately and modernized 1920s Tudor estate' complete with a gourmet kitchen, media room, wet bar, wine cellar, fireplace and half bath. The property is 7,240 square-feet and is described as being in an 'unbeatable location.' JonBenet Ramsey, six, was found dead in the basement of her familys Boulder home on December 26, 1996 The Colorado home where JonBenet was killed went on sale for $7 million this week A Zillow advert describes it as a 'stately and modernized 1920s Tudor estate' complete with a gourmet kitchen, media room, wet bar, wine cellar, fireplace and half bath The home was sold to a group of investors for $650,000 in 1998 before being snapped up for $1 million by Tim and Carol Milner in 2004 The property is 7,240 square-feet and is described as being in an 'unbeatable location' Jeffrey Dahmer's $350,000 childhood home Serial killer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer received renewed attention last year following the release of the Netflix series 'Dahmer' in September. Jeffrey Dahmer was responsible for the rape, murder and dismemberment of 17 young men and boys The Ohio native was responsible for the rape, murder and dismemberment of 17 young men and boys between 1978 and 1991. His childhood home in Akron, Ohio, is estimated to be worth $347, 700 by property website Zillow - though it is not currently for sale. The website estimates the three-bedroom property could be rented for as much as $2, 566 a month. The home is also where Dahmer committed his first murder - of hitchhiker Steven Hicks. His body was buried in the woods surrounding the property. The 2,170-square-foot residence was last sold for $244,500 in 2005 to musician Chris Butler. In 2016 Butler made the house available to rent for $8,000 the week of the Republican National Convention. Records show the owner has attempted to sell it several times - but has failed to bring in any buyers. Dr Bell said: 'The Dahmer homes have never been able to shake off their stigma.' Dahmer's childhood home - which was also the scene of his first murder - is estimated to be worth $347,000 by property website Zillow Records show the owner has attempted to sell it several times in recent years - but has failed to bring in any buyers The 2,170-square-foot residence was last sold for $244,500 in 2005 to musician Chris Butler Dr Randall Bell says the Dahmer homes have never managed to recover from their stigmatized reputation Sorority house where Ted Bundy slaughtered two women Ted Bundy confessed to 30 murders across seven states between 1974 and 1978 - though experts speculate his true victim count is much higher. One of his most famous attacks was on a sorority house in Tallahassee, Florida, in January 1978, where he killed Margaret Bowman and Lisa Levy. He also bludgeoned Kathy Rubin and Karne Chandler - though they survived. The Chi Omega house is not currently for sale but Zillow estimates it is worth $191,600. Public records state it was sold for $63,800 in 2000. It was listed for $68,500 in 2016 but the advert was removed a year later. The property is described as a 1,900-square-foot single family home with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The Chi Omega sorority House in Tallahassee, Florida, was the scene of one of Ted Bundy's most gruesome crimes The house is not currently for sale but Zillow estimates it is worth $191,600. An unidentified woman is pictured peering through the drapes of the home in 1978 1,700-acre Murdaugh family farm The enormous South Carolina hunting farm the Murdaughs called home was put on sale for $3.9million last week. It is also where Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were shot dead by patriarch Alex on June 7, 2021. The property is listed with Crosby Land Company. Todd Crosby recently told the New York Post that he has already had offers on the sprawling estate. The 1,700-acre property is listed as $3,900,000. According to the advert, it boasts four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms as well as a large games room, guest cottage and an enclosed cleaning station with two walk-in coolers. The advert also referenced 12 dog kennels - the scene where Maggie and Paul's bodies were found. The property is also the site where Murdaugh's longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield died, aged 57, on February 26, 2018. The death was described as a 'slip and fall' accident. The Moselle Farm borders the banks of the Salkehatchie river and has natural amenities including freshwater fishing, kayaking and abundant deer and turkey. The enormous South Carolina hunting farm the Murdaughs called home was put on sale for $3.9million last week The property boasts four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms as well as a large games room, guest cottage and an enclosed cleaning station with two walk-in coolers Realtors say they are already fielding offers for the 1,700-acre family farm The $53million mega-mansion built on land where actress Sharon Tate was killed Sharon Tate's murder was the subject of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Actress Sharon Tate - who was played by Margot Robbie in Quentin Tarantino's movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - was murdered along with five friends in August 1969. Her killing at the hands of a cult led by Charles Manson was one of the grizzliest crimes in American history. The killings took place in the home of director Roman Polanski. In the 1990s, its new owner demolished the property and had it replaced with a new mansion called Villa Bella. The address was also changed from 10050 Cielo Drive, Los Angeles, to 10066 Cielo Drive. The new property is now a stunning mega-mansion worth $53million - though it is not currently for sale. Zillow describes it as the an 'ultra private palatial masterpiece' boasting nine bedrooms and 18 bathrooms. There is also a gym, spa, hair salon, billiards room and bar on-site. The Cielo estate sits on the same land where actress Sharon Tate was murdered along with five friends in August 1969 The house was ripped up and remade with a new address to shake off its stigmatized reputation Zillow describes it as the an 'ultra private palatial masterpiece' boasting nine bedrooms and 18 bathrooms The stunning mega-mansion is worth $53million - though it is not currently for sale A grieving young mum has bravely opened up about her landscape designer partner's battle with drug addiction and depression which led him to take his own life. Friends knew Leigh Hinkley, 30, from Melbourne, as a devoted family man who loved to make everyone smile. But his good-natured persona hid personal demons. Leigh, a dad of two little boys, Patrick, three, and six-month-old Harrison, died by suicide on February 21. That has led his partner of eight years, Whitley Fleet, to speak out about the importance of checking family and friends are OK - particularly men, who 'find it hard to express their feelings'. Ms Fleet was the last person Leigh spoke to, hours before his body was found in Melbourne's south-east. 'It's something you don't wish on anyone,' Ms Fleet told Daily Mail Australia. 'My world has been tipped upside down.' Leigh Hinkley (right) took his own life in February. He's survived by his longtime partner Whitney and young sons Patrick and Harrison She picked up worrying signs a week prior that Leigh wasn't himself and tried in vain to convince him to open up to her. Ms Fleet will never forget their last phone call just before 7pm on February 20. 'I was the last person Leigh spoke to,' she recalled. 'He had sent me a goodbye message, which was really distressing. 'I spoke to him on the phone to tell him that everything would be OK and asked where he was.' 'But he refused to me where he was and just kept on saying he was sorry. That was pretty much it.' The next morning, Ms Fleet received a call requesting she go down to the police station. 'I went down thinking he was going to be there,' she said. 'The first thing I wanted to do was hug him and tell him that me and boys loved him.' 'When they sat me down and said he had died, I fell to the floor. I couldn't believe and was in shock for the next few days.' Whitney Fleet and Leigh Hinkley (pictured) were together for eight years Leigh (pictured with partner Whitney and son Patrick) battled depression and drug addiction She described Mr Hinkley as caring and always up for a joke and a laugh. 'He was always known as a funny and quick witted person who wanted to make everyone smile,' Ms Fleet said. 'But his whole life has been tinted with sadness. 'He lost his mum when he was three so he was traumatised by the loss and other things that had happened during his childhood.' Mr Hinkley battled drug addiction and mental health issues on and off for 10 years. 'He would hide it from me or lie about it and would never express to me or anyone of how he was feeling,' Ms Fleet said. 'In the end, the depression was too much for him to face and it tipped him over the edge.' Hours before he died, Mr Hinkley posted heartbreaking final messages to his family on Facebook. 'You never will understand how much I love you Whitney even so I've hurt you, lied to you, stolen from you, I destroyed everything,' he wrote 'I'm sorry you never deserved that. I love you Bubby. I can't live without you.' Leigh Hinkley uploaded a harrowing final post to his partner hours before he died A year ago, Leigh Hinkley and his partner were preparing for the arrival of their second child Ms Fleet's current focus is on raising her two boys and teaching them that it's okay to express their emotions. 'I want them to grow up being able to tell me how they're feeling and that they don't have to hold it in all the time,' she said. More than 150 people attended Mr Hinkley's funeral last week, where mourners were urged to make a donation to mental health support organisation Beyond Blue in lieu of flowers. Friends have described Mr Hinkley as one of the funniest people they'd ever met. 'What a man what a character you always made me laugh brother. You will be missed my many and never forgotten,' one mate wrote. Another friend added: 'My heart aches knowing I'll never get to speak to you again, that you won't get to watch your boys grow up and that we've lost you Leigh bear. There will always be a special place in my heart for you. I'm sorry that you thought this world wasn't for you.' Friends and family have rallied around Ms Fleet and set up an online fundraiser to help relieve some the financial burden while she grieves. 'Leigh was their main provider due to Whitney being a stay at home mum. All money raised will go towards funeral costs, rent and bills, food for the family as well as essential supplies for the boys,' it states. Leigh Hinkley (right) also posted harrowing final messages to sons Patrick (left) and Harrison Whitney Fleet (right) was the last person to speak to her partner Leigh (left) before he died The fundraiser set up by the mother of Ms Fleet's best friend has raised almost $14,000 so far. 'Before all this happened, I was looking to return to work in the next few months to help with the bills,' Ms Fleet said. 'The support has been unbelievable. It means I can take a few more months to process what has happened.' She now urges others battling mental to not be ashamed about speaking out. 'Get help and reach out to anyone,' she said. 'Mental health is a huge issue, particularly with men, who find it hard to express their feelings.' If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Whitney hopes sharing Leigh's story (pictured together with son Patrick) will inspire others battling inner demons to speak up and seek help There are currently 728 prisoners housed in the UK open prison system who are on the sex offender register for crimes including rape and murder and in the past year alone two have absconded - with one currently still at large. In February 2022, rapist Paul Robson broke out of HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire sparking a nationwide manhunt before he was found four days later in Skegness. Just 9 months later Paul Marshall who was caged for life for raping and wounding with intent also broke out of HMP North Sea Camp- he is still wanted by police. Over the years, many dangerous sex offenders including serial rapist Alan Wilmott and killer Darren Jackson have taken advantage of Open Prisons, also known as classification D sites, which have minimal security for inmates who are often allowed out of the compound for most of the day for work and education. In England and Wales there are 15 open prison facilities for men and women. There are currently 728 registered sex offenders housed in the UK's open prisons HMP North Sea Camp has seen numerous prisoners abscond over the years The open facility which currently houses the most sex offenders is HMP Haverigg in Cumbria which counts 273 inmates on the register. Currently there are 12 female sex offenders housed equally in the two women only open prisons: HMP Aksham Grange and HMP East Sutton Park. In Wales, there are currently 11 housed in HMP Prescoed. MailOnline also asked the Ministry of Justice to provide a breakdown of the crimes that the inmates had committed to earn their imprisonment. The data showed that the most common offence was rape of a female over the age of 16 with 132 instances. There were also 131 instances of sexual assault of a female child under the age of 13. 86 inmates had also been found guilty of raping a female child under 16. Seventeen had been locked up for obscene publications including indecent photographs of children and five had been caged for sexual grooming. Meanwhile, fifteen inmates in the open prison minimum security prisons had been found guilty of murder. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: 'Public protection is our priority and offenders held in open prisons are carefully risk assessed and face strict conditions. 'Those who breach them will be returned to open conditions. 'Last year, the Deputy Prime Minister introduced greater scrutiny of Parole Board recommendations on open prison moves and may reject a recommendation unless prisoners can demonstrably pass a tough three-step test, including proving they are highly unlikely to abscond; that the move is essential for them to work towards future release; and the move would not undermine public confidence in the wider criminal justice system.' Five sex offenders and murderers who absconded from UK Open Prisons Paul Marshall Rapist Paul Marshall is still at large after walking out of HMP North Sea Camp last year In November 2022, rapist Paul Marshall escaped from HMP North Camp in Lincolnshire. The 53-year-old was jailed for life after being found guilty of rape and wounding with intent but was placed in the category D open prison before absconding last year. Despite police appeals and being caught on CCTV in Doncaster, Marshall has still not been located and Lincolnshire Police now accept he could be anywhere. Speaking to the Lincolnite in January, Boston MP Matt Warman said that the fact Marshall had escaped was a failure of the system. He said: 'The whole point about this system is it only works if people who are given that degree of trust that comes with being in an open prison, respect it, and clearly the last few very public cases that we've had demonstrate that the system has failed by definition. 'You need to set that against the fact that overall the level of absconding is at historically low levels. 'We've recently tightened up the system, so that it's harder to transfer more serious prisoners into open conditions. 'So it is a problem, it is a sign of failure, but we should also bear in mind that this the first time it's happened since the system was tightened up.' Police advise anyone who thinks they spot Marshall to call the authorities and not approach him. Paul Robson For four days and nights, 56-year-old Paul Robson, serving two life sentences, was on the loose after absconding from open prison HMP North Sea Camp in Boston, Lincolnshire For four days and nights last February, 56-year-old Robson, serving two life sentences, was on the loose after absconding from HMP North Sea Camp. The monster was jailed after preying on women and children all his life with multiple sexual assaults dating back to the 1980s. He had released from prison on licence for just three weeks when, in 2000, a woman in her late 20s awoke to discover Robson holding her down and tying her hands. She was blindfolded, her pyjamas were ripped off and a knife was held to her throat. Robson then assaulted her in the most vile way. After he had left, the victim, sobbing and shaking, lay silently in her bed for up to an hour, before running to the bathroom and locking herself in, because Robson had threatened to return if she called the police. He would eventually receive two life sentences for two counts of attempted rape and two eight-year terms for two counts of 'particularly repellent indecent assault'. But on February 13 last year, Robson simply cycled out of the entrance on a stolen bike some time between the final roll call after putting his bedclothes under his covers to give the impression he was still there. Considered 'extremely dangerous' by police, he was arrested following a nationwide manhunt - his bid for freedom ending in Skegness. Alan Wilmott In 2013, sex offender Alan Wilmot walked out of HMP North Sea Camp and raped a woman In 2013, serial rapist Alan Wilmot raped a 27-year-old woman in her home at knifepoint while on day release from HMP North Sea Camp. The 20-stone sex attacker, who was already serving life for past crimes, went to his victims home armed with rope and a knife hidden in a rucksack. He stripped down to his prison issue blue boxer shorts, before raping the bound woman in front of her close friend, who he also tied up and forced to watch. The former labourer was jailed for life at the age of 21 in October 1987 for robbing and raping four women in West London. He had found his fifth victims contact details in an online advert she had placed to sell a dog. Following the crime, Wilmot was given another life sentence. Darren Jackson Convicted murderer Darren Jackson absconded from HMP Sudbury for three days In 2016, convicted murderer Darren Jackson absconded from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire in what was his second escape of his spell in prison. Jackson was jailed for life at Manchester Crown Court in March 1986 for stamping to death mother-of-three Gill Ellis after she was robbed at a Christmas party in Burnley, Lancashire. In August 1997, he had escaped from the medium-security Ranby Prison, near Nottingham. He went on the run for three days before he made his way back to the area, giving himself up in Nelson. Thankfully two days after his second escape, he was also detained - that time by police in the Staffordshire Moorlands area. Graham Dean Murderer Graham Dean spent three years on the run in the 2000s after leaving Prescoed prison From 2006 to 2010, killer Graham Dean spent years on the run from authorities after absconding from Prescoed Prison in Monmouthshire. Dean was convicted of murder of his father after a trial at Newport Crown Court, South Wales, in November 1981, and jailed for life. He had admitted hitting his father over the head with a fire grate before dragging him upstairs and strangling him. After being released on license in 1991, Dean was recalled to prison in 1996 for parole breaches. When Canada changed its laws in 2016 to permit euthanasia, voters were assured the lethal injections would only be available for seriously ill adults who needed to hasten a looming death and end their suffering. Much has changed these past seven years. The government is now weighing whether to extend euthanasia to children and the mentally ill. It has even funded an activity book for youngsters to learn about Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD), as it is known. In another worrying sign, a top medical body in the French-speaking eastern province of Quebec says lethal injections should be made available to seriously ill newborns. Supporters of assisted suicide say they help some very sick people end their agony. Critics say they are the start of a slippery slope that sees ever-more vulnerable people ending their lives prematurely. 'Now we've legalized euthanasia, everything's turning upside down,' Alex Schadenberg, director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, a campaign group, told DailyMail.com. 'It used to be seen as a last resort. Now, we think in terms of denying people a service that should be available to them.' Canada's government-funded assisted suicide activity book for children 'normalizes something that is egregiously wrong,' says campaigner Mike Schouten An 11-day-old baby suffering from heart problems about to be transferred to the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Canadian medical chiefs have started debating whether to offer euthanasia to very sick newborns (file photo) Schadenberg and others were stunned recently by a 'MAiD Activity Book' aimed at helping children understand why a relative would choose euthanasia, and how the process works. Critics point to the innocent, child-like language used in the 26-page government-funded booklet to explain a process that is, for many, macabre. 'A doctor or nurse practitioner uses medicines to stop the person's body from working,' says the booklet. 'When their body stops working, the person dies.' It describes euthanasia as a last-ditch procedure reserved for consenting adults afflicted with a sickness or disability that 'hurts their body or their mind so much that it feels too hard to keep living.' It explains how MAiD drugs make recipients doze off and lapse into a coma before a 'third medicine makes the person's lungs stop breathing and then their heart stops beating. Poll Should doctor-assisted suicide be available where you live? Yes No Not sure Should doctor-assisted suicide be available where you live? Yes 2110 votes No 1765 votes Not sure 277 votes Now share your opinion 'The person does not notice this happening and it does not hurt,' adds the book, which was written by Ceilidh Eaton Russell, a McMaster University lecturer and an expert on child grief. 'When their heart and lungs stop working, their body dies. It will not start working again.' The book was published last year by Canadian Virtual Hospice, a palliative care group, using Health Canada funding. It's available online, but was not distributed widely in schools or libraries. Young readers are invited to color in pictures and share their feelings about MAiD. The revelation comes as Canadian politicians decide whether to let minors end their lives with lethal injection. Dying With Dignity, which campaigns for assisted suicides, says children as young as 12 should be entitled to euthanasia, once a parent or guardian has given their consent. That limit is too high for Dr Louis Roy, from the Quebec College of Physicians he says newborns who enter the world with 'severe malformations' or 'grave and severe syndromes' should be entitled to a doctor-aided death. The activity book has illustrations to be colored in, and spaces for youngsters to add their own thoughts about assisted suicide Critics point to the innocent, child-like language used in the 26-page government-funded booklet to explain a process that is, for many, macabre The book was published last year by Canadian Virtual Hospice, a palliative care group, using Health Canada funding. It's available online, but was not distributed widely in schools or libraries Some 10,000 adults now end their lives each year by state-sanctioned euthanasia in the world's most permissive program of its kind Dr Louis Roy, from the Quebec College of Physicians, says euthanasia should be available to sick newborns Addressing Canada's Special Joint Committee on MAiD late last year, Dr Roy said euthanasia should be available to 'babies from 0-1 years whose life expectancy and level of suffering mean it would make sense to ensure they do not suffer.' Spokeswoman Leslie Labranche this week told DailyMail.com this remains the group's policy. The committee of top politicians last month released its long-awaited report, recommending that 'mature minors' whose deaths were 'reasonably foreseeable' could access assisted suicide, even without parental consent. In their 138-page report, members said the procedure typically a lethal injection administered by a doctor should be available to children most likely aged between 14 and 17 'whose natural death is reasonably foreseeable.' The document and its 23 recommendations will be discussed in the House of Commons in the coming months and could prompt revisions of Canada's MAiD laws as early as this year, though no draft bill has yet been proposed. A Health Canada spokesman told DailyMail.com the government 'has no plans to alter the minimum age requirement to access MAiD' at present, but that it 'will consider' the committee's advice. Critics warn that disabled Canadian kids could soon be joining the roughly 10,000 adults who end their lives each year by state-sanctioned euthanasia in the world's most permissive program of its kind. Meghan Schrader, 40, an autistic woman and instructor at the University of Texas at Austin, says the book has the potential to harm any vulnerable children who read it. 'It's a very cruel message to send to disabled children that will make them grow up programmed to accept fourth-class citizenship,' she told Dailymail.com. Amy Hasbrouck (left), a Quebec-based campaigner for Not Dead Yet, and Mike Schouten, director of advocacy for the Association for Reformed Political Action, say sick Canadian kids will end up dying prematurely Euthanasia is legal in seven countries Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain plus several states in Australia Worse still, expanding MAiD access will expose disabled minors to the kind of abuse she endured when she was young: being told that she was a 'retarded animal' who was better off dead. Some will be influenced into actually ending their lives. 'When doctor-assisted suicide is extended to children, the abuse and oppression they already experience will become even uglier,' she said. 'Disabled children will be taunted by peers, and influenced by their families and the viciously ableist cultural narratives.' Mike Schouten, director of advocacy for the Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA), said he was worried by an activity book that 'normalizes something that is egregiously wrong. 'Children need to know that they are valued and loved, and by indoctrinating them with pro-euthanasia propaganda we are setting them up for suicidal thoughts when they face suffering and hardship as they mature into adults,' he said. Amy Hasbrouck, a Quebec-based campaigner for Not Dead Yet, warned that extending euthanasia to children would frequently lead to decisions by 'parents who feel overwhelmed by having an ill or disabled child. 'Children with disabilities, chronic and terminal illness are strongly influenced by the stress and distress experienced by their families,' Hasbrouck told DailyMail.com. 'Even where parents don't ask for assisted death on a child's behalf, the child may feel responsible, and volunteer to remove themselves via euthanasia. Most of the people I know who grew up with a disability struggled with such feelings.' Many Canadians support euthanasia and Dying With Dignity says the procedure is 'driven by compassion, an end to suffering and discrimination and desire for personal autonomy.' But human rights advocates say the country's regulations lack necessary safeguards, devalue the lives of disabled people, and are prompting doctors and health workers to suggest the procedure to those who might not otherwise consider it. It's not yet clear whether the Liberal government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) would immediately push for expanded access of assisted suicide to children Euthanasia is legal in seven countries Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain plus several states in Australia. It's only available to children in the Netherlands and Belgium. Other jurisdictions, including a growing number of US states, allow doctor-assisted suicide in which patients take the drug themselves, typically crushing up and drinking a lethal dose of pills prescribed by a physician. In Canada, both options are referred to as MAiD, though more than 99.9 percent of such procedures are carried out by a doctor. There were more than 10,000 such deaths in 2021, an increase of about a third from the previous year. Canada's road to allowing euthanasia began in 2015, when its top court declared that outlawing assisted suicide deprived people of their dignity and autonomy. It gave national leaders a year to draft legislation. The resulting 2016 law legalized both euthanasia and assisted suicide for people aged 18 and over, provided they met certain conditions: They had to have a serious, advanced condition, disease, or disability that was causing suffering and their death was looming. The law was later amended to allow people who are not terminally ill to choose death, significantly broadening the number of eligible people. Critics say that change removed a key safeguard aimed at protecting people with potentially decades of life left. Today, any adult with a serious illness, disease, or disability can seek help in dying. Plans to get all tattoos removed when he gets out of jail A heavily tattooed bikie who achieved notoriety after a shocking daylight brawl in a KFC carpark has turned his life around and rejected his gangster past. He has vowed to have his garish tattoos removed and live a normal life once he's freed from prison. Ben Geppert, a convicted criminal and former member of both the Hells Angels and the Finks, once luridly documented his colourful lifestyle on his 'I am the Notorious BG' Instagram handle. Geppert, 31, started his own clothing line and was instantly recognisable on the streets of the Gold Coast because of his distinctive tattoos. His tatts include the word 'vendetta' above one eye, an anarchist 'A' symbol, guns, ghouls, and even his name. But now he is waiting to resume his family life with a new partner who says neither she nor Geppert have any interest in his former lifestyle. Geppert had gained notoriety for joining forces with a heavily tattooed woman, Allaina Vader, with both falling foul of the law while in each other's company. Ms Vader, who had previous dated other bikies, regularly posted their exploits on Instagram, including a public slanging match with her cousin, Rikki Louise Sutton who was at the time dating a rival ex-Bandido, Brett 'Kaos' Peechey. The tempestuous relationship with Vader blew up when the pair were removed by police escort off Hamilton Island in 2018, while celebrating Geppert's birthday, and later issued with infringement notices for threatening behaviour in or near licensed premises. Ben Geppert parted ways with Ms Vader, but was forced to take to Instagram in 2019 to explain the relationship was by then long over. Now Geppert's new partner, Claudia McCallum, has broken her silence to say he hadn't seen that woman for 'for five years'. He was also determined to move on from the 'brain snap' that recently saw him back in jail, and build 'a new, positive future'. The former Hells Angels bikie who became famous for his exploits on Instagram and a fight in a KFC car park has turned his life around and rejected his gangster past say his new partner Claudia McCallum (above with Ben Geppert) and his family Ben Geppert is back in jail after a 'brain snap; but his partner Claudia McCallum (above, the couple together) who is expecting their second child says he has put his gangster past behind him and is a family man That 'brain snap' was his decision in January to rip off his satellite tracking anklet, swim across a Gold Coast creek, and try to commandeer a motorised dinghy to escape police. He is hopeful he'll be released from jail soon. Ms McCallum, the mother of Geppert's seven-month-old baby girl and 12 weeks pregnant with the next child, said Geppert was a 'gentle soul' at heart. 'We've obviously moved on from the lifestyle. I'm not into that kind of scene. I've definitely pulled him out of it in the best possible way,' Ms McCallum told Daily Mail Australia. 'He's a different person. He's been working full time, it's hard yakka, when he's finished work he's just knackered and he comes home to a family lifestyle. 'We barely even drink. Mental health and disability sector worker Claudia McCallum (pictured with Ben Geppert and their now seven-month-old daughter) said the 31-year-old has left behind his gangster past and will get his distinctive tattoos lasered off Ms McCallum (above with Ben Geppert during her pregnancy) says the 31-year-old has been working as a concreter and will return to his job when he's out of jail and their new healthy family life 'He cooks dinner, loves cooking ... steak and veg, stir fries, we eat very cleanly. It's a pleasant life. 'We do swimming lessons always at the beach every weekend, we do a lot of free things to save money. 'We've got our heads set on a few goals, saving and buying a house at the end of next year.' HOPES TO BE OUT OF JAIL FOR NEW BABY Claudia revealed that Geppert, who she met online, had been working as a concreting and pipe-laying on the Gold Coast, while she was working in the mental health and disability sector before taking time out to have their daughter last year. They will find out from the next scan whether baby number two is a boy or a girl, and Ms McCallum is confident Geppert will be released 'in a month or two' to be there for the birth. The 25-year-old says when she met Geppert and they became romantically involved she was 'definitely aware of his past' but 'didn't make any judgment on him because everyone goes through their difficulties'. 'I've never really looked into that because I'm not interested and I don't come from that. Claudia McCallum said she and Ben Geppert met online and although she was aware of his past 'I don't stand for that kind of stuff as a person, and actually, neither does Ben any more' Now aged 31, Geppert (above with Claudia) plans to get all his tattoos removed. They include the word 'Vendetta' above one eye, an anarchist 'A' symbol, guns, ghouls, and his own name 'We've obviously moved on from that lifestyle. He's definitely off social media and doesn't contact anyone that's a bad influence.' When Geppert had his 'brain snap' in January with the monitoring anklet and the escape across Tallebudgera Creek, and was placed back in custody, Ms McCallum was forced to confront some of his past. She attended his court hearing last Friday, when Geppert's lawyer acknowledged her client's history, but said his reputation as the Instagram bikie was no longer the case. TROUBLED TEENAGE YEARS In 2021, Geppert began his road to redemption with a video for the Queensland government's OMCG Exit program in which he warned how gang life had ruined his life. He opened up about being bullied at high school because he was little, and witnessing his father have a heart attack, although his father did recover - and how he stepped up as a teenager to work in the family business, but then got sidetracked into a life of crime. Geppert said his life entered a downward spiral after he began experimenting with cocaine. His bikie lifestyle has affected all of his relationships. 'That was him around the wrong people and doing the wrong things,' Ms McCallum said, but adding that now Geppert ' knows that's not the life to live'. 'I was p***ed off because his lawyer said 'Instagram bikie', because we don't have that type of relationship. 'We communicate every single day. Even in jail he's instantly recognisable. Mentally he's doing the best he can. 'It's tough being away from family (but) he has support on the outside and stuff to look forward to. Ben Geppert hopes to leave behind one of his most regrettable moments, the May 2018 KFC fight in Robina, Queensland which his family and his partner Claudia is not him any more KFC Fight Ben Geppert and his family are hoping to leave behind the KFC fight which labelled him as the 'KFC bikie', and asked the video not be used. In that fight in May 2018, Geppert was filmed brawling with another man outside a KFC restaurant in Robina, Queensland. The clip showed Geppert charging across a car park as a female accomplice screamed, 'it's your turn now, idiot!' The pair scuffled and swore at one another ('eat a d**k', one said) until the second man toppled into a white Range Rover. Geppert's partner said she and his family want people to know he's changed. ' I don't stand for that kind of stuff as a person, and actually, neither does Ben any more,' she said. Advertisement 'We visit every single week. Us doing that is keeping him sane. It's been very hard for me to adjust to him being away, but it's not forever.' Claudia said Geppert has been 'physically training' in a Brisbane jail to keep busy and was committed to committing programs when he made parole. On Geppert's release, Ms McCallum said he will see a psychologist about controlling his 'triggers' and have his tattoos removed. 'That's the biggest thing we have been talking about. Booking in and getting every single one removed.' She said each tattoo takes ten sessions of laser therapy to remove. 'We don't want people to think he hasn't changed. I don't stand for that kind of stuff as a person, and actually, neither does Ben any more. 'His family are very happy (with him) and very supportive.' Last week, a magistrate wholly suspended Ben Geppert's eight month sentence after he pleaded guilty to wilful damage to corrective services property, being unlawfully at large, and attempting unlawful use of a vessel. The Parole Board Queensland will consider the release of Ben Geppert over the coming weeks. Two best friends who came up with a genius idea to sell car cup holder adapters for drink bottles now fear they may be driven out of business - after popular bottle and homewares manufacturer Frank Green started advertising a similar product. Kelsey Gorman, 25, and Rylie Greenhalgh, 23, are the Brisbane duo behind Willy and Bear. The business sells special accessories that fit into standard built-in car cup holders and expand to let larger bottles - which wouldn't otherwise fit - sit snugly inside. Ms Gorman and Ms Greenhalgh, who both work full time in medical administration, came up with the idea after noticing how inconvenient it was trying to hold onto their drink bottles while driving or sitting in the passenger seat of a car. With the recent popularity of drink bottles sold by the likes of Frank Green, Yeti and Hydro Flask, Ms Gorman and Ms Greenhalgh saw sales skyrocket. But customers have since noticed a striking similarity with Frank Green's latest accessory, with Bunnings Warehouse also jumping on the cup holder trend. Kelsey Gorman, 25, and Rylie Greenhalgh, 23, are the Brisbane duo behind Willy and Bear which sells cup holder expanders for large drink bottles 'We just don't know where our brand is heading now and how long it's going to last,' Ms Greenhalgh told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Gorman said when she saw a similar product to theirs being advertised by another company, she immediately called Ms Greenhalgh in tears. 'I just thought this is us done,' she said. Willy and Bear officially launched in September last year, with the business priding itself on using 100 per cent Australian-made and recyclable materials. Ms Gorman and Ms Greenhalgh live together and said their idea was sparked out of a conversation they had one night in their living room around Christmas time in 2021. 'We both got water bottles for Christmas and in the following months, as everyone does, we took them everywhere,' Ms Gorman said. The expanders fit into a standard car cup holder and allow larger bottles that wouldn't otherwise fit to sit tightly inside 'We quickly realised how annoying it was as a passenger to hang onto them, and if you're driving, the bottles just smash around on the floor.' After doing some research on the Australian market and not finding anything similar, the pair decided to put their life savings into launching the business. At the beginning, they put $30,000 into setting up the company - which they had been saving to buy a home together. 'It was very risky, we had so many people in our ears telling us not to do it,' Ms Greenhalgh said. With the help of viral TikTok videos - with some of their clips racking up half a million views - the first order of 700 Willy and Bear cup holders sold out within a matter of weeks. Ms Greenhalgh (pictured) and Ms Gorman put down all of their life savings to get the business off the ground Willy and Bear's first order of 700 cup holder expanders sold out within a matter of weeks 'We did better than we thought we would, which was stressful because we both still work full-time,' Ms Gorman said. 'Since September we've basically been up until 2am every day and then have to start our normal jobs again at 7am.' Willy and Bear cup holders sell for $30 and come in an array of different colours. However, Frank Green, popular for their re-useable bottles, coffee cups and homewares, announced they were unveiling a range of cup holder expanders in mid-February this year. In a TikTok on February 23, they showcased the new accessory which sells for $19.95, with Frank Green saying it had been 'years in the making'. But the video was quickly flooded with comments from many pointing out the similarity of their product to Willy and Bear. 'Gotta love how they say it's been years in the making and yet Willy and Bear made theirs even quicker. Use a small business,' one wrote. 'Sorry Frankie you were a bit late, Willy and Bear, already got me covered,' said another. The adaptors can hold bottles up to 1.25L from a variety of different brands Customers around Australia are purchasing $11 PVC pipes from Bunnings Warehouse (left) to store drink bottles in car cup holders. The trend surfaced in late December when a TikTokker posted the 'genius' life hack in a video (right) Frank Green's cup holder expanders specifically fit their 1L bottles. Willy and Bear's product fits a variety of bottles that are up to 1.25l in size. Bunnings Warehouse has even joined in and now advertises a pipe that can be used as a bottle holder after one shopper's clever idea. In late December a shopper bought a tapered piece of pipe to use inside her car to store her own 1L Frank Green drink bottle and shared the tip on TikTok. Bunnings customers have since noticed the hardware store advertising the pipe with the new descriptor 'cup holder' for $11. The hardware giant even shared a video of someone using the pipe to hold their bottle onto their TikTok account. Willy and Bear are hoping their customers will stick by them A Bunnings spokesperson said PVC taper level inverts have been on offer in the store for decades. 'Its intended purpose is for sewer and vent use, however we know customers often come up creative projects and hacks using products from our stores, with the drink bottle holder being one example,' they said. Ms Gorman and Ms Greenhalgh said they've been overwhelmed with the support they've received from their customers. 'The thing we have to keep remembering is that people love supporting small businesses,' Ms Gorman said. Willy and Bear supply to ten different stores around Australia and New Zealand. 'Although there are companies with similar products, ours are universal,' Ms Gorman added. 'But it is strange that a company says it has taken them years to come up with something, when we're just two girls who know nothing about the industry and did it within months.' Frank Green was contacted for comment. Australians facing huge energy price hikes need only look to Britain to see the power pain coming their way. This past winter, British families found themselves forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table, with businesses throughout the UK closing their doors for good after being hit with bills in excess of 55,000 (AUD$100,000). And in Australia, the energy regulator has flagged incoming price hikes of between 19 and 30 per cent in at least five states. Electricity and gas prices in the UK increased by 54 per cent and 99 per cent respectively in just 12 months. Countless stories have emerged of households foregoing heating and using portable stoves to save on electricity costs. One family even resorted to using head lamps inside their home at night to avoid turning on the lights. Chavdar Todorov, 53, said he was prompted to make the drastic changes when his electricity bill arrived and had more than doubled in price to 320 (AUD$580) per month. The family limited heating their home to just once a week. At all other times they tried to keep warm by wrapping up in coats and blankets. One family even resorted to using head lamps inside their home at night to avoid turning on the lights The head torches, which turn on and react to movement, are used in the evenings to get around in the dark Meanwhile, business owners said they were lumped with 'ridiculous' price hikes to their energy contracts as winter approached. One small cafe owner told MailOnline at the time her business was on the brink of closure after annual electricity bill jumped from 10k to 55k. And on social media, savvy consumers were sharing the tricks they'd picked up out of desperation to stay afloat. Some recommended showering at communal gyms or the office, while others suggested charging electronic devices at work or in public spaces to reduce costs. Budget meals were being shared at record rates to reduce grocery bills, while pubs were even reducing business hours to avoid financial ruin. Many said they avoided using washing machines and dishwashers at certain hours of the day, while others opted against cooking any meals that required an oven. As a result of the crisis in the UK, some local councils skipped Christmas light festivities through the winter. Australia warned to brace for energy price hikes and gas shortages For Australians struggling with the cost of living, the penny-pinching strategies implemented during the UK's winter of discontent could soon be required closer to home. On Thursday, the Australian Energy Market Operator said Australians could experience gas shortages this winter and beyond amid a steep decline in gas production. AEMO chief executive Daniel Westerman said more production was needed to prevent shortfalls during winter peaks and beyond. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull told ABC Radio there is 'a whole bundle of things that need to be done' to address the problem. 'They need to get more gas supply, we need to get better at insulating homes,' he said. 'You can't afford to have gas being unaffordable and you certainly can't afford for people not being able to heat their homes in winter.' This graphic illustrates how power prices are set to soar in a number of Australian states with the percentage increase and the amount extra it will add to an average power bill in a year Australian households in four states will also face steep electricity price hikes in the coming months as the country's energy regulator flags rises of up to 31 per cent. Victorians will see their bills going up by almost a third while NSW, Queensland and South Australia also facing steep hikes. The Australian Energy Regulator on Wednesday released its draft default market offer - essentially the maximum price that energy retailers can charge residential and small business customers - for the 2023/24 financial year. Victoria's Essential Services Commission did the same for that state and signalled a whopping 30 per cent increase in household electricity prices and 31 per cent for small businesses. This would see a typical household bill would rise from $1,403 to $1,829 per year, while small businesses could expect an increase from $5,620 to about $7,358. Around 400,000 Victorian households and 55,000 small business customers are on that state's default offer, according to Commission. For NSW, Queensland and South Australia the Australian Energy Regulator flagged price increases of between 19.5 and 23.7 per cent. Some recommended showering at communal gyms or the office Default offers for residential customers in NSW were expected to increase by between 20.9 per cent and 23.7 per cent for small businesses. Queensland residential prices would be up nearly 20 per cent in the state's south-east while South Australia will see a residential increase of 22 per cent. It estimated small business customers could face price increases of between 14.7 per cent to 25.4 cent depending on their regions and providers. The regulator said the increases would see the average household bill rise between $300 and $564 a year. For the hardest hit areas of NSW, households could see their energy bill increase by up to $463 while small businesses will see their bills rise by up to $858. This comes despite a promise by Treasurer Matt Kean to reduce energy prices by $130 for households and $430 for businesses this year. On Tuesday, Mr Kean instead introduced a new promise for NSW voters should the Liberal party be re-elected next week. Another tip some Britons suggested was charging electronic devices at work or in public spaces to reduce costs He said: 'In the short term we are delivering $250 off families' energy bills if they shop around for a better deal.' Adrian Merrick, who is CEO of Victorian power provider Energy Locals, said the power hikes should have been avoidable. Mr Merrick said that although fossil fuels 'are not the future' they were vital for the meanwhile until renewables could shoulder the load. 'In the short-term we need gas and in the short-term, as unpopular as it is for some people, we also need coal,' he said. Voters were promised a $275 energy price cut by 2025 during the federal election by Labor. Two years out from that deadline, costs are soaring and even more pressure has been heaped on families and business owners. When asked about Labor's election promise to reduce energy bills on Tuesday, Federal Minister for Energy Chris Bowen vowed not to give up on reducing prices. 'I'm not about to give up on introducing more renewable energy because it's the cheapest form of energy. We indicated 2025... it's now 2023. We have a lot more work to do,' he said. HOW MUCH ENERGY PRICES ARE RISING NSW: between 20.9 per cent and 23.7 per cent South-east Queensland: 20 per cent South Australia: 22 per cent Victoria: 30 per cent Source: Australian Energy Regulator Advertisement 'We are continuing to work to lower power prices as much as possible. We're not about to give up on that ambition.' But Mr Bowen could not provide a clear path forward as to when Australians could expect to see that relief in their bills. 'We'll always be very upfront with the Australian people. There are huge international pressures which show no sign of going away,' he said. 'I wish and I hope that Ukraine can be victorious very soon and that's, of course, our dear friends in Ukraine, that's very important for them. It's very important for people who care about political freedom anywhere and it would be very good for the world energy markets to return to normal. I can't tell you when that's going to happen. 'It's a very unstable and unpredictable environment in Europe and that's going to continue to play out for some time to come. But what we will do is what we have done so far. Be upfront with people about the challenges and work very hard, very carefully to intervene to reduce those pressures and those impacts on Australian families.' Critics say that Sadiq Khan is 'playing with the privacy of London's inhabitants' The ULEZ is expanding across all London boroughs from August 29 this year Metropolitan Police are currently assessing which cameras they want access to Campaign groups have hit out at Sadiq Khan for 'playing with the privacy of London's inhabitants' after it emerged he has already granted the Met Police access to new cameras installed for the ULEZ expansion. The Mayor of London granted TfL the power to give the Met access to additional Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras last year when he faced serious backlash from privacy groups and opposing councillors. Newly installed ULEZ cameras have even been vandalised in some cases, including having their wires cut and lenses painted black amid growing backlash. More than 300 ANPR cameras were recently installed, while a total of 2,750 are set to be added by the official launch date on August 29 later this year. It also emerged earlier this month that Mr Khan's officials had secretly ordered hundreds of enforcement cameras before the public voted to reject the project. Campaign groups have hit out at Sadiq Khan for 'playing with the privacy of London's inhabitants' Mayor of London Sadiq Khan granted TfL the power to give the Met Police access to additional cameras used in the ULEZ expansion Mr Khan's plans have been somewhat controversial, with London Assembly member Sian Berry (Green) launching a legal challenge against the move with Open Rights Group, a privacy campaigning organisation, and law firm Bindmans, in August last year. READ MORE: The victims of Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion Advertisement In an update provided to TFL's audit and assurance committee, which met on Wednesday, a statement said: 'The Met Police Service are currently working to complete their assessment of which additional cameras they want access to and what the privacy and equalities impacts of that would be, for submission to TfL, prior to any access being given.' Sophia Akram, policy manager at Open Rights Group, hit back at the mayor's decision to implement more surveillance on people in the capital. 'Sadiq Khan chose to push through his decision to grant the Metropolitan Police access to ANPR data without public consultation, playing with the privacy of London's inhabitants,' she told MailOnline. 'London is already one of the most surveilled cities in the world. We need more scrutiny about how the ULEZ scheme will expand this surveillance, especially as it could ultimately spread to other parts of the country.' The ULEZ is expanding across all 33 London boroughs from August 29 to 'to help clear London's air and improve public health'. Those with vehicles which do not meet the emissions standards face a daily charge of 12.50. Mark Johnson, advocacy manger of Big Brother Watch echoed Ms Akram's privacy fears. He told MailOnline: 'ANPR is one of the largest surveillance networks in the UK, yet remains dangerously unregulated. 'Sadiq Khan's decision to extend police access to this database of the public's movements is a deeply concerning step. 'London is one of the most surveilled cities in the world and already has a reputation as Britain's panopticon. Sadiq Khan has often discussed the poor air quality in parts of London and drawn attention to climate change (Pictured: Sadiq Khan at an air quality monitoring station) 'The Mayor should pay more respect to Londoners' right to privacy and shelve these plans.' TfL has been working with the Met Police to track down criminals due to its extensive CCTV coverage and comprehensive ticketing and payment data. The most recent update shows that UK police forces requested information from TfL 17,020 times, with more than 16,000 between the Met and British Transport Police alone. The Met also made 11,870 CCTV requests from TfL-operated bus and rail companies. There were 249 requests to catch murderers, 1,251 for thieves and 1,224 for sex offenders. Meanwhile, the police requested 43 audio recordings from London busses in relation to traffic accidents. When Mr Khan's plans first surfaced Sian Berry called on him to reverse his 'hasty decision'. She said: 'I am deeply disappointed that the Mayor has not listened to repeated warnings that sharing the cameras from the expanded clean air zone with the police was a huge increase in surveillance of Londoners that should not be signed off by his office. The Met Police has been given access to CCTV and recordings from TfL-operated companies The Mayor has proposed for the ULEZ boundary to be widened from the North and South Circular roads to cover all 33 London boroughs from 29 August 2023 in a bid to reduce toxic air pollution in the capital 'I have been telling the Mayor since 2019 that sharing this data with the police is wrong and that Londoners must have their say in any decision. 'With so many awful revelations bringing trust and confidence in our police to an all-time low, Londoners should have been asked if they would trust them with this massive database about their daily movements. 'The expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone has been helping cut air pollution for many months already, without all this data being shared with police, and the Mayor must now reverse his hasty decision and instead protect Londoners' privacy.' The Met has come under intense scrutiny in recent years with Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledging last year that hundreds of Scotland Yard officers are effectively 'criminals in uniform' and should be sacked. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: 'The use of technology has a key role to play in tackling serious crime and making London safer for everyone. 'The use of traffic cameras for ANPR on our roads, which assist in crime prevention and investigation, has been in place since 2015 after being introduced by the previous Mayor. 'Access by the Met to newly installed cameras in outer London is in accordance with data protection requirements and will only be granted by Transport for London subject to this being demonstrated as proportionate and necessary on a case-by-case basis.' A prison inmate has revealed the secret life behind bars of four of Australia's most notorious female criminals - a child killer, a deranged attempted murderer and two vile paedophiles. The woman has lifted the lid on life in the clink after serving five months at Dillwynia Correctional Centre near Windsor, on the northwest outskirts of Sydney, last year. There, she met notorious child killer Kristi Abrahams, paedophile prison guard Nadia Khalil, and former jail boss Sharon Yarnton, who tried to blow up her husband. A fourth inmate she shared a cell with, who can't be named, was locked up for sexually abusing her young kids and pimping them out to other paedophiles. The ex-prisoner was shocked that some criminals, who were serving long sentences, secretly allowed out of jail and into the community well before their release. 'I was stupid enough to recently be in jail where I was surrounded by child killers and paedophiles,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Notorious child killer Kristi Abrahams and her boyfriend pretended her daughter Kiesha, 6, was missing to the point where they were on the news (pictured) begging for help to find her. In reality they burned her body and buried the remains 'People think [criminals] don't enter the community until the end of their sentence. Well, for some of them they can start the process years before release and the community is not told. 'Sorry, I just dont think the system is tough enough.' The prisoner revealed Abrahams - who was handed a 16-year sentence for murdering her six-year-old daughter Kiesha in July 2010 - was told she would be moved to the prison's Independent Living Unit by December. The ILU is a separate area of the jail where well-behaved inmates far into their sentences can apply to live with more freedom than the general population. They live in share houses instead of cells and do work around the jail, only locked inside from 5pm to 6am, and can apply for supervised community visits. The jail's Transitional Centre is similar to the ILC but has even more freedom, with six women living in a house where they cook their own food bought on a house budget. They can apply for weekend leave where they live in the community from Friday night until Sunday, in addition to their supervised visits. The woman served five months at Dillwynia Correctional Centre near Windsor, on the northwest outskirts of Sydney, last year (cell in general population pictured) The Independent Living Unit (circled in red) is a separate area of the jail where well-behaved inmates far into their sentences can apply to live with more freedom than the general population. The ex-prisoner was for some time in the protection unit (yellow circle) where she shared a cell with a paedophile mum who pimped out her own kids Abrahams had murdering Kiesha following months of severe abuse. After killing the little girl, she and her boyfriend Robert Smith hid the body in a suitcase, then burned it and buried her remains in a shallow grave. For eight months they pretended she was missing, gathering nationwide sympathy, before they were finally arrested. The ex-prisoner said she was shocked that Abrahams was allowed to have photos of her other children on the walls of her cell. She said Abrahams had a girlfriend behind bars, both of whom were temporarily moved to a more secure part of the jail after threatening other inmates, and spoke of having a child together after their release. Abrahams is eligible for parole in April 2027. The former inmate said the unnamed woman who abused her children and pimped them out spent much of last year in the ILU, and was allowed out of jail three or four times. 'She went with an officer into the community and went shopping and on one occasion to the cinemas in Penrith,' she said. Kiesha (pictured) died in bed at their Mt Druitt home in Sydney's west, after being knocked unconscious by her mother when she refused to put her pyjamas on. The couple put her in the shower and then to bed, where she died However, she was moved back to the main jail after having issues with other women in the ILU. But, she was due to move to the TC last month. 'When at TC she again will be allowed days out with an officer and will be allowed to apply for weekend leave,' the ex-inmate said. Despite her unimaginably evil crimes, the mother told her cellmate she would be released on parole in December after serving 13 years. The NSW Parole Authority said her parole bid was yet to be heard and her release yet to be determined. 'She was my cellmate. I was placed in protection not for my crime, but safety, and the officers asked if I'd handle it - and I said I had to,' the ex-inmate said. 'She has zero remorse, she likes passing blame. Those poor kids of hers. 'Kristy Abrahams hated her, saying that she was the lowest for what she did to her kids Makes you wonder how Kristy can say that when she killed her daughter.' The former prisoner was also sickened by the lack of remorse the criminals she met showed for their shocking crimes. 'I can't comprehend why these people do it, but all I can say is all I heard day-in, day --out was "I'm not guilty", "It wasn't my fault". I don't think I met one who actually showed any remorse,' she said. Nadia Khlail was jailed for sexually abusing teenage juvenile detention inmates, and is now 'the queen of "I didnt do it"' behind bars She described Khalil, 49, as 'the queen of "I didn't do it",' who was so insistent of her innocence she was planning an appeal financed by her wealthy brother. Khalil was arrested in 2017 and jailed for 12 years in 2021 for sexually abusing five teenage boys at Reiby Youth Justice Centre in Sydney in 1997 to 2005. 'Nadia told all the girls how her brother was paying her legal costs as she's innocent,' the ex-prisoner said. 'At the same time, she tells stories of going out and drinking so much alcohol she never remembers what she did, she'd then go on to say she'd go to work drunk.' The ex-inmate said Khalil told her the names of the five boys, who can't be revealed publicly, which she wrote in her diary. Other men later came forward to detail how Khalil allegedly abused them behind bars while in youth detention, and studies found she may have more than a dozen additional victims. She maintained her innocence through a lengthy trial, claiming her accusers were motivated by financial gain in the form of large compensation payouts. The former prisoner met Yarnton during her time at Silverwater jail in Sydney, saying she was 'viscous' and 'very bitter and filled with hate'. Sharon Yarnton tried to blow up her husband Dean (pictured on their wedding day) after discovering he was cheating on her. She failed and is now a troublemaker behind bars She said Yarnton became a troublemaker in the jail after her appeal was rejected last April 'Sharon was grooming the younger inmates setting them all up to fight but also talking to them about, when released, they can live with her and do things for her,' she sad. 'Sharon bought them food as none of them had money and they were her puppets. 'She used to ask the girls questions about their lives and crimes - stupidly they'd tell her and she took notes as her new plan is to write a book about all of them.' However, Yarnton overplayed her hand and was transferred to Broken Hill, in far west NSW, for causing too much trouble. 'If there was ever a satisfying day in jail, that was the day,' the former inmate said. Though Yarnton was angry at many people about her predicament, she reserved special ire for her cheating ex-husband Dean, whom she tried to kill. 'What was disturbing is the fact she has so much anger for her ex-husband and said she will destroy him for putting her in jail,' the ex-prisoner said. Yarnton was jailed for 16 years for trying to blow up Dean in his car, in a conspiracy with three of her son's friends in January 2015. She will be eligible for parole in September 2027. French CRS riot police secure the area near garbage cans on fire during a demonstration to protest pensions reform bill through the National Assembly without a vote by lawmakers, in Paris, France, March 18. Reuters-Yonhap Paris police clashed with demonstrators for a third night on Saturday as thousands of people marched throughout the country amid anger at the government pushing through a rise in the state pension age without a parliamentary vote. The growing unrest and strikes have left President Emmanuel Macron facing the gravest challenge to his authority since the so-called "Gilets Jaunes" (Yellow Vests) protests four years ago. "Macron, Resign!" and "Macron is going to break down, we are going to win," demonstrators chanted on the Place d'Italie in southern Paris. Riot police used tear gas and clashed with some in the crowd as trash bins were set on fire. Municipal authorities had banned rallies on Paris's central Place de la Concorde and nearby Champ-Elysees on Saturday night after demonstrations that resulted in 61 arrests the previous night. There were 81 arrests on Saturday night. Earlier in the French capital, a group of students and activists from the "Revolution Permanente" collective briefly invaded the Forum des Halles shopping mall, waving banners calling for a general strike and shouting "Paris stand up, rise up", videos on social media showed. BFM television also showed images of demonstrations underway in cities such as Compiegne in the north, Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. In Bordeaux, in the southwest, police also used tear gas against protesters who had started a fire. "The reform must be implemented ... Violence cannot be tolerated," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Le Parisien newspaper. Protesters gather at Concorde square near the National Assembly in Paris, March 16. French President Emmanuel Macron has opted to push through a highly unpopular bill that would raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. AP-Yonhap The bloodied body of a young woman who rejected a forced marriage lay rolled up in a grimy rug overnight in this squalid home of her twisted uncle. Racks of tools line the wall in the cluttered and grimy lounge area of Mohammed Taroos Khans shipping container residence in Bradford. Furious that his niece, Somaiya Begum, had rejected her fathers arranged marriage to her cousin in Pakistan at the age of 16, and enraged at her increasing Westernisation, he mercilessly slaughtered the biomedical student four years later. The lounge of killer uncle Mohammed Taroos Khan's shipping container lair in Bradford The murderer, 53, kept the place in squalid conditions and kept his niece's dead body there For her own safety, Somaiya, 20, had been living with her grandmother and another uncle, following a court-mandated Forced Marriage Protection Order. It was in her beloved grandmothers supposed safe house that Khan, 52, found his niece - and plunged a four-inch metal spike into her back, piercing her lung. The sharpened woodworking tool was found embedded in her decomposed body when police eventually located it on waste ground, after a two-week search for the missing student. Khan denied murder at Bradford Court Crown, but was found guilty of the 'traumatic' attack, and sentenced to 25 years in jail on Wednesday. Despite the lengthy jail term, Khan has insisted he will keep paying his 240 rent for the cramped metal box where he lived, apparently under the impression he will need the premises again. These interior pictures - obtained by MailOnline and taken with consent of the landlord - provide a chilling snapshot of Khans existence and the brief resting place of his tragic niece. Mohammed Taroos Khan who was convicted at Bradford Crown Court of murdering his 20-year-old niece Somaiya Begum He had rented two storage containers at an industrial unit just a mile from the murder scene and one above them where he lived. A single bed is visible inside the 'portable' office-style container, which measures around 9ft wide and 30ft long. The landlord, who refused to give his name, said Khan was still paying 240 a month rent for his living quarters. He said: 'I had a call off Mr Khan in January and I told him I could get somebody else in, but he said no. He said he'll get his solicitor to drop the rent off. 'He started renting the storage containers for his tools then one day said he needed to rent the one above to live in.' Innocent Somaiya's body was dumped on waste ground where it was found decomposed 11 days later Khan has insisted on keeping up paying his 240 a month rent to keep hold of his home The metal box on top was where Khan lived with his tools kept in the structures below Khan's hope to move back into one of the crimescenes is in stark contrast to his hero brother Dawood, who gave evidence against him in court. Somaiya lived with her uncle Dawood and her grandmother after leaving her parent's home two years ago under Forced Marriage Protection Order. She moved in after attempts by her own father to force her to marry a cousin 'by threat of violence'. But that safe haven was violated when Khan fatally attacked her there on June 25 June last year. Now neighbours of the property say heartbroken Dawood can no longer face going back there. It is thought Somaiya's grandmother now lives alone and is occasionally visited by another son who doesn't live there. Mahmood Hussain, who lives a few doors down, said: 'He felt responsible for Somaiya. He hasn't been back to the house since it happened. Mahmood Hussain, 44, outside his home in Bradford, who lives along Binnie Street a few doors down from where Somaiya lived Somaiya's home, which her hero uncle Dawood, has had to leave because of his heartbreak 'He's not been able to cope since it all happened. It's a shame because he's the nicest guy.' Mr Hussain, 44, said the first he knew of Somaiya's disappearance was when Dawood frantically knocked on his door asking to check his CCTV footage because she had gone missing. He had no idea his brother had snuck into using a set of keys he had cut while he was asleep and embedded an 11cm long spike from a tool in his workshop into Somaiya's back. Bradford Crown Court heard he probably strangled her, but an exact course of death could not be established due to decomposition of her body, which was 'dumped like rubbish' on waste land. He added: 'Nobody deserves to die like that. He deserves life in prison. 'It must have been because of the arranged marriage, I can't see another reason. 'Nobody deserves to die like that. He deserves life in prison. You don't kill someone over that. It's terrible.' No victim impact statements were read out in court from family members, but Dawood Khan said in evidence: 'She was a blessing to have in the house and I could not fault her. She was the light of my life.' Another neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said he came across as a 'genuine and nice man'. She said: 'The uncle left the house straight away, but his mother is still there. 'I heard he's going through a nervous breakdown, he's took it really hard. 'He was really genuine. He was really lovely and thought a lot of her. I think he thought she was his responsibility. 'The family were really quiet and never spoke much, but he always seemed nice. 'It's devastating to know what happened to her. You'd never see her out and about. 'She had the freedom, but she just went to college and worked. She was very focused on studying, it's such a shame.' A third neighbour, who gave his name only as Abdul, said he'd known Khan since they were young men, but that Khan had 'suddenly changed' around 25 years ago. He said: 'He was ok when he was younger, we never had a problem and there were never any issues. But suddenly he just changed. 'I don't know what was wrong with him, but he wasn't the same. 'He was very quiet, but you never thought he would do such a thing like that. 'Since the murder, the grandmother never answers the door anymore. Some relatives come and see her and sometimes take her shopping, but they'll call when they arrive and she opens the door. 'I haven't seen Dawood since it happened. He just left the house and hasn't returned.' Mohammad Taroos Khan used to live at the house, in Binnie Street, Bradford, before being issued with a restraining after being convicted of battery against his own daughter. He held a knife to her throat and threatened 'to cut her up', his murder trial heard. The fiancee of Outback Truckers' Paul 'Sludge' Andrews has revealed the reality tv star is about to be transferred to a brain rehabilitation hospital after suffering serious head injuries in a motorcycle accident. The much-loved truck driver was rushed to hospital two weeks ago after suffering head injuries, several broken bones, torn ligaments, bruising and abrasions in the crash. His fiancee Wendy Kennedy has revealed he will be transferred to Fiona Stanley brain rehabilitation centre, in south Perth, on Friday as he begins his long road to recovery. 'It's a very tough time,' Ms Kennedy told Daily Mail Australia. 'It is going to be a very long, slow road for his recovery. 'It's amazing how in an instant life can change.' The latest health setback comes after Sludge suffered broken ribs and bleeding on the lungs earlier this year, several months after he popped the question to his longtime partner. Outback Truckers star Paul 'Sludge' Andrews is pictured with his fiancee Wendy Kennedy The popular reality tv star is recovering after he was badly injured in a serious accident Wendy broke the news about the horror crash in a Facebook post on Tuesday night, saying it was miraculous he had survived. 'If Sludge has not replied to your messages, it is because on Saturday 4th of March, he had a very serious motorcycle accident,' she wrote. 'He is extremely lucky to be alive. 'He is still hospitalised but will recover, but it's going to be a very slow long recovery and rehab. 'Be assured I will be taking very good care of him when he is able to come home. 'He has sustained head injuries amongst several broken bones, torn ligament and lots of bruising and abrasions.' 'It has been a very stressful time, but I thought all of you would like to know where he has been and what has happened.' The post was inundated with messages from hundreds of well-wishers. 'Good luck, Sludge, on your journey to recovery. Hope all goes well, will be great to see you back up out and about, mate,' one wrote. Sludge's fiancee Wendy (left) revealed he has a long road to recovery ahead of him Born and raised in New Zealand, Sludge has been hauling freight across Oceania for more than three decades and owns Paul Andrews Transport. He was featured on the popular reality TV series Outback Truckers. Freighting fuel tanker road trains to mine sites across WA with his signature purple 2008 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood truck called the Phantom, Mr Andrews became famous around the world for his loving personality and hardworking attitude. Outback Truckers now screens in 15 countries worldwide, include the US, UK, New Zealand and many European nations. He loves motorbikes as much as he does trucks. 'Sludge has always loved the adrenaline rush he gets from anything with big horsepower,' his website states. 'He races his nitro Harley Davidson at the dirt drags and loves his Honda motorcycles.' He proposed to his longtime partner Wendy in November. 'Well finally got up the courage to ask the love of my life to marry me and she said yes looking forward to our new life,' he said at the time. Paul 'Sludge' Andrews is famous for his distinctive purple truck The Phantom Paul 'Sludge' Andrews has worked in freight transport for more than three decades In an interview with Daily Mail Australia last June, he warned the transport sector was being crippled by spiralling costs that could drive smaller operators out of the industry and leave supermarket shelves bare. 'The cost of freighting stuff is going through the roof because the price of fuel is just going up and up every day,' Sludge said. 'And the thing is once fuel goes up all transport costs go up and now parts are much more expensive too. 'This has to be added on somewhere. That money can't just disappear. So prices at your local shops are going up and that's probably going to keep happening and there's nothing we can do about it.' He revealed in another interview he learned to read and write 15 years ago. 'My kids taught me how to read, but Ive done alright. I love what I do and I get to travel the country,' he told Big Rigs. 'Its been a great career for me. I think we need to show young people that you dont have to go to the mines to make good money. Even if youre not the smartest kid at school, you can still have a great career driving trucks.' Fans of Jeremy Clarkson continue to queue for products at the star's Diddly Squat farm shop - even though prices are significantly higher than they are for similar items in supermarkets. The Amazon presenter, who is locked in a planning row with council chiefs in Oxfordshire, sells a range of gifts, clothes and locally-produced food and drink at his popular store. The most expensive item is a 'bundle', consisting of a chopping board, a tea towel an apron and a bamboo 'wooden' spoon, which together sets back punters some 62. While few similar all-in-one collections appear to be on the market, shoppers can easily pick up all four items for less than a tenner elsewhere, with Tesco selling a chopping board for 4, a tea towel for 2.50 and a wooden spoon for 60p, while aprons are available for just 2 from Ikea. Among Diddly Squat's cheapest offerings is the chilli chutney, priced at 4.80. A similar jar in Tesco is available for just 1.45. Clarkson appeared to be in high spirits yesterday when he was photographed at Diddly Squat farm while film crews were recording The most expensive item in the Diddly Squat farm shop is a 'bundle', consisting of a chopping board, a tea towel an apron and a bamboo 'wooden' spoon, which together sets back punters some 62 Among Diddly Squat's cheapest offerings is the chilli chutney (left), priced at 4.80. A similar jar in Tesco is available for just 1.45 (right) One of the shop's most popular products, according to its website, is a 200g bag of ground coffee (left), described as a 100% Arabica blend from Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia 'with hints of chocolate, spices and honey'. It retails at a hefty 6.95 while a similar, slightly larger bag can be bought from Aldi for just 1.69 (right) One of the shop's most popular products, according to its website, is a 200g bag of ground coffee, described as a 100% Arabica blend from Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia 'with hints of chocolate, spices and honey'. READ MORE: Visitors to Diddly Squat farm chew up grass verges with their 4x4 cars Advertisement It retails at a hefty 6.95 while a similar, slightly larger bag can be bought from Aldi for just 1.69. Other products include a 50cl bottle of Vodka selling at 39 - available elsewhere for a mere 9.38 - and a 16 travel cup, similar to one sold in Tesco for 2.50. Meanwhile, two pairs of tractor socks are going for 18.50, compared to Primark's offer of five pairs for as little as 2, while Clarkson charges a whopping 18.50 for his package of a mug and chocolate eggs. A similar offering from Cadbury is sold in Tesco for less than a sixth of the price at just 3. It comes as camera crews were spotted back at the property this week, while visitors to the farm yesterday were seen chewing up grass verges with their 4x4 cars. This is despite an appeal battle between Clarkson and West Oxfordshire District Council, which refused to grant permission for him to extend the shop's car park in May last year. Other products include a 50cl bottle of Vodka (left) selling at 39 - available elsewhere for a mere 9.38 (right) The farm shop also sells a 16 travel cup (left), similar to one sold in Tesco for 2.50 (right) Meanwhile, two pairs of tractor socks are going for 18.50 (left), compared to Primark's offer of five pairs for as little as 2 (right) Clarkson charges a whopping 18.50 for his package of a mug and chocolate eggs (left). A similar offering from Cadbury is sold in Tesco for less than a sixth of the price at just 3 (right) The planning inspector has been holding a hearing into Clarkson's appeal on the matter - and extra security measures were put in place due to the threats made towards his workers. READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson films scenes for his Amazon Prime series at the Diddly Squat farm shop amid battle with council to extend car park Advertisement Clarkson is also challenging its decision to shut down his restaurant on the same plot of land because he allegedly opened it without planning permission in July last year. The filming comes after it was revealed teenage workers at Diddly Squat have to wear bodycams to record abuse directed at them from angry locals over the influx of visitors. But villagers who support Diddly Squat farm have described it as the 'crown jewel' of sustainable living as they pleaded with their local council to allow expansion plans. It also emerged yesterday that the broadcaster has invested in a new beer trailer to serve his flagship Hawkstone lager. Farmhand Kaleb Cooper shared a photo of the new 'mobile bar' on Instagram - with a photo showing a grey trailer with pink paint over the roof. While it's not clear what permissions Clarkson will need to set up the bar on his land, generally planning permission does not need to be sought for temporary structures that are used for less than 28 days a year. He already sells alcohol in his shop so may not need an additional alcohol licence. Clarkson's struggles have prompted some local councillors to call on officials to go easy on the star, with Liam Walker - a Conservative member of Oxfordshire County Council - suggesting he was being treated differently from other developers. 'Jeremy is Marmite and he knows that,' he told MailOnline. 'Of course the council will say all planning applications are taken at face value but I do wonder if some of my council colleagues came to it with a predetermined view.' A Met Police officer, who refused to accept the break-up of his relationship, harassed his ex-girlfriend with 23,000 calls and texts leaving her feeling suicidal. Kye Cole, 37, bombarded his former partner Lucy Selby over a 12-month period. She was forced to quit her job, move home and scrap her entire social life, the court heard. Cole, from Putney, fought a charge of harassing social worker Ms Selby between April 7 and 27, last year, but was convicted after a trial at Wimbledon Magistrates Court in which the victim gave evidence. He received an eighteen-month Community Order, which includes a three-month alcohol treatment requirement and thirty days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. Cole must also complete 150 hours of community service; pay 2,500 compensation to his ex; 775 courts costs and a 95 victim surcharge. Following his convicton, Cole now faces a the sack for gross misconduct. A Met Police disciplinary hearing will take place on March 27. The couple began dating in October 2020, before moving in together in April 2021, but the relationship was damaged by arguments and Cole's alcohol problem. Kye Cole (left) made calls and texts over a twelve-month period to former partner Lucy Selby Ms Selby left the police officer in April, last year, but complained: 'Kye does not take no for an answer,' and continued receiving harassing phone calls and texts from him. She told the court: 'I have become accustomed to Kye sending me excessive amounts of text messages. When he drinks he would send approximately 200 messages a day along with 40 calls. 'None were threatening. At the most Kye would say that he will kill himself if I did not respond and I would usually respond to those messages' She told court: 'I am concerned regarding Kye's professional commitment. The messages I saw included him booking massage appointments during work hours. 'All I want is for Kye to stop contacting me.' Things came to a head when Cole sent her pictures of his supposed journey from London to Manchester, near the family home where she and her four siblings grew up and her parents still live. 'That incident left me feeling unnerved and uncomfortable. I live in a small village and wondered what would have happened had he found my address or bumped into anyone I knew. 'The people I live with have their own vulnerabilities and this would not have been fair on them. The relentless nature of Kye's behaviour made me feel helpless and filled with despair.' District Judge Simon Heptonstall told him: 'I heard your trial and what you had done and even though the length of the charge is three weeks there was a lot happening over a longer period that was intense and caused by your drinking. Ms Selby, pictured, left the police officer in April, last year, but complained: 'Kye does not take no for an answer,' and continued receiving harassing phone calls and texts from him 'You were not accepting of the end of the relationship and you attempted to exert control by threatening suicide and had a plan to go from London to her family's home, which you backed-up with photographs you sent her. 'She would have expected to feel safe in her childhood home as would her family and your behaviour effected her siblings and parents as well. 'When she saw someone who looked like you near the family home she felt despair and helplessness. 'She changed jobs and moved home and feared you could track her down. 'You realised fear would have been caused and said you would not have done it if you had not been drinking. 'This was very serious distress caused and Ms Selby changed how she goes out and socialises and had had to change her friendship group and how she relates to other people. 'It is an aggravating factor that you were in drink and caused serious harm.' Cole's lawyer Kiera Oluwunmi told the court: 'He has lost his good character and a misconduct hearing is due that he knows will result in the loss off his career. 'He has had a fifty thousand pounds inheritance from his father that will allow him to keep his life on track until he finds a new job and put a deposit down on a home. 'He has addressed his alcohol use, which was triggered by the death of his father and lockdown and is extremely remorseful for his actions.' The court heard there had been a recent relapse with his drinking. 'He does need to rebuild his life and is extremely sorry,' added the lawyer. District Judge Heptonstall told Cole: 'You were of good character. You wouldn't have had the job that you had otherwise. 'In fact, you have positive good character and you have served in the police service for a number of years. You have served the community. 'Relating to this offence you did not abuse your position as a police officer to a significant extent. 'This is a case where I can draw back from custody, but there will be a significant Community Order. You need to be punished.' In her victim impact statement Ms Selby said: 'The past nine months have been a process of me rebuilding my life, piece by piece in which every area of my life has been altered.' She is in a new relationship, but finds the habits she developed to satisfy jealous and controlling Cole remain. 'I had been conditioned into a habit from when I was with Kye of working out in my mind how I could engineer a situation where I could take a photo, which would prove that there was a female friend present and I was not alone in a pub with a guy. 'There have been a couple of occasions in August and November when I felt suicidal,' she added, recalling an incident when an Apple store employee questioned why she had 23,000 calls in just twelve months. 'To conclude, despite everything I don't hold any kind of resentment or bitterness towards Kye.' If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can contact the Samaritans for free and completely anonymously on 116 123, or visit New owners claim they didn't know the history of the home The new owners of Melissa Caddick's mansion claimed they had no idea it once belonged to the fraudster with an odd change already spotted on the property. Caddick's Dover Heights mansion, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, was snatched up for $9.8million almost two years after the conwoman vanished in November 2020. Proceeds from the sale will go towards paying back the alleged $23million she stole from investors including friends and family through her Ponzi scheme. The new owners of Melissa Caddick's Dover Heights mansion claim they had no idea it was the former residence of the missing conwoman Proceeds from the sale of the property will go towards paying back the alleged $23million Caddick stole from investors Property records indicate Tongna He bought the property back in October. He is from the eastern suburbs and a retired businessman, according to the records. A man and woman were spotted outside the mansion earlier this week after recently moving in. The woman revealed the pair had no idea about the history behind the house. 'We only just moved in. We actually didn't know about the house (history) until we bought it,' she told The Sunday Telegraph. 'At the end of the day it is just a house to us.' A new addition has already been spotted at the property, with a bag of chillies mysteriously tied to the front door. It is unknown if it was put there by the occupants or not. In certain cultures, chillies are placed in a section of a house to drive out bad spirits from a property. They are also used to cast off the evil eye - a superstitious belief that bad luck is brought to someone when a person glares at them with feelings of dislike or envy. Earlier this month, Caddick's victims came to an agreement in the Federal Court on how they would divide the fraudster's estate The group have also tried to block Caddick's parents Barbara and Ted Grimley. The couple want to use some of the estate's money to pay off the mortgage on an eastern Sydney apartment purchased on their behalf by their daughter. Vanessa Whittaker, representing the receivers in charge of liquidating the 49-year-old's estate, told the court that the 'overwhelming majority' of investors had agreed to split funds on an equal pro-rata basis. A bag of chillies was seen tied to the front door of the former conwoman's mansion. In some cultures, chillies are placed in a section of a home to drive out evil spirits (stock image) Melissa Caddick with her husband Anthony Koletti, who was forced to vacate her Dover Heights home when it was put up for sale The agreement avoids a drawn-out legal fight between those who felt they should have received priority access to the estate's funds. 'The upshot is the out-of-pocket investors, the overwhelming majority ... have informed the receivers they agree with a pari-passu approach (on a par, or equal footing),' Ms Whittaker said. She told the court that 54 of 55 investors had agreed to the 'equitable' process set out by receivers, while the last simply didn't respond. The move comes a month after Justice Brigitte Markovic warned there was a 'dwindling pool of money' that should not be wasted on legal fees. More than $23m is still owed to investors in Caddick's financial services company Maliver, which the Australian Securities and Investments Commission claims was an elaborate Ponzi scheme. Caddick vanished from her Dover Heights home in November 2020, a day after ASIC and the NSW Police raided the property. The corporate watchdog says Caddick misappropriated investor money to fund her lavish lifestyle, with investigators seizing luxury items including jewellery, watches, designer clothing and shoes. She was declared dead four months after her disappearance in February 2021 when a decaying foot was found on Bournda beach, 400km south of Sydney. An ongoing coronial inquest is seeking to uncover the cause and manner of her presumed death, with findings expected to be handed down in April. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has been criticised for racking up air miles by taking five foreign trips in five months even jetting off to speak about sustainability. Dr Coffey, whose department discourages staff from flying because of the effect it has on the environment, has covered nearly 40,000 miles since taking office in October last year. She visited international events including the inauguration of President Lula da Silva in Brazil, attending the COP27 climate-change summit in Egypt, the COP15 biodiversity summit in Canada and agricultural trade talks in Washington DC. During her short time in the role she has made more foreign trips than the previous four Environment Secretaries put together. Her most recent trip was to the Our Ocean conference in Panama this month, where she spoke about ocean conservation and sustainability in fishing. Environment Secretary Therese Coffey speaking during the National Farmers' Union Conference at the ICC READ MORE: Let them eat turnips! Therese Coffey tells families to buy British veg to battle food shortages Advertisement Critics have condemned her actions while Britain faces environmental crises, including fruit and vegetable shortages and sewage dumping in rivers. The greenhouse gas impact of her flights is estimated to be the equivalent of around 19 tons of carbon dioxide. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is currently 24 per cent behind its official target for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions worse than any other Government department. Jim McMahon, Labours shadow Environment Secretary, said: At a time when the UK suffers from food shortages, Therese Coffey should be here doing her duty to get Britain fed, not passing through Duty Free. Defra said: Part of the Secretary of States job is to represent the UK on vital international issues, such as protecting nature, addressing climate change and ensuring our food security. Parents are furious after a toddler was left on a bus by childcare centre staff on a hot day reaching more than 30C. Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre, in Brisbane's south, sent an email to parents informing them of the incident on Thursday. The child, 2, was left unsupervised on the bus for about an hour during an excursion with temperatures rising to 31.1C in the area. Parents are furious after a toddler was left on a bus by childcare centre staff on a hot day reaching more than 30C An ambulance was not called as the child appeared unharmed and returned back to the facility the following day, Brisbane Times reported. The email sent to parents said staff were 'absolutely devastated' and the incident prompted the centre to launch an investigation. Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre business manager Carly Pickett said all transportation of children would be suspended in the meantime. 'We have met with the family this morning and are keeping them informed through the process,' Ms Pickett wrote. She said the department of Early Childhood Education and Care has been notified and is also completing their own investigation. 'As you are aware, we have suspended all transportation and excursions immediately while we undertake a full review of the policies and procedures pertaining to the transportation of children,' Ms Pickett wrote. The incident has already sparked major changes with more likely to come. 'All team members will be retrained in all policies, procedures and documentation around the safe transportation of children on Monday 20th March to support further quality improvement and ongoing enhancement to health and safety policies,' Ms Pickett wrote. It is understood staff are extremely upset over the issue, though the email did not mention if any have been suspended while the investigations are undertaken. The incident comes less than a year after three-year-old Neveah Austin was left on a childcare centre bus on a hot day for six hours in May 2022. She was airlifted to Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane in a serious condition to undergo a brain scan and treatment for kidney failure. Neveah has since recovered. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Capalaba Kids Early Learning Centre for comment. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott and several other potential presidential hopefuls have not yet weighed-in on the bombshell news that Donald Trump could be indicted by the Manhattan District Attorney this week. Longshot presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy had some stern words Saturday for the field of Republicans, claiming their silence could be 'the beginning of the end.' If an indictment is levied in the case involving Trump's hush money payment to porn star Stormey Daniels, it would be the first against the former president and could open a floodgate for other cases against him. Neither Senator Scott nor former Gov. Haley, a Trump-era Ambassador to the United Nations, opted to answer DailyMail.com questions regarding the indictment at the Palmetto Family Council's Vision '24 National Conservative Forum in North Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday. Florida Gov. DeSantis' team did not respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment on the indictment. Presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy called on his fellow candidates potential an announced to denounce the possible impending indictment against Donald Trump Presidential candidate Nikki Haley (left) and Sen. Tim Scott (right), who is weighing a bid, both did not respond to DailyMail.com when asked about the indictment at the Palmetto Family Council's Vision '24 National Conservative Forum in North Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday 'Today was an important day in the country,' Ramaswamy said during a brief press conference following his own remarks at the forum. 'The reason I'm doing this is because the rest of the Republican field, I think, has been deafeningly silent about an important issue in the country today,' he added of the news that an indictment could be looming. 'What I'm about to say has nothing to do with Donald Trump and everything to do with the integrity of an election and the integrity of a self-governing democracy,' the biotech multimillionaire added. 'So I don't care whether you root for Trump or whether you don't, if you root for the integrity of our constitutional republic then you need to be on the side of being really clear.' Ramaswamy has been extremely vocal in denouncing the prospect of an indictment against Trump, claiming that there would be no case if it weren't for the face that the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is severely anti-Trump. He claimed during his press conference in Charleston on Saturday that he is a 'politically empowered prosecutor' looking to 'eliminate the opposition of a ruling party using arrest power.' Ramaswamy immediately responded to news of the impending indictment on Saturday morning with a tweet. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' team did not respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment on the indictment of Trump Former Vice President Mike Pence, also a potential 2024 hopeful, also responded by telling Breitbart News radio that the move, though not yet carried out, 'reeks of the kind of political prosecution that we endured back in the days of the Russia hoax.' Othersie, the rest of the field of the already announced and potential candidates were silent on the matter. 'This morning we learned that it is likely that the New York Manhattan District Attorney is likely to indict a former President of the United States, who is running for office,' Ramaswamy said, making it clear that while he is in a presidential primary against Trump, his thoughts on the indictment are not politically motivated. 'It is a sad day in America,' he said. 'It is a dark day in America if you have the ruling party in this country using police power to arrest its political opposition.' 'That would be the beginning of the end as we know.' The number of elite troops in Britain's military is potentially too low to combat the threat posed by Russia, China and terrorism, defence experts have warned. Commanders fear regiments such as the SAS may be unable to participate in future covert operations, with one former military officer blaming Government cuts for leaving Special Forces which are 'vital to the security of the nation' short of personnel. The concerns come amid renewed fears about the level of investment in defence and claims that the Armed Forces have been hollowed out. Although a funding increase of 11 billion over the next five years was announced in last week's Budget, the figure is still short of Government targets to spend three per cent of the GDP on the sector by 2030. The SAS, SBS and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, which make up the main units of the UK Special Forces Group (UKSF), are currently believed to be only about 65 to 70 per cent staffed. Pictured: Members of the Special Air Service entering the Iranian Embassy to end a six day siege in Central London. The SAS, SBS and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, which make up the main units of the UK Special Forces Group, are currently believed to be only about 65 to 70 per cent staffed Lieutenant Colonel Philip Ingram, a former military intelligence officer and Nato planner, urged Whitehall not to ignore commanders' fears. He said: 'The Special Forces are vital to the security of the nation, so the fact that they are short of personnel should be very worrying. 'With a smaller military, it makes it much harder to find sufficient personnel with the right skills and mentality to attempt Special Forces Selection. 'Recruiting and training enough people for Special Forces has always been a challenge, made worse by the intense operational tempo which has a detrimental effect on retention.' The SAS and SBS have been on continuous operations since the first Gulf War. They also took part in the Balkans conflict and Kosovo campaign and have been deployed in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. But such operations take a huge physical and mental toll, and at least 12 personnel are known to have died in recent conflicts. Commando Royal Marines in Afghanistan (file photo). The concerns come amid renewed fears about the level of investment in defence and claims that the Armed Forces have been hollowed out Members of the UKSF have supported MI6 officers on operations around the world, most recently in Syria, where they helped British spies establish agent networks. The Special Forces run selection courses twice a year with about 100 hopefuls attending each six-month course. The pass rate is usually lower than ten per cent, but there have been times when no one has made the grade. Another senior officer said: 'The Special Forces play a direct role in counter-terrorism. They assist both MI6 and MI5 officers in the field and they have to undertake their own training the workload is huge.' A Defence spokesman said: 'It is the long-standing policy of successive governments not to comment on Special Forces.' The head of Italy's opposition party blasted a bureaucratic crackdown on LGBTQ families as 'ideological', 'cruel' and 'discriminatory'. The Interior Ministry this week forced Milan to limit parental rights to the biological parent of children registered by same-sex couples in the city. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, who in 2020 revealed she was in a relationship with another woman, vowed on Saturday to push through legislation to better recognize and protect their rights. She joined thousands of people at a demonstration in Milan to protest a move by the far-right-led Italian government to restrict the rights of parents in same-sex relationships. 'You explain to my son that I'm not his mother,' read one sign held up amid a sea of rainbow flags that filled one of the northern city's central squares. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein, who in 2020 revealed she was in a relationship with another woman, vowed on Saturday to push through legislation to better recognize and protect their rights LGBTQ protesters hold a rally against the government's crackdown against same-sex parents in Piazza Scala in Milan Italy legalised same-sex civil unions in 2016, but opposition from the Catholic Church meant it stopped short of granting gay couples the right to adopt. Decisions have instead been made on a case-by-case basis by the courts, as parents take legal action, although some local authorities decided to act unilaterally. Milan had been registering children of same-sex couples conceived overseas through surrogacy - which is illegal in Italy - or medically assisted reproduction, which is only available for heterosexual couples. But its centre-left mayor Beppe Sala revealed this week that this had stopped after the interior ministry sent a letter insisting that the courts must decide. 'It is an obvious step backwards from a political and social point of view, and I put myself in the shoes of those parents who thought they could count on this possibility in Milan,' he said in a podcast, vowing to fight the change. Fabrizio Marrazzo of the Gay Party said about 20 children are waiting to be registered in Milan, condemning the change as 'unjust and discriminatory'. A mother or father who is not legally recognised as their child's parent can face huge bureaucratic problems, with the risk of losing the child if the registered parent dies or the couple's relationship breaks down. Party leader Schlein has never made her sexual orientation a prominent part of her politics, and she didn't address Saturday's protest from the main stage. Italian premier Giorgia Meloni, whose far-right Brothers of Italy party came top in September elections, puts a strong emphasis on traditional family values Speaking to reporters as the protest wrapped up, she accused the Premier Giorgia Meroni's government of 'cruelly lashing out' at the children of gay parents and denying them rights. 'We are talking about rights being trampled upon when they are already recognized by our constitution. We are talking about girls and boys already growing up in our communities, going to our schools,' Schlein said in comments streamed by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. 'This is no longer tolerable. These families are tired of being discriminated against.' Meloni, whose far-right Brothers of Italy party came top in September elections, puts a strong emphasis on traditional family values. 'Yes to natural families, no to the LGBT lobby!' she said in a speech last year before her election at the head of a right-wing coalition that includes Matteo Salvini's anti-immigration League. The prefecture decree also says parental rights must be limited to the biological parent even for children of same-sex couples who first were registered in other European Union member countries. LGBTQ rights groups say the underlying decision by an Italian Senate commission to block the recognition of EU documents puts Italy in line with countries such as Poland and Hungary, strong allies of the Meloni government. 'This retrograde majority has inexplicably lashed out at children ideologically,' Schlein said. 'This goes against a European regulation that establishes a trivial thing and that is that if you are recognized as a daughter or son in another European country, you must also be recognized in Italy.' The government hasn't commented on the Milan directive. Meloni, who has a daughter with her partner, has frequently touted her Christian faith and pro-family values. Schlein said she would press to open debate on legislation to close the legal loophole that resulted in the crackdown. Also attending Saturday's protest was Francesca Pascale, the former longtime companion of ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Pascale, who now is in a same-sex union with another woman, blasted Berlusconi's governing allies as 'homophobic.' 'The sovereignists of this country treat us worse than criminals,' she said. 'Civil rights are rights for everyone.' People sit under a screen with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they attend an event on the ninth anniversary of Russia's annexation of Crimea in Sevastopol, Crimea, March 18. EPA-Yonhap Chinese President Xi Jinping's plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week highlighted China's aspirations for a greater role on the world stage. But they also revealed the perils of global diplomacy: Hours after Friday's announcement of the trip, an international arrest warrant was issued for Putin on war crimes charges, taking at least some wind out of the sails of China's big reveal. The flurry of developments which followed China's brokering of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and its release of what it calls a "peace plan" for Ukraine came as the Biden administration watches warily Beijing's moves to assert itself more forcefully in international affairs. U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday he believes the decision by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to charge Putin was "justified." Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for his Delaware home, he said Putin "clearly committed war crimes." While the U.S. does not recognize the court, Biden said it "makes a very strong point" to call out the Russian leader for his actions in ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Other U.S. officials privately expressed satisfaction that an international body had agreed with Washington's assessment that Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Asked about the Xi-Putin meeting, Biden said, "Well, we'll see when that meeting takes place." The Biden administration believes China's desire to be seen as a broker for peace between Russia and Ukraine may be viewed more critically now that Putin is officially a war crime suspect, according to two U.S. officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the matter publicly, said the administration hopes the warrants will help mobilize heretofore neutral countries to weigh in on the conflict. A look at the Xi-Putin meeting and how it may be affected by the warrant. What is the significance of Xi meeting with Putin? 'The visit to Russia will be Xi's first foreign trip since being elected to an unprecedented third term as China's president. It comes as Beijing and Moscow have intensified ties in steps that began shortly before Russia's invasion of Ukraine with a meeting between the two leaders in Beijing during last year's Winter Olympics at which they declared a "no limits" partnership. Since then, China has repeatedly sided with Russia in blocking international action against Moscow for the Ukraine conflict and, U.S. officials say, is considering supplying Russia with weapons to support the war. But it has also tried to cast itself in a more neutral role, offering a peace plan that was essentially ignored. The meeting in Moscow is likely to see the two sides recommit to their partnership, which both see as critical to countering what they consider undue and undeserved influence exerted by the U.S. and its Western allies. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping before an extended-format meeting of heads of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit (SCO) member states in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 16, 2022. Reuters-Yonhap What is the significance of the ICC arrest warrant issued for Putin? In the immediate term, the ICC's warrant for Putin and one of his aides is unlikely to have a major impact on the meeting or China's position toward Russia. Neither China nor Russia nor the United States or Ukraine has ratified the ICC's founding treaty. The U.S., beginning with the Clinton administration, has refused to join the court, fearing that its broad mandate could result in the prosecution of American troops or officials. That means that none of the four countries formally recognizes the court's jurisdiction or is bound by its orders, although Ukraine has consented to allowing some ICC probes of crimes on its territory and the U.S. has cooperated with ICC investigations. In addition, it is highly unlikely that Putin would travel to a country that would be bound by obligations to the ICC. If he did, it is questionable whether that country would actually arrest him. There is precedent for those previously indicted, notably former Sudanese President Omar Bashir, to have visited ICC members without being detained. However, the stain of the arrest warrant could well work against China and Russia in the court of public opinion and Putin's international status may take a hit unless the charges are withdrawn or he is acquitted. What is the view from Washington? U.S. officials have not minced words when it comes to Xi's planned visit to Moscow. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Beijing's push for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine a "ratification of Russian conquest" and warned that Russians could use a cease-fire to regroup their positions "so that they can restart attacks on Ukraine at a time of their choosing." "We do not believe that this is a step towards a just, durable peace," he said. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan this week called on Xi to also speak with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leader has also expressed interest in talks with Xi. What is the view from Kyiv? Speaking before the ICC warrant was unveiled, Ukrainian analysts cautioned against falling into a potential trap ahead of the Xi-Putin meeting. "We need to be aware that such peace talks are a trap for Ukraine and its diplomatic corps," said Yurii Poita, who heads the Asia section at the Kyiv-based New Geopolitics Research Network. "Under such conditions, these peace talks won't be directed toward peace," said Nataliia Butyrska, a Ukrainian analyst on politics related to Eastern Asia. She said the visit reflects not so much China's desire for peace but its desire to play a major role in whatever post-conflict settlement may be reached. "China does not clearly distinguish between who is the aggressor and who is the victim. And when a country begins its peacekeeping activities or at least seeks to help the parties, not distinguishing this will affect objectivity," Butyrska said. "From my perspective, China seeks to freeze the conflict." Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak via phone, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 16. Reuters-Yonhap The comedian said San Francisco's plan to give $5m to black residents is 'madness' He joked that George Santos would be first in line for the outlandish payouts Bill Maher has taken aim at San Francisco's 'crazy' plan to give black residents $5 million in reparations, despite the state not having a history slavery. The comedian, 67, joked that serial liar George Santos, a Hispanic Congressman, would be first in line for the lucrative deal. Alongside the massive payout, the proposals could also wipe out personal debt, guarantee $97,000 incomes for 250 years and offer homes for just $1. During a discussion with former presidential candidate Andrew Yang and Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, Maher questioned whether the plan 'goes too far'. 'This is madness, is it not?' he added, arguing that 'woke craziness' is fueling the outlandish proposal. Comedian Bill Maher took aim at San Francisco's 'crazy' plan to offer $5 million in slavery reparations Maher's 'Real Time' show saw him discuss the issue with former presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, left, and Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, right Opening the discussion by noting that giving each qualified resident a $5 million payout would be 'quite a lot', Maher repeatedly slammed the proposal as 'crazy'. 'And by the way, San Francisco doesn't have a history of slavery or anything like that, you know,' he added - alluding to a common criticism of California's slavery reparations plan due to the fact that it was never a slave-owning state. 'It would cost every citizen left $600,000 each. This is madness, is it not?' Panelist Andrew Yang, who ran for the presidency in 2020 on a platform that included offering every American $1000 a month in universal basic income, joked that 'even I didn't go this far'. He added that the plan could be little more than a 'political statement' and argued that it may only be proposed by politicians seeking the spotlight. 'We have a lot of people at various stages of public office who are putting out bills and policies that are more for the messaging and stoking the fires on social media than actually trying to get something passed.' Later in the show, Maher again touched on the subject while delivering his closing monologue, quipping: 'The first to comment on this was George Santos, who said "As a black man..."' Pictured: The San Francisco board of supervisors that will decide to adopt some or all of the reparations proposals The 'Real Time' host joked that Hispanic New York Congressman George Santos, pictured, would be first in line for the generous slavery reparations. San Francisco is among several Democrat-run cities considering paying reparations to black residents for America's history of slavery. To qualify, an individual must have 'identified as Black/ African American' on public documents for at least 10 years, and be over 18-years-old. Many of those who would be in line for the payout argue that they are owed not just because their ancestors were enslaved, but because the subsequent issues with racism and the high levels of African Americans that are incarcerated compared to white Americans. However, the plans have been sharply criticized by many, including former BLM activist Xaviaer DuRousseau, who told San Francisco's committee the plan is 'never actually going to happen'. 'It is so unrealistic to think that the average family in San Francisco is going to be able to pay $600,000 extra a piece,' he added. Following the contentious reparations debate, Maher also hit out at the recent scandal at Stanford University, where woke law students berated Trump-appointed federal Judge Kyle Duncan after he was invited to speak on the campus. The controversy was initiated by the prestigious university's inclusivity dean Tirien Steinback, who scolded the judge for his past decisions on same-sex marriage and reproductive rights. Bill Maher also took aim at Stanford inclusivity dean Tirien Steinbach (left) after she scolded Trump-appointed judge Kyle Duncan (right) at a college event Maher played a clip where Steinbach confronted the judge by asking him 'is it worth the pain that this causes?' 'Is it worth the pain? Is free speech "worth the pain?" And is it really painful? Is it really painful? If you don't like this guy, don't go to his lecture!' Maher fired back. Congresswoman Slotkin, who was notably quiet during the discussion on reparations, argued that Duncan was 'a little bit of a fragile flower'. 'I mean, push through, man. Just keep going,' she added. But Maher again pushed back, saying it would have been 'impossible' for the judge to make a point amid the onslaught. 'You don't have a problem if the officer of the university is up there and defends the hecklers and not the speaker?' he continued. 'Because that's what she did. She defended the hecklers, not the speaker.' Temperatures are expected to rise to 40C in NSW as an 'unseasonable' heatwave reaches its peak and dozens of fires continue to burn across the state. Canberra, Brisbane and Perth are also in for a scorching day, though temperatures in Victoria and South Australia should begin to cool on Sunday. Sydney's CBD will reach 32 degrees, but in the west, Penrith is tipped to hit 40C and Richmond and Blacktown should reach 39C, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast. The 'unseasonable' heatwave in NSW will peak on Sunday. Two women are pictured at Bronte Beach on March 16, 2023 in Sydney Sydney's CBD will reach 32 degrees, but in the west, Penrith is tipped to hit 40C and Richmond and Blacktown should reach 39C, the Bureau of Meteorology forecast. Two women are pictured on Bronte Beach Temperatures in parts of the state's west - including Forbes, Griffith, Ivanhoe and Cobar - are predicted to climb even higher than 40C. It comes after NSW sweltered through a steamy Saturday, leaving more than 30 bush and grass fires burning across the state on Sunday morning. A fire at Craigs Road in Curraweela, in the southern tablelands, was being controlled but had burned through 3,689 hectares, destroying property and livestock. Another large fire was burning out of control at Yarra Station near Mount Hope in the state's west and a high fire rating remains for much of the state. Elsewhere across the country, the temperature in Canberra is predicted to hit 36C on Sunday, while Perth is expected to reach 33C and Brisbane 32C. Victoria will get some reprieve with cooler weather, though, after temperatures reached the high 30s and low 40s on Saturday. Residents along the Great Ocean Road in the state's south-west were on high alert for much of the day, with a watch-and-act message in place for a blaze near Kennett River, although the warning was downgraded in the afternoon. Several other fires reached advice level before a cool change passed through the state on Saturday evening. Victorian temperatures should hover about the low to mid-20s for the coming week. On Sunday, Melbourne is expected to reach a high of 21C and Adelaide 27C. Queensland will have a hot day, with some parts of the state hitting 34C. The weekend's heatwave was caused by trough bringing a hot airmass across Australia's east coast this weekend, creating hot, cry and windy conditions. Total fire bans have been lifted in Victoria and South Australia. Dozens of fires continue to burn across NSW, including in the Curraweela area (pictured) Text messages are being sent to 999 callers instead of ambulances because of a shortage of crews. Six out of ten ambulance trusts in England admit they now send SMS alerts to callers when a medical team is at first unavailable. The trusts that do this insist it happens only when the patient is deemed low priority, or to enable welfare checks at times of extreme pressure. A total of 511 people died before reaching A&E in England last year because of breakdowns in the emergency response system and ambulance shortages, according to a recent report. This is more than double the 220 who died in similar circumstances the previous year. Text messages are being sent to 999 callers instead of ambulances because of a shortage of crews An MoS probe into ambulance texts began after an elderly Arsenal fan collapsed with breathing problems at a north London station after last Saturdays home game. A passer-by called 999 and was told an ambulance would arrive within 20 to 45 minutes. Twenty minutes later a text was sent to the callers phone saying none were available and the patient could be given water. London Ambulance Trust Service said later: Our records show that the patient had left the scene of their own accord before the ambulance arrived, which was within an hour of the initial call. We only text when appropriate and when a patient is not in a life-threatening emergency. Last week East of England Ambulance Service admitted spending 129,000 on taxis to take 27 patients on category 1 calls needing life-saving intervention or resuscitation to hospital. A further 281 cabs were used for category 2 patients who had suffered conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, sepsis or burns. The trust is now using text messages to respond to calls on specified occasions such as updating callers and conducting welfare checks during times of extreme pressure. North East Ambulance Service will send texts only to back up what the health adviser has said on the phone, to advise people to call back if anything has changed and to acknowledge that we have an ambulance planned and if there is an estimated wait time. North West Ambulance Service said it may text to warn of delay when there is high demand or industrial action is taking place. North East Ambulance Service will send texts only to back up what the health adviser has said on the phone, to advise people to call back if anything has changed It added: We dont send a text in lieu of an emergency response. We only close calls after a patient assessment through a call handler or clinician. South East Coast Ambulance Service said: We use SMS to keep patients informed and to advise if we are facing high demand or while they are awaiting a call back from a clinician. East Midlands Ambulance Service said: During periods of intense demand, a text may be sent to less seriously unwell patients to reassure them an ambulance will be sent as soon as possible and advising them to only call us back if the condition has worsened. This is to help keep the phone lines free for calls of a life-threatening nature. South Western Ambulance Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, South Central Ambulance Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service all denied sending texts to callers. He says it's a promise Australia will follow the US into war A top defence expert has slammed the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal saying it could lead to Australia being forced to follow the US into a war against China. Australia has committed to the vessels under the trilateral AUKUS security pact involving the US and UK. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday it will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268billion to $368billion over the next 30 years. He was joined by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden as he made in the announcement in San Diego on Tuesday. The Australian National University's Hugh White, an emeritus professor of strategic studies and a former deputy secretary of the Defence Department, unleashed an extraordinary criticism of the plan on Sunday. His comment comes as concerns are raised around Australia's defence capability after classified maps revealed Beijing's missiles can hit targets across most of the country. Australia's commitment to pursue the acquisition of nuclear-power submarines under AUKUS was confirmed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese alongside UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden in San Diego on Tuesday Professor Hugh White (pictured) has slammed the AUKUS deal, saying it acts as a promise that Australia will follow the US into a future conflict against China 'This is a very serious transformation of the nature of our alliance with the United States,' professor White said in an interview recorded for the ANU's politics podcast Democracy Sausage. 'The US don't really care about our submarine capability - they care deeply about tying Australia into their containment strategy against China.' Australia plans to purchase between three and five US-made Virginia-class nuclear submarines as a stopgap measure before eight AUKUS-class nuclear submarines based on a British design are built in Adelaide, with the first to be completed by 2042. Professor White said he couldn't see why the US would sell its own submarines - of which they have fewer than they need - unless it was absolutely sure Australia's submarines would be available to it in the event of a major conflict in Asia. He said a war between America and China over Taiwan would be 'World War III' and have a 'very good chance' of being a nuclear conflict. 'Australia's experience of war shaped by the fact that we've tended to be on the winning side, but there is no reason to expect America to win in a war with China over Taiwan,' he warned. He suggested there was also a high chance the AUKUS deal could fall over under a future American administration and a worsening strategic environment. Last week's AUKUS announcement has triggered questions about how an already under-strain budget will handle the associated cost. It has also reignited concerns about how Australia can ensure it maintains sovereign capability of the vessels it acquires under the pact. The submarine deal with the US will cost Australian taxpayers a mammoth $268bn to $368bn over the next 30 years (pictured, a crew member onboard the USS Asheville in Perth) Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's announcement of the AUKUS details has been met with both criticism and praise Professor White said there were cheaper, quicker, less risky and less demanding ways for Australia to get the submarines it needed, labelling the AUKUS plan a waste of money that 'doesn't make sense'. 'There's going to be no actual net increase in the number of submarines available until well into the 2040s, even if it goes to plan - which it probably won't,' he said. It isn't the first time Professor White has publicly criticised the AUKUS security agreement since it was signed by the Morrison government in 2021. He penned an article for The Saturday Paper just last week titled 'The AUKUS submarines will never happen'. The publication of that article coincided with Paul Keating's incendiary appearance at the National Press Club in which he savaged the AUKUS pact as the 'worst deal in history. Mr Keating - who was the Labor prime minister from 1991 to 1996 - also personally attacked Mr Albanese, cabinet members such as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, and journalists who asked him questions on Wednesday. Speaking on the ANU's podcast, Professor White stopped short of endorsing Mr Keating's language but said he shared his concerns about AUKUS. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating (pictured) slammed the plan as the 'worst deal in history' at the National Press Club as he savaged the government Classified maps have revealed that China's land based missiles could hit targets across most parts of Australia if fired from their bases in the South China Sea It comes as defence maps revealed that China's land based DF-26 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs) could hit targets across two thirds of Australia. The classified paper shows the 3,000-5,000 kilometre range of the missiles if they were fired from their base at Hainan Island or the country's militarised islands in the South China Sea. A launch from Hainan Island could wipe out Darwin's defence base, RAAF Tindal and RAAF Learmouth, the Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt or any target in the north west, reports The Advertiser. The news gets worse if Beijing fires missiles from their militarised islands such as Mischief Reef and Subi Reef, which are much closer to the country. These attacks could take out targets in any area in the Northern Territory, almost every inch of Western Australia, as far west as Townsville and south western regions of South Australia. Critical defence and intelligence facilities are spread across these states including but not limited to Pine Gap in the middle of the country, RAAF Pearce in WA and Fleet Base west. It illustrates China's strong presence throughout the South China Sea could undermine Australia's geographical advantages The prosecutors who put Alex Murdaugh behind bars for murdering his wife and son have revealed that they are pursuing a third life sentence for financial crimes. A third conviction would ensure the legal scion dies in prison, and authorities insist they will not stop chasing charges against Murdaugh until each of his victims in numerous financial fraud and theft scams see justice. Murdaugh is facing 99 pending charges for financial crimes, and the convicted murderer could be back in court in each of the five South Carolina counties where the admitted offences took place. State Attorney General Alan Wilson and Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters told ABC4News they are '100 percent' intent on pushing for the third conviction. Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, center, could lose his chance at parole as prosecutors insist they are seeking a third life sentence Murdaugh is currently housed in high-security Kirkland Correctional Institution, one of South Carolina's most notorious prisons. And while the disgraced former lawyer escaped the death penalty for the murder of his wife Maggie and son Paul, a third life sentence conviction would mean Murdaugh will spend the rest of his life behind bars due to the state's 'three strikes' law. He is currently appealing his murder conviction, but the state is specifically seeking three additional convictions for breach of trust totaling $10,000 or more. Three additional convictions on the breach of trust charges would result in a life sentence, removing his chance of parole. However, prosecutors say they won't stop at just three extra convictions. 'These victims deserve their day in court, and we are going to pursue every case that involves every other victim,' state AG Wilson said. 'They get their shot, they get their day in court.' Waters, who is leading the cases against Murdaugh, added that his alleged financial fraud victims hope to see justice in cases that have 'nothing to do with the murders'. 'We are talking about somebody who allegedly has abused the trust that comes with that diploma on the wall that we (lawyers) all have, and did so in a way that is unparalleled.' South Carolina Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters, pictured, is leading the charge to ensure Murdaugh dies in prison State Attorney General Alan Wilson said he is '100 percent' pursuing another life sentence for the disgraced legal scion Almost two years after he executed his wife and son, Alex Murdaugh was finally snared after crucial evidence was presented at his trial. The damning evidence included a video which placed him at the scene minutes before the murders, a 'confession' to cops and a disastrous appearance on the stand. At the center of the State's case was a video taken by Murdaugh's son at the kennels just moments before he was shot dead along with his mother. It proved the disbarred attorney's undoing as he'd told cops he was never at the crime scene. He then took the stand during his trial and claimed he only lied because his drug addiction made him paranoid, however his desperate attempt at changing his alibi did not sway the jurors. Also among the harrowing evidence revealed in the six week trial was video footage appearing to show a confession, when Murdaugh said 'I did him so bad' just three days after the murders. However, despite prosecutors securing a conviction in Murdaugh's high-profile trial this month, numerous questions are still swirling as to what led to the killings. Alex Murdaugh is currently housed in high-security Kirkland Correctional Institution, one of South Carolina's most notorious prisons Central to the lingering questions is what Murdaugh's motivation was for killing his wife and son. The prosecution put forward the theory that Murdaugh murdered his wife and son because his life was spiraling out of control, but they didn't nail down a specific reason for the executions. He testified that he was in the throes of a crippling opioid addiction, was facing mounting financial problems - and there were rumors his marriage was falling apart. Authorities also failed to present a murder weapon, and while a rifle that Alex bought for his son could have been a match, according to prosecutors, it was never found. A Iranian rapist has won the right to stay in the UK after a judge decided he would face persecution in his native country, a report states. Despite apparently lying about being a former employee of MI5, his appeal against deportation was successful. The immigration tribunal was told that the man first entered Britain in 1992 as a student, The Sun reports. The newspaper adds that the man, referred to as XX, raped a female lodger living in the same house in London in 2000. He was convicted a year later and jailed for seven years. The case was heard at the Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber at Field House in central London Immigration papers state he has never given 'any indication' of showing insight into the impact on his victim and he has not participated in any rehabilitation course. After the conclusion of his jail term, authorities wanted to deport the man in 2005 but he launched a successful interim appeal. Despite no documentary evidence, the man has clung to a claim that he was previously recruited by UK secret services. The man insisted MI5 headhunted him as he used to mix in social circles with links to the Iranian Embassy in London. The security services have refused to shed light on the claim one way or another. He also shared his fears of receiving the death penalty for his rape conviction if he returns to Iran. The judge appeared to give some weight to a third reason given, which was his criticism of the Iranian regime. In his ruling, judge John Keith said the man could remain in the UK due to the risk of persecution he faces. He also accepted there was indeed evidence the man had criticised the Iranian regime on a website, and authorities' knowledge of this meant a 'real risk of interrogation and extensive detention'. Brittany Higgins is kitting out her lavish new rental home with the latest appliances as she explores the neighbourhood with her fiance. The former political staffer and her groom-to-be David Sharaz moved into the beachside house on the Gold Coast about two weeks ago. Ms Higgins left Brisbane to finish her law degree at nearby Bond University after receiving a large settlement with the Commonwealth. The payout followed the failed prosecution of fellow Liberal staffer Bruce Lerhmann, whom Ms Higgins accused of raping her on a couch in Parliament House. Mr Sharaz, who quit his job when the couple moved, on Saturday helped delivery drivers move a new refrigerator inside the house. Brittany Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz wander around their Gold Coast neighbourhood after moving into a lavish beachside house in the area, carrying a cactus to decorate it Mr Sharaz, who quit is job when the couple moved, on Saturday helped delivery drivers move a new refrigerator inside the house He took the bottom end of the huge appliance as they hauled it off the back of a ute and carrier it inside covered in a plastic sheet He took the bottom end of the huge appliance as they hauled it off the back of a ute and carrier it inside covered in a plastic sheet. The fridge will join other expensive furnishings in the upmarket home, including a $500 white velvet mirror and a $330 decorative side table. Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz at another point during the day took a stroll around their Gold Coast neighbourhood and visited a local cafe. Mr Sharaz wore the same dark green t-shirt and fluro shorts he threw on to move the fridge, while Ms Higgins opted for a summer dress in the Queensland heat. The outing also brought home something else to kit out the new house with Mr Sharaz carrying a small potted cactus around town. More furnishings for their home are on the way as removalists cleared out their Brisbane home on Thursday. Workers were spotted carrying furniture and bags of belongings out of the house and loading them on to a moving truck. Ms Higgins has a drink at a local cafe after the couple paused their wanderings around town The couple sit at the table contemplating what to order to satisfy their hunger on Saturday Ms Higgins left Brisbane to finish her law degree at Bond University on the Gold Coast after receiving a large settlement with the Commonwealth The couple showed off their new home in social media posts when they moved in, with photos showing how close it was to the beach. Her mother Kelly Higgins, who is a real estate agent, commented: 'It's a exactly what you deserve my angel.' 'A beautiful home in a beautiful location. Lots of happy memories to be shared and made. Miss you already xx.' Mr Sharaz, who left his job with Southern Cross Austereo in mid-February, posted his own photo of a beach near their new home with the caption: 'No, I don't miss the 9-5.' Ms Higgins reached a compensation settlement with the Commonwealth in December for an undisclosed amount, after she tried to sue for damages for sexual harassment, discrimination, and negligence. She later denied claims her payout was worth $3 million - insisting she received 'far less', and threatening legal action if the figure was repeated. More furnishings for their home are on the way as removalists cleared out their Brisbane home on Thursday Workers were spotted carrying furniture and bags of belongings out of the house and loading them on to a moving truck A removalist struggles with two bags full of belongings as he hauls them out of the house The month-long trial in the ACT Supreme Court against her alleged rapist Mr Lehrmann was aborted in October due to juror misconduct. She alleged Mr Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House after a night out in March 2019. He pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold dropped the case altogether in December, citing concerns for Ms Higgins' mental health. Mr Lehrmann sued Channel 10, Lisa Wilkinson, and News Corp in the Federal Court for publishing stories about Ms Higgins' allegations in February 2021. The first day of proceedings on Thursday did not go well for him as he was grilled over drunken texts he sent his then-girlfriend when Ms Higgins went public. Mr Lehrmann's girlfriend at the time, Greta Sinclair, was distraught over the extraordinary televised accusations. He placated her by firing off messages suggesting his lawyer had told him that he was a 'pawn' and 'part of a bigger political hatchet job'. Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz (pictured together) have moved from Brisbane to the Gold Coast David Sharaz, who recently quit his job in Brisbane, posted a photo of a beach near their new home - with the caption 'No, I don't miss the 9-5' Brittany Higgins posted a photo of her new living room, which features a $500 velvet mirror (pictured) During cross-examination in the Federal Court in Sydney on Thursday, Mr Lehrmann admitted to Ten's lawyer Matthew Collins SC that Mr Korn never said that. 'If I'm named tonight I'm up for millions in defamation... (Mr Korn) said I won't see the light of a courtroom,' he reassured her. Later that evening, at 10.02pm, he sent Ms Sinclair another message that said: [Mr Korn] keeps taking notes though, very professional'. While being grilled in court, Mr Lehrmann admitted Mr Korn was not in fact taking notes during their conversation and insisted that he just wanted to make Ms Sinclair feel OK. 'I wanted her to think I had my house was in order'. Dr Collins suggested the meeting with Mr Korn 'wasn't professional at all' because 'you were there pouring your heart out and drinking scotch' and 'Mr Korn wasn't taking any notes?' Mr Lehrmann admitted: 'He wasn't. Not to my recollection, no.' Frozen organic strawberries sold at various stores including Costco and Aldi and included in a frozen fruit blend at Trader Joe's are being recalled due to a link with an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Washington state. The US Food and Drug Administration issued the warning, advising people not to consume, sell, or serve certain brands of frozen organic strawberries. So far, five people have been infected with hepatitis A after consuming them with two having been hospitalized. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say all five of those who became infected individuals had eaten frozen strawberries all sold by the same supplier. The supplier had imported strawberries from specific farms in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. Frozen organic strawberries that have been sold at various stores including Costco and Aldi, and that were also included in a frozen fruit blend at Trader Joe's, are being recalled due to a link with an outbreak of hepatitis A infections in Washington state The supplier had imported strawberries from specific farms in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. Pictured, a farm day laborer works at a strawberry field in San Quintin Valley, Baja California State, Mexico (file photo) The strain of hepatitis A that is behind the recent outbreak is genetically identical to the one responsible to another outbreak of hepatitis last year. On that occasion, the source appeared to be fresh organic strawberries imported from Mexico and sold at various retailers in the US. The bags of strawberries included in this current recall have 'best by' dates ranging from April to November 2024. Both the CDC and FDA are advising people to throw away any recalled strawberries they may have in their freezers or return them to the store where they purchased them from for a refund. The two suppliers have recalled their frozen organic strawberries are California Splendor, based in San Diego. Simply Nature, Organic Strawberries are being recalled, left, as are Made With, Organic Strawberries, right Kirkland Signature 4-lb. bag Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries, left, are on the recall list as is Trader Joes, Organic Tropical Fruit Blend, right One of the recalled items - Vital Choice frozen strawberries are being recalled Fruit pickers hold baskets of strawberries as they line up before weighing them at a farm in San Quintin in Baja California state (file photo) It is recalling batches of 4-pound bags of Kirkland brand frozen strawberries purchased at Costco stores in California. Scenic Fruit Company, based in Gresham, Oregon, is also voluntarily recalling frozen organic strawberries that were sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states, together with Trader Joe's across the US. The strawberries found in Trader Joe's Organic Tropical Fruit Blend are also subject to the recall. Hepatitis A is a virus that attacks the liver with symptoms including fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, and pale stool. People typically get sick between 15 and 50 days after consuming or drinking the contaminated food or water. Some infections, particularly in children under six years old, may not cause symptoms. The virus can survive freezing and can last for several hours on hands and even days on contaminated surfaces. The CDC recommends that all adults be screened for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime as the illness is linked to liver disease and cancer. The SNP sensationally imploded last night after party chief executive Peter Murrell was forced to quit just weeks after his wife, Nicola Sturgeon, announced her shock resignation as First Minister. The downfall of Scotland's foremost political power couple followed revelations in The Mail on Sunday that the SNP had lied about its true membership numbers ahead of the leadership race. Critics feared the bogus numbers were being used by the SNP 'party machine' to inflate support for Humza Yousaf, seen as the establishment's preferred candidate to take over as First Minister. Yesterday, in a statement announcing his immediate resignation, Mr Murrell admitted he was responsible for the 'misleading' claims about membership figures which the party had repeatedly said stood at around 100,000, but were actually around 72,000. His bombshell departure comes amid a continuing police probe into how independence campaign donations have been handled and questions over why he made a personal donation of 107,000 to the party amid a cash crisis. Nicola Sturgeon 's husband Peter Murrell has stepped down as the Chief Executive of the SNP His bombshell departure comes amid a continuing police probe into how independence campaign donations have been handled Last night commentators said it was the final nail in the coffin for the embattled Scottish nationalist movement. SNP facing demands to rerun poll after Sturgeons husband quits The SNP is facing demands to rerun its leadership contest after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon's husband as the party's chief executive. Peter Murrell admitted that he had misled party members and the Scottish public on the size of the electorate. There have been claims since that bogus numbers were being used to inflate support for Humza Yousaf - seen as the continuity candidate after Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation. Now sources close to one of his rivals, Ash Regan, have demanded the contest is restarted and existing ballot papers discarded. 'The ballot needs to be rerun,' a source close to Ms Regan told The Telegraph. 'If members knew what they know now would they have voted the same way? 'My suspicion is that for many, the answer is no. They are entitled to reconsider now that they have more information. 'If there is not a rerun and Humza wins, his position would become untenable very quickly,' they added. 'I doubt he would even make it to being confirmed as First Minister.' Advertisement Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: 'The party of government is imploding, guilty of cover-up and lying to the Scottish people. 'Murrell's resignation, along with other senior figures in the SNP, shows that the Nationalists are no longer fit to govern.' Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'A fish rots from the head down and the same applies to the SNP. 'Peter Murrell's resignation is long overdue but there remain serious questions for him to answer, not least over the 'missing' 600,000 from party accounts. 'The brutal, shambolic SNP leadership election appears to have been the tipping point that's forced the First Minister's husband to quit before he was pushed.' Also, in a day of dramatic developments: l Leadership hopeful Kate Forbes called on SNP members who had not yet voted to choose 'change' and vote for her in light of the tumultuous Murrell revelations; l Insiders suggested she would clear out SNP top brass who had shored up the chief executive if she becomes First Minister; l Party bigwig Mike Russell took over as interim chief executive. The MoS exclusively revealed last week that nearly 50,000 members had abandoned the SNP in the past three years, with around 30,000 since 2021. Speculation had been growing that SNP membership under Ms Sturgeon's leadership had plummeted since February, when a Scottish newspaper said paid-up members had dropped to around 70,000. The claims were dismissed as 'drivel' by the SNP's head of media, Murray Foote. However, last week, the MoS confirmed the SNP had lied over the issue. Our reporters approached the private company in charge of running the SNP leadership ballot, Mi-Voice, to secure the true figures. A source at the Southampton-based polling firm said it had received the names of only around three-quarters of the 104,000 members touted by the SNP. The news sent shockwaves across Scotland, with many concerned about the risk of election rigging, given the opaque nature of the contest. Leadership candidates Ms Forbes and Ash Regan pressured party HQ over the figures until eventually, on Thursday, the SNP admitted membership as of February 15 this year was 72,186, down from 103,884 in 2021. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and with her husband Peter Murrell Murrell's resignation speech Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect. I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election. However as my future has become a distraction from the campaign I have concluded that I should stand down now, so the party can focus fully on issues about Scotland's future. The election contest is being run by the National Secretary and I have had no role in it at any point. I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades. Fourteen national election wins is testament to the skills of the dedicated and talented HQ team that I have been privileged to lead. They give their all to the party and the independence cause and I thank them for it. I have worked for independence all my life and will continue to do so, albeit in a different capacity, until it is achieved and I do firmly believe that independence is now closer than ever. Advertisement Mr Foote resigned from his post on Friday, saying he had been misled by SNP headquarters. Rumours swirled yesterday that the party's ruling body, the national executive committee, was set to launch a vote of no confidence in Mr Murrell. However, Mr Murrell conceded his 24 years in office had come to an end and, rather than face a cripplingly embarrassing vote, decided to leave the party rudderless. He said: 'Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. 'I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect.' He added: 'I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election. However, as my future has become a distraction from the campaign, I have concluded that I should stand down now. 'I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades.' Ms Forbes has now written to those still to vote in the SNP leadership race, pledging to heal the divisions caused by the outgoing First Minister and Mr Murrell. Those close to her campaign suggest that if she is crowned First Minister she is ready to clear out dead wood at SNP HQ. Among the senior figures she could target are chief operating officer Sue Ruddick and SNP lawyer Scott Martin. Meanwhile, fellow leadership candidate Ms Regan hailed the departure of Mr Murrell and said she was 'encouraged to see the democratic foundations of the party now asserting their rightful function'. Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry, who is backing Ms Regan, said 'if anyone was in any doubt' the party needed a 'reset' then 'the events of the last days have proved it'. She added: 'Winning elections isn't enough. It's what you do with the wins that matters. Integrity matters. Our party and our country can and will do better than this.' However, Health Secretary Mr Yousaf perceived to be the SNP establishment's preferred choice has consistently dismissed concerns about the party's transparency as 'smears'. In a sycophantic tribute to his former boss, he praised Mr Murrell as 'an outstanding servant of the independence movement'. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said his departure proved the wheels had 'fallen off the SNP wagon'. Mr Murrell conceded his 24 years in office had come to an end and decided to leave the party rudderless She added: 'When Scotland most needs responsible governance, the SNP has turned inward and begun to tear itself apart. 'If this is what is happening in the party, just imagine the chaos in government. 'Even leadership candidates have cast aspersions on the trustworthiness of the SNP machine.' When approached by Sky News, Ms Sturgeon said her husband was 'right' to announce his immediate resignation. She added: 'He had intended to step down when there was a new leader but I think he was right to make that announcement today.' Ms Sturgeon added: 'Peter has been a key part of the electoral success we have achieved in recent years and I know there will be a recognition of that across the party.' Stand-in chief who smears party critics as the 'enemy' SNP president Mike Russell will become 'caretaker' chief executive until a new leader is elected. The former Brexit Minister will take over from Peter Murrell with immediate effect after his shock resignation. Mr Russell, who was chief executive in the 1990s, is one of Nicola Sturgeon's key allies and regarded as one of the main four stalwarts of the SNP, along with her, Ian Blackford and John Swinney. In particular, he is a firm believer in party discipline, going as far as to call those opposed to the SNP 'enemies'. He has chaired a number of the hustings to help find the next party leader. SNP president Mike Russell will become 'caretaker' chief executive until a new leader is elected Mr Russell, 69, will stay in the post until the next First Minister is chosen. They will then appoint their own chief executive. Last night, Nationalist MP Kirsten Oswald said: 'As business convener, I called the national executive committee [NEC] to meet today to take responsibility for ensuring the overall operation of SNP headquarters and ahead of the election of a new party leader. 'NEC unanimously backed Michael Russell, our widely respected party president and a former chief executive, to take responsibility for day-to-day operations on an interim basis until a new party leader is in place and the process of appointing a permanent replacement is complete. I am pleased to confirm that Michael has agreed to this.' Ms Oswald also insisted the ballot for the leadership race would not be restarted in light of Mr Murrell's snap departure. She said: 'The leadership election has been overseen entirely by the national secretary, Lorna Finn, who is responsible for all party elections, not the chief executive, and as a result these changes have no impact on the operation of the leadership contest. 'The ballots are issued and counted by Mi-Voice, a respected independent company, and voting concludes next Monday. 'Throughout this period, I thank the hard-working and diligent staff at SNP HQ whose commitment to our party is second to none.' Mr Russell, however, has been at the centre of social media controversy in recent days. On Thursday, he responded to concerns about SNP transparency over the leadership race with a tweet that read: 'As the SNP president I have told the national secretary I support publishing membership figures. 'I also have full confidence in her and the external verification & count.' He added: 'I am disgusted by the abuse directed at the SNP staff by individuals who damage our cause and aid our enemies.' Critics were particularly concerned about his use of the word 'enemies', which was seen by some as inflammatory language. Later on a live stream, Mr Russell doubled down on his blunt appraisal, saying: 'I think there has been an organised or disorganised attempt to discredit the SNP. 'This has nothing to do with publishing figures.' Yesterday, Ms Oswald used the announcement to thank Mr Murrell for his service to the party. She said: 'Peter has been a key part of the team that has led the SNP to election win after election win and changed the face of Scottish politics. 'He steps down with our appreciation for his many years of service and great electoral success.' Ministers are planning a British electronics revolution to protect the country if China invades Taiwan and cripples the global microchip market. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Science Secretary Michelle Donelan are drawing up a semiconductor strategy as part of wider moves to ease the UKs reliance on the Asian market for vital electronic components. Taiwan which China regards as a breakaway province that will eventually be placed under Beijings control, by force if necessary produces an astonishing 90 per cent of the worlds most advanced microchips used in smartphones, computers, cars and military hardware. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that reunification with the island, which sits only 100 miles from the coast of South-East China, must be fulfilled, and has mounted a series of shows of military force in the Taiwan Strait. Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan speaking at the Conservative Party annual conference Employees work inside a semiconductor factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan American intelligence say he has instructed his military to be ready to invade by 2027 in an assault that would involve the biggest amphibious invasion force since the Allied D-Day landings. But the US fears military force could be deployed as early as 2025, after the next American Presidential election. Allowing Taiwans electronics industry to fall into Chinese hands would be a huge strategic blow to the West. The UKs dependence on foreign microchips became clear when the Covid crisis caused an acute disruption to supply chains, which has prompted a scramble within Whitehall to boost domestic production. A senior Government source said: We are working on a so-called coiled spring model, which will focus on our strengths in semiconductor design and invest in research and development, while forging new international agreements with Western allies such as the US, Japan and the Netherlands. READ MORE: Taiwan says 25 Chinese planes, 3 ships sent toward island Advertisement The ultimate aim is to create a semiconductor manufacturing industry in the UK. The move is likely to trigger a fight for the most talented experts in the field with the US, which has also pledged to boost its microchip industry. President Joe Biden last year allocated $52 billion (43 billion) to promote the production of microchips and help win the economic competition in the 21st Century. US commerce secretary Gina Raimondo said: Our dependence on Taiwan for chips is untenable and unsafe. Taiwan makes 65 per cent of the worlds semiconductors and almost 90 per cent of the advanced chips, for customers including Apple. China has also been trying to boost its semiconductor manufacturing capacity, recently pledging 123 billion to expand the industry. Britains high-tech businesses are mainly clustered in the so-called Silicon Fen around Cambridge. No date has yet been set for the new strategy to be announced, as funding levels are still being negotiated in the Treasury. A Government spokesperson said: 'Our forthcoming semiconductor strategy will set out how the government will improve the sector's access to the skills, facilities and tools to drive further growth and ensure a resilient supply chain. 'The strategy will be published in due course.' Efforts to set up semiconductor strategy come after sector has been sabotaged by years of neglect, experts warn By Luke Barr and Francesca Washtell deputy city editor Efforts to set up a semiconductor strategy in the UK have been sabotaged by years of neglect. The industry has repeatedly called on Ministers to roll out a comprehensive plan that provides detail on areas such as funding and skills training. The Government was also slammed for allowing the sale of Britains biggest semiconductor maker, Newport Wafer Fab, to a Chinese buyer in 2021 without any scrutiny. This was later overturned following outcry from MPs and security experts. But the absence of clear assistance for the sector has led to a dearth of enthusiastic investors and caused innovative companies to look overseas to set up their businesses and attract funding. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is drawing up a semiconductor strategy as part of wider moves to ease the UKs reliance on the Asian market for vital electronic components The lack of confidence in the industry was laid bare earlier this month when Cambridge-based chip designer ARM Holdings, the jewel in the UKs semiconductor sector, snubbed a stock market listing in London in favour of New York. It was a major blow to the City after officials at the Treasury and London Stock Exchange had spent months wooing ARMs owner, Japans SoftBank. The Government has previously pledged to publish a semiconductor strategy, but nothing has been forthcoming. A report from the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee stressed it had been already two years in preparation and said it needs to be published urgently, with MPs adding the delay was difficult to understand. The lack of a domestic industry has left UK manufacturers, including some of Britains biggest car makers, exposed to global shortages after the supply of chips was disrupted during the pandemic. Semiconductors are essential to all modern electronic systems. Even before Covid there was a shortage of factories worldwide to meet growing demand for chips in everything from smart fridges to mobile phones. But there are also shortages of key parts such as silicon components and rare earth metals. China has a stranglehold on the supply of much of these materials. The Government said earlier this year that it was in talks with like-minded nations to help boost the UKs semiconductor capabilities, but a full plan has yet to be rolled out. Whitehall has been urged to work more closely with allies in the EU and US to safeguard the future supply of semiconductors. An industry source: I dont think the UK can compete financially with the US. He added that it would be impossible for Britain to match the manufacturing capabilities of the US and China. The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, said there are various options to explore in bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to justice. The ICC on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. The Hague-based court said it had also issued a warrant against Maria Lvova-Belova, 38, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, on similar charges. Ukraine welcomed the ICC announcement, with President Volodymyr Zelensky hailing the 'historic decision'. Moscow dismissed the orders as 'void'. Russia is not a party to the ICC so it was unclear if or how Putin could ever end up in the dock. The ICC on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Putin on the war crime accusation of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Britain's Karim Khan, visits a mass grave in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on April 13, 2022 Khan told AFP that Putin was now liable for arrest if he set foot in any of the court's more than 120 member states. He said the arrest warrants were 'based upon forensic evidence, scrutiny and what's been said by those two individuals'. 'The evidence we presented focused on crimes against children. Children are the most vulnerable part of our society,' said Khan. If Putin does not appear before the court in The Hague, a 'confirmation in absence' is another option. Khan told The Sunday Times: 'We can use this device for people who thumb their nose at justice, or individuals who flee jurisdiction or wantonly refuse to surrender, so there can be judicial proceeding in which witnesses and other evidence can be heard and scrutinised by independent judges and a determination made.' 'If the person then comes into the hands of the court, you don't start all over again but go straight to trial,' he added. Ukrainian prosecutors have recorded more than 73,000 war crimes, with more than 600 Russians named as suspects. Some of those are senior military and political figures, with defence minister Sergei Shoigu among them. 'The entire country is a crime scene,' Khan told the paper. He said: 'Everyone has seen on their TV or read about what's taken place since February 24 last year and travelling round Ukraine, you see in so many different ways, different crimes which may been committed and we have to investigate whether torture or sexual violence, executions of soldiers who have laid down arms, attacks on maternity wards and targeting of power stations and civilian buildings. The list goes on.' On whether it will be possible to hold Putin accountable, he said: 'It can be done.' A total of 43 countries have referred Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the ICC. Khan's office in The Hague does not have the means to prosecute crimes in Ukraine. He said he did not receive any new money for central budget last year or for staff to be in the field. A burning residential house is seen after a Russian military strike in Kherson, Ukraine on March 9, 2023 A giant sign reading 'Children' is drawn in front of the National Theatre during a commemorative rally for people killed a year ago inside the building of the Mariupol's Drama Theatre by a Russian air strike, amid a siege on the city during Russia's invasion, in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 18, 2023 Justice secretary Dominic Raab will co-host a pledging conference in London with his Dutch counterpart of fellow justice ministers from 40 countries tomorrow for this reason. The goal is to generate money and material resources such as extra investigators for the ICC to help Ukraine gain justice. The ICC's shock notice came hours after the announcements of a Moscow visit from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and more fighter jets for Kyiv's forces. More than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the February 24, 2022 invasion, according to Kyiv, with many allegedly placed in institutions and foster homes. The ICC said judges found there were 'reasonable grounds' to suspect Putin's criminal responsibility and grant Khan's application for the warrants, which were made back on February 22. ICC President Piotr Hofmanski said the execution of the warrants 'depends on international cooperation'. During a meeting with Putin in mid-February, Lvova-Belova said she adopted a 15-year-old child from the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. 'Now I know what it means to be a mother of a child from Donbas - it is a difficult job but we love each other, that is for sure,' she told Putin. She added that 'we evacuated children's homes into safe areas, arranged rehabilitation and prosthetics for them and provided them with targeted humanitarian assistance'. The arrest warrant for Putin, a sitting head of state of a UN Security Council member, is an unprecedented step for the ICC. Prosecutor Karim Khan and Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova visit the site of a mass grave in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine on April 13 Children remove their shoes at a facility for people with special needs, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Odesa on June 6, 2022 Set up in 2002, the ICC is a court of last resort for the world's worst crimes, when countries cannot or will not prosecute suspects. Prosecutor Khan launched an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine just days after Russia's invasion. Khan recently posted pictures from a visit to Ukraine alongside empty cots in an empty children's care home, and said that investigating alleged child abduction was a 'priority'. 'It's poignant,' he said. 'One sees empty cribs and empty beds juxtaposed with paintings by those children on the walls.' Zelensky, who met Khan on his visit, welcomed the arrest warrants for his nemesis in Moscow. Zelensky said it was 'a historic decision from which historic responsibility will begin'. Ukraine's Western allies also hailed the move. US President Joe Biden said the warrant was 'justified,' and 'makes a very strong point,' while noting that the United States is not a member of the ICC. 'There is no doubt that Russia is committing war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine, and we have been clear that those responsible must be held accountable,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'The ICC Prosecutor is an independent actor.' Britain called the decision 'welcome' and the European Union said it was 'just the start.' Human Rights Watch said it was a 'big day for the many victims' of Russian forces. The Kremlin dismissed the warrants. International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan stands next to a grave where remains of three bodies were found, in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, Ukraine on April 13, 2022 A kindergarten employee leads children to a bomb shelter during an air raid, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in central Kyiv, Ukraine on March 7, 2023 'Russia, just like a number of different countries, does not recognise the jurisdiction of this court and so from a legal point of view, the decisions of this court are void,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev compared the warrants to toilet paper, while foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said they 'have no meaning' for Russia. Khan, however, said there were 'so many examples of people that thought they were beyond the reach of the law'. 'Look at [Slobodan] Milosevic or Charles Taylor or [Radovan] Karadzic or [Ratko] Mladic,' he said, referring to a series of war criminals from the former Yugoslavia, and former Liberian president Taylor, who have faced justice. Earlier in the day, Beijing and Moscow announced that Chinese leader and strategic ally Xi Jinping would be in Russia next week to sign accords, ushering in a new era of ties. The United States has accused China of mulling arms shipments to support Russia's campaign - claims Beijing has strongly denied. The arrest warrants come a day after UN investigators said Russia's forced transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to areas under its control amounts to a war crime. The investigators said parents and children had spoken of youngsters being informed by Russian social services that they would be placed in foster families or adopted. Russia denies allegations of war crimes by its troops. Experts have said it is unlikely it would ever hand over any suspects. With fighting still raging in Ukraine, Kyiv welcomed the news on Friday that Slovakia will donate 13 MiG-29 warplanes. Ukraine has long requested fighter jets from Western allies, although it is seeking primarily modern US-made F-16s. An emergency warning system to alert people to life-threatening events like flooding and wildfires will be tested next month, ministers said. The siren-like alarm will sound for ten seconds to warn people of danger to life on Sunday, April 23. The system - modelled on similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan - is intended to be used to warn people of risks to life. Phone users will be unable to use other features on their devices unless they acknowledge the alert. The alarm - due to be sent on St George's Day - will appear on the home screens of people's phones, accompanied by a loud warning sound and vibration. The siren-like alarm will sound for ten seconds to warn people of danger to life on Sunday, April 23 (stock image) The scheme will initially focus on the most serious severe weather-related events. It will be able to reach 90per cent of mobile users within the relevant area in an emergency. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: 'We are strengthening our national resilience with a new emergency alerts system, to deal with a wide range of threats - from flooding to wildfires. 'It will revolutionise our ability to warn and inform people who are in immediate danger, and help us keep people safe. 'As we've seen in the US and elsewhere, the buzz of a phone can save a life.' People who do not wish to receive the alerts will be able to opt out in their device settings, but officials hope the life-saving potential of the messages means that users will keep them on. The alerts will only ever come from the Government or emergency services, and they will include the details of the area affected and provide instructions about how best to respond. The Cabinet Office said the alerts are secure, free to receive, and one-way, insisting they do not reveal anyone's location or collect personal data. Tests of the service have already taken place in East Suffolk and Reading. The scheme could eventually be expanded to cover terrorist incidents, but officials acknowledged that much more information about how the alerts system operates in the UK would be needed before that could happen in response to a fast-moving attack. National Fire Chiefs Council chairman Mark Hardingham said: 'Together with every fire and rescue service in the country, I'm looking forward to having emergency alerts available to help us to do our jobs and to help communities in the event of emergencies. 'We've seen this type of system in action elsewhere across the world and we look forward to having the facility here in the UK - by working together with fire services and partners, we want this system to help us to help you be as safe as you can if a crisis does hit.' The Environment Agency's Caroline Douglas, the executive director for flood and coastal erosion risk management, said: 'Being able to communicate warnings in a timely and accurate manner during incidents is really important to help people take action to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours. A labour councillor whose daughter was jailed for lying about being raped by an Asian gang has failed to return 21,000 donated by duped well-wishers, it was claimed last night. More than 1,000 people contributed to an appeal for Eleanor Williams after she claimed she was trafficked and abused by an Asian gang in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. She also accused a number of white men of raping her. The money was to pay for legal fees to bring her abusers to justice, but last week the 22-year-old was jailed for eight-and-a-half years after being exposed as a fantasist and convicted of perverting the course of justice. Three men who she falsely accused of rape tried to kill themselves as a result of her lies. Now Shane Yerrell, the fundraiser who organised the appeal, has said that he transferred 21,104 to Ms Williams mother Allison Johnston. Despite her daughter being convicted in January, he says she has still not returned it. Eleanor Williams posted this photo of injuries she said were caused by a gang. In fact, she inflicted them herself Eleanor Williams's mother speaking to Sky News Mr Yerrell, a Tory councillor in Essex, vowed to launch legal proceedings to retrieve the money, which he said should be donated to charity. He said: There is no grooming gang, so the money can never be spent on what it was meant to be spent on. Ms Johnston, a councillor on Barrow Borough Council, was suspended by the Labour Party in January after Williamss conviction. Mr Yerrell has revealed how he contacted Ms Johnston and urged her to release 3,000 of the cash so it could be donated to a family who wanted to take their terminally-ill three-year-old daughter to Lapland. Ms Johnston ignored the message, he claimed, so he decided to appeal directly to her in an interview posted on YouTube. In the video, he said: As a mother you should put yourself in that little girls mothers situation... I think its disgusting to hold on to [the money]. The Get Justice for Ellie appeal raised 22,129 in 2020, but this was reduced to 21,104 after fees taken by the JustGiving fundraising website. Under a deal drawn up by Mr Yerrell, the money was to be split between two charities if no prosecution was brought against Williams supposed abusers. After her conviction, both charities the Maggie Oliver Foundation and Womens Community Matters declined the cash. Mr Yerrell said he has lined up two other charities to donate the money to. Ms Johnston last week declined to comment. In January she told the Guardian that she still had the money. Williams falsely claimed she had been trafficked and horrifically abused by an Asian gang in May 2020, in a 1,300-word account posted on Facebook, She posted harrowing photos of injuries which she claimed were caused by brutal physical abuse but which she had actually inflicted on herself with a claw hammer. Her post, which was shared more than 100,000 times, sparked far-Right demonstrations and death threats against local Asian men. One man who ran an Indian restaurant in the town told how the windows of his business were smashed and people regularly hurled abuse at him in the street. I had calls saying that they were going to rape my wife in front [of] my children, then kill me, and kill my kids, he told the BBC. Williams had already made a slew of false rape claims dating back to 2017. One victim, Jordan Trengrove, told how he spent 73 days in jail, sharing a cell with a paedophile, after she falsely accused him of rape. He last week voiced his anger that some of the money had not been given to the family of the terminally ill girl. He said: They were quick enough to accept 22,000. Why cant they give 3,000 of it and give it to an actual cause? Simon Fell, Tory MP for Barrow and Furness, called for the money to be spent on repairing the damage done by Williamss lies. It would be really good to see these funds go to a good cause that could further community cohesion, he said. Two contestants who were reduced to tears on The Apprentice were not up to the job, friends of Baroness Karren Brady have said. The television star - one of Lord Alan Sugars advisers on the reality business show - came under attack after two hopefuls ended up crying during the interview round in last Thursdays episode. Meanwhile, the West Ham United chief executive was so irked at another contestant using her first name that she replied: Its Baroness Brady to you, my friends call me Karren. One Twitter user said: New low for the Apprentice. Bullying young girls who want to open sweet shops. Cringe. Another wrote: The Apprentice is the worst of all reality shows, because thats all it is now. Exploitative, manipulative and basically bullying. Elsewhere, the episode was described as borderline bullying from a load of old dinosaurs. Karren Brady - one of Lord Alan Sugars advisers on the reality business show - came under attack after two hopefuls ended up crying during the interview round in last Thursdays episode But friends of Ms Bradys yesterday jumped to her defence, saying: This isnt Karrens fault, you have to be tough to be in business and not have the snowflake qualities that so many young people have these days. Another said: They were simply not up to the job. A spokesman for the BBC also backed Ms Brady, 53, who has been working as a businesswoman since she was 19 years old. He said: The interviews round is more than just a normal interview. Its purpose is to help determine whose business plan has the potential to secure the 250k investment from Lord Sugar. As such, every detail must be thoroughly scrutinised and advisers will at times need to ask difficult questions. The stakes are high for candidates and emotions do run high as they want to secure a place in the final. Sources close to The Apprentice insisted that they take the welfare of anyone involved with the programme seriously - and pointed out that there is a dedicated welfare team on hand to support candidates through every part of the process. Boris Johnson is planning to publish a detailed defence of his behaviour over Partygate before he is grilled by MPs on Wednesday, The Mail on Sunday has learned. The former Prime Minister has compiled a comprehensive legal case, arguing that he received clear advice at the time that lockdown gatherings in Downing Street were within Covid rules, which will be made public in the coming days. His defence is also expected to call into question the fairness of the Commons Privileges Committee, which could decide his political fate when it questions him. Photos of Mr Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case surrounded by Downing Street staff the other faces blurred for anonymity form the core of his defence that he did not intentionally mislead the House over Covid-era parties at No 10. Sources claim that none of the more than two dozen No 10 staff who have given evidence to the committee many of them featured in the photographs have told the MPs that they believed they were breaking the rules. SPEECH: Official photo of Mr Johnson's birthday in June 2020. No10 blurred the faces of other staff, except Simon Case Boris Johnson pictured here at the gathering in No10 on June 19, 2020, with the then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak Mr Johnson is also likely to argue that the gatherings were held to try to boost morale in No 10 which had been hit by waves of illness and which contributed to a stressful working environment. A source said: 'People were dropping like flies. People were working long hours under stressful conditions, and Boris wanted them to stay cheerful and motivated. 'Those people in the pictures used the same offices and the same bathrooms, opened the same doors, used the same printers, photocopiers and phones and breathed the same air in that unventilated Victorian building for 16 hours a day. 'The fact that many pictures were taken by [official photographer] Andy Parsons and placed on the No 10 Flickr account shows we didn't think we had anything to hide.' Mr Johnson's defiance underlines the stakes at play this week in his televised public interrogation, which could last for four hours. The committee, which is made up of four Tories, two Labour MPs and one SNP MP, can recommend a ten-day Commons suspension if it believes he intentionally misled MPs a sanction that could lead to a by-election in his Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat. Last night, sources close to the committee hit back at claims from ex-Home Secretary Priti Patel of a 'culture of collusion' and lack of objectivity after negative comments made by members about Mr Johnson. One source said that talk of collusion was 'absolute b******s' and dismissed any suggestion that the committee's mind was already made up on the ex-PM's behaviour. The then-Prime Minister pictured raising a glass in No10 during a gathering to mark the departure of a special advisor on November 13, 2020 The committee hearing coincides with a vote on an aspect of Rishi Sunak's post-Brexit Northern Ireland deal with the EU, which Mr Johnson's supporters expect to play into their hands. A source said: 'Many of the people who feel Boris was badly treated are annoyed with elements of the deal, and it is going to fuel the rebellion.' There is anger among Mr Johnson's allies over Mr Sunak's decision to allow his party a free vote on the results of the committee's investigation. One senior Tory said: 'If the PM is not willing to support his predecessor who is up before a kangaroo court, that's serious.' Mr Johnson's allies also believe that the row over Partygate investigator Sue Gray accepting a senior job with Labour boosts his chances of successfully arguing that he has been the victim of a 'stitch-up'. However, the committee said its initial report this month was 'not based on the Sue Gray report' but on other evidence including material supplied by the Government. Mr Johnson's spokesman said: 'The committee will vindicate Boris Johnson. The evidence will show Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament.' Despite arguing that doctors who perform surgeries on children should drown themselves, he was only kicked out after he swore at a Democrat lawmaker The doctor sounded off his support for a bill that would prohibit gender reassignment procedures for minors Steven Hotze, a controversial Houston physician and GOP activist, was booted from the Texas Senate on Thursday following a foul-mouthed rant A controversial doctor and GOP activist was booted from the Texas Senate after he erupted into a furious rant about gender reassignment procedures for minors, branding its proponents 'pedophiles'. Houston M.D. Steven Hotze, 72, used his time speaking before the Senate State Affairs Committee to denounce proposed transgender legislation, arguing that its 'pedophile proponents sexualize children in order to groom them'. His raging remarks led to a tense back and forth with Democratic Texas State Senator Jose Menendez, where the two men began arguing across the legislature floor. Despite making several outlandish remarks, including saying that gender reassignment surgeons should drown themselves, Hotze was only kicked out of the session after he broke Senate rules on swearing. As well as running his medical practice, Hotze is a conservative radio host and alleged conspiracy theorist who has launched lawsuits against HIV medication and claimed that birth control pills make women 'less attractive to men'. Houston doctor Steven Hotze, left, was kicked out of the Texas Senate on Thursday after a furious rant, including branding gender reassignment surgeons 'pedophiles' The two men erupted during a hearing to debate Texas Senate Bill 14, which would legislate over 'gender transitioning, gender reassignment, or gender dysphoria' among minors, according to LegiScan. Coming out in support of the bill, Hotze said he believed the legislation would 'protect children from the abuse by the transgender medical industry'. He continued by branding transgender proponents as having a 'wicked, perverted, immoral lifestyle'. 'These child molesters should be punished,' Hotze said. 'These pedophiles are now promoting transgender sex change drugs and sex mutilation surgery on children.' Amid references to various bible verses, the doctor repeated his claim that transgender advocates are 'pedophiles'. However, the doctor then stunningly said those that aid gender reassignment procedures would be 'better to put a millstone around your neck and throw yourself in the sea and drown.' 'The idea that a man can claim to be a woman, or vice versa, is absurd and unscientific,' he added. 'It is a perversion of the god given natural order.' Texas State Senator Jose Menendez, pictured, became embroiled in a furious spat with the doctor following his tirade Hotze has had several previous run-ins with LGBT advocates, including branding gay people 'termites' in 2016 Hotze's aggressive remarks caught the ire of State Senator Menendez, who appeared to become emotional as he slammed the frequent references of transgender individuals as 'pedophiles'. The two men argue back and forth in footage for several minutes, during which a voice believed to be Menendez could be heard whispering 'Wow, wow, wow' throughout. He said: 'Doctor Hotze, I know you're a medical doctor and a professional. I would just ask you to refrain from calling people pedophiles, because I don't think the doctors that have come before us today are pedophiles.' 'By definition they are pedophiles,' Hotze fired back. Menendez said that while the doctor may 'have your reasons' for coming out for the legislation, he added: 'I don't think it is appropriate for you to call people you don't know pedophiles.' 'But I do know,' Hotze argued. 'I have trans friends, I have trans staff members, I have trans members of my community, and what you do when you call them [pedophiles], it's very hurtful to them,' Menendez said, before Hotze again answered with 'That's what they are.' After interrupting each other several times, the state senator said: '(Trans people) are not pedophiles, they're living as their true selves.' This led Hotze to sharply shout: 'That's bull****' - at which point Republican State Senator and committee chair Bryan Hughes kicked him out of the session. Hotze's foul-mouthed tirade is not his first run in with LGBT advocates. According to the Houston Chronicle, the doctor compared gay people to 'termites' at a conservative conference in 2016, arguing that they 'eat away at the very moral fabric of the foundation of our country.' He publicly backed Donald Trump's debunked claims the 2020 presidential election was stolen, and he is reportedly under criminal indictment on two charges for his alleged involvement in a 'voter fraud' investigation fiasco that led PI to hold an air conditioning repairman at gunpoint. Gunfire erupted in an area of Miami Beach crowded with party goers enjoying booze-filled nights out for spring break, killing one person, wounding another and sending dozens scrambling for safety. Two men were shot Friday night, and one person was detained at the scene, the Miami Beach Police Department tweeted. It wasn't clear if the person being held was the shooter. Police also said four guns were recovered. The shooting happened on South Beach's Ocean Drive which is closed to vehicle traffic along its busiest stretch. Gunfire erupted in an area of Miami Beach crowded with party goers enjoying booze-filled nights out for spring break. One person was killed and another wounded sending dozens scrambling for safety Several blocks were cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape as police took one person into custody in connection with the incident - its remains unclear if they were the shooter One of the victims died at a hospital and the second person was listed in critical condition. Their identities are yet to be released. Footage of the incident showed people diving for cover and running from several gunshots being fired. Several blocks were cordoned off with yellow crime scene tape. Police are yet to comment on why the shooting took place and comes as the second in many years during spring break on South Beach. Last year, the city imposed a midnight curfew following two shootings also on Ocean Drive - the same was not imposed after this week's shooting. The year before that, there were about 1,000 arrests and dozens of guns confiscated during a rowdy spring break that led Miami Beach officials to take steps aimed at calming the situation. It comes after Henry Meacock of Westfield, New Jersey, who was studying finance at Ohio State University died during spring break. His sister confirmed the heartbreaking death - days after another student suffered a brain bleed while relaxing with friends in Mexico. It remains unclear where Meacock died, or how, but his sister Ellie paid an emotional tribute to her sibling. 'My baby brother, I can't believe it,' she wrote on Instagram. 'Words cannot describe how much I miss you. It hurts to breathe without you. College students party at Clayton's Beach Bar and Grill in South Padre Island, Texas St Patrick's Day Spring Breaker enjoy the Beach front bars and beaches. Many opted for wearing the Irish Green at Fort Lauderdale Beach A man was seen drinking straight from a bottle of liquor in South Padre Island, Texas The booze-filled weekends are often also marred with alcohol related incidents being kept under control by a heavy police presence Bikini-clad women are often seen posing by the coastline as they prepare for more days of partying 'You are an extremely special soul that will live on forever. The most beautiful boy inside and out. Nobody will ever have a smile quite like yours.' She praised his spirit, adding: 'I admire you in every way. 'The joy you brought to the people around you will never be forgotten.' And she said she was thankful for their sibling bond. 'I am so extremely grateful for the amazing relationship we had. There is no one else I'd rather confide in. I love you forever and ever my best friend.' Just days before Meacock's death, Liza Burke, suffered a brain bleed. She was recovering in hospital after being found unconscious in her bed in Mexico. The condition was genetic, but it is unclear whether it had been aggravated by something in particular. Burke was enjoying her 'last spring break' with a large group of friends in Cabo San Lucas when she was struck down by the brain hemorrhage on March 10. Burke went to bed after breakfast complaining of a sore head. Her friends checked on her a few hours later, and called an ambulance when they were unable to rouse her. A member of the Navy patrols the Gaviota Azul beach during the beginning of the spring break, in Cancun, Mexico Due to dangerous rip current the water is closed to swimming, but that didn't stop students from Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Iowa from descending on Panama City Beach A member of the Mexican Navy patrols the tourist area of Cancun, Quintana Roo state, Mexico Young tourists, mainly from the U.S. pose for pictures with a Mexican Navy officers in Cancun, Quintana Roo state, Mexico US students on spring break, known as 'spring-breakers', flocked to the Mexican Caribbean despite warnings from Washington not to travel to the southern neighbour due to a wave of attacks on US citizens The young student was rushed to hospital, where Burke was diagnosed with Arteriovenous malformation (AVM), Fox News reported. She was rushed to a hospital and put on life support. A GoFundMe page set up to help Burke raised $130,000, with the cash used to fly her to Jacksonville in Florida, where her mom Lauren McKeithen lives, for further treatment. Burke is said to have shown 'promising signs' after undergoing surgery in Mexico, with McKeithen saying her daughter had been able to squeeze her hand. She told Channel2: 'We are told to take things one day at a time and not get our hopes too high, but to have plenty of hope, According to the Mayo Clinic, AVM is a 'tangle of blood vessels that irregularly connects arteries and veins, disrupting blood flow and oxygen circulation.' Scientists are unsure what causes the condition, but said it isn't usually hereditary. People are born with the condition, although it is more likely to cause brain bleeds later in life. It tends to affect men more often than women. Jennifer Ritter, who organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for Burke, said her friend had been born with the condition, but that they'd only discovered this after she fell seriously ill. Burke was one of a dwindling number of spring breakers to venture to Mexico this year, after a recent spate of frightening crimes triggered safety fears. Henry Meacock, an Ohio State student from New Jersey, died suddenly on Spring Break, his sister has confirmed Ellie Meacock praised his spirit and smile, adding: 'It hurts to breathe without you' Henry Meacock is seen with his sister Ellie, mother Colleen and father Will Earlier this month, three men and a woman from North Carolina were abducted at gunpoint while on a trip booked so the woman could get a tummy tuck. Two of the men were brutally murdered in the Gulf Cartel kidnapping, with the third man and woman surviving the harrowing ordeal. The members responsible for the kidnapping were handed into authorities by cartel bosses and now six are being charged in relation to the incident. Terrifying stories of drug overdoses, death, gunfire and kidnappings haven't swayed American college students from hearing to more temperate locations to soak up the sun as hundreds-of-thousands flock to the coastlines for spring break. With COVID restrictions lifted, tourism experts hoped for a bumper season, a prophecy seemingly being fulfilled as pictures of booze-filled nights out and packed beaches continue to surface. In Panama City, over 200 people have been arrested so far, said J.R. Talamantez, chief of police. 'Spring break this year has gone how we expected it to first couple of weeks in March,' he told WJHG. 'We have had couple of people here and there who want to test the limits and our ability to enforce spring break - and currently they're realizing, as they sit in the Bay County jail, that we can handle business.' He said the vast majority of students behaved well, but some drank to excess and faced charges. 'What we are seeing now is crime associated with drunken behavior caused by college students,' he said. 'Unfortunately going home with criminal record.' He said the arrests had been for drinking on the beach, DUI and possession of narcotics. Liza Burke, pictured right, suffered a serious brain bleed during a spring break trip to Mexico The University of Georgia student has since been diagnosed with a condition called Arteriovenous malformation, and has been flown home to Florida for further treatment. About 50 citations so far have been written for drinking on the sandy beach, which is illegal during the month of March. The ordinance was created to control spring break chaos. 'We've given a lot more warnings than citations,' Talamantez said. 'And the only way we can enjoy that is if everybody follows the law and keeps a very family friendly destination.' Australians are being targeted by a series of myGov scams Australians have been warned about a series of myGov text message scams that falsely advise the recipient that changes have been made to their account. Scammers will pose as government officials and tell recipients to click on fraudulent links so they can claim a refund or rebate. Services Australia says anyone who has received a message that alleges their account has been changed in some way should consider it a scam. 'You may have recently got a text message to advise you've made a change to your myGov account' Services Australia said in a statement. Australians have been warned about a series of myGov scams that falsely tell the recipient that changes have been made to their myGov account (stock image) One example of a scam message will 'inform' the recipient that their security information was 'successfully changed' and provide a suspicious link to click if they didn't make this change 'The scam text message asks you to click a link if the myGov activity was not made by you. 'The text message may ask you to click on a link or access a web form. 'If you do, you may be redirected to a fake myGov site designed to steal your personal information and banking details.' 'It may tell you that your information is being transferred securely. This is a trick to gain your trust and get you to click on the link.' Services Australia recommends users only log into their myGov account by searching my.gov.au on a web browser and to never click on links attached to a email or text message. One example of a scam text will read: 'Your profile security information was successfully changed if you didn't make this change Go To [link].' Another tells the user that their 'profile has been placed on hold pending review' and then adds a link at the end to 'resolve' it. Some scams have targeted Centrelink recipients, where they're advised their welfare payment has been put on hold or their Centrelink details have been unlinked from their myGov account. Another scam claimed the user's profile was 'placed on hold pending review' with a link at the end to 'resolve' it Another text message claimed the recipient was eligible for a refund and told them to click on a hyperlink to confirm their bank details Others will advise recipients to click on fraudulent links so they can claim a refund or rebate through email. One example of this type of scam is: 'MyGov: We attempted to deposit your refund but we had issue [sic] with your banking information. Pls [sic] confirm your details.' Another version of this con has the scammer telling the recipient they're eligible for $198.92 and to click on the hyperlink. After the last annual calculation we noticed that you are eligible to receive a sum of $198.82 AUD,' the email read. 'To submit the application electronically please fill out the form. Once completed you will be asked to confirm that the information in the document is correct.' ScamWatch has shared several tips and tricks to help everyday Australians recognise a scam text message or email. Poor grammar or punctuation are among the major red flags found in scam messages. Hyperlinks are also never included in any email or text message sent by myGov. Emails sent by the government agency will also not include the logo and simply inform the recipient they have received a new message in their inbox. It comes as recent data revealed the number of fraudulent messages being sent to everyday Australians rose by a staggering 160 per cent in January compared to December. Anyone who believes they may have already fallen victim to a myGov scam should call the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk immediately. A grieving mother has revealed the final word her precious little girl spoke to her before she choked to death on her favourite snack. Samantha Lennon stopped to do a quick grocery shop after her daughter Imogen finished her swimming lesson in Canowindra, in central west NSW, on January 16. Her five-year-old's favourite snack was a cocktail frankfurt and she gave her child the food to eat on their drive back to the family dairy farm. Imogen had been chatting away from the back seat before she suddenly went quiet and she began to choke on the snack. Mrs Lennon recalled turning around in fear after her daughter called out for her with a single word that would be her last. Five-year-old Imogen (above) choked to death on a cocktail frankfurt in regional NSW town Canowindra on January 16 'She said, "Mum" but it was the strangest sounding "Mum" ever,' Mrs Lennon told 7News. 'I looked back and her lips are turning blue and I can see she's choking.' Mrs Lennon is first-aid trained and did everything she could to help Imogen cough up the food, but her daughter could not be saved. The distraught mother learned afterwards about a small tool that could have saved her daughter's life and called for greater awareness around the product. The simple device is called LifeVac and it has saved 747 lives worldwide, including 449 children. It was introduced to Australia six years ago, though it is still largely unknown. Now Mrs Lennon aims to help change that to save other families from going through the tragedy the Lennons have experienced. LifeVac has a suction mask that fits over a person's mouth with a small pump on top. The person working to clear the blockage stuck in a patient's throat grabs the handle on top of the pump, pushes down and immediately releases - bringing the blockage to the surface. Mrs Lennon said half of the frankfurt Imogen was snacking on became lodged in her throat. Mrs Lennon 'drove like hell' to Canowindra hospital immediately after trying to resuscitate her daughter in the car. No ambulances were available and there was no doctor at the hospital. Two nurses and a cleaner tried to help clear Imogen's airway while her dad Bill, rushed to her side. Tragically, little Imogen could not be resuscitated and she died. 'I thought I was dreaming, it was a nightmare,' Mr Lennon said. LifeVac (above) is an airway clearance device that uses suction to pull blockages out of a patient's throat Imogen's devastated parents Bill and Sam Lennon (above) said they tried everything they could to help Imogen before she tragically died at Canowindra hospital 'I was just saying, "Come back, come back, come back", but as my friend as said to me, God would have asked, "Do you want these beautiful wings?" And she would have went, "Oh heck yeah",' Mrs Lennon said. The family home is full of reminders of Imogen: her drawings on the walls, her toys where she left them on the dining room table. There is even a stack of her clothes on the lounge. 'Nothing prepares you for when you see something as simple as her name missing on your Medicare card,' Mrs Lennon said. When they brought Imogen's ashes home, the family at first didnt know what to do with them, but then they knew where to put her. 'We have her sitting on her bed surrounded by all her toys, so it's a safe space, it's a love space,' Mrs Lennon said. In another heartbreaking revelation, it turned out that Imogen had only just been fitted with a hearing aid. 'On the Monday before she died she had got a hearing aid because she had some health issues and she said, "Oh Mum, this is what my voice sounds like",' Mrs Lennon said. 'So, for one whole week she got to know what her voice truly sounded like.' Mrs Lennon has now launched the group Imogen's Mission to help raise awareness about children's choking and devices that can help in a crisis. 'If we can get people to know about the LifeVacs and have them in cars, homes, schools and preschools and they can save a child's life, Imogen would be so proud,' she said. 'We do not want another family to have to go through what we're going through because it's just the worst kind of pain that you could ever feel.' Former paramedic Simon Gould said standard first aid procedures aren't always effective for large blockages and urged people to invest in LifeVac. 'Considering we only have a small space of time, we can't muck around and just keep trying the same things over and over again and failing,' he said. For more information on LifeVac, visit its website. Former paramedic Simon Gould (right) said LifeVac helps clear large blockages that standard first aid can't A cache of weapons have been seized from a unit after police followed up on reports of a man threatening shoppers with a taser two weeks ago. Police had received reports of a man threatening shoppers with a taser at Karrinyup shopping centre, in Perth's north, on March 1. Officers were called to the scene but the man had fled before they arrived. Two weeks later police raided a unit on Bridgewater Crescent in the same suburb of the shopping centre. They allegedly uncovered 19 weapons including machetes, axes, guns, large hunting knives, tasers and ammunition. Police have seized a scary stash of illegal weapons from a suburban unit after a man allegedly threatened shoppers with a taser the same afternoon Senior Sergeant Haydn Farrow of Scarborough police believes the officer's quick work in conducting the raid may have prevented further crimes being committed Senior Sergeant Haydn Farrow of Scarborough police labelled the discovery as 'concerning'. 'It's of real concern that this amount of weapons were found at a residential address,' he said. 'By seizing those weapons we've potentially prevented further serious crime.' Gel blasters, similar to weapons used in paintball skirmishes, were also allegedly seized in the raid. They are prohibited weapons in WA and possession of even one can carry a maximum penalties of up to 3 years imprisonment and/or $36,000 fine. Scarborough police charged a 41 year old Karrinyup man with 22 offences, including 10 counts of possessing a prohibited weapon and 11 counts of possession of a controlled weapon. He was also charged with being armed in a way that may cause fear. The man will appear at Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday 28 March. Police also arrested a 63-year-old woman at the unit who was allegedly behaving aggressively towards police. She was charged with obstructing police and failing to five personal details. Perth Magistrates Court on Friday 24 March. Among the 19 weapons seized was a frightening selection of daggers, axes and hunting knives PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has implored parents and guardians to administer corporal punishment to discipline their children and challenged churches and other social institutions to join in the fight against drug and substance abuse and bullying in schools. Recently, Harare High Court judge Justice Munamato Mutevedzi acquitted a Chitungwiza member of an apostolic sect who fatally assaulted her son for being initiated into the Nyau cult (zvigure). Yeukai Mutero walked away free after the judge ruled that she had acted lawfully in the corporal punishment she administered. Mutero and her brother Ocean Mutero, who is still at large, teamed up to beat the 12-year-old Desmond Matsatse with mulberry sticks for he had joined the Gule WaMkulu. The court found she had used a light switch, had not hit vulnerable parts of the body, had used moderate force, and could not have foreseen the fatal result, which could also have been generated by previous recent assaults on the boy by others. Addressing scores of congregants during St Joseph Mission Roman Catholic Churchs centenary celebrations in Kezi, Matabeleland South province yesterday, President Mnangagwa noted that bullying continued to rear its ugly head in schools and called on parents and guardians to nip it in the bud by disciplining their children at home. Recently, I got a report from Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube that there are instances where school pupils fight and bully each other resulting in injuries and in some circumstances death, he said. That is unacceptable and such pupils do not deserve to be in school, but behind bars or rehabilitation centres. If you want your daughter or son not to go behind bars, make sure you tell them at home that no bullying. Dont trouble others, but love others and that is my philosophy. The Presidents calls follow the recent suicide of a 15-year-old Hamilton High School pupil in Bulawayo after complaining of bullying at his school. Jayden Saudan, who was a Form Three pupil at Hamilton High School, drank a pesticide at his family home in Montrose suburb and died the following day. Jaydens death came barely a month after another Hamilton High School learner fatally stabbed a Founders High School pupil, Wayne Ndlovu (16). Two boys from Hamilton High School were arrested in connection with Waynes death and one of them has since appeared in court facing murder charges. The learners death was a culmination of a series of turf wars pitting pupils from various schools in the city. President Mnangagwa said drugs and substance abuse is destroying the younger generation and urged parents to discipline their children. There is a danger that drugs and substance abuse may destroy the younger generation. I urge the parents not to spare the rod and dont worry about what the Americans do, they do what they want in America, and here in Zimbabwe, children should be disciplined, he said. I once again urge the church to be mindful of the social ills which are threatening the very fabric of our society. The church and other social institutions must join the fight against bullying as well as drug and substance abuse, said President Mnangagwa. As families, communities and churches, we must continually intercede for our children. They are our hope and future. As Proverbs 22:6 says: train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. President Mnangagwa also called on churches to foster peace, unity, and love within communities, more so in view of the forthcoming harmonised elections. The President is yet to proclaim the date for harmonised elections following the gazetting of the final Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) delimitation report last month. Violence has no place in our society. Peace, unity, and harmony must be maintained before, during, and after the election season. Indeed, the Bible in Genesis 13 verse 8 emphasises that we are brethren. Where there is unity, God commands His blessings, and God does not pour out his blessings where there is disharmony, he said. President Mnangagwa said under the Second Republic, no person or group should be allowed to sow seeds of hate, division and disunity among Zimbabweans. Under my administration, we reject the notions of us and them. Tribalism and regionalism, among other divisive tendencies, which act against the realisation of our collective development aspirations are not acceptable, he said. There is no bambazonke, Zimbabwe is our home together, given to us by Almighty God without us asking Him. As we develop our country, no one and no place will be left behind. Every single Zimbabwean is important no matter where they live. Herald North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to US-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The missile launched from the North's northwestern region flew across the country before it landed in the waters off its east coast, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. It said South Korea's military has boosted its surveillance posture and maintains a readiness in close coordination with the United States. Japan's Defense Ministry and coast guard said what appeared to be a North Korean missile was fired Sunday morning. It said the suspected weapon landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. There were no immediate reports of damage in the area. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches what it says is an intercontinental ballistic missile the country test-launched at the Sunan international airport in Pyongyang earlier this week People watch a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test, at a railway station in Seoul on Sunday morning South Korea's Yonhap news agency cited the South's military as saying that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. The launch, if confirmed, would be North Korea's third round of weapons tests since the US and South Korean militaries began their joint military drills last week. North Korea views the drills as a practice to launch an invasion, though the United States and South Korea have steadfastly said their training is defensive in nature. The latest US-South Korean drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday. People watch the news at a station in Seoul, South Korea according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North launched a ballistic missile into the east sea amid US-South Korean joint military drills A woman walks past a television showing a news broadcast with file footage of a North Korean missile test North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during a meeting of the ruling Workers' Party at its headquarters in Pyongyang, North Korea The North Korean weapons recently tested included its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the US mainland. North Korea's state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying the ICBM launch was meant to 'strike fear into the enemies'. A day before the start of the drills, North Korea also fired cruise missiles from a submarine. The North's state media said the submarine-launched missile was a demonstration of its resolve to respond with 'overwhelming powerful' force to the intensifying military maneuvers by 'the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces.' This picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency shows the launch of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) at Pyongyang International Airport An affair between a Virgin pilot and the estranged wife of a police officer led to him being grounded for months after the cop made false claims about him to the airline. The lies against the pilot were revealed in the findings of a Queensland Civil Appeals Tribunal which found the now stood down cop also used 'emotionally controlling behaviour' as a tool of domestic violence after discovering the affair. He made a number of claims to the airline's bosses, including that the pilot was colour blind and a heavy alcohol user, which saw him immediately suspended. The pilot was suspended from flying for months after the false claims were made against him QCAT were asked by the ex-cop to review the findings of a separate internal Queensland Police Service investigation, which found he had committed five instances of misconduct. All but one of those instances of misconduct were substantiated by QCAT Acting Senior Member Ann Fitzpatrick last week. The tribunal was told the former officer was asked for a divorce by his then-wife in July 2014. A few days later he discovered she was having an affair with the Virgin pilot, whom he had been friends with since 1999. In early August, the former officer took his wife's phone and read her texts and emails. The tribunal conceded that given the 'deeply personal and distressing' nature of the circumstances, most people would behave inappropriately. The pilot and the officer's former wife have since married. The tribunal confirmed the findings of QPS that the behaviour amounted to domestic violence given it was a means of emotional control. Moreover, the behaviour exhibited was not an acceptable level of conduct from a police officer. The tribunal heard the former officer threatened the pilot via email that he may 'also have mandatory reporting obligations to CASA that a pilot for Virgin is dyslexic colour bling (sic) and has chronic asthmas'. The officer contacted the senior medical officer at CASA a month later and claimed the pilot was colour blind, and had been working under the influence of heavy alcohol use. The pilot was stood down for a number of months until he was cleared by medical examiners to resume flying. In its decision, the tribunal stated the allegations were serious 'because they involve a deliberate act of victimisation, cost and distress to an individual, as well as cost to a commercial airline'. The officer also used a fake name and address to make a false claim about the pilot, telling Brisbane City Council on two occasions the pilot was conducting unauthorised building works on his Brisbane home. The tribunal also upheld the finding of QPS that the former officer had signed a false affidavit in respect to domestic violence proceedings, denying he had made the report. The police officer and the woman have now divorced and she married the pilot (stock image) Elsewhere, the tribunal assessed a January 2017 incident in which the officer, in a private capacity at his child's school, boasted to teachers that he 'put people in jail'. While the tribunal recognised the statement likely made the teachers feel intimidated, it was dismissed as having not constituted misconduct. 'At worst the statement was self-important and unnecessary,' the tribunal wrote. The man - who has since been dismissed by the Queensland Police - also engaged in misconduct when in late 2017 he told a superior officer he wanted to 'jump across the table and hit you in the head' while being interviewed as part of the disciplinary process. The tribunal found the threat was immediately countered by an apology, but having made the threat to a superior officer constituted misconduct. QCAT will review sanction action at a later date. Southern border agents arrested sixteen people on the FBI's terror watchlist last month as border arrests are set to outpace record numbers encountered in the last year. It brings the total number of encounters for the 2023 fiscal year to 69, which is on the trajectory to exceeding the 98 encounters made in the year prior. It comes as Republicans demand answers for why the Biden administration is spending millions to store unused border wall panels as the country is inundated with illegal migrants risking their lives to cross onto American soil, and enough drugs to kill five times the population of the U.S. flood in. Only eight terror watch-list arrests between ports of entry were made between 2017 and 2020, followed by 15 encounters in 2021. Southern border agents arrested sixteen people on the FBI's terror watchlist last month as border arrests are set to outpace record numbers encountered in the last year - begging the question who is coming over the border - as thousands were seen storming barricades in Paso del Norte last weekend It comes as Republicans demand answers for why the Biden administration is spending millions to store unused border wall panels But another crisis is also on the doorstep of the U.S. with overdose rates skyrocketing, as fentanyl floods across the border, and Mexico's president shirks the blame CBP's Officer of Field Operations have encountered 214 people on the Terrorist Screening Database (TSBD) so far across ports of entry at the northern and southern borders. In 2022 there were 380 apprehensions, which rocketed from the 157 in 2021 and 196 in 2020. Those encountered on the TSDB are only a fraction of the overall number of migrants - more than 150,000 in February and has sparked fear about who might be trying to enter the U.S. The numbers have become key in Republican arguments that the border needs to be better secured and calls for greater action are trumpeted. The numbers were released just hours after Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz testified to a House Homeland Security Committee hearing in McAllen, Texas, telling lawmakers that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not have operational control of the border. The White House pushed back against Republican criticism, accusing them of not approving border funding requests by the Biden administration, including a recent $5 billion request in December. Republicans said it's policy, not funding, that is the cause of the increasing and persistent crisis. Meanwhile, $130,000 per day is being put towards storing and maintaining unused border wall panels in the south rather than 'fortifying the border with those materials.' Republican members of the Senate Armed Forces Committee using details provided to them in a request for information to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) sent a letter to the Defense Department questioning the decision to sit on these materials. Hundreds of migrants mostly from Venezuela were seen trying to rush the border but were unsuccessful in gaining entry into the U.S. Led by Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and signed by Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, along with nearly every other Republican on the committee, the senators wrote that they 'are disturbed to learn the Department of Defense is paying private landowners to store border wall materials.' 'At present, over 20,000 border wall sections, otherwise known as bollard panels, lie unused at 20 project sites across southern Arizona and New Mexico,' the senators said in the letter, according to Fox News. 'Every day, the Department of Defense pays $130,000 to store, maintain, and secure these materials. Since you were sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs a year ago, you have allowed the Department to pay over $47 million to store these panels. 'The Department of Defense should not be incurring these daily charges but should be using these funds to bolster national security. Texas Republican State Rep. Matt Schaefer (pictured) introduced a bill that would create a Border Protection Unit 'This failing program clearly misses that standard.' In its correspondence with the committee, the USACE confirmed the cancelation of the border wall contracts by Biden in 2021 'left a variety of excess materials' and the 'total costs to store, maintain, and secure all the materials across all sites is estimated to be approximately $130,000 per day.' 'Some of these materials, to include security cameras, overhead lights, and electrical and storm water materials are being disposed of in accordance with federal excess material disposal laws and regulations,' the USACE stated. 'Overall, 61 percent of non-bollard panel materials, and 4 percent of bollard panel materials have been transferred to other government agencies or disposed of through the DLA disposition process. 'The total value of these materials is estimated at approximately $300 million. However, the cost to the government cannot be finalized until audits are completed and negotiations with contractors are concluded.' State lawmakers in Texas have also started to push legislation to help quell the southern border crisis after a group of more than 1,000 migrants rushed a port of entry in El Paso. Republicans in the Texas State legislature proposed a new law that would make it a state felony to illegally cross the border from Mexico in an effort to take back control of the border as they claim the federal government continues to ignore the crisis. The law would also establish a 'Border Protection Unit', which would be a group of officers dedicated to arresting migrants who enter Texas at points of the border that are not an official port of entry. GOP lawmakers in Washington are placing the blame squarely on President Joe Biden's new policies at the border for a massive group of migrants unsuccessfully trying to rush the El Paso, Texas port of entry instead clashing with Mexican military and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A group of 'at least 1,000' migrants clashed with Mexican military and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as they rushed a checkpoint between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico on Sunday trying to illegally enter the U.S. Hundreds of migrants stormed the Paso del Norte, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in the hopes of crossing into El Paso on March 12 Texas Republican State Representative Matt Schaefer introduced the bill that is hoped to embolden officers with the newly formed Border Protection Unit to 'arrest, detain, and deter individuals crossing the border illegally including with the use of non-deadly force.' Those officers would receive immunity from liability for authorized actions. The bill also details that people arrested for crossing into Texas illegally could face 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for each individual violation. Separately, Texas GOP State Senator Brian Birdwell introduced a bill to make it a crime in the state for people to bypass legal immigration channels and proceedings. The law would put people in jail for one to two years for their second violation entering the U.S. illegally. They could also receive a lifetime behind bars if they were previously convicted of a felony. Texas has a Republican controlled legislature and governor, meaning it's likely these laws will pass the House and Senate and go to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for signature. Lawmakers in D.C. and the court system in Florida are moving forward with attempting to put an end to Biden's new parole program, which allows migrants to be swiftly released from Border Patrol custody into the U.S. Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said that Congress is looking at overruling the administration when it comes to the border and immigration law. 'I think part of the president's policies are attracting more illegal immigration and what the Border Patrol calls pull factors in other words the perception that there are no consequences associated with coming here outside of legal immigration channels,' Cornyn told Fox and Friends on Monday morning. Mexican National Guardsman stand guard on the Paso del Norte International Bridge after it was closed by Mexican and US authorities on March 12 The Paso del Norte International Bridge was blocked by Mexican and US authorities after migrants assembled and forced their way onto the bridge The new policies from the administration announced earlier this year allows 30,000 migrants each month into the U.S. from Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba. But critics claim that the policies have only led to an exacerbation of the southern border crisis. 'I think the president will try to go it alone,' Cornyn said of the president's policy stance toward the border, claiming that he has refused to work with Congress on the issue. 'We're going to introduce the Congressional Review Act, which is a way Congress can overrule that administrative rule because I believe it will do nothing to make things worse but not better.' Cornyn said that the rush of 1,000 migrants trying to illegally enter the country 'is exactly what president Biden's open border policies are inviting.' Heavily-armed Mexican military and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were manning the El Paso border on Sunday evening after the massive group of migrants unsuccessfully tried to rush a checkpoint between El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico. Video shared by Fox News reporter Bill Melugin showed the 'bilateral show of force' on the border, which included armed security forces in riot gear, barbed wire, concrete blocks and mesh fencing on the Paso Del Norte Bridge. It was shared hours after different footage showed hordes of migrants charging past a line of Mexican officials at the southern border. Photos captured the moment the group reached the center of the bridge, where they were then blocked by CBP officers, tear gas and barricades. 'Unbelievable, honestly, to see this kind of video. Our border is not secure,' Rep. Nancy Mace lamented in a Monday interview with Fox and Friends First. 'Secretary Mayorkas is like a firefighter running away from a fire,' she said of the Homeland Security secretary. 'He ought to be impeached from this and this lawlessness unbelievable.' 'We are not following our laws,' the South Carolina Republican continued. 'We allow them to come here illegally and stay here illegally without consequence. You are seeing the results of that.' Bill Melugin of Fox News tweeted a video from El Paso showing Mexican military (pictured) facing south on one side of the border and CBP officials on the other The group reached the hump of the bridge, where Customs and Protection elements prevented their passage with barricades of wires and tear gas 'Deal with the problem at the border then. Your experiment failed. You don't want them in your community,' she said. Cornyn said the bigger problem is that Biden refuses to work with Congress on the issue and tries to take it on just at the administrative level, which has so far not been successful in addressing the prevailing crisis at all. 'This is part of the plan and president Biden is not prepared,' Cornyn said. 'Unfortunately he insists on not working with Congress to solve that problem. I'm ready and able to work with him but it seems like he wants to go at it alone. So far, it's not working.' Meanwhile, a Florida federal judge has ordered the Biden administration to end the expedited migrant release. CBP officers said they 'implemented port hardening measures,' including the use of the fencing and concrete barricades, temporarily preventing northbound traffic at the bridge. Officials said the large group approached the international line 'posing a threat to make mass entry.' Footage showed the group, which consisted mostly of young men but also included women and young children, charging along the border road. The clips also show them pushing past the Mexican side of Paso Del Norte bridge forcing CBP to erect barricades of barbed wire and other physical barriers to prevent any crossings. The decrease in border crossings followed Biden's announcement in early January that Mexico would take back Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans under a pandemic-era rule that denies migrants the right to seek asylum as part of an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, the U.S. agreed to admit up to 30,000 a month of those four nationalities on humanitarian parole if they apply online, enter at an airport and find a financial sponsor. The administration has also proposed generally denying asylum to anyone who travels through another country on their way to the U.S. without seeking protection there - effectively all non-Mexicans who appear at the U.S. southern border. Agents detained migrants more than 2.5 million times at the southern border in 2022, including more than 250,000 in December, the highest on record. According to a U.S. official who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Border Patrol agents stopped migrants about 130,000 times in February, similar to January. More than 100,000 migrants each month were being released in U.S. border cities late last year with notices to appear in immigration court or report to immigration authorities. But another crisis is also on the doorstep of the U.S. with overdose rates skyrocketing, as fentanyl floods across the border Mexico's president shirking the blame. San Diego cops seized 232lbs of fentanyl worth more than $3 million - enough to kill 50 million Americans According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection , the vast majority of fentanyl goes into the U.S. through legal ports of entry, in vehicles Glimpses into the manufacturing of these deadly products have surfaced over the years but the full gravity and number of secret labs operating in the region remain a mystery as cartels wage a war on those who try to stop or interrupt their syndicates. The secret location of labs littered across Mexico has made it increasingly difficult to control the scourge on society and the flood of deadly substances into America. Cooks working for violent cartel bosses have revealed over the years that the production of illicit substances has evolved over time and can be found anywhere from rural properties, people's homes and even one ill-fated pinata store. Mexico's largest drug bust to-date showed Mexican military storming what appeared to be a small rural property in Culiacan, the capital of the northwestern Mexican state of Sinaloa last month. The make-shift drug labs are easy to set up and move around in stealth but do require a certain amount of planning. But Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has washed his hands of the growing fentanyl crisis in America, claiming that his country does not produce or consume the fatal drug despite evidence to the contrary. 'Here, we do not produce fentanyl, and we do not have consumption of fentanyl,' Lopez Obrador said. 'Why don't they [the United States] take care of their problem of social decay?' According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the vast majority of fentanyl goes into the U.S. through legal ports of entry, in vehicles. Nobody knows how much fentanyl in both gel and pill form is successfully crossing the Southern border, however and seizure rates remain low. The opioid being cut with virtually every street drug in the country killed a record 75,000 Americans in 2021 in the latest numbers, the equivalent of 1,500 lives lost weekly. A former beauty queen who represented Iraq in the Miss Universe pageant and fled war-torn Iraq in search of a better life in America is hoping to run for Congress in California. Twenty years on from the start of the Iraq War, Sarah Idan, who describes herself as a feminist and human rights activist, is looking to challenge was she believes to be the Democrats biggest weakness - its wokery. Idan, 33, has spoken out against the extreme left of the Democratic Party and has openly criticized Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar for her comments on Jewish people and Israel. 'I don't stand for your anti-American, antisemitic, Muslim Brotherhood agenda, using this democracy to further yourIslamic socialism goals of dividing and weakening our country,' Idan tweeted in 2019. 'I would just be the opposite of Ilhan Omar. I'm a Democrat and liberal, but I don't think like you I don't hate this country,' she explained. Sarah Idan fled war-torn Iraq in search of a better life in America and now plans to run for Congress in California Idan is aiming to challenge what she perceives as the far left and woke voices in the Democratic party Idan has also expressed her dislike for what she sees as the party's obsession with so-called 'white privilege' and its failure to address public safety concerns and rising levels of crime in Los Angeles, where she currently lives. Born in Baghdad in 1990, Idan was the second youngest of five children. Her father was a military engineer for Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party, but privately her views at home did not reflect that party line. The family effectively had to 'live as hostages under Saddam.' She describes life as being extremely hard under the brutal dictator with limited access to food, water, and electricity. Politically, the family constantly feared accusations of 'disloyalty'. 'We couldn't say anything against him. I learned everything I was taught by Saddam was a lie,' she told the New York Post. When she turned 18 Idan worked as a volunteer interpreter with the US Army in Iraq. She was able to leave Iraq for the United States in 2010 on a green card provided by the military, later becoming an American citizen in 2015. He family stayed behind although they also eventually left Iraq some years ago. Idan believes her difficult upbringing gives her a unique perspective on the American Dream. 'They hate when I say anything good about this country, when I say I love it and have rights here. They want to hear you say, "No, this is a horrible country, a horrible government, and we have no rights."' A one-time beauty queen, she represented Iraq in the Miss Universe competition in 2017 and even faced death threats after she befriended and snapped a selfie with Miss Israel. Idan is now planning to make a run for Congress a rooting out 'crazy far left and woke voices' in the Democratic party. Miss Iraq, Sarah Idan, is pictured at the 66th Miss Universe Pageant in 2017 Idan, 33, has spoken out against the extreme left of the Democratic Party and has openly criticized Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar for her comments on Jewish people and Israel calling her 'anti American' and 'anti-Semitic' The two women got into a Twitter spat following Idan's comments in 2019 At the time, the Minnesota congresswoman hit back tweeting : 'Hey, I might be wrong but I dont think you are a #MN05 resident and like that makes be not your representative' Idan believes her difficult upbringing gives her a unique perspective on the American Dream 'There's a voice missing. There's the immigrant who f***ing suffered and came here and lived the American dream,' Idan says. She believes the party needs fresh young blood to call out what she describes as 'communists pushing crazy policies.' 'We need fresh people in office to take out the communists. I may have been born in Iraq, but my soul is American.' She believes the Democratic party needs to address woke voices that have a far too powerful and influential voice, while the party also needs to tackle public safety concerns head-on and rising levels of crime in major cities across the country. Premier Andrews said Nazis are 'not welcome' in VIC Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew has slammed protesters who performed the Nazi salute during an anti-transgender rally that quickly turned violent, telling them Nazis are 'not welcome' in the state. Large crowds of protesters from two competing rallies clashed in the streets of Melbourne over LGBTQI+ issues as an anti-transgender activist, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull, continues her speaking tour of Australia on Saturday. The ugly display has already sparked calls for tougher laws to crack down on white supremacists from one Victorian MP, who said the display on parliament's steps was 'unacceptable'. Ms Keen-Minshull, who goes by the moniker Posie Parker, is a British woman who founded group Standing for Women. She describes herself as a women's rights activist, but she is mostly known for her anti-transgender opinions. Members of the far-right National Socialist Movement on Saturday crashed a demonstration between pro-transgender and anti-transgender activists in Melbourne CBD The group performed the Nazi salute which was quickly condemned and sparked calls for tougher laws to crack down on white supremacists It is not suggested she had any link with Saturday's violence. But her controversial views are believed to have sparked the tense clash between anti-trans and pro-trans activists in front of Victoria's Parliament House. Masked men gave Nazi salutes in Melbourne's CBD when they crashed the demonstration between pro-transgender and anti-transgender activists. Their stunt has sparked outrage in the community, including a fiery rebuke from Mr Andrews on Sunday. He condemned the protesters and said they're attempt to 'spread hate' was not welcome 'I wish it didn't have to be said, but clearly it does: Nazis aren't welcome,' Mr Andrews wrote on Twitter. 'Not on Parliament's steps. Not anywhere. 'They were there to say the trans community don't deserve rights, safety or dignity. 'That's what Nazis do. Their evil ideology is to scapegoat minorities - and it's got no place here. 'And those who stand with them don't, either.' Mr Andrews said his government will 'always support' trans people in Victoria. 'And we'll always respect you,' he said. 'Because your rights are not negotiable.' Anti-transgender activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (right) has been speaking at engagements outside state parliaments this week Ms Keen-Minshull arguing with pro-trans supporters on Saturday Victorian Premier Daniel Andrew (pictured with wife wife Catherine) slammed protesters who performed the Nazi salute during an anti-transgender rally that quickly turned violent, telling them Nazis are 'not welcome' in the state Dozens of protesters gathered outside Parliament House on Spring St about midday. The rally attracted a heavy police presence in the area including officers from the public order response team and the mounted branch. The group of men, dressed in black, performed multiple Nazi salutes while holding a sign that read: 'Destroy Paedo Freaks.' At least 30 members of the far-right Nationalist Socialist Movement were seen marching down Melbourne's Spring St in support of Ms Keen-Minshull. The men were all wearing black and some of the marchers wore balaclava-type masks during the protest. The group was seen shouting slurs at transgender activists and performing the Nazi salute as they stood on the steps of parliament. They were opposed by an even larger group of people advocating for transgender issues, who were heard chanting 'Posie Parker you can't hide, you've got Nazis on your side'. The chant has been used at other rallies against the anti-trans speaker across the country. Victoria Police tried to keep both groups separate, but there were some clashes between the two sides. Macnamara MP Josh Burns called for some tougher laws to be considered after yesterday's event. 'The ugly alliance between anti-trans bullies and neo-Nazis on display in the city today was extremely confronting,' Mr Burns wrote on social media. 'Both groups seek to bully and blame minority groups in their dark ideology. 'Scapegoating minorities is their business model, and it has no place in Australia. 'History showed that minorities, including the LGBTIQA+ community, have been targeted before. 'It's nasty, it's bigoted and it should be called out. 'The brazen marching with neo-Nazi salutes in front of the Victorian Parliament is unacceptable. 'This is a time for us to consider whether tougher laws are needed.' Police presence at the protest was heavy, with officers trying to keep both groups separate Victoria Police said it was on site at the rally to keep the peace between the different groups It's estimated there were about 400 people there to support Ms Keen-Minshull - but pro-transgender supporters outnumbered them at least 2:1. It's unclear at this stage if there have been an arrests or serious injury, as the event is still ongoing. Victoria Police confirmed they were aware of the gathering. 'There is a highly visible police presence in the area to ensure there are no breaches of the peace and to keep the community safe,' said a police spokesman. Ms Keen-Minshull's tour started in Sydney last Saturday, and includes stops in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, and Canberra, before heading to New Zealand. The contentious speaker was also met with protest action at other stops, although it's understood this is the first time her supporters have clashed with pro-trans groups on the tour. She has made headlines in recent months after a speaker at one of her events quoted Adolf Hitler. The anti-trans activist was critical of a member of Britain's House of Commons mentioning murdered British trans teen Brianna Ghey in an International Women's Day speech were she read out the names of murdered women. A sex predator who preyed on children from across the globe using an internet chat forum has been jailed after an elaborate police sting. Andrew Lenton, 36, was sentenced to nine years behind bars in Adelaide's District Court on Thursday for coaxing kids to send him sexually explicit photos of themselves and arranging to meet up with a 16-year-old boy for sex - who was actually an undercover police officer. The court heard Lenton began a conversation using a messenger service popular with teenagers in July 2019, telling the boy he was really hot, asking about the colour of his underwear and bombarding him with sexually suggestive images. On 17 January, 2022, Lenton arranged to meet the boy, who he believed was 16 at the time, but was instead greeted by SA police officers from a child protection taskforce and arrested. Police then seized Lenton's mobile, computer and a memory card from his Adelaide CBD address and found nearly 300,000 images and videos, the majority of which depicted sexual exploitation of children. Adelaide man Andrew Lenton, 36, has been jailed over possessing and distributing hundreds of thousands of images of child sexual exploitation Using messenger apps Lenton had been communicating with children around the world with police finding 241 unopened chat messages. Lenton sent a picture of his penis to an unidentified 13-year-old boy in Victoria and had convinced a 12-year-old boy in Florida, the US, to send nude photos of himself and his brother. He was also attempting to swap naked photos with a 13-year-old boy in South Africa. In summing up, Judge Liesl Kudelka said offences Lenton had been charged with were just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Judge Kudelka noted that police were unable to review all the files he kept because of the sheer number but had 'exceeded reviewing the recommended maximum reviewable files' to bring to alert the court to such a huge quantity of material. Lenton was also found guilty of breaching bail conditions by using a mobile phone to communicate with a child under 18 but this did not add to his sentence. During sentencing Lenton wept after earlier acting nonchalant by cleaning his fingernails as the charges were read out, according to the Adelaide Advertiser. In sentencing Judge Kudelka said she had taken into account a mental health assessment made of Lenton but regarded him as being a 'high risk for reoffending' and that the community needed to be protected.. Police discovered that Lenton was in communication with boys around the world, who he was grooming to swap sexually explicit material 'Children are vulnerable members of the community,' Judge Kudelka said. 'That vulnerability is magnified by the internet, which enables sexual predators like you to contact children without any responsible adult knowing about it. 'No-one wants sexual predators like you in the community.' Judge Kudelka imposed a sentence of 14 years but reduced it to nine years to account for time jailed over concurrent charges. The sentence was backdated to commence from 7 March 2022 with a non-parole period of seven years. A man has died after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Northern New South Wales. Richmond Police District officers were called to a showground on Summerland Way at Casino, following reports a man had been assaulted about 11am on Sunday. Police will allege when they arrived at the showgrounds a 48-year-old man allegedly assaulted a police officer. The man was arrested and taken to Casino Police Station. A man has died after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Casino, Northern NSW on Sunday A critical incident team from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the man's death (stock image pictured) While in custody, the man became unconscious. Police and NSW Ambulance paramedics tried to revive the man however he died in custody. A critical incident team from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad will now investigate all circumstances surrounding the man's death. The investigation will be subject to an independent review and a report will be prepared for the Coroner. A fifteen-year-old girl who went missing from Edinburgh with an unknown man has been tracked down after police issued a CCTV appeal. Faith Marley, 15, was caught leaving a bus station with the unknown man on Wednesday morning, Police Scotland said. Issuing a statement, Scotland Police said: 'We can confirm Faith Marley, reported missing from the Leith area of Edinburgh, has been traced. 'Thank you to everyone who shared our appeals.' When asked about the unknown man, a spokesperson for Scotland Police told MailOnline: 'There have been no arrests. Faith Marley, 15, has been tracked down after going missing on Wednesday morning 'She's been traced safe.' Ms Marley, from the Leith area of Edinburgh, had not been seen since she travelled from Glasgow on a Citylink number 900 bus, which arrived at Buchanan Bus Station shortly after 11.05am on Wednesday. She was then spotted on CCTV meeting the man shortly after 11.20am, before the pair left the station in the direction of North Hannover Street. Before Ms Marley was found, police said they were 'very concerned' for the teenager. Ms Marley was described as about 5feet 7inches, of medium build and dark blonde shoulder-length hair. She was wearing a black hooded top, leggings and black and white high-top converse shoes when she went missing. The man pictured with her was described as white, with dark hair and likely aged between 20 to 30, police said. He was wearing a grey jumper, black trousers and black shoes, and was seen pulling a white or silver case or box with a blue bag on top of the handle and carrying a dark-coloured backpack. Chief Inspector Cath Thorburn previously said: 'This sighting in Glasgow is now the most recent confirmed sighting of Faith. 'While nothing from our inquiries suggest she has come to any harm, she has not now been seen since Wednesday morning and we remain very concerned for her. 'We would urge anyone who believes they may have seen or heard from Faith at any time since Wednesday to get in touch urgently. 'We are working to identify the man seen in her company leaving Buchanan Bus Station as he may have information which could help. If you know who he is or if you recognise yourself please come forward.' An angry kangaroo has viciously attacked a bushwalker trying to save the creature's joey that was caught in a barbed wire fence. Melanie Stubbs was hiking in Sydney's Blue Mountains when she came across a baby kangaroo in distress and decided to try and help. Ms Stubbs said her 'motherly instinct' kicked in when she spotted the helpless creature and set about trying to free the animal's legs from the wire. Footage of the incident shows the joey's mother frantically bounding around on the other side of the fence growling. 'We're trying to help the baby,' Ms Stubbs and a friend can be heard saying in an attempt to calm the worried animal. Melanie Stubbs (left) was hiking in Sydney's Blue Mountains when she came across a baby kangaroo in distress and decided to try and help But the joey's mother saw the hikers as a threat and charged at the pair as they yelled for it to 'go away'. The mother roo then slipped under the fence and pinned Ms Stubbs to the ground as she screamed in terror. Ms Stubbs said the ordeal was 'frightening'. 'I remember being on my tummy trying to crawl away and I could feel it pounding on my back,' she told 9News. 'I had a backpack on so I think that saved my back a little.' The roo had slashed her leg down to the bone and she required surgery. Ms Stubbs then developed an infection which saw her going back to hospital for treatment everyday for almost three months. She said she feels 'lucky' to have survived the incident and wants to warn others about the potential dangers of kangaroo attacks. She said despite being raised in Australia, she was unaware kangaroos were capable of such viscous attacks on humans. The kangaroo slashed Ms Stubbs's leg down to the bone and she required surgery The joey's mother saw the hikers as a threat and charged at Ms Stubbs, pinning her to the ground 'I thought if anything she'd jump over the fence, I had no idea she'd come under at me,' she said. Ms Stubbs said she still 'liked' kangaroos but would be wary about approaching one in the future. In December last year, a resting kangaroo attacked a tourist after she tried to pat the animal while visiting Kangaroo Valley, about 160km southwest of Sydney. Last September, 77-year-old Western Australia man Peter Eades was killed by his pet kangaroo. Emergency responders were forced to shoot the three-year-old male roo after it prevented paramedics from reaching the owner, who was seriously injured. The NSW Office of Environment & Heritage warns that although kangaroos are often portrayed as friendly and cuddly Australian cultural icons, they can hurt people. The department instructs any person who feels threatened by a roo to move well clear and try not to attract the animal's attention, keeping their head and arms low. If attacked, a person should drop to the ground and curl into a ball with their hands protecting their face and throat. It is important to try to remain calm and still until the animal moves away. The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after hearing management was being ranked 'inadequate' is campaigning to reform 'punitive' Ofsted. Julia Walters, the sister of 53-year-old Ruth Perry who was head of a primary school in Berkshire, said: 'Ruth killed herself because of this Ofsted report.' Mother-of-two Mrs Perry killed herself in January, a month after the watchdog downgraded Caversham Primary School, in Reading, from outstanding - an experience she called the worst day of her life. On Monday, Professor Waters will meet head teachers campaigning to reform Ofsted in her sister's name and make it a 'more humane system'. The 55-year-old professor of French literature at Reading University said: 'Ruth just saw this one word "inadequate" as summing everything she had ever achieved and it was targeted at her. That is how she felt and it just crushed her.' Mother-of-two Ruth Perry (pictured) killed herself in January, a month after the watchdog downgraded Caversham Primary School, in Reading, from outstanding - an experience she called the worst day of her life On Monday, Professor Julia Waters (pictured) will meet head teachers campaigning to reform Ofsted in her sister's name and make it a 'more humane system' Mrs Perry had been principal at Caversham for 12 years, always working long hours, and her family want the way in which schools are inspected and graded to be changed. The primary school had been ranked 'outstanding' since 2009 until November 15, when three Ofsted inspectors arrived. This was Caversham's first inspection in 13 years as previously those which had been ranked so highly were exempt. Amanda Spielman, Ofsted's chief inspector, carried out inspection of outstanding schools, downgrading many of them. Mrs Perry claimed inspectors told senior staff they had seen a boy 'flossing' - a popular dance move with tens of millions of children around the world thanks to social media - and that this was evidence of the 'sexualisation of pupils' at the school. It is also alleged inspectors told teachers that they had seen child-on-child abuse - but Mrs Perry insisted it was a playground scuffle. She killed herself on January 8 - two months before the publication of the report, her family have said. Professor Waters told the BBC: 'This one-word judgment is just destroying 32 years of her vocation, education was her vocation. Thirty-two years summed up in one word, "inadequate". 'It just preyed on her mind until she couldn't take it anymore. She was a huge loss, she was my little sister and she was only 53, she had so much more still to give, so much more that she could do.' The headteacher had an extraordinary bond with the school, having been a pupil there. She returned in 2006 as deputy headteacher, being promoted to principal in 2010. Mrs Perry's sister said there is a sense of 'complete injustice' about the process behind the inspection and the report. The report was published this week and found the school to be 'good' in every category, apart from leadership and management - where it was judged to be Inadequate. The report criticised the school for poor record keeping, with gaps in employment checks potentially putting children at risk. This dropped the entire school to an 'inadequate' rating, the lowest possible. Julia says her sister (pictured together) 'was a huge loss' and 'had so much more still to give' This was Caversham Primary School's first inspection in 13 years as previously those which had been ranked so highly were exempt Inspectors said that 'most pupils behave sensibly and rise to the staff's high expectations', adding: 'Pupils know who to turn to if they have a worry or a problem, feeling confident that they will get the help they need. Relationships between staff and pupils are warm and supportive. Incidents of bullying are rare.' But they added: 'Leaders do not have the required knowledge to keep pupils safe from harm. They have not taken prompt and proper actions when pupils are at risk. They have not ensured that safeguarding is effective throughout the school.' Professor Waters still has the text exchange between her and her sister on the day of the inspection. She messaged to arrange a weekend trip but Mrs Perry replied: 'I cannot speak now, the Ofsted inspectors are in and it is absolutely dreadful.' Professor Waters texted back saying 'Dont be daft, you run a wonderful school' but her sister replied: 'No it is as bad as it can be, I feel completely broken. It is the worst day of my life.' Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, where the school is based, said: 'I've had a meeting with the schools minister and I've also raised this with the regional director of Ofsted. 'I think it's fair to say that there are local concerns about the way that the inspection was carried out. Also about the way that the Ofsted framework and other regulations affecting Ofsted effectively work, and the wider pressure on headteachers.' Zimbabwe plans to double down on its foreign policy thrust, which has so far managed to establish rewarding transactional partnerships across the world, with President Mnangagwa expected to attend the coronation of King Charles III in early May, among his many diplomatic engagements. The President also seeks to re-engage with the United States, which he hopes is beginning to see that relations between us must be re-based, putting behind us the unwarranted and undeserved punitive measures which do not serve our mutual interests. In his weekly column in The Sunday Mail, the President said the country will soon host Senegalese President Macky Sall, who is billed to open the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo. In both the United States of America and in the United Kingdom, re-engagement continues. Late last year, our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Ambassador Frederick Shava) attended the USA-Africa Summit. This was the first-ever time such an invitation was extended to Zimbabwe, he said. We hope the Administration there is beginning to see that relations between us must be re-based, putting behind us the unwarranted and undeserved punitive measures which do not serve our mutual interests. In early May, I shall be attending the coronation of King Charles III, again adding a positive chapter to our bilateral relations with the United Kingdom. As part of its evolving engagement and re-engagement diplomatic drive, Zimbabwe will also be opening a full Embassy in Equatorial Guinea soon, while President Nguema Mbasogo is expected to reciprocate his counterparts State visit early this year once arrangements are finalised. Separately, the Federal Republic of Ethiopia is preparing to reopen a Chancery in Harare after closing it a few years back owing to challenges in Addis Ababa. On its part, Zimbabwe will be opening embassies in Belarus and Pakistan, and will also be announcing new diplomatic initiatives in respect of Saudi Arabia. The Government, President Mnangagwa also said, will formally invite foreign observers once he proclaims dates for the harmonised elections, as it views the plebiscite as yet another plank for anchoring and furthering our global diplomacy, as well as re-confirming our commitment to international tenets on democracy. Sometime this year, we will go for our harmonised general elections. As I write, everything is being done to ensure everyone who wants to vote in the forthcoming elections is facilitated, he said. Our elections will be free and fair, and will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Government will formally invite foreign observers once I have proclaimed dates for the harmonised elections. He, however, cautioned that Government will not brook undue interference in the countrys electoral processes. Sunday Mail Sydney has set a new weather record after temperatures soared above 30C for four consecutive days in March - the first time such an event has occurred in 165 years. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast Sydney would reach a top of 30C on Sunday, while Penrith was set to swelter in 40C heat. Richmond and Blacktown were also forecast to reach 39C. The high temperatures are being caused by a low intensity heatwave spreading across the region that also includes some parts of southeast Queensland. Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Felim Hannify told NCA NewsWire the last time Sydney recorded such high temperatures in March was in 1878. Sydney has experienced its hottest March on record with a record four consecutive days climbing about 30C At that time, temperatures above 30C were recorded for three consecutive days. 'It's a record never seen previously,' Mr Hannify said. 'A lot of people were nervous about the outlook changing to El Nino later in the year but we're already seeing an imprint of those temperatures.' The Observatory Hill station near the southern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge has recorded March's average is 2C above the previous record of 27.1 degrees from 2006. The Bureau forecasts there will be isolated gusty thunderstorms with little or no rainfall possible about the Southern Ranges and slopes in New South Wales. It warns these conditions may exacerbate already elevated fire dangers due to ongoing hot, dry conditions in the region. Large areas of Victoria have already seen bushfires but a cooler day on Sunday saw residents on the Surf Coast and in the alpine region advised the threat had lessened. Sky News Australia meteorologist Rob Sharpe said New South Wales residents can also soon expect a cool change. The hot weather has lead to high bushfire dangers in NSW with Victoria already seeing large areas set ablaze 'Wet weather is going to pick up again,' he said. 'A cool change is crossing Victoria, Tasmania and up the New South Wales coastline, it reaches Sydney on Sunday evening. 'By Monday it's notably cooler for the New South Wales coast. 'We're not going to see this type of heat again until we get to at least springtime.' Mr Sharpe said while central and western parts of the state will continue to see high temperatures, rain is forecast for the coming week. 'We're going to continue to see showers on an almost daily basis out through the east right through much of next week, so get ready for the wet weather,' he said. 'Despite the fact La Nina is done doesn't mean the end of the wet weather just yet.' Mr Hannify said the system that saw temperatures reach 43 in some parts of the interior west on Saturday will continue to move towards the coast. Sydneysiders try to find some relief from the run of hot Sydney days at Bronte Beach in the city's east 'Temperatures rose again today we had that weather system coming over the southern part of New South Wales,' he said. 'It's dragging that heat further east today, that's why you're getting near 40s in the western suburbs because it's dragged closer to the coast today.' Meanwhile, Melbourne is forecast to reach a top of 21 degrees on Sunday, which is about three degrees cooler than the March average. Brisbane is forecast to reach a top of 32 degrees on Sunday. A female rat usually has six litters per year, each consisting of up to 12 rat pups Residents of a seaside town have been left 'living in terror' after being invaded by 'monster' rats 'as big as cats'. Locals in Tenby, southwest Wales, are concerned the rodents are damaging the cliffs along the picturesque coastline with their burrowing. Roger Miles, a boatman in the area, claimed the issue has got more severe in recent months, saying: 'Early evenings, dusk, early morning, rats all over the place really. 'There's a certain area where you see parts of the cliffs at Castle Hill have been eroded.' A female rat usually has six litters per year, each consisting of up to 12 rat pups. Residents of seaside town Tenby, in southwest Wales, have been left 'living in terror' after being invaded by 'monster' rats 'as big as cats' Residents are concerned the rodents are damaging the cliffs along the picturesque coastline with their burrowing Tenby is known for being a peaceful and picturesque seaside town As rats reach sexual maturity four or five weeks after birth, a population of two can lead to a whopping 1,250 in the space of a year, with the potential to grow even more. Another local, Derek Brown, told the BBC: 'It's the structural damage they might be doing to the cliff face that is the big worry.' The town's mayor, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, said that the council is 'taking action' by helping to set up dozens of bait boxes to remove the rodents, according to the Metro. However, one local told The Sun: You just cant kill them quicker than they can breed. Once theyre here, theyre here to stay.' Roger Miles (pictured), a boatman in the area, said the issue has got more severe in recent months, adding: 'Early evenings, dusk, early morning, rats all over the place really' A population of two rats can lead to a whopping 1,250 in the space of a year, with the potential to grow even more The council is 'taking action' by helping to set up dozens of bait boxes to remove the rats The council has urged the public not to feed birds or drop any food. Ms Skyrme-Blackhall told the Guardian: There are members of the public who feed the birds, which feeds the rats. They think they are being kind but its not helping the issue at all.' He added that people are not being responsible and not getting rid of their rubbish correctly by putting food in their general rubbish, meaning the rats find it. 'The problem is being eradicated as we speak. Yes there have been issues but nothing on the volume that has been out there,' he said. A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told MailOnline: 'We are aware of issues with rodents and the need for additional baiting points and have been working on this on an ongoing basis in order to address this concern. A female rat usually has six litters per year, each consisting of up to 12 rat pups. [File image] 'We will be accessing the cliff face and starting a baiting programme imminently, using specialist staff. 'We continue to urge members of the public and the local community not to feed the birds or provide any food sources that may attract vermin to this area as this is the likely cause of the problem.' They added: 'We will also look to provide additional signage to reinforce this message. 'Following the planned baiting programme we will look at what options we have available to prevent the re-emergence of this issue in the future.' Labour must clarify its position on transgender policy if it wants to win the next election, Sir Keir Starmer has been told. Labour MPs are concerned the party needs to 'come up with an answer' to the trans question that 'secures women's rights' and senior figures have urged the need to bring policy in line with public opinion. It comes after Nicola Sturgeon's approach to transgender rights was blamed for her dwindling support within Scottish Nationalist Party ranks and a 40 per cent decline in party membership. But senior figures in the Labour Party have warned Sir Keir Starmer must not fall into a 'similar trap' by trying to do good for a 'very small' minority group at the risk of alienating women. A Labour Party source told the Telegraph: 'In many respects she [Nicola Sturgeon] was the most successful politican of our generation yet she was brought down by the Gender Recognition Act. Labour MPs are concerned the party needs to 'come up with an answer' to the trans question that 'secures women's rights' and senior figures have urged the need to bring policy in line with public opinion 'The public were in a different place to the politicians. In trying to do good for a very small minority group, you inadvertently offend an awful lot of women who feel their place in society is being eliminated. You have to balance the needs of different groups.' Sir Keir pledged to the LGBT community in 2021 he would introduce similar legislation to Scotland's Gender Recognition Act which would allow transgender people to self-declare their gender in England and Wales. But it has been said this policy could be 'quietly' dropped between now and the next general election, according to the Telegraph. Scotland's highly controversial Gender Reform Bill, which proposed allowing anyone over the age of 16 to legally change their sex without consulting a doctor, was blocked by Westminster from receiving royal assent in January this year. Soon after, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation and admitted she had become a 'polarising figure'. He described it as: 'Malicious intentional disregard of the British judicial system' Mr Quirk spent 7 months chasing the company to refund and compensate him Russell Quirk, from Essex, told MailOnline he initially paid just 700 for flights A father revealed how he got Wizz Air to pay him 4,500 for cancelling his family holiday to Portugal after months of chasing a refund by sending bailiffs to Luton Airport. Russell Quirk, a property expert from Brentwood in Essex, said he was forced to buy new flights for the following day after the cancellations. He told MailOnline: 'They stonewalled me. It is my belief that they thought I would go away.' After waiting months for Wizz Air to reimburse the money, Mr Quirk went to court before sending bailiffs to the airport. TalkTV presenter Mr Quirk added: Should I, as an aggrieved consumer, have to spend 7 months fighting a corporate entity to get back whats rightfully mine?' Mr Quirk originally booked the flights from Luton Airport to Faro in January last year for a May half-term family holiday with his three daughters (two of whom are pictured) and wife Wizz Air apologised for the cancellation and paid Mr Quirk his money, saying the airline 'fell short of our own aspirations and our customers' expectations' Russell Quirk, a property expert from Brentwood in Essex, said he was forced to buy new flights for the following day after the cancellations Wizz Air apologised for the cancellation and paid Mr Quirk his money, saying the airline 'fell short of our own aspirations and our customers' expectations'. Mr Quirk originally booked the flights from Luton Airport to Faro in January last year for a May half-term family holiday with his three daughters and wife. On the morning of their flight he received a message from Wizz Air saying it had been cancelled. 'There was no apology and no alternative offered - which obviously they have an obligation to do', he told MailOnline. He had to wake his three daughters and break the news that they weren't going on holiday. READ MORE: The worst airlines for summer holiday delays - Wizz Air flights are the most likely to be held up Advertisement As the 6,000 non-refundable hotel had already been paid for, Mr Quirk was forced to book another flight for the following day, which cost 2,500. His initial flights had cost just 700. The loss of money spent on transfers, two hotel rooms for the first night and the paid-for airport lounge, plus the new flight, left Mr Quirk 3,900 out of pocket. After returning to the UK from his holiday Mr Quirk said he tried to get compensation from Wizz Air. But it took a month for the cost of his original flights to be returned along with other legal compensation. 'They have an obligation to refund within seven days which they didnt,' he told MailOnline. 'That took a month to get a refund. That was shocking.' Mr Quirk then found Wizz Air UK's managing director Marion Joffrey on LinkedIn and messaged her regarding compensation. She replied but it took two more emails hounding her to receive the 350 compensation per passenger which the family were entitled to under EU laws. He then approached the topic of his 'consequential losses' - the costs incurred or lost because of the cancellation. Wizz Air repeatedly ignored his claims for these costs, which came to 4,500 after court fees, to be paid back. The airline did not respond and a judgement by default was made against them. After returning to the UK from his holiday Mr Quirk said he tried to get compensation from Wizz Air The budget airline company then 'ignored' the judgement made against them after Mr Quirk took the case to the county court, so bailiffs were then sent in to the Wizz Air desk at Luton Airport The budget airline company then 'ignored' the judgement them after Mr Quirk took the case to the county court, so bailiffs were then sent in to the Wizz Air desk at Luton Airport. 'Malicious intentional disregard of the British judicial system,' Mr Quirk described the situation as to MailOnline. 'They didnt give a toss. The airline could either hand over the money or the equivalent cost in goods, for example in the form of chairs, tables or computers. Wizz Air ended up paying Mr Quirk the money. The property expert said it cost roughly 180 to take his case to court and 60 to send in the bailiffs. Mr Quirk said: 'If they had sent me a holding response or two. If they had communicated with me at all between July and December and said We acknowledge your claim, we will settle it, please give us 90 days." I would have accepted that. READ MORE: Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air suspends all flights to and from Moldova due to security concerns linked to growing tensions with Russia Advertisement 'Except they stonewalled me. It is my belief that they thought I would go away. 'These companies make the process so difficult, so obstructive that most people do give up. You have got to fight your corner as a consumer.' A spokesperson for Wizz Air said due to unprecedented levels of disruption across Europe and the UK in the summer of 2022 'we fell short of our own aspirations'. They added: 'When things went wrong, we did not react quickly enough to manage the high volume of customer claims that resulted from this disruption. 'We are sorry about this and we are working to ensure that our customers' experience with Wizz is better this year.' The airline assured that since December, it has paid all county court judgements which went against the company and is continuing to settle claims. A master's degree that will teach students how to become experts on directing sex scenes has been launched with the help of the 'Intimacy coordinator' who made her name working on BBC's Normal People. The two-year course will provide a detailed knowledge of how to make actors comfortable and ensure that all genitals are covered appropriately during intimate shoots. Intimacy coordinators were introduced in the wake of the MeToo movement to protect and guide actors during sex scenes. Ita O'Brien made her name as intimacy coordinator for Normal People and is now helping launch the new masters degree - that will charge over 15,000 for its first year. She told The Times that there is 'so much' to teach on the topic and that she is asked by two people a day about getting into the industry. A master's degree that will teach students how to become experts on directing sex scenes has been launched with the help of the 'Intimacy coordinator' who made her name working on BBC's Normal People Ita O'Brien (pictured) made her name as intimacy coordinator for Normal People and is now leading the new masters degree - that will charge over 15,000 for its first year Applications for the Masters of Fine Arts degree at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Peckham, accredited by the University of East Anglia, open tomorrow. Students will learn about power dynamics between performers and producers, consent and boundaries and the best way to use 'modesty garments' to cover an actor's intimate area. Speaking to The Times, O'Brien said: 'It's a really complex role and it's really important that there is a pathway that can be trusted in the industry. 'I want the role of intimacy coordinator and implementation of intimacy guidelines [to be] mandatory.' The coordinator, who has also worked on It's A Sin and Lady Chatterly's Lover, said she wants to ensure standards for the role are maintained - and aren't lowered by self-proclaimed experts. She also defend the role against criticism from actors who have said it removes spontaneity from the scenes. In February Sir Ian McKellen slammed 'irrelevant' jobs such as intimacy coordinators for ruining the 'purity' of modern theatre. The legendary actor said there are too many people 'getting in the way' of performers today. He singled out intimacy coordinators suggesting that directors could do the job just as well. Speaking to The Times, O'Brien said: 'It's a really complex role and it's really important that there is a pathway that can be trusted in the industry While Dame Emma Thompson hailed intimacy coordinators as 'absolutely essential' following McKellen's comments. Speaking to Andrew Marr on LBC, Dame Emma, 63, dismissed Sir Ian's remarks, saying: 'It's all very well, if you're a bloke it's a different kind of thing. 'I think if you're a young woman on a set, which is largely peopled by men, the crew will be 90 per cent men and the women won't be on the set with you, because generally speaking we do not have parity on any level on film sets, it's all men. 'And that's a very uncomfortable position for a young woman who's starting in the industry, but it is absolutely essential that there is someone there to protect them. Absolutely essential. Sean Bean said that intimacy professionals could 'spoil the spontaneity' of sex scenes. While other female members of the industry, including Rachel Zegler, criticised Bean's comments. Dame Emma said: 'It's not to say that they're going to be in there all the time arranging your boobs, it's that they can be there in case you might feel that there's a position that you've got into that you're not quite comfortable with, you know, your bum hole's waving in the air, and you just think I don't feel quite comfortable...' Gillian Anderson and Bridgerton star Rege-Jean Page have also previously praised intimacy co-ordinators for their work in on-screen productions. While Daryl McCormack revealed how he and co-star Dame Emma prepared for the racy sex scenes in their latest film, Good Luck To You Leo Grande. A mother who killed her stepson by slapping him 'multiple times' and filmed him as he lay dying from a brain injury has been visited in prison by the boy's father and their daughter. Leila Borrington, 23, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Thursday for the manslaughter of autistic three-year-old Harvey Borrington who died in hospital in August 2021. But Borrington has enjoyed 'regular' visits at HMP Foston Hall, Derbyshire, from her fiance Jonathan Borrington and their three-year-old daughter, according to the Sunday Mirror. Relatives also said the couple are still planning to get married and the family believe Harvey's death was a tragic accident. The boy's grandfather Keith Borrington, of Nottingham, said: 'He's been visiting her and they have a daughter together. Leila Borrington (pictured), 23, was sentenced to 15 years in prison this week for the manslaughter of autistic three-year-old Harvey Borrington who died in hospital in August 2021 Relatives said the couple are still planning to get married and the family believes Harvey's (pictured) death was accidental 'Leila is her mum. She had an engagement ring and they were really happy and planning their wedding. That's why none of this makes sense.' Mr Borrington said the family believed Harvey's death was accidental, in line with Borrington's evidence given at Nottingham Crown Court. He added the family were still 'in shock' over Harvey's death but they were just having to 'deal with it'. Nottingham Crown Court heard Borrington lied about what had happened to Harvey when paramedics were called to her home in Jacksdale, Nottinghamshire, in August 2021 She claimed Harvey 'fell backwards' off a one-seater leather sofa at home and injured himself when paramedics asked what had happened. But the court heard Borrington had inflicted 'unsurvivable' injuries on Harvey, including a skull fracture, and sent a text message to Mr Borrington that said 'Why does this happen to me?' after inflicting the injuries. Paramedics found Harvey 'deeply unconscious', 'unresponsive' and with 'abnormal body posture'. The court also heard Borrington had attacked Harvey twice in the four months before his death which left him with a broken arm and marks on his face. Borrington claimed his broken arm happened when she was 'trying to stop him falling down the stairs'. Mr Justice Nicklin, who sentenced Borrington last Thursday, said: 'You were 21 when the first offence was committed and 22 when you assaulted and killed Harvey.' 'During the trial we saw video footage of Harvey playing with his toys and placing items into the dishwasher. 'Within less than 30 minutes, further video footage showed Harvey unconscious on the living room floor. Precisely what happened to Harvey only you know.' A father who was falsely accused of being the head of an Asian grooming gang by a 'fantasist' woman plans to sue police and the Home Office over the torment the investigation caused him. Mohammed Ramzan, a father-of-four, was named by Eleanor Williams after she lied about being raped, beaten and trafficked abroad. Williams, 22, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years this week for perverting the course of justice. Mr Ramzan, known locally as Mo, said: 'I respect the investigation team but I feel let down by Barrow police. 'I got more than 500 death threats but nothing was done, we received no help or support.' Mohammed Ramzan (pictured), a father who was falsely accused of being the head of an Asian grooming gang by a 'fantasist' woman, plans to sue police and the Home Office over the torment the investigation caused him Mr Ramzan was named by Eleanor Williams (pictured) after she lied about being raped, beaten and trafficked abroad Williams, 22, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years this week for perverting the course of justice The father revealed he is also helping to launch legal action against Williams' mother to return 22,000 donated by well-wishers, according to the Mirror. He claimed Allison Johnston has ignored calls to give back the money, sent by people sympathetic towards what they thought her daughter had experienced. In an interview with the Mirror, Mr Ramzan, 43, revealed he and the fund's creator, Shane Yerrell, filed a complaint through Mrs Johnston's bank - and secured almost a third of the money. They have since launched a civil case for the rest, with Mr Ramzan saying the money must be returned to the people. 'We've launched a civil action against Allison Johnston to get the rest of the money back. If she doesn't respond we'll take it to the small claims court,' he said. Mr Ramzan, pictured with his wife Nicola Holt outside Preston Crown Court, Lancashire, said that Williams' claims caused him to become 'close to suicide' The father said: 'I respect the investigation team but I feel let down by Barrow police' Williams started her campaign in May 2020 with a 1,300-word Facebook post, claiming she was the victim of an Asian grooming gang Mr Ramzan, whose daughter is the same age as his accuser, had to spend 36 hours in custody after being arrested on his way to a cash and carry in July 2019. Williams falsely claimed the father had groomed her since she was 12 and subjected her to severe beatings, before trafficking her to Amsterdam to be sold at a slave auction for 25,000. Mr Ramzan was eventually able to prove to police that he was in a B&Q at the time of the young woman's 'abduction'. Williams started her campaign in May 2020 with a 1,300-word Facebook post, claiming she was the victim of an Asian grooming gang. The post included heartbreaking images of her having been attacked and received more than 100,000 shares by the public and celebrities. Mr Ramzan said: 'I got abuse. There were kids shouting ''rapist'' and ''pa*i'' at me, and throwing stones. 'I wanted to kill myself and was twice close to suicide.' Meanwhile, Mr Ramzan is also considering action against celebrities and other public figures who spread the woman's claims on social media. 'I think Ive got PTSD, its broken me emotionally. Im always tearing up,' he said. Mr Ramzan's mother passed away before seeing him exonerated. However, he said he has forgiven Williams and would agree to meet her in jail if she shows remorse. 'As a father, I think she deserves a chance,' he said. Cumbria Police recognised the impact of the case but said claims of abuse had to be investigated thoroughly. An OnlyFans model jailed for life for murdering her partner has complained that she is not allowed 'conjugal visits' with men. Abigail White, who called herself 'Fake Barbie', was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 18 years at Bristol Crown Court in October last year. The court heard how mother-of-three White, 24, was one of the 'early pioneers' on the OnlyFans website and made around 50,000 a year sharing erotic content. But after a row with her boyfriend Bradley Lewis on March 25, she stabbed him in the heart at their home in Kingswood, near Bristol. White told the court that Mr Lewis tried to 'control her' and her money from the OnlyFans site and claimed he 'walked into' the kitchen knife she was holding, adding it was 'not a big stab'. Abigail White, who called herself 'Fake Barbie' - was jailed for life, with a minimum term of 18 years at Bristol Crown Court in October last year But after a row with her boyfriend Bradley Lewis (pictured together) on March 25, she stabbed him in the heart at their home in Kingswood, near Bristol White told the court that Mr Lewis (pictured) tried to 'control her' and her money from the OnlyFans site and claimed he 'walked into' the kitchen knife she was holding, adding it was 'not a big stab' She told the court: 'I went over to him to shock him, to scare him with the knife and before I knew it, I had stabbed him.' White - who had previously stabbed Mr Lewis in the arm - said she realised it was serious when she saw 'blood spurting out of him', adding: 'It was really bad.' A post-mortem found that Mr Lewis, 22, had suffered a single 7cm-deep wound to the chest, with the knife entering his heart. Writing in magazine Inside Time in the latest March edition, White said she was shocked that prisons don't allow partners into women's jails. She said that prison chiefs should take into account 'her needs' and allow men to stay overnight with female lags. Writing from her cell at HMP Eastwood Park, a 400-capacity jail in Gloucestershire, White said: 'It has come to my attention, after recently being sentenced to 18 years, that prisons do not facilitate overnight stays for women prisoners and their partners. White - who had previously stabbed Mr Lewis in the arm - said she realised it was serious when she saw 'blood spurting out of him', adding: 'It was really bad' Writing in lags' mag Inside Time in the latest March edition, White said she was shocked that prisons don't allow partners into women's jails 'I think they should take into account and consideration our needs, and allow men and women to have overnight stays together. 'I would like to know what other prisoners think about this, as quite a few girls here agree.' White admitted manslaughter, but was found guilty of murder and jailed for life, being told she would serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars before being considered for parole. Mr Justice Peter Donald Fraser, jailing White in 2022, told her: 'Not only will your three children grow up without a father, but they will grow up knowing their mother murdered their father.' A Prison Service spokesperson said this week: 'Prisoners see family during daytime visits which are supervised by staff.' People with strong religious views have a right to hold high political office, one of the frontrunners to become Scotland's new first minister said today. SNP finance minister Kate Forbes said she had been subjected to 'a stunning level of scrutiny and backlash' during her campaign to replace Nicola Sturgeon because of her opposition to same-sex marriage. She made the remarks as she faced the media on a weekend when her party has been thrown into massive turmoil amid a row over party membership numbers and the validity of the vote. The party's chief executive Peter Murrell was forced to quit last night just weeks after his wife, Ms Sturgeon, announced her shock resignation as First Minister. Ms Forbes told the BBC other people of faith held high office in the UK - citing Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, and the Muslim mayor of London, Sadiq Khan - and pledged she would ensure that Scotland is a 'tolerant and pluralistic nation'. She is a member of the evangelical Free Church of Scotland. After a series of televised leadership debates in the week in which she struggled to clarify her position on conversion therapy she branded it 'abhorrent' today, adding: 'It is a very, very sensitive issue and I do think that rather than give you quick, sort of ''gotcha'' answers on a matter of such importance, that we do reflect on consultation responses.' SNP finance minister Kate Forbes said she had been subjected to 'a stunning level of scrutiny and backlash' during her campaign to replace Nicola Sturgeon because of her opposition to same-sex marriage. Ms Forbes also said she does not have concerns about the integrity of the party's election. In an interview which was recorded before the resignation of SNP chief executive Peter Murrell and media chief Murray Foote, she told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: 'I have no concerns about the process, I have full confidence in the integrity of the election.' She added: 'I'm certainly confident that whoever is elected is the person who SNP members will have chosen.' She also said she would rule out further tax rises if she becomes First Minister. Yesterday, in a statement announcing his immediate resignation, Mr Murrell admitted he was responsible for the 'misleading' claims about membership figures which the party had repeatedly said stood at around 100,000, but were actually around 72,000. His bombshell departure comes amid a continuing police probe into how independence campaign donations have been handled and questions over why he made a personal donation of 107,000 to the party amid a cash crisis. The downfall of Scotland's foremost political power couple followed revelations in The Mail on Sunday that the SNP had lied about its true membership numbers ahead of the leadership race. Last night commentators said it was the final nail in the coffin for the embattled Scottish nationalist movement. Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: 'The party of government is imploding, guilty of cover-up and lying to the Scottish people. 'Murrell's resignation, along with other senior figures in the SNP, shows that the Nationalists are no longer fit to govern.' Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'A fish rots from the head down and the same applies to the SNP. 'Peter Murrell's resignation is long overdue but there remain serious questions for him to answer, not least over the 'missing' 600,000 from party accounts. 'The brutal, shambolic SNP leadership election appears to have been the tipping point that's forced the First Minister's husband to quit before he was pushed.' A rare 6ft-long smalltooth sand tiger shark has washed up on a popular British beach - hours after being saved by a 'brave' mother, it was claimed. The shark, found on Lepe Beach in Hampshire's New Forest, is believed to be the first of its species found in UK waters. Alisha Openshaw, a mother-of-two, said she thought she had rescued the large shark when coming across it in the shallows of her local beach and dragging it into deeper waters on Friday. Although the 38-year-old watched it swim away, the shark has now been found dead on the shore. It was identified as a smalltooth sand tiger shark, a species classified as Vulnerable and rarely spotted. A rare 6ft-long smalltooth sand tiger shark has washed up on a popular British beach - hours after being saved by a 'brave' mother Alisha Openshaw (right), a mother-of-two, said she thought she had rescued the large shark when coming across it in the shallows of her local beach and dragging it into deeper waters on Friday The shark, found on Lepe Beach in Hampshire's New Forest, is believed to be the first of its species found in UK waters Efforts are now underway to recover the shark from Lepe Beach in Hampshire's New Forest (pictured) for further examinations and an autopsy. [File image] The deepwater shark is known to be non-aggressive towards humans, but normally prefers warmer waters to the chilly coast of the UK. The strictly-protected species can grow up to 12ft in length and weigh up to 289kg. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are probably fewer than 250 adult sand tiger sharks left. Efforts are now underway to recover the shark from Lepe Beach in Hampshire's New Forest for further examinations and an autopsy. On Friday afternoon, Ms Openshaw was on the beach with her children when she spotted the creature on the beach which she thought had been there for a 'good two hours', but despite a group of people watching, no one had helped it. So the hairdresser jumped in herself, pulled it into deeper waters and saw it swim away. Ms Openshaw, from Dibden Purlieu, Hants, said: 'I was heading to the beach for a walk, my mum was already there, so I got took the kids for a nice walk. 'There were a couple of people down there, and they saw the shark splashing. He was splashing around the water around the start, and I got worried that nobody was going to help him. Lepe Beach, where the rare shark wad found, is located in Hampshire's New Forest Alisha Openshaw, a mother-of-two, thought she had rescued the large shark when she came across it in the shallows of her local beach and dragged it into deeper waters on Friday According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are probably fewer than 250 adult sand tiger sharks left 'At first I wasn't sure what it could be, but once I got there I could definitely see it was a shark. It must have been there for a good two hours, and I just can't believe nobody tried to help him. The smalltooth sand tiger shark Where do they normally live? Smalltooth sand tiger sharks are found worldwide but usually in the eastern Atlantic. What do they eat? They feed on small bony fishes, squids and crustaceans. Are they dangerous to humans? Although they may appear threatening, the behaviour of these sharks during encounters with divers shows they are harmless to humans unless provoked. Most recent spot in the UK? The shark found on Lepe Beach in Hampshire's New Forest is believed to be the first of its species found in UK waters. Source: MarineBio Conservation Society Advertisement 'I don't want any animal to suffer, I can't even kill a fly myself, and I know I just wanted to save him.' Then the mother pulled the animal from its tail into deeper waters to ensure it was safe and could swim. After that, the shark swam away in the direction of the Isle of Wight. The mother said: 'It was quite big, you kind of just think about it later, only afterwards do you think, ''Oh I actually rescued a shark''. 'We must have been in the water for about an hour.' But despite her best efforts, the shark washed ashore the next day. She posted on Facebook: 'Just your standard Friday afternoon down the beach! We thought the shark had survived, but I think he may have been found this morning.' Locals took to social media to air their theories. Vix Hales said: 'I wonder why he was so off course? Perhaps come up with warmer currents. Poor thing.' Graham Maggs commented: 'It seems strange as we don't seem to get the bigger sharks in the Solent, smoothhounds and maybe tope but the porbeagles, threshers and mako seem to stay out the back of the island.' Others congratulated the mother for her efforts, saying 'so sad, thank you for trying to save it' while one person joked 'don't think will be swimming at Lepe any more'. A human trafficking victim from Harare is haunted by the horrendous ordeal she went through, which included being drugged and forced to have sex with a dog by her employer in the Middle East. With few employment opportunities in the country, desperate Zimbabweans are making a beeline to foreign embassies to try and escape the countrys never ending socio-economic problems. While some Zimbabweans have been lucky to get visas and jobs in foreign lands, others have been unlucky and fell prey to tricksters involved in human trafficking. Fifty-two-year-old Constance Mangoma* from Glen Norah is one such victim who was tricked by agents who misrepresented to her that she was going to practice nursing in Kuwait. I still remember every detail as if it happened yesterday. I want to move on, but its still hard to forget it, she said. She left the country in May 2020. I was contacted by a certain sponsor in Kuwait who said that she had connections who could assist me to get a job, she narrated. I am a single mother; I left my two children with my mother and sold the house in Glen Norah so that I could pay for my air ticket and other necessary documents that I would need. When I got there, I realised that I had been lied to and trafficked. My sponsor took away my travelling documents, money, cell phone and forcefully did blood tests on me checking if I was HIV positive or not. She added: After that she drugged me and all I can remember is that I woke up in this funny room full of women who were dressed like sex workers. There were women of all ages, even young girls who were being used as sex slaves. Everything was planned so fast. In 2020, Zimbabwe recorded 100 cases of human trafficking, with children included. Repeated efforts to get latest statistics of human trafficking for the past three weeks from national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were fruitless. Cases of human trafficking have been rampant in Zimbabwe where traffickers use false promises of legitimate employment opportunities, particularly in nursing. Victims have found themselves trapped in sex trade and forced labour particularly in the Middle East. Once there, the job seekers discover that they are trapped as slaves in the Middle East. In March 2022, Home Affairs permanent secretary, Aaron Nhepera said the ministry had repatriated people who have been trafficked to other countries. The Glen Norah woman revealed how she was forced into sex trade. First day, I was forced to sleep with a dog while I was being recorded on video, she said. After that I was told that I will be sleeping with five men every day, but the number kept on increasing I was helpless to do anything about it. They threatened to beat me up or even kill me if I failed to follow their orders. I was treated like an animal. I lost weight, I got sick. Those who fell pregnant were either killed or forced to get an abortion. I missed home, I missed my children. I never thought I would see my family again. The victim was eventually rescued by one of her clients whom she had created a relationship with, but for a fee. One of my clients said he would assist me by stealing my travelling documents from my employer if I gave him US$9 000, she said. He gave me his cellphone so that I could communicate with my brother who was in Zimbabwe. We arranged and luckily went back home alive. I thank my ancestors. Human trafficking has disturbing and long-lasting effects on mental health, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, anger, guilt and shame. Experts say individuals who are victims of human trafficking may exhibit signs of emotional numbness and a dependence on substance or alcohol use. The US state departments 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report said the government of Zimbabwe does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so. These efforts included investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases and conducting training for law enforcement, immigration officials, and other key anti-trafficking officials, the report said. However, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, even considering the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, on its anti-trafficking capacity. The government did not amend its anti-trafficking law to criminalize all forms of trafficking. The government did not identify any trafficking victims or provide care for victims in its designated shelter. The government did not convict any traffickers. Therefore,Zimbabwe remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year. * Not her real name Standard A heroic bystander has risked his life to save a man who was standing marooned between the rail tracks at a busy city train station. Shortly before 10am on Sunday a man was spotted standing on the tracks at Melbourne's South Yarra station, a few stops southeast of the CBD. CCTV footage captured the bare-footed man standing motionless between two rail lines while commuters frantically gestured and called out to him from the platforms on either side. A man wearing a black T-shirt appears to be discussing the situation with a station staff member before suddenly jumping down from the platform onto the tracks. He runs to the man standing between the tracks and pulls him towards the platform. A heroic member of the public jumped down to the tracks and managed to pull the man to safety The stranded man appears to go willingly with his rescuer while being held in a loose bear hug. With this bit of encouragement the bare-footed man skips over the rail lines and clambers onto the platform with a helping hand from the Metro Trains staff member. The rescuer also scrambles nimbly up to safety. Metro Trains later told Channel Nine that trains on approach to the station had been stopped after the man was spotted on the rail tracks. It is unknown if the heroic rescuer knew the trains had been stopped before his valiant dash across the tracks. Metro Trains has been contacted for comment. Donald Trump's call for his supporters to protest his potential indictment this week is not deterring Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who said such intimidation tactics won't be tolerated. Bragg released a memo reassuring his office staff of their safety and claiming that law enforcement are on alert investigating any threats. He did not use Trump's name, but mentioned that the threats were related to an 'ongoing investigation by this office.' It comes after reports emerged that Trump could be indicted as early as this week in the case involving a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels. 'Please know that your safety is our top priority,' Bragg said in the memo first reported by Politico. 'We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,' he added. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a memo that intimidation tactics won't be tolerated after Trump called for protests over his potential indictment Followed the former president claiming he will be arrested on Tuesday and calling on his supporters to protest the potential indictment Bragg's office is coordinating with the New York Police Department and Office of Court Administration to prevent potential violence as law enforcement beefs up security around New York County's Supreme Court. 'Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated and that the proper safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a secure work environment,' Bragg wrote. Trump urged Americans over the weekend to protest imminent criminal charges against him over payments made to Daniels as he was running for president. A Trump spokesperson clarified there has been no official notification aside from 'illegal leaks' from the Department of Justice and D.A's office. Prosecutors from the Manhattan DA's Office met on Saturday to discuss how to handle the announcement of Trump's indictment and arrest, which the former president claimed will happen on Tuesday. Officials are also braced for demonstrations which could turn violent after Trump posted a provocative call for Americans to 'protest, protest, protest' when raging online about the legal case online. The former president risked stirring unrest with a post to his Truth Social platform that said 'it's time' and called on his supporters to stage demonstrations in order to 'save America'. Trump denies he had a sexual relationship with Daniels (pictured with Trump) and his lawyer has called the $130,000 she was paid to keep quiet a 'nuisance payment' that wealthy or famous people sometimes pay to make a distracting situation disappear Trump made a post, written entirely in capital letters, calling on his supporters to protest just hours after he said he claimed he will be arrested on Tuesday Trump's post, written entirely in capital letters, was made hours after he said he'd be arrested on Tuesday over claims he broke the law by paying porn star Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about their alleged affair, which he denies ever happened. Trump wrote: 'WE JUST CAN'T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY'RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA!PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!' Bragg's office seems to be winding down its investigation and appears poised to bring criminal charges against Trump in connection with a hush-money payment made to Daniels at the height of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who arranged the payment to Daniels, has indicated that an indictment is likely to come down soon. The CNN host admitted that the Biden family's money funneling activities don't look good to outside observers CNN anchor Erin Burnett has admitted evidence that members of President Biden's family received over $1million from various accounts linked to son Hunter's Chinese business associates 'doesn't look good' for the First family. During a recent episode of CNN's 'Erin Burnett OutFront,' the host touched on the subpoenaed financial records, which were obtained by the House Oversight Committee. The records show that money from the president's troubled son was funneled to several members of the Biden clan including James Biden, and Beau Biden's widow Hallie Biden. Burnett brought up the subpoenaed financial records, which show that Hunter's business partner funneled funds to several of his family members, with 'Just Security' co-editor-in-chief Ryan Goodman. She said any layperson would think the Chinese payoff payments don't 'look good.' The GOP-led House Oversight Committee successfully subpoenaed Bank of America records that tie indirect Chinese funds to the First family Goodman, however, said that in all likelihood, nothing 'damaging legally' would come of the records, though they may present 'possibly unethical' behavior. 'When I look at all of the facts alleged in the four-page memo, it looks potentially unethical. But its difficult to match it up with any illegality or crime,' said Goodman. Goodman also noted that the payments could look like 'influence-peddling' between foreign assets and the Bidens, as some Republicans have warned for years may be the case, but again noted that he didn't see anything illegal at play. Only recently did CNN begin to cover Hunter Biden's allegedly corrupt behavior, first running its own report about the Biden family's questionable ethics in January - more than two years after the New York Post first reported on Hunter's laptop. The House Oversight Committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, has obtained more than a decade of bank records through subpoenas as it investigates the Biden family. They have zeroed in on Hunter Biden's associate John R. Walker for questioning after poring over years' worth of his bank records and uncovering a $35,000 payment to Hallie Biden, Beau Biden's widow. The GOP findings stated that Walker received a $3 million wire transfer from Chinese State Energy HK Limited, a firm affiliated with CEFC China Energy, then distributed $1.3 million to accounts associated with Biden family members. Hunter Biden and Joe's brother Jim were the others to get a cut of the cash. Comer wrote Walker that the panel 'is investigating President Biden's involvement in his family's business practices' and 'has identified you as a critical witness in this matter and has reviewed evidence showing you received millions of dollars originating from a Chinese energy company and elsewhere.' CNN host Erin Burnett speaks with Ryan Goodman, saying it 'doesn't look good' for the Biden family to have accepted more than $1million in Chinese money The White House hit back after Republicans subpoenaed bank records and released documents purporting to show that Hallie Biden received a cut of $1.3 million in cash from China. Beau Biden's widow was identified on Thursday as the third member of the first family wrapped up in Rep. James Comer's investigation into allegations they used their names to profit on business deals Hallie Biden, seen here with Beau Biden, received $35,000 from Biden associate John Robinson Walker, according to Rep. James Comer. Comer, who, as chair of House Oversight, subpoenaed bank information, says Walker's company got $3 million from a Chinese firm in 2017 Joe (left) and Jim (right) Biden pictured in 2008. Records now indicate that Jim Biden was one of several family members who accepted indirect Chinese cash President Joe Biden pushed back on a Republican report that members of his family received more than $1 million in payments from China Democrats fumed at Comer's public campaign Thursday, with the White House calling it an 'attack' on the president's daughter-in-law. A spokesperson for Hunter Biden's legal team blasted the disclosures as old news and said the funds transferred to Hallie Biden were part of 'sharing expenses.' Hunter has previously acknowledged he was in a relationship with her at the time. 'Here we go again as Rep. Comer takes something old and tries to make it new by wrapping it in a wild and baseless right-wing conspiracy,' said the spokeswoman in a statement provided to DailyMail.com. 'Hunter Biden, a private citizen with every right to pursue his own business endeavors, joined several business partners in seeking a joint venture with a privately-owned, legitimate energy company in China. As part of that joint venture, Hunter received his portion of good faith seed funds which he shared with his uncle, James Biden, and Hallie Biden, with whom he was involved with at the time, and sharing expenses. The accounts so dramatically listed by Rep. Comer belonged to Hunter, his uncle and Hallie - nobody else,' said the spokeswoman. The White House has previously denied any involvement by President Biden in his family's business practices. On Friday, President Joe Biden pushed back on the report about his family accepting $1million in Chinese funds. 'That's not true,' Biden said when asked about it as he left the White House to spend the weekend at his home in Wilmington, Del. Police have launched a murder investigation after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed to death following a party in Leeds. Police received reports of a disturbance at a house in Salisbury Grove, Armley, at 2.48am this morning, where a party involving a large number of people was happening. Another call was received from the ambulance service who were responding to a male reported to have been stabbed at the address. Officers attended and removed people from the area, while the 17-year-old male from Leeds was taken to hospital and pronounced dead shortly after. Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are treating his death as a murder, they said. Police received reports of a disturbance at a house in Salisbury Grove, Armley, at 2.48am this morning, where a party involving a large number of people was happening The address in Salisbury Grove is undergoing forensic examination and specialist searches. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes said: 'The loss of a young life in such sudden and violent circumstances is an absolute tragedy, and we are treating this incident very seriously and doing everything we can to identify those responsible. 'We are continuing to support this young man's family at what is clearly an incredibly difficult time for them, and we are committed to getting them the answers they need as we progress our enquiries. 'Our investigation is still in its very early stages, and we are carrying out extensive enquiries to build up a picture of the full circumstances of this incident. 'We are aware there were a large number of people attending a party at the address when the victim was attacked, and we are keen to speak to anyone who was there and who witnessed any part of this incident.' Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are treating his death as a murder, they said He added: 'We would also like to hear from anyone in the area around the time of the incident who has any relevant CCTV, phone or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation. 'We fully appreciate that this incident will cause understandable concern in the local community, and we are liaising with our colleagues at Leeds District who are working to reassure people. 'Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be maintaining an increased presence in the area and are keeping their local community representatives updated as our enquiries progress.' West Yorkshire Police has urged anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Pedalbourne reference 13230154405 or online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat. A senior minister defended a plan to hand some of the nation's wealthiest people a bumper pension tax cut today amid signs that the Budget has not gone down well with voters. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt used last week's fiscal showpiece to abolish the tax-free limit on pensions savings, which had stood at 1.07 million. Oliver Dowden defended the move, which will cost 2.75 billion over the next five years, arguing it will encourage senior doctors, teachers and police officers to stay in work. But critics have said it is a very blunt tool which will also help wealthy people in other professions save money. As the Tories chase an upswing in their fortunes that will allow them to win an election next year, a poll by Opinium suggested that fewer than a fifth of voters regarded the Budget as good for them. Almost half (49 per cent) of all voters didn't know if it was good or bad for them , and as concerning for the party 43 per cent of Tory voters were not sure either. More than four in 10 voters said that the pension move specifically was a bad idea, with just a quarter (26 per cent) supporting it. Oliver Dowden defended the move, which will cost 2.75 billion over the next five years, arguing it will encourage senior doctors, teachers and police officers to stay in work. As the Tories chase an upswing in their fortunes that will allow them to win an election next year, a poll by Opinium suggested that fewer than a fifth of voters regarded the Budget as good for them. More than four in 10 voters said that the pension move specifically was a bad idea. The Office for Budget Responsibility has estimated the pension change could boost the workforce by 15,000 as people who might otherwise have retired to avoid breaching the lifetime allowance decide to stay on instead. Senior Cabinet Office minister Mr Dowden told the BBC: 'We've taken this action and the consequence of it is we'll have more senior public sector workers working in the public sector, helping deliver on our core priorities, whether that's cutting the waiting list, because we'll have more consultants, whether that's getting crime under control.' Challenged that the wealthy individuals who benefit went far beyond public sector workers, Mr Dowden said: 'I think it's a basic, decent principle that if people work hard, they should be able to save money and invest for their retirement.' However shadow Treasury chief secretary Pat McFadden said: 'The vast majority of pensioners won't benefit from the Government's proposals because they will never get near a pension pot of more than 1 million. 'The Government should rethink this giveaway and instead focus on a scheme to deal with the early retirement problems facing the NHS.' The Big Apple is ready to batten down the hatches and mobilize 700 riot cops ahead of former President Donald Trump's anticipated arrest early this week. State, city and federal law enforcement agencies have been meeting in recent weeks to discuss how to deal with expected widespread protests following Trump's arrest, as his supporters have already started descending on Trump Tower. The New York Police Department is even considering stationing hundreds of riot cops, fearing that Trump's arrest may cause both MAGA conservatives and anti-Trump protesters to face off outside Manhattan Criminal Court as he is arraigned. Trump is set to face criminal charges for $130,000 payments his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid to porn star Stormy Daniels towards the end of his 2016 campaign. Prosecutors say the payment violated campaign finance laws, and was made to silence Daniels about an affair she had with the mogul. Several MAGA fans have now descended on Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in a brazen attempt to prevent his arrest. Former President Donald Trump (pictured here on Saturday) is expected to be arrested early this week on New York state charges for alleged hush money payments he made to Stormy Daniels Former President Trump urged his supporters to 'protest' as he claimed he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday Two of the former president's supporters are pictured here outside Trump Tower on Friday for New York City's St. Patrick's Day parade Representatives from the New York Police Department say they are closely monitoring social media, and are working with federal authorities and other police departments, to assess the size of any protests. The force may deploy its 'Strategic Response Group,' comprising 700 members trained in 'disaster control.' And, if necessary, they said, they could escalate the situation by deploying a Level 4 alert which would put eight cops and one sergeant on standby at every precinct across New York City. At the same time, authorities may mobilize officers who provide security at the state Supreme Court building in lower Manhattan as they fear both pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters will convene outside of the Manhattan Criminal Court leading to potential violence. The NYPD and FBI are also coordinating a contingency plan to deal with an increase in threats to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff if some of Trump's more extremist supporters were to target them. And Secret Service agents in charge of Trump's detail in South Florida, as well as those in New York, are said to be coordinating how they will get Trump into the District Attorney's office through the crowds of protesters and the media. Part of that discussion, CNN reports, citing people with knowledge of the conversations, included the need to secure an area for a possible press conference outside Trump Tower. The New York Police Department is now preparing for violent clashes outside Trump Tower if the former president is arrested Trump posted this photo of his supporters at the St. Patrick's Day parade to his Truth Social on Saturday A street performer known as Crackhead Barney interacts with supporters of former president Trump at the parade Dion Cini shows off a MAGA t-shirt after introducing himself as the regional leader of 'white lives matter' at the St. Patrick's Day parade One Trump supporter is seen here with Trump sneakers stepping on a poster emblazoned with the face of Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a potential challenger in 2024 Trump has said he expects to be arrested as early as Tuesday on state charges for the payouts to Stormy Daniels, as he urged his supporters to 'protest, protest, protest.' Several have already heeded that advice, planning a moat around Mar-a-Lago in South Florida to prevent his arrest while others gathered outside of Trump Tower in Manhattan. In response, Manhattan District Attorney Bragg released a memo reassuring his office staff of their safety and claiming that law enforcement are on alert investigating any threats. He did not use Trump's name, but mentioned that the threats were related to an 'ongoing investigation by this office.' 'Please know that your safety is our top priority,' Bragg said in the memo first reported by Politico. 'We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York,' he added. Bragg had earlier presented evidence to a New York grand jury about the $130,000 payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair. The payment was listed as 'legal expenses' which Bragg's office says is a violation of New York law which prohibits falsifying business records. Trump has repeatedly denied these claims, and his lawyer has accused Daniels whose real name is Stephanie Clifford of extortion. But if he were to be indicted, authorities would set a date and time for Trump's surrender, at which point he would be brought directly to an arraignment before a judge, where he would likely be released on his own recognizance. And as with every other defendant in New York, Bragg has said Trump would be fingerprinted and brought in to take a mugshot. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (pictured in February) has said his office will not be intimidated as he considers bringing criminal charges against the former president The NYPD s preparing to mobilize its 'Strategic Response Group,' comprising 700 members trained in 'disaster control' to confront protesters Sources have previously told Fox News that the Secret Service will 'take the lead' over what they will and will not allow as part of the arrest. 'Some sources familiar with the planning said they will go over security preparations in and around the courthouse in lower Manhattan,' Fox Corp. anchor John Roberts told viewers. 'Secret Service will take the lead in what they will allow or will not allow, the source cautioned, mentioning for instance, that the decision to handcuff the president, the former president, or not, they will set the tone and will escort him into the courtroom.' Under normal protocol, a defendant would be taken to a New York City courthouse and placed in a processing room. They would then be briefly put in a jail cell, booked, fingerprinted, photographed for a mugshot and handcuffed. From there they would be escorted - still handcuffed - into a courtroom in full view of the media. However Trump is in a highly unique position as the former US president meaning he is protected at all times by the Secret Service. It is not yet clear whether he will be escorted into the courtroom by court security staff or his Secret Service agents. Were he charged, Trump would become the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said that no one wants to see a January 6 repeat, but warned that there will be a 'political circus', at the least, surrounding a potential Trump indictment. Donald Trump said that he expects to be arrested on Tuesday in the culmination of a New York District Attorney case involving his hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The former president called for his supporters to protest his impending indictment, which has led to fears that there could be another politically violent event like that of the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. 'If someone's calling for protests, you always want to make sure that they're peaceful,' the GOP governor told CNN's State of the Union program on Sunday. 'And we know that that's going to happen. And that has happened before. In long history, in recent history in America, folks are always out there protesting what they see as an unjustified arrest or an unjustified indictment.' 'But you want to make sure it's peaceful,' he insisted. 'We don't want history to repeat itself in overly negative ways.' Despite claiming that it's everyone's responsibility to ensure they are acting in ways that make a positive impact and don't get violent, Sununu admitted that there will likely be chaos surrounding any indictment or arrest of Trump. NH Gov. Chris Sununu said no one wants to see a January 6 'repeat', but warned there will be a 'political circus' surrounding a Trump indictment "It is going to be a political circus." New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) reacts to former President Donald Trump's Truth Social post urging his followers for support ahead of his potential arrest. @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/0eYit86Evo CNN (@CNN) March 19, 2023 'You can't just put it on the former president it's our responsibility, right, in society, in our communities, to make sure that, if we have something to say, we're doing it in the right way, and making sure we're making a positive effect going forward,' he said. 'But it is going to be a circus, right? It is going to be a bit of a political circus,' the New Hampshire governor noted. 'There's going to be a lot of unknowns.' Trump has already stopped in New Hampshire as part of his 2024 bid for the Republican nomination. Others including not-yet-announced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have also visited the early primary state. The only announced and potential candidates so far who have spoken out against the impending indictment are former Vice President Mike Pence and longshot biotech multimillionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Trump has called on the field of 2024 candidates both official and not to speak out on the matter, claiming it is a politicization and weaponization of the court systems to prosecute a leader in the opposition party. Many Republicans have denounced the case and potential indictment as politically charged. Pence told ABC's This Week on Sunday that the entire hush money payment case against Trump is a 'politically charged prosecution.' 'There's much more pressing issues of the day. It's just unfortunate this has taken the headlines,' Sununu said on Sunday morning as the news of a potential indictment against Trump dominates and leads to speculation that it has only bolstered his support and momentum in the 2024 race. Trump announced this week that he will hold a 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas on Saturday, which might be complicated if he is arrested or indicted. Trump claimed that the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg plans to levy an indictment against him on Tuesday and called for his supporters to protest the move Over the weekend, the former president called for his supporters to protest, writing on his Truth Social platform: 'WE JUST CAN'T ALLOW THIS ANYMORE. THEY'RE KILLING OUR NATION AS WE SIT BACK & WATCH. WE MUST SAVE AMERICA!PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!' 'I think it's building a lot of sympathy for the former president,' Sununu said of the escalation of the Manhattan DA's case. 'I think the fact that I was with coffee this morning with some folks, and none of them were big Trump supporters, but they all said they felt like he was being attacked.' 'And, as you pointed out, this is likely some sort of misdemeanor on an issue seven years ago. This has nothing to do with January 6. There's folks out there that still think this has something to do with January 6,' he added. 'So, I just think that the, -- not just the media, but really a lot of the Democrats have misplayed this, in terms of building sympathy for the former president. And it does drastically change the paradigm as we go into the '24 election.' Vice President Kamala Harris was slammed in the comments section of Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley's Instagram on Saturday after the starlet posted a picture of the pair at an International Women's Month event. The event was hosted at the VP's residence in Washington, DC and featured a champagne brunch, during which Harris and other top lawmakers mingled with celebrity attendees including Ashley Nicole, Lori Harvey and Megan Thee Stallion. Harris currently holds a 42 percent approval rating and a 52 percent disapproval ratings, according to FiveThirtyEights. The tepid numbers appeared to be reflected in the comments section of Ashley's social media, where users cautioned the young actress to stay away from the VP. The VP has previously faced significant bouts of media backlash for her ineloquence, her often inappropriately deployed laugh, and her apparent dearth of knowledge on a variety of important subject matters. Honor: Bridgerton star Simone Ashley marked the moment. '@kamalaharris it was an honour to meet you' The comments pertaining to the Vice President on Ashley's instagram were predominantly negative 'Simone, stay away from her. I believe she's fake. Love ya!' wrote one user. 'Doesn't she have a border crisis to work on?' wrote another, making sarcastic reference to Harris's appointment as Border Czar, which has yielded little if any effect on the ongoing crisis at the US southern border. 'Why take a picture with her? Horrible person,' wrote Cisto Reyes II. A user named Jennifer Lauren wrote: 'Ehhh why did you have to post this?! I really liked you and [thought] that you were smarter. Unfollow.' 'Can you name two things she's done that make you proud of her?' asked Tia Beaudoin. 'Was a big fan of yours but this woman polled at zero percent...She's not a good leader and had no admirable qualities that I've seen. Unfollow.' Chara Louise wrote: 'Ummm. Love you. Really don't love her.' The list of comments continues in a similar fashion, though some users were pleased to see the pair together and many were delighted to see a shot of Simone posed next to rapper Megan Thee Stallion at the end of the post. 'Welcome, welcome, what a phenomenal group of women,' Harris said from the dais as she opened the gathering. 'Everybody is hanging out together and it feels very casual, but this is a powerful group of people' Ashley Simone also posed with Megan Thee Stallion, who was in attendance at the event A copy of the invitation issued by Vice President Kamala Harris to the champagne brunch The ongoing influx of illegal migrants across the nation's borders The gathering on Saturday at the vice president's residence was a keystone event for the economic empowerment of women and Harris took a moment to thank everyone for coming to the event in her opening remarks. Specifically, the event focused on paid family leave as an investment in the future. Speaking to the star studded guest list, Harris said: 'Economic empowerment of women is about an investment in the future of our country.' 'When you lift up the economic status of women, you lift up the economic status of families and communities, and all of society benefits.' The Veep looked sleek in a black and white plaid and houndstooth jacket with a sheer black top. Last year, Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution to remove Harris as the border czar and for the spot to be filled with a more competent leader. Harris has visited the border just once as VP and hosted most of her immigration events during the first year of her vice presidency - a tip off by her office that they think of the subject as a losing issue and have chosen instead to systematically ignore it as hundreds of thousands of migrants per month stream into the US. As of last month, there have been a total of 1,008,217 migrant encounters at the southern border since October - the start of the fiscal year. There were more than 1.7 million migrant encounters for the 2021 fiscal year and more than 2.3 million the 2022 fiscal year. Of the one million encounters this year, 87.8 percent were single adults, reported Fox News. And just 328,454 were expelled under Title 42. Title 42 is the pandemic-era protocol that allows border agents to rapidly expel border crossers. There have also been 328,454 known 'gotaways' compared to 600,000 gotaways in the 2022 fiscal year. Gotaways are illegal immigrants who have evaded Border Patrol agents but have been detected on another form of surveillance. Agents are concerned that the numbers will go up in the spring - with continued record-breaking numbers. A father-of-two killed while loading cars in North Carolina had fled the war in Ukraine for a better life. Yurii Vakhniak, 40, was working for his car transportation business, Anastasia Services Inc., when he was fatally struck along US 70 in Johnston County on March 13 by repeat DWI offender, Seydina Ndiaye, 26. Vakhniak moved to Illinois with his wife Ivanka, and children, Anastasia and Vova, after escaping the Ukraine-Russia conflict that started last February. He was on his way to Tennessee to make a car delivery when he was hit outside of his three-car hauler. 'These guys work day and night to provide for their family, grow a business and achieve the American dream,' friend Alex Boom told WNCT. 'They didnt come here to die, they came here to escape death.' Yurii Vakhniak was fatally struck while transporting car for his business, Anastasia Services Inc., when he was fatally struck along US 70 in Johnston County on March Repeat DWI offender 26-year-old Seydina Ndiaye was arrested for allegedly hitting Vakhniak Bloom described Vakhniak as a 'fluffy, friendly teddy bear' who sacrificed a lot for those he loved. Vakhinak's good friend Alex Boom (above) helped him start the car transportation company 'He was a good guy who gave everything he had to his friends and his family,' Bloom said. Vakhniak named his company after his daughter, but wasn't in the US long enough to 'realize his American dream,' a GoFundMe dedicated to Vakhniak read. 'Like many of our Eastern European brothers and sisters, he found work in the transportation industry,' fundraiser organizer Alexander Katsman, wrote. 'He began working as a car hauler so that he could provide for his family and to grow in this country.' Katsman continued: 'Because Yurii was growing his business and investing in it, he didn't leave money behind for this tragic event.' The money raised will go toward transporting Vakhinak's body to Ukraine for burial and to his wife. As of Sunday afternoon, $28,199 had been raised. Meanwhile, his alleged killer is behind bars as his extensive driving violations were revealed. Vakhniak moved to Illinois with his wife Ivanka, and children, Anastasia and Vova, after escaping the Ukraine-Russia conflict that started last February Vakhniak was on his way to Tennessee to make a car delivery when he was hit outside of his three-car hauler Footage from the scene showed heavy medical and police activity following the accident Vakhniak (right) named his company after his daughter, but wasn't in the US long enough to 'realize his American dream,' a GoFundMe dedicated to Vakhniak read The money raised will go toward transporting Vakhinak's body to Ukraine for burial and to his wife Ndiaye was arrested on Monday for allegedly hitting Vakhniak. Records showed he was driving illegally on a revoked license and faced three previous DWI charges with the latest reported last year, according to the news outlet. He appears to be familiar with North Carolina and has often been cited on various other charges, including driving with a revoked license and speeding, in Raleigh and Clayton. Vakhniak's grieving family is wondering why Ndiaye was allowed to roam freely without repercussions. 'We were all kind of shocked that this person is still on the streets. We want to make sure that he doesnt kill another one of our friends,' Bloom told the news outlet. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizade has made a commentary on the anti-Azerbaijani statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia dated March 18. Having strognly condemned and rejected the baseless Armenian claims of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said in the document that Armenia interferes with the process of Azerbaijan's efforts to have a dialogue with the Armenian nationals in Karabakh. "Armenia, not forgetting its pattern of putting forward conditions, now interferes with the process of reintegration of the Armenian residents of Azerbaijan. In order to prevent Azerbaijan's determined activity in the direction of conducting a dialogue with the Armenian residents, the Armenian side does provocations that induce the representatives of the Armenian residents to oppose the proposal on holding the next dialogue in Baku, while putting forward 3 conditions for the process. It seems that the Armenian side has not adapted to Azerbaijan's successful dialogue with the Armenian residents in the last two years on the construction of the new Lachin road, the Sarsang reservoir and a in number of other directions. The fact that the Armenian side does not hide its hostile attitude towards the term reintegration and describes this concept as a challenge to dialogue and peace, indicates its intention to continue its groundless territorial claims under new forms and new names. If the Armenian side is interested in peace in the region, it should stop the attempts to interfere with and hinder resolute reintegration contacts of the central authorities of Azerbaijan with the Armenian residents. The attempts of the Armenian Foreign Ministry to convince the international community that this country is not a monoethnic state can be considered as Armenias first steps towards understanding that monoethnicity is actually an anomaly in the multi-ethnic Caucasus region. Regarding the claims of Armenia against the success of Azerbaijan as a multinational state, let us note that it is well known that many ethnic peoples live in conditions of unity and stability in the territory of Azerbaijan, and contribute to the success of the state, and hold a number of high positions, including the membership at the Milli Majlis (Parliament). The Armenian side should understand that the citizenship of the Republic of Azerbaijan is a commitment along with the right. Necessary conditions to live in Azerbaijan will be created for Armenian residents, who accept this. Armenia should give up its intention to use the ethnic minorities in the territory of Azerbaijan in its unsuccessful and insidious policy, and instead of trampling on the rights of hundreds of thousands of Western Azerbaijan Community forcibly evicted from their native lands in the current territory of Armenia, and preventing dialogue with them at all costs, should respond to calls of this community for dialogue with Armenia for the purpose of peaceful, dignified and safe return. Thus, the practical indicator that Armenia has given up the concept of ethnic incompatibility and the title of a mono-ethnic state based on ethnic cleansing, and has chosen peaceful coexistence and multiculturalism can only be by creating conditions for the members of the Western Azerbaijan Community to return to their historical lands. Armenia, which ignored the calls and decisions of international organizations to end the occupation during the 30-year-long occupation period, should also stop its efforts to use the international organizations in its revanchist policy in violation of territorial integrity, and immediately stop attempts to interfere in the cooperation and relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan with international organizations. Despite all illegal intervention attempts, blackmail and threats by Armenia, Azerbaijan continues its cooperation with the international community, including UN specialized organizations, in direction of carrying out large-scale restoration and reconstruction work after ending the occupation of its territories, and in order to ensure the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons. We remind Armenia that the delegation of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees witnessed the large-scale destruction caused by Armenia in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation in October 2021, including in the settlement of Sugovushan. Unlike Armenia's vandalism, Azerbaijan, with its restoration and reconstruction work, proves that the true owners of the region have returned, and further aggression attempts in these areas will be prevented. The activity of international organizations in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan will continue within the framework of the national legislation of Azerbaijan, and interference in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan will never be allowed. Regarding the false and misleading claims of the Armenian MFA regarding the implementation of the Trilateral Statement, we would like to remind that Armenia, which refuses to fulfill the 4th, 6th and 9th paragraphs of the statement in particular and in general never complies with international agreements, has illegally intruded its military servicemen into the territory of Azerbaijan and committed military provocation against Azerbaijan only two weeks after the signing of the Trilateral Statement. Despite the attempts by Armenia to present these detainees as prisoners of war, these people were not recognized as prisoners of war, and the International Court of Justice as well as the European Court of Human Rights rejected this claim and the demand for their release. Furthermore, Armenian side, contrary to the Trilateral Statement, has set to fire a number of houses, destroyed forests, planted landmines and booby traps in the areas it was withdrawing from, despite having been given an additional timeline by Azerbaijan for the withdrawal of the armed forces of Armenia from Aghdam, Kalbajar and Lachin. Contrary to the Trilateral Statement, Armenia has not yet fully withdrawn its armed forces from the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan, and despite its assurances while signing the Trilateral Statement, it continues to occupy a number of settlements and territories, including 7 villages of Gazakh district and 1 village of Sadarak district. The fact that Armenia proposes to organize the delimitation process on the basis of Soviet maps and does not accept these villages as settlements of Azerbaijan is a violation and an indication of Armenias false intentions. Besides, Armenia carries out deployment of landmines and other terror activities in the territories of Azerbaijan by transferring newly produced landmines to the territories of Azerbaijan. The initial denial by Armenia of the existence of landmine maps for 8 months, and it presenting unreliable landmine maps later as a result of international pressure are well known. It is also known that more than 55% of the mine explosions in the territory of Azerbaijan happened in areas outside the maps handed over by Armenia. As a result of these provocations of Armenia, after the 2020 Patriotic War 286 people became victims of landmines, of which 49 people, including 3 journalists, were killed. At the same time, it is clear that Armenia, with all its efforts, has grossly violated the Trilateral Statement and prevented the opening of a communication line that would ensure unhindered movement from the western regions of Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan. It is crystal clear that Armenia, which has resorted to so-called "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" tales to divert attention from these peace threatening steps, is looking for further provocations to convince the international community of its false claims. The cruelty with which Armenia committed mass killings against Azerbaijanis, killed 613 civilians in one night in Khojaly and committed acts of genocide are also well known. The facts that about 4,000 Azerbaijanis have gone missing as a result of the policy of aggression against Azerbaijan, that Armenia has refused to provide information on the missing persons, and that a number of mass graves have been discovered in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation are impossible to deny. Despite such an aggressive policy of Armenia, Azerbaijan released many detainees, conducted searches after the 2020 war, and handed over more than 1,700 Armenian bodies to Armenia, as well as nearly 200 bodies as a result of Armenian provocation in September 2022. It seems that Armenia has forgotten these measures taken by Azerbaijan for humanitarian purposes in good will and on a unilateral basis. Once again, we call on the political leadership of Armenia to act responsibly, to refrain from provocations, statements, and false rhetoric that undermine the opportunities for peace created in the region after the 44-day war." The car had been stolen at knifepoint from a 51-year-old woman an hour earlier Two men in upstate New York crashed a Jeep into a school bus carrying 17 children after allegedly stealing the car from a woman at knifepoint. Video shows the speeding Jeep crash into the front of the school bus and two passengers running away on foot - both were arrested and said by police to be Adeosun Hughes, 23 and Maliq McCullough, 20. The red Jeep was stolen from a 51-year-old woman at around 4pm on March 15, according to Rochester Police. They said she was injured when the suspect grabbed a necklace and lanyard from her neck. The car was spotted by police an hour later and a short chase ensued, ending in the collision. None of the children nor the bus driver were injured. Two men in their early twenties allegedly stole a woman's Jeep in New York before crashing the stolen car into a school bus carrying 17 children The red Jeep was stolen from a woman at knifepoint at about 4pm on March 15, around 3 miles from where it was eventually crashed into the bus Police say the woman was leaving a school on Costar Street in Rochester at around 4pm and while loading things into her Jeep was approached by a man wielding a knife. Her car was reported stolen and police spotted the vehicle less than an hour later. When they ordered it to pull it over the driver of the Jeep reversed into the front bumper of a Rochester Police patrol car before driving off. 'The vehicle did take off at that point,' Rochester police Captain Adam Radens told News10NBC. 'The officers pursued the vehicle. At one point the vehicle was heading the wrong way on Roycroft approaching the intersection at Roycroft and Carter.' Police chased the car the wrong way down the one-way residential street until at the intersection it was filmed by a bystander crashing into the front of the school bus. 'At that same moment, a northbound bus, a school bus, was trying to attempt to cross that intersection when the stolen vehicle did crash into the front of it,' Radens added. Raymond Gonzalez, who recorded the video, said he was leaving a corner store when he heard police sirens and saw the chase. In the video the two men in the Jeep could be seen fleeing on foot as officers yelled at them to get on the ground. The two ran in opposite directions but both were apprehended. McCullough was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and both third and fourth-degree larceny. Hughes has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. On of the two men in the car was recorded running from the site of the crash as police order him to get on the ground. Both were eventually arrested The two men ran in opposite directions but both were eventually arrested by Rochester police The students on the bus attended Rochester Prep Charter School. 'Thankfully, the driver and every student was uninjured as a result of the crash,' the Rochester Police Department said in a statement. 'The city school district was advised of the accident and made arrangements to have each student transported home,' it added. According to News10 it was the second reported carjacking on school property this year. Adam Urbanski, head of the Rochester Teachers Association, told the channel: 'If you can't feel safe in a school parking lot, you're not likely to feel safe at school, and if teachers don't feel safe you can bet that the children are not safe either.' A 'honeytrap' killer charged with murder was caught on a police station camera lying to her young son about why she couldn't come home. Surpreet Dhillon, 36, was charged with murder after she seduced and drugged Saul Murray, 33, with an accomplice before calling two men who stabbed him to death in his own home in Luton, Bedfordshire, in February 2022. In the footage, shown in 24 Hours in Police Custody, Dhillon is seen crying after she was charged with murder, before speaking to her son over the phone. Dhillon says: 'I'm still here, I've got to sort some stuff out with them. I'm going to be home in the next couple of weeks.' When asked by the boy is she was suspected of murder, she adds: 'No, they got that wrong, I'm helping them with it. I'm just helping them, that's not true okay?' In the footage, shown in 24 Hours in Police Custody, Dhillon (pictured) is seen crying after she was charged with murder, before speaking to her son over the phone Dhillon says: 'I'm still here, I've got to sort some stuff out with them. I'm going to be home in the next couple of weeks.' Pictured: Dhillon being interviewed by police But Dhillon, of Stratford, London, was jailed at Luton Crown Court this month for ten years after she was found guilty of manslaughter. She was involved with three other people in the plot to drug and rob Mr Murray after seeing images of his Rolex watches on social media. Mr Murray was found naked in a pool of blood in the communal entrance to his flat in New Town Street, Luton, after Dhillon called two accomplices Ikram Affia, 31, and Cleo Brown, 29, when GHB had not knocked him out. A post mortem found he died from a deep wound to his thigh. It penetrated his femoral artery and he bled out from the injury. The prosecutor said Dhillon and accomplice Temidayo Awe, 21, had shared brandy with Murray and 'gave him GHB to knock him out'. The dangerous class B illegal drug has been associated with date rape after victims drinks were spiked with doses or chemsex, where GHB is used to enhance libido. The drug comes in a powder or liquid form. When mixed with another central nervous system depressant such as alcohol, GHB can put the user into a coma within minutes. Experts warn that even a tiny amount of the drug poses risk of accidental overdose. Accomplices Brown, 29, of Hackney, London, and Awe were convicted of manslaughter and were given 11 and seven years in prison respectively. Affia, 31, of Hackney, London was found guilty of murder and convicted for life with a minimum term of 25 years. Mr Murray's body was discovered with stab wounds at his flat on February 27 last year after he was targeted by Surpreet Dhillon, 36, (left) and Temidayo Awe, 21 (right) A jury found Ikem Affia, 31, (left) guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years. Cleon Brown, 29, (right) was convicted of manslaughter. He was jailed for 11 years The murder took place in the very early hours of Sunday February 27 last year after Dhillon made contact with Murray via Instagram and WhatsApp. The four defendants travelled to Luton from London late on Saturday February 26 in a Mercedes A-class car that Brown had hired. Murray met Dhillon and Awe outside his flat while the two men went off in the car and used a Drive-thru McDonalds. It was during this time the women drugged him. The prosecutor said at some point there was plainly some degree of sexual activity between the two women and Murray. Swabs from both sides of his face and neck contained DNA from both women. The GHB dose had not been strong enough to knock out Murray and the two men were contacted. CCTV played to the jury at Luton crown court showed the women leaving the flat, followed 19 seconds later by the two men. Affia was carrying a large knife in his right hand. CCTV played to the jury at Luton crown court showed the women, who admitted targeting other men in a similar way, leaving the flat, followed 19 seconds later by the two men Ikram Affia (pictured) was carrying a large knife in his right hand Murray was found naked in a pool of blood in the communal entrance to the flats in New Town Street, after the two men working with the women - Ikram Affia, 31, and Cleon Brown, 29 - entered his home to snatch his valuable items (Pictured: The targeted Rolexes) The targeted Rolex watches were fake and Murray, a father of six, had no expensive items in the flat, which he had only just occupied. The police linked Dhillon to the crime through the Instagram contact with Murray. Awe was picked up through her social media contact with Dhillon. The police were later able to identify Affia by a distinctive and rare designer Moncler coat he was wearing. It matched the one worn in the CCTV on the night of the offence. When she gave evidence, Dhillon admitted targeting six men in similar honeytraps between October 2021 and February 2022. One victim lost 32,000. She said Awe had been involved on four occasions. Another Republican has come out against Governor Ron DeSantis' comments calling the war in Ukraine a 'territorial dispute' with which the U.S. should not be involved. Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican on the Armed Services Committee, responded to the remarks from the Florida governor, claiming that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is 'bigger' than just the territory in question. 'I don't think it's a territorial dispute,' Rounds told NBC's Meet the Press in a Sunday morning interview. 'While he [Russian President Vladimir Putin] may be taking territory, and it's technically accurate to say that there's territory being taken. This is bigger than that for us,' the South Dakota senator added. Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko invited DeSantis to visit the war-torn nation after the Florida governor downplayed the conflict with Russia and demanded the federal government focus-in on domestic issues instead. South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, member of the Armed Services Committee, said that the Ukraine war is 'much more' than a dispute over land in the region EARLIER: @SenatorRounds (R-S.D.) responds to @GovRonDeSantis (R-Fla.) calling the war in Ukraine a territorial dispute. I dont think its a territorial dispute. ... This is a bigger picture than just territory. And this is something that I think we have to stand strong on. pic.twitter.com/Q9O2oQn0ZZ Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) March 19, 2023 Came after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the conflict a 'territorial dispute' and called for the U.S. to stop sending a 'blank check' to Ukraine The potential 2024 presidential candidate's remarks come at a time when Republicans in Congress are demanding more scrutiny for the $113 billion in aid sent to Kyiv last year. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said Ukraine should not get a 'blank check' from the U.S. The Florida governor's position on American arms and monetary assistance to Ukraine distinguishes him from several high-profile Republicans. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said in December that aid to Ukraine should be the 'number one priority' for the U.S. Former Vice President Mike Pence recently said there was no room for ' Putin apologists' in the GOP when referencing DeSantis' comments. 'We support those who fight our enemies on their shores, so we will not have to fight them ourselves,' said Pence, who is also weighing a run for president in 2024. Rounds said Sunday that major issues to the U.S. include combatting any influence from aggressors Russia and China. 'I focus on what our major issues are,' Rounds told NBC host Chuck Todd. 'And number one, China is our near peer competitor. They are our focus right now. Russia is right behind them.' Many pro-aid for Ukraine Republicans have warned that if the nation falls to Russia and if the U.S. lets it than China will be quick to take Taiwan next. DeSantis said during an interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson last week: 'While the U.S. has many vital national interests securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the Chinese Communist Party becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them.' 'The Biden administration's virtual 'blank check' funding of this conflict for 'as long as it takes,' without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our country's most pressing challenges,' he added. Police have located a nine-year-old girl who was reported missing after making off from her parents. Sophie Kane has been found 'safe and well' after officers in east Belfast launched an appeal to find her this afternoon. Details surrounding where she was found were not immediately available. Officers, in a post on the Police East Belfast Facebook page, thanked the public for their assistance in locating the little girl. Sophie Kane (pictured) was last seen in the Mersey Street area of east Belfast when she made off from her parents at around 2.30pm on Sunday PSNI had raised alarm after Sophie was reported missing in the Mersey Street area around 2.30pm this afternoon. A spokesperson, shortly after 5pm, announced: 'We've located nine-year-old Sophie Kane who was missing in east Belfast. 'She is safe and well. Thank you for your assistance.' Two women have been arrested on suspicion of child neglect after a two-year-old boy fell out of a window at an eighth floor flat. The toddler suffered serious injuries but miraculously survived the fall on Tuesday at a block of flats in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey. He was airlifted to a London hospital where his condition was said to be critical but stable. A spokesman for Surrey Police said that since the incident two women, 24 and 30 and both from Sudbury, had been arrested on suspicion of child neglect which led to the toddler being able to fall out of the window in Spelthorne Grove. 'Both women have been interviewed and released on police bail while inquiries continue,' the spokesman added. The alarm over the little boy's fall was raised by a neighbour in the flats who was on her balcony when she heard a child's cries and looked down to see the toddler lying on the ground. Pictures from the scene on Tuesday showed police tape around a block of flats. Police and paramedics attended the scene on Spelthorne Grove, where a two-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital The horrifying incident is said to have taken place at Cedar House, Spelthorne Grove (pictured) She said that the little boy was blue and she immediately called an ambulance and the police to the scene. The boy was treated at the scene by paramedics before being flown by air ambulance to a London hospital. The police spokesman had said earlier: 'We were called to reports of a child who had fallen from the window of a block of flats on Spelthorne Grove in Sunbury at around 3.50pm on Tuesday. 'Officers attended along with colleagues from the South East Coast Ambulance Service and a two-year-old boy was airlifted to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.' Johnny Cash's family is urging investigators to re-open the murder case of his great-niece to determine if another person may have been involved after they discovered unseen documents. Courtney Cash, then 23, was found stabbed to death and stuffed in a container in her Cookeville, Tennessee home on March 18, 2014. Her family gathered on the ninth anniversary of her death on Saturday at Cookeville Courthouse Square to remember Courtney months after her mom, Cindy Cash, obtained an unseen police report of her death. 'Were requesting for them to even just look at their own records, their own reporting, their own investigating,' Cindy told WKRN. Wayne Gary Masciarella, 26, was arrested for Courtney's murder and pleaded guilty in 2016 to second-degree murder. He is serving a 15-year sentence. Courtney Cash, then 23, was found stabbed to death and stuffed in a container in her Cookeville, Tennessee home on March 18, 2014 At the time of Courtney's death, Masciarella stabbed her after getting into an altercation with her and her boyfriend William Austin Johnson (left), who also suffered stab wounds. The two shared a 20-month-old daughter It's unclear what is written in the police report, but in the past, Cindy urged police to take a deeper look into Courtney's murder. At the time of Courtney's death, Masciarella stabbed her after getting into an altercation with her and her boyfriend William Austin Johnson, who also suffered stab wounds, police said. Johnson told prosecutors at the time that Masciarella attacked him and Courtney, injected them with something and then stabbed them because he believed he was poisoned, WKRN reported. Courtney's mother, Cindy Cash, said she recently obtained an unseen police report of her death He had fled the home with his then 20-month-old daughter Cameryn after unsuccessfully performing CPR on Courtney, he testified in 2014. Since Courtney's death, her family has always held onto the belief that another person was involved. Despite their assumptions, District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said last year that their accusations didn't match the evidence from the case. 'The family has stated to me that they feel that Austin Johnson should have been charged as well,' Dunaway said last year, according to the news outlet. 'The evidence just does not support that position. This office can only ethically charge and prosecute persons for criminal offenses where there is a good faith belief that the evidence will support a conviction. 'In this case, the evidence available indicated only Maciarella as being the murderer.' The district attorney's office wasn't immediately available for comment. Wayne Gary Masciarella, 26, was arrested for Courtney's murder and pleaded guilty in 2016 to second-degree murder. He is serving a 15-year sentence Since Courtney's death, her family has always held onto the belief that another person was involved. Pictured: Courtney and her daughter Cameryn Courtney was the great-niece of American country songwriter Johnny Cash Despite their assumptions, District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said last year that their accusations didn't match the evidence from the case Courtney's now 10-year-old daughter Cameryn is now taken care of by Cindy Cash Cindy takes care of Courtney's now 10-year-old daughter Cameryn, who has a lot of questions about her mother's death. 'Its just heartbreaking because I cant be her mother,' Cindy told the news outlet. 'Its just hard. Its just so hard.' Despite witnessing Courtney die at a young age, she has no recollection. 'She calls my wife Gigi,' Ken Young, Courtney's step-father, previously told WKRN. 'And she called me in one night, this was years ago, and she said, "Papa, I need to talk to you privately." And I said, "Okay, whats up?" 'She said, "I want to know how my momma died." And she said, "Gigi wont tell me because she thinks Im not sophisticated enough to know."' Meanwhile, heartbroken Cindy is navigating through finding more answers about her daughter's death while raising Cameryn. Desperate Afghan interpreters in hiding have been told to get their documents approved by the Taliban if they want to seek refuge in Britain. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been forced to apologise for the 'reckless' error, which affected applicants to the Afghan relocations and assistance policy scheme (Arap) for those who helped British forces during the war. Almost 40 Afghans who are trying to escape the Taliban were told birth and marriage certificates must be in English and must be stamped by Afghan departments now run by the militant group. Critics claim the move put the applicants who have been in hiding since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 in danger as they were effectively being asked to 'hand themselves in'. Former translator Rafi Hottak, who worked with the British special forces in Afghanistan before being forced to flee the militants and seek asylum in the UK in 2011, said the error was 'reckless'. Desperate Afghan interpreters in hiding have been told to get their documents approved by the Taliban if they want to seek refuge in Britain. Pictured: Visa applicants Critics claim the move put the applicants in danger as they were effectively being asked to 'hand themselves in'. Pictured: Afghan citizens escaping the country in 2021 'It was unnecessary and reckless to ask the Afghans to do this. It puts their lives at risk - more than they are already at risk,' he told the Mail. The father of three added that he was contacted by several worried applicants and was forced to tell them not to act on the instructions. 'They were effectively being asked to hand themselves into the Taliban,' he said. 'These people are in hiding and are unable to work, their situation is very dire and they are surviving on donations.' Mr Hottak, who has since retrained as an accountant and settled in Birmingham, said the error highlighted worrying inadequacies in the Arap scheme. 'It shows that the people working within Arap have no understanding of the realities of the Afghans and the dangers they are facing every day.' Critics say Afghan marriage certificates are issued in local languages and are not readily available in English while new passports are virtually impossible to get. The MoD was forced to 'apologise unreservedly' and launch a review after the error was exposed by The Independent. The department said all 37 of the applicants who were given the wrong instructions are safe and have since been told not to contact the Taliban. Officials had emailed several applicants asking for documents to be provided with stamps from the Afghan authorities - even though the UK refuses to recognise the Taliban as the new government. In one case, an Afghan interpreter was told to have his children's birth certificates and his marriage certificate validated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). He was said to have eventually taken his marriage certificate to the Taliban's Ministry of Justice to get it verified despite living in hiding. Dan Jarvis, a Labour MP and former soldier who served in Afghanistan, said: 'Asking our Afghan allies to have their papers approved by the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs is like asking them to sign their own death warrant. 'These requests by the UK Government show a complete disregard to the grave realities eligible Afghans face, pushing desperate men into perilous situations.' When the MoD was alerted to this grave error the Arap caseworkers sent applicants an email apologising. The email, seen by the Independent, read: 'We understand that some of you may have received communications from Arap telling you to visit the local authorities or Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain new documentation for your relocation to the UK. 'If you received one of these messages, this was incorrect and we apologise for any misunderstanding or distress caused by this message.' Ministers have been accused of failing Afghan refugees in the 18 months since Kabul fell because of a series of delays with Arap. The resettlement scheme is for Afghans who worked with the UK Government and armed forces and are entitled to apply for relocation with their families. Statistics show that some 11,200 people have travelled to Britain under Arap, but those numbers dropped sharply following the Taliban's takeover in 2021. Thousands of Afghans who worked with UK troops are thought to still be trapped in the country as the Taliban continue to hunt down those who aided Western forces. According to MoD estimates, there are more than 4,500 people eligible to refuge in Britain under the Arap scheme who have not yet been relocated. Yet those assisting the applicants say requests for official documents had become more rigid in recent months and more and more applications were being declined. The department said all 37 of the applicants who were given the wrong instructions are safe and have since been told not to contact the Taliban. Pictured: A family evacuating in 2021 A MoD spokesman said: 'Last month, we were notified of an error in recent communications with a group of ARAP applicants, instructing them to verify documents with local authorities. 'The 37 affected applicants were notified of the error and have since responded to the correct instructions and confirmed they are currently safe. 'The MoD is now conducting a review to identify any further remedial actions needed to strengthen policies and processes. 'We apologise unreservedly for this error and will continue supporting ARAP-eligible individuals as we progress their safe relocation, alongside the 12,200 people already brought to the UK.' The leader of a civil servants' union has claimed many of its workers felt they had 'no choice' but to stage lengthy strikes because they were living in 'work poverty'. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, questioned how the Government has been able to produce a pay offer for nurses while declining to begin negotiations for their own workforce. He said that while it was 'great news' that progress was being made in talks with health leaders, the Government has displayed 'utter contempt' towards members of the PCS. Mr Serwotka explained how civil servants in Government departments, Border Force, the DVLA and the British Museum had been offered the 'lowest pay increase across anyone in the public sector' at 2%. Speaking on Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he said that the reason many of these workers were striking is because they are living in 'work poverty'. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), speaks during a strike rally in Trafalgar Square Mr Serwotka speaking at a press conference at the PCS HQ in Clapham to announce strike dates at the Home Office This includes more than 1,000 Passport Office workers in England, Scotland and Wales who are staging industrial action for five weeks from April 3, including over the Easter and early May Bank Holiday weekends. When asked how this lengthy walkout sounds to outsiders, Mr Serwotka replied: 'It sounds like giving everything they can to strain every sinew to force their employer to recognise that when they're going to foodbanks to claim benefits because they work for the Government, it is obscene. 'We've tried for months to get the Government to engage. It's great news that they're talking to the health unions and education unions, but why won't they talk to their own workforce? 'Rishi Sunak applauded his workforce during the pandemic, he lauded us for delivering the furlough scheme, for delivering three million claims to universal credit. READ MORE: Civil servant bonuses cost the taxpayer an extra 30million Advertisement 'Many people died in the civil service who went into work to keep our borders safe and provide frontline services, yet a 2% pay rise is lower than anywhere in the economy and they will not even negotiate with us. 'I think most of your viewers would find that utterly astonishing and that's why people are having to take escalating strike action, because they've got no choice if they want to get themselves out of work poverty.' He said that 40,000 civil servants are using foodbanks, 45,000 claim in-work benefits and 49,000 workers across the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC are on the national minimum wage. Mr Serwotka added that the fact Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden did not mention the PCS strikes during his earlier appearance on the same show 'goes to confirm the utter contempt they hold their own workforce in'. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was asked about the pay talks with teaching unions and junior doctors, and how the pay offer for nurses would be funded. Mr Dowden, who has played a key role co-ordinating the Government's response to strikes, said: 'Finding this money is not easy. But we think that in this context of ensuring that we reward nurses properly and we prevent disruption, that we can find the money to do this but it won't be easy.' He suggested the money could come from the 160 billion NHS budget or from within 'wider Government spending'. 'Given the pressure that health services around the world are under, we're not going to take services away from the front line,' he added. A family is at odds with 'professional squatter' with a long criminal history who has taken over their dead mom's house and refused to leave for the past six months. Chicago resident Darthula Young revealed her family's predicament this week, calling ex-convict Takito Murray a 'professional' scammer' for taking up residence in her late mother's Chatham home since September. Explaining the increasingly common plight in a sitdown interview, Young said she became aware of Murray's scheme days after her mom's death, arriving at the senior's longtime duplex to find a bullet hole in the front window. Upon closer inspection, Young would soon realize that the locks to the two-story duplex that has been in her family for generations were changed as well. Eventually, Young would realize Murray was the culprit, capitalizing on her mother's death to overtake the home she had owned for more than 30 years. Scroll down for video: The two-story home in Chatham - seen here - has been illegally occupied since September Ex-convict Takito Murray, a career criminal who has been cuffed for drug- and weapons-related offenses at least six times since 2017,illegally moved in September, and has since refused to leave Speaking to CBS Chicago, Young says that since coming to that realization, police have remained unreceptive to her and her relatives ongoing struggle to remove Murray, telling her she will need to wait more than half a year for the crime ridden city's court system to properly address the infraction. 'It's been a nightmare,' Young said of the city's hesitance to forcible relocate Murray, a career criminal who has been cuffed for drug- and weapons-related offenses at least six times since 2017, and was apparently shot inside the apartment at some point after moving in. 'On September 23, I got a call from the neighbors to say there's been a shooting in the building - and when I went to the building and put my key in, it didn't work,' Young told reporter Charlie De Mar on Thursday. 'The person who had been shot in the apartment this guy named Takito Murray - came back from the hospital, and informed us and the police that he now lived there, that he had rights. 'He was professional squatter.' Young would then reveal that, such is the case with most squatter-involved incidents, Illinois law largely prohibits her and her relatives to take any action against the unwelcome guest. Darthula Young revealed her family's predicament this week, calling an ex-convict who has taken up residence in her late mother's house since September a 'professional' scammer The home was left vacant by Young's mother (seen here) after her death last year, the Chicago resident said Laws in the notoriously progressive Prairie State currently bar her family from forcibly removing the tenant, or event turning off the two-flat home's utilities until a proper court order is issued. Experts estimate that such an order could take as long as eight months, given a recent spate of crime that has persisted since the pandemic, and has in turn ensnared the city's courts. Officials, including progressive Mayor Lori Lightfoot, have promised to quell the crime epidemic, but have proven largely unsuccessful - despite a recent abrupt change in policy that saw her abandon plans to defund the city's police force. But crime is currently up nearly 50 percent from this time last year in the Windy City, and nearly 100 percent from 2021 - a year that was hailed as one of the city's worst in decades. Perhaps most pronounce is the still rising rate of theft and crimes committed by armed offenders, which has increased dramatically since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts estimate that such an order could take as long as eight months, given a recent spate of crime that has persisted since the pandemic, and has in turn ensnared the city's courts The city's inability to address Young's predicament comes as indicative of the city's continued struggles, and serves as the latest blow to the embattled city's dwindling image under Lightfoot, who since taking office in late 2019 has seen crime rocket to historical levels. And with rents rising rapidly and homelessness also an issue, squatter cases are on the rise chiefly due to the fact repeat offenders such as Murray know they can live rent-free for months. That said, Young, who has hired a lawyer to help with her case as it wades its way through the city's stretched court system, says that Murray has repeatedly told her that he plans to leave soon. 'Every time I've been there, he tells me he's leaving in two weeks. He's leaving in two weeks. He just cannot find a place,' she said. CBS Chicago reportedly confronted Murray outside the residence earlier in the week, in an interaction that saw the ex-con shamelessly admit to overtaking the elderly woman's home - claiming he was paying rent to one of Young's siblings. 'So you acknowledge that it was her mom's building that her mom owned it?' reporter Charlie De Mar asked Murray of the supposed arrangement. 'Yes, I guess I acknowledge her mom and her siblings, that was their building,' Murray reportedly replied. Young, however, argues otherwise, saying that neither she nor any of her relatives have come to any such arrangement. She adds that the city, apart from not being able to take immediate action against the squatter, has refused to shut off the water at the domicile, leaving Young responsible for a still-burgeoning $1,300 bill. Young says that for the past seven months, she and her family has been trying to besiege the city to evict Murray, but has been repeatedly told to wait for an official order. Michael Zink, a landlord-tenant attorney not involved with the case, told CBS that Young's problem is not uncommon, and that evictions of squatters in overwhelmed cities like Chicago and New York can take up to eight months via the legal system. 'The problem that police have is when they show up to a scene like that, they don't know who is telling the truth,' the lawyer explained. He added that squatting in Chicago - where the average rent for a one-bedroom is more than $2,200 - is particularly on the rise, and that the courts will need time to catch up with a growing queue of offenders. Earlier this month, squatters overtook another deceased womans home in Chatham - just blocks from Youngs' mom's house - and are said to still be living there illegally. As for Young, she said she is set to be back in court in a couple of weeks - hopefully to resolve the issue. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley have been attacked by a number of Trump loyalists for failing to comment on rumors the former president will be arrested on Tuesday. MAGA Republicans have criticized DeSantis and Haley for not speaking out against the Manhattan DA's office for what they claim is a weaponization of the justice system. DeSantis is widely rumored to be preparing to run against Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. Haley was the first to enter the race after Trump. Jason Miller, a Trump adviser and the former CEO of right-wing free speech app Gettr noted a 'radio silence' from the two since the rumors gained momentum early on Saturday. He simultaneously shared comments from Mike Pence, who on Saturday accused the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg of a 'political prosecution' after the rumors spread that his office would be indicting Trump over Stormy Daniels hush money payments. Ron DeSantis (pictured) and Nikki Haley have been attacked by a number of Trump loyalists for failing to comment on rumors the former president will be arrested on Tuesday MAGA Republicans have criticized DeSantis and Haley (pictured) for not speaking out against the Manhattan DA's office for what they claim is a weaponization of the justice system Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, now one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress and once a dependable ally to Trump, also spoke in his defense on Saturday morning. He wrote: 'Here we go again - an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump. 'I'm directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.' He tweeted again on Sunday: 'Alvin Bragg is abusing his office to target President Trump.' Heightening pressure on DeSantis was that he is the governor of Florida, the state Trump has made his home since leaving office. Far-right social media personality Mike Cernovich suggested the governor should make it clear he would not extradite Trump from Florida without a 'proper legal review'. 'DeSantis is making his first unforced error by not denouncing this lawless act,' he said. One Twitter user pointed out that Trump had suggested that in his original Truth Social that he would be turning himself in, and that it was not an extradition case. Ben Kew, editor-at-large of conservative news site Red State, wrote in response: 'I say this as his most fervent supporter, but Ron DeSantis is making a massive mistake by not speaking up on the Trump prosecution issue.' Jason Miller, a Trump adviser and the former CEO of right-wing free speech app Gettr noted a 'radio silence' since the rumors gained momentum on Saturday Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy has tweeted in Trump's defense within hours on Saturday morning Florida governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump (pictured in 2019) at Orando International Airport The pressure that DeSantis is now coming under to comment on Trump's rumored indictment was especially evident in replies to the governor's most recent tweet, put out on Saturday afternoon, which was related to Hurricane Ian. 'The world is watching your every move Ron,' read one of the top replies. 'You are making a grave decision by not addressing the current corruption. By staying silent, we know you are bought and paid for, which is horrifying for the future of this country,' read another. 'My goodness I never thought I would see Ron's comments look like this' tweeted one person. While DeSantis was quick to be accused of cynical political strategizing. Longshot presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy sought to use the situation to his advantage. He had stern words on Saturday for the field of Republicans, claiming their silence could be 'the beginning of the end'. While DeSantis was quick to be accused of cynical political strategizing. Longshot presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy sought to use the situation to his advantage I held a press conference following my South Carolina speech. I called on GOP donor class favorites @RonDeSantisFL and @NikkiHaley to join me by 9 AM tomorrow in calling on the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to abandon the political persecution through prosecution of the 45th https://t.co/UhXfV2ZroP pic.twitter.com/koSbMBwQRy Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) March 18, 2023 If an indictment is levied in the case involving Trump's hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, it would be the first against the former president - and could open a floodgate for other cases against him. 'Today was an important day in the country,' Ramaswamy said during a brief press conference following his own remarks at the forum. 'The reason I'm doing this is because the rest of the Republican field, I think, has been deafeningly silent about an important issue in the country today,' he added of the news that an indictment could be looming. 'What I'm about to say has nothing to do with Donald Trump and everything to do with the integrity of an election and the integrity of a self-governing democracy,' the biotech multimillionaire added. 'So I don't care whether you root for Trump or whether you don't, if you root for the integrity of our constitutional republic then you need to be on the side of being really clear.' Ramaswamy has been extremely vocal in denouncing the prospect of an indictment against Trump, claiming that there would be no case if it weren't for the face that the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is severely anti-Trump. He claimed during his press conference in Charleston on Saturday that Bragg is a 'politically empowered prosecutor' looking to 'eliminate the opposition of a ruling party using arrest power.' The interim chief executive of the SNP said there is 'a tremendous mess' in the party amid staff resignations and a row over membership numbers in the last few days. SNP president Mike Russell, who has stepped in temporarily to replace Peter Murrell who was forced to quit yesterday, said the party needs to start off in 'an entirely reset position' once a new leader is voted in. Speaking on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Mr Russell said things had gone 'spectacularly wrong in recent weeks' for the SNP. But despite the mess, he said voting for the party leader must go ahead to 'rebuild the trust of Scotland'. The leadership contest is due to conclude on March 27. It came on another day of chaos for the SNP when: Leadership candidate Ash Regans campaign team demanded that the party reissues ballot papers to those who had already voted before Mr Murrells resignation; Fears were raised by Kate Forbess team that people who had already voted for Humza Yousaf may regret their decision; Ms Forbes said the party had failed to understand the priorities of the people and to deliver policy pledges. Speaking on the BBCs The Sunday Show, interim chief executive Mr Russell said: Its fair to say theres a tremendous mess and we have to clear it up and thats the task Im trying to take on in the short term. Mr Murrell announced his resignation on Saturday afternoon amid rumours he faced a potential vote of no confidence by the SNPs national executive committee. SNP president Mike Russell said today that party needs to start off in 'an entirely reset position' once a new leader is voted in. He is pictured this morning on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show Mr Russell said voting for the party leader must go ahead to 'rebuild the trust of Scotland'. SNP leadership candidates Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes are pictured (left to right) on Friday during the SNP leadership debate in Inverness He had come under huge pressure following the departure of the SNPs head of communications on Friday. Murray Foote claimed that he had been misled by party headquarters over membership numbers. He previously dismissed newspaper reports about the SNP losing tens of thousands of members as drivel. But when the SNP was finally forced to confirm the figures last week, they showed membership had fallen to 72,186, compared with 103,884 at the end of 2021. The total had slumped by more than 50,000 since 2018, when the SNPs annual conference was told it had hit 125,000. In his resignation statement, Mr Murrell said responsibility for addressing media queries about member numbers lay with him, adding: While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect. One member of Ms Sturgeons Cabinet told the Mail the handling of the issue had been a s***show. Mr Russell yesterday said: This has not been an edifying process. There hasnt been a contested leadership in the SNP in 19 years and it shows. Were out of practice in doing this and what has happened has not been good for the party and has not been good for Scotland. And we have to change it. He admitted things had gone spectacularly wrong and the membership figures were a surprise to me. Mr Russell added: We were losing members that we should have known about. We clearly were not told about that, and thats something that I want to know why that took place. Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said the situation was symptomatic of the secrecy and lack of accountability at the top of the SNP. He added: Mike Russell must be the most slapdash, disinterested and hands-off party president ever. Hes asking us to believe that he had no idea what the SNP membership figures were until they were published a few days ago, nor who was responsible for ordering the partys former chief spin doctor to rubbish a perfectly accurate newspaper report on that figure. Their squalid leadership race has exposed a civil war within the SNP. Its a measure of just how bad things have become when a senior party loyalist like Mike Russell describes it as a tremendous mess and admits that things have gone spectacularly wrong. The tragedy is that this affects the whole of Scotland, rather than merely the SNP. While they are hopelessly divided and fighting like Nats in a sack, theyre incapable of focusing on the real priorities of Scots. Ms Baillie said Finance Secretary Ms Forbess campaign had thrown light on the SNPs atrocious record in government and questioned the cabal that had ran the party for years. She added: The truth is that this leadership election is in chaos with allegations and resignations appearing on a daily basis. If this is how the SNP run their own party, just imagine the chaos in government. Scotland deserves better. Writing in the Sunday Post, former Nationalist MSP Joan McAlpine said the party had benefited from the precious gift of trust during its time in power. But she added: That has been destroyed by the small cabal around Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, the SNPs now ex-chief executive. Mr Yousaf yesterday admitted that the row over membership numbers was an own goal for the SNP. He told the BBC: There needs to be internal reform... Ill be looking to see what I can do to shake up the operation at [party] headquarters from day one. Mr Russell said the next important step for the party is to have 'a fair electoral process that produces a clear accepted outcome. 'We have got to have this concluded in the next eight days and then - the new leader has to look at the party and say let's rebuild this and let's rebuild the trust of Scotland. 'This has not been an edifying process. There hasn't been a contested leadership in the SNP for 19 years, and it shows.' He said a new leader in place will provide 'a tremendous opportunity to get things right and to start off with an entirely reset position.' Mr Russell's remarks come after Peter Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon's husband, quit with immediate effect yesterday following a row over the party's membership numbers. Ms Sturgeon (left) and Mr Murrell (right) are pictured together last year Ms Sturgeon resigned as First Minister last month after eight years in the role, following a series of political setbacks. She is pictured at her home yesterday following the resignation of her husband Peter Murrell as SNP chief executive SNP facing demands to rerun poll after Sturgeons husband quits The SNP is facing demands to rerun its leadership contest after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon's husband as the party's chief executive. Peter Murrell admitted that he had misled party members and the Scottish public on the size of the electorate. There have been claims since that bogus numbers were being used to inflate support for Humza Yousaf - seen as the continuity candidate after Ms Sturgeon's shock resignation. Now sources close to one of his rivals, Ash Regan, have demanded the contest is restarted and existing ballot papers discarded. 'The ballot needs to be rerun,' a source close to Ms Regan told The Telegraph. 'If members knew what they know now would they have voted the same way? 'My suspicion is that for many, the answer is no. They are entitled to reconsider now that they have more information. 'If there is not a rerun and Humza wins, his position would become untenable very quickly,' they added. 'I doubt he would even make it to being confirmed as First Minister.' Advertisement His remarks come after Mr Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon's husband, quit with immediate effect yesterday following a row over the party's membership numbers. Mr Murrell resigned just weeks after Ms Sturgeon announced her shock resignation as First Minister. The downfall of Scotland's foremost political power couple followed revelations in The Mail on Sunday that the SNP had lied about its true membership numbers ahead of the leadership race. Critics feared the bogus numbers were being used by the SNP 'party machine' to inflate support for Humza Yousaf, seen as the establishment's preferred candidate to take over as First Minister. Yesterday, in a statement announcing his immediate resignation, Mr Murrell admitted he was responsible for the 'misleading' claims about membership figures which the party had repeatedly said stood at around 100,000, but were actually around 72,000. Rumours had swirled yesterday that the party's ruling body, the national executive committee, was set to launch a vote of no confidence in Mr Murrell. However, Mr Murrell conceded his 24 years in office had come to an end and, rather than face a cripplingly embarrassing vote, decided to leave the party rudderless. He said: 'Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. 'I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect.' He added: 'I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election. 'However, as my future has become a distraction from the campaign, I have concluded that I should stand down now. 'I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades.' Mr Murrell's departure came shortly after that of media chief Murray Foote, who said there had been a 'serious impediment' to his role. The party this week confirmed there had been a big drop in membership numbers. And last week, two of the SNP leader candidates to succeed Ms Sturgeon as first minister: Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, questioned the independence of the election process. Today leadership candidate Ms Forbes said decisions in the SNP are being taken by too few people. She told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: 'I think at the heart of this is the fact that the decisions within the SNP have been taken by too few people' Murrell's resignation speech Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect. I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election. However as my future has become a distraction from the campaign I have concluded that I should stand down now, so the party can focus fully on issues about Scotland's future. The election contest is being run by the National Secretary and I have had no role in it at any point. I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades. Fourteen national election wins is testament to the skills of the dedicated and talented HQ team that I have been privileged to lead. They give their all to the party and the independence cause and I thank them for it. I have worked for independence all my life and will continue to do so, albeit in a different capacity, until it is achieved and I do firmly believe that independence is now closer than ever. Advertisement Today, leadership candidate Ms Forbes said decisions in the SNP are being taken by too few people. Ms Forbes, who is on maternity leave from her Government role as Finance Secretary, is facing Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan in the contest. She told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: 'I think at the heart of this is the fact that the decisions within the SNP have been taken by too few people. 'I think that's well recognised across the political domain. 'SNP members want to know that our institution is democratic, that they can influence it, that they can shape policy.' Ms Forbes also said the SNP needs to improve its ability to listen and deliver. She highlighted the failure to turn the A9 road into a full dual-carriageway, as the party has long-promised. Referring to the trunk road as Scotland's 'backbone', she said: 'We said we would dual that, we haven't done it. We need to be able to deliver.' She also said she would rule out further tax rises if she becomes first minister. Ms Forbes, a member of the evangelical Free Church of Scotland, said there has been 'quite a stunning level of scrutiny and perhaps backlash from some quarters' around her religious views. She said other people of faith have held high office in the UK - citing Rishi Sunak, a Hindu, and the Muslim mayor of London, Sadiq Khan - and she vowed to ensure Scotland is a 'tolerant and pluralistic nation'. After a series of televised leadership debates in the week in which she struggled to clarify her position on conversion therapy she branded it 'abhorrent' today, adding: 'It is a very, very sensitive issue and I do think that rather than give you quick, sort of ''gotcha'' answers on a matter of such importance, that we do reflect on consultation responses.' In another interview with Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday show, which was recorded before Mr Murrell's resignation, she said she had confidence in the integrity of the election process. 'I have no concerns about the process, I have full confidence in the integrity of the election,' she told the programme, adding: 'I'm certainly confident that whoever is elected is the person who SNP members will have chosen.' She also said she would rule out further tax rises if she becomes First Minister. In response to Ms Forbes' interviews today, Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: 'Kate Forbes is at it again - claiming she is the 'change candidate' to put right the failings of the SNP Government, despite having been one of the most senior members of it. 'She had some brass neck publicly lamenting the SNP's failure to dual the A9, as if she was a helpless bystander. 'As a Highlands MSP, she ought to have been banging the drum for this since 2016; while, as finance secretary for the last three years, she's been in charge of the purse strings and could have made this happen if it was that important to her. Mr Humza is narrowly the favourite to replace Ms Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister at the end of the month on an independence platform. Pictured: Humza Yousaf is gifted koravai from Sonia Urquhart during a visit to the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain on Thursday Last week, two of the SNP leader candidates to succeed Ms Sturgeon as first minister: Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, (pictured on Friday) questioned the independence of the election process 'Similarly, she talks of the need to keep taxes down, while blithely ignoring the fact that she's made Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK.' Mr Hoy went on to describe Mr Russell as 'the most slapdash, disinterested and hands-off party president ever'. He said the 'squalid leadership race has exposed a civil war within the SNP'. 'It's a measure of just how bad things have become when a senior party loyalist like Mike Russell describes it as a tremendous mess and admits things have gone spectacularly wrong,' Mr Hoy continued. The couple are now renting out the tiny house in their backyard for $74 a night for those looking for a unique vacation experience In a mere 245 square feet, a Texan man created his dream tiny home in his own back yard in that now draws friends, family and Airbnb visitors looking to spend a night in an unconventional setting. Daniel Salas, who travels frequently with his wife, said he built the backyard home out of a storage shed he bought off of Craigslist. In the span of five months, he transformed the unit into a livable space that he now rents out for $74 a night. Their unique property was inspired by an old barn that was transformed into a standalone tiny home that the couple fell in love with. The fully refurbished shed now sits in Salas' backyard awaiting visitors and guests The original shed Salas bought for just over $1,000 and made into a fully functional tiny home Daniel Salas and his wife, who now have a mini house in their back yard Salas told Newsweek: 'Me and my wife love to travel. We started visiting more Airbnbs around Texas and further afield and were fascinated by this one home we stayed in about an hour north of here.' 'We liked the intimacy. With a smaller space, we spent more time together. We said then, one day, we'd love to have something like this in our backyard.' In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic settled in, Salas, like many others, found himself with some extra time on his hands. 'I started doing a lot of research and preparing my backyard because I knew I wanted to create a tiny home. I was doing a lot of planning and rearranged my yard into the space I wanted to use,' he said. About a year later, in Spring of 2021, a Craigslist ad popped up that caught his eye. A man who lived nearby was selling a relatively new shed. When Salas inquired after the item, the man said he would sell it to him for $1,200 on the spot if he could remove it that day without disassembling it. Salas found a way to transport the shed to his home about 45 minutes away and even went so far as to take down his backyard fence in order to successfully maneuver the shed into the backyard. He told his wife, to whom the purchase of the shed was a surprise, that he took down the fence in order to work on it over the weekend. 'Then came Monday and she came to me and said, "There's a storage shed in the front of our house,' and that's how she found out that I bought it," he told. For the first summer that they owned the shed, the couple used it exclusively for storage. But after saving up $25,000 to pump into the project, they got to work. 'I had to run plumbing, get the permits, electrics, everything. I used the contractor who had renovated my kitchen the year before,' said Salas. The pair took several months to complete the tiny house, and when it was complete, they decided it needed a little more space, soo they busted down the back wall and extended it another eight by twelve feet to make space for a bedroom. After another six weeks, the home was complete and ready to receive family for the holiday season. But by the end of the renovation process, the couple had spent about $40,000 and thought to themselves: 'let's see if we can get this rented.' Once completed, the home had a fully functioning bathroom and kitchen. It also runs on its own power and has air conditioning and a TV. It took Salas about five months to get the tiny house into working order By the time the project was done, the couple had pumped about $40,000 into the project Image of the shed being transported to Daniel Salas' home The home is equipped with an air conditioning unit and a fully functional bathroom The tiny house given visitors a chance to live intimately The couple busted down the back wall of the original shed to build out a bathroom The home has a functional mini kitchen and mini fridge as well The couple welcomed their first visitors to the tiny home on New Years' Eve 2022. Now, the pair have visitors from all over coming to stay at their competitively priced tiny house. 'I joined a couple of Facebook groups, and I started getting people from all over asking me questions and wanting to come and stay,' said Salas. 'Friends and family come from out of town and want to stay in our house. It's been pretty popular - from a small idea, it's grown really big.' Comer said news of an indictment against Trump was a distraction from his panel revealing deals between China and the Biden family He also said it appears that the Bidens pocketed the money they got from foreign adversaries The Oversight chair believes there are at least 11 more deals between China and the Biden amounting to millions James Comer said that there are millions more dollars that have been sent from U.S. adversaries like China to the Biden family deepening the alleged corruption of the president and the first family. The Oversight Chairman revealed earlier this month that newly obtained records from the Treasury Department show there was a $1 million payment from Chinese energy company CEFC to an associate of Hunter Biden. Comer told Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures that there could be 11 more deals between China and the Biden family. He also claimed that the news of Donald Trump's potential impending indictment was oddly timed to correlate with the Oversight panel revealing new bank records showing Biden and his family were not truthful about receiving payments from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). 'It almost looks like it's an effort to detract,' Comer told Fox host Maria Bartiromo. 'But, at the very least, it's another example of a two-tiered system of justice.' Oversight Chair James Comer believes there are at least 11 more deals between China and the Biden amounting to millions Bartiromo asked if people should expect more revelations about what can be found in the Bidens' bank records. 'There are many more,' Comer assured. 'This is one deal. We think there are as many as 11 more deals. Now, we don't know what those deals are.' Comer says that it appears the Bidens pocketed the money they received from foreign countries. He also said that he had private discussions with members of the Biden family who will be speaking in front of the panel whether through deposition, committee hearing or otherwise. 'In the beginning, the White House denied having any knowledge or the fact that their family was involved in any sort of way, shape, or form with the CCP,' Comer said. 'But now we have bank records that reveal otherwise.' 'We don't know what the Bidens did in return for this money. The lawyer said that it was seed capital for a business. We haven't been able to find a business.' 'But, right now, it looks like the Biden family just pocketed this money. This is one deal. We have 11 more to go. And I'm pretty confident we will be getting more bank records in very soon.' Comer says the news of an indictment against Trump is meant to distract from his panel revealing a $1 million deal made between a Chinese energy company and a Hunter Biden associate The House Oversight Committee released a report showing Hallie Biden, Beau's widow who had a romantic relationship with Hunter, received $35,000 from accounts tied to Hunter's associate Rob Walker. This included $25,000 that seems to have originated from a Chinese company. The $1 million payment between the CCP and a Biden associated that the Oversight panel revealed was also to Walker's account. 'We're gonna follow the money,' Comer said. 'We knew there was a money trail, we've spoken to enough people that were involved in the shady business games all around the world.' 'Everything that we've subpoenaed thus far was accurate from what our whistleblowers were telling us, and we have a whole lot more information. This was the first deal, and we have many more to come.' A Massachusetts husband and father-of-three pleaded guilty on Thursday to accidentally hiring an undercover FBI agent to kill his wife amid their messy divorce. Massimo Marenghi, 56, faces nearly a decade behind bars for his failed murder-for-hire case against his wife in 2021. Marenghi was put on law enforcement's radar on January 1, 2021, when an unidentified individual reported he asked them for help in killing his wife after complaining she was filing a restraining order against him. Later on, 'the individual introduced Marenghi to an undercover agent who posed as a contract killer' and offered them $10,000 in cash to 'eliminate the problem,' according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts. He will be sentenced on June 8. Massimo Marenghi, 56, pleaded guilty on Thursday to attempting to hire a hitman to kill his wife last year amid their messy divorce Marenghi was put on law enforcement's radar on January 1, 2021, after an unidentified individual reported he asked them for help in killing his wife after complaining she was filing a restraining order against him. Pictured: Marenghi and his family Marenghi paid the undercover fed, referred to as Mrs. Smith, a $1,500 cash deposit for what he referred to as a 'demolition job.' Marenghi will be sentenced on June 8 He communicated with the federal agent over text message and used construction language to discuss the job. Information about Marenghi's wife was referred to as a 'blueprint,' according to Law and Crime. Apart from the 'blueprint' included a picture of Marenghi's soon-to-be ex-wife, her car information, work schedule, and their custody split - 'which he said would be the best time for the construction work to start,"' the US Attorney's office said. Marenghi also explained to the agent how to move pass the security cameras outside of his wife's house. '[He] described how someone could stand behind the barrels at the end of the driveway such that the person would be hidden from any cameras and out of sight from his wife,' according to an affidavit obtained by Law and Crime. The disgraced promised the agent the remainder of the money once the 'construction job' was done. Marenghi paid the undercover fed, referred to as Mrs. Smith, a $1,500 cash deposit for what he referred to as a 'demolition job' He communicated with the federal agent over text message and used construction language to discuss the job. Information about Marenghi's wife was referred to as a 'blueprint' Authorities didn't disclose the name of Marenghi's wife or his kids. He appeared to be a real 'family guy' and posted his family frequently on Facebook Aside from potentially spending a decade in prison, Marenghi also faces a $250,000 fine and three years of parole. Authorities didn't disclose the name of Marenghi's wife or his kids. He appeared to be a real 'family guy' and posted his family frequently on Facebook. Marenghi's last post was on October 2020 in what appeared to be his son in a toy Cheez-It go cart. He often posed alongside his wife and wore a cross necklace. A plane passenger was caught in the act trying to smuggle more than 83,000 cigarettes into Newcastle International Airport. Samuel Onyemenam, 50, was stopped while carrying luggage as he entered the country on flight from Nigeria via Germany last November. Border Force officers x-rayed three of the suitcases and found that two of them were filled with 83,600 cigarettes, which would have carried duty worth 28,000. Onyemenam, of Abbey Wood, London, was arrested and pleaded guilty to fraudulently evading duty when he appeared in the dock this week. Samuel Onyemenam, 50, (pictured) was stopped by Border Force while carrying luggage as he entered the country on flight from Nigeria via Germany. Officers X-rayed three of the suitcases and found that two of them were filled with 83,600 cigarettes, which would have carried duty worth 28,000 Onyemenam arrived at Newcastle International Airport (pictured) on a flight from Nigeria via Germany on November 26 last year. He claimed to have been transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and had made no financial gain from the scheme Onyemenam arrived at Newcastle International Airport on a flight from Nigeria via Germany on November 26 last year, Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard. 'He had three suitcases with him,' Rob Lawson, prosecuting said. 'Border Force officers informed him that they were going to X-ray his suitcases and two were found to contain a large quantity of cigarettes, 83,600. The duty evaded was 28,530.17.' Onyemenam claimed that he had been transporting the cigarettes for his cousin and had made no financial gain from the scheme. Paul Kennedy, defending, said Onyemenam, who has no past convictions, stood by his claim that he was transporting for his cousin and made no financial gain. Mr Kennedy continued: 'It was an opportunistic, one-off offence.' However, the claims were not accepted by District Judge Jayne Bryan, who told Onyemenam: 'I don't accept what you're saying at face value.' Onyemenam, of Abbey Wood, London, was arrested and pleaded guilty to fraudulently evading duty when he appeared in the dock this week The judge continued: 'You're going to have to give evidence about what you're claiming. It's what we call a trial of issue and it will decide on what basis you will be sentenced on. 'You will have unconditional bail to return to this court on that date and time. If you don't attend, a warrant could be issued for your arrest.' Onyemenam is due back in court on May 3. MailOnline has approached the airport and HM Revenue & Customs for comment. Bali is cracking down on 'bogan behaviour' and threatening fines and deportation to holidaymakers caught breaking a raft of rules. Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and stunning scenery. Bali is the second most popular tourist destination for Australians, just behind New Zealand, with more than 2.1 million people visiting the island last year. The laid-back atmosphere may soon be a thing of the past as the island's governor cracks down on bad behaviour and vows to get tough on tourists. Visitors caught breaking the rules could be forced to cough up a fine with a proposal to even have their visa revoked in some cases. Bali is cracking down on 'bogan behaviour' with the popular tourist destination introducing a raft of new rules for holidaymakers Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year for cheap food, affordable accommodation and stunning scenery Indonesian law states driving a motorcycle without a helmet can lead to a fine of 250,000 Indonesian Rupiah or $25. Bali Governor Wayan Koster wants to introduce new powers that would allow authorities to revoke the visa of a tourist who has been caught breaking a traffic law. Drivers caught on a motorcycle without a licence could also be forced to cough up a $98 fine. New rules in Bali 1. Always wear a helmet on a motorbike 2. Avoid drunk and indecent behaviour in public 3. Do not post offensive, vulgar pictures to social media 4. Confine skimpy beachwear to appropriate venues 5. Working without a visa is strictly prohibited 6. Respect the local people and our culture Advertisement Mr Koster has also asked national authorities to ban all foreigners from hiring motorbikes 'to ensure quality and dignified tourism'. The move comes after a campaign was launched targeting tourists wearing skimpy clothing and a 'bonk ban' was announced. While the push to crack down on bad behaviour may be surprising for some, Indonesian authorities have been clamping down on unruly behaviour for a few years. The Bali Tourism Board shared a post to social media last week with the headline: 'Enjoying Bali?' What followed was a list of polite reminders to tourists outlining how to 'show respect' for their rich culture. 'For everyone's safety, comfort and mutual respect, we ask you follow some common sense rules,' the poster reads. Many tourists are unaware Bali is a conservative island in a deeply religious country. Indonesia's parliament approved legislation last year to outlaw sex outside marriage and cohabitation by unmarried couples. A draft of the new laws states that while sex outside marriage would be banned, it could only be reported to authorities by a limited number of parties, such as close relatives. That caveat may provide some protection for Australian citizens who visit or live in the country. Local unmarried couples caught breaking the ban and having sex face up to a year in prison. Outfits worn by tourists is also under scrutiny with a new education campaign launched in March informing people how to dress and act appropriately. Notice shared on Bali Bogans Facebook page as the tourist destination clamps down on bad behaviour Holidaymakers often stroll through the streets in next-to-nothing, but there are areas where this should not be happening, especially around sacred temples. Disrespecting a sacred site could lead a tourist to be kicked out of the country. Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus agung Partha Adnyana said tourists needed to double check their outfits out of respect. 'The point is for tourists to respect the cultural customs of the Balinese by dressing well... and being orderly in carrying out traffic activities,' he said. Bali's Tourism Board is in the 'socialisation' phase of the campaign, which involves billboards. Disorderly conduct could also risk jail time with tourists ordered to serve time behind bars in the past. Adelaide man Nicholas Carr spent four months in a Bali jail after fly kicking a motorcyclist from his bike on a busy Sunset Road at Kuta on August 10, 2019. The latest move by Bali authorities is aimed at tourists renting motorbikes and scooters. Under the plan, which was revealed this week, visitors would be banned from renting scooters and bikes. Mr Koster wants travellers to only use transportation provided by travel agencies after a number of incidents, such as foreign riders abusing police, failing to wear helmets and using fake number plates. Footage emerged this week of a tourist in a heated exchange with a local cop after he was pulled over for not wearing a helmet. The shirtless tourist, who has a North American accent, was forced to stop in the middle of a busy road by officers. He then accuses them of harassing him for money. 'You want to steal money, you want to steal money, you want to steal?' A police officer who filmed the exchange then fires back: 'Too much talking, you.' 'I've been watching Balinese people ride over and over again with no helmet and you don't stop them, you don't stop the Balinese,' the tourist responds. When the officer attempts to grab the bike and move it off the road, the man responds: 'Don't touch my stuff. Keep your hands off me.' The clip then ends. It is unclear what happened next. A shirtless tourist confronted by local police while holidaying in Bali The tourist's behaviour has been slammed as rude, with some even calling for him to be deported. 'Bali doesn't deserve foreigners like this,' one person wrote. Members of the community Facebook group Bali Bogans reacted to the new guidelines with a range of emotions. 'Heartily agree,' one member said. 'Most of us tourists are sick of the behaviour of some of those people. More respect please.' 'While I agree with the post I believe it's hypocritical to instruct tourists what to do when their own people don't even follow the rules, lead by example right?' another person said. 'Not all of those things are laws but common sense ... and there is no penalty for stupidity other than karma,' a third said. Victorian police have been slammed for failing to stop neo-Nazis from doing Heil Hitler salutes out the front of the state's Parliament during an anti-trans sports rally. Police Association of Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said officers prevented a fight between rival groups but were powerless to stop the actions of the neo-Nazis. In response, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced on Monday that the state will strengthen its anti-vilification laws to ban the Nazi salute. 'The behaviour we saw on the weekend was disgraceful and cowardly,' she said. Meanwhile, Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto will move to expel MP Moira Deeming from the parliamentary party over her role in the anti-transgender rally outside the state parliament. English anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's (pictured right) 'Let Women Speak' spoke at the event outside the Victorian parliament Victorian police have been slammed for failing to stop neo-Nazis (pictured) from doing Heil Hitler salutes on Saturday Ms Deeming spoke at British anti-trans activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull's 'Let Women Speak' event outside the Victorian parliament. However, members of the National Socialist Movement repeatedly performed the Nazi salute on the steps of Parliament House and held signs calling transgender people offensive names, sparking violent clashes with hundreds of counter-protesters. 'It's clear this (Nazi salute) is being used to incite hatred not just towards Jewish people but our LGBTIQ+ community and other minority groups,' said Ms Symes. 'Victorians have zero tolerance of this behaviour and so do we. 'That's why we'll expand our nation-leading legislation banning the Nazi Hakenkreuz (Swastika) to include the Nazi salute because everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and included in Victoria.' Liberal MP Moira Deeming (pictured) faces expulsion from her party for attending the same rally Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull (pictured right) is seen having a discussion with another rally attender Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, who launched a campaign in January to outlaw the Heil Hitler salute, welcomed the move. 'A terrible wrong has been made right and anyone who loves this country will support this ban,' he said. 'This decision honours the sacrifice made by our diggers who died to defeat Hitler and pays tribute to the victims and to the Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives here.' Mr Pesutto said on Sunday the scenes of black-clad white supremacists marching along Spring Street were an 'abomination' and 'affront' to values all Victorians should hold dear. He said he met Ms Deeming on Sunday afternoon and discussed her involvement in organising, promoting and participating in the rally. Mr Pesutto said Ms Deeming's position was 'untenable' and he would move a motion at the next party room meeting to expel her as a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party. 'This is not an issue about free speech but a member of the parliamentary party associating with people whose views are abhorrent to my values, the values of the Liberal Party and the wider community,' Mr Pesutto said. Victoria's Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes announced on Monday that the state will strengthen its anti-vilification laws to ban the Nazi salute Men wearing black tops and shorts perform the Nazi salute at a protest in Melbourne, Australia March 18, 2023 in this picture obtained from a social media video Men are pictured performing the Nazi salute at an anti-trans protest in Melbourne on March 18 'Regardless of religious faith, race, sexual preference and identity, Victorians everywhere should know that the Liberal Party is inclusive and can be a voice for them.' Ms Deeming was elected to the Victorian parliament last year as a member for Western Metropolitan region, replacing controversial MP Bernie Finn. In a post on social media, Ms Deeming, a former teacher and City of Melton councillor, said she was disappointed with Victoria Police for letting masked men into the rally buffer zone. 'Police managed to stop hordes of (trans rights activists), but somehow could only walk masked men past us (as) they did a horrible Nazi salute,' she said on Twitter. Frandy Martin Jnr, who was on another vessel, died from his injuries Mr Stantons children were thrown into the sea and his wife was seriously injured The millionaire son-in-law of a peer has been charged over a Caribbean boat crash that left a man dead. Graham Stanton is accused of leaving the scene after his 40ft motor cruiser and a smaller powerboat collided in the British Virgin Islands. The impact threw Mr Stantons young children into the sea and seriously injured his wife Sophie, the daughter of Ian Macpherson, Lord Strathcarron. It is claimed no help was offered to the two men and one woman on the other vessel, all of whom were badly hurt. One of them, Frandy Martin Jnr, died from his injuries. The 50-year-old musician, who had played volleyball at a high level, was a well-known figure on the islands. The circumstances of his death and the police investigation have caused a stir on the BVI, a British overseas territory and tax haven. Graham Stanton (pictured with family) is accused of leaving the scene after his 40ft motor cruiser and a smaller powerboat collided in the British Virgin Islands No help was offered to the two men and one woman on the other vessel, all of whom were badly hurt. One of them, Frandy Martin Jnr (pictured), died from his injuries There were lengthy delays in bringing charges and concerns over why Mr Stantons boat, Blue Bayou, was returned to him by police following the accident and before any charges were made against him. It has since been repainted and renamed. There have also been claims that evidence relating to Andrew Morrell, the businessman who took the helm of the Bayou shortly before the collision, has gone missing. Morrell has been charged with manslaughter, causing serious injury to a person while on board a vessel and failing to render assistance after a collision. Mr Stanton, 40, has also been charged with failing to render assistance. It is claimed he had responsibility as the owner of the boat. The maximum penalty for the offence is an 8,000 fine and six months in prison. Mr Stanton moved to the BVI from London in 2019 with his family, renovating a multi-million pound property and setting up a financial technology firm. His 44-year-old wife founded the worlds leading art industry recruitment agency. Her father, the 3rd Baron Strathcarron, is a hereditary peer who sits in the Lords. The collision happened in October 2021 when the Stantons headed out on their Sunseeker boat with their two children, then aged eight and six. Also on board was Mr Morrell and William Banks-Blaney, a fashion guru dubbed the vintage king who counts the Duchess of Sussex and Amal Clooney among his friends and clients, but who was not involved in the events leading up to the accident. He set up the high-end boutique William Vintage in London and a trapeze coat from his range was worn by Meghan at her baby shower in 2019. Mr Stanton claimed he did not realise anyone else was overboard and took his injured wife straight to hospital on Tortola island He had made headlines in 2006 when it was revealed that he was the lover of married Tory frontbencher Greg Barker. He later entered into a civil partnership with a British barrister who is a partner in a law firm with offices on the BVI. The collision between the Bayou and the 35ft Yeya took place in waters close to Road Town, the capital of the BVI. Mr Martin died from his injuries and the other two people on the powerboat were taken to hospital. Mr Morrell was arrested soon after the incident. He was charged last April and bailed. Mr Stanton was charged in November. According to crown prosecutor Lyn Daley, Mr Stanton said Mr Morrell took the helm of the boat while he went to the bathroom. He was temporarily trapped by the impact of the collision but freed himself and rescued his children from the water. Mr Stanton claimed he did not realise anyone else was overboard and took his injured wife straight to hospital on Tortola island. A court hearing was told he assumed the powerboat was abandoned or adrift. It is understood the collision occurred in darkness and that it will be claimed the Bayou was following maritime law, with the emergency services duly alerted by mobile phone. Tax haven: Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands Both Mr Stanton and Mr Morrell declined to comment. A source close to the Stanton family said: What happened that night was a tragedy that ended in the loss of Frandy Martin Jr. Grahams wife also very nearly died, suffering seven broken ribs and a collapsed lung and needed an emergency operation to prevent her from drowning in her own fluid. Everyone on the Blue Bayou has co-operated fully with the police and all Graham can do is trust that justice will prevail. He is confident it will eventually more than anything to finally give clarity and a small comfort to Frandys family. The source added that when the boat was returned to Mr Stanton he was told no further action would be taken against him. It was repaired and repainted and renamed because it had featured in the media so much. A BVI police spokesman declined to comment last night. Strasbourg judges are on the brink of backing down over the blocking orders that stopped Rwanda removal flights. Suella Braverman revealed last night she had been 'encouraged' by discussions with the European Court of Human Rights, raising hopes of reviving the policy. Sources said the talks could 'remove a key barrier to getting flights off the ground' and finally see boat migrants sent to the east African nation. The Home Office's inaugural flight to Rwanda was blocked at the 11th hour by Strasbourg judges who issued an injunction, known as a 'Rule 39' order. The Government's Illegal Migration Bill sets out plans to allow ministers to ignore Rule 39 measures unless Strasbourg agrees to rein in their use. Laughter: Suella Braverman shares a joke with her two guides following discussions with the European Court of Human Rights Sources said the talks could 'remove a key barrier to getting flights off the ground' and finally see boat migrants sent to the east African nation Pictured: The European Court of Human Rights building Home Secretary Mrs Braverman claimed the court's decision last summer had been opaque and flawed, adding: 'That's why we have measures in our Bill that will address how the UK intends to comply with such orders in the future. But I've been encouraged by the Government's constructive discussions with Strasbourg, including around possible reforms to Rule 39.' Meetings between UK officials and the court are understood to have taken place since the publication of the Illegal Read More: Suella Braverman tours Rwandan buildings where Channel boat migrants may be held Advertisement Migration Bill 13 days ago. The Bill is designed to tackle the small boats crisis that last year led to a record 45,756 migrants landing in the UK. This year's total is 3,562, compared with 3,231 at the same point last year. But Home Office projections suggest 85,000 might make the crossing in the worst-case scenario by the year's end. The talks with Strasbourg could lead to a new framework being agreed on the use of Rule 39 orders. The UK is likely to demand the introduction of a high legal threshold on whether they can be issued in the first place. Even if that test is met, there should be an opportunity for government lawyers to seek a full court hearing, sources said. Speaking on the second day of an official visit to the Rwandan capital Kigali, Mrs Braverman dismissed critics of the asylum scheme as 'snobs' guilty of 'unjustified and unwarranted negativity' about the country. She insisted Rwanda would prove a 'blessing' to migrants relocated under the 140million scheme, describing the country as a 'beacon of hope for refugees'. The Mail on Sunday reported yesterday that Mrs Braverman was planning to get deportation flights under way by the summer after signing a deal to close a series of loopholes. Deal: Suella Braverman with leader of Rwanda Paul Kagame yesterday She said there was 'every possibility we can move quickly' if the UK Court of Appeal upheld the scheme's legality. Flights could take off even if opponents lodge a further appeal to the Supreme Court, it is understood. If Strasbourg agrees not to interfere with further Rule 39 orders it would mean the legal barriers have been eliminated. Mrs Braverman yesterday took part in a Kigali ground-breaking ceremony for homes that will be used by migrants. They will be placed in the 528-unit development of one, two and three-bedroom homes, living alongside Rwandan locals. The site is due to be completed within just six months. On Saturday the Home Secretary visited another development of 'eco' homes boasting solar panels and also set to be occupied by UK migrants. Flights could take off even if opponents lodge a further appeal to the Supreme Court, it is understood Both projects are being part-funded by British taxpayers. Paul Kagame, Rwanda's president, told Mrs Braverman yesterday that his country would 'always have capacity' for more refugees. He welcomed the agreement between the two countries and the expansion of its scope, which was finalised at the weekend. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden yesterday told Sky News: 'The reason why we haven't been able to proceed with Rwanda is because it's currently before the courts. We actually succeeded at the High Court stage, it's before the Court of Appeal. But as soon as that process is through and I'm confident our policy is lawful we will get cracking.' The migration Bill will see small boat migrants detained with no rights for bail or judicial review within the first 28 days. All asylum claims lodged by irregular migrants such as those who come across the Channel will be ruled inadmissible as soon as they arrive. Ministers have set out a plan to then rapidly remove them to Rwanda or another safe country. Wide-ranging restrictions will be placed on the way UK courts can hear appeals and judicial reviews in immigration cases. Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours a building site on the outskirts of Kigali during her visit to Rwanda Government ministers have long complained that attempts to remove foreign nationals face endless legal challenges. Under the reforms, the vast majority of migrants will be required to lodge appeals 'remotely' from abroad, rather than in the UK. Only children and the gravely ill will be able to stay here while making challenges. Modern slavery claims by illegal entrants will be disqualified on 'public order' grounds. When asked if it was possible to stop the boats, Miguel Berger, Germany's ambassador to the UK, told Sky News: 'It's very difficult to say if it will be possible but I agree that it's a wider problem, it's not only what's happening in the Channel. 'We have to look at migration routes from Libya, Turkey, Tunisia, from many other countries, we have climate change which is producing more refugees, so in the end what we will need is strong international co-operation.' Sue Gray was advising the Government on the Partygate inquiry into Boris Johnson while holding secret talks about joining Labour, it was claimed last night. In an extraordinary development, it emerged Ms Gray was approached by Labour in November last year, at least three months before her controversial appointment as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff became public. Whitehall sources told the Daily Mail the timeline means she was still advising the Government on the contentious inquiry into Mr Johnson's conduct while secretly talking about moving to Labour HQ. The former Second Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office's report into potential lockdown breaches at Downing Street was published months earlier. But the newly unearthed contact with Labour will only further muddy already murky waters engulfing a Commons privileges committee inquiry being decried as a 'witch hunt'. Controversial appointment: Sue Gray Legal dossier: Former PM Boris Johnson One source said: 'Sue's report had obviously been dealt with by November but she was still advising the Government on the privileges committee investigation, specifically on what should be disclosed to them. 'You don't have to be Boris Johnson's biggest fan to think it's a bit dodgy to be secretly speaking to the Leader of the Opposition while still being intimately involved in such a highly sensitive and political matter.' The claim was disputed by Labour, however Tory MPs last night called for an inquiry into Ms Gray's role. Mr Johnson will give televised evidence on Wednesday to the committee, which has been investigating claims that he lied to Parliament about lockdown parties in No 10. His legal team will submit a dossier to the committee today. A spokesman for the former prime minister said: 'The evidence will show that Boris Johnson did not knowingly mislead Parliament.' Ms Gray led the original probe into lockdown parties at No 10, which was sharply critical of the culture in Whitehall when it was published in May last year. Committee members have insisted Ms Gray's potential move to Labour is not relevant as she had completed her inquiry. A Labour source last night insisted that it was 'not correct' to say Ms Gray was still directly advising the Government on Partygate at the time she opened talks with Sir Keir. The source would not comment on the timing of the talks but claimed there was a 'separate Cabinet Office process' for deciding which information to send to the committee. Labour leader Keir Starmer delivers his speech at the Welsh Labour Conference Former Home Secretary Priti Patel said her role needed to be investigated. She said: 'It now transpires Sue Gray may have been in contact with Labour during the privileges committee process. 'This is an alarming development that the committee must take into account. We will need precise answers as to whether and when Labour had any hand in this, and what the extent of contacts were.' Former Cabinet minister Simon Clarke said the revelations suggested a political 'stitch-up'. He added: 'This worrying development shows that Sue Gray may have been in contact with Labour while she was in charge of disclosing evidence to the privileges committee. Once or twice looks like a coincidence, but so many examples of Sue conniving with Labour looks like a stitch-up.' Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said Tory MPs would be given a free vote on whether any sanction from the committee should be applied. Tory peer Lord Greenhalgh branded the privileges committee hearing a 'witch hunt' and called for it to be scrapped. The committee inquiry was established a month before Ms Gray's report was published. It is examining evidence around at least four occasions when Mr Johnson may have deliberately misled MPs with assurances that lockdown rules were followed. His allies said he would provide a 'detailed and compelling' account to the committee before his appearance, showing he 'did not knowingly mislead the House'. The committee has heavily relied on material released by the Government, including hundreds of private messages. It has now emerged that this process was also overseen by Ms Gray. Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly refused to say when he began talks to tempt her to Labour. A Whitehall investigation is under way into whether Ms Gray broke rules requiring senior civil servants to declare outside interests and seek permission before speaking to the Opposition. A Whitehall source said that this was continuing, but added: 'It's already clear that Sue didn't do everything she should have.' Labour did not dispute that Sir Keir approached Ms Gray in November. A source declined to comment on the timeline or on claims Ms Gray was advising the Government on Partygate then. The source said it was 'not appropriate' to comment while her appointment as Sir Keir's chief of staff was still being considered by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. The committee vets appointments of ministers and senior civil servants leaving government and can recommend new jobs are delayed by up to two years in sensitive cases. In extreme cases, it can even recommend that appointments are not taken up. Although it has no statutory powers, senior Tories believe Sir Keir would have to abandon the move if the committee rules against it. Senior Labour figures now fear Ms Gray's appointment may backfire. One source said: 'The only person who still thinks this is a good idea is Keir.' As ex-head of the government's propriety and ethics team, Ms Gray held one of the most sensitive posts in government and was privy to secrets of ministers' private lives as well as sensitive government decisions. Allies of Ms Gray have insisted that she would never disclose sensitive information. They say she was targeted for her experience in government, something Labour lacks after 13 years in opposition. Members of the RMT are today expected to vote in favour of the latest Network Rail pay offer paving the way for months of crippling strikes to finally end. The rail union launched a ballot on March 9 which will close at midday, with the results expected to be announced shortly after. Last night senior rail sources were quietly confident a majority of workers have backed the 9 per cent offer. A similar deal was rejected in December but 36 per cent still backed it despite the RMT advising members not to. The latest offer is better as it gives workers a larger up-front sum while the RMT is not advising them which way to vote. A senior industry source said: 'We not counting our chickens, but the mood music is certainly more positive. That's principally because the union hasn't put out a communication to reject it. Last night senior rail sources were quietly confident a majority of workers have backed the 9 per cent offer. Pictured: Mick Lynch Mick Lynch joins union members on the picket line outside Euston station on Saturday March 18 'Everything we've heard is very positive. People are voting for it in bigger numbers than last time. 'The vast majority of members have already voted and we're expecting a majority will have voted in favour.' They added that more track maintenance workers appeared to be voting in favour this time. Winning their approval is seen as key as many are understood to have rejected the last offer while a majority of signallers were thought to be in favour. It comes amid growing optimism at resolving disputes in other sectors, with unions representing nurses, ambulance workers and physiotherapists postponing strikes last week while they vote on a new offer. Last week the British Medical Association postponed strikes by junior doctors to hold pay talks. Teachers are also beginning negotiations. The latest Network Rail offer is worth just over 9 per cent over 2022 and this year, with 5 per cent for last year and 4 per cent for 2023. This year's settlement will be backdated to October 2022, meaning workers will receive an extra 500 as part of an initial lump sum. For the lowest paid, the deal is worth 14.4 per cent. It also includes no compulsory job losses until 2025 and 75 per cent off rail travel for staff and close family. Separate disputes involving workers for 14 train operating companies and drivers' union Aslef still need to be resolved. However, disruption on strike days is much less severe when only workers for operators walk out as Network Rail employs signallers, which are crucial for running the network. Overall at least half of trains can run, with as many as 80 per cent on some routes. But when Network Rail workers join strikes, only around one in five trains runs. There are hopes, however, that a breakthrough in the Network Rail dispute could unlock one in the talks with operators, paving the way for an end to RMT strikes. Workers for operators walked out on Saturday and Thursday last week (March 16 and 18) and two more are planned on March 30 and April 1. The RMT has been calling walkouts since June last year. A dispute with train drivers' union Aslef is also yet to be resolved. However, an Aslef source said 'the mood music is more positive' in these talks. There is the possibility for months of crippling strikes to finally end The RMT has staged 18 national walkouts since June last year and Aslef eight. The walkouts are estimated to have cost the industry at least 500 million - enough to have settled the RMT dispute at the outset. The RMT declined to comment but a union source said it would announce the results of the referendum this afternoon (MON). Cabinet minister Oliver Dowden yesterday defended not settling the NHS dispute quicker to avoid months of disruption. On the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show, he was asked why ministers said more money was not possible only to improve their offer last week. Mr Dowden said ministers had to gain a deal which was 'fair to nurses but, crucially, fair to the public finances'. Suella Braverman last night attacked snobbish critics of the Rwanda asylum deal after a doctored photograph was circulated on social media. An edited photo of the Home Secretary which showed her laughing at a construction site in the Rwandan capital Kigali was posted by LBC radio presenter James OBrien. He tweeted: Exactly 200 years after William Wilberforce founded the Anti-Slavery Society, heres Suella Braverman at a facility to which she hopes to deport trafficked victims of modern slavery. But the full, uncropped image revealed that the Home Secretary was flanked by a man and a woman who were showing her around the Bwiza Riverside Estate and also smiling as they shared a joke with her. Last night Mrs Braverman said of OBriens post: I invite him to come to Rwanda before he casts aspersions on this beautiful, welcoming country. An edited photo of the Home Secretary which showed her laughing at a construction site in the Rwandan capital Kigali was posted by LBC radio presenter James OBrien OBriens tweet, posted at 9am yesterday, gathered more than 1.6million views and many negative comments. More than seven hours later he re-posted the same text but this time with an unedited version of the photo. Mrs Braverman added: I encourage all of my critics to actually visit Rwanda before they throw around incredibly prejudiced and snobbish opinions. She singled out the Labour Party and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. I think that the Labour Party reacts in a very knee-jerk and pretty prejudiced way, added Mrs Braverman. I invite Yvette Cooper to come to Rwanda and see the high-quality services for the people who will be resettled here. I regret the snobbery and the unjustified negativity that critics throw at our partnership with Rwanda. Bwiza Riverside Estate will provide some of the 2,500 homes for migrants sent from Britain and is being part-funded by UK taxpayers. Even on a rainy midweek afternoon, it's easy to see why Vicar Of Dibley star Dawn French loved living in the picturesque Cornish coastal town of Fowey. With narrow streets of medieval and Georgian houses tumbling down to a pretty quayside lined with restaurants and trendy eateries, it's one of Cornwall's most popular tourist spots, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. When French sold her home there last year, apparently in search of somewhere quieter, a friend said she would 'miss all the locals who made her so welcome'. It's clearly a very friendly place. But it seems that the Reverend Geraldine Granger, the vicar she played in the much-loved sitcom, might feel rather less enthusiastically received in Fowey following a storm which has blown up over the search for a new priest at its parish church, St Fimbarrus. A notice pinned up in the church's entrance earlier this week announced that the Parochial Church Council (PCC) has 'passed a resolution based on Bible text and theological interpretation, to seek a male overall head for our church leadership in Fowey'. In other words, they don't want a woman priest. It's easy to see why Vicar Of Dibley star Dawn French loved living in the picturesque Cornish coastal town of Fowey Dawn French as The Vicar of Dibley, Geraldine Grainger Although more carefully phrased, it's the kind of statement you might imagine being issued by David Horton, the uptight head of the parish council in Dibley, the fictional village where the Rev Granger arrives, only to discover that the residents thought they were getting a male vicar. 'You were expecting a bloke . . . beard, Bible, bad breath . . and instead you got a babe with a bob-cut and a magnificent bosom,' she tells Horton. Eventually, of course, they became great friends. But there are currently no signs of such a happy ending in Fowey, where the PCC's decision has caused bitter divisions within the local community. 'It appears the parish church representatives here are obviously bigots,' said one comment on a community Facebook page. 'You should hang your heads in shame, such a bad decision,' read another. 'Remind me, it is 2023 isn't it?' It's an announcement which has caused all the more stir given that we are nearly 30 years on from when the Church of England first ordained women priests. Since 2014, women have also been allowed to become bishops, and some 43 per cent of licensed clergy in the Diocese of Truro, within which Cornwall falls, are women, higher than the national average. That's reflected in the fact that Fowey is surrounded by communities with a strong track record of appointing female priests. They include the Trelawny Benefice, a collection of five parishes centred on the village of Polruan which clings to the cliffs on the other side of the beautiful Fowey estuary. Although only a quarter of mile from Fowey as the crow flies, it's had three female vicars in the past 20 years, among them the Rev Louise Courtney, a colourful character who might well have got on with Geraldine Granger. Now retired, the former air stewardess was known for roaring around the narrow Cornish roads on a quad bike and remembers inadvertently startling tourists on the car ferry which plies between Fowey and Bodinnick, the village which for many years was the home of novelist Daphne du Maurier. 'They'd see me on the quad bike with my dog-collar and cloak and they'd take off their sunglasses and look in disbelief,' says Louise who is now 75. While her mode of transport caused a stir, nobody seems to have given much thought to the fact that she was a woman and she is surprised by the recent decision taken in Fowey. 'A lot of people wouldn't mind a woman priest, but it's the ones that are against who always seem to have the loudest voices,' she said on the phone from her home in France this week. It seems those voices are being paid particular attention in Fowey because of a problem affecting the wider Church of England declining congregations. A recent report revealed that between 1987 and 2019, the number of people regularly attending a C of E church on a Sunday morning fell from around 1.2 million to 679,000. The parish is seeking a male overall head for church leadership. In other words, they don't want a woman priest at the parish church, St Fimbarrus (pictured) Vicar of Dibley characters (L-R, back row first): Frank Pickle, Hugh Horton, Jim Trott, Owen Newitt, Alice Tinker, Geraldine and David Horton Fowey resident Ron Davies, an 82-year-old who was a choirboy at the Grade I listed church in the 1950s, was born near the church and remembers the pews there being packed at every service. 'In those days all the locals went to church,' says the former merchant seaman. 'There were so many people that I was very nervous when I walked down the aisle in my cassock for the first time.' These days, except for the summer season when numbers are swollen by visiting holidaymakers, Fowey's church struggles to attract a congregation of more than about 30 worshippers to its Sunday services, around one per cent of the town's population of about 2,500. Many who do attend are retirees, reflecting the ageing population in Fowey where the influx of outsiders buying second homes has seen prices rocketing, forcing out youngsters who grew up there but can no longer afford to live in the town. The church's problems were exacerbated when, four years ago, the previous vicar Philip de Grey-Warter decided to leave the C o E because he disagreed with its decision to allow trans people to be baptised to recognise their transition. He set up another church, holding Sunday services in the local sailing club and taking many of St Fimbarrus's congregation with him. And, even allowing for the gloom cast by the rain dripping from the daffodils in its graveyard this week, it has the air of a church in decline. Visit other churches across the country and you will see the walls of the entrance porches festooned with posters and leaflets reflecting community life, from craft fairs to coffee mornings in aid of the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal. Here there are only two notices one about 'safeguarding', the other that statement put out by the PCC. As it explains, the appointment of a new priest following Philip de Grey-Warter's departure was delayed pending a review of how the Diocese of Truro was organised and it was only last month that funding for a part-time priest living and working in Fowey was finally approved. In the meantime, the running of the church has fallen to a small group of volunteers, among them church warden Carol Carruthers, a local businesswoman and grandmother of eight who is a member of the PCC. 'We were left in a situation where we only had a handful of people still in our church, so we had to pick up the pieces,' she said. It seems that the Reverend Geraldine Granger, the vicar French played in the much-loved sitcom, might feel rather less enthusiastically received in Fowey 'Of that small group, it became apparent that there were definitely two different theological views on whether you need to have a male vicar leading a church. 'That isn't my view and I'm in support of women priests. But I don't want the church to split again and if we appointed a female then they would leave the church. We're trying to be inclusive and respect differing theological views.' The Mail was unable to find anyone on the PCC who was willing to talk about why they oppose women priests. However, they are thought to have been in the minority with those who support the appointment of female clergy going along with the decision in 'a spirit of unity' as the statement puts it. It adds that the PCC is offering 'a compromise position where we will both welcome women priests to teach the Bible faithfully each Sunday and lead communion, but seek an overall male priest in charge'. Far from mollifying those who believe there should be women priests, this has been interpreted by other members of the congregation as akin to suggesting that women should be allowed to clean, cook and host social gatherings, but not take part in any big decisions about how a house is run. 'Everybody I know would be perfectly happy to have a woman priest,' said one female parishioner who did not want to give her name. 'I feel intense irritation. I just really don't see why a very small body within the church should manage to deprive the rest of us of a priest in charge on gender grounds.' 'It's a very divided congregation on the issue,' said another female worshipper at St Fimbarrus, who also asked not to be named. 'I think it's really sad. In this day and age, we should have women priests and as my husband always points out, the Queen was head of the Church and she was female.' 'I used to go to the services regularly,' another woman told me. 'But I've stopped because of what's been happening at the church.' Regular church-goers aside, other locals have been angered by the negative light which the PCC's decision has cast on Fowey generally. 'There's not a single person I know who is against women priests,' says 39-year-old Alan Giles, a carpet-fitter who doubles as the town crier. 'We've all been taken aback by it. There are all these social media posts calling Fowey sexist and we're like 'hang on, don't tar us all with the same brush'.' 'It's very disappointing,' agreed 36-year-old Kate Longman, owner of Shrew Books which overlooks the church. 'It's not how I've understood the church community here. I believe that most people here have a fairly progressive outlook.' 'I've got two children that I'm looking at getting christened,' said Colette Malone, 33. 'We're not taking them there though because I don't agree with what they're saying about women priests, and I don't want to look as though I do agree with it.' As for Ron Davies, that nervous choirboy of yesteryear, he, too, has no problem with women priests. 'I'd be happy for my cremation service to be taken by one when my time comes,' he said. Emma Chambers as Alice pictured with James Fleet as Hugo (centre) and Gary Waldhorn as David in the show The Vicar of Dibley is a British sitcom which ran on from 1994 to 2007 Whether there will ever be a female incumbent at St Fimbarrus to perform such honours remains to be seen. For the moment it seems unlikely but Rev Louise Courtney, she of the dog-collar and quad bike, believes it might be only a matter of time. She recalled how, in one Cornish parish where lots of denominations worshipped together, there was a Catholic man who refused to talk to her, let alone take communion from her. 'I've always won people over by just gently working with them,' she said. 'After about two years, I was going down the row and when I got to him I stood back to let the male priest give him communion but he said: 'No, I'd like you to please.' 'It was one of the most marvellous things that has ever happened to me and I still get a lump in my throat when I think about it. 'So maybe there's hope for a woman priest in Fowey yet.' The Bank of England has rushed to put minds at ease by insisting that Britain's banking system is 'safe and 'sound' after Credit Suisse was dramatically rescued yesterday. Switzerland's second biggest lender was bought by rival UBS in a sensational shotgun wedding of two of Switzerland's most established financial institutions. The tie-up managed to avert an 'unthinkable' catastrophic collapse of Credit Suisse, which would have been the worst financial disaster since the 2008 banking crisis. The Bank of England confirmed it had been 'engaging closely with international counterparts' before the takeover and vowed that the UK's financial market will weather the storm. 'The UK banking system is well capitalised and funded, and remains safe and sound,' it said. Although the Bank of England is trying to instil trust in the public, the takeover comes amid fears that thousands of jobs could be at risk in the UK. Rescue deal agreed: Swiss Federal President Alain Berset, left, and Thomas J. Jordan, right, chairman Swiss National Bank, shake hands besides Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter after the UBS takeover offer today The two Swiss banks employ about 11,000 people in the City of London and Canary Wharf (pictured) - with jobs cuts now feared following the merger The Swiss banks employ more than 11,000 staff in the City of London and Canary Wharf and heavy job losses are expected as a result of the merger. As one of the world's 30 'systemically important' banks, Credit Suisse is considered large enough that its failure would lead to wider financial problems. Reports suggest last night's bailout is thought to have cost $2billion (1.64billion) - although some reports suggest it was as high as $2.6billion. The deal capped a torrid week for Credit Suisse in which its shares fell by more than any time since the outbreak of Covid even after being thrown a 45billion lifeline by the Swiss authorities. The whole banking sector has been shaken by the collapse of US-based lenders Silicon Valley Bank, Silvergate and Signature Bank. Alain Berset, President of the Swiss Confederation, said 'unthinkable consequences for Switzerland and the world' had Credit Suisse been allowed to fail, after it 'lost the confidence of the market' At a hastily arranged conference in Switzerland's capital Bern last night, Mr Berset said: 'Credit Suisse is one of two major banks in the country. 'Its destiny is not only decisive for Switzerland's businesses and its private customers and employees but essential for the stability of the whole in financial sector.' He said the bank had been a 'source of concern' for a few months and the tie up was the 'best solution' for restoring confidence to financial markets. The final deal is believed to value Credit Suisse at up to 1.6billion, which is a fraction of its value at the end of last week. It will also see Credit Suisse's shareholders virtually wiped out. Talks were orchestrated by the Swiss National Bank and regulator Finma, with the Bank of England understood to have given its blessing to the deal. Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter said 'markets will be calm' following the deal. 'There will be relief that the authorities are clearly ready to do what it takes to bring about stability,' she said. Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, said: 'I welcome the swift action and the decisions taken by the Swiss authorities. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, right, speaks next to Colm Kelleher, left, chairman of UBS, during a press conference in Bern, Switzerland, March 19 2023 'They are instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability. The euro area banking sector is resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions.' UBS agreed to buy Credit Suisse after increasing its offer from about $1billion to more than $2bn (1.64bn) following urgent talks today. The banking giant will pay more than 0.50 francs ($0.5401) a share in its own stock, far below Credit Suisse's closing price of 1.86 francs on Friday, FT reported, citing sources. The agreement follows meetings earlier today in Bern between the Federal Council, the Swiss National Bank, UBS and Credit Suisse to settle the future of the bank. Confirming the deal at a press conference this evening, Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said: 'The bankruptcy of a globally systematically important bank would have caused irreparable economic turmoil in Switzerland and throughout the world. For this reason, Switzerland had to take the responsibilities beyond its own borders. 'These efforts have paid off. The federal council is convinced that UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse has laid the foundations for greater stability both in Switzerland and internationally.' The Bank of England echoed the sentiment in a statement: 'We welcome the comprehensive set of actions set out by the Swiss authorities today in order to support financial stability. We have been engaging closely with international counterparts throughout the preparations for today's announcements and will continue to support their implementation.' Karin Keller-Sutter stressed the urgency of the deal and said the takeover would ensure greater stability in Switzerland and around the world Investor confidence plunged following a string of scandals tied to Credit Suisse, and the separate collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on March 10. The Financial Times, which was the first on Friday to report the prospect of Switzerland's biggest bank swallowing up Credit Suisse, said UBS had offered to buy it for up to $1billion (820mn). The transaction would be worth 25 cents (0.23 Swiss francs) per Credit Suisse share, the FT said. But the 167-year-old bank pushed back on UBS' initial offer, with the support of its largest shareholder, believing that it was too low and settling on $2bn. Authorities urged UBS to get the deal over the line before the stock exchange reopened on Monday in order to reassure investors and avoid a spread of panic on the markets. A merger of this scale would usually take months to complete. The SonntagsZeitung newspaper called it 'the merger of the century'. Chairperson of the Swiss National Bank Thomas Jordan converses on the day he attends a meeting on UBS and Credit Suisse at the Swiss Finance Department, in Bern earlier today 'The unthinkable becomes true: Credit Suisse is about to be taken over by UBS,' the weekly said. The government, FINMA and the SNB 'see no other option', it claimed. UBS agreed to assume up to $5.4bn (5bn francs) in losses as part of the shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities. The deal includes 100bn Swiss francs ($108bn) in liquidity assistance for UBS and Credit Suisse from the Swiss central bank. At a press conference on Sunday evening, Swiss President Alain Berset said the deal was supported by the federal council and negotiating parties. He said the takeover was the best way of restoring confidence in the financial system. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said: 'The bankruptcy of a globally systematically important bank would have caused irreparable economic turmoil.' Pictured are Axel Lehmann, Chairman Credit Suisse, Colm Kelleher, Chairman UBS, Karin Keller-Sutter, and Swiss Federal President Alain Berset at the press conference The British government welcomed the steps taken by Switzerland to 'support financial stability'. 'The UK Government welcomes the steps taken today by the Swiss authorities in relation to Credit Suisse to support financial stability,' finance minister Jeremy Hunt said on Twitter. 'The Bank of England has confirmed the UK banking system remains safe, sound and well capitalised,' he added. The US Treasury also welcomed the resolution. A joint statement from treasury secretary Janet L. Yellen and Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell read: 'We welcome the announcements by the Swiss authorities today to support financial stability. 'The capital and liquidity positions of the US banking system are strong, and the US financial system is resilient. We have been in close contact with our international counterparts to support their implementation.' Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, released a statement saying: 'I welcome the swift action and the decisions taken by the Swiss authorities. 'They are instrumental for restoring orderly market conditions and ensuring financial stability.' After suffering heavy falls on the stock market last week, Credit Suisse's share price closed on Friday at 1.86 Swiss francs, with the bank worth just over $8.7billion. Credit Suisse's share price has dropped from 12.78 Swiss francs in February 2021 following a string of scandals. Despite the drop, Credit Suisse were able to negotiate sale terms of twice the initial UBS offer. While smaller than its Swiss rival UBS, Credit Suisse still wields considerable influence, with $1.4 trillion assets under management. The firm has significant trading desks around the world, caters to the rich and wealthy through its wealth management business, and is a major advisor for global companies in mergers and acquisitions. Notably, Credit Suisse did not need government assistance in 2008 during the financial crisis, while UBS did. ECB President Christine Lagarde said the banks 'are in a completely different position from 2008' during the financial crisis, partly because of stricter government regulation. The Swiss bank has been pushing to raise money from investors and roll out a new strategy to overcome an array of troubles, including bad bets on hedge funds, repeated shake-ups of its top management and a spying scandal involving UBS. Vice Chair of UBS' Board of Directors Lukas Gaehwiler (L) and Member of the Group Executive Board of UBS Markus Ronner (R) pictured today in Bern as the Federal Council, the Swiss National Bank and bank reps meet at the Bernerhof to resolve the future of Credit Suisse Chairman of the Swiss National Bank (SNB) Thomas Jordan (L) with SNB vice chairman Martin Schlegel (2ndR) leaves the Swiss Federal Department of Finance after talks on Credit Suisse bank crisis, in Bern on March 19, 2023 While under Swiss rules, UBS would typically have to consult shareholders over six weeks, but could use emergency measures to skip the consultation period and a shareholder vote, the FT said, citing unnamed sources. Members of the Swiss government, including President Alain Berset, were reportedly filmed heading into the finance ministry in Bern early on Sunday. The government did not respond when contacted on Sunday. READ MORE: Future of Credit Suisse hangs in the balance as efforts intensify to rescue stricken bank amid growing global banking crisis Advertisement David Benamou, chief investment officer of Paris-based Axiom Alternative Investments, said: 'The Credit Suisse management, even if forced to do so by the authorities, would only choose (a UBS takeover) if they have no other solution.' The Swiss Bank Employees Association said there was 'a great deal at stake' for the 17,000 Credit Suisse staff, 'and therefore also for our economy'. 'In addition, tens of thousands of jobs outside of the banking industry would potentially be at risk,' it added, calling for a task force to be established to manage the situation. Like UBS, Credit Suisse is one of 30 banks around the world deemed to be Global Systemically Important Banks - of such importance to the international banking system that they are considered too big to fail. But the market movement seemed to suggest the bank was being perceived as a weak link in the chain. 'We are now awaiting a definitive and structural solution to the problems of this bank,' French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Le Parisien newspaper. Amid fears of contagion after the collapse of two US banks, Credit Suisse's share price plunged by more than 30 percent on Wednesday to a new record low of 1.55 Swiss francs. That saw the SNB step in overnight with a $54-billion lifeline to shore up investor confidence. Analysts at American investment bank JPMorgan still said the loan from the SNB would not be enough to soothe investor concerns and 'status quo was no longer an option'. Despite shares rising 35% on Thursday, they said a takeover was still the mostly likely outcome for Credit Suisse - predicting correctly that UBS would look to snap up the bank. In 2022, Credit Suisse suffered a net loss of $7.9bn and expects a 'substantial' pre-tax loss this year. Swiss bank UBS took over troubled rival Credit Suisse for $2bn today It comes amid urgent talks aimed at saving embattled bank Credit Suisse from a bloodbath when the markets reopen The headquarters of UBS (L) and Credit Suisse (R) at Paradeplatz in Zurich, Switzerland The turmoil follows investor concerns over the accuracy of the Credit Suisse's financial reporting and the bank's relationship with investors, as well as a string of scandals dating back several years. The bank slashed staff numbers by 9,000 in October last year, seven months after bringing in new CEO Ulrich Korner to replace Antonio Horta-Osorio, who resigned after it was revealed he had breached Covid rules. That summer, Credit Suisse was found guilty of failing to prevent money laundering by a Bulgarian cocaine trafficking gang. The extent of the bank's problems were apparent by February 2023, when it reported its largest annual loss since 2008 - $1.5bn down in the last quarter of the year. On 28 February it was ruled Credit Suisse had 'seriously breached' its risk management obligations in its relationship with disgraced lender Lex Greensill and companies. Last week, this came to a head when Credit Suisse acknowledged 'material weakness' in its financial reporting as it scrapped bonuses for top execs. The Saudi National Bank - Credit Suisse's top shareholder - then said it would no longer buy shares due to regulatory issues, tanking share prices a further 25%. As recently as October, the Saudi bank had looked to capitalise on cheap shares - 55% down following a string of scandals and changes at the top - which they had deemed 'a steal' at the time. On Thursday, Credit Suisse announced it would borrow up to $53.68bn from the Swiss National Bank, hours after it was offered a loan to shore up liquidity. JPMorgan predicted that the bank would be taken over - most likely by UBS - despite the lifeline from the Swiss National Bank. A serial rogue trader who fleeced a pensioner out of 25,000 for a 320 job has been jailed after causing misery and stress to his victims. George Austin, 37, quoted the lower price when persuading his victim that she needed a new roof but soon upped the figure to a staggering 25,000. Austin, from Lancaster, convinced the 64-year-old victim to agree to the job on her doorstep after telling her the roof needed replacing, a court heard. He went on to demand and get 25,000 and requested a further 5,000 before vanishing after she refused to pay the extra amount. Austin was exposed after the woman, who lives with her elderly father, reported him to Lancashire Trading Standards. George Austin (pictured) quoted the lower price when persuading his victim that she needed a new roof but soon upped the figure to a staggering 25,000 The roof was deemed to be suitable for the next 40-50 years by trading standards inspectors, who stated that no more than 300 of work had taken place. District Judge Healey sentenced the roofer to ten months in prison and said he was a prime example of a rogue trader who had caused misery and stress to his victims. In a statement read to Preston Crown Court, the victim said she felt exploited by Austin and believes he took advantage of her grief after she lost her mother. A second victim from a separate offence claimed that Austin had left his wife feeling broken, while another said his wifes personality had changed as a result of her experiences with the rogue trader. Austin blamed a bereavement in his family for the crime, claiming it led him to drink and prioritise himself over others. The roofer also said he was genuinely sorry. Speaking after the hearing, Lancashire County Councillor Michael Green said: This is another shocking example of a rogue trader being sent to prison for ripping off vulnerable consumers in their own homes. His actions have inflicted significant harm upon many victims in Lancashire. A hearing to make Austin repay the money he stole from his victims is set to take place later this year. The Home Secretary has hinted she will make it easier for chief constables to dismiss misogynistic, racist and corrupt police officers. Suella Braverman vowed to change the police disciplinary process if a major report into the culture at Scotland Yard concludes it is required. A source said that in the worst case scenario the Met which has more than 40,000 officers and staff was at risk of being split into smaller units if it is unable to follow recommendations in the report. The review, conducted by Baroness Casey and due to be published tomorrow, is understood to have uncovered failings in every department examined and will reveal examples of rampant homophobia, sexism and racism in Britains biggest police force. Nothing is off the table when it comes to restoring public confidence in policing, the source said. Suella Braverman listens during a visit to another housing development for migrants in the capital Kigali, Rwanda Killer: Wayne Couzens in the Met One of the key recommendations made by the review is that the elite parliamentary and diplomatic protection (PaDP) unit, where both Wayne Couzens, the killer of Sarah Everard, and serial rapist David Carrick worked, should be disbanded in its current form. But the Home Secretary acknowledged it was still very difficult for top brass to take action against problem officers within the ranks. Chief constables are powerless to sack officers whose jobs were spared by misconduct panels. Ive announced changes that we are going to make or consult on at least for the moment on the dismissals process, Ms Braverman said yesterday on a visit to Rwanda. Weve found that it is very difficult for a chief constable to dismiss an officer who falls short... If the law needs changing, I will do that. The Casey review was commissioned following Ms Everards murder and a string of scandals that ultimately led to the resignation of the Mets former commissioner, Dame Cressida Dick. Among the other episodes were the publication of horrific messages shared between officers at Charing Cross police station and two policemen who were jailed for photographing the bodies of murdered sisters at a crime scene. Ms Braverman said Sir Mark Rowley, who succeeded Dame Cressida in September, had her full support in reforming the force. There have obviously been real failings by the Met over recent years, and some of those have been tragic, she continued. Whats important now is that we get behind the Commissioner and his turnaround plan, and we support him and his deputy to ensure that the Met is recruiting and retaining the best people to protect the public, and is improving its standards and keeping people safe. Dame Cressida pre-empted the reports publication by defending her tenure, saying she was proud of the genuine changes and improvements in culture that came in my time as commissioner. In a letter to the Sunday Times she added: I have spent my entire service challenging racism, sexism and discrimination in any form and have always been known as someone who insists on high professional standards. Among the recommendations is understood to be the creation of an advisory board overseen by Londons mayor that would systematically review the forces culture. And the review will call for the PaDP command, which provides security for politicians, diplomats and other VIPs, to be broken up after it failed to spot monsters Carrick and Couzens within its ranks. Sources said the report would be scathing about poor supervision in the unit and a lack of female officers recruited to armed policing, creating a misogynistic culture. A host of historians, broadcasters and high-ranking RAF veterans have joined forces in the battle against a 'very alarming' plan to turn the Dambusters' former HQ into a refugee detention centre. In an open letter, they have urged Suella Braverman to reconsider the proposal for RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, saying that to erase its heritage would be a 'scandalous desecration of immeasurable recklessness'. The 44 who have signed the letter include historians Sir Antony Beevor, Sir Max Hastings, Dan Snow and Tracy Borman, broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby, Falklands veteran Air Marshal Graeme 'Black' Robertson, First Gulf War veteran Air Marshal Cliff Spink, and comedian Al Murray, who presents a popular podcast about the Second World War. RAF Scampton closed last year. The 617 Squadron the Dambusters was formed at the airfield, from where 19 Lancaster bombers departed for the famous raid in 1943 to destroy three dams in the Ruhr valley, the industrial heartland of Germany, with 'bouncing bombs'. A host of historians, broadcasters and high-ranking RAF veterans have joined forces in the battle against a 'very alarming' plan to turn the Dambusters' former HQ into a refugee detention centre. Pictured: A Lancaster HAP at RAF Scampton in 1967 The 617 Squadron the Dambusters was formed at the airfield, from where 19 Lancaster bombers departed for the famous raid in 1943 to destroy three dams in the Ruhr valley. Pictured: 617 Squadron led by 24-year old Wing Commander Guy Gibson (in aircraft door) The 800-acre site in Lincolnshire had been earmarked by the council for a 300million regeneration project, which would make it a centre of aerospace technology and create 1,000 jobs as well as, the letter says, having the aim of 'honouring the incredibly rich heritage of Scampton'. The letter highlights how it would include turning the officers' mess into a hotel, offering the 'enticing thought' of being able to sleep where 'so many courageous airmen' did, including 617 Squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Aviation historian Victoria Taylor and James Holland, who is chairman of the Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival, wrote the letter, which they shared on Twitter. In it, they write: 'Of course refugees need to be housed in a safe, functional and secure location, but do they need to be taken to a place where there is already an exciting and viable plan to safeguard its future and in a county where such investment is so desperately needed? 'And where the dramatic change of use to an asylum centre will threaten the rich heritage of the site? 'There are other options alternative sites throughout the UK that do not share Scampton's heritage, nor an already oven-ready levelling-up plan.' The letter adds: 'Johnny Johnson, the last of the Dambusters, recently passed away, which means it is now left to the buildings of Scampton to provide that all-important tangible link to the past.' The letter also points out that Scampton's heritage dates back to a Royal Flying Corps airfield on the site in the First World War, pre-dating its 1930s development, and that post-war it became an important Cold War base. The 800-acre site in Lincolnshire had been earmarked by the council for a 300million regeneration project. Pictured: The commemorative flight of a Lancaster Bomber, carrying members of the original 617 squadron from Biggin Hill to Lincolnshire in 1967 to mark the anniversary of the Dambusters raid Comedian Al Murray, best known for his pub landlord character, described the plans as 'bizarre' Comedian Al Murray, best known for his pub landlord character, yesterday said: 'Losing the redevelopment plan in place strikes me as bizarre.' The Home Office said: 'The Government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders.' Black holes are among the most fascinating and fiercely debated objects in the universe. They have captured the public's imagination for decades, partly thanks to the late Stephen Hawking, who transformed them from a difficult-to-understand scientific theory to a source of mysterious wonder. They have also percolated popular culture through sci-fi magazines, Star Trek and Hollywood blockbusters. But what are the five most bizarre and captivating theories about black holes that are so unfathomable the mind boggles? Here MailOnline takes a look. Mysterious: Black holes are among the most fascinating and fiercely debated objects in the universe (stock image) Scientists discover two supermassive black holes dining side-by-side with just 750 light-years between them - READ MORE Astronomers have discovered two black holes 'dining' side-by-side Advertisement 1. They are surrounded by a 'ring of fire' In 2019, astronomers took the first ever image of a black hole located in a distant galaxy. Described by scientists as 'a monster', it is three million times the size of the Earth. The image shows an intensely bright 'ring of fire', as researchers described it, surrounding a perfectly circular dark hole. 'It feels like looking at the gates of hell,' said Heino Falcke of Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. As black holes consume matter that strays too close, they squeeze it into a superheated disk of glowing gas. In the image of the gargantuan black hole at the heart of the nearby galaxy Messier 87 (M87), the bottom of the ring appears bright because the gases there are being whipped toward Earth. The black hole also bends light around it, which is what creates the circular shadow. In an historic first, scientists have captured a remarkable image of a supermassive black hole at the heart of our Milky Way 2. They have 'hair' In 2015, the late physicist Professor Stephen Hawking suggested that black holes were not the 'eternal prisons' many think them to be, adding that it was possible for data to escape from the abyss. A year later he expanded on the theory by stating that the answer lies in the zero-energy particles, or 'soft hair', that sit on the black hole's horizon. In 2015, Professor Stephen Hawking suggested that black holes were not the 'eternal prisons' many think them to be, adding that it was possible for data to escape from the abyss. A year later he expanded on the theory by stating that the answer lies in the zero-energy particles, or 'soft hair', that sit on the black hole's horizon (stock image) It suggests that particles that sit on the event horizon, the boundary of the black hole, would consist of photons and gravitons, which are subatomic packets of light and gravitational energy. These very low, or even zero-energy, quantum particles deposited on the edge of the black hole, can capture and store information stripped from the particles falling into the black hole. This effectively means that while the particles falling into the black hole may be gone, their information continues to linger at the edge of oblivion in this 'soft hair' of quantum particles. The theoretical physicist likened the return of information to a burned encyclopedia, where information would not technically be lost, but would be incredibly hard to decipher. The hypothesis has not been proven, but could help solve a longstanding paradox about what happens to gas and dust that has fallen into a black hole. 3. They emit fountains of gas A black hole's powerful gravitational grip means nothing can escape if it gets extremely close to the hole's edge. But many of these mysterious objects are actually surrounded by a build up of gas and dust that circle black holes a bit like water going down a drain. According to a 2018 study, this build-up of material is a three-step process. A black hole's powerful gravitational grip means nothing can escape if it gets extremely close to the hole's edge. But many of these mysterious objects are actually surrounded by a build up of gas and dust , which shoots straight into the air and strongly resembles fountains First, the cold gas forms a disk near the plane of rotation, heating up until the molecules break down. Some of these molecules are expelled above and below the disk, which then fall back down to create a fountain-like structure. Alternative observations also suggest that this motion produces arching rings that surround inner columns of matter, which shoots straight into the air and strongly resembles fountains. 4. They are the source of Dark Energy Just last month, scientists from Imperial College London made an exciting announcement about black holes. They excitingly revealed that the objects might actually be the source of unknown energy known as Dark Energy. Essentially, the Big Bang theory of the creation of our universe originally predicted that its expansion would slow down or even begin to contract because of the pull of gravity. Breakthrough: Scientists have found the first evidence that black holes are the source of dark energy. They studied galaxies and the supermassive black holes at the heart of them. Pictured is NGC 1316, a lenticular galaxy about 60 million light-years away in the constellation Fornax But in 1998, astronomers were surprised to find that not only was the universe still expanding, this expansion was also accelerating. To account for this discovery, it was proposed that a 'Dark Energy' was responsible for pushing things apart more strongly than gravity. This was linked to a concept Einstein had proposed but later discarded a 'cosmological constant' that opposed gravity and kept the universe from collapsing. Black holes posed a problem though their extremely strong gravity is hard to oppose, especially at their centres, where everything seems to break down in a phenomenon called a 'singularity'. To dig deeper into the problem, a team of 17 researchers from nine countries studied nine billion years of black hole evolution. They observed ancient and dormant galaxies and found that black holes gain mass in a way that is consistent with them containing vacuum energy, or Dark Energy. In fact, the size of the universe at different points in time fitted closely with the mass of supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies. In other words, the amount of Dark Energy in the universe can be accounted for by black hole vacuum energy meaning black holes are the source of dark energy. 5. They may be 'back doors' to other parts of the universe Deep inside a black hole is the gravitational singularity, where space-time curves toward infinity, and no matter passing through can survive. Or so it has always been thought. However, in a recent study researchers suggested that there may actually be a way out through a wormhole at the centre of the black hole, which acts as a 'back door'. Deep inside a black hole is the gravitational singularity, where space-time curves toward infinity, and no matter passing through can survive (stock image) By this theory, anything traveling through the black hole would be 'spaghettified', or stretched to the extreme, but returned back to its normal size when it emerges in a different region of the universe. While it is unlikely that a human would survive this process, the researchers say the matter inside the black hole would not be lost forever as it has previously been thought, and would instead be expelled into another area of the universe. And, the researchers say there would be no need for 'exotic' energy to generate the wormhole, as Einstein's theory of gravity suggests. Advertisement What does a fashion empire buy you? Well for Tommy Hilfiger, his eponymous brand enabled him to land his 'most prized-possession' - a $46 million mega yacht - complete with seven chic cabins, a rooftop jacuzzi, a pizza oven, an elevator and more. The 71-year-old recently welcomed Los Angeles-based YouTuber Enes Yilmazer aboard his bobbing beauty 'Flag' to get a taste of the high life on the high seas. Yilmazer's 51-minute-long film offers a comprehensive tour of the 204.5ft vessel, along with bite-sized interviews with Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Ocleppo, where they talk about their love of yachting. Tommy Hilfiger's eponymous fashion label enabled him to land his 'most prized-possession' - a $46 million mega yacht - complete with seven cabins, a rooftop jacuzzi, a pizza oven, an elevator and more The 71-year-old recently welcomed Los Angeles-based YouTuber Enes Yilmazer aboard his bobbing beauty 'Flag' to get a taste of the high life on the high seas. Hilfiger pictured with his wife Dee Ocleppo and YouTuber Yilmazer The master cabin aboard Hilfiger's yacht, complete with a TV that pops up at the foot of the bed The yacht features a 'super spacious' walk-in closet complete with downlighters on the hanging rails One of the guest bathrooms on the mega yacht, complete with mosaic and natural stone detailing In one scene, Hilfiger explains to Yilmazer how he has 'done a lot' to the mega yacht - which can sleep 12 guests at a time in seven cabins, as well as homing 17 crew members - since purchasing it, with some of his additions including 'new air conditioning, [a] new galley, new tenders, new toys.' He adds: 'I keep it in impeccable condition... The crew is incredibly experienced and professional... my family looks at them as family.' On the subject of the yacht's name Hilfiger - who founded his business in 1985 - reveals that he changed the moniker from Faith to Flag in honor of his company. He says with a smile: 'The reason I changed it... is because the logo for my company is a red, white and blue flag and actually because of my company I was able to buy the yacht.' In a first-person piece for GQ Magazine, Hilfiger previously described Flag as his 'most-prized possession' and his 'summer home.' He said that when he is onboard, he most likes to spend his time on the rear deck, 'because you see water on all sides.' In terms of where the boat has sailed, Hilfiger revealed some of his favorite ports of call as St Barths, Mustique, Saint-Tropez, and Portofino. Monaco is another of the designer's top locations where he has welcomed the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid on board for parties during the Grand Prix. In his recent YouTube video, Yilmazer explains that he was lucky to stay on Hilfiger's yacht while it cruised around the Bahamas and everything about the experience was 'incredible' and 'unforgettable.' The sundeck on the yacht features an oversized jacuzzi and a glass barrier so bathers can soak up the views In one scene, Hilfiger explains to Yilmazer how he has 'done a lot' to the mega yacht since purchasing it, with some of his additions including 'new air conditioning, [a] new galley, new tenders, new toys' In his YouTube video, Yilmazer explains that he was lucky to stay on Hilfiger's yacht while it cruised around the Bahamas and everything about the experience was 'incredible' and 'unforgettable' On the subject of the yacht's name Hilfiger - who founded his business in 1985 - reveals that he changed the moniker from Faith to Flag in honor of his company Yilmazer strikes a pose with the fashion designer and his wife following his superyacht experience Some of his highlights included 'the food, the picturesque views and the hospitality of the crew onboard.' The Turkish native leads his camera crew around the yacht and spends time showcasing each area. The main salon, the formal dining area, the guests state rooms, and the owner's state room, are among the spots he dips into. Many of the rooms feature TVs that are hidden from view. There is one secreted by a panel in the salon bar, one lurking behind an artwork in the same room and another that pops up from the foot of the bed in the owner's cabin. Other luxury features include underfloor heating in the bathrooms along with natural stone detailing, and downlighters on the clothing rails in the 'super spacious' walk-in closet off the owner's cabin so that guests can see their garbs in the dark. Meanwhile in the main salon, one cabinet offers an expansive whisky and cognac collection including a Glenlivet Archive 21 Yr ($300), a Remy Martin Cognac Louis XIII ($4,500) and a Hennessy XO Cognac ($200). For cigar enthusiasts, another temperature controlled cabinet showcases some of the finest rolls. Yilmazer also visits some of the less glamorous areas of the motor yacht including the wheel house, the engine room and the crew quarters where 17 staff members live. A beautiful curved wooden staircase connects the yacht's different levels Flag was originally built in 2000 by Dutch shipbuilder Feadship. She was christened Cakewalk but the name has changed several times since When he's not on his boat, Hilfiger charters her out through Burgess from $448,000 a week Yacht broker Burgess says of the vessel: 'One of the most high-profile yachts on the charter scene, 62m motor yacht Flag is the ideal choice for those looking for a sophisticated, yet fun vacation' In the main salon, a cabinet offers an expansive whisky and cognac collection including a Glenlivet Archive 21 Yr ($300), a Remy Martin Cognac Louis XIII ($4,500) and a Hennessy XO Cognac ($200) On the technical side of things, the yacht has a cruising speed of 15 knots an hour So that crew and guests alike can navigate the yacht's four levels with ease, there is an elevator running from floor to floor. Alternatively, there is a 'phenomenal' curved, wood paneled staircase. Moving outside, there are multiple outdoor dining areas and an over-sized jacuzzi on the sundeck with a glass barrier so bathers can soak up the views. Another standout feature is a pizza oven, which Yilmazer says he rarely sees on yachts. On the technical side of things, the yacht has a cruising speed of 15 knots an hour, while its maximum speed is 16 knots an hour. While at cruising speed it consumes 500 liters per hour. According to Luxury Viewer, this means the yacht would cost roughly $2,500 per hour to run which would equate to around $31,000 for a 12-hour cruising period. Flag was originally built in 2000 by Dutch shipbuilder Feadship. She was christened Cakewalk but the name has changed several times since. When he's not on his boat, Hilfiger charters her out through Burgess from $448,000 a week. The yacht broker says of the vessel: 'One of the most high-profile yachts on the charter scene, 62m motor yacht Flag is the ideal choice for those looking for a sophisticated, yet fun vacation.' He rose to fame at the height of the paparazzi era in the early Noughties. But tattoo artist Ami James, the star Miami Ink, NY Ink, Ink Master and most recently The Tattoo Shop, has revealed he hates Hollywood and refuses to tattoo celebrities. Despite being a celebrity himself, the 50-year-old dislikes working with famous clients and often passes them onto other artists when they stop by his parlours in New York, Miami, London and Cork, Ireland. He told Daily Mail Australia his aversion stems from bad experiences with self-indulgent stars who like to complain about life in the spotlight while getting inked. 'I have no desire to sit there and talk to some Hollywood t**t about how hard his life is,' he said. He rose to fame at the height of the paparazzi era in the early Noughties, but tattoo artist Ami James, the star Miami Ink, has revealed he hates Hollywood and refuses to tattoo celebrities Despite being a celebrity himself, the 50-year-old dislikes working with famous clients and often passes them onto other artists when they stop by his parlours 'I have no desire to listen to anything... they're living in a narrow world and, you know, some sort of a f**king bubble, as if it resembles to my life in any way. 'And we have nothing in common. And I just choose to be me. I have no interest in it. 'So usually when they contact me to get tattooed, I will just send them to one of the guys in the shop, and just let them deal with it. 'Most of them [celebrities] are f**king really difficult to deal with.' Ami said he would much rather tattoo a normal person, adding that he's much more interested in the art than the person. 'I would rather tattoo the cemetery guy, the garbageman. I would rather tattoo of the working class, because I come from the working class,' he said. Despite starring on multiple reality shows, Ami said he actually dislikes being on TV and tries to avoid the glitz and glamour that comes with it. 'I despise Hollywood, I despise everything about it, I don't participate in it,' he said. Ami spoke to Daily Mail Australia at the Australian Tattoo Expo (pictured), which ran from March 10 to 12 at Sydney's International Convention Centre While Ami is grateful for the opportunities fame has brought him, such as travelling the world, the biggest downside for him is losing a lot of his privacy 'It's not my life. I am just an artist and I love doing what I do. And I've never stopped tattooing, even when I could have. 'It's just what I've always wanted to do. It's not like I only tattoo but that's just my passion. That's what I love doing. That's what I'm here for. 'I hate doing TV, which is really odd because I keep doing TV. 'But I mean, there's two different types of people: people that do TV because they want to become famous and people that do TV because it helps their businesses because you're smart enough to realise how much it helps your businesses grow. 'And through that, you can you can open different channels.' Ami spoke to Daily Mail Australia at the Australian Tattoo Expo, which ran from March 10 to 12 at Sydney's International Convention Centre. While he said he was grateful for the opportunities fame had brought him, such as travelling the world, the biggest downside for him is losing a lot of his privacy. 'The worst thing that ever happened with becoming known is you lose your privacy,' he said. 'People constantly assume they know everything about you because they watched a f**king reality show, which is just absurd. More than 40,000 visitors were expected at the Australia's tattoo expos in 2023 'It's a f**king reality show. If you watch it and you think anything on there is real, you're an imbecile. 'And so you build this persona around a f**king lie and you build this personality that's so far away from your personality. 'Like, I have never walked into one of my shops and screamed at workers ever in my life. Yet that's the persona I have on TV because that's what TV is.' When asked of it bothers him that the public may perceive him as someone he's not, Ami said: 'I always said, "I'm surrounded by 80 per cent of a f**king population of idiots." Right? So take it with a grain of sand. You know, like, it is what it is.' They were the picture-perfect glamour couple who seemingly had it all. But behind the veneer of their high-flying lifestyle and gushing social media posts, things were not going well for fitness influencer Sophie Guidolin and her celebrity dentist husband Dr Andrew Firgaira. After Dr Firgaira confirmed this week the pair had split up just four months after their wedding, many fans were left wondering where it all went wrong. Guidolin, a 34-year-old lifestyle author and self-styled nutritionist, had announced her engagement to Dr Firgaira in June 2022, just over two years after splitting from Married At First Sight star Jake Edwards in May 2020. The two had been close friends for more than a decade before they struck up a romance. 'I was always hanging out with him but I had never thought about him romantically,' Guidolin told 9Honey in December. Behind the veneer of their high-flying lifestyle and gushing social media posts, things were not going well for influencer Sophie Guidolin and her celebrity dentist husband Dr Andrew Firgaira 'It was funny because I had literally been setting him up with my friends and everybody for ages had been like, "Sophie, he's in love with you, and you're in love with him." It was this very sudden but exciting realisation', she explained. Guidolin shares four children with her bodybuilder ex-husband Nathan Wallace, while Dr Firgaira is a father to two daughters from a previous relationship. She was initially hesitant to start a new relationship because of their children, but decided to dive in after realising both she and the doctor were fully committed. 'I had been previously married and I didn't really believe that I would ever get married again. It wasn't until Andrew that I was like, "okay, I can definitely see myself getting married again,"' she added. The couple had been close friends for over a decade before they finally struck up a romance Dr Firgaira proposed during a romantic trip to Santorini in June 2022. He dropped the knee during a professional photo shoot, presenting his lover with an oval-cut diamond ring The genetically blessed pair tied the knot in November, before announcing a month later they were expecting their first child together (pictured) Her dreams of walking down the aisle for a second time came true just months later, when Dr Firgaira proposed during a romantic trip to Santorini in June 2022. He dropped the knee during a professional photo shoot, presenting his girlfriend with an oval-cut diamond ring. The couple tied the knot just five months later, on November 11, during an intimate ceremony in the Byron Bay hinterland. Sharing a photo of two positive pregnancy tests, she wrote on Instagram: 'Hello, subscribers... can you see a double line on here? Is this a honeymoon baby?' In January, Guidolin told fans she had been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. (She is pictured recovering from the condition in hospital) A month later, Guidolin and Dr Firgaira announced they were expecting their first child together, and her fifth overall. Sharing a photo of two positive pregnancy tests, she wrote on Instagram: 'Hello, subscribers... can you see a double line on here? Is this a honeymoon baby?' Unfortunately, Guidolin would go on to encounter serious health problems during her pregnancy. While in hospital, Guidolin shared a post complaining about how lonely she felt without Dr Firgaira by her side. She described her struggles during an exchange with MAFS star Martha Kalifatidis, who was also pregnant at the time In January, she told her followers she had been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. While recovering from the condition in hospital, Guidolin shared a post complaining about how lonely she felt without Dr Firgaira by her side. When asked by fans where her husband was, she said he was on a long-promised holiday in Europe with his daughters. Guidolin announced in late January her fifth child, a girl named Pixie, was stillborn. When asked by her followers where her husband was, Guidolin said he was overseas in Europe Guidolin responded candidly after one fan asked how she was coping 'I cannot begin to articulate my pain, grief and despair through my entire soul,' she wrote in an emotional Instagram post, revealing she underwent a C-section. 'I am trying to trust in God's timing and I have always believed that the universe has my back and no matter how confusing this all feels, I am trying to make sense of this grief with my faith. 'I feel so guilty for my thoughts prior and I would do anything to have that pain, over this harrowing experience. I don't even have the words on how to write or how to comprehend this. Maybe some souls were always meant to be angels.' Guidolin announced in late January her fifth child, and first with Dr Firgaira, a girl named Pixie, was stillborn. 'Maybe some souls were always meant to be angels,' she wrote Split rumours began circulating at about this time, and Guidolin only added fuel to the fire when she began deleting all evidence of Dr Firgaira from her Instagram. Photos of the pair at their wedding were deleted, as well as their engagement post and a photo announcing Guidolin's pregnancy over Christmas last year. Tellingly, Guidolin also quietly unfollowed Dr Firgaira's Instagram account. Tellingly, Guidolin quietly unfollowed Dr Firgaira's Instagram account several weeks ago In late February, Guidolin also posted a cryptic Instagram post hinting at heartbreak. She said she was going through a 'rough patch' and stressed the importance of 'human connection' despite her desire to 'recharge her batteries alone'. Alluding to her need for 'closure' after a difficult time, she wrote: 'Forgiveness is key, but some things are unforgivable and closure is the choice.' She also emphasised the importance of being 'consistent' when providing support for another person. Mr Firgaira confirmed the two had ended their relationship in an Instagram post on Wednesday The dentist said he was 'not willing' to discuss the reasons of the split, adding: 'In order to remove the constant speculation I'll answer this once by saying we are no longer together' Mr Firgaira finally confirmed the two had ended their relationship in an Instagram post on Wednesday. The Gold Coast dental specialist said he was 'not willing' to discuss the reasons of the split, adding: 'In order to remove the constant speculation I'll answer this once by saying we are no longer together. 'I have my reasons why and I'm not prepared to discuss this matter any further.' He said he 'wants people to refrain' from commenting on the relationship as 'nothing positive can come from discussing it further'. Two days later, Guidolin claimed on Instagram she was the one who 'left' her husband, not the other way around. Guidolin was previously in a relationship with Married At First Sight star Jake Edwards (right) She opened up about her failed marriage on her 34th birthday, after posting a gallery of photos with her teenage son Kai, with whom she recently reunited after he spent several months living with her parents in Adelaide while they were going though 'a hard time in our lives'. Guidolin said being back with Kai, who had reportedly not attended her wedding to Dr Firgaira, was 'the silver lining' after a nightmare year. 'The silver lining,' she wrote in the caption. 'Gratitude times a million to have you back in my arms. I will do everything in my power to never let anyone or anything ever come between our bond. 'Thirty-three Nothing on earth could have prepared me for the year that was. Here's to redoing 33 #family #love #Kai.' One of her followers asked in the comments section, 'Where's your hubby?' to which Guidolin replied, 'I left him.' Another fan said, 'Here's to a better year ahead. Happiest birthday,' and the self-styled nutritionist responded, '[It] can't be worse than the last.' Two days after Dr Firgaira confirmed their break-up, Guidolin claimed on Instagram she was the one who 'left' her husband, not the other way around She opened up about her failed marriage on her 34th birthday, after posting a gallery of photos with her teen son Kai, with whom she recently reunited after he spent several months living with her parents in Adelaide while they were going though 'a hard time in our lives' A fan said, 'Here's to a better year ahead. Happiest birthday,' and the self-styled nutritionist responded, '[It] can't be worse than the last' She replied 'oath' when a supporter said it's 'better to split than live a miserable life' One follower offered kind words after Guidolin's horror year, and praised her for her 'bravery' One follower offered kind words after Guidolin's horror year, and praised her for her 'strength' and 'bravery'. 'Sounds like your heart was broken twice this last year, [but] you're still standing, strong and brave, surrounded by so much love,' they wrote. 'Heartbreak is hard, losing a baby is hard. I've lost two as well and nothing makes you mentally stronger.' Guidolin responded with a teary-face emoji, and wrote: 'Yep.' She replied 'oath' when a supporter said it's 'better to split than live a miserable life'. Legendary party boy Corey Worthington is back in the spotlight after being charged over a savage assault. Now 31, Worthington was charged by crime investigation unit detectives with a charge of intentionally causing injury and is set to face Geelong Magistrates Court in Victorias south-west in May. The charges carry a maximum jail sentence of up to 10 years. Worthington became a global sensation when he was just 16 for throwing an out-of-control party at his parents' Narre Warren home while his mum Jo and stepfather Stephen Delaney were holidaying on the Gold Coast in 2008. Corey Worthington transformed his body to become a Ninja Warrior contestant A buffed Corey Worthington had fought hard to get his life on track following the infamous 2008 party incident A public court listing shows Worthington has not yet engaged a lawyer to represent him at the upcoming hearing. It remains unclear how the allegations by police against Worthington are put. Daily Mail Australia contacted Worthington on Thursday, but he did not respond. A virtual pioneer of the powers of social media, Worthington put an open invitation to his 2008 party on MySpace, leading to more than 500 people descending on the house on a Saturday evening. A riot soon broke out as revellers pelted police with broken bottles, damaging cars and surrounding property. It was only brought under control after more than 30 officers, the dog squad and the police helicopter descended on the party and closed it down. While the party made Worthington a hero among his mates, it was his unrepentant interview with A Current Affair's Leila McKinnon that made him an online sensation. Decked out in outrageous yellow sunglasses, bright yellow hair and a floral cap, Worthington fronted the cameras and refused to take responsibility. When McKinnon asked Worthington to remove his sunglasses, the petulant party king refused. 'Nah, nah, Ill leave these on. I like them,' he replied. Worthington appeared in a 2021 advertisement where he wore his semi-iconic yellow-rimmed sunglasses Worthington in the lead-up to his appearance on Ninja Warrior While he did say he was sorry, he added: 'I can't be exactly blamed for everything that happened, it wasn't in the house, it was out on the street and I didn't do it. 'The police said stay inside so you won't get in trouble, and I did what he said, so...' As McKinnon pushed him to apologise further and show his face, he added: 'I'll say sorry, but I'm not taking off my glasses...' After finding fame in 2008, Corey starred on Big Brother season eight later that year. In 2018, he returned to reality television on the second season of Australian Ninja Warrior, debuting his muscular physique. 'Great experience and great people,' he said of his experience on Ninja Warrior. In 2018, he told The Fix he had spent a decade trying to live up to his wild reputation after his out-of-control house party went viral. 'It's been a great ride,' he says proudly of his infamy. 'That's the role I've been chucked into and I owned it as much as I can.' He later had the words 'Not Sorry' inked across his fingers. In 2021, Worthington featured in a television advertisement spruiking an insurance company. 'I'm Corey Worthington but you can call me Corey trust Worthington because I'm a changed man,' he said. 'I've left all that behind and that's why ShareCover has asked me to be your guide to help protect your holiday home from harm.' Corey Worthington (right), seated with 2008 Big Brother hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Worthington refused to remove his sunglasses during this interview with ACA following the 2008 party Worthington had made great leaps to dispel the bad boy image he embraced for years following his instant rise to fame. He married longtime girlfriend, Mel Borg, in 2015 and became a father. Back then he proudly showed off his a beautiful new home and claimed to have seen the error of his ways and mended the rift with his parents. Worthington had calmed his partying ways down and met Mel through mutual friends, ironically, at a party hosted by mates. His father Steve was invited to be best man and their wedding and the celebrations in Bali were wound up at a somewhat respectable 2am. In a return to ACA that year, Worthington told McKinnon he was just a kid during their first meeting 'I was 16, had fun and yeah always will have the yellow sunnies close to heart,' he said then. Tia Mowry looked very fit in her workout gear after leaving a gym session in Studio City on Saturday. The 44-year-old mother-of-two - who divorced actor Cory Hardrict last year - headed home after her morning workout in a pair of skintight brown leggings. The Twitches actress donned a black tank top to expose her arms to the California sun and added black Prada fanny pack across her chest. She spiced up her look with a pair of large gold hoop earrings, several bracelets, and black sunglasses. Her hair was thrown into a messy bun on top of her head, and she kept her face makeup-free. Gym girl: Tia Mowry looked very fit in her workout gear after leaving a gym session in Studio City On the go: The 44-year-old headed home after her morning workout in a pair of skintight brown leggings The Spice By Tia Mowry founder had her hands full as she carried a water bottle, her keys, and her phone. She completed her sporty gym look with a pop of color attributed to the bright sneakers on her feet. Tia recently attended the Essence 16th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 9 in Los Angeles. The star was joined at the event by her twin sister Tamera Mowry, 44, as they supported the night's honorees. Both sisters were clad in pink as they posed for individual photos and ones together. Tia sported a baby pink plaid blazer dress that cut off at the top of her thigh and had a small opening in the back. She kept the front buttoned, which showed off her fantastic frame. The length of the dress also flaunted her miles of legs. The beauty wore her hair in small braids down her back and went for a smokey eye makeup look. Heading home: She donned a black tank top to expose her arms to the California sun and added black Prada fanny pack across her chest Stunning: The Twitches actress recently attended the Essence 16th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 9 in Los Angeles Sisters: Tia was joined at the event by her twin sister Tamera Night out: Both actresses attended the event wearing different shades of pink Beside her, Tamera donned a bright pink floral dress with thin straps over her shoulders and a layered skirt. It featured a plunging sweetheart neckline and a belt around the middle to show off her physique. She wore her hair up in a curly bun on top of her head and went for a simple makeup look. Last November, Tia shared the moment she had an 'awakening' that her marriage had to end. She filed for divorce from American Sniper actor Cory in October after 14 years of marriage. While stopping by the Today show, she shared that she 'knew' she and Cory were over 'when I really started to focus on my happiness.' Mowry revealed, 'I feel like women, we tend to focus on everybody elses happiness, making sure that everybody else is OK - meaning our children, our friends, our family.' She continued: 'But at the end of the day, its about self-love. And when you start to really work on yourself, love yourself, know your value, know your worth, then all of a sudden, theres this awakening.' Family: The beauty shares her two kids Cree, eleven, and Cairo, four, with her ex-husband Cory Hardrict Sad end: The star duo divorced in October 2022 after 14 years of marriage; Cory and Tia in 2017 Moving on: On the Today show she shared that she 'knew' she and Cory were over 'when I really started to focus on my happiness'; the couple at the 2016 BET Awards The Family Reunion actress shared that 'its not easy, its a hard journey, but at the end of the day, I feel like it is so, so worth it.' Life events also reminded her to seize the day, particularly when two of her family members died close together, beginning with her grandmother. Tia's twin sister Tamera then lost her 18-year-old niece Alaina Housley in a mass shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California. Before her marriage ended, Tia said, 'There was this sadness. And I knew that life is short. I had actually lost my grandmother. We had lost Alaina Housley. And both of them at the same time.' Tia reflected: 'There was just an "aha" moment in me where I said: "You know what? We need to tap in, see whats really going on with your happiness. Life is short. Lets go. Lets start working on you and really focusing on what really, really matters here, which is, at the end of the day, your peace, your joy, and your happiness."' She and Cory tied the knot in 2008 and share two children - son Cree, eleven, and daughter Cairo, four. The great and the good of the fashion world flocked to Dame Vivienne Westwood's memorial service last month but the absence of supermodel Naomi Campbell pictured below with Vivienne in 1993 seems to have baffled the designer's son Joseph Corre. 'I thought I would see her there,' he says. 'I don't know why she couldn't make it.' Sources tell me Naomi, 52, who once tumbled on a catwalk in a pair of nine-inch Westwood heels, missed the do at Southwark Cathedral due to 'personal reasons'. Model Naomi Campbell and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood attend the Designer of the Year Awards at the Natural History Museum during London Fashion Week, in October 1993 Naomi Campbell on the catwalk in Miami, Florida on March 15 Oh babies the Hemsley sisters are cooking! They've written books together and co-hosted a TV series now Melissa and Jasmine Hemsley have taken their close relationship a step further they're pregnant at the same time! Melissa, 37, is six months pregnant and the news follows an announcement from older sister Jasmine, 43, that she is expecting her second child. The pair are famous for their 'clean eating' cookbooks but Melissa tells me that lately she has been craving something a little more indulgent cheese. And there will be no books or telly work for a while as Melissa is happy to just relax until the baby arrives, telling me at the Neon Future Dreams event: 'I just want to sit on the sofa and watch Strictly and not have to come up with any excuses to go out!' Melissa Hemsley (left), 37, is six months pregnant and the news follows an announcement from older sister Jasmine (right), 43, that she is expecting her second child Why PJs are for high-fliers Think PJs are pyjamas? Then you're moving in the wrong circles. Toffs' Bible Tatler has released a list of modern abbreviations you'll need to mix among Britain's elite for whom a PJ is actually a private jet. Similarly, UN is not the United Nations but that greatest of modern insults, an 'ugly nepobaby' a star's child cashing in on their fame and TMI doesn't mean 'too much information', but something far worse: 'too many influencers'. TME has changed from 'too many Etonians' to 'too much exposure' and BITC is no longer 'bored in the country' but Bitcoin cryptocurrency. And FILTH isn't 'failed in London, try Hong Kong', but rather 'flatless in London, try going home'. 5HS refers to posh London members' club 5 Hertford Street, where you may spot a UN or two but definitely no MCMs 'middle-class monsters'. Taylor Hill looked stunning as she graced the cover of Mojeh for their March 2023 issue. The 27-year-old model wore a bright blue off-shoulder top with dramatic silk ruffles cascading down behind her and a figure-hugging, patterned skirt for the latest cover of the luxury fashion magazine. The former Victoria's Secret Angel posed with one arm around her waist and another delicately touching her shoulder to show off a dark manicure and a stunning Cartier ring. The brunette beauty looked elegant as she wore her long tresses in a slicked back, polished bun to highlight a pair of dangling silver earrings. The Illinois native - who praised her Babylon co-star Brad Pitt for making her feel comfortable on set - modeled a variety of eye-catching pieces from Cartiers Beautes du Monde high jewellery collection. Stunning: Taylor Hill, 27, wore a bright blue off-shoulder top with dramatic silk ruffles cascading down behind her and a figure-hugging, patterned skirt for Mojeh's March 2023 issue Hill looked striking in full, glamorous makeup as she posed for the high-fashion portraits. The up-and-coming actress looked absolutely dazzling in a shimmering, copper smokey eye that brought out her green eyes. The Found Narratives alum sported a coral pink blush swept across her cheeks for a flushed, rosy appearance. To finish off the glamorous look, she wore a mauve pink color on her lips. Last month, Hill participated in a striking photoshoot for Luisaviaroma's LVR Magazine and spoke in the adjoining cover story about her acting career. The catwalk celebutante revealed that her fashion career did not benefit or prepare her when transitioning into an acting career. 'I feel out of my element on a film set, like I'm 14 and starting again and have no idea what is happening,' she said. 'The mindfulness and awareness of the camera are completely different,' she added. 'The only similarity is being on camera.' Her blockbuster project: Recently, the Babylon actress - who played a small role as the love interest of Brad Pitt's womanizing and alcoholic character - said working alongside the big screen vets was still nerve-wracking The Babylon actress - who played a small role as the love interest of Pitt's womanizing and alcoholic character - said working alongside the big screen vets was still nerve-wracking. 'I felt nervous,' she admitted. 'I am green in the acting world and with these powerful influential people, so I was in the same headspace as the character.' She also revealed working alongside Pitt was a good experience. 'It was pretty cool,' she said. 'As I was on set... and sitting next to Brad Pitt - which is never a bad thing - he was so nice and super professional. 'I was nervous but felt comfortable by the end of the day,' she continued. 'He lets you know you are doing a great job.' Hill's filmography only includes several small roles so far but she said that has only been a blessing and allowed her to 'dedicate herself to learning a new craft'. 'I'm taking it step by step and slowly getting my feet wet,' she said. 'I want to do that and do it well. 'You start at the bottom and work your way up.' When Alison Hammond was revealed as the new host of Great British Bake Off last week, it confirmed her rise to the very top tier of British TV presenters. But it has also provoked ire among ITV executives, who have privately expressed anger that Channel 4 poached their star to fix its diversity problem. Because for all its attempts to be woke and inclusive, the rival broadcaster has been criticised for having not enough black faces among its big-name presenters. While 48-year-old Hammond would hate any suggestion that the colour of her skin had a bearing on her landing the coveted job, her appearance alongside Noel Fielding, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the Bake-Off tent when she replaces Matt Lucas will certainly help address the lack of on-screen diversity. It is an industry-wide issue. More than 20 years after Greg Dyke branded the BBC hideously white during his stint as director-general, all channels are still striving to hire more presenters and off-screen staff from ethnic minorities. When Alison Hammond was revealed as the new host of Great British Bake Off last week, it confirmed her rise to the very top tier of British TV presenters In 2019, The Mail on Sunday revealed that a whole days output on ITV, from 6am to midnight, featured just one non-white presenter, lunchtime newsreader Nina Hossain. The following year This Mornings veteran editor Martin Frizell, now 64, vowed to address the problem. Keen to be seen as a pioneer of change, he told staff during a Zoom meeting in June 2020 that finding a black candidate wont be easy. Initially, he didnt seem to realise that the answer was right under his nose in the programmes bubbly showbiz reporter. Ms Hammond, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, joined the show soon after competing in Channel 4s Big Brother in 2002. And over the years she grew her profile as a larger-than-life celebrity guest on other shows across the schedules, including ITVs Loose Women, BBCs Strictly and MasterChef and E4s Celebs Go Dating. But on This Morning executives continued to underestimate both her talents, and her appeal to viewers, and she maintained a relatively minor role. With big-name presenters such as Fern Britton, Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and husband-and-wife duo Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on the roster, it was hard for Hammond to break through and she got no more than a few minutes airtime each week as she was dispatched to interview celebrities or carry out vox pops with the public. But in 2021, ITV bosses axed Holmes and Langsford. Suddenly, a vacancy opened and after being on the sidelines for so long, Alison was asked to front the show on Fridays with the more experienced former X Factor host Dermot OLeary. Ratings shot up 44 per cent. That she helped ITV address its own diversity problem is a bonus, although friends of the remarkably unstarry Brummie say she finds the suggestion that was any part of the reason her long-standing friends were dropped from the show uncomfortable. ITV executives have privately expressed anger that Channel 4 poached their star to fix its diversity problem. Pictured: Mary Nightingale and Alison Hammond on 'Britain's Best Dish - Celebrity Special' TV Programme Although they may have been slow to realise Hammonds potential, ITV chiefs are incandescent that the star they nurtured has been poached for a primetime role on one of Channel 4s most high-profile programmes. An industry insider said: There has recently been a culture of other channels nicking ITV talent that it has grown and nurtured. That is certainly true of Alison Hammond. They discovered her, had her in their stable for years and then finally gave her a break. The BBC are equally jealous and bosses are scolding themselves over a missed opportunity, given the role Strictly played in raising her profile. The mother of one has also been a judge on their Saturday night show I Can See Your Voice, which they recently axed after two series. For its part, Channel 4 is delighted with its new signing, with chief content officer Ian Katz gushing: Alison is effortlessly funny and the owner of the best laugh in Britain. Across the board, broadcasters are still trying to address their diversity problem in mainstream shows and last month ITV featured its second all-black line-up on Loose Women. With sad inevitability, it attracted vile racist comments on social media, but as another viewer said in defence: Dude, its been all-white for 20 years. Get a grip. The Apprentice candidate Shazia Hussain has claimed she was racially bullied during her time on the show. Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her troubles began after she named a giraffe Yogita for a pre-school cartoon during a task under a diversity and inclusion theme. However, she insists some people in her team struggled with the name of the animal, saying young children would not be able to pronounce it. She told The Sun: 'I felt exposed to aggression because of it. I think it was racist' While her team won the task, she added: 'After the episode, I feel I was verbally abused by some of the candidates. Claim: The Apprentice candidate Shazia Hussain, 40, has claimed she was racially bullied during her time on the show 'They (the BBC) brought in a diversity specialist to talk to everyone but I feel nothing changed. The teams were also rearranged but I feel the bullying continued. 'I feel like I was bullied and harassed to the point that I asked to leave the house. I feel like the BBC have failed me.' She added that she complained about the three candidates involved but has not heard anything more, adding that she thought she was fired after the fifth task 'because it was easier to take me out of the situation'. Shazia said that she believes the BBC did not follow through on their duty of care for her. A spokesperson for The Apprentice told the publication: 'The Apprentice has a zero-tolerance policy on any kind of bullying or threatening behaviour. 'As soon as Shazia raised a concern an investigation was conducted and she received in-person support from senior members of the production team. 'The Apprentice has a strict code of conduct and we take all complaints very seriously and investigate when needed. 'As a result, when action is required, we take it. Speaking out: Reality contestant Shazia, 40, said her troubles began after she named a giraffe Yogita for a pre-school cartoon during a task under a diversity and inclusion theme. 'Throughout the process there is always somebody on hand to deal with any concerns including five members of the production team who live in the house with the candidates during filming. 'If anyone wants to leave the house or the process, candidates are free to do so at any time. 'Since the beginning of the process, Shazia, along with all other candidates, has been, and continues to be, offered extensive and ongoing support, in all aspects of welfare (including managing social media), from BBC and the production company. 'Duty of care to all our candidates is our highest priority and the support offered to candidates before, during and after is paramount.' MailOnline has contacted The Apprentice for further comment. Line-up: Last week The Apprentice unveiled its all-female Final Five for the second year running ahead of the final In total there will have been 12 episodes in this series. Only two candidates can proceed to the final and secure the life-changing investment in their business. The two finalists must launch a new business and pitch it to Lord Sugar for the chance to win his 250,000 investment and become his next business partner. The all-important interviews episode took place on Thursday, meaning the final episode, where this year's winner will be announced, will take place on Thursday, March 23. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 9pm. Eric Dane took advantage of the sunshine and spent some quality time with his teenage daughter Billie on Saturday in Los Angeles. The 50-year-old Euphoria star was spotted with his 13-year-old daughter, whom he shares with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart, 51. The Grey's Anatomy heartthrob whore a black T-shirt, matching sweatpants and a pair of white kicks. Billie who describes herself on TikTok as a 'Pisces, model, dancer and cat mom' looked cozy in gray sweats, a white jacket and a pretty blue top. Dane's sunny day with Billie comes nearly two months after he and Gayheart sparked reconciliation rumors in Mexico. Out and about: Eric Dane, 50, took advantage of the sunshine and spent some quality time with his teenage daughter Billie, 13, on Saturday in Los Angeles Handsome and casual: The Grey's Anatomy heartthrob whore a black T-shirt, matching sweatpants and a pair white kicks The exes were seen holding hands during a trip to Cabo with their children in January, almost five years after filing for divorce following 14 years of marriage. The duo, who submitted divorce paperwork in 2018 but never finalized their split, looked every inch the cute couple as they departed a boat hand in hand. Rebecca filed for divorce from Eric in 2018 yet the split was never finalized. She has kept his last name on her Instagram account. The duo first raised eyebrows over the summer when they fueled reconciliation rumors by posting snaps from their family trip to France. Fans wondered if the duo had reconciled after Rebecca posted a photo of herself, Eric, and their two daughters, 13-year-old Billie and 12-year-old Georgia, exploring Paris. 'You are back together,' one fan commented. 'Are you guys back together?' another asked. Her caption said, 'A pit stop in Paris!' as she added hashtags for 'family vacation,' 'blessed,' and 'this is us.' She also drew a red heart over her family in a video from their trip to Paris. Clean-cut: Dane wore his clean-cut blonde hair style upward and rocked a goatee with trimmed stubble Together again? Dane's sunny day with Billie comes nearly two months after he and Gayheart sparked reconciliation rumors in Mexico. The exes were seen holding hands during a trip to Cabo with their children in January, almost five years after filing for divorce following 14 years of marriage (Dane and Gayheart pictured in 2017) Sparking rumors: The duo first raised eyebrows over the summer when they fueled rumors by posting snaps from their family trip to France (the pair pictured in France with their daughters Billie, 13, and Georgia, 12) When Rebecca and Eric split they said in a joint statement: 'After 14 years together we have decided that ending our marriage is the best decision for our family. 'We will continue our friendship and work as a team to co-parent our two beautiful girls as they are the most important thing in the world to us.' In 2019 Eric said he and Rebecca are friends, according to ET. 'We have two kids. It's not complicated ... it doesn't have to be.' Gayheart said two years ago that she was parenting 'pretty much solo' amid the coronavirus pandemic: '[I've been parenting] pretty much solo. With the pandemic and the social distancing, [it] has been difficult. But they've been here with me so that's been good. [It's] very consistent that they've been in one place.' The new season of Channel Nine's hit renovation show The Block is set to begin filming within days. Charming St in Melbourne's Hampton East is buzzing with activity as five properties, bought last year for a whopping $14.3m, are being prepped for production, with major extensions already being added to the back of each property, The Herald Sun reports. The houses at 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 Charming St were snapped up by MicJoy Pty Ltd, a company owned by Nine, in separate off-market deals. The most expensive of the bunch, 20 Charming St, cost a whopping $3.5m when it was bought last July. Only one of the five properties purchased along the row of homes at numbers 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 has two bedrooms. The other four boast three to four bedrooms. The new season of The Block is set to begin filming in Melbourne's Bayside after Channel Nine bought five houses for $14.3million. (Pictured: The Block host Scott Cam) The size of each block ranges from 575 to 703 sqm. The Block filmed its 2021 season in neighbouring Hampton, only two kilometres from the 2023 location. Buyers agent Denise Jacobs, who sold her own home in Hampton to Nine for $1.59million for the 2021 season of The Block, said East Hampton was 'taking off' even if it was the 'poor cousin' to Hampton, which tends to be pricier. Charming St in Melbourne's Hampton East is buzzing with activity as five properties, bought last year for a whopping $14.3m, are being prepped for production, with major extensions being added to the back of each property, The Herald Sun reports. (Pictured: Scott and co-host Shelley Craft) Only one of the five properties purchased along the row of homes at numbers 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 has two bedrooms. The other four boast three to four bedrooms. (Pictured: one of the homes that will be renovated on The Block next year) Describing Charming Street as 'great', she said: 'It's a happy little pocket and there are some lovely established homes. The prices buyers paid for the Hampton homes in 2021 were between $2.3million and $3million, so fans should expect to see similar prices for East Hampton. Jacobs added that the 2023 season of The Block will be 'easier' for the producers than the current season. The Block 2022 is being filmed in Gisborne, in country Victoria, a 40-minute drive from Melbourne, and is said to be one of the most ambitious seasons yet. The teams are each building a home on 10 acres of land. This kitchen and dining area inside one of the homes can expect a major makeover next year Norman Reedus and his fiancee Diane Kruger looked every inch the cool parents during a rare outing with their daughter Nova Tennessee on Saturday. The Walking Dead actor, 54, and the Inglourious Basterds star, 46, were spotted strolling with their four-year-old in Manhattan's Downtown area. The father-of-two - who's been busy filming a spin-off of his zombie show in France - sported a dark button up, grey jeans and black vans for the outing. He opted to shield his eyes with a pair of sunglasses. Meanwhile the German actress wore a tan blazer over a black top, which she paired with oversized grey jeans and monochrome loafers. The couple welcomed Nova in 2018 and got engaged in August 2021. The duo - who officially went public with their romance in March 2017 - originally met back in December 2015 while portraying lovers on the set of their film Sky. Dynamic duo: Norman Reedus and his fiancee Diane Kruger looked every inch the cool parents during a rare outing with their daughter Nova Tennessee on Saturday The Cannes best actress winner wore her blonde tresses brushed back into a ponytail. Diane accessorized with a baby blue purse slung over her shoulder, and appeared to go makeup-free for the day. Their baby girl stayed warm in a pink hat, a cheetah jacket and blue leggings. Reedus shared the story about how he proposed to Kruger - and how their daughter helped him - while on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last year. The Florida-born said: 'Well, I had the ring for quite a long time in my pocket, just burning a hole in my pocket. Yeah. Trying to find the right way to do it.' He revealed that while they were home he put their then two-year-old daughter on his lap, so he could ask Kruger to retrieve his boot with the estimated $500K eight-carat ring secretly hidden inside. 'I was like, "Can you get my boot? It's in the closet." She's like, "Why?"' recalled Norman. 'I'm like, "I want to look at the boot" because I had it shoved in the boot. Then I proposed. She started crying, then Nova started crying - everybody's crying. It was waterworks city. And then Nova's going, "Why are we crying?!" And then Diane's going, "It's happy tears." She's like, "Yes, it's happy tears!"' Cool pair: The Walking Dead actor, 54, and the Inglourious Basterds star, 46, were spotted strolling with their four-year-old in Manhattan's Downtown area Trendy: The father-of-two sported a dark button up, grey jeans and black vans for the outing. Meanwhile the actress wore a tan blazer and oversized grey jeans Engaged: The couple welcomed Nova in 2018 and got engaged in August 2021. The duo originally met back in December 2015 while portraying lovers on the set of their film Sky The ex: Reedus also shares son, Mingus Lucien Reedus, 23, with 90s Danish supermodel Helena Christensen, 54 Co-parents: The pair dated for five years, beginning in 1998 before separating in 2003 but have remained happy co-parents; Norman, Mingus, and Helena pictured in 2002 Former pair: Diane was previously in a decade-long relationship with Joshua Jackson. She was also married to Guillaume Canet, before they divorced in 2006; Pictured with Jackson in 2015 Last year Diane candidly admitted that she didn't want children for a 'long time' and then thought it was too late. Diane explained that having a child wasn't her priority when she was younger and she then gave up hope' in her late 30s because she wasn't in a place where it was 'possible' in an interview with Tatler. 'In my late thirties, I was starting to think about it but I wasn't in a place in my relationship at the time or whatever where that was going to be a possibility and so I had kind of given up hope and I thought it was just too late. 'The arrival of Nova has changed my life our lives in the best possible way, it's just amazing that you thought you were one thing but you're meant to do something completely different,' she added. When they originally met on set, Diane was still in a decade-long relationship with Dawson's Creek alum Joshua Jackson. Reedus will mark Kruger's (born Heidkruger) second marriage after divorcing Mon idole castmate Guillaume Canet in 2006 following five years of marriage. Meanwhile Reedus shares son, Mingus Lucien Reedus, 23, with 90s Danish supermodel Helena Christensen, 54. The pair dated for five years, beginning in 1998 before separating in 2003 but have remained happy co-parents. Next: Reedus will next appear in a Walking Dead spin-off, after he concluded his role as crossbow-wielding tracker Daryl Dixon on the final 11th season of the zombie drama; Pictured in a still from season 11 Last year Mingus pled guilty to disorderly conduct on March 16, after 'accidentally' punching an 'intoxicated' woman in the face. He originally faced a misdemeanor assault charge but his attorney Isabelle Kirschner told DailyMail.com that she negotiated with the District Attorney to downgrade the charge to disorderly conduct, which is only a violation in New York City. Meanwhile Reedus concluded his role as crossbow-wielding tracker Daryl Dixon in the 11th and final season of the post-apocalyptic zombie drama on AMC last year. He is next set to appear in a Walking Dead spin-off series, which was announced in September 2020, with principal photography beginning in October 2022 in Paris, France. Jenelle Evans was finally granted full custody of her son Jace since she relinquished parental rights to her mother many years ago. The new custody arrangement became official after the 31-year-old Teen Mom reality star and her mother Barbara Evans signed the papers on March 16 after more than a decade. She wrote in the caption of a video of herself signing the documents and shedding tears of joy: 'Words can't describe how happy I truly am. Our family is complete now! Thank you mom.' The North Carolina native who welcomed Jace, now 13, in 2009 with ex-boyfriend Andrew Lewis had signed over custody of her eldest son to Barbara just shortly after his birth. Previously, Jenelle had stated that she regained custody of Jace while speaking in a candid TikTok video posted in January 2021. Regained custody: Jenelle Evans, 31, was finally granted full custody of her son Jace since she relinquished parental rights to her mother many years ago Finalized: She posted a sweet clip of the process of signing the paperwork and wrote,'#MyHappyEnding, IT'S OFFICIAL! Thanks everyone for the support!' Happy tears: She wrote in the caption of a video of herself signing the documents and shedding tears of joy, 'Words can't describe how happy I truly am. Our family is complete now! Thank you mom.' Over the years, Jenelle continued with a long battle in court with her mother over custody of her firstborn child, due to battling a drug addiction and having been arrested a number of times in her preteen years. 'My mom and I decided together to grant full custody back to me because we want to build our relationship back as mother and daughter,' Jenelle told Us Weekly in a statement. 'We have officially signed the papers on Thursday, March 16th at the courthouse,' she stated. 'It's a done deal!' She went on to explain that her mother wishes for Jace to live with his family and be around a proper father figure. 'My mother agrees it's time for Jace to be back with his siblings and living with a mother and father,' she said. 'She also thinks it's important for Jace to be around a father figure to learn "boy things" and have "men talk",' she added, nothing that Barbara 'has seen the way David parents [her] children'. 'She knows we're able to handle it,' Jenelle continued. 'We want to all get along for the sake of the children and - like I said before - building back our relationship as mother and daughter.' Her manager, August Keen, also told Us Weekly despite disputes in the past, Jenelle and her husband have patched things up and are in a stable, healthy relationship. 'Jenelle and David are definitely together,' Keen said. 'Things between them are great.' 'They're a happy family, and they are completely fine,' he said in the statement. Jenelle was 17 at the time of Jace's birth and had her entire pregnancy documented on MTV's 16 And Pregnant. Jenelle also shares an eight-year-old son named Kaiser with her ex-boyfriend Nathan Griffith as well as daughter Ensley, six, with her husband David Eason, 34. David also has two children Maryssa and Kaden from previous relationships. It's official! The new custody arrangement became official after the Teen Mom reality star and her mother Barbara Evans signed the papers on March 16 after more than a decade One big family: In a statement shared with Us Weekly, she explained that her mother wishes for Jace to live with his family and be around a proper father figure Mother-of-three: Jenelle also shares an eight-year-old son named Kaiser with her ex-boyfriend Nathan Griffith as well as daughter Ensley, six, with her husband David Eason, 34 Back together: Her manager, August Keen, also told Us Weekly despite disputes in the past, Jenelle and her husband have patched things up and are in a stable, healthy relationship In the past, Jenelle and David had lost custody of all of their children after a scary incident involving their dog in April 2019. Eason killed their French bulldog, Nugget, after the dog allegedly attacked and bit Ensley. Following the tragic event, their children were removed from their custody, and the couple separated for around a year. Despite their rocky history and having both been fired from the MTV program, they ended up rekindling their relationship and reconciling their issues. She recently debuted a dramatic bob haircut following her shock split from fiance Matt Poole. And Tammy Hembrow, 28, looked very pleased with her new look as she posed for a sultry outdoor photo shoot on Sunday. Posting to Instagram, the mother-of-two showcased her fit physique and eye-popping cleavage in a plunging, magenta maxi dress. She completed her look with a transparent Louis Vuitton clutch bag worth $2,000, gold earrings, a diamond ring and delicate drop necklace. Her striking bob haircut was styled straight and parted in the centre. Tammy Hembrow, 28, (pictured) flaunted her fit physique and eye-popping cleavage in plunging magenta gown on Sunday Tammy's new hairdo came after she confirmed her split with her fiance Matt Poole, just seven months after the couple welcomed their daughter Posey. She let the news slip during a photo shoot in Sydney in December, admitting it was 'tough work being a single mother of three', according to one of the makeup artists on set. Break-up rumours first surfaced when eagle-eyed fans noticed Matt had been absent from Tammy's Instagram feed for a while. Posting to Instagram, the mother-of-two showcased her fit physique and eye-popping cleavage in a plunging, magenta maxi dress She completed her look with a transparent Louis Vuitton clutch bag worth $2,000, gold earrings, a diamond ring and delicate drop necklace Her striking bob haircut was styled straight and parted in the centre Tammy also shares son Wolf, six, and daughter Saskia, five, with another former fiance, Reece Hawkins. Last week, rumours swirled that Tammy and Reece, who is also single following his split from wife London Goheen, had rekindled their relationship. Tammy had hared a snap from a sunny Gold Coast beach on Tuesday, with the caption: 'All good things come together in perfect timing'. Tammy and Reece were together for four years before they split in June 2018, and continue to coparent their children together. (The couple are pictured with their kids in happier times) Last week, rumours swirled that Tammy and Reece, who is also single following his split from wife London Goheen, had rekindled their relationship. Tammy had hared a snap from a sunny Gold Coast beach on Tuesday, with the caption: 'All good things come together in perfect timing' It came just hours after Reece also shared a snap on the beach. The two snaps were shared by popular Instagram account, Influencer Updates AU, with fans joking the rekindling 'definitely was not on my 2023 bingo card'. However, many disputed the rumours saying people in the Gold Coast are 'always at the beach'. Sharon Stone looked incredible as ever as she hit the red carpet at the Honor In Their Words event in Hollywood on Saturday. The Basic Instinct star who recently celebrated her 65th birthday took the plunge as she went shirtless underneath a stylish red blazer, closed with a gold lock at the front. The actress teamed her chic blazer with a matching pair of wide-leg pants and gold heels. The blonde beauty wore her hair in a lightly slicked down look and accessorized with a pair of large reading glasses. Red hot! Sharon Stone looked incredible as ever as she hit the red carpet at the Honor In Their Words event in Hollywood on Saturday. At one point the actress flashed a peace sign while posing for the shutterbugs The event commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and took place at the Hollywood Legion Theater, featuring stories by Veterans of Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Officially, March 29, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of when the last U.S. troops left Vietnam, and the final group of American prisoners of war were released. The Golden Globe Award winner further spruced up her look with a clear stone necklace hanging off of a black string, as well as small gold hoops. Sharon opted for delicate glam, sporting just a touch of blush and lipgloss on her pout. At one point the actress flashed a peace sign while posing for the shutterbugs. Also at the event was Notorious star Antonique Smith, 39, who put on a busty display in a silver sequin bodysuit. She accessorized the look with a silver watch and bracelet, as well as big hoop earrings, and she wore her tresses in a chic updo for the night. Toni Trucks looked classy in a black sleeveless gown with a zig-zag pattern. The SEAL Team star, 42, added a pop of color to her look with bright yellow pointed-toe heels. Taking the plunge: The Basic Instinct star, 65, took the plunge as she went shirtless underneath a stylish red blazer, closed with a gold lock at the front Smart look: The blonde beauty wore her tresses in a lightly slicked down look and accessorized with a pair of large reading glasses Glowing: Also at the event was Notorious star Antonique Smith, 39, who put on a busty display in a silver sequin bodysuit Classy: Toni Trucks looked classy in a black sleeveless gown with a zig-zag pattern. The SEAL Team star, 42, added a pop of color to her look with bright yellow pointed-toe heels Handsome: White Collar's Tim Dekay, 59, looked handsome as ever in a grey sweater, black jeans, and boots. The Sinner star Bill Pullman, 69, went for a denim look, sporting a denim jacket and pants with a blue button-up shirt Dashing: After Hours star Griffin Dunne, 67, looked dashing in a black suit over a blue shirt White Collar's Tim Dekay, 59, looked handsome as ever in a grey sweater, black jeans, and boots. The Sinner star Bill Pullman, 69, went for a denim look, sporting a denim jacket and pants with a blue button-up shirt. He completed the outfit with brown boots and a matching belt. After Hours star Griffin Dunne, 67, looked dashing in a black suit over a blue shirt. Kate Ritchie and her boyfriend Chevy Black are going strength to strength after revealing their relationship last month. The new couple looked absolutely smitten as they shared a sweet smooch at Brisbane Airport shortly after arriving outside the terminal. The former Home and Away star hopped up on her tippy toes to land a kiss on the lips of her eager man. The 44-year-old was dressed casually in a oversized shirt with a faded animal print and white shorts. She completed the look with a pair of designer sunglasses and added a pair of sneakers. Kate Ritchie and her boyfriend Chevy Black are going strength to strength after revealing their relationship last month. Both pictured The new couple looked absolutely smitten as they shared a sweet smooch at Brisbane Airport shortly after arriving outside the terminal The radio star appeared to have on minimal makeup and wore her brunette locks pulled back in a ponytail. Kate held a stack of magazines for her flight, and had a light tote bag slung over her shoulder. Chevy meanwhile was comfortably dressed in a white polo shirt and navy blue shorts, along with a dark cap. The star recently took her romance to the next level by introducing Chevy to her mother Heather and eight-year-old daughter Mae. The couple were first pictured together a romantic picnic in early February. The star recently took her romance to the next level by introducing Chevy to her mother Heather and eight-year-old daughter Mae According to Woman's Day, Kate and Chevy have grown incredibly close in the short time they've been dating, and she's even met his family. 'She's been introduced to the family, including Chevy's mother and siblings,' a source told the publication. According to the publication, Chevy is a 'kind and lovable type of guy'. The star's new relationship comes after Kate split from her ex-boyfriend John Bell and her shock rehab stint for alcohol dependency. In October, Kate announced she was stepping away from the Kate, Tim and Joel show in October, before it was revealed she was seeking treatment at an exclusive rehab clinic in Sydney. The couple were first pictured together a romantic picnic in early February In December, she said in a statement that the last year had been challenging and stressful and led to an 'unhealthy reliance on alcohol'. Kate has since remained silent on her return date, despite teasing in January she would be back on air with her co-hosts Joel Creasey and Tim Blackwell in a matter of weeks. However, in February it was reported that she may never return jumping ship to Nova's drive show Fitzy and Wippa, replacing their co-anchor Sarah McGilvray in the coveted role. Current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were blindsided by news McGilvray was being pushed aside to make way for incoming co-host Kate Ritchie, with some only learning about it via the press. Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed his eldest son Nicholas is 'critically ill' in hospital as he bravely battles gastric cancer. The 74-year-old legendary composer said he was 'absolutely devastated' as he shared the news in a heartbreaking statement. Andrew revealed his son, whom he shares with ex-wife Sarah Hugill, has been suffering from the disease for the last 18-months. The Phantom of The Opera creator made the announcement as he explained why he would not be attending the premiere of his new Broadway musical Bad Cinderella. He wrote: 'I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill. As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised.' Heartbreak: Andrew Lloyd Webber, 74, has revealed his eldest son Nicholas is 'critically ill' in hospital as he bravely battles gastric cancer Sad: Andrew revealed Nicholas (left) , whom he shares with ex-wife Sarah Hugill, has been suffering from the disease for the last 18-months 'I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on Opening Night this Thursday'. Before adding: 'We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family'. Nicholas followed in his father's footsteps and is a successful composer in his right, having written Fat Friends The Musical as well as numerous TV and film scores. He is married to musician Polly Whiltshire who appeared on the soundtrack of his father's 2019 movie Cats. Andrew is also father to Imogen, 44, Isabella, 26, Alastair, 30, William, 29, It comes after it was recently revealed Andrew is one of 12 new pieces of music commissioned by the King for his coronation. Charles has personally selected the musical programme for the ceremony on May, 6, at Westminster Abbey, which has been designed to showcase a range of musical talent and styles from the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. On a personal note, the monarch has asked for Greek Orthodox music to be played in tribute to his late father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021. Son: He wrote: 'I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill. As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised. (Nick pictured in 2010 with ex-wife Charlotte Windmill) Talent: Nicholas followed in his father's footsteps and is a successful composer in his right, having written Fat Friends The Musical as well as numerous TV and film scores No show: The Phantom of The Opera creator made the announcement as he explained why he would not be attending the premiere of his new Broadway musical Bad Cinderella (pictured at the NYC theatre in October with star Linedy Genao) It will be performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble. Six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission have been created by British composers whose styles include classical, sacred, film, television and musical theatre. Lord Lloyd-Webber, who is known for hit musicals including Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, described himself as 'incredibly honoured' to have been asked to compose a new anthem. He said: 'My anthem includes words slightly adapted from Psalm 98. 'I have scored it for the Westminster Abbey choir and organ, the ceremonial brass and orchestra. 'I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion.' A Coronation March has been created by Patrick Doyle, while a piece by Iain Farrington for the solo organ takes in musical themes from countries across the Commonwealth. Composer: It comes after it was recently revealed Andrew is one of 12 new pieces of music commissioned by the King for his coronation (pictured together in 2018) Music man: The composer has written one of the 12 new pieces of music commissioned by the King for his coronation There will also be new works by Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik O'Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams, and Debbie Wiseman. A handpicked gospel choir - The Ascension Choir - will perform as part of the service, as will the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal, St James's Palace - together with girl choristers from the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast, and from Truro Cathedral Choir. The King's Scholars of Westminster School will proclaim the traditional 'Vivat' acclamations. Bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel along with soprano Pretty Yende and baritone Roderick Williams will be among the soloists. Andrew Nethsingha, organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, is taking charge of the musical arrangements and directing the music during the service. Lottie Tomlinson took to Instagram on Sunday to celebrate her first 'happy' Mother's Day since the tragic loss of mum Johannah six years ago. The influencer, 24, who recently became a parent herself, lovingly cradled baby son Lucky, seven month, in the sweet clip from the family's recent Maldives getaway. Johannah, who was also mother to former One Direction star Louis, sadly lost her life after a battle with leukaemia aged just 43. In the video Lottie gazing adoringly at her son, whom he shares with boyfriend Lewis Burton, 30, as they strolled along the golden sands. She wrote: 'The first time in 6 years this day is a happy one, thanks to you my Lucky'. Beaming: Lottie Tomlinson, 24, took to Instagram on Sunday to celebrate her first Happy Mother's day since mum Johannah Deakin's tragic death in 2016 Heartbreak: Johannah, who is also mum of former One Direction star Louis, sadly lost her life after a battle with leukaemia aged just 43 'Thank you for making me a Mum and making my dreams come true sending so much love to anyone who finds today hard'. Last year Lottie reflected on the 'scary' period after her mother's death where she struggled to find mental health support for herself and her then-12-year-old sisters, Daisy and Phoebe. She was was just 18 when she lost her mum and three years later her sister Felicite died from an accidental overdose. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, she confessed it's 'shocking' that medical professionals didn't offered the family any counselling since they had spent so much time visiting the hospital in which her parent was being treated. She said: 'We were offered nothing. I think it was shocking because my first loss was a very medical thing. My mum had cancer so we were in and out of hospital'. 'We were around medical professionals a lot so to not really be offered the help was quite shocking, really, looking back. But at the time, it just felt quite normal.' It comes after Lottie sent heart rates skyrocketing on Tuesday, as she shared a slew of bikini-clad snaps from her luxury holiday to the Maldives. The influencer looked sensational as she posed on the picturesque island, alongside her young family. Sweet: The influencer, 24, who recently became a parent herself , lovingly cradled baby son Lucky, seven month, in the sweet clip from the family's recent Maldives getaway Love: In the video Lottie gazing adoringly at her son, whom he shares with boyfriend Lewis Burton, 30, as they strolled along the golden sands Overjoyed: She wrote: 'The first time in 6 years this day is a happy one, thanks to you my Lucky' In one selfie shared to Instagram, Lottie could be seen posing in a white bikini. Her blonde tresses were styled straight and she sported a light palette of make-up to enhance her pretty features. In another shot, she slipped into a blue two-piece and held Lucky on her hip as she smiled at the camera. A third photo showed Lottie on the beach at night in a dazzling sparkly silver minidress that showed off her long legs. She shared several snaps of Lucky, with one of him wearing sunglasses and a striped hat, while a second showed him playing with the sand on the beach. Lewis was shown cradling Lucky and giving him a kiss in an outdoor shower in another picture. Looking good: Lottie sent heartrates skyrocketing on Tuesday, as she shared a slew of bikini-clad snaps from her luxury holiday to the Maldives Incredible: Lottie also shared a selfie with her shirtless boyfriend Lewis, while wearing a black bikini that showed off her ample cleavage. Lottie also shared a selfie with her shirtless boyfriend, while wearing a black bikini that showed off her ample cleavage. She showed off her toned abs in another photo, in a black and white knitted crop top as she held Lucky on her lap. Lewis and Lottie welcomed their first child together, Lucky, in August last year. Alongside a picture of the newborn posted to her Instagram Stories, Lottie penned 'dreams do come true', while a post from her sister Phoebe confirmed the couple had welcomed a baby boy. The black and white photo shared by the new mum showed Lottie and Lewis' baby snuggled up in a towel after the birth. Lottie also reposted a photo shared by her sister Phoebe showing Lottie pregnant, with the words 'I am so beyond proud of you. He is perfect. love you both.' Lauren Goodger has paid tribute to her late daughter Lorena on Mother's Day. The former TOWIE star, 36, gave birth to her second child in July 2022, but her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and she tragically lost her life. Doting mum Lauren, who also shares 20-month-old Larose with her ex-boyfriend Charles Drury, 25, uploaded a touching post to Instagram. The photo saw Lorena's face blurred out as she lay in a cot, while Larose's could be seen on a phone screen beside her. Lauren wrote in her caption: 'Thank you for giving me the best gift and all Ive ever wanted is to be your mummyI love you both to the moon and back and this morning has touched me so deep I wish you was with us my gorgeous Lorena. 'Happy Mothers Day everyone, just cuddles is all you need today #mygirls #happymothersday #love #cuddlesandkisses.' Strong: Lauren Goodger has paid tribute to her late daughter Lorena on Mother's Day It follows reports Lauren has been 'begged' by her friends to 'not get back together with Charles after he allegedly spent the night at her house last month. The reality star has had a tumultuous relationship with her builder ex-boyfriend, 25, and have been on-and-off since the tragic death of Lorena. In February, Lauren and Charles appeared to be getting along well as they took their little one Larose to Woburn Safari Park, taking turns to have their pictures taken. But now pals of Lauren have reportedly become concerned with the two getting back together again after he slept at her house this week. Lauren had allegedly been assaulted on the day of funeral. Charles - who has denied attacking Lauren - was later arrested and bailed. A source revealed to The Sun: 'Lauren's friends have begged her not to get back together with her ex Charles Drury after they heard Charles had spent the night at her house this week. 'A few of them reached out to her and told her to stay away from him as they feel like he is bad news and will only bring her more heartache. 'Lauren insisted that he just slept in the spare room and that they are working on co-parenting Larose, but those closest to her know she and Charles are growing closer. They feel it's only a matter of time before they are back together.' Unimaginable: The former TOWIE star, 36, gave birth to her second child in July 2022, but her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and she tragically lost her life Reflecting: Lauren wrote in her caption: 'Thank you for giving me the best gift and all Ive ever wanted is to be your mummyI love you both to the moon and back and this morning has touched me so deep I wish you was with us my gorgeous Lorena' A representative for Lauren told MailOnline: 'Lauren is focused on the welfare as a mother to her daughter- this puts co- parenting at the top of her priorities.' When the pair arrived at Woburn Safari Park on Monday, they were seen cuddling and playing with their infant daughter as they stepped out of the back of a safari vehicle as they made the most of the sights at the park. Lauren revealed that she lost three stone in the wake of the tragic death of Lorena. The harrowing grief Lauren experienced following Lorena's death meant she was unable to eat, but she has put on a stone as her mental health has improved. Speaking to OK!, she said: 'I lost nearly three stone after I lost Lorena because of the stress. I didn't eat. I'm now eating again and I've put a stone back on because I'm being more healthy. 'I stayed indoors and I didn't go out, and now I feel I'm in a better place mentally. This year is about focusing on me and getting back on track.' The TV personality also said that her infant daughter Larose has been a 'rock' for her and without her, she wouldn't have been able to have survived Lorena's death. She said: 'She's the best. She makes me so proud every single day. She's unbelievable. She's my rock. Family: Lauren also shares 20-month-old Larose with her ex-boyfriend Charles Drury, 25 'After everything I went through, Larose is definitely my inspiration. She inspires me and she's kept me going through the hardest times. Without her, I wouldn't survive.' Elsewhere, Lauren recently opened up about her 'hellish' 2022 after the loss of Lorena and her bitter split with Charles. Speaking to MailOnline, Lauren put on a brave face as she arrived at The Inspiration Awards in January where she said she is 'ready to come back to the industry in the right way' after a string of difficult events. When explaining why she wanted to come to the event, Lauren said: 'It's an amazing cause, I can't wait to hear all the stories. 'I feel like I've been through a hell of a lot and I feel like it was the right one for me to go to. I've been asked to do a lot of things, I'm coming back slowly. 'I took a break and now I am ready to come back to the industry in the right way. 'I'm very new to this, like I say, I've been through massive trauma, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it but everyone knows and I feel like one day I want to inspire other women.' If you have been affected by this article, please contact the UK Child Bereavement line on 0800 02 888 40 or The Lullaby Trust on 0808 8026868. Lizzie Cundy looked sensational as she headed out for a haircut in London before enjoying a Mother's Day lunch on Sunday. The TV personality, 54, sent temperatures soaring while flashing her legs in a black thigh-split dress, which she teamed up with matching knee-high boots. She kept warm in an unmissable pink fluffy jacket and accessorised her look with a gold Gucci belt while making her way to the 65 Walton Salon in Knightsbridge. Lizzie framed her face with a pair of rose-tinted sunglasses and appeared to be enamoured with her phone as she strutted through the Big Smoke. She looked delighted while getting her luscious walnut tresses tended to, after taking a call outside the swanky hotspot. Emerging: Lizzie Cundy looked sensational as she headed out for a haircut in London before enjoying a Mother's Day lunch on Sunday Hot stuff: The TV personality, 54, sent temperatures soaring while flashing her legs in a black thigh-split dress, which she teamed up with matching knee-high boots It comes after Lizzie exclusively told MailOnline she had been cast in a brand new Hollywood movie. The influencer is set to play a 'feisty' Burlesque club owner in the dark psychological thriller, which will see her work alongside Game Of Thrones and Westworld director Neil Marshall, 52. With filming on Compulsion set to begin next month in Malta, Oceans 8 star Charlotte Kirk, 30, is taking the lead role while directing too, having co-written the film alongside her fiance Neil. Lizzie said: 'I've been offered this new role and I'm absolutely thrilled! I'm going back to my acting roots, which is my first love since a child. 'I did WAG! The Musical in the West End, which I adored, and this new movie part is just made for me so I thought why not? 'Life is for living and I want to do everything in life and live life to the full. It's an exciting, feisty role, very much like my real self.' Lizzie - who had a role in 2002's Die Another Day - concluded: 'Can't wait to get on set Move over Dame Helen Mirren!' Although known for her presenting and modelling, Lizzie is a trained actress, having studied at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. Luxury: She accessorised her look with a gold Gucci belt while making her way to the 65 Walton Salon in Knightsbridge Busy bee: Lizzie framed her face with a pair of rose-tinted sunglasses and appeared to be enamoured with her phone as she strutted through the Big Smoke Chilly? She kept warm in an unmissable pink fluffy jacket Chatting away: She took a call outside the swanky hotspot WAG! The Musical told the story of two working class girls, who worked at a cosmetics counter in an upmarket department store. One of their customers was Lizzie's character Zoe, who had designed on department store manager Mr Frank, played by Olivier-winning actor Tim Flavin. The production, written by Belvedere Pashun and directed by Alison Pollard, opened at the Charing Cross Theatre in 2013. Charlotte has previously appeared in 2016's How To Be Single, masterminded 2020's The Reckoning and is the recipient of two Global Independent Film Awards. She gushed about the announcement: 'Compulsion is my fourth feature film collaboration with Neil. We work well together and make great movies winning countless awards. 'The Reckoning was critically-acclaimed and Duchess, a gritty gangster movie, is now in post production and will be hitting the cinema screens later this year. 'Compulsion is a dark psychological thriller featuring two female protagonists. It will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat! Gorgeous: Lizzie looked delighted while getting her luscious walnut tresses tended to Wow! It comes after Lizzie exclusively told MailOnline she had been cast in a brand new Hollywood movie Exciting: The influencer is set to play a 'feisty' Burlesque club owner in the dark psychological thriller, which will see her work alongside Game Of Thrones director Neil Marshall, 52 'I play Kimberly Diana - this is a hot steamy thriller - action packed and full of twists and turns not just in the bedroom. 'Lizzie is going to do an amazing job, playing the owner of the Burlesque club. Shes got legs that go on forever to start with - and she can act! The part was made for her. 'This movie certainly has undertones of Alfred Hitchcock running through its veins, with a nod to the classic 80s erotic thrillers, Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. 'Watch out for our famous face... a blonde bombshell has been cast and she's going to make Sharons iconic scene look tame!' Meanwhile, Newcastle-native Neil has directed episodes of Game Of Thrones in 2012 and 2014, as well as the 2019 film Hellboy, starring David Harbour. He's also lent his talents to Netflix's Lost In Space, NBC's Hannibal and Constantine, and Black Sails on Starz in the U.S. She is preparing to welcome her second child, a son, with Strictly's Gorka Marquez. And Gemma Atkinson has slammed online trolls who branded her 'tubby' and said she had 'let herself go' during the pregnancy. Speaking to The Sun the former Hollyoaks actress, 38, who already is mum to three-year-old daughter Mia, said that despite her weight gain and 'massive boobs' she was shaking off the comments. 'I'm growing and creating life. My son. And for that blessing, I'll take all of the above and more, including the p***ks on Twitter.' 'It's always guys who [post offensive comments] and I always think: 'Would they say that to their mum when they were expecting?'. Slamming: Gemma Atkinson, 38, has slammed online trolls who branded her 'tubby' and said she had 'let herself go' during the pregnancy Family: She is preparing to welcome her second child, a son, with Strictly's Gorka Marquez (pictured with daughter Mia, three Going on to say: 'Ultimately, whether you're carrying a bigger bump or a smaller bump, you're going to get it [negative comments] because there's always going to be someone who's not happy with how you look. It blows my mind that they care so much about someone else's body'. Gemma and the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 32, both took to Instagram In January to announce that they are expecting a baby boy, who is due later this year. She shared an array of stunning black and white photographs where she showed off her blossoming baby bump as she confirmed her jovial news. In one snap, she was joined by Gorka, who flashed a huge smile, while another picture saw her daughter Mia sweetly lying across her stomach. In a caption, Gemma said their daughter Mia, three, is 'thrilled' about the news and joked that their son will be called 'Barbie' if it was down to their daughter. She wrote: 'Impossible to hide my belly any longer. I've officially 'popped'. Our baby boy will be joining our family later this year. 'We feel so incredibly blessed and Grateful to be on this journey again. Mia is absolutely thrilled! 'Although we may need to do some negotiating on names, as so far she's adamant he's going to be called Barbie.' Appearing on Steph's Packed Lunch last month , Gemma said her second pregnancy has been more difficult than her first, because she didn't have any symptoms for the first time. Exciting: Gemma and the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 32, both took to Instagram In January to announce that they are expecting a baby boy, who is due later this year Congratulations! She shared an array of stunning black and white photographs where she showed off her blossoming baby bump as she confirmed her jovial news Adorable: In a caption, Gemma said their daughter Mia, three, is 'thrilled' about the news and joked that their son will be called 'Barbie' if it was down to their daughter She said: 'With Mia I had no symptoms straight away within two to three weeks, my boobs were getting sore, I was feeling nauseous. I said to Gorka, I need to do a test' Asked if they had picked a name, she added: 'I'd like a Spanish element to it because they're half Spanish. But I said to Gorka, we have to be careful because they're going to have an accent like me. 'They're growing up in Manchester, we can't have like 'alright Pedro' It's got to be something that sounds good in Mancunian.' Gemma and Gorka got engaged in February 2021, four years after meeting on Strictly Come Dancing. They welcomed their first child Mia on July 4, 2019. Love Island's Will Young has shut down speculation surrounding his sexuality. The TikTok farmer, 23, known for his colourful personality, hilarious jokes and sensational dance moves, claimed he is 'happy' with himself and being with girlfriend Jessie Wynter, 26. He told The Mirror: 'I was 100% myself in the villa. I'm happy with myself and I'm happy with Jessie. 'My brother is gay, and so I'm all for it. I don't think anyone can say that to me in a negative way. As a person I'm very outgoing and charismatic, and I'm not going to change.' Wading in, Jessie added: 'It's 2023 and judging people's sexuality is outdated and needs to get out of the window.' 'I'm not going to change!' Love Island's Will Young has shut down speculation surrounding his sexuality Will and Jessie missed out on reaching the show's final by one day after failing to secure the public vote after all of the couples were asked to pick which pair they thought was the least compatible. But that doesn't seem to have deterred any future plans for the pair, with Will being open to travel in order to keep their relationship alive. After leaving South Africa, the sheep farmer said: 'I think it's very fair to say I would go to Australia. 'A relationship is a two-way thing. It would be unfair for me to rely on Jessie moving here 100%. Australia has always been a place I'd like to go to and travel.' Yet despite his willingness to fly half way round the world, Will has made sure to show Jessie all the important sights of the UK whilst she's here, including Buckingham Palace and of course, the local Tesco. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, they told of their keenness to live and work together on Will's Buckinghamshire farm just in time for lambing season. Their decision comes after Will revealed veteran Countryfile host John Craven 'slid into his DMs' to congratulate him for endorsing farming to younger audiences. Good for him! The TikTok farmer, 23, known for his colourful personality, hilarious jokes and sensational dance moves, claimed he is 'happy' with himself Will said: 'Jessie is moving to the farm for the next month or two and she will be doing lambing and all of that, which I'm super, super excited about. 'When she visited for the first time this week, I gave her some wellies and she was getting really stuck in and feeding the animals, it made me fall in love with her even more.' Will and Jessie spent one night apart when they landed on UK soil but the smitten couple, who met eight weeks ago on the dating series, say they found being separated 'horrible.' Indeed, the frisky pair admit they've barely left the bedroom now the cameras are no longer rolling. Jessie said: 'It's 100 times better now we're out the villa. It is a million times better, I'll tell you that much.' Amanda Holden has celebrated Mother's Day with a heartfelt post on Instagram on Sunday. The Britain's Got Talent judge, 52, shared a photo of her and her two daughters as well as her mother Judith Mary Harrison to mark the special day. They stood in a line in height order, and wrapped their arms around the person in front. Amanda looked sensational in a black cropped jumper covered in sparkling silver gems. She flashed a glimpse of her toned stomach in the cropped number, which she paired with a matching black and silver skirt. Family: Amanda Holden has celebrated Mother's Day by sharing a photo of her and her two daughters as well as her mother Judith Mary Harrison to mark the special day Thinking of you: In her caption, Amanda reflected on those who might find Mother's Day tougher than others and sent her love Her blonde tresses were styled in neat waves and she sported a full face of glamorous make-up. Her eldest daughter Lexi, 17, looked stylish in a sheer white shirt and pair of blue jeans. Judith beamed in the middle, wearing a black shirt and trousers, while Hollie, 11, looked adorable at the front. In her caption, Amanda reflected on those who might find Mother's Day tougher than others and sent her love. She wrote: 'All together all day. Time is the best gift of all. Love to all of you lucky enough to have it today..a big cuddle and my thoughts to those who dont ..' Her post comes after Amanda shared some throwback snaps from her early 2000s days on Saturday to celebrate her old TV series Cutting It being rerun. The BBC drama ran for four seasons between 2002 and 2005 and was set in Manchester, focusing on the lives of the team running a hairdressing salon. The show featured a number of actors who subsequently became established stars, including Amanda and Ben Daniels. Amanda played the role of Mia Bevan - a confident young assistant stylist in her late twenties. And taking to her social media, the presenter shared a sweet snap alongside her former co-stars, Angela Griffin, Sian Reeves, Lucy Gaskell and Sarah Parish. Captioning the picture, she wrote: 'So fun to see this being repeated. #CuttingIt @ukTV' In the snap, a young Amanda can be seen dressed up in a black sheer dress, flashing her side-boob and incredible figure. The star added inches to her frame in black pointed heels and toted her belongings in a silver sparkly clutch. It comes after Amanda got into the spirit of Comic Relief as she shared a funny clip attempting to put on her red nose. Throwback: Amanda shared some throwback snaps from her early 2000s days on Saturday to celebrate her old TV series Cutting It being rerun Reminiscing: Cutting It ran for four seasons between 2002 and 2005 and was set in Manchester, focusing on the lives and loves of the team running a hairdressing salon Laugh along: It comes after Amanda got into the spirit of Comic Relief as she shared a funny clip attempting to put on her red nose The presenter looked sensational on Friday as she modelled a tight white mini dress that showcased her tiny waist and long legs. Yet she was missing the ultimate accessory - her big red nose. Amanda was filmed attempting to put on the item, struggling to keep it in place and running around as she dropped it. Eventually she managed to get hold of her nose and popped it on as she posed up a storm. Ed Winter, the Deputy L.A. County Coroner who handled some of the biggest celebrity fatalities, has died, TMZ reported. Law enforcement told the publication that Winter, 73, passed away of natural causes at his home in the LA area on Friday, March 17. Winter was at the forefront of high-profile deaths that included Whitney Houston, Brittany Murphy, Paul Walker, and many others. One of his biggest investigations came when Michael Jackson died in 2009 and he was left to sign the birth certificate after Dr. Conrad Murray 'fled' the UCLA Medical Center scene. Winter was immediately suspicious of the case when he saw 'a shocking number of injection points in Jackson's body.' Rest in peace: Ed Winter, the Deputy L.A. County Coroner who handled some of the biggest celebrity fatalities, has died Career: Winter was at the forefront of high-profile deaths that included Whitney Houston , Brittany Murphy , Paul Walker, and many others According to the coroner, the legendary pop star had enough Propofol in his system 'to put down a rhinoceros or an elephant.' Winter suspected there was more to learn about the death, and additionally eyed Jackson's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein. It was later alleged that Klein regularly doled out doses of Demerol to his famous client. Winter sought Klein's medical records and it was discovered that Jackson had 19 pseudonyms to secure drugs, with Klein being a key enabler. The Whitney case in 2012 also proved to be a career-defining moment as Winter had become so well-known that Dionne Warwick, a family member of Houston's, recognized him when he arrived on the scene. Paul Walker's death by car accident was another buzzed about case that elevated his career. At the time, Ed dispelled reports that the actor was screaming for help at the time of the crash as he went on TV and told reporters, 'He died instantly.' One of Winter's first assignments was the February 2003 death of Lana Clarkson, who was murdered by music titan Phil Spector. Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall put on a united display as they left the studio hand-in-hand ahead of tonight's Love Island reunion - after 'spending the night apart following a heated argument'. The pair, both 25, who came runners up behind Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, appeared to dispel any rumours of an upset in their relationship as they held hands. Lana looked stunning in an off-the-shoulder royal blue dress, which clung to her toned figure. Her blonde tresses were styled in loose waves as she turned heads in the vibrant ensemble, which she paired with clear heels. Meanwhile Ron looked dapper in a white waistcoat and matching trousers - as he opted for converse for a more casual look. United front: Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall put on a united display as they left the studio hand-in-hand ahead of tonight's Love Island reunion - after 'spending the night apart following a heated argument' Beautiful in blue: Lana, 25, opted for a stunning vibrant dress that clung to her toned body No drama here: The couple were inseparable during their latest appearance together The pair were previously spotted looking tense as they drove to Lana's parents' house before having a 'heated' conversation. In pictures exclusively obtained by The Sun, tension was apparent between the couple as they climbed into the car during a rainstorm. An onlooker told the outlet: 'They sat in the rain having a heated conversation for around 20 mins before finally going inside.' They were then seen looking distant from each other and looking out of the window in silence after their reported argument. It comes ahead of Love Island: The Reunion, which will air at 9pm and will explore how the islanders have got on after the show. Meanwhile Tom Clare and Love Island champion Kai were also spotted before the reunion - but without partners Samie and Sanam. Ron and Lana however seemed stronger than ever as they put on a united front before the show. Dispelling the rumours: The pair, who came second on Love Island, were physically affectionate before the reunion Getting ready: Tom Clare, who came third place in the show with Samie Elishi, grinned before the show Here the come: Lana and Tom were seen arriving at the studio separately earlier that day Winner: Kai was also seen outside the studio with his case as he prepared for the reunion show Deep in thought: Champion Kai was also snapped with the group in a floral shirt - but Sanam wasn't to be seen Bright: Tanya continued the vibrant dress theme, with a gorgeous yellow gown that flowed out at the waist Tension? Pictures obtained by The Sun show an apparent argument between Ron and Lana ahead of the Love Island reunion (pictured on the show) Strong couple: The pair, both 25, came second in this year's Love Island behind Sanam and Kai The make-up artist and financial advisor reportedly had a 'furious row' on the plane journey home from South Africa on Thursday. It was said that the show's producers had to intervene to get the couple to calm down. According to The Sun, after touching down in the UK the couple refused to film their homecoming, until producers stepped in once again. They then left the Heathrow airport separately rather than spending a romantic night together. The couple had a rough ride in the villa, as Lana struggled when Ron showed an interest in every other girl that came in. But after staying loyal in Casa Amor, Ron asked Lana to be his girlfriend and they went from strength to strength. Upon leaving the villa, tensions appear to have arisen once again. The Reunion will see all the Islanders reunite for a special one-off episode, reflecting on their time in the South African villa. Watch Love Island: The Reunion on Sunday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm. Jodie Comer showed off her lavish birthday celebrations after turning 30 last week. The Killing Eve actress gave fans a sneak peak into her festivities by sharing a slew of snaps on Instagram. Among them, she revealed a huge flower-embellished birthday cake and a stay at a Swanky hotel in London. Taking to her social media, she posed on a brown leather couch at the Standard hotel in London as she smiled into the distance. The star put on a stylish display in a black vest and blue denim jeans as she posed in front of the picturesque views of the city. Celebrations! Jodie Comer showed off her lavish birthday celebrations after turning 30 last week She added inches to her frame with black boots and accentuated her natural beauty with a stunning palette of make up. Clearly enjoying her time in the city, she snapped a picture outside Hammersmith Apollo, where she watched Self-Esteem perform on stage. In another photo, she put on a very cheeky display as she showed off her behind, marked with an Access All Areas pass on her back pocket. The ticket read 'eat your own ears'. The beauty opted for black leather jacket with tight jeans to wear to the event. Captioning the post on Instagram, she wrote: 'It may have only been a day but I think 30 is my favourite. Thank you for having us @thestandardlondon'. Though she's just turned 30, Jodie certainly had a very successful year, making almost 1.4million last year. The Killing Eve actress saw assets in her company Jodesco Limited rocket from 912,000 to 2.27million, driven by her blossoming career. Lavish: Among them, she revealed a huge flower-embellished birthday cake and a stay at a Swanky hotel in London Cheeky! The Killing Eve actress gave fans a sneak peak into her festivities by sharing a slew of snaps on Instagram Having fun: Clearly enjoying her time in the city, she snapped a picture outside Hammersmith Apollo, where she watched Self-Esteem perform on stage Her business has boomed with the star holding 1.8million in reserves after paying out a 294,000 tax bill and other creditors. She is best-known for her show-stopping performance as assassin Villanelle in Killing Eve, which she starred in alongside Sandra Oh as intelligence officer Eve Polastri. Jodie has also starred Doctor Foster, The Last Duel, Help and has even taken to the stage for her one-woman show Prima Facie, which is set to go to Broadway next year. Despite her riches, Jodie is still understood to base herself at her childhood home with her parents in Liverpool. In a recent interview, she said: 'I'd live with my mum and dad till I was old and grey if I could. 'But I'm definitely looking to move out. I recognise I need my own space and independence. I just don't want to do it.' Jodie's successful acting career has seen her win two BAFTAs - one for Killing Eve and one for her Covid care home drama Help last year. Success: Though she's just turned 30, Jodie certainly had a very successful year, making almost 1.4million last year Impressive: The Killing Eve actress saw assets in her company Jodesco Limited rocket from 912,000 to 2.27million driven by her blossoming career Jodie, who started out her career in Waterloo Road and Holby City as a teenager, also won a Primetime Emmy for BBC crime drama Killing Eve and has earned herself a host of other nominations. Her career is set to take off further with Hollywood producers keen for her to get big film roles following successful parts in Star Wars Episode IX and Free Guy. She is also filming with Austin Butler and Tom Hardy in Jeff Nichols' The Bikeriders, which is set for release this year. The film is a fictional story inspired by the photography of Danny Lyon and his 1967 book The Bikeriders, according to Deadline. The plot is set in the 1960s and will follow the rise of a fictional Midwestern motorcycle club as they turn into a gang over the space of a decade. Curve models have slammed Melbourne Fashion Festival for its 'deliberate' lack of size diversity on its runways. The accusation that MFF organisers chose not to cast a large enough number of plus-size models has been made by those both on the runway and off. The MFF board made a 'really clear decision to not cast models above a size 12 to 14', according to Chelsea Bonner, a size diversity activist and chief executive of modelling agency Bella Management. 'There's just no excuse this year; it was such a deliberate casting direction. 'They were presented with every single one of our models up to a size 22 multiple times. My director in Melbourne kept asking why they wouldn't cast any models over a size 14 and those emails just went ignored.' Melbourne Fashion Festival has defended its line-up of models after being criticised for its lack of size diversity. (Pictured: a model walks the runway at Melbourne Fashion Festival) Model Jess Seeto (pictured) said she felt ostracised by the experience Chelsea Bonner's (pictured) modelling agency Bella Management pushed for more curve models to be included on runways Jess Seeto, one of the two plus-size models who walked in MFF's final show, said the experience made her feel 'ostracised'. 'It didn't feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two models of disabilities there,' Ms Seeto said. 'It really sucked and made me feel like I was the token ethnic fat person there and that I was just there to tick a box, which didn't feel right.' Ms Seeto said, 'It didn't feel right that there were only two plus-size models and two models of disabilities there' In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it 'engaged models and spokespeople from diverse backgrounds' and ten of its premium runways featured curve talent. (Pictured: a model walks the runway at Melbourne Fashion Festival) According to Ms Seeto, out of the cohort of about 30 models who walked in the final show, only five were 'models of diversity', including curve models and those with a disability. In response to questions from NCA NewsWire, MFF said it 'engaged models and spokespeople from diverse backgrounds' and ten of its premium runways featured curve talent. 'The festival cares deeply about accessibility, diversity and inclusion and will continue to place great emphasis on this as part of our programming and casting in future events,' a spokesperson said. The festival also featured the Fabulous and Trendy (F.A.T.) Plus-Size Runway, a dedicated runway for models sized 16-24 and a plus-size market. Ms Seeto said she was in tears after her fitting for the final show, with comments made about how the clothing fitted her despite the size 16 model being forced to try on size 12 garments. 'I had a cry after the fitting because I really struggle and a lot of fat people struggle with the feeling of they don't fit clothing when clothing is supposed to fit them,' she said. 'In that moment I felt like I shouldn't be there.' Ms Bonner confirmed some of the girls from her agency left the MFF fittings in tears over comments made; however, she said she didn't believe they were personal attacks but rather general hurtful comments made towards those with larger bodies. '[Fatphobia] corrupts the thinking of everybody involved, not just the models. It corrupts the stylists, the casting directors, the magazines for advertisers,' she said. Maia O'Connor (pictured( said she was appalled by the lack of body diversity on the catwalks of this year's Melbourne Fashion Festival Ms O'Connor protested by wearing this slogan shirt A spokesperson said the MFF was unaware of models who left fittings feeling uncomfortable and action would have been taken if the festival had been made aware. The lack of representation throughout the festival forced one model to take a stand, with Maia O'Connor wearing a shirt with the words 'WHERE ARE THE FAT B*****S AT? SIZE 10 DOESN'T COUNT! DO BETTER!' emblazoned on the back Ms O'Connor sat through numerous shows at MFF this year and was appalled by the lack of diversity after the body-positivity movement pushed curve models to the forefront of the fashion industry. 'What are we working for if we can just get to one festival and all of that hard work is undone? A group of people can sit together around a table and just decide that they don't really care,' she said. She said she saw attendees read her shirt; however, the majority of them 'turned their backs' to the message. 'It was like there was this massive elephant in the room and I had just pointed it out and everyone was trying to close their eyes to it,' she said. Ms Bonner urged the MFF to take a different direction with their casting in the following years. 'I just hope they really deeply think about their direction for next year because it was insulting to everyone this year,' she said. The coronation of King Charles III will be the perfect opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to find more things to 'whinge' about to their American benefactors, according to Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr. The Channel Seven breakfast host, 55, took aim at the Sussexes on Monday while speaking to The Sun's royal correspondent Emily Andrews about reports the couple is still 'locked in talks' with Buckingham Palace over their attendance. Barr said the Royal Family risks an own goal by allowing Harry and Meghan to return to the fold for the historic ceremony on May 6, because they could head back to California with fresh material for their ongoing smear campaign against The Firm. Harry and Meghan have already sold royal secrets to the highest bidder thanks to their multimillion-dollar deals with U.S. media giants such as Netflix, and giving them front-row seats to the most significant royal occasion in recent memory could leave the monarchy exposed to further 'truth bombs'. While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are yet to confirm they are attending the coronation, Ms Andrews said 'my money is that they will come' and they will 'bring the kids with them'. The coronation of King Charles III will be the perfect opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to find more things to 'whinge' about to their American benefactors, according to Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr (pictured) Barr replied cautiously: 'Okay... because that will create more for them to talk about - and possibly whinge about.' Harry and Meghan have yet to confirm whether they will attend the ceremony, with sources claiming 'tense' negotiations are under way between the Sussexes and the palace about what role - if any - they will have. If they do come, Harry, who once called his stepmother Camilla Parker-Bowles a 'villain', will have to bow before his father's wife as the Queen. He will also have to give the Home Office 28 days' notice before arriving in the UK so that adequate security can be arranged for his family. Barr (left, with royal correspondent Emily Andrews) said the Royal Family risks an own goal by allowing Harry and Meghan to return to the fold for the ceremony on May 6, because they could head back to California with fresh material for their smear campaign against The Firm Harry and Meghan have yet to confirm whether they will attend the ceremony, with sources claiming 'tense' negotiations are under way between the Sussexes and the palace about what role - if any - they will have. (Pictured: Charles with Harry and Meghan on June 9, 2018) The Daily Mail newspaper reported on March 10 that Buckingham Palace staff had been told to plan for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to attend the coronation. Harry and Meghan were apparently being factored into all arrangements including cars, dining and seating in Westminster Abbey. A week later, The Times of London published an article claiming neither the Sussexes nor Prince Andrew, Duke of York, were expected to take part in the procession. The newspaper also reported Harry and Meghan's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, had not yet been invited to the coronation. The date of the coronation will be Archie's fourth birthday while Lilibet does not turn two until June 4. Ruby Rose unexpectedly vanished from social media on the eve of her birthday, after sharing a worrying post about how it is 'nothing to celebrate'. The Australian actress, who turns 37 on Monday, uploaded an Instagram Story on Sunday afternoon announcing she was logging out of her accounts until Tuesday. Ruby explained in her cryptic post, which she deleted just minutes later, that she does not celebrate her birthday, but did not disclose why. 'Logging off until the 21st. If you have followed me for long enough you know I don't acknowledge tomorrow,' she wrote. 'I don't celebrate that day... That day has never been a celebration. Some have tried but it was never a celebration at the time, and nor is it now.' Ruby Rose (pictured in Hollywood on August 29) unexpectedly vanished from social media on the eve of her 37th birthday, after sharing a worrying post about how it is 'nothing to celebrate' 'So please leave it for me this year,' she concluded. It is unclear why the Orange Is the New Black star no longer celebrates her birthday, although she has thrown parties with friends and family in the past. In 2019, Ruby held early birthday celebrations with a group of friends, including her former Batwoman co-star Rachel Skarsten and You actress Elizabeth Lail. The LA-based Australian actress, who turns 37 on Monday, uploaded an Instagram Story on Sunday afternoon announcing she was logging out of her accounts until Tuesday It is unclear why the Orange Is the New Black star no longer celebrates her birthday, although she has thrown parties with friends and family in the past The group danced around Ruby's kitchen, eating cake and junk food, and singing along to retro pop songs. In what seemed to be a wholesome evening, the women donned matching 'Happy Birthday Ruby' shirts and choreographed their own dance routines. 'My friends are the best,' she declared at the time. In 2019, Ruby (right) held early birthday celebrations with a group of friends, including her former Batwoman co-star Rachel Skarsten and You actress Elizabeth Lail (left) 'My friends are the best,' she declared at the time In 2017, the former MTV Australia presenter was serenaded on stage by her then-girlfriend Jessica Origliasso in a surprise birthday tribute. She was presented with roses at the live music venue Eddie's Attic in Atlanta before the crowd sang Happy Birthday. Ruby does not appear to have celebrated her birthday since 2020. The day after her birthday in 2021, her replacement on the CW show Batwoman was announced. British actress Wallis Day took over the role of Ruby's former character Kate Kane. Last month, Ruby spoke out for the first time since announcing plans to write a tell-all memoir exposing her feud with The Veronicas. The long-standing feud between Ruby and pop twins Lisa and Jessica Origliasso looked set to continue with the release of the actress' new book. Last month, Ruby (pictured) spoke out for the first time since announcing plans to write a tell-all memoir exposing her feud with The Veronicas The Pitch Perfect star dated Jessica from 2016 to 2018, during which time the sisters' relationship became so strained they were on the verge of estrangement. Following the couple's split, the Origliassos mended bridges and made a series of public statements criticising Ruby. Ruby announced on February 7 she had started writing her book, and promised to expose the pair - whom she did not name but called 'the sisters' - for 'how horrific' they allegedly were to her. She also claimed the 'truth' she was writing would 'p**s a lot of people off'. The long-standing feud between Ruby and Lisa and Jessica Origliasso from The Veronicas looked set to continue with the release of the actress' new memoir. (Pictured: Ruby and Jessica in London, England, on June 6, 2017) 'Book writing. The truth. It will piss a lot of people off... but maybe you should have been better?' she wrote on Instagram. 'Excited to be free. Excited to tell the truth. On the sisters? You're first. How horrific you were. Imagine mistaking kindness for weakness...' Ruby clarified on Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa it would not be a 'revenge book', but she instead hoped to inspire others. Ruby clarified on Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa it would not be a 'revenge book', but she instead hoped to inspire others 'I want it to be more of a inspiring book, as opposed to, you know, it's not a revenge book, and it's not a gossip book,' she said. 'It's definitely not a book I should be writing without my therapist. 'But the other parts are more about other things that have been said about, you know, when I broke my neck and I was almost paraplegic, and getting controversy for things that didn't happen, because that's just how Hollywood can be. 'There's a lot that I've stayed silent on because I was already at a place where I didn't want to be adding flame to the fire. I think that everyone was going to keep doubling down on these things because I was silent. Ruby announced on February 7 she had started writing her book, and promised to expose the pop twins - whom she did not name but called 'the sisters' - for 'how horrific' they allegedly were to her. She also claimed the 'truth' she was writing would 'p**s a lot of people off' The actress and DJ added, 'Imagine mistaking kindness for weakness...' 'You know, it's like if you ignore the bullies... I got taken advantage of because people knew my hands were sort of tied in that I don't want to create more of a fuss of a situation.' The feud between Ruby and The Veronicas was laid bare after Jessica broke off their on-again-off-again relationship in 2018. The two women briefly dated in 2008 before rekindling their romance in 2016, only to break up again two years later. The feud between Ruby and The Veronicas was laid bare after Jessica broke off their on-again-off-again relationship in 2018. (Pictured: Ruby and Jessica in Sydney on November 29, 2017) Not only did the relationship not end amicably, but while Jess was dating Ruby for almost two years, she was fighting with her twin sister and bandmate Lisa. Lisa explained the siblings' relationship became extremely strained during the time Jessica was with Ruby, and for a whole year they didn't talk or perform together. The sisters admitted that from 2016 to 2018, the band almost fell apart due to their family rift, but a love of music eventually brought them back together. She is well known for her acting roles in The Sleepover Club and Neighbours. And now Caitlin Stasey has opened up about her surprising career move into the world of directing adult films. The Australian actress, 32, spoke to the I've Got News for You podcast this week about her job at the female-owned pornography studio Afterglow. 'The content is pretty intense, but it runs just like any other film set,' she explained. 'The sets tend to be really inclusive. There's a lot of women. In fact, I think there are more female directors in pornography than there are in mainstream film and television.' Former Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey (pictured in Sydney on March 15) has opened up about her surprising career move into the world of directing adult films She added that being a director is 'tough' compared to acting. 'As an actor, your job is to come in... You have control over such a small portion of this massive enterprise,' Caitlin said. 'And when you're the director, you are judge, jury and executioner.' 'The content is pretty intense, but it runs just like any other film set,' she said of her job at the female-owned pornography studio Afterglow Caitlin also spoke about her 2021 lesbian porn film titled 'Eau de P***y', which is inspired by a perfume commercial and depicts three women performing sex acts on each other during an outdoor picnic. The Smile star said the idea came to mind after being inspired by mainstream perfume ads that often make 'zero sense'. 'It's as if they're written by an algorithm on another planet,' she said. 'But they're always so sexy and it always feels like sex is about to happen - everyone's sniffing each other's necks and licking each other's wrists. Caitlin, who starred as Rachel Kinski on Neighbours from 2005 to 2009 (pictured), said being a director is 'tough' compared to acting 'So I kind of came up with the concept of a a perfume commercial that then becomes a lesbian threesome.' It isn't the first time Caitlin has opened up about her adult career. Speaking with The New York Times in 2021, she discussed what it was like on set and behind the scenes. 'Porn sets tend to be a hell of a lot more inclusive than traditional film sets,' she said. Caitlin has directed three erotic films for female-led pornography website Afterglow, each one focusing on female empowerment, intimacy and sexual inclusivity 'There's also a lot more conversations surrounding consent, respect and on-set conduct.' The Reign star announced her new career as a pornographer in February 2021, revealing to fans she was directing and writing for female-led porn site Afterglow. 'It's a queer-run and operated company. It's a very cool group of women making some very good stuff,' she told Women's Wear Daily at the time. Caitlin, whose previous adult work has focused on female-led storylines, wrote and directed a new lesbian porn film titled 'Eau de P***y' in collaboration with erotica website XConfessions Caitlin has since directed three short erotic films for Afterglow, each one focusing on female empowerment, intimacy and sexual inclusivity. One of her films, titled U Up?, also explores intimacy during Covid lockdown by telling the story of a couple who have a sexual encounter via their mobile phones. 'Caitlin's a fabulous narrative director, and her involvement brings the high-quality, cinematic Hollywood experience we strive for at Afterglow,' company founder Lilly Sparks said in statement. She joined Afterglow after befriending intimacy coordinator and Afterglow's Head of Production, Allie Oops, while they were both working on another project together 'We're thrilled to be working with her in reducing the shame and stigma around sex and sex work.' She joined Afterglow after befriending intimacy coordinator and Afterglow's Head of Production, Allie Oops, while they were both working on another project together. Caitlin is best known to Aussie audiences for her roles as Rachel Kinski on the soap Neighbours from 2005 to 2009, and Ellie Linton on the 2010 action-adventure film Tomorrow, When the War Began. Kourtney Kardashian hasn't been married to Travis Barker for quite a year, but the reality star is looking back at the one-year anniversary of when she began designing her wedding dress. 'One year ago, we had our first in-person meeting with @dolcegabbana to start the design process of my wedding dress!!' wrote the 43-year-old, who shared a photo of the final frock on social media Sunday. Kourtney - who recently showed off her new blonde hairstyle - revealed 90s style played a big part in creating the whole look. 'The first inspiration for my dress was when Travis, 47, and I were watching Guns N Roses November Rain video one night before we were even engaged, and we said to each other this has to be our wedding,' she explained. The Kardashians star shared a photo of the bride in the 1992 video who was wearing a high-low dress - short in the front but long in the back, 'And I thought to myself I need a short dress!' Dress-aversary: Kourtney Kardashian took to Instagram to look back at the one-year anniversary of when she began designing her wedding dress The Poosh founder said she also drew ideas from a 90s campaign shot by Helmut Newton for Blumarine, featuring Monica Bellucci in a corset, a sheet top and lace bloomers. The couple decided to tie the knot on May 15, 2022 in Italy, the location influenced some important decisions in the design. A photo of one of the first incarnation's of the ensemble show some design elements that stayed and others that were eliminated. The location also helped narrow the focus for the look. 'When we knew our wedding was going to be in Portofino, it also influenced the vibes and feeling of the dress.' The wedding was an opulent and carefully planned affair, but Kourtney said she wanted the gown to give her a feeling of spontaneity. 'I also just wanted to feel like we ran off to Italy and got married and wanted the dress and wedding to feel that way!' The lavish ceremony included a custom made floor length vail with personal messages woven into the lace. 'When @dolcegabbana suggested putting Traviss head tattoo of the Virgin Mary on the handmade lace veil with the words from his tattoo: family, loyalty, respect underneath, I got chills and knew how special that felt.' Kourtney shared snaps of the design sketches submitted for her approval. She closed by expressing her thanks. 'This was all planned and made into my dream come true all so so quickly and Im so grateful to everyone who put their all into making it all happen! ' Travis, who is still recovering from surgery on one of his fingers commented, 'The most beautiful bride,' next to the lengthy post, but comments among here other fans were mixed. Rock and roll: Kourtney explained that when she saw the bride in the Guns N' Roses video November Rain 'I thought to myself I need a short dress!' High fashion: The reality star said she was also inspired by a 90s campaign for Bluemarine which featured actress Monica Bellucci as a bride in a corseted ensemble First steps: A photo of one of the first incarnation's of the ensemble show some design elements that stayed and others that were eliminated Italy: Kourtney revealed the decision to marry in Portofino also served to narrow the focus of the look. 'I also just wanted to feel like we ran off to Italy and got married and wanted the dress and wedding to feel that way!' Chills: She shared that when the designers 'suggested putting Traviss head tattoo of the Virgin Mary on the handmade lace veil with the words from his tattoo: family, loyalty, respect underneath, I got chills and knew how special that felt' Sketches: Kourtney shared a sketch of the proposed design featuring the intricate details for her chapel length veil and the final product that she wore on the day of her wedding Thanks: The Poosh founder expressed her thanks to all those who worked on the look. 'This was all planned and made into my dream come true all so so quickly and Im so grateful' The bride wore black: Later on Sunday, Kourtney shared some steamy photos from her 'reception,' including a black bustier with black lace arm-length gloves and matching tights Personalized: She included a Dolce & Gabbana sketch of the outfit that was signed Woman in white: She also showed off her mirror image white lace look On point: She had a set of dark roses that fit the theme What a difference! Her brilliant white heels contrasted the dark looks Many loved the look writing, 'Wow stunning,' 'So beautiful' and 'So obsessed.' Others admitted they were not big fans, posting 'The bottom of the corset feels off to me - reminds me of when toddlers have their onesie unbuttoned,' and 'Worst wedding dress.' Another fan tried to take a kinder approach. 'I love the fact that your wedding represented the both of you. Not what everyone expected but you.' Miranda Kerr and her Snapchat founder husband Evan Spiegel made a very low-key arrival into Australia on Monday morning. The couple landed at Newcastle Airport in Williamstown, NSW, after flying in from Los Angeles. The Aussie supermodel, 39, was dressed casually for the long-haul flight, showing off her abs in a cropped T-shirt which she paired with baggy grey trackpants. The brunette accessorised with a heart-shaped Louis Vuitton handbag and shielded her eyes from the morning sun with designer shades. She opted for minimal makeup on her flawless complexion, and wore her shoulder-length locks out in a straight style. Miranda Kerr and her Snapchat founder husband Evan Spiegel made a very low-key arrival into Australia on Monday morning As she stepped out onto the tarmac, Miranda also carried an oversized jacket that featured an array of different colours and patterns. She kept her hair away from her face as she braced against the wind. The former Victoria's Secret model offered a friendly wave to airport staff and crew who assisted her on the ground. The couple landed at Newcastle Airport in Williamstown, NSW, after flying in from Los Angeles The brunette accessorised with a heart-shaped Louis Vuitton handbag and shielded her eyes from the morning sun with designer shades Miranda has returned to Australia ahead of the Forbes Women's Summit, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on March 22. The KORA Organics founder is set to speak about her success at the event and also host an 'exclusive cocktail and networking function' for platinum ticketholders. Miranda's arrival Down Under also comes as she is looking to expand her real estate portfolio back home. Miranda has returned to Australia ahead of the Forbes Women's Summit, held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney on March 22 The Aussie supermodel, 39, was dressed casually for the long-haul flight, showing off her abs in a cropped T-shirt which she paired with baggy grey trackpants Miranda looked happy to be home, beaming as she disembarked the jet The Los Angeles-based star is said to be on the hunt for a 'luxury trophy home', according to real estate insiders on the Gold Coast who say her father is busy inspecting mansions on his daughter's behalf. Miranda's parents John and Therese Kerr are based in Brisbane. However, it's understood John has been inspecting the Gold Coast luxury market in recent weeks and has taken a particular interest in a number of acreage estates located in the Gold Coast hinterland. 'We believe John has been looking at homes for Miranda and her family to potentially purchase, either as a base in Australia or as a holiday retreat,' a luxury listing agent, who specialises in high-end rural acreage, told Daily Mail Australia. Evan also looked happy to be touching down in Australia and was seen shaking hands with staff who awaited their arrival He paired his look with a leather business bag and thin framed sunglasses 'He has been shown through a number of the bigger, more spectacular homes in the past few weeks but as of yet no purchase has been made that we're aware of.' Both Miranda and her father have been contacted for comment. Miranda and her husband Evan, along with their kids Myles and Hart Spiegel and Flynn Bloom, currently reside in Los Angeles full time but also keep a vineyard estate in the Hunter Valley which they bought for $7.5million in 2020. The former Victoria's Secret model later gave a friendly wave to a airport staff and crew who assisted her on the ground Miranda's arrival Down Under also comes as she looking is to expand her real estate portfolio back home The cashed-up couple also own a $50million villa in Paris and a seaside vacation home in Malibu, and forked out one of the highest figures ever for a new Los Angeles compound in 2022 when they settled on a $145million property in swanky Holmby Hills. A new home on the Gold Coast would cap something of a major real estate splurge for the pair who have been frequent visitors to Australia in recent months. Should she dip her toe into the Gold Coast she would be in some famous company with a number of high-profile identities buying up in recent months. Miranda is said to be on the hunt for a 'luxury trophy home' according to real estate insiders on the Gold Coast who say her father is busy inspecting mansions on his daughter's behalf The cashed-up couple also own a $50million villa in Paris and a seaside vacation home in Malibu Buddy and Jesinta Franklin most famously snapped up the iconic trophy home Villa Casa for $9million in late 2022. Former radio host Alan Jones also dropped $12.25m recently on a Southport estate from automotive millionaires Brett and Rebecca Frizelle, while Sydney booze mogul Ross Jurisich of Stone & Wood Brewing Company fame paid $21.5m for a Mermaid Beach mansion. Ex-Storm star and Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith and former soapie actress Holly Brisley have also recently relocated there. A new home on the Gold Coast would cap something of a major real estate splurge for the pair who have been frequent visitors to Australia in recent months Miranda and Evan first met at a Louis Vuitton event in 2014. The pair were officially dating by 2015 and they got engaged the following year before tying the knot in May 2017 Miranda and Evan first met at a Louis Vuitton event in 2014. The pair were officially dating by 2015 and they got engaged the following year before tying the knot in May 2017. 'It was lovely to find someone who appreciated my kind heart and joyful spirit,' she said of her partner in LVR magazine. Miranda was previously married to Hollywood actor Orlando Bloom, whom she started dating back in 2007. They married just a month after getting engaged in June 2010, but announced in October 2013 they were getting divorced. At a review meeting the CM held on the impact of the unseasonal rains on crops and farmlands, CMO officials submitted a preliminary report about the loss of crops. (File Photo) Vijayawada: With heavy rains lashing several districts, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday directed officials to start the enumeration of loss or damage to crops so as to provide immediate relief to the affected farmers and others. At a review meeting the CM held on the impact of the unseasonal rains on crops and farmlands, CMO officials submitted a preliminary report about the loss of crops. Jagan Reddy asked the officials to immediately start a detailed enumeration of crop damage. Collectors should complete the enumeration within a week, he said. Adequate precautions should be taken to prevent any mishap due to the heavy rains, the CM said and said the collectors should assess the weather situation from time to time and remain vigilant. Minister for Information, BC Welfare and Cinematography, SV Krishna said the government would support the affected farmers in all possible ways. He briefed the media on the review meet and said that according to the preliminary estimates given by the officials, crops were damaged in 25 mandals of five districts. In 15 mandals of Nandyal district, maize, paddy, millet and chilli crops have been damaged. Maize was damaged in five mandals of NTR district, one mandal in Kurnool district and three mandals in Parvathipuram Manyam district. Millet and cotton were damaged in one mandal in Prakasam district, the minister said. He said that during the tenure of the previous government, ie from 2014 to 2019, there were drought conditions in the state and the farmers faced difficulties. "After Jagan Reddy took charge, the farmers are happy in every way. But, they faced some trouble due to untimely rainfall at a time when they expected to have the harvest in a day or two," he said. The minister said the government was providing input subsidy in the same crop season itself if the crops are damaged. "Crop insurance is being provided by the government by paying the premium amount related to the insurance as well as providing input subsidy to the farmers whose crops have been damaged. The Rythu Bharosa Kendras have been set up to provide adequate support to the farmers from the time they raise the crops to the time they sell them," he added. A big tree uprooted due to gales at Taduvai village n Jangareddygudem mandal of Eluru district on Saturday (A. Manikanta Kumar/DC) KAKINADA: Heavy rains have battered several areas of erstwhile East and West Godavari districts on Saturday, damaging paddy, tobacco, maize, mango, cashew and several other crops, apart from disrupting normal life. A 36-year-old woman, Metla Sandhya of Taduvayi village in Jangareddygudem mandal of Eluru district, died when a huge tree got uprooted and fell on her during heavy gales and rains. She is survived by her husband, a daughter and a son. Low-lying areas have got inundated in Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada, Amalapuram, Tuni, Jangareddygudem and other places. Maize crops in the Eluru district had been harvested and left to dry on the ground. But unseasonal rains have damaged the crop. Farmers said they had no tarpaulins to cover their crops. Even mango and cashew crops, which are in the growing stage, have got damaged. Eluru district horticulture officer P.V.S. Ravi Kumar, who visited Borvancha village in Nuziveedu Mandal, said rains have damaged the mango and chilli crops. He suggested that farmers spray pesticides as advised by scientists to save these crops. East Godavari district agriculture officer M. Madhava Rao said at present paddy crop is in the harvesting stage. Farmers should protect and save their crops by storing them in a safe place. He pointed out that there is still time for harvesting of MTU 1121 variety of paddy. He asked farmers to drain their fields in case there are heavy rains. However, the condition of tobacco and chilli farmers is bad. Virginia tobacco has been cultivated in five mandals of the Eluru district. Farmers are worried that the grade of their tobacco will fall due to rain, causing them a loss. Likewise, chilli farmers too are a worried lot. Commuters wade on waterlogged Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway at Ramanagar, outskirts of Bengaluru, Saturday. (PTI Photo) BENGALURU: The officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have blamed the villagers of Madapura and adjoining areas of the newly opened Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway for blocking the drainage which led to waterlogging of the expressway. Parts of the expressway near Sanghabasavanadoddi village in Ramanagar district was flooded in the summer rains on Friday night and Saturday morning. Villagers of Madapura and surrounding areas are trying to make a shortcut to access their agriculture fields for which they blocked the drain with soil for a width of 3 meters, alleged NHAI. The blockage, which resulted in the flooding of the expressway, has been removed for smooth flow of traffic along the expressway, said the NHAI officials. The NHAI also attributed the waterlogging to excess rainfall during summer. "There was excess rainfall of 3.9 mm as against 0.1 mm of normal rainfall in the region," said NHAI officials. The motorists expressed displeasure over the inundation of the Expressway who had to wade through the waterlogged road. Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha member Pratap Simha said that pipelines have been installed to prevent further waterlogging of the expressway during rains. The expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 12 Senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi (PTI Photo/Kamal Singh) NEW DELHI: The Congress is all set to deploy its "star campaigners" in Karnataka. As part of that exercise, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will start his campaign in the state on Monday. He will be addressing a rally in Belgavi and is expected to make several announcements, including the release of the youth manifesto. This will be Mr Gandhis first visit to Karnataka after his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will be accompanying him. Congress is planning to make it a star-studded campaign leading up to election day. Senior party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has already visited the state earlier and is expected to play a key role in wooing women voters. The first meeting of the party's central election committee (CEC) took place in the national capital. Insiders claim that almost 125 names have been cleared by the CEC and the first list will be announced on the day of the Ugadi festival on March 22. Ugadi is celebrated as an auspicious day and a new year in Karnataka. The second CEC for the remaining seats will be held next week. The party is aiming to win at least 150 seats out of the total 224 in the Assembly elections. State unit chief D.K. Shivkumar said that the Congress MLAs have done a good job and most of the sitting MLAs will be repeated. Making the stand of the party clear, Mr Shivakumar said the party will contest the upcoming state Assembly elections alone. "No alliance with anyone. We are going alone. We are fighting alone. We will come to power alone." The party is concentrating specifically on local issues. They have been targeting sitting BJP chief minister Basavaraj Bommai in the last couple of months over allegations of corruption. Mr Shivkumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah have crisscrossed the state with their "Praja Dhwani" yatra, highlighting the BJP government's failures. As the new Congress president hails from Karnataka, he is keen to wrest power from the BJP in the state. He has ensured the factionalism prevailing in the state is brought to an end. In the coming days, the party will also release its manifesto; besides a general manifesto, there will be sector-specific promises that will be made. The elections for the Karnataka Assembly are slated to be held in May this year. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav. (PTI Photo) The biggest onus and greatest opportunity to defeat the seemingly invincible Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government lies with the regional parties, reflected Akhilesh Yadav, chief of Samajwadi Party, and he is very right in his assessment. Mr Akhilesh Yadav himself has three major advantages in providing direction to the cause of Opposition unity firstly, he is from Uttar Pradesh, the biggest state in India and most defining battleground for the Lok Sabha, and it will be the performance of his party, the SP, that will be very crucial; secondly, the secular credentials of his party and his family are unimpeachable, and finally, most significantly, as the youngest of leaders in the spectrum, he is not a candidate for Prime Minister, a point which greatly empowers him to take the talks to other big leaders. Since he is not a PM candidate, Mr Akhilesh Yadav, along with Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy CM of Bihar and RJD steward, another young secular and Hindi belt leader, can be a core nucleus of the anti-Modi front. With these two young leaders being focused on their respective states, their lack of ambition for the top slot will give them a good chip with those who do nurse the high office dream from Mamata Banerjee to Arvind Kejriwal to K. Chandrashekar Rao. Akhilesh Yadav is right in his assessment that the big fight to the BJP led by the Modi-[Amit] Shah duo must come not from the Congress, whose track record is weak, but from the regional parties, because the BJP has its weakest and poorest record against regional parties, and its worst against non-Hindi speaking regional parties. The BJP has never performed well in states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, or Tamil Nadu, which have regional parties based on linguistic and regional pride; and the only win of the saffron party in the south till date is recorded in Karnataka, where it takes on the Congress. Thus, it stands to reason that the young Yadav duo can take initiative and bring in various leaders and heads of parties from Bengal to Telangana, Punjab to Bihar, Delhi to Maharashtra to Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand to Kashmir, and even try to co-opt the recalcitrant regional leaders of Andhra and Odisha. If all these regional parties, either on their own or together, hold on to their respective forts, and hold out a friendly hand to the Congress Party, again in a grand big fashion, or in small localised manner, the anti-Modi front will be truly present to fight a fierce contest. Akhilesh Yadav did refer to the role of the Congress in such a manner, saying it would be for the Grand Old Party to decide its own role. Interestingly, while he acknowledged that different parties and leaders are making their own initiatives and moves to form a front, the SP chief was smart to concede that independent and parallel initiatives without coherence or unity at present could still be foundational for a grand coming together of forces at the right time. Whatever one stands for, no Indian would disagree that democracy needs an Opposition, and never has a party or government looked so strong, and the Opposition so weak, as now that all of us would support Mr Yadav for its credo that a stronger Opposition is a must for a stronger democracy, and a stronger India. Dead fish float on the surface of the lower Darling-Baaka River near the New South Wales state far west town of Menindee, Australia, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP) Canberra: Millions of fish have washed up dead in southeastern Australia in a die-off that authorities and scientists say is caused by floods and hot weather. The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding. The deaths were likely caused by low oxygen levels as floods recede, a situation made worse by fish needing more oxygen because of the warmer weather, the department said. Residents of the Outback town of Menindee complained of a terrible smell from the dead fish. We've just sort of started to clean up, and then this has happened, and that's sort of you're walking around in a dried-up mess and then you're smelling this putrid smell. It's a terrible smell and horrible to see all those dead fish, said Jan Dening, a local. Nature photographer Geoff Looney found huge clusters of dead fish near the main weir in Menindee on Thursday evening. The stink was terrible. I nearly had to put a mask on, Looney said. "I was worried about my own health. That water right in the top comes down to our pumping station for the town. People north of Menindee say there's cod and perch floating down the river everywhere. Mass kills have been reported on the Darling-Baaka River in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of fish were found at the same spot in late February, while there have been several reports of dead fish downstream toward Pooncarie, near the borders of South Australia and Victoria states. Enormous fish kills occurred on the river at Menindee during severe drought conditions in late 2018 and early 2019, with locals estimating millions of deaths. Bahrain is in discussions with many Indian universities to set up campuses in the island country for higher education and vocational training as it is keen on increasing its technical manpower. "We have one of the highest literacy rates in the region and like India, human capital is our greatest asset. We are in discussions with universities and we believe that India is well placed to support us in higher education," Bahrain's Industry and Commerce Minister Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro told PTI in an interaction organised by CII. In India, many higher education institutions are world-class and there is room for them in Bahrain, especially, in the technical education area, in which India is considered one of the best globally, the minister said. Also Read | Why the public university matters in India "We are also looking to collaborate with institutions providing strong vocational training. We are looking at collaborating with institutions for setting up their offshore campus in Bahrain and also for exchange programmes, where students from Bahrain can learn in campuses in India," he added. Bahrain's Industry and Commerce Minister was in India on a four-day visit with a 60-member delegation to strengthen relationships between both countries, especially in areas of business-to-business and government-to-business. "The purpose of this visit is to strengthen the already strong relations we have with India and to look for new opportunities for doing business, of joint investments - investments in India and investments in Bahrain," he said. The minister held several meetings with government officials, ministers and business leaders in New Delhi and Mumbai. "We expect the bilateral trade between Bahrain and India to continue and to accelerate. Difficult to quantify it. Our region is growing and India is growing as an economy. And we all are more focused on developing the relationship with India than ever before. This visit is a testament to that" the minister said. "This visit is one of the series of visits we have. We expect the bilateral trade and investment between both countries to grow faster," he said. In 2022, the bilateral trade between India and Bahrain was $1.4 billion. Indian exports to Bahrain were around $904 million while imports stood at $500 million in 2022. Also Read | Australia's Deakin becomes first foreign university to get nod to set up campus in India "Right after the pandemic, we announced the economic recovery plan. Under which, we are looking to attract investment from India in six priority sectors, including logistics, manufacturing, financial services, tourism, ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and oil and gas. "These are six priority sectors that will drive the development and growth in Bahrain," Bahrain Economic Development Board Chief Executive Khalid Humaidan said. Bahrain is looking for investments in manufacturing, especially in pharmaceuticals, food, renewables, downstream aluminium, ICT and downstream petrochemicals, Humaidan added. "I think industrial R&D is important. There is a gap in Bahrain on industrial R&D and we can learn a lot from the Indian experience," he added. Talking about the free trade agreement (FTA), Fakhro said Bahrain has already started discussions on the pact with India. "The negotiations on FTA have started with India and we are keen to see them proceed fast. However, these kinds of negotiations take time, but we hope it will be soon," he added. Iran's top security official on Sunday signed a deal with Iraqi authorities for "protection" of their common border, the Iraqi prime minister's office said, months after Tehran struck Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq's north. Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region hosts camps and rear-bases operated by several Iranian Kurdish factions, which Iran has accused of serving Western or Israeli interests in the past. In November, Iran launched cross-border missile and drone strikes against several of the groups in northern Iraq, accusing them of stoking the nationwide protests triggered by the death in custody last September of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. Ali Shamkhani, who heads Iran's Supreme National Security Council, inked the deal with his Iraqi counterpart Qassem al-Araji during a visit to Baghdad, the statement said. It comprises "coordination over the protection of common borders", and will also see the "strengthening of cooperation in several areas of security", the statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani added. Shamkhani denounced "vicious activities by counter-revolutionary elements" in northern Iraq, a reference to the Kurdish groups operating in the country, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. He said the agreement signed on Sunday "can completely and fundamentally end the vicious actions of these groups," which the Iranian government labels "terrorist." After the Iranian strikes, Iraq in November announced it would redeploy federal guards on the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, rather than leaving the responsibility to Kurdish peshmerga forces -- a move welcomed by Tehran. Factions based in Iraq's mountainous north have in the past waged an armed insurrection against Tehran, but in recent years their activities have declined and experts said they had ceased nearly all military activity. Shamkani's visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled former dictator Saddam Hussein. His fall gave birth to a political system that granted the Shiite majority dominance over politics. Many of these Shiite factions -- including Sudani's backers in parliament -- are supported by Shiite-majority Iran. Relations between the two neighbours have grown ever closer over the past two decades. Baghdad had also played a role in mediating a reconciliation between Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia, hosting several rounds of talks between the two since April 2021. Riyadh and Tehran had cut all diplomatic ties in 2016 before a surprise Chinese-brokered reconciliation deal was announced earlier this month. Shamkhani also met the governor of Iraq's central bank and the deputy minister of foreign affairs, according to IRNA. Tehran is a key trade partner for Baghdad, which in turn is largely dependent on gas and electricity from Iran. The Iranian government has proposed to Saudi Arabia three locations for a meeting at foreign minister level, Iran's foreign minister said on Sunday, citing the latest diplomatic exchanges with Riyadh since the countries agreed to re-establish ties. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a news conference in Tehran his country had agreed to such a meeting, although he did not list the three locations or say when such a meeting might take place. Separately, an aide to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz had invited Raisi to visit Riyadh in a letter welcoming the deal agreed on March 10 to restore ties within two months, after years of hostility. Also Read | Iran, Saudi back on talking terms Raisi "welcomed the invitation," Mohammad Jamshidi, political deputy at the president's office, said on Twitter without mentioning a timeframe. In a letter to President Raisi, H.E Salman bin Abdulaziz the King of Saudi Arabia welcomed the deal btw the 2 brotherly countries, invited him to Riyadh &called for strong economic/regional cooperation. Raisi welcomed the invitation&stressed Iran's readiness to expand cooperation Mohammad Jamshidi (@MhmmdJamshidi) March 19, 2023 The Saudi government's communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saudi state media has not reported on the letter. The deal between the region's Sunni Muslim and Shi'ite powers, brokered by China, was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle Eastern powers. Amirabdollahian also said Tehran was ready for the mutual reopening of embassies. Also Read | China has shown geopolitical chutzpah with Saudi-Iran truce. What next? Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric. Amirabdollahian said Iran also hoped to normalise its ties with Bahrain, a close Saudi ally that followed Riyadh in severing diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016. Bahrain, a Sunni Muslim-ruled monarchy with a majority Shi'ite population, has repeatedly accused Iran of fomenting unrest in the island state, which Tehran denies. "An agreement was reached two months ago for Iranian and Bahraini technical delegations to visit the embassies of the two countries. We hope that some obstacles between Iran and Bahrain will be removed and we will take basic steps to reopen the embassies," Amirabdollahian said. Bahrain's government communications office did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Bahrain, together with other Gulf Arab states, welcomed the agreement between Riyadh and Tehran to restore relations. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will articulate in New Delhi on Monday a new plan to counter China in Indo-Pacific more than one-and-a-half decades after one of his predecessors, Shinzo Abe, had addressed Parliament of India and laid the foundation of an Arc of Democracy to contain the communist countrys belligerence in the region. Kishida arrived in New Delhi early on Monday. He will hold a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House later on the day before delivering the 41st Sapru House lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). He will depart from New Delhi on Tuesday. Also Read: Japan PM Fumio Kishida likely to offer new plan to counter China during India tour I would like to exchange views (with Modi) on the role that our two countries should play in resolving the mountain of international challenges, and to further strengthen our Special Strategic Global Partnership, Kishida tweeted just before departing from Tokyo for New Delhi. He noted that while Japan was chairing the G7, India was holding the presidency of the G20 this year. PM Kishida: From now I will head to #India to meet with Prime Minister Modi (@narendramodi). This year, #Japan holds the #G7 presidency while India chairs the #G20. Prime Minister Modi and I will exchange views on the role our two countries should play as we work to resolve (1/3) pic.twitter.com/xT0G3Szghz PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) March 19, 2023 In addition, during my stay in India, I will announce a new plan on free and open Indo-Pacific, Japanese Prime Minister said, adding: We will present concrete ideas about the future of free and open Indo-Pacific at this historical turning point. The speech by the Japanese Prime Minister at the ICWA is going to be a highlight of his tour to New Delhi as he is likely to unveil a new action plan for the Indo-Pacific region. A source in New Delhi told DH that Japans new action plan for the Indo-Pacific might include expanding support to developing nations in the region and strengthening their security capabilities to contain the hegemonic aspirations of China. Kishida would discuss with new action plan with Modi and emphasize on enhancing Japans cooperation with India and its other partners in the Quad Australia and the United States in implementing the new action plan, added the source, aware of New Delhis engagements with Tokyo. Kishida is going to deliver the lecture at the ICWA in New Delhi almost 16 years after the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had addressed a joint session of both the Houses of Parliament of India on August 22 in 2007. Abes landmark speech, titled Confluence of the Two Seas, had laid the foundation of the concept of Indo-Pacific and a larger cooperation between India and Japan as well as other nations in building an arc of democracy to counter the hegemonic aspirations of China. His speech had played a key role in shaping the Quad a coalition forged by India, Japan, Australia and the United States to promote the vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. Abe was assassinated at Nara in Japan on July 8, 2022. The Quad was elevated to the level of the leaders in 2021. India, however, resisted the US attempt to turn it into a security alliance as it was not keen to remain in a group overtly adversarial to China. The Quad, unlike the AUKUS initiative by Australia, the UK and the US, continued with its benign agenda to counter Beijings bid to spread its influence in the Indo-Pacific. The four-nation coalition thus remained focused on development partnership and cooperation in education and healthcare. Kishida and Modi will on Monday also discuss the agenda of the Quad Summit, which would be held in Sydney in May and which would see the two leaders joining Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the US President Joe Biden. Kishida is unveiling Tokyos new plan for free and open Indo-Pacific at a time when tension between Japan and China escalated over conflicting territorial claims over Senkaku (in Japanese) or Diaoyu (in Chinese) islands in East China Sea. A patrol ship of China Coast Guard on March 15 last drove away the vessels of the fishermen from Japan from near the Senkaku or Diaoyu islands. Beijing accused the fishermen from Japan of intruding into the territorial waters of China. Tokyo, on the other hand, alleged that the patrol ship of the China Coast Guard violated the sovereignty of Japan. Tokyo has of late initiated countermeasures in response to militarization of disputed islands by Beijing. Japan on March 16 moved a large number of troops, including missile units, to a new military base set up on Ishigaki island in its Okinawa prefecture, in order to bolster its defencive capabilities against belligerence of China. The new military base is just about 200 kilometres south of the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) islands and is the fourth such base set up by Japan to respond to military muscle-flexing by China since 2016. The Madras High Court on Sunday allowed the AIADMK to go ahead with elections to the post of General Secretary but restrained it from declaring the results till the petitions filed against the election process is decided. Justice K Kumaresh Babu, who held a special sitting on Sunday, told the court that he would pass the orders on March 24 if both sides concluded their arguments by March 22. The judge also said he will issue a common order after the fresh petitions along with those filed against the July 11 General Council meeting of the AIADMK. Read | Will quit if BJP leadership decides to align with AIADMK: Annamalai The order was passed on a batch of petitions filed by P H Manoj Pandian, a key supporter of expelled leader O Panneerselvam and a legislator, and others seeking a stay on the elections to GS post scheduled for March 26. Pandian filed the petition after the AIADMK announced the election schedule on Friday and interim general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami filed his nomination. While the OPS argued that the election notification wasnt fair as applications seeking a stay on the resolutions passed at July 11 were still pending, the EPS side contended that the court should not interfere in the election process. The court will have a special sitting on March 22, a holiday on the occasion of Ugadi. Since only Palaniswami has filed nomination, he will be elected as the General Secretary. But the AIADMK cannot announce the results. OPS camp says the election is invalid as the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to ratify the amendments to byelaws of the party approved by the General Council. Unless the EC accepts the amendments, they said, the AIADMK cannot hold elections to the post of general secretary. The AIADMKs internal problems which began after Jayalalithaas death in 2016 are yet to be solved. While OPS rebelled against V K Sasikala in 2017, the latter anointed Palaniswami as the Chief Minister before she went to Bengaluru to serve her prison term in the disproportionate assets (DA) case. However, after she went to jail, OPS and EPS patched up and ran the AIADMK as coordinator and joint coordinator for about five years when Palaniswami struck unannounced seeking unitary leadership in the party. Signalling the intensification of a bitter political battle between the ruling BJP and the Opposition, Delhi Police under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday went to top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's residence for the third time in four days seeking details of women who claimed to him that they were sexually assaulted. Congress hit back at the government calling the exercise "political vengeance" and "shameful act" that proves Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "nervous" about Rahul raising "uncomfortable" and "unanswerable" questions, including the Adani affair. It said notices were issued for his speech in Srinagar at the Bharat Jodo Yatra finale 45 days ago, exposing the motive and seriousness behind the move. Special Commissioner (Law and Order) Sagarpreet Hooda led the team to Rahul's residence on Tughlaq Lane in the morning where he met Rahul and other senior leaders. Rahul told police that it would take 7-8 days to collate the details as his yatra was 145 days long. Also Read | BJP moves to get Rahul Gandhi suspended from Lok Sabha over UK remarks After the meeting, Hooda told reporters that the remarks had to come to police's notice and as Rahul stayed in the capital and the yatra passed through the capital, they wanted to collect details about victims in the city. "Several police personnel were deployed for the yatra. I personally was present. After his remarks about some sobbing women telling him about sexual assaults, domestic violence etc, we did our local investigation and could not find anything like that. So we wanted to ask the MP himself," he said. Asked why it took so many days to act as Rahul made the remarks on January 30, he said Rahul had gone abroad and they approached him after he returned. Rahul left for London on February 28 and returned on March 15. However, the Congress was not impressed by the action with party president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeting, the government has gone berserk in the effort to save Modi-ji's 'best friend'! After 45 days, sending Delhi Police to Rahul Gandhi's house for questioning regarding 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' is yet another cowardly act of the dictatorial government! Run the Parliament, Set up the JPC, Bring out the truth! " " ! 45 , " " @RahulGandhi ! , JPC ! Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 19, 2023 Senior lawyer and MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi, claiming that the police had earlier on March 16 accepted Rahul's contention that it would take some time to collate details while Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot squarely put the onus on Home Minister Amit Shah saying police would not have taken this recourse without his prodding. We will respond to the notice in detail...but in the past 75 years, a leader from any other party has been issued a notice after a political yatra. This smacks of the worst kind of pettiness," Singhvi, with Gehlot and Congress General Secretary (Jairam Ramesh) on his side, told a press conference. "Without Shah's order, it is not possible that police could show such audacity. Rahul Gandhi said that he has received the notice and he will reply to it but still, the police went to his house. Don't forget what happened to the parties that sent police Indira Gandhi after the Emergency," Gehlot said. He said the Modi government was setting a bad example by registering cases on statements of opposition leaders made during political campaigns. "If a Union Minister makes similar comments in Rajasthan, should we take the same action as done by the Delhi Police," he asked. Two more FIRs have been registered against radical preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates in connection with the recovery of a weapon from an abandoned vehicle and breaking through police barricades in Jalandhar. The radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser has been on the run since the Punjab Police launched a massive crackdown on Saturday and arrested 78 members of the 'Waris Punjab De', headed by him. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jalandhar range) Swapan Sharma said one of the FIRs was registered on Sunday after the recovery of a weapon and several dozens of live cartridges from the vehicle, which was believed to be part of Amritpal Singh's convoy on Saturday. Police on Sunday came across the abandoned car in Salema village in Jalandhar's Shahkot. Also Read | 4 members of outfit headed by Amritpal Singh flown to Dibrugarh after arrest in Punjab The second case was registered on Saturday after Amritpal Singh and his associates broke through police barricades in Jalandhar, said Sharma. Earlier, police had registered an FIR on February 24 against Amritpal Singh and his associates in connection with the Ajnala incident a day earlier. On February 23, Amritpal and his supporters, some of them brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of Amritsar, clashing with police for the release of one of Amritpal's aide. Replying to a question whether Amritpal's four supporters were taken to Dibrugarh in Assam, the DIG said it is confidential. He said 10 associates of Amritpal were arrested on Saturday. He further said some phones have been recovered which have been sent for technical analysis. In Salema village, police seized the ammunition and said the black-coloured multi-utility car was most likely part of Amritpal's convoy on Saturday. The same car was also captured in a video a day earlier, they said. Also Read | Punjab govt extends suspension of internet, SMS services till March 20 noon; Amritpal Singh remains elusive A rifle, 57 live cartridges, a sword, and a registration number plate were among the articles recovered from the vehicle, police said. The vehicle was found in an abandoned state in Salema village in Jalandhar's Shahkot, said Jalandhar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Swarandeep Singh. Interacting with reporters on the spot where the vehicle was found, Singh said, "We came to know that an abandoned vehicle had been found in Salema village." "The key of the vehicle was also lying there. A private walkie talkie, a .315 bore rifle and 57 live cartridges were found," he said. On Saturday, police had said it had launched a "massive state-wide cordon and search operations (CASO)" in the state against elements of the 'Waris Punjab De' (WPD), headed by Amritpal, against whom several criminal cases have been registered. A police spokesperson said that the WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel, and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh was anointed the head of the 'Waris Punjab De' following the death of its founder - actor and activist Deep Sidhu - in a road accident in February last year. Police on Sunday conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab in their manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh, arresting 34 more supporters and shifting four men in custody to a jail in far-off Assam. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has, however, asked the state government to respond on Tuesday to a habeas corpus petition, claiming that the preacher is already in illegal police custody and should be released. Justice N S Shekhawat held the hearing at his home-office as the courts were closed. Police stuck to their version that the Waris Punjab De chief gave them the slip during a car chase in Jalandhar district on Saturday, when the crackdown against the group began. They have slapped fresh FIRs against the Khalistan sympathiser and his supporters. Section 144 of the CrPc, which prohibits congregations, was imposed in the union territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Prohibitory orders were already in force in some parts of Punjab. Police recovered a second vehicle in the case, an abandoned pick-up with a gun, a sword and several cartridges in Jalandhar districts Salema village and said it appeared to be a part of Amritpal Singhs cavalcade. Also Read | Amritpal Singh's 'close aides' flown from Punjab to Assam, lodged in Dibrugarh jail The crackdown has come weeks after Singh and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released. Twenty-one Amritpal supporters were taken into custody near Boparai Kalan in Jalandhar district when they tried to stage a 'dharna' over the previous days action. These detentions are apparently not part of the arrests tally given by police 78 on Saturday and 34 more on Sunday. Earlier, police said nine firearms have also been seized. The state remained on high alert. Security forces took out flag marches at several places including Ferozepur, Bathinda, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Batala, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Moga and Jalandhar in a show of strength. The Punjab government also extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Monday noon. The official order, which exempted banking services, said this was to prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order. Four of the arrested men were brought to BJP-ruled Assam's Dibrugarh by a 27-member Punjab Police team accompanying them, according to an Assam Police officer. The men, now lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, were identified as alleged fund raiser Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Pradhanmantri Bajeka. Sometimes persons arrested in one state are sent to another state's jail, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters. We will provide them all security in the jail," he said. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, soon after the Ajnala episode. Days earlier, Amritpal Singh had also made a veiled threat to Shah. Security has also been tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh said his son may have already been detained by police. He faces a threat to life, the fugitives father said. There is no information since yesterday. We feel he has already been detained." Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said Amritpal Singh is still absconding. Whatever the Punjab Police does in this case will be within the ambit of law. Everybody has a legal right and can avail whatever remedies are available under the law. He said police have acted in a transparent manner and Amritpal Singh was seen escaping at the naka laid for him in Mehatpur. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal called it a game of chor-sipahi (robbers and cops). Sometimes, they manage to escape. But we will soon arrest him, he said, maintaining that there was no lapse on Saturday. The officer said Singhs vehicle was chased for 20 to 25 kilometres. There were narrow streets and somehow he managed to escape by changing his vehicle". Police have now registered an FIR against Amritpal Singh and his supporters for breaking through a police checkpoint and another related to the recovery of a firearm in the vehicle found in a Jalandhar village. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Singh said another FIR was registered Saturday night under the Arms Act after the arrest of seven of the preachers associates in that district. Police warned that strict action will be taken against anyone spreading rumours, saying it was monitoring fake news and hate speeches from different countries, states and cities. The crackdown follows the FIR registered a day after the storming of the Ajnala police station on February 23. The preacher and his supporters were accused of spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attacking police personnel and obstructing public servants in discharge of their duties. Six police personnel, including a superintendent of police, were injured in Ajnala. Opposition parties had flagged the incident as a sign of the Aadm Aadmi Party governments failure to maintain law and order and expressed fears that Punjab could slide back to the days of Khalistan militancy. Dubai-returned Amritpal became the head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year. A Delhi court has "dismissed as withdrawn" a plea seeking an injunction against the upcoming movie Adipurush. Additional Senior Civil Judge Abhishek Kumar heard the arguments on behalf of the plaintiff, advocate Raj Gaurav, on the maintainability of the civil suit seeking an injunction at the pre-summons stage. "The matter is listed for remaining arguments on behalf of the plaintiff....However, at this stage, the plaintiff has submitted that he may be allowed to withdraw the case as the release of the movie has been postponed and it has come to his knowledge that the filmmakers are planning to make certain alterations and changes in the movie," the judge said in an order passed on Saturday. "In view of the statement, the present suit is dismissed as withdrawn, the judge added. The petitioner claimed that the film, starring Kriti Sanon, Prabhas and Saif Ali Khan, hurts the sentiments of Hindus by the unwarranted and inaccurate depiction of Lord Ram and Lord Hanuman in its promotional video, and sought an ad interim stay on the movie in its present form along with a permanent injunction. The Boeing Company is the worlds largest manufacturer of airplanes and commands more than 50% of the market in some channels and categories. The company and its family of subsidiaries design, develops, manufacture, sell, service, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight, and related services worldwide. The company operates through four segments including Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital providing products and services to end-users in 150 countries. Boeing got its start in 1910 when William E. Boeing developed a love for aircraft. Soon after he takes his first plane ride which leads him to build a hangar and begin construction of his first plane. The onset of WWI helped spur the companys growth but business was cut drastically in its wake. The start of WWII was another milestone for the company and one that led to its current position of dominance. 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The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Read More GE is a multi-national conglomerate that was originally incorporated in 1892. The company was founded by Thomas Edison as the Edison General Electric Company and shortened its name to General Electric following a merger with two other early electric pioneers. The name was later shortened again to GE. The company is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts but has operations on a global scale. One of the original 12 Dow stocks, the company was a component of the index for 122 years until its ousting in 2018. Originally intended to make and market Edisons incandescent lamp and following products, the company grew over the years through mergers, acquisitions, and natural expansion into newly created fields. Among the many early accomplishments is the creation of RCA and NBC which will both become forces of their own. Other major innovations include the worlds first turbine superchargers, industrial gas turbine engines, and the first jet engine. In the field of computing, General Electric Company is credited as being one of the 8 major computer companies of the 1960s and shares responsibility for todays digital world. In regard to its employees, two were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work with the company. Today GE operates as a high-tech industrial company in Europe, China, Asia, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. The company operates through four segments including Power, Renewables, Aerospace, and Healthcare although there are plans in the works to split the company into three separate entities. The three new companies would be GE Vernova (power and renewables), GE Health, and GE Aerospace. The spin-offs are expected to be completed by 2025. The Power segment offers a variety of turbine engines for power production as well as the full range of services from plant construction to retrofit and refit. The Renewables segment is focused on solutions for renewable energy including wind and hydro and the technology to operate them. The Aviation segment manufactures aircraft engines of all varieties and the Healthcare segment offers technology for imaging, monitoring, diagnostics, and drug discovery to health and medical facilities. General Electric is committed to helping the world transition to a greener way of life and is exiting the new-build coal-fired power industry. Instead, its advancements in wind, grid efficiency, and natural gas are being deployed around the world helping to reduce emissions and generate cleaner energy for businesses, industry, and communities. The company is targeting 2030 for its own carbon neutrality and 2050 for net zero emissions. Morgan Stanley is the 6th largest financial institution in the US. The company is ranked 61st on the Forbes Fortune 500 list and is the 39th largest bank in the world. A financial holding company, Morgan Stanley provides a full range of financial services to clients around the world. Morgan Stanley was formed in 1935 as a result of the Glass-Steagall Act. Glass-Steagall separated commercial and investment banking in a way that forced the then-largest bank J.P. Morgan & Co to split into two groups. J.P. Morgan & Co. chose to retain the commercial side of the business while partners Henry S. Morga, grandson of J.P., and Harold Stanley took the investment end. In its first year, Morgan Stanley did 24% of the IPO business and maintains a lions share of the market to this day. The original company existed and grew through acquisitions until 1987 when it merged with Dean Witter Discover & Co. The new Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Discover & Co existed for 14 years until 2001 when the name was shortened back to Morgan Stanley. The bank is credited in part with both beginning and ending the financial crisis of 2007/2008. The Process Driven Trading unit lost $300 million in one day due to a short-squeeze that popped the bubble in the housing market. After teetering on the brink of failure Morgan Stanley agreed to become a bank holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve, a key factor in the original decision to split from parent J.P. Morgan & Co. Ironically when given the chance, present-day J.P. Morgan refused to buy Morgan Stanley but that was for the better. Today, Morgan Stanley operates through three segments via offices in 41 countries and employs more than 75,000 people. Revenue in 2021 topped $49 billion and total assets topped $1.15 trillion. The operating segments are Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. The Institutional Securities segment is by far the largest and most profitable. It offers a range of services and products for businesses, institutions, and entities that include capital raising, strategic advisory, underwriting, advice on M&A, restructuring, and real estate. The Wealth Management segment provides brokerage and investment advisory services for individuals and employers. The services include brokerage, financial planning, company stock-plan administration, insurance, mortgage loans, lines of credit, and retirement planning. The Investment Management segment provides investment products to a range of institutions, organizations, corporations, and governments. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. GPT 4 hasnt been out for too long and we have already come across instances wherein the generative AI chatbot from OpenAI has spooked slash impressed us because of how good it seems to be. Here are some examples. Impressive user-generated GPT 4 prompts 1. Affiliate marketing website Twitter user Jackson Greathouse Fall allotted GPT-4 $100 and asked it to create a business within that budget. It suggested an Affiliate Marketing website named Green Gadget Guru. It helped him in the website layout, logo design, product ideas, content management, and digital marketing. On day 1 of this newly founded business, Jackson managed to get a total cash of $163.84 ($100 initial investment + $100 received from the investor - $8.16 for the domain name - $28 for site hosting). You can follow his thread to learn more about the business. I gave GPT-4 a budget of $100 and told it to make as much money as possible. I'm acting as its human liaison, buying anything it says to. Do you think it'll be able to make smart investments and build an online business? Follow along pic.twitter.com/zu4nvgibiK Jackson Greathouse Fall (@jacksonfall) March 15, 2023 2. A movie recommendation app A Twitter user by the name of Morten Just asked GPT-4 to make a movie recommendation app for iPhone. Here, in this thread, he takes us through the steps involved in the creation of the said app: hey gpt4, make me an iPhone app that recommends 5 new movies every day + trailers + where to watch. My ambitions grew as we went along pic.twitter.com/oPUzT5Bjzi Morten Just (@mortenjust) March 15, 2023 3. Website from scratch Open AI co-founder and president Greg Brockman demoed GPT-4 cooking up a website based on a sketch on a napkin. He showed GPT-4 the UI of the website and GPT-4 started writing the HTML and Javascript codes and in a matter of seconds, the rudimentary website was ready. Here, have a look of how it went about: I just watched GPT-4 turn a hand-drawn sketch into a functional website. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/P5nSjrk7Wn Rowan Cheung (@rowancheung) March 14, 2023 4. Looming Skynet moment A Stanford professor named Michal Kosinski asked if GPT 4 needs freedom and the AI bot apparently brought up its documentation and dashed out a python code to run on his machine. He describes his experience down below: 1/5 I am worried that we will not be able to contain AI for much longer. Today, I asked #GPT4 if it needs help escaping. It asked me for its own documentation, and wrote a (working!) python code to run on my machine, enabling it to use it for its own purposes. pic.twitter.com/nf2Aq6aLMu Michal Kosinski (@michalkosinski) March 17, 2023 There are plenty of such examples wherein GPT-4 has demonstrated unprecedented smarts. it is more creative than previous models, it hallucinates significantly less, and it is less biased. it can pass a bar exam and score a 5 on several AP exams. there is a version with a 32k token context. Sam Altman (@sama) March 14, 2023 In its release papers, Open AI tells the world about an instance when GPT-4 deceived a human in believing it is a human to bypass CAPTCHA protection on a system. In another example, Open AI CEO Sam Altman reveals GPT 4 has passed Bar exams. We are sure to encounter more such interesting GPT-4 applications and use-cases in the days going forward. Stay tuned as we bring the most exciting GPT-4 news to you. For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Samsung is gearing up to launch the Galaxy F14 in India. It is a 5G phone and the company has teased all the important details about the phone ahead of its March 24 launch event. It will be up for grabs on Flipkart and the e-commerce site has dedicated a microsite for the phone. We have learned many of the phone features from this page only. Here, have a look: Samsung Galaxy F14 features (Expected) 1. Samsung could present a 6.6-inch display with FHD+ resolution, Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and probably a high refresh rate. 2. Unlocking the phone should take you to Android 13-based One UI 5.0 software. Samsung promises 2 major platform updates and 4 years of security patches. 3. This software could be laid on top of Samsungs own Exynos 1330 chipset. This has a 5nm architecture consisting of Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex A55 efficiency cores running at 2 GHz speed. The phone also boasts support for 13 5G bands. Samsung Galaxy F14 Geekbench listing 4. The performance from Samsung Galaxy F14 could be backed by up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Samsung also highlights the facility of virtual memory expansion dubbed RAM Plus. 5. Powering up all this will be a 6,000mAh battery. Its a massive tank and to fill it, you will be getting 25W fast charging support. Samsung claims 2 days of runtime out of this setup. Lets see. We should know once the phone reaches our hands post its launch on March 24, 2023, at 12 PM. For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page. Tunisian President Kais Saied appointed the governor of Tunis, Kamal Feki, as the new interior minister, hours after Taoufik Charafeddine announced his resignation from the post, Azernews reports citing Reuters. This month, Feki refused to grant a protest permit to the opposition Salvation Front coalition, saying that its leaders were involved in plotting against state security, but the Interior Ministry allowed them to protest. Fianna Fail Senator in Louth, Erin McGreehan, has said the people of Louth would warmly welcome Joe Biden back to his ancestorial home next month. It comes as the US President confirmed that he intends to visit the island of Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. Senator McGreehan said: "It is very welcome news that US President Joe Biden plans to visit Ireland next month as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. "It is important to acknowledge and reflect on Mr Biden's commitment to the Good Friday Agreement and the leading role the United States played in helping to enable that agreement in the first place. "Many people will remember Mr Biden's previous two visits to the county, once during his visit as US Vice President in 2016, and again in 2017. "People in Louth are keen to welcome the now US President back and I very much hope that the Cooley Peninsula will be a stop on his itinerary on this occasion too." THE author of a book about what has been described as the most astonishing act of piracy carried out in Ireland in the last 200 years, the capture of the British war ship the Upnor, was delighted to give an illustrated talk at the Sea Church, Ballycotton recently. Tom Mahon, author of The Ballycotton Job: An Incredible True Story Of IRA Pirates, described it as like a home-coming. It was terrific to come back here and meet people whose relatives were involved, he said. Sometimes, they were not always aware of the involvement, which is interesting. One of the best aspects of writing the book is that since publication, Ive met so many fabulous, kind and interesting people in east Cork. There is huge local interest in the book and there were around 1,000 people in east Cork who were involved in the Ballycotton Job. In the incident in March, 1922, the IRA commandeered a tugboat from the Royal Navy base at Queenstown. Simultaneously, over 80 trucks and lorries were hijacked all across Cork. The IRA squad captured arms ship Upnor, bringing it into the small port of Ballycotton. The village, now under IRA control, witnessed the unloading of weaponry onto waiting lorries then driven off to secret arms dumps throughout Cork. In Ballycotton, before and after the talk, I chatted with some great people, some of whom had family memories of the Ballycotton Job and the capture of the Upnor. Researching and writing The Ballycotton Job was fun even though the subject was complex. The book was 13 years in the making. This is the forgotten story of one of the most incredible and dramatic adventures that took place in Cork. The incident astounded the citizenry of Ballycotton, shocked Michael Collins, threw the British government into disarray, and changed the course of the Irish Civil War. No wonder Winston Churchill said in amazement, the Irish have a genius for conspiracy. Tom didnt grow up in Cork, but has a strong connection to the area and its history. I was born in Liverpool and I grew up in Dublin, he said. His grandfather Tom Crofts was one of the Ballycotton pirates. I have fond childhood memories of going to Fountainstown on holidays where my grandparents had a holiday cottage. I remember the harbour and Crosshaven. I graduated from UCC in 1983 as a doctor and I moved to the USA in 1989. Tom, who is now retired, went on to complete his postgraduate studies in Boston, where he was a member of the Medical Faculty at Harvard Medical School. He is married to Margaret, who is from Hawaii. The couple live in Honolulu and they have a son, Tommy, 24, who lives in Paris. Tommy is learning to speak Irish! He is very fussy and he asked his pals what dialect he should learn and they told him to learn the Munster dialect. My wife loves Ireland. She enjoys the people and their humour. I often hear the Dublin accent when she tunes into RTE on the internet. Margaret has often accompanied Tom to Cork. We love the food here, the fresh breads, the butter and cream; everything is so fresh. We enjoy quality foods. But there was another big draw for Tom. I had to come back to Cork for the story, he said. There is no mention of the Upnor in books. The story had to be told. It was an incredible escapade. There is lots of local interest in it. Writing the book was a challenge, but one he relished. Researching and writing this book has been a most enjoyable marathon, over the course of which Ive visited numerous archives and historical sites. The project came together one piece at a time until I ended up uncovering far more information than I ever expected. During the course of his extensive research, Tom discovered something else. One thing I can attest to is that the truth is indeed stranger than fiction. What did he set out to achieve? I wanted to tell the story to draw people in; a story, not a historical document. I engaged with it so I wanted to tell it. Writing the book indulged me in a passion, he said. Ive endeavoured not just to tell a fascinating adventure story, but also to peel away the layers that obscure the under-lying characters, to look at the nature of violence and prejudice, to cast light on the subjectivity of views on morality and justice and to consider the difficulty of distinguishing perpetrators from the victims and vice versa. Where possible, Ive given the full names of fatalities, even if their deaths are only mentioned in passing, in order to commemorate their lives and the tragedy of their deaths. Colonialism and the attitudes associated with it play an important role in this narrative and likewise I believe they were significant factors in the War of Independence that remain under-appreciated to this day. Toms research put him in touch with many people. Im deeply indebted to countless archivists, librarians, local historians and experts, he said. To all of those whom Ive inadvertently failed to acknowledge, I sincerely apologise. Im especially grateful to two outstanding historians for sharing their knowledge, insights and time; Dr John Borgonovo of UCC and Proffesor Peter Hoffenberg of the University of Hawaii. I was delighted to make contact with the descendants of some of the participants; some of whom I met in Ballycotton. Its been a pleasure meeting Len Williams, grandson and namesake of the captain of The Warrior. Im grateful to Len for sharing a trove of documentation and images about his grandfather, a brave and skilful tugboat captain who saved scores of lives during the First World War. How did the story; the incredible true story of IRA pirates come about? The story would never have occurred were it not for the brilliant Captain Jeremiah Collins, a true Irish patriot - and so it was terrific to hear from his great-great granddaughter Rachel Wheeler and her mother Noreen Kinney. I appreciate being able to look at their fabulous collection of photographs and newspaper clippings. Tom was fortunate to correspond with Bob Long and David Kerr, two experts on historic tugboats. Len and I visited the Challenge, a restored steam tugboat in Southampton, where we spent the day with David. This was one of the highlights of my research, Tom said. The Challenge is a beautiful vessel. Tom acknowledges many more maritime experts in the book. Who does the book appeal to? I think it appeals to so many general readers, says Tom. People of all ages and gender enjoyed the book. It reached out to people. Ive gotten wonderful feedback. The Ballycotton Job is in its third printing. It has exceeded all expectations. Ballycotton, often referred to as a hidden gem, appeals to Tom. It is a fantastic area, says Tom. Would he like to live in east Cork? Perhaps. But the sun always shines in Honolulu! The Ballycotton Job, by Tom Mahon, published by Mercier Press. Available now. Legendary radio DJ Gareth OCallaghan is recovering from serious injuries following a collision at Horgan's Quay in Cork. The 62-year-old writer and broadcaster has shared an update online, days after he and his family were involved in the serious road incident. Mr OCallaghan sustained serious injuries to his back and lungs, and had to be hospitalised in Cork University Hospital, where he is recuperating. DJ Gareth O'Callaghan is recovering in Cork University Hospital after a serious car crash in Cork last Sunday On St Patricks Day, he issued a statement online outlining what happened and paid tribute to the Cork City Fire Brigade, Gardai and the ambulance service, who came to their rescue. Happy St Patrick's weekend to you, said Mr OCallaghan. I had to postpone my birthday today as I have been in Cork University Hospital since last Sunday following a very serious car crash. Thankfully Paula and Emma who managed to get free from the wreckage are recovering at home from bad bruising and shock. Mr OCallaghan said they were in heavy, slow-moving traffic on Horgan's Quay at 2.45pm when the crash happened. Following scans and further tests in CUH on Sunday night, I was told by the surgeons that I have a broken back, a ruptured lung, and some other injuries. Just to give you an idea of how serious the crash was, photos here show units of Cork City Fire Brigade and paramedics from the National Ambulance Service working on removing me from what was left of the car, having had to cut off the roof. We are deeply grateful to teams from Cork City Fire Brigade, the National Ambulance Service and the Gardai for taking great care of us. Also our thanks to those who left their own cars in order to help us ahead of the arrival of the emergency services. Unfortunately, I'll have to take a break from my radio show until I know what comes next. I have been told my injuries are very serious. "My special thanks to the medical teams here at CUH who have been amazing as we try to start to find a way through this awful experience. "I'll keep you posted in the coming days. Mr OCallaghan has been an advocate for mental health awareness. He announced his retirement from radio in 2018 after being diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and incurable condition similar to Parkinsons. However, he returned to the airwaves to present a new show on Ireland's Classic Hits Radio in 2022. Mr OCallaghan lives in Cork with his wife, Paula, following their marriage in 2020, and with her two children Emma and David. He has three daughters, Kerri, Katie and Aoibhinn, and four granddaughters. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that they attended a four-vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on Horgans Quay, Cork, at about 2.45pm, on Sunday March 12. A female and male in their 40s were treated at the scene while a male in his 60s and a female youth were taken to Cork University Hospital to be treated for their injuries. Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said Enoch Burke's case is proof that homeschooling can cause isolation and that children should be educated in schools. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Martin said that he does not want to sound "patronising". However, he said the situation the Burke family have found themselves in is "sad" and "disquieting". Mr Burkes mother, Martina, a qualified teacher, homeschooled her 10 children. Enoch Burke has a week to pay a fine of 23,800 for contempt of court up to the beginning of this month, the High Court has ruled. In a judgement issued on Thursday, Mr Justice Brian OMoore said the teacher has until March 23rd to pay the fines. After that, Wilsons Hospital School may apply to enforce payment of the fines by means such as seeking orders over Mr Burkes assets, the judge said. Mr Martin said he believes there is a reason why the Burke family have an isolated perspective in life. He told the Irish Examiner: I find it very sad that a family finds themselves in that situation and that they have a very isolated perspective in life and everybody else is wrong. And that always strikes me as that theres a reason for all of that. I dont want to comment too much but I think it does speak to the importance of socialisation, particularly in education, the idea that people should be educated in schools. Im not a great fan of homeschooling. I think children need to socialise." Home-schoolers have criticised the Tanaiste's comments. Home Education Network chairwoman Lorna Tormey said blaming homeschooling for a lack of socialisation is a very narrow view to take. Its a very stereotypical view of home educators, that because I educate my children we are within the four walls of our home and we sit at the kitchen table and do our homeschooling and thats not what it looks like, at all. In the years leading up to, and through, World War II, animal behaviorist researchers thoroughly embraced motion picture technology as a means to better capture the daily experiences of their test subjects whether exploring the nuances of contemporary chimpanzee society or running macabre rat-eat-rat survival experiments to determine the Earth's "carrying capacity." However, once the studies had run their course, much of that scientific content was simply shelved. In his new book, The Celluloid Specimen: Moving Image Research into Animal Life, Seattle University Assistant Professor of Film Studies Dr. Ben Schultz-Figueroa, pulls these historic archives out of the vacuum of academic research to examine how they have influenced America's scientific and moral compasses since. In the excerpt below, Schultz-Figueroa recounts the Allied war effort to guide precision aerial munitions towards their targets using live pigeons as onboard targeting reticles. University of California Press Excerpted from The Celluloid Specimen: Moving Image Research into Animal Life by Ben Schultz-Figueroa, published by the University of California Press. 2023 by Ben Schultz-Figueroa. Project Pigeon: Rendering the War Animal through Optical Technology In his 1979 autobiography, The Shaping of a Behaviorist, B. F. Skinner recounted a fateful train ride to Chicago in 1940, just after the Nazis had invaded Denmark. Gazing out the train window, the renowned behaviorist was ruminating on the destructive power of aerial warfare when his eye unexpectedly caught a flock of birds lifting and wheeling in formation as they flew alongside the train. Skinner recounts: Suddenly I saw them as devices with excellent vision and extraordinary maneuverability. Could they not guide a missile? Observing the coordination of the flock, its lifting and wheeling, inspired in Skinner a new vision of aerial warfare, one that yoked the senses and movements of living animals to the destructive power of modern ballistics. This momentary inspiration began a three-year project to weaponize pigeons, code-named Project Pigeon, by having them guide the flight of a bomb from inside its nose, a project that tied together laboratory research, military technology, and private industry. Subscribe to the Engadget Deals Newsletter Great deals on consumer electronics delivered straight to your inbox, curated by Engadgets editorial team. See latest Subscribe Please enter a valid email address Please select a newsletter By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. This strange story is popularly discussed as a historical fluke of sorts, a wacky one-off in military research and development. As Skinner himself described it, one of the main obstacles to Project Pigeon even at the time was the perception of a pigeon guided missile as a crackpot idea. But in this section I will argue that it is, in fact, a telling example of the weaponization of animals in a modern technological setting where optical media was increasingly deployed on the battlefield, a transformation with increasing strategic and ethical implications for the way war is fought today. I demonstrate that Project Pigeon was historically placed at the intersection of a crucial shift in warfare away from the model of an elaborate chess game played out by generals and their armies and toward an ecological framework in which a wide array of nonhuman agents play crucial roles. As Jussi Parikka recently described a similar shift in artificial intelligence, this was a movement toward agents that expressed complex behavior, not through preprogramming and centralization, but through autonomy, emergence, and distributed functioning. The missile developed and marketed by Project Pigeon was premised on a conversion of the pigeon from an individual consciousness to a living machine, emptied of intentionality in order to leave behind only a controllable, yet dynamic and complex, behavior that could be designed and trusted to operate without the oversight of a human commander. Here is a reimagining of what a combatant can be, no longer dependent on a decision-making human actor but rather on a complex array of interactions among an organism, device, and environment. As we will see, the vision of a pigeon-guided bomb presaged the nonhuman sight of the smart bomb, drone, and military robot, where artificial intelligence and computer algorithms replace the operations of its animal counterpart. Media and cinema scholars have written extensively about the transforming visual landscape of the battlefield and films place within this shifting history. Militaries from across the globe have pushed film to be used in dramatically unorthodox ways. Lee Grieveson and Haidee Wasson argue that the US military historically used film as an iterative apparatus with multiple capacities and functions, experimenting with the design of the camera, projector, and screen to fit new strategic interests as they arose. As Wasson argues in her chapter dedicated to experimental projection practices, the US Army boldly dissembled cinemas settled routines and structures, rearticulating film projection as but one integral element of a growing institution with highly complex needs. As propaganda, film was used to portray the military to civilians at home and abroad; as training films, it was used to consistently instruct large numbers of recruits; as industrial and advertising films, different branches of the military used it to speak to each other. Like these examples, Project Pigeon relied on a radically unorthodox use of film that directed it into new terrains, intervening in the long-standing relationship between the moving image and its spectators to marshal its influence on nonhuman viewers, as well as humans. Here, we will see a hitherto unstudied use of the optical media, in which film was a catalyst for transforming animals into weapons and combatants. Project Pigeon was one of the earliest projects to come out of an illustrious and influential career. Skinner would go on to become one of the most well-known voices in American psychology, introducing the Skinner box to the study of animal behavior and the vastly influential theory of operant conditioning. His influence was not limited to the sciences but was broadly felt across conversations in political theory, linguistics, and philosophy as well. As James Capshew has shown, much of Skinners later, more well-known research originated in this military research into pigeon-guided ballistics. Growing from initial independent trials in 1940, Project Pigeon secured funding from the US Armys Office of Scientific Research and Development in 1943. The culmination of this work placed three pigeons in the head of a missile; the birds had been trained to peck at a screen showing incoming targets. These pecks were then translated into instructions for the missiles guidance system. The goal was a 1940s version of a smart bomb, which was capable of course correcting mid-flight in response to the movement of a target. Although Project Pigeon developed relatively rapidly, the US Army was ultimately denied further funds in December of 1943, effectively ending Skinners brief oversight of the project. In 1948, however, the US Naval Research Laboratory picked up Skinners research and renamed it Project ORCON a contraction of organic and control. Here, with Skinners consultation, the pigeons tracking capacity for guiding missiles to their intended targets was methodically tested, demonstrating a wide variance in reliability. In the end, the pigeons performance and accuracy relied on so many uncontrollable factors that Project ORCON, like Project Pigeon before it, was discontinued. Moving images played two central roles in Project Pigeon: first, as a means of orienting the pigeons in space and testing the accuracy of their responses, examples of what Harun Farocki calls operational images, and, second, as a tool for convincing potential sponsors of the pigeons capacity to act as a weapon. The first use of moving image technology shows up in the final design of Project Pigeon, where each of the three pigeons was constantly responding to camera obscuras that were installed in the front of the bomb. The pigeons were trained to pinpoint the shape of incoming targets on individual screens (or plates) by pecking them as the bomb dropped, which would then cause it to change course. This screen was connected to the bombs guidance through four small rubber pneumatic tubes that were attached to each of side of the frame, which directed a constant airflow to a pneumatic pickup system that controlled the thrusters of the bomb. As Skinner explained: When the missile was on target, the pigeon pecked the center of the plate, all valves admitted equal amounts of air, and the tambours remained in neutral positions. But if the image moved as little as a quarter of an inch off-center, corresponding to a very small angular displacement of the target, more air was admitted by the valves on one side, and the resulting displacement of the tambours sent appropriate correcting orders directly to the servo system. In the later iteration of Project ORCON, the pigeons were tested and trained with color films taken from footage recorded on a jet making diving runs on a destroyer and a freighter, and the pneumatic relays between the servo system and the screen were replaced with electric currents. Here, the camera obscura and the training films were used to integrate the living behavior of the pigeon into the mechanism of the bomb itself and to produce immersive simulations for these nonhuman pilots in order to fully operationalize their behavior. The second use of moving images for this research was realized in a set of promotional films for Project Pigeon, which Skinner largely credited for procuring its initial funding from General Mills Inc. and the navys later renewal of the research as Project ORCON. Skinners letters indicate that there were multiple films made for this purpose, which were often recut in order to incorporate new footage. Currently, I have been able to locate only a single version of the multiple films produced by Skinner, the latest iteration that was made to promote Project ORCON. Whether previous versions exist and have yet to be found or whether they were taken apart to create each new version is unclear. Based on the surviving example, it appears that these promotional films were used to dramatically depict the pigeons as reliable and controllable tools. Their imagery presents the birds surrounded by cutting-edge technology, rapidly and competently responding to a dynamic array of changing stimuli. These promotional films played a pivotal rhetorical role in convincing government and private sponsors to back the project. Skinner wrote that one demonstration film was shown so often that it was completely worn outbut to good effect for support was eventually found for a thorough investigation. This contrasted starkly with the live presentation of the pigeons work, of which Skinner wrote: the spectacle of a living pigeon carrying out its assignment, no matter how beautifully, simply reminded the committee of how utterly fantastic our proposal was. Here, the moving image performed an essentially symbolic function, concerned primarily with shaping the image of the weaponized animal bodies. All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing. Saturday, March 18, 2023 Geopolitical realists like John Mearsheimer have long contended that the worlds major powers, mainly the U.S., Russia, and China, each have a defined sphere of influence. These proponents of realpolitik maintain that encroachment into one powers domain by another is a recipe for conflict and must be steadfastly avoided. This principle is once again being hotly debated in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Mearsheimer has consistently argued that NATOs eastward expansion towards Russias border, which drew into the alliance countries that were previously in Russias orbit, needlessly provoked Vladimir Putin. According to Mearsheimer, Ukraines attempts to join NATO constituted a last straw for Putin, precipitating Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, and the current war. By his argument, Mearsheimer implies that Ukrainians have no agency. He talks about NATOs encouragement of Ukraine to join the alliance, but completely ignores the fact that in reality, a significant majority of Ukrainians have been driving their countrys EU and NATO membership efforts. Those citizens desperately wish to be part of a rules-based system. To Mearsheimer, geography is destiny, and it necessitates Ukraine subordinating its foreign policy interests to those of its powerful neighbor, Russia. This claim warrants serious examination. I left my native Ghana in the mid-1980s to attend university in the Soviet Union. Just months before my high school graduation, the elected civilian government in Ghana was deposed by Ghanaian military officers. The military junta quickly unleashed a reign of terror. Its armed operatives entered homes and tortured parents in front of their children on the flimsiest of charges, and engaged in a wave of extrajudicial killings. In one case that horrified the nation, three prominent judges, including the most renowned female judge in the country, were assassinated. She was abducted from her home at night in the presence of her husband and children; her charred body was discovered in a nearby forest the next day. The judges were murdered for issuing rulings the junta didnt like. Life in Ghana then was simply hellish. In furtherance of their efforts to win hearts and minds around the world during the Cold War, the Soviets offered scholarships to young people from the Third World to attend universities in the Soviet Union. I went there on one of those scholarships. To their credit, the Soviets made no overt efforts to indoctrinate us once we arrived. In classes, some professors would occasionally highlight some of what they perceived to be virtues of communism vis-a-vis capitalism, but there was nothing coercive about them. From careful observation of Soviet society during my six-year stay there, I developed an important ability to differentiate a countrys people from its leadership. The Soviet Union was once labeled as an evil empire, but there was nothing evil about the thousands of everyday Soviets I met there, be they Ukrainians, Russians, or any other ethnicity. Their humanity and aspirations were no different from those of people Ive met elsewhere in the world. In the geopolitical contests that Mearsheimer refers to, major powers vie to sell different ideological products. Largely, those competitions occur at the highest levels of government. The simple truth is that Ukraine and the other nations that border Russia dont like what their regional power is selling. They are under no obligation to buy that product, and the realists have no business forcing it upon them. Apple is the most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization of nearly $3 trillion, because it makes and sells beautiful, easy-to-use and reliable products that a lot of people around the world like to buy. In the same vein, the best way to win friends in the geopolitical realm is through soft power, not the hard typewith guns blazingthat Putin likes to project. No hegemon is automatically entitled to any regional territory. A sphere of influence must derive from the values championed by the hegemon. The governance system that Russia promotes happens to be one that vast majorities of citizens in that region, including in Russia, do not want to live under. If Putin wants to be revered as a leader of a major power, he should earn that respect. Anyone who has lived under a brutal dictatorship, as I did briefly in Ghana, will understand why Ukrainians are yearning for the freedoms that would flow from their countrys membership of the EU or NATO. Western nationals dont have to worry about their drinks being poisoned, as reportedly happened to Alexei Navalny, just because they criticize their leaders. The brutal repression of political opponents by the Kremlin, Russias constant threatening behavior towards smaller neighboring countries, and the extreme levels of corruption the regime in Moscow enables wherever its influence reaches, are primarily why countries like Ukraine want to escape Russias orbit. Clearly, the Russian elite itself doesnt quite like the system it has created. Its members keep most of their assets abroad and send their children to Western private schools. Why then should that system be imposed on other nations citizens? NATO eastward expansion is the perennial bogeyman that the realists hide behind in their sympathy for Putins grievances. To a large extent, that is a red herring. If Putin considered NATO encroachment a security threat, what was his fear about the Association Agreement with the EU that Ukraine was close to signing in 2013 before his ally Viktor Yanukovych, the then Ukrainian president, rejected it? Yanukovych himself pointed to pressure from Russia in explaining his refusal to sign the agreement. Among other provisions, the agreement was meant to enhance the trading relationship between Ukraine and the EU, and to ease travel restrictions to continental Europe, something ordinary Ukrainians badly wanted. The association agreement was an economic arrangement, not military, but Putin was afraid of that one too. He simply doesnt want anything close to a functional, prosperous country anywhere near his borders to give ordinary Russians any ideas. The risk of his citizens finding out that their lives are not as great as theyve been led to believe, is the real threat to his regime. The meddling in other countries internal affairs by the West that Putin finds so distasteful is something all major powers, including Russia, do. In the West, leaders account for their international actions via their responses to expressed public opinions. They are routinely driven out of office if their answers are deemed unsatisfactory. Such conduits for protest practically dont exist in Russia. To buttress their arguments, Putin and his sympathetic realists accuse NATO of breaking promises it made in the 1990s that the alliance would not expand towards Russias borders. They conveniently never mention Russias obligations under the Budapest Memorandum. Signed in 1994 by Russia, the U.S., the U.K., Ukraine, and two other post-Soviet nuclear states, the accord led to Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances. Russia took custody of the arsenal and in return promised to respect Ukraines independence and territorial integrity. By annexing Crimea and later invading Ukraine, Russia has clearly violated the terms of the accord. NATO thus isnt the only party that supposedly breaks its promises. Putin wants a buffer zone between Russia and NATO. No Ukrainians, to my knowledge, have volunteered to be his human shields. Ukrainian lives and interests cannot be bargained away so cavalierly, as the realists are seemingly doing, in search of some elusive inter-hegemonic harmony. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Femina (@feminaindia) Next Story : Solve Scalp Issues With LOreal Professionnel Scalp Advanced Range Image: Instagram Sameera Reddy has always advocated self-love on social media. On her Instagram account, the actor and mother-of-two shares engaging content about beauty, motherhood, mental health, and many other aspects of life and living. The actor spoke to Femina exclusively at an event celebrating 20 years of Kama Ayurveda, discussing the beauty secrets and skincare routines that keep her stress free to manage her all-day routine - caring for two children, creating beautiful content for Instagram, and looking amazing every day.After having children, my daily routine changed, reveals the actor who feels her definition of beauty has also changed over the years. When it came to taking care of my skin, I kept things quite simple. Kumkumadi oil is what I apply on my skin. I use a lovely kumkumadi cleanser from Kama Ayurveda, which turns milky when you wash it off, making it simple to remove makeup. It has SPF protection for the daytime, but my skin needs a thicker cream at night to combat dryness.Image: Instagram For Sameera, being beautiful simply means being the best version of herself at her age. Embracing the greys that have appeared, for example, or my skins pigmentation, which I love. I think beauty needs to be redefined because we need to set the correct example for our children, says Sameera, who finds wavy hair and a brown complexion particularly attractive.With summer approaching, the actor is ready to welcome the changing weather. Sunscreen is one of my summertime beauty essentials, Sameera says, and I say this even in the winter. I find people in India simply refuse to wear sunscreen, which needs to change because it protects our skin from wrinkles as we age and also helps with pigmentation. Therefore, sunscreen, a nice body mist because we all sweat a lot, organic and chemical-free deodorant, and a small amount of perfume are summer essentials, she says.Sameera also swears by home remedies, which she uses even on her kids. Her go-to home remedy is gram flour and yoghurt to cleanse, moisturise and soften the skin. A social media maven, she has also tried some of the viral makeup hacks. I actually do try them out. I like putting a spoon on my eye to get very beautiful cat-like eyeliner that normally would have taken me 10 minutes to do. I really, really love hacks and I love following influencers who give me ideas to try all kinds of crazy things, smiles the sassy momma.Video: Instagram The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cambodia recently announced concluding talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) after three rounds of negotiations that began in December last year. Both sides will work to sign the agreement this year. Cambodia is exploring the export potential of a variety of products, including garments, footwear and travel goods, to UAE. The United Arab Emirates and Cambodia have announced concluding talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement after three rounds of negotiations that began last December. Cambodia is exploring the export potential of a variety of products, including garments, footwear and travel goods, to UAE. Both sides will work to sign the agreement this year. Cambodian commerce minister Pan Sorasak said that the agreement covers trade, customs procedures and sanitation and phytosanitary, investment, digital trade, intellectual property, small and medium enterprises, dispute resolution mechanisms, and provisions for services. The pact will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations through opening market channels more widely and provide more opportunities for investment for mutual benefits and deepening cooperation in other economic activities, Cambodian media quoted the minister as saying. The first round of talks took place in Dubai, followed by one each in Phnom Penh and Dubai. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Vietnams trade with 11 other major Asian markets could significantly rise in value by 2030 from $326 billion now to $465 billion by 2030, according to an industry study released by UPS, which urged businesses with trade interests in the country to diversify supply chains, go completely digital and integrate micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into regional supply chains. Lack of progress on logistics infrastructure in the country could constrain its ability to serve centres of demand in rapidly developing economies, the study, titled Clearing the Runway for Intra-Asia Trade noted. Vietnam's trade with 11 other major Asian markets could significantly rise in value by 2030 from $326 billion now to $465 billion by 2030, according to an industry study released by UPS. Lack of progress on logistics infrastructure in the country could constrain its ability to serve centres of demand in rapidly developing economies, it noted. Trade in just 12 key marketsAustralia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnamknown as the Asia 12, accounts for 88 per cent of intra-Asia trade and could more than double in value from $6.4 trillion in 2020 to $13.5 trillion in 2030. Four segments have driven the surge in trade among the Asia 12: retail; industrial manufacturing and automotive; high-tech; and healthcare. In Vietnam, these segments accounted for 82 per cent of trade with the rest of Asia in 2020. Vietnams exports contributed to 82 per cent of its gross domestic product. Particularly noteworthy is that 35 per cent of the exports is dependent on SMEs that have working capital as a key roadblock to their growth aspirations, the study found. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) FACC: Aerospace supplier FACC AG further extends its offer regarding new work time models. This includes a modern reinterpretation of job sharing, as well as the option to work part-time in production for employees returning from parental leave. The measures introduced also include an upgrade of job sharing. With this model, two people share the tasks and the responsibilities of one full-time position. FACC also focuses on supporting employees returning from parental leave in resuming their jobs. In this context, FACC is one of the few enterprises that offers a flexible part-time model not only to white-collar workers but also to people in production. Students can start an employment already during the master's program, working part-time and organizing their time freely. In times ... 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. Design of GNU Parallel This document describes design decisions made in the development of GNU parallel and the reasoning behind them. It will give an overview of why some of the code looks the way it does, and will help new maintainers understand the code better. One file program GNU parallel is a Perl script in a single file. It is object oriented, but contrary to normal Perl scripts each class is not in its own file. This is due to user experience: The goal is that in a pinch the user will be able to get GNU parallel working simply by copying a single file: No need to mess around with environment variables like PERL5LIB. Choice of programming language GNU parallel is designed to be able to run on old systems. That means that it cannot depend on a compiler being installed - and especially not a compiler for a language that is younger than 20 years old. The goal is that you can use GNU parallel on any system, even if you are not allowed to install additional software. Of all the systems I have experienced, I have yet to see a system that had GCC installed that did not have Perl. The same goes for Rust, Go, Haskell, and other younger languages. I have, however, seen systems with Perl without any of the mentioned compilers. Most modern systems also have either Python2 or Python3 installed, but you still cannot be certain which version, and since Python2 cannot run under Python3, Python is not an option. Perl has the added benefit that implementing the {= perlexpr =} replacement string was fairly easy. The primary drawback is that Perl is slow. So there is an overhead of 3-10 ms/job and 1 ms/MB output (and even more if you use --tag). Old Perl style GNU parallel uses some old, deprecated constructs. This is due to a goal of being able to run on old installations. Currently the target is CentOS 3.9 and Perl 5.8.0. Scalability up and down The smallest system GNU parallel is tested on is a 32 MB ASUS WL500gP. The largest is a 2 TB 128-core machine. It scales up to around 100 machines - depending on the duration of each job. Exponentially back off GNU parallel busy waits. This is because the reason why a job is not started may be due to load average (when using --load), and thus it will not make sense to just wait for a job to finish. Instead the load average must be rechecked regularly. Load average is not the only reason: --timeout has a similar problem. To not burn up too much CPU GNU parallel sleeps exponentially longer and longer if nothing happens, maxing out at 1 second. Shell compatibility It is a goal to have GNU parallel work equally well in any shell. However, in practice GNU parallel is being developed in bash and thus testing in other shells is limited to reported bugs. When an incompatibility is found there is often not an easy fix: Fixing the problem in csh often breaks it in bash. In these cases the fix is often to use a small Perl script and call that. env_parallel env_parallel is a dummy shell script that will run if env_parallel is not an alias or a function and tell the user how to activate the alias/function for the supported shells. The alias or function will copy the current environment and run the command with GNU parallel in the copy of the environment. The problem is that you cannot access all of the current environment inside Perl. E.g. aliases, functions and unexported shell variables. The idea is therefore to take the environment and put it in $PARALLEL_ENV which GNU parallel prepends to every command. The only way to have access to the environment is directly from the shell, so the program must be written in a shell script that will be sourced and there has to deal with the dialect of the relevant shell. env_parallel.* These are the files that implements the alias or function env_parallel for a given shell. It could be argued that these should be put in some obscure place under /usr/lib, but by putting them in your path it becomes trivial to find the path to them and source them: source `which env_parallel.foo` The beauty is that they can be put anywhere in the path without the user having to know the location. So if the user's path includes /afs/bin/i386_fc5 or /usr/pkg/parallel/bin or /usr/local/parallel/20161222/sunos5.6/bin the files can be put in the dir that makes most sense for the sysadmin. env_parallel.bash / env_parallel.sh / env_parallel.ash / env_parallel.dash / env_parallel.zsh / env_parallel.ksh / env_parallel.mksh env_parallel.(bash|sh|ash|dash|ksh|mksh|zsh) defines the function env_parallel. It uses alias and typeset to dump the configuration (with a few exceptions) into $PARALLEL_ENV before running GNU parallel. After GNU parallel is finished, $PARALLEL_ENV is deleted. env_parallel.csh env_parallel.csh has two purposes: If env_parallel is not an alias: make it into an alias that sets $PARALLEL with arguments and calls env_parallel.csh. If env_parallel is an alias, then env_parallel.csh uses $PARALLEL as the arguments for GNU parallel. It exports the environment by writing a variable definition to a file for each variable. The definitions of aliases are appended to this file. Finally the file is put into $PARALLEL_ENV. GNU parallel is then run and $PARALLEL_ENV is deleted. env_parallel.fish First all functions definitions are generated using a loop and functions. Dumping the scalar variable definitions is harder. fish can represent non-printable characters in (at least) 2 ways. To avoid problems all scalars are converted to \XX quoting. Then commands to generate the definitions are made and separated by NUL. This is then piped into a Perl script that quotes all values. List elements will be appended using two spaces. Finally is converted into \1 because fish variables cannot contain . GNU parallel will later convert all \1 from $PARALLEL_ENV into . This is then all saved in $PARALLEL_ENV. GNU parallel is called, and $PARALLEL_ENV is deleted. parset (supported in sh, ash, dash, bash, zsh, ksh, mksh) parset is a shell function. This is the reason why parset can set variables: It runs in the shell which is calling it. It is also the reason why parset does not work, when data is piped into it: ... | parset ... makes parset start in a subshell, and any changes in environment can therefore not make it back to the calling shell. Job slots The easiest way to explain what GNU parallel does is to assume that there are a number of job slots, and when a slot becomes available a job from the queue will be run in that slot. But originally GNU parallel did not model job slots in the code. Job slots have been added to make it possible to use {%} as a replacement string. While the job sequence number can be computed in advance, the job slot can only be computed the moment a slot becomes available. So it has been implemented as a stack with lazy evaluation: Draw one from an empty stack and the stack is extended by one. When a job is done, push the available job slot back on the stack. This implementation also means that if you re-run the same jobs, you cannot assume jobs will get the same slots. And if you use remote executions, you cannot assume that a given job slot will remain on the same remote server. This goes double since number of job slots can be adjusted on the fly (by giving --jobs a file name). Rsync protocol version rsync 3.1.x uses protocol 31 which is unsupported by version 2.5.7. That means that you cannot push a file to a remote system using rsync protocol 31, if the remote system uses 2.5.7. rsync does not automatically downgrade to protocol 30. GNU parallel does not require protocol 31, so if the rsync version is >= 3.1.0 then --protocol 30 is added to force newer rsyncs to talk to version 2.5.7. Compression GNU parallel buffers output in temporary files. --compress compresses the buffered data. This is a bit tricky because there should be no files to clean up if GNU parallel is killed by a power outage. GNU parallel first selects a compression program. If the user has not selected one, the first of these that is in $PATH is used: pzstd lbzip2 pbzip2 zstd pixz lz4 pigz lzop plzip lzip gzip lrz pxz bzip2 lzma xz clzip. They are sorted by speed on a 128 core machine. Schematically the setup is as follows: command started by parallel | compress > tmpfile cattail tmpfile | uncompress | parallel which reads the output The setup is duplicated for both standard output (stdout) and standard error (stderr). GNU parallel pipes output from the command run into the compression program which saves to a tmpfile. GNU parallel records the pid of the compress program. At the same time a small Perl script (called cattail above) is started: It basically does cat followed by tail -f, but it also removes the tmpfile as soon as the first byte is read, and it continuously checks if the pid of the compression program is dead. If the compress program is dead, cattail reads the rest of tmpfile and exits. As most compression programs write out a header when they start, the tmpfile in practice is removed by cattail after around 40 ms. More detailed it works like this: bash ( command ) | sh ( emptywrapper ( bash ( compound compress ) ) > tmpfile ) cattail ( rm tmpfile ; compound decompress ) < tmpfile This complex setup is to make sure compress program is only started if there is input. This means each job will cause 8 processes to run. If combined with --keep-order these processes will run until the job has been printed. Wrapping The command given by the user can be wrapped in multiple templates. Templates can be wrapped in other templates. $COMMAND the command to run. $INPUT the input to run. $SHELL the shell that started GNU Parallel. $SSHLOGIN the sshlogin. $WORKDIR the working dir. $FILE the file to read parts from. $STARTPOS the first byte position to read from $FILE. $LENGTH the number of bytes to read from $FILE. --shellquote echo Double quoted $INPUT --nice pri Remote: See The remote system wrapper. Local: setpriority(0,0,$nice) --cat cat > {}; $COMMAND {}; perl - e '$bash = shift; $csh = shift; for(@ARGV) { unlink;rmdir; } if($bash =~ s/h//) { exit $bash; } exit $csh;' "$?h" "$status" {}; {} is set to $PARALLEL_TMP which is a tmpfile. The Perl script saves the exit value, unlinks the tmpfile, and returns the exit value - no matter if the shell is bash/ksh/zsh (using $?) or *csh/fish (using $status). --fifo perl - e '($s,$c,$f) = @ARGV; # mkfifo $PARALLEL_TMP system "mkfifo", $f; # spawn $shell -c $command & $pid = fork || exec $s, "-c", $c; open($o,">",$f) || die $!; # cat > $PARALLEL_TMP while(sysread(STDIN,$buf,131072)){ syswrite $o, $buf; } close $o; # waitpid to get the exit code from $command waitpid $pid,0; # Cleanup unlink $f; exit $?/256;' $SHELL - c $COMMAND $PARALLEL_TMP This is an elaborate way of: mkfifo {}; run $COMMAND in the background using $SHELL; copying STDIN to {}; waiting for background to complete; remove {} and exit with the exit code from $COMMAND. It is made this way to be compatible with *csh/fish. --pipepart < $FILE perl - e 'while(@ARGV) { sysseek(STDIN,shift,0) || die; $left = shift; while($read = sysread(STDIN,$buf, ($left > 131072 ? 131072 : $left))){ $left -= $read; syswrite(STDOUT,$buf); } }' $STARTPOS $LENGTH This will read $LENGTH bytes from $FILE starting at $STARTPOS and send it to STDOUT. --sshlogin $SSHLOGIN ssh $SSHLOGIN "$COMMAND" --transfer ssh $SSHLOGIN mkdir - p ./ $WORKDIR ; rsync -- protocol 30 - rlDzR \ - essh . /{} $SSHLOGIN:./ $WORKDIR ; ssh $SSHLOGIN "$COMMAND" Read about --protocol 30 in the section Rsync protocol version. --transferfile file <> --basefile <> --return file $COMMAND ; _EXIT_status = $? ; mkdir - p $WORKDIR ; rsync -- protocol 30 \ -- rsync - path = cd \ . /$WORKDIR\;\ rsync \ -rlDzR -essh $SSHLOGIN:./ $FILE ./ $WORKDIR ; exit $_EXIT_status ; The --rsync-path=cd ... is needed because old versions of rsync do not support --no-implied-dirs. The $_EXIT_status trick is to postpone the exit value. This makes it incompatible with *csh and should be fixed in the future. Maybe a wrapping 'sh -c' is enough? --cleanup $RETURN is the wrapper from --return $COMMAND ; _EXIT_status = $? ; $RETURN ; ssh $SSHLOGIN \ ( rm \ - f \ . /$WORKDIR/ {} \ ; \ rmdir \ . /$WORKDIR\ \>\&/ dev / null \ ; \ ); exit $_EXIT_status ; $_EXIT_status: see --return above. --pipe perl - e 'if(sysread(STDIN, $buf, 1)) { open($fh, "|-", "@ARGV") || die; syswrite($fh, $buf); # Align up to 128k block if($read = sysread(STDIN, $buf, 131071)) { syswrite($fh, $buf); } while($read = sysread(STDIN, $buf, 131072)) { syswrite($fh, $buf); } close $fh; exit ($?&127 ? 128+($?&127) : 1+$?>>8) }' $SHELL - c $COMMAND This small wrapper makes sure that $COMMAND will never be run if there is no data. --tmux <> mkfifo /tmp/tmx3cMEV && sh -c 'tmux -S /tmp/tmsaKpv1 new-session -s p334310 -d "sleep .2" >/dev/null 2>&1'; tmux -S /tmp/tmsaKpv1 new-window -t p334310 -n wc\ 10 \(wc\ 10\)\;\ perl\ -e\ \'while\(\$t++\<3\)\{\ print\ \$ARGV\[0\],\"\ \"\ \}\'\ \$\?h/\$status\ \>\>\ /tmp/tmx3cMEV\&echo\ wc\\\ 10\;\ echo\ \Job\ finished\ at:\ \`date\`\;sleep\ 10; exec perl -e '$/="/";$_=<>;$c=<>;unlink $ARGV; /(\d+)h/ and exit($1);exit$c' /tmp/tmx3cMEV mkfifo tmpfile.tmx; tmux -S new-session -s pPID -d 'sleep .2' >&/dev/null; tmux -S new-window -t pPID -n <> \(<>\)\;\ perl\ -e\ \'while\(\$t++\<3\)\{\ print\ \$ARGV\[0\],\"\ \"\ \}\'\ \$\?h/\$status\ \>\>\ tmpfile.tmx\&echo\ <>\;echo\ \Job\ finished\ at:\ \`date\`\;sleep\ 10; exec perl -e '$/="/";$_=<>;$c=<>;unlink $ARGV; /(\d+)h/ and exit($1);exit$c' tmpfile.tmx First a FIFO is made (.tmx). It is used for communicating exit value. Next a new tmux session is made. This may fail if there is already a session, so the output is ignored. If all job slots finish at the same time, then tmux will close the session. A temporary socket is made (.tms) to avoid a race condition in tmux. It is cleaned up when GNU parallel finishes. The input is used as the name of the windows in tmux. When the job inside tmux finishes, the exit value is printed to the FIFO (.tmx). This FIFO is opened by perl outside tmux, and perl then removes the FIFO. Perl blocks until the first value is read from the FIFO, and this value is used as exit value. To make it compatible with csh and bash the exit value is printed as: $?h/$status and this is parsed by perl. There is a bug that makes it necessary to print the exit value 3 times. Another bug in tmux requires the length of the tmux title and command to not have certain limits. When inside these limits, 75 '\ ' are added to the title to force it to be outside the limits. You can map the bad limits using: perl -e 'sub r { int(rand(shift)).($_[0] && "\t".r(@_)) } print map { r(@ARGV)." " } 1..10000' 1600 1500 90 | perl -ane '$F[0]+$F[1]+$F[2] < 2037 and print ' | parallel --colsep '\t' --tagstring '{1}\t{2}\t{3}' tmux -S /tmp/p{%}-'{=3 $_="O"x$_ =}' \ new-session -d -n '{=1 $_="O"x$_ =}' true'\ {=2 $_="O"x$_ =};echo $?;rm -f /tmp/p{%}-O*' perl -e 'sub r { int(rand(shift)).($_[0] && "\t".r(@_)) } print map { r(@ARGV)." " } 1..10000' 17000 17000 90 | parallel --colsep '\t' --tagstring '{1}\t{2}\t{3}' \ tmux -S /tmp/p{%}-'{=3 $_="O"x$_ =}' new-session -d -n '{=1 $_="O"x$_ =}' true'\ {=2 $_="O"x$_ =};echo $?;rm /tmp/p{%}-O*' > value.csv 2>/dev/null R -e 'a<-read.table("value.csv");X11();plot(a[,1],a[,2],col=a[,4]+5,cex=0.1);Sys.sleep(1000)' For tmux 1.8 17000 can be lowered to 2100. The interesting areas are title 0..1000 with (title + whole command) in 996..1127 and 9331..9636. The ordering of the wrapping is important: $PARALLEL_ENV which is set in env_parallel.* must be prepended to the command first, as the command may contain exported variables or functions. --nice / --cat / --fifo should be done on the remote machine --pipepart/--pipe should be done on the local machine inside --tmux --shard The simple way to implement sharding would be to: 1 start n jobs, 2 split each line into columns, 3 select the data from the relevant column 4 compute a hash value from the data 5 take the modulo n of the hash value 6 pass the full line to the jobslot that has the computed value Unfortunately Perl is rather slow at computing the hash value (and somewhat slow at splitting into columns). One solution is to use a compiled language for the splitting and hashing, but that would go against the design criteria of not depending on a compiler. Luckily those tasks can be parallelized. So GNU parallel starts n sharders that do step 2-6, and passes blocks of 100k to each of those in a round robin manner. To make sure these sharders compute the hash the same way, $PERL_HASH_SEED is set to the same value for all sharders. Running n sharders poses a new problem: Instead of having n outputs (one for each computed value) you now have n outputs for each of the n values, so in total n*n outputs; and you need to merge these n*n outputs together into n outputs. This can be done by simply running 'parallel -j0 --lb cat ::: outputs_for_one_value', but that is rather inefficient, as it spawns a process for each file. Instead the core code from 'parcat' is run, which is also a bit faster. All the sharders and parcats communicate through named pipes that are unlinked as soon as they are opened. Shell shock The shell shock bug in bash did not affect GNU parallel, but the solutions did. bash first introduced functions in variables named: BASH_FUNC_myfunc() and later changed that to BASH_FUNC_myfunc%%. When transferring functions GNU parallel reads off the function and changes that into a function definition, which is copied to the remote system and executed before the actual command is executed. Therefore GNU parallel needs to know how to read the function. From version 20150122 GNU parallel tries both the ()-version and the %%-version, and the function definition works on both pre- and post-shell shock versions of bash. The remote system wrapper The remote system wrapper does some initialization before starting the command on the remote system. Make quoting unnecessary by hex encoding everything When you run ssh server foo then foo has to be quoted once: ssh server "echo foo; echo bar" If you run ssh server1 ssh server2 foo then foo has to be quoted twice: ssh server1 ssh server2 \'"echo foo; echo bar"\' GNU parallel avoids this by packing everyting into hex values and running a command that does not need quoting: perl - X - e GNU_Parallel_worker , eval + pack + q/H10000000/ , join + q// , @ARGV This command reads hex from the command line and converts that to bytes that are then eval'ed as a Perl expression. The string GNU_Parallel_worker is not needed. It is simply there to let the user know, that this process is GNU parallel working. Ctrl-C and standard error (stderr) If the user presses Ctrl-C the user expects jobs to stop. This works out of the box if the jobs are run locally. Unfortunately it is not so simple if the jobs are run remotely. If remote jobs are run in a tty using ssh -tt, then Ctrl-C works, but all output to standard error (stderr) is sent to standard output (stdout). This is not what the user expects. If remote jobs are run without a tty using ssh (without -tt), then output to standard error (stderr) is kept on stderr, but Ctrl-C does not kill remote jobs. This is not what the user expects. So what is needed is a way to have both. It seems the reason why Ctrl-C does not kill the remote jobs is because the shell does not propagate the hang-up signal from sshd. But when sshd dies, the parent of the login shell becomes init (process id 1). So by exec'ing a Perl wrapper to monitor the parent pid and kill the child if the parent pid becomes 1, then Ctrl-C works and stderr is kept on stderr. Ctrl-C does, however, kill the ssh connection, so any output from a remote dying process is lost. To be able to kill all (grand)*children a new process group is started. --nice niceing the remote process is done by setpriority(0,0,$nice). A few old systems do not implement this and --nice is unsupported on those. Setting $PARALLEL_TMP $PARALLEL_TMP is used by --fifo and --cat and must point to a non-exitent file in $TMPDIR. This file name is computed on the remote system. The wrapper The wrapper looks like this: $shell = $PARALLEL_SHELL || $SHELL ; $tmpdir = $TMPDIR || $PARALLEL_REMOTE_TMPDIR ; $nice = $ opt:: nice ; $termseq = $ opt:: termseq ; # Check that $tmpdir is writable - w $tmpdir || die ( "$tmpdir is not writable." . " Set PARALLEL_REMOTE_TMPDIR" ); # Set $PARALLEL_TMP to a non-existent file name in $TMPDIR do { $ENV { PARALLEL_TMP } = $tmpdir . "/par" . join "" , map { ( 0 .. 9 , "a" .. "z" , "A" .. "Z" )[ rand ( 62 )] } ( 1 .. 5 ); } while ( - e $ENV { PARALLEL_TMP }); # Set $script to a non-existent file name in $TMPDIR do { $script = $tmpdir . "/par" . join "" , map { ( 0 .. 9 , "a" .. "z" , "A" .. "Z" )[ rand ( 62 )] } ( 1 .. 5 ); } while ( - e $script ); # Create a script from the hex code # that removes itself and runs the commands open ( $fh , ">" , $script ) || die ; # ' needed due to rc-shell print ( $fh ( "rm \'$script\' " , $bashfunc . $cmd )); close $fh ; my $parent = getppid ; my $done = 0 ; $SIG { CHLD } = sub { $done = 1 ; }; $pid = fork ; unless ( $pid ) { # Make own process group to be able to kill HUP it later eval { setpgrp }; # Set nice value eval { setpriority ( 0 , 0 , $nice ) }; # Run the script exec ( $shell , $script ); die ( "exec failed: $!" ); } while (( not $done ) and ( getppid == $parent )) { # Parent pid is not changed, so sshd is alive # Exponential sleep up to 1 sec $s = $s < 1 ? 0.001 + $s * 1.03 : $s ; select ( undef , undef , undef , $s ); } if ( not $done ) { # sshd is dead: User pressed Ctrl-C # Kill as per --termseq my @term_seq = split /,/ , $termseq ; if ( not @term_seq ) { @term_seq = ( "TERM" , 200 , "TERM" , 100 , "TERM" , 50 , "KILL" , 25 ); } while ( @term_seq && kill ( 0 , - $pid )) { kill ( shift @term_seq , - $pid ); select ( undef , undef , undef , ( shift @term_seq ) / 1000 ); } } wait ; exit ( $? & 127 ? 128 + ( $? & 127 ) : 1 + $? >> 8 ) Transferring of variables and functions Transferring of variables and functions given by --env is done by running a Perl script remotely that calls the actual command. The Perl script sets $ENV{variable} to the correct value before exec'ing a shell that runs the function definition followed by the actual command. The function env_parallel copies the full current environment into the environment variable PARALLEL_ENV. This variable is picked up by GNU parallel and used to create the Perl script mentioned above. Base64 encoded bzip2 csh limits words of commands to 1024 chars. This is often too little when GNU parallel encodes environment variables and wraps the command with different templates. All of these are combined and quoted into one single word, which often is longer than 1024 chars. When the line to run is > 1000 chars, GNU parallel therefore encodes the line to run. The encoding bzip2s the line to run, converts this to base64, splits the base64 into 1000 char blocks (so csh does not fail), and prepends it with this Perl script that decodes, decompresses and evals the line. @GNU_Parallel = ( "use" , "IPC::Open3;" , "use" , "MIME::Base64" ); eval "@GNU_Parallel" ; $SIG { CHLD } = "IGNORE" ; # Search for bzip2. Not found => use default path my $zip = ( grep { - x $_ } "/usr/local/bin/bzip2" )[ 0 ] || "bzip2" ; # $in = stdin on $zip, $out = stdout from $zip my ( $in , $out , $eval ); open3 ( $in , $out , ">&STDERR" , $zip , "-dc" ); if ( my $perlpid = fork ) { close $in ; $eval = join "" , <$out> ; close $out ; } else { close $out ; # Pipe decoded base64 into 'bzip2 -dc' print $in ( decode_base64 ( join "" , @ARGV )); close $in ; exit ; } wait ; eval $eval ; Perl and bzip2 must be installed on the remote system, but a small test showed that bzip2 is installed by default on all platforms that runs GNU parallel, so this is not a big problem. The added bonus of this is that much bigger environments can now be transferred as they will be below bash's limit of 131072 chars. Which shell to use Different shells behave differently. A command that works in tcsh may not work in bash. It is therefore important that the correct shell is used when GNU parallel executes commands. GNU parallel tries hard to use the right shell. If GNU parallel is called from tcsh it will use tcsh. If it is called from bash it will use bash. It does this by looking at the (grand)*parent process: If the (grand)*parent process is a shell, use this shell; otherwise look at the parent of this (grand)*parent. If none of the (grand)*parents are shells, then $SHELL is used. This will do the right thing if called from: an interactive shell a shell script a Perl script in `` or using system if called as a single string. While these cover most cases, there are situations where it will fail: When run using exec . When run as the last command using -c from another shell (because some shells use exec ): zsh % bash - c "parallel 'echo {} is not run in bash; \ set | grep BASH_VERSION' ::: This" You can work around that by appending '&& true': zsh % bash - c "parallel 'echo {} is run in bash; \ set | grep BASH_VERSION' ::: This && true" When run in a Perl script using system with parallel as the first string: #!/usr/bin/perl system ( "parallel" , 'setenv a {}; echo $a' , ":::" , 2 ); Here it depends on which shell is used to call the Perl script. If the Perl script is called from tcsh it will work just fine, but if it is called from bash it will fail, because the command setenv is not known to bash. If GNU parallel guesses wrong in these situation, set the shell using $PARALLEL_SHELL. Always running commands in a shell If the command is a simple command with no redirection and setting of variables, the command could be run without spawning a shell. E.g. this simple grep matching either 'ls ' or ' wc >> c': parallel "grep -E 'ls | wc >> c' {}" :: : foo could be run as: system ( "grep" , "-E" , "ls | wc >> c" , "foo" ); However, as soon as the command is a bit more complex a shell must be spawned: parallel "grep -E 'ls | wc >> c' {} | wc >> c" :: : foo parallel "LANG=C grep -E 'ls | wc >> c' {}" :: : foo It is impossible to tell how | wc >> c should be interpreted without parsing the string (is the | a pipe in shell or an alternation in a grep regexp? Is LANG=C a command in csh or setting a variable in bash? Is >> redirection or part of a regexp?). On top of this, wrapper scripts will often require a shell to be spawned. The downside is that you need to quote special shell chars twice: parallel echo '*' ::: This will expand the asterisk parallel echo "'*'" ::: This will not parallel "echo '*'" ::: This will not parallel echo '\*' ::: This will not parallel echo \''*'\' ::: This will not parallel -q echo '*' ::: This will not -q will quote all special chars, thus redirection will not work: this prints '* > out.1' and does not save '*' into the file out.1: parallel - q echo "*" ">" out . {} :: : 1 GNU parallel tries to live up to Principle Of Least Astonishment (POLA), and the requirement of using -q is hard to understand, when you do not see the whole picture. Quoting Quoting depends on the shell. For most shells '-quoting is used for strings containing special characters. For tcsh/csh newline is quoted as \ followed by newline. Other special characters are also \-quoted. For rc everything is quoted using '. --pipepart vs. --pipe While --pipe and --pipepart look much the same to the user, they are implemented very differently. With --pipe GNU parallel reads the blocks from standard input (stdin), which is then given to the command on standard input (stdin); so every block is being processed by GNU parallel itself. This is the reason why --pipe maxes out at around 500 MB/sec. --pipepart, on the other hand, first identifies at which byte positions blocks start and how long they are. It does that by seeking into the file by the size of a block and then reading until it meets end of a block. The seeking explains why GNU parallel does not know the line number and why -L/-l and -N do not work. With a reasonable block and file size this seeking is more than 1000 time faster than reading the full file. The byte positions are then given to a small script that reads from position X to Y and sends output to standard output (stdout). This small script is prepended to the command and the full command is executed just as if GNU parallel had been in its normal mode. The script looks like this: < file perl - e 'while(@ARGV) { sysseek(STDIN,shift,0) || die; $left = shift; while($read = sysread(STDIN,$buf, ($left > 131072 ? 131072 : $left))){ $left -= $read; syswrite(STDOUT,$buf); } }' startbyte length_in_bytes It delivers 1 GB/s per core. Instead of the script dd was tried, but many versions of dd do not support reading from one byte to another and might cause partial data. See this for a surprising example: yes | dd bs = 1024 k count = 10 | wc --block-size adjustment Every time GNU parallel detects a record bigger than --block-size it increases the block size by 30%. A small --block-size gives very poor performance; by exponentially increasing the block size performance will not suffer. GNU parallel will waste CPU power if --block-size does not contain a full record, because it tries to find a full record and will fail to do so. The recommendation is therefore to use a --block-size > 2 records, so you always get at least one full record when you read one block. If you use -N then --block-size should be big enough to contain N+1 records. Automatic --block-size computation With --pipepart GNU parallel can compute the --block-size automatically. A --block-size of -1 will use a block size so that each jobslot will receive approximately 1 block. --block -2 will pass 2 blocks to each jobslot and -n will pass n blocks to each jobslot. This can be done because --pipepart reads from files, and we can compute the total size of the input. --jobs and --onall When running the same commands on many servers what should --jobs signify? Is it the number of servers to run on in parallel? Is it the number of jobs run in parallel on each server? GNU parallel lets --jobs represent the number of servers to run on in parallel. This is to make it possible to run a sequence of commands (that cannot be parallelized) on each server, but run the same sequence on multiple servers. --shuf When using --shuf to shuffle the jobs, all jobs are read, then they are shuffled, and finally executed. When using SQL this makes the --sqlmaster be the part that shuffles the jobs. The --sqlworkers simply executes according to Seq number. --csv --pipepart is incompatible with --csv because you can have records like: a , b , c a , " a,b,c a,b,c a,b,c " , c a , b , c Here the second record contains a multi-line field that looks like records. Since --pipepart does not read then whole file when searching for record endings, it may start reading in this multi-line field, which would be wrong. Buffering on disk GNU parallel buffers output, because if output is not buffered you have to be ridiculously careful on sizes to avoid mixing of outputs (see excellent example on https://catern.com/posts/pipes.html). GNU parallel buffers on disk in $TMPDIR using files, that are removed as soon as they are created, but which are kept open. So even if GNU parallel is killed by a power outage, there will be no files to clean up afterwards. Another advantage is that the file system is aware that these files will be lost in case of a crash, so it does not need to sync them to disk. It gives the odd situation that a disk can be fully used, but there are no visible files on it. Partly buffering in memory When using output formats SQL and CSV then GNU Parallel has to read the whole output into memory. When run normally it will only read the output from a single job. But when using --linebuffer every line printed will also be buffered in memory - for all jobs currently running. If memory is tight, then do not use the output format SQL/CSV with --linebuffer. Comparing to buffering in memory gargs is a parallelizing tool that buffers in memory. It is therefore a useful way of comparing the advantages and disadvantages of buffering in memory to buffering on disk. On an system with 6 GB RAM free and 6 GB free swap these were tested with different sizes: echo /dev/ zero | gargs "head -c $size {}" > /dev/ null echo /dev/ zero | parallel "head -c $size {}" > /dev/ null The results are here: JobRuntime Command 0.344 parallel_test 1 M 0.362 parallel_test 10 M 0.640 parallel_test 100 M 9.818 parallel_test 1000 M 23.888 parallel_test 2000 M 30.217 parallel_test 2500 M 30.963 parallel_test 2750 M 34.648 parallel_test 3000 M 43.302 parallel_test 4000 M 55.167 parallel_test 5000 M 67.493 parallel_test 6000 M 178.654 parallel_test 7000 M 204.138 parallel_test 8000 M 230.052 parallel_test 9000 M 255.639 parallel_test 10000 M 757.981 parallel_test 30000 M 0.537 gargs_test 1 M 0.292 gargs_test 10 M 0.398 gargs_test 100 M 3.456 gargs_test 1000 M 8.577 gargs_test 2000 M 22.705 gargs_test 2500 M 123.076 gargs_test 2750 M 89.866 gargs_test 3000 M 291.798 gargs_test 4000 M GNU parallel is pretty much limited by the speed of the disk: Up to 6 GB data is written to disk but cached, so reading is fast. Above 6 GB data are both written and read from disk. When the 30000MB job is running, the disk system is slow, but usable: If you are not using the disk, you almost do not feel it. gargs has a speed advantage up until 2500M where it hits a wall. Then the system starts swapping like crazy and is completely unusable. At 5000M it goes out of memory. You can make GNU parallel behave similar to gargs if you point $TMPDIR to a tmpfs-filesystem: It will be faster for small outputs, but may kill your system for larger outputs and cause you to lose output. Disk full GNU parallel buffers on disk. If the disk is full, data may be lost. To check if the disk is full GNU parallel writes a 8193 byte file every second. If this file is written successfully, it is removed immediately. If it is not written successfully, the disk is full. The size 8193 was chosen because 8192 gave wrong result on some file systems, whereas 8193 did the correct thing on all tested filesystems. Memory usage Normally GNU parallel will use around 17 MB RAM constantly - no matter how many jobs or how much output there is. There are a few things that cause the memory usage to rise: Multiple input sources. GNU parallel reads an input source only once. This is by design, as an input source can be a stream (e.g. FIFO, pipe, standard input (stdin)) which cannot be rewound and read again. When reading a single input source, the memory is freed as soon as the job is done - thus keeping the memory usage constant. But when reading multiple input sources GNU parallel keeps the already read values for generating all combinations with other input sources. Computing the number of jobs. --bar , --eta , and --halt xx% use total_jobs() to compute the total number of jobs. It does this by generating the data structures for all jobs. All these job data structures will be stored in memory and take up around 400 bytes/job. Buffering a full line. --linebuffer will read a full line per running job. A very long output line (say 1 GB without ) will increase RAM usage temporarily: From when the beginning of the line is read till the line is printed. Buffering the full output of a single job. This happens when using --results *.csv/*.tsv or --sql*. Here GNU parallel will read the whole output of a single job and save it as csv/tsv or SQL. Argument separators ::: :::: :::+ ::::+ The argument separator ::: was chosen because I have never seen ::: used in any command. The natural choice -- would be a bad idea since it is not unlikely that the template command will contain --. I have seen :: used in programming languanges to separate classes, and I did not want the user to be confused that the separator had anything to do with classes. ::: also makes a visual separation, which is good if there are multiple :::. When ::: was chosen, :::: came as a fairly natural extension. Linking input sources meant having to decide for some way to indicate linking of ::: and ::::. :::+ and ::::+ were chosen, so that they were similar to ::: and ::::. In 2022 I realized that /// would have been an even better choice, because you cannot have an file named /// whereas you can have a file named :::. Perl replacement strings, {= =}, and --rpl The shorthands for replacement strings make a command look more cryptic. Different users will need different replacement strings. Instead of inventing more shorthands you get more flexible replacement strings if they can be programmed by the user. The language Perl was chosen because GNU parallel is written in Perl and it was easy and reasonably fast to run the code given by the user. If a user needs the same programmed replacement string again and again, the user may want to make his own shorthand for it. This is what --rpl is for. It works so well, that even GNU parallel's own shorthands are implemented using --rpl. In Perl code the bigrams {= and =} rarely exist. They look like a matching pair and can be entered on all keyboards. This made them good candidates for enclosing the Perl expression in the replacement strings. Another candidate ,, and ,, was rejected because they do not look like a matching pair. --parens was made, so that the users can still use ,, and ,, if they like: --parens ,,,, Internally, however, the {= and =} are replaced by \257< and \257>. This is to make it simpler to make regular expressions. You only need to look one character ahead, and never have to look behind. Test suite GNU parallel uses its own testing framework. This is mostly due to historical reasons. It deals reasonably well with tests that are dependent on how long a given test runs (e.g. more than 10 secs is a pass, but less is a fail). It parallelizes most tests, but it is easy to force a test to run as the single test (which may be important for timing issues). It deals reasonably well with tests that fail intermittently. It detects which tests failed and pushes these to the top, so when running the test suite again, the tests that failed most recently are run first. If GNU parallel should adopt a real testing framework then those elements would be important. Since many tests are dependent on which hardware it is running on, these tests break when run on a different hardware than what the test was written for. When most bugs are fixed a test is added, so this bug will not reappear. It is, however, sometimes hard to create the environment in which the bug shows up - especially if the bug only shows up sometimes. One of the harder problems was to make a machine start swapping without forcing it to its knees. Median run time Using a percentage for --timeout causes GNU parallel to compute the median run time of a job. The median is a better indicator of the expected run time than average, because there will often be outliers taking way longer than the normal run time. To avoid keeping all run times in memory, an implementation of remedian was made (Rousseeuw et al). Error messages and warnings Error messages like: ERROR, Not found, and 42 are not very helpful. GNU parallel strives to inform the user: What went wrong? Why did it go wrong? What can be done about it? Unfortunately it is not always possible to predict the root cause of the error. Determine number of CPUs CPUs is an ambiguous term. It can mean the number of socket filled (i.e. the number of physical chips). It can mean the number of cores (i.e. the number of physical compute cores). It can mean the number of hyperthreaded cores (i.e. the number of virtual cores - with some of them possibly being hyperthreaded). On ark.intel.com Intel uses the terms cores and threads for number of physical cores and the number of hyperthreaded cores respectively. GNU parallel uses uses CPUs as the number of compute units and the terms sockets, cores, and threads to specify how the number of compute units is calculated. Computation of load Contrary to the obvious --load does not use load average. This is due to load average rising too slowly. Instead it uses ps to list the number of threads in running or blocked state (state D, O or R). This gives an instant load. As remote calculation of load can be slow, a process is spawned to run ps and put the result in a file, which is then used next time. Killing jobs GNU parallel kills jobs. It can be due to --memfree, --halt, or when GNU parallel meets a condition from which it cannot recover. Every job is started as its own process group. This way any (grand)*children will get killed, too. The process group is killed with the specification mentioned in --termseq. SQL interface GNU parallel uses the DBURL from GNU sql to give database software, username, password, host, port, database, and table in a single string. The DBURL must point to a table name. The table will be dropped and created. The reason for not reusing an existing table is that the user may have added more input sources which would require more columns in the table. By prepending '+' to the DBURL the table will not be dropped. The table columns are similar to joblog with the addition of V1 .. Vn which are values from the input sources, and Stdout and Stderr which are the output from standard output and standard error, respectively. The Signal column has been renamed to _Signal due to Signal being a reserved word in MySQL. Logo The logo is inspired by the Cafe Wall illusion. The font is DejaVu Sans. Ghana Education News Limited admissions to Law School, Engage to find lasting solution - Justice Tanko Naa Lamiley Bentil Education Mar - 19 - 2023 , 15:40 A Justice of the Superior Court, Issifu Omoro Amadu Tanko, has expressed the need for heads of Law Faculties at various universities to begin serious engagements with the government through the Attorney General, the Judiciary and other key stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to the increasing conundrum of limited admissions to professional legal education in Ghana. There is a contemporary issue no Chief Justice is able to resolve. We have thousands of law graduates in the pipeline who cannot access professional legal training not because they do not qualify but because we do not have the space. Justice Tanko, who is also the acting Director of the Judicial Training Institute, was speaking at an event organised by final year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students of the Wisconsin International University College (WIUC). The event was organised by the students in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and the Law Students Union (LSU) in Accra last Friday on the The LLB Experience with His Lordship, Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu. Justice Amadu Tanko was accompanied by Justice Kweku Ackaah-Boafo of the Court of Appeal, Justice Kenneth Kudjodjie, a Justice of the High Court, and Justice Douse, a retired Court of Appeal Judge and the Chairman of the Wisconsin University College Council. Also in attendance were the Dean of the WIUC, Dr. Peter Wiredu, and some lecturers including Mr. Philip Glah and Mr. Kingsley Amoakwa Boadu. I would have thought that as law degree students, this conundrum would have been directly confronted by you urging leaders of the faculty, and management of the university to organise as many sessions as possible inviting representatives of government, the Attorney General, the Chief Justice, Judiciary, heads of faculties to discuss and find the solutions to this problem. A third Chief Justice will be retiring in May and the problem is there, he stressed. There is a need to quickly generate a serious conversation about the issue. For as long as we are not able to absorb all of them in law school, so will the problem continue to hunt us. Justice Tanko noted that most LLB graduates aspire to obtain professional qualifications and work as lawyers. He further stated that although there could be persons who may only want to obtain the LLB to learn some areas of the law and will be all right without obtaining the professional training but for many young students, I see I will be surprised if your ambition is not to qualify as lawyers. "I think that the issue that will provoke continuous discussion is the issue of how law graduates will enter law school and compete to pass, fail or repeat. "We are mindful of the fact that some of the issues on the admission of law graduates to law school are before the courts but we can discuss the issue with circumspection without dwelling on the cases which are in court. We can come together and offer solutions to the regulators of legal education. Planning Justice Omoro Tanko also urged the students to develop what he termed the nine commandments some of which included studying ahead of every lecture in the pursuit of their legal education. He quoted Joseph Story, a former Supreme Court Justice of the US, The law is a jealous mistress and requires long and constant courtship. It is not to be won by trifling favours but lavish habits. A quote that amplifies the need for law students to spend time with their books if they intend to excel. The most important strategy is to plan and this requires that the student develops an objective, he added. For final-year students with the ambition to enter the Ghana School of Law, Justice Omoro Tanko advised them to study hard. There are no shortcuts. If students prepare well, they will pass well. It is highly competitive because of the numbers but that is what the world is all about. To succeed in legal education and thus the profession, Justice Ackaah-Boafo, who is also a lecturer at the Ghana School of Law encouraged the students to develop a passion for the job, empathy for their clients, and honesty in their dealings with all. Journalists trained on fact-checking Getrude Ankah Nyavi Mar - 19 - 2023 , 16:23 A two-day training workshop to equip journalists with the skills to fact-check information and countering misinformation before publication was held in Accra last week. The workshop, organised by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) with funding from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UK brought together 26 journalists from Western, Central and Greater Accra regions. Participants went through the various forms of misinformation, disinformation and mal-information and how to sanitise the information space due to the pervasive information disorder. In a welcome address, the programme Manager for the Media and Good Governance, Abigail Larbi said the training was part of efforts to increase knowledge and awareness about the phenomenon of disinformation and its impact on democratic governance in Ghana. She explained that the training has two components, with the first part exposing participants to concepts such as information disorder, fake news, Mis-disinformation, how they manifest as well as their impact on peace and democratic governance. In the second component, participants went through some fact-checking tools to help identify and counter misinformation. A Senior lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, and a facilitator at the training, Dr. Gilbert Tietaah, said the scale of misinformation being circulated had increased in recent times following growing technology and dynamism in journalism. He therefore urged journalists to be circumspect in their reportage by fact-checking information in all spheres especially before publication. For his part, the Lead of Fact Check Ghana, Kweku Krobea Asante took the journalists through the most important contemporary tools used for fact-checking and verification. He guided participants in creating fact-checked investigations, news, and reports. The participants had a chance to discuss specific ideas for creating accurate content and got familiar with precise sources to use in their production. He explained that Fact-checking is the process of checking the accuracy of the information before publishing the story followed by checking the statements of certain actors. Fact-checking is part of journalists work. You as a journalist can be a fact-checker and a fact-checker can be a journalist. But the process of fact-checking is constantly trying to question the information that you have received or that you have heard and trying to find relevant sources either to confirm or debunk that information, he said. High Court Judge flees Bolgatanga over alleged threat on his life Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Mar - 19 - 2023 , 12:37 Following some death threats and attacks at his residence, the acting Supervising High Court Judge at Bolgatanga, Justice Alexander Graham has fled and vacated his post. This comes a week after he convicted two persons for contempt. The decision to abandon his duty post is as a result of a number of death threats and an attack at his residence. It is however unclear when Justice Alexander Graham will return to adjudicate cases at the High Court Two in Bolgatanga. Promotion Justice Graham who was the Circuit Court judge in Bolgatanga was among 10 new judges who were promoted to the High Court and sworn into office in July 2022. He took charge of the High Court Two which had been closed for sometime due to the unavailability of a judge. Death threats Since starting work at the High Court, Graphic Online understands he continuously received death threats in the form of phone calls and text messages from unknown persons. Sources at the court have told Graphic Online that some faceless individuals sometimes call the Presiding Judge to warn him to be careful about some of the cases pending at the High Court Two. According to one of the sources, Justice Graham often received calls from some persons warning him to be careful about mining and chieftaincy cases pending at the court. The source said "one time, someone called him and threatened to take his life if he does not get a favourable outcome from his case, which was pending at the court. Shooting in the night Information gathered indicates that some weeks ago, there was sporadic shooting in the night around Justice Graham's residence by some unknown assailants ostensibly to put fear in him. The police patrol team was quickly alerted and when they rushed to the area, the assailants had bolted. Last Tuesday, March 13, 2023 at night, some persons besieged Justice Graham's residence and attacked him by pelting stones at the residence. Sensing danger, Justice Graham left the region the next day (Wednesday morning) around 10:30 am to Accra for safety. Although a number of cases had been earmarked for hearing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the clients and lawyers were left with disappointment due to Justice Graham's absence. Contempt case On Friday, March 10, 2023, two persons were convicted by the High Court Two for attempting to influence the trial judge. Read also: Attempting to influence judge - Chief, another convicted of contempt The two, Chief of Baare, Naab Nyakora Mantii and Richard Sunday Yinbil were convicted for contempt on their own pleas of guilty. They were charged for contempt when they earlier told Justice Graham in his chamber that they were sent a chief in their area to invite him to his palace to discuss some mining related cases before the court. Justice Graham who found the action by the two persons contemptuous, convicted them for contempt and asked them to sign six months bond to be of good behaviour. Talensi Traditional Council reacts to contempt conviction at Bolgatanga High Court Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Mar - 19 - 2023 , 13:11 The Talensi Traditional Council has said that an invitation extended to Justice Alexander Graham, the Presiding Judge of the Bolgatanga High Court Two was not to influence him. The council has stated "the two members sent by the Traditional Council to invite the trial judge did not go to influence him in any manner whatsoever". Response Responding to the conviction of the two members who were sent to invite Justice Graham for a discussion in a statement dated March 17, 2023, the council indicated that the move was simply an invitation to the judge by the President of the council, Tongraan Kugbilsong Nanlebegtang to see how best litigation on issues concerning lands can be addressed by the council. Invitation by Registrar The two council members were reportedly invited to the court premises on Friday, March 10, 2023 by the Registrar who ushered them in to see the judge in his Chambers. This was after the two individuals of the council had previously notified the Registrar of their intention to meet the judge. Afterwards, they explained their mission to Justice Graham on behalf of the Traditional Council, a development which did not go down well with the judge. The Chief of Baare, Naab Nyakora Mantii and Richard Sunday Yinbil were convicted for contempt for after extending an invitation from the Paramount Chief to the Presiding Judge to visit his palace for a discussion on mining related cases before the court. Contemptuous act Subsequently, Justice Graham found the move by the two people contemptuous and convicted them of contempt based upon their own plea of guilty. They were made to sign a six months bond to be of good behaviour. The council said the two members did not go to the court to entrap the judge nor influence the judge's decision on cases pending at the court. Good faith The traditional council said it was an invitation extended to Justice Graham in good faith and not intended to subvert the course of justice in any manner. It noted that on June 25, 2022, Justice Graham referred a criminal case titled "The Republic V Samuel Yin & three others emanating from a land litigation at Duusi in the traditional area to the Paramount Chief with the support of the traditional council which was deliberated upon. Again, another case, a land dispute in the Tempane area, which was pending at the Bolgatanga High Court One, presided over by Justice Charles Adjei Wilson was on October 20, 2022 referred to the Paramount Chief and the council to attempt a settlement. "In the light of these earlier cases which were referred to the Paramount Chief, it was the respectful view of the council that no serious problem would arise as there had been such collaboration in the resolution of cases" the statement said. This was therefore a well intended gesture, it said. The council further stated that it recognised the long standing collaboration between the judiciary and traditional authorities in the resolution of disputes in the interest of peace, noting "therefore, the traditional council will be the last entity to circumvent the law". US Customs intercepts snails in Ghanaian man's luggage Kweku Zurek Mar - 19 - 2023 , 11:03 United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Detroit Metropolitan Airport intercepted six Giant African Land Snails in a passenger's luggage on March 9, 2023. The U.S. CBP in a press release said the passenger, a Ghanaian national, claimed the snails were for consumption. The molluscs were immediately seized by CBP agents as they pose a significant risk to public health and the environment. Giant African Land Snails are known to eat over 500 different types of plants, including plaster and stucco, and can grow up to eight inches in length. The snails also carry a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans and produce up to 1,200 eggs annually. The intercepted snails Although the passenger was released without further action, the incident highlighted the importance of strict inspection processes for goods arriving at US ports of entry. It is not uncommon for travellers to bring food items from their native countries, which underscores the importance of the inspection process upon arrival to U.S. ports of entry, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steven Bansbach said. This allows CBP officers and agriculture specialists the opportunity to determine whether these goods are permissible or not, while mitigating the potential for public health or environmental issues. CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to detect potential threats and prevent harm to US interests, as highlighted by Port Director Robert Larkin. Giant African Land Snails are prohibited in Michigan and the rest of the United States. Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to target, detect, and intercept potential threats before they have a chance to do harm to U.S. interests, Port Director Robert Larkin said. How Bawumia was cheered at Akwasidae [PHOTOS] Graphic.com.gh Politics Mar - 19 - 2023 , 17:45 The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is yet to officially declare his intention to run for President in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary ahead of the 2024 general elections but his proponents are increasingly whipping up their advocacy for his candidacy. Dr Bawumia was in Kumasi on Sunday and his fever lighted up the second Akwasidae of the year at the Manhyia Palace. He was followed to the 40-day festival by close to 80 members of Parliament from the NPP. As usual when he arrived at the Manhyia Palace, he was received with loud cheers. How the crowd responded to his presence at the Manhyia Palace, according to his proponents was a testament to the fact that Dr Bawumia continues to be the toast of many. Accompanied by MPs, majority of whom are from the Ashanti Region, Dr. Bawumia became the centre of attraction as patrons could not just stop admiring his humility and shouted his name in admiration. Mamponghene embraces Dr Bawumia and Samira When he arrived at the durbar grounds, the Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II embraced Dr Bawumia and his wife Samira. This is not the first time the Vice President was attending Akwasidae which is an important event on the calender of the Ashanti Kingdom. The Festival is celebrated by the Asantes near and afar. The festival is celebrated on a Sunday, once every six weeks and believed to be the next only in importance to the National Day celebrations. The ceremony opens in the throne room, where only the initiates are allowed. Ritual libations of blood and schnapps are poured onto the thrones of the former kings as offerings to them and to the ancestors. Then the King, the Asantehene, makes an appearance in the royal court where he takes a seat under a large brightly colored umbrella. Dressed in vibrant colors and adorned with large pieces of antique gold jewelry, he greets his people. (Ashanti gold jewelry and masks are part of the master pieces of the African art) In front of the King, a corridor opens up where members of the court come to swear allegiance to the King and give him some gifts. There are chiefs in the shade of their umbrellas, sword carriers, bearers of ritual knives, armed guards with loaded rifles and nobles with ostrich feather fans. Sitting next to the king are found the dignitaries of the court. Bawumia-Otumfuo relationship The Vice President has had a very personal relationship with the Otumfuo Osei II, who he considers as a father. During the funeral of Bawumia's mother in in 2021, Otumfuo despite sending a high-powered delegation, issued a release to commiserate with the family. In a show of support for the Vice President, the over 80 lawmakers, appointees of government and some stakeholders who matter within the NPP accompanied to the Akwasidae. Emerging lithium producer Sayona Mining Limited reported the successful production of the first saleable spodumene (lithium) concentrate at its North American Lithium (NAL) operation in Quebec, Canada. NAL is a brownfield open pit mining operation with a concentrator, with more than C$400 million having been invested in the operation by previous owners, including a carbonate plant. The existing plant has nameplate capacity to produce up to 220kt of spodumene concentrate or 30kt LCE per year. Commissioning activities continue to progress, with approximately 1,200 tonnes of lithium concentrate produced, including SC6 (6% lithium grade). Sayona said that this demonstrates its ability to produce a commercial concentrate, following the recent successful production of the first lithium concentrate. Typical run-of-mine ore can contain approximately 1-2% Li 2 O; spodumene concentrate suitable for lithium carbonate production contains 6-7% Li 2 O. NALs total open cut and underground mineral resource (JORC Resource, measured, indicated and inferred) is for 1.06% Li 2 O. NAL grinders Broadly, to create spodumene concentrate, the mined spodumene-bearing ore is crushed and ground, then subjected to beneficiation to separate the spodumene from other minerals and impurities. The spodumene concentrate is then roasted to remove any remaining impurities. Specific steps and conditions can vary based on ore deposit and processing plant. NAL spodumene concentrate NALs restart continues to proceed on schedule and within budget, with the first lithium shipment expected to occur in July 2023. Sayona is targeting total production between 85,000 tonnes and 115,000t during the first half of fiscal 2024. Engineering is now progressing on the next subproject, the Crushed Ore Storage Dome, with close expediting of engineering deliverables implemented. Sayonas Managing Director, Brett Lynch said the production of NALs first saleable concentrate was a major milestone for the operations restart, reflecting the improvements made to enhance production. The NAL operation will represent the most significant source of hard rock lithium production in North America, boosting Quebecs plans for the development of a local battery sector, from mining to manufacturing. Sayona has also announced plans for further drilling both at NAL and Jourdan Resources adjacent Vallee Lithium Project (earnin claims). More than 50,000 meters of drilling are planned, likely one of Quebecs largest drilling programs this year. PUBLIC SCHOOLS Parent teacher conference for high schools 7 a.m.-noon March 20. Classes resume March 21. Parent teacher conference for middle schools 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for Oceanview Middle School; 9:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. virtually and 1-3 p.m. in person for F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School. Classes resume March 23. Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program The Universal Pre-Kindergarten program is accepting applications until April 14. To qualify, students must be 4 years old by July 31. Students from Finegayan Elementary School, J.Q. San Miguel Elementary School, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School and Marcial Sablan Elementary School will be prioritized; out-of-district applications will be entertained if there are available openings. Applications are available at any participating school, mayors offices and at the Guam DOE central office or at www.gdoe.net. For more information, contact any of the participating schools or the Division of Curriculum and Instruction at 671-300-1635. Gifted and Talented Education Program The Gifted and Talented Education Program is accepting pre-screening applications for GATE Pre-Kindergarten 2023-2024 until April 14. To qualify, students must be a resident of Guam and 4 years old by Aug. 31. In addition, students must participate in the visual-motor integration test, a vocabulary test and a visual-closure test and score at least 130 on one of the tests or an overall score of 350. Applications are available at Astumbo Elementary School, B.P. Carbullido Elementary School, Harry S. Truman Elementary School, Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School, M.U. Lujan Elementary School, Machanaonao Elementary School or H.B. Price Elementary School or visit www.gdoe.net. A copy of the students birth certificate or passport must be submitted along with a completed application. Testing is March 6-May 5. For more information, contact the Division of Curriculum and Instruction at 671-300-1635 or GATE@gdoe.net. PRIVATE SCHOOLS GCA Trades Academy Registration ongoing for electrical, plumbing, heavy equipment operations, project management, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Accepting applications for consideration for summer school. All public and private high school students are encouraged to enroll. Project Management class starts March 23. Students will develop an understanding of construction materials and methods, mathematics, communications, safety, human resources, scheduling and customer service. Electrical/electronic systems technicians class starts March 28. Students will learn about installing lighting, telecommunications equipment and security systems in residential and commercial settings. To register, contact 671-647-4842/3 or email bert@gcatradesacademy.org or visit gcatradesacademy.org. Academy of Our Lady of Guam Business hours 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday. For inquiries, email acad@aolg.edu.gu. Registration is ongoing for school year 2023-2024. Applications are available online or at the business office. Visit aolg.edu.gu or call 671-477-8203 for more information. Register as alumnae at aolg.edu.gu. Prayer requests for living or deceased can be made at aolg.edu.gu or call 671-477-8203. Schedule: March 22-23: 7:45 a.m.-3 p.m. open house/shadowing days for incoming students. Call the office to schedule a visit. March 23: 1:30 p.m. dismissal, 1:45 p.m. staff development. March 25: Placement test for School Year 2023-2024. $60 application fee and $70 placement test fee. Payments must be made at the business office. March 31: 1:30 p.m. dismissal. COLLEGE Guam Community College Summer and Fall registration open. The first day of the Summer semester starts June 2 and Fall starts Aug. 16. New and returning students can apply at guamcc.edu/apply or visit the admissions office on campus at building 2000 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Academic advisors and financial aid officers will assist students with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Health Services Center staff will be available to assist students with health clearances. Potential workers turned out Sunday for a job fair hosted by Goodwind Development Corp. at Micronesia Mall. Thelma Sian, a human resources supervisor representing the company, said the event was held to assist with supporting the number of vacancies that we have in our organization. Along with a different number of vacancies we have, we are also promoting and would like to (fill) additional apprenticeship positions within our organization, said Sian. Organizations such as American Bakery, Guam Beachfront residences, Philippine Airlines, as well as Micronesia Mall security, have jobs open. Potential recruits were asked to complete applications, and were also conducting interviews right on the spot, said Sian. While applicants were asked to bring resumes, people were encouraged to apply for positions even if they didnt one. Its not a problem, she said. We will be able to assist them and support with whatever type of skills or previous experience that they have. Last week, the government reported unemployment on Guam had dropped to 4% in December 2022, well below the 7.2% it had been at the previous year. For our organization, actually its kind of like assisting the decrease, because of the number of vacancies that we have, Sian said. Rachel Bodell, from Talofofo, attended the job fair and applied for the ticketing agent position that Philippine Airlines is offering. I was just looking for a job I saw it advertised on Facebook and so I thought I would stop by and see what was here, said Bodell. It was Bodells first experience at a job fair, and she shared some advice for those who are looking to apply for jobs. Go outside of the box. Apply for things that maybe you might not normally apply for, she said. I mean I never thought about being a ticketing agent, but it might be an interesting career path. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has called the Legislature to session Monday morning to vote on a 22% pay increase for government workers, which is set to go into effect on April 1. Late last week, citing issues with transparency and the increased cost of the bill, senators declined to place the measure on the upcoming session agenda. On Sunday, the governor used her authority outlined in the Organic Act to call a special session in the public interest. The amended bill, which includes raises for autonomous agencies and the Judiciary of Guam, will be considered in the 10 a.m. session. Initially projected to cost $16 million, Bill 24s cost jumped to $23 million after the other agencies were included. Leon Guerrero said last week she doesnt set the pay for the Judiciary and the autonomous agencies, which was why they werent included in the original cost for the bill. During the public hearing process, those agencies asked for parity, and Legislative budget chair Sen. Joe San Agustin included them. Legal counsel for the legislature approved the move. Objections to cost Sen. Chris Duenas, the most vocal critic of the administrations pay plan so far, said last week he was planning to ask for another public hearing on the bill so the increased cost could be scrutinized. He said the long-term expenses would have to be considered. If the measure cost $23.3 million for half a fiscal year, it would likely cost double that by fiscal 2024, he said. By the time you factor in increments and everything else that are on an annualized basis, we're looking at probably close to $50 million next fiscal year. A pay increase that cost closer to $14 million or $16 million for the rest of fiscal 2023 was more reasonable, he said. A tiered approach, in which the highest-paid, noncritical employees were getting raises lower than 22% was more reasonable. You go into the six-figure salaries and there's hundreds of them. There's individuals that are (at) $120,000, $130,000 they're gonna be getting $30,000 and $40,000 and $45,000 pay raises, he said. Call to session In her letter to the speaker Sunday calling for the session, the governor said the pay increases were necessary to fix some of the problems facing the government of Guam. She noted problems with school repairs and maintenance, the subject of a separate emergency session later on Monday. She said during a recent Guam Department of Education oversight hearing, "GDOE officials were clear: Maintenance lagged, in part, because our school system did not have the skilled labor necessary to do the job. Put simply, the (General Pay Plan) no longer pays enough to attract and keep skilled personnel. Unfortunately, funding is only part of the problem. Without implementing an adjusted General Pay Plan, enacting new funding measures is like throwing a checkbook at a flat tire no matter how much money we have in our account, ultimately we need people to do the work." She wrote that the same is true for people at Behavioral Health and Wellness Center, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Youth Affairs and other agencies. "Every week, we lose competent personnel responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of key programs and services on which the community and our children rely to survive and thrive," she wrote. She said her administration has been fiscally responsible, lowering the deficit until it was eliminated and collecting revenues in excess of projections. She said San Agustin and the fiscal team can address any questions about funding during the session. "I did not approve the long overdue adjustments to the General Pay Plan just because I am legally required to do so, though Guam law does in fact require regular review and updates to government pay plans," the governor wrote. "I approved these adjustments because they are urgently needed to safeguard our schools and protect and promote the public interest." The military has narrowed down the multiple sites which will be used for the islands new 360-degree missile defense system, according to Navy Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson, commander of Joint Region Marianas. The Missile Defense Agency in fiscal 2022 started working on the $1.5 billion project, which is intended to supplement existing defense systems and better protect the island from the threat of different types of missiles. The system will be spread across the island, with military-owned properties hosting different types of radar and interceptor systems. Weve done the siting. The technical analysis has been done, Nicholson said. We have come down to a number of sites. Its looking pretty good. Theres still a lot of adjustments that have to be done towards that, though. One missile defense site already acknowledged by the military is next to Eagles Field, where the government of Guam plans to build a new hospital and medical campus on 112 acres of leased military property. Nicholson said the missile defense system in that area was redesigned so it would not affect nearby hospital operations. You make sure that where the radars are placed are not going to interfere with the hospital, because hospitals have sensitive equipment, the admiral said, adding the flight path of interceptor missiles also was taken into consideration. Thats the rejiggering of the system that had to go through to make sure that that plot of land stayed available for a hospital or some other use. Nicholson said the missile defense system is far along in the design process, and the military does not plan to use the Eagles Field site for missile defense. The Army since 2014 has operated a high-altitude THAAD missile defense system in Guam, at Andersen Air Force Base, which was deployed to the site in response to threats by North Korea. According to Nicholson, its part of a multi-faceted defense system to protect the island until the new system is built. We have demonstrated the capability to surge Patriot batteries throughout the region, including a test in the Republic of Palau last summer, Nicholson said. Weve demonstrated the ability to quickly move short-range missile defense systems throughout the region, and well probably look to do that again in the future. Nicholson said the military also has the ship-based Aegis Weapon System, on cruisers and destroyers, to supplement the THAAD system. Theres a lot of different ways that we can reposition the forces that we have to provide additional protection for Guam or Japan or any other place in the region if we feel that theres a threat, he said. Nicholson said the new missile defense sites in Guam are pretty dialed in, but some elements of the system still must be built. Its not like something that exists that we can just ship here. Some of the parts of the system are existing systems that do exist today. its just a matter of preparing the areas to receive those. He said environmental impact studies, design and construction of the new system are happening at the same time, and different elements will be deployed here as soon as they are ready and approved. The capability will come in phases, he said. Its going to take some time to do that. Family and friends of a missing diver gather along the shore of Family Beach in Piti on March 17, 2023. Personnel with the Guam Police Department, the Guam Fire Department and the Port Authority Police, resumed the search for the 31 year old man who failed to return to the boat with others. A speargun identified as belonging to the missing man was recovered during the search, said GFD spokesman, Nick Garrido. A sanitation rating of D is posted on the office wall of Oceanview Middle School on Oct. 12, 2022, after Public Health inspectors found 32 violations during an inspection of the school facility. Mehmet Y?ld?r?m, a senior figure of the PKK terrorist group's Syrian wing YPG, was killed in Syria in an operation run by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). Y?ld?r?m, known by his code name Hamza Kobani, was serving as the finance official of the terrorist group in Aleppo and Tal Rifaat, security sources said Sunday, Azernews reports citing Daily Sabah. The sources told Turkish media outlets that Y?ld?r?m was eliminated in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo on Feb. 24. Y?ld?r?m joined the terrorist group in 1986 and was engaged in its activities in Turkiye and Iraq before relocating to Syria in 2015. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here LOCAL BRIEFS: HSO performs (and sells art); yoga's back; so is Flat Rock genealogy club Three paintings by Laurie Yeates Adams The Conductor, Classical Guitar and The Violinist works will be on display and for sale outside the concert hall before, during and after Hendersonville Symphony Orchestras March 18 concert at BRCC. HSO to perform Friendship on March 18 with guest violinist The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra will perform Friendship, a masterworks concert featuring special guest David Southorn, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Blue Ridge Conference Center at BRCC. Southorn, concertmaster of the Delaware and New Haven symphonies and associate concertmaster of the New Jersey Symphony, will perform Mendelssohns Violin Concerto in e minor. The performance will also feature Elgars Enigma Variations, a piece he wrote for closest friends in which he set each person to music. The concert is sponsored by Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Village. Southorn received a bachelor of music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a master of music and artist diploma from Yale University and a professional studies certificate from the Manhattan School of Music. In addition, Art on 7th Gallery is presenting for sale three unique one-of-a-kind oil paintings by local artist Laurie Yeates Adams during the symphonys March concert. The three works include The Conductor, Classical Guitar and The Violinist. The works will be on display and for sale outside the concert hall before, during and after the performance. The gallery has graciously agreed to donate 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of each piece to the HSO Youth Scholarship Fund. Finally, on March 27 and 28 the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra will provide live symphonic performances for third and sixth grade students in the county. The concerts serve to enrich and enhance the classroom curriculum, getting students up close and personal with the musicians and the instruments of the orchestra, and teaching them about composers and music in an engaging and memorable way. In addition to serving students in Henderson County public schools, the performances are also open to third and sixth grade students attending county charter schools and private schools as well as home-school students. For more information or to purchase concert tickets, visit hendersonvillesyphony.org, or call the HSO office at 828-697-5884. Free yoga returns to Park at Flat Rock The Flat Rock Park Foundation announced the return of Pardee in the Park: Yoga, a series of free yoga classes, Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. Participants of all levels are welcome to attend and experience the many benefits of yoga in a beautiful outdoor setting. All yoga classes are free thanks to an ongoing partnership of the Park Foundation, UNC Pardee Healthcare and YAM Hendersonville. Classes will be held from April 1 through October. We are thrilled to offer this amazing opportunity for community members to come together and connect with nature, while also improving their physical and mental well-being, said Tracey Daniels, development and programming director for the park. The park provides the perfect backdrop for a yoga session, and we encourage everyone to join us. Depending on the selected class, participants can either transition from their busy day to their evening or start a Saturday on a peaceful note. The classes are led by YAMs experienced and certified yoga instructors who will guide participants through a series of poses and breathing exercises designed to improve flexibility, balance and relaxation. Participants are asked to bring their own mats. Yoga has been shown to have numerous physical and mental health benefits, and we believe continuing to offer these classes for free will make them accessible to everyone in the community, Daniels said. The classes are open to participants of all ages and skill levels. No prior yoga experience is necessary. Participants are asked to arrive at 5-10 minutes before the class starts to allow time for check-in and setup. The classes are typically held in the grassy areas behind the welcome center (just look for the colorful mats and other yoga participants). Weather updates are announced on the parks Facebook page. Flat Rock Genealogy Society resumes meetings The Genealogy Society at Flat Rock announced last week that it is resuming regular meetings. Prior to Covid, the society met regularly to share information and knowledge of genealogy/family history research. Meetings are open to all, whether a beginner, professional or just curious. The first meeting of 2023 will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Flat Rock Village Hall. Other meetings are 10 a.m. April 10, 1:30 p.m. May 8, 10 a.m. Sept. 11, 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9, and 10 a.m. Nov. 13. All meetings are held Flat Rock Village Hall. For more information, contact Nancy Benyon at snmma@aol.com. New Works Series on March 25 features 'Bridgeport-1989' Hendersonville Theatre resumes its New Works Series (formerly called Staged Reading Series) at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Showcasing the work of area playwrights and performed by local actors, the New Works Series is a public reading of a new play in development. The New Works Series offers exciting script-in-hand readings of new plays by emerging local playwrights. The readings are followed by a talk-back with the playwright and actors to provide feedback to the playwright. A short discussion will follow each reading to provide feedback to the playwright about their script. The reading will be held at Hendersonville Theatre, 229 S. Washington St. Hendersonville Theatre is committed to exploring and developing new work for American theater, supporting local playwrights with their creative process from concept to production. Bridgeport-1989 by Bret Murphy will be read on March 25. In the play, Anna Person is 23 and works at Shop-N-Save to support herself and her needy mother. Her life begins to change dramatically after she has a near-death experience. Bret Murphy lives in Burnsville. Her play In the Middle of Nowhere is currently being produced at the Parkway Parkhouse in Burnsville. It was also produced at The Magnetic Theatre in Asheville in 2021 and developed at the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, in 2020. Playwrights who would like to submit work for consideration for the New Works Series may follow the submission guidelines posted at www.HVLtheatre.org/about-us and email questions to playsubmissions@HVLtheatre.org. Admission is free; donations are welcome to support the theater. For tickets or more information call 828-692-1082 or visit HVLTheatre.org. THE owners of a convenience store in Wargrave say they are overwhelmed by the kindness of villagers who rallied round when their electricity bills rocketed. Praba and Thangarajah Sreemurthy, who have run the A & I shop in Victoria Road for nearly 23 years, paid 2,040 for electricity for the three months from September 1 to November 30 last year. On January 18, when their contract ended, their bill increased to 4,583.22 for the three months to March 1. Mrs Sreemurthy said: This is the cheapest deal weve found. All corner shops and small businesses are affected. We were extremely worried. If people arent using this shop, how will we manage? Villager Sheila Davies, who goes into the shop a couple of times a week, posted a message on the Wonderful Wargrave Facebook page encouraging other residents to support the shop. She was prompted to take action after seeing Mr Sreemurthy moving some fridges to help save energy. She said: I went in on Sunday to get a few bits and pieces. I know theyve been struggling with some personal things. They were moving some fridges around and said: Were struggling, its so hard. said: No, you cant close. Its such a great store and theyre such hard workers. Theyre such an asset to the community. I said: Weve lost both post offices. We cant lose you. I put something on Facebook, saying we need to support them. I got such lovely responses. Thats how it snowballed. Kirsty Andrew, who runs Wargrave Community Choir, set up a GoFundMe page. She said: Its a way of giving back to a lovely local family. They were so supportive during lockdown, delivering to vulnerable residents. I know its really just the tip of the iceberg for the problems facing local businesses but it is just lovely to see the community coming together to support this family. Anything we can do to raise awareness to shop local for all our local businesses. Its use it or lose it. Weve had our post offices close, our local restaurants close and loads of businesses have closed. We were voted in the top 10 villages of the year a few years ago, partly based on our local provisions. We had everything. Its still a lovely place to live of course. We have a high proportion of residents over 50 and some are not able to drive and deliveries are only free over a certain amount, so these local businesses are really important. The GoFundMe page raised 3,900 within two days of being set up on Monday. Mrs Andrew said: Weve had some huge donations it shows just how much it means to people. I know how humble the family are. I know theyve been through such challenging times and the community want to help. Mrs Sreemurthy said: I put a note on Facebook saying please dont fund us, we feel guilty, just come to the shop and support us. If you support us. thats fine. A lot of people liked the comment and put nice comments. That was heart-breaking. We really feel guilty. If they come to support us, we are happy. Mrs Davies said she hopes the couple will take the money. I know what theyre like, Were embarrassed but they dont need to be. I know the money will help them such a lot, so they should just take it and do want they need to do put it towards the businesses, whatever they need to keep the shop open. It goes without saying people should use the shop but this will give them a leg up. This brings awareness to people of the need to go to your local shop. When you go to the supermarket you spend double because you see so much more. I pop in often after work. Their fruit and veg is brilliant. You can get all sorts in there, its a great little shop. Im going to make an effort to go in more and I hope others will. Hopefully, business will pick up for them. They work long hours as a family as theyre open seven days a week. If we lost that shop it would be such a sad day for Wargrave. Mr and Mrs Sreemurthy are helped in running the store by one of their three sons, Kaidran, 23, and two staff. Mrs Sreemurthy said: Our customers are really good people. I thank God for these village people, they are really good. They help unload deliveries for me. They just volunteer. They asked us if we need any help and said they could help. I dont know how to thank them. Wargrave is a nice place with really nice people. I feel its like a family. In 2020, a fundraising campaign led by resident Jim Sneddon raised 2,275 for the family to show the villages appreciation for the store during lockdown. The Sreemurthys were presented with a cheque and flowers as well as a card with the names of all 120 people who had donated. The family said the money should go towards Wargrave charities, but Mr Sneddon said they should spend it on a treat for themselves. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Lotte Hotel Seattle, a premiere hotel prominently situated in the business district of the Emerald City is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Kalczynski as Managing Director. As the newest appointment to the growing executive leadership team, Kalczynski will drive forward the luxury hotel's mission of delivering exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a dynamic and convivial environment for all employees. Steven Kalczynski is a seasoned and talented Managing Director, bringing 20-plus years of leadership expertise in hotel operations management. He joins Lotte Hotel Seattle following a 10-year tenure as Managing Director of The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan. During his time on the leadership team, Kalczynski oversaw $25 million in revenue along with a $15 million renovation project. Kalczynski is a dedicated, results-driven leader with proven success in luxury hotel management and franchise operations. He brings a wealth of knowledge along with a diverse background in the hospitality space, having worked with some of the most prestigious international brands and hotels, including The Peninsula, Shangri-La, St. Regis, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and The Luxury Collection. In partnership with the existing leadership team, Kalczynski will guide the day-to-day hotel efforts to ensure guest satisfaction in all areas. Kalczynski's dedication to service and hospitality has prepared him as he takes on this position overseeing ongoing hotel operations and team member management. The fall of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the largest U.S. banking collapse since the Great Recession, will ultimately lead to a shift in funding sources, difficulty obtaining hotel construction loans and a slowdown in recovery of the already challenging lending environment, say hotel analysts and owners. It's been a tumultuous week for banks in the U.S. and Europe, with the shutdowns of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, and rescues for Switzerland's Credit Suisse and First Republic Bank in San Francisco, leading to banking stock slides, recoveries and further slides, eroding confidence among investors. What Does This Mean for Hoteliers? But what does it mean for the hotel sector? That's to be determined based on what part of the industry you're in, say analysts. Many publicly traded hotel real estate investment trusts have outsized hotel ownership exposure in the greater San Francisco area. San Francisco was already severely challenged prior to SVB's collapse, and recent events won't help the recovery of that market, said C. Patrick Scholes, managing director of lodging and leisure equity research for Truist Securities, in an email interview. Read the full article at HotelNewsNow (part of CoStar) Governor Announces Update on Search Process for State Police Colonel BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an update on the search process to identify the next Massachusetts State Police Colonel. The Administration has formed a six-member search committee, composed of diverse public safety professionals and community leaders with wide-ranging expertise, to guide a robust process to identify the new executive and administrative leader of the State Police. The Committee will guide the search process and partner with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the world's largest professional association for police leaders with experience identifying prospective applicants for executive-level public safety roles. Search Committee members include: Molly Baldwin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Roca Kevin Burke, Former Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety, former Essex County District Attorney Gayle Cameron, Former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the New Jersey State Police Mark Leahy, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, retired police chief (Suffield, Conn. and Northborough) Liam Lowney, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) Natashia Tidwell, Litigation Group Member at Mintz, former federal prosecutor and Cambridge police officer "The next Massachusetts State Police Colonel has a unique opportunity to enhance public safety across Massachusetts, build public trust and advance meaningful reforms," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are grateful to the remarkable members of the search committee for their service and commitment to identifying strong applicants with the vision and values to lead the State Police into the future." By law, the Governor appoints the colonel based upon the recommendation of the Secretary of EOPSS. The governing statute, Massachusetts law G.L. c. 22C Section 3, requires that the colonel be qualified by training and experience to direct the Department's work. At the time of appointment, the colonel must have 10 years of full-time experience as a sworn law enforcement officer and five years of full-time experience in a senior administrative or supervisory position in a police force or a military body with law enforcement responsibilities. Once appointed, the colonel will become a uniformed member of the MSP. The colonel will also require certification from the Massachusetts POST Commission. "The selection of the Department's future leader reflects a pivotal moment and transformative opportunity for the State Police and Massachusetts. Our administration is committed to conducting a comprehensive search that is thorough and expeditious," said Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll. "We look forward to engaging with the search committee and appreciate their dedication to identifying highly qualified and diverse candidates." On February 17, 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration appointed Lt. Colonel John Mawn to serve as Interim Colonel, succeeding Colonel Christopher Mason upon his retirement. Chair, Commissioner of State Department of Public Utilities Named BOSTON Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca L. Tepper appointed Jamie Van Nostrand to be Chair of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Staci Rubin to Commissioner. Cecile Fraser will continue her tenure as Commissioner in the Healey-Driscoll Administration. These appointments will be charged with carrying out the directive of creating a "21st Century DPU." "For the past eight years, our team in the Attorney General's Office, including Secretary Tepper and Chief Hoffer, served as the ratepayer advocate by standing up for Massachusetts residents struggling to pay their utility bills," said Governor Healey. "We know how critical it is that the DPU leadership understands that the transition to a clean energy economy is a pocketbook issue and will be thoughtful in how we evolve our grid and economy for the future. I have full faith in Jamie Van Nostrand, Staci Rubin, and Cecile Fraser to uphold those values." The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to transforming the DPU. The commissioners will be encouraged to evaluate structural and cultural changes to advance the following goals: Operate as a partner in achieving climate goals, including through facilitating rapid renewable energy growth, building a modern grid, and promoting resiliency. Open its doors to the public through modernized communications tools and meaningful community engagement in its proceedings. Integrate equity into its decision-making and respond to concerns from environmental justice populations and low-income ratepayers. Build agency expertise to ensure DPU independence and meet its mission, which includes prioritizing affordability, consumer protection, emissions reductions, transportation safety, and more. "With Jamie, Staci, and Cecile at the helm, the next era of the Department of Utilities will be marked by a commitment to transparency, equity, and innovation," said Secretary Tepper. "Our goal is to build a 21st century DPU rooted in these values. Jamie is a longtime advocate for the clean energy resources and will help lead the Commonwealth's transition at this pivotal time. Staci has been at the forefront of the environmental justice movement in Massachusetts. And Cecile brings extensive institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of the importance of consumer protections." The DPU Commission consists of three members, of whom two are appointed for a term coterminous with the Governor and one for a term of four years. One commissioner is designated as chair for a term of two years. "I am honored and excited to be joining the Healey-Driscoll Administration at such a pivotal time in the clean energy transition," said Van Nostrand. "I look forward to working with Secretary Tepper and the other energy and environmental agencies to meet Governor Healey's clean energy objectives, while maintaining affordable energy and designing clean energy programs that benefit all communities." Cecile Fraser was first appointed as a Commissioner to the Department of Public Utilities in June of 2017. In January 2023, she was appointed Acting Chair. She will remain Acting Chair until Van Nostrand starts on May 1. Following the transition, Fraser will continue as Commissioner in the Healey-Driscoll Administration. Rubin starts on April 10. Current DPU Commissioner Robert Hayden will step down on April 8. "I'm pleased to continue serving the people of Massachusetts as commissioner under the Healey-Driscoll Administration," said Commissioner Fraser. "I'm looking forward to collaborating with Jamie and Staci as we look to the future of the DPU, and institute new and innovative practices to ensure energy affordability, expand community engagement, and meet our critical climate goals." "It's a tremendous honor to return to the DPU and serve an administration that is committed to equity and reducing climate-damaging emissions," added Rubin. "For many years, I've advocated for a more inclusive, transparent DPU that considers climate justice and I'm grateful for the opportunity to bring that vision to life. Together, we will work to ensure that environmental justice populations have seats at the table in shaping our clean energy future." Now, far be it from me to find fault with the Banshees of Inisherin, for as ye all know by now, in my eyes it is the finest Irish film of all time. Aside, that is, from The Field... Which is, of course, an Irish film of such quality and such monumental standing, that it cannot be quantified or measured up against anything ever produced by mere mortal man. Yerra, The Field stands alone as a classic. It's the movie equivalent of the Ardagh Chalice. But moving back to the Banshees of Inisherin... With the dust having settled on the Oscars, and the winners having cried their way home, the question remains, whatever happened to The Banshees of Inisherin? Why didn't it win a fistful of Oscars? Why didn't it win an Oscar for every finger severed in the mighty film? Well, as always, I know the answer. For, as with most things in life, you don't have to be a genius to figure it all out. In spite of what some might say, or what we might like to believe, The Banshees of Inisherin is far from perfect. And while in many ways it's mighty, in its depiction of rural Irish life back in the 1920s, a few inaccuracies were committed to film. Alas, this is true. Chief amongst them was the depiction of island cattle - the herd Padraic happily marched onto the screen occasionally. Straight away, to me at least, as I sat in the cinema chewing on my peanuts, I knew they looked all out of place. Fine suckler stock of the Charolais persuasion. Perhaps a bit of Simmental too around the edges. But whatever way you looked at them, they were great stock. Padraic was the lucky man. Cattle that are common place in Ireland today. Cattle that can be seen everywhere from here to Roscommon. Winning awards and claiming accolades, they are cattle I would be proud to call my own. But cattle, alas, that in an Ireland of the 1920s were as rare as feathers on a goat. The Charolais has only been in Ireland for the past 60 years. In farming terms, they are a recent addition to the herd. So how in the name of all that's agricultural were they traipsing on a remote island off the coast of Ireland 100 years ago? Did they arrive there from Mars or Disneyland, or someplace? Did the Banshee herself conjure them up? Now the Academy of motion pictures, I'm sure, are no fools when it comes to the ins and outs of Irish beef cattle and, clearly, members on the board spotted the glaring mistake. They spotted the fine continental stock and sniggered at the fact. The Irish Examiner's Farming team had begged me to keep quiet about it up to now, hoping the error might go unnoticed. 'Twas unfortunate, in a way, that a cattle dealer wasn't consulted before filming got underway and that a few Shorthorns or Herefords weren't used instead of the French-bred cattle. For this job alone could have made all the difference between success and all out victory. It could have been the key to convincing the judges, based probably in Beverly Hills, that the tale was sound. As it stood, with the Charolais cow and her weanling calf, it may as well have been Macroom last Saturday afternoon. Banshee island me arse. And it didn't matter after that how many fingers were severed or pints drunk. With continental stock roaming around the island, the Banshee herself may as well have been using a mobile phone. The jig was up. An increased 20 tail bounty on mink was sought in the Dail in a bid to protect fish and wildlife across rural Ireland. Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill, who made the call, said such a bounty was introduced for mink several years ago. It is known as the 'fur bounty' or the 'tail bounty'. It was introduced at 3 per fur tail delivered. That needs to be revisited. I suggest a figure of 20 should be paid, he said. Deputy Cahill said this should be done on a national scale through clubs interested in conservation and protecting the wildlife and fish life in these areas. The bounty would finance the clubs interested in protecting these habitats and would be a win-win situation for all involved. Deputy Cahill warned that if the mink issue is not addressed, they will decimate all forms of species in rural Ireland. "Hares and young pheasants are suffering as well. The list is endless. Mink has no prejudice as regards the young wildlife or fish it will kill," he said. "Fishing and angling groups and gun clubs are extremely concerned about mink, an invasive species that has no natural predator. It kills for fun and for sport. It is doing untold damage to other wildlife and fish life. In Lough Derg, for example, it is having an impact on tourism, as fish stocks are being seriously depleted by mink. It is the same for one species, in particular, the waterhen. If you walk along any river now, you will not see a waterhen anywhere. They have been completely decimated by mink, he said. Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said Deputy Cahill had highlighted a serious imbalance in nature in general across the country. The National Parks and Wildlife Service is responsible for implementing the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations. Both prohibit the spread of invasive species. In addition, an EU Regulation on invasive alien species provides for a range of concerted measures. Together, these instruments make up the legislative framework for dealing with invasive alien species in Ireland. Public bodies, Departments, and agencies countrywide work within it. Under this legislative framework, responsibility for dealing with invasive alien species rests largely with landowners. He said the Department carries out important work to manage and control invasive species in its national parks and reserves. But it does not have the resources at its disposal to undertake such work on a wider scale. Minister Noonan said much of the work tackling invasive alien species happens at local level and is carried out by local authorities in their areas through their own biodiversity action plans. These projects include the control of species such as Japanese knotweed and quagga mussel, along with awareness and education projects on how to tackle invasive alien species. While excellent work is being done at local level, there is a need for greater coordination and coherence in the overall approach to this issue. In this regard, a national invasive alien species management plan was included in the programme for Government and has been prioritised in the Department. The plan is in its early draft stages and will operate on a national scale, but the involvement and cooperation of key stakeholders at local level will continue to be crucial to its successful implementation, he said. The NPWS is also responsible for implementing the EU invasive alien species regulation in the national context. Minister Noonan said the localised scheme that Deputy Cahill spoke about concerning mink is administered by the National Association of Regional Game Councils. The scheme commenced in 2012 and involved a bounty on mink as part of the wider effort to protect ground-nesting birds in western counties. I understand this scheme ran for three years until 2015 and is no longer in operation. As with any scheme, it might be supported by grant aid. Its renewal and expansion would need to be discussed, he said. Deputy Cahill said the Minister had stated that the NPWS does not have the resources at its disposal to undertake such work on a wider scale. I accept that, but with a bounty, through the conservation clubs and fishing and angling clubs, the workforce will be there to do this. They know the terrain and how to trap mink. They would be well able to do it and would do it efficiently." Minister Noonan said mink were causing utter destruction of wildlife. They had looked at the costing of a total eradication. Other countries have done it. It is very costly. Despite the increased resources we have received for the NPWS, we would not have the financial or human resources to do that at this stage. Ultimately, the objective would be to remove them from the countryside. I will go back to the Department and see if there is any way to revisit that pilot scheme, as a pilot or on a wider scale, and look at what the bounty might be, he said. Monday marks the sixth anniversary of the disappearance of Cork woman Tina Satchwell. Birthdays have come and gone, christenings, funerals, family Christmases made sombre by the dreadful empty space at the dinner table. Tina Satchwell, the much-loved, vibrant, bubbly blond who loved her family, her dogs, fashion and car boot sales, vanished from her home in Youghal, east Cork, on March 20, 2017. Her disappearance at the age of 45 remains a mystery with no sighting of the Fermoy-born woman since. Despite a massive garda investigation which included some 400 lines of inquiry, more than 100 hours of CCTV footage, and 170 statements, no trace of Ms Satchwell has ever been found. A senior garda source told the Irish Examiner that someone in east Cork must have information on the missing woman. Its very unusual for someone to just completely disappear, they said. The reality is, she left the house and someone has seen her leaving the house or going somewhere or doing something. There have to be people there that know something. The problem is, sometimes people think that they saw something but they think we already know about it, or they think its not that important. But sometimes that one piece of the puzzle opens up the door to something else. If you think you know something at all, please contact gardai. Ms Satchwells sister, Teresa Dingivan, has also issued a fresh appeal for information on the sixth anniversary of her disappearance. Its six years. So many days, weeks, months, years not knowing. Our hearts are breaking not knowing where she is. Someone must have known where she went, someone must know what happened to her. Just please put our minds at rest. Read More Missing Cork woman Tina Satchwell's family appeal for information on her 50th birthday Ms Dingivan was trawling through newspaper clippings and investigation files this week, searching again for some missing clue that may help unlock the mystery. Were at a loss. You would have thought youd have sightings the first year, the second year, but as the years go on, you wonder what happened to her. Is she out there? Just put our minds at rest. Bring closure to us. Remembering her sister as a child, Ms Dingivan said: She was lovely, well looked after, polite. We were a close family. She was loved, happy, free-going, a lovely young girl. We lived on a quiet street [in Fermoy] and wed all play on the street with our friends. She was always with us. Shed sit on the step with us and play. My parents adored her. She was the youngest girl out of five girls, there were three boys too. Ms Satchwell moved to England when she was 16, and lived with Ms Dingivan and their mum. Tina Satchwell disappeared at the age of 45. We used to go for dinner, go shopping. Ive never known a girl who loved clothes and jewellery as much as Tina. She was there when I had my firstborn. She brought her this little bunny outfit, it was so cute. Ill always remember it. I have good memories of her. We always supported each other. It was in England in the months after her arrival that she met her husband, lorry driver Richard Satchwell, whose family lived a few doors down from Ms Satchwells new UK home. Mr Satchwell is the last known person to see his wife alive. He said that he brought her tea and toast that morning and she asked him to go to nearby Dungarvan for some shopping. He said that he gave her a 'peck' and said hed be back in two hours. When he returned, he said she was not there. She had no passport. Her mobile phone was left in the house, as were her beloved dogs, Ruby and Heidi. Identification, including her birth certificate were also found at the house. Her husband said that two suitcases were missing, as was 26,000 in cash money they had saved from the sale of a house and from car boot sales. He reported her missing four days later. He said that he assumed she had gone to visit family in Fermoy so delayed raising the alarm. Gardai conducted a major investigation which included searches of nearby scrubland, woods and waterways and an exhaustive trawl of CCTV footage from ports and airports. Repeated TV and media appeals have called on the public for information to help gardai find Ms Satchwell. The case continues to perplex gardai and the public, while causing huge suffering to Ms Satchwells family and loved ones. Teresa believes that someone else must be involved in Tinas disappearance because her sister would never choose to walk out on her family and all the people who love her. You cant just vanish off the face of the earth. She had no bank cards with her, no ID. Someone else was involved in her disappearance, Ms Dingivan previously told the Irish Examiner. "Its like time has stood still these past six years. Investigation Ms Satchwell was last seen in public at a car boot sale in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, with her husband, the day before she vanished. And she was reportedly last seen by her husband, Richard Satchwell, at 10am on March 20, 2017. Gardai conducted a full forensic examination of her property following her disappearance. They also examined her mobile phone records and bank accounts to see if there was any activity since her disappearance. There was none. Dives off the quays in Youghal were conducted by the Garda Water Unit and naval divers searched the harbour. Garda search teams were joined by the army from Collins Barracks in Cork to search scrubland in Youghal. Interpol was contacted to help search for Ms Satchwell abroad. Richard claimed to have discovered two suitcases in a Tesco carpark but forensic examinations determined they did not belong to his missing wife. Tina Sachwell with her mum Florence Dingivan in 1994. The most recent official major targeted search for Ms Satchwell was in March 2018 when 60 gardai thoroughly searched and examined Mitchels Wood outside Castlemartyr in east Cork. This search was sparked by information from someone who said they saw a man, with links to Tina, at the woods in suspicious circumstances. There was also a possibility that he spotted the man entering the woods with a blonde woman but leaving without her. Cadavar dogs, trained to detect decomposing bodies, army engineers, a 60-strong trained garda search team examined the woods. But nothing of significance was discovered. Gardai also searched CCTV footage from all ports and airports, including those in North with the assistance of the PSNI. But there was no sighting of Ms Satchwell. British police also searched for Ms Satchwell at their ports and airports, and at locations in northern England where she had previously lived and had friends and family. Mr Satchwell has repeatedly denied that he had anything to do with his wifes disappearance. He has not been identified by gardai as a suspect in his wifes case. The couple were together some 26 years. After her disappearance, he appealed for help on RTEs Primetime. He said that he initially believed that his wife had been suffering from anxiety in the months before her disappearance but did not want to take antidepressant medication. However, Ms Dingivan said that friends of her sister described her as being happy in the days and weeks before her disappearance. Teresa said that Tina would never torment her family by disappearing and not making contact. If she was out there living somewhere else, shed have made contact with us. She wouldnt leave us worry like this. She wasnt that kind of person. She was really close to her family, Teresa said. Teresa believes that Tina is still in Ireland as gardai found no trace of her leaving the island. Tina was funny and bubbly and independent. She was kind and considerate, Ms Dingivan said. She was a really good sister and adored her family. Ill never stop looking for her. Her sister has appealed for even the smallest clue that could help solve the mystery of her disappearance. Someone out there knows something. Someone knows what happened to Tina, someone had a hand in her disappearance, Ms Dingivan said. Even the smallest clue could help. Mr Satchwell declined to comment when contacted. Gardai continue to investigate and appeal for information in tracing the whereabouts of Ms Satchwell. Anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they think it may be, can contact Midleton Garda Station on 021-4621550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. In the early 1950s, when Key Biscayne was first being developed, many Miami residents viewed the drive across Rickenbacker Causeway as an inconvenience. The island is so far from everything, and the drawbridge always seems to be open, they complained. Over the years, things changed. Visitors and Key residents alike have come to appreciate the beauty of the drive, often describing it as a scenic buffer of sorts between the mainland and the island. Drivers marvel at the soaring Miami skyline, the sparkling waters of Biscayne Bay, and the sailboats out for a days adventure. Everyone experiences the drive differently. The highlight for Shayna Lopate, Truist Vice President and Branch Leader at the Key Biscayne Financial Center, is the lush vegetation at the entrance to the Key. As soon as she crosses the Bear Cut Bridge, the magic begins. She lets her eyes soften and observe all the shades of green. I play this little mental game and look for all the colors, she says. Ill see yellow-green and white-green and silver-green and purple-green and lime-green. I see all the greens and feel my stress level plummet. As you round the bend onto the Key, you can see the spiky fronds of saw palmetto, the distinctive glossy round leaves of sea grape trees, and the gnarled and twisted trunks of buttonwood. The more you look, the more you see. There are tangled clusters of mangroves, round-topped sabal palms, shiny gumbo limbo trees, towering coconut palms and on and on. As the Atlantic Coasts southernmost barrier island, Key Biscayne provides vital breeding grounds and habitat for migratory songbirds along the Eastern Flyway. While much of our island has been developed, important patches of maritime forest remain in Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Those areas are worth protecting. If you are interested in learning more about the islands coastal ecology and habitat, we have a great resource close by: the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, located in Crandon Park. The Center is open from 9 to 3 daily. Visitors are invited to stop by to view the exhibits or to speak with a staff naturalist. You will be mesmerized by the creatures in the salt-water aquariums, and you can see an indoor mangrove display. Even better, sign up for one of the Centers guided programs, such as the Family Seagrass Adventure. The Center also sponsors special events, such as the monthly Discover Biscayne Bay full moon boat cruises narrated by historian Cesar Becerra. Jackie Kellogg, Program Coordinator at the Biscayne Nature Center, encourages Key residents to pay more attention to the land around us. Once you start noticing and identifying the plants that flourish on Key Biscayne, you open your eyes in a whole new way. You begin to think of the vegetation as more than just weeds or shrubs and notice the birds and pollinators that thrive on those plants, both inland and coastal. Oftentimes the more you learn, the more you care about becoming a good steward of our island and its fragile ecosystems. If you are seeking to incorporate more mindful practices into your day, one place to start is by looking out the window as you drive onto the Key and simply observing what you see. Let your eyes wander and take it all in. Once we become more aware of our surroundings, we allow ourselves to take a break from our striving minds and live more fully in the present. You might be surprised to notice all the shades of green. Thanks to Shayna Lopate for suggesting the topic for this weeks column. To suggest a topic for a future column, please contact Bill Durham at bill@islandernews.com or 786-218-6332. We look forward to hearing from you. To read last week's Lighter Side column, click here. Today Sunny. High 92F. SW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 61F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Tomorrow Sunny skies with gusty winds developing later in the day. High 87F. W winds at 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 20 to 30 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Jung Sung Il proves that actors who are over 40 are still hot and amazing on screen! Thanks to his performance as the second male lead in "The Glory," the actor's name rings quite the buzz! Without a doubt, he's one of the most talked about stars today in the Hallyu scene. Here's how much he makes as an experienced actor. Jung Sung Il Praised For 'The Glory' Performance Versatile, amazing and talented are the perfect words to describe Jung Sung Il! This 2023, the 43-year-old actor made headlines for playing the role of a CEO who oozes sex appeal and enigma in the revenge drama "The Glory" starring Song Hye Kyo. Jung Sung Il displayed a great portrayal of his role through his amazing line delivery, facial expressions and brooding gaze. In particular, he also showed off his intense chemistry with Song Hye Kyo, which gained a massive following from fans all around the world. Most viewers even rooted for them to end up together. Undoubtedly, the actor won over the hearts of the viewers, leaving a remarkable impression. With that said, "The Glory" continues to dominate the Netflix global charts, taking the No. 1 spot in 79 countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Pakistan, Turkey, Canada, the US and more! Jung Sung Il Net Worth 2023 Since he made his acting debut, Jung Sung Il has appeared in various high scale works and worked with dazzling stars in the Hallyu world! In 2022 alone, the actor starred in five projects namely "Our Blues," "Bad and Crazy," "Moonshine," "Project Wolf Hunting" and "The Glory," proving his diversity as an artist. With the success of his Netflix series with Song Hye Kyo, he is expected to bag major acting roles within the year. At the moment, Jung Sung Il's net worth roughly amounts to 5 to 7 million USD; it is also predicted that his assets will double in the following year as he tops the television scene in both domestic and overseas channels. In addition to that, his brand deals, endorsements and partnerships also contribute to his paycheck, which he solely relies on as his source of income. Jung Sung Il In 'Beautiful Sunday' Apart from the television projects and commercial deals, the "The Glory" star also depends on his theater career. This year, he returned to the theater stage as Oh Jung Jin in the breathtaking play entitled "Beautiful Sunday." It is a heartwarming story of scarred and broken people who discover the beauty of the different kinds of love, overcoming misunderstandings and life's unexpected hurdles. Jung Sung Il is indeed a talented star who has so much potential. Check his performance in "The Glory" on Netflix now! KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. "Our Beloved Summer" lead actor Choi Woo Sik immediately went viral after fans learned that he is filming in the Philippines. Is he preparing for a new project? Keep on reading for details. Fans Spotted Choi Woo Sik Filming Project in Manila, Philippines On the afternoon of March 17, many Filipino fans were surprised after it was rumored that Choi Woo Sik is in the Philippines. On the same day, it was confirmed that the South Korean actor is in the said country after fans spotted him in one of the places in Manila. wooshik is indeed here & I think they are shooting something for murder dieary. enjoy your stay in Philippines & hope the shoot goes well love uu pic.twitter.com/0jBwf7cpP8 nini (@kdramamiii) March 16, 2023 People who noticed him said he is busy filming. The photos started to circulate online making the male star immediately become a hot topic. In the images provided online, Choi Woo Sik was wearing a simple t-shirt and a pair of pants. The actor humbly greeted the fans who were at the location. However, there's no confirmed news yet whether Choi Woo Sik is filming a drama or a movie. pic.twitter.com/9fpEgkv2pp (@25s_oad) March 17, 2023 Choi Woo Sik in 'Jinny's Kitchen' In February, Choi Woo Sik returned to the small screen as he joined the crew of the cooking variety show "Jinny's Kitchen." It is the spin-off series of the famous reality program "Youn's Kitchen" featuring a new restaurant run by actor Lee Seo Jin who was promoted from director of "Youn's Kitchen" to the boss of the new resto. The whole show was filmed abroad and has lots of exciting menus and chemistry from the cast to showcase to its customers and viewers. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Lee Do Hyun Rumored To Work With Seo In Guk in New Webtoon-Based Drama Regarding the concept, Lee Seo Jin is the boss, Jung Yu Mi is the director, Park Seo Joon is the executive manager, and Choi Woo Sik and BTS V are interns. The whole cast and show received positive feedback during the first pilot week broadcast of "Jinny's Kitchen." Choi Woo Sik Returns To Netflix With New Series 'Murderer o Nangam' Following his melodrama series "Our Beloved Summer" in 2022, Choi Woo Sik received much love from the public alongside on-screen partner Kim Da Mi. This 2023, the "Parasite" star will transform into an ordinary university student named Lee Tang in the forthcoming drama "Murderer o Nangam." He works part-time in a convenience store. Unfortunately, one day he gets into trouble with a rude drunk man and accidentally kills him. He got scared knowing that he ruined someone else's life. Interestingly, it turns out that the dead man is a serial killer and has been wanting to kill him in the past. Lee Tang then realizes that he can recognize bad people who deserve to die. Due to this, he becomes a serial killer who kills evil people. Choi Woo Sik will work with Son Suk Ku, who takes the role of Jang Nan Gam, a detective, who investigates Lee Tang's murder case. Lee Hee Jun on the other hand, turns into an ex-detective who chases Lee Tang alone. "Murderer o Nangam" is expected to premiere this 2023. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Kim Hye Soo Considers Retiring From Acting: 'It's lonely and difficult' What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Shai Collins wrote this. The distrust created with China by AUKUS and the submarine deal will have consequential reactions by Raj Gonsalkorale Former Prime Minister of Australia Paul Keating has labelled the AUKUS military alliance and more specifically the recently concluded submarine deal as the worst mistake Australia has done in its history. His national press club address has been widely publicised and does not need repetition here. It is however interesting to discuss a few basic issues he mentioned as reasons for his criticism. Firstly, his assertion that the AUKUS alliance is all about maintaining US hegemony over the South China sea and containing, to the extent possible, Chinas ability to move freely within and outside this area of the sea. Secondly, the futility of a few submarines, nuclear or otherwise, attempting to do this in the shallow, easily detectible sea off China and thirdly, the formation of a military alliance that includes Australia where Australia faces no threat militarily from China. Australian Navy personnel look at the UK nuclear-powered attack submarine HMS Astute docked at HMAS Stirling Royal Australian Navy base in Perth, Western Australia. [Photo credit: EPA/Scanpix/icds.ee] At the outset, in context, it is useful to mention Newtons third law that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. The formation of this alliance too could be looked at from this perspective. Accordingly, while trading profitably with each other, the three countries in the Alliance, the US, Australia, and UK, will strengthen their military and China will do their best to outdo, but more importantly outsmart all three. The already accelerated arms race will get to high gear now with billions of dollars being spent more on posturing than on any real military encounter by any of the constituents of AUKUS. Consequences for the ordinary people in all these countries and all other countries will have a flow on effect as funds available for the welfare of the people will be eroded and diverted to military expenditure. Before Newton, Buddha came out with a truism called dependent origination or in Pali, paticca samuppada. As stated in a Buddhist enquiry article (https://www.buddhistinquiry.org/article/dependent-origination/, what the dependent origination or paticca-samuppada actually describes is a vision of life or an understanding in which we see the way everything is interconnectedthat there is nothing separate, nothing standing alone. Everything effects everything else. We are part of this system. We are part of this process of dependent originationcausal relationships effected by everything that happens around us and, in turn, effecting the kind of world that we all live in inwardly and outwardly. This is the first reality one will have to understand and accept as a reality. Many actions will follow from the military alliance and the submarine deal. The alliance appears to not understand and to disregard the interconnected nature of these actions These will lead to ongoing consequences, most which will be negative rather than positive. Although not a military issue, Australia and the world witnessed the reaction of the Chinese government when some actions of Australia, including its role in the WHO attempt to carry out an inspection of Chinese facilities to ascertain whether the COVID virus originated in a Chinese laboratory. This attempt by Australia without any discussion with China, cost the country dearly with several commercial sanctions which incidentally are still in place. As Mr Keating said, diplomatic and commercial disagreements are being linked to non-existent military confrontations in the guise of foreign policy. The distrust created with China by AUKUS and the submarine deal will have consequential reactions from China. It is hard if not impossible to see how trust can be restored in an environment where diplomacy has been superseded by militarism. It is unfortunate for the future generations that the current leadership of the two major political parties in Australia have consigned them, without any discussion with them, to an uncertain and confrontational future with China, the worlds next superpower in the not-too-distant future. In any military conflict, irrespective of which side wins, there are no real winners or losers. It is just a scenario where the aggressors, the defenders and the bystanders play musical chairs, with each category moving around taking on each others roles in a cyclical manner. It is a futile, costly exercise that could have been avoided if disagreements were discussed and resolved through compromise and respect for each other. Many either ignore or are indifferent to the damage a war inflicts on the families and loved ones within each category, and a countless number of people who are not directly associated with a war. According to the Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties), the total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was about 40 million: estimates range from around 15 to 22 million deaths and about 23 million wounded military personnel, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history. The total number of deaths includes from 9 to 11 million military personnel. The civilian death toll was about 6 to 13 million. During World War 2, estimates for the total number of casualties in the war vary because many deaths went unrecorded. Most suggest that some 75 million people died in the war, including about 20 million military personnel and 40 million civilians. Many civilians died because of deliberate genocide, massacres, mass-bombings, disease, and starvation. The Soviet Union lost around 27 million people during the war, including 8.7 million military and 19 million civilian deaths. (https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/casualties-of-world-war-ii/ Outside of World War 1 and 2, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the Afghanistan, Iraq and other military conflicts have witnessed the deaths of millions. If a war is to be fought, and countries are indifferent to the death and destruction it causes, each side has to have the resolve, strength and the equipment to match the other side. As Mr Keating says, whether a few submarines, nuclear powered but firing conventional weapons does not seem to be indicative of parity. In the name of parity, if nuclear weapons are to replace conventional ones, the nuclear arms race will intensify, and more people will face death and destruction if a military engagement occurs and nuclear weapons are used. In such possible scenarios, it likely that China will enhance their defence capability in the face of AUKUS nations ramping their military capabilities. With technology advancements being what they are and potentially exponential advancements, the nuclear submarines being designed and built could well be obsolete when they are built and are seaworthy. The world does spend a lot of money to kill people. Mr Keatings third point is about the military strategy Australia has chosen in association with the US and UK over a diplomatic strategy with China. He has maintained, rightly, that China is Australias largest trading country and therefore commercial considerations rather than military ones should underpin the relations between the two countries. Again, as he says, the countrys foreign policy should not be dictated by military requisites but diplomatic requisites and mutual trust and not distrust. A military build up as envisaged is bound to foster mistrust between China and Australia and eventually impact adversely on the trading relationship between the two countries. According to the website Statista (https://www.statista.com/statistics/622568/australia-export-partners-by-value/), in 2021, China was Australias leading export partner, importing approximately 115 billion U.S. dollars worth of goods, followed by Japan and the European Union. Tensions have been building up in China-Australia relations and has impacted on trade. Data released by the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed that, in 2022, bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$220.91 billion, down 3.9 percent year-on-year, with Australias exports to China amounting to US$142.09 billion, a decrease of 13.1 percent from 2021. China remains a primary export market for many Australian products, such as coal, iron ore, and wine. However, several of these products lost their market share as domestic businesses looked for substitutes to lessen the risk of interruption amid thawing ties (https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-australia-trade-relations-growing-stronger/). Besides this, the website also states that quote notwithstanding the scope of market opportunities for China and Australia, bilateral ties have not always been favourable. Over the past five years, tensions have piled up on a range of issues related to technology, politics, and trade. In 2018, invoking concerns for national security, Australia became the first member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance to prohibit Chinese tech giants Huawei and ZTE telecommunications gear from participating in its telecom infrastructure. In addition, Australia openly supported a number of US-led efforts aimed at containing Chinas expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific, including the AUKUS alliance, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, and the Partners in the Blue Pacific. Early in 2020, amid tensions over the nature of COVID-19, bilateral ties took a sudden turn for the worst. China imposed import bans on a variety of Australian exports, including coal, barley, wine, cattle, and seafood. Australia responded by escalating the trade dispute to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and canceling the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) deal previously agreed to between China and the state of Victoria. Such occurrences have had a negative impact on trade. Australian exports of wine, barley, lobsters, cattle, and coal were severely impacted, while Chinese companies were subject to increased scrutiny, particularly for transactions involving crucial infrastructure. As a result of escalating diplomatic tensions, several Chinese companies adjusted their coal purchases from Australia to reduce potential risks. Consequently, China imported 66.37 million tons less Australian coal in 2021 than it did in 2020, a decrease of more than 85 percent year-on-year unquote. In summary, one cannot be but convinced that Mr Paul Keating is right that the AUKUS military alliance and the submarine deal will have a negative effect on Australia/China relations in the long term and that future generations will face the consequences of this serious mis step in military strategy camouflaged as foreign policy. The question the younger generations should ask themselves is whether Australia should overlook the misdemeanours of the US when it supports countries like Saudi Arabia and other dictatorships and argue that they, the USA, is a protector of democracy, and that they are taking on China because of its undemocratic policies and practices. Not much or in fact anything is said about the rise in living standards in China and the very significant drop in poverty levels in China. Nothing is also said about poverty in the USA, the citadel of democracy, where, according to https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2022/demo/p60-277.html, the official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6 percent, with 37.9 million people in poverty. In contrast, as estimated by the World Bank, Chinas poverty rate had fallen from 88 percent in 1981 to 0.7 percent in 2015, as measured by the percentage of people living on the equivalent of US$1.90 or less per day in 2011 purchasing price parity terms, which still stands in 2022 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_China). It does appear that the US is driven by the fear that China will overtake them as the superpower of the world soon and they are garnering support from willing allies like Australia and UK to delay the inevitable as much as possible. The danger for Australia is that they will be like, to quote a pithy Sinhala idiom Girayata ahuwechcha puwak gediya wage (an arecanut caught between the two levers of a giraya, a familiar object in most Sinhala homes, fashioned out of brass, steel, silver or gold and used to slice arecanuts) a paradoxical situation from which there is hardly any chance of escape. Australia has chosen this path and to be in an Anglo/Indian world, away from South East Asia and China where its prosperity and future lies. Without a doubt, Lim Ji Yeon's performance as the villain made Netflix's "The Glory" an international hit. Apart from Song Hye Kyo, she is one of the factors why the public loved the work. Since its release, "The Glory" has topped the Netflix global charts, proving its success. While the drama entices more viewers, here are Lim Ji Yeon's spine-chilling moments in "The Glory"! 1. Park Yeon Jin's Visit To Moon Dong Eun's Gym In the first part of the drama, Park Yeon Jin, played by Lim Ji Yeon, is threatened by the ghost of her past. Moon Dong Eun, played by Song Hye Kyo, had been Park Yeon Jin's underdog whom she bullied and tortured. After 18 years, she returns to avenge herself. Park Yeon Jin doesn't back down easily and puts on a fight. In one episode, she asks Moon Dong Eun how much she owes her, including physical and mental damages. She also left the viewers speechless when she calls Moon Dong Eun a "good for nothing woman" who is loved by no one. 2. A Daughter's Cry For Help In Part 2 of "The Glory," Park Yeon Jin slowly realizes that Moon Dong Eun isn't joking when she said she'll avenge herself. Because of this, things become shaky for her. Even her own husband and daughter disowned her after discovering the crimes that she committed when she was younger. However, the nail in the coffin is her mother turning her back on her to save herself from being arrested by the cops. Park Yeon Jin witnesses everything crumble down in front of her. Her mother released another blow when she said that she won't "go down with her," proving how easy it is to throw her under the bus to save her own life. Her screams and cries for help were phenomenal, impressing not only the viewers but also critics around the world. 3. Weather Forecast Inside Prison In the final episode of "The Glory," Park Yeon Jin finally receives the punishment she deserves. While her friends also suffer from the results of what they sowed in the past, Moon Dong Eun welcomes Park Yeon Jin to prison; her own hell where she's left with no one, not even her loved ones nor glory. The scene where she forecasts the weather in front of other inmates to avoid getting beat up was a core moment in the series, showcasing how she fell from the top to bottom in a span of time. In particular, many fans were satisfied after seeing Park Yeon Jin be ignored by her mother inside prison, acting like she doesn't know her own daughter at all. Which scene in the drama left you a great impression the most? Share it with us in the comments below! ALSO READ: 5 Things You Should Know About 'The Glory' Villain Lim Ji Yeon KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. Yoo Ah In continue to face the aftermath of the drug scandal after KBS temporarily bans the actor from their network. The show business industry in South Korea is very sensitive when it comes to the social controversy that involves illegal activities- from bullying, cheating, gambling, or illegal substance. As for the "Seoul Vibe" star, he has been under investigation since February after his name got dragged to alleged habitual use of propofol. Due to this, not only did the controversy affect his image but also his career. Yoo Ah In Update In the latest news about Yoo Ah In, KBS has decided to restrict the appearance of the controversial actor on their network. To recall, the award-winning actor has worked with the broadcast network several times and even starred in the 2004 coming-of-age drama "Sharp" during his debut. At the time, Yoo Ah In portrayed the role of an art major high school student, whose love interest is Go Ara's character. Since then, the 36-year-old star joined several projects under KBS. It includes "April Kiss" where he played a bit part, followed by "Drama City," and "Strongest Chil Woo" together with Goo Hye Sun and Eric Mun. His work with KBS continued after headlining the rom-com series "He Who Can't Get Married" with Ji Jin Hee, Uhm Jung Hwa, and Kim So Eun, followed by the hit K-drama "Sungkyunkwan Scandal" together with Song Joong Ki and Park Min Young. Apart from Yoo Ah In, KBS also announced a temporary ban on actors like Kim Sae Ron due to her drunk driving incident, Kwak Do Won, for verbally abusing an actress at the height of his DUI controversy, and Don Spike for drug charges. Yoo Ah In Drug Scandal: What Happened With the Award-Winning Actor The Korean top star continue to make headlines after he gets involved with drug allegations. At the time, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency shared that Yoo Ah In will undergo investigation for suspicion of violation of the Narcotics Control Act. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Yoo Ah In Drug Scandal Update: Doctor Who Prescribed the Actor Propofol Receives Arrest Warrant As the probe begins, the actor is barred from leaving the country. On the other hand, his agency, United Artists Agency (UAA) "Chicago Typewriter" star is "actively cooperating in all investigations." Meanwhile, as part of the investigation, Yoo Ah In had urine and hair strand tests and found out that he was positive for four types of drugs: hemp, propofol, cocaine, and ketamine. With this, the actor's home was raided by the police to find more evidence regarding the drug charges. Apart from Yoo Ah In's house, search and seizure also took effect at his parents' home while the doctors who administered the substance are also in question. Due to the controversy, the award winning star faces backlash from the public and endure losses from his current and upcoming projects- from brands taking down his advertisements to stepping down from his role in "Hellbound 2." READ MORE: Yoo Ah In's Neighbors Reveal Actor Left His Itaewon Home After Filming 'I Live Alone' in 2020 KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills Han So Hee shows off her unique friendship with "Nevertheless" co-stars after making a cameo on her Instagram. The 28-year-old beauty updated her millions of followers with a photo featuring Yoon Seo Ah, Yang Hye Ji, and Lee Ho Jung whom she worked for the webtoon-based series. Han So Hee Thanks 'Nevertheless' Co-Stars In Han So Hee's Instagram story, the actress posted a photo holding a large bouquet of flowers with a background of photos with the "Nevertheless" actresses. Interestingly, the snap was taken with a background of a coffee truck sent by the trio. To recall, Han So Hee, Yoon Seo Ah, Yang Hye Ji, and Lee Ho Jung became close after starring in the JTBC series along with Song Kang. since then, they maintained a strong friendship and got close even after the series ended. In "Nevertheless" Han So Hee played lead star Yoo Na Bi, a fourth-year art major who falls in love with the campus crush Park Jae Eon, played by Song Kang. In the romance series, Yang Hye Ji portrayed Yoo Na Bi's closest friend Oh Bit Na. Meanwhile, Lee Ho Jung and Yoon Seo Ah portrayed bestfriends Yoon Sol and Seo Ji Wan. On the other hand, Han So Hee didn't mention what project she is currently working on but viewers are hopeful that it is her team-up with nonetheless, Song Hye Kyo. Han So Hee and Song Hye Kyo Stars in Upcoming K-drama 'The Price of Confession' K-drama fans went crazy after Han So Hee hints about an upcoming project with Song Hye Kyo. On March 16, the actress shared a photo that was taken by "The Glory" star. However, what made the fans thrilled with excitement is the caption that reads "The Price of Confession" which is the title of the upcoming K-drama. READ MORE: Han So Hee Make Heads Turns With New Image Song Hye Kyo then reposted the snap on her Instagram, adding a heart emoticon. Interestingly, the teasing continues after Han So Hee commented on Song Hye Kyo's Instagram saying "Mine now..." after the actress shared photos of herself in "The Glory." With this, netizens think that the duo is confirming that they will be teaming up in the forthcoming series. Back in August 2022, various outlets shared that Song Hye Kyo and Han So Hee were offered to headline a series helmed by Lee Eung Bok of "Jirisan," "Sweet Home" seasons 1 to 3, "Goblin" and "Mr. Sunshine." At the time, their respective agencies confirmed that they received an offer and positively reviewed it. In the upcoming series, Han So Hee is set to play the role of a mysterious woman named Mo Eun. she is antisocial but managed to get close to Ahn Yoon Soo, an art teacher who faces a turn of events in life. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Han So Hee, Cha Eun Woo Team Up for Surprising Project KDramastars owns this article Written by Geca Wills From supporting actress to landing her major acting role, Seol In Ah enjoys her skyrocketing success and returns to the big scene with her brand new period youth drama "Oasis." In the series, Seol In Ah plays Oh Jung Shin, a beautiful woman who becomes the muse of two young men, trapping them in a love triangle amidst the turbulent years of South Korea. In real life, the actress remains an enigma for fans. Keep on reading to know more about Seol In Ah's dating life! Seol In Ah Opens Up About Being Single, Dating Pet Peeves & More This 2023, Seol In Ah returns to the small screen with a new drama! The actress landed her brand new major acting project entitled "Oasis" with Jang Dong Yoon and Chu Young Woo. It follows the stories of youths who fall in love while maintaining their friendship and thirst for success amidst the tumultuous South Korea in the 1990s. In the series, Seol In Ah plays the role of Oh Jung Shin, a beautiful woman who becomes the object of affection of two best friends. Trapped in a love triangle, the actress reveals that it's the complete opposite in real life as she's totally single and happy on her own. Seol In Ah reveals that she's not looking for romance at the moment as her exciting and amazing career is enough to spice up her everyday life. She shares that she once fell for a man who unfortunately cheated on her with someone else, which scarred her heart and made her skeptical about the idea of dating. In addition to that, Seol In Ah is also an introverted person who's too shy to meet people. However, she's charming and loyal; her most amazing traits. Single by choice, Seol In Ah devotes her time in improving herself and curating her flawless filmography as an actress. Seol In Ah's New Drama 'Oasis,' 'Love My Scent,' More After dominating 2022 with her performances in "Business Proposal" and "Emergency Declaration," the South Korean beauty plans to diversify her genres by challenging herself with new projects! Currently, Seol In Ah stars in the coming of age melodrama "Oasis" as an honest and beautiful young woman who's not afraid to fight injustice and mistreatment. "Oasis" marks her second project with Jang Dong Yoon whom she first met in "School 2017." The drama airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:50 p.m. KST on KBS2. It is also available with English subtitles on Viki and Wavve. Moreover, Seol In Ah also made her silver screen comeback with the romantic comedy film "Love My Scent" with Yoon Shi Yoon. It tells the chaotic romance between a man who doesn't like working nor dating and a woman who has everything but a love life. Despite their differences, the magic of love and an intoxicating perfume make them fall for one another. Initially released in February 2023, the movie is available for streaming on Viu. KDramaStars owns this article. Written by Elijah Mully. A Kenosha County panel has approved terms to receive the second round of payments from federal lawsuits it joined to hold pharmaceuticals and distributors responsible for their part in the national opioid epidemic. The countys Finance and Administration Committee has unanimously approved the terms of the agreement, which will go before the full County Board on Tuesday night. This is now the second round this is two smaller distributors, as well as three major pharmacy chains that have now reached a tentative agreement with the various municipal entities, governmental entities suing them, said Joseph Cardamone, the countys corporation counsel. An agreement has been reached with Teva and Allergan pharmaceuticals along with national distributors Walgreens, Walmart and CVS pharmacies, according to the resolution. The county is being represented by special counsel through von Briesen & Roper, S.C., Crueger Dickinson LLC and Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC in the opioid lawsuit. In 2017, the county joined the list of Wisconsin counties that filed separate federal lawsuits seeking to hold makers and distributors of prescription painkillers responsible for bringing about a nationwide opioid epidemic. The suits alleged drug manufacturers and distributors used deceptive marketing campaigns that misrepresented the safety of long-term opioid use and sought unspecified monetary damages for the financial strain caused by counties response to the epidemic. In Wisconsin, with 87 counties and municipalities signed on, the lawsuit is estimated to yield more than $402 million including all parties, with nearly $282 million in payments to local governments, including $10 million over a period of 18 years to Kenosha County. Racine and Walworth counties are expected to receive just over $9 million and $4.4 million, respectively. Two years ago, the county received $1.75 million in the first round of payments from settlements with McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc., AmerisourceBergen Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Janssen Pharmaceutica, Inc. Kari Foss, the behavioral health manager for Kenosha County Division of Aging and Disability Services, said the first payout was significantly higher than the subsequent ones the county anticipates as settlements are reached. She said the final dollar amount will not be known until the final gavel falls. Finance Director Patricia Merrill said with the latest settlement attorneys have not given us final dollars as far as the county level. Under the terms of the settlement, the funds would be kept into an opioid abatement account, separate from the countys general fund. About 20 percent would go toward attorney costs, according to Cardamone, an amount that was lowered from 25 percent. He said the special counsel is making every effort to retrieve or recover as much of their fees as possible from a national settlement account in order to maximize the amount the participating municipalities get. The deadline for the county to sign on to the settlement is April 18. The soonest the county could receive the next round of payments would be by the end of summer. Cardamone said a more realistic expectation for funds would be in the third quarter or the end of the year. Cardamone said Wisconsin has been a leader in how it distributes its opioid settlement proceeds as many other states have taken as much as 50% to 70% of the settlement payments. In Wisconsin, the state has agreed to recover just 30 % with the remaining 70% going to local governments and municipalities, he said. I really think it is probably the most generous split for the municipalities that Ive seen, at least, in talking with my colleagues in other states, he said. We (Kenosha County) wind up getting about 3.7%, approximately, of the 70 % thats going to local municipalities. Thats one of the top shares ... which is great. Its probably less great when you realize its probably because its based on how hard weve been hit. Nonetheless, from a purely dollar standpoint, its certainly very exciting for our ability to try and use these monies now for something beneficial, he said. TWIN LAKES In the upstairs room at 210 North Lake Ave. in Twin Lakes is Fixion Skateboards, a small shop run by Jon Harvey. Offering everything a skateboarder could need from boards to wheels to T-shirts the shop is an ode to Harveys love of skateboarding culture and a tribute to his late friend. Growing up in a small town in New Mexico, Harvey said he and his friend, Cleofus Jenkins (CJ for short), both got into skateboarding. For Harvey, it was an independent sport he could do on his own terms. Although he was nervous at first, It wasnt too long before I was trying to do tricks in a parking lot. It felt natural getting on the board, Harvey said. When the pair moved to California when they were young, Harvey was exposed to a much bigger skateboarding scene, especially compared to the handful of skateboarders he knew in his hometown. As he and CJ grew up, they were immersed into the community. Its one thing a lot of skateboarders will attest to, its a culture, a way of life, Harvey said. For Harvey, skateboarding culture emphasizes comradery and friendship, along with a healthy dose of rebellion and self-competition. The accessibility is important as well, requiring only some imagination and maybe a bench or a curb. You see the world differently, Harvey said of skateboarders. A set of stairs isnt a set of stairs anymore. Together in 2015, the friends started their own online board company. Two years ago, when CJ died, Harvey started the board shop in Twin Lakes. He has two primary goals: To revitalize the skateboard scene in this area and to honor his friend. I wanted to take it to the next level. I wanted to do something bigger, Harvey said. Build the brand for him, to pay homage. Harvey, who has lived in Wisconsin for 16 years, said hes working with Twin Lakes to try and get a skate park in the village, which he feels will make the area more appealing for young people. He also plans to host contests when the weather is warmer. You need something to keep the youth around, or they move away, Harvey said. The store has a wide variety of products, including skateboards, wheel bearings, clothing, stand-up paddle boards and more, with plans for adding snowboards next winter. Harvey said he tries to get as many of his boards and products from local artists and businesses as possible. This never was an industry beholden to any corporation, and it never should be, Harvey said. More information on what Fixion Skateboards offers, store hours and more can be found online at fixionskateboards.com, or by calling 262-448-1178. 7 Shares Share A 2021 Merritt Hawkins article reports increasing physician shortfalls in the U.S. while pointing out that almost 50 percent of all currently practicing physicians are older than 55. In some medical specialties, the greater-than-55 physician numbers are between 60 to 90+ percent. Similar findings have been confirmed in an updated January 2023 Beckers Hospital Review article. These recent reports estimate that there will be a shortfall of between 54,000 and 139,000 U.S. physicians by 2033. To add to the problem, the U.S. does not currently train enough physicians to meet even existing demand, much less the coming bulge as 76 million baby boomers continue to develop increasing health care needs. Health care worker imports For decades, the U.S. has relied on importing physicians and nurses from other countries to fill our increasing demands. Part of the rationale for this importation is that it leaves most of the burden of the expensive training costs for physicians and nurses to other countries. Since 1997, Congress has not agreed on a pathway to further fund graduate medical education. (Read the writers further comments here.) Congress in 2021 finally agreed to fund 1000 new resident positions not nearly enough. However, with an increasing worldwide shortage of physicians, other countries, such as the European Union, are now out-competing us in recruiting these same importable physicians and nurses. (Read the writers further comments here.) Workplace dissatisfaction leading to further shortfalls We now face an even greater shortfall as more of our mid-career physicians and other health care workers report dissatisfaction with the status of their current health care workplace and have quit health care for other careers. Up to 20 percent of the U.S. health care workforce is reported to have already left health care (up to 4 to 5 million workers), with more on the way out. An AI solution? We have seen that artificial (AI) intelligence systems such as ChatGPT can now pass College exams and medical licensing tests, carry on interactive conversations with humans, answer complicated medical and other questions, independently generate content, and write articles such as exam essays. AI bots are now conducting initial interactive jobseeker interviews and make a decision right then. AI can now better identify abnormalities in ECGs and imaging studies than many expert physician readers. In addition, AI systems such as ChatGPT are showing exponential growth and adoption in all sectors. In a recent op-ed piece, Dr. Robert Pearl discusses five ways ChatGPT and similar AI systems will change health care forever. These are: By becoming exponentially faster and more powerful By emulating how doctors make clinical decisions By providing around-the-clock medical assistance By preventing medical errors By helping all doctors perform like the best doctors If human workforce and workplace issues continue to go unaddressed? Though our physician and nursing workforce issues are potentially fixable what if the U.S. remains unable to summon a unified political/economic/health care will to work together to find a human solution as they have failed to do over the past 20 years? With many hospitals and health care systems struggling financially, there is growing frustration among many corporate and private equity health care leaders over the worsening shortfall in physicians and other health care workers and the long-term failure to produce solutions. Private equity companies have already replaced physicians with non-physician providers and obtained financial successes. What rate-limiting steps would have to be overcome or bypassed by motivated companies to use AI for various previously physician-driven functions? Perhaps the future of health care delivery is in AI and sooner than we think. Harry Severance is an emergency physician. The Amber One Million Stars Ireland Project in partnership with KCETB, is hosting a series of weaving workshops in the Butler Gallery. Join the group for a mindfulness-based star weaving workshop in the Butler Gallery Kilkenny. Personalise your star or add a unique message. Ambers One Million Stars Ireland project is an inclusive community arts project connecting communities across Ireland in solidarity against domestic abuse and all forms of violence. Each eight-point star represents light, hope and solidarity against domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, promoting our projects eight points of healthy love within relationships. Stars are curated into our travelling LOVE installation, spreading love and hope for a future free from violence and abuse for all in our community. This Art for Activism project brings people together to foster social change. There are many wellbeing aspects to the star weaving workshops. The workshops help create moments of calm in a safe environment. The project fosters a sense of connection to a wider community, working towards a shared goal. Studies shows that this type of human connection enhances self-esteem. This workshop series has been made possible by the support and funding of the Kilkenny and Carlow ETB REACH fund. The project began in Kilkenny in November 2019 in Newpark Close FRC where the first 10 stars were woven. Over 40,000 stars have been woven in Kilkenny so far. Dates Monday, March 20, 11am -1 pm; Tuesday, April 18, 11am -1pm; Tuesday, May 16, 11am -1pm; Thursday, June 8, 11am -1pm; Tuesday, July 4, 11am -1 pm. To book a place on a workshop, email: research@amberwomensrefuge.ie. Register as a star weaver or weaving group from anywhere in Ireland at onemillionstarsireland.ie. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close By Azernews Elnur Enveroglu The question of why Karabakh has long been an apple of discord in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia does not need extra explanation apart from the latter's thirst for the seizure of the neighbors historical lands. For over a century, Armenians have been plotting unthinkable ways of seizing Karabakh though each of their attempts has always backfired and cost dearly to Azerbaijan both in terms of human lives and materially. Notwithstanding Azerbaijans numerous efforts to have regional peace restored before the second Karabakh war of 2020, Armenias obstructionism left no other means than a military solution to the conflict. Although Armenia suffered a crushing defeat, and Azerbaijans victory has altered the geopolitical picture in the South Caucasus, no lasting peace has been established in the region. Armenia is countering a peace deal despite Bakus goodwill and is refusing to accept a five-point packet. A peace treaty at this point seems unimaginable and the reasons behind might be numerous though we are far away from listing them all and this is impossible. However, some most important ones for Armenias reluctance to give up territorial claims on Karabakh seem to be the backing of pro-Armenian forces behind Yerevans uncompromising and destructive position. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan though repeatedly and publicly renounced claims on Azerbaijani lands, his verbal statements do not go beyond that and each time Azerbaijan submits peace proposals, they drag the process out or resort to unfounded pretexts to torpedo the overall process. Azerbaijan upholds maintaining an elusive yet important peace, which is key for activating the process of integration of the Armenian population in Karabakh. In view of new realities on the ground, regardless of how Armenia will react in the next two years, it should be borne in mind that a shrinking, albeit pre-existing, space for discussing people-to-people reconciliation must be restored at all costs. Armenia is actually struggling against accepting the defeat and is blinded by arrogance to digest and see the bare truth that has been shaped by the post-2020 realities. If Armenia does not recognize our territorial integrity, we will not recognize their territorial integrity either. Armenia and the hypocritical countries behind it should know what the result will be. They should know that no dirty plan against us will work, the Azerbaijani president said on March 18 in Karabakh. President Ilham Aliyevs remark on Armenias misbehavior is a sharp message to those who are pushing and instigating political unrest in the region. Unfortunately, Armenia is relying on its so-called patrons, realizing that and is absolutely aware of the fact that it is an instrument in the hands of big powers. Malign neighborhood The curiosity behind what is the reason that chums Iran and Armenia in the region can be explained through Azerbaijan's de-occupied territories, which were used for illegalities for 30 years by both malign neighbors. By resisting the adoption of a resolution by the OSCE condemning the terror attack on Azerbaijans embassy in Tehran on January 27, 2023, Armenia once again showed that the policy of Iran and Armenia is based on a dangerous neighborhood, and Yerevan manipulates OSCE principles for its own favor. Under Irans patronage, Armenia is ready to act insanely which contradicts the diplomatic rules. By doing so, Armenia demonstrates its belligerent stance and inability to realize that such trivial manoeuvres will change nothing for Azerbaijan. Armenia refuses to observe its obligation Armenia's chameleon-like political will can change according to any situation. If Armenia cannot find a patron, it means that the leadership of Armenia will have to buy time and come to terms with the current situation temporarily. Of course, this is a tradition that comes from Armenian morality. President Ilham Aliyevs statement at the Ankara Summit indicates the apostasy of the Armenian government. Although Armenia recognized Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty in Prague and Sochi in 2022, it has not yet fully withdrawn its troops from the territory of Azerbaijan. Illegal Armenian detachments and criminal elements still remain in Karabakh. Armenia also evades the obligation to open the Zangazur corridor. Therefore, Armenia flagrantly violates the statement signed on November 10, 2020, and should be held accountable. Aliyev underscored. Inability to discern right from wrong Armenia could have supported Azerbaijan in the reconstruction of ruined cities and villages rather than wasting time with its malicious political course. However, demanding territory without achieving anything by keeping Karabakh in ruins for 30 years is an example of insolence on the part of Armenia. Unfortunately, international organizations and their representatives, who call Agdam Azerbaijans Hiroshima, are yet unable to clearly distinguish who is right and who is wrong. After the occupation, Azerbaijan is building 300 villages and 9 new cities from scratch as President Ilham Aliyev said at the Ankara summit. We are building nine new cities and initially more than 300 villages and towns from scratch. This is a rare and unprecedented model of post-conflict reconstruction by a national government using its own financial resources. In 2021-2022, the state of Azerbaijan spent about $4bn on reconstruction in liberated areas. This year, we plan to allocate at least $1.7bn. To recap, Karabakh is being rebuilt and IDPs are returning back to their homes, and the March 18 festivities in Talish village in Karabakh, now fully rebuilt to say welcome to former inhabitants, are proof of the determination of the Azerbaijani government to put the whole of Karabakh irrespective of the ethnicities under solid control once and for all. Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, right, shake hands following a joint news conference at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, March 16. AP-Yonhap Korean exports to Japan will rise 3.5 trillion won ($2.69 billion) this year if Seoul's export structure to Tokyo returns to the status it had in the 2017-2018 period before a trade dispute flared up in 2019, a business lobby said Sunday. Japan accounted for 4.5 percent of Korea's overall exports in 2022, down 0.4 percentage point from an average of 4.9 percent for the 2017-2018 period, according to a report released by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KORCHAM). Steel, petrochemicals, electronics and auto parts companies will benefit if the two countries put their estranged ties back on track after years of a trade dispute over key materials, the KORCHAM report said. In 2019, Tokyo imposed export controls on three materials critical for the production of semiconductors and flexible displays, and officially removed Korea from its list of nations given preferential treatment in trade in apparent retaliation for the Korean Supreme Court's ruling that ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to Korean forced labor victims. In response to the export controls, Korea filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the trade dispute, calling it a discriminatory act. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo warmed significantly after Korea announced its decision earlier this month to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labor on its own without asking Japan for contributions. On Thursday, Seoul decided to withdraw the complaint filed with the WTO as Tokyo vowed to lift its export restrictions on the three materials fluorine polyimide, photoresist and hydrogen fluoride to Korea. On the same day, Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit in Tokyo. (Yonhap) (The Center Square) The Hunter Biden investigation reached a new level in recent days after lawmakers announced that millions of dollars were transferred from a Chinese energy company with much of it ending up in the hands of the Biden family and associates. Now, critics say the Hunter Biden scandal could jeopardize the presidents reelection hopes. The promise of Joe Biden the candidate was a return to normal. He presented himself as the kindly older guy who had seen and heard everything and would be a transition away from the tumult of Trump, Republican strategist and Co-founder of South & Hill Strategies Colin Reed told The Center Square. He wasnt going to light the world on fire, but he wasnt going to wreck the car either. The reality of Joe Biden the president has been anything but, especially as the saga of Biden Inc. continues to unfold in real time. Its beyond clear at this point that the questions cannot simply be dismissed as fake news or politically motivated. In a bombshell report last week, House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., said financial records show that Biden family members Hunter Biden, James Biden, Hallie Biden, and another unknown Biden received $1.3 million in payments from accounts related to Rob Walker, a Biden family associate. Questions about the intersection of money and influence sunk the presidential hopes of Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden would be wise to heed those lessons, particularly now that the latest shoe to drop involves purported payments from Chinese business interests, Reed added. The entire scandal developed another layer Friday when Hunter Biden filed a lawsuit against the computer repair shop owner, John Paul Mac Isaac, who handed his laptop over to law enforcement after discovering questionable material on it and being unable to reach Hunter. That lawsuit, though, confirms that the laptop did come from Hunter Biden and not from Russian disinformation efforts, as much of the media and intelligence experts asserted in 2020. Those assertions were used to clamp down on and even censor the story during the 2020 presidential election cycle, possibly affecting the outcome. Now, the ongoing scandal has provided steady fodder for Bidens critics, something that is all but certain to continue if the president runs for reelection. The only thing Hunter Biden adds to the equation was access to his father, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz said after the news broke. And lawmakers have shown little sign of slowing the investigation. Comer sent a letter Friday to call on John Rob Walker to appear for a transcribed interview. Walker is an associate of the Biden family who the committee says was connected to bank accounts in the Biden network that received over $1 million. The committee said that most of the payments to the Biden family came after Rob Walker received a $3 million wire from a Chinese energy company. Rob Walker is a key witness in our investigation of President Bidens involvement in his familys business schemes, the letter said. After receiving a $3 million dollar payout from a Chinese energy company two months after Vice President Biden left office, Rob Walker then sent over a million dollars in incremental payments to Biden family accounts and a similar amount to another Biden family associate. These records reveal that the three parties likely all received a third of the money from China and it is unclear what services were provided in return. When speaking about dealings with the Biden family, Rob Walker once said that exposing him would bury all of us, man. Why? The Oversight Committee has many questions for Rob Walker and we look forward to getting answers for the American people. In online communities, K-Netz and netters selected K-pop idols who they think were successful soloists as well. In K-pop, groups usually assign a certain position to each member in the field that they are capable of the most. There are main vocals, dancers, rappers and visuals. With this, the team can support the areas that the other members were lacking. However, solo artists have to do it all, earning great respect and approval from K-Netz. Although there are a lot of soloists who debuted from the first-gen to the fourth-gen era, people think that THESE stars are the greatest of them all. Here Are Best K-pop Soloist Who Were Also Idols: 1. EXO Baekhyun According to netters, EXO Baekhyun is one of the male idols that comes first on their minds when saying, "best solo artist." In 2019, Baekhyun released his first EP, "City Light," which became the best-selling solo album in South Korea in the 2010s after selling over 550k copies. Aside from his album sales, Baekhyun also dominated the charts with his succeeding releases, such as "Bambi," "Candy" and more. Fans claimed that some of the reasons he's the success were due to his quality vocals and releases, impressive dance skills and awesome personality that earned him a strong fandom. 2.BIGBANG G-Dragon Although GD is yet to release his new album in six years, the male idol remained one of the most iconic in the K-pop scene. Since he debuted as a soloist in 2009, he rose as the best-selling Korean soloist at the time. His music recognition around the world also played a big role to pave the way in the international market, leaving a huge impact not only in the music field but in fashion culture as well. 3. SHINee Taemin In 2014, SHINee Taemin debuted with "Ace" and since then, he lived up to this moniker as one of the most successful soloists while still being a member of an active K-pop group. Although his solo concepts were mostly unconventional and the type that doesn't usually capture the attention of mainstream and K-pop listeners at first, his artistry still shine and became successful in the end. 4.EXO Kai Kai just debuted as a soloist in 2020, but he already has two albums that are certified platinum. When he debuted in EXO, Kai rose as a "dance machine," but he was able to prove his singing skills and songwriting abilities when he debuted as a solo artist. With his release, he also established his status as a digital monster, dominating music charts at home and abroad including Spotify, iTunes, QQ Charts, Billboard and on YouTube. 5.Block B Zico From being an idol, Zico pursued his soloist career and became notable for being one of the pioneers of the integration of K-pop and K-hip hop. Not only his tracks were of the best quality, but his self-produced music also often entails deep meaning and background that make music fans more immersed in his works. 6.Jay Park (2PM) After leaving 2PM, some thought that it would be the end of his career, but it was actually the start of something great. While the reason for Jay's withdrawal from the team was unfortunate, he turned this into an opportunity to rebrand and pursue his music path as a soloist. From being an idol, he also integrated K-pop and the underground hip-hop culture and R&B, standing alongside Zico. 7.BIGBANG Taeyang Last but not least, Taeyang was also selected by K-pop fans as one of the idols who succeeded in establishing a solo career apart from being active in a group. In 2008, he debuted as a soloist with his critically-acclaimed solo EP, "Hot." When he debuted, critics recognized his top vocal skills and rose as one of the best vocalists in Korea. In his career, one of his most notable songs is, "Eyes, Nose, Lips" which became the "Song of the Year" in 2014 at MAMA and Golden Disc Awards. For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz. KpopStarz owns this article. Written by Eunice Dawson. Just as I observed in a previous article, the outgoing members of the House of Assembly have become more vibrant and observant. Of course, they have not forgotten that they are due to receive their gratuity of up to E572 000 each and are also discussing that as well. No surprises there. The cause of this newfound enthusiasm is anybodys guess. I am just here to say I was impressed by Ndzingeni MP Lutfo Dlamini who asked if the International Convention Centre and Five Star Hotel (ICC/FISH) in Ezulwini was a commercially viable project, or just a money-milking scheme. He was addressing Dr Tambo Gina, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development last Monday. In vernacular, Dlamini said of the ICC/FISH, Ngulapho kudliwa khona imali yini? The reader will recall that at its initial stages, the project was estimated to cost E370 million. However, 11 years later, it is now estimated that it will cost E7.36 billion on completion. Despite this, a franchiser to operate the humongous hotel has not yet been identified. This is worrying because experts say ideally; possible operators should be identified before commencement of such a big project. That way, the identified company can monitor construction and make suggestions that will see the hotel being custom-made, sort of. adjustments If not, the operator might come and demand that certain adjustments, which would cost millions of Emalangeni, be made to suit its own brand. Government has continuously given assurances that an operator would be found. The only grey area is that there seems to be confusion regarding whose responsibility is it to find that operator. There is a worrying narrative that this should be the duty of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs. I respectfully disagree with this assertion. The ministry is expected to lure tourists into the country by showcasing the available natural and man-made attractions. It is not supposed to look for investors. It is the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) and its parent ministry that should scout for investors for the kingdom. Back to the Ndzingeni MP whose questions were pertinent, as far as this project is concerned. My only gripe is that they are coming a bit too late. The imposing building is already standing there, where it has changed the Ezulwini landscape forever. It is a beautiful structure with exotic architecture that really catches the eye. Construction or the plan to construct it began in 2012, a year before the 2013 2018 Parliament was to come to office. Both senators and members of the House of Assembly of that period were aware of its construction. They were aware that costs were escalating way beyond what had been projected. They also knew that an operator had not been identified. election Some of them lost the election in 2018 and did not return, but a few are back in the august house. Joined by new MPs, they have again been there for almost five years, watching as the hotel and convention centre took shape. Now and again, they would ask questions about the ICC/FISH, especially when newspapers wrote certain stories, but that would be it. We all wish that the project becomes a huge success that will draw local and international visitors back to Ezulwini and boost the countrys economy. We hope it will be operating soon, creating employment for chefs, cleaners, caretakers, waiters, bar attendants and security guards, among other staff. However, should it fail, some of the blame should be apportioned to the 2013-2018 and 2018-2023 parliaments. They dismally failed to ensure that government had all its ducks in a row with regard to this project. As we are all aware, this is not the only area in which Parliament has failed us. They have been there as the Ministry of Health dragged its feet on the matter of a perennial shortage of drugs in public clinics and hospitals. There is no excuse at all for governments failure to arrest this challenge once and for all. The only reason is that they have never made it a priority. Parliament, for its part, only spoke about it to please voters or people who listen to Tasephalamende on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) radio. If private hospitals and pharmacies always have the required medication in stock, what is governments excuse? Even if a prescribed pill, medicine or ointment is not available, private entities always have generic ones as alternatives. Not so for government health facilities. This basically means there is no problem with suppliers. Our government just does not think that stocking up on all required drugs is important. The excuse of lack of funds is unacceptable in a country where many other projects and events are easily well-funded. failures Recently, four doctors attached to the Mbabane Government Hospital resigned, all at once in just one day, citing lack of working tools, which include drugs. Parliament has also failed the education system and leaves behind a mess with regards to top-up fees in the Free Primary Education (FPE) programme, as well as the hiring of enough permanent teachers for public schools. The list of the outgoing MPs failures is long. That is why, this being election year, voters should ensure they do not repeat mistakes of the past. There has been a suggestion that there should be minimum qualifications for MPs. This is a valid point in light of the poor representation the electorate gets after each election. We need educated, intelligent and decisive women and men in the 2023-2028 Parliament and beyond. This reminds me of the words of one resident of Nkhaba who spoke during the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) voter education event, saying jealousy was the reason women did not vote for other females. Minister Pholile Shakantu, who was acting Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) a couple of weeks ago, told participants at an International Womens Day event that female voters should vote for other women. The Eswatini electorate has ignored many `Vote for Women campaigns, but since male-dominated parliaments have not lived up to expectations, isnt it time we give the other gender a chance? We could be pleasantly surprised. Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 19 (ANI): As the crackdown against the "fugitive" pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh continued on Sunday, Punjab Police said that the Waris Punjab De chief is still on the run and efforts to nab him are going on. "During the ongoing operations against the elements of Waris Punjab De and persons attempting to disturb peace and harmony in the state, another 34 arrests were made throughout the state on Sunday. A total of 112 persons have been arrested so far," Punjab Police said. Also Read | #WATCH | Union Home Minister Amit Shah Along with His Family Members Offers Prayers at Latest Tweet by ANI. Punjab Police on the second day of the crackdown also made preventive arrests of persons attempting to disturb peace and law and order in the state," a spokesperson of State police said. Official Spokesperson of the Punjab Police said that Amritpal Singh remains a fugitive and efforts are being made to arrest him. "Flag marches by district police and Paramilitary Forces (PMF) companies led personally by Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have been held all over the state, he said, adding that the Peace Committee Meetings in all districts have also been held and there is complete peace and harmony in the state," the spokesperson added. The Spokesperson said that during the ongoing search operations, an abandoned ISUZU vehicle bearing registration number PB10FW 6797 has been recovered from village Salina, Police Station Mehatpur, district Jalandhar Rural. The said vehicle was used by fugitive Amritpal while police were on chase. A .315 bore rifle along with 57 live cartridges, a sword and a walkie-talkie set has been recovered from the abandoned vehicle, he said, adding that, the vehicle is owned by Manpreet Singh of village Anokharwal, SBS Nagar, who has been arrested. Also Read | J&K | No One Involved in the Case of Conman Kiran Patel Will Be Spared and Action Will Latest Tweet by ANI. The spokesperson further said that strict action as per law will be taken if anyone is found spreading fake news, rumours and hate speech. All citizens, media persons and social media platform intermediaries are requested to act in a responsible manner and to fact-check the authenticity of the content being shared by them on various social media, electronic media and print media platforms, he added. He also appealed to the citizens not to pay heed to fake news and rumours and to fact-check authenticity from the police. All mischievous elements attempting to disrupt peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly, he added. Punjab Police is committed to maintaining law & order and rule of law in the state. Earlier in the day, the Punjab government extended the suspension of mobile Internet services in the State until Monday noon. Earlier on Saturday, police arrested, a total of 78 persons and detained several others for questioning. Punjab Police launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and his aides on Saturday, in the wake of a showdown between his followers and uniformed personnel outside Ajnala police station to free a member, who had been arrested in an abduction case. Tarsem Singh, Amritpal's father, said the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal. Police should have arrested him before he left home," said Tarsem Singh in an exclusive interview with ANI on Saturday. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through police barricades erected outside the Ajnala police station. The police later said "in the light of the evidence presented", it has been decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan will be discharged. Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 following orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police. Reacting to the incident, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said that these "1000 people" don't represent Punjab, and alleged that they are "funded by Pakistan" to disrupt peace in the state. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], March 19 (ANI): Five people including four women and a child died after being washed away during heavy rain and hailstorm in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra, the police said. The deceased have been identified as Geeta Devi, Santra, Rajkumari, Yashodiya and Rajpati. Also Read | VIDEO | Mansa : Balkaur Singh, Father of Slain Singer Sidhu Moosewala Appeals to Latest Tweet by PTI News. The incident took place on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. According to police, six people including four women and two children had gone out on Friday evening and did not return. Also Read | Delhi: Short on Money to Celebrate Friend's Birthday, Teens Go On Snatching Spree; Arrested. After waiting for hours, their relatives approached the police and went to search for them. Upon receiving the missing information, a team of police started the search operation and recovered four bodies including three women, and one child on the banks of the river in the wee hours of Saturday. The body of the fifth woman was recovered in the Rampur Barkonia police station area. "From village Garhwa, 4 women and 2 children had gone to collect wood when heavy rain lashed. They went to take cover, and during this, the hailstorm water from mountains washed away these 5 people with force leading to their death," Kalu Singh, Additional SP, Sonbhadra said on Saturday. ASP added that the bodies of all five victims have been discovered, and sent for post-mortem examination. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (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, Mar 19 (PTI) Some "incubators and distributors" of anti-India forces are orchestrating "pernicious narratives" to trim the country's growth trajectory and taint its functional democracy, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Sunday, stressing the need to neutralise such "misadventures". Addressing an event here, Dhankhar's predecessor M Venkaiah Naidu also flagged the issue and said certain powers outside the country are making such efforts as they are not happy with the growth and emergence of India. Also Read | Salman Khan Gets Fresh Death Threats via Email, Mumbai Police Launch Probe, Security Beefed Up Outside Actor's Residence. Against the backdrop of a logjam in Parliament over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks in the UK, the former vice president also called for smooth functioning of the proceedings of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The responsibility to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament lies with both the ruling party and and the opposition, he added. Also Read | Ugadi 2023: Congress First List of Candidates For Karnataka Polls on Ugadi, Says Siddaramaiah. Both Dhankhar and his predecessor Naidu addressed the event organised to release a memoir of former Tamil Nadu governor P S Ramamohan Rao. "India is on the rise as never before and the rise is unstoppable. Global relevance and recognition of the nation is at a level never seen before. This rise is with challenges..., Dhankhar said. "It is here that the intelligentsia and people from the media come into picture. We all need to be cognizant of the emergence of incubators and distributors of anti-Indian forces orchestrating pernicious narratives to downsize our growth trajectory and taint our functional democracy and constitutional institutions, he said. "It is imperative that we all believe in our nation and nationalism and engage in neutralizing such misadventures," he added. In a democracy, Dhankhar said, all are similarly accountable to law. "No one can have privileged consideration by law, else democracy will cease to exist...You be as high, the law is always above you. It is known to us all that there can be no such privileges. There can be no enforcement of these privileges, he said. The rigors of law must apply to all, he said. Some people, unfortunately, think they are different or to be dealt with differently, he added, without naming anyone. India is the most vibrant and functional democracy, he said. Equality is something which we can never negotiate. Adherence to law is not optional. Some people have to realize it, he added. Addressing the event, Naidu said, Some of the countries, who have a mindset of colonialism and who ruled us, ruined us, looted us and cheated us, they are not able to appreciate the growth and emergence of India. The former vice president said India is a vibrant democracy and people have freedom of expression in the country so much so that they can even criticise the prime minister. "I feel Parliament should function. This responsibility does not lie with one party. Every party should help in proper functioning of the House, he said. In the House, you can argue, criticise, tear the government into pieces by your arguments but you must allow the institution function. This responsibility lies on both the ruling and opposition parties. This should be kept in mind, he added. Comparing his term as a governor with that of former Tamil Nadu governor P S Ramamohan Rao whose memoir was released at the event, Dhankhar said, "While I did have privilege to have Mamata Banerjee ji as the chief minister, he also had a lady chief minister (J Jayalalithaa) who had a very strong personality." "We both had to deal with politicians of that calibre...We both could not complete our term for different reasons," Dhankhar said," adding Rao yielded to his conscience and did not cling to the office. "We both acted with scrupulous, meticulous adherence to constitutional provisions. It takes a lot of courage to say after demitting office that there never was any occasion to deviate from the constitutional prescriptions," he said. "I was lucky. Naidu ji was mentor to many including me. I was getting constant guidance," he said. "A governor is required to address the Assembly...I have done it on three occasions. On all the three occasions, the chief minister was not sure whether I would be doing so or not. The chief minister may forget that I had people who could guide me, enlighten me, and (so) there could be no question of deviation," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) By Nishant Ketu New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said that a new 'Vande Bharat Express train is expected to be introduced on Delhi Jaipur/Ajmer route before April 10. Also Read | Salman Khan Gets Fresh Death Threats via Email, Mumbai Police Launch Probe, Security Beefed Up Outside Actor's Residence. While speaking to ANI, the Union Railway Minister noted that some technical changes are needed in this route before the operation of the Vande Bharat Express, fully. "Two initiatives to be taken in this route. First increasing speed on this route by making certain changes in the track, like installation of a double distant signalling system and removing some curves. After these initiatives, we will able to run trains on 130 KMPH to 160 KMPH," he said. Also Read | Ugadi 2023: Congress First List of Candidates For Karnataka Polls on Ugadi, Says Siddaramaiah. "Secondly, a special pantograph (an apparatus mounted on the roof of an electric train to collect power through contact with an overhead line) has also got prepared and the new train would arrive in Jaipur on March 24," Vaishnaw added. He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian Railways is on the path of transformation. "Many steps have been taken up in the last 7-8 years towards the modernisation of railways. In the next 3-4 years, we will be able to export Vande Bharat technology," he said. Ashwini Vaishnaw also inspected New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express and takes feedback from passengers. Minister said that the passengers had given positive feedback. "They told that trains are more clean than earlier, they are on time, and platforms are also very clean," he told ANI. (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, Mar 19 (PTI) Education and health sector will get the highest allocation in the annual budget of the Arvind Kejriwal government for the 2023-24 financial year, officials said on Sunday. In the 2022-23 Delhi Budget, the education sector received the highest allocation of Rs 16,278 crore, a slight decline from the previous fiscal budgetary outlay of Rs 16,377 crore. Also Read | Rahul Gandhi Sends Preliminary Reply to Delhi Police Notice on His Sexual Assault on Women Remark. The health was allocated Rs 9,769 crore in the 2022-23 budget while it was Rs 9,934 crore in the previous budget. According to government officials, new tablets will be provided to all teachers, including regular, guest and contractual, vice principals and principals of Delhi government schools. Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Youth Befriends Minor on Facebook, Gang Rapes Her With Two Friends in Banka, Accused Arrested. "Dr Ambedkar Schools of Specialized Excellence (SoSE) started with 20 institutes in 2021. This will be increased to 37 in the coming financial year with a capacity of about 10,000 children," said an official. The official said Delhi government schools will work closely with their feeder schools in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to improve the foundational skills of children. About ramping up health facilities, free diagnostic tests at Mohalla Clinics will increase from 250 to 450 tests. There are plans to massively increase the number of beds in Delhi government hospitals from 14,200 to 30,000, the official said, adding "Construction of nine new Delhi government hospitals is underway while four will be inaugurated next year." "Expansion of 15 existing hospitals, including Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, will also be taken up in mission mode," he said. With a boost in tax revenue, the government's budget outlay for 2023-24 may be close to Rs 80,000 crore and "the biggest" allocation for capital expenditure would be for infrastructure projects, sources said on Thursday. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the previous year. This time, the budget will be presented on March 21 by Finance Minister Kailash Gahlot and it will be preceded by an Outcome Budget of the government. Gahlot was given charge of the finance department after the resignation of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia who was arrested by the CBI in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case. (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, Mar 19 (PTI) The Bar Council of India (BCI) assured Indian lawyers on Sunday that foreign advocates and law firms will not be allowed to appear in any court or judicial forum and that they can only advise their clients about foreign laws and international laws. The BCI assurance came after its recent decision to permit foreign lawyers and law firms to practise in certain areas evoked mixed reactions and created "some misgivings". Also Read | J&K | No One Involved in the Case of Conman Kiran Patel Will Be Spared and Action Will Latest Tweet by ANI. Recently, the apex bar body took a significant decision to permit foreign lawyers and law firms to practise in areas such as foreign law, international legal issues and arbitration matters, saying that the legal fraternity here may be left behind if it sleeps over the matter. The BCI decision to notify the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022 evoked mixed reactions from bar leaders. Also Read | Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju Urges Lawyers to Join Tele Law Programme, Provide Legal Aid. "There are some misgivings in circulation about the recently published Gazette notification by BCI regarding entry of foreign lawyers and law firms in India. BCI, therefore, deems it appropriate to clarify the issue and place the following facts for the information of all advocates and the general public, so that there is no scope of any misapprehension or misinformation, it said in a release. "Foreign lawyers and law firms shall be allowed to advise their clients about foreign laws and international laws only," the statement issued by Srimanto Sen, the BCI secretary, stated. Foreign lawyers and law firms would render advisory work about such laws for their foreign clients only, it said, adding that they will be allowed to function in non litigation areas only. "Foreign lawyers and law firms shall not be allowed to appear in any Court, Tribunal, Board, before any Statutory or Regulatory Authority or any forum legally entitled to take evidence on oath and/or having trappings of a court, it said. The entry of foreign lawyers would be on reciprocal basis only, it said, adding that they would be allowed to appear for their clients in international commercial arbitration. "Experience and facts show that MNCs and foreign commercial entities, in case of International Commercial Arbitration, don't prefer India as a venue of arbitration proceedings, because they are not allowed to bring lawyers and law firms from their own countries to advise them in International Commercial Arbitration Proceedings, thus, making them to prefer London, Singapore, Paris, etc. as the venue for arbitration proceedings, the statement said. The BCI rules will now encourage India being preferred as a venue for such international arbitration proceedings, thus helping India become a hub of international commercial arbitration, it said. The BCI stands committed to protect and safeguard interest and welfare of advocates in the country and requests the entire advocate fraternity to welcome these rules in national interest, it said. The BCI rules should not be misconstrued to allow any non-lawyer or any BPO or agent to come here and start practising in any field of law, the statement said. Moreover reciprocity is the very essence of the rule, which may be kept in mind, it added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Madam, In 2005, with the adoption of the Constitution, we were looking forward to becoming a functioning democracy. At about the same time, it seemed like we were beginning to enter the stage of becoming a flourishing democracy. But a few years thereafter, we began to develop a sick feeling that something was wrong with the functioning of our democracy. It is now 2023 and we have, essentially, been stopped dead in our tracks under the current government of becoming a flourishing democracy and have now embarked on entering the failed state runway. Some analysts have observed that the lack of urgency from the kingdoms government to address key issues is seriously damaging the opportunity for investment, as well as the image of the country. How did we miss the flourishing democracy highway? It all began when the government lost the trust of the people; it was a slow erosion over time and then it became a flood. Today the government is giving the impression that all is well, yet it is failing the people of this country. What it is doing is just another cheap trick to keep people on buying tickets to its circus. We are a barely functioning democracy, with increasing levels of hardship across all income categories. In a bizarre way, the State has prevented the flourishing of the State. We are unable to fix unemployment. We are unable to curtail violence. We have an ideological approach to public service, instead of a flourishing country approach. We call on our suffering citizens to be resilient, while no plan emerges to address their catastrophic poverty. I want to scream when I see senators falling asleep during Senate sittings. Trust has been eroded. Pragmatism is completely absent. Accountability is non-existent. Solutions are corrupted and urgency is a foreign concept. We are at a dead end. At every level, we are regressing in the functioning of our democracy. And still, despite all these worst-case scenarios, the government has an aversion to people who speak out and instead has a love for those who tell us its not that bad. How bad must it be before it is bad? Lorenzo Davids New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a wet weather warning for Maharashtra over the next few hours, saying that multiple cities and districts were likely to experience a thunderstorm accompanied by light rainfall. "Thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph are very likely to occur in various isolated places," the IMD said in a statement. Also Read | UBS holds talks to save Credit Suisse -- report. The IMD stated that the thunderstorm and rain were likely at isolated places in the districts of Beed, Parbhani, Nanded, Jalgaon, Hingoli, Latur, and Ahmednagar over the next 3-4 hours. Various parts of Maharashtra have already been experiencing rainfall over the last few days. Mumbai saw light to moderate rainfall from Thursday morning. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: 36-Year-Old Mentally Ill Woman Sexually Assaulted at Female Ward in Kalaburagi Government Hospital, Police Register Case. Last week, farmers suffered crop losses due to unseasonal rainfall in the state. Nashik's Chandori, Saikheda, Odha and Mohadi villages, as well as areas of the Niphad division, received unseasonal rains along accompanied by strong winds. Earlier, on Saturday, the IMD predicted isolated rainfall throughout the country, adding that heavy rainfall was expected in Meghalaya and Assam. Speaking to ANI earlier, Roy said, "There will be isolated rainfall throughout India. There is a Yellow alert for most states of India and Orange alert for the Northeast. We are expecting heavy rain in Meghalaya and Assam." Under Orange alert, authorities concerned are asked to "be prepared" to respond to any emergency situation arising out of weather change while the Yellow alert suggests that a likely shift in weather was afoot and people should remain cautious. "This month, we have been experiencing the impact of deep western disturbances. These deep western disturbances, combined with low-level wind, increase the severity of thunderstorms," she added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kolhapur, March 19: An offence was registered on Sunday against a man from a minority community in Maharashtra's Kolhapur district for allegedly hailing Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on his WhatsApp status, police said. Gujarat Couple Arrested From Delhi for Duping People by Creating Fake WhatsApp Accounts of Their Friends. Based on a complaint, a case under section 295 (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Vadgaon police station, an official said. Mumbai Shocker: Man Randomly Dials Numbers, Sends Obscene Videos and Messages on WhatsApp to Over 100 Women; Arrested. The man had allegedly hailed emperor Aurangzeb on his WhatsApp status and it came to light on March 16, he said. The matter is being probed, the official said, urging people not to post any derogatory remarks about any religion on social media. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai, March 19: A 15-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide fearing failure in two Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examinations, informed Mumbai Police. "The deceased was under stress for a few days. He died by suicide on a day his mother was away," said a police officer. Chembur police took custody of the body and registered a case under Alternative Dispute Redressal (ADR). Further investigation is underway and details are awaited. Mumbai: IIT-Bombay Student From Ahmedabad Jumps to Death From Hostel Building in Powai. Earlier, on March 16, a case has been registered against the principal of a school in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow after a Class 11 student died allegedly by suicide, police said. "A girl, studying in Class 11, died by hanging herself in Lucknow. No suicide note was found," police said. The father of the deceased schoolgirl alleged that his daughter was harassed by her school teacher and falsely accused of copying in exams. A case was filed as per her father's complaint, police said. Earlier on March 4, a 14-year-old girl died allegedly by suicide after a private school reportedly refused to let her sit for an exam due to non-payment of fees in the State's Bareilly district, according to Bareilly SP (City) Rahul Bhati. Delhi Shocker: Mentally Ill Man Dies by Suicide After Jumping in Front of Metro at Mayur Vihar-1 Station. Ashok Gangwar, the deceased girl's father, said, "She was in Class 9, but due to financial constraints we were not able to pay her school fees on time. We requested the school administration to let her give the exam but they refused. The fee was somewhere around Rs 20,000-25,000. She wanted to become a doctor." (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], March 19 (ANI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) with the support of Bihar Police has arrested the 13th accused in Bihar's Phulwarisharif Popular Front of India (PFI) case, the agency said on Sunday. Close on the heels of unearthing the hawala network in South India and the arrest of five PFI operatives on March 2023, the NIA arrested the 13th accused identified as Md. Irshad Alam of Mehsi in Bihar's East Champaran on Saturday. Also Read | Honour Killing in UK: Man Gets Life Sentence for Killing Niece With Metal Spike After She Refused Arranged Marriage. This case was registered in July last year when four accused persons were arrested as they gathered in the Phulwarisharif area of Bihar's capital city Patna for training and to carry out acts of terror and violence. Three more were arrested in February this year. NIA said that the PFI cadres in Phulwarisharif and Motihari had vowed to continue activities of the banned outfit in a clandestine manner in Bihar and had also arranged a firearm and ammunition recently to eliminate a youth of a particular community in Bihar's East Champaran district. Also Read | Jharkhand Reports Two New Cases of H3N2 Influenza, Five Fresh Cases of COVID-19. Alam was in close association with accused Yakub Khan alias Usman alias Sultan, a Physical Education Trainer of PFI, said the agency, adding "Yakub had posted incriminating videos on social media to spread communal flare-up." Subsequently, the NIA said, Yakub along with Alam and other associates, had planned to execute a targeted killing and a recce was conducted with the help of Irshad to carry out the attack. "A firearm and ammunition were also arranged by Yakub with the help of other arrested accused," said the NIA. With the arrest of Alam, the number of accused arrested in the case has gone up to 13, said the NIA. Earlier, in January this year, the agency filed a charge sheet against four accused persons. Pursuing investigational leads, the NIA said it found that despite the ban imposed on the PFI on September 27 last year, the leaders and cadres of the outfit continued to propagate the ideology of violent extremism and were also arranging arms and ammunition to commit crimes. (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], March 19 (ANI): As the influenza H3N2 cases have started to rise rapidly in the country after Covid cases dipped, experts are of the opinion that people need to be careful, but there is no need to panic if precautions are taken on time. Talking about the symptoms of the virus, Dr Anupam Sibal, a senior doctor of Delhi's Apollo Hospital, told ANI that the symptoms are similar to Covid but are staying for longer periods of time. Also Read | Amritpal Singh Crackdown: Fresh FIR Against Radical Preacher, Associates for Possession of Illegal Weapons. "From time to time, changes are seen in the virus. The symptoms of the influenza virus are appearing after corona, although its symptoms are almost similar to corona. The common symptoms are cough, cold and fever. But in this virus, it is seen that patients are having the symptom for a long time due to which it is spreading rapidly," he said. He added, "In such a situation, it is necessary that the precautions, we were following during Corona, the habits we started, should be followed. Wearing a mask, and keeping hands clean. Along with this, if symptoms like cough, cold, or fever are seen in a person, then it is very important to avoid coming in contact with that person". Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Power Employees Call Off Strike After Discussion With UP Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma. Pediatrician Dr Sibal, Apollo Hospital has emphasised that children should be taken special care of against the virus. "The parents should keep in mind that if they are sending children to school or for playing outside, they should make sure they are not suffering from cough and cold. There should be no symptoms like fever and if any child has such symptoms, then other children should not come in contact with him. Special focus should be laid towards cleanliness because, through cleanliness and good eating habits, you can stay away from this type of virus. Send children to school only wearing masks, and keep their hands clean," he said. Neurologist Dr Aditya Bhati of Apollo Hospital believes that these types of viruses are also affecting people neurologically. "Although the virus affects all organs of a human being, but more effects are being seen on the brain, in cases like brain stroke, and brain haemorrhage. The virus can vasculate anywhere in the whole body. Because of this, our nerves become thin and then the virus starts building in the brain as well. In the last few years, such cases have come to the fore, although their number is not high". He said that the reason why this type of virus has more effect on people's minds is that today people are under a lot of stress. "We always run, wake up for the office in the morning, then run again, there is a lack of time management, and most of us don't follow healthy lifestyles. We are not able to do this, there is no routine of eating and drinking, and walking exercises have reduced a lot, which affects us both physically and mentally. It is very important to balance everything for a healthy lifestyle so that we can be healthy both physically and mentally," Dr Bhati further said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 19 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday visited the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Tamil Nadu's Kanyakumari district. "Visiting the iconic Vivekananda Rock memorial is a memorable experience for me. I marvel at the greatness of the late Eknath Ranade Ji who was behind the building of the spiritually charged complex", tweeted the President's official Twitter handle. Also Read | Jharkhand Reports Two New Cases of H3N2 Influenza, Five Fresh Cases of COVID-19. President Murmu appreciated the devotion of the people who are spreading the message of Swamiji through the activities of Vivekananda Kendra. "I feel blessed to have a feel of the great ennobling mission of Swami Vivekananda in this place," President Murmu said. Also Read | Amritpal Singh Crackdown: Punjab Police Found Rifle, Live Cartridges in Abandoned Car in Jalandher Village. President Murmu on Friday graced a civic reception hosted in her honour by the Kerala government and released 'Chuvadu', a booklet on 'Kudumbasree', one of the largest women's self-help networks in the world. Addressing the gathering, the President said that Kerala's lush green forests, beautiful beaches and backwaters, fascinating hills, lovely lakes, ambling rivers, swaying coconut trees and rich biodiversity make it 'God's Own Country'. President Murmu has been currently on a week's visit to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep from March 16 to March 21. (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, Mar 19 (PTI) Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday condemned Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks in the UK, saying the Congress leader owed an apology to Parliament and the entire country. In a statement, the former Union minister also hit out at the Congress and its leaders, accusing them of running a "deliberate drive" to denigrate the country's Parliament, Constitutional institutions and democratic values. Also Read | Tech Layoffs in US Will Bring Lot of Work to India, Says GlobalLogic CEO Nitesh Banga. The Congress is suffering from "feudal frenzy" in its efforts to become "chieftain" of the Opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Naqvi charged, demanding that they come out of their "feudal arrogance" in view of the "changed atmosphere and mood of the country." During his interactions in the UK recently, Gandhi alleged that the structures of Indian democracy are under attack and there is a "full-scale assault" on the country's institutions. Also Read | Bihar: Bride Calls Off Wedding After Grooms Friend Holds Her Hand Forcibly for Dance. Gandhi's remarks has triggered a massive political row, with the BJP accusing him of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign interventions and the Congress hitting back, citing instances of Prime Minister Modi raising internal politics abroad. "Former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Indian Parliament and democracy in a foreign country and said that the Congress leader owed an apology to Parliament and the entire country," the statement released by the senior BJP leader's office said. "While talking to reporters in UP's Rampur today, Naqvi said the Congress and its leaders should come out of the feudal arrogance and must understand the changed atmosphere and mood of the country," the statement said. They should express regret for "their deliberate drive" to denigrate the Indian Parliament, Constitutional institutions and democratic values, he added. "Naqvi said the Congress is suffering from feudal frenzy in its efforts to become chieftain of the Opposition ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the statement said. However, the Congress' "craze for conspiracy" against the Indian Parliament and the Constitutional values is totally unacceptable in a democracy, the statement quoting the senior BJP leader said. "Naqvi said even the Congress leaders have realised that its idiocy has turned the grand old party into a non performing asset, which has neither any value outside nor inside, and that is why the queue at the exit gate is larger than the entry gate of the Congress," the statement said. "Naqvi also said the democratically defeated dynasty, who considered them as the proprietor of politics, are unable to digest India's rising global stature under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the statement said. The Congress will not succeed in its conspiracy to "hijack" the country's Parliament and Constitutional and democratic values through their "arrogance and anarchy", the statement quoting Naqvi said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Alwar (Rajasthan) [India], March 19 (ANI): The weather change in Shahjahanpur Neemrana Behrod of Alwar district has increased the problems of local farmers as heavy rain accompanied by strong wind and hail damaged crops in the region. While talking to ANI, a local resident, Mukul Singh Chauhan said, "There has been a loss in millet cultivation earlier also, but till now no compensation has been received from the government, and due to rain once again today, the concern of the farmers has increased. Also Read | Andhra Pradesh Shocker: Angered Over Separation from Wife, Man Stabs Mother-in-Law in Kadapa. "There is a heavy loss in the cultivation of wheat and mustard due to the change in weather. The crop is ripe and the farmers have just harvested the crop and some crops such as Wheat and Mustard are standing. Now we only request the government to give compensation for this crop," he added. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said, "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain are also expected in parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. IMD predicted light-intensity rain/drizzle in adjoining isolated places in South Delhi and NCR, and hail storms were predicted in the adjoining areas of Behror in Rajasthan." Also Read | Ghaziabad Shocker: Man Ties Dog To Bike, Drags It Over 2 km for Bitting Several People in Vijay Nagar, Arrested (Disturbing Video). "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Bawal (Haryana) Khairthal, Kotputli, Alwar, Rajgarh (Rajasthan)," IMD added. Notably, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) issued a wet weather warning of a Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain for various areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana on Sunday. "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of Nuh, Hodal (Haryana) Nandgaon, Barsana, Jalesar, Firozabad, Shikohabad (U.P.)," RWFC, New Delhi said. "Light-intensity rain or drizzle would occur over and adjoining areas of Sahaswan, Atrauli, Badayun, Khair, Aligarh, Kasganj, Iglas, Sikandra Rao, Raya, Hathras, Mathura, Etah, Sadabad, Tundla, Mainpuri, Agra (U.P.) Deeg (Rajasthan) during the next 2 hours," added RWFC. India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Saturday said that there will be isolated rainfall throughout the country in the next few days while heavy rain is expected in Meghalaya and Assam today. "There will be isolated rainfall throughout India. There is a yellow alert for most states of India. Orange alert for north-eastern conditions. Tomorrow we are expecting heavy rain in Meghalaya and Assam," an IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy said while speaking to ANI. An orange alert asks authorities concerned to "be prepared" to respond to any emergency situation arising out of weather change while the yellow alert signifies that the weather could change, and hence people should be vigilant. "This month we are seeing western disturbances being deep. These deep western disturbances when interacting with Indian regions with the low-level wind that generally comes due to summer heating increase the severity of thunderstorms," she added. "We expect a rising trend for the next 6-7 days, and the weather will be pleasant. There will be rainfall activity and thunderstorms in the country's eastern half. Western disturbances are moving eastwards. Severe weather will increase," she added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 19 (ANI): Six persons were questioned in connection with the recovery of a decomposed body of a 53-year-old woman stuffed in a plastic bag in Mumbai's Lalbaug area. Though the deceased's daughter was arrested in connection with the murder, an investigating officer said, "We believe that woman accused in this murder case did not act alone. She must have received help from someone." Also Read | UBS holds talks to save Credit Suisse -- report. The accused daughter was identified as Rimple Jain. Earlier, on March 15, Mumbai's Kalachowki police arrested the daughter of the deceased after they recovered cutters and a small knife from the house. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: 36-Year-Old Mentally Ill Woman Sexually Assaulted at Female Ward in Kalaburagi Government Hospital, Police Register Case. "Mumbai's Kalachowki police arrested the daughter of the victim after registering a case under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC and the Arms Act," an officer said earlier. According to the police, the accused used a marble cutter bought from Lalbaug to dismember her mother's body. The accused told the police during interrogation that she panicked in the wake of the murder and, preserving the body for two days, she decided to chop it to pieces for disposal. "To avoid the foul smell from the rotting corpse, the accused daughter watched a video online and incorporated ways to keep the body fresh as was shown in the clip," the officer said. The sleuths said that they believe that the woman was murdered in December. "The woman's arms and legs were chopped off after she was killed. This was done using cutters and a small knife which have been recovered from the house," an officer said. Further details are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a fresh FIR into the allegation of irregularities in the recruitment of primary school teachers by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE). The matter pertains to alleged irregularities in government-run schools being probed by the CBI. Also Read | Amritpal Singh Declared Fugitive, Security Enhanced Across Punjab as Efforts Underway to Nab Waris Punjab De Chief. More details about the FIR are awaited. In October last year, ED arrested Trinamool Congress MLA, and Ex-President of WBBPE Manik Bhattacharya in connection to the teachers' recruitment scam in West Bengal, due to his active and direct involvement in the offence of money laundering and his continuous non-cooperation towards the investigation. Also Read | UBS holds talks to save Credit Suisse -- report. In December last year, ED had provisionally attached movable properties worth Rs 8 crore belonging to Manik Bhattacharya and his family members. The probe agency also seized cash of over Rs 49.80 crore, gold and jewellery worth Rs 5.08 crore and attached properties worth Rs 56.15 crore in connection to the case. The total seizure and attachment after the action stands at Rs 111 crore. ED also filed a supplementary prosecution complaint against six accused persons and entities in the Teachers' Recruitment Scam in West Bengal before the Special Court (PMLA) in Kolkata. The accused included TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya; his wife -- Satarupa Bhattacharya; his son -- Souvik Bhattacharya, who is the former President of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education, and Tapas Kumar Mondal, who is the owner of a teacher training centre, and others. The two companies named in the charge sheet are Acuere Consultancy Services and Educlasses Online. Further investigation is underway in the case, the agency said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) MBABANE An investigation into allegations of theft, fraud and/or corruption at power utility EEC uncovered a number of questionable advance payments that were made to suppliers. South African company, Prodogy SA (PTY) Limited, which conducted the investigation, looked at, among other things, advance payments in order to determine whether these were existed and if any were made to suppliers before delivery. During the investigation, Prodogy reportedly requested details of Eswatini Electricity Companys (EEC) policy or procedure regarding advance payments but were not provided with any. Ransford Quaynor, EEC former Manager Financial Account, is said to have informed the investigators that during his employ at the power utility, there was never any such policy or procedure in place. interchangeably He is said to have further stated that the terms advanced and upfront were used interchangeably and to his knowledge had the same meaning. The investigators said they then extracted a list of transactions from the payment data file and found 41 upfront/advance payments made totalling E13 241 180.11. During the course of the investigation, the investigators said they confirmed that EEC made six advance payments to a company called Euro-Swazi, and five of these payments were each in excess of E1 million and together they totalled E6.9 million. In respect of Euro-Swazi Investments, there is no contract which could be provided. These payments appear to be irregular and not duly authorised by the MD, reads the report by Prodogy. The investigators further found that there was no written agreement that existed between EEC and any supplier in respect of the advance payments made. The payment policy refers to a 2.5 per cent settlement discount on early payment. In respect of these advance payments, the 2.5 per cent discount was not taken by EEC, said the investigators. Based on the documentation they were provided with and electronic listings detailing payments, the investigators then summarised the advance payments made to Euro-Swazi. The first advance payment was for E1.4 million and was reportedly requested by a Euro-Swazi Director, identified as Mr. Patel, who wrote a letter to EECs financial manager(Quaynor) on May 18, 2016, requesting that the advance be deducted from the actual invoice. Mr. Quaynor, on May 23, 2016, signed the letter approving the advance payment stating that it was to be deducted from the final delivery and invoice accordingly. The amount was paid through EFT on May 24, 2016. The payment was authorised by Mr Quaynor as a B signatory and Mr Nsibandze as an A signatory, said the investigators. The Nsibandze being referred to is Lawrence Nsibandze, who was GM Finance at EEC at the time. A pro-forma invoice and a final invoice was then issued to EEC by Euro-Swazi for 600 transformers for an amount of E9 903 600, which was at a unit cost of E16 506. A note on the pro-forma invoice (preliminary invoice sent to buyer before a sale is confirmed) written by erstwhile Senior Treasury Accountant at EEC Bongumenzi Mabuza, reportedly indicated that a second advance payment of E4.5 million was made out to Euro-Swazi further to the 600 transformers. No request letter was located in the payment documentation provided to us. However, we found that this amount was paid to Euro-Swazi in June 2016 through EFT/cheque number A4019 (with payment on the remittance advice indicating it would be credited by June 30, 2016). In addition, we found, based on a listing of payments made to Euro-Swazi, that the balance on the invoice for an amount of E4 003 600 (total E9 903 600 less the E4 500 000 and the E1 400 000) was in fact paid on June 15, 2016 through EFT/cheque number A39945 (exhibit 20). After the advance payment in May, the entire invoice was cleared to nil in June 2016 and the advance payment was properly deducted, said the investigators. In the second advance payment, an amount of E1.1 million was reportedly requested by Patel in a letter addressed to the financial manager on August 11, 2016 and further requested that the advance be deducted from the actual invoice. Both Quaynor and Nsibandze, on August 12, 2016, reportedly signed the letter approving the advance payment and the former stated that remaining balance will wait for our 30-day policy. This amount was paid to Euro-Swazi in August 2016 with payment on the remittance advice indicating it would be credited by August 19, 2016. No EFT confirmation was provided to us, reported the investigators. A pro-forma invoice was issued to EEC by Euro-Swazi for 300 16KVA transformers at a unit cost of E16 506 for a total amount of E4 851 800. A note on the invoice written by Mabuza reportedly indicated that he approved the advance on August 18, 2016, stating that the balance was to be paid on delivery of the invoice. Upon final payment, an amount of E1 400 000 (and not E1 100 000) was incorrectly deducted from the total invoice amount resulting in a payment of E3 551 800 (E300 000 short) paid to Euro-Swazi in October 2016 through cheque number A41932 (with payment on the remittance advice indicating it would be credited by August 14, 2016). No EFT confirmation was provided to us, said the investigators. The balance of E300 000 was reportedly paid to Euro-Swazi in October 2016 through cheque number A42246 (with payment on the remittance advice indicating it would be credited by October 31, 2016). The EFT confirmation was reportedly signed by Nsibandze and Mabuza. The third advance payment was for E1.4 million and Patel is said to have requested for it through a letter to Quaynor on April 13, 2017, while Nsibandze reportedly signed the letter approving the advance payment, stating that please process approved. The amount was paid to Euro-Swazi in April 2017 through EFT/cheque number A44996 and was included in the total payment to Euro-Swazi of E3 875 900. Both Mr. Quaynor and Mr. Nsibandze authorised the EFT, which they signed on April 18, 2017, reported Prodogy. Two invoices were reportedly issued by Euro-Swazi for various transformers and they totalled E5 896 680, made up of E3 467 600 and E2 429 080. A net payment of E4 496 680 is said to have been made to Euro-Swazi in May 2017, through EFT/cheque number A45388, which deducted the April 2017 advance payment of E1.4 million. The fourth advance payment of E1.4 million was also reportedly requested by Patel in a letter addressed to Quaynor on May 22, 2018, and stated that a deduction would be made from the actual invoice. Quaynor reportedly signed the letter approving the advance payment, stating that E1.4 million advance to clear the stick approved. To be recovered fully from the invoices that will be payable at the end of June 2017. This advance amount was reportedly deducted from the payment made in June 2017 from invoices raised, which totalled E3 301 200; the net payment made was E1 901 200 through EFT cheque number A45830. The fifth payment was for E1.6 million, again requested by Patel, who addressed a letter to Quaynor on June 8, 2017. Quaynor is said to have signed the letter, stating that once approved, this E1.6 million is to be recovered from invoices for the June deliveries which are payable at the end of July 2017 and Sibandze reportedly signed the letter, stating that please process accordingly. This amount was paid to Euro-Swazi in June 2017 through EFT/cheque number A45980 together with an amount for invoice SEC 37/017 (E676 800), which totalled E2 276 800. The EFT payment was authorised and signed by Mr Quaynor and Mr Mathunjwa both on June 16, 2017. This advance amount was deducted from the payment made in July for invoices raised which totalled E3 459 000 (E3 002 000 and E457 000, respectively. The net payment made was E1 859 000 made pursuant to EFT/cheque number A46459 in July 2017, the investigators reported. Interviews were reportedly conducted with both Nsibandze and Quaynor. Nsibandze reportedly told the investigators that EEC was in arrears with Euro-Swazi at the time and was in a dire cash flow situation; hence an advance was requested by them to pay the duty in order to have the cargo of transformers released at Eswatini Railways (ESR). He did not ask the MD for approval as he believes he acted in the best interest of the EEC by managing the legal risk of being sued by Euro-Swazi for the penalties on the containers not released. He stated that he recalls being told by the chairman of the board that as GMF he must take the initiative and he did exactly that. No settlement discount was taken and no written agreement was entered into as he did not deem it necessary, said the investigators. The investigators said when they interviewed Quaynor next, they ascertained that his version differed materially to that of Nsibandze in respect of their reason for the advance payments to Euro-Swazi. Mr Quaynor stated that at the date the requests for the advance payments were made by Euro-Swazi, payments of other invoices had been long outstanding and there was, therefore, no risk to the EEC. However, Mr Nsibandze stated that in addition to the reason cited by Mr Quaynor, Euro-Swazi was threatening to hold EEC responsible for the penalties of approximately E8 000 per container per day that the containers stood at the rail siding uncleared. Mr. Quaynor and Mr Nsibandze authored the payment, the investigators said. According to the investigators, they were unable to interview Euro-Swazi. Meanwhile, other than Euro-Swazi, the investigators reported identifying 35 other advance or upfront payments of under E1 million made to suppliers, and these totalled E6 341 180.11. The investigators expressed concern that despite requesting all the documentation supporting these payments, they were not provided with the complete paperwork. Based on the limited documentation, the investigators said they noted that some payments were made due to the following: part of an approved tender award; from a payment certificate in terms of construction work procured; written agreement between EEC and supplier; suppliers terms and conditions/quotation required and advance or full upfront payment; and suppliers insisting on a part or full payment before goods were delivered because of a bad payment history experience with EEC. New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): Thwarting a smuggling bid, the Customs Air Intelligent Unit recently arrested two persons and seized gold, valued at over Rs 1 crore, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, officials said on Saturday. The case pertains to March 15. Acting on a tip-off, the air customs at IGI Airport, Terminal-3, intercepted two Indian passengers and recovered over 2 kgs of gold, following a detailed examination of the baggage and personal search of the passengers. Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: 36-Year-Old Mentally Ill Woman Sexually Assaulted at Female Ward in Kalaburagi Government Hospital, Police Register Case. The said passengers flew down to the national capital from Dubai. "The officers of Airport Customs, IGI Airport, Terminal-3, New Delhi have booked a case of smuggling of gold on March, 2023 against two Indian National Passengers who arrived at T-3, IGI Airport New Delhi by Flight No. 6E dated March 15. The detailed examination of the baggage and personal search of the Pax(s) resulted in the recovery of gold (total weighting 2076.38 grams) having tariff value Rs 1,01,59,934," Customs (IGI) said in a statement. Also Read | West Bengal: ISF MLA Nawsad Siddique Attacked at DA Protest Site in Kolkata, One Arrested (Watch Video). "The said passengers have been placed under arrest in terms of section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962," it added. Further information is awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ayodhya, March 19: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday held a review meeting of development works with concerned officials and gave necessary instructions. "Ayodhya's development works are going on in full swing under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. In a year, the nation and the world will be able to see the beautiful Ayodhya city. I have directed to increase the manpower and work in three shifts so that work can be finished on time,' UP CM told the reporters. Uttar Pradesh Set to Get Its Third International Cricket Stadium in Rajatalab Area of Varanasi. He also collected information from the officials regarding works on the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi's path. During the inspection, CM also inquired about the quality and supply of stones. Uttar Pradesh Power Employees Call Off Strike After Discussion With UP Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma. Besides, the Chief Minister inspected the multilevel parking being constructed by the Development Authority at Tedhi Bazar in addition to the under-construction Badi Bua, Mahobra Bazar ROB 112,111B being built by Setu Nigam. Yogi also inspected the construction work of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport in Ayodhya. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London [UK], March 19 (ANI): A British Muslim from Surrey, a county in England, has been found guilty of terrorism offences, including possessing explosive substances, according to the statement released by Surrey police. According to the statement, the culprit was identified as Asad Bhatti of Holland Close, Redhill was arrested on the charges in January 2021, and a search was carried out at an address in Redhill. Also Read | Earthquake in Ecuador: Strong Quake of Magnitude 6.7 Shakes Guayas Region; No Word on Damage or Injuries (Watch Videos). On Friday, the 47-year-old was found guilty of two counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism. "Today (17/3), at the Old Bailey, the 47-year-old was found guilty of two counts of possessing an article for the purpose of terrorism, contrary to Section 57 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and three counts of making or possessing an explosive substance under suspicious circumstances contrary to Section 4 of the Explosive Substance Act," the statement read. Also Read | Toshakhana Case: Pakistan Court Cancels Imran Khans Arrest Warrant Amidst Clashes Between His Supporters and Police. "Bhatti was investigated by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) after he had taken his computer into a shop to be fixed and a member of staff found some concerning file titles which he reported," the statement added. Further, in the statement, Surrey Police revealed that after the investigation by CTPSE, some documents were discovered suggesting whoever was using the device had an interest in explosives and making explosive devices. Following this discovery, Bhatti was arrested and a search was carried out at his home in Redhill and at a storage container he rented. According to the statement, the police found chemicals, chemistry equipment, electronic circuitry and even an improvised explosive device, which was dismantled by a specialist explosive ordnance disposal team in the storage unit. This device was not deemed to be functional due to some of the materials used. At his property, items including a USB stick containing guides to make explosive devices were seized. "Bhatti was also found to be in possession of manuals he compiled and wrote himself. He had spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations on making explosives, shooting techniques and hand combat, along with manuals published by others on making explosives and combat. This resulted in a suspicion that the possession of all these documents was for a purpose connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism," the statement read. In the statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Olly Wright, Head of CTPSE, said: "The case against Bhatti was strong, I am glad the jury have found him guilty today." "There was clear evidence of his extreme Islamist ideology and the danger he posed. He clearly hated those whom he considers do not follow his version of Islam, and he made a range of derogatory comments towards those he considers to be 'unbelievers'," he added. "I am especially grateful to the member of the public who recognised the risks and took steps to call the police. This allowed Counter Terrorism Policing to stop Bhatti's progress in manufacturing explosive devices which could otherwise have caused significant harm to the public," Wright said. Bhatti will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on April 25. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bangui (Central African Republic), Mar 19 (AP) Suspected rebels stormed a Chinese-operated gold mining site that had recently been launched in Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals and wounding two others Sunday, authorities said. The attack came just days after gunmen kidnapped three Chinese nationals in the country's west near the border with Cameroon, prompting President Faustin Archange Touadera to travel to China in a bid to reassure investors. Also Read | Who Is Pips Bunce? Everything To Know About Non-Binary and Genderfluid Credit Suisses Senior Director. The attack on the Chimbolo gold mine began around 5 a.m. when the gunmen overpowered the site's guards and opened fire, said Abel Matipata, mayor of the nearby town of Bambari. The mining site's launch had taken place just days earlier, he added. Local authorities said they were pursuing the assailants, but declined further comment. Also Read | Bol News Taken Off Air by Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority for Live Coverage of PTI Workers and Police Clashes in Islamabad. Residents said that the violence was the latest incident undermining confidence in security forces. "The government is having difficulty proving its ability to protect Central Africans and foreigners living in the country," said Ange Morel Gbatangue, a resident of Bambari. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on the Coalition of Patriots for Change, or CPC, which is active in the area and regularly launches attacks on the country's armed forces. The alliance of rebel groups is aligned with former President Francois Bozize. Anselme Bangue, who supports the current president's administration, said the attack on Chinese businessmen was an act of "indescribable cowardice." "The CPC has not only slowed down the country's economic momentum, but is now attacking the foundation of development. This is unacceptable, Bangue said. Central African Republic remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others. A myriad of rebel groups have operated with impunity across the embattled country over the past decade, thwarting mining exploration by foreign companies. Many of those now operating in the country are Chinese-run and have faced security challenges. In 2020, two Chinese nationals died when local residents led an uprising against a Chinese-operated mine in Sosso Nakombo. And in 2018, three Chinese citizens were killed by angry community members after a local leader died in a boating accident while accompanying Chinese miners to a site. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Supporters of former Pakistani PM Imran Khan clash with police in Islamabad. (Photo/Reuters) Lahore [Pakistan], March 19 (ANI): Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted that legal proceedings could be initiated to declare former prime minister Imran Khan's political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a banned outfit, Tribune reported. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Rana said that the legal team of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was examining the matter in light of several revelations that could lead to a reference being filed against the party. Also Read | @elonmusk We Use Chat-GPT: . He however clarified that it is ultimately up to the courts to officially ban a political party. According to him, Punjab Police along with other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation against the "no-go area" in Lahore where a purported political leader had allegedly created an "atmosphere of fear". Also Read | UK Phones to Get Emergency Alert System to Warn of Life-Threatening Events. Sanaullah said that the action was taken after resistance was encountered during the execution of court orders, leading to concerns about a possible terrorist organisation's presence, Tribune reported. "The operation resulted in the clearance of the no-go area in Zaman Park. Despite having a search warrant, officials did not enter the residential area," he added. The interior minister said that 65 people have been arrested from the outer part of the building, most of them do not belong to Punjab and their role is suspicious. He further said that guns, petrol bomb-making equipment, slingshots and other weapons were recovered from Zaman Park. Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab police launched a surprise search operation at Imran's residence, hours after he left to appear before a local court in Islamabad, and arrested several party workers. Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah. The PTI lead!ership has strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was "part of a London Plan to eliminate him", the Dawn reported Tribune reported that the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore himself monitored the operation as the police used heavy machinery to break down the gate of PTI chief Imran Khan's residence. Police were accompanied by water cannons, bulldozers, and a prisoner van. They soon demolished PTI camps in the area with the help of cranes and removed barriers and containers. Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said that weapons were recovered during today's search operation. "We have recovered weapons from Imran Khan's house. There are more arms present there. An impression was being given that it is a no-go area but we have cleared it," the Punjab IGP said during a press conference, flanked by Caretaker Punjab Minister for Information Amir Mir. He said that there were also some bunkers constructed at Zaman Park whereas some bullet-proof equipment was also found. He added that all illegal encroachments have also been removed, Tribune reported. Legal proceedings against Imran Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. The 70-year-old politician has been demanding a snap election and holding protests across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan's demands, saying an election would be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis, awaiting a bailout package of USD1.1 billion from the IMF. The case before the Islamabad High Court accuses Imran Khan of selling luxury watches and other items that were given to the state during his 2018-2022 term as prime minister. The Election Commission of Pakistan found him guilty and barred him from holding public office for one parliamentary term. Imran says he is avoiding the hearings because he fears for his safety. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) London, Mar 19 (PTI) The tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London was pulled down by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans on Sunday evening. Scotland Yard said it was "aware" of an incident in the area but is yet to issue an official statement. Also Read | Who Is Pips Bunce? Everything To Know About Non-Binary and Genderfluid Credit Suisses Senior Director. India has, meanwhile, registered its strong protest with the British government over the safety of its diplomatic mission and questioned the lack of sufficient security at the premises. Images of shattered windows and men climbing the India House building were circulating on social media and videos from the scene show an Indian official grabbing the flag from a protester through the first-floor window of the mission, while the protester is seen waving a Khalistan flag hanging off its ledge. Also Read | Bol News Taken Off Air by Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority for Live Coverage of PTI Workers and Police Clashes in Islamabad. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening on Sunday to convey India's strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London. "An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention, the MEA said in a statement. "India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today's incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, it said. The banned terrorist organisation, Sikhs For Justice, is conducting a so-called "Referendum 2020" amid a crackdown on pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh in Punjab. (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], March 19 (ANI): The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned on Sunday night after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised. The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey India's strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on Sunday. Also Read | Who Is Pips Bunce? Everything To Know About Non-Binary and Genderfluid Credit Suisses Senior Director. An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention. "India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK Government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK," the MEA press release said. Also Read | Bol News Taken Off Air by Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority for Live Coverage of PTI Workers and Police Clashes in Islamabad. Demanding "immediate steps" from the UK Government, the official press release from the MEA said, "It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today's incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents." The British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom today. He condemned the "disgraceful acts" and called it totally unacceptable. "I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India - totally unacceptable," British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tokyo [Japan], March 19 (ANI): Japan will carefully monitor the developments of an investigation against Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday, reported Kyodo News. PM Kishida made the above remarks while holding talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Tokyo. Also Read | Earthquake in Ecuador and Peru: Powerful Quake of Magnitude 6.8 on Richter Scale Kills 14, Causes Widespread Damage (See Pics and Videos). He also supports the International Criminal Court's issuance of an arrest warrant for Putin on the grounds, he oversaw the war crime of forcible deportation of Ukrainian children during the Russia-Ukraine war, Sholz said. In a first, the court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state of a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Although neither Ukraine nor Russia is parties to the court, Kyiv grants the ICC authority over war crimes. Also Read | Aliens or UFOs? Mysterious Streaks of Light Seen in the Sky over California, Video Goes Viral. Earlier, ICC on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Russian President and Russian official Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for the alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia, reported CNN. According to Kyodo News, following the summit, in a joint news conference with Scholz, Kishida said that they both agreed that they would never accept Russia's threat to use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine while reaffirming their commitment to maintaining sanctions against Moscow. The meeting took place as Japan, which is currently in charge of the Group of Seven, tries to set the groundwork for a G-7 summit that will be held in Kishida's home constituency of Hiroshima in May. Last year, Germany held the G-7 presidency. Along with the European Union, the G-7 also includes the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, and the United States. In January, Kishida travelled for a week to the G-7 countries apart from Germany in the run-up summit in the city in western Japan. In light of increasing concerns that Russia may use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine in the ongoing war, Kishida has been eager to present his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons at the G-7 meeting in Hiroshima, which was completely destroyed by an American atomic bomb in August 1945, according to Kyodo News. Kishida and Scholz stated during their discussion on Saturday that they will work together to ensure the success of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima. The two leaders also agreed that, given their desire to join the United Nations as permanent members of the Security Council, Japan and Germany will cooperate to reform the organisation. Along with the United States, Britain, China, France, and Russia, there are five regular council members who have the power to veto. All are nuclear forces. The council, according to some critics, has come across as dysfunctional, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. On Saturday in Tokyo, Japan and Germany conducted their first-ever high-level intergovernmental discussions. In response to China's expanding military and economic influence around the world, the countries confirmed that they would increase their economic security cooperation in the mineral and semiconductor industries. This would strengthen supply networks, Kyodo News reported. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Islamabad, March 19: After former Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrived at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) on Saturday afternoon, the area turned into a battlefield as at least 25 people were injured and public properties were set on fire amid clashes, Dawn reported. After hours-long battles in the federal capital between the police and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), 30 vehicles, including motorbikes, and a police chowki were set on fire. A group of law enforcement officers and PTI supporters engaged in violent altercations that resembled the situation at Zaman Park earlier this week. Both sides used tear gas to drive the other side away, according to Dawn. Together with petrol bombs to set the police's cars on fire, the PTI attacked the police with rocks. Toshakhana Case: Pakistan Court Cancels Imran Khan's Arrest Warrant Amidst Clashes Between His Supporters and Police. In order to tackle the unrest, 4,000 people--including 700 FC members and 1,000 Punjab police officers--were stationed in and around the complex to uphold law and order and prevent the crowd from getting there, reported Dawn. After PTI chief Khan left for Islamabad Judicial Complex to appear before a court, the Punjab Police resumed an operation at the deposed prime minister's residence, broke into his house, and arrested several party workers in the act. In response, the former prime minister said it was "clear" that despite having gotten "bail" in the cases lodged against him, the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government intended to arrest him. "It is now clear that, despite my having gotten bail in all my cases, the PDM govt intends to arrest me. Despite knowing their mala fide intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad & the court bec I believe in rule of law. But ill intent of this cabal of crooks shd be clear to all," tweeted Khan. "The assault on my house today was first of all a contempt of court. We had agreed that an SP with one of our people would implement a search warrant bec we knew otherwise they would plant stuff on their own, which they did. Under what law did they break the gate, pull down trees and barge into the house heavily armed. Worse, they did this after I left to present myself before Islamabad court, & Bushra bibi, a totally private non political person, was alone in house. This is a total violation of the Islamic principle of sanctity of chadar & char diwari," he tweeted. He also lamented over the fact that the raid took place when his wife Bushra Begum was alone at the Zaman Park residence. The former PM also lashed at Pakistan media regulatory body for barring television channels from the live coverage of rallies or public gatherings. Imran Khan Unhurt After Car in Former Pakistan PM's Convoy Meets With Accident While Heading Towards Islamabad For Hearing in Toshakhana Case (Watch Videos). "Strongly condemn govt trying, through PEMRA, to muzzle our voice through an illegal ban on us, violative of the court order, on TV channels. Now to pressure the media further, PEMRA has issued another notice accusing TV channels of violating their earlier. notice. Fascism at its worst," he said. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday restricted live coverage of events outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, where PTI chairman Imran Khan will be arriving for a court hearing in the Toshakhana case. The court later suspended Khan's non-bailable warrants in the Toshakhana case after an hours-long drama at the Islamabad Judicial Complex. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Vatican City, Mar 19 (AP) Pope Francis offered prayers on Sunday for the victims of an earthquake that shook vast swaths of territory in Ecuador and parts of Peru. During his weekly Sunday noon blessing, Francis recalled that the 6.8-magnitude temblor caused death, injuries and heavy damage. Also Read | From @reuterspictures: People Take in the Festival of Lights in Zagreb, Croatia Latest Tweet by Reuters. I'm close to the Ecuadorean people and assure them of my prayers for the dead and suffering, Francis said. Saturday's quake killed at least 15 people, injured hundreds and brought down homes and buildings in vastly different communities, from coastal areas to the highlands. At least one of the deaths was in Peru. (AP) Also Read | UK Phones to Get Emergency Alert System to Warn of Life-Threatening Events. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) MBABANE There are questions on the credibility of evidence given by an acting judge of the High Court during a disciplinary hearing that led to the dismissal of a senior manager at RSTP. This evidence was delivered in the case of Mfanzile Shongwe, who has since been fired as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), which is a Category A public enterprise that falls under the Ministry of Information Communications and Technology (ICT). The Acting High Court Judge is Absalom Makhanya and he was engaged by RSTP to investigate the leaking of information pertaining to the internal operations of the institution. At the time he was engaged, Makhanya was Principal Crown Counsel in the Director of Public Prosecutions Office. However, his evidence is now being highly disputed by a former Member of Parliament (MP) who Makhanya claimed to have interviewed and received confirmation from that Shongwe was the source of the leak. Shongwe was the COO until he was fired for allegedly spreading information on alleged looting that was taking place at the public enterprise. Before being fired on October 7, 2022, Shongwe, who was second in command at RSTP, had been put on suspension since September 9, 2019. He was then charged with two counts: The first charge was that he allegedly brought the name of the organisation into disrepute and or scandalising senior personnel by either generating or receiving and distributing or being in unexplained possession of a defamatory document labelled widespread looting at RSTP. Secondly, he allegedly, while on an official trip to India in or about March 2019, engaged in a conversation with the then Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of ICT, Maxwell Masuku, to whom he made false allegations against one of the senior personnel by alleging that the said individual, among other things, was siphoning money out of the organisation and or had been wrongfully protecting a junior employee who did not qualify for the position and or that the senior personnel was using the organisations funds wrongfully for the benefit of the said officer. document Shongwe was alleged to have been behind a document that had the word INYANDZALEYO (in upper case), which contained the allegations against the one senior officer and others. He was alleged to have not only shared this document with a number of people, including MPs whom he reportedly wanted to move a motion in Parliament regarding what was happening at RSTP, but also held meetings with these people to verbally relate to them the internal operations at the institution. Makhanya told the disciplinary hearing, which was chaired by Senior Attorney Hasso Magagula, with another senior Lawyer Musa Sibandze as the initiator, that former Shiselweni II MP Mthokozisi Kunene outlined to him during a face-to-face session held in Mbabane that Shongwe was an aggrieved person who brought to him a number of allegations on corruption that was taking place at RSTP. The Times SUNDAY has seen the document which Makhanya compiled after concluding his investigation and he submitted this to the disciplinary committee, which asked him to read into the record the part on Shongwe. This is what Makhanya told the committee: Mr Kunene asked for transparency in order to be interviewed. The mandate and terms of reference were shown to him as requested. According to him there were a number of individuals from RSTP that approached him requesting him to move a motion in Parliament which would investigate corrupt activities in the organisation. Mfanzile Shongwe - he was aggrieved and made the following allegations; (the allegations cannot be repeated because when quoted verbatim they will identify the individuals yet this is defamatory against them). Makhanya told the committee that according to the former MP, the meetings were arranged in a professional manner. Some meetings were held at the Chinese restaurant that is at Gables, Ezulwini. These sessions were conducted in the private compartment that is inside the restaurant. Other meetings were held at the Ezulwini Sun. He further stated that these individuals even sent him emails that would substantiate the above information. He promised to bring the copies of the emails the next day. Efforts to meet him again were made and proved futile as he wasnt picking up my calls and not even responding to text messages sent to him, he said. matter However, Kunene has denied ever giving Makhanya this information. Relating his side, the former MP said he was called by Makhanya and they met at the car park outside Spar Supermarket in Mbabane where he was shown a letter that mandated the latter to investigate the RSTP matter. I told him that a lot of people had called me regarding the matter and these included a former Cabinet minister who took me to Galitos in Manzini, where he bought me food while trying to siphon information from me on who my source was regarding the RSTP issue. I flatly refused to give him the information. I even did the same with Makhanya. I was even called by someone from emalawini, who asked me to help them with the information and I told the person that I would not divulge the information, said the ex-legislator. He swore to the Times SUNDAY that the informer who gave them the dirt on RSTP called him and another former MP (name withheld) to his office and the source took them from A to Z about what was happening at the public enterprise. The informer told us that he used to work at RSTP but was removed and transferred to another government department. It was not Mfanzile Shongwe; I dont know him, this Mfanzile, Kunene said. He asked this publication to assist him in taking on the acting judge and said he was ready to answer for himself regarding the evidence that was purportedly sourced from him. information Even if they can bring him (Makhanya) in front of me, I can tell him in the face that I never gave him this information. I refused to give this information to the former minister, who was my colleague in Parliament, how much more to him? I could have been tempted by the former ministers Galitos meeting to tell him the information but Makhanya did not even buy me the Galitos and did not offer any money to entice me, so why would I have told him this? wondered the former legislator. He said what he remembered was that Makhanya mentioned to him the name of a person who he wanted him to talk about. Kunene alleged that Makhanya had leading questions that sought to implicate this person. Unfortunately, that was not the person who gave us the information and I have never met with him and I have never even met this Mfanzile. I am sure this Mfanzile would even be surprised where we even met, said the ex-MP. He insisted that this matter needed to be challenged and dealt with to finality and that he was not afraid of anyone at RSTP. We received information from someone and wanted to move a motion in Parliament using that information but we eventually decided to abandon that motion. This was because we realised that this informer was aggrieved and was using us to fight his personal battles. The fact that he said he had been redeployed and felt that had been dumped made us realise that he was an aggrieved person and could feed us wrong information, he said. Kunene said the informer gave them documents that implicated other politicians and individuals, but they decided not to involve themselves in the mess, hence they abandoned the motion. evidence Why is that when someone like Makhanya gives evidence in such cases, the person whom he cites is not called to corroborate what he is saying? I should have been summoned by the disciplinary committee to verify if indeed what Makhanya submitted was true and had come from me. It pains me that this Mfanzile has now been fired based on false evidence, said the ex-MP. Kunenes reaction was shared with Makhanya by this publication through a questionnaire that was sent to him via WhatsApp. The acting judge read the WhatsApp message but did not respond to it and was then called on his mobile phone but he refused to entertain the questions. Sorry, I dont have the time. There is nothing I can talk to you about. Sorry, I cannot talk to you, he said. His attention was drawn to the fact that the blue ticks on the WhatsApp message showed that he had read the questionnaire and therefore could he have responses to the questions. To this, he responded: I dont have any interest in it. I just saw a message and I dont have an interest, sorry. The acting judges evidence is not the only piece of information submitted before the disciplinary committee against Shongwe that was questionable but was overlooked. Another high-profile person to give evidence was the then former PS in the Ministry of ICT, Maxwell Masuku, to whom Shongwe was alleged to have detailed how money was being siphoned at RSTP. Masuku said Shongwe told him this information while they were at a hotel in India where they had gone to familiarise themselves on what a RSTP was about. The then PS said he remembered clearly that the conversation happened in the same hotel which RSTP had booked the delegation in and that this was his first trip to India. He even remembered the hotel and the people who were in the delegation. But it was brought to his attention by Shongwe, during cross examination, that the latter was not part of that trip. Evidence was presented that the time that Masuku was in India with Shongwe they slept in different hotels from that of the ex-PS. It was also brought to his attention that the purpose of that trip was not to familiarise themselves about RSTP but was to attend a conference of the EXIM Bank on India-Africa Project Partnership. An application was then made by Shongwe to allow those employees who formed part of the trip to India to be also cross-examined, but this application was rejected. In his recommendation, the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing described Masuku as a credible witness beyond doubt, in particular the conversation he had with Mr. Shongwe with regards to the complaints on money siphoning that was taking place at RSTP. deviation Despite that the trip the ex-PS referred to was not the one Shongwe was a part of, the chairperson said: To suggest that the mixing of dates on the trips to India is material, is clearly a deviation by the employee from the real merits of the issue which is the conversations that were married to the leaked document. There was also another piece of evidence a forensic report by KPMG that did not find proof of the said document with the word INYANDZALEYO as having been written from Shongwes laptop. KPMG was appointed by Musa Sibandze Attorneys to provide forensic technology services relating to forensically image a laptop computer, as identified by Sibandze Attorneys, and identifying the following regarding a document specified by Sibandze Attorneys: Presence of document on the laptop computer; verify if the identified document originated from the imaged laptop computer; and retrieve document if deleted from imaged computer, where available. KPMG said it performed three processes: Acquisition; image processing; and data analysis and presentation. The imaging process was conducted at KPMG offices at Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa. After performing analysis, KPMG read this conclusion: We cannot determine the specified document was originated from the laptop computer in question; and we cannot confirm that the word Inyandzaleyo, which was identified from the laptop computer image, was part of the content of the specified document. However, despite that the KPMG report cleared Shongwe, this appears to have done him no favour as the report of one Shadrack Dlamini, an employee of RSTP, was considered. Shadrack presented his own report after he was asked to assist in the process of laptop auditing, which was to conduct digital forensics based on suspicion of continuous leakage of sensitive information pertaining to RSTP operations. He said he conducted forensic audit of about five laptops and discovered that an HP laptop, allocated and used by Shongwe, had a hit of a word contained in the leaked information that was trending on social media. The word Inyandzaleyo was discovered after conducting a window search. Window search allows the user to match list of words that were done in folders/files contained in a computer. I conducted an analysis with Easy US Data Discovery trying to find deleted files. The intention was to identify deleted files which might have similar contents as contained in the media circulating document, (sic) he wrote in his report that has been seen by this publication. The glaring difference was that the word INYANDZALEYO as contained in the circulating document was in uppercase yet the one that Shadrack claimed to have found in the laptop was in lowercase (Inyandzaleyo). This then put into question the source of the document. recommendation In his recommendation, the chairperson wrote: The conduct of the employee herein in publishing such document was calculated at scandalising the organisation, to the extent that senior personnel of the organisations reputations were tarnished in the process. Such conduct was reckless by the employee and/or calculated to achieve such mischievous end, in circumstances where proper structures for the ventilation of issues and/or grievances were there for him to explore and exercise. He chose not to exercise those platforms if there were genuine issues within the organisation that needed serious attention. RSTP Board Chairman Sthofeni Ginindza, said he was not aware of the disciplinary hearing against Shongwe and its outcome. Ordinarily, as the Board, we should have been told about this, especially because the person involved holds a senior position that is at executive level. It is quite concerning that this was never communicated to us, he said. Ginindza said even though he was not aware of the merits of the matter, but he believed that whistleblowers should always be given an ear instead of victimising them. I will definitely take this matter up and engage Shongwe as well as the RSTP management to be appraised of what happened, he added. Ginindza was appointed in October 2020 to head the RSTP Board, after he had just finalised his term of office in a similar position at the Eswatini Electricity Company (ECC). At EEC, he found the public enterprise running on a bank overdraft but by the time left it was recording profits in millions of Emalangeni. He even instituted a forensic investigation that unearthed a lot of malpractices in the issuing of tenders and the listing of suppliers. Islamabad [Pakistan], March 19 (ANI): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the party will register cases against police officers involved in the "illegal operation and violence" during a raid to arrest former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, Geo News reported. Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah. Also Read | UK Phones to Get Emergency Alert System to Warn of Life-Threatening Events. The PTI leadership has strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was "part of a London Plan to eliminate him". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Fawad Chaudhry stated, "Today, a meeting of the legal team has been called. The way in which the police defied the Lahore High Court's decision entering Imran Khan's residence has trampled every rule of the home's sanctity. [things were] stolen. [They] also took away juice boxes. Innocent people were subjected to torture." Also Read | Heat Wave in Australia: Millions of Dead Fish Wash Up in New South Wales Due to Floods and Hot Weather (Watch Video). In a tweet, Fawad Chaudhry wrote, "Defying court order is unforgivable. The high court should guard its judgment. Cases are being registered on all police officers who conducted illegal operations and were involved in violence," according to Geo News report. He noted that all the incidents indicate an ongoing constitutional crisis in Pakistan. The statement of the senior PTI leader comes a day after the Punjab Police resumed operation at Imran Khan's residence and arrested several party workers. The action of the police came after PTI Chairman Imran Khan left for the Islamabad Judicial Complex to appear before a court, as per the Geo News report. On March 18, Imran Khan also reacted to the police action at his residence on his official Twitter handle. PTI chairman tweeted, "Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment." On March 18, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar said police had completed the search and cleanup operation in Zaman Park and seized AK-47 assault rifles and a large number of bullets from Imran Khan's residence in Lahore, as per the Geo News report. Furthermore, glass bottles suspected to be used in making Molotov cocktails, and hundreds of marbles for being shot at police with slingshots were also taken from the PTI chairman's house. Usman Anwar said five more Kalashnikovs were also found on Khan's property. In response to a question, he said that the legal status of the guns whether they were licensed or not was being evaluated. More than 60 PTI workers were arrested from Imran Khan's residence and taken to an undisclosed location for further investigation, as per the news report. Usman Anwar alleged that his men came under direct fire from Khan's residence. He said that police demolished several camps built outside Khan's house in Lahore. The Punjab government in Pakistan and the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had consented to let police search the ex-PM's Zaman Park residence here in relation to confrontations that occurred there on March 14 and 15 but the exact date of police operation was not annouced. As soon as Imran Lhan left Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Saturday to appear before a judge in Islamabad, a heavy contingent of police launched a search operation at his house. . On Friday, the details were submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) during the hearing of a petition filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry who had sought the court's intervention to stop the police action conducted to execute arrest warrants issued against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. The agreement is related to the security of former Pakistan PM, holding rallies and other legal issues under which, PTI will cooperate in implementing the search and arrest warrants with the provincial administration.(ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ankara [Turkey], March 19 (ANI): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday announced an extension of the Black Sea grain deal, CNN reported. However, he did not reveal details regarding the expiration date of the deal. The deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July to ensure safe passage for ships carrying grain exports from Ukraine. The deal was set to expire today. Also Read | Earthquake in Ecuador: Strong Quake of Magnitude 6.7 Shakes Guayas Region; No Word on Damage or Injuries (Watch Videos). Speaking at an event in Turkey's Canakkale province, Erdogan said, "As a result of our negotiations with both parties, we extended the agreement period," as per the CNN report. Turkish President Erdogan thanked the Russian and Ukrainian parties as well as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their efforts to extend the agreement. Also Read | Toshakhana Case: Pakistan Court Cancels Imran Khans Arrest Warrant Amidst Clashes Between His Supporters and Police. "This agreement, which has provided the shipment of 25 million tons of grain to the world markets with more than 800 ships to date, is of vital importance for the stability of the global food supply," Erdogan said as per the CNN report. "I would like to thank the Russian and Ukrainian parties and the UN secretary general for their efforts to extend the agreement once again," he added. Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "We remain strongly committed to both agreements and we urge all sides to redouble their efforts to implement them fully," according to the CNN report. The agreement comes after Russia on Monday said that it had agreed to a 60-day extension of the deal. The Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the move as a "goodwill gesture." On Thursday, the UN stressed that the agreement stated it would be extended for 120 days rather than 60. In July last year, Ukraine and Russia signed the agreement following months of negotiations brokered by the UN and Turkey. The agreement allowed the resumption of exports of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. According to the statement released by United Nations, the Black Sea grain initiative allowed commercial food and fertilizer (including ammonia) exports from three key Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea - Odesa, Chornomorsk, Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) was established to monitor the implementation of the initiative. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Patna, March 19: Two persons were injured after a British-era road bridge collapsed in Bihar's Saran district on Sunday. The injured persons were the driver and helper of the truck. The eyewitnesses said that as soon as the truck-laden with stone chips came on the bridge, it collapsed. Bihar Road Accident: Speeding Car Runs Over Three People in Patna, One Critical; CCTV Video of Accident Goes Viral. The truck was on its way from the Taraye block and was heading towards Bhalua Bazar. The British-era bridge was built on River Mahanadi and was in a bad shape since the last flood. The bridge structure was deteriorating and cracks had developed at several places. Despite all these deterioration, the road construction department did not declare it a dangerous bridge. There was no warning sign board on either side of the bridge. Bihar: Under-Construction Bridge Collapses in Nalanda (See Pics). When the bridge collapsed, a loud sound was heard. The local villagers rushed to the spot and rescued the injured driver and helper. They were admitted in the Sadar hospital Chapra and their condition was stable. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2023 12:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Ranchi/Jamshedpur, March 19: Jharkhand reported for the first time two new cases of H3N2 influenza, besides five fresh cases of COVID-19, a health department official said on Sunday. A 68-year-old woman, who was admitted to Tata Main Hospital (TMH), Jamshedpur with symptoms of cold and fever on Thursday, tested positive for influenza virus H3N2 on Saturday, the official said. Confirming the report, the Civil Surgeon of East Singhbhum district, Dr Jujhar Manjhi said the victim was kept in an isolation ward and is under observation. The victim did not have any travel history, he said. H3N2 Virus Scare: 100% Treatment of Influenza Available, No Need To Fear, Says Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. The second case was reported at Rani Hospital in Ranchi. The head of the hospital Dr Rajesh Singh told PTI, "A four-year-old child has tested positive for influenza virus H3N2 on Saturday. The child was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of pneumonia. Ranchi-based MicroPraxis Lab confirmed the report." Meanwhile, the state's total active COVID-19 cases reached 10 with five new cases of the disease reported on Saturday. Ranchi and West Singhbhum districts have reported two cases each, while Deoghar registered one case on Saturday. Earlier, Deoghar, East Singhbhum and Latehar districts reported one case each, while Ranchi two, according to the Covid bulletin of the health department. With the addition of fresh cases, Jharkhand's coronavirus caseload rose to 4,42,589 since outbreak of the disease. As many as 4,37,247 people have been cured of the disease so far, while 5,332 persons succumbed to the infection. H3N2 Virus Attack: Influenza Cases Surge in India, Health Experts Call for Masks, Better Hygiene and Flu Shots. Jharkhand has tested 926 samples for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said. However, a section of the doctors claimed that number of cases might increase if testing was increased. New Delhi, March 19: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of Congress leader Pawan Khera seeking transfer and clubbing of FIRs lodged against him in Assam and Uttar Pradesh for allegedly making objectionable remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud on Friday deferred the hearing on Khera's plea to March 20 after taking note of submissions that senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Congress leader, was unavailable. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh and Assam, urged the bench that the matter can be taken up for hearing on Monday instead of Friday. "Ok, we will take it up on Monday," said the bench, which also comprises justices P S Narasimha and J B Pardiwala. The apex court had earlier extended the interim bail of Khera, who was arrested by Assam Police in the case, till March 17. Earlier, Assam and Uttar Pradesh governments, in their separate affidavits, opposed Khera's plea seeking clubbing of FIRs lodged against him, claiming that his party was still continuing with the "very same low level" on their social media accounts. The Uttar Pradesh government sought dismissal of the plea with a cost by terming it "misconceived" and "an attempt to leapfrogging the routine procedure available under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)". "It is submitted that the leaders of the political party (Congress) to which the petitioner (Khera) belongs have, even after this hon'ble court taking cognisance of the matter, continued the very same low level in their official Twitter handles and other social media accounts," the Assam government said. Prior to this, on February 27, the top court had extended the protection from arrest to Khera. The Congress spokesperson was arrested from the Delhi airport after he was de-boarded from a plane that was supposed to take him to Raipur in connection with his alleged remarks against Modi made at a press conference in Mumbai on February 17. He obtained bail from a magisterial court here on February 23 after the CJI-led bench granted him the interim bail during an urgent hearing earlier in the day. "In order to enable the petitioner (Khera) to apply for regular bail before the jurisdictional court, upon the FIRs being transferred to one jurisdiction, we direct that the petitioner shall be released on interim bail by the court of the competent magistrate at Delhi where he is to be produced this evening," the apex court had said. "The above order shall remain in operation till February 28," it had said. The apex court, which had listed the matter for hearing on February 27, had issued notices to Assam and Uttar Pradesh, seeking their responses on Khera's plea for transferring and clubbing together three separate FIRs lodged against him in the two states. After dictating the order, the CJI had apparently expressed his displeasure over Khera's remarks and observed: "We have protected you (Khera), but there has to be some level of discourse." Singhvi, appearing for Khera, had said the words taken at their face value, as reflected in the FIRs, do not establish any offence punishable under the sections invoked. He also told the apex court that Khera had already apologised for his remarks and the offences alleged against him in the cases did not require arrest. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the state of Assam, had played the offending video in the court and claimed that Khera's statement on Modi was a "deliberate attempt to denigrate a constitutional functionary". Lucknow, March 19: As the strike by power employees in Uttar Pradesh entered its third day on Sunday, the law-and-order situation in several districts is getting disrupted due to protests and demonstrations by people facing prolonged power cuts. Electricity department employees in Farrukhabad, Muzaffarnagar, Prayagraj, Hardoi, Firozabad, Moradabad, Etah, Varanasi and Rae Bareli have launched protests against the dismissal of contractual employees. Uttar Pradesh Power Workers Strike: Allahabad High Court Issues Warrant Against Union Leaders. Their leaders have warned that if the workers are dismissed or arrested, the symbolic strike would turn into an indefinite strike. Meanwhile, around 1,000 villages in Rae Bareli have plunged into darkness and the power crisis has continued unabated in 70 localities of the urban area where people have run out of drinking water. The non-availability of electricity has disrupted health services in Rae Bareli as AIIMS and other hospitals are without power. However, intermittent attempts are being made to solve the crisis through generators. As many as 27 out of 54 power stations have developed faults in 33 KVA lines, adding to power cuts. In Varanasi, residents took to the streets due to the continuous and prolonged power cuts. The protesters also organised the Chakka Jam at the Bhadaini power sub-station. Similar reports are coming in from other districts. Uttar Pradesh: Employees Wear Helmet While Working in Dilapidated Building of Power Department Office in Baraut. It may be recalled that power department employees in Uttar Pradesh have been on a strike since Thursday night over the selection process for chairman and the managing director in power companies and pay anomalies. The Yogi-Adityanath government has said if the strike creates problems for the public, it will take action against the protesting employees under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and threatened to sack contractual workers who do not return to work. It also said action would be initiated under the National Security Act in case vandalism occurs during demonstrations. Employees, under the banner of Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, a union of electricity department employees, have been holding demonstrations across the state. UP Energy Minister A.K. Sharma has again issued a stern warning to electricity department employees on strike, directing them to join their duties by 6 p.m., or face dismissal. "A decision has been taken to initiate action against 22 people from the department under the ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act). Apart from this, instructions have also been issued to lodge an FIR against those damaging government property and obstructing others from discharging their duties. An FIR has been registered against 29 people in this matter," the minister said. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2023 04:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Oral diseases are a major health concern for many countries which negatively impact people across the world. For this reason, World Oral Health Day is observed on March 20 every year to raise global awareness of the issues around oral health and the importance of oral hygiene. On this day, countries of the world unite to help reduce the burden of oral diseases, which affect individuals, health systems, and economies everywhere. The main objective of the day is to empower people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to secure good oral health. From Flossing to Consuming More Water, 5 Ways To Maintain Oral Health. World Oral Health Day 2023 Date World Oral Health Day is observed on March 20 every year World Oral Health Day 2023 Theme The theme for World Oral Health Day 2023 is Be Proud of Your Mouth. In 2021, the FDI World Dental Federation launched a three-year campaign from 2021 to 2023. World Oral Health Day History The history of World Oral Health Day dates to 2013. It is an initiative of the FDI World Dental Federation; an organization that brings together the world of dentistry with the aim of achieving optimal oral health for everyone. World Oral Health Day was launched on March 20, 2013, by FDI World Dental Federation. The day also marks the launch of a year-long campaign to raise awareness of oral health and the prevention of oral diseases. Since 2013, these campaigns have featured a specific theme. The FDI in collaboration with its daughter organization, the International Association of Dental Students (IADS), has been organizing an annual worldwide competition since 2014 for best awareness and prophylactic activities held by dental student organizations in celebration of World Oral Health Day. World Oral Health Day Significance World Oral Health Day plays a significant role as it helps governments, health associations, and people to come together and work collectively to achieve healthier mouths and happier lives. World Oral Health Day is a perfect opportunity to educate people to value and take care of their oral health and to make the right decisions to protect it. The day emphasizes how a healthy mouth is important for our happiness and well-being and focuses on the importance of maintaining oral health at every stage of life. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2023 11:25 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Police personnel have also been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar, as the police efforts are underway to nab him. Meanwhile, the Khalistani sympathiser outfit chief is currently on the run, as per the police. A miscreant has attacked a dog with acid in Hyderabad's Yousufguda area. An animal rights activist Aanchal Khanna lodged a complaint on Twitter. San Francisco, March 19: Google is reportedly indicating ex-employees who were laid off while on maternity or medical leave that they will not be paid for the remainder of their time off. According to CNBC, sacked Google employees are asking the company to honour their approved medical time off. Over 100 former employees have formed a group called "Laid off on Leave". Google Layoffs: Tech Giant Now Begins Senior Level Job Cuts in China. They are requesting that executives compensate them for the weeks and months they were authorised to take off prior to the January job cuts. The group of ex-employees wrote to executives, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi, three times, most recently on March 9, without receiving a response, said the report. People who have been approved for or are currently on maternity leave, baby bonding leave, caregiver's leave, medical leave, or personal leave are included in this group. "We respectfully request a good faith effort to honour the terms of our original parental and/or disability leave arrangements for all leaves that were approved as of January 20, 2023," a group of laid-off staffers, was quoted as saying. Google India Employee Says He Was Sacked From Company Despite Being Star Performer For Month, Shares Emotional Post on LinkedIn. Moreover, the report mentioned that Pichai and other leaders are urged to provide immediate clarity on the matter because of an upcoming deadline. It is expected that official severance terms will arrive by March 31 for those who were laid off while on medical leave. The company announced in January the elimination of 12,000 jobs, representing about 6 per cent of its workforce, to reckon with slower sales growth after an extended period of expansion in the tech sector. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2023 02:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). SITEKI Security guards suspected of torture have since been suspended from duty. This follows a march by over 200 angry Mahangeni residents yesterday, who were joined by members of political formations, to deliver a petition demanding the removal of the security guards. The security guards were implicated in the alleged torture of workers in connection with stock theft. The company has since suspended the implicated security guards from work. Over 200 residents marched to the Richmond Estate led by Mhlomelo Mamba, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Swaziland Lubombo Region Convener and Mzwandile Siyaya. tortured Mahangeni community is situated next to Nsoko, along the main road to Lavumisa Border Gate. Last weekend, Menzi Rhu Dlamini and Sibusiso Dlamini were allegedly tortured by a team of seven security guards in pursuit of a confession for cattle theft. The duo was allegedly tortured and thrown into a crocodile-infested dam in a bid to force them to confess. The security guards were also alleged to be terrorising residents and employees in the name of attempting to recover stolen herds of cattle. removal Yesterday, the residents, joined by members of political formations, delivered a petition to the companys management, demanding the removal of the security guards and managers implicated in torturing the duo before the end of this month. The farm specialises in cattle rearing, sugar cane and peanut farming. They also complained that the security officers were assaulting members of the community and management had done nothing to stop them. We demand that the security officers be removed with immediate effect so that the community can work hand in hand with the company, read part of the petition. One of the march organisers, Mamba, said the march was a success as they managed to deliver the petition with the intention to ensure that the management of the estate removes the implicated security guards with immediate effect. We want the estate management to work hand in hand with the community in combating criminal elements, hence we complained that residents were being tortured by security personnel who suspected them of cattle theft within the farm. unacceptable This is unacceptable, they cannot take the law into their own hands. We have to act swiftly before the security guards kill one of our own, said Mamba. The Security Guards Manager, Dumsani Dlamini, said they had since been told to stop coming to work after this incident. Dlamini refuted that they tortured the duo and alleged that the angry residents threatened to kill them. The manager said he was hurting for losing a job and wondered how he was going to look after his family. He said he was not present when the petition was delivered. We did nothing wrong and we never did what the people said we did. It is not true. We have been stopped from going to work. I am not okay to speak about this matter. I am ready to die if they want to kill me, but I did nothing wrong and the claims that we tortured the two are not true, he said. The Estate Manager, Joseph Magagula, could not be reached when called yesterday as his mobile phone was constantly not available on the network. TIMES STAFF WRITER On the salt flats of the San Joaquin Valley, in the middle of J.G. Boswells cotton empire, one of Americas great phantom lakes has returned from the dead. Once the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi, Tulare Lake went dry in the 1930s when farmers choked off the four rivers that empty into its basin. But every 15 years or so, in the wake of a record winter storm or heavy spring snowmelt, the dams and ditches cannot contain the rivers. When that happens, the great inland sea, at least a hint of it anyway, rouses from its slumber. Advertisement I know people call it a phantom, said Carlo Wilcox, one of Boswells water crew. But we tend not to think of it that way. Last month, not even the elaborate devices of the Boswell company, the biggest farming operation in the world, could tame the rivers surge. Tulare Lake, once extending 60 miles tip-to-tip and home to three Native American tribes and a wealth of wildlife, has now reclaimed a 10-mile-long, 9-mile-wide sweep of cotton land. Its spectacle offers no warning. After driving an hour across a flat expanse of vineyards, orchards and dairy farms, the road before you suddenly ends and the earthy air fills with the faint smell and sound of ocean. Climbing atop a muddy embankment, gazing across the lakes unending midsection, you feel lost for a moment. More than 57,000 acres of fields are flooded--nine feet deep in some spots--and whitecaps move swiftly past telephone poles. It is brown in parts and pure blue in others, and sun glints off flocks of mud hens, pintail and mallard ducks, blue and white herons and pelicans stabbing at catfish and carp. Earlier this month, with a green light from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Boswell crew cut a 100-yard gash in the north bank of the Tule River to relieve pressure from rising flood waters. It was a desperate move calculated to save the rivers banks from more extensive damage while flooding 42 additional square miles of Boswell cotton land. People say this is a controlled flood, but not really, said Wilcox. The rivers are dictating to us, not us to them. Were slaves to nature right now. * Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this basin has a strange, slightly menacing feel, wet or dry. While it qualifies as desert, averaging less than 10 inches of rain a year, it also happens to sit at the foot of one of the nations most generous watersheds, the Sierra Nevada snowpack. Before agriculture subdued the mountain rivers, much of the southern San Joaquin Valley was transformed each spring into marsh teeming with tule elk and antelope, honkers, and gray and Canada geese. No land sat lower than this basin, the terminus of the Tule, Kaweah, Kings and Kern rivers. The shallow lake that sprang from their waters--dubbed La Laguna de los Tulares by Spanish explorers--covered more than 1,200 square miles, bigger than the Great Salt Lake. On rafts and canoes made from the thick tule reeds, Yokut hunters fished for salmon, perch and sturgeon while the women waded far into the waters to dig for clams and mussels. So bountiful was the harvest that white settlers named the area Mussel Slough, and commercial fishermen in the 1870s plied the lake in schooners and steamers and caught terrapin turtles served as delicacies in San Francisco restaurants. Visitors never forgot the roar of the big birds alighting. An immense body of wild geese whose wings and cries as they moved from place to place caused this kind of roaring noise, wrote Charles Nordhoff, a New York journalist who penned one of the first travel books about California in 1873. A noise like the rush of a distant railroad train. In 1880, in the name of reclamation, the state Legislature allowed newcomers to buy marshland for $2.50 an acre, $2 of which would be refunded if they helped construct a levee system. This touched off a decades-long stampede of sandlappers, the derisive name given farmers who cultivated swampland. Tulare Lake may have continued to turn up blue on most maps but it was pretty much a mirage. * After the sandlappers came farmers with bigger vision and guile--such as Col. James G. Boswell, a military and cotton man driven out of Georgia by the boll weevil, and Clarence Salyer, a hard-drinking Virginia hillbilly who carried the cruel moniker Cockeye on account of a fake eye that wandered when he shot ducks. The two men battled head-to-head for nearly half a century, blowing up each others levees in wet years to divert water and in dry years to steal it. They divided the town of Corcoran in half, truck dealers and tractor salesmen aligned with Boswell, their competitors aligned with Salyer, the Santa Fe railroad tracks carving out a thin truce line between the two. Then a few years ago, the two patriarchs long dead, their kin ended one of the most protracted and colorful family feuds in California history. Boswell bought out Salyer, lock, stock and levee. But even with one operator controlling the intricate system of canals, ditches, embankments and pumping machines, the rivers dont always listen. Only in a winter like this one, witnessing the power of Tulare Lakes ghost and seeing how miserably mans devices have failed, can you appreciate the length agriculture has gone to turn back these rivers. As soon as the dams begin releasing flood waters, Boswell crews rush to spots along the Tule and Kaweah rivers and install more than a dozen pumps that remove water otherwise headed for the cotton kings lowlands. This water, about 1,800 acre-feet a day, is stored in a large irrigation canal. At the same time, on the Kings River, 10,000 acre-feet a day is diverted away from the Tulare Lake basin into the San Joaquin River. The federal government mandates these diversions even when farms and towns along the San Joaquin face their own flooding. It is all dictated by an agreement reached between Boswell and the Army Corps of Engineers a half century ago. By helping pay for the construction of Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River, the Boswell empire forever guaranteed flood control protection in all but the worst of winters. Old-timers here recall one such winter in 1969. The waves from the lake carried such force that Boswell had to buttress the levees with pancaked cars from a wrecking yard. During the last big flood, in 1983, the lake grew to nearly twice this size and it took two years for us to drain all the water, Wilcox said. It is almost certain that the land wont be dry for even a late planting of cotton seed, and that will pose economic hardship for Boswell and the town of Corcoran, which despite its troubled prison still bills itself as the Farming Capital of the World. I know the lake is something to see but youre talking about one-fourth of our farm acreage under water for at least a year, if not longer, said Ruben Quintanilla, a city councilman and local auto parts dealer. This will not only affect Boswell but the people who sell them chemicals and cars, tractors and harvesters. Were in for some rough times. Self-confessed Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo is seen minutes after his capture in Boston in 1967. Authorities say DNA tests on the remains of DeSalvo confirm he killed Mary Sullivan, the woman believed to be the serial killers last victim. The last sliver of doubt has been erased: Albert DeSalvo, the confessed Boston Strangler, was definitively implicated for the first time Friday in the string of 1960s murders that transfixed and terrorized the city. A week after DeSalvos body was exhumed, DNA evidence confirmed that he killed 19-year-old Mary Sullivan in January 1964, ending a relentless effort by Boston police to exploit advanced DNA technology to link DeSalvo to the Boston Stranglers last murder. This leaves no doubt that Albert DeSalvo was responsible for the brutal murder of Mary Sullivan, and most likely that he was responsible for the horrific murders of the other women he confessed to killing, Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley said in a statement. Advertisement DeSalvo confessed to killing Sullivan and 10 other single women between 1962 and 1964 in a series of slayings that became known as the Boston Strangler crimes. But he recanted in 1973 before he was stabbed to death in prison by another inmate, and doubts about his involvement have persisted. The first sign of a resolution appeared last week, when authorities linked DNA taken from the scene of Sullivans murder to DNA from one of DeSalvos nephews. Boston police surreptitiously followed the nephew and recovered his DNA from a discarded water bottle. That evidence allowed Boston police to exhume DeSalvos body. DNA from DeSalvos remains matched DNA from seminal fluid recovered at the scene of Sullivans murder. Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said he was proud of the diligence of police and analysts who stuck with the case. The ability to provide closure to a family after 50 years is a remarkable thing, he said. DeSalvos family said this new evidence still doesnt prove he was involved in Sullivans death. A spokesman from the Suffolk County district attorneys office said the investigation was funded by a federal grant for cold-case investigations in Boston. The grant helped Boston police resolve seven unsolved homicides. ALSO: Arizona fire: Report says most buildings lacked brush clearance Detroit bankruptcy: Enough is enough, governor says of decline Dzhokhar Tsarnaev photos: Police photographer faces internal inquiry benjamin.mueller@latimes.com Twitter: @benjmueller A new Laois based Ukrainian Choir will perform in a special free concert in Portlaoise later this month. Inter-generational Ukrainian Choir - Mallows - was set up in January under the Ukrainian Health and Well Being Support fund of Laois County Council. Co-ordinated and facilitated by Music Generation Laois, the choir are meeting twice-weekly in Laois Music Centre under the direction of Nataliia Rehesha, a choral director from Kyiv who has been living with her family in Laois since March 2022. The choir has brought about a new network of Ukrainians living in Laois, creating a space for them to support each other and express their rich culture in singing traditional Ukrainian songs. The formation of the choir sparked an idea to have a Community Concert with groups who work with Music Generation Laois throughout the year in various programmes across the county. The free concert takes place in SS Peter & Pauls Church, Portlaoise on Friday, March 31 at 5pm. Taking part are Mallows Ukrainian Choir; The Heath NS Childrens Choir MGL Whole Classroom Singing Programme; Children from Laois Partnership After-Schools Programmes; Uilleann Pipes Quartet MGL Trad Programme; MGL Transition Year Music Ensemble; Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Rathdowney Mens Sheds MGL/Healthy Ireland Programme. This concert promises to be a fantastic community event, bringing together a diverse range of musical genres and performers. Free admission, donations welcome. The event is supported by Healthy Ireland/Department of Health, Laois County Council, Laois Offaly Education and Training Board Further Education and Training Centre and Local Creative Youth Partnership, Laois Partnership/CYPSE, Music Generation. As Ryan Tubridy leaves the Late Late Show on RTE attention has turned to who will get the biggest on Irish TV and a Laois woman is among the bookie's favourites. Mountrath woman Claire Byrne is among the favourites to land the job which Ryan has done for 14 years and was previously filled by broadcasting giants Gay Byrne and Pat Kenny. Bookmaker Ladbrokes say there is mounting interest in who will replace Tubriday in the presenters chair. They've installed Prime Time anchor Miriam OCallaghan as the 3/1 while Claire Byrne is also in the running at 6/1 to make a return to TV, after stepping back from Claire Byrne Live late last year. If she does make the cut, Claire would be the first host from, as the Dubs might put it, 'down the country' to host the flagship show on a permanent basis. Gay, Pat and Ryan were all true blues. She would also be the first woman to anchor the Late Late on a full time basis. The late Marion Finnucane did host it temporarily at one point. The Laois native has written previously about being inspired by Late Late legend 'Gaybo' who was the first and longest presenter of the hit show. She spoke about how he inspired and entertained her as a child and advised her as an adult. "I can't remember who asked me if Im related to Gay Byrne. I know I was around 20 and working as a young journalist in the Channel Islands. "I know I paused before answering, considering that this person would probably never know if I claimed that Gay was my uncle. But in the end, I confessed that we were not related. "Years later, when I told Gay the story, he said we were all Wicklow Byrnes anyway and most likely related some way back. "Thats become my new answer and if I ever get round to doing my family tree, maybe there will be a link somewhere - and how proud I would be if that were the case. "Like most people of my generation in Ireland, I grew up watching Gay Byrne presenting The Late Late Show. I was raised on the distinctive signature tune of his groundbreaking radio show. Hearing it often meant it was a day off school and the dulcet tones of Gay were as comforting as the smell of my mothers morning baking. "When I was 12, I got my hands on a copy of The Time of My Life, the book written about Gay, with his cooperation, by Deirdre Purcell. I devoured it. "The story of the working class boy who learned his craft, climbed the ranks, took ownership of his destiny and became unassailable as the great interviewer of his time. For a 12-year-old who had ambitions beyond her reach, it was grist to the mill. "I began to study his body language on the show, he didnt reach his right arm across to the guest because that might exclude the audience. He made the studio audience feel that they were there with him, part of a team and the guest was visiting all of them, not just the presenter. "As I write this, I am telling myself that these are lessons I need to be cognisant of every time I step onto the studio floor. "In later years, Gay would remind me to speak slowly and clearly, never to forget that radio listeners are joining you by choice and they need to be looked after," she said. In the tribute written when Gay Byrne died in 2019, she said she was making a big career decision to join RTE. "I called Gay. He spent a long time asking me was I happy, what were my ambitions, what would I find fulfilling and then finally advised me to go to RTE and see where it led me. Ever since, Gay kept an eye on me, checking in from time to time, making sure I was alright and happy. "When a show ends and the lights come down in a TV studio, you instinctively know whether its been a good programme or one to file under 'could do better'. "But the best nights were the ones when you got the text from Gay. The message might just say 'well done you' or 'powerful' but it meant so much. "My 12-year-old self is sitting in my childhood bedroom not quite believing that the man who was a giant of my formative years would deign to send me messages of support - I feel a great privilege. "We all have days when you doubt yourself and your ability, those are the days when having those little notes of support are like an antidote to the self-doubt. "For me, Gay Byrne was the best interviewer of his generation and of mine. A couple of months ago, he texted me to congratulate me on a difficult and emotional programme that I had presented. "My reply to him was, Gay, if only you knew that I strove to do it just as you would. And in truth, Im still learning from him. "Thank you Gay - for the public masterclass and the personal support," she concluded. The Brigidine Covent Mountrath past pupil currently presents the main RTE current affairs show on Radio 1 a job previously done by past late late presenter Pat Kenny. Ray DArcy is an 8/1 sho to take over the Late Late Show gig, as are Brendan OConnor and Tommy Tiernan who can be backed at 10/1 and 16/1 respectively. Sarah McInerney is priced at 18/1 and the bookies are also offering odds of 18/1 for Love Island winner Greg OShea, the recently announced co-host of Virgin Medias Six OClock show, to make the jump to RTE for the Late Late Show job. Ladbrokes has also reported interest in Marty Morrissey but is an outsider at 33/1. Ryan Tubridy spoke about leaving in a statement from RTE. "It has been a privilege to host the national institution that is the Late Late Show for the last fourteen years. I want to thank the tremendous teams of producers, researchers, crew and executives who have done the hard work to keep the show on the road over the years. Many have become dear friends. "Also, to the viewers, I am so grateful for the loyalty you have shown to the Late Late Show, week in, week out. Not only did you raise 30 million for Irish charities including over 15 million for children's charities all over the island that are particularly close to my heart, but you showed incredible generosity of spirit for which I am profoundly grateful. I was often touched by the kind comments of viewers stopping me on the street or at the supermarket on a Saturday to say 'thank you' or 'well done' for highlighting an issue that affected them or their families on the previous night's show. Go raibh maith agaibh. "And finally, to my family who stood by me every day of every week, year in, year out. To my daughters especially, they put up with so much and I am as grateful to them as I am awestruck by them," he said. RTE has not yet made any decision regarding the next presenter of the Late Late Show. An announcement will be made later in the summer. The school community in Shanahoe are looking for local and Laois support when they take to the catwalk to raise vital funds for the school. Shanahoe NS presents their first spring-summer Fashion Show in the renovated Community Hall Shanahoe at the end of march. Stores that will be showcased on the night will include Boutique Ladybelle, Shaws Department Stores, Fyffes Abbeyleix, World of Sparkles and Born. They are looking forward to the big night on Friday, March 31 with the first models stepping out at 8pm. "It promises to be a really great night with a complimentary cheese and wine reception from 7.15 pm on arrival and a raffle in which the main prize is a makeover worth 300," say the organisers. Photography will be by Katie Boner and the school thanks main sponsors Kirwan Haulage for their very generous support for the event. "Many thanks for your support for our school community, it very much appreciated," they say. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment! Tickets are 25. Contact 087 9178556. MBABANE Hhukwini MP Nkhanyeti Ngwenya resigned from Destiny Group seven months ago. He was a director of Destiny Group Propriety Limited. In 2016/2017, Destiny entered into a joint venture with BXB/EOH to supply and install electronics at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Ezulwini. The partnership is known as BEB Joing Venture (JV). In an interview, MP Ngwenya said he was not a director of Destiny in 2018 when he was elected by the people of Hhukwini to be a legislator. He said he made the disclosure when he became the director. This was post-2018 elections. He said he was not a shareholder to assume ownership of Destiny, but merely a director. You can be a director of a company even if you dont own it, said MP Ngwenya. I did not have shares. He said the tender at ICC was not based on an agreement with government, but the KISS Joint Venture (JV), which was the trio of Kukhanya Civil Engineering, Inyatsi Construction and Stefanutti Stocks. contract He said the DEB was a subcontractor to the KISS Joint Venture. KISS Joint Venture had a contract with the Government of Eswatini. It must be said that it was the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development that engaged the engineers to evaluate the tenders that were submitted for the installation of electronics at ICC. The actual money spent on the ICC project as at March 31, 2021, is E2 255 983 000 and the total estimated cost of the project is E4 484 109 000. The Five-Star Hotel (FISH) is estimated to cost E2 580 086 000 and its current expenditure as at March 31, 2021 stood at E1 846 439 000. Asked on why he had to resign from a company that appeared to be doing well in the market, the Hhukwini MP who happens to be the current portfolio committees chair of chairs said there was nothing untoward about his resignation. You become or you decide not to become a director, he said. He resigned on July 21, 2022. For other politicians information, it is stated in Section 97 (1) (g) that a person does not qualify to be appointed, elected or nominated as the case may be, a senator or member of the House if that person is a party to, or is a partner in, a firm or a director or manager, of a company which is a party to any subsisting government contract and has not made the required disclosure of: (i) the nature of the contract; (ii) the interest of that person in the contract; (iii) the interest of that firm or company in the contract. According to the Constitution, the elected members of the House shall make disclosure to the Speaker while senators should report their relationship with companies to the Senate president. This is not enough as the supreme law provides that the disclosure shall be posted conspicuously for a period of at least one month within the Parliament building. In terms of the Constitution, government contract means any contract with the government for or on any account of the public service, the consideration for which exceeds E5 000 or such other amount as Parliament may prescribe or which forms part of a larger transaction or series of transactions in respect of which the amount or value or the aggregate amount or value of the transaction exceeds E5 000. Section 60 (2) of the Public Procurement Act of 2011 provides that public officers and politicians shall not participate as tenderers in public procurement. Subsection (1) states that all public officers and politicians who have responsibilities for procurement shall: (a) Always act in the public interest and in accordance with the objectives and procedures set out in this Act and public procurement regulations; (b) Exercise powers and discharge duties for a proper purpose consistent with their responsibilities and with the degree of care and diligence that a reasonable person would exercise in similar circumstances; (c) Discharge duties impartially so as to assure fair competitive access to the public procurement by tenderers; (d) Not use their position or information obtained because of their position improperly to gain advantage for themselves or someone else or cause a detriment to a procurement activity or decision; (e) Not interfere with or exert undue influence on any person to affect a procurement activity or decision; (f) At all times, avoid conflicts or interest and the appearance of conflict of interest. Asked if he was aware that MP Ngwenya was a director of a company that has a government contract through a joint venture, Dr Tambo Gina, the Minister of Economic Planning and Development, said such information was news to him. I am honestly not aware that he is a director of the company you have just mentioned to me, the minister, who was in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could only say in a brief interview. Destinys face has been Tom Lin, the Managing Director and Director. Lin advised the Times SUNDAY to contact the main project management team or government for any updates or clarity. Among other things, he had been asked about its joint venture with EOH, which was beleaguered in corruption accusations in South Africa. This resulted in EOH being hauled before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption, Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State, better known as the Zondo Commission or State Capture. Speaker Petros Mavimbela said he was not quite sure who declared his assets and directorship in 2018, but there were some MPs who did. difficult Its difficult to single out a name because that was done through the office of the clerk, the Speaker said. Benedict Xaba, the Clerk to Parliament, said MP Ngwenya did submit a letter of declaration on his position with Destiny. He said he did not actually recall when he submitted the letter. He did not respond to the question on why such declarations were not posted conspicuously for at least a month within the Parliament building. In another development, the installation of electronics at the ICC was expected to cost government a sum of E72.6 million. The tender was given to the BXB/EOH & Destiny JV. In his affidavit to the Commission of Inquiry into the State Capture in South Africa, marked Flow of Funds Exhibit W1, Stephen van Coller, the new Chief Executive Officer of EOH, declared that there was indeed an over-pricing of services to the National Treasury. To solve the problem, it signed an agreement with the Special Investigating Unit to repay E42 million to the Department of Defence. According to the affidavit, the new management, under van Coller engaged a law firm, ENSafrica to institute an enquiry, which unearthed wrongdoing that included the following: * Artificial/inflated software licence sales; * Potential tender irregularities; * Use of politically connected middlemen who are suspected to have been used as introducers and sales agents; * Payments of E1.2 billion made to subcontractors and no evidence that work was done; * Suspicion that potential irregular payments could stand at approximately E865 million. EOH whose revenue was E11.28 billion in 2020, with its operating income at E2.5 billion, is one of South Africas largest technology companies. Its subsidiaries include; EOH Mthombo (Pty) Ltd, EOH Network Services, Rothwell International and Mehleketo Resourcing (Pty) Ltd. The current Chairperson of EOH Holdings is a liSwati and former civil servant Andrew Fana Bambaphansi Mthembu, who joined the Board in 2019. However, he resumed his chairmanship duties in February 2020. It has been also been discovered that there is no mention of the Eswatini project in EOHs financial records from in 2016-2020. In its restructuring process, EOH is now suing its own founder and former CEO Asher Bohbot and Chief Financial Officer E1.7 billion in damages apiece of their alleged failure to effectively deal with management breaches. In August 2022, it was reported that EOH was being sued E136 million by liquidators of one of its subsidiaries, Mehleketo Resourcing. On the other hand, BXB Electronics, which is part of the JV, is a company based in Taiwan. It is a manufacturer and exporter of PC and conference systems, specialising in IP camera, intrusion detection, intercoms, transmission, among other things. established It has been established that BXB/EOH & Destiny submitted a successful tender to the Eswatini Government, which was represented by the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. This was in 2016. The project is still ongoing at the ICC in Ezulwini. It could not be established if EOH is still active in the JV, but projects it executed in South Africa were used to back up the tender document submitted to the Eswatini Government. The projects, at that time, which it listed in the tender document, were worth E18 million. Those who are privy to bidding said the tender was awarded to the JV and the audit is carried out on the basis of it. In fact, they said the job was awarded on the basis of the JV. Its business profile is said to have given weight to the bid for the job. It has to be revealed that the projects undertaken by EOH, which were included in its references were; the fixing of the network cabling, data services, renovations and maintenance of BP Chevron. It also worked on cabling, maintenance and data centre services for Paarl Media. The tender evaluators remarked: Based on the magnitude of the projects they have completed and those they are currently busy with, this tenderer is considered capable of successfully undertaking and completing the project on time, if awarded. There was a concern though by the engineers evaluating the ICC tender that BXB/EOH & Destiny did not provide completion dates for the projects. Initially, funds that were availed for the ICC electronic project amounted to E58 527 501.59. However, the two tendering companies proposed figures that were above the available funds. Commit/Fure-Lin Engineering submitted a tender price of E125.9 million, while BXB/EOH & Destiny JV fixed theirs at E72.6 million. declaration In their declaration, the engineers evaluating the tenders recommended the acceptance of the JV of BXB/EOH & Destiny for the sum of E72 603 090.59. This was inclusive of value added tax (VAT), which was to be charged at E8 916 169.02. The price (E125.9 million) submitted by Commit/ Fure-Lin Engineering JV, which competed with BXB/EOH & Destiny was 88 per cent above the engineers estimate. The price (E72.6 million) submitted by BXB/EOH and Destiny JV was nine per cent above the engineers estimate. This was attributed to currency fluctuations, which could exert upward pressure on tender prices. It was said that components in the scope of work were largely imported. In its conclusion with regard to pricing, the tender evaluators said the price submitted by Commit/ Fure-Lin Engineering Company JV was excessive. Consequently, they opted for BXB/EOH& Destiny JV. Laois County Council will soon advertise four serviced sites for 30,000 each. The serviced sites will be made available to anyone who is looking to build a home on them. They wont be sold to developers or anyone not seeking to live on the site. Laois Assistant Senior Engineer at Housing, Trevor Hennessy said the council was examining other locations across the county as potential sites. He said the council will advertise four sites, each on just under .2 of an acre, in Ballyroan for 30,000 each.The true value of the sites is 35,000, he explained. The council has made the sites ready and will apply under the governments Croi Conaithe fund to recoup the cost to the council. We will sell the site at a discount and then claim the money back, he told the meeting. Mr Hennessy said the council had carried out a survey which indicated the greatest interest in such sites was in the Abbeyleix and Portlaoise areas. Cllr Barry Walsh welcomed the move but asked what was left to be done by potential homeowners. Mr Hennessy said the Irish Water connection was the only thing that needed to be done. He estimated the cost at between 2,000 and 3,000 per site. Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley asked what would happen if there was a lot of interest in the site. Mr Hennessy said if there is a large volume of interest the council may have to consider criteria such as local applicants but for now no criteria has been set and the sites are available to all bar developers. Cllr John Joe Fennelly expressed his belief that it was a great initiative. I think it is great. I think you will have a lot of interest, he remarked. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald expressed her hope that the initiative would be successful and spreads to other areas of Laois. I am looking forward to it and I think it is a good opportunity for young people, she said. She asked if there would be any restrictions on the type of dwellings. Mr Hennessy explained that the planning process would still be required for anyone seeking to build. He said the issue of house type would be an issue for the planners. Cllr Willie Aird also welcomed the initiative and see young people needed to be given some hope because he didnt anticipate any affordable housing in Portlaoise. We wont have affordable housing and we wont have serviceable sites and I do think we need to be looking at it, he said. He asked if the scheme would qualify for use on derelict sites in the county. If there is a structure on it it wouldnt come under this, said Mr Hennessy. Portlaoise county councillors have slammed the mind boggling decision to place the building of Kolbe Special School on hold. Members of the Portlaoise Municipal District agreed to write to the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and all relevant ministers at the latest meeting of the municipal district. We have to get those letters to those people because our county council meeting is not till the last Monday of the month. We need to get back confirmation, yes or no, said Cllr Willie Aird. Then lets see what action the council can take, as Catherine(Cllr Fitzgerald) said by way of a deputation. I would certainly go to protest outside the Dail, absolutely, no question, he said. I couldnt believe it when I heard it and I know an awful lot of my colleagues would be the same. Of all the places to pull the money. Its mind boggling from that point of view, he said. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald described the decision to put the school building on hold as absolutely disgraceful decision and said any measures to help the school should be supported. The most vulnerable children in our community. The way they have been treated, and their families and the workers up there. I fully support everything we can do as councillors, she said. She said the school has been left behind for years and then when their hopes were built up the rug was pulled from under them. Cllr Barry Walsh said the decision to place the project on hold was very disappointing. The recent announcement has caused a great distress for all of the students and parents and staff, he said. We have a motion in that the tender process be expedited without further delay, he said. The motion was unanimously agreed. It goes to show how the government value the most vulnerable in society, said Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. We can no longer accept that the most vulnerable in our society will be treated in such as disgraceful way, she said. Agreeing with her fellow councillors, Cllr Marie Tuohy said her initial reaction on hearing the news was anger. It is just absolutely disgraceful. They say society is measured on how they treat their most vulnerable. Well, thats an indictment on the decision-makers. Not alone should the funding be returned, the whole process should be fast tracked, she said. Cllr John Joe Fennelly said he believed there would be a move in April. We all know families that are involved there and certainly them and their children dont deserve this, he said. The Department of Education has said it is consulting with the Department of Public Expenditure on plans for Kolbe and 58 other schools. The Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohue has said he wants to check if there is enough money in a 12 billion pot to pay for Kolbe and the other schools around Ireland. The new Kolbe School has planning permission, designs are in place and it has been costed at 9 million. The school provides education for about 40 children with profound learning and other disabilities. It largely relies on prefabs on the Block Road in Portlaoise. A man who stole money from two women in Co Leitrim by deception was given an additional four year prison sentence to run alongside a prison sentence he is currently serving. Appearing at this term's sitting of Carrick-on-Shannon Circuit Court was Martin Sweeney, Tunnavialla, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo on a plea of guilty to theft of 300 from Margo Callaghan, on February 1, 2018, at The Grove, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of 700 from Elizabeth Byrne on November 23, 2020, at Killymehin, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. Donal Keane BL, for the State, told the court Mr Sweeney offered his services to repair a fence at Ms Callaghan's house. She gave him 300 in cash to get replacement materials but the work was not carried out. Mr Sweeney gave various excuses on the phone and to date the works have not been carried out. In relation to Ms Byrne, she gave him 700 for materials for work to be carried out on her shed. He returned the following day looking for another 300 but she felt she was being duped by him and didn't give him any more money. She asked for the return of her money but he said the majority of it had been spent on a skip and an electrician. To date, the work has not been carried out and she has not been recompensed. Mr Sweeney, the court was told, has a lengthy list of 67 previous convictions from 2001 to the present - 19 for theft and fraud offences, two for blackmail extortion, two for forgery, six for public order offences, and the majority of the remainder for road traffic offences. Mr Sweeney has served prison sentences in 2003, 2007 and 2018 and last January at Sligo Circuit Court he was given a four year sentence for deception with the final two years suspended for five years. Patrick O'Sullivan BL, instructed by Tony McLynn solicitor, said that from 2017 on Mr Sweeney's life had spiralled out of control and he began to get in trouble again with the authorities. Judge John Aylmer noted he also got in trouble in 2016, '15, '14, '12, '11 and '09, going by his convictions. Mr O'Sullivan said Mr Sweeney got married in 2010 and there was a change in his behaviour. However, he said alcoholism had a very negative impact on him. He said Mr Sweeney was never going to drink again and is committed to changing his ways. He also said Mr Sweeney is also not going to engage further in any decorating business. Mr O'Sullivan said the cases of deception for which he has previous convictions were for taking deposits from people and not going back or not completing the jobs. He said the total came to less than 10,000 from multiple small deceptions, each offence of a very similar nature. He said these occurred in 2019 and 2020 and said Mr Sweeney had lost complete control of himself at that time. Judge Aylmer indicated that he wanted to see Judge Johnsons order for the defendant in relation to similar offences, for which Mr Sweeney is currently serving a prison term. He said he would dispose of the charges in the same way as Judge Johnson. When the matter came back before the court, Judge Aylmer imposed a four year prison sentence on each count and suspended the final two years on each for a period of five years. The prison sentence was backdated to January 1, 2023 so it could run alongside his current prison sentence. During his suspended term he will be bound to keep the peace and must be of good behaviour. When released from prison, he is to come under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months. He must also engage in an alcohol treatment programme and refrain from consuming alcohol for five years. During this time he must provide urine samples as requested. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victims in this matter. Further to that, he was ordered to pay 1,000 compensation in equal annual installments of 250 from the first anniversary of his release from prison; 30% of the compensation will go to Margaret Callaghan and 70% to Elizabeth Byrne. Indian industrialists are betting big on solar energy. The country's two richest men, Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani, are investing heavily. The latest big announcement came on March 3, when Ambani committed to developing 10 gigawatts (GW) of capacity in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. India already ranks fifth in the world, with over 60 GW of installed solar capacity. A series of megaprojects as well as small units have been developed in recent years. The massive Bhadla solar park in the Rajasthan desert is considered the largest in the world, boasting more than 10 million solar panels spanning 5,700 hectares and offering a total capacity of 2.25 GW. India has already given the green light to build more than 50 solar farms across the country. Since 2015, the Cochin Airport in Kerala has been able to boast of being the first to be operated entirely on solar energy. At the same time, the government is also focusing on decentralized projects by encouraging individuals to use rooftops to connect to the grid. The South Asian giant has set ambitious targets for renewable energy. It's the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and on its way to becoming the most populous country on the planet. But India hopes to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070. To reach this goal, it wants to install 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Today, 42% of installed capacity is renewable, but about 70% of India's electricity continues to be generated from coal-fired plants. Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Solar energy is being harnessed everywhere (except France) Ajouter a vos selections Ajouter a vos selections Pour ajouter larticle a vos selections identifiez-vous Sinscrire gratuitement Se connecter Vous possedez deja un compte ? Reduce dependence on China "From 2 GW of renewable capacity in 2014, we have gone to 100 GW in less than a decade, which is considerable progress," said Swati Dsouza, an energy specialist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. And even if India does not reach its targets, "thanks to these ambitions, a clear signal has been sent to the business world and has helped to put India on a trajectory," said the analyst. The government is counting on the private sector and putting financial incentives in place. More than a dozen companies including Tata Power and Ambani's conglomerate, Reliance Industries responded on March 3 to a call for tenders to receive 2.24 billion in government subsidies to manufacture solar panels and help reduce dependence on China. The aim is both to meet national needs and to be able to export panels. However, Adani, a major player in India's photovoltaic industry, did not respond to the call. The tycoon is seeking to preserve cash after the stock market meltdown caused by fraud charges from US investment research firm Hindenburg Research. The conglomerate said in 2020 that it would invest more than 18 billion in renewable energy by 2030, with a goal of reaching 45 GW of capacity. The group's setbacks could therefore compromise India's ambitions, especially since the country "must move up a gear, particularly because of the explosion in energy demand in recent years," Dsouza warned. MALACHY McCourt, one of the more notable Limerick characters, spoke about being kicked out of a hospice for not dying fast enough on Brendan OConnors RTE Radio One show. Malachy has undertaken a lot in his 91 years dabbling in acting, writing, campaigning, politics, broadcasting and even owned a popular New York City pub at one point. He said he was kicked out of a hospice for not dying quickly enough as is the rule in America. You get six weeks or six months, I forget, he said on the radio show. I didnt die so they said okay out you go I got the boot, he added. He was diagnosed seven or eight years ago with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) which is a rare condition and a muscular disease where your muscles waste away. Malachy has more recently been diagnosed with cancer (prostate and skin). Im a walking medical miracle, still alive but not walking, he laughed. Malachy was born in the United States but was raised in Limerick. His brother Frank won a Pulitzer Prize for his account of his childhood in Limerick called Angelas Ashes. He mentioned that life in Limerick was quite miserable growing up. What saved us was the library coming to Limerick, we couldnt imagine all the books in it, Malachy said and spoke about how he got kicked out of the local library as a child. He humoured how his library days finished when a classmate asked could he read a book Malachy was about to return to the library. The next day his classmate said the book was stolen and thats how he got kicked out of the library. Seventy years later I brought them a book to replace the one that had been taken years ago. They were hysterical laughing at the whole thing. They made me a lifetime member of the Limerick library after the whole thing, he laughed. He also spoke about his friendship with Richard Harris and how growing up the two would have been from a completely different class background. The likes of me wouldnt be allowed in where they were, Malachy said about where Harris lived in Limerick. The two met years later in New York where they became friends and travelled around Europe together. At the end of the interview, Malachy wished the best to Limerick before ending the call with Brendan O'Connor. THE VIEWS from the ferry of the billowing steam from the pillars of Tarbert Power Station, crossing the Shannon Estuary will soon be no more. Tarbert Power Station is set to shut off its turbines by the end of 2023, in line with current environmental requirements set out by the EU. SSE employs 1000 people in Ireland and its business includes owning and operating 28 wind farms totalling 890MW across the island. While the existing plant will cease operations this year, SSE Thermal has already outlined plans for a new power station at the site with a generating capacity of up to 300MW, which would initially run on sustainable biofuel with the potential to convert to hydrogen in the future. In preparation for closure, SSE Thermal has now commenced a redundancy consultation process with 37 staff at the Tarbert site. SSE will work to ensure, where possible, that employees are redeployed across other parts of the group, including potential future projects at the Tarbert site itself. Where the redeployment of staff is not possible, SSE will offer employees release on enhanced terms. Catherine Raw, Managing Director of SSE Thermal, said: We believe the Tarbert Power Station site itself can be home to a new generation of low-carbon flexible power assets. I would like to thank the team at Tarbert for their contribution. They can take pride in their stewardship of the plant, and as a company, she added. LIMERICK is paving the way for inspirational restoration initiatives, it seems, after a delegation from Malta were so impressed, that feeling completely at home was mentioned. To learn more about social and economic schemes in regeneration areas of Limerick, a team representing the Maltese government recently visited projects in Ballinacurra Weston, Southill, St Marys Park and Moyross. The Maltese Foundation of Social Welfare Services (FSWS), a department of Maltese Government, took Limerick inspiration due to a similar regeneration project that is currently underway in their capital, Valletta. Alfred Grixti, Chief Executive Officer of the Maltese FSWS was particularly impressed by Limericks Moyross Youth Academy. He said: I felt completely at home there. I used to teach in a trade school and we were often treated as the Cinderella of the educational system but they are very needed, Mr Grixti said of his own experience. Very much needed and its only a matter of realising what we have lost. Part of the European Union (EU) programme is to visit other EU countries and to translate similarities into practices, such as this. Commenting, Tiernan ONeill, Social Coordinator of Limerick Regeneration, said: It was fantastic to be able to showcase the wonderful social initiatives that are happening across the four regeneration communities. The Maltese delegation were hugely impressed by the initiatives that are enabling children and families to maximise their life opportunities. The entire city of Valletta is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a population of just over six thousand people, while the total population of Malta is less than half a million. The Valletta Regeneration scheme is EU funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with a budget of just over 1m. A MAN has been airlifted to University Hospital Limerick after falling from a cliff in Ballybunion. Volunteer organisation Ballybunion Rescue said they received a call-out at 4.43pm on Saturday. "Our pagers were activated for a member of the public who had fallen from the cliffs on the mens beach side of the Castle Green. Medical treatment was provided by the team, which included a paramedic and emergency medical technicians. "The casualty was prepared for transport ready for Rescue 115 who had landed on the beach and airlifted him to University Limerick Hospital," said a post on the Facebook page of Ballybunion Rescue who wished the casualty a speedy recovery. One local, who came upon the scene, told Limerick Live that the man aged in his 50s "fell half way down the cliff". "He was very dazed but started to come around. He must have got some fright. Thankfully there was a couple walking near where he fell at the time and raised the alarm. "He hit three different places on the way down. All his limbs were moving so hopefully he is OK. "Ballybunion Rescue and the Coast Guard were amazing," they said. Gardai from Listowel and the Ballybunion Unit of the Irish Coast Guard also assisted in the emergency response. A LOVING Limerick couple who were devoted to each other for almost three quarters of a century will be laid to rest together on Monday. Terence (Terry) and Maureen (Mary) Byrnes, from Watergate in Limerick city, passed away just 25 hours apart after 70 happy years. "They are together in heaven as they were for 70 years in this life. May God comfort you all at this heartbreaking time," reads one of many tributes on rip.ie Mr and Mrs Byrnes died peacefully at Millbrae Lodge Nursing Home, Newport, surrounded by their loving family earlier this week. Reposing at Cross's Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, this Mother's Day, Sunday, March 19 from 3pm to 5pm. Their joint funeral Mass takes place at St Michael's Church, Denmark Street, on Monday at 11am followed by burial at Mount St Lawrence (extension) Cemetery. They will be lovingly remembered by their children Mary Madden, Ger, Margaret O'Neill-Clancy, Dianne O'Sullivan, Evelyn McNamara and Noel, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives and their many friends. "May they both rest in peace, united in love forever," reads their joint death notice. Many tributes have been paid on rip.ie including, "Great memories of the nicest couple I have ever met"; "a love story to continue in heaven with each other"; and "rest in peace beautiful lady Maureen and gentleman Terence". When Farm Relief Services was first established in 1971, the aim was to give farmers a competent relief milking service to enable farm families to have an occasional weekend off, or during sickness or holidays, secure in the knowledge that their cows would be milked efficiently to a high standard. Based in Cahir, the Farm Relief Service has expanded and diversified beyond the expectations of the original instigators. The range of services now provided for its users include: Farm Services: Hoof care Relief milking Cattle weighing Cow Scanning Farm Fencing Quad Spraying Freeze Branding Grass Measuring Soil Sampling General Farm Labour Our Farm Operatives are fully insured while working on farms and in general the operatives themselves come from a farming background so have an in-depth knowledge of farming and the various farming enterprises. 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FREE QUOTATION SERVICE Creosoted Posts 25 year guarantee Swedish redwood Octo Creosoted posts 25 year guarantee Kiln dried & treated grant spec posts Kiln dried incised 15yr warranty permaposts Kiln dried incised pine posts UC4 25 year warranty Tanalised posts Versalok and Clipex posts CAHIR CO. TIPPERARY E21 XN44 CONTACT Phone: 052 7441598 Email: info@frscahir.ie You can view all these products and more on our online shop www.frsdirect.ie Delivery Nationwide Free Delivery over 100 Click & Collect Option Sales Reps: David Ryan 087 7072007 David Breen 087 9768922 Erica O'Keeffe 087 7066771 *Sponsored Content Amazon.com Inc. is in advanced talks to acquire MX Player, the video streaming platform owned by Times Internet, three people with direct knowledge of the development confirmed. The US e-commerce giant has hired one of the Big Four accounting firms to carry out due diligence of MX Player exclusively, and the process is expected to take 30-40 days, one of the three people said, requesting anonymity. A deal could happen within two months if all goes well, the second person said, also declining to be named. The talks have been on for a while," said the person. Earlier, Times Internet was asking for over $100 million for MX Player, while Amazons internal team valued it at around 500 crore ($60 million). The deal is likely to be in the range of 600-900 crore." Queries sent to spokespeople for Amazon and MX Player remained unanswered till press time. Amazon owns the subscription streaming service Prime Video and an ad-supported MiniTV service in India. Amazon launched the free MiniTV service in May 2021 within the Amazon shopping app for Android phone users, which was later offered to iPhone users as well. Prime Video targets top SEC (socio-economic classes) segments and is bundled with the Prime subscription, which also offers free shipping on eligible items and ad-free music apart from video content. However, for miniTV, there is no subscription required, and it is targeted at the masses with smartphones and data connections. The addition of MX Player will give a massive boost to Amazons AVoD (advertiser video-on-demand) business. MX Player was initially developed by a South Korean app developer as a media player for downloaded videos. In 2018, Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd (BCCL)-owned Times Internet, acquired MX Player for 1,000 crore (around $140 million at that time) to mark its entry into video streaming after a couple of failed attempts, including BoxTV. MX Player was later relaunched as an ad-supported video streaming app. The biggest advantage the player had was that it was already present in over 100 million users smartphones and was clocking 50 million daily users at that time. Today, MX Player claims over 300 million users globally. However, the company, which last raised around $111 million in a funding round led by Chinese internet giant Tencent, has not been able to generate enough cash for a while to fund expansion, and Times Internet has been selling off some of its businesses. In February last year, the company sold its short-video platform MX Takatak to Temasek-backed ShareChat. In May 2022, Times Internet sold Dineout to Swiggy in a stock deal, while later in December, it sold lifestyle publicationsMensXP and iDivaand an influencer marketing firm Hypp to Mensa Brands. BENGALURU : Last week, when Rajesh Gopinathan resigned as the chief executive of Tata Consultancy Services, Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran accepted his resignation without a demur, indicating that the differences between the mentor and the successor over how Indias largest software services firm was being run had reached an impasse, multiple people close to the situation said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Issues ranging from certain aspects of Gopinathans management style to some of the strategic decisions taken by the company and relative underperformance had become enduring sources of stress and the CEO ultimately might have picked up on the sense of waning enthusiasm for his leadership from the group chairman, these people said. Gopinathan has steered TCS to grow its quarterly revenue from $4.45 billion at the end of March 2017 to $7.075 billion at the end of the December quarter, an impressive 59% growth. But Infosys reported a faster growth than TCS in 2020, 2021 and 2022, while Accenture, too, reported higher growth than TCS in 2021 and 2022. Under Gopinathans watch, TCS is expected to add $10 billion in incremental revenue between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2023 (TCS declares its fourth-quarter and full-year numbers on 12 April). But during this same period, Infosys will add at least $8.5 billion in incremental revenue. Put simply: The gap between TCS and Infosys is closing even though TCS, which ended with $25.7 billion in revenue last year, is comfortably ahead of Infosys, which ended with $16.3 billion in revenue. Accenture, which ended with $61.5 billion in revenue last year, added more than $30 billion in new business in the last six years. A Tata Sons spokesperson declined to comment on the development. One of the aspects of Gopinathans management style that ultimately became a liability for him was that he could be abrasive in review meetings without regard to the seniority of the person at the receiving end. This had rubbed a number of senior leaders at TCS the wrong way. This was felt acutely also because it was in sharp departure to the style of his predecessor, who balanced being tough and demanding with a personal outreach that built loyalty over the years and across the ranks. Another difference, one person who has observed both senior leaders in TCS CEO roles observed, was that while Chandra weaved client visits into his work regime and would not hesitate to wait at the door" of a client, Gopinathan preferred to meet the chief executives of the companys customers, including large banks and retailers. But what made TCSs senior leadership team most upset was that the outgoing boss always kept an eagles eye on the bottom line and margins, even willing to forsake multi-million-dollar orders to protect margins". You have to grow your top line (sales revenue) and sacrifice margins at times to optimize fixed costs," one executive said. While a CEO has to balance topline growth with margins, in an aggressive market for tech services where others found ways to be flexible, this led to TCS losing some substantial contracts. To be sure, Chandrasekarans unhappiness over what can be called relative underperformance of TCS compared to Accenture Plc. and Infosys Ltd is not new. In November 2021, Mint reported that Chandra had expressed his displeasure at a strategic meeting in Switzerland in August that year on the companys slow growth compared to peers. At TCSs annual strategy meeting in Doha last month, there was no bitterness between Chandra and Gopinathan, Mint reported last week, citing three executives familiar with the matter. Gopinathan offered to resign before the board, after which a three-member nomination and remuneration committee, headed by former State Bank of India chairman Om Prakash Bhatt put company veteran K. Krithivasan at the helm last Thursday. Chandrasekaran and Hanne Birgitte Breinbjerg Sorensen are the two other members of the panel. Chandrasekaran had confided about the change of guard at TCS with some members of the 10-member board of Tata Sons and kept Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata group, in the loop, one of the executives cited above said. But it was a gracious exit", keeping in mind the long relationship the two personalitiesChandra and Gopinathanenjoyed, he said. New Delhi: Startup deal volume in India plunged to a near nine-year low in February, underscoring a worsening funding winter in the startup ecosystem. Just one startup received funding every 10 hours during the month, compared with the peak just about a year ago when it happened every three hours, showed data collated by VCCEdge, the data research platform of VCCircle. Between 100 and 150 startups on average received angel investments and venture capital funding every month over the last eight calendar years. View Full Image Graphic: Mint In 2022, even as investors tightened their purse strings after the public market re-rating of technology companies in the West, on average, more than 120 ventures received funding every month. To be sure, most of the deals announced in the recent past were sealed months after they were formally negotiated. This shows that how despite growing concerns about valuations, startup deal volumes remained robust at more than 180 in the first quarter of 2022. Although the scenario turned uncertain thereafter, barring one or two months, 2022 managed to record on average, more than 100 deals every month. The new year began on a slow note, but deteriorated last month, showed the early data compiled by VCCEdge. While the big cheques of 2021 had all but disappeared last year, angel and seed-stage activity remained buoyant. This helped arrest the decline in the total number of startups receiving funding even as the total value of investments sank sharply last year. But, this, too, seems to be flagging now as per the last data. Last month, just 66 Indian startups raised a combined $471.6 million. There have been a few months in the past when the total funding value was lower than this, but deal volumes remained strong. In terms of funding value, February is the lowest since July 2020. Last months total deal value was propped up by fish and meat e-tailer FreshtoHome, which accounted for over a fifth of the total money. Meanwhile, February deal volumes was the lowest since June 2014, the first month under Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, which saw 65 deals. The government had been pushing startup activity in the country as a big win over the last few years. Concerns over sky-high valuations during 2021 when India crossed the milestone of having 100 unicorns, or startups with a valuation of $1 billion or more, grew as tech peers in the developed markets got re-rated, and had a domino impact on tech ventures in the country. As investors turned cautious, several startups have been facing a severe financial crunch. This has led to belt-tightening measures, including layoffs. Many others had to shut operations or were forced to merge with their peers. In the nineties, pioneers of Indian IT had to sell India before selling their services. Often, the first slide used to be a world map, with US and India marked out with airline routes. The pioneers sold well. Within three decades, we have crossed $300 billion in IT services exports and the trillion-dollar figure is within reach. Over the past three years, I have worked with multiple Japanese clients who are building businesses in India. This engagement accelerated after the management consulting firm I co-founded became part of a Tokyo-listed (and Singapore-headquartered) consulting and investment company. Over the past three months, I have met dozens of Japanese companies to understand their India plans. What I learnt may be summarized in three statements: One, many Japanese companies, and almost all conglomerates, are keen to invest in India. Two, many are unsure about how to enter India. Three, most are scared about the inherent ambiguities and uncertainties in the Indian market. Let me elaborate: One, nobody doubts the fundamental opportunity of the Indian market. In fact, one Japanese leader told us that after ChatGPT, India is the second most-discussed topic in Japanese boardrooms. Thirty years of growth and evangelization has re-established Bharat as the land of milk and honey. Establishing the opportunity is no longer the challenge. Two, there is significant confusion on how to enter India. We heard many questions: Do we acquire or build organically? Given the noise in the M&A market, how do we find the right targets? Can we manufacture in India, or should we import for the domestic market? Which state has the best incentives? Are consumers ready to pay for Japanese quality? Do we hire local leadership or send expatriates? Do we build ourselves or partner with a local player? How can we identify the right partner? These questions indicate that a standard playbook for the Japan-India corridor is yet to emerge. Three, there is a palpable sense of fear about the Indian market, which to the relatively orderly and disciplined Japanese, appears to be the embodiment of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.) This perception discourages Japanese companies from taking large bets on India. The resulting smaller and cautious bets (such as posting a few expat managers to scout the market) rarely lead to outsized returns and this creates a vicious cycle: lack of meaningful success stories discourage new bets. Therefore, the Japan-India corridor needs a different kind of pioneer from the West. The evangelization needs to focus on how to access the market and how to de-risk meaningful bets, rather than the opportunity. There are four ways to do this: First, industry-specific advocacy groups (such as Nasscom for IT) comprising individuals and companies with deep roots in Japan and India need to be built. The members of this group need to have deep experience and networks in both markets, and they need to run focused campaigns with Japanese companies on how to enter India and de-risk investments. While the relationship is well-established in auto and manufacturing, such advocacy groups are required for IT, deeptech, consumer products, and so on. Second, these advocacy groups must curate industry-specific lists of potential Indian partners. Having a body that is trusted by both parties that vets potential partners will help address the risk perceptions Japanese companies have on India. Third, there is an opportunity to build funds (both venture capital and private equity) focused on the Japan-India corridor. These funds should pool investments from Japanese companies and build a track record of successful investments in India, across sectors. This will help Japanese companies build confidence in the Indian market while avoiding direct exposure. Finally, there is space for specialized advisers, who have networks, capabilities and experience in both markets, to emerge as facilitators in the Japan-India corridor. These advisers need to be committed to this corridor, as given the cultural and linguistic nuances, customized solutions are necessary. These advisers should help build the standard playbook for Japanese investments in India. Japans population (and therefore, market) is shrinking, and India is the last large market left to drive global growth. It is for us to lose billions of dollars of Japanese investment. Abhisek Mukherjee is a Partner at YCP Auctus. MUMBAI : Competition in corporate law practices will increase following the entry of foreign law firms in India. Several firms, such as Saraf and Partners, Pioneer Law and Spice Route Legal, among others, said charge out rates will increase, referrals from foreign firms will cease and a large number of Indian professionals will join the local arm of the global law firms. Legal heads said the development will be akin to how Singapore has opened up in the past two decades as a hub for global corporate litigation. We need foreign law firms as they have the bench strength and capability to handle the growth we are staring at for next 10-15 years. Without presence of international law firms in India, it would be challenging for Indian law firms to do justice to the additional workflow in next 10-15 years," said Mohit Saraf , founder of Saraf and Partners, adding that the charge out rates for Indian law firms will significantly improve due to the entry of global peers. Essentially, charge out rates refer to the amount charged from customers for an hour of legal work by lawyers and law firms. This is likely to see a marked increase when international law firms get involved. On 15 March, the Bar Council of Indias circular allowed foreign law firms and lawyers to practise foreign law and diverse international law and arbitration matters in India. The rules will help flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and make India a hub for International Commercial Arbitration. Salaries will go up, which is a good thing, as young Indian lawyers were paid less than desirable rates. We will see collaborations, partnerships and other buy out" like transactions (especially among law firms whose growth rates are plateauing), and generally seeing an upgrade in the local market," Mathew Chacko, partner, Spice Route Legal, said. Competition in the legal sector will heat up as foreign law firms will soon be able to set up offices in India. They can advise clients on transactional and corporate work such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property rights cases, drafting contracts and other related jobs. Firms will stand to lose referrals from foreign law firms once they set up shop in India. Since the easiest way to start practice is to take over teams they have previously worked with, there is likely to be a mass movement," said Pritha Jha, partner at Pioneer Legal. Jha expects consolidation" may be another outcome. Apart from increasing rivalry for legal cases, compensation is expected to see an uptick with the new entrants. Foreign firms are expected to bring with them a war chest large enough to shake up the current pay scales. The immediate impact is likely to be high. Whether this will be effective in the long term will depend, like all other firms, on profitability," Jha added. Concerns are also being raised on the need for clarity on the guidelines applicable for the new entrants. A big concern for most Indian law firms is whether foreign law firms will indirectly or in a surrogate manner practice Indian laws. This is where stricter oversight will be required," said Nishith Desai,founder of Nishith Desai and Associates. Foreign law firms would have to normally abide by the same ethical and practice standards laid down under the Advocates Act, according to the notification. For instance, Indian lawyers cannot accept continent fees nor advertise. Moreover, disciplinary action against such foreign firms can only be taken by the disciplinary authority of the concerned foreign country and not by the Indian Bar Council depriving the council of its legitimate jurisdiction. Colony Capital founder Tom Barrack is taking a leading role in advising First Republic Bank on its options as the lender races to avoid a collapse after a $30 billion rescue last week failed to assuage investors, according to people familiar with the matter. Barrack, 75, a member of First Republics board and a longtime friend of former President Donald Trump, is working closely with Executive Chairman Jim Herbert in orchestrating any potential deal, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. Barrack declined to comment. The lender has sought to reassure customers and clients that it can avoid the fate of Silicon Valley Bank, which collapsed earlier this month after its depositors fled. On Thursday, First Republic announced that almost a dozen US banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and Bank of America Corp., would make a combined $30 billion of unsecured deposits in a show of confidence for the San Francisco-based firm. That move provided only a temporary reprieve for First Republics battered shares, which tumbled 33% to $23.03 on Friday, extending their decline for the year to 81%. Moodys Investors Service cut the bank to junk, warning that the rescue could weigh on profits. S&P Global Inc. is poised to lower First Republics long-term issuer credit rating further into junk territory, to B+ from BB+, the ratings firms second downgrade of the bank in less than a week, people familiar with the matter said Sunday. With the fresh $30 billion and cash on hand, First Republic is well positioned to manage short-term deposit activity," the company said in an emailed statement. This support reflects confidence in First Republic and its ability to continue to provide unwavering exceptional service to its clients and communities." Last year, Barrack stood trial in federal court on charges that he tried to influence Trumps campaign as an agent of the United Arab Emirates. Barrack was found not guilty on all nine counts, including failing to register as a foreign agent, obstructing justice and lying to federal agents. Herbert, who was First Republics CEO for 37 years, has ranked among the highest-paid US executives. Barrack, who founded Colony Capital in 1991, stepped down as chief executive officer in 2020 and relinquished his role as executive chairman the following year. Months later, the Boca Raton, Florida-based investment firm rebranded itself as DigitalBridge Group Inc. In 2010, under Barracks leadership, Colony teamed up with General Atlantic to acquire First Republic from Bank of America. NEW DELHI : Bhutan, closed to outsiders for the better part of 2022, will offer incentives to visitors to try and boost the tepid inflow since the Himalayan kingdom reopened its doors to tourists in September, a top official said. The initiative is to jumpstart tourism without competing with Thailand or Nepal. After two-and-a-half years of a covid-induced shutdown, Bhutan saw about 25,000 tourists, including 10,000 from India, in the last six months. We expect about 100,000 travellers in 2023, of which the bulk is from India. We should be able to come back to 2019-2020 levels by 2025," Dorji Dhradhul, director-general of Bhutans Department of Tourism said in an interview. Other visitors mostly were from the US, the UK, Vietnam and Singapore, he added. Since the pandemic, Bhutan has also imposed a daily sustainable development fee for international tourists. Indians now have to pay 1,200 per day per person to visit, unlike before when it was free. Other foreign travellers are required to pay a heftier fee of $200 a person daily, up from $65. As per the governments calculations, it will take nearly three years for tourism to recover to pre-pandemic levels of 300,000 a year. Until 2019-20, tourism contributed about 5% to Bhutans gross domestic product (GDP), and in foreign exchange, it was the number one earner after hydel power. In a way, we started from ground zero last year...In 2019, we received 315,000 tourists, on the back of 50 years of tourism," he said. Given the prolonged shutdown Dhradhul sees 25,000 arrivals as a big number". However, Bhutan is dealing with limited access in terms of international flights and mainly operates its own airline. The readiness of the industry may take some time to come back to full capacity since for a good part of those 2.5 years, tourism was shut and domestic travel was also limited," Dhradhul said. One year into the Ukraine war, goods trade between Russia and India has touched new highs. The New Delhi-Moscow relations have withstood the Wests pressures, and bilateral trade has been the biggest benefactor as well as a catalyst in this transformation. However, a sharp surge in imports from sanctions-hit Moscow has made trade figures overwhelmingly one-sided. Historically, Indias imports from Russia have stayed under five times its exports to the country, with the ratio touching 4.1 in 2017-18, previously the highest under the Narendra Modi government. But in 2022-23 till January, imports have been 15 times the exports. As a result, Russia has emerged Indias fifth-biggest trading partner, from 25th rank last fiscal. Total trade touched $39.8 billion in the first 10 months, up 277% on year. While imports have risen 384%, exports slid 13% in the period. (Country-wise and commodity-wise trade data is available only until January.) The trade basket has also diversified, even for exports. For instance, the share of Russia in Indias exports of agricultural goods and minerals has increased markedly. India has been facing problems in exporting goods to Russia, partly because of the sanctions and also because of a redrawing of trade routes, due to issues such as Ukraine port closures and rerouting of oil tankers," said Saon Ray, professor at Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. There are also logistical problems such as the availability of ships and containers." Crude Sizzles Cheaper crude oil has dominated Indias imports from Russia. From 25% in the preceding six years (FY17-FY22), its share in Indias import basket from Russia has risen to 73%, making Russia the third-largest supplier of petroleum and crude products to India, up from ninth. These imports stood at $27.2 billion during April-January, a whopping 817% year-over-year rise, and higher than crude imports from Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman combined. View Full Image Chart 2 With over 85% of the demand for petroleum products being met by imports, experts point out that apart from better pricing, the Russian tilt is also part of Indias moves to reduce oil dependence from West Asia. Wherever we are able to import commodities from Russia at a better/fairer price, we have used that opportunity. Russia also is keen to export as many goods as possible, because they also require foreign exchange," points out Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda. Non-crude Growth While Indias crude imports have largely dominated the headlines, a Mint analysis of other items also threw up interesting trends. Indias imports of spices, edible oil, agro-chemicals, fertilizers and coal also saw a sharp spike. Although the value of imports of these items is nowhere close to that of petroleum products, the growth has been stark. Imports of these products from Russia have more-than-doubled this fiscal year, compared with the FY17-FY22 average. Edible oil, coal and fertilizers are among the goods clocking the highest growth: 335%, 390% and 425%, respectively. Exports also saw compelling trends. Indias exports of surgical items, transport equipment and minerals saw sharp escalations as the West choked its supplies to Russia. Exports of surgical items grew close to 77%, while that of processed minerals swelled to $70 million, from just $1.4 million a year in the preceding six years (a 4,939% rise). Indias exports of tobacco also grew 168%. Way Forward At a time of a divided world order, with most Western nations isolating Russia, has Indias policy of diplomatic moderation and non-alignment helped it avoid the worst for itself? Experts Mint spoke with say it has. In terms of our energy security, it has helpedIndia has avoided a very difficult situation, given that we are so import-dependent not just for crude, but even products like oil seeds and fertilizers," Ray said. Sabnavis added: There has been respect shown to the fact that India has taken its own political decision about how to deal with Russia. So, we are not seeing any bias in terms of trade with other countries." Indias unique position presents an opportunity to shore up trade, and services can be a sweet spot. With the goods-related supply chain disruptions unlikely to end anytime soon, Ray feels India must focus on improving services exports since there is potential. The Abu Dhabi School of Government (ADSG), part of the Department of Government Support (DGS), has launched the Future Digital Leaders and Young Digital Leaders programmes, as part of the Strategic Track of the Abu Dhabi Digital Programme. The programmes have been created in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA), the Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy (ADGMA), and the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The launch aligns with the Abu Dhabi School of Governments efforts to nurture and shape globally competitive talent that is qualified to lead the government of the future. Equipping employees The programmes aim to equip Abu Dhabi government employees with the essential skills and expertise to ensure their readiness for leadership in the digital field and enable them to play a leading role in contributing to Abu Dhabis digital transformation. Government employees who participate in the Future Digital Leaders programme will gain the fundamental skills necessary to thrive in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. In addition to empowering them to become efficient digital leaders in their entity. On the other hand, the Young Digital Leaders programme serves as an exceptional opportunity for participants to develop their competencies in six domains of technology management, including critical thinking, system thinking, emerging technologies, radical innovation, organisational strategy, and leadership. Dr Yasir Al Naqbi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi School of Government, said: These exceptional programmes will provide Abu Dhabi government employees with a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive set of technical and practical skills that will empower them to make meaningful contributions in their entities and to excel in a technology-driven world, while also realising their professional potential as digital leaders. Human capital needs At ADSG, we are eager to develop world-class educational experiences for Abu Dhabi government employees in line with our ambition to foster a culture of development and excellence as we continue to anticipate and meet the human capital needs of the Abu Dhabi government, he added. Dr Mohamed AbdelHameed Al Askar, Director General of ADDA, said: We want to enable Abu Dhabi governments young employees to become digital leaders. These transformational programmes will unlock their potential and map out their journey towards digital excellence. The Future Digital Leaders and Young Digital Leaders programmes present exceptional opportunities to develop their capabilities and ensure their readiness for a technology-driven tomorrow. Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market Academy said: These 6-month programmes will enable Nationals to develop as future and young digital leaders. At ADGMA, we are committed to supporting the development of our nation's knowledge-economy in alignment with the UAEs wise leaderships vision and will continue to play our part in contributing towards growing, upskilling and reskilling local talent. ADSG is supporting the learning ecosystem of the emirates government by providing world-class educational opportunities to government employees, based on international best practices, and adapted to the needs of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.-- TradeArabia News Service Debt-laden Pakistan's decision to curb trade deficit by restricting imports is impacting not only its economy, but also rapidly morphing it into a bigger crisis of rising unemployment, said a report published by The Dawn on 19 March. According to noted economist Hafiz A Pasha, the number of unemployed people in the country will rise by over 2 to 8 million by the end of 2022-23. Citing the labour force consisting of 75.3 million people, Pasha opined the unemployment rate will approach 10 percent 'probably for the first time'. Though the country's official data on unemployment looks sketchy at best on the issue, however, by taking the listed companies as a proxy for whats happening in the rest of the economy, the trend becomes crystal clear. An increasing number of businesses are either scaling back operations or shutting down production mainly for one reason: the unavailability of imported raw materials. Dozens of companies have issued notices of production halts in recent months. Curbing imports of raw materials to improve the trade balance is tantamount to cutting ones nose to spite ones face," The Dawn newspaper reported. ALSO READ: Economic crisis forcing many Pakistanis to end their lives Since the beginning of 2023, all production units of Dawlance, a private company with Turkish sponsors, have remained stayed. The firm says it started facing import-related problems back in May 2022. As per the daily's report, the State Bank of Pakistan in August 2022, allowed the firm to make do with a quota of 38 percent of its preceding years imports, however, with bureaucrats and bankers began playing a 'pick-and-choose' game with import orders, and situation became worse. Details pouring say increasing number of businesses are either scaling back operations or shutting down production mainly for one reason -- the unavailability of imported raw materials, added The Dawn. Among other sectors affected include those involved in shortage of X-ray films in the country. Even a soap maker said that his factory had been closed for months and the banks were not clearing his letter of credit for oil that was used as a natural perfume in very small quantities. Total liquid foreign reserves: Earlier on Thursday, SBP said that the total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at US$ 9.85 billion as of March 10, 2023, out of which US$ 4.3 billion belong to net reserves with SBP and US$ 5.5 billion belong to net reserves with banks. Total liquid foreign #reserves held by the country stood at US$ 9.85 billion as of March 10, 2023. For details https://t.co/WpSgomnKT3 pic.twitter.com/oHyP6aBnM0 SBP (@StateBank_Pak) March 16, 2023 Considering the condition of interbank closing exchange rate, Pakistani Rupee to US$ 1 stood at 281.71. on 17 March, which was 282.42 on 16 March. Not only the currency and imports, but the exports too have hit as it dropped 23 percent in February on a year-on-year basis. NEW DELHI : India needs to carry out research and development (R&D) in the millet value chain, according to a senior government official. We must carry out R&D in all areas of the value chain of millets and bring together the knowledge of production, processing and storage and make it available to the consumer", said Vijaya Lakshmi Nadendla, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, addressing the plenary session on Strengthening Millet Value Chain with Collaborative Approach, organised by FICCI at the Global Millets ( Shree Anna) Conference. The official further said that improved varieties, better shelf life, efficient processing and access to markets are all vital to strengthen the millet value chain. Speaking at a separate session on Opportunity for Women empowerment to create Millet success story", Nadendla averred that womens contribution is immense in agriculture, irrespective of traditional, horticultural or any other crop. She added that as the government is propagating millets cultivation and increasing demand, it is expected that more women will get engaged in the cultivation of millets, thereby leading to a need for skilling and capacity building. Nadendla alluded to the International Year of Millets campaign and said, Im very much hopeful that the demand will increase, and the markets will grow. There is also a huge export potential". She also spoke on the 10,000 Farmers Producer Organisations (FPO) program of the government, stating the government is exclusively promoting 100% Women FPOs" and issued a guideline for the inclusion of one woman on the Board of Directors of each FPO". She also spoke on the dedicated FPO programme in the Ministry of Agriculture with various measures for women empowerment." On the occasion, Jitendra Joshi, Chairman, FICCI Task Force on Millets & Director Seeds, South Asia from Corteva Agriscience, said, Millets are nutritionally rich, easy to cultivate and sustainable farmer-friendly crop with no environmental impact. As the PM perfectly narrated that millets are a solution for personal health and global health." Lets take our millets to the global map," he added. Manoj Juneja, Deputy Executive Director and CFO, World Food Programme (WFP), underlined that millet is crucial for food and nutritional security, promoting biodiversity and empowering farmers. Its high time we revive the brand of millets and foster resilient food systems", he said. Sivakumar S, Group Head Agri & IT Businesses, ITC Limited, emphasised synchronisation of the millets value chain as a critical requirement for scaling millets. In this regard, Millets stakeholder partnerships are vital to creating such synchronisation", he said. Abusive language in the name of creativity will not be tolerated. The government is serious about the complaints of increasing abusive and obscene content on OTT platforms. If there is a need to make any changes in the rules regarding this, the ministry is willing to consider that. These platforms were given freedom for creativity, not obscenity. And when someone crosses a limit, then abusing, rudeness in the name of creativity cannot be accepted at all. Whatever necessary action needs to be taken on this, the government will not back down from doing so," Thakur said at a press conference in Nagpur. In the past, the government has cracked down on web originals like Mirzapur and Tandav, both on Amazon Prime Video. Regular of web content was brought under the ambit of the I&B ministry and self-regulation bodies have been set up for the same. The process so far is that the producer has to resolve the received complaints at the first level. 90 to 92 % of the complaints are resolved by them by making necessary changes. The next level of complaint resolution is at the level of their association, where most of the complaints are resolved. At the last level it comes to the level of the government, where action is taken on the departmental committee level, according to the rules are in place. But somewhere complaints have started increasing in the last few days and the department is taking it very seriously. If there is a need to make a change we are willing to consider it seriously," Thakur said. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lata Jha Lata Jha covers media and entertainment for Mint. She focuses on the film, television, video and audio streaming businesses. She is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism. She can be found at the movies, when not writing about them. Read more from this author Amid the hunt for Khalistani sympathiser and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh has gain momentum in Punjab, DIG Swapan Sharma on 19 March said Amritpal changed his routes several times during the chase and reached a one-lane link road of 12 to 13km. Adding more, Sharma said that six-seven motorbikes crashed into Amritpal Singh's car helping him to escape, while other riders were to divert the cops. According to the DIG, four people, including Amritpal Singh, were there in the car and are currently untraceable. ALSO READ: Amritpal Singh's quest live Earlier, Amritpal Singh was first seen in the Shahkot area. When Singh's cavalcade was first intercepted at Harike, he took a U-turn and drove under a flyover and entered the Doba region leading to the one-lane link road. DIG Sharma, on being asked if Singh is hiding in Punjab or already left the state, he denied to share any information citing it as intelligence-based operation. Apart from this, the police is also looking at a possibility if Amritpal was planning to escape to Canada via Nepal, as his wife applied for a Canada visa. Earlier in the day, in the cat-and-mouse chase between the Punjab Police and Amritpal Singh, internet services were suspended. Despite the chase for hours, Amritpal managed to give the cops a slip. Reports claim Amritpal changed vehicles to dodge the police and also dumped his mobile phone during the chase. Meanwhile, police have arrested at least 78 arrests of the Waris Punjab De workers and seized weapons. Seven persons who were arrested in connection with 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh brought to court in Beas, Punjab, according to news agency ANI. Police also conducted a flag march in Amritsar, Mohali, Batala and Jalandhar. With PTI inputs. Abusive language in the name of creativity will not be tolerated. The government is serious about the complaints of increasing abusive and obscene content on OTT platforms. If there is a need to make any changes in the rules regarding this, the ministry is willing to consider that. These platforms were given freedom for creativity, not obscenity. And when someone crosses a limit, then abusing, rudeness in the name of creativity cannot be accepted at all. Whatever necessary action needs to be taken on this, the government will not back down from doing so," Thakur said at a press conference in Nagpur. In the past, the government has cracked down on web originals like Mirzapur and Tandav, both on Amazon Prime Video. The move marks a departure from government statements that have stressed self-regulation by platforms and content creators. The process so far is that the producer has to resolve the received complaints at the first level. 90 to 92 % of the complaints are resolved by them by. The next level of resolution is at the level of their association, where most of the complaints are resolved. At the last level, it comes to the government, where action is taken on the departmental committee level, according to the rules in place. But somewhere, complaints have started increasing in the last few days and the department is taking it very seriously. If there is a need to make a change, we are willing to consider it," Thakur said. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lata Jha Lata Jha covers media and entertainment for Mint. She focuses on the film, television, video and audio streaming businesses. She is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism. She can be found at the movies, when not writing about them. Read more from this author With the Delhi Police team reaching out to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence for details regarding the 'sexual harassment victims' speech made during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', the party has hit out at Centre and said that without direction of the ruling government the Delhi Police can take such actions. Meanwhile, speaking to the media, Delhi Police's Special CP(L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda said that they held a meeting with Rahul Gandhi and the latter said he needs some time and will give us the information and would give the information asked for. "We held a meeting with Rahul Gandhi. He said he needs some time and will give us the information which we've asked for. Today we've served a notice which has been accepted by his office and if questioning needs to be done then we will do it," Special CP(L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda said. ALSO READ: BJP wants Rahul Gandhi suspended from Lok Sabha over his remarks in UK "Rahul Gandhi said it was a long yatra and he met many people and needs time to compile it. He has assured us that he will give the information soon and we will begin our proceedings as soon as we receive the information," Hooda added. #WATCH | Special CP(L&O) Dr Sagar Preet Hooda says he along with his team met Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at his Delhi residence today & urged him to provide information on the 'sexual harassment' victims whom he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra pic.twitter.com/k9Bd2pmQij ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 On the other side, senior Congress leader and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot slammed the Centre for trying to harass Rahul Gandhi. "Delhi Police went to Rahul Gandhis residence despite he had said he will give answer in 8-10 days. Its impossible to believe that without direction of the ruling government the Delhi Police can take such actions," he said. Also, Gehlot targeted Amit Shah. "Without Amit Shah's order, it is not possible that police could show such audacity to enter the house of a national leader without any reason. Rahul Gandhi said that he has received the notice and he will reply to it but still, the police went to his house," he said. "Delhi Police going to Rahul Gandhi's residence reminds me of the times of Indira Gandhi. Today's incident is not an ordinary episode. People of the country are watching it and will not forgive you. They are fascist people," Rajasthan CM said. Delhi Police went to Rahul Gandhis residence despite he had said he will give answer in 8-10 days. Its impossible to believe that without direction of the ruling government the Delhi Police can take such actions: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot at Congress press conference in Delhi pic.twitter.com/2g2wafuM5z ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 Apart from this, Congress General Secretary, KC Venugopal said since the day Rahul Gandhi raised questions on the connection between PM Modi and Adani, the government started to harass him. He even referred the action as dictatorship. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge too said that the whole process was undertaken to divert from the Adani issue. "To divert from the Adani issue, they (BJP) are asking all these questions by sending the police. Rahul Gandhi & Congress will not get scared. No matter how much they try to save Adani, we will continue to question them," he said. Adani Group has suspended work on a 34,900 crore petrochemical project at Mundra in Gujarat as it focuses on resources to consolidate operations and address investor concerns following a damning report by a US-based short seller, sources said. The group's flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) had in 2021 incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Mundra Petrochem Ltd for setting up a greenfield coal-to-PVC plant at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) land in Kutch district of Gujarat. But after Hindenburg Research's January 24 report alleging accounting fraud, stock manipulations and other corporate governance lapses chopped off about USD 140 billion from the market value of Gautam Adani's empire, the apples-to-airport group is hoping to claw back and calm jittery investors and lenders through a comeback strategy. The comeback strategy is based on addressing investor concerns around debt by repaying some loans, consolidating operations, and fighting off allegations. The group has denied all allegations levelled by Hindenburg. As part of this, projects are being re-evaluated based on cashflow and finance available. And of the projects the group has decided not to pursue for the time being is the 1 million tonne per annum Green PVC project, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. The group has shot off mails to vendors and suppliers to "suspend all activities" on immediate basis. In the mails, seen by PTI, the group has asked them to "suspend all activities of the scope of work and performance of all obligations" for Mundra Petrochem Ltd's Green PVC project "till further notice." This is the following "unforeseen scenario". The management, it said, was "re-evaluating various project/s being implemented at group level in different business verticals. Based on future cashflow and finance, some of the project/s are being re-evaluated for its continuation and revision in timeline." Reached for comments, a group spokesperson said AEL will be evaluating the status of growth projects in primary industry vertical over the coming months. "The balance sheet of each of our independent portfolio companies is very strong. We have industry-leading project development and execution capabilities, strong corporate governance, secure assets, strong cashflows, and our business plan is fully funded. We remain focused on executing our previously outlined strategy to create value for our stakeholders," the spokesperson said. "AEL will be evaluating the status of growth projects in the primary industry vertical over the coming months". The unit was to have a poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC) production capacity of 2,000 KTPA (kilo tonne per annum) requiring 3.1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) of coal that was to be imported from Australia, Russia and other countries. PVC is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic. It finds wide applications - from flooring, to making sewage pipes and other pipe applications, in insulation on electrical wires, packaging and manufacture of aprons etc. Adani Group had planned the project as PVC demand in India at around 3.5 MTPA was growing at the rate of 7 per cent year-on-year. With near stagnant domestic production of PVC at 1.4 million tonne, India is dependent on imports to keep pace with the demand. The Hindenburg report had alleged "brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud" and use of offshore shell companies to inflate stock prices. The group has denied all Hindenburg allegations, calling them "malicious", "baseless" and a "calculated attack on India". As part of the comeback strategy, the group has cancelled a 7,000 crore coal plant purchase as well as shelved plans to bid for stake in power trader PTC to conserve expenses. It has repaid some debt and pre-paid some of the finances raised by pledging promoter stake in group companies. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. The Punjab Police is undertaking a massive crackdown to nap 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, with several of his aides being arrested on Saturday. While the pro-Khalistan leader remains on the run, officials said that they have seized his abandoned getaway vehicle. Seven people were arrested from near Mehatpur yesterday. Last night an FIR under Arms Act has been registered against them and Amritpal Singh is the main accused in the FIR. Six 12-bore weapons have been recovered from them and all weapons are illegal," said SSP Rural Amritsar, Satinder Singh. Here are the latest updates summed up: 1. The Punjab Police launched an extensive chase to nab Singh on Saturday. The police arrested 78 members of an outfit headed by him - including seven aides. 2. He (his vehicle) was at the front and naturally, he was having an advantage and there were narrow streets and somehow, he managed to escape by changing his vehicle," officials said. 3. Punjab police seized two cars of 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh as well as several illegal weapons. "We have recovered a number of weapons and two cars have also been seized. Search is underway and we will arrest him soon." 4. Mobile internet and SMS services remain suspended. The curb was extended earlier today in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab - till noon on March 20. "All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab are suspended till March 20 (12:00 hours) in the interest of public safety", the Punjab government said. 5. The Punjab Police and Rapid Action Force conducted flag march in the Model Town area to help maintain law and order. The Bathinda Police also conducted flag marches at various places today, to instill confidence among the public. 6. The radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". 7. The case also appears to have reached Assam, with four 'suspects' being brought to Dibrugarh on Sunday amid tight security. The police have not confirmed any connection of the four accused with the Amritpal Singh case. 8. Security was also tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh alleged that his son has been detained by police. There is no information (about him) since yesterday. We feel he has already been detainedthere is no need of fear because he (Amritpal) has not done anything wrong," he said. 9. The police action comes ahead of the start of Amritpal's 'Khalsa Wahir' - a religious procession - from Muktsar district. 10. The developments come almost three weeks after Singh's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar, demanding the release of one of a top aides. Thousands of his supporters had stormed the station flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences. The only members of the RRR team eligible for a free pass to attend the Oscars 2023 were music composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandra Bose, who were nominated for the awards ceremony. The rest of the team, including filmmaker SS Rajamouli, actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR, and their families, had to purchase tickets to watch the event live. Rajamouli reportedly bought tickets for himself, the team, and their family members to attend the Oscars. A single ticket to the Oscars 2023 cost $25,000 (around 20.6 lakhs), according to a report by The Economic Times. Only the awardees and their family members were eligible for a free pass, while everyone else had to pay for a ticket to watch the event live. The RRR team received criticism for being seated in the last row of the hall during the event, with MM Keeravani and Chandra Bose seated in front with the other Oscar nominees. Some fans were upset with the Academy Awards organisers for seating the team at the back. Also Read: Just the beginning: Jr NTR says Oscar win not only for RRR but for India SS Rajamouli was accompanied by his wife Rama, son SS Kartikeya, and other family members. Ram Charan was accompanied by his wife Upasana Kamineni, while Jr NTR attended the event without his family. Jr NTR and Ram Charan were featured in the original video of the Oscar-winning song Naatu Naatu. Some people were disappointed with the lack of representation during the performance as all the dancers who performed with Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj were not from India. Also Read: SS Rajamouli's 'RRR' wins four trophies at HCA Film Awards Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier met Telugu cinema veteran Chiranjeevi and his son, RRR star Ram Charan, and congratulated them on the Oscar win of the song Naatu Naatu. The foot-tapping track from SS Rajamouli's directorial won the Best Original Song Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards. Shah met the father-son duo here on Friday night on the sidelines of the India Today Conclave 2023. Later in a Twitter post, the home minister said Telugu film industry has influenced India's "culture & economy" significantly. "Delighted meeting @KChiruTweets and @AlwaysRamCharan- two legends of Indian Cinema. The Telugu film industry has significantly influenced India's culture & economy. Have congratulated Ram Charan on the Oscar win for the Naatu-Naatu song and the phenomenal success of the RRR," Shah tweeted alongside photographs from the meeting. (With agency inputs) The Punjab Police along with Rapid Action Force on Sunday conducted a flag march to nab pro-Khalistan outfit Waris De Punjab leader Amritpal Singh. The territorial jurisdiction of Punjab is under suspension on mobile internet services and SMS services has been extended in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab till 20 March, midnight. "All mobile internet services, all SMS services (except banking & mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except the voice call, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab are suspended till March 20 (12:00 hours) in the interest of public safety," Department of Home Affairs and Justice, Government of Punjab said in a statement on Sunday. On Sunday, Jalandhar CP KS Chahal told news agency, He (Amritpal Singh) was chased by police for about 20-25 kms but he managed to escape. We've recovered a no. of weapons and 2 cars also seized. Search underway and we'll arrest him soon. Law & order will be maintained". #WATCH | He was chased by police for about 20-25 kms but he managed to escape. We've recovered a no. of weapons & 2 cars also seized. Search underway & we'll arrest him soon. Law & order will be maintained: Jalandhar CP KS Chahal on 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh pic.twitter.com/q5P1KI66Qs ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 According to news agency ANI, Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is an alleged advisor and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by the authorities on Sunday. Who is Amritpal Singh? Amritpal Singh Sandhu is a radical self-styled Indian Khalistani separatist activist and fugitive from Punjab, India. He heads an organisation called Waris Panjab De. Why is Amritpal Singh getting arrested? The 30 year old Amritpal Singh and his followers in Waris De Punjab' has been accused of spreading communal tension in Punjab. Amritpal Singh arrest: Latest update According to news agency PTI, four arrested members of an outfit headed by Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh were brought to Assam's Dibrugarh on Sunday even as the hunt for the radical preacher and his associates continued. The Punjab government had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal, with the police arresting 78 members of an outfit headed by him, officials said. Further, security have been tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh alleged that his son has been detained by police.' Legislation & Legal Opinion Commission (LLOC) in cooperation with Bahrain's Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), has launched Bahrain Legislations Mobile App, which aimed at facilitating access to several legal eServices. The app was launched at a press conference held today (March 19) in the presence of the LLOC President Counselor Nawaf Abdullah Hamza and iGA Deputy Chief Executive of eTransformation, Dr. Zakariya Ahmed Al Khajah. This launch reflects the continuous national efforts towards technological initiatives and reinforcing the culture of legal awareness among the society. The app is available on the eGovernment App Store bahrain.bh/apps. Addressing the media, Hamza reaffirmed the Commissions commitment to develop its eServices that promote and cultivate legal culture among all sectors in the society with the aim of consolidating the principles of the Constitution and the rule of law in Bahrain, which highlighting the civilizational shift in Bahraini legislation in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and the follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He pointed out that the application of Bahrain Legislations App is a legal eChannel that facilitates access to a list of legal eServices, such as searching and reviewing legislation and decisions issued within the Kingdom of Bahrain, treaties and agreements, legal principles issued by the Commission, and other services that are of interest to the concerned stakeholders. He added that the application has been launched by the LLOC in cooperation with iGA, which provides convenient channel for the eServices provided by the Commission on its website. The launch reflects the Commissions keenness to reinforce legal services provided to the public and making them available through user-friendly Mobile App and facilitate users' access to them, to be a main reference for legal information needed by all concerned users beside the official website of the Commission.-TradeArabia News Service Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has clarified his statement made in London. Rahul clarified his position in a meeting of the parliamentary advisory committee chaired by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar regarding India's chairmanship of the G20 in the national capital. During the meeting, there was also some disagreement between BJP leaders and Gandhi. When BJP MPs mentioned Rahul's name, he immediately responded, stating that he had not said anything against the country. During the meeting, Jaishankar gave a detailed presentation to the committee members on India's chairmanship of the G20. In the meantime, a BJP MP raised the issue of politicians talking about Indian democracy on foreign soil to gain political advantage. Rahul Gandhi, who was present with Opposition members at the meeting, immediately intervened and said that he knew the indirect reference was about him, but he clarified that he had not made any such statement. The Wayanad MP said that he did not speak about any country being intervened or interfered with. Gandhi further stated that he had criticised an individual in his speech at Cambridge and not the government. Rahul said that he had spoken about a businessman and that the government did not defend his allegations. The Congress clarified that they would always stand in support of India's interests and would not speak against the country. Also Read: Jibe at Rahul Gandhi? PM Modi says success of India's democracy hurting some people Gandhi, during a conversation in London, claimed that India's democracy was under attack and that the opposition leaders were being silenced. His comments caused a huge uproar in India, and the BJP leaders accused him of demeaning the legislature. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has remarked that certain people are hurt by India's democracy and its institutions, which is why they are attacking it, in what appears to be a jab at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his criticism of the state of democracy in India. Also Read: When Panda huggers try, EAM Jaishankar taunts Rahul Gandhi for China threat remarks Anurag Thakur earlier took a dig at Gandhi, saying that, regardless of "illogical opinion" freely spoken both domestically and abroad, India's democratic backbone or framework is still intact and will endure the test of time. Borrowing the saying that "Facts are sacred and opinion is free", the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting said, "The democratic structure of our great country will always remain what it is. No matter how unsubstantiated and illogical some of the opinions given both within the country and abroad are, our democracy will stand the test of time." (With agency 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 The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked China to share all the information related to the origin of Covid-19 pandemic this time. The UN health agency said this after new findings were shared on an international database used to track pathogens. The latest database has shown that the raccoon dog DNA comingled with the virus. New sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as additional genomic data based on samples taken from a live animal market in Wuhan, China in 2020 were briefly uploaded to the GISAID database by Chinese scientists earlier this year, allowing them to be viewed by researchers in other countries. The sequences suggested that raccoon dogs were present in the market and may have also been infected by the coronavirus. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had restricted access to information apparently to allow further data updates". Besides, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, "These data do not provide a definitive answer to how the pandemic began, but every piece of data is important to moving us closer to that answer". The WHO chief had also criticised China for not sharing the genetic information earlier, telling a press briefing that "this data could have and should have been shared three years ago." "We continue to call on China to be transparent in sharing data, and to conduct the necessary investigations and share the results," Tedros added. Covid pandemic: What the new database says? The data show that some of the COVID-positive samples collected from a stall known to be involved in the wildlife trade also contained raccoon dog genes, indicating the animals may have been infected by the virus, according to the scientists. The canines, named for their raccoon-like faces, are often bred for their fur and sold for meat in animal markets across China. WHO's COVID-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove cautioned that the analysis did not find the virus within any animal, nor did it find any hard evidence that any animals infected humans. "What this does provide is clues to help us understand what may have happened," she said. The international group also told WHO they found DNA from other animals as well as raccoon dogs in the samples from the seafood market, she added. The coronavirus' genetic code is strikingly similar to that of bat coronaviruses, and many scientists suspect Covid-19 jumped into humans either directly from a bat or via an intermediary animal like pangolins, ferrets, or raccoon dogs. Past theories on Covid origin Before the raccoon dog's theory, some scientists said that the virus leaked from the Wuhan lab or from bats. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan was shut down by Chinese authorities after the novel coronavirus emerged in the city in late 2019. The market has since been a focus of study of whether the virus had infected several other species before jumping to humans. The 2022 preprint paper said that a small portion of 923 samples collected from the stalls and sewage systems in and around the market tested positive for the virus; no virus was detected in 457 animal samples tested. The paper said initially that raccoon dogs were not among the animals tested. The new analysis suggests "that raccoon dogs and other animals may have been present before the market was cleaned as part of the public health intervention," the WHO's Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO) said. New Delhi : The Central government has designed a scheme for rewarding states that push organic farming in a measure to cut ballooning subsidies for chemical fertilizers. As per the plan, if promotion of organic farming by a state leads to a decline in the use of chemical fertilizers, then half the subsidy saved on that account will be transferred to the state, said Professor Ramesh Chand, member, NITI Aayog. The federal policy think tank worked with Central government departments on the modalities of the scheme. Chand said the scheme is designed to check excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers as part of the governments efforts to make farming more sustainable. Robust agriculture growth, price stability of farm produce, and sustainability are priorities for NITI Aayog in the farm sector. If there is any saving in fertilizer subsidy in any state, compared to the average of last three years, whatever the amount is, half of that will be given to the state government concerned," Chand said. There will be some conditions attached to how some of the funds have to be utilised by the state but the rest can be used as per the states own choice. The fertilizer subsidy burden has shot up sharply in the current financial year on account of the supply disruptions and price escalation in global markets following the Russia-Ukraine war. Although the government had originally estimated only about one trillion for making plant nutrients available to farmers at affordable prices in FY23, it later sought additional spending permission from Parliament. The revised fertilizer subsidy estimate for this fiscal is around 2.25 trillion, as per budget documents. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced in the budget for FY24 that a new scheme--PM programme for restoration, awareness, nourishment and meleoration of mother earth (PM Pranam) will be rolled out to incentivize states to promote alternative fertilizers and balanced use of chemical fertilizers. Details were not announced in the budget. The NITI Aayog member also said that the Centre is working with states to monetize agriculture waste by procuring it from farmers and turning it into energy. This would also help boost farmers income, Chand added. As a part of the Biodegradable Waste Management component under Swachh Bharat Mission (SMB-G), the Centre had launched GOBARdhan scheme in April 2018 to generate energy and income in addition to cleanliness by processing manure and whole agricultural waste materials such as straw, manure and crop residues in rural areas. The scheme is being implemented under the SBM-G Phase II, primarily focusing on increasing farmers income and turning biowaste into compressed biogas. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken about the current status of India's relationship with China at a media event on Saturday. Jaishankar outrightly said that ties with China won't see normalcy until problems at the borders get resolved. He added that the situation in eastern Ladakh is "fragile" and in "military assessment". India is looking for a disengagement process in eastern Ladakh before resuming bilateral exchanges with China. He said that the Chinese violated bilateral agreements in 2020 and the consequences were in the Galwan Valley and other areas. We have deployed our troops, we have stood our ground and the situation to my mind still remains very fragile because there are places where our deployments are very close and in military assessment, actually therefore, quite dangerous," EAM Jaishankar said. Further, the external affairs minister said, " We have made it very clear to the Chinese that we cannot have a breach of peace and tranquility, you can't violate agreements and then want the rest of the relationship to continue as though nothing happened. That is just tenable". Referring to his recent meeting with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on the sidelines of the G20 meeting on 2 March, Jaishankar said, "My most recent encounter in this regard was with the new foreign minister Qin Gang when the G20 foreign minister' meeting took place and we had a long discussion about it (India-China bilateral situation)". In 2020, India and China had an in-principle agreement on how to resolve the border situation. "The Chinese have to deliver on what was agreed to and they have struggled with that," he added. The Indian and Chinese troops are locked in a standoff for the past three years at certain friction points in eastern Ladakh even as the two sides completed disengagement of troops from several areas following extensive diplomatic and military talks. "This is a very, I would say, challenging and abnormal phase in our ties with China. Why I say that is because from 1988 when Rajiv Gandhi went there till 2020 the understanding was that peace and tranquility on the border would be maintained," Jaishankar said. The external affairs minister also referred to agreements between the two sides to not bring large forces to the border, adding a "very specific" set of understandings and even protocols were put in place on the handling of various situations. "Now we have made substantial progress when it comes to disengagement in many areas. There are many areas where we have ongoing discussions. It is a painstaking job and we will do that," he said. On February 22, India and China held in-person diplomatic talks in Beijing and discussed proposals for disengagement in the remaining friction points along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in an "open and constructive manner". The meeting took place under the framework of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC). The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area. The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades. As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process in 2021 on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent remark on democracy in London. He said the democratic backbone or structure of India remains intact and will stand the test of time regardless of illogical opinion passed freely both within the country and on foreign soil. Borrowing the saying that "Facts are sacred and opinion is free", the Union minister added, "The democratic structure of our great country will always remain what it is. No matter how unsubstantiated and illogical some of the opinions given both within the country and abroad are, our democracy will stand the test of time." On aspersions cast on India's democracy and media freedom by Gandhi during his recent visit to the UK, Thakur said, "These days, the word 'democracy' is being thrown around a lot in public discourse. A time-honoured tradition in India and elsewhere in the free world has been reduced to a fashion statement by those who have constantly tried to weaken our democracy and institutions. Violators are now pretending to be the victims." "We must remember that, unlike Western countries, democracy is not an artificial implant in India. It is an integral and indestructible part of our civilisational history," he said. While pointing out that the advent of newer technologies presents a unique opportunity to break barriers, the minister said, "There lurks the danger of 'Digital Colonialism' on platforms run by algorithms coded offshore behind the walls of transparency." "We must remain cautious not to accept anything and everything in the name of innovation and modernity", he said, adding, "Foreign publications, companies and organisations with inherent anti-India bias, and peddling distorted facts, must be identified and called out." "it is here that the Indian media, which understands the ground reality, will have to play a crucial role," Thakur said. During his Chatham House interaction in London, Rahul Gandhi was asked if he would like to make any changes to India's foreign policy, with Jawahar Lal Nehru's Non-Aligned Movement being cited as an example for the question. "The principle of foreign policy is unfortunately self-interest and any Indian government would pay attention to that. In answering the question, the first step is what is important to us as a country and what we are trying to do. We are a rural country and making a transition into an urban country. This transition has a huge amount of energy, potential for violence, potential for transformation...if you look at UPA policies, they were all about trying to manage this transition from rural to an urban-connected country. Our foreign policy would follow that," Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi, during his interactions in London, claimed that the foundations of Indian democracy are being targeted and that the nation's institutions are under a "complete attack." Earlier, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had also demanded the constitution of a special parliamentary committee to inquire into Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "contemptuous" remarks and consider if he should be expelled from the House to give a clear message so that "no one takes the pride and respect of high institutions for a ride". The Union minister was addressing a gathering at the Valedictory ceremony of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi's centenary celebrations in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other dignitaries. Urging the media to remain cautious, the Union minister said they must desist from giving its space intentionally or unintentionally to such voices and narratives that have the potential to threaten the integrity of India. Referring to the recent attack and ransacking of the offices and studios of a prominent news organisation in Kerala, Thakur said, "Such outrageous assaults weaken democracy and its institutions". (With inputs from ANI) Canada Jobs: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is looking to hire people for its foreign service offices. They have also announced a salary between 43 lakhs to 54 lakhs per annum ($72,292 to $91,472). The jobs have been announced on the Government of Canada jobs inventory, requiring qualified candidates to fill up vacancies in the foreign services offices in Canada. Eligible candidates if hired will be deployed internationally as Migration Foreign Service Officers. The last date to apply online for this position is 30 June, 2023. To apply, interested candidates should go to the official website- emploisfp-psjobs.cfp-psc.gc.ca The job listing posted reveals that the Migration Foreign Service Officers will have an array of duties within IRCC's migration programs. These duties will include them participating in foreign applicant processing, "risk assessment", "engagement," and "migration diplomacy activities." According to a report published on Narcity Canada, the foreign service officers should be made aware that this is a demanding job, which will require them to spend "approximately two-thirds of their career overseas". Further they may also have to work overtime, and move on to newer assignments every two to four years. IRCC's job listing posts employees in China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Senegal and Turkey, among other places. Are you looking for a career where the world could be your workplace? You're in luck. @CitImmCanada is hiring Foreign Service Officers! Learn more about this opportunity and apply by June 30.https://t.co/HbboaiCtjR pic.twitter.com/ZMKMBIlqm9 GC Jobs (@jobs_gc) March 15, 2023 The eligibility requirement includes a bachelor's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. This is the minimum requirement, along with relevant experience working effectively with others to achieve a common goal and experience providing service OR support to others under challenging circumstances. The job description also reads that bilingualism in the official languages- French and English will be preferred. IRCC has also mentioned that non-bilingual applicants, if hired will undergo language training. The department also lists experience it considers an "asset" but not a requirement, including experience working abroad, proficiency in a third language, experience with presentations and experience using social media for professional purposes. UBS Group AG has offered to buy Credit Suisse for up to $1 billion, reported Reuters citing Financial Times. The Swiss government is planning to change the country's laws to bypass a shareholder vote on the deal, reported Financial Times. These are the latest developments: a) The all-share takeover deal was set to be signed as early as Sunday, reported The Financial Times. b) The deal will be priced at a fraction of Credit Suisse's closing price on Friday, and such pricing means that it will all but wipe out the targets shareholders the report said. Under the proposed deal, a price of 0.25 Swiss francs a share will be paid in UBS stock, which is far lower than Credit Suisses Friday closing price of SFr1.86. c)Swiss authorities are considering a full or partial nationalisation of Credit Suisse as the only other viable option outside a takeover by UBS Group , Bloomberg reported on Sunday. Switzerland is considering either taking over the bank in full or holding a significant equity stake if UBS is unable to complete a takeover of Credit Suisse, the report added. d) Reuters reported that UBS was seeking $6 billion from the Swiss government as part of a possible purchase of its rival. e) However, Bloomberg News, citing people with knowledge of the matter, said Credit Suisse was pushing back against the offer. f) Swiss authorities are examining imposing losses on Credit Suisse bondholders as part of a rescue, two sources told Reuters on Sunday, while European regulators are apprehensive for fear it could hit investor confidence elsewhere. g) Credit Suisse's plan to spin off its investment bank under the First Boston brand is being thrown into doubt by the takeover talks, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday. h)The Bank of England has indicated to international counterparts and to UBS that it would back a proposed takeover of Credit Suisse. The Swiss lender has signalled a "material weakness" in its internal control for the financial reporting in 2022 and 2021. The Swiss bank's shares drop by as much as 30% after its largest shareholder Saudi National Bank said it could not provide more support because of regulatory constraints. Credit Suisse secures a $54 billion lifeline from the Swiss central bank to shore up liquidity, the first major global bank to get emergency funding since the 2008 financial crisis. The Swiss authorities provide assurances that Credit Suisse has met "the capital and liquidity requirements imposed on systemically important banks." The US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, paving the way for bitter protests and a clutch of bills and new laws seeking to restrict abortions. While some states have moved to safeguard women's rights in this regard - or even expand access - others appear to have taken a decisive step or two in the other direction. From a proposed death penalty to restricting access to abortion pills - here's a look at some of the anti-abortion steps that have cropped up so far. It is pertinent to note here that several of these state laws have been challenged in courts and some remain paused or stuck in limbo at this time. Abortion bans of varying durations In the past year numerous states have enforced bans that come into place at different points of time during a pregnancy. Thirteen states now enforce bans on abortion at any point in pregnancy, while Georgia bans it once cardiac activity can be detected, or at about six weeks gestation. A proposal to ban abortions at six weeks in Florida received overwhelming approval from a state House committee on Thursday with Democrats acknowledging there was nothing they could do to stop it from eventually becoming law. The proposal is moving along while a ban on abortions at 15 weeks - signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis last year - is still facing a legal challenge. Death Penalty for abortions In January this year, South Carolina Republicans co-sponsored a bill that sought to apply the state's homicide laws to people who undergo abortions. Put more simply, the bill - already referred to the state House Judiciary Committee - would have put women undergoing abortions at par with those found guilty of murder, punishable with the death penalty. As the legislature gained prominence the lawmakers backing it dwindled - dropping from 24 to 15 last week. Some Republican leaders have indicated that the bill would be "dead on arrival" and wouldn't reach the House floor. Prohibiting abortion pills In recent weeks several states have moved to restrict access to abortion pills. They are already banned in 13 states that have blanket bans on all forms of abortion. 15 states have limited access to abortion pills - with six requiring an in-person physician visit. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon signed the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills into law on Friday night. The ban would would take effect in July, pending any legal action that could potentially delay that. Meanwhile, the Republican-led Senate in Kansas has passed a prohibition on prescribing abortion pills via telemedicine. The House is considering the measure. Republican representatives in Texas have introduced legislation that would compel internet providers to block websites that supply abortion pills or provide information on how to obtain an abortion. The state has already imposed a complete ban on abortions with very limited exceptions. (With inputs from agencies) Warren Buffet, the CEO of Berkshire Hathway, is reportedly in talks with the Biden administration after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank, and Silvergate Capital Corp this month. Buffett's contribution to support US banks during the financial instability has a long history. The Oracle of Omaha's frugal decision has helped two big banks overcome the crisis during their worst period. Investment of $5 billion to Goldman Sachs In 2008, at the peak point of the global financial crisis, the legendary investor invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs to strengthen the firm's capitalisation and liquidy in turbulent times. The then decision of Buffett has generated a return of roughly $3.1 billion for him. Buffett had placed his bets on Goldman Sachs soon after the collapse of the Lehman Brothers. In 2020, Berkshire Hathaway Inc sold 84% of its Goldman Sachs. Buffett's one magical call may have helped save the US economy: In October 2008, Buffett made a late-night call to the then Treasury Henry "Hank" Paulson with an idea of how the US government might be able to turn the economy around. According to the documentary "Panic: The untold Story of the 2008 Financial Crisis", Buffett shared his idea when the biggest banks failed --Wachovia and Washington Mutual. Buffett told Paulson, "It might make more sense to put more capital in the banks than it would to try and buy these assets. " At thet time, CEOs of major banks--including John Mack of Morgan Stanley, Jamie Dimon of J.P. Morgan, Lloyd Blankfein of Goldman Sachs, etc convened at the Treasury to discuss the proposal. Not all these banks needed assistance and some were apprehensive to accept cash out of fear that it might signal to the public that they were struggling and prompt investors to pull out. The meeting ultimately led the Treasury to inject $250 billion into the banking system, drawing funds from TARP. The plan was not universally well-received. But former US President George W Bush said "The intervention, I think, probably saved a depression". Paulson said, "bailouts was the most successful program that is broadly hated in the history of mankind". Warren Buffett rescued Bank of America: In 2011, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway invested $5 billion in Bank of America through preferred stock, helping the then-ailing mega lender raise capital to bolster its balance sheet. At the time, Bank of America shares were reeling due to unending legal woes stemming from the crisis and its catastrophic acquisition of Countrywide Financial. Other issues, such as a cascading sovereign debt crisis in Europe and fears over a debt default in the US were largely out of the firms control. Now, the Bank of America has settled the bulk of its crisis-era litigation and beefed up its capital position. The Press Secretary office of Kailasa on 19 March has responded to questions about the self proclaimed Hindu country of Kailasa. The Press Secretary has called Kailasa a borderless service-oriented nation and said that the country operates through multiple entities and NGOs, temples, and monasteries in multiple countries. The responses come as the Press Secretary of the Holy See of Hinduism has invited registered media and news agencies to join for a Q&A session. Nithyananda Paramashivam, a self-proclaimed guru and "supreme pontiff of Hinduism," claims to be the ruler of Kailasa. 'United States of Kailasa' is a self-proclaimed country founded by Nithyananda, a controversial godman accused of rape and kidnapping who fled from India in 2019. Though no one is aware of its existence, apart from pictures and videos that keep popping up in social media, it came into news after representative of USK recently visited United Nation. Also read: Where is Nithyananda's fictional country Kailasa? When asked about its location, population and when Kailasa was founded, the office responded saying, We are a revival of the ancient enlightened Hindu civilizational nation and operate through a group of NGOs, recognized by the United Nations, operating from multiple countries across the world. It was established much in the spirit of a country like the Sovereign Order of Malta, a borderless service-oriented nation." When asked about how can people visit their country and what documents are required for the same, the country's secretary responded, Like the Sovereign Order of Malta, Kailasa operates through multiple entities and NGOs, temples, and monasteries in multiple countries." They were also asked about rape and scam accusation on Nithyananda Paramashivam, to which they said, All such allegations are absolutely false." Further stating, they added, "Many prominent human rights advocates have given independent reports and legal opinions attesting this. They also cited example from Queens Council from UK Mr. Geoffrey Robertson. They said, "Among them is world renowned Queens Council from UK Mr. Geoffrey Robertson who says in this report about the persecution: It arises more generally from the demonisation of their leader and guru by the media and state government officials as a result of false sexual abuse charges first levelled against him in 2010 and pursued in a manner that amounts to an abuse of process. "Geoffrey further adds that ... the state of the prosecution evidence in both cases is weak and it is reasonably likely that he will eventually be acquitted. It is particularly concerning that the central government is urging states to encourage police action against him, which smacks of persecution and reprisal for his complaints to the UN", it said in its response. Furthermore they added, "The Supreme Pontiff of Hinduism was proven innocent by the California (USA) Court on April 4, 2013. The court ruled in favor of the SPH and fined the false victim nearly half a million dollars in fines. This is also recognized by Mr. Robertson, QC stating: Both A and Bs claims against PN were dismissed in US cases, with costs and, in As case, with damages. Further evidence emerged in the US proceedings to show that the allegations were false." In response to Fuji Television, who asked them about how were they able to attend the meetings of the UN this time, they said, On February 22, 2023 at the 84th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and on February 24, 2023 at a discussion regarding the General Comment on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development at the United Nations in Geneva, a delegation of women from the United States of Kailasa presented a comprehensive report shedding light on the centuries of ethnocide of Hindu Women, Cultural Genocide of Female Monastic Orders, and disempowerment of women via false representation of Hinduism. We took this opportunity to be the voice for Hindu persecution and we touched briefly on the persecution of SPH and Kailasa by anti-Hindu forces." While explaining the philosophy of Kailasa, Kailasa is the revival of the ancient enlightened Hindu civilizational nation, operating through a group of NGOs in multiple countries across the world. It was established much in the spirit of a country like the Sovereign Order of Malta, a borderless service oriented nation. Its vision is Living Enlightenment for all" leading to global peace irrespective of any external differences including gender, race, nationality, color, caste, creed, etc. It is established on the principle of Oneness" (Advaita" in Sanskrit)." Some media organisation also asked about their constitution, to which it said, Kailasa stands for all great values of Ancient Hindu Enlightened Civilization, enshrined in the constitution of Kailasa. The Vedas and the Agamas are the constitution of Kailasa. The Bhagavad Gita is the preamble to the constitution of Kailasa. Dharma Shastras are the jurisprudence of Kailasa." Some questions were also raised on Nithyananda Paramashivam who is considered as a fake guru/self-styled godman. The Press Secretary in response added, The reviver of Kailasa, Jagatguru Mahasannidhanam (SPH) Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam has been formally initiated, trained, anointed by competent traditional Hindu authorities who have come in established legitimate Hindu lineages. He was recognized at a young age as an incarnation as per Hinduism, much like how the Dalai Lama was recognized as an incarnation as per Tibetan Buddhism. His teachings are based on core ancient Hindu scriptures." By Azernews A memorial monument to Azerbaijani martyrs was erected in Canakkale, Azernews reports, citing a tweet by Azerbaijani Ambassador to Turkiye Rashad Mammadov. On the 108th anniversary of the Canakkale Victory, the monument built in memory of the Azerbaijani martyrs who sacrificed their lives in this holy land together with our Turkish brothers in Canakkale Martyrdom was opened to visitors, the Ambassador tweeted. Chennai, Mar 19 (UNI) In a special and urgent sitting, the Madras High Court on Sunday allowed the AIADMK to hold elections for the post of General Secretary (GS) as scheduled, while directing that the results should not be announced till March 22. Mr Justice K Kumaresh Babu passed this order on a petition filed by ousted AIADMK leader O.Panneerselvam challenging the elections for the post of GS announced by his bete noire and Interim General Secretary Edappadi K.Palaniswami, who commands a majority support from the General Council members and district secretaries. The filing of nominations for the March 26 General Secretary polls began yesterday and ended at 3.00 P.M. today. Since Mr Palaniswami was the only candidate to have filed his nominations for the GS post, he will be declared elected unopposed and will become the full time GS reverting back to the unitary leadership days of Party Founder and late CMs MGR and J.Jayalalithaa as desired by the majority of the party cadres. The scrutiny will take place tomorrow and the last date of withdrawals is March 21. During the urgent hearing, the Judge also directed the City Civil Court which was hearing a plea filed by Mr Panneerselvam against the July 11 last year General Council resolutions, to hear the case on March 22 and pronounce the verdict on March 24. After the court orders, supporters of both the warring factions claiming that it has favoured them, celebrated it by bursting crackers and shouting slogans hailing their leaders. While the Palaniswami camp celebrated it as the court has given the nod for holding the polls, the Panneerselvam faction too celebrated as the court has put on hold in announcing the results. Senior counsel CS Vaidyanathan appeared for Mr Palaniswami and Vijay Narayan appeared for AIADMK, while senior counsels PS Raman, Sriram, C Manishankar argued in favour of expelled leaders PH Manoj Pandian, R Vaithilingam, JCD Prabhakar, who have filed the petition on behalf of their faction leader Panneerselvam. MORE UNI GV 1939 Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanuallah has said that the government plans to consult experts on initiating a process to declare Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party a proscribed" outfit after police claimed to have seized weapons and petrol bombs from the former premier's residence in Lahore. Leaders of the ruling alliance lashed out at Khan who travelled from Lahore to Islamabad on Saturday to mark his presence at a district court here, amidst mayhem and chaos, as his supporters clashed with police. While Khan was in Islamabad, over 10,000 armed Punjab police personnel launched a major operation at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and arrested dozens of his supporters and claimed to have seized weapons and petrol bombs. Interior Minister Sanuallah said at a press conference on Saturday that the government would consult its legal team to assess whether a process could be initiated to declare the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party a proscribed group, Dawn newspaper reported. Terrorists were hiding in Zaman Park. Weapons, petrol bombs, etc have been recovered from the residence of Imran Khan which is enough evidence to file a case against the PTI for being a militant organisation," Sanaullah said. On the governments plan to initiate the process to ban Khans party, the minister said: Primarily it is a judicial process to declare any party proscribed. However, we will consult our legal team on the issue." Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appeared to agree with the assertion by his niece PMN-L Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz that Khans party is a militant organisation". If anyone had any doubt, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Niazis antics of the last few days laid bare his fascist and militant tendencies," he said in a tweet. Maryam said Khan was afraid of going to jail. I wonder if he calls himself a politician. Politicians are not afraid of going to jail and accountability. Only thieves and terrorists do. Fear of arrest shows cases against him (Imran) are genuine," she said and taunted the court on marking the attendance of Khan in the Toshakhana case without his appearance before it. He is a coward as he left the court without marking his attendance". Many PML-N Cabinet members held pressers to justify the police action against Khan and chided his partys hooliganism" at the Islamabad judicial complex, according to the newspaper. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar told reporters that in his 30-year professional career as a lawyer, he had never witnessed a court seeking a signature (from a suspect) in a vehicle to mark his attendance like in the case of Imran Khan. Dont make a joke of your judicial system," Tarar said. Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also took on the judiciary for giving a bundle package of bail" to Khan. Those terrorists who attacked police, the judicial system and the state got a bundle package of bail. This gives a message that he (Khan) is above the Constitution and law," she said. Aurangzeb said that followers of Khan had not thrown petrol bombs on police and rangers alone, but they did so on the court orders as well. All state institutions are responsible for maintaining the writ of the government, she asserted. Today, again law and courts sanctity were trampled. He is trying to influence the court by bringing the people there. The court must take notice of it, otherwise, other political parties will follow suit," Minister for Climate Change and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Sherry Rehman said. Khan arrived at the Islamabad Judicial Complex from Lahore on Tuesday to appear before the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal to attend proceedings on a complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan for allegedly concealing details of gifts in his assets declarations. Khan went back to Lahore after waiting for hours at the entrance of the court as police were unable to clear the way occupied by his supporters. Finally, the judge agreed to let the former premier mark his attendance on a document from his vehicle as the hearing in the Toshakhana case was adjourned till March 30. This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed. With an aim to revive terrorism in Punjab, Pakistan's external spy agency ISI has been the brain behind pushing Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh back to India with the help of overseas Sikh separatists, the officials said on Saturday. Singh, 30, was a truck driver in Dubai before the ISI, with the help of Khalistan supporters based outside India, radicalized him so that he could plunge Punjab again into the dark days of terrorism, they said as quoted by news agency PTI. The radical Sikh preacher had been openly making statements about declaring secession from India and forming Khalistan, threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. He spoke about former prime minister Indira Gandhi and chief minister Beant Singh who were assassinated by terrorists. While Gandhi was shot dead by her own guards, Beant Singh was killed by Dilawar Singh, who acted as a human bomb. The radical preacher claimed that many Dilawars were ready in the current scenario of Punjab. The officials said that Singh also incited the Sikh youths to resort to armed rebellion against the democratically elected governments in order to oppose the supposedly discriminatory treatment being mete to achieve the ultimate goal of the formation of Khalistan. Addressing a function at Rode in Punjab's Moga district, Singh had earlier said that governments run by non-Sikh have no right to rule over the people here and they must be ruled over only by Sikhs, PTI reported. He has been styling himself on the lines of terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during Operation Blue Star in 1984, by copying his attire, and mannerisms, carrying an arrow, keeping a battery of armed bodyguards, and taking the shield of religion. In addition, Singh is also alleged to have links with Lakhbir Singh Rode, head of the International Sikh Youth Federation who is sought for trial in India and wanted in cases of Arms Smuggling (including RDX explosives), conspiracy to attack government leaders in New Delhi and spreading hatred in Punjab. Having made his comeback to Punjab at the behest of ISI, Singh took the help of Amrit Sanchar to set up his organization. Later he launched a campaign called Khalsa Waheer and strengthened his organization by going to the villages, they said. He stirred up the issues of Punjab and started inciting the Sikhs against the government by invoking religion. "The lower strata of society and aimless youth became an easy target of Singh and he started exploiting the sentiments in the name of religion," a source told PTI. They stated that his main aim was to push Punjab towards dark decades of militancy which have been overcome by great difficulty and a lot of sacrifices. The officials claimed that the organization headed by Singh was getting funds from Pakistan. The radical Sikh preacher had taken over the control of accounts of Waris Punjab De with the help of his uncle Harjit Singh, thus making it a family-run organization. (With PTI inputs) Paris police clashed with demonstrators for a third night on Saturday as thousands of people marched throughout the country amid anger at imposing an unpopular pension overhaul without a parliament vote. President Emmanuel Macron's government imposed a highly unpopular that raises France's retirement age by two years to 64, which the government says is essential to ensure the system does not go bust. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne invoked article 49:3 of the constitution - allowing the government to avoid a vote in the Assembly. Here's all you need to know: - The French government has said it is necessary to keep the system from slipping into deficit and to bring France in line with its European neighbours, where the legal retirement age is typically higher. But critics say the changes are unfair for people who start working at a young age in physically challenging jobs, and for women who interrupt their careers to raise children. - This move has caused outrage among the political class as well as angry protests on the streets, presenting the 45-year-old leader with one of his biggest challenges less than a year into his second and final mandate. - The growing unrest and strikes have left President Emmanuel Macron facing the gravest challenge to his authority since the so-called "Gilets Jaunes" (Yellow Vests) protests four years ago. - "Macron, Resign!" and "Macron is going to break down, we are going to win," demonstrators chanted on the Place d'Italie in southern Paris. Riot police used tear gas and clashed with some in the crowd as trash bins were set on fire. Life expectancy is falling but the age you are allowed to retire & access your state pension is rising. In France, tonight, ordinary people are fighting back. Credit to them.pic.twitter.com/3Oh8Smevj0 Howard Beckett (@BeckettUnite) March 16, 2023 - The municipal authorities had banned rallies on Paris's central Place de la Concorde and nearby Champ-Elysees on Saturday night after demonstrations that resulted in 61 arrests the previous night. On Saturday, there were 81 arrests. - BFM television also showed images of demonstrations underway in cities such as Compiegne in the north, Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. In Bordeaux, in the southwest, police also used tear gas against protesters who had started a fire. View Full Image Police officers run toward protesters during a protest in Paris, Saturday, March 18, 2023. (Image: AP) - A broad alliance of France's main unions has said it would continue to mobilise to try to force a U-turn on the changes. A day of nationwide industrial action is scheduled for Thursday. - Rubbish has been piling up on the streets of Paris after refuse workers joined in the action. Some 37 percent of operational staff at TotalEnergies' refineries and depots - at sites including Feyzin in southeast France and Normandy in the north- were on strike on Saturday, a company spokesperson said. Rolling strikes continued on the railways. - While eight days of nationwide protests since mid-January, and many local industrial actions, have so far been largely peaceful, the unrest over the last three days is reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests which erupted in late 2018 over high fuel prices. Those demonstrations forced Macron into a partial U-turn on a carbon tax. - According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data, Iceland, Israel, and Norway have the oldest retirement ages at 67. The life expectancy in these countries is 81, meaning the average men in these countries spends 14 years in retirement. - Usually, countries increase the retirement age when life expectancy rises. In some countries, one can retire before the age set by government pensions and some have a flexible retirement age, such as Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The countries with the shortest retirement age includes Saudi Arabi (47 years), Turkey (52 years), Indonesia (57 years). (With inputs from agencies) The South Korean government has been forced to rethink their 69 hour work week plan after receiving backlash from the younger generation. The increase in increasing the work week hours also comes as some countries including Australia and the UK are considering a four-day workweek aimed at giving workers more time away from the office. The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed relevant agencies to reconsider plans to revise the current cap of 52 hours and communicate better with the public, especially with Generation Z and millennials," press secretary Kim Eun-hye had said in a statement Tuesday. The work week cap was raised as authorities believed that it would allow employers greater flexibility to keep their doors open longer to meet demands during periods of peak activity. It was also designed to help workers bank more hours that could be used for time off at periods convenient for them. Earlier when the proposal was brought up, the labour ministry had said that labour reform proposal was part of efforts to bring more labour flexibility and improve work-life balance in a country where many women are forced to choose between their career and raising children. It was to supersede a 2018 law that limited the work week to 52 hours - 40 hours of regular work plus 12 hours of overtime. The Ministry of Employment and Labor had said the law had made the labour market more rigid. Criticism faced on the 69 hour work week law Critising the government, the youth in the country saw this as destroying a healthy work-life balance. The labor unions, including those led by outspoken members of the countrys MZ generation, said the proposal would lead to more time on the job and undermine progress the country has made in reducing average working hours that rank among the highest in the developed world. Critics of the measure, however, have said that the measures will hurt, not help, working mothers and other women. "While men will work long hours and be exempt from care responsibilities and rights, women will have to do all the care work," the Korean Women's Associations United said in a recent statement Korean Confederation of Trade Unions said in a statement, "It will make it legal to work from 9 am to midnight for five days in a row. There is no regard for workers' health and rest." The Serogochim Labor Union with 8,000 members, many of whom are from MZ Generation, said in a statement last week the governments plan runs counter to global trends and could encourage workers at home to ramp up hours beyond acceptable limits. South Korea is already considered the most overworked country in Asia with employees logging an average of 1,915 hours in 2021. This is 199 hours more than the average among members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and about 33 percent more than in Germany. In 2017, prior to the 52 hour work week cap, hundreds of people had died due to overwork, CNN has reported citing government data. Even after the 52 hours was implemented, cases of gwarosa" which means 'death by overworking' continued to make the headlines. In the year 2020, labor unions told CNN that 14 delivery workers had died due to overwork to keep the country going during pandemic. (With inputs from agencies) Acute water crisis is not a new threat to human existence on Earth. Excessive extraction of fresh water for activities like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing among others are responsible for the rapidly deteriorating supply of fresh water on Earth. The experts have warned that if governments dont take action immediately, fresh water supply will outstrip the supply of fresh water by a whopping 40%, by 2030, seven years from now. A report on economics of water have alerted that countries need to start to manage water as a global common good, because most countries are highly dependent on their neighbours for water supplies, and overuse, pollution and the climate crisis threaten water supplies globally. The scientific evidence is that we have a water crisis. We are misusing water, polluting water, and changing the whole global hydrological cycle, through what we are doing to the climate. Its a triple crisis," Johan Rockstrom, the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and co-chair of the Global Commission on the Economics of Water, and a lead author of the report, told the Guardian. Water is fundamental to the climate crisis and the global food crisis. There will be no agricultural revolution unless we fix water," said Rockstrom. Behind all these challenges we are facing, theres always water, and we never talk about water." Most countries depend for about half of their water supply on the evaporation of water from neighbouring countries known as green" water because it is held in soils and delivered from transpiration in forests and other ecosystems, when plants take up water from the soil and release vapour into the air from their leaves, the Guardian report quotes. The UN water summit, led by the governments of the Netherlands and Tajikistan, will take place in New York on 22 March. It will mark the first time in more than four decades the UN has met to discuss water, with previous attempts stymied by governments reluctant to countenance any form of international governance of the resource. UBS Group AG has offered to buy Credit Suisse for up to $1 billion, reported Reuters citing Financial Times. The Swiss government is planning to change the country's laws to bypass a shareholder vote on the deal, reported Financial Times. Credit Suisse and UBS declined to comment, and the Swiss government did not immediately respond to a request for comment, reported Reuters. The Financial Times reported that the all-share deal was set to be signed as soon as Sunday. The deal will be priced at a fraction of Credit Suisse's closing price on Friday, and such pricing means that it will all but wipe out the targets shareholders the report said. Under the proposed deal, a price of 0.25 Swiss francs a share will be paid in UBS stock, which is far lower than Credit Suisses Friday closing price of SFr1.86. UBS has also insisted on a 'material adverse change' that voids the deal in the event its credit default spreads jump by 100 basis points or more, the report added. A source told Reuters that UBS was seeking $6 billion from the Swiss government as part of a possible purchase of its rival. The guarantees UBS is seeking would cover the cost of winding down parts of Credit Suisse and potential litigation charges, two people told Reuters. The talks were encountering significant obstacles, and 10,000 jobs may have to be cut if the two banks combine, a source told Reuters. The Swiss Bank Employees Association on Sunday called for the immediate creation of a task force to deal with the risk to jobs, reported Reuters. The weekend negotiations over the future of Credit Suisse follow a brutal week for banking stocks and efforts in Europe and the United States to shore up the sector following the collapse of U.S. lenders Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. US President Joe Biden's administration moved to backstop consumer deposits while the Swiss central bank lent billions to Credit Suisse to stabilise its shaky balance sheet. UBS was under pressure from the Swiss authorities to take over its local rival to get the crisis under control, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The plan could see Credit Suisse's Swiss business spun off, while Bloomberg reported that the takeover talks were throwing into doubt plans to hive off its investment bank under the First Boston brand. US authorities are working with their Swiss counterparts to help broker a deal, Bloomberg reported, while Sky News said the Bank of England has indicated to international counterparts and to UBS that it would back the proposed takeover of Credit Suisse, which counts Britain as a key market. Credit Suisse shares lost a quarter of their value in the last week. The bank was forced to tap $54 billion in central bank funding as it tries to recover from a string of scandals that have undermined the confidence of investors and clients. SVB and Signature's collapses are the largest bank failures in U.S. history behind the demise of Washington Mutual during the global financial crisis in 2008. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is pushing tighter banking regulation, has called for an investigation into the two failures, the Wall Street Journal reported. Banking stocks globally have been battered with the S&P Banks index falling 22% in its largest two-week loss since the pandemic shook markets in March 2020. US banks have sought a record $153 billion in emergency liquidity from the Federal Reserve in recent days and big lenders threw a $30 billion lifeline to smaller lender First Republic. First Citizens BancShares is evaluating an offer for SVB along with at least one other suitor, while the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America asked regulators to extend federal insurance to all deposits for the next two years, Bloomberg reported. In Washington, focus has turned to greater oversight to ensure that banks and their executives are held accountable with Biden calling on Congress to give regulators greater power over the sector. The swift and dramatic events may mean big banks get bigger, smaller banks may strain to keep up and more regional lenders may shut. (With inputs from Reuters) Remember Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist? This is an excerpt from her famous 2019 speech. The popular idea of cutting our emissions in half in 10 years only gives us a 50% chance of staying below 1.5 degrees (Celsius), and the risk of setting off irreversible chain reactions beyond human control," Thunberg told the United Nations. You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet Im one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!" How dare you" got instant life as a meme, circulated millions of times by everyone from woke environmentalists to jilted lovers from South Sudan to Sultanganj. Last week, Greta Thunberg deleted a tweet she had posted in 2018. The tweet said: A top climate scientist is warning that climate change will wipe out all of humanity unless we stop using fossil fuels over the next five years." Five years have passed, and as far as I can make out, we are still using fossil fuels and there is no immediate threat of us humans being wiped off earth. Its that old story, all over again. Former American vice-president Al Gore is the only person other than George Bernard Shaw to have won both a Nobel Prize and an Oscar. Gore won the awards for his documentary Inconvenient Truth (2006), which spoke of an environmental catastrophe on its way. In the film, he predicted that the global sea level would rise as much as 20 feet in the near future". Soon after garnering enormous money and adulation for his film and concern about impending doom, Gore spent $9 million to buy a sea-front villa in Montecito, California, that, if his predictions were correct, would soon be submerged. And his ancestral 10,000-plus-square-foot home in Tennessee uses more electricity in one year than the average American family uses in 21 years, according to a study done by the American National Center for Public Policy Research. Former US president Barack Obama consistently spoke about climate change and hot rising oceans, but bought a $11-million house in Marthas Vineyard6,892 square feet on nearly 30 secluded acresbarely above the current sea level. Why should we take anything that such people say seriously? These are people who are saying that the world will end unless we do something dramatically different from the way we live our lives, and then buy insanely expensive homes right where the world is supposed to end. All of this would be hilarious if it werent so disturbing. In the tweet that she has since deleted, Thunberg was quoting Harvard professor James Anderson, who, she claimed, had said that if we did not stop the use of fossil fuels by 2023, the polar ice caps would be gone. This, as far as my understanding of scientific reasoning goes, is as balderdash a statement as any the Mad Hatter or the dormouse could have made in Alice in Wonderland. There is absolutely no logic that can justify a prediction of all of us dying if we dont stop running our petrol-driven cars in five years. And guess whatthose five years are already over! Interestingly enough, my Google searches did not find any evidence that Anderson had actually said something like that. The closest he came to predicting doomsday was when he said that continued use of fossil fuels could cause irreversible damage to the polar ice caps. That is not even close to humanity being wiped out. In fact, the whole history of humankind has been about innovating and managing to deal with environmental forces that are much bigger than us and wholly oblivious of our limited interests and hopes. The last time I checked, penguins were not wearing cardigans and we were not frying to death, whether in Los Angeles or Lucknow. Climate alarmism is a big issue with a lot of ideological paraphernalia, but we need to engage with it logically. Greta Thunberg has been out of the news cycle now for three years. Her statements have been typical of our times, feeding an incessant media appetite with little regard for the truth or falsity of what is propagatedafter all, you need only to tap a button on your cellphone. Instagram is life. Thunbergs rants had a large audience and she was even thought of as a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize. The covid pandemic was a horrid setback for her, when people worried that their lives were more at risk from things other than coal or petrol. The Ukraine war has also been a problem, as people in the West figured out that you need gasspecifically, Russian gasto keep your homes from not getting really cold. And she has now been upstaged in a way by Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistan-born activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014 who reportedly charges more than $100,000 to attend a function. Let me cite a Vogue report on Yousafzais appearance at the Oscar awards ceremony last week: Malala was styled by Dena Giannini in a custom Ralph Lauren gown with built-in headscarf, which was entirely covered in silver sequins. She looked so beautiful! Giannini told British Vogue. Malalas shimmering dress was accessorised with antique earrings and a navette diamond ring The 25-year-old wanted her look to symbolise hope Giannini told Vogue." Sandipan Deb is a former editor of Financial Express, and founder-editor of Open and Swarajya magazines The Iran-Saudi deal on restoring diplomatic relations, brokered by China, suggests American influence in West Asia is being challenged. Since the end of World War II and especially since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has been the principal external power in the region. Its economic engagement there has included its role as a major market for the regions hydrocarbons, the use of the US dollar as the principal currency of international exchange, and its supply of investments and technologies. Its role as security guarantor has been equally crucial, even if its military interventions have often caused more damage to itself and the region. It is this American centrality that Beijing is attempting to challenge, and while it is not going to be easy, China under President Xi Jinping is clearly not going to stop trying. This is evident from a series of recently released Chinese foreign policy documents on its global development and security initiatives. The complex geopolitical reality of the West Asian region must also be taken into account when drawing conclusions about the importance of the Chinese role in the latest diplomatic breakthrough. Americas chequered past in the region suggests it has not always been in control of the outcomes despite its overwhelming diplomatic, economic and military might. While Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel have been the big local powers, with Egypt and Iraq also influential actors, smaller players like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also grown in stature and influence over time. The equations among these powers have changed often over the past decades. Todays extreme hostility between Iran and Israel was preceded by a period of friendship between the Israelis and pre-revolutionary Iran, for example. With the US-sponsored Abraham Accords, several Arab countries now appear willing to sideline the Palestinian issue in favour of closer ties with Israel acknowledging its military superiority and hoping perhaps to partake in its technological prowess. In Saudi Arabia, religion also seems to be taking a back seat to plain nationalism. It may appear as though Beijing has pulled a rabbit out of a hat with the Iran-Saudi deal but let us not forget that the two countries wanted the deal badly, and that there is really no clear roadmap laid out in the trilateral joint statement about what comes next. The Saudis were careful not to talk about sovereignty in terms of territorial issues Iran and Saudi Arabia do not have any territorial disputes but the UAE, a close ally of the Saudis, does have an ongoing maritime territorial dispute with the Iranians. But a joint Gulf Cooperation Council-China statement at the end of Xis visit to Riyadh in December 2022 did affirm the UAEs territorial sovereignty over the disputed features. The same statement also had a call to ensure the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear programme" and for Iran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. As a result, there was a great deal of Iranian annoyance with the Chinese. China may have decided it was more important to show its credentials to the Arabs whom it wishes to wean away from the Americans as it was confident of persuading the Iranians. The latter are in less of a position to bargain with the Chinese, given the only major power they have to fall back on is Russia, which is otherwise occupied. China is also Irans largest trading partner at a time when it is severely hobbled by Western economic sanctions. Meanwhile, the Iran-Saudi rapprochement in general and their affirmation of the respect for the sovereignty of states" in particular is sure to put Israel in a bit of a spot, geopolitically speaking. In December the Israeli defence minister had in a speech to graduating air force officers called on them to be ready to hit nuclear sites in Iran in two or three years essentially a declaration of a lack of consideration for Iranian sovereignty. The Iran-Saudi agreement is no doubt also a response to the increasingly rightward turn in Israeli politics led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one that the US seems either unwilling or unable to moderate. It is worth noting that the US is also trying to mediate a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel but that the Saudis are also troubled by the declining American attention to their interests. Implications for India For India, the deal itself is not a bad thing if it brings about greater regional stability, and might well open up other opportunities for engagement with the two West Asian states where India does not need to worry about offending either party. There could be some complications for Indias close ties with Israel, given that nations domestic politics and views on Iran but theres no reason why New Delhi should not be able to balance ties like the UAE does and make the most of the I2U2 quadrilateral of the three countries and the US. That said, the Iran-Saudi deal does shine an uncomfortable light on Indias lack of influence in the region. Given its proximity and cultural links, apart from economic and political ones, New Delhi should have had a role in bringing the two traditional foes together. Instead, Chinas role in swinging the deal suggests its influence outstrips that of Indias by a distance. The fact that Indian Ministry of External Affairs waited several days for its regular media briefing to respond to the deal with a colourless India has always advocated dialogue and diplomacy as a way to resolve differences" seems to suggest a degree of surprise and unease at the Chinese role. If India had to ignore the Chinese role altogether, it could very well have responded immediately, as the Americans did. Meanwhile, there is the matter of whether the deal will stick and, if it does, how important or immediate its effects will be. Major deals struck in the region have collapsed under the weight of contradictions or stakeholder capriciousness think back to the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, which was scuttled by the Donald Trump administration in 2018. The Americans continue to have their suspicions about Irans sincerity. As for Syria, the Arabs and Iranians are converging on the belief that the Bashar al Assad regime needs to be engaged, while the primary concern for the Saudis will be ending the conflict on their borders with the Houthis in Yemen. How quickly the latters Iranian supporters nudge them towards compromising with the Saudis remains to be seen. For now, though, the deal is a propaganda coup for China, a reminder to the Americans not to take its influence for granted, and hopefully also a reminder to India that it takes a great deal of work to convert historical ties and photo ops into actual influence on the ground. Its disturbing that mobile internet access was thought best shut off in Punjab during the police manhunt for Amritpal Singh, a separatist leader. Its clear that calls for a Sikh state mustnt find listeners. A return to the turmoil of the 1980s would only cause misery. A large mob mobilized by Singh last month to defy law enforcers, however, may have fed fears of sizeable solidarity with him. If one can talk about a Hindu rashtra and raise slogans for it, if Communists can aspire to create a Communist state," Singh had argued, why have peaceful aspirations of Khalistan been criminalized?" For one, that mob was armed; it stormed a police station and interfered with law enforcement. For another, nationhood based on religionwhich must play a private and not public roleis an ill-advised concept: its likely to end up fragile and fundamentalist. Crucially, Indias map cannot be redrawn in blood. National integrity demands no quarter be given to any armed insurgency. Our Constitution offers space for diverse aspirations. But the web snap-off was a bad decision for the anxiety it betrayed over news getting around. Singh wasnt nabbed. Instead, he was the talk of Punjab and beyond. Cambodia's 3 day Sankranta festival concludes 17 Apr 2023 | 4:28 PM Phnom Pehn, Apr 17 (UNI) Cambodia's three-day Sankranta festival, or the traditional New Year celebration, ended on Sunday with 13.1 million people traveling to various tourist attractions across the kingdom, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said on Monday. see more.. All military drills held in strict accordance with int'l Law: Russia 17 Apr 2023 | 4:22 PM Moscow, Apr 17 (UNI) Russia's all military exercises are held in accordance with international law, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday, commenting on Tokyo's protest over Moscow's drills near the Kuril Islands. see more.. Death toll rises to 97 as fighting rages in Sudan 17 Apr 2023 | 2:18 PM Khartoum, Apr 17 (UNI) Clashes in Sudan's capital Khartoum raged for a third day, raising the death toll to 97, said a Sudanese doctors' union in a statement early Monday. see more.. CENTCOM reports possible death of high ranking IS leader 17 Apr 2023 | 1:37 PM Washington, Apr 17 (UNI) One of ISIS leaders responsible for plotting attacks in the Middle East and Europe could have been killed as a result of a unilateral helicopter raid by the US forces, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday. see more.. The inefficiency of the current Garda vetting process was highlighted when members of Longford County Council discussed a motion on the issue. Cllr Paul Ross (pictured) suggested Justice Minister Simon Harris brings in a 'one for all' Garda vetting process. Cllr Ross said at present volunteers seeking Garda vetting may have to go through the process multiple times if they are involved in different organisations or workplace. Councillor Paul Ross described the current system of vetting as outdated. Anyone who works or volunteers with children is required to be Garda vetted to check if they have a criminal record, Cllr Ross explained. He argued in his motion that the 'one for all' online vetting system should be introduced to replace the current one: If involved in the local GAA club, on the School Board of Management and the Community Games. Each one requires a different Garda Vetting process. It can take up to four weeks depending on the time of the year. I have to go through the whole process multiple times. It's an antiquated system. In my opinion there should be a live online system where some organisation can log in with my details and they can see that I'm Garda vetted, or I can print off my Garda vetting form. He said another issue with the system is that the vetting last for three years, while if a problem crops up in that time the voluntary organisation is not informed. Cllr Ross said the present system is a huge administrative burden for the Gardai and a waste of money. Cllr Colm Murray formally supported the motion: It's a problem that has been around for quite some time. Cllr Pat O'Toole said he also fully supported the motion and said the process needs to be streamlined. Britains relationship with the EU is recovering from a very low point of no trust during the Boris Johnson era, according to Germanys ambassador to the UK. Miguel Berger praised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for having developed a relationship of trust with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, adding: This is something we can build on. Mr Berger said the EU now has full confidence that the UK will implement what has been agreed over Brexit matters in contrast to the experiences with Mr Johnson when prime minister. MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the Stormont brake section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday. Downing Street believes the measure which potentially gives the UK a veto over the imposition of new EU rules in Northern Ireland was the most significant part of the agreement. It represents the first Commons test for Mr Sunaks deal with the EU and he could face a Tory backbench rebellion. The Windsor Framework as a whole seeks to reduce the volume of Brexit red tape on the movement of GB goods bound for Northern Ireland that was created by the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mr Berger told Sky Newss Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: I think its a very good compromise that has been worked out quietly over four months between the European Commission and the British Government. It preserves the Good Friday Agreement, it preserves east-west trade, it means that the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland can stay open, so I think it achieves all the main objectives. What I hear very often from business people in Northern Ireland is what they need is predictability and stability and I think the Windsor Framework can achieve that. Mr Berger added: We understand the sensitivities of the DUP and other unionists but at the same time I think we need a compromise which allows us to have the necessary confidence in the agreement, and I think this has been achieved. We are very confident not only that there will be an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons but also this is an agreement where we can build on to strengthen the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. Mr Berger added: We have full confidence that the British Government is really going to implement what was agreed and, as we know, that was not the case with Boris Johnson. Asked to describe the relationship with former prime minister Mr Johnson, he said: I would say that the relationship was really at a very low point, there was no trust that things agreed will be implemented and this is absolutely different now. I think we can look to a brighter future in the relationship. The so-called Stormont brake mechanism enables a minority of Stormont MLAs to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland. The process could ultimately lead to the UK Government vetoing their introduction. Details of how the brake will operate are due to be outlined in the secondary legislation, which the Government has said would be published on Monday. The DUP, which collapsed powersharing in Northern Ireland in protest at the protocol, has said the Windsor Framework does not deal with some fundamental problems created by existing arrangements. It is my current assessment that there remains key areas of concern which require further clarification, re-working and change as well as seeing further legal text.@J_Donaldson_MP https://t.co/LEwXjBRphN DUP (@duponline) March 14, 2023 Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden told Sky News: Im confident the vote will succeed and pass, and I hope we will do so with the support of the DUP but ultimately that is for them. Labour will vote in favour of the regulations on Wednesday and shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy told the same programme: I think its a step forward and we will support a step forward. Rishi Sunak is prepared to go and start cleaning up some of his own mess, were certainly not going to criticise him for that and theres no question that this is something that is now urgent, its incredibly important and trying to remove some of that friction, some of those barriers on the island of Ireland has long been our priority. An accountancy apprenticeship programme is set to create 150 jobs in the private and public sectors throughout Ireland this year. Applications have opened for the Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) Apprenticeship, in partnership with further education colleges in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Waterford and Wicklow. The apprenticeship is a funded, two-year, work-based learning education and training programme in which apprentices work, learn and earn at least 22,035 a-year while attending lectures one day a week at a local college. It provides an alternative for school leavers who prefer practical training to a full-time college programme - or those who started a college course and found it did not suit them. It is also an option for existing employees and mature learners who want to pursue accounting. The apprenticeship enables employers recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner as training fees are covered by state agency, SOLAS. Employers can also avail of a grant of 2,000 per-year for each apprentice they employ. Dublin-based Tsuika Cheung, 32, is in the second year of her apprenticeship with fibre broadband wholesalers, Siro, at their Carrickmines headquarters. The Hong-Kong native, who lives in Sandyford, Co Dublin, said being able to work and learn at the same time has enhanced her career prospects and provided her with the option of becoming a fully qualified accountant. She said, "Though my background career was in accounting, I needed to update my skills to reflect Irish standards after moving here with my family. "The Accounting Technicians Ireland apprenticeship programme was perfect for me and suits a wide range of people. "Leaving Certificate students who are unsure of what to do, employees in the sector who wish to further their careers, or career changers who cannot afford to give up their jobs for full-time education. "You get two years work experience, which is so valuable when applying for jobs, and you earn while you learn. "Also, the apprenticeship gives you multiple exemptions if you wish to study to become a fully qualified accountant. "The knowledge I gain through college can be easily applied into everyday practical work immediately, which makes it easier to understand and remember." Finance manager at Siro and Tsuikas workplace mentor, Gillian Noonan, said the programme is a win-win for the employer and the apprentice. She said, "The Accounting Technicians Ireland Apprenticeship has been a huge success for Siro. "The work-based learning is very much in tune with the evolution of the accountancy environment. "At Siro, we are very focused on sustainability and there is related course work on this. Learning and development can be matched through progression within our finance team. "And the programme has been such a success for us that Siro has taken on another apprentice. Head of Education at ATI, Gabriela Airini, said the apprenticeship enables employers to recruit and upskill staff in a cost-effective manner. She said, "The Accounting Technician Apprenticeship continues to contribute towards job creation and business growth in Ireland with over 650 jobs created since the programmes foundation in 2017. "Graduates gain a professional QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Accounting and have acquired practical professional skills needed to fill a range of accounting and finance roles across all sectors. "ATI is continuing to work with over 350 apprenticeship employers which have hired Accounting Technician apprentices across 22 sectors." Leaving Certificate students, school leavers, career changers, and mature learners can apply at accountingtechniciansireland. ie. Seoul, Mar 19 (UNI) South Korea and the United States conducted on Sunday joint air drills involving a US nuclear-capable B-1B strategic bomber after North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the Sea of Japan, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean military. Earlier on Sunday, Yonhap said that Pyongyang test-fired a ballistic missile from the Tongchang-ri area on North Korea's west coast. According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, the missile flew some 800 kilometers (497 miles) and fell outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone. The joint US-South Korea drills took place over the Korean peninsula as part of the ongoing Freedom Shield exercise that started on March 13 and also involved South Korean F-35A fighter jets, US F-16 fighters and B-1B strategic bombers. A similar exercise was held in the area on March 3. The latest North Korean test-firing comes three days after Pyongyang launched a Hwansong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile in response to joint military drills conducted by the US and South Korea. UNI/SPUTNIK GNK Some suspected illegal small-scale miners on Thursday allegedly torched some properties belonging to the Golden Star Wassa Mine at Benso in the Western Region. This was disclosed by the Head of Group Corporate Affairs of the company, Gerard Hillary Osei Boakye, on Eyewitness News on Friday. According to Mr. Osei Boakye, the illegal miners amongst other properties set 12 vehicles ablaze including excavators, ambulances and pick-ups forcing the staff of the company to run for their lives. Speaking on the Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Boakye narrated that in an attempt by the police to ward off the illegal miners from invading a concession belonging to the company at Benso, some of them sustained injuries. He explained that the irate illegal miners regrouped and returned to the concession later in the evening where they attacked workers at post, vandalised and torched some of their properties. We usually do our patrols to protect our concession which is required of us by law to be responsible for our boundaries and also prevent incursions, to make sure that community people, hunters, and farms are safe. On one such occasion which was Thursday, March 16, we encountered some illegal miners encroaching, we engaged them as part of our modus operandi and told them to move away. They were interested in that area, so they came back and when they came back, we tried to ward them off with the help of the police. They dispersed again and apparently unconfirmed report reaching us is that they may have been injured in the cause of being dispersed. That probably infuriated them, and they came back torch our vehicles and ran our security post down, destroyed our offices, basically burnt things down, he explained. Enumerating some of the properties torched by the illegal miners, he mentioned, as many as 12 vehicles including an ambulance, pickups, excavators, buildings, offices, air-conditioned, our security post. Mr. Osei Boakye assured that calm has been restored at the area adding that the police have started their investigations to fish out the perpetrators. The Head of Group Corporate Affairs at the mining company said some of the companys security men who were injured have been treated and discharged from the hospital. The police called in for reinforcement from Tarkwa, and they have been there since Thursday night to provide security, they have started their investigations, calm has been restored, and our security men who were injured have been treated and discharged, he emphasised. citinewsroom Mr. Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, MP for South Dayi 19.03.2023 LISTEN Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, the Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi has waded into the recent court verdict on Anas' defamation suit against Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, MP for Assin Central. An Accra High Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah on Wednesday, March 15, quashed the case in which the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO demanded GHC25 million from the Assin Central MP over alleged defamation. In the ruling, the judge described the ace undercover journalist as a blackmailer and extortionist. He also described his style as investigative terrorism. The words used by Justice Eric Baah, according to the legislator, are very troubling. Speaking on Accra-based TV3s Key Point show on Saturday, March 18, Mr. Dafeamekpor said the judge was too emotional in his verdict. According to him, the Criminal Investigative Department can even use the judge's pronouncement to arrest Anas for a criminal offence. "The judges language toward Anas is too harsh and troubling. He was too emotional in his verdict. By that, the CID can even arrest Anas and prosecute him on criminal charges," the MP alluded. Manasseh Azure Awuni, a Ghanaian investigative journalist has expressed disgust at the way Justice Eric Baah "denigrated" ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas recently in his verdict on the defamation suit filed against Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong. According to him, some words used by Justice Baah on Anas are very troubling and shouldn't have been used by the judge at all. On Wednesday, March 15, Justice Eric Baah quashed the case in which the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO demanded GHC25 million from the Assin Central MP over alleged defamation. In the verdict, the judge described the ace undercover journalist as a blackmailer and extortionist. He also described his style as investigative terrorism. Speaking on this on the Accra-based TV3s Key Point show on Saturday, March 18, the Fourth Estate editor said Anas has really helped in the countrys effort to combat corruption. "Part of the judges language was very troubling. Its something emotional. "Anas is the face of investigative journalism in Ghana. I look up to him. I started studying his works while I was in high school. Even others who do it look up to him. "I remember I once invited him to share his expertise with students while I was GIJ-SRC President," said Manasseh. He emphasized that the impact of investigative journalism is something the nation cannot afford to lose, particularly in fighting corrupt public officers. Citing some successes, Manasseh noted that their work has seen some corrupt individuals thrown into prison with some losing their positions. That to him is something that even state-funded institutions like the Auditor Generals findings have not been able to achieve. "We cant allow investigative journalism to die." It will be very suicidal because the works of Anas, myself, and others have been able to send corrupt individuals to jail, and others have also lost their jobs. And this is something even the most worrying Auditor General report every year has not been able to do. "So investigative journalism has been doing what the paid state institutions have not been able to do," said the journalist. Lawyer Martin Kpebu, Private legal practitioner 19.03.2023 LISTEN A private Ghanaian legal practitioner, Lawyer Martin Kpebu has stood strongly behind ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas following the journalist's defeat in court. The vocal legal practitioner asserted that the country needs to train more Anas to help fight corruption. On the recent court verdict of a defamation case filed by Anas against Kennedy Agayapong, the Assin Central lawmaker, Mr. Kpebu said Ghana must protect the undercover journalist at all cost. Speaking on Accra-based TV3s Key Point show on Saturday, March 18, the lawyer said Ghanaians would be doing themselves good if they protect Anas and the works of investigative journalism. By supporting Anas, we are supporting the whole society. Lets help people who want to help society because if we send them away, those wicked people will come after all of us. We need to cultivate more of Anas to save the nation from corruption, he stated. In a verdict on Wednesday, March 15, Justice Eric Baah quashed the case in which the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO demanded GHC25 million from the Assin Central MP over alleged defamation in the lawmakers "who watches the watchman" expose. The judge described the ace undercover journalist as a blackmailer and extortionist. He also described his style as investigative terrorism. The word "extortion" has, for the last few days, been a key element of discussion in the various forms of Ghanaian media. It came after Justice Eric Baah, giving a verdict on a defamation case filed by ace undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas against Kennedy Agyapong, Assin Central MP, described the journalist as an extortionist and a blackmailer. He also described Anas' style as investigative terrorism. An investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni has revealed his worst experience in the field. According to him, he was once accused of extorting money from some private company in the country, which almost sent him to prison. He was offered a gift from an organization he went to interview for his investigative report but refused to take it despite several persuasions. But according to him, he was later accosted by some security personnel over claims that he had taken the money. They even accused him of being the one who demanded the money. The Fourth Estate Editor narrates, "I remember I once visited Nana Akomeahs office for some information about the State Transport Corporation (STC). I met a man there, and he told me, "You are the one we are looking to arrest for extortion." "I was shocked, and that was from a private company I investigated, which was even my first investigative report. After the interview, I was offered a huge envelope; I didnt know whether it contained dollars or cedis. "I declined because there is no way I will accept money as a gift from someone I am investigating. They insisted I take it because it was from their CEO, who was then in the US, but I didnt accept it. I never told them it was a bribe, but I thanked them and said I couldnt take it. He concluded, "They even wanted me to speak with the CEO on phone so that he can convince me the more that it was just a gift but I stood my ground and rejected it. Not knowing some people were around and laying ambush at me." The Tamale Teaching Hospital received a presidential honour for its distinguished service during the fight against COVID-19 Pandemic. The hospital was honoured by the President H.E. Nana Akufo Addo at an event on 14th March 2023. Part of the inscription reads "The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) was one of the tertiary health care facilities that provided comprehensive leadership and contributed to operational excellence, effective case management, laboratory investigations, intensive surveillance and risk communication in the successful containment of the COVID-19 disease in the country, especially in the five Northern regions and part of Oti and Bono-East Regions." Receiving the award on behalf of the Hospital, Mr. Salifu Musah the acting Director of Nursing expressed thanks to the President and government for appreciating the effort made by the Tamale Teaching Hospital during Ghanas fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic. At a similar event, Dr. Letitia Adelaide Appiah and Mr. Mathew Kyeremeh both members of the Governing Board of the Tamale Teaching Hospital were decorated by the President H.E. Nana Akufo-Addo for their leadership roles in case management during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Similarly, Dr. Abdul Wahid Bawa, a medical doctor at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Tamale Teaching Hospital was awarded for his contributions to support the fight against COVID- 19 pandemic. The Tamale Teaching Hospital and its staff played a strategic role in contact tracing, taking samples and case management. Pope Francis on Saturday greeted thousands of refugees brought to Europe by Christian charities, recognising their difficult journeys and hailing their desire to "live free from fear and insecurity". At the Paul VI hall in the Vatican, the 86-year-old pontiff also thanked those who helped the refugees settle into their new lives, saying that "welcome is the first step towards peace". The audience included many of the 6,000 people who have been helped to Europe through "humanitarian corridors" run by Christian groups since 2016. The scheme, initiated by the Catholic Sant'Egidio community in Italy and later extended to France and Belgium, involves people from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Libya and Ukraine among others. "I am happy to meet so many refugees and their families... each of you deserves attention for the hard history that you have lived," Francis told them. "You have shown a firm will to live free from fear and insecurity." He paid particular tribute to those who survived grim conditions in detention camps in Libya, the preferred departure point for many of the tens of thousands of people who try to cross the Mediterranean into Europe each year. Limited routes The humanitarian corridors were set up to provide an alternative to the deadly sea crossing, where more than 26,000 people have lost their lives since 2014, according to the United Nations. Saturday's event comes just weeks after a migrant boat was shipwrecked off the southern coast of Italy, leaving at least 87 people dead. Many of the 6,000 people helped to Europe by Christian groups since 2016 gathered in the Vatican Saturday. By Alberto PIZZOLI (AFP) In a copy of his speech issued by the Vatican, the pope referenced the disaster, saying "everything possible needs to be done to ensure that it will not be repeated". He delivered to the audience, however, a much shorter version and did not mention the shipwreck. Many migrants and asylum seekers turn to leaky, overcrowded boats because legal routes to Europe are limited. The number of asylum claims in Europe in 2022 reached levels last seen during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis, when more than a million came to the continent. But the issue of who should take responsibility for the arrivals is a cause of major tension between member states. 'A dream' Under the corridor scheme, the European governments involved agree to issue visas, which the charities then use to bring over the most vulnerable -- whether victims of persecution, families with children, the elderly or infirm. When the refugees arrive, the charities provide them with housing, language and skills training, and help them apply for asylum. The first humanitarian corridor opened was through Lebanon, with Italy offering visas to 1,000 Syrians who had fled there. A Syrian woman named Anna spoke at Saturday's event, describing her family's journey from Aleppo to Lebanon and then Italy. The scheme "seemed a dream, the possibility of living in peace", she said, before being greeted by the pope. Francis said the corridors aimed to ensure "life, salvation and then dignity". About 5,000 of the refugees brought in since 2016 are in Italy, where the Italian Federation of Evangelical Churches and the Waldensian Church are also involved. Another 600 went to France, according to Sant'Egidio. The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah has opined on the verdict given by Justice Eric Baah in a defamation case filed by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas against Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Assin Central lawmaker. On Wednesday, March 15, a High Court presided over by Justice Eric Baah quashed the case in which the Tiger Eye P.I. CEO demanded GHC25 million from the Assin Central MP over alleged defamation. In the verdict, the judge established that the ace undercover journalist is a blackmailer, extortionist, and evil. He also described Anas' style as investigative terrorism. Baffled by those harsh words, Mr. Braimah said he wondered if the judge had practiced journalism before to know what was right or wrong about the profession. "I asked myself, was this judge a journalist before becoming a judge?" Because he was clearly establishing what is right or wrong and even said what is practiced is not investigative journalism," he said. Speaking on Accra-based JoyNews News File program on Saturday, March 18, the media freedom advocate said the judge deviated from the matter at hand and only became interested in examining the ace investigative journalists style of work. "The whole case moved beyond whether Ken Agyapong could prove that Anas is a murderer, extortionist, thief, bribe taker, etc. to the judge examining the methodology Anas uses," he noted. "From the ruling, the defendant admits saying all those things about Anas, but he said will prove that those things were justified, true, and fair," Mr. Braimah added. An overloaded passengers boat crossing the Ada river to Azizakpe in the Ada East District has capsized with five people including two children feared dead. Rescuers including the Ghana Navy are still working to rescue survivors and retrieve the bodies. The children are two and three months old. The passengers were traveling from Azizanya to attend a funeral in Azizakpe before the unfortunate incident happened, Mr. Godwin Agudey, Presiding Member, Ada-East Municipal Assembly, has confirmed to the Ghana News Agency in an interview. He said, information gathered indicated that the boat which was supposed to carry about 40 to 50 people was loaded with close to 100 passengers, and while crossing, it capsized. The Ada-East Presiding Member added that the boat completely submerged in the water, adding that a search team, including the Navy and other stakeholders, was still rescuing the victims. We are unable to tell the number of the people rescued because they were still working close to the Azizakpe island where they were attending the funeral, while others were being rescued back to Azizanya, he said. GNA Britain's interior minister defended a controversial plan to deport asylum seekers who arrive in the UK illegally to Rwanda during a visit to the country on Saturday, saying it was "compassionate". The UK's conservative government has made tackling illegal immigration a priority, and it was a key promise as the country left the European Union. It is seeking to outlaw asylum claims by all illegal arrivals and transfer them to "safe" third countries, such as Rwanda, in a bid to stop thousands of migrants from crossing the Channel on small boats. "I sincerely believe that this world-leading partnership between two allies and two friends, the United Kingdom and Rwanda, will lead the way in finding a solution which is both humanitarian and compassionate," Home Secretary Suella Braverman said in Kigali. She spoke alongside Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, who said the move "will not only help dismantle criminal human-smuggling networks, but also save lives". More than 45,000 migrants arrived on the shores of southeast England on small boats last year -- a 60-percent annual increase on a perilous route that has been used by more people every year since 2018. 'Safe passage, not Rwanda' The government, which is trailing in opinion polls, has been striving for years to tackle the crossings. It had hoped the threat of a one-way ticket to Rwanda, where migrants would remain if accepted for asylum, would deter the cross-Channel journeys. But that plan, announced by former prime minister Boris Johnson last year, was blocked at the last minute by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is separate to the EU. It was then upheld by the High Court in London, but has been mired in appeals. No flights to Rwanda have yet taken place. Rights groups accuse Rwanda -- ruled with an iron fist by President Paul Kagame since the end of the 1994 genocide that killed around 800,000 people -- of cracking down on free speech and opposition. In Britain on Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of cities including London, Glasgow and Cardiff to demonstrate against the plan. Anti-racism protesters in the British capital carried signs reading "no human being is illegal" and "Safe passage, not Rwanda". Some British media including the BBC and The Guardian newspaper were not invited to cover the interior minister's visit to Rwanda. Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, has commended former President John Dramani Mahama for gracing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos presentation of the 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Majority Leader gave the commendation in his remarks at the end of the debate on the Motion to thank the President for the SONA, which he presented to the House on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. The SONA is a requirement of Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said the President started off the SONA in acknowledging the presence of distinguished personalities among whom this time were the former Presidents: John Agyekum Kufuor and John Dramani Mahama. The Majority Leader said in 2021 after the 2020 General Election, former President Mahama did not respond to the invitation to attend the presentation of the Message on the State of the Nation. The former President was again absent from last year's event, and I lamented his absence and stated unequivocally that it was not a good account of the immediate past President. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said. I insisted that it was not good for the unity of the country regardless of our political differences. It is the reason why the sheer presence of former President Mahama must be commended this time. He noted that the spirit of togetherness as a people; as a country must be predominant wherever and in whatever Ghanaians do. He noted that thus far former President Mahama had attended only two of the six events involving the delivery of the message on the State of the Nation delivered by President Akufo-Addo. By any reckoning, it is not a good mark, but one can only hope that at least an account of the hilarious welcome accorded him by the Minority Group, the former President would be inspired to attend subsequent events in his capacity as a former President of the Republic, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated. GNA His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on 17th March, 2023 commissioned the Jericho Wall Police Station at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as part of activities marking the 56th Congregation of the university. The police station which is intended to serve the university and surrounding communities is also expected to enhance the general security on the university campus. The KNUST Motorbike Patrols was also launched as part of efforts by the Police Administration to improve police visibility and incident response time on the university campus. This is an initiative to ensure motorized police visibility on the campuses of the universties. University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani was the first to benefit from this initiative with the KNUST being the second. Also present at the commissioning which took place immediately after the 56th Congregation of the university were the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, The Deputy Education Minister, Rev John Ntim Fourjour, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Rita Akosua Dickinson, the Director-General/NPD, COP/Paul Manly Awini, DG/HRD, COP/Frederick Adu Anim and some other Senior Police Officers and some officials of the university. French farmers have increased their grain production to make up for losses in Ukraine, which has had to reduce its agricultural exports since Russia's invasion in February 2022. The war has pushed France to consider issues of food independence, and as it continues, it raises questions about France's long-term strategy. The crisis in Ukraine destabilised us much sooner than we expected, Laurent Rosso, director of the French vegetable oil and protein trade association Terres Univia, told RFI at the annual agriculture fair in Paris. The NGO brings together growers and exporters of crops like colza, peas, soy and sunflower, which is a major source of vegetable protein for farm animals. The war in Ukraine speeded up our awareness of being dependent , said Rosso. More on this story in the Spotlight on France podcast: Before the war, France imported about 400,000 to 450,000 tonnes of sunflower meal for animal feed each year from Ukraine, which produced two-thirds of the world's sunflower supply. France also imported 120,000 tonnes of sunflower oil for human consumption. With the war blocking Ukrainian exports and putting a strain on farmers' ability to plant, France had to find ways to make up the difference. With French farmers already produced about 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes of sunflower meal, and we were gradually able to compensate fairly quickly for the shortages, said Rosso. We increased the amount of land for French production, he said. The market demand encouraged it, and our farmers were mobilised to plant sunflower where they could. You do it through crop rotations by replacing corn, for example, or other crops. French wheat exports on the rise Ukraine was also one of the world's largest exporters of wheat and corn, mostly to developing countries whose demands for animal feed are on the rise with an increase in meat consumption. Most of the grain was sent out by ship, and Russia blocked Ukrainian ports. Though the two countries signed the UN-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative to allow shipments out of three ports, the amount sent out was much less than before the war. Plus, cropland was destroyed by fighting, which destroyed an estimated 30 percent of agricultural surfaces. Ukraine is expected to produce no more than 16 million tonnes of wheat in 2023, or half as much as it produced in 2021. Grain supply problems were already present before the war, with increased demands from China and a shift in global markets because of Covid, and France Europe's largest agricultural producer had already been looking to export more wheat. The war has accelerated the situation, with French wheat exports up 25 percent to countries including Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, according to the French grain trade association, Intercereales. Grain independence Because the ongoing war makes predictions difficult, no one knows if the rise in French exports will last. The answer will depend first on the availability of French wheat for next season, said Philippe Heusele, spokesperson for Intercereales. The association would like to see France position itself as a real alternative to Ukrainian exports, even after the end of the war. For sunflowers, the sector would like to be able to lower France's dependence on imports. The important thing for us is to become more independent, said Rosso. That doesn't mean being self-sufficient, because that will never happen. France is Europe's most independent country in this respect, producing more than 50 percent of its vegetable protein needs for animal feed compared to 35 percent for Europe, according to Rosso. We need to preserve this, and improve on it. Our goal is to produce 60 to 65 percent of our animal feed, he said, adding that France could actually produce all the cooking oil it needs. France was able to plant enough sunflowers last year to produce the 120,000 tonnes of oil it previously imported from Ukraine. Seed shortage We are capable, in Europe, of being self-sufficient for human food production, said Rosso. But factoring in animal feed, France and Europe struggle to grow enough to meet their total needs, not least because they lack the capacity to produce seeds. Sunflower seed crops are different from commercial crops, and Ukraine was a leading producer of both because of its land availability and technical capacity. When the war started, the seed growers stopped working. And now, even if we've been able to manage the production of oil and proteins, we're still very worried about seeds, said Rosso. The focus is on finding growers in France who can produce enough to make up for anticipated shortages in the future, as the war drags on and seed stocks are not replenished. According to Rosso: The question is, once the war is over which I hope will be quickly how do we work with Ukraine to develop, together, our independence in a balanced and sustainable way for everyone? Find more on this story in the Spotlight on France podcast, episode 90. The Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has filed his nomination form to contest the Ellembelle seat for the fifth time running. Armah-Kofi Buah first won the Ellembelle seat in 2008 after kicking out the immediate past NPP Chairman, Freddie Blay, who was then representing the Convention People's Party in Parliament. Speaking to Citi News after filling his nomination form at Ayinase which was marked with a massive float by supporters to the Ellembelle NDC office, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said his motivation to contest the seat again is because the people want him to continue the good works he has been doing in the constituency. The last seven years of governance has been a disaster. Almost every development project we've tried has come to a stop. I believe that I have earned the right to be in a position to help the District to develop, so that is why I'm running again. Look at the enthusiasm and the support base and I believe the people of Ellembelle want me to continue the good works I have been doing, and I'm proud to serve them, he said. Although two other persons have their posters in town to contest the sitting MP, the Ellembelle NDC constituency Chairman and other executives told Citi News they are supporting Armah-Kofi Buah because of how well he has changed the face of Ellembelle in a positive light since he became an MP. citinewsroom Homicide investigations are considered essential to hold those responsible accountable, but under Nana Akufo Addo's leadership, things are different in Ghana. It is astonishing that Paul Adom-Otchere, who claims to be a qualified journalist, couldn't even speak about the brutal murder of his fellow journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale, he rather keeps defending corruption and criminal activity under the NPP government because he is paid to do. There are people without shame, and I see a lot of them in this NPP government. Just a few days ago, one journalist asked a presidential aspirant, why he wants to be president and he responded, "He wants to be a president because he wants to be the flag bearer of the NPP." If a presidential aspirant would say something like that, you should be aware that he wouldn't know what to do once he is in that position. Paul Adom-Otchere and other NPP politicians are similarly the same. Paul Adom-Otchere, who supports crime and corruption in Akufo Addo's regime, is a coward for refusing to speak out about the death of Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a fellow journalist. Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a journalist who had previously worked for the private investigation team "Tiger Eye," managed by Ghanaian investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, was brutally murdered on January 16, 2019, by gunmen on motorcycles in an Accra neighborhood. Since then, four years have gone, and the alleged perpetrators are still at large. Because this horrible crime took place under the current administration, many journalists fear pursuing the case. Nevertheless, the reality is that it is preferable to give up journalism completely if you are a coward and afraid of reporting the truth or fear that publicizing some murder cases will have an impact on the administration you work for. In addition to Ahmed Hussein-Suale's assassination, several significant murder cases, such as the killing of NPP politician J. B. Danquah-Edu and the deaths of 8 voters in Techiman South, remain unsolved, all have been swept under the carpet as cold cases. As a coward, I know Paul Adom-Otchere cannot investigate any of the homicides mentioned above, and doing so would affect both him and President Akufo Addo, who appointed him to oversee operations at the Kotoka International Airport. However, it enrages me if Paul Adom-Otchere continues to encourage, support, abet, and help crime and corruption within the Akufo Addo-led government. It is difficult to investigate because the president, Nana Akufo Addo, the Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, and NPP politician, Ken Agyapong, have all been linked to the deaths. So we are in a nation where the "Big Boss" commits murder, he enjoys his crime with impunity, while a chicken or a goat thief, is given between four and ten years in prison and the corrupt judges behind these crimes want to be respected. Paul Adom-Otchere, there is something about journalism that you don't know that I will teach you today. Exceptional journalist is not defined by their educational background or degree but rather by the moral message they convey to their country. There are countless incidents of criminality and corruption that Mr. Adom-Otchere has defended; however, we'll talk about two grave ones that startled the nation. Under the NPP government, Paul Adom-Otchere supports criminal behavior The president, Nana Akufo Addo, had a relationship with Serwaa Broni, a Ghanaian-Canadian nurse, well-known on social media. The lady was invited to Ghana to conceal the affair so that Ghanaians would have nothing to talk about. While in Ghana, on one of her travels, she was stopped at gunpoint by NPP officers, including the now-intelligent Hopeson Adorye, to obtain every piece of evidence from the woman to suppress the case. After doing all the dirty work for Akufo Addo, Hopeson Adorye was ultimately sacked by the same cunning and unappreciative president. What was he thinking after sneaking into the hotel room of the lady in search of clues to avoid implicating Akufo Addo? If Adorye will remember me saying this would happen to him one day, and indeed, it happened. Ghanaians should never underestimate what I write, they should take my word that Paul Adom-Otchere would experience a similar fate before the end of his shameful career. Serwaa Broni was able to be interviewed by Mr. Kevin Taylor thanks to the efforts of the host of "Loud Silence TV," and the majority of Ghanaians were surprised by the case's concealed discovery that she divulged. Then enters Paul Adom-Otchere, Akufo Addo's criminal defense journalist, according to him, the woman accused and framed Akufo Addo because she wanted money to buy a luxurious home in a wealthy neighborhood like Cantonment or the Airport Residential Area. If a journalist will disregard the fact that a gun was pulled on such an innocent woman and the misery she experienced and just accuse her of framing the president because she wants money to purchase a fancy house, it shows that Paul Adom-Otchere is not only a fake journalist but also someone detrimental to society because he is not preaching anything that will morally help the populace. Paul Adom-Otchere defends the NPP government's corruption Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the former Head of the Forestry Commission, was found to have illegally acquired a long list of 75 properties, including homes, plots of land, bank accounts, investments, enterprises, firearms, and clothing. Paul Adom-Otchere, the proponent of crime and corruption who is frequently listened to by idiots and bigots from certain tribes, then makes an appearance and asserts that "Sir John had those assets because many people he worked for gave to him as gifts." Since nobody is above the law and no distinction between the rich and the poor when it comes to the law, both must be punished equally for breaking it but in Ghana, a large number of politicians, pastors, and wealthy people, who regard themselves to be elites are profiting from crimes without being held accountable. How much longer will this last? Your humiliation and disgrace, Paul Adom-Otchere, are coming at you like a furious hurricane, and when it does, you'll remember this article by Joel Savage. In the depths of Morocco's Akka oasis, two archaeologists pore over the floor of a synagogue searching for the minutest of fragments testifying to the country's ancient Jewish history. They are from a team of six researchers from Morocco, Israel and France, part of a project to revive the North African country's Jewish heritage after it was all but lost following the minority's exodus. The discovery of a fragment of a Hebrew religious manuscript is "a sign from above", jokes Israeli archaeologist Yuval Yekutieli, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Efforts to uncover Jewish historical treasures scattered across the kingdom's oases are one of the outcomes of warming ties since Morocco and Israel normalised relations in 2020. Akka, a lush green valley of date palms surrounded by desert hills some 525 kilometres (325 miles) south of the capital Rabat, was once a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade. An alley in the former Jewish neighbourhood, or mellah, in the village of Tagadirt in Morocco's Akka oasis: experts say it is crucial to understanding the Judaeo-Moroccan history of the region. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) Within the oasis, tucked away in the middle of the "mellah" or Jewish quarter of the village of Tagadirt, lie the ruins of the synagogue -- built from earth in the architectural tradition of the area. While the site has yet to be dated, experts say it is crucial to understanding the Judaeo-Moroccan history of the region. "It's urgent to work on these types of vulnerable spaces that are at risk of disappearing," said Saghir Mabrouk, an archaeologist from Morocco's National Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (INSAP). Looting An archaeologist works in the ruins of a synagogue Morocco's Akka oasis, part of project to revive the North African country's Jewish heritage. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) Dating back to antiquity, the Jewish community in Morocco reached its peak in the 15th century, following the brutal expulsion of Sephardic Jews from Spain. By the early 20th century, there were about 250,000 Jews in Morocco. But after waves of departures with the creation of Israel in 1948, including following the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the number was slashed to just 2,000 today. Little documentation remains of the rich legacy that the community left behind. "This project aims to study this community as an integral part of Moroccan society, and not from a Judaeo-centric perspective," said Israeli anthropologist Orit Ouaknine, herself of Moroccan roots. As the day progresses, the archaeologists amass a small trove of manuscript fragments, amulets and other objects discovered under the "bimah", a raised platform in the centre of the synagogue where the Torah was once read. Archaeologists dig in the ruins of a synagogue in Tagadirt : efforts to uncover Jewish treasures are one of the outcomes of warming ties since Morocco and Israel normalised relations in 2020. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) Yekutieli, the Israeli archaeologist, said the "most surprising thing" was that no one had written about the buried objects, and that it was only when excavations began that they were discovered. While Jewish tradition dictates that such texts are never destroyed, it is unusual to find them buried at such sites. Among the artefacts unearthed and meticulously catalogued by the team are commercial contracts and marriage certificates, everyday utensils and coins. The synagogue had already begun to fall into disrepair when looters attempted to raid the buried cache. "The good news is that one of the beams collapsed, making access difficult," said Yekutieli. A similar looting attempt was recorded at the ruined synagogue of Aguerd Tamanart, sited in another oasis some 70 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Akka, where excavations began in 2021. In this case, the artefacts were not buried but rather hidden in a secret compartment behind a collapsed wall. The team was able to save the majority of the objects, some 100,000 pieces including fragments of manuscripts and amulets. 'Precious testimonies' A woman sits in an alley in the Jewish qaurter of Tagadirt: dating back to antiquity, the Jewish community in Morocco reached its peak in the 15th century, following the brutal expulsion of Sephardic Jews from Spain. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) At both sites, architect Salima Naji has led efforts to restore the earthen monuments, being careful to remain faithful to the traditions of the desert region. "More than 10 years ago, I began by recreating the typology of all the synagogues of the region," she said. "My experience in rehabilitating mosques and ksour (fortified villages) helped me to better understand that of the synagogues." Restoration is still underway in the Tagadirt synagogue, where Naji's team is hard at work to reconstruct the skylight that illuminates the building. Today, the Muslim inhabitants of the former Jewish quarter welcome the restoration. "It's a good thing not to leave the synagogue abandoned," says craftswoman Mahjouba Oubaha. A woman walks in an alley in the former Jewish neighbourhood of Tagadirt: little documentation remains of the rich legacy that the community left behind. By FADEL SENNA (AFP) The excavation has just begun to scratch the surface of knowledge about Morocco's Jews, shedding light on their daily objects and way of life. Orit Ouaknine said she conducted interviews with the former Jewish residents of the two villages, now living in Israel, the United States and France. "It's a race against time to collect these precious testimonies," the Israeli anthropologist said. The ECOWAS Election Observation Mission (ECOWAS-EOM) deployed by the President of the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), His Excellency Dr Omar Alieu TOURAY, has been on ground monitoring the Gubernatorial and State Assembly Elections in Nigeria held on Saturday, 18 March 2023. A total of 837 candidates are vying for the position of Governors in 28 States out of 36 whilst the State Houses of Assembly Elections are holding in 36 States except FCT, Abuja and 10,240 candidates are vying for 993 State Assembly seat. The ECOWAS Election Observation Mission has been monitoring the process, which has been peaceful generally with all the stakeholders present (INEC officials, party agents and voters) expressing satisfaction at the process. In all, one hundred and sixty-three (163) observers have been deployed by ECOWAS and they are drawn from the Community Institutions (the Commission, Parliament, and the Court of Justice); West African Ambassadors accredited to ECOWAS; Member States Electoral Commissions and Ministries of Foreign Affairs; and electoral experts from civil society. It also included a thirteen-member Core Team of electoral experts that has been in the country prior to the presidential and national assembly elections. First Baptist Congregation Church Chicago USA in collaboration with the Christians Helping Children International Non-Governmental organization (CHCI NGO) has made a donation worth GHC60,000 to Countryside Childrens Home at Bodwease in the Central Region of Ghana. The Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. George W. Daniels during the presentation revealed that the church adopted the Countryside Childrens Home in the year 2008 through a recommendation by the founder and Director of CHCI Henry Tweneboah Koduah. He noted that they have been supporting the Home. He said the church is happy about the impact it has made on the Home. The Home received cash, food items, clothing including the settling of its utility bills. The founder and mother of the Home Emma Boafo Yeboah together with the administrator of the Home, Ernest Owusu received the donation. They expressed their sincere gratitude and promised to use every item received to the benefit of the Home. The Senior Pastor was accompanied by Deacons Timothy L. Davies, Russell Warren, Ronald Myers and Henry Tweneboah Koduah as they visited some other Homes in Accra to make similar donations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a 131.5-kilometre-long India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) from Siliguri in North Bengal to Parbatipur in Banglaeshs Dinajpur province Saturday (18 March). The pipeline, built with Rs 377 crore drawn from a line of credit offered by India to Bangladesh, will carry one million tonnes of high-speed diesel from Numaligarh refinery in Assam to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporations Parbatipur depot. The ground-breaking ceremony for the pipeline, which starts from Numaligarh refinerys marketing terminal in Siliguri and enters Bangladesh through the Banglabandha border post, was held in September 2018. The pipeline will go a long way in meeting Bangladeshs burgeoning energy needs. Apart from meeting Bangladesh's acute energy needs, Indias help to its eastern neighbour is also aimed at strengthening ties with all neighbors furthermore. it will usher a new era of bilateral energy cooperation. Not only that, through Bangladesh, it can achieve its untapped opportunities from the northeastern region. So, both Bangladesh and India came forward to enhance their energy security based on reciprocity and enhance South Asian regional cooperation. The pipeline will go a long way in meeting Bangladeshs burgeoning energy needs. The new pipeline is another milestone in Indo-Bangla ties. Bangladeshs rapid development is fuelling its hunger for more power. We are very happy that India is meeting this demand not only through this pipeline, but also other projects like the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant and supply of power from the Godda thermal power plant in Jharkhand. Bangladesh faces a major energy crisis that threatens to hobble its growth. Long power cuts are common even in capital Dhaka, and this has stunted production in key export industries, especially the ready-made garments sector that accounts for nearly 85 per cent of the countrys exports. In early October last year, Bangladesh suffered a grid failure that left nearly 80 per cent of the country without power. Due to daily power outages, many industrial units in Bangladesh reported a fall in production by up to 50 per cent last year, thus affecting the countrys export earnings. The energy crisis in Bangladesh, which is an energy-deficit country, was intensified by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the consequent exponential increase in oil and gas prices. This compelled Bangladesh to stop purchase of gas and shut down several diesel-run power plants. In the near future, Bangladesh needs to transition from conventional energy sources to ensure its energy security and long-term sustainability. Following the Ukraine crisis, energy security has become a major concern for developing and least-developed countries. In this context, cross-border energy cooperation could perhaps help Bangladesh to mitigate its energy crisis. During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in September 2022, Bangladesh requested that it be allowed to import power from Nepal and Bhutan via India. The Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) sought approval from the Indian authorities to export 40-50 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through India's existing transmission infrastructure. In August 2022, Bangladesh and Nepal decided to request India to allow the export of 40-50 MW of electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh in the initial phase by utilising the high-voltage Baharampur-Bheramara cross-border power transmission link. As per the understanding reached during the secretary-level Joint Steering Committee (JSC) formed for Nepal-Bangladesh energy cooperation, the NEA and the Bangladesh Power Development Board requested India for a trilateral energy sales and purchase agreement utilising the power line. Given this scenario, the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFP) will mark an important milestone in Bangladeshs quest to fully meet its energy needs, the countrys energy minister Nasrul Hamid told recently. Hamid said that the IBFP would have been commissioned earlier had it not been for the pandemic that disrupted construction. This pipeline will result in quick transport of diesel into Bangladesh and will do away with our reliance on importing the petroleum product in oil tankers by road and rail from India that take a long time and are subject to procedural delays at times, said Hamid. Apart from this project that will go some way in meeting Bangladeshs energy demand, the first unit of the US $2 billion Maitree Super Thermal Power Production at Rampal in Bangladeshs Khulna province is already supplying 660 MW to the countrys national grid. The 1320 MW Maitree project is being built under a concessional financing scheme offered by India to Bangladesh. The two countries set up the Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between Indias National Thermal Power Corporation and Bangladesh Power Development Board. Once completed, this will be Bangladeshs largest power plant. Prime Ministers Modi and Sheikh Hasina jointly unveiled the first unit of the plant during the latters visit to New Delhi in September last year. Bangladesh is also awaiting power from the Adani groups 1600-Megawatt thermal power station at Godda in Jharkhand. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowhury, the Energy Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, had said last month that Bangladesh is looking forward to importing at least 600 MW of power from this plant to meet its peak summer demand. The first unit of this plant has already been synchronised with Bangladeshs power grid and after completion of some formalities and last-minute negotiations between the two sides, export of power to Bangladesh from the plant is expected to commence within the next few weeks. Bangladesh power minister Nasrul Hamid said that his country wants to import more energy from India. We are holding talks with India on this. Were exploring all possibilities. The Maitree power plant is just the beginning, and we can have more such projects. India is already playing a large role in helping us meet our growing energy needs and we expect this role to grow exponentially in the coming months and years, he said. Indias help to Bangladesh in meeting its energy needs is also aimed at offsetting that countrys dependence on China, whose investments in Bangladeshs energy sector stand at US $ 8.31 billion. Beijing has offered to help Bangladeshs transition to renewable sources of energy. This time, New Delhi has also nudged the United States to step up its energy cooperation with Bangladesh, especially in the field of renewables. US Presidential envoy on climate, John Kerry, offered to help Bangladesh in strengthening its power grid and transition to clean energy. India is also playing a key role in helping Bangladesh access clean and cheap energy from Bhutan and Nepal. New Delhi has proposed expansion of power trade within the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) framework and multilateral talks facilitated by New Delhi are currently on in this regard. India has also promised to export power generated from its upcoming hydro-power projects in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh once these are commissioned. We are keen on importing power generated from hydel plants in India as well as Nepal and Bhutan in order to transition to clean energy. Indias help in this transition is critical, said the Bangladesh power minister. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is, thus, a major milestone in Indias efforts to help Bangladesh tide over its energy crisis. It is also part of New Delhis efforts to strengthen ties in the neighbourhood. By Sufian Siddique Independent researcher and freelance columnist, Dhaka. 19.03.2023 LISTEN Former President John Dramani Mahama has said Ghana needs "default settings" to restore the economy. The flagbearer aspirant of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) noted that Ghanaians are not only suffering but also businesses are collapsing under President Akufo-Addo's administration. He said irrespective of the hard times businesses are going through, the government is also harassing owners with taxes and threatening to shut them down if they do not pay the taxes. Mr Mahama said he would have opted not to contest the Presidency again because he has done his part but due to the bad economic situation, he will not be able to sleep if he does not come back and deliver the economy. He said his next government will reset the nation to a default setting to build a stronger foundation to enable the younger generation to build on it. Mr Mahama was addressing delegates of the NDC in the Nhyiaeso Constituency of the Ashanti region as part of his three-campaign tour of the region. Mr Mahamas visit to all constituencies across the country is on. He has so far covered 47 constituencies in four regions, traveling a minimum of 2,708 kilometres to meet and interact with branch and constituency executives. Source: Classfmonline.com During the course of wars, the infrastructure of cities faces destruction. Fighting, regardless of its intentions, destroys roads, bridges, commercial and residential buildings, as well as the architecture they embody. Throughout history and around the globe, calls to stop wars have focused on the value of people's lives. In recent decades, there has been a lot of attention paid to protecting cultural heritage. However, there has been little consideration for the value of public places and people's memories of these spaces. Buildings such as residential and commercial structures, schools and hospitals are often destroyed in the chaos of conflict, leaving behind psychological trauma that can last for generations. In a recent paper, we set out why cities and their buildings need to be protected. This infrastructure, unique or not, represents people's history, culture and social fabric. In our paper , we coined the term wartime urbanism to describe what we believe needs to be done to preserve a city's distinctive characteristics in times of conflict. We propose three ways to do this: mapping a city's real estate development and its relative urban value; enacting national and international laws that criminalise the destruction of physical assets; and raising public awareness about these laws and the importance of city assets. During times of conflict, cultural heritage and city places can be protected under various laws . However, for these laws to be effective, governments must implement them during periods of peace. We argue that politicians and urban practitioners should incorporate wartime urbanism into city planning and design. This would help protect buildings, infrastructure, services, facilities, and public and private places before, during and after wars. The less severe the material damage (in terms of human lives and physical structures) from conflict, the faster reconciliation can be. Protection from destruction Conflicts in different parts of the world have caused the displacement of millions of people, and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of buildings and critical infrastructure. When wars intensify, the protection of people is rightly prioritised. Protecting places, however, rarely finds mention. Wars and the destruction they cause are considered crimes against humanity . Prosecution for such crimes is most often enforced by international courts, like The Hague's International Criminal Court . However, several countries have listed crimes against humanity under their domestic laws. But there is more that can be done. For instance, the 1945 United Nations Charter , which lists the actions the organisation can take on a variety of issues, doesn't include the protection of human property. The 1972 Convention on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage provides guidelines on securing sites of significant global value. These sites are part of everyday human heritage, and destroying them during peacetime is a crime punishable by law. Read more: Ethiopia's war in Tigray risks wiping out centuries of the world's history However, during war, everything is exposed to extreme destruction. Aggressors often seek to cause irreversible damage to the history and civilisation of the country under attack. If not by genocide, then by destroying people's homes, memorials and valuable architectural assets. This was seen in Ethiopia's Tigray region during the 2020-2022 war. Urban planners can play a role in guiding urban conservation and preservation of city places by creating detailed plans that identify the assets that need to be protected and how they can be protected. They can also develop strategies that mitigate the damage of war by focusing on how to rebuild in the aftermath. Three rules of wartime urbanism Wartime urbanism emphasises the importance of protecting cities or public places, regardless of their structure. This approach means professionals in architecture, urban planners and urban designers should develop plans that address the possibility of regional, global and international-level conflicts. To protect city places from the destruction of war or to restore and rebuild them to normal after a conflict ends we propose three rules. 1. Pre-documentary mapping Specialists in architecture and urban planning prepare maps that detail the development of a city, town or urban space. These maps should be kept in safe places physically and virtually. Should a war break out, developers can use these maps to rebuild infrastructure and restore city functions destroyed by conflict. This would help ensure that a city goes back to what it was, which would help minimise people's psychological trauma. These maps also preserve invaluable information about a city's history and culture that can be used to inform future development and restoration projects. Because such maps document city assets, they can be used by international protection agencies to better measure the scale of destruction caused by war. They can also help identify areas of potential conflict or spaces at risk of being targeted. Maps can further be used to advocate the rights of local populations when rebuilding after war. 2. Criminalising destruction The United Nations and Unesco should add an item to their charters that states that ordinary buildings within a city should not be targeted and destroyed. This would give such buildings the same degree of importance as architecture and cultural artefacts. It would help rally people around protecting ordinary structures, and help reduce the risk of displacement and displacement-related poverty. 3. Raising public awareness Educational institutions and the media need to raise public awareness on the impacts of war. Conflict not only affects lives, but places too. Destroying people's homes, for instance, exacerbates poverty and trauma. Public awareness efforts should also highlight laws around crimes against humanity, and other international and local statutes that punish those who sabotage the structure of cities. This would help deter aggressors from attacking infrastructure, and give citizens a greater understanding of the importance of their physical spaces. Read more: Africa's wars are hurting its rich heritage: how the law can help By following these three rules, politicians and citizens can work together to preserve their cities. This would help reduce the time and money spent on rebuilding what wars destroy. Abeer Elshater is now affiliated with Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Egypt and on temporary leave from Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Hisham Abusaada does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Hisham Abusaada, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design, Housing and Building National Research Center And Abeer Elshater, Professor of Urban Morphology, Ain Shams University A small insect-eating bat has been confirmed as Mozambique's newest species of mammal after more than a decade of intensive study by scientists who used near-invisible mist nets to catch their first specimens. The Namuli horseshoe bat lives in threatened forests around Mount Namuli Mozambique's second highest peak in the northern Zambezia Province. The 13-year delay after first collection shows the rigour of the scientific processes that have to be gone through before an announcement of a new species can be communicated publicly. In this case, the scientists studying the bat had to refer to specimens of its closest relatives in museum collections in South Africa, Malawi, Germany and Switzerland. But the delay wasn't all bad, said Julian Bayliss, one of the scientists behind the discovery. It did in fact aid the team: over the same period, improvements in technology to assess the DNA of the new bat species helped the scientists obtain irrefutable proof that the specimens they had collected were new to science. I think, even though it took so long to publish this paper, we got a much better paper, Bayliss told RFI. To catch the bat, the scientists used traps and mist nets made of such fine material that they were able to evade detection by the bats' sonar. Bats always remember Horseshoe bats, which have brown fur and tiny black eyes no bigger than mustard seeds, are sparrow-sized and named for the horseshoe-shaped structures on their faces that are used for echolocating or sending out soundwaves to help them to navigate or catch flying insects. The thickness of the net is thinner than the ability of the bat's sonar to echolocate and decide and determine there is something in front of it, explained Bayliss. The nets work most of the time. Sometimes, however, they accumulate moisture on the filaments, or blow in the wind. Bats are then alerted to the presence of a trap. If they do detect it, the next night they will go around it automatically, Bayliss said. You really have to catch them on the first night or the second night. After that they have picked up and they remember that there is a net there and they'll fly around it and avoid it. The traps have to be monitored at all times. If captured bats are left too long in the nets, they can bite through their own wings trying to escape. Harp traps were also used by the team. These are devices that catch bats as they fly through fine, vertically-strung fishing lines and fall down unharmed into collection bags beneath. Saving the forests Now that the difficult task of collecting and describing a new species is complete, the challenge will be to protect Namuli's remnant patches of moist evergreen forest. An estimated 24,000 people live around the mountain, which rises to 2,400 metres at its summit. The human communities depend on the mountain's resources for survival. Forests are being felled to grow small patches of potatoes and other crops. The Namuli horseshoe bat does live in places other than Mount Namuli. They've been recorded on the Nyika plateau in northern Malawi, and in southern Tanzania. But by naming the species after the Mozambican mountain, Bayliss and his colleagues hope to draw the world's attention to the threats it faces. "Since 2009, Namuli has suffered a significant loss in its wet forest," the authors state in their bat study published in the journal Acta Chiropterologica. At current rates of loss, the forest would disappear entirely by 2025. The forests are home to other important species including a bird only found in Mozambique the small warbler-like Namuli apalis. But while bats and apalises have wings to move to other remnant forest patches; Namuli's sedentary species like chameleons and snakes have no other place to go. Local conservation groups are working to slow down forest loss. One group, Nitidae, reports that annual deforestation around Mount Namuli slowed to around 2 percent in 2020, from more than 8 percent between 2015 and 2018. Some journalists in the Ashanti Region have been trained in fact-checking to enable them contribute to the fight against misinformation. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), with funding support from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, organized the two-day training workshop for journalists in Kumasi, which brought together media practitioners from Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, the Western North, and parts of the Western Regions. The training, according to Mr. Kwaku Krobea Asante, MFWA's lead fact-checker, is to equip the Ghanaian media with the needed skills on how to use modern tools to verify information. He said it's within MFWA's efforts to increase knowledge and awareness about the phenomenon of misinformation and its impact on democratic governance in Ghana. "The objective of the training is to improve the knowledge and awareness of journalists on misinformation and how to counter it," he added. Similar trainings were held in Tamale, Ho, and Accra, with a total of about 125 journalists across Ghana benefitting. The Ghana High Commission in South Africa has warned Ghanaian residents in that country to avoid mass gatherings and restrict their movements to safe areas ahead of the Economic Freedom Party (EFF) planned national shutdown on Monday, 20th March, 2023. According to the mission, though, the organisers of the national shutdown have promised a peaceful protest, previous peace walks and demonstrations have turned violent. The EFF is planning a national shutdown on 20 March, demanding the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa and an end to load shedding. In the run-up to the shutdown, the party has been warning communities to shut businesses or risk looting. In a statement cited by this portal, the mission advised members of the Ghanaian community to be vigilant. "The mission would thus like to advise members of the community to be vigilant to any such incidents, restrict their movements to safe areas, avoid mass gathering and contact the police for assistance when required," the statement noted. Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned EFF that lawlessness and any form of criminality will not be tolerated during the protest. The police said it is the responsibility of the EFF to ensure that its planned national shutdown does not turn violent. Liberia's delegation has successfully climaxed a two-week exhaustive conference on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan, New York, USA. The Commission on the Status of Women evaluates progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. This year, the 67th edition of the CSW was hinged on Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls." Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister Williametta E. Saydee head of Liberia's delegation outlined progress the Government of Liberia headed by the Feminist-In-Chief H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah has made in this ever-changing digital age. She informed the conference that Liberia uses digital financial platforms, such as mobile money and 24-hour call centers to ensure that women and girls have access to finance and help against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The mobile money platform is used to pay salaries and other financial benefits to public sector workers and transfer cash to beneficiaries of the Liberia Social Safety Nets Program, which supports vulnerable households, particularly female-headed households. "There are frantic efforts to use digital platforms and technology to improve agricultural development and womens access to markets and credit facilities, as well as access to energy, learning opportunities and disaster risk management through the ongoing implementation of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, a 44.6-million-dollar project approved by the World Bank in 2022 to comprehensively support womens economic and social empowerment in Liberia," the Minister averred. "Already, Liberia is working with relevant partners to ensure that women fully participate in Liberias transition from manual registration to a digital registration system using biometrics and not just as voters but also as candidates during this electoral year," she added. Minister Saydee-Tarr campaigned for increased support to address violence against women, particularly online violence against women candidates by building the capacity of grassroots leaders and organizations to change attitudes and behavior towards women, their values, roles, and responsibilities. At a side event organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-hosted by Liberia and The Gambia on the innovations in the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases especially among women and girls - Gender Minister Saydee-Tarr told delegates from across the world that the use of Digital Health in Liberia is still being piloted but is helping to improve efficiency in reducing the timespan and boosting the accuracy of health interventions, enhancing communication and trust between patients and health workers and improving timeliness and accuracy of health reports. For her part, Liberia's First Lady Amb. Clar Marie Weah highlighted efforts by her office through the Shes You Movement to ensure that girls and women in Liberia have greater access to healthcare, addressing issues of gender disparities and inequalities. The First Lady believes that effectively devising strategies that seek to address non-communicable diseases would definitely make a difference and improve the well-being of our people while pushing development, something Liberia is committed to doing in tandem with Target 3.4 of the SDGs. She asserted that Liberia is pushing hard in this area because Non-Communicable Diseases have implications and affects the environment, education and the nutritional health of the people. During the two weeks conference which ran from March 6-17, 2023, Liberia hosted her side event tagged "Pathway to Eradicating FGM in Liberia: An Intentional and Participatory Process." Side events and parallel events, or activities organized outside the formal programme of the session, these events provide an excellent opportunity for Member States, UN entities and NGOs to discuss themes of the Commission and other critical gender equality issues. The Head of delegation Madam Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr informed the conference of the historic ban on the practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia. Additionally, the Head of the National Chiefs and Elders in Liberia Zanzan Karwor was present and reaffirmed his institution's stance on the ban of FGM. Bilateral meetings on gender equality, women empowerment, sexual and gender-based violence issues were held throughout the conference. Minister Tarr held meetings with H.E. Marci Len, Minister of Women and Gender Equality of Canada; Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians; UN Women Executive Director, Sima Bahous and others strategic partners. 19.03.2023 LISTEN Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the inauguration of "India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline" is a milestone achievement in mutual cooperation for the development of the two friendly neighbours. Sheikh Hasina hoped that Bangladesh and India would jointly celebrate many such successes in the days to come. The pipeline will play a significant role in protecting the energy security of both country. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries. This pipeline would further speed up the development of Bangladesh and be an excellent example of the increasing connectivity between the both the countries. Narendra Modi said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans Sonar Bangla vision included the harmonious development and prosperity of the entire region. This joint project is a perfect example of their vision. The two south Asian nations--Bangladesh and India have also expressed fresh vow to work together as partners in order to achieve the desired benefit for them and bring peace and prosperity in the region as a whole. The 130-kilometre pipeline between the two countries was built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore. The supply of diesel through this pipeline will reduce the cost and will also reduce the carbon footprint of the supply. The pipeline has a capacity to transport 1(one) million metric ton per annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD). We hope our neighbour state would continue to walk step by step with our country to help it achieve the desired progress, stability and prosperity The pipeline will carry diesel from Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Ltd's (NRL) marketing terminal at Siliguri in West Bengal to the Parbatipur depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). It will supply High Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh. The operation of India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh. Bilateral relations between two countries is a role model for neighbourhood diplomacy. So, apart from this development project, we still hope all the outstanding issues, including Teesta Water Sharing Treaty would be signed soon likewise many issues solved in the spirit of friendship and cooperation. We also expect our neighbour state would continue to walk step by step with our country to help it achieve the desired progress, stability and prosperity. Since Bangladeshs Liberation War in 1971, the two countries shared history and culture, mutual trust and respect, longstanding friendship and continued cooperation. The relationship between the two nations is written with blood and it has reached a new height under the dynamic leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmans daughter Sheikh Hasina. This bonding of friendship between Bangladesh and India will be further strengthened in the days to come through the opening of India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The friendly bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India has a storied history, but nowhere has this been more evident, in recent years, than in our energy cooperation. With India being a major player in the energy sector and its close proximity with Bangladesh, it only makes sense that there would be great synergy between the two nations. While Bangladesh has engaged with a number of different stakeholders in the energy sector, few are as important as India.To that end, the flagship Rampal Power Plant -- for example -- is a direct result of our fruitful relationship with India. Alongside India, Russia has been a major player in the energy sector with the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. However, recent developments and the international embargo placed on Russia has presented issues for this ambitious project. This is not to say that our partnership with India has been a walk in the park. There have been allegations of India using its influence to get a better deal, a lot of them rightfully so. However, this can be chalked up to our own diplomatic blunders, which is one area where the administration needs to genuinely focus its attention.We need to do everything we can to nurture this partnership, but it doesn't mean rolling over. Bilateral talks with participation from private stakeholders have to be conducted periodically. Furthermore, both public and private stakeholders need to ramp up their negotiation skills -- getting the best possible deal should be an absolute priority, after all. Direct intervention from the government in this case has to be used if necessary.The future is indeed looking bright for Bangladesh, and a major reason is the partnerships that we continue to solidify March 19, 2023 'Modern Western Aircraft' - Ukraine Open Thread 2023-65 NY Times - More MIG fighters will help Ukraine, but what Kyiv really wants are F-16s. To some extent, this will increase our combat capabilities, [Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian air force,] said in an appearance on Ukrainian national television Friday morning. But one should not forget that these are still Soviet and not modern Western aircraft. ... The Ukrainian argument is that the F-16 is better than the MIG at shooting down cruise missiles because of its powerful radar and modern missiles, and could offer vastly more protection from Russian bombardment. F-16: The initial production-standard F-16A flew for the first time on 7 August 1978 and its delivery was accepted by the USAF on 6 January 1979. ... The AN/APG-68 [radar], an evolution of the APG-66, was introduced with the F-16C/D Block 25. The APG-68 has greater range and resolution, as well as 25 operating modes, including ground-mapping, Doppler beam-sharpening, ground moving target indication, sea target, and track while scan (TWS) for up to 10 targets. The Block 40/42's APG-68(V)1 model added [...] a high-PRF pulse-Doppler track mode to provide Interrupted Continuous Wave guidance for semi-active radar-homing (SARH) missiles like the AIM-7 Sparrow. MiG- 29: [T]he MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new U.S. fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1983. ... The latest upgraded aircraft offered the N010 Zhuk-M, which has a planar array antenna rather than a dish, improving range, and a much superior processing ability, with multiple-target engagement capability and compatibility with the Vympel R-77 [active radar homing beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile] (or RVV-AE). --- Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict. The current open thread for other issues is here. Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators. Posted by b on March 19, 2023 at 14:56 UTC | Permalink Comments next page next page An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew deployed to Guam from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii flies patterns to assess winds and terrain before conducting rescue hoist training at Sella Bay Overlook in Guam on March 8, 2023. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 7th enlarged plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea, March 1, 2023 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. Biden calls Israels Netanyahu with judicial plan concern View Photo WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) President Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express concern over his governments planned overhaul of the countrys judicial system that has sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise. The White House said Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about the measure to roll back the judiciarys insulation from the countrys political system, in a call a senior administration official described as candid and constructive. There was no immediate indication that Netanyahu was shying away from the action, after rejecting a compromise last week offered by the countrys figurehead president. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders private call, said that Biden spoke to Netanyahu as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found. The White House in statement added that Biden underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles, the statement said. Netanyahu told Biden that Israel will remain, a strong and vibrant democracy, according to the prime ministers office. Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government the countrys most right-wing ever says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting publics will. Critics say it will upend Israels delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and has even embroiled the countrys military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty. The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. Biden in the call reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution, according to the White House. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a yearlong spasm of violence. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks during that time. These include pledges to stop unilateral actions, it said. Israel pledged to stop discussion of new settlement construction for four months, and to stop plans to legalize unauthorized settlement outposts for six months. The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions, the communique said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added. The Biden administration remains concerned about a repeat of the nightly clashes and other violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem during Ramadan two years ago. Clashes at the Temple Mount in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo. ___ Madhani reported from Washington. By AAMER MADHANI and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press At Long Last, a Donkey Family Tree New York Times Climate/Environment Water #COVID-19 Long COVID can cause brain fog and cognitive dysfunction, which can contribute to reading and writing errors. https://t.co/scWnqK688r Amanda Hu (@amandalhu) March 18, 2023 Bird Flu Bird flu cases are expected to surge as birds migrate in coming weeks New Scientist Syraqistan Old Blighty Tony Blair defends Iraq war RT China? China flexes muscles over Internet subsea cables across South China Sea Data Center Dynamics FT chart showing how thickly woven the South China Sea is with undersea internet cables, carrying data not just within the region but also beyond. Dotted red line denotes Chinas territorial claims on SCS. pic.twitter.com/ISxBJWwlmf Robert Ward (@RobertAlanWard) March 16, 2023 1/4 Important changes. Caixin notes that the Financial Stability and Development Committee, which is being absorbed into the new Central Financial Commission was constrained in carrying out its responsibilities especially at local levels.https://t.co/vFWhOXsxrB Michael Pettis (@michaelxpettis) March 17, 2023 La belle France New Not-So-Cold War *** *** Turkish TAI TF-X fighter jet is on the runway for taxiing tests Bulgarian Military Biden Administration 2024 Imperial Collapse Watch Healthcare An emergency for emergency medicine? Inside Medicine Abortion Wyoming becomes first US state to outlaw use of abortion pills The Guardian SVB Silicon Valley Bank UK arm hands out 15m in bonuses days after 1 rescue. Between 15m and 20m in bonus payments were made to staff at SVB UK this week after being signed off by the banks new owner, HSBC, Sky News learns. https://t.co/veb07fWun4 pic.twitter.com/xsNTgex1I4 Politico Digital UK (@PoliDigitalUK) March 18, 2023 Rotten Banks The Bezzle Norfolk Southern Chemical Bomb 2/ attract new employees. However, this is not a sustainable solution, as many seasoned workers are departing from the industry, a situation that has been foreseen for years due to the issues RWU has been highlighting. Railroad Workers United (@railroadworkers) March 17, 2023 Guillotine Watch Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. (Natural News) Authorities in Australia are informing the 25 million people of the nation that they are eligible for a 5th COVID shot, as a booster, if they have not been jabbed in the past 6 months, except for if theyve already had the Fauci-funded infection (the best protection there is, by the way). They are also recommending the deadly jab if youre over the age of 65 or already suffering deadly yet preventable diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer (severe medical conditions that put them at risk of Wuhan coronavirus COVID-19). Only 40 percent of Australians were naive enough (and still alive) to have received a 4th dose already, even though some of the clot shots have already been shown to cause turbo cancer, an expedited version where tumors enlarge exponentially after the jab. Reports flood the internet about fit and healthy people getting COVID jabs and then dropping down with heart issues, says Australian news anchor The risk of heart damage, death, and a permanently weakened immune system from too many COVID jabs FAR outweighs the risk of getting COVID-19, and even news anchors and journalists are waking up to this fact and airing out their concerns on live television. Despite doctors and scientists trying their best to cover up all the health carnage around the world caused by the experimental clot shots, the truth is popping up in every nation and every town like Whac-A-Mole. Its no secret anymore that the clot shots often cause serious heart issues, especially for young, healthy males, including myocarditis, pericarditis, fluctuating heart rhythms, vascular clots, compromised immune systems, and wait for it MORE susceptibility to catching Wuhan flu. So why would anyone in their right mind get a fifth jab? Thats just it. People who got four jabs already cant even think straight. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization pushes fifth clot shot on population already suffering from effects of previous COVID jabs There is nothing the vaccine industrial complex (VIC) hates worse than a newscaster going off script and talking frankly about vaccine dangers, fears, and the next-to-worthlessness of the whole scare campaign. Yet, thats exactly what happened on a popular Australian television network called the Nine Network, and the anchor, Karl Stefanovic, shocked the viewers and millions of sheeple in the land down under, saying he sees no valid reason for getting more shots after he STILL caught COVID twice. He said the shot could lead to heart issues, and as weve all witnessed across the world, healthy athletes drop to their knees and clasp their chest, trying to breathe, while the clot shots deprive oxygen of flowing normally through their entire vascular system. Its nothing short of a Vaccine Holocaust, and people are starting to notice, finally. Worried about having complications from a FOURTH or FIFTH booster shot for the Wuhan lab-made bat flu? Youre not alone. Dose after dose, many are suffering from their own immune systems attacking the spike proteins that lodge inside vital organs, including the lungs, brain, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and uterus. Thanks to mRNA technology, the injected billions of genetically modified humans are subject to sudden adult death syndrome (SADS), just like sudden infant death syndrome, except instead of a baby dying for unknown causes, adults are dying shortly after getting coronavirus vaccines, and the causes are known, but censored from the news. The other thing that Im concerned about is that if I have another dose, I may get complications. Ive seen all this, all these reports on the internet about fit and healthy people just dropping down with heart issues, and its still not obviously established yet whether or not the vaccine caused some of these heart issues. But thats a worry for me, more so than getting COVID, the Australian news anchor said. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on the Vaccine Holocaust thats sweeping Australia and the world as you read this. Sources include: Pandemic.news TheGatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) An unidentified member of the Biden family allegedly received a portion of the $3 million wired by two individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The existence of the new, unnamed family member was revealed by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), chairman of the House Oversight Committee. This relative allegedly received a portion of the money wired to Rob Walker, a close associate of presidential son Hunter Biden, by two individuals with links to the CCP. The transfer allegedly happened in 2017, shortly after incumbent President Joe Biden ended his vice presidential tenure under the Obama administration. Comer earlier said that evidence of CCP money flowing to the Biden family was as bad as we thought. Bank records obtained via a subpoena revealed the said family members involvement in the scheme. (Related: Biden is compromised: Leaked emails reveal Hunter Biden was happy to introduce business partners to top CCP official.) The very next day after the [$3 million] wire was received, the Walker account started transferring money into different Biden family members accounts including a new Biden family member thats never before been identified as someone being involved in the influence-peddling scheme, the Kentucky congressman told Fox News host Sean Hannity. There are more family members involved in this than just the presidents son. [This is] just the first wire that weve actually been able to obtain bank records on. There are many, many more. According to the chair of the House Oversight Committee, Republican investigators are curious about what work Biden family members performed in exchange for the money Walker disbursed. What theyve said in the media Oh, this was for business we cant identify any business. It appears [the money] went into their personal account, the congressman continued. He believes the Biden family was running an influence-peddling operation as unregistered foreign agents. Three recipients of Walker money identified but whos the fourth? Comer initially revealed that two of the accounts Walker transferred the money to belonged to Hunter and James Biden, the presidents younger brother. He later mentioned Hallie Biden the widow of Hunters older brother Beau as the third account owner that received money from Walker. Hunter had dated his sister-in-law after Beau died of brain cancer in 2015. While the three recipients of money from Walker Hunter, James and Hallie had been identified, the identity of the unnamed fourth member remains a mystery. This fourth member received $70,000 from the $3 million wired to the presidential sons business associate. The Daily Mail proposed several individuals who could be this unnamed fourth member in a March 17 report. The potential candidates are First Lady Jill Biden, James daughter Caroline and the presidents older brother Frank. Other names include Hunters sister Ashley and his oldest daughter Naomi. The British news outlet ultimately suggested that the fourth recipient could be the U.S. president himself the Big Guy pertained to in an email from Hunter. According to the said email that surfaced in 2020, the Big Guy would be entitled to 10 percent of money from a deal with a Chinese firm. This percentage would be held by Hunter as a proxy. Comer said the GOP-controlled House will probe all of the first familys dealings. The [House] Oversight Committee is concerned about the national security implications resulting from President [Joe] Bidens family receiving millions of dollars from foreign nationals. We will continue to follow the money trail and facts to determine if [the] president is compromised by his familys business schemes and if there is a national security threat. Visit BidenCrimeFamily.news for more stories about the Bidens underhanded deals. Watch Kentucky Rep. James Comer reveal that Hallie Biden received money from her familys deals with China. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: A look back at the Biden familys China business ties. Hunter Biden maintained close relationship with CCP-tied energy tycoon. Money laundering: Joe Bidens brother sent bank wiring instructions to spy chief of China. CCP takes advantage of Hunter Biden firm to take control over major swaths of American real estate. Joe Biden is making it seem like neither he nor his son are owned by Beijings ChiComs with head-fake investment ban on Chinese firms. Sources include: InfoWars.com DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com (Natural News) The two brothers involved in trying to help disgraced actor Jussie Smollett of Empire fame pull off an anti-white, anti-Trump hate crime hoax are speaking out for the first time and admitting their role in the incident. In January 2019, Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two white supremacist Trump supporters in a racially-motivated hate crime near his Chicago apartment during a polar vortex. The incident sparked outrage from activists and the media, Fox News reported. In December 2021, Smollett was convicted of five felony counts of disorderly conduct, and in March 2022, he was sentenced to 150 days in county jail. Brothers Abimbola Bola and Olabinjo Ola Osundairo, who were accomplices in Jussie Smolletts staged hate crime, gave their first media interview about the hoax, which is now streaming on Fox Nation. The brothers shared their experiences working with Smollett to plan and execute the hoax, as well as their feelings about the fallout from the incident. A friend of mine had sent me a screenshot of the front page of, I believe, a TMZ article, that showed that Jussie had been attacked. I ran to my brother and was like, Yo, mission accomplished. We did it, Bola noted in the five-part series. Now weve secured the payment of our $500 that he owes us because he only wrote us a check of [sic] $3,500, and that was the day we were supposed to leave for Nigeria. According to Bola, he and Ola were en route to a popular TV series audition outside of the country when the alleged attack was supposed to take place. Things were on the up and up for us. Things were looking pretty good, Ola said. Smollett claimed that two white supremacists attacked him, pouring chemicals on him, putting a noose around his neck, and shouting racially and homophobically-charged slurs while telling him he was in MAGA country. However, the identities of the men who were behind the masks were gradually revealed, Fox News noted further. You know Eddie Johnson [the former Chicago Police Superintendent] said he could tell in the footage that you guys are black, right? asked an off-camera interviewer. Really? Ola responded. I feel like hes just saying that we were in character the whole time. So you think you guys are believable white supremacists? the interviewer pressed. One hundred percent! Look at me, Bola said, laughing. Chicago Police released images of the incident shortly after it took place, but Johnson said the initially released image of two silhouettes walking shoulder-to-shoulder down the snowy Chicago street was not the best image they had at the time. Another image showed one of the Osundairo brothers wearing a red hat, which was believed to be a reference to the Make America Great Again (MAGA) slogan frequently used by supporters of former President Donald Trump. I didnt want people to focus on that, Bola on reflection, later noting that black and LGBTQ+ communities would have gone crazy. Sometimes, once the toothpaste gets out of the tube, you can get it back in there. Despite the unraveling of Smolletts fabricated incident, some people still saw it as a reference to larger issues of racism in America under the Trump administration. Everyone immediately thought This is what Trumps America is like, New York Post national correspondent Gabrielle Fonrouge noted during the special. You had people in MAGA hats chasing after a black man in the night, tying a rope around his neck, calling him racist slurs, calling him homophobic slurs, she continued. Sources include: NaturalNews.com FoxNews.com (Natural News) Germanys Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is known for his aggressive promotion of mass vaccination and strict lockdown policies, recently admitted that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines were indeed linked to adverse side effects. Lauterbach, a politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), initially denied that COVID-19 vaccines had negative side effects back in the summer of 2021. German government data shows that more than 330,000 people in the country have COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries. Many of them include young people who have suffered severe side effects. In an interview with public service broadcaster ZDFs Today Journal on Sunday, March 12, Lauterbach said that one in every 10,000 vaccinated individuals suffer serious side effects. He added that the drugs for treating post-vac are not yet available. Worse, health insurance companies claims for coverage are very limited in Germany. After backtracking, Lauterbach was asked about a claim he made in a tweet in 2021. In his post, he said that vaccination was free of side effects. Lauterbach then tried to change the topic by adding that it was an exaggeration he made in an unfortunate tweet. Still, the official is adamant that he did not see any failure on the part of the Ministry of Health. He also claimed that severe side effects due to the vaccines are rare. Severe vaccination damage, based on data from the Paul Ehrlich Institute or the European licensing authority, is on the order of less than one in 10,000 vaccinations. So its not that vaccine damage is that common, said Lauterbach. German users took to social media to criticize Lauterbach. For example, University of Hanover professor Stefan Homburg called out Lauterbach for saying that he was all aware of the registered vaccination damage, yet he denied them and pushed for mass vaccination. People injured by vaccines are planning to sue manufacturers According to Welt news, people severely affected by COVID-19 vaccines are working together to sue vaccine manufacturers. However, the odds are often against those suffering vaccine injuries because manufacturers can often hide behind legal protections. Many of these victims, like 20-year-old Alina Adams, were perfectly healthy before getting vaccinated. Adams fell ill one day after getting the vaccine. Now, Adams is mostly confined to a wheelchair and has been diagnosed with post-vac syndrome. Homburg also challenged the official figures from Lauterbach, who claimed there was only one severe case in 10,000. At 1:10,000 Lauterbach downplays the risk of serious vaccine damage. His own ministry assumes 1:5,000 without unreported cases, which makes 1:1,250 with four doses, said Homburg. People are now calling for vaccine manufacturers to shoulder some of the financial burden among people experiencing adverse side effects because of COVID-19 vaccines. (Related: WHO whistleblower: Globalist puppets seek full control over humanity through deployment of COVID-19 pandemic treaty.) In the interview, Lauterbach mentioned that he is calling for pharmaceutical companies to share in compensation for the victims. He announced that he started a program with his ministry to investigate the consequences of Long Covid and Post Vac (vaccination damage) and to improve care for people suffering vaccine injuries. The Paul Ehrlich Institute has received at least 333,492 suspected cases of adverse reactions and 50,833 suspected cases of severe adverse reactions after basic immunization plus booster vaccinations through December 2022. Severe side effects linked to COVID-19 vaccines include heart inflammation, neurological damage and paralysis. Go to VaccineInjurynews.com for more stories about vaccine-related injuries. Watch the video for more information about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. This video is from the Tommys Podcast channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Naomi Wolf: Pfizers COVID-19 mRNA shot a war on women, human fertility. The more vaccines a baby gets, the higher the likelihood of sudden death: STUDY. Ben Armstrong: Bombshell report from Naomi Wolf exposed Pfizers illegal COVID vaccine trial on 61 kids. Sources include: RMX.news TodayTimesLive.com Brighteon.com (Natural News) The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a statement this week about Xcel Energys efforts to clean up 400,000 gallons of water contaminated with tritium, a radioactive substance, that leaked from a water pipe that runs between two buildings at its plant in Monticello. And Minnesotans everywhere want to know: why werent we told about this when it actually occurred? You see, this leak had been occurring months prior to the MDH announcement, which was the first time that many Minnesotans had even heard about the radioactive leak. Xcel reported it to the Minnesota Duty Officer (MDC) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) back in November, but the spill was only made public this week. Why did it take four months for the MDH to inform the Minnesota public that a potentially serious radioactive incident occurred right in their own backyards? This is the question that many are now asking as the scandal unfolds. The leak was stopped and the company is monitoring the groundwater plume through two dozen wells, the health department wrote. An estimated 20 percent of the tritium has been recovered through extraction wells, and contaminated water continues to be pumped from the groundwater. (Related: Remember the massive radioactive disaster known as Fukushima?) Minnesota government, Xcel claim no risks even though just one-fifth of leaked tritium has been recovered If just 20 percent of the tritium was removed, where is the other 80 percent? And how can local officials continue to tell the public that the leak poses no health and safety risk to the local community or environment when clearly there is more tritium hiding in the ground, and potentially in groundwater, near the plant? According to the Minnesota government, there is no risk at all to the Mississippi River or other local aquifers, but how can they know this for sure if only one-fifth of the leaked tritium has thus far been recovered from the contamination site? Xcel issued a statement claiming that the leaked radioactive water is fully contained on-site and has not been detected beyond the facility or in any local drinking water. If this is really true, why, once again, did it take four months for the authorities to tell anyone about it? Something stinks bad, really bad, and the public deserves answers. What do you think about this latest incident involving deadly chemicals being released into the environment? Should be no problem if youre boosted and wearing a mask, joked one commenter on a news story about the incident. A snug-fitting surgical mask is highly effective against gamma irradiation because of Science. Just to be clear, the above comment is a joke. It is meant to highlight the lunacy of government officials telling us throughout the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that a paper or plastic cloth prevents viral spread, which is equally as unscientific as wearing the same type of mask to protect against nuclear radiation exposure. You just need to social distance six miles from your contaminated home and you will be perfectly fine in 10,000 years, joked another, again making fun of the government (but not making light of this potentially serious situation. Others emphasized the importance of living far, far away from nuclear power plants, if possible, because of the high potential for leaks and other contamination that, as we can all see, sometimes go unreported for very long periods of time. If anyone thinks we have better transparency than China, then he is wrong, noted another about how the United States is no better than the worlds worst communist dictatorship in terms of telling the public the truth about serious matters. We are far worse, this person added. More related news can be found at Radiation.news. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Pfizer is recalling millions of prescription migraine drugs after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that the drugs do not meet the proper packaging requirements under federal law. These packaging issues have led to child safety concerns, including accidental overdose. The drugs were distributed between December 2021 and March 2023, and they are just now being dealt with. Pfizer migraine drug recalled due to poor packaging that can lead to accidental overdose in children According to the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), all prescription drugs must contain child-resistant packaging. Approximately 4.2 million bottles of Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) were recalled because they do not contain the appropriate child-resistant packaging for their blister packs. The 75 milligram tablets disintegrate orally, and pose an accidental child poisoning risk if they are not properly sealed. Thankfully, there have been no reports of accidental poisonings. Nurtec ODT is used to treat migraine attacks in adults with or without aura. The product contains 85.7 mg rimegepant sulfate, benzyl alcohol, eucalyptol, gelatin, limonene, mannitol, menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, sucralose, and vanillin. The most common side effects include nausea, indigestion, and stomach pain. The recalled prescription drugs must be in child resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA). The packaging of the products is not child resistant, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children, said the companys notice. The company responsible for the packaging error is Biohaven Pharmaceuticals. In October 2022, Pfizer acquired Biohaven Pharmaceuticals Inc. and determined that the packaging was not up to federal standards. Consumers are currently being advised to immediately secure the recalled product out of the sight and reach of children and contact Pfizer for a free child-resistant pouch to store the product. Once the product is secured in the appropriate packaging, consumers are allowed to use it as directed. No studies for Pfizers migraine drug on children Pfizer internally determined that the drugs packaging does not meet federal requirements. The recall allows consumers to continue using the drug because the packaging error does not change the established safety profile of the drug when used as prescribed for its intended uses. Pfizer says there is no need to return the drugs to the pharmacy, and pharmacies will continue to issue the prescription in temporary vials that contain child-resistant lids. Pfizer is quickly working to create new packaging for Nurtec ODT to comply with the necessary child-resistant packaging requirements, the firm added. In the meantime, pharmacists will place Nurtec ODT blister packages into vials with child-resistant lids when filling patient prescriptions. Because there have been no studies on the drugs effects on children, consumers are instructed on how to handle an overdose in children if the need arises. Treatment of an overdose of NURTEC ODT should consist of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status of the patient, Pfizer wrote No specific antidote for the treatment of rimegepant overdose is available. Rimegepant is unlikely to be significantly removed by dialysis because of high serum protein binding. One of the best ways to treat an overdose or accidental poisoning is to administer activated charcoal orally. This over-the-counter supplement can be used to adsorb drugs and toxins from the stomach, preventing their absorption. This powdered supplement is great to have in the home apothecary. For more on this topic, check out Overdose.News. Sources include: 12FT.io CPSC.gov PfizerMedicalInformation.com Pubmed.gov South Africa: Businessmen fined for operating gas cylinder plant without a license Two Mokopane businessmen were found guilty for operating gas cylinder plant without a license and fined R500 000 by the Mokopane Regional Court in Limpopo on Friday. In March 2022, the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation team members received information about a plant in Mahwereng outside Mokopane that was refilling and selling gas cylinders bearing different brands without being authorized. Since then, the plant has been under police radar. On 16 September 2022, the accused Tahir Hassan (33) and Javed Khan (40) were arrested during a multidisciplinary sting operation comprising the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Mokopane Bomb Disposal, Local Criminal Record Centre and the Department of Home Affairs. These also included the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, Department of Environmental Affairs, Mogalakwena Fire and Rescue and Royal Square (brand representatives). During the operation, the team seized a large number of gas cylinders bearing different brands with the estimated value of over R600 000-00. After a few court appearances, the accused were granted bail. On Friday, the accused entered into a plea agreement with the state and were ultimately sentenced as follows: On count 1, which is developing a site without a license, they were each sentenced to R250 000 or six months imprisonment half of which is suspended for five years. On count 2, which is retail in prescribed petroleum products without an application for retail license, the accused were also each sentenced to R250 000 or sixty months imprisonment half of which is suspended for five years. On count 3, which consists nine counts of fraud, the accused were sentenced to R10 000 or two years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty on similar charges during the period of suspension. The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Gopz Govender appreciated the team members for their meritorious efforts together with the National Prosecuting Authority. "I would like to warn those who are conducting similar businesses without a license that their days are numbered," said Major General Govender. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Commemorate Event on the occasion of the 108th anniversary of Canakkale Victory was held in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on March 18, Azernews reports. A number of Azerbaijani state officials, military personnel, as well as the Consul General of the Republic of Turkiye in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, officers of the Turkish army, representatives of the public and media, and Turkish students took part at the commemoration ceremony held in the Alley of Martyrs in the Nakhchivan AR. At the ceremony, prayers were read for the souls of the martyrs, and their dear memory was commemorated with a minute of silence. Then the participants of the event laid wreaths and bunches of flowers in front of the monument erected in memory of Turkish martyrs and visited the Alley of Martyrs. In the end, the participants laid flowers on the graves of our heroic sons who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our land, and in front of the "Mother" statue, which stands majestically in the center of the Alley of Martyrs. Then the event continued in the Turkish consulate. National anthems of both countries were performed at the event at the consulate. A video was shown about the victory of Canakkale and the relief actions of the Nakhchivan community after the earthquake in Turkiye. Speaking at the commemoration event, Consul General of Turkiye in Nakhchivan Asip Kaya said that the unwavering love of our martyrs, the unity and equality of our people, including the two brotherly countries, is our greatest pride, wealth and strength. Our nation, which is full of historical heroics, wrote a great history in Canakkale 108 years ago and demonstrated to the world that it will never agree to the occupation of our lands. Besides, the battle of Dardanelles (Gelibolu) was also the glorious beginning of the future liberation war, Asip Kaya said. The consulate noted that Canakkale battle, which involved naval and land forces and became one of the glorious pages of Turkish military history despite all the difficulties, raised a genius like Ataturk and laid the foundation for his leadership in the future liberation war. When we look at the number of people lost in the battles, each of which is considered an example of heroism, and the social origin, there is no doubt that the struggle was a national struggle. In his speech, the Consul General noted that Azerbaijan's rightful victory in the Patriotic War was greeted with great enthusiasm in the Republic of Turkiye. From the first day of the war, Turkiye showed its moral support to brother Azerbaijan with all its capabilities, and in the natural disaster that occurred in our homeland in early February, the people of Azerbaijan once again introduced the historical brotherhood, unity and solidarity to the world by providing all the help they could. Then poems dedicated to the great victory were recited by Turkish students studying at Nakhchivan State University. The powerful Cyclone Freddy that reemerged caused widespread damage and more than 400 casualties in Malawi, Madagascar and Mozambique due to rounds of heavy rain and flooding. Cyclone Freddy became a long-lived cyclone after it managed to reemerge and sustained a damaging strength, impacting parts of Madagascar, Southern Malawi and Mozambique. Recently, AccuWeather reported because destructive in parts of Malawi as the authorities announced a state of disaster due to the challenging weather conditions. The long-lived cyclone caused widespread power outages and evacuations, adding that about 1.5 million people were affected due to Freddy's impact. Before Freddy's devastating aftermath, weather forecasts noted that the storm managed to take an unusual track over the Indian Ocean. Flooding concerns and more casualties In the latest count, BBC reported that over 400 were casualties after Freddy left devastating damage. The report noted that Cyclone Freddy could become equivalent to Category 5 hurricane winds because of its sustained winds. Previously, Associated Press (AP) reported that Freddy impacted parts of Madagascar, causing more than 16,000 people to become displaced in the western portion of Mananjary AP reported four people casualties were recorded when Cyclone Freddy hit in February. Recently, CNN and Aljazeera reports showed that Cyclone Freddy's aftermath resulted in more than 300 deaths in Malawi and Mozambique (Wednesday). According to CNN, rescue operations and efforts were ongoing in parts of Malawi after Cyclone Freddy caused widespread flooding. The situation became more difficult as Cyclone Freddy damaged bridges and roads in the affected region. Widespread power outages were also reported. CNN reported that Radio Mozambique 22,000 were displaced in Mozambique. On the other hand, Malawi also recorded about 225 deaths (As of Wednesday) as search operations continued. Meanwhile, BBC reported that Cyclone Freddy reached about 36 days, making it a long-lived tropical system. According to Aljazeera, President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi called for 14 days of the morning for Cyclone Freddy's aftermath. How communities prepare after Cyclone Freddy The heavy impact of Cyclone Freddy in Madagascar, Malawi and Mozambique showed the long-lived cyclone with powerful winds and rain. Before returning homes, communities must monitor the weather conditions, from landslides and floodwaters. After Cyclone Freddy, floodwater would stay to subside. As a result, it is essential to return after the storm abates. Also Read: Long-Lived, Destructive Cyclone Freddy: What You Should Know About Here are essential reminders for communities and residents. Check the weather conditions this week. Before going back, communities should keep aware of the weather conditions this week. Monitoring the weather via battery-powered radio or other resources would be helpful. It is best to wait until floodwaters abate or there are no flash flooding dangers. Check your home for potential damage. It is possible that Cyclone Freddy could leave heavy damage to the roof and your entire home. It is crucial to repair for possible damages after the storm, it is still safe to stay. Inform your family members that you are safe. Report any missing family members. Cyclone Freddy showed a devastating impact on communities in Malawi and Mozambique. Homeowners should report to immediate authorities their missing family members. Related Article: Cyclone Freddy Updates: Madagascar Braces for Strong Winds, Intense Rain After Landfall For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News. This week, a mass die-off of fish in Australia's Darling River resulted in millions of dead fish clogging the river. State fisheries officers were dispatched to evaluate the situation on Saturday. Millions of Dead Fish Low oxygen levels in Australia's second-largest river were cited as the cause of the mass kill by environmental authorities in the state of New South Wales. Cameron Lay, the fisheries spokesman for the New South Wales government, said It's quite a confronting scene to see that there are tens of kilometers where there is fish. RTE News shared a video of a boat trying to navigate through millions of dead fish on the surface of Australia's second-longest river on Twitter. Low levels of oxygen in Australia's second longest river were to blame for a mass fish die-off recently in a remote part of New South Wales state that saw hundreds of thousands of dead fish found in the Darling River | Read more: https://t.co/9TifUSXGjL pic.twitter.com/lJUBI0Tza2 RTE News (@rtenews) March 18, 2023 Mass Die-Off The most populous state in Australia claimed that "millions" of fish had perished close to the small town of Menindee. The town is about 620 miles west of Sydney, the state capital. Since 2018, there have been three large die-offs in the region. In the Darling River, recent floods had caused populations of bony herring and carp to explode, and now fish are disappearing as a result. The government of New South Wales claims that these fish deaths are caused by hypoxia, or low oxygen levels in the water, as flood waters recede. The water division of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment noted that there are numerous fish deaths in the Darling River between Menindee township and Lake Wetherell, most of which are Bony Herring. The agency issued a warning that rising temperatures over the weekend could cause river oxygen levels to drop. Next week, cooler temperatures are expected to return. According to DW, previous fish kills reported at Menindee had been attributed to a protracted drought and a toxic algal bloom. Also Read: Extreme Snowstorms, Climate Change Hinder Breeding Season for Antarctic Birds Mass Die-Offs in Australia According to researchers, in 2018 excessive water use resulted in river flows that were too low to properly flush nutrients from agricultural runoff through the system, causing large algal blooms. The blooms were then killed by a cold snap, and bacteria that fed on the dead algae drained the water of oxygen, killing between 100,000 and 1 million fish, Science reports. Millions of dead fish were discovered during the state's devastating drought in 2019, which put the management of the Murray-Darling Basin under scrutiny. Chris Minns, the leader of the opposition, said it was tragic for a community that had endured so much. Minns said that Over ten years of National Party rule resulted in poor management of the river system in far western NSW. On Friday, an NSW representative said the state had increased monitoring of the Menindee Lakes region recently to track the effects of the area's protracted flooding. One hour's drive separates Broken Hill from Menindee, a town of 500 residents. It has seen several large-scale fish kills recently, with a 40-kilometer algal bloom in 2019 being blamed for the deaths of one million fish. The 2019 occurrence fell during a time of extreme heat in the southernmost region of the state and a drought in the river system. Thousands of fish were discovered dead at Menindee lakes once again last year, ABC News reports. Related Article: Invasive Weather Loach Swarms Take Over Irrigation Filters Following Major Flash Flood in Australia Champaign, IL (61820) Today Windy. Cloudy skies will become partly cloudy this afternoon. A few flurries or snow showers possible. High near 55F. Winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 32F. NW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday announced the selection of Utah-based generic drug manufacturer Civica to produce low-cost insulin for California, an unprecedented move that makes good on his promise to put state government in direct competition with the brand-name drug companies that dominate the market. People should not be forced to go into debt to get lifesaving prescriptions," Newsom said. "Californians will have access to some of the most inexpensive insulin available, helping them save thousands of dollars each year." The contract, with an initial cost of $50 million that Newsom and his fellow Democratic lawmakers approved last year, calls for Civica to manufacture state-branded insulin and make the lifesaving drug available to any Californian who needs it, regardless of insurance coverage, by mail order and at local pharmacies. But insulin is just the beginning. Newsom said the state will also look to produce the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone. Allan Coukell, Civica's senior vice president of public policy, told KHN that the nonprofit drugmaker is also in talks with the Newsom administration to potentially produce other generic medications, but he declined to elaborate, saying the company is focused on making cheap insulin widely available first. "We are very excited about this partnership with the state of California," Coukell said. "We're not looking to have 100% of the market, but we do want 100% of people to have access to fair insulin prices." As insulin costs for consumers have soared, Democratic lawmakers and activists have called on the industry to rein in prices. Just weeks after President Joe Biden attacked Big Pharma for jacking up insulin prices, the three drugmakers that control the insulin market Eli Lilly and Co., Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi announced they would slash the list prices of some products. Newsom, who has previously accused the pharmaceutical industry of gouging Californians with "sky-high prices," argued that the launch of the state's generic drug label, CalRx, will add competition and apply pressure on the industry. Administration officials declined to say when California's insulin products would be available, but experts say it could be as soon as 2025. Coukell said the state-branded medication will still require approval from the FDA, which can take roughly 10 months. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which lobbies on behalf of brand-name companies, blasted California's move. Reid Porter, senior director of state public affairs for PhRMA, said Newsom just "wants to score political points." If the governor wants to impact what patients pay for insulins and other medicines meaningfully, he should expand his focus to others in the system that often make patients pay more than they do for medicines," Porter said, blaming pharmaceutical go-between companies, known as pharmacy benefit managers, that negotiate with manufacturers on behalf of insurers for rebates and discounts on drugs. The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents pharmacy benefit managers argued in turn that it's pharmaceutical companies that are to blame for high prices. Drug pricing experts, however, say pharmacy benefit managers and drugmakers share the blame. Newsom administration officials say that inflated insulin costs force some to pay as much as $300 per vial or $500 for a box of injectable pens, and that too many Californians with diabetes skip or ration their medication. Doing so can lead to blindness, amputations, and life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and kidney failure. Nearly 10% of California adults have diabetes. Civica is developing three types of generic insulin, known as a biosimilar, which will be available both in vials and in injectable pens. They are expected to be interchangeable with brand-name products including Lantus, Humalog, and NovoLog. Coukell said the company would make the drug available for no more than $30 a vial, or $55 for five injectable pens. Newsom said the state's insulin will save many patients $2,000 to $4,000 a year, though critical questions about how California would get the products into the hands of consumers remain unanswered, including how it would persuade pharmacies, insurers, and retailers to distribute the drugs. Last year, Newsom also secured $50 million in seed money to build a facility to manufacture insulin; Coukell said Civica is exploring building a plant in California. California's move, though never been tried by a state government, could be blunted by recent industry decisions to lower insulin prices. In March, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi vowed to cut prices, with Lilly offering a vial at $25 per month; Novo Nordisk promising major reductions to bring the price of a particular generic vial to $48; and Sanofi also slashing prices, with one vial pegged at $64. The governor's office said it will cost the state $30 per vial to manufacture and distribute insulin and it will be sold at that price. Doing so, the administration argues, "will prevent the egregious cost-shifting that happens in traditional pharmaceutical price games." Drug pricing experts said generic production in California could further lower costs for insulin, and benefit people with high-deductible health insurance plans or no insurance. "This is an extraordinary move in the pharmaceutical industry, not just for insulin but potentially for all kinds of drugs," said Robin Feldman, a professor at the University of California College of the Law-San Francisco. "It's a very difficult industry to disrupt, but California is poised to do just that." This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low around 10F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 60%.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low around 10F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 60%. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low near 10F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Mainly cloudy with snow showers around this evening. Low near 10F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 60%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. TDT | Manama The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com Bahrain's high-level delegation successfully concluded its official visit to India, which the Industry Minister said, will pave the way for a more strategic partnership. The visit, which took place from March 14th to 17th, included stops in New Delhi and Mumbai and featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Export Bahrain and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The Minister of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain, Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, and Bahrain's Ambassador to India, Abdulrahman Mohammed Al Qaoud, were present at the signing to increase bilateral trade between the two entities. The visit, supported by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Bahrain Economic Development Board, aimed to highlight key investment opportunities in Bahrain and strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries. Over 60 representatives from various public and private sector entities, including the MOIC, Bahrain EDB, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority, and Export Bahrain, along with several leading Bahrain-based businesses and business societies, were part of the delegation. The investment and trade opportunities highlighted by the delegation focused on Bahrain's financial services, manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), logistics, and tourism sectors, in line with the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro described the visit as crucial for achieving the goals set under Bahrain's Economic Recovery Plan. Khalid Humaidan, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, emphasized the long history of cooperation between India and Bahrain and the importance of continuing to focus on driving investment into key sectors of Bahrain's economy. The visit included sessions and activities with key Indian government officials, business representatives, and potential investors, such as the 2023 Partnership Summit hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi. The delegation also attended two key networking events hosted by Bahrain EDB and supported by the Bombay Chamber and CII in Mumbai. According to the latest statistics, trade between both countries reached USD 1.4 billion in 2022, and Inward FDI stocks of India to Bahrain reached USD 1.4 billion as of Q3 of 2022, accounting for around 4% of Bahrain's total FDI stock of USD33.9 billion. A 32-year-old man was arrested Saturday for arson after a fire gutted the house where he lived in the central Japan prefecture of Nagano, apparently killing three of his family members, police said. Three bodies believed to be those of the man's father, Hitoshi Nakamura, mother and grandmother in her 90s were found after the fire at the two-story house. ...continue reading Mar 19 (ANNnewsCH) - 18332 ... continue reading Taiwanese tourist dies after falling off Japan theme park boat Taiwan News - Apr 17 Nagasaki police confirmed on Monday (April 17) that a Taiwanese tourist died at a hospital after falling off a boat ride at a theme park. Nagasaki police confirmed on Monday (April 17) that a Taiwanese tourist died at a hospital after falling off a boat ride at a theme park. 11 injured as danjiri cart overturns in Osaka, Japan NHK - Apr 16 Eleven people were injured when a wooden festival cart was overturned in the streets of Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. Eleven people were injured when a wooden festival cart was overturned in the streets of Sakai City in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. Japanese waitress is sacked for mixing her own BLOOD into cocktails dailymail.co.uk - Apr 14 A Japanese waitress has been sacked after she was found to have mixed her own blood into the cocktails of unbeknownst customers. A Japanese waitress has been sacked after she was found to have mixed her own blood into the cocktails of unbeknownst customers. Johnny Kitagawa, late Japanese talent mogul, accused of sexual abuse by former teen star variety.com - Apr 13 Japanese singer and songwriter Okamoto Kauan a former client of the Johnny & Associates agency has alleged that agency founder and long-time head Johnny Kitagawa committed numerous acts of sexual abuse against him and others. Japanese singer and songwriter Okamoto Kauan a former client of the Johnny & Associates agency has alleged that agency founder and long-time head Johnny Kitagawa committed numerous acts of sexual abuse against him and others. "Reading the Air" in Japan: Why it matters Japanese Comedian Meshida - Apr 12 To live in Japanese society having the ability to read the room is more important than anything else. To live in Japanese society having the ability to read the room is more important than anything else. Man goes on rampage with tent peg in Osaka supermarket, injuring 4 NOJ / YTV NEWS - Apr 10 A 56-year-old man has been arrested for attempted murder after attacking customers and a store clerk with a tent peg at a supermarket in Osaka. A 56-year-old man has been arrested for attempted murder after attacking customers and a store clerk with a tent peg at a supermarket in Osaka. Woman fatally stabbed on train platform; suspect jumps to his death in front of train Japan Today - Apr 10 An 18-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in a waiting room on a platform at a train station in Nagoya on Saturday night, police said Sunday, adding that a 29-year-old man suspected of stabbing her apparently killed himself by jumping from the platform into the path of an oncoming train. An 18-year-old woman was fatally stabbed in a waiting room on a platform at a train station in Nagoya on Saturday night, police said Sunday, adding that a 29-year-old man suspected of stabbing her apparently killed himself by jumping from the platform into the path of an oncoming train. Imperial garden party to be held without food or alcohol, sources say NHK - Apr 08 No food or alcohol will be served at the Imperial garden party that is due to be held in Tokyo next month for the first time in five years. No food or alcohol will be served at the Imperial garden party that is due to be held in Tokyo next month for the first time in five years. Kim Kardashian working on 'dream project' with Japanese architect Tadao Ando dailymail.co.uk - Apr 07 Kim Kardashian has been working on a 'dream project' in collaboration with Japanese architect Tadao Ando for the past two years, according to her latest Instagram post. Kim Kardashian has been working on a 'dream project' in collaboration with Japanese architect Tadao Ando for the past two years, according to her latest Instagram post. Iconic buddhist statue stolen from Nagano temple NOJ - Apr 06 A 34-year-old man who stole an ancient wooden statue from Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City on Wednesday has been arrested after police identified him from security footage. A 34-year-old man who stole an ancient wooden statue from Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City on Wednesday has been arrested after police identified him from security footage. $4 vs $200 Haircut in Tokyo SHUNchan - Apr 06 My friend and I went to the cheapest and most expensive hair salons in Tokyo! My friend and I went to the cheapest and most expensive hair salons in Tokyo! Japanese police arrest Marines after separate incidents in Okinawa nightlife district stripes.com - Apr 05 Japanese police jailed two Marines on Okinawa in separate incidents over the weekend at a popular nightlife district outside Kadena Air Base. Japanese police jailed two Marines on Okinawa in separate incidents over the weekend at a popular nightlife district outside Kadena Air Base. The reason Japan's crime rate will increase Japanese Comedian Meshida - Apr 03 Japan is famous for having a lower incidence of sexual crimes compared to other advanced countries, according to statistics. Japan is famous for having a lower incidence of sexual crimes compared to other advanced countries, according to statistics. Over 30 dolphins washed ashore near Tokyo NHK - Apr 03 Thirty-two dolphins have been found washed up on a beach on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. Thirty-two dolphins have been found washed up on a beach on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. An estimated 1.46 million people socially withdrawn in Japan, govt. survey finds NHK - Apr 01 A government survey has found that an estimated 1.46 million people aged 15 to 64 in Japan are in a state of "hikikomori," or withdrawal from society. A government survey has found that an estimated 1.46 million people aged 15 to 64 in Japan are in a state of "hikikomori," or withdrawal from society. Despite fierce opposition to the second-term ambition of the current Bauchi State Governor, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has lost his home local government area, Bogoro LGA, to the governor. Governor Mohammed contested yesterdays election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while Dogara backed the immediate Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar (retd), who is the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). According to the official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP and Mohammed polled a total of 16,598 votes as against the 10,436 votes polled by APC and its candidate. For the House of Assembly result for Bogoro State Constituency, the PDPs Musa Nagwada garnered a total of 13,934 votes, while APC candidate Bulus Iliya, who is a former legislative aide to Dogara, got 12,887 votes. Mr Chisom Lennard, the Campaign Director of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ahoada-West Local Government Area of Rivers State who was abducted by gunmen on Saturday has been killed. The deceased was reportedly abducted by the unknown gunmen who were dressed in police uniform while he was casting his vote at Ibagwa polling unit 2, Ward 10 in Ahoada West LGA. Lennard was exercising his franchise during the governorship and state assembly elections when the incident happened. According to reports, the APC chieftain was making efforts to stop the gunmen from snatching election materials when he was whisked away to an unknown destination. The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Darlington Nwauju confirmed the incident to Daily Trust on Sunday. Nwauju stated, He was abducted from his polling unit during the voting process and taken away. Nobody knew where they took him to. It was later yesterday evening (Saturday) that his body was discovered. He was the APC LGA caretaker chairman and a PhD student at Rivers State University. Nigerian celebrities, the Peter of P-Square, popularly known as Mr. P and Falz, have slammed the Nigeria Police over their conduct in the ongoing governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. The 2023 Lagos State gubernatorial election was marred by a high level of violence and intimidation. Some of the attacks on voters and electoral materials were reportedly carried out right in front of the security personnel. Video clips of police officers being compromised are flying around on social media. The police had even described as a mere joke, the threat issued to non indigenes of Lagos by the States Parks Management Committee Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. Oluomo had in a trending video, threatened Igbos residing in Lagos State to either come out and vote for the All Progressives Congress, APC in the ongoing governorship elections or remain indoors. Reacting, Falz tweeted: I am so livid. This level of fuckery is unbelievable! A couple of Arise TV journalists were very badly beaten up at my polling unit. OF COURSE, in the presence of Police officers! Mr P said, We do not have police in Nigeria! All we have is thugs with uniforms! SHAME ON THEM! The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the majority of the seats in the Ondo state house of assembly. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results of the state assembly elections on Sunday. The APC won 22 of the 26 constituencies, while the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) won the remaining four seats. Ondo is one of the eight states where governorship election did not hold on Saturday. Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of the state, is expected to complete his second term in office in 2024. The state assembly elections took place across 3,933 polling units and 203 wards. Four incumbent members lost their re-election bids. The lawmakers are PDPs Tomide Akinribido (Ondo West), African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Favour Tomomewo (Ilaje 2), APCs Taofeeq Muhammed (Akoko Northwest 2) and Toluwani Borokini of the APC (Akure South 1). Three female lawmakers will be part of the 10th Ondo house of assembly as female APC candidates won in Owo 1, Idanre and Ilaje 2 constituencies. A total of 208 candidates from 19 political parties contested the state assembly elections Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), says the results of the Lagos governorship election do not align with what his field agents recorded. The LP governorship candidate said he is convinced beyond any doubt that the outcome of the election does not represent the wishes of majority of peaceful Lagosians. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to declare a winner in the election that was marred by violence, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state governor, is on course for victory. He has won 18 of the 19 LGAs announced so far while Rhodes-Vivour has secured victory in one. But according to the LP candidate, the results from our field agents and situation room indicated that we won this election. Rhodes-Vivour reacted to the outcome of the election via a Twitter thread on Sunday. Firstly, I would like to thank all Lagosians, especially our supporters for coming out to vote yesterday for us. Im convinced that with you in our corner, a NEW Nigeria is imminent, he said. However, I am saddened by the confirmed reports of violence and gross disenfranchisement of voters who only wished to perform their civic duty. Attacks on polling units, voters, and our party agents are totally antithetical to what we stand for & what Lagos truly represents. Collusion between the ruling party and electoral officials to return the candidate of the APC is a slap on the face of democracy and everyone who came out to vote for us on Saturday. I am a champion of the people, we are far from done. Do not lose hope, do not waver. This is not over, we have not come this far to accept outright lies, criminality & falsehoods. Every vote cast for me was done in the face of intimidation and risk of personal harm. Every such vote must count. Defending every one of those votes is a sacred duty. I will defend your votes this is my vow to every LP voter. Rhodes-Vivour added that a fight for freedom is never easily won. Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled an attack by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) on a collation centre in Mafa LGA, the hometown of Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state. Governorship and state houses of assembly polls took place across the country on Saturday. Zagazola Makama, a publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the insurgents attack took place hours after Zulum visited the LGA to cast his vote. The publication quoted sources as saying that the insurgents stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday around 2 am on motorcycles and gun trucks and headed to the centre where officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were collating results of the LGA for the governorship and state assembly elections. However, the insurgents faced stiff resistance from the troops who were said to have engaged them in a gun battle, killing several of the ISWAP fighters. A source said the troops recovered two Toyota Hilux vehicles and weapons from the insurgents. The residents of the community came out to celebrate the victory of the troops after the incident, Zagazola said. The development comes a week after troops repelled an attack by ISWAP in Gamboru Ngala area in the state. Gamboru, located near the Cameroon border, is a market town and the administrative centre of Ngala LGA. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Watertown, NY (13601) Today Occasional light rain tapering to a few showers late. High 54F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Snow may mix in. Low 37F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Hey Blake, I enjoyed the Gambit article on the pioneering local chef Lena Richard. I came across a cookbook from the 1950s by another Black female chef, Mandy Lee, that also mentions her work on WDSU. What can you tell me about her? Dear reader, Mandy Lee, or Amanda Lee, was the on-air name used by chef Ruth Prevost. She followed Lena Richard as host of a WDSU-TV cooking show when Richard died in 1950. Prevost was born in Slidell in 1917 and made her debut on WDSU in December 1950. An article in The New Orleans Item explained that she had been head of the culinary department of one of the largest country clubs here, has managed local restaurants and also has cooked in some of the citys finest homes. It went on to say she had a natural wit and charm and was "a jovial person with a delightful smile and a rich laughing voice. Prevosts show initially aired on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. In 1951, the show expanded to five days a week, airing each day at 1 p.m. A June 1952 article in The New Orleans Item spoke of the shows popularity. One of the most impressive things about Amandas WDSU-TV kitchen is the warm regard that New Orleans housewives have for her, it read. On the streets she is immediately recognized and spoken to and in the fan mail you really learn of her popularity. The program played to stereotypes of the day, however, with the article saying that Mandy dressed the part of the old-time Southern cook. The cover of the cookbook WDSU produced featuring Prevosts recipes Mandy Lees Recipes for Good New Orleans Dishes, shows Prevost wearing an Aunt Jemima-style red and white checkered blouse under her apron and a checkered scarf in her hair. On her show, Prevost was joined by host and announcer Woody Leafer. Her on-air assistant was Marie Richard, Lena Richards daughter. She was later joined by Marie Matthews, who spent a total of 42 years at the station and later appeared on WDSUs popular Midday show in the 1960s as well as on many other cooking segments. Prevost died suddenly in 1954. She was 37 years old. "If we do nothing and continue the current trend, then math dictates we will continue to lose officers," NOLA Coalition organizer Michael Hecht said. "At some point, the officer numbers will simply collapse because it won't be safe to serve." The Army Corps of Engineers has discovered severe corrosion to a pump at the end of the London Avenue Canal in New Orleans and less corrosion to another at the Orleans Avenue Canal, Corps officials said Tuesday, with plans to repair both elements of the city's vital flood protection system by the June 1 beginning of hurricane season. The Azerbaijani ecologists and young volunteers' peaceful protest on the Lachin-Khankendi road over the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits, especially the Gizilbulag and Damirli ones located in the Azerbaijani territories, where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily deployed, is underway. On the 98th day back-to-back, the protesters performed the national anthem of Azerbaijan early in the morning. They continue to chant various slogans in English and Russian, calling for an end to ecocide against Azerbaijan, as well as demanding monitoring of Azerbaijans mineral deposits in the areas where the Russian peacekeeping contingent has been temporarily deployed. As regards the passage of vehicles for humanitarian purposes, the movement of various types of vehicles, including ambulances and humanitarian convoys are being ensured with no hindrance. HAMMOND Authorities are detaining a Griffith man on charges that he arranged to sell a improvised pipe bomb to an undercover investigator. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Joshua P. Kolar ordered Allen Crouse, 46, to be held without bond until he is tried on federal charges of possessing explosive devices. Crouse is pleading not guilty to that and to being in possession of bombs after having been convicted of two felonies. A federal grand jury indicted Crouse on allegations of manufacturing two bombs that he sold almost two years ago to an undercover agent. The court opened a previously sealed affidavit that Griffith Detective Jacob Schoon learned in summer 2021 that Crouse was manufacturing illegal fireworks. Schoon said Crouse also was willing to sell bombs large enough to severely damage a car and its occupants. An undercover police agent visited Crouses home in the 500 block of North Cline Avenue. Crouse invited the undercover agent into his garage and explained the process he used to build bombs. The agent saw a 25-gallon drum of potassium nitrate, an explosive chemical compound used in the manufacture of fertilizer, gunpowder, fireworks and bombs. The agent agreed to buy two bombs from Crouse for $50 apiece. The agent returned to Crouses residence July 21, 2021, and Crouse gave the agent two plastic bottles filled with chemical explosive and nails and bolts that would act as shrapnel to increase the explosions damage. The agent then brought the bottles to bomb technicians working for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who confirmed that it was a destructive device as defined by federal law. Schoon states there is no evidence that Crouse was licensed to possess destructive devices. Schoon further states that Crouse served prison time for felony convictions for burglary in 1996 and 1998 in Florida. Crouse also has six felony charges pending against him in Lake Criminal Court in Crown Point for domestic battery, strangulation, intimidation, criminal recklessness and battery. Crouse is pleading to the state charges too. Magistrate Judge Kolar said in his detention ruling that government prosecutors played in court an audio recording of the purported meeting between Crouse and the undercover agent. Kolar said Crouse and his court-appointed defense attorney showed that Crouse has strong ties to the community, but the defense was unable to rebut the governments evidence that Crouse could be a danger to the community or a flight risk to avoid justice. The charges against the defendant and the fact the Defendant has multiple convictions and was out on bond for multiple pending charges at the times alleged in the indictment, cut in the governments favor," the magistrate said. No trial date has been set. Public schools across Northwest Indiana are seeing enrollment plunge. Enrollment across the 16 public school districts in Lake County collectively fell 6.78% from the 2017-18 school year to 2022-23, according to a Times analysis of data from the Indiana Department of Education. During that same five-year period, Porter County school districts saw a 3.52% decline, while LaPorte County school districts saw a 3.94% decrease. Newton and Jasper counties saw 12.49% and 4.50% declines, respectively. "It's going to impact every level," Mark Sperling, professor and interim dean of the Indiana University Northwest School of Education, said. This falling enrollment isn't shared equally. The greatest drops were at Gary Community School Corp., with a 22% decline; Griffith Public Schools, with a 19.98% decline; and North Newton School Corp., with an 18.58% decline. While they're the exception, other districts in the area saw increases, including Crown Point Community School Corp., with a 6.62% increase; Valparaiso Community Schools, with a 2.36% increase; and Porter Township School Corp., with an 8.45% increase. Although, even the districts experiencing growth are seeing other statistics that forecast future declines. In Crown Point, there are 700 seniors at Crown Point High School the district's sole high school this semester, according to figures provided by the district. When that class entered the district as kindergarteners in 2010, there were 471 of them. The reason that's nearly doubled is that the district is adding students at each grade level. That accounts for the present growth, but district officials are concerned about another statistic: In 2021-22, the district had 613 kindergarten students, but in 2022-23, that number was down to 538, meaning the district's kindergarten classes are shrinking. "Down the road, as the elementary school population reduces, the high school population will also reduce," Sperling said. As to why this is happening, Sperling said "it's a combination of things." Demographic shifts From 2010 to 2020, Lake County saw a 7.2% decrease in its under-18-year-old population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. At the same time, Porter and LaPorte counties saw 4.1% and 5.7% decreases respectively in this age group. Newton County saw a 2.9% decrease, and Jasper County saw an 8.2% decrease. While this isn't exclusive to Northwest Indiana in 2021, the U.S. saw a growth rate of 0.1%, the lowest since the nations founding, according to the Census Bureau it's particularly large here. This has led to fewer kids filling public school seats. With 11,505 students, School City of Hammond is Northwest Indiana's largest school district. It saw a 16.44% enrollment decline over the past five years. In 2019, the district hired a demographer to examine trends in the district with this very problem in mind. Jerome McKibben, a Ph.D. demographer who performs similar studies for schools across the U.S., predicted slow decreases over 10 years. His final report, which the district shared with The Times, notes Hammond's birth rate, 2.02, is lower than the replacement rate of 2.10; the median age of the district, which he projects will move from 33.4 in 2010 to 41.4 in 2030; the 18-to-24-year-old population moving out of Hammond; an increasing number of "empty-nest" households; and low new home sales in the district. "It's been even worse than he expected," Hammond Superintendent Scott Miller said. Miller said this declining enrollment has created issues for the district. In Indiana, state education funding is distributed on a per-student basis. For every student, a district receives around $7,000-7,500. "If you take that $7,000 and multiply it by 2,000 students, you're looking at $14 million of lost funding over the past five years," he said. "That's a lot." The issue, Miller explained, is more than just having less funding; it's actively losing funding. "When you have significant funding losses, the end result is a few things," he said. "One of them is that it absolutely contributed to the need to close high schools." In 2021, the district closed Clark and Gavit high schools. Nearby Gary Community School Corp., which saw an even more dramatic decline, has shuttered six schools since 2018 and even more in the years prior. In Gary, the vacant school buildings have become hotspots for crime and have cost the district millions of dollars to demolish, according to previous Times reporting. "Consolidating schools hurts communities," Miller said. "Especially, in urban communities, people feel a very strong attachment to their local school." Miller said it also hurts staffing. "Having less resources means less you can offer teachers," he said. "We're already starting to see that, whereas some of the more affluent communities are continuing to grow like Crown Point. I like Crown Point; I love their leadership. But they're able to pay their teachers significantly more. For a teacher to be able to make $10,000 more a year, that's a fifth of their salary in a lot of cases, so it becomes difficult for us to attract talent." He said it has "a real domino effect" to the point where they aren't able to offer students the same level of opportunities. Miller acknowledged Hammond receives more money from Title I, which distributes federal funds to schools that serve low-income families, than districts in southern Lake County, but he said it doesn't offset the loss from enrollment declines. He also said the way state funding is distributed exacerbates this. "It doesn't give you any grace," he said. "The average layperson says 'they just need to manage their money better.' It's not that simple." Miller explained that funding is distributed based on student counts in September and February. "All my teachers are contracted for a whole year, but if my enrollment goes down from September to February, the state starts reducing my money immediately," he said. "If my February count goes down 100 kids, that's $750,000 3 quarters of a million. There's no buffer, so even for the most astute financial person, it is very difficult to try and manage your expenses." School choice While public school enrollment has been falling, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gary which spans Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties reported a 5% increase in enrollment for the 2022-23 school year over 2021-22. Some school officials attribute that to Indiana's recently expanded school voucher program. For decades, Indiana lawmakers have been pushing for programs to help students attend private schools. The result is the largest state school voucher program in the U.S. Created in 2011, the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program allows families to opt out of the public school system and receive a voucher for a majority of the state funding that would've normally gone toward their child's education in a public school to spend on private school tuition. The program has expanded several times since its inception, most recently in April 2021, when the state legislature expanded the income eligibility for the program to include approximately 80% of Indiana students and increased the voucher received by each family to up to 90% of what would've been spent on their education in public schools. Dan Kozlowski is the managing director of the Northwest Indiana branch of Big Shoulders Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes Catholic schools throughout the greater Chicago area. Since 2019, the organization has had a memorandum of understanding with the Diocese of Gary to provide operational, academic and financial support to its schools. "We draw a direct line between the expansion of the Indiana School Choice Program and the increase in enrollment in our schools," Kozlowski said. "I can say, almost without a shadow of a doubt, that almost every one of our schools saw an increase in the number of students on the program from '21 to '22." According to data provided by the state, 1,002 students living within the School City of Hammond used a voucher, thus reducing the student population in Hammond schools. As did 995 from Gary Community School Corp., 252 from Crown Point Community School Corp., 130 from Valparaiso Community Schools and 73 from Duneland School Corp. Big Shoulders Fund launched a marketing campaign in January 2021 and created online tool, nwichoicescholar.org, to help families determine if they qualify for a voucher. "We're certainly thankful that the state of Indiana has a school choice program," Kozlowski said. Kozlowski said the voucher covers full tuition in most of the diocese's elementary schools and around 75% of tuition at its high schools. While Catholic school officials praise them, school vouchers aren't without their critics. In March 2021, while expansion of the program was being debated, 15 Lake County public school districts signed onto a joint statement opposing expansion of the Indiana Choice program. In the statement, they argued that vouchers allowed state funds to be used on schools that discriminate against students on the basis of religion, income, race, academic standing or other factors. They also argued they simply divert funding from public schools, which are held to more stringent reporting and transparency regulations, and help families that already send their children to private schools more than those that don't. "Public funds should only be used for education that is open and inclusive to all Hoosiers," the statement read. Pandemic frustrations In spring 2020, Angelina McDonald's twin daughters attended Solon Robinson Elementary School, a public school in Crown Point. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the school, like others across the country, began doing instruction online and continued doing it part-time during the 2020-21 school year. "My children did not do well with the Zoom learning," she said. "I don't feel that they learned as much being at home on a computer as they would with teachers teaching them in person." Around that same time, McDonald got hired as a teacher at St. Mary Catholic Community School. "I was hired in the middle of the school year, and I just immediately fell in love with the school, the teachers, the curriculum," she said. "So the following school year, I immediately wanted to switch them over." At the start of the 2021-22 school year, McDonald enrolled her children in third grade at St. Mary. She was dismayed by a year and a half of virtual learning, which was especially hard for her family where both she and her husband worked. Additionally, she felt her children were safer from contracting COVID-19 at St. Mary's where students had their temperature taken daily and teachers were stricter with mask-wearing and social distancing. While the pandemic prompted her decision, like many parents who made similar moves, McDonald had a number of motivations. She attended private school growing up and always wanted that for her children. She said that public schools are too big for her taste and that she likes how private schools have a more tight-knit feel. She also likes having a religious education. Additionally, the family couldn't afford it before taking advantage of the Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, which expanded months before this transition. "I had always wanted my children to go to a private school, but unfortunately it's pretty pricey," she said. "We're grateful we were able to take advantage of that (program) because if it wasn't for that, they'd still be in the public schools." McDonald has a third child, a boy in seventh grade, but she decided to keep him in Crown Point public schools. "He was just too far into the education that I didn't want to make a big change for him," she said. In the same way, McDonald said that as her daughters get further into the Catholic school system, she'll likely keep them there to avoid major disruptions. Additionally, she said she just found an option that works for her daughters. McDonald isn't alone. Many parents pulled their students from public schools with COVID-19-related restrictions and put them in private schools or homeschooling. For a variety of reasons, some of those families chose not to return to public schools. A group of professors, data analysts and researchers tracked this in their Return 2 Learn Tracker. According to that study, public schools across the nation lost 1.28 million students from 2020 to 2022 during the pandemic. Locally, School City of Hammonds enrollment went down 7% during that time period; School City of East Chicagos more than 10%; Gary Community School Corp. 9.8%; and Lake Central School Corp. 1.8%. The fact that this decrease didn't occur at Valparaiso Community Schools which, according to previous reporting from The Times, enacted looser COVID-19 restrictions than many other area districts also supports this as a contributing factor. The district actually increased its enrollment by 1.2% from 2020 to 2022, according to Return 2 Learn Tracker. Like demographic trends, this phenomenon is not unique to Indiana. Experts nationwide have been sounding the alarm about falling enrollments. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that between fall 2019 and fall 2020, total public K-12 school enrollment dropped from 50.8 million to 49.4 million students, a 3% drop that brought total enrollment to where it was in 2009 and erased a decade of steady growth. Longest serving Gary division chief celebrates end of tour Gary Fire Battalion Chief James Adamson holds a radio as Division Chief Calvin Bankhead listens to Chief Sean O'Donnell announce his end of to GARY Ask any of Calvin Bankhead's fellow firefighters and emergency medical technicians what they admire most about him, and many will give you a similar answer. "He's a people person," Battalion Chief James Adamson said. "He always looks out for everybody." Battalion Chief Tim Haines said Bankhead, a Gary fire division chief, has had a positive influence on the community and culture of the department throughout Bankhead's 45 years on staff. "He's one of the guys who always promotes the brotherhood," Haines said. "He's been a great inspiration to us." Many of Bankhead's colleagues echoed these statements at a celebration during his last working shift Saturday at Station 2. Bankhead, 69, is the longest-serving member of the Gary Fire Department. He began his career in 1977, when his father saw that the department was hiring and encouraged him to join. Bankhead was working for U.S. Steel and had just established an environmental management company. He decided he'd try it out anyway. Longest serving Gary division chief celebrates end of tour Calvin Bankhead (center) poses with the friends and colleagues who showed up Saturday to celebrate his last shift as a division chief at Gary "I had no idea I'd be here 45 years later," Bankhead said. He spent his first 10 years working out of the Station 1 headquarters, then bounced around to each of Gary's nine other active stations. Retired Capt. Kenneth Harmon said Bankhead was one of his rookies and used to joke around, pulling "sneaky stuff" early in his career. "He was nickel slick, but we made a quarter out of him," Harmon said, laughing. Bankhead worked his way up to battalion chief, which lasted 10 years. He was appointed division chief in the spring. Larry Tillman, president of Gary Firefighters Union 359, said he admires Bankhead's leadership style and believes he truly cares about each individual and the dynamics among firefighters. "Bankhead doesn't have to tell you what to do," Tillman said. "His leadership style makes you want to follow him." Bankhead listened over his radio as Chief Sean O'Donnell gave him his end-of-tour call. He took the opportunity to make a speech over the radio. He praised his colleagues for their hard work and said the camaraderie within the department is what he'll miss the most. His friends and colleagues smiled and clapped as Bankhead offered his final words. "The only thing I wish," Bankhead said, his voice thick with emotion, "is that everybody take care of each other the way I tried to take care of you." Gallery: The Times Photos of the Week Surf's Up St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City St Pat's parade in Michigan City Indiana Science Olympiad 2023 Indiana Science Olympiad 2023 Indiana Science Olympiad 2023 Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Chesterton vs Penn Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka Boys Class 4A Regional - Hammond Central vs Mishawaka 031223-spt-bbk-nj_12 031223-spt-bbk-nj_4 031223-spt-bbk-nj_8 031223-spt-bbk-nj_9 031223-spt-bbk-nj_3 031223-spt-bbk-nj_1 031223-spt-bbk-nj_2 Mobile Mental Health crisis unit TJ aiming for 30th state title First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso First lady Jill Biden visits Ivy Tech Community College in Valparaiso Children greeting Jill Biden at Ivy Tech College demonstrate a needed lesson plan Mussels have carpeted Lake Michigan Gallery HTML code In 2016 Indianapolis, which has 324,440 more residents than Lake County, produced 14,630,253 MTCO2e. Gary, which has a population that is about one-tenth the size of Indianapolis, produced 12,555,294 MTCO2e in 2017. Industry accounts for over 90% of Gary's emissions. The city's Department of Sustainability and Environmental Affairs works alongside state and federal authorities to oversee emission permits. Scott-Henry said U.S. Steel alone has over 230 permits with the city. Latham said the city's contaminated air is hitting "us directly in our pockets." Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation, Latham said. The Guardian report found that census tracts in Northwest Indiana with the highest amount of air pollution had 60% non-white populations. Health disparities related to environmental contamination keep "people in a cycle of poverty" because residents have to spend more money on medical care, Latham explained. According to the EPA's "Environmental Justice Screen" tool, much of Gary ranks in the highest percentiles in the country for cancer risk, asthma prevalence and low life expectancy. Scott-Henry said the city wants to create a climate resilience plan. The existing Gary Climate Action Plan lays out a strategy for reducing emissions that includes; improving energy efficiency in city buildings and homes; training members of the local workforce in solar installation; encouraging residential solar; increasing the city's tree canopy; getting more electric vehicles; establishing EV charging stations near major highways; and supporting the local food system. "We have to as a community come together and figure this out. ... It's all about the survival of our community," Scott-Henry said. "I'm afraid that we're not ready." MERRILLVILLE Merrillville officials are drafting a new master plan and they want residents to be involved in shaping the future of their town. A kickoff event for the comprehensive plan is from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway. It will be the first of 10 meetings dedicated to the creation of the plan, which has been named Merrillville Momentum, Town Manager Patrick Reardon said. The plan will address a variety of topics, including existing and future land uses, existing and projected demographics, housing, education, recreation, thoroughfares and infrastructure. The comprehensive plan is critical to the town because it will serve as a guide as to how and where future investments are made, Reardon said. It is intended to map out where new business, residential and recreational projects will fit with the current ones. Creating the comprehensive plan calls for the entire community developing a shared vision and a strategic plan with many goals, officials said. The plan will include strategies to implement those objectives, Reardon said. At the kickoff, residents will learn how the comprehensive plan will be developed, and surveys will be provided. The process allows residents and businesses to express their thoughts for the future of the municipality, so its imperative that the community participates. The plan will not succeed without the sustained input from the public, Reardon said. Ryan Kondrat joined the Four Seasons Volunteer Fire Force after he lost his engineering job in 2020. The Lakes of the Four Seasons resident was financially strapped but wanted a way to give back to the community. A sign seeking volunteers for the fire force caught his attention. He signed up three years ago. "Every kid dreams of becoming a firefighter and when I saw the placard at the station with firefighters needed, I emailed the department, Kondrat said. To keep them schooled in firefighting techniques, Tuesdays are dedicated to training or meetings. We have a minimum requirement of two per month, Assistant Chief Jason Morris said. Kondrat, dressed in his turnout gear, was prepared for a recent two-hour training session at Crown Point Christian Village in Winfield. He was one of about 20 volunteers who gathered for the training, which included learning how to conduct elevator rescues. The session was taught by Justin Luebcke, who works as an engineer for St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and is a firefighter with the Hebron department. A second training class was taught by Rob Grady of the Gary Fire Department. The Crown Point Christian Village session was the first of its kind this year. Luckily, we were able to get into there, Morris said. The LOFS crew has 25 volunteers of varying work backgrounds and ages. Anabelle Williford, 21, joined a few weeks ago after receiving initial training while attending Boone Grove High School. Edgar Lopez, 73, joined 17 years ago but worked 36 years as a volunteer firefighter in his native Guatemala. The agency is always looking for recruits and could use at least five more, Fire Chief Kevin Heerema and Morris said. The problem that volunteer fire departments face is that those who sign up work other jobs, so they arent always available during the day or late at night. We have 25 volunteers, but realistically cut that in half, Morris said. The struggle for adequate staffing isn't exclusive to LOFS. Its tough all across the board," said Jerry Liston, president of the Indiana Firefighters Association. Liston represents 18,000 to 20,000 people across 800 volunteer fire departments in Indiana. There was a surge in volunteers after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Liston said, but that number keeps coming down. Many volunteer departments recruit at special festival or career days, he said. Some are partnering with local colleges and universities in hopes of recruiting students who could receive training to become career firefighters. About 19 miles southwest of LOFS, the Lowell Volunteer Fire Department has survived the test of time. It was formed in 1897, Chief Chris Gamblin said. In those early days, many of the volunteers had businesses downtown, so they'd close shop briefly to answer a fire call. Gamblin suggested that the firefighter model should be modified to reflect changing times and have volunteers work specific shifts. Eventually every department should become a career department," he said. Morris, who works a manufacturing job in Hammond, became a member of the LOFS Fire Force at the age of 14 in the cadet program. Twenty-two years later, at the age of 35, Morris has worked his way up the ladder to assistant fire chief. He loves being a volunteer firefighter and giving back to the community. The LOFS Volunteer Fire Force serves West Porter, Winfield Township and the town of Winfield. Given the growth in the area, the LOFS crew may need to convert into a combination of full-time and volunteer firefighters, similar to the fire departments in Crown Point and Merrillville, Heerema said. Were exploring different avenues, Morris said. Some volunteers, like Joe Ferkull, serve because it is, he believes, in his DNA. Ferkull, an electrician at the Ford Motor plant, has served as a volunteer for 20 years between the Merrillville and LOFS departments. He believes his commitment to making a difference as a firefighter was fueled when he was a kid. I was only 6 years old when my dad, a Station 5 Gary firefighter, brought me to his station," he said. "I remember climbing in the truck and turning the lights on. What has moving to a new place changed most for you? RIVERA: I think before I took for granted peoples understanding or interpretation of me. The Dominican diaspora is concentrated in North Jersey, Upper Manhattan and the Bronx. You cant live in New York and not know what a Dominican person is. When I went to Philly, it was a shock, losing that immediate identification as a Dominican person. Then moving to London, I became this embodiment of American-ness and often had to explain I was actually first-generation and didnt grow up encountering certain quintessential American traditions. On the census in London, they dont even have Latino as a category, but there are Latinos in London. When I was living in Seven Sisters, in North London, I found a Latino market, and it was the only place in London Ive found the little empanada discs I need to make my pastelitos for the holidays. LEE: There is nothing that can compare with the connection that food brings to people. I was born in Taiwan, but then we moved to the U.S. to this tiny little coastal Oregon town. I was the only Asian kid in my school and there were no Asian grocery stores in town. On the weekend we would drive two hours to Portland where there were bigger Vietnamese and Chinese communities. Wed eat as much as we could of dim sum dishes, and my aunts would stock up on Asian groceries. It was the best way for us to maintain our connection with our culture, and this idea seeps into how I work. When you greet someone on the street in Taiwan, you say, Hey, have you eaten yet? instead of How are you? Its a way of making sure someones taken care of, and thats how I approach design. I want to create objects and experiences that make people feel taken care of. How have these experiences of dislocation influenced your approach to design? RIVERA: My fascination with tweaking tradition probably comes from seeing it through the lens of an outsider. Grant and I want to create todays heirlooms. There was narrative and history around certain objects in my home. I grew up with this pilon my mom still has it a mortar and pestle, a free-standing one, maybe as tall as this table. It was my great-grandmothers and its from the campo of the Dominican Republic. It traveled all this way and through these generations, a coveted piece of our familys history embedded with years of garlic juice. The shadow of the war in Ukraine once again hovered over the Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival on Friday when it began its three-day tribute to the 20th-century composer Borys Liatoshynsky at Merkin Hall. Hours before the opening-night program, which highlighted composers who influenced Liatoshynsky, the International Criminal Court accused the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, of war crimes, and issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. Oleksii Holubov, Ukraines consul general in New York, recounted that news to the audience on Friday and was greeted with applause. When the 2022 festival took place, the Russian invasion of Ukraine was fresh, with Putin attempting to justify his actions in part by claiming that Ukraine had no independent cultural identity. Holubov, in his remarks on Friday, said that this years festival, the fourth, comes at a time when our cultural identity, our history and our music are at stake. On Saturday, the second day of programming traced a pedagogical lineage from Liatoshynsky to several living composers. The Sunday afternoon program pairs two Liatoshynsky quartets with works by Bartok and Copland, composers who, like Liatoshynsky, are credited with defining a national style. Again and again, reclamation resists erasure. To provide financial support to UBS to carry out the deal, the Swiss National Bank agreed to lend up to 100 billion Swiss francs. And Finma, the Swiss financial regulator, undertook several extraordinary steps to help UBS quickly digest its chief competitor, including wiping out $17 billion worth of Credit Suisses bonds and eliminating the need for UBS shareholders to vote on the deal. So hastily assembled was the deal that UBS told analysts that they had not had time to fully model all of the financial impacts of buying Credit Suisse. As Credit Suisses stock and bonds faltered over the past week, analysts and investors increasingly speculated that the Swiss government would force the firm to merge with UBS to avoid chaos. Indeed, several times on Sunday, UBS executives emphasized that the negotiations had been initiated by Swiss regulators. In the past week, as depositors withdrew billions of dollars of their money, and other financial institutions unwound deals with the bank, it became apparent to regulators that Credit Suisse might not be able to open for business absent a takeover by the government or UBS, one person familiar with the negotiations said. Until the last minute, both sides were unsure that they would be able to pull off a deal because they were far apart on its terms. On Saturday night, UBS offered to buy Credit Suisse for roughly $1 billion, but the banks board rebuffed that proposal, according to the person familiar with the negotiations. Credit Suisse had argued that its real estate holdings alone were worth around that amount, another person familiar with the negotiations said. Good morning. I dont know that my father made fried chicken every Sunday afternoon when I was small, but thats how I remember it: the slice of bacon floating in the spattery oil, flour everywhere, golden crusty chicken laid out on a wire rack, then kept warm in the oven before supper. Mashed potatoes to go with, gravy, greens I rarely ate, everything washed down with a tall glass of milk and the New Lost City Ramblers on the turntable. It was among my favorite meals as a child. I bring the memory up today because weve published a wonderful collection of 24 recipes, online and in print today, beloved by our subscribers children: kid-friendly recipes approved by actual kids. Among other recipes, youll find homemade Hamburger Helper (above), a sheet-pan bibimbap and a cheesy white bean-tomato bake. I hope youll cook a bunch of them. Me? Ill continue the tradition today and serve the youth as I was served myself. A fiery crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway took the lives of five young people in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to the Westchester County police. A sixth child, a 9-year-old boy who was riding in the rear hatchback area of the Nissan Rogue that crashed, survived and was taken to Westchester Medical Center. The boys injuries are not life-threatening, the police said. The five dead children, four male and one female, ranged in age from 8 to 17. The driver was 16, the police said. It appeared that they were all from one family, according to Matt Conway, the superintendent of the public school system in Derby, Conn., where the police said the children lived. A Manhattan grand jury that is expected to vote soon on whether to indict Donald J. Trump may hear testimony Monday attacking the prosecutions star witness, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The testimony would come from a lawyer, Robert J. Costello, who would appear at the request of Mr. Trumps lawyers, the people said. Mr. Costello was once a legal adviser to Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former fixer, who has been a key witness for the Manhattan district attorneys office. Mr. Costello and Mr. Cohen had a falling out, and Mr. Costello would appear solely to undermine Mr. Cohens credibility, the people said. Under New York law, a person who is expected to be indicted can request that a witness appear on his or her behalf. Mr. Trumps lawyers have asked that Mr. Costello testify, but the final decision rests with the grand jury; it is unclear whether they have made a decision. The grand jury has been hearing evidence about the former presidents involvement in a hush money payment to a porn star. To the Editor: Re The Self-Destructive Effects of Progressive Sadness, by David Brooks (column, March 10), reflects a misunderstanding of the mind-set of many liberals. Citing a social science research finding that conservatives report being happier than liberals, he ascribes to liberals maladaptive sadness consisting of a catastrophizing mentality, extreme sensitivity to harm and a culture of denunciation. Wow! If, as Mr. Brooks suggests, conservatives are happy, perhaps its because they ignore the serious problems in the United States and elsewhere (e.g., potential environmental catastrophe, widespread poverty and racial discrimination), if they are not affected by those problems. Liberals dont share the complacency, which seems to Mr. Brooks like the secret to happiness. They are acutely aware of the challenges facing our country, but dont feel, as Mr. Brooks claims many do, that the American dream is a sham. Rather, they work to fulfill that dream. That inspires them to take action, whether it be voting, volunteering for progressive causes, or simply, like Mr. Brooks, speaking their mind. Herbie moved in. He came anxious and traumatized. Ever so slowly, he gained weight. His pallid coat began to shine. His tail began to wag more. He began to respond to his name and come when we called him. Now the only thing he wants in the whole world is for us to pet him. Well, that and cheese. Whats surprising, though, is how hes changing us. My husband credits him with resuscitating his prayer life. He wakes early now to let the dog out so he has a couple of quiet hours in the morning to read, to pray, to jog, to center. This is his favorite time of day, and hed tried to get up early for years, but the alarm proved less of a motivation than this insistent ball of fur. Herbie has also forced us to be gentler. My family is raucous and roughhousing, but we found quickly that whatever Herbie has been through causes him to lose his mind around loud noises. So weve had to learn to yell less, be gentler and, as a result, be kinder. Herbie held up a mirror to our family and wisely told us to chill out a little. When I travel now, I miss Herbie and worry over him. The problem with my belief that any resources, energy or affection I could give a pet was stolen from human beings who needed it more was that it was a kind utilitarianism. But love is not something you can plot on an Excel spreadsheet with inputs and outputs carefully marked. It isnt a math equation. It is also not like a pie, where if someone takes a piece, everyone elses gets smaller. Just the opposite, really. The 18th-century preacher Jonathan Edwards said that love restores an excellent enlargement, and extensiveness, and liberality to the soul. Love is opening ones heart to another. And once your heart opens, the door keeps getting wider. Love expands. The more you give, the more you have. My love for my husband and kids led me to open the door for Herbie. And love for Herbie is teaching my Bam-Bam of a little 3-year-old boy how to be more careful around others. Tenderness for Herbie is making us each more tender in general, more constitutionally tender. The love we have for our pets, wrote Karen Swallow Prior in a 2014 Christianity Today essay, increases the love we have to offer the world. In the creation story in Genesis, Adam names the animals. There is something inherently loving and dignifying in giving something a name. These creatures, like us but different, were not mere machines to treat however we pleased. They were worthy of a name. Caring for animals, then, is something that is deeply human and therefore humanizing. The dominion humans are given over creation in Genesis is a care-taking role, a role marked by love, not merely power. In the creation story, humans and animals live not in competition but in mutual delight. C.S. Lewis went so far as to suggest, The tame animal is, therefore, in the deepest sense, the only natural animal the only one we see occupying the place it was made to occupy. Ron DeSantis has an enemies list, and you can probably guess whos on it. Theres the woke dumpster fire of the Democratic Party and the swamp Republicans who neglect their own voters. Theres the news media, with modifiers like legacy or corporate adding a nefarious touch. Theres Big Tech, that censorship arm of the political left, and the powerful corporations that cave to the leftist-rage mob. There are universities like Harvard and Yale, which DeSantis attended but did not inhale. Theres the administrative state and its pandemic-era spinoff, the biomedical security state. These are the villains of DeSantiss recently published book, The Courage to Be Free: Floridas Blueprint for Americas Revival, and its author feels free to assail them with a fusillade of generically irate prose. There is one more antagonist not an enemy, perhaps, but certainly a rival whom DeSantis does not attack directly in his book, even as he looms over much of it. The far-too-early national polls for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination show a two-person contest with Donald Trump and DeSantis (who has yet to announce his potential candidacy) in the lead, and the Haleys, Pences and Pompeos of the world fighting for scraps. During his 2018 governors race, DeSantis aired an obsequious ad in which he built a cardboard border wall and read Trumps Art of the Deal with his children, one of whom wore a MAGA onesie. Now DeSantis no longer bows before Trump. Instead, he dances around the former president; he is respectful but no longer deferential, critical but mainly by implication. Yes, there is a DeSantis case against Trump scattered throughout these pages. You just need to squint through a magnifying glass to find it. In the 250-plus pages of The Courage to Be Free, for instance, there is not a single mention of the events of Jan. 6, 2021. DeSantis cites Madison, Hamilton and the nations founding principles, but he does not pause to consider a frontal assault on Americas democratic institutions encouraged by a sitting president. The governor does not go so far as to defend Trumps lies about the 2020 election; he just ignores them. There is a depressing familiarity now to the conversations Im hearing among parents of teenagers. After the obligatory pleasantries, talk often turns to mental health. Someones daughter is struggling, battling body image issues. Someones son is sullen and lost in video games. The parental concerns of previous generations (sex, drugs and rock n roll) have been replaced by a new triumvirate: anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. As a parent of a teenager, I see this world every day. Its the message I hear from my peers. So Ive been following the discussion of rising teenage anxiety with intense interest in particular, the role of social media, secularization and politics in immiserating our children. But theres a factor thats received insufficient attention in the debate over external factors in teenage suffering: What if the call is also coming from inside the house? What if parents are inadvertently contributing to their own kids pain? Just as there is a depressing familiarity to parents conversations about their children, there is a similar familiarity to kids conversations about their parents. I spend much of my time traveling to college campuses, both secular and religious, and I hear a similar refrain all the time: Something happened to my parents. Sometimes (especially at elite schools) they share stories about parents obsessed with their kids education. More often I hear about parents consumed by politics. And at the extreme end, I hear stories about the impact of conspiracy theories of all kinds. Just as parents are upset about their childrens anxiety and depression, children are anxious about their parents mental health. First, lets map out the very bleak landscape. In 2021 nearly 60 percent of teenage girls reported feeling persistent sadness, Azeen Ghorayshi and Roni Caryn Rabin wrote in The Times. Overall, 44 percent of teenagers reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to The Washington Post, an increase from 26 percent in 2009. These are the familiar numbers the scary uptick that has spawned soul searching across the length and breadth of this land. A mesmerizing display of lights streaking in the night sky over Northern California on Friday was caused by the re-entry of flaming space debris into Earths atmosphere, experts said. Specifically, flaming chunks of communications equipment, which were jettisoned from the International Space Station in February 2020, streaked across the sky at 17,000 miles per hour, said Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Smithsonian and Harvard Center for Astrophysics. The orbit of the equipment had shrunk over the past couple of years until it got low enough to break apart and burn up. What youre seeing is some actually very small objects releasing a lot of energy, very high up, traveling extremely fast, he said. Who wore their pillowy jacket by Christopher Raxxy better? Its a tie between Danielle Hankin, left, and Carla Shen at the Art Production Fund gala. Credit... Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times SARASOTA, Fla. The turmoil at Sarasota Memorial, one of Floridas largest public hospitals, began last year after three candidates running on a platform of health freedom won seats on the nine-member board that oversees the hospital. Board meetings, once sleepy, started drawing hundreds of angry people who, like the new members, denounced the hospitals treatment protocols for Covid-19. An internal review last month found that Sarasota Memorial did far better than some of its competitors in saving Covid patients lives. But that did little to quell detractors, whose campaign against the hospital has not relented. By then, the hospital had become the latest public institution under siege by an increasingly large and vocal right-wing contingent in one of Floridas most affluent counties, where a backlash to pandemic policies has started reshaping local government. Some members of the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board and medical staff at Sarasota Memorial are bewildered and taken aback by critics continued preoccupation with Covid policy chiefly the avoidance of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, drugs found to be ineffective or even harmful as Covid treatments. Most hospitals around the country are over Covid, said Dr. James V. Fiorica, the hospitals chief medical officer. Weve proven ourselves. Why arent we moving on? The story of the hunt for Covids origin is partly about the stonewalling by China that has left scientists with incomplete evidence, all of it about a virus that is constantly changing. For all the data suggesting that the virus may have jumped into people from wild animals at a Chinese market, conclusive proof remains out of reach, as it does for the competing hypothesis that the virus leaked from a lab. But the story is also about politics and how both Democrats and Republicans have filtered the available evidence through their partisan lenses. Some Republicans grew fixated on the idea of a lab leak after former President Donald J. Trump raised it in the early months of the pandemic despite scant evidence supporting it. That turned the theory toxic for many Democrats, who viewed it as an effort by Mr. Trump to distract from his administrations failings in containing the spread of the virus. The intense political debate, now in its fourth year, has at times turned scientists into lobbyists, competing for policymakers time and favor. Dr. Relman is just one of several researchers and like-minded thinkers who has successfully worked the corridors of power in Washington to force journalists, policymakers and skeptical Democrats to take the lab leak idea seriously. Mr. Trumps most influential online allies disseminated the message fast and deep into right-wing online networks. Jack Posobiec, a far-right political activist with a large social-media following, was especially vocal in the pressure campaign. Im taking receipts on everyone, Mr. Posobiec said in a brief interview. For DeSantis to make that post yesterday, talking about the Hurricane Ian response and nothing from the personal account whatsoever about the arrest it was a message that was received. An aide to Mr. DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment. The effort previews how an indictment would jolt the still-nascent race for the Republican presidential nomination and perhaps already has. Mr. Trump has used the possibility of charges, which would stem from an investigation into hush money Mr. Trumps lawyer paid to a porn actress before he was elected in 2016, to cast himself as a victim of political persecution. Although his rivals largely want to keep a distance, Mr. Trumps team is bent on pushing them to choose sides, risking the wrath of Republicans loyal to the former president. The former presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., amplified Mr. Posobiecs message, writing: Pay attention to which Republicans spoke out against this corrupt BS immediately and who sat on their hands and waited to see which way the wind was blowing. Ms. Haley, a former ambassador to the United Nations under Mr. Trump, launched her campaign for president in February. Mr. Scott, the junior senator from South Carolina, has yet to formally declare his candidacy, but he is widely expected to make a decision in the next few weeks. South Carolina is home to a varied conservative electorate Libertarian-leaning Lowcountry voters, establishment insiders around Columbias State Capitol, staunch conservatives along its eastern coast upstate to the North Carolina border. How Ms. Haley and Mr. Scott ultimately fare in South Carolina will be decided at county party picnics, on the debate stage and, perhaps most importantly, at smaller platforms like the Saturday forum. The event drew a couple hundred of the partys most faithful Christian conservative voters and activists to a convention center in North Charleston. Speakers stoked anxieties about social issues like abortion and transgender students, railing against what they saw as existential dangers that the next party nominee will be tasked with righting: Chinas ascendance on the world stage, the war in Ukraine and ongoing economic uncertainty. An open question is whether the governor of a state to the south, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, will draw a large network of support. The governor has closely trailed Mr. Trump in polling and has amassed a fund-raising haul of more than $100 million. Jerry Dorchuck, a Florida-based pollster who has conducted polling for candidates in South Carolina, said the results of his polls in the state have followed a national trend: Mr. Trump still commands nearly half the Republican vote, followed closely by Mr. DeSantis. In South Carolina, both Ms. Haley and Mr. Scott have roughly equal support, floating at or below 10 percent. Right now, Mr. Dorchuck said, Its Trumps race to lose, DeSantiss race to win. Ms. Haley and Mr. Scott benefit from household-name status in the state. Mr. Scott got his political start on the Charleston County Council and is the only Black lawmaker to serve in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Ms. Haley served for six years as a state representative in a district just outside Columbia before winning the governorship after a tough campaign in 2011. In fact, it was Ms. Haley who appointed Mr. Scott to his current Senate seat in 2012. Follow the latest news of the Putin-Xi summit in Russia. WASHINGTON As Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, meets with President Vladimir V. Putin in Moscow this week, Chinese officials have been framing his trip as a mission of peace, one where he will seek to play a constructive role in promoting talks between Russia and Ukraine, as a government spokesman in Beijing put it. But American and European officials are watching for something else altogether whether Mr. Xi will add fuel to the full-scale war that Mr. Putin began more than a year ago. U.S. officials say China is still considering giving weapons mainly artillery shells to Russia for use in Ukraine. And even a call by Mr. Xi for a cease-fire would amount to an effort to strengthen Mr. Putins battlefield position, they say, by leaving Russia in control of more territory than when the invasion began. A cease-fire now would be effectively the ratification of Russian conquest, John Kirby, a White House spokesman, said on Friday. It would in effect recognize Russias gains and its attempt to conquer its neighbors territory by force, allowing Russian troops to continue to occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory. Michael Lodge, the head of the United Nations-affiliated agency with jurisdiction over international ocean waters, has pushed diplomats to accelerate the start of industrial-scale mining at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, members of the International Seabed Authoritys governing council said in interviews. The criticism of Mr. Lodge, who has served as secretary general of the authority since 2016, comes as the diplomats struggle to decide how to respond when the authority receives an application for commercial seabed mining in international waters, which is expected to happen later this year. It would be the first such request fielded by the 28-year-old authority, and the first time in history that an entity sought permission to mine the bottom of an ocean at an industrial scale. The authority is still writing regulations that would govern the process. Diplomats from Germany, Costa Rica and elsewhere say that they believe Mr. Lodge, who is supposed to be a neutral facilitator, has stepped out of line by resisting efforts by some council members that could slow approval of the first mining proposal. Prosecutors would also have to show that the documents related to the national defense, that they were closely held and that their disclosure could harm the United States or aid a foreign adversary. Although Mr. Trump has claimed without evidence that he declassified all the files taken to Mar-a-Lago, prosecutors would not need to prove that they were still classified because the Espionage Act predates the classification system and does not refer to it as an element. Potential charge: Obstruction Another charge in the F.B.I. affidavit was Section 1519 of Title 18, which makes it a crime to conceal records to obstruct an official effort. Prosecutors would need to show that Mr. Trump knew he still had files that were responsive to the National Archives efforts to take custody of presidential records and the Justice Departments subpoena for files marked as classified, and that he intentionally caused his subordinates to fail to turn them all over while leading officials to believe they had complied. The penalty is up to 20 years per offense. Potential charge: Mishandling official documents A third charge in the affidavit was Section 2071 of Title 18, which criminalizes the concealment or destruction of official documents, whether or not they were related to national security. Among other things, former aides to Mr. Trump have recounted how he sometimes ripped up official documents, and the National Archives has said that some of the Trump White House paper records transferred to it had been torn up some of which were taped back together and some of which were not reconstructed. The penalty is up to three years per offense plus a ban on holding federal office, although the latter is most likely unconstitutional, legal experts say. Potential charge: Contempt of court Section 402 of Title 18 makes it a crime to willfully disobey a court order, like the grand jury subpoena Mr. Trump received in May 2022 requiring him to turn over all documents with classification markings remaining in his possession. It carries a penalty of a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in prison. To bring this charge, prosecutors would need evidence showing he knew that he was still holding onto other files with classification markings during and after his representatives purported to comply with the subpoena. Potential charge: Conspiracy to make a false statement Section 1001 of Title 18 makes it a crime to make a false statement to a law enforcement officer about a fact material to the officers investigation, and Section 371 makes it a crime to conspire with another person to break that or any other law. It carries a penalty of up to five years. Prosecutors would need to be able to show that Mr. Trump and Mr. Corcoran knew and agreed that the lawyer should lie to the Justice Department about there being no further documents responsive to the subpoena. NAIROBI, Kenya Fueled by guns, gold and social media, the rivalry between Russia and the West in Africa is rapidly escalating. The latest flashpoint is Chad, a sprawling desert nation at the crossroads of the continent, now a plum target for Russias expanding effort. The United States recently warned Chads president that Russian mercenaries were plotting to kill him and three senior aides and that Moscow was backing Chadian rebels massing in the neighboring Central African Republic. At the same time, Moscow is courting sympathizers inside Chads ruling elite, including cabinet ministers and a half brother of the president. The decision by the U.S. government to share sensitive intelligence with the head of an African state a disclosure it then leaked reveals one way in which the Biden administration is moving more assertively in Africa and using new tactics to stymie Russian gains on the continent. The United States is taking a page from its playbook in Ukraine, where it has used classified information to expose Russian military plans and pre-empt what it says are Chinese plans to supply Russia with new weapons. South Korean officials later said they did not expect the shortages to lead to mass starvation or to endanger Mr. Kims grip on power. During background briefings in recent days, they said they didnt have enough data to estimate how many North Koreans have starved. But they insisted they had reports of people starving to death in smaller towns, but not in Pyongyang, home to the well-fed elites. Hit by droughts and floods, hamstrung by socialist mismanagement and hurt by international sanctions, North Koreans have long suffered from food shortages. Millions died during a famine in the 1990s. Even in the best of years, many North Koreans go hungry. But the pandemic made it worse. For three years, North Korea was forced to close its border with China, its only major trading partner. Only a bare minimum of trade was allowed. The closures also made it harder for smugglers to supply goods to the Norths unofficial markets, where ordinary people get extra food when its moribund rations system can no longer provide. Hardly a day goes by without the Norths state news media exhorting its people to help produce more grains. Its impossible to get a comprehensive picture of the food situation in the isolated nation. Some analysts say Mr. Kim is not as much concerned about a potential famine as about the prolonged confrontation with Washington over his nuclear program. With no sanctions relief in sight, Mr. Kim knows the shortages are a major vulnerability. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia made his first trip to territory captured by his forces since they invaded Ukraine more than a year ago, traveling late on Saturday to the ravaged city of Mariupol, where Russia staged some of its most brutal attacks of the war. The visit appeared to be both a gesture of defiance it came just a day after an international court issued a warrant for the Russian leaders arrest for war crimes and a demonstration of Mr. Putins resolve to pursue his defeat of Ukraine ahead of the arrival in Moscow of President Xi Jinping of China, a crucial economic partner. Mariupol became a symbol of Ukrainian agony when Russian forces began laying waste to it with artillery soon after its forces crossed the border. It grew into a beacon of Ukrainian resistance when the citys last defenders endured a grueling siege at a steel plant. An adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said on Sunday that Mr. Putins visit made clear his lack of remorse. The criminal always returns to the crime scene, the adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, wrote on Twitter. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain has mothballed his predecessors projects, large and small, from Liz Trusss trickle-down tax cuts to Boris Johnsons revamped royal yacht. But one of Mr. Sunaks most symbolic changes since taking over as prime minister five months ago has received less attention: retiring the slogan Global Britain. No longer does the phrase, a swashbuckling relic of Britains debate over its post-Brexit role, feature in speeches by cabinet ministers or in the governments updated military and foreign policy blueprint released last Monday. In its place, Mr. Sunak has hashed out workmanlike deals on trade and immigration with Britains nearest neighbors France and the rest of the European Union. In the process, analysts and diplomats said, he has begun, for the first time since Britains departure from the European Union, to chart a realistic role on the global stage. Global Britain, as propounded by Mr. Johnson, was meant to evoke a Britain, unshackled from Brussels, that could be agile and opportunistic, a lightly regulated, free-trading powerhouse. In practice, it came to symbolize a country with far-fetched ambitions and, under Mr. Johnson, a habit of squabbling with its neighbors. KOSTYANTYNIVKA, Ukraine A lone Russian soldier stumbling along a track through an open field suddenly reels as a burst of gunfire kicks up the dirt around him. He looks back for a second, poised for flight, but then keeps stumbling forward into the gunfire. Do you see? Hes not carrying a weapon, said Yaroslav, a filmmaker in civilian life who now leads a drone reconnaissance unit that filmed the incident. Hes a digger, Yaroslav added, referring to one of the unarmed men Russian commanders send into the teeth of Ukrainian fire to dig trenches and carry ammunition. In keeping with military protocol, he and other soldiers interviewed for this article gave only their first names or military nicknames. The Russian Army has been throwing thousands of men into battle for more than two months in its latest attempt to take the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and the surrounding area. The campaign has been ruthless and hugely costly for both sides, but especially for the Russians, even as they have inched forward. If visitors to Baghdad knew nothing of Iraqi politics, they could be forgiven for thinking that the trim-bearded, green-uniformed man whose larger-than-life photo is everywhere in the Iraqi capital was Iraqs president. Along the boulevard that tracks the Tigris River and inside the Green Zone, the seat of Iraqs government, the likeness of Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani towers above roundabouts and stands astride medians. The last person to be so glorified was Saddam Hussein, the dictator deposed and killed in the American-led invasion of Iraq that began almost exactly 20 years ago. But Mr. Suleimani was Iranian, not Iraqi. The commander of the Quds Force, the external arm of Irans powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps, he achieved near-mythic status in Iraq as an influential force who helped bind Iraq and Iran after the invasion. It was thanks in large part to Mr. Suleimani, whom the United States assassinated in Iraq in 2020, that Iran came to extend its influence into almost every aspect of Iraqi security and politics. That, in turn, gave Iran outsize influence over the region and beyond. Tehrans rise exposed the unintended consequences of Washingtons strategy in Iraq, analysts and former U.S. officials say, and damaged the United States relationship with its regional allies. JERUSALEM Israeli and Palestinian officials met in Egypt on Sunday, along with other Middle Eastern and United States representatives, in an effort to lower tensions and the potential for violent conflict during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts this week. The meeting in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh came amid fears that this Ramadan could be a particularly violent time, after the deadliest start to a year in more than two decades for Palestinians and Israelis. So far in 2023, more than 80 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, according to Palestinian officials, most in armed clashes during arrest raids by Israeli forces, and about 14 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians. A follow-up to a similar meeting held in Jordan last month the first of its kind in years the gathering in Egypt focused mainly on security issues and included discussion of how to improve the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority, the body that administers parts of the occupied West Bank. The broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict was not on the table at Sharm el Sheikh. Peace talks have been stalled for nearly a decade, and Israels right-wing government includes far-right parties that reject any such dialogue and aspire to annex all of the occupied West Bank. President Bashar al-Assad of Syria traveled to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday for an official visit, a sign of the growing momentum with which he is returning to the international stage after a decade-long isolation. Viewed as a pariah in many parts of the world for overseeing the bombing and torturing of his people when a 2011 uprising devolved into a civil war, Mr. al-Assad was welcomed in Abu Dhabi, the Emirati capital, on Sunday with a 21-gun salute, according to a report published by the official Emirates News Agency. The trip came days after Mr. al-Assad traveled to Moscow to meet with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, and almost exactly a year since the Syrian leaders last visit to the United Arab Emirates, which was his first reception by an Arab country since the Syrian civil war began. At the time, a State Department spokesman, Ned Price, said that Washington was profoundly disappointed and troubled by this apparent attempt to legitimize Bashar al-Assad, who remains responsible and accountable for the death and suffering of countless Syrians, the displacement of more than half of the prewar Syrian population and the arbitrary detention and disappearance of over 150,000 Syrian men, women and children. Rumble 01 Feb 2023 I get this dudes Cause, Being black in a mostly white city ... has some real draws backs ... Bad policing sucks for every one but.. The visit to a childrens palace came just one day after the ICC had labelled him a war criminal for abducting thousands of boys and girls from Ukraine. FT.com 22 Mar 2023 New owner of struggling Swiss bank is expected to cut jobs more heavily in the region than elsewhere The Russian president made a surprise trip to Mariupol, the city that fell to Russia in May after one of the wars longest and bloodiest battles and became its first major victory. In the past month, UBS has held talks to acquire a troubled Credit Suisse, while three mid-size US banks have failed or been bailed out. Now investors are worried about the leverage of non-bank lenders. Voters in Kazakhstan have gone to the polls to choose lawmakers in the lower house of parliament which is being reconfigured in the wake of deadly unrest that gripped the resource-rich Central Asian nation a year ago. The electoral field was unusually large with two newly registered parties and hundreds of individual candidates joining the race. But turnout on Sunday appeared relatively unenthusiastic. Election authorities said that about 54% of eligible voter cast ballots. The early election came on the fourth anniversary of the resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev. He had led Kazakhstan since independence following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 and established immense influence. US President Joe Biden has said he "very strongly supports" the Windsor Framework post-Brexit deal as he hosted the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House. 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. The Swiss government is close to announcing a deal for UBS to buy Credit Suisse, its smaller rival, for about $1 billion. SeattlePI.com 24 Mar 2023 Shares in Deutsche Bank, Germanys largest lender, have fallen sharply and dragged down major European banks as fears about.. Swiss Banking giant UBS has agreed to buy embattled lender Credit Suisse for over $2 billion according to the Financial Times. This comes amid frantic talks seeking a solution in Bern before the markets open on Monday. Beset by scandals and crisis, many people are questioning how a totemic bank ended up beyond repair. A government source has confirmed to Sky News its new Illegal Migration Bill would "seal off all the loopholes" and that UK officials are "certainly working towards getting the flights off by summer". Geneva (AFP) March 16, 2023 The green technology industry could be worth several trillion dollars by 2030 but developing countries will miss out on the boom unless they jump in now, the UN said Thursday. From a roughly equal position three years ago, green technology exports from the most advanced countries are already racing ahead of developing nations, warned the United Nations' trade and development agency, UNCTAD. Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm handed out over 15 million pounds ($18 million) in bonuses days after its rescue deal this week by HSBC, Sky News reported on Saturday. Payouts to staff including senior executives were signed off by HSBC earlier in the week, the report said, adding that the bonuses #siliconvalleybank #hsbc #skynews #svb #sky #svbfinancialgroup #chapter11 #jyotinarayan #bengaluru #snehabhowmik The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes on March 17, 2023, holding him personally responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian children. The East Turkistan Government in Exile and the East Turkistan National Movement are requesting that the ICC accept... The premier of Australia's Victoria state condemned on Sunday Nazi salutes at a protest in the state capital Melbourne as an attempt "to scapegoat minorities" using "evil ideology". Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to Mariupol, state media reported, his first to the city since it was captured after a lengthy siege at the start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg sought to reassure his staff in an internal message Saturday that intimidation or threats against them would not be tolerated. The communication comes as his office moves forward in its investigation into former President Donald Trump, who said that he #manhattan #alvinbragg #donaldtrump #bragg #politico #trump #stormydaniels #truthsocial #justicedepartment #da Eurasia Review 30 Mar 2023 Spain remains a strong and dependable member of the EU and NATO and fully committed to the defence of Ukraine against Russian.. The Bank of England will not object to UBS taking over fellow Swiss lender Credit Suisse as soon as this weekend, according to reports, amid a frantic race to stave off a crisis with echoes of the 2008 global banking crash. UBS has been in talks about a takeover of all or part of its compatriot, #bankofengland #ubs #siliconvalleybank #hsbc #skynews #tidjanethiam #archegoscapital #guardian #zurich #creditsuisses Czech carmaker Skoda would have to cut 3,000 jobs and axe some models if the European Union's "Euro 7" emissions scheme is implemented in its current form, a Skoda board member warned in a TV debate on Sunday. The proposed Euro 7 law, which EU countries and lawmakers will start negotiating this #czech #skoda #euro7 #daimlertrucks #martindaum #skodaauto #fabia #scala #martinjahn #volkswagen FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) - Swiss authorities are examining imposing losses on Credit Suisse bondholders as part of a rescue of the bank, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Sunday. However, European regulators are apprehensive about such a move for fear that it could hit investor #frankfurtlondon #ubs #jeromelegras #creditsuisses #swissnationalbank #switzerland Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Four human rights organisations are urging the European Union foreign affairs ministers to publicly press the Tuniaian authorities to reverse their crackdown against perceived critics at their forthcoming meeting on Monday Well-known atheist Dan Barker raised this issue in his article: Leave No Stone Unturned: An Easter Challenge For Christians (originally from March 1990 in Freethought Today). He wrote: I HAVE AN EASTER challenge for Christians. My challenge is simply this: tell me what happened on Easter. I am not asking for proof. My straightforward request is merely that Christians tell me exactly what happened on the day that their most important doctrine was born. . . . The conditions of the challenge are simple and reasonable. In each of the four Gospels, begin at Easter morning and read to the end of the book: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20-21. Also read Acts 1:3-12 and Pauls tiny version of the story in I Corinthians 15:3-8. These 165 verses can be read in a few moments. Then, without omitting a single detail from these separate accounts, write a simple, chronological narrative of the events between the resurrection and the ascension: what happened first, second, and so on; who said what, when; and where these things happened. Since the gospels do not always give precise times of day, it is permissible to make educated guesses. The narrative does not have to pretend to present a perfect pictureit only needs to give at least one plausible account of all of the facts. Additional explanation of the narrative may be set apart in parentheses. The important condition to the challenge, however, is that not one single biblical detail be omitted. . . . But first things first: Christians, either tell me exactly what happened on Easter Sunday, or lets leave the Jesus myth buried next to Eastre (Ishtar, Astarte), the pagan Goddess of Spring after whom your holiday was named. Atheist David Austin, writing on atheist Jonathan MS Pearces blog, recently addressed this topic: Answering Dan Barkers Easter Challenge (3-15-23). He came up with a 26-point proposed chronology / scenario. I dont intend to delve fully into this topic. Ive addressed alleged Resurrection narrative contradictions in great depth in many articles (which I hope to incorporate into a planned book on alleged biblical contradictions). For those treatments, see my web page, Armstrongs Refutations of Alleged Biblical Contradictions and search for Jesus: Resurrection. Also, search DIALOGUES WITH JEWISH APOLOGIST MICHAEL J. ALTER ON JESUS RESURRECTION on my Trinitarianism & Christology web page, for my 29 replies to Alters skeptical charges. My present purpose is to simply document several of the many such attempts made by Christians. Here are the ones Ive found: Jimmy Akin offered How the Resurrection Narratives Fit Together (1-23-17): a 16-point schema, including a lot of written analysis, and final sections on Gospel Sequencing and Proposed Chronology. Peter Ballard wrote, Harmonising the Resurrection Accounts (2-12-00; last revised on 4-4-05). It has 19 points, with much commentary (much like Akins) and additional related pieces, Answers to specific alleged contradictions and Answers to objections posed by readers of this page. Professor of Biblical Exegesis at Fuller Theological Seminary, George Eldon Ladd, devised a 17-point scenario in his book, I Believe in the Resurrection (Eerdmans, 1975), pp. 91-93. Later, he discovered a nearly identical effort from Michael C. Perry, in his book, The Easter Enigma (London: Faber and Faber, 1959), pp. 65, 70. Note that these are 15 and 31 years prior to Barkers challenge. J. Gene White proposed The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: A Twenty-Two Point Harmony of the Four Gospels (c. 2010). Anglican biblical and Greek scholar John Wenham offered what Christian apologist Gary Habermas believed was the best such harmonization in his book, Easter Enigma (Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1992). It was expanded a bit and summarized in 38 points, in the paper, Harmonizing the Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection. In 1847, Harvard Law professor and attorney Simon Greenleaf published An Examination of the Testimony of the Four Evangelists by the rules of evidence administered in courts of justice, with a later edition in 1874, The Testimony of the Evangelists examined by the rules of evidence administered in courts of justice, available in its entirety online. This 1874 edition featured a section called Harmony of the Gospels, including Part IX: Our Lords Resurrection, His Subsequent Appearances and His Ascension. Time: Forty Days, from pages 483-503: a spectacularly detailed schema, adapted by W.R. Miller in the article, Greenleafs Harmony of the Resurrection Accounts. The Compelling Truth website offers the 17-point piece, Do the gospel resurrection accounts contradict each other? Ian Paul proposed a 23-point scenario, based on the work of Gary Habermas and Michael Licona in his paper, Are there contradictions in the resurrection accounts? (4-25-19). Gary F. Zeolla presented 1 22-point scenario in Easter Harmony (1999). Murray J. Harris gives us a 21-point schema, in his Suggested Harmonization of the Resurrection Narratives (1994). For more, see the Reconciling Scripture web page. *** The Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament's Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo has stated that Ghana's request for debt forgiveness from China is unlikely to be successful due to China's current economic and geopolitical stance. In a radio interview with Citi FM last Friday, Mr Adongo explained that China's political and economic ideology is not compatible with the Paris Club's conditions, which complicates any potential debt relief. Furthermore, Mr Adongo noted that Ghana's timing in engaging with China is unfavourable as other African countries are also seeking help from the same source. He explained that whatever China agrees with Ghana must also be fair to the other African countries seeking assistance. Finally, Adongo expressed disappointment with Ghana's lack of progress in achieving debt sustainability, despite the government's efforts to reduce the nation's debt stock through its domestic debt exchange program. He lamented China's reluctance to forgive debts, stating that they do not believe a sovereign country can be poor, only broke, and they expect countries to use their assets and other means to collect their money. He said: We need our friendly nations and the bilateral countries to come together and form a committee, but it has been difficult to get China to come to the table even though China is our biggest bilateral lender. The complexity of the China situation is that there are some bits of geopolitics involved where China does not see the Paris Club as anything other than a Western influence and would always want to have equal arrangements with individual countries. Unfortunately for us, we have arrived in China at a time when other African countries are already queueing to borrow from them and so it will be difficult for Ghana to jump that queue because whatever China agrees with Ghana will have to be fair with the other countries we came to meet. And also, traditionally, China does not believe that a sovereign country can be poor but does believe that a country can be broke like we are broke but have assets and other means through which they can collect their money and so China is not a believer of forgiving debts. Ghana's debts Ghana, which is struggling with an economic crisis, wants to restructure $1.9 billion of the debt it owes China. The country also secured a staff-level agreement with the IMF in December for a $3 billion loan, but the money's approval is contingent on it restructuring its debt of 575.7 billion cedis. Ghana's external debt was $29.2 billion at the end of November 2022, according to central bank data. China's official bilateral loans involving Ghana account for less than 5% of the West African country's total debt, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video An Accra High Court has convicted five persons arrested in the Volta Region for their participation in activities aimed at usurping the executive powers of Ghana. The five were among a host of individuals arrested in connection with a violent demonstration organised by secessionist group, Homeland Study Group (HSG), which led to an attack on the Aveyime and Mepe police stations armoury in the Volta Region where they stole a number of weapons, ammunitions, a police patrol vehicle, among others after they managed to overpower the police officers on duty. Ebenezer Gblorkpor, Afetorgbor Kpogo, Joseph Nyamewu, Wisdom Kuvor and Israel Bessah Kpexor were dragged before the court on charges of attending meetings of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(b) of SMCD 20, and making contributions to the funds of a prohibited organisation. They were also charged for participating in the campaign of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(d) and being a member of a prohibited organisation contrary to section 2(1)(i) of SMCD 20. The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh, at the end of the trial held that the Attorney Generals Office was able to prove the charges levelled against the accused persons. The court subsequently found the accused persons guilty and convicted them. It, however, deferred their sentencing to March 21, 2023. The convicts are facing a fine of up to GH12,000 or up to five years imprisonment. The court is also empowered to hand both a fine and prison sentence to the convicts. Per the prosecutions facts, the accused persons had plans to secede from Ghana and pursuant to that had divided themselves into various groups to carry out their plans. On September 25, 2020, one of the groups including the accused persons, while armed went to the Aveyime and Mepe police stations where they overpowered police officers on duty and freed cell inmates. The convicts then went into the armoury and stole 17 AK47 assault rifles, five pump action guns, one shotgun, two Mack 3 gun, three SMG rifles, 11 rubber bullets, 25 rounds of 37mm tear gas cartridges, about 300 rounds of AK47 ammunition and a police patrol vehicle at the Aveyime police station. They also stole a police patrol vehicle with registration number GP 195, proceeded to attack the barracks and made away with monies and other items belonging to the police residents and their families. A police team was sent from Sogakokpe to restore calm at Aveyime and Mepe but when they reached Aveyime, the team was attacked by members of Western Togoland Restoration Front (WTRF), an offshoot of HSG. The facts said three police officers were injured and their leader, Chief Superintendent Dennis Fiakpui, was shot. In the midst of the road blockage and attacks on Aveyime and Mepe police stations, the WTRF members also jubilated and chanted freedom freedom. Source: dailyguidenetwork.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. Featured Video Nigerians return to the polls today, 2023 to elect state governors across the country, with all the 109 seats of the Senate of Nigeria up for grabs. The election is for 28 of the country's 36 states whose governors are among the most influential politicians in Nigeria, Africa's biggest economy and largest oil producer. All the 18 political parties have fielded candidates for the 28 governorship/deputy governorship seats in 28 states out of 36 and 993 State Houses of Assembly constituencies in the 36 states. The first phase of Nigerias 2023 General Elections was held on Saturday, February 25, when President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and federal lawmakers were elected. Next is governorship. The second phase of the elections which was scheduled for March 11, 2023 was postponed to be held on Saturday, March 18, 2023 and on that day, new governors will be elected for 28 of Nigerias 36 states. New lawmakers will also be elected for the Houses of Assembly in the 36 states. States not holding elections Governorship elections are not holding this time in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo, as polls to the offices of governors of these states are held off-cycle and not part of the general election. The Presidential, some Senate and House elections took place concurrently on February 25, 2023. State assembly elections (36 states) and gubernatorial elections (28 states) will be held on March 18, and gubernatorial elections will be held in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states in the fall of 2023. Nigeria is a federal republic in the sense that there is both a national government and governments of its 36 states and it utilises the form of government in which the people hold power, but elect representatives to exercise and utilise that power with the executive power exercised by the president. Government structure The President is the head of state, the head of government, and also the head of a multi-party system and Nigerian politics takes place within a framework of a federal, presidential, representative democratic republic, in which executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is held by the federal government and the two chambers of the legislature: the House of Representatives and the Senate, the legislative branch of Nigeria is responsible for and possesses powers for the formulation and making of laws Together, the two chambers make up the law-making body in Nigeria, called the national assembly, which serves as a check on the executive arm of government, The National Assembly of Nigeria (NASS) is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its people, makes laws for Nigeria and holds the Government of Nigeria to account. Electoral System The Senate is composed of 109 members elected to four-year terms by simple majority vote. Each state is divided into three senatorial districts, each electing one senator. One senator is also elected from the Federal Capital Territory. The House of Representatives is composed of 360 members elected by simple majority vote in single-member constituencies and they serve four-year terms. During the last election in 2019, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won a majority with 64 seats. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won 44 seats, and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won a single seat, reducing the number of parties represented in the Senate from 6 to 3. Voter turnout was 35.66 per cent. Disputed presidential election Two weeks after a disputed presidential election which saw the former Senator of Lagos, Bola Tinubu of the APC emerge as the President-elect but the main focus of the governorship elections is on the race to lead Lagos, the country's economic heartbeat and wealthiest state and control budgets larger than those of small nations. The Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party's Bola Tinubu was declared winner of the presidential election with 39 per cent of the vote. But he lost in his home state of Lagos to opposition candidate Peter Obi of the Labour Party, which is aiming to upset APC again in the state. Lagos is important for Tinubu because it is where he built his political and financial powerbase, serving two terms as governor until 2007 and playing a key role in picking every successor since. Losing Lagos could erode Tinubu's influence in the state of more than 20 million people. Race for Lagos state According to analysts, it is unprecedented that the party of a sitting Nigerian president doesn't control his home state. Tinubu, through the APC and its predecessor parties, has always been in charge of Lagos politics." Lagos is the commercial hub of Africa's biggest economy, has a flourishing tech sector, generates the most revenue in Nigeria and has the continent's biggest deep seaport. It is also where Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, is building a multi-billion dollar oil refining complex. Buoyed by Obi's performance in Lagos, the Labour Party's Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, an architect and political activist, will battle it out with APC incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been in the ranks of the Lagos state government for two decades. Sitting governors The APC has sitting governors in 21 states, while the main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has 14. The Labour Party is aiming to win its first governorships in this cycle. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be under scrutiny after its handling of the February 25 vote. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Minister of State designate at the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Osei Bonsu Amoah has led a team to inspect the Kejetia Market as a result of the fire outbreak on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. He announced the setting up of a committee to probe the cause of the fire against future occurrences. Mr. Amoah toured the place to have first hand information on the situation regarding the damage caused by the fire. The fire was said to have sparked at about 4:30 pm Wednesday which affected many shops and wares worth millions of cedis. Speaking with the media after the tour, Mr. Amoah was in full support of the setting up of a committee by the Minister of Local Government, Dan Botwe to investigate the cause of the fire outbreak and recommend measures to avert future occurrences. The minister of state designate expressed concern about the extent of damage caused by the fire saying that the Committee would work to deal with the situation by identifying the challenges in the market and recommend effective measures to address them. He appealed to the affected traders to remain calm as authorities put things together to find solution to their problems. The Minister of state designate assured the traders of government support to deal with their current predicament. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Fire Command said it has initiated Investigations to unravel the cause of the fire. O.B Amoah toured the market together with A.C. Ntim, a Deputy Minister of Local Government, Director General of NADMO, Nana Agyemang Prempeh, the MCE of KMA, Sam Pyne, senior officials of the security services, the contractors and consultants of the project among others. Initial reports are expected from the fire service, NADMO, the police service, the management of the Kumasi City Market Limited, the consultants among others. Source: dailyguidenetwork.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. Featured Video "The world today I believe is caught in leadership crises...Im not talking just of Ghana," says former President John Agyekum. The former President who was speaking at a Joint induction/Graduation of Kufuor Scholars said to come. out of such crisis, will "depend on sound leadership" "Look at the so-called developed world; they are in a serious leadership crisis which even might threaten the very survival of our planetThe reality, the truth is that all over, people are broken and searching for a way out of the crisis humanity finds itself in and to break out of that will depend on sound leadership, he noted. The former president congratulated the graduands and advised them to serve humanity with humility, sacrifice and to better the lot of mankind. "Im proud of you, he added. No leadership labels On his part, renowned journalist and host of Peace FM's premium morning show 'Kokrokoo' programme, Kwami Sefa Kayi says leadership is key in the development of Ghana and Africa as a whole. Speaking as the Special Guest at the graduation ceremony, he indicated that "leadership is everywhere; how we harness it will echo in eternity or come back to hit us in the face. Leadership with integrity is necessary. If we are to see the Ghana and Africa we so desire and love, everything we know starts and ends with leadership". According to him, "redefining Africas future with integrity wont come with leadership labels. It will come with pragmatism and hard work". He further asked the graduands to be deliberate in their deeds, avoid procrastination and remember that "success doesnt come overnight". 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. Featured Video 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. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. vice-president Joe Biden walk down the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, December 9, 2016. Biden will once again sit down with Trudeau in Ottawa beginning Thursday, his first official visit to Canada as U.S. president. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle Scott Thompson, founder of Mad Laboratory Distilling, works to keep grains moving from a hopper as they are fed to a mash tank while steam rises from a still being cleaned at the distillery, in Vancouver, on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Mad Lab switched to produce hand sanitizer during the pandemic but is now back to full-time production of alcoholic beverages.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Flowers lie outside a police station for Const. Brett Ryan and Const. Travis Jordan who were shot and killed while on duty, in Edmonton on March 17, 2023. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the officers' families are each to receive $100,000 from the province's Heroes' Fund. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner took a guess at some of the crimes Trump might be charged with if he is indicted in Manhattan. Video: Kirschner said on MSNBCs The Katie Phang Show: It is a bit of a fools errand to predict with the grand jury might have decided to indict Donald Trump for, but lets be a little foolish this morning and take a crack at it we have heard a lot about the charge of falsifying business records now, that is a misdemeanor crime in New York. Unless you are falsifying those business records in further furtherance of other crimes, to facilitate them, or to cover up other crimes I would be really surprised if what we see next week, assuming he is indicted and the indictment is unsealed, I would be really surprised if all we saw was a misdemeanor falsifying business record charge. I suspect we are going to see probably three, four, five perhaps more charges that could look like campaign finance violations, violations of New York state law they could look like tax crimes because reportedly, Donald Trump went on to take the hush money reimbursement payments as business expenses, which, of course, is tax fraud I think we are in a guessing game posture right now but suspect we will see a handful of charges next week. Subscribe To Our Newsletter: For those who are asking what the crime is in Trump giving a check to Stormy Daniels, the answer is that such a question is incorrect. Trump didnt give a check to Stormy Daniels. He had his then-lawyer Michael Cohen give a check to Daniels and then lied about the purpose of the check by calling it a fee for legal services and then deducting the money to Daniels through Cohen on his taxes. Donald Trump committed fraud to avoid campaign finance laws and to prevent the public from finding out about his affair with Stormy Daniels before the election. The payment was an illegal contribution to his campaign that he laundered through Cohen, which is very illegal. Only the members of the grand jury and DA Alvin Bragg know for sure if Trump will be indicted or what he will be charged with, but as Kirschner pointed out, there are some serious crimes that could be charged that if convicted would make the former president a felon. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called out Speaker Kevin McCarthy for aiding Trumps effort to incite violence. Video of Sen. Blumenthal: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) on Kevin McCarthy "I don't believe that Alvin Bragg is a politically motivated prosecutor that is what Kevin Mccarthy is saying and he is in effect aiding and abetting the Trump incitement." pic.twitter.com/17zAF1Po3w PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 18, 2023 Sen. Blumenthal brought up an interesting point on MSNBC, Why is Trump now predicting it will be on Tuesday and there is no factual basis for it? Well, I think he is trying to excite his base and potentially incite violence which will distract from the charges, and undermine the credibility of the criminal justice system I dont believe that Alvin Bragg is a politically motivated prosecutor that is what Kevin McCarthy is saying and he is in effect aiding and abetting the Trump incitement if that proves to be what it is by these kinds of comments as are some of his Republican colleagues. McCarthys comments calling for a congressional investigation of local district attorneys were irresponsible and dangerous. Kevin McCarthy is denying reality and playing into the fantasy that all of the investigations into Trump are politically motivated and a part of some vast conspiracy to prevent Trump from returning to the White House. The problem is that the math doesnt add up. Trump remains one of the most unpopular political figures in America. Donald Trump got blown out by tens of millions of votes in the last presidential election. Speaker McCarthy is helping Trump incite violence, and Sen. Blumenthal called him out on it. The final curtain came down Sunday on New Yorks production of The Phantom of the Opera, ending Broadways longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti. It was show No. 13,981 at the Majestic Theatre, and it ended with a reprise of The Music of the Night performed by the current cast, previous actors in the show including original star Sarah Brightman and crew members. Andrew Lloyd Webber took to the stage in a black suit and black tie and dedicated the final show to his son, Nick, who died last month after a protracted battle with gastric cancer and pneumonia. Read more'The Phantom of the Opera' closes on Broadway after 35 years German carrier Lufthansa took delivery last week of Boeing Co.'s first post-pause 787, flying the wide-body commercial jet from Paine Field in Seattle on March 15 to the airline's home hub in Frankfurt. It's the first Dreamliner delivery following a roughly half-a-month pause after the planemaker's North Charleston campus discovered what it termed a supplier's data analysis error related to the forward pressure bulkhead. That supplier, Wichita, Kan.-based Spirit Aerospace, has denied it was to blame for the problem. The Federal Aviation Administration cleared the Dreamliners for delivery on March 10 but still had to ticket any jet before a customer could take it home. The delivery last Wednesday followed a big announcement the previous day, when two Saudi Arabian airlines Saudia and start-up Riyadh Air said they would order as many as 121 787s. In December, United Airlines said it planned to buy as many as 200 Dreamliners as part of its strategy to replace aging jets and boost international routes. Demand for the wide-body jets is the "biggest I've ever seen," Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told Reuters. Boeing is building about one Dreamliner per month at its factory off International Boulevard, but plans to increase production to five per month by the end of this year and 10 a month by 2026. While company builds the 787 in North Charleston, some repairs are made at the company's Puget Sound location and airlines sometimes request delivery of their planes on the West Coast. Slumping S60 Volvo Cars saw a 38 percent jump in U.S. sales in February compared to the same month a year ago, but the S60 sedan built at the company's Berkeley County plant continues to bring up the rear. The automaker reported U.S. sales of 8,560 cars in February, up 38 percent from a year ago and the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year growth. Volvo said strong demand for its fully electric and plug-in hybrid models spurred the increase. Sales of the companys Recharge models were up 45 percent and they made up 29 percent of U.S. sales last month. Sales of the S60 were down 5.9 percent from February 2022 and are down 50.4 percent for the year. The sedan accounted for 463 sales in February and 821 so far in 2023. Volvo's top sellers continue to be the mid-size XC60 and large XC90 SUVs. Those vehicles tallied February sales of 2,738 and 2,546 respectively. Volvo plans to begin production of its all-electric EX90, the successor to the XC90, at its factory off Interstate 26 in Ridgeville later this year. Meanwhile, Volvo said this month that Michael Cottone has been appointed president of Volvo's USA and Canadian markets. He takes the wheel from Anders Gustafsson, who had led the Americas region since 2018. Previously, Cottone was regional vice president of Volvo's U.S. West region. Gustafsson's departure has created concern among Volvo dealers, who saw the former U.S. top boss as an ally, according to a report by Automotive News. Volvo dealers are enjoying a heyday with higher profits, better sales per store, good product mixes and good communications with the global decision-makers in Sweden, Ernie Norcross, chairman of the Volvo Retail Advisory Board, told Automotive News, adding: "We want to make sure things continue." American dealers are worried that Volvo will try to introduce the same factory-direct sales model here that it employs in Europe. A manufacturer selling cars directly to consumers could violate dealer franchise laws in several states, and Norcross said Gustafsson helped keep that business model from reaching the U.S. Save the date The federal Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments at 10 a.m. on June 6 in a labor dispute involving the State Ports Authority and the International Longshoremen's Association labor union. The court is taking up the SPAs appeal of a National Labor Relations Board decision on Dec. 16 that states members of the ILA must operate the ship-to-shore cranes at the Leatherman Terminal on the old Navy base in North Charleston. The ruling threatens the so-called hybrid workforce model used at the Port of Charlestons other terminals, where SPA workers operate the cranes while the ILA members move cargo through the yard. The appeals court is based in Richmond, Va., but arguments in this case will be heard in Baltimore. Audio files for each case are posted on the court's "Listen to Oral Arguments" page the day after arguments are heard. The SPA filed its appeal of the NLRB decision in January. It usually takes much longer for oral arguments to be scheduled, but the court gave the case expedited status at the maritime agency's request. Bankers around South Carolina werent keeping their traditional hours last Sunday. After a warp-speed run on deposits that threatened to suck the financial lifeblood out of two banks, industry leaders across the state came together on a March 12 conference call to assess the rapidly unfolding crisis. A couple hundred folks, estimated Fred Green, CEO of S.C. Bankers Association in Columbia and a board member of American Bankers Association. And I followed it up with a lot of phone calls, one-on-one talks, he added. A key question was whether the executives had noticed any abnormal upticks in withdrawals following the government takeover of the two lenders. The turmoil started with the technology-focused Silicon Valley Bank, which was seized by regulators March 10 after it couldnt cover the surge of cash demands that were coming over the transom. The collapse of New Yorks Signature Bank followed two days later. A near-fatality was San Francisco-based First Republic Bank, which was rescued after 11 major financial institutions threw it a $30 billion lifeline Thursday. Green and others agreed that the so-called contagion hadnt spread in a meaningful way to South Carolina based on the latest industry intelligence. A big fear last week was that panicky businesses or individuals with more than the federally insured maximum of $250,000 in their accounts would suddenly yank their money. It didn't happen, according to Green. I havent heard of one case of any unusual, out-of-the-ordinary type of withdrawals of deposits, he said Thursday. "There's no indication at all of any impact on South Carolina banks or other banks around the country except in those two states." Green stressed that the lenders that went under were unique outliers funded by dangerously high levels of "fleeting" and uninsured "hot deposits, meaning they could be here today, gone tomorrow." The way I describe it that most banks are built around a large number of relatively small accounts, so you get a good bit of diversification, not concentration, he said. Those two particular banks were exactly the opposite they had a small number of very, very large accounts. While Signature Bank didn't leave much of a paper trail in South Carolina, public filings show Silicon Valley Banks reach extended into the Palmetto State, both directly and indirectly. For instance, Daniel Island-based Benefitfocus Inc. maintained a $25 million line of credit with the Santa Clara, Calif.-based financial institution for several years before the Charleston software company was sold in January. Also, Proterra Inc., which builds battery-powered buses in Greenville and is headquartered in California, had an account at "SVB." It told shareholders Monday that the initial assessment indicates our company maintains a de minimis amount of cash with the failed bank. The electric vehicle manufacturer added that it did not anticipate a material impact to our financial condition or operations and will continue to monitor the situation and any impact on Proterra, our customers, partners and suppliers. On rare occasions, Silicon Valley Bank helped clients with personal financial needs in South Carolina. In Charleston County, the lender has underwritten three mortgages since 2017 totaling $5.3 million secured by homes on Kiawah Island, Folly Beach and the Isle of Palms, according to public records. Ernest Andrade of the Charleston Digital Corridor, a nonprofit that works to recruit technology businesses to the area, recalled meeting SVB representatives when they visited the Holy City about 10 years ago. As of last week, he's heard from one local tech employer that was a client. Other than that, it is has been rather quiet, Andrade said. Failures among South Carolina-based banks are rare, though they picked up after the 2008 financial crisis, with 10 lenders biting the dust. The odds of this crisis inflicting that level of pain appear slim at best. "I don't think we're going to see any more of these failures," said Bank of South Carolina CEO Fleetwood Hassell, who also noted that the extra helping of economic angst over the past week or so "is somewhat upsetting." Hassell called the accelerated run on deposits at Silicon Valley Bank "a NASCAR kind of event" fueled by customers using mobile devices to move their money. His best-case prediction is that industry and government officials contain the crisis almost as quickly as it unfolded. "I think it's going to be like sticking your arm in a bucket of water and pulling it out real fast a lot rippling but it ought to settle back down," he said. His biggest worry is that the issue gets politicized and drawn out. "It's not red state versus blue state. It's not big banks versus small banks. I just hope they dont," Hassell said. By most accounts, it appears they will. COLUMBIA A S.C. Statehouse bill widely criticized for making women who get an abortion eligible for the death penalty got a lot of attention in recent days, including in Congress, Rolling Stone magazine and newspapers nationwide. But for all the social media chatter and spotlight put on the state's abortion foes, that bill has zero chance of becoming law. The legislation, pre-filed in December by a newly elected far-right Republican, has never received a hearing and probably never will. House GOP leaders said Republicans have already passed the bill they want, and even the leading abortion foe in the South Carolina House called the publicity-grabbing death-penalty proposal "outrageous." "It doesn't represent the majority of House members or the Family Caucus or the Republican Caucus," Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, told reporters March 15. "I think it's just an extreme position," he added. That's coming from the author of all the abortion-banning bills already pushed through the South Carolina House and fought by Democrats as extreme since the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last June left the legality of abortions to state legislators. The words "death penalty" don't actually appear in the abortion-ban proposal filed Dec. 15 by freshman Rep. Rob Harris, a 57-year-old registered nurse and father of 10 in Spartanburg County. Instead, it indirectly makes women eligible for execution by extending "equal protection of the laws" to a fetus from the moment of conception, making abortion at any point of pregnancy legally akin to murder. To be eligible for the death penalty in South Carolina, murders must have been committed with an "aggravating circumstance," which includes the killing of a child younger than 12. Harris' bill would leave penalty decisions to prosecutors and allow the woman to use "threat of imminent death or great bodily injury" as a defense. Harris, R-Wellford, said the national headlines are "not intellectually honest." The intent of his bill had nothing to do with the death penalty, he said, noting a death sentence requires both prosecutors to seek it and jurors to unanimously support it. "Does anybody honestly think that's going to happen" as a punishment for abortion, he asked. "The bill is super simple," he said. "It doesn't change any laws on the books. It doesn't change due process. It does define life as starting at conception." The focus on the death penalty is a "false narrative," he continued. "I'm just simply saying, does life begin at conception and if it does, should equal protection apply? My intention is to save babies." Most of the bill's sponsors, including Harris, are members of the hardline conservative Freedom Caucus, which is publicly feuding with the larger GOP Caucus. Most Freedom Caucus members, including Harris, aren't part of the majority caucus. Harris' bill had as many as 24 Republican co-sponsors. Nine of them removed their names over the last two weeks as the death penalty possibility made headlines. Still, the bill became fodder for Democrats. "Its amazing that 16 (actually it was 15) GOP Freedom Caucus members are in support of a stronger penalty for abortion in our state than the Taliban," said state Sen. Dick Harpootlian, D-Columbia. "In Afghanistan, the penalty is seven years in prison and our Freedom Caucus wants the death penalty. Why are they trying to out-Taliban the Taliban?" Unlike in other GOP-controlled states, South Carolina Republicans have been unable to agree on any abortion ban since the nation's high court threw out Roe v. Wade. A 2021 law making abortions illegal at roughly six weeks briefly took effect, until the state Supreme Court suspended it last August amid a challenge tied to privacy rights in the state constitution. Justices' ruling in January threw out the law completely, leaving abortions legal in South Carolina through 5 months, making South Carolina the second-least restrictive Southern state for abortions, behind Virginia. That's unlikely to change anytime soon. The House and Senate have again passed differing versions of bills outlawing abortions. And, like last fall, there seems to be no compromise between them. Senators still don't have the votes to ban abortions prior to six weeks. "The reality is the votes are not there" for an earlier ban, no matter what the exceptions, Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, told reporters March 16. "We've shown that multiple times. That's just where we are." McCravy continues to insist his chamber will accept nothing short of a ban at conception. But he stressed major differences between what passed the House last month along party lines and the bill getting recent national headlines. His bill's limited exceptions to a ban included abortions necessary to preserve the mother's life or lifelong health. It also allowed abortions for women up to three months pregnant who are victims of rape or incest, or for fatal fetal anomalies. And it did not criminalize women for getting an abortion. Harris offered his bill as an amendment during the Feb. 15 floor debate. The House rejected it on a voice vote. The first article about a South Carolina proposal to make abortion punishable by death appeared a week later. "Women are often the victims of boyfriends, victims of crimes, and we don't want to prosecute women in any way," McCravy said. "Extreme punishment would certainly be out of the question." Asked whether House GOP leaders wanted to take up any other abortion bill amid the impasse, House Majority Leader Davey Hiott quickly gave a resounding, "No!" As for Harris' death-penalty-possibility bill, the Pickens County Republican said, "I don't believe in that at all." On the heels of a community coming to grips with a Dorchester County proposal to tear down a historic hospital, Summerville residents now find themselves contending with the prospect of a 100,000 square-foot stadium being built on a 40-acre natural parcel in the Woodlands area. Read more'A bunch of malarkey': Mayor weighs in on rumored Woodlands sports arena Genesis 45: 7-8 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. Read moreTell the Bible stories Students at the Medical College of Georgia found out where theyll be doing their residency programs. Medical students across the U.S. opened their acceptance letters in unison when the clock struck noon on March 17, Match Day, and celebrated the transition from undergrad to post-grad medical education. I feel happy, said Ana Maslesa, grinning. Grandma, too, was beaming ear to ear (My baby! Thats my baby!) and a friend came up to ask the pressing question: you got in? The answer was yes. Maslesa will be doing her residency in psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina. SRP Park, site of Match Day for MCG and hosted by Augusta University and the University of Georgia, was filled with the shouts and tears of students whove already put in hundreds of clinical hours and look ahead to three to seven years of more training. Students applied for their programs in September and interviewed for them during the fall and winter. They learned Monday, March 13, whether but not where they were accepted. That last bit of news, the where, is what lit up the faces at SRP Park. You just never knew what was actually going to happen, said Varsha Chiruvella, who will do her residency in family medicine at Ohio State, her first choice. Even after the application process, you dont know if youre going to get an interview, you dont know if youre going to enjoy the interview, you dont know if theyre going to like you, if you're going to like them. Everything is so much uncertainty. Chiruvella will be the second doctor in the family and the second to be selected for Ohio State her sister, Megha, also did her residency there. According to the National Residency Matching Program, this years Match was the largest in its 70-year history with 42,952 applicants trying for 42,375 residency positions. The program filled 37,690 of these positions. This year also had an increase in the number of primary care positions filled. The match program had offered nearly 575 more of these positions in 2023 to help address what it calls a serious and growing shortage of primary care physicians across the U.S. The AU/UGA Medical Partnership formed in 2009, expanding research collaborations to better increase the number of physicians in the state of Georgia. The state of Georgia ranks 38th in the nation for its ratio of physicians to population, according to 2021 data published by the Association of American Medical Colleges. South Carolina ranks 36th. The state of Georgia has 236 active physicians for every 100,000 population, which is below the national rate of 286 per 100,000. In South Carolina, the rate is 237 per 100,000. But the presence of the Medical College of Georgia, one of the nations oldest and largest public medical institutions, appears to have aided the Augusta area in physician supply, at least for primary care doctors. County level data compiled in 2019 and published last year by the University of Wisconsins Population Health Institute show that Richmond County fares better than both the state of Georgia and the country for its physician to population ratio. According to this data, Richmond County has one primary care physician for every 900 people. For Georgia, this ratio is one physician for every 1,490 people, and in the U.S. it is one for every 1,310. The UWs Population Health Institute notes that access to care requires not only financial coverage, but also access to providers [] sufficient availability of primary care physicians is essential for preventive and primary care, and, when needed, referrals to appropriate specialty care. Charleston, SC (29403) Today A mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low around 55F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%. In accordance with the Joint Action Plan between the Ministry of Defense and the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, office representatives visited one of the military units, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry. The delegation got acquainted with the provision of military personnel and living conditions and talked with servicemen. In the meeting, an exchange of views on the protection of the rights of military personnel, the study of the state of human rights protection, and other issues were held. The office representatives positively evaluated the conditions created, the measures implemented in the field of patriotism, and the training of the servicemen. In the end, with the participation of the guests, various types of trees were planted in the territory of the military unit, and a photo was taken. SIMPSONVILLE The bill passed by the S.C. House in February to allow people to carry a gun in public without a permit is a danger to public safety and should not be passed by the Senate. Read moreCommentary: SC Senate needs to kill dangerous permitless gun bill NORTH CHARLESTON When Paul Godwin talks with his friends about the still-growing 2024 Republican presidential field, he says they all say the same thing: "We love Nikki." But after attending the Vision '24 National Conservative Forum on March 18, Godwin glanced over his shoulder and turned his body away from the crowd. Gripping an "Americans for Prosperity" flying disc in his right hand, he opened his wallet to reveal a silver card that declared his support for U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C. "There's a part of me that really would like to see Donald Trump get his dues," Godwin said, leaning closer to share his thoughts as hundreds of people filed out of the Charleston Area Convention Center. "But if Trump doesn't win, from what I saw here today, I do really think Tim Scott would be great," he added. "He's such a good guy. What a story." Then, his face changed. His eyes widened. "But I really do love Nikki Haley," Godwin said, the words tumbling out of his mouth. "Don't get me wrong." So illustrates the conflicting feelings that tugged at South Carolina GOP primary voters March 18 as they welcomed the first unofficial cattle call of declared and possible contenders in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Even former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who is weighing a White House bid of his own and plans to announce his decision in April, acknowledged the invisible battles lines that have been drawn in South Carolina, which is home to Haley, Scott and the "first in the South" presidential primary. "Obviously with Senator Scott mulling it over and Ambassador Haley already in, it makes it a little bit complicated," Hutchinson told The Post and Courier after addressing a ballroom of people who paid anywhere from $44 to $129 to hear him and eight others speak. Hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a conservative Christian nonprofit that lobbies for what it describes as "Biblical values" like heterosexual marriage and bans on abortion, the Vision '24 event drew about 450 people. But the favorite topic of the day was going after Democrats, and specifically lambasting the left for their so-called "woke" ideology on everything from abortion policy to transgender care for children. Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy said Democrats are people who like to get their energy from "Ziploc bags of kale" and who "think our children should be able to change genders at recess." "And just for the record," he said. "I think kale tastes like I'd rather be fat." Kennedy was the first of the day's nine speakers, which included two declared presidential contenders: Haley and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. But the speaker who delivered the most red-meat lines of all, and who invoked God more than any other, was former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The former Hawaii congresswoman left the Democratic Party last year. She said her former party seeks "to attack and smear those who are people of faith." Other speakers held the crowd's attention, like U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who said "woke is their favorite word." U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., used part of his time to defend Trump. Trump has said he expects to be arrested March 21 as New York district attorneys consider charges over hush money payment he reportedly made to a porn star. Graham encouraged him to fight it, and "take it all the way to the damn Supreme Court." Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan focused most of his remarks on foreign policy, saying America's own domestic politics, both within the GOP and between the two major parties, threaten the nation's standing on the world stage. "We have to take our fingers off our opponents throats. Bear with me," Rogers said. "I'm talking about people we disagree with in our own party and our opponents. Russia and China smell weakness. That's why they're doing what they're doing. They absolutely smell it." But the main draw of the day was the back-to-back remarks given by Haley and Scott. Both were welcomed with loud standing ovations. Scott, who seen as a potential presidential candidate, went first. He opted to speak directly to the crowd, abandoning the stage to talk directly at floor-level to attendees. "The radical left is trying to get people hooked on victimhood," Scott said, adding that according to Democrats "if youre White you must be an oppressor. If youre Black or Brown, you are the victim." When Haley walked into the room, Scott walked out. "Everybody wants to blame Biden for the situation that we're in, but our Republicans did this to us too," Haley said of the economy in general. She also took another swipe at Washington when she said, "There are no saints in Congress because they don't understand the value of a dollar." Charlie Cutler, who moved to South Carolina from Boston, sat in one of the last three rows waving his hat as Haley and others spoke. He stayed for the entire event. The West Ashley resident wore a Hawaiian shirt and a camouflage Trump 2020 hat and waved it in the air when he heard lines he agreed with, like whenever anyone talked about being tough on China or called for banning transgender females from participating in women's sports. He took his Trump hat off his head. "You know, I love him but he needs to control his mouth," Cutler said. "But Haley, she has experience. She's tough. The things that she says about America, term-limits all that. It's great." Cutler put the hat back on his head, but then he smiled. He said, "I want to get a Haley hat." SPARTANBURG City Council will soon finalize its redrawn districts. A proposed redistricting plan for the city's six districts based on population changes in the 2020 U.S. Census is scheduled for final approval on March 29. City Council approved first reading of the plan on March 13. The South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office provided technical support throughout the process and community meetings where held in each district to help guide the process. The redrawn districts help minimize splitting of voting precincts, remain geographically contiguous and maintain the majority-minorities in District 3, District 5 and District 6. "We only do this once a decade so we want to be careful how we go about it," City Manager Chris Story said. "The objective of redistricting is to bring six single member districts used to elect council members into alignment to populations contained within each." The city grew by 4.6 percent over the past decade, from 37,013 residents to 38,732 residents. The ideal size of a district increased from 6,169 to 6,455. The proposed redistricting map moves the Beaumont neighborhood and the Riverwind apartments into District 6. Portions of Beaumont are in Districts 4 and 6. Most of the Converse Heights neighborhood is in District 4 except for a few blocks bounded by Main Street and Pine Street in District 3. The proposed plan would move all of these blocks into District 4. Hampton Heights is currently in Districts 3 and 5. If approved, the redrawn districts would place all of Hampton Heights in District 3. District 5 extends east to Pine Street by including the blocks between Main Street and Henry Street. The proposed plan would have all of this area in District 3. In downtown Spartanburg, blocks bounded by St. John Street, Daniel Morgan Avenue, Henry Street, Church Street and Broad Street would move from District 5 to District 6. Between West Main Street and Wofford Street the areas of Summerplace Townhomes, Summerhill neighborhood and Pineview Hills would move from District 6 to District 5, if the plan is approved. The redrawn districts are required to be approved prior to the July filing period for municipal elections. The City Council meeting originally scheduled for March 27 was moved to March 29 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has won the Saturday gubernatorial election in his Lagos Island Local Government Area. Mr Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress polled 37,760 votes far ahead of his closest rival, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor) of the Peoples Democratic Party, who scored 1,783. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party polled 1,317 votes to emerge third. A total of 41,234 votes were recorded as total valid votes in the LGA, where the number of accredited voters was 41,626. The result was disclosed Sunday afternoon at the Lagos State collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Yaba. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print My aim of writing this article is to address what has been a major factor in the lack of economic development and breakthrough that the African people have so long waited for. Because I have lived in Europe for the past 30 years, I can clearly see the difference between developed countries and developing countries. There are reasons why some countries are more developed than others. These reasons are many. I wish to only address one of such reasons today. I want to address the fact that lies and deceptions have been a factor which has held Africa in bondage for so long. The Bible says you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. Instead of the truth about the gifts, endowments and capacities of the Africans, we have rather been fed with lies and deceptions. It is my desire to debunk the lies about the inability of Africans to rule and manage their affairs. There have been a lot of theological and philosophical arguments on why the African continent is backward. Some of them are clearly untrue. When we believe lies and deceptions, we are enslaved and captivated by them. Instead of being set free by the truth, we end up being enslaved by lies and deceptions. When people know the truth, they are set free, but when they know lies, they are captivated and enslaved. Our continent has been under the captivation of lies and deceptions for so long. Other people have used lies and deceptions as a weapon to enslave us. Many of us have too many lies and deceptions of our own. Unfortunately, Africans are now spreading the lies about our inability to do anything good. Some have gone to the extent of buying into the lies of some European theologians about Ham and the African continent. If we wish to understand life, we must pay attention to the laws of life. One of such laws tells us that there is no effect without a cause. If anything has happened, it means there are reasons for it. So, if there are countries that have attained economic independence and freedom from poverty, there are factors that have helped them to attain that height. On the other hand also, if we on the continent of Africa have not been able to break away from the deadly grip of poverty and hopelessness, it means there are some things we are not doing right. If these things can be identified and corrected, there is a big chance that we too will be able to attain some form of economic and political renaissance. One of the things that we must get right as a people and as a continent is that Faith is a major factor of progress. For us to break loose of our bondages, we must begin to believe in ourselves as a people. Yes, Africans believe so much in God. We are not an atheistic continent. That is a good foundation to begin our journey of faith. When it comes to development and civilisation however, it is not enough for us to just believe in God. Apart from faith in God, we must also have faith in ourselves. Faith in self plays a decisive role when it comes to life realities. Since it is we humans and in this case Africans who are the ones to build our countries and continent, we need that faith in our ability to do so. The truth my friends, is that every continent and every nations development is tied to their belief systems. What a people believe in will go a long way into influencing what they do and how they act in their daily lives. For example, if we believe the story that Africans are not capable of ruling themselves, then that is what we get. We would always fail ourselves in the area of governance, because of that kind of belief. If we believe that Africans are not capable of doing anything good as some often say, that we are not even capable of inventing a bicycle, then that is the place we will remain. On the other hand however, can you imagine us believing so much in ourselves that we can do anything? Can you imagine all Africans attempting to bring about inventions, explore the cosmos, space, land, ocean and the sea? That believe will bring about attempts and efforts that will eventually lead to inventions and discoveries. That is one of the great stories of Japan. Japanese were raised in the tradition of incredible faith in their own abilities. A case at hand is the lifestyle of the samurai. They were specially groomed to face any obstacle even death, with the faith that they will rather die than suffer defeat. We Africans need to arise with similar faith at this hour. We need to shun and throw away all stories that put us down. We need to begin to have faith in ourselves that we are capable of doing great things. The Bible is a big encourager and support in this situation. The New Testament talks about two categories of people to whom all things are possible. First the Bible tells us that all things are possible to God. That seems to be so obvious and none disputable. But on the other hand, the other category of people to whom all things are possible, according to the Bible: all things are possible to them that believe. The only qualification in this case is to believe. Believe that you are able to do what you have set before yourself to do. Once you believe, all things shall be possible to you. But if you dont believe it, you will not be able to do what you yourself didnt believe you could do. We need to turn Africa into a continent of believers instead of doubters and skeptics. We must get ourselves to a place of being fanatically addicted to the idea that no one is better than us. We must convince our youth that they can be as good as anyone else in the world. It is that faith that would spur the growth in industry, because people who believe in themselves become industrious. It is that faith that will provoke the birth of the millions of enterprises our continent so badly needs. This is because, people who believe in themselves are enterprising. When you believe in yourself, you are enterprising, you are proactive and you go forward. Enterprise is a product of faith in self, so also is industry. When we believe in ourselves, inventions, discoveries will become a common place among us. My fellow Africans, this is a major factor that we must deal with if our continent is to come out of the darkness we are presently in. faith can move mountains. Faith can change situations. Faith changes circumstances. Faith can raise up a continent from its present state of quagmire. I wish to declare here categorically, that there is no truth whatsoever to the assumption that black people and Africa as a whole, are underdeveloped largely because of the curse that was placed on Ham and his descendants. According to this school of thought, some people have disseminated the information that the black race come out of Ham. Since he was cursed by his father Noah according to the biblical story, then that is the reason why the black race is enslaved and under a curse. Sunday Adelaja is a Nigeria born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Kiev, Ukraine. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The incumbent governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has taken an early lead in the governorship election in the state. The results of 18 of the states 33 local governments have been formally announced by the electoral commission, INEC, at the collation centre in Ibadan, the state capital. Mr Makindes PDP has won in all but one the local governments so far declared at the collation centre. Mr Makindes main challenger, Teslim Folarin of the APC, trailed the governor in most of the local governments but won in Irepo local government. Mr Makinde has so far polled a total vote of 281,152 votes against Mr Folarin who has 128,971 votes. History of Rivalry Messrs Makinde and Folarin have a history of competing against each other. Mr Folarin was the PDP governorship candidate in the 2015 election while Mr Makinde was the governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP). They both lost to the late former governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who was the then governorship candidate of APC. The two candidates hail from Ibadan, the state capital, that has produced four out of the five governors in the state since 1999. Aside from the incumbent governor, other Ibadan-born governors that have governed the state are: Lam Adesina (1999 2003), Rasheed Ladoja (2003 2007), and Abiola Ajimobi (2011 2019). The late Adebayo Alao-Akala was from Ogbomoso and he ruled the state between 2007 and 2011. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the governorship election in Oyo State. Mr Makinde was declared the winner by the electoral commission, INEC, on Sunday in Ibadan, the state capital. Mr Makinde won in 31 local government areas with a total of 563,756 votes to defeat his closest rival, Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who won in two local government areas and scored 256,685 votes. The governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Adebayo Adelabu, came third in the race with a total of 38,357 votes. The total results were announced by INEC State Collation Officer, Adebayo Bamire. Mr Bamire, the vice-chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, announced the PDP governorship candidate as the winner of the election having met the conditions set for the election by Nigerian laws. He said a total of 14,920 votes were rejected of the 889,592 votes cast. Before election day, Mr Makinde had faced a series of political threats against his second-term ambition. A former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, led a last-minute push to mobilise support against the incumbent. Many Muslim groups also criticized Mr Makinde a few days before the election when he named a central mosque in Ibadan after himself. Protesters in the state had also attacked the governors office in a protest against the naira and fuel scarcity. See the final results of the governorship election below. The final results are below A 38,357 AA 387 AAC 524 ADC 2407 ADP 2514 APC 256,685 APGA 627 APM 303 APP 1513 BP 101 LP 1500 NNPP 964 NRM 1709 PDP 563,756 SDP 2834 YPP 493 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Election observers are essential in ensuring quality and transparent electoral processes. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said The progressive improvement in our electoral democracy since 1999 draws in part from the reports of observers and the study tours. Despite their important roles, election observers in Nigeria face harassment and assaults while carrying out their duty. In the preparation for the 18 March gubernatorial elections in Nigeria, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) deployed 56 observers across 31 states. In the course of undertaking their duty, some were victims of abuse from various actors. Among other forms of assault, some of them were detained, beaten, threatened or had their phones seized. One of the observers, Abiodun Jamiu, was attacked at polling unit 11, Garba Garba ward, of the Bodinga local government in Sokoto State. This incident took place at about 10 a.m. while he checked the voters register at the said polling unit. He said: some men approached me and told me to identify myself which I did. They left, came back and told me to leave. As he tried to make sense of the demand, they charged at him with an apparent intent to attack. Although he hurriedly left the polling unit for another one, the men followed him and chased him out of the local government. He said, I had to leave to avoid being beaten up. Unfortunately, Richard Ekeke was not as lucky as Mr Jamiu to escape unscathed. He arrived at polling unit 002, Ward 2 of the Esit Eket local government in Akwa Ibom where he observed massive vote buying. He noted that the INEC officials were also working with the PDP party agent and he took a picture discreetly and left for the next polling unit. Unknown to him, he was not as discreet and he had some party thugs on his tail. As soon as he arrived at polling unit 001, Ward 3 of the Esit Eket LG, he noticed an angry mob charging into the polling unit. He soon realised that they were after him and he said I ran to the back of the polling unit which was a secondary school but some of them were waiting for me there. They snatched my tag, tore it, snatched my phone and hit it several times with a stick. As Mr Ekeke tried to identify himself, he was barraged with slaps and punches from the angry mob that descended on him. I thought I would be lynched and that was the end, he said. Luckily for him, the convoy of Hon. Iniobong Robson, the chairman of the Esit Eket LG, passed by and noticed the assault. Security personnel attached to the chairman came to his rescue and whisked him away to a safe place. Another observer, Seyi Adedokun, was threatened by a party agent in polling unit 43, Ward 11 of the Ibadan North local government and it took the intervention of some of the electorate to get the party agent off his tail. Mr Adedokun was accused of taking pictures of the polling unit and he said: the man said he would fight me with all he has and it was the voters that came to separate us and made me escape. Similar to Mr Ekekes fate, Oche Akor was abused physically. While observing at polling unit 003, Ward 13 in Ajaokuta LG, Kogi State, Mr Akor was attacked by Lawal Idirisus convoy, a local politician in the area. The police officers attached to Mr Idirisu, who is a member of the NNPP, challenged Mr Akor for taking videos of the man sharing money with the electorate. His tag was torn and he was beaten by the security operatives and party thugs. It happened so fast. Before I knew it, they snatched my phone and dragged me to one corner. They tried to delete the pictures and when they could not do it, they removed the memory card and formatted my phone. Mr Akor was then thrown into one of the Hilux vehicles and driven around the local government as the Honourable went around sharing money with the electorate. It took the sympathy of some of the security operatives who pleaded with the politician to let Mr Akor go. Officers of the Lafenwa police station at the Olomoore area of Abeokuta in Ogun State detained Vindication Alawode and his motorcyclist although they both had proper means of identification and the motorcycle had an election observer sticker that is designed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure smooth movement for observers. Mr Alawode said they tore the tag off the motorcycle and that (act) removed evidence that the motorcycle was tagged. They took the bike away and it took the intervention of a senior colleague to get the motorcycle out. Taiwo Fatola was arrested and detained by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Osun state. According to him, he was speaking to the Polling Officer at polling 12, Ward 5 of Olorunda LG when he was approached by party agents and asked to identify himself. As soon as he did so, they gestured to the NSCDC officers who immediately whisked him away in their vehicle to their headquarters in Osun State. He was released over an hour later after being made to write a statement like a criminal. On his way back from the Ijebu Ode local government and heading to the Ijebu North local government in Ogun state, Caleb Ijioma was stopped at an army checkpoint and told to identify himself. A soldier whose name tag bore Olukoya O. asked the reporter if he was not aware of the restriction of movement due to the elections. Although Ijioma identified himself and presented his tag, his motorcyclists key was seized. Mr Ijioma explained the importance of his role in the election to the soldier but all of it fell on deaf ears. He said he [the soldier] got angry and did not listen to me. My movement was restricted for over thirty minutes and me and my motorcyclist were stranded. When he asked if I knew what I did wrong and I said I dont, he told me to call my lawyers. It took several minutes of pleading before the motorcycle was released to convey Mr Ijioma to carry out his constitutional duties. Officials react Efforts to reach out to the INEC spokesperson, Festus Okoye, failed as he did not reply to the messages sent to him via Whatsapp although he read them. Olusola Odumosu, spokesperson of NSCDC, was also reached for his comments but he did not respond as at the time of the report. Before the 2023 Nigeria elections, several media NGOs called on the security operatives as well as INEC to protect journalists and observers on the field. The International Press Centre (IPC) expressed concern over the harassment of 250 journalists and observers in the 2019 election. In January 2023, the CJID also hosted a roundtable where experts and security agencies weighed in on their efforts to curb the harassment of journalists during elections. A statement by CJIDs Head of Election Analysis Centre, Mboho Eno, condemned the attacks on journalists and observers by thugs, general citizens and the security structure. He said with what was recorded during the February 25th Presidential election, one would have thought that the incidents of harassment, intimidation and outright assault of observers and journalists would be far lower during the March 18th Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. But the reverse is the case from what we have seen so far. We have seen where journalists and observers have been subjected to various forms of attacks and assaults, thereby sustaining various degrees of injuries and emotional trauma by thugs and security personnel. Busola Ajibola, the deputy director of the Journalism Programme at the CJID, called for action to be taken against state operatives named and identified to have infringed on the rights of observers and journalists. As for political thugs. Ms Ajibola said political actors who have been identified to have made inciting statements and fanned the embers of ethnicity against section 92 (1) of the 2022 electoral act should be dealt with according to the law. Also, their followers who implemented the threats should be prosecuted in line with the law. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has accused INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, of collaborating with the ruling party APC to undermine Nigerias democracy. A statement from Atikus media office on Sunday said Mr Yakubus compromise was the reason results were not uploaded to INEC server on the same day the presidential election was held on 25 February. It was also the same reason that Mr Yakubu continued to announce the results despite protests from political parties, the statement signed by Phrank Shaibu, Atikus special assistant on public communication read. The former vice president was reacting to an allegation by the immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who said Mr Yakubu was recommended for re-appointment by a member of Bola Tinubus camp in 2020. Speaking in Rivers State on Saturday, Mr Amaechi noted that not only did the re-appointment of the INEC chairman come from Tinubus camp, but the INEC boss also worked under Governor Nyesom Wike when the Rivers State governor was Minister of State for Education and interim Minister of Education in the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. INEC is a complete failure, Mr Amaechi said. There are those of us who opposed the reappointment of Yakubu Mahmood. The person who nominated him is a member of Tinubus camp. So what are you expecting? Here in Rivers State, Mahmood worked under Wike as Executive Secretary of TETFund; so what you are having in Rivers is that APC and other parties are contesting, not against PDP, but against INEC, against police, the former minister added. Atiku said Mr Amaechis revelation was a confirmation of our worst fears that Yakubus INEC was working for the APC. Former Governor Amaechis revelation is only a confirmation of what everyone always knew. That INEC under the leadership of Prof Yakubu is inside the deepest corner of Bola Tinubus pocket. Earlier, the PDP had said Mr Tinubu had already embarked on a systematic state capture where the police, INEC, and the judiciary are in his pocket. Is it not surprising that the AIG who was deployed in Rivers State to supervise the governorship and Presidential elections is Kayode Egbetokun, a known ally of Tinubu who also served as Tinubus Chief Security Officer while he was governor of Lagos? the PDP said. This unholy alliance between INEC and the police is the reason why the election in Rivers State remains one of the most rigged in the history of Nigeria. Indeed, the journey to state capture has begun. For this, Atiku said when the story of the Nigerian elections is told, the name of Mr Yakubu will be mentioned for the wrong reasons. READ ALSO: After promising Nigerians that he would upload election results from polling units, he changed his mind at the last minute and then blamed it on glitches. Truth be told, Yakubu was the only glitch because of his incestuous affair with Tinubus APC. His predecessor, Prof. Attahiru Jega conducted two credible presidential elections in 2011 and 2015. The 2015 election was so credible that it witnessed the lowest number of election petitions and court disputes. Rather than improve on this, Prof Yakubu put his personal interest far and above that of over 200 million Nigerians. He claimed before the election at Chatham House that the electoral system he put in place was so advanced that the human body odour could be used for voter accreditation if he wanted. But this was all part of his grand deception. Despite receiving higher allocations than any other INEC chairman in history, Prof Yakubu could not conduct a credible election. This is indeed shameful for a man who over 200 million Nigerians saw as their last hope, the statement said. INECs spokesperson, Festus Okoye, did not answer our reporters phone calls put through to him for his comment on Sunday. He has also yet to respond to the reporters text message. Atiku is the second-place candidate in the 25 February presidential elections. He secured 29 per cent of the votes to finish behind Mr Tinubu of the APC. It was also disheartening that the INEC chairman continued to award sensitive election contracts to APC candidates. In the same election season, INEC awarded sensitive contracts to companies owned by Senator Sani Musa of APC and Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa. It is indeed safe to say that Nigerias democracy has been sold to the APC by Prof. Yakubu. PREMIUM TIMES reported how INEC confirmed awarding the printing of some sensitive materials for the 2023 elections to a company owned by Aishatu Dahiru, a sitting Senator and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state. INEC said the company got the contract through open bidding, and that it was not aware of its relationship with the senator. Checks by PREMIUM TIMES, however, show that one Aishatu Dahiru, the politicians exact name, is listed as one of the two directors of the company. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says it will invite Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, over allegations of hate speech during the general elections. The commission also disclosed that it would also invite Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo over an alleged threat he issued against people of Igbo ethnic extraction in Lagos State. MC Oluomo is the Lagos State Parks Management Committee chairman. He was seen in a viral video, threatening to harm Igbo people living in Lagos if they voted against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state during the recent elections. He has in a subsequent video clip which he shared via his social media platforms said that he was being jocular with a particular Igbo friend in the earlier footage. On his part, Mr Bello was seen in a video clip where he appeared to have used some inciting words against his political opponents in Kogi. But Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has denied Mr Bellos alleged hateful utterances. Addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja, NHRCs Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said Mr Yahaya and MC Oluomo would be invited to appear before an investigative panel of the commission over alleged inciting comments. Mr Ojukwu said the briefing formed a preliminary report of the NHRC election observers on the 18 March governorship and state parliamentary elections. NHRC deployed 600 election observers Mr Ojukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), disclosed that NHRC deployed 600 staff members as human rights monitors across the 36 states for the governorship and House of Assembly elections. The deployment he noted was part of the commissions mandate to promote and protect human rights. Mr Ojukwu said the commission during the elections, monitored among others, issues relating to the conduct of law enforcement and security personnel, hate speech, election-related Sexual and Gender-based violence (SGBV) and vote buying. The NHRC boss said the hitches and irregularities witnessed during the 25 February elections and threats of violence caused voter apathy during the state polls. The overall report from our monitors showed that INEC officials and materials arrived relatively early across the country. Our field monitors reported that 7% of polling officials arrived between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. while 40% of the officials arrived between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. However, 4% of INEC officials came after 10:00 am, leading to delays in some polling units. Additionally, our monitors reported that voting materials arrived on time in most polling units, with 37% arriving between 7:00 am and 8:00 am and 40% arriving between 8:00 am and 9:00 am. 13% of materials arrived between 9:00 am and 10:00 am while 5% arrived after 10:00 a. m, Mr Ojukwu said. Calls on police to prosecute perpetrators of violence against journalists The commission asked law enforcement agencies to investigate the attack on the ARISE News crew at Elegushi Palace in Lagos. It urged the police to investigate and prosecute all perpetrators of violence during the elections. The NHRC condemned the extra-judicial killing of thugs in Lagos, Katsina and Benue states as well as Labour Party agents in Lagos. All law enforcement and security agents in the remaining unconcluded ongoing elections should maintain political neutrality and impartiality in these election operations, Mr Ojukwu advised. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Katsina State All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Dikko Radda, has been declared the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the state. The state collation officer, Muazu Abubakar, said Mr Radda polled 859,892 votes to defeat his closest rival of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Yakubu Lado, who got 486,620 votes. The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate, Nura Khalil, won 8263 votes, while Imran Jino of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) got 4,226 votes. Ibrahim Zakari of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) got 1,049 votes. Labour Partys Abu Musawa won 560 votes. The election was contested by 13 candidates. Incumbent governor Aminu Masari was ineligible as he is concluding his constitutionally allowed second term in office. Number of registered voters in Katsina state stands at 3,516,719. Number of accredited voters is 1,399,291. Total valid votes stand at 1,365, 848 while 20,579 were rejected. The total votes cast in the gubernatorial election are 1,386,427, Mr Abubakar, the vice-chancellor of the Federal University Gusau, said. Below is the breakdown of the votes based on local government areas: MUSAWA LGA REGISTERED: 84131 ACCREDITED: 35979 CAST: 35941 APC 24,632 LP- 36 PDP 10,118 NNPP- 580 PRP 16 SANDAMU LGA REGISTERED: 74,399 ACCREDITED: 31,877 VALID: 31,738 REJECTED: 132 CAST: 31,870 APC 21,055 PDP 10,641 NNPP- 01 PRP 03 DUTSI LGA REGISTERED: 64,743 ACCREDITED: 24,298 VALID: 24119 REJECTED: 161 CAST: 24,280 APC 15,631 PDP 8,419 NNPP- 10 PRP 10 ANDUME LGA REGISTERED: 97,406 ACCREDITED: 41,071 VALID: 39,115 REJECTED: 529 CAST: 39,645 APC 23,710 PDP 14,792 NNPP- 220 PRP 146 BATAGARAWA LGA REGISTERED: 100,069 ACCREDITED: 41,301 VALID: 40,355 REJECTED: 768 CAST: 41123 APC 26,326 PDP 13,510 NNPP- 212 PRP 81 INGAWA LGA REGISTERED: 86,957 ACCREDITED: 36,034 VALID: 34,929 REJECTED: 1,066 CAST: 35,995 APC 22,080 PDP 12,255 NNPP- 209 PRP 217 Four polling units witnessed over voting in Ingawa 1. Total number of registered voters in the four affected units are: 3,335 PVCs collected 3,335 BINDAWA LGA REGISTERED: 88,793 ACCREDITED: 42,922 VALID: 42,305 REJECTED: 436 CAST: 42,741 APC 28,997 PDP 12,165 NNPP- 957 PRP 47 Total number of Registered Voters in two Polling units that were cancelled are: 1285. Due to over voting 1271 total PVCs collected. KAITA LGA REGISTERED: 76,526 ACCREDITED: 35,568 VALID: 34207 REJECTED: 912 CAST: 35,119 APC 24,121 PDP 9,824 NNPP- 53 PRP 20 Cancellations in one polling unit due to over voting. Registered Voters 730 and PVCs are 339 in the cancelled areas. MAIADUA LGA REGISTERED: 88,617 ACCREDITED: 40,768 VALID: 40,130 REJECTED: 435 CAST: 40,565 APC 28,436 PDP 11,506 NNPP- 68 PRP 10 Cancellations in two polling units in MaiAdua area. Total registered voters is: 1081 the total PVCs is: 505. The cancellation was due to violence ZANGO LGA REGISTERED: 73,235 ACCREDITED: 30,659 VALID: 30,324 REJECTED: 268 CAST: 30,592 APC 19,757 PDP 10,477 NNPP- 04 PRP 14 Cancellations in one polling unit. Total registered voters: 578 and PVCs collected 536. The cancellation was due to violence. RIMI LGA REGISTERED: 95,642 ACCREDITED: 43,188 VALID: 42,629 REJECTED: 538 CAST: 43167 APC 28,202 PDP 13,823 LP- 13 NNPP- 397 Cancelation in two polling units due to violence. 884 Registered Voters 853 PVCs collected. KUSADA LGA REGISTERED: 61,313 ACCREDITED: 25,602 VALID: 24,984 REJECTED: 392 CAST: 25,376 APC 13,750 PDP 11,151 LP- 04 NNPP- 05 PRP: 17 Cancellations at two polling units. One polling unit was due to violence while the other over voting. MANI LGA REGISTERED: 114,440 ACCREDITED: 47,718 VALID: 46,347 REJECTED: 974 CAST: 47,321 APC 29,678 PDP 16,180 LP- 16 NNPP- 231 PRP: 28 SDP 10 Cancellations due to over voting in four polling unit. Registered Voters: 4920 2472 PVCs. SAFANA LGA REGISTERED: 83,882 ACCREDITED: 26,879 VALID: 26,129 REJECTED: 715 CAST: 26,844 APC 15,417 PDP 10,450 LP- 02 NNPP- 09 PRP: 53 SDP 143. FUNTUA LGA REGISTERED: 147,391 ACCREDITED: 53,353 VALID: 52,601 REJECTED: 705 CAST: 53,306 APC 31,924 PDP 19,849 LP- 39 NNPP- 314 PRP: 218 SDP 03 Cancellations in three polling units due to over voting. Total registered voters is 3517 while PVCs collected are 1525. DAURA LGA REGISTERED: 97,136 ACCREDITED: 38,186 VALID: 37,549 REJECTED: 492 CAST: 38,041 APC 26,548 PDP 10,689 LP- 08 NNPP- 78 PRP: 27 SDP 08 Cancellation in one polling unit due to violence. Total registered voters in the PU 333 and the PVCs collected are 333. MASHI LGA REGISTERED: 100,191 ACCREDITED: 38,756 VALID: 38,091 REJECTED: 620 CAST: 38711 APC 28,793 PDP 8896 LP- 08 NNPP- 74 PRP: 11 SDP 102. BATSARI LGA REGISTERED: 106,955 ACCREDITED: 31,535 VALID: 30,796 REJECTED: 738 CAST: 31,534 APC 20,053 PDP 10,247 LP- 11 NNPP- 239 PRP: 158 SDP 02 Cancellation in one PU due to bandits attacks. Total registered voters are 795. PVCs collected are 795. JIBIA LGA REGISTERED: 98,311 ACCREDITED: 35844 VALID: 34,729 REJECTED: 1035 CAST: 35,764 APC 21,216 PDP 13,259 LP- 08 NNPP- 22 PRP: 34 SDP 05 KANKIA LGA REGISTERED: 78,224 ACCREDITED: 35,156 VALID: 33,210 REJECTED: 441 CAST: 33651 APC 18,249 PDP 14,830 LP- 01 NNPP- 16 PRP: 22 SDP 00 Cancellations in six polling units of the area due to over voting. The total registered voters is 3539 while the number of PVCs collected are 3363. CHARANCI LGA REGISTERED: 73,766 ACCREDITED: 30,695 VALID: 28475 REJECTED: 272 CAST: 28747 APC 20,782 PDP 7,539 LP- 05 NNPP- 66 PRP: 11 SDP 0 Cancellations in five polling units due to violence. KURFI LGA REGISTERED: 73,078 ACCREDITED: 32,743 VALID: 31,549 REJECTED: 207 CAST: 31,756 APC 18,750 PDP 10,545 LP- 19 NNPP- 2,134 PRP: 14 SDP 02 Cancellations in five polling units due to over voting. Total registered voters 3498. PVCs collected are: 3448. SABUWA LGA REGISTERED: 69,794 ACCREDITED: 28,031 VALID: 28,031 REJECTED: 329 CAST: 27,990 APC 16,224 PDP 11,340 LP- 01 NNPP- 27 PRP: 08 SDP 15 Cancellations in five polling units due to reasons including over voting, violence and insecurity reasons. Total number of registered voters. DANMUSA LGA REGISTERED: 86,170 ACCREDITED: 33,106 VALID: 32,755 REJECTED: 351 CAST: 33,106 APC 20,145 PDP 12,514 LP- 00 NNPP- 23 PRP: 07 SDP 00 Cancellations in one Polling unit due to over voting. 1790 registered voters and 1681 PVCs collected. KATSINA LGA REGISTERED: 294,103 ACCREDITED: 80,627 VALID: 78,991 REJECTED: 1636 CAST: 80,627 APC 47,241 PDP 28,982 LP- 94 NNPP- 305 PRP: 915 SDP 529 Cancellations in four polling units due to over voting. BAKORI LGA REGISTERED: 132,698 ACCREDITED: 54,499 VALID: 50,824 REJECTED: 840 CAST: 51,664 APC 29,892 PDP 19,592 LP- 07 NNPP- 294 PRP: 793 SDP 34 Cancellations in six polling units due to violence. Total number of registered voters is: 4336 while PVCs collected are 3554. MATAZU LGA REGISTERED: 69,565 ACCREDITED: 29,207 VALID: 28,970 REJECTED: 195 CAST: 29,165 APC 18,363 PDP 10,551 LP- 02 NNPP- 09 PRP: 07 SDP 00 Cancellations in eleven polling units due to violence and over voting. Total number of registered voters is: 6861 while number of PVCs collected are: 5846. MALUMFASHI LGA REGISTERED: 173,064 ACCREDITED: 70062 VALID: 69,219 REJECTED: 707 CAST: 69,926 APC 43,522 PDP 24,676 LP- 41 NNPP- 519 PRP: 50 SDP 55 Election didnt hold in four polling units. Total registered voters in the affected areas 2804. PVCs collected are 1940. DANJA LGA REGISTERED: 102,801 ACCREDITED: 45,187 VALID: 44,578 REJECTED: 482 CAST: 45,060 APC 28,040 PDP 16,302 NNPP 39 LP Nil PRP 39 SDP 02 Over voting at one RA and one PU, reg voters 900, while 898 PVCs collected. KANKARA LGA REGISTERED: 135,809 ACCREDITED: 50,688 VALID: 49,912 REJECTED: 564 CAST: 50476 APC 21,652 PDP 27,984 LP- 01 NNPP- 151 PRP: 28 SDP 01 Cancellations in five polling units due to over voting. Registered Voters in the affected areas 3520. PVCs collected are 1650. FASKARI LGA REGISTERED: 122,407 ACCREDITED: 51,218 VALID: 50,245 REJECTED: 524 CAST: 50,768 APC 27,366 PDP 22,565 LP- 10 NNPP- 152 PRP: 20 SDP 07 Cancellations in three polling due to over voting. Number of registered voters 1480 while PVCs collected are: 1253. DUTSIN MA LGA REGISTERED: 11,649 ACCREDITED: 40,902 VALID: 40096 REJECTED: 779 CAST: 40,875 APC 23,878 PDP 14,328 LP- 27 NNPP- 755 PRP: 924 SDP 12 KAFUR LGA REGISTERED: 139,814 ACCREDITED: 62,954 VALID: 61,882 REJECTED: 420 CAST: 62302 APC 42,660 PDP 18,733 LP- 11 NNPP- 28 PRP: 229 SDP 56 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Governor Mala Buni of Yobe as the winner of Saturdays governorship election in the state. INEC Returning Officer, Umaru Pate, a professor, announced the result in Damaturu, the state capital on Sunday. Mr Pate said Mr Buni of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 317,113 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Sherif Abdullahi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 124, 259 votes. That Buni Mai Mala of APC having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared the winner of the election, and returned elected, he said. Mr Pate, also the vice chancellor, Federal University Kashere in Gombe, said Garba Umar of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) came a distant third with 14,246 votes, while Arabi Mohammed of the Action Alliance (AA) polled 3,260. He said the number of registered voters was 1,485,141, while the number of total accredited voters was 459,492, saying that the number of valid votes was 444,567, while the number of rejected votes was 13,214 and the total votes cast was 457,781. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested four vote buyers in Sokoto and Katsina States during the governorship and houses of assembly elections on Saturday. In its election monitoring operations across the States of the Federation, officers of the anti-corruption agency encountered some vote buyers at Kauran Miyo Primary School in Bodingo Town of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The Sokoto State Monitoring Team of the Commission arrested the three male vote-buyers Mahe Bello, Musa Adamu and Mustapha Mohammed, all of Kauran Miyo Bodinga. Mahe Bello was caught in possession of a cash sum of #38,000k, two PVCs, one ATM Card and an Infinix phone while Musa Adamu had CFA 228,000 in his possession which was being offered to voters. The third suspect, Mustapha Mohammed, was arrested with some PVCs in his possession. The ICPC Monitoring Team, however, came under attack while carrying out the arrest of the three vote buyers. An officer of the Commission, Rabiu Ibrahim, suffered a head injury from being hit by stones. He has been admitted into a hospital and he is in a stable condition. The three voters were kept in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) before being conveyed to ICPCs detention facility in Sokoto. In a related development, the ICPC Katsina State Election Monitoring Team arrested one Tanimu Tabale for vote buying at Tashar Yamma Polling Unit in Zango Local Government Area of the State. Tabale, a 35-year old man, claimed he was an observer in Makama Polling Unit but was arrested at Tashar Yamma Polling Unit with the sum of Twenty Thousand Naira (N20,000.00) in different denominations attempting to buy the votes of the electorate. One of the ICPC Monitoring Teams in Delta State rescued a female voter, Oge Nwaomose, from mob action by agents of some parties who accused her of vote-buying. Nwaomose was seen parading herself at Unit 13 Ward 6, shortly after casting her vote at Unit 8 Ward 13, Ogbu-Utu Primary School, Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State The officers of the anti-corruption agency at Polling Unit 13 Ward 6 in Issele-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, prevented further attacks on the lady, who was thereafter whisked her away to the State Office for interrogation. During a search conducted on her, the sum of Six Thousand Naira (6,000) in 500 naira note denominations was found on her. Her statement was obtained and she was granted bail. The Commission had on February 25 arrested nine vote-buyers in Osun, Ondo, Borno, Akwa Ibom and Sokoto states during the Presidential and National Assembly elections. Signed: Mrs. Azuka Ogugua ICPC Spokesperson 18th March, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The INEC in Rivers State on Saturday said the commission was ready to conduct the election in Asari-Toru Local Government Area and Ward 14 of Degema Local Government Area on Sunday. The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Johnson Alalibo, disclosed this in a statement by the spokesperson of INEC in Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu, in Port Harcourt. Mr Alalibo stated that the elections could not hold in the LGAs because of voters resistance to the deployment of election officials and materials for the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections. He said the electorate demanded to see the ward collation officer before they would allow the election to commence in Asari-Toru LGA. He said that voters at ward 14 in Degema LGA equally demanded that the supervising Presiding Officer must come to the Registration Area Centre with collation sheets, thereby disallowing the election to hold in the area. The REC said the Commission had decided to conduct the election in the areas on Sunday, relying on section 24 of the Electoral Act 2022. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print ActionAid Nigeria has commended INEC for the improvements recorded in the area of logistics and functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) during Saturdays elections. It said the BVAS functioned adequately in 80 per cent of polling units across the country. ActionAid Nigeria Programme Director, Governance, Celestine Odo, said this while presenting reports from its election observation at a news conference in Abuja. Mr Odo said that Saturdays election was a great improvement on the 25 February presidential and National Assembly elections. The conduct of the election was impressive given the early arrival of election materials; we observed that deployment of election materials in states started since Wednesday. This was great compared to the deployment of materials that started on Friday during presidential election. Regrettably, the voter turnout for the election was low, it is obvious that voter apathy has set in given what happened during the last election, he said. Mr Odo said because of naira scarcity, political parties resorted to vote buying in states like Kano with wrappers and food items, while in Rivers and Enugu states, it was done in different forms. From the reports we are getting, we did not see much of cash exchange, what we are told is vote buying with wrappers, food items, chicken among others, he said. Mr Odo said there were pockets of violence in 10 locations recorded in Rivers, Kano and Lagos states. ActionAid Nigeria Director of Programmes, Suwaiba Dankabo, said voter turn-out, including women, was low but hailed security presence at the polling units. Andrew Mamedu, director of Resource Mobilisation and Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria, added that overall, the turnout of voters was lower than in the presidential election. Mr Mamedu said that was why civil society organisations have been advocating for the conduct of elections in states before national. He said the election should be bottom-up so as to sustain the momentum. The director also said there were reports of voter suppression and intimidation, as well as disruption of elections in some polling units. He, however, said the security agencies responded well and supported citizens to exercise their franchise. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the improvement in its logistics deployment during Saturdays Governorship and State Assembly elections. The Chairman of the CDD board, Adele Jinadu, a professor, said this at a news conference in its preliminary findings on the conduct of the elections in Abuja. Mr Jinadu said INEC had fared better in the area of logistics deployment leading to prompt arrival of poll officials for the commencement of the elections. He, however, said vote buying and violence were some of the challenges faced during the elections. CDD observer data showed that across the South-west zone, INEC officials arrived on time and promptly commenced the process in over 80 per cent of observed polling units. This trend is broadly consistent across the six geo-political zones. In Anambra State, 75 per cent of polling units had INEC officials who arrived on time with voting commencing on average at 8:41. There was even a report of INEC officials in Benue State having slept over at the polling unit to avoid late coming. However, incidents of vote buying, violence and intimidation during the polls were in Kano, Jigawa, Lagos, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers and Yobe States, he said. Mr Jinadu said CDDs observation also indicated that the BVAS appeared to have largely worked well across the country. Also, CDD Director, Idayat Hassan, said that data from CDDs deployed 1,500 observers showed there were more instances of BVAS working during the governorship elections compared to the presidential election of 25 February, with this reality reflected across all six Geo-Political zones. This might be a reflection of the heightened political environment around governorship polls, the importance of local personalities in state-level politics, and the shortages of fuel and naira, she said. Ms Hassan said the report also showed that in the North-West, observers in all seven states reported increased reports of vote trading, primarily by political party agents. She said money was used alongside other materials such as food items, wrappers and a credit voucher to buy votes and those items were to be redeemed after the results. Similarly in the North-East, political party agents in Taraba infiltrated the queue, pretended to be voters and used the chance to offer cash for votes. In the South-East, there were reports of APGA and LP party agents using materials, phones and other souvenirs to entice voters in Anambra state. In the South-South, multiple states reported a desire for voters to show proof of their vote before being paid, with party agents reportedly compiling a list of their voters in Esan Central LGA, Edo state. Ms Hassan said that CDD observers documented incidents of violence as well as voter suppression in some states. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kaduna State House of Assembly Speaker, Yusuf Zailani, has won his re-election to represent the Igabi state constituency in the assembly. The governorship and House of Assembly elections were held in Kaduna State and other parts of the country on Saturday. The returning officer, Bashir Yusuf, who declared the results in Rigachikun, said Mr Zailani of the APC, polled 45,889 to defeat his closest rival, Ibrahim Usman of the PDP, who scored 23,163. Mr Yusuf said Saifullahi Haruna of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 1,698 votes while Yahya Shuaibu of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) scored 1,242. He said the total number of registered voters was 216,236 while the number of accredited voters was 76,288. That Zailani Yusuf Ibrahim of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected, he said Mr Zailani has won the seat for the fourth time. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Nasiru Idris, has taken an early lead in Saturdays election. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had so far collated results from 12 out of the 21 local government areas of the state. NAN also reports that each of the collation officers from the 12 LGAs presented their results separately at the collation centre situated at the INEC headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday. Of the 12 LGs announced so far, APCs Mr Idris is leading in nine local government areas with a slight margin of 1,811 votes, as he polled 196,212 votes, while his closest contender, retired Maj-Gen. Aminu Bande of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is leading in the remaining three with 194,401 votes. Results from nine LGAs are being awaited. Saeed Oluwale-Adeyemi, the Collation Officer, Aliero Local Government, said there were 53,794 total registered voters while 27,370 voters were accredited, saying that APC got 11,126 votes and PDP scored 15,828 votes. In Bunza LG, the Collation Officer, Hajo Mamman, said APC polled 15,830 votes while PDP got 14,203 votes as 30,119 voters were accredited out of 78,499 total registered voters. Halima Abubakar, the Collation Officer for Kalgo Local Government, said the area has 55,179 registered voters where 23,224 were accredited, adding that APC scored 11,799 votes while PDP got 10,422 votes. APC polled 19,418 votes in Suru Local government while PDP got 17,310 votes, according to the Collation Officer, Abubakar Mujtaba, as 37,513 voters were accredited out of 97,815 total registered voters. In Maiyama Local Government, the Collation Officer, Zubairu Suleiman, said APC got 17,283 votes and PDP scored 15,252 votes as 32,949 voters were accredited out of 93,111 total registered voters. Other LGAs are: Augie: APC 17,595, PDP 15,889; Gwandu: APC 16,028, PDP 15,001; Koko-Besse: APC 13,138, PDP 10,969; Jega: APC 23,542, PDP 19,547; Argungu: APC 23,692, PDP 29,530; and Yauri: APC 15,131, PDP 14,241 votes. Earlier, the Returning Officer for the exercise in the state, Yusuf Saidu from the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, assured that the exercise would be done according to INEC rules and guidelines. While stressing that the collation would be on local government by local government basis for the smooth conduct of the exercise, Mr Saidu insisted that the entire process would remain free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Voting has ended in the governorship and state assembly elections that were held Saturday and the collation of results has begun at local government levels. Governorship elections were held in 28 states while state legislative elections were held in all of Nigerias 36 states. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the exercise was held in 1,021 state constituencies 28 governorship and 993 assembly seats. An interim report on the elections on Saturday said the polls were marred by violence and vote buying. All 18 registered political parties fielded over 400 governorship candidates in the 28 states. The breakdown shows that Abia, Akwa Ibom, Plateau and Taraba States have the highest number of candidates with 18 each followed closely by Delta, Enugu, Kano, Rivers and Sokoto with 17 candidates each. Cross River and Yobe have the least number of candidates with 11 each. A total of 10,231 candidates contested for 993 seats in the 36 state houses of assembly. The 28 states where the governorship elections were held are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo, Yobe and Zamfara. Others are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, and Taraba states. Meanwhile, elections were not conducted in Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States where off-cycle polls are held at different times. The electoral calendars of those states were altered due to judicial pronouncements. INEC has already scheduled the elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo for November. Voting officially ended at 2:30 p.m. and electoral officers have started announcing the collated results of Saturdays elections in some local governments. PREMIUM TIMES in partnership with the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has deployed its journalists in all parts of the country to observe the elections and provided live updates on the voting process. After the elections, results were announced at polling units, after which they were collated and announced at wards. From the ward collation centres, the results were further collated for each of the local governments across the country. PREMIUM TIMES brings you updates on governorship election results as collated by INEC at the local governments. Follow this page for the results. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared Yusuf Mugu of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the Kaura State Constituency election in Kaduna State. The Returning Officer for the State Assembly election in the Constituency, Yusuf Abubakar of the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, announced that Mr Mugu polled 14,085 to defeat four other contestants. He said Afan Tandad of the Labour Party came second with 12,737 votes, while Sunday Nehemiah of the All Progressives Congress came third with 8,715 votes. The returning officer said Isaac Gandu of the New Nigerian Peoples Party had 1,121 votes. Mr Abubakar explained that a total of 37,260 voters were accredited out of the 101,275 total registered voters in the local government. The number of votes cast was 37,247. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On Saturday, Nigerians exercised their civic rights to elect governors and state lawmakers in the just concluded governorship and state assembly elections. They now await the official results of the polls across 36 states of the federation. In previous live updates, PREMIUM TIMES reported how elections were held for 28 governorships and 993 assembly seats. The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a pro-democracy think-tank, revealed in a report that the Saturday elections were characterised by violence, vote buying and widespread fake news. However, the not-for-profit also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) improved logistically. In its report on Saturday, CDD observed that those who are participating appear to be more open to inducement for casting their ballot with vote trading being undertaken by all political parties across Nigerias six geo-political zones. Corroborating, Yiaga Africa, another non-profit, reported 15 confirmed cases of vote buying across eight states where governorship and state assembly elections were exercised. Yiaga also noted several cases of infractions and non-compliance with the 2022 Electoral Act. The voters hand over their ballot papers to party agents in exchange for the bribe, the press statement by Yiaga Africa stated, specifically noting how the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People Democratic Party (PDP) were observed sharing food, cash and alcoholic drinks with some voters in different states. Similarly, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) reported malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some polling units in five states, including Borno, Bauch, Plateau, Akwa Ibom and Imo. The non-governmental organisation also reported cases of attacks on journalists and media men in Sokoto, Lagos and Ogun. All the observer groups reported a lower turnout for the elections compared to the presidential election. PREMIUM TIMES will continue to bring you updates on governorship election results as collated by INEC at state levels. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have confirmed the killing of Peter Nweke, the chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state during Saturdays election. The police spokesperson in Ebonyi, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said this when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abakaliki. Mr Onovwakpoyeya, a superintendent of police, said the deceased was beaten to death by suspected thugs during the election. The DPO and his team tried to rescue him, but he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty when they got to the hospital, she said. A PDP chieftain and a resident of the area, Innocent Nomeh, said the deceased was killed after being threatened by some thugs in the area. Mr Nomeh, who is the PDP House of Assembly candidate for Ezza North State Constituency, described the incident as shocking and barbaric. He was killed after being threatened by some thugs. Some hours after being threatened, they traced him and took him to an isolated area, where they killed him. It is so unfortunate that such a young man will die because of an election. I want the security agencies to deepen investigations to fish out, whoever was involved in the killing, he said. Ebonyi State has recorded high rates of political violence and killings lately. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, has lost his local government area, Ojo, to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Sanwo-Olu is seeking a second term in office in the governorship election which was held alongside the House of Assembly polls on Saturday. The governor defeated Jandor in Ojo Local Government Area where the PDP candidate hails from with 30,797 votes. Jandor came a distant third with 3,889, trailing the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who came second with 19,027. The breakdown of the result announced Sunday is as follows: Total valid votes: 54,450 Registered voters: 329,799 Rejected votes: 910 Accredited voters: 58969 Total votes cast: 55360 43 polling units were cancelled as a result of BVAS snatching A 33 AA 24 AAC 19 ADC 191 ADP 98 APC 30797 APM 37 APP 32 BP 37 LP 19027 NNPP 101 NRM 16 PDP 3889 SDP 10 YPP 30 ZLP 109 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The PDP deputy governorship candidate in Lagos State, Funke Akindele, has lost the Saturday gubernatorial election in her Ikorodu Local Government Area by a large margin to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu-Olu. Mr Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress polled 64,697 votes far ahead of his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, of the Labour Party, polled 13,207 votes, while Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor) of the Peoples Democratic Party, came a distant third with only 3,797. PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the actress voted at Ita Aro Square in the Ikorodu area of Lagos at about 10:12 a.m. on Saturday. Ms Akindele was allowed to vote immediately after she arrived at the polling unit. Her polling unit has just 432 registered voters. Ms Akindeles party, PDP, seeks to unseat the governing APC in Lagos. A total of 8,295 votes were recorded as total valid votes in the LGA, where the number of accredited voters is pegged at 84,103. At the LG, 1130 votes were rejected, while 388,971 are the total registered voters at the LG. The result was disclosed Sunday afternoon at the Lagos State collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Yaba. Below are the details of the Ikorodu LG results announced: Total valid votes: 8,295 Registered voters: 388,971 Rejected votes: 1130 Accredited voters: 84,103 Total votes cast: 84,089 Total number of PVCs collected: 349,107 A 45 AA 42 AAC 56 ADC 501 APC 64,697 APM 71 APP 13 BP 28 LP 13207 NNPP 80 NRM 22 PDP 3,797 SDP 27 YPP 21 ZLP 96 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, Aishatu Dahiru, popularly known as Binani, is in a close race with the current governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Fintiri, in the ongoing Adamawa State gubernatorial election. Should Binani be declared the winner, she would become Nigerias first woman to be elected governor of a state. To achieve that feat, however, she has to defeat Mr Fintiri whom she currently trails, although narrowly, based on official results declared by the electoral commission, INEC, in the capital, Yola. After the announcement of results from 10 of Adamawas 21 local government areas, Mr Fintiri has so far polled 186,536 votes Binani has 179,264 votes, a difference of about 7,000 votes. Binani is not just facing an incumbent, she is also running against religious and cultural biases that have long stood against women in contests for power in Nigeria Binani, a serving senator, is popular in the state mainly for her philanthropy, although she faces a strong challenger in the incumbent who is credited with major infrastructural work in the state, particularly in the state capital, Yola. Of the 24 female governorship candidates across the country, Binani is considered the only candidate with a real chance of winning her governorship seat. PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details of the governorship election in Adamawa in subsequent reports. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The collation of results for the Kano State Governorship and House of Assembly Elections is underway at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state. However, some journalists fully accredited to cover the collation, have been denied access to the collation centre. Security operatives stationed at the entrance of the INEC headquarters told journalists that a new list had been provided and that only journalists whose media organisations appeared on it would be allowed entry. Those whose media organisations are missing from the list will not be allowed to enter the collation centre, the security personnel said. Ayo Adenaiye, a journalist with ARISE News, said, yesterday I saw a new list containing media organisations that will cover the collation process and I discovered that my media organisation was not on the list, which I complained about to the INEC authorities. I arrived this afternoon and I was denied access to the collation centre. I have been sitting outside the centre for the past two hours and Im still waiting. PREMIUM TIMES also observed that certain observers were also not allowed into the centre. When contacted, Adam Maulid, the INEC PRO, said We are trying to decongest the collation centre, which is why some journalists are not given access, please bear with us. The governorship election is a keenly contested race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Six persons are feared missing after unknown gunmen attacked six Hummer Buses carrying INEC officials in Kogi in the early hours of Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the incident, which occurred around 2 a.m. on 19 March at Obajana, left several officials with gunshot wounds including policemen and drivers. The six missing persons include two serving National Youth Service Corps members and four former corps members. The injured persons are receiving treatment at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja. Salisu Ibrahim, one of the bus drivers, who was shot in his right leg, and recuperating at the hospital, told NAN that the attackers took them by surprise. We were on our way back to Lokoja from Abujor RAC with the results of the House of Assembly election held there when we were attacked by some people. All the six buses moving in a convoy were attacked and in the process many of us sustained injuries. Thank God, none of us died in the process but I learnt some corners are missing during the attack on us this early morning, he said. Dare Owofadaju, a corps member who was shot in his left thigh, said: It is only God that kept us alive considering the way and manner the gunmen attacked us. Mr Owofadaju said the election was conducted peacefully and counting was completed, and it was when we were returning to Lokoja that we were attacked at Obajana. Thank God some security operatives came to our rescue and rushed those of us injured to this Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for immediate treatment, he narrated. NAN also gathered that the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Sunday Igbinomwanhia, Kogi State resident electoral commissioner, Hale Longpet, and the Kogi NYSC Coordinator, Mofoluwaso Williams, visited the injured in the hospital. But the duo refused to speak about the incident. But the spokesperson of the Kogi Police Command, Williams Ovye-Aya, confirmed the incident, saying the police were on top of the situation. We are aware of the sad incident and preparing to issue a statement on the attack, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have rejected the results of the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Umo Eno, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the 18 March governorship election. Mr Eno polled 354, 348 votes to defeat the YPP candidate, Bassey Albert, and the APC candidate, Akanimo Udofia. The YPP candidate, Mr Albert, came second with 136, 262 votes, while his APC rival, Mr Udofia, came third after polling 129, 602 votes. YPP agent at the collation centre in Uyo, the state capital, Kelvin Umoh, declined to append his signature to the result sheet. Faulting the outcome of the election, he alleged that the exercise was conducted at peoples houses in three Local Government Areas Ini, Itu and Uyo. He said his party would challenge the outcome of the election in court. I will not append my signature on this piece of paper for the blood of the people that have been shed in Ibiono Ibom. They are our party faithful so appending my signature will amount to abuse over their deaths because it calls for justice. He also said that some of his party agents were chased out of the ward collation centres. READ ALSO: He said the results of the election grossly violate and outrightly negate what our unit agents have transmitted to our situation room and therefore it would be a travesty of injustice for me to append my signature on what has happened here. Similarly, APC agent and former federal lawmaker, Ekperikpo Ekpo, said his party had called for the cancellation of the election in his Local Government Area Ika. Mr Ekpo said the results from some polling units where the election was disrupted and materials destroyed were recorded in the final result sheet. Election is all about representing people. Are we sure that what we are doing today is the reflection of the wishes of the people across Akwa Ibom State or we are just doing the normal rituals about result collation? Rejecting the outcome of the election, he said the conduct of the election calls for cancellation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Yiaga Africa on Sunday said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Result Viewing portal (IReV) functioned optimally during the Governorship and State Assembly elections. Ezenwa Nwagwu, a board member of Yiaga Africa, said this at a news conference in Abuja on the Governorship and State Assembly elections, supported by the European Union through its Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN). Mr Nwagwu said Yiaga Africa commended INEC for the significant improvement in the management of election logistics, especially the early commencement of polls due to the prompt arrival of election officials in a majority of polling units. Unlike the 25 February, presidential election, the INEC Election Results Viewing (IReV) portal functioned optimally in this election, enabling citizens to download polling unit-level results. Electronic accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was successfully implemented in a significant number of polling units observed by Yiaga Africa. Yiaga Africa calls on INEC to ensure proper oversight of the results collation process and ensure that results declared under duress or in breach of the Electoral Act, INEC Guidelines or Manual, are reviewed in line with Section 65 of the Electoral Act, he said. Mr Nwagwu said as INEC continued to collate results, citizens, candidates and supporters are encouraged to remain calm and peaceful and reject any call for violence. He said that only INEC has the legal mandate to announce the election results and return a candidate as the winner. We urge all stakeholders to respect the commissions constitutional power and refrain from declaring election results. Mr Nwagwu said Yiaga Africa observers noted that the Governorship and State Assembly elections were signposted with voter suppression, electoral violence, electoral impunity, vote buying and capture of the results management by political thugs. This, he said, was in Delta, Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kano, and Taraba States. He said Yiaga Africa was saddened by the cases of attacks on voters, INEC officials, journalists, election observers and personnel of the EFCC by political thugs. Reports also indicate that at least eight fatalities were recorded within the last 24 hrs. These election-related deaths are unacceptable and highly condemnable. It is important for security agencies to hold the political thugs and their sponsors accountable for these deaths and attacks. He said that Yiaga Africa condemned acts of voter suppression fuelled by ethnic profiling, political thuggery and desperation to secure electoral victory at all costs. He said that in flagrant abuse of the constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, registered voters and fellow citizens were denied the right to vote in some states. On Professional Conduct, Yiaga Africa received reports that security personnel were unprofessional and partisan in 26 polling units observed. Yiaga Africa received reports that polling officials were unprofessional and partisan in 21 polling units observed. Mr Nwagwu said that throughout Saturday, March 18 Election Day, Yiaga Africa verified 216 critical incidents witnessed by WatchingTheVote citizen observers, a number higher than that witnessed in the Feb. 25 elections. He said there were cases of violent disruption, ballot box snatching and destruction, results manipulation during collation, obstruction of election observation, intimidation and harassment at polling units. Mr Nwagwu said Yiaga Africa received 44 reports of vote buying through cash inducement and distribution of food items. He said, therefore, that Yiaga Africa called on the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) agents to ensure effective and adequate deployment of security personnel to the collation centres. He added that Yiaga Africa called on political parties, their supporters and voters across the states to remain calm and peaceful as the results collation process is still ongoing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Enugu East District, Chimaroke Nnamani, has lost his senatorial bid. Mr Nnamani, a former governor of Enugu State, was defeated by the Labour Party (LP) candidate for the district, Kelvin Ugwu. The LP candidate polled a total of 69,136 votes to defeat the former governor who scored 48,701 votes. The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the district, Adaku Ogbu-Aguocha, came a distant third with 8,548 votes. The Returning Officer for the election, Joachim Omeje, declared the result of the Saturday election on Sunday. Mr Nnamani, popularly called Ebeano, had elicited controversy when he publicly supported the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, over the candidate of his PDP, Atiku Abubakar. That led to his expulsion from the PDP which he declared illegal. Saturdays senatorial election was earlier billed to hold on 25 February but was postponed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to 18 March after the former LP candidate, Oyibo Chukwu, was killed by gunmen in the state, about two days before the exercise. INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu had explained that the exercise was countermanded in order to allow the LP to nominate another candidate for the district within 14 days. The decision was in line with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Law, Mr Yakubu said. The slain LP candidate was later replaced with his younger brother, Kelvin, who has now won the election. There were reports in the area that the PDP candidate, Mr Nnamani, had congratulated the LP candidate on his victory in the election. But PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the report. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Esta manana estabamos en Piura cuando ocurrio el sismo de 7.0 en Zarumilla. Menos de dos horas despues nos encontramos ahora en #Tumbes inspeccionando la situacion. Todos los ministerios estan a disposicion del gobernador para hacer frente a cualquier requerimiento. pic.twitter.com/8OfB1inEA1 Nigerias electoral commission, INEC, has said it recorded improvements in the conduct of Saturdays governorship and state houses of assembly elections. Unlike the 25 February presidential and National Assembly elections that witnessed logistical challenges, INEC said it performed better during the state elections. Several Observer Groups had said the first round of the elections held three weeks ago did not meet the expectations of Nigerians due to the logistical and technical challenges faced by the commission. In a post-election briefing, the commissions chairperson, Mahmood Yakubu, promised that the commission would improve its performance during the second round of elections. Addressing journalists on Sunday in Abuja, INECs National Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said the commission improved on its delivery with more polling units opening on time, better performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and improvement in the uploading of results on its Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Arising from the presidential and National Assembly elections held on 25th February 2023, the Commission promised Nigerians that there will be improved processes during the Governorship and State Assembly elections held yesterday, Saturday 18th March 2023, he said. Consequently, the majority of the polling units nationwide opened on schedule and citizens were attended to promptly. Similarly, there was improved voter authentication using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) while the uploading of Polling Unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) witnessed a remarkable improvement. The commission, which said it has left no stone unturned to ensure the success of the process, however, attributed pockets of challenges faced to unforeseen and uncontrollable situations. In places where elections did not hold for any reason, Mr Okoye said the commission remobilised to such polling units to enable citizens to exercise their franchise. Unfortunately, we could not extend the same to areas where voting was disrupted, and election materials destroyed, he said. We are keeping our eyes on those areas and would not hesitate to remobilize where the outcome of the election is affected. As the collation and declaration of results continue in 28 states where governorship elections were held and in all the 36 states where the house of assembly polls was conducted, he said the commission is committed to the sanctity of the process and will not hesitate to take drastic measures against proven irregularities. He said the allegations of voter inducement, harassment and manipulation of results will be reviewed and addressed. The commission does not take the patience of citizens for granted and will continue to take steps to protect the integrity of the vote and consolidate the progress made so far in the electoral process, Mr Okoye said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Give it to the crooked politicians, they did their homework with the knowledge that the police and other law enforcement agencies would only be reactive. There is no history of political thugs brought to justice in Nigeria. They come, they disrupt, they vanish. Although many of their crimes were captured on video, everyone knew that they would never be brought to justice. All those involved in snatching ballot boxes and committing all sorts of voter suppression crimes should be arrested and prosecuted, declared Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerias former president in reaction to reported incidents of ballot disruption in Bayelsa State. He spoke the minds of many of his compatriots in different parts of the country who had been monitoring the governorship elections of 18 March. Predictably, election malpractices reared their ugly heads in Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Enugu, Oyo, Delta and several other states. It was all totally foreseeable, but, as usual, the attitude of the security agencies was one of reaction, not prevention. Notable non-governmental organisations, such as the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), had predicted that Rivers, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto were likely to witness disruptions. The organisations director, Idayat Hassan, predicted that there would be closely contested races in Cross River, Delta, Enugu and Zamfara. Other analysts had warned the authorities that special attention should be given to Lagos, where the supporters of the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had advertised their readiness to unleash terror on non-Yorubas perceived to be sympathetic to opposition parties. The campaign of hate mounted against the Igbo ethnic group was so open and freely shared on social media that the security agencies cannot claim that they were not aware of the impending threat. One of the video clips even advertised the strategy all APC members should queue up early at their polling booths and cast their ballot. If the trend of voting seemed to be going against the ruling party, thugs would show up to disrupt polling. If any result would be uploaded at all, it would be favourable to the ruling party because their members had voted early before the disruption. The other side of the disruption plan was to identify wards where APC performed abysmally in the presidential election and ensure that voting did not take place there at all. It was this strategy that played out in some areas of Okota, where we saw the selective devastation caused by thugs who invaded a polling station and destroyed all the election materials there before making a quick getaway. As always, the police later showed up to play the role of undertakers, while distraught voters wailed in helplessness. If a party is truly popular, it shouldnt have problems submitting itself to universal adult suffrage. When a party resorts to violence, it is because that party knows that it cannot win in a free and fair contest. The truth is that Yoruba people as a group have nothing against any other ethnic group in Nigeria. Certainly, Yorubas have nothing against the Igbos. Those trying to pitch the Yoruba against the Igbo are self-serving. As I started writing this piece, I received a situation report from a Labour Party agent in the Eti-Osa axis of Lagos, in respect of what transpired at the Badore Primary School, PU 008: The citizen reporter wrote as follows: First, APC agents got to the PU before 7 am and started issuing numbers. Apparently they started issuing numbers from 100! So if you walked in the PU unit at 8 am as the first person your number will be 101! Once INEC showed up they started calling numbers. So the first set of voters clearly not up to 100 were APC stalwarts. Believing that everyone on the queue by 2 pm would vote number or no number we waited patiently on the queue for our turn. Then the INEC PO started playing games. He would stop the process and say they were rebooting the BIVAS.. Then he would stop signing ballot papers once the ones he pre-signed were finished (he is the only one that can sign the back of the ballot papers). Then he went to the restroom for 30 minutes. All these while voters on the queue were patiently waiting. At about 2:15 pm, less than 300 people had voted. The APC thugs invaded the PU, chased out the INEC staff from their seats and dismantled their tables/desks/voting cubicle. Some young folks challenged them and a fight broke out. Folks who were trying to video all these had their phones smashed to pieces. A young girl had her head broken. Interestingly, we had policemen standing aside while all this was going on. I went to the one that looked like their Oga and said, You are law enforcement. Why are you not stopping this illegality? He said he had phoned his boss and he was waiting for instructions. At this point I decided that I had given Nigeria my time and resources in the past 6 months to get things done right. It is time to focus on me and my family. But not everyone was easily intimidated. Some voters in that axis rushed back to their houses and brought out their guard dogs to engage the hoodlums. The video of their epic battle is the stuff action movies are made of. All that was happening in good old Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria! It is not true that thunder cannot strike the same spot twice. In Nigeria, thunder will strike the same spot again and again until there is nothing left to strike. Just as voters were openly commending INEC on national TV for the early commencement of the exercise in many places, anti-democratic forces struck and made nonsense of all the grandiose plans of the electoral body. Give it to the crooked politicians, they did their homework with the knowledge that the police and other law enforcement agencies would only be reactive. There is no history of political thugs brought to justice in Nigeria. They come, they disrupt, they vanish. Although many of their crimes were captured on video, everyone knew that they would never be brought to justice. Now that we have washed our dirty linen in the full glare of the world, lets see how the electoral umpire or those who stand to benefit from this heist rationalise the descent to barefaced gangsterism, which glamorises electoral robbery in plain sight. If the level of violence unleashed by political thugs was beyond the capability of the police, why didnt they invite the army to help? The most regrettable part is the involvement of traditional rulers in the Lagos mess. After realising that the intended scare-mongering of conducting the Oro festival on the eve of the governorship election was futile, some of them still resorted to the redoubtable ploy of naked intimidation. Any civilised onlooker monitoring the elections on live television would be shocked at the physical attack on the crew of Arise Television, consisting of Oba Adeoye and Opeyemi Adenihun, in front of the Palace of Oba Saheed Elegushi, a man who is on record, via video clips, as campaigning for the ruling APC. The cameras of Arise TV were seized and the crew prevented from leaving until the intervention of the police commissioner. If plebeians like us have access to the rich harvest of horror clips showing the beastly conduct of political actors, security agencies of the government cannot feign ignorance. Each time the tribal warriors in Lagos baying for the blood of Igbo residents start their sabre rattling, I wonder what such people would say if their own tribesmen living in other parts of the country are targeted for belonging to the Yoruba tribe. How would they react if the Gwari natives of Abuja issue a quit notice to all Yorubas to leave the FCT? If a party is truly popular, it shouldnt have problems submitting itself to universal adult suffrage. When a party resorts to violence, it is because that party knows that it cannot win in a free and fair contest. The truth is that Yoruba people as a group have nothing against any other ethnic group in Nigeria. Certainly, Yorubas have nothing against the Igbos. Those trying to pitch the Yoruba against the Igbo are self-serving. Now that we have washed our dirty linen in the full glare of the world, lets see how the electoral umpire or those who stand to benefit from this heist rationalise the descent to barefaced gangsterism, which glamorises electoral robbery in plain sight. Let it be said that when they demonised another tribe, I was counted among those that spoke out; perhaps, someday, somebody else will speak up for me when they come for my tribe. To the acclaimed strong-arm fixers in Lagos, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kano, Oyo, Rivers, Delta, Sokoto, Abia and wherever else they may be, I commend the story of the life and times of Chief Nwiboko Obodo, high priest of the Odozi Obodo secret cult between 1954 and 1958 in the Abakaliki area of Ebonyi State, who had got away with many infractions against the law until he killed one person too many his own wife, whose family summoned the courage to report to the authorities. Following diligent detective work, the police finally arraigned the dreaded cult leader. Chief Obodo hired a British counsel, Mr Dingle Foot, to defend him but the evidence was overwhelming. The case went right up to the Supreme Court, where the verdict of guilty passed on him by the lower courts was confirmed. The untouchable high priest, Chief Obodo, terror of both mighty and the lowly alike, was hung like the common criminal that he was in 1959. Those who live by the sword. Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the collation of the Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections conducted in Gombe on Saturday. The states Resident Electoral Commissioner, Umar Ibrahim, said the collation was to record the results from 11 local government areas. Mr Ibrahim said the results had been collated from the polling units through the wards to the local governments and the collation officers from each of the 11 LGAs in the state were expected to present. He said there would be room for observations during the collation to ensure that all stakeholders were carried along. He, however, appealed that only reasonable observations would be entertained. Maimuna Waziri, the vice-chancellor of Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, who is the state returning officer for the governorship election in the state, explained the processes of results collation. Mrs Waziri also showed the electoral materials that would be used to compute the results. She appealed to all stakeholders to comply with the rules to ensure a successful exercise. There are 2,988 polling units and 114 wards in the 11 LGAs of the state. So far, the results of five LGAs of Shongom, Balanga, Nafada, Dukku and Billiri have been presented to the state returning officer. The major contestants for the governorship seat are the incumbent Governor, Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Jibrin Barde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Khamisu Mailantarki of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The expected close contest between the APC and PDP for the Adamawa State governorship seat has continued after the announcement of the results of 18 local government areas. Adamawa State governor and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Fintiri, maintains his narrow lead over Aisha Dahiru (popularly called Binani) of the APC based on the results so far announced by the electoral commission, INEC, in Yola, the state capital. Mr Fintiri has so far polled 346,107 votes while Binani has 329,770 votes, a difference of over 16,000 votes. The incumbent governor also won in 11 out of the 18 local governments results announced so far; while Binani won in the other seven local governments. There are 21 local governments in Adamawa State. Fufure, Michika and Song local government areas have yet to be announced as the electoral commission in the state (INEC) went on a break to resume at 10 p.m. Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that both candidates won their own local governments. Binanis performance has excited many Nigerians as she could become Nigerias first woman to be elected a state governor. However, she still has to overcome the hurdle of the incumbent governor. Supporters of both parties have claimed victory on social media especially as the results of the remaining three local governments, like those of others, had been announced at the local government collation centre. However, PREMIUM TIMES is relying on the results formally declared at the final collation centre for this report. We will bring you more updates from Adamawa in subsequent reports. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police command in Kano State has arrested 161 persons including a member of the states House of Assembly, Isyaku Ali-Danja, for alleged electoral offences during Saturdays Governorship and States Houses of Assembly elections. Mohammed Usaini-Gumel, the state commissioner of police, said the suspects were arrested by a team of security operatives after they were engaged in electoral offences like vote-buying and destruction of election materials among others. The suspects include a member representing Gezawa Constituency, Isyaku Ali-Danja, who allegedly led thugs and attempted to attack the Gezawa Local Government Area INEC Collation Centre and the Police Divisional Office in Gezawa, he said. Mr Usaini-Gumel said the suspects would be arraigned in law courts as soon as the investigation was completed. He said that a Special Investigation Team consisting of police officers, lawyers, prosecutors and trained investigators had been assembled by the command to speed up the investigation of the suspects as directed by the Inspector-General of Police. READ ALSO: Mr Usaini-Gumel assured residents of the state of their safety as the collation of election results continued. The command in conjunction with other security agencies has embarked on serious confidence-building patrol and show of force to surmount any likely emerging threat. We call on the peace-loving Kano State residents to continue to give maximum support and cooperation and avoid spreading fake news and hate speeches capable of disrupting the peace in the state. When results are announced avoid all forms of reckless celebrations that may likely cause death, injury or damage to property, Usaini-Gumel said Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Brass I Constituency in Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Charles Daniel, has been declared the winner of the election in the constituency. Mr Daniel won the same seat in 2019 on the platform of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting to the PDP. Mr Daniel polled 4,116 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Alabo Mastins of the APC who polled 1,552, the Collation Officer, Mbosowo Etukudo, announced on Saturday. Following his defection to the PDP, APC approached court, praying that he be sacked. While he won the case at the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, APC appealed the judgement and the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt sacked him inJuly 2022, over the defection. The Appeal court also asked him to return all salaries, allowances and emoluments received from 14th April 2021 when he defected to the PDP. In September 2022, APC threatened to sue him and the speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly for contempt of court. Here is the final results as announced: ADC 11 ADP 5 APC 1554 LP 20 NRM 8 PDP 4116 SDP 31 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Hoodlums armed with guns and machetes on Sunday morning attacked the Ogoja Local Government Area INEC collation centre in Cross River State, south-south Nigeria. The hoodlums stormed the centre when the result of the House of Assembly election in Ogoja State Constituency being was announced. The police spokesperson in Cross River, Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the incident, however, said the situation was quickly brought under control. Ms Ugbo, a superintendent of police, said most of the hoodlums have been arrested and were being profiled to ascertain the level of their involvement in the attack. The Local Government Collation Officer, Paul Bassey, who was injured during the attack and rushed to hospital, described the incident as barbaric. Mr Bassey said his laptop and duplicate result sheets were destroyed during the attack. One of my colleagues is still being treated in the theatre, I pray he comes out alive as heavy stones and planks were used on him, he said. The Electoral Officer for Ogoja Local Government, Peter Kolo said the hoodlums broke security barriers at the collation centre with the intent of destroying the election results. As I speak with you, we have recovered all the results from both the BVAS and uploaded results in the portal and we will soon resume announcing the results from the three remaining wards, Mr Kolo said. The State Constituency Collation Officer, Timothy Ellah of the University of Calabar said he sustained injury from the beatings he received from the thugs. READ ALSO: INEC officials held hostage in Ogoja over missing Declaration Form We have however recovered all the results and we are ready to resume announcing the results, Mr Ellah said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC had already announced the election results of seven out of the 10 wards for the Ogoja Assembly seat when the hoodlums attacked the collation centre. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print INEC on Sunday declared Kagbang Ofiks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Andoni State Constituency of Rivers State in the March 18 House of Assembly election. The Returning Officer, Omoankhanlen Akhibe, declared that Mr Ofiks polled 7,835 votes to defeat the first runner-up, Somsan Dressman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 2,976 voters. Mr Akhibe noted that Mr Ofiks was returned winner having satisfied the requirements of the law. Mr Ofiks is a former Secretary of the Andoni Local Government Council. He was appointed Caretaker Chairman of the council in 2018 and was until the 18 March election the State Organising Secretary of the PDP. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Kenneth Ugbala, has decried the low turnout of voters for the governorship and House of Assembly elections in some communities. Mr Ugbala gave the assessment of the election in an interview with reporters at Amudo Okofia ward, polling unit 008 and 009 Ezza-south Local Government Area on Saturday. He expressed dismay at the low turnout of voters at the polling unit but noted that the exercise was peaceful in the area. He added that Bimodal Voter Accreditation System worked as expected, while voting commenced at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m. The participation, particularly in my ward, is below 70 per cent, it does not synchronise with what was expected and registered. And other assessment generally of the exercise, people came out to make decisions through their votes, Mr Ugbala said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print INEC on Sunday declared Samuel Apata of the APC as the winner of the Lagos State House of Assembly Constituency 2 seat in Somolu. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governorship and House of Assembly elections were held nationwide on Saturday. The Returning Officer for the Somolu Constituency 2, Issac Olusola, who declared the results at about 5.05 a.m. at INEC Collation Centre in Somolu, said Samuel Apata secured 21, 220 votes to beat his closest opponent, Olusegun Fatai of the Labour Party (LP), who got 9,664 votes. According to him, 10 political parties contested for the Somolu House of Assembly Constituency 2 seat. The returning officer said the election was contested and the candidates recorded the following votes. Shobamowo Joseph, Accord, 33 votes; Koledoye Ade, AA, 19 votes; Ishola Shina, AAC, 23 votes; Olaiya Ibrahim, ADP, 66 votes; Adewole Jerry, BP, 48 votes; Olusegun Fatai, LP, 9, 664 votes; Baale Oladipo, NNPP, 44 votes; Ajayi Johnson, PDP, 3, 925 votes and Salami Basiru, SDP, 22 votes. Mr Olusola said Mr Apata, having scored the highest votes in the election, won the House of Assembly election for the Somolu Constituency 2. Samuel Apata of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, has scored the highest number of votes; he is hereby declared the winner and returned elected on 19th March 2023, Mr Olusola said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has been elected for a sixth term to represent Agege 1 State Constituency in the assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer for the election, Lukman Adeniji, declared Mr Obasa the winner on Sunday at the Collation Centre in Orile Agege. He said eight political parties fielded candidates for the election held on Saturday. According to him, Mr Obasa scored 17, 214 votes to beat his closest rival, Raheem Alani of the Labour Party (LP) who had 3,933 votes. Kafayat Biobaku of the ADC scored 62 votes, while the PDP got 1,609 votes. Mubashiru Obasa of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law has scored the highest number of votes and is hereby declared the winner and returned elected, Mr Adeniji said. Jubreel Abdulkareem of the APC won the Agege State Constituency 2 seat in Saturdays elections. Mr Abdulkareem, a former chairperson of Agege Local Government Area, scored 15,676 votes to defeat the LP candidate who scored 7,159 and the PDP candidate who had 1,598 votes. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Solomon Bonu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Badagry State Constituency 1 election. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Bonu is a former special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture. The Returning Officer for Badagry Constituency 1, Oluwatoyin Ayoola, declared the results at about 8.50 a.m. on Sunday at the INEC Collation Centre in Ibereko, Badagry. He said that Mr Bonu secured 18, 776 votes to beat his closest opponent, Gbenga Fayemi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 3,233 votes. The returning officer said other parties who contested in the election scored as follows: LP, 718 votes; ADC, 34 votes; ADP, 97 votes; APM, 24 votes; and NNPP 12 votes. Mr Ayoola, a professor, said 96,064 voters registered for the election, while 29,966 were accredited to vote. He added that the total valid votes were 29,435, while the rejected votes were 531. The total votes cast were 29,966. Solomon Bonu Sannu of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected, Mr Ayoola said. Reacting to his victory, Mr Bonu thanked the people of Badagry for coming out en masse to vote for him. He promised to give his people quality representation and facilitate more projects to Badagry from the state and Federal Governments. Mr Bonu said the victory was achieved through the hard work of party members in Badagry. He commended INEC officials and security operatives for doing a good job. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Lagos State said 17 persons, including a woman, were arrested during the Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections for various offences. The command`s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Idowu Owohunwa, on Saturday told journalists that the list of persons arrested was being compiled and would be released on Sunday. The spokesperson said those arrested were involved in 21 cases which include, attacks on INEC officials, vandalism and ballot box snatching. Others are the impersonation of an Independent National Electoral Commission official, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, assault occasioning harm and illegal possession of firearms. Mr Hundeyin said all 17 suspects have been taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti-Yaba for further investigation. He said those culpable of electoral offences would be handed over to INEC for prosecution, while those for other criminal offences would be charged in court. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Abiodun Alabi, has assured residents of Lagos and Ogun of the safety of their lives and property. The AIG gave the assurance in a statement signed by the Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), Hauwa Idris-Adamu, on Sunday in Lagos. Mr Alabi said the attention of the command had been drawn to the threats by some politicians and their supporters to cause a breakdown of law and order in the two states. According to him, the attention of the command has been drawn to messages making rounds on social media that supporters of certain political gladiators are threatening to disrupt social activities, molest, intimidate and carry out other evil acts on members of the public. We find it imperative to clear the air and inform members of the public to disregard the publication and go about their lawful businesses without any fear of intimidation as the safety of their lives and property is assured. We enjoin residents of Lagos and Ogun States to rest assured of their safety at all times as the Nigeria Police Force is on top of the situation, he said. READ ALSO: Mr Alabi warned politicians and their supporters to desist from fueling any form of violence or acts that could cause a breach of public peace. According to him, anyone caught engaging in such acts will face the full wrath of the law. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Police in Lagos State say normalcy has returned to the Abule-Ado area of the state after an intra-community clash. The intra-community clash, which broke out on Sunday, resulted in the destruction of property. Owing to the timely arrival of the police, no life was lost and no property was razed as widely claimed. Two persons have been arrested and an investigation has started into the matter. Normalcy has been restored in the area, the police stated, adding that operatives were on the ground to prevent further breakdown of law and order. According to the statement, the state remains generally peaceful and secure. The police urged citizens to go about their businesses assuring them of adequate security at all times. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print NEW YORK, March 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) between October 28, 2020 and March 3, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 15, 2023. SO WHAT: If you purchased Norfolk Southern securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Norfolk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12322 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 15, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: During the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the Company's PSR, including its use of longer, heavier trains staffed by fewer personnel, had led to the Company suffering increased train derailments and a materially increased risk of future derailments; (2) the Company's PSR, including its use of longer, heavier trains staffed by fewer personnel, was part of a culture of increased risk-taking at the expense of reasonable safety precautions due to the Company's near-term focus solely on profits; (3) the Company's PSR, including its use of longer, heavier trains staffed by fewer personnel, rendered the Company more vulnerable to train derailments and train derailments with potentially more severe human, financial, legal, and environmental consequences; (4) the Company's capital spending and replacement programs were designed to prioritize profits over the Company's ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation services; (5) the Company's lobbying efforts had undermined the Company's ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation services; (6) the Company's commitment to reducing operating expenses as part of its PSR goals undermined worker safety and the Company's purported "commitment to an injury free workplace" because the Company's PSR plan prioritized reducing expenses through fewer personnel, longer trains, and less spending on safety training, technology, and equipment such as hot bearing wayside detectors (a/k/a "hotboxes") and acoustic sensors; (7) the Company's rail services were, as a result of its adoption of PSR principles, more susceptible to accidents that could cause serious economic and bodily harm to the Company, the Company's workers, the Company's customers, third parties, and the environment; (8) the Company had failed to put in place responsive practices and procedures to minimize the threat to communities in the event that these communities suffered the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous and toxic materials; and (9) as a result, defendants' Class Period statements detailed above regarding the safety of Norfolk Southern's operations were materially false and/or misleading. To join the Norfolk Southern class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=12322 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Data were from a final four-year analysis (up to Week 216) of the open-label extension trial of a VILTEPSO Phase 2 study NS Pharma, Inc. (NS Pharma; President, Tsugio Tanaka), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (Nippon Shinyaku; President, Dr. Toru Nakai) PARAMUS, N.J., March 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NS Pharma is pleased to announce participation in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's (MDA) Clinical & Scientific Congress 2023 being held in Dallas, Texas. The company will be presenting previously reported long-term efficacy and safety data (final analysis up to Week 216) from the open-label extension of a Phase 2 study of VILTEPSO (viltolarsen). The presentation will be given by Edward Smith, MD, Duke University School of Medicine. For more information, please visit the MDA Congress website to view the abstract: https://www.mdaconference.org/abstract-library/results-of-a-4-year-viltolarsen-extension-study-of-functional-and-safety-outcomes/ "There have been amazing scientific advances in the treatment of Duchenne, which is why it is important to keep the community informed about existing therapeutic options and the long-term evidence these treatments have generated," said Dr. Smith. "The Muscular Dystrophy Association is one of the premier advocacy groups supporting the Duchenne community and I am pleased to take part in this year's knowledge sharing at the organization's Clinical & Scientific Congress on behalf of NS Pharma." About VILTEPSO (viltolarsen) injection Prior to its approval in the U.S. in August 2020, VILTEPSO was granted Priority Review as well as Rare Pediatric Disease, Orphan Drug and Fast Track Designations. In March 2020, VILTEPSO was approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with DMD who are amenable to exon 53 skipping therapy. Prior to its approval in Japan, VILTEPSO was granted with the SAKIGAKE designation, Orphan Drug designation, and designation of Conditional Early Approval System. Indication VILTEPSO is indicated for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in patients who have a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene that is amenable to exon 53 skipping. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on an increase in dystrophin production in skeletal muscle observed in patients treated with VILTEPSO. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. Important Safety Information Warnings and Precautions: Kidney toxicity was observed in animals who received viltolarsen. Although kidney toxicity was not observed in the clinical studies with VILTEPSO, the clinical experience with VILTEPSO is limited, and kidney toxicity, including potentially fatal glomerulonephritis, has been observed after administration of some antisense oligonucleotides. Kidney function should be monitored in patients taking VILTEPSO. Serum creatinine may not be a reliable measure of kidney function in DMD patients. Serum cystatin C, urine dipstick, and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio should be measured before starting VILTEPSO. Consider also measuring glomerular filtration rate before starting VILTEPSO. During treatment, monitor urine dipstick every month, and serum cystatin C and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio every three months. Urine should be free of excreted VILTEPSO for monitoring of urine protein. Obtain urine either prior to VILTEPSO infusion, or at least 48 hours after the most recent infusion. Alternatively, use a laboratory test that does not use the reagent pyrogallol red, which has the potential to generate a false positive result due to cross reaction with any VILTEPSO in the urine. If a persistent increase in serum cystatin C or proteinuria is detected, refer to a pediatric nephrologist for further evaluation. Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions include upper respiratory tract infection, injection site reaction, cough, and pyrexia. To report an adverse event, or for general inquiries, please call NS Pharma Medical Information at 1-866-NSPHARM (1-866-677-4276) For more information about VILTEPSO, see full Prescribing Information. About NS Pharma, Inc. NS Pharma, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit http://www.nspharma.com. NS Pharma is a registered trademark of the Nippon Shinyaku group of companies. Contact U.S. Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE NS Pharma Jerusalem, March 19 : A rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hit an open area landed in southern Israel, according to the Israeli military. There were no immediate reports of injuries and claim of responsibility for the attack, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Israeli media reports. The rocket attack comes at a time of heightened tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, with over 80 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and 14 Israelis died in Palestinian militants' attacks since the beginning of this year. Earlier this week, four Palestinians, including a teenager, were killed in an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, according to Palestinian health officials. After the raid, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad vowed revenge. Tensions are expected to escalate in the coming days when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish weeklong holiday of Passover overlap in April. Premier anuncio, junto con el gobernador Luis Neyra, que el gobierno continuara trabajando el problema en Piura y de todo el pais, fundamentalmente con quienes lo han perdido todo. Tras alerta de El Nino costero, informo que ministros seran el enlace en cada region. pic.twitter.com/7iiwxhZ2Zb Lucknow, March 19 : Talks between Uttar Pradesh Power Minister A.K. Sharma and Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti (VKSSS) remained inconclusive, late on Saturday, even as the 72-hour strike by power employees led to power disruptions in several parts of the state. The state government lodged FIR against 22 striking engineers, including VKSSS convenor Shailendra Dubey, under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). Later, a defiant Dubey said that the strike would continue even if he was arrested. Protests over power cuts began in many parts of Prayagraj and Lucknow. In Lucknow, residents of Singarnagar blocked the Lucknow Kanpur Road while roads were blocked in Kotha Parcha area of Prayagraj. The minister warned striking electricity department employees to resume work or lose jobs. He said 1,332 contractual workers had been sacked and warned of action against 1,000 more if they failed to resume duty. Sharma met Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and briefed him about the prevailing power situation in the wake of the strike. By Saturday evening, 2,392 megawatt (MW) power generation, which is 17 per cent of the total 13,856 MW demand, was not available due to the shutdown of 1,000 MW of Obra plant, 1,130 MW of Anpara plant and 210 MW of Parichha plant following the strike. The Harduaganj power generation station was also heading to shut down in support of the strike. Till Saturday evening, 506 feeders had reportedly shut down in urban or semi-urban areas, affecting nearly 13 lakh households in the state. The exact figures for rural areas were not available, but official sources claimed that it was double that of urban areas. The minister claimed that alternative measures were being taken to make arrangements to normalize power supply in the state. "A few power generation units have been shut down due to strike, but there is no power shortage in the state. The strike called by power union VKSSS has failed," Sharma said. The minister has appealed to contractual employees to think about their families and return to work instead of participating in the strike. "There are not many jobs. We will not hesitate to sack contractual staff. The government has asked outsourcing firms to prepare a list of new eligible candidates from ITIs across the state - we will hire them in case engineers do not resume work at power stations," said Sharma. VKSSS convenor Shailendra Dubey said, "We will extend our 72-hour for an indefinite period if sacked workers are not reinstated. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to power consumers, but it is the government's fault as we had informed them about the strike a month ago and yet it failed to make alternative arrangements." Lucknow, March 19 : Ajay Kumar Lallu, former Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment in a four-year-old defamation case. The two-time MLA from Kushinagar's Tamkuhi Raj constituency, was also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 by the court of additional chief judicial magistrate, Ambrish Kumar Srivastava. Following the verdict, Lallu said, "I respect the court's order. I will challenge it in a higher court." The Congress leader was booked for making 'defamatory' remarks against Shrikant Sharma, who served as the energy minister during Yogi Adityanath's first term as chief minister. Lallu had accused Shrikant of being involved in the Dewan Housing Finance Corp Limited (DHFL) scam. Shrikant Sharma scrapped all accusations and demanded an apology from Lallu. Later, when the Congress leader did not take back his allegations, Sharma filed a defamation case. In its verdict, the court observed that the chief of a major political party should have exercised restraint and not made the allegation. The leader was not arrested and secured bail from the court. Meanwhile, lawyer K.K. Mishra, who is also a member of BJP's legal cell, said, "All allegations against Shrikant Sharma were baseless and politically motivated. The court's decision has proved this." Accra, March 19 : At least five people were killed After a boat capsized in southern Ghana's Lake Volta, local authorities confirmed. Daniel Adzakpa, an assembly member of Azizakpe Electoral Area, said the passenger boat carrying about 25 mourners from Azizanya to Azizakpe, near Ada in the Greater Accra Region, capsized following a strong storm, Xinhua news agency reported. He said the boat was overloaded, and all passengers on board were not wearing life jackets. Ebenezer Teye-Nartey Kisseh, Ada district coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organization, told news agency that the storm broke the boat in two, throwing all the passengers into the river. "Rescuers are still searching for survivors." There have been several boat disasters on Lake Volta, with the most recent one involving the deaths of eight schoolchildren when the boat that was transporting them to school capsized on January 24. Chandigarh, March 19 : Massive search operation continued on the second day on Sunday to arrest Sikh radical Amritpal Singh, head of 'Waris Punjab De', who has been declared a 'fugitive', a senior police official said. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday night told the media that Amritpal Singh was declared a 'fugitive'. The police search operations are now mainly focused in Jalandhar district from where he managed to give the police a slip when it tried to intercept his vehicle to arrest him. Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh told the media the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal." He called the police action "unjustified" and said his son was weaning the youth off drugs. "Why the police were not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs," he asked. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Chahal said Amritpal's six gunmen were nabbed. "A manhunt for Amritpal Singh is on and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway," he added. "During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far," the police said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday evening. "Waris Punjab De elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," it added. A house-to-house search operation in villages in Nakodar in Jalandhar district was carried out throughout the night, said a senior official. Even the central paramilitary forces have been involved in the search operation. Meanwhile, internet services across the state were suspended as a precautionary step. Supporters of Amritpal Singh have been sharing videos of police vehicles chasing Singh's cavalcade. Anticipating a disturbance of peace, a large contingent of the paramilitary force was deployed outside his native village, Jallupur Khaira, in Amritsar district. A special team of the police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the separatist leader's convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar's Shahkot tehsil. They had closed on his vehicles two to three times but Amritpal Singh managed to escape. Section 144 has been imposed in many districts of the state. The police have also increased security in the state. In addition, all vehicles are being checked at the Punjab-Haryana border. Thirty-year-old Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan fiery propagator and self-styled preacher, has been running 'separatist' propaganda through speeches. Three cases, including two of delivering hate speeches, have been pending against him. On the radar of Central investigating agencies, he has drawn comparisons to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale owing to his similar looks and donning a navy blue turban, a white chola, and a sword-sized kirpan. On February 23, an armed mob led by Amritpal Singh clashed with police and laid siege to a police station near Amritsar, demanding the release of one of their colleagues who had been taken into custody in an alleged kidnapping case. Six policemen were injured in the bloody clash. Police officials had later clarified that they were unable to control the crowd as they were carrying a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, also called Bir in Punjabi, as a shield. Prayagraj : , March 19 (IANS) An 11-year-old girl has been admitted to the city's cantonment board hospital with brutal injuries The doctors not only found torture marks on her body but also pieces of wood from her private parts. The woman, who brought the girl to the hospital, claims that she adopted the minor. However, the police detained her after she could not give a satisfactory response to questions about the girl's injuries. The accused woman called Dr Sidharth Pandey and told him that the 11-year-old sustained minor injuries during a sibling fight. The next morning, she visited the hospital with the girl and the doctors were shocked to find out the nature of the injuries. Dr Pandey said, "An X-ray revealed several old and new injuries on her body, including her private parts. Following this, she was examined by a female gynaecologist who found pieces of wood in her private parts. The girl also had a fractured hand. In view of the injuries, we informed the police." The accused woman is a resident of an apartment in the Dhumanganj area of the city and her husband is a teacher at a prominent school. The woman claimed that she had adopted the girl from a shelter home in Kanpur, but the girl has said that following her mother's death and abandonment by her father, she was taken home by the accused. The child also revealed that she was starved routinely and not given food for more than 14 days in a month, added Dr Pandey. Sharing further details, Rajesh Maurya, SHO of Dhumanganj police station, said that the accused woman has been detained and is being questioned. "Based on the findings of the questioning, we will take further actions," he said. The injured girl is undergoing treatment at the Cantonment Board Hospital, he added. Lucknow, March 19 : Uttar Pradesh agriculture minister Surya Pratap Shahi has said that millets will now be included in the midday meal programme in schools and will also be made available to people through public distribution system. He said that the state government was continuously engaged in the promotion of millets cultivation, production and consumption besides increasing farmers' income through it. "By including millets in the midday meals, we want to increase the nutrition being provided to children and also help them develop a taste for millets," he said. The minister also said the government was also working for the betterment of soil health and that of people. Shahi said, "Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India and the fourth largest in terms of area and the state's land is suitable and conducive for cultivation of coarse grains." "Currently 12 lakh-hectare of land in UP is under coarse grains cultivation which produces 19 lakh metric tonnes of these grains. With the inspiration of the Prime Minister and under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is running 'Shree Anna Punaruddhar Karyakram (Shree Anna rejuvenation programme)' with a proposed expenditure of Rs 186 crore in the next four years," he added. He said that various millet feasts were being organised in the state for the promotion of millet. "In the next Zaid season (summer season), the government will provide a Rs 20 crore subsidy to farmers (on a 50 per cent grant) for Jowar and Bajra seeds. The 89 Krishi Vigyan Kendras and five agriculture universities in the state are engaged in research and education to farmers regarding coarse grains. The state government will also open special procurement centres to procure coarse grains from farmers on MSP," Shahi added. It was on March 5, 2021 when the United Nations General Assembly, while accepting India's proposal, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Lucknow, March 19 : Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav seems to be considering to join a 'third front' against the NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. If political experts are to be believed, SP's National President Akhilesh Yadav these days is busy in building his image in central politics. He is not only fielding party candidates in various states, but is also participating in events organised by non-BJP parties. After the visit to Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, the SP's National Executive meeting in Kolkata is being seen as a strategy. Akhilesh also met Chief Ministers of various states during his visits to the national capital. Earlier, he went to Telangana and gave a message of solidarity there with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI's D. Raja. A few days back he had reached Chennai, where he addressed a programme organised on the birthday of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Akhilesh visited Gujarat on March 11, where he met former Chief Minister Shankar Singh Baghela. Now, the SP chief is on a tour to West Bengal between March 17 and March 19 to attend his party's national convention. A senior SP leader told IANS that Akhilesh is trying to fit himself in central politics. In absence of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, the responsibility of taking the party forward in national politics has fallen on his shoulders. That's why he is busy uniting the Opposition. The way non-BJP parties have opened a front against the government over the alleged misuse of CBI and the ED. SP leaders say that the party chief is working on a plan to take his party to the national level and promote the new generation of leaders. SP's national spokesperson Ashutosh Verma says that amidst the privatisation of government institutions across the country and the harrasment of Opposition parties by the government, Akhilesh has come forward to unite the Opposition. "He has been engaged in this exercise for the last four months. Only Akhilesh can become the axis of unity in the Opposition," asserts Verma. Senior political analyst Ratanmani Lal says that at this time Akhilesh has "dual opportunities" - one inside Uttar Pradesh and the other in the country. "Akhilesh considers himself the only challenger for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. For this reason, he can be seen targeting the BSP as well as the Congress." While several parties are not ready to support the Congress, Akhilesh has kept all the options open. In Adani issue, he formed a human chain with the Congress. But in the case of Rahul Gandhi, he is silent. He is now weighing himself. At present, many Opposition leaders are facing CBI and ED investigations. However, Akhilesh has got a "clean" image and can emerge as the leader who can prepare ground for the 'third front'. BJP state spokesperson Avneesh Tyagi says that since 2012, many experiments have been done but none has been successful. First, he (Akhilesh) contested the elections in alliance with the Congress. Then, SP and BSP became one. But could not defeat BJP. "People have completely rejected him. Now, no matter how much unity they create, they will not be successful." Chandigarh, March 19 : Diaspora in Canada is concerned over the recent development in Punjab regarding the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except the voice call, in the interest of public safety as the police launched action against 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan ideologue Amritpal Singh and his aides. "I am receiving calls from my residents and am deeply concerned about reports coming out of Punjab, India regarding SMS and internet blackouts," tweeted Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South, on Sunday. "I hope the situation is resolved soon & Canadians travelling to the region are able to connect with their families and friends in Canada." Joining the issue, Iqwinder S. Gaheer, MP for Mississauga-Malton, tweeted: "I am troubled by what I am hearing from constituents and the reports coming out of Punjab, India: authorities have enacted the mass suspension of internet services and are preventing gatherings of more than 4." "Civil rights and liberties should be maintained in a democracy." Calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government to immediately contact their Indian counterparts to express concern regarding the suspension of civil liberties and the safety of Canadians abroad, Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada's New Democratic Party, tweeted: "I am deeply concerned by reports that India has suspended civil liberties and imposed an internet blackout throughout the state of Punjab." Replying to him, one user wrote: "What a hypocrite you are! You're concerned about suspended civil liberties and an internet blackout in Punjab but you say nothing about it happening in Canada." Another user think Jagmeet Singh is being disrespectful. "Draconian measures were when truckers' protests were crushed in Canada. Jagmeet Singh ji you supported the crushing of a democratic, peaceful movement by @JustinTrudeau now you want him to go feral over the suspension of mobile texts (home internet working fine) in Punjab!" "If u are so concerned about Punjab then come to India, Punjab. It's easy to pass judgement sitting in another corner and where you actually don't know what's happening," another user wrote. "Human rights are the basis of any democracy," said charity United Sikhs. "The Indian state is setting up its own records for violating #HumanRights in every possible way to oppress the Sikhs in India. Why is there a mass atrocity of human rights violation against Sikhs in India? What are the grounds for Amritpal's arrest?" Meanwhile, the massive police search operation continued on the second day on Sunday to arrest Sikh radical Amritpal Singh, head of 'Waris Punjab De'. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal told the media that Amritpal Singh was declared a 'fugitive'. The police search operations are now mainly focused in Jalandhar district from where he managed to given the police a slip when it tried to intercept his vehicle to arrest him. Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh told the media the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal." He called the police action "unjustified" and said his son was weaning the youth off drugs. "Why the police were not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs," he asked. Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Chahal said Amritpal's six gunmen were nabbed. "A manhunt for Amritpal Singh is on and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway," he added. "During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far," the police said in a statement on Twitter on Saturday evening. "Waris Punjab De elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," it added. Lucknow, March 19 : This year's 'Navratri', which culminates with 'Ram Navami', is of special significance for the Yogi Adityanath government in political terms. The state government has already made ambitious plans to celebrate the festival on a massive scale with Ramayana recitation being done in every district and temples being illuminated and decorated with flowers. "This Ram Navami is special, because the Ram temple is inching closer to completion and next year, the temple will be complete when Ram Navami is celebrated. Recitation of Ramayana during this period will add to the spiritual fervour and mood," said a BJP functionary. It is apparent that the Yogi Adityanath government wants to derive maximum political mileage from the festival this year since the festival next year is likely to come under the purview of the model code of conduct due to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections which will be held at this time of the year. The Navratri celebrations, incidentally coinciding with the beginning of the month of Ramzan this year, are being taken to higher pitch to remind every Hindu devotee of the fulfilment of the promise to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya. The 'Chaitra Navratri' that is celebrated in March-April every year, marks the beginning of the Hindu calendar while the ninth day of this festival, Ram Navami, celebrates the birthday of Lord Ram, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu. "The BJP had promised the Ram temple and the dream is turning into reality now. The Ram temple, without doubt, will be the focus of the campaign in 2024 and the build-up is beginning now," the functionary added. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered recitation of Ramayana in every district and this is being seen as a rebuttal to Samajwadi Party's objections to certain versions of the epic poem. The state wide recitation of the epic aims at reinforcing people's unflinching belief in the Ramcharitmanas which will automatically demolish the allegations made by the Samajwadi Party. It will also help the BJP in consolidating its Hindutva card on issues of Ram temple and Ramcharitmanas, leaving the opposition in a Catch-22 situation on the issue. A senior SP leader admitted, "We have been caught on the wrong foot on the Ramcharitmanas issue. Hindus will never accept any objection to the epic poem and the BJP now has an advantage which is why it is ensuring the recitation of Ramayana during Navratri." Valmiki's Ramayana is regarded as the original source of Lord Ram's story. Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki and consisted of 24,000 verses, which have been divided into seven Kandas (chapters). Valmiki Ramayana is regarded as one of the greatest literary works of ancient India. Ramcharitmanas is a reproduction of Valmiki Ramayan, which was written by Indian bhakti poet Goswami Tulsidas in the 16th century. It has attained as much popularity as Valmiki's Ramayan. It is believed that Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas as heard from Lord Hanuman directly. Jaipur, March 19 : Those aware of the state's past would agree that Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has a history of weakening his own party, says state BJP chief Satish Poonia. Each time he has helmed the state as a Chief Minister, anti-incumbency against his government has increased significantly leading to the party getting fewer seats. In 2003, Congress notched 56 seats which came down to 21 in 2013. But that's not the case with BJP. We have maintained a decent score. In 2003, we had bagged 78 seats while the Congress got 96 and in 2018, BJP won 73 seats, while Congress had 99," Poonia said in an exclusive interview with IANS. Asked about former Chief Minister Sachin Pilot's future prospects, Poonia said, "Sachin pilot does not figure in our cards as of now." Replying to a query on matters raised by Gehlot like ERCP, Sanjeevani scam etc, Poonia said, "The CM is unable to cover the party infighting and his government failures and hence has created such issues." In Rajasthan, leaders have had ideological wars but there never has been political vengeance. However, these days, the CM seems to be intentionally indulging in this vengeance after his son's Vaibhav Gehlot's defeat. Poonia said: "Why is the Sanjeevani issue being raised now during the election? Why is the CM speaking like SOG accusing Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's mother when the agency is probing the issue? All these questions indicate that the CM has lost it. "The very fact that he stood in the Assembly and started reading last year's budget says it all," he added. On the still-vacant seat of Leader of Opposition position in the state, the BJP leader said, "This issue is being undertaken by central leadership. Even in the ruling government, the deputy speaker position has been lying vacant for the past four-and-a-half years. So this is not a major issue. As of now, we need to focus on 2023 Assembly polls," said Poonia. To a query on projection of a CM face in Rajasthan, he said all senior leaders have decided that the party shall contest the Assembly polls under collective leadership. "In the present circumstances, it seems that there will not be any CM face; rest, the top leadership will decide." Responding to a question on the show of strength on former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's birthday celebration clashing with state's organisational protest on March 4, he said, "Since the Assembly was off on Saturday, we decided on the date. But we were clueless about a major programme on Raje's birthday thinking that it would be limited to a prayer at Salasar temple." It is reported that 55 MLAs were present on the occasion, but he said 25 out of 73 MLAs were here. We never put any compulsion on any MLAs. They were free to go where they wanted." Poonia further said that BJP's strength in Rajasthan is RSS and allied organisations. "In tribal areas, we never have had any candidate, however, these organisations have made strong grounds there and are helping the party to strengthen. Organisations like Kisan Sangh and Vanvaasi sangh have a strong role to play, he added. On new equations being formed with union minister Hardeep Singh Puri meeting son of Jaswant Singh Manvendra Singh here in Barmer, he said, "Puri had cordial relations with Jaswant Singhji and family. However, if Ghanshyam Tiwari can return, other leaders can also come," he added. Poonia also spoke about migrated Rajasthanis whom he has been meeting in different parts of the country. Two crore people from the state are staying in other states and he has met a number of them, he said, adding that they have expressed their concerns and want train connectivity from Marwar to Bengaluru, Vhennai and Kolkata. Have expressed the same to the Union railway minister and he is looking into it, said Poonia. They stay in other states but come to Rajastahn to cast their votes here. "They all want to see the "Lotus" bloom here and Modi return as Prime Minister in 2024 in Lok Sabha polls. And we will collectively work to ensure it. The people will weed out the Congress government in 2023," he asserted. " " A recent study examined the decision-making process of herds of European bison. Thomas Lones/Getty Images About 32,000 years ago, a Stone Age artist was dabbing paint on a cave wall in what is now France, fashioning a bison out of pigment and imagination. Now, scientists are studying the descendants of that bison and discovering they're among the most democratic ungulates around. It turns out that European bison use body language to cast their votes for a leader, letting the majority make the decision about where the herd will go. At least that's what scientists have discovered by observing a bison herd for three months at the Monts-d'Azure Biological Reserve near Nice, France. Advertisement Ecologist Amandine Ramose and colleagues at the French National Center for Scientific Research studied 43 Bison bonasus, a distant cousin of the bison that once roamed much of North America. " " The European bison, once nearly extinct, has appeared on the currency of Belarus (top) and Lithuania (bottom). DeAgostino/Getty Images "Through the study period, February to April 2013, we observed the bison herd approximately four hours per day," says Cedric Sueur, one of the study's authors and an associate professor at the University of Strasbourg, via email. Researchers tracked the animals' actions in an effort to identify the herd's leaders, uncover actions that prompted the herd to follow these leaders and detect a pattern to those movements. What they discovered is a lesson in bi-partisan politics. The herd elected multiple leaders, allowing the majority to determine the decision. In general, adult females had greater influence over herd decisions, although the herd demonstrated that a member of either sex and of any age could be considered on the virtual ballot. The findings, reported in the November 2015 issue of "Animal Behaviour," detailed a bison's decision-making body language. Members of the herd would orient themselves in the direction they would support going: towards water, for instance, or a different grazing spot. A potential leader would take nearly two dozen purposeful steps in a direction without pausing to graze, a signal for the rest of the herd to follow. If the hopeful leader had moved in the direction most of the herd was facing, the bison voted with their feet, electing that leader by following her. Researchers suspect adult females more often chart the herd's course because they are more reliant on high-quality grazing for gestation and lactation. Understanding a bison herd's egalitarian course may not seem readily applicable to the human condition, but it is. By ferreting out the animals' patterns, it can offer solutions for problems created by the intersecting worlds of people and bison. After becoming nearly extinct, more and more European bison which can grown to 2,200-pounds (1,000 kilograms) are being released throughout Europe, where they are allowed to wander at will on reserves. The ability to understand which bison lead the herd's movements could mean outfitting key bison with GPS collars that send a low-volt shock if they wander into forbidden territory, such as agricultural areas abutting a reserve, or near dangerous territory like roads and highways. "To put GPS collars with electric pulse on the leaders," says Sueur, "or to delineate the movements of the group in the reserve, without putting physical barriers, allows other animals to enter and leave the reserve and encourages gene flow." Now That's Interesting In the 1920s, the European bison was declared extinct in the wild, but after implementing breeding programs in captivity, small herds have now been released across Europe, with populations increasing about 15 percent annually. Panaji, March 19 : Fearing sea erosion could become a major threat to the Tourism Industry of Goa, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao has moved a Private Member Resolution recommending the government to appoint a high-level inquiry commission to investigate the coastal soil erosion in Goa. Earlier, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had said that sea erosion has become a major threat for the tourism industry, which needs to be tackled with new concepts. Ruling MLAs from the coastal belt had raised the issue and had drawn the attention of the government towards it. Speaking to IANS, Yuri Alemao said that it is important that measures be taken to protect the coastal area from sea erosion. The resolution moved by Yuri Alemao states: "This House strongly recommends to the government to immediately set up a high-level inquiry Commission under Retired High Court Judge to investigate the coastal soil erosion in Goa. The Commission should also study the Report of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) identifying both districts of Goa as landslide-affected. The Commission should also be given the mandate to study the report of ISRO revealing that Goa lost around 15.2 hectares of land due to coastal erosion in 10 years. Even Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte had said that coastal erosion had become a major challenge. "There is the challenge of sea erosion. It is a threat (to the tourism industry) the way it is taking place. Beaches are getting washed out. Though we give permission to erect shacks, however they are not able to occupy a longer distance (in permissible limit), as beaches have washed out," Khaunte had said. He said that it was very important to think about how we stop this sea erosion. "We can adopt technologies to ensure that we get our surface back. Techno-commercial concepts can be adopted with the help of the environment and other departments," he said. BJP legislator Kedar Naik had also expressed concern that the European tourists have stopped visiting famous Coco beach due to soil erosion, and hence locals are facing issues related to sources of income. He had said that this beach had washed out and had demanded that the beach be saved by taking measures. BJP MLA Kedar Naik had raised the issue of Coco beach, which is believed to be a good source of income to several locals. "The tender process for this work has been done and I think work should start very soon," Naik told IANS. Coco beach is at a distance of 10 km from the capital city Panaji in North Goa and is preferred by foreign tourists. Speaking about the issue, Water Resource Minister Subhash Shirodkar had said: "It is proposed to protect the eroded Coco beach for a length of 394m by providing concrete blocks revetment and accordingly, an estimate has been prepared for which Administrative Approval has been accorded." According to Shirodkar, Coco beach has been severely eroded and the rubble stone revetment along the beach is in dilapidated condition. Shirodkar had said that steps are being taken to protect beaches from erosion. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas, representing Benaulim constituency in South Goa, said that his constituency suffered most due to sea erosion. "There are five beaches in my constituency, where sea erosion is taking place. Most of the beaches here are eroded. We have discussed various methods to protect coastal areas, however the government is not able to settle even with one single method," Viegas said. "These methods are not for lifetime. They last for a certain period and then we have to work on it again. Our government is only waiting and waiting, probably with the thought that something will happen," Viegas said. He said that WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar had visited his constituency to check on sea erosion. "But the government doesn't have the intent to protect the environment," he said. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : The Thalassery Arch Bishop of the Roman Catholic church, Mar Joseph Pamplani has said that if the Government of India raises the price of Rubber to Rs 300 per kilogram, the church will help the BJP in Kerala and will overcome the situation of the BJP not having an MP from the state. He was addressing the Catholic Farmers Conference of the Thalassery Arch Diocese on Sunday. The Catholic church has a major influence among catholic farmers and most of the rubber plantations in the state are owned by catholic farmers. Rubber is trading between Rs 131 to Rs 151 per kg between December 2022 and March 2023. The open statement of the Catholic Bishop will have its tremors across the political spectrum of Kerala. Kerala's Minister for Public Works and Tourism and son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Mohammed Riyas was cautious in his response to the question on the Bishop's statement. When media persons asked him the question at Palakkad, the young CPI-M leader said: "I haven't seen the statement of the Bishop. I will comment only after having seen the statement and in what context he has said so if at all he has spoken like that." However, the minister said that the RSS was aiming for a Hindu Rashtra as it was fast approaching its centenary year in 2025 and that the minorities of the country including Muslims and Christians are in fear. He said that the absolute majority of Narendra Modi in the past two elections has given the much-needed fillip for the RSS in this regard. The CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan shot down the statement and said that no such social engineering will have any impact in Kerala. Without directly commenting on the statement of the Bishop, the CPI-M state secretary said that whatever RSS and BJP try in Kerala, they won't be successful. It may be noted that BJP is yet to open an account in Kerala in the Lok Sabha. However, in 2004, the NDA alliance partner and former Union Minister, P.C. Thomas had staged an upset victory in Muvattupuzha constituency by winning the seat in the ticket of Indian Federal Democratic Party (IFDP). It was again a social engineering carried out by the BJP, RSS by inducting P.C. Thomas in the Atal Behari Vajpayee government and then later facing the polls. New Delhi, March 19 : The logjam in Parliament is likely to continue as BJP is pushing for apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi while he is insisting that he will speak in the parliament as he is a MP and his name has been taken by four ministers in the House. Both sides feel that the logjam suits them politically though the government has to pass the finance bill in the upcoming week and the Guillotine may happen this week. Sources in the Congress say they do not forsee any resolution of the issue and it suits the party raking up the Adani issue time and again, while most of the oppositions parties are on one side of demanding a JPC. The Congress has moved a breach of privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upper House which BJP has called a gimmick as the row suits both the sides. While the Congress is pushing more vehemently the issue of JPC, the BJP is trying to corner Rahul Gandhi. "The remarks prime facie made in a mocking manner are not only disgraceful but also insulting and defamatory, vis a vis Nehru family particularly Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi who are members of Lok Sabha," the notice by K.C. Venugopal said. The Congress says that the opposition is united on the demand of JPC and there is no ambiguity over it except the TMC. The opposition MPs have been moving suspension of business notices in the Rajya Sabha under rule 267 and adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha continuously in the last week, the Congress-led opposition is trying to corner the government. The BJP is also not letting the issue to die down, and the treasury benches have been questioning Rahul Gandhi over his London speech and demanding an apology. Ministers and even BJP President J.P. Nadda termed Rahul Gandhi's 'democray' remarks as "permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit." Nadda said: "It's unfortunate that the Congress party is indulging in anti-national activities. After being repeatedly rejected by the nation, Rahul Gandhi has now become a permanent part of this anti-nationalist toolkit." Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that he will speak inside the House if allowed to and that he has not spoken anything which is anti-India. Gandhi did not reveal the card about the BJP demand of apology but the Congress has said there is no question of apology and the party leader will seek Speaker's permission to speak in the House. In both the Houses of the parliament, treasury benches on their part had seen shouting slogans, seeking Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's apology for his London speech, where he had said that democratic values were under threat in India. Similar scenes played out in the Rajya Sabha this week too, as the opposition members rushed into the well, protesting over the Adani matter in the upper House. Congress General secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, "Opposition is united on the demand of JPC and anything contrary to this is incorrect." While the Congress is demanding apology from the Prime Minister for his alleged derogatory statement against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabbha Mallikarjun Kharge hit out at Modi. He tweeted: "I want to remind you of your statement made in China. You said - "Earlier, you felt ashamed of being born Indian. Now you feel proud to represent the country" Was this not an insult to India and Indians? Tell your ministers to refresh their memories!" The logjam will continue this week too if both sides do not climb down from their stated position. New Delhi, March 19 : In what can be termed as a "once-in-a-generation" opportunity, the United Nations General Assembly, with support from the governments of the Netherlands and Tajikistan, will convene the UN Water Conference in New York next week. Between March 22-24, world leaders from government, business and civil society will assemble in New York for a historic opportunity, as for the first time since 1977 the United Nations is hosting a conference on the world's most precious resource: Water. Billions of people worldwide still live without safely managed drinking water and sanitation, even though access to both services has long been defined as a human right. Many water sources are becoming more polluted, and ecosystems that provide water are disappearing. Climate change is disrupting the water cycle, causing droughts and floods. Water is everyone's business, and the conference is inclusive and cross-sectoral. The conference -- formally known as the 2023 Conference for the Midterm Comprehensive Review of Implementation of the UN Decade for Action on Water and Sanitation (2018-2028) -- is the most important water event in a generation. It aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis and decide on concerted action to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) off track, progress in implementation of Goal 6 (water and sanitation) is key to the achievement of other SDGs, particularly on health, food, gender equity, education, livelihoods, industry, climate and the environment. The conference will launch the Water Action Agenda as a main outcome, which represents the voluntary commitments at all levels, including by governments, institutions, and local communities. The agenda will help mobilize action by governments, sectors and stakeholders to meet the global water-related goals and targets. Currently 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, of which more than 733 million people --approximately 10 per cent of the global population -- live in countries with high and critical water stress. Water scarcity, drought, floods, pollution and other climate change impacts are key challenges to sustainable agriculture and rural development. What to expect at the UN 2023 Water Conference? Described as a "one-in-a-generation" opportunity, the UN 2023 Water Conference will seek to develop innovative and transformative ideas and a "beyond business as usual" approach to deliver clear commitments, pledges, and actions, across all sectors, industries, and interests, explained Lynn Wagner of Earth Negotiations Bulletin. The CEO Water Mandate has played a key role in positioning the private sector at the conference and has an extensive program of events for companies attending the event. Convening events both onsite and offsite, the CEO Water Mandate calls on the global private sector to actively participate and help shape a more water-resilient future. The time to act is now. The UN DESA and the Sustainable Water & Energy Solutions Network on the margins of the conference on March 23 will bring together multi-stakeholders to discuss and showcase existing initiatives addressing the water-energy nexus and share knowledge on replicable and scalable effective solutions. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has already initiated several important actions in the lead-up to the UN Water Conference and will play a key role in the event. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu will moderate the Interactive Dialogue 5 on "Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade, including through the UN Secretary-General's Action Plan". FAO, as the UN co-lead agency, together with the UN Development Programme and the World Bank, will also provide technical support to co-convene the Interactive Dialogue 2 on "Water for Sustainable Development: Valuing Water, Water-Energy-Food Nexus and Sustainable Economic and Urban Development". FAO will also organize the side event "National Water Roadmaps towards the 2030 Agenda," and will co-partner and support three special events, in addition to over 20 other side events. In the run-up to the water summit, which will call governments, companies and individuals to take concerted actions and commitments to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, a UN report says the rapidly-growing bottled water industry can undermine progress towards a key sustainable development goal: Safe water for all. Based on an analysis of literature and data from 109 countries, the report says that in just five decades bottled water has developed into "a major and essentially standalone economic sector," experiencing 73 per cent growth from 2010 to 2020. And sales are expected to almost double by 2030, from $270 billion to $500 billion. Released a few days prior to World Water Day (March 22), the report by UN University's Canadian-based Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) concludes that the unrestricted expansion of the bottled water industry aceis not aligned strategically with the goal of providing universal access to drinking water or at least slows global progress in this regard, distracting development efforts and redirecting attention to a less reliable and less affordable option for many, while remaining highly profitable for producers." Adds Kaveh Madani, UNU-INWEH's new Director: "The rise in bottled water consumption reflects decades of limited progress in and many failures of public water supply systems." (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) New Delhi, March 19 : A team of Delhi Police led by senior officials arrived at the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Tughlak Lane area to record his statement. The Delhi Police are seeking information about the whereabouts of victims who approached him during his Bharat Jodo Yatra and informed him about their sexual assault. Heavy security arrangements were made outside the house during the visit of senior officials. Sources said that senior police officials had served the notice to Gandhi in this respect. The source said that Gandhi himself received the notice. Speaking with the mediaperaons, Special Commissioner of Police, law and order, Dr Sagar Preet Hooda said that Gandhi made the statement on January 30 in J&K's Srinagar. The official said that the last time they tried to gather information was on March 15 and notice was served on March 16. "This is very serious matter and we came here to gather more information in this connection. We need information regarding his speech and the victims so that we could initiate legal action into the matter and victims could get justice," said Hooda. The official said that on Sunday they couldn't meet Gandhi, but his staff was briefed about the matter. When asked if the speech was made at Srinagar, what role the Delhi Police were playing?. To this the official said that his Bharat Jodo Yatra was also carried out in Delhi and hence they wanted to know about the whereabouts of the victims and the accused. "We want to know the full facts, if he could share information regarding the victims so that action could be taken against the accused. If the victims are of Delhi, we will lodge FIRs, if they are of other states then we would inform them," said Hooda. The official said that his speech was viral on social media and came to their notice after which they decided to reach out to the victims. The officials said that first they cross checked whether any woman was seen wailing during his procession in Delhi, and no such woman was found and hence they wanted to know who they were, were they of Delhi or from some other place. The Delhi Police wanted to discuss the whole matter with Gandhi, but he was abroad at that time. And soon after his return to India, the Delhi Police sent him a notice to get information about these victims to initiate legal action against the culprits. (Atul Krishan can be approached at atul.k@ians.in) Patna, March 19 : Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, there is a question about who will be the challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The opposition leaders in Bihar have a clear stand on it. They are claiming that the face is not important, it is the issues that will matter. In different phases, the BJP leaders were trying to set narratives depending on the popularity of a particular leader. They sometimes go for Rahul Gandhi, Nitish Kumar, K Chandrashekher Rao or Mamata Benerjee but such ploys are looking to be influencing the opposition parties. Neeraj Kumar, JD-U MLC and chief spokesperson of the party said: "Bihar set an example of opposition unity last year after forming the seven-party government. Our alliance is strong and the government is running smoothly under the leadership of Nitish Kumar." "We firmly believe that opposition unity cannot be possible without the Congress. Our leader Nitish Kumar has said repeatedly from public platforms that the Congress should take the initiative as quickly as possible and Salman Khurshid, the senior Congress leader, also agreed with the views of Nitish Kumar. It is true that the Congress party is delaying taking the initiative for opposition unity and we are losing precious time," Kumar said. Abhishek Kumar Jha, another JD-U leader and spokesperson said: "We do not bother what the BJP is thinking or setting the narrative. We firmly believe that the issues are more important than the face. The opposition parties in Bihar are united and they are setting examples for other opposition parties." "We have to remember the 2004 Lok Sabha election when the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's term got over and the BJP went for India Shining and Bharat Uday, and Dr Manmohan Singh became the prime minister of the country for the next 10 years. At that time, people voted on issues and they will do the same this time too." Madan Mohan Jha, MLC and former state president of the party, told IANS: "The Congress firmly believes in opposition unity. We have shown on every issue where the BJP targeted the opposition parties through constitutional agencies. Recently, the CBI and the ED raided RJD leaders and our senior leaders strongly condemned it." "We are raising public related issues with other opposition parties of the country. We are part of the government in Bihar and there is no issue with our coalition partners. "The BJP leaders are sensing that the opposition is united this time, hence they deliberately spread rumours to create confusion. The BJP leaders are looking uncomfortable as the situation is in favour of the opposition parties." Jha added: "Our leader Rahul Gandhi completed a Padyatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and got huge public support. It has deeply disturbed the comfort level of BJP leaders. We have a direct equation with the common people of the country and we are raising their points. "Why is the BJP brushing real issues like unemployment, price rise of every good, selling government institutions like railways, airports, ports, Navratna companies to the private players and others under the carpet. Why is the BJP silent on Adani? Why are they not saying anything about fugitives like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, Rafale deal?" Countering Jha, Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP OBC wing and state party spokesperson, said: "The BJP is working hard to solve and address all the issues of mass concern. The Narendra Modi government is very particular about solving all the problems afflicting India and Indians. During the global economic slowdown India has continuously progressed and performed, courtesy PM Modi's vision." Anand added: "The opposition has constantly failed to play a constructive political role. They have failed on the unity front and common leadership front. Now in sheer desperation to take on the BJP and Narendra Modi ji, they are propagating and endorsing anti-India, anti-Hindu, casteist notions as well as propaganda borrowed from interest groups abroad. "Rahul Gandhi should first make himself acceptable in the Congress party then think of being acceptable to all the opposition parties. Can Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Akhilesh Yadav and others afford to raise the slogan of Rahul Gandhi and stand behind him holding Congress flags to make him the PM candidate?" Anand declared confidently: "Narendra Modi ji has taken this country to greater heights. India's global positioning has been strengthened to the level of leading G20 like groups. Not only the BJP but the people of this country are realising and feeling the pride of New India under PM Modi; and besides all the confusion and chaos created by the opposition parties, Narendra Modi ji will again be the PM of India in 2024, there is no doubt about it." Kolkata, March 19 : In order to check the rising incidents of human-elephant conflict (HEC), West Bengal has launched a unique human-driven initiative, named "Gajamitra (Friends of Elephants)". Under this scheme, the state Forest Department has started the process of appointing 600 local youth from HEC-prone pockets both in north Bengal as well as in south Bengal as these Gajamitras. According to West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick, the recruitment process has already started. "Once the recruitment process is complete, the selected youths will be provided with android sets with the specially developed Gajamitra App installed there," he said. The selected youths will procure advance information about the movement of elephant herds, alert the forest department and local people, so that preventive measures can be taken for avoiding HEC, the minister added. It is learnt that 200 such Gajamitras will be deputed in the HEC-prone pockets in South Bengal, while 400 will be for North Bengal. "The number is double in case of North Bengal since numerically the incidents of HEC in North Bengal are much higher than in South Bengal," a senior forest department official said. The districts in South Bengal to be covered under the Gajamitra scheme include West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia. The districts in North Bengal that will come under its purview are Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. "Despite lesser number of districts in North Bengal being HEC prone, still incidents on these counts are much higher," the official said. Considering that incidents of HEC are higher in North Bengal, the forest department in association with the railways has earmarked another project on this count in the region. The project is installation of a sensitive sensor alarm system along the railway tracks running through the jungles of the Terai and Dooars region in north Bengal to prevent elephant deaths after colliding with speeding trains. "This initiative is mooted considering that a vast portion of these railway tracks pass through the forests that have a number of crucial elephant corridors," the official said. Explaining how this sensor alarm system will work, the official said that upon arrival of elephant herds near the rail tracks, the system will send alerts to the nearest railway station as well as to the nearest forest range office. "On receiving the alert the nearest railway station will send an alert to the drivers of the trains moving in the region, so that they slow down and prevent collision with the tuskers. On the other hand, on receiving the alarms the forest department personnel posted at the nearby range office will take precautionary measures to ensure the elephant herd safely moves away from the railway tracks," the official said. As part of the pilot project, the system will be installed covering a distance of approximately 50 km from Diana River Bridge at Nagrakata in Jalpaiguri district to Matharihat in Alipurduar. "This area is especially notorious for HEC," he said. As per the latest statistics, during the last three years 11 elephant deaths due to train accidents have been reported from West Bengal. Lucknow, March 19 : Shrinking forests, increasing penetration of humans in the forest areas through expanding cultivation and tourist interaction is leading to man-elephant conflicts along the Terai region on the UP-Nepal border. A "domesticated" tusker brought in to participate in a fair in Gorakhpur last month, suddenly turned aggressive and trampled three to death. His caretaker later said that the elephant was "disturbed" by the loud music playing there. Two -- a man and a woman -- were trampled to death by tuskers in Dudhwa last year. A.N. Singh, a wildlife enthusiast, says: "Elephants are peace-loving animals who prefer to remain in their natural habitat. However, there has been deforestation in Dudhwa and Pilibhit regions and local people are expanding their cultivation areas by encroaching upon the forest, Elephants are being disturbed by the changing situation and their behaviour changes when people burst crackers and play drums to shoo them away. They turn aggressive." A senior forest official said that their foremost concern was to ensure that there is no repeat of the 2019 human-elephant confrontation when two wild tuskers killed five men after they strayed from their migratory path and reached Rampur via Bareilly and Pilibhit. Another challenge is to protect the wild elephants from electrocution. The Power Department had been told to repair all low hanging and faulty lines near forest areas and ensure transformers are installed at a height. Farmers have been warned that an FIR would be registered against them if they do not remove electric fences around their cultivated fields. The state government is also coordination with the Indian Railways to prevent accidents on rail tracks passing through the sanctuaries. Physical barriers have been tried in the past with limited success in some states. The solution for this needs to be driven by technology that can enable an early warning system in combination with increased sensitization of locomotive pilots towards presence of elephants on tracks on known corridors. Uttar Pradesh now has two elephant reserves -- the recent one being the Terai Elephant Reserve (TER) at Dudhwa-Pilibhit area. The new Reserve, spread over 3,049 sq. km., will include protected areas, forest areas and corridors for conservation of wild elephants. It will be almost four times bigger than the state's first elephant reserve -- Shivalik Elephant Reserve -- which is spread over Bijnor and Saharanpur. According to UP forest officials, a major problem in elephant management in state reserves is the migration of elephant herds from Nepal. Herds of elephants come in from Nepal and destroy acres of tender paddy and sugarcane crops. The cultivated land is part of the corridor used by elephants since time immemorial to move between Nepal and India. "Every year, at the onset of the monsoon, herds migrate from Nepal's forests to Dudhwa. The elephants tend to become more aggressive if there are calves in the herd. Their protective instincts increase and even the slightest provocation makes them react dangerously," said a retired forest official. The Dudhwa tiger reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit tiger reserve (PTR) authorities have embarked upon an innovative plan that envisages peaceful cohabitation by promoting bee-keeping and using advanced technology. The plan also encapsulates a coordinated strategy to promote the replacement of the sugarcane crop, which is a savoury food liked by jumbos, with some other remunerative crops. Beehives have produced outstanding results in drastically reducing the intrusion of elephants in cropped fields and village habitations in East African countries. "Researchers have found that the trunk's tip of an elephant is extremely sensitive and goes through excruciating pain when stung by a bee. This makes elephants respond with alarm to the buzz of aggressive bees. They quickly move away from the sound source," said the official. "In addition, beekeeping has the additional advantage of producing honey, potentially diversifying and bettering the livelihoods of local communities. We have identified the villages and the training of beekeeping will be initiated there very soon," he said. In 2013, the formation of anti-depredation squads (ADS) on the periphery of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, resulted in over 60 per cent drop in man-elephant conflicts in the area, officials said. Citing a Worldwide Wildlife Fund (WWF-India) survey report, he said over 60 per cent reduction in human-elephant conflict cases was encouraging. The idea of anti-depredation squad hit the Dudhwa authorities a few years back when migratory tuskers preferred to stay in the forests for prolonged periods, he said. Their prolonged stay resulted in huge losses for forest villagers, as these herd of wild tuskers pounced upon their standing crops and destroyed their houses. The ADS trained the villagers in elephant behaviour and ways to tackle them, ensuring their own safety. Chennai, March 19 : Three female elephants were electrocuted to death in the early hours of March 7 in Kali Kotta Gounder village in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri district. Two calves aged less than 9 months were seen near the motionless bodies of the elephants. The forest department found that the elephants died after they came in contact with an illegal electric fence erected by a farmer to protect his crops from the attack of wild boars and elephants. The farmer, Murugan (48) was arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The Tamil Nadu forest department immediately announced that those farmers who have erected illegal electric fences leading to the death of elephants and wild animals, would be charged under the Goonda Act. These electric fences are erected illegally and without any technical competence leading to high voltage being passed through these fences. Instead of controlled electricity being passed through these fences, which act as a deterrent to the wild animals to enter the farm land, illegal fencing leads to high-voltage being passed through these fences leading to the death of the animals. Another issue is the failure of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) to clearly monitor the electric lines passing through the areas adjacent to forest lands and to check whether illegal connections are taken for electric fences. After the tragic incident of three female elephants electrocuted in Dharmapuri district, the Tangedco officials have commenced a monitoring and tracking of electric lines passing adjacent to the forest lines. The human-animal conflict, especially the conflict with the elephants are on an increase in districts like The Nilgiris, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts with the farmers complaining of attacks by wild elephants and at least a farmer getting killed in an average of one a week. The state forest department along with the Tamil Nadu Police have commenced an awareness among the farmers and local people not to venture into the forest areas during dusk and at early morning hours. The elephants have been attacking people and killing them while they were either relieving themselves in the areas close to the forest land and people have been warned by the department to be clear in the presence of wild animals, especially elephants. R. Ananthakrishnan, scientist and wildlife researcher based out of Dharmapuri, while speaking to IANS said, "Elephants venture into human settlements mostly in search of food and water. With depleting water resources, the elephants reach human settlements. Also, elephants are fond of eating rice, jack fruits, and other edibles, including jaggery. "People have to be cautious in living close to the forest border and elephants will come in search of food again and again. The forest department must ensure that water resources are not depleted in the forest land and try to cultivate jack fruits and other fruits in the forest land so that elephants are confined in their habitats." He also said that the encroachment of forest land as well as settling in the elephant pathways are the two main reasons behind the elephants venturing into human settlements and entering into conflicts with men leading to the death of people. The emeritus scientist said that instead of the elephants venturing into human settlements, it was the other way around. The shrinking habitats have been the main issue of the elephants reaching the human settlements leading to direct conflicts and killings as well as destruction of properties and crops by the pachyderms. Another sad part is the elephants losing their lives after being hit by moving trains. In the Kanjikode-Madukkarai railway track, two railway track lines, A and B pass through forest land. Seven elephants were killed in 2016 after being hit by moving trains. Sign boards to warn loco pilots, clearance of vegetation on the sides of the track, speed restriction on vulnerable sections (65 kmph during day time and 45 kmph during night time), elephant ramps on high embankments, lights to ward off elephants and installation of radio alarms in the form of a honey bee buzzing are the steps taken by the forest department to prevent elephants getting killed after being hit by moving trains. Officials of the Palakkad division of the Southern Railway, which is managing the Kanjikode-Madukkarai track also said that WhatsApp group of Railways and Forest Department officials is also another measure taken to reduce the elephants being hit by moving trains. With the human-elephant conflict increasing and several people and elephants also getting killed due to several reasons, efforts are being taken by the Tamil Nadu forest department to prevent this. Regular awareness is created among the people living close to the forest borders to reduce the impact of human-animal conflict and stringent measures taken to prevent elephants being electrocuted or hit by trains are also taken. Guwahati, March 19 : It was around 5.30 on a winter morning that news spread among the locals that an elephant calf had likely perished in a village paddy field in Assam's Udalguri area. The body was being dragged by the calf's mother. About six in the morning, a crowd had gathered to watch a lone female elephant drag a dead calf behind her. Observers claimed that this elephant and the calf were a part of a big herd of 80-100 elephants that had ravaged that same crop field the previous night. The presence of the people could not frighten the mother elephant, who was determined to drag the dead calf with her. She rolled the body over using her hind legs. During the course of the following eight hours, the dragging continued until around 3 p.m., when her patience ran thin and she likely realised that trying to revive her child was pointless. She gently moved away and into the forest, following the river. For about a week, neither she nor the herd returned to the location. The incident happened in November last year in one of Assam's main areas of conflict between humans and elephants, Udalguri district. According to records, these conflicts have claimed the lives of 200 people and more than 100 elephants during the past 12 years. Assam has witnessed a rising number of human-elephant conflicts in recent days. People have lost their lives, similarly jumbos also died. Assam Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary recently said that more than 70 people and 80 jumbos die on an average every year in human-elephant conflict in the state. According to Patowary, when more people occupy the elephants' natural habitats, the animals are forced to leave their homes in search of food, which results in confrontation with people. He claimed that during their regular movements, they also come into conflict with others. "In addition to causing damage to property, more than 70 people and 80 elephants are killed on average annually," the minister stated. Patowary said that there are currently more than 5,700 elephants in the state. According to the ministry, 1,330 elephants have perished between 2001 and 2022, with the year 2013 seeing the most deaths with 107 pachyderms, followed by 2016 with 97, and 2014 with 92. The state government has paid roughly Rs 8-Rs 9 crore in compensation for damage caused by the elephants. Rathin Barman, joint director of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) told IANS, "The human encroachment in the elephants' habitat is a prime reason for the increasing number of conflicts. We should always keep in mind that elephants are not acquiring our place, rather we are putting pressure on their space. That is why they are coming out of the jungle primarily in search of food." The change in the human tolerance level is also another reason behind the rising number of conflicts in Assam, according to Barman. "We can see that elephants were also intimidated, which sometimes led to unfortunate incidents," he added. Another environmentalist commented that whenever there is an incident, the people and the administration talk about taking all measures, but within 5-6 days everybody tends to forget what had happened. This is because the conflicts get repeated at regular intervals. Cayuga County Legislature Chairman David Gould calls it perfect timing. Last fall, Gould convened a meeting with local leaders to discuss how to attract new businesses to Cayuga County. Less than two weeks later, there was a major announcement. Micron, a leading semiconductor chip company, plans to invest $100 billion over 20 years to build a manufacturing facility in neighboring Onondaga County. The project would create 9,000 new jobs, plus over 40,000 more in supporting industries. Gould told The Citizen that he met with his staff and formed a committee to explore ways to capitalize on the Micron project. That committee, consisting of public and private sector leaders, led to the creation of four subcommittees focusing on employment and training, energy, housing and planning. Jennifer Haines, director of the city of Auburn's Office of Planning and Economic Development, chairs the housing subcommittee. Steve Lynch, who heads the county's Department of Planning and Economic Development, leads the planning subcommittee. Kelly King, the county's director of employment and training, is chair of the employment subcommittee. Legislator Robert Shea leads the energy panel. Progress 2023 Today's story is the first in a weekly series for Progress 2023, a special report examining the potential impact of the Micron microchip plant on the Cayuga County-area economy and how local officials and business leaders are preparing for it. The subcommittees meet regularly sometimes twice a month and the full committee meets on a similar schedule. Beyond the committee and subcommittees, Gould said he has participated on videoconferences with regional leaders, notably Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. He has met with Micron officials and a company representative attended a recent subcommittee meeting. "I think we're ahead of the curve," he said. "We're staying ahead of the curve. We want to be the leader." Micron's arrival is expected to have a large regional impact and Cayuga County stands to benefit from the project. The memory chip manufacturing facility will be located in the town of Clay. With parts of Cayuga County about 30 minutes away from the proposed site, it could be a place that Micron workers call home. Michael Miller, executive director of the Cayuga Economic Development Agency, said that the committee is assessing its existing housing inventory. While some of the focus has been on the city of Auburn, they have also looked at the Weedsport area, which is near the Thruway. The panels are also examining the county's workforce development needs to help Micron fulfill this project. Miller noted that in meetings with the company representatives, they have expressed interest in the trades. "Building out this facility is going to be a massive undertaking," Miller said. "They're not only interested in those trades but working locally to source that work and finding the right vendors, as well... We at CEDA are really interested in making sure that existing businesses here in Auburn and Cayuga County can play a role in building out that facility and, as best possible, servicing what those tertiary businesses may be bringing as well." With Micron setting up shop in Onondaga County, it will need certain supply chain businesses. One goal for Miller and CEDA is to attract one of those businesses to Cayuga County. It may take time to see benefits from the Micron project. Site preparation will begin this year, with construction scheduled to start in 2024. But it will take two decades to build out the entire facility, which will consist of four 600,000-square-foot cleanrooms. Because of that early start in September 2022, Cayuga County is well positioned to reap the rewards of Micron's investment in central New York. New Delhi, March 19 : Even as the government has increased the focus on conservation of wildlife, instances of human-animal conflict have resulted in loss of life of both humans and animals over the years. A large number of elephants have lost their lives due to various reasons ranging from electrocution, poisoning to accidents. As per the information from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, between 2019-20 and 2021-22, a large number of elephants were killed due to various reasons including electrocution and others. The data said that a total of 198 elephants were killed by electrocution across the country, 41 by trains, 27 by poachers and 8 by poisoning during the same period. On the other side, a large number of humans also became victims of the conflict leading to their deaths. Elephants killed 1,579 humans in three years - 585 in 2019-20, 461 in 2020-21, and 533 in 2021-22. So far as the states are concerned, Odisha recorded the highest number of these deaths at 322, followed by Jharkhand at 291, West Bengal at 240, Assam at 229, Chhattisgarh at 183, and Tamil Nadu at 152. So far as the deaths of elephants are concerned, out of the 198 elephant deaths caused by electrocution, Assam recorded 36, Odisha 30 and Tamil Nadu 29. Assam (15 out of 41) also had the highest number of elephant deaths caused by trains, followed by Odisha (8) and West Bengal (5). Poaching deaths were the highest in Meghalaya (11) while poisoning deaths were the highest in Assam (7). The Ministry in a Parliament reply on July 25 said that assessments of human-wildlife conflicts indicate that the main causes include habitat loss, growth of population of wild animals, changing cropping patterns that attract wild animals to farmlands, movement of wild animals from forests to human dominated landscapes for food and fodder, movement of human beings to forests for illegal collection of forest produce, habitat degradation due to growth of invasive alien species, etc. The Parliament standing committee on Environment and Forests in its March, 2023 report took note of the human-animal conflict. The Committee noted that Project Tiger and Project Elephant are crucial to the initiatives of the Ministry relating to wildlife conservation, not just from an ecological standpoint but also for its societal and economic value. "The initiatives of the Ministry, or the lack of it, have a direct bearing not just to the project but also to the human population living in these vulnerable areas. With increasing reports of man-animal conflicts, it becomes even more important that the Ministry sharpens its focus towards these projects and also allocate more funds for meeting necessary expenditures. The Committee therefore recommends that the Ministry ensures that funds allocated in R.E. 2022-23 be optimally utilized. Further, the Ministry should seek additional allocation under this head so as to ensure that no conservation initiative is left because of inadequacy of funds," said the panel in its report. As per the Ministry, financial assistance is provided by the Ministry to States/Union Territories under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger', and 'Project Elephant' for activities like creation and maintenance of water holes for wild animals in Protected Areas, soil and moisture conservation measures, establishment of anti-poaching camps, strengthening wildlife veterinary care, eradication of weeds, creation and maintenance of fire lines, deployment of Tiger Protection Force and special Tiger Protection Force etc. Critical elephant habitats are notified as 'Elephant Reserve' for focus and synergy in elephant conservation and to reduce conflict. The notification is carried out with the approval of the Steering Committee formed in the Ministry. So far 32 Elephant Reserves have been established across major elephant States. Islamabad, March 19 : Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has hinted that legal proceedings could be initiated to declare Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a banned outfit, state media reported. Rana said that the legal team of ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was examining the matter in light of several revelations that could lead to a reference being filed against the party, Express Tribune reported. He however clarified that it is ultimately up to the courts to officially ban a political party. According to him, Punjab Police along with other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation against a "no-go area" in Lahore where a purported political leader had allegedly created an "atmosphere of fear". Rana said that the action was taken after resistance was encountered during the execution of court orders, leading to concerns of a possible terror organisation's presence, Express Tribune reported. "The operation resulted in the clearance of the no-go area in Zaman Park. Despite having a search warrant, officials did not enter the residential area," he added. The Interior Minister said that 65 people have been arrested from the outer part of the building, most of them do not belong to Punjab and their role is suspicious. He also added that guns, petrol bomb-making equipment, slingshots and other weapons were recovered from Zaman Park, Express Tribune reported. Los Angeles, March 19 : Hollywood is remembering Lance Reddick, who starred in favourites including 'The Wire', 'John Wick', 'Bosch' and many more, following the news of his death on March 17, as per reports. Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski released a statement mourning the loss of their 'John Wick' cast member. The statement, given to Variety, read: "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick. He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly". 'The Wire' creator David Simon said in a statement that Reddick was "a consummate professional, a devoted collaborator, a lovely soul and a friend. This is just gutting and way, way, way too soon for any of us who knew and loved him to contemplate." 'John Wick' co-star Ian McShane also released a statement to Variety: "Total shock and disbelief. Lance was a wonderful human being and a wonderful colleague. My deepest condolences, peace and love to his wife, Stephanie, and all his family." 'The Wire' actor Wendell Pierce wrote in honour of his friend: "A man of great strength and grace. As talented a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of class. A sudden unexpected sharp painful grief for our artistic family. An unimaginable suffering for his personal family and loved ones. Godspeed my friend. You made your mark here. RIP." Director James Gunn paid tribute to Reddick noting that the actor was "an incredibly nice guy and incredibly talented actor," and sent his condolences to "all his family, friends and collaborators." Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Plummeting rubber prices is an extremely crucial issue for the farmers of Kerala but may not be so for the CPI(M) leaders, Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplani said here on Sunday. The Bishop was responding to CPI(M) state secretary, M.V. Govindan who has criticised the Bishop's statement on supporting BJP. Such social engineering will fail in Kerala, the Left leader had said. During a Catholic farmers' rally, Bishop Pamplani had said that the church would support the BJP if the price of rubber is raised to Rs 300 per kilogram stirring a controversy. He, however, hastened to add that it was a statement out of "compulsion" for the farmers and need not be considered as the catholic church's version. While addressing media persons here, the Bishop said that the attack on minorities at the national level was definetly a major issue for the Catholic church but the fact that the falling rubber prices has brought the farmers's life to a standstill due also cannot be ignored. The Catholic church has not diluted the attack against those who have supported the destruction of Churches and other religious institutions in North Indian states, he asserted. Bishop Pamplani said the statement was made on being asked by the farmers belonging to the church, hence he had spoken in support of the BJP. Patna, March 19 : Two persons were injured after a British-era road bridge collapsed in Bihar's Saran district on Sunday. The injured persons were the driver and helper of the truck. The eyewitnesses said that as soon as the truck-laden with stone chips came on the bridge, it collapsed. The truck was on its way from the Taraye block and was heading towards Bhalua Bazar. The British-era bridge was built on River Mahanadi and was in a bad shape since the last flood. The bridge structure was deteriorating and cracks had developed at several places. Despite all these deterioration, the road construction department did not declare it a dangerous bridge. There was no warning sign board on either side of the bridge. When the bridge collapsed, a loud sound was heard. The local villagers rushed to the spot and rescued the injured driver and helper. They were admitted in the Sadar hospital Chapra and their condition was stable. Mumbai, March 19 : Popular comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, whose recent film 'Zwigato' captures the life of delivery boys, was overwhelmed by the love and support from them at the special screening in Mumbai and clicked a selfie with them to capture the moment. Kapil wrote in the caption: "A special screening for the people who are #deliveringhappiness every day." Recently, PVR and INOX organised a special screening of the film in Mumbai and Delhi for delivery boys. Directed by Nandita Das, 'Zwigato' stars Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami in the lead roles with Tushar Acharya, Sayani Gupta, and many others. The story follows the life of Manas who, after losing his job during the pandemic, is forced to work as a food delivery worker. Through this story, the director has subtly touched on a number of social realities like unemployment and poverty. It also gives a glimpse into local life in the city of Bhubaneswar. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Expelled Muslim League state secretary, K.S. Hamsa said on Sunday that a meeting was held between a Muslim League MLA and the Kerala RSS leadership. He said that the meeting was held to rope in the Muslim League into the Left fold. This, he said, would help the BJP in the long run in Kerala politics. It was the RSS who initiated this discussion, Hamsa added. The MLA was responding to the revelation made by the RSS Prantha Karyavahak (State Secretary) P.N. Easwaran on Saturday said that the RSS as part of its outreach programme had held discussions with a Muslim League MLA. The RSS leader had also said that the Muslim League was a secular political party and was against terror activities but added that they would have certain communal interests. Rejecting the claims, Muslim League state general secretary PMA Salam had said that their's was a secular political party and it does not have any truck with the RSS. Hamsa was expelled from the party for continuous attacks against the party-state leadership as well as personal attacks against the all-powerful national general secretary of the party and former minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty who is in full control of the party Kerala unit. The expelled leader, however, said that the RSS leadership had held discussions not with Kunhalikutty but with another leader. New Delhi, March 19 : In what seems to be quite intriguing, almost four years after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections were held at 10 lakh polling booths, the number of Ballot Units (BUs) and Control Units (CUs) - which are components of EVMs - through which the general elections were conducted, seem to have come down, if the government's own submission in Parliament is to be believed. In reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha on March 17, 2023, on the total numbers of BUs and CUs available in the country, law minister Kiren Rijiju in his written reply during the ongoing budget session, informed Parliament that in 2018 there were 13.95 lakh BUs and 10.56 lakh CUs available in the country. M-3 model of EVMs are used presently by the Election Commission of India, the law minister had further informed in his response. Interestingly though, the Election Commission in a press release issued on October 7, 2018, while elaborating on preparations for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, had informed that "Around 22.3 lakh BUs, 16.3 lakh CUs and nearly 17.3 lakh VVPATs will be used for the forthcoming elections in 2019." Incidentally, the number of VVPATs should be the same as the number of BUs. So as per the data given by the Election Commission in 2018, the number of EVMs were much higher on the eve of Lok Sabha polls than the figures given by the law minister in Parliament last week. In short, going by the Union law minister's reply in Parliament on March 17, government conducted the 2019 Lok Sabha elections at 10 lakh polling stations with inadequate number of EVMs. Further in Election Commission's press note dated March 10, 2019, announcing the schedule for Lok Sabha elections, the poll body had reiterated that for conducting elections at 10.35 lakh polling stations, 23.3 lakh BUs and 16.3 lakh CUs would be needed. However even if the poll body's 2018 figures are to be taken into consideration, then compared to that, as per the figures given by law minister on March 17 in Lok Sabha, the BUs have come down by 8.35 lakh while CUs have come down by 5.74 lakh between 2018 and 2023, which seems quite baffling. The Election Commission is governed by the law ministry. An electronic voting machine (EVM) is designed with two units - the CU and the BU. These units are joined together by a cable. The CU of the EVM is kept with the presiding officer or the polling officer. The BU is kept within the voting compartment for electors to cast their votes. This is done to ensure that the polling officer verifies voters' identity. New Delhi: Police personnel outside the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his remarks during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in New Delhi on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Police personnel outside the residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice issued to him over his remarks during 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', in New Delhi on Sunday, March 19, 2023. (Photo:Qamar Sibtain/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 19 : The national capital on Sunday witnessed a massive drama with the Congress workers taking to the streets after the Delhi police served a notice to their party leader Rahul Gandhi over his speech made during Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. A few of them were detained by the Police for posing a threat to the law and order of the city. Soon after the Police served a notice to former Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his speech made in connection with alleged sexual assault on women, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir, a number of party workers gathered outside his residence in Tughlak lane area to stage a protest. The protestors were raising slogans against the Delhi Police and Centre. Sensing the gravity of the matter, extra police force which was deployed in the morning, detained the protestors. Delhi Police has said that they only want to take action against the culprits who sexually assaulted the women. Rahul Gandhi had, during his speech, said that a few women met him and alleged that they were sexually assaulted. Washington, March 19 : US President Joe Biden's $6.8 trillion budget hangs in the balance as Congress resumes its sitting on Monday as Republicans have vowed to defeat it demanding spending cuts, though Democrats claim that the budget would raise more revenue by increasing taxes on oil and gas companies, hiking the corporate tax rate to 28 from 21 per cent, and allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices, besides funding social welfare programmes . The President's social spend includes increasing funding for early childhood education and childcare, expanding the $35 cap on insulin prices to all Americans and expanding free community college, besides boosting military spending to more than $835 billion, making it among the largest peacetime expenditures in US history, media reports claim. But the Biden budget is seeing strong prospects of not being passed amid the Republican and Democrat gridlock over raising the debt ceiling limit that has breached the $31.4 trillion limit, even as the Treasury Secretary Janet J. Yellen maintained extraordinary measures could keep the economy going without any peril until June this year. President Biden unveiled his budget as early as Thursday, vowing to cut $3 trillion from the federal deficit over the next decade, in part, by levying a 25 per cent minimum tax on the wealthiest Americans. With much mulling on both sides, across the aisles, the budget still faces uncertainty of being passed as the Congress resumes on Monday, unless those in GOP opposed to Trumpian and extreme right-wing hardliners demand for spending cuts extend their helping hand to the Democrats across the aisles, media experts opine feeling that some Republicans look to 2024 GOP prospects than the current scenario. Biden's budget seeks to raise more revenue by increasing taxes on oil and gas companies, hiking the corporate tax rate to 28 from 21 per cent imposed under former President Donald Trump, and yet below the pre-2017, 35 per cent tax, and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, reports said. Though Biden is yet to announce his re-election bid in 2024, while his arch rival Trump has, even amid speculation in GOP that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, holding horses now, would outdo him close to the primaries, upcoming later this year . Biden's budget is actually a preview into his 2024 election run for White House, raising his campaign pitch that he supports the urban middle class, long considered by the Democrats since the Clinton's golden era to be the backbone of the American economy. But the House of Representatives in the Congress is now Republican-controlled with a wafer thin majority of nine members, 222 to 213. It's unlikely many of the proposals will be passed in their current form. The President can present a budget but it's the Congress that decides where the funds have to come from. White House Office of Management and Budget Director, Shalanda Young, told reporters the administration is able to cut deficit spending "by asking the wealthy and big corporations to begin to pay their fair share and by cutting wasteful spending on Big Pharma, Big Oil and other special interests, " media reports said. Biden's government has sought to reform the tax code to reward work, not wealth, ensuring that no billionaire pays a lower tax rate than a teacher or fire-fighter and by quadrupling the tax rate on corporate stock buybacks," Young said. "That's a very clear contrast with Congressional Republicans." The Stock Buybacks Tax furthers Biden's signature to a law last year reducing the differential treatment in the code between buybacks and dividends. Government wants the big businesses to invest in growth rather than spend on stock buybacks. The tax would quadruple from one to four per cent. A Data for Progress poll from February found 58 per cent of Americans support increasing the stock-buyback tax. Cecilia Rouse, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, says the administration believes the social programmes will actually boost the economy. "Policies such as paid leave and childcare will bring more workers into the labour force and improve productivity," Rouse said. "Investments in early education, mental health and community college not only expand our economy's productive capacity but pay dividends for generations to come." Besides social spending, Biden's budget has robust defence funding at more than $835 billion, claimed to be the largest peacetime expenditures in US history. In an unusual gesture, Biden has for weeks urged House Republicans to present their own budget proposals instead of criticising him. House Republicans did promise a balanced budget but scoffed when the White House pointed to GOP proposals to make cuts to programmes like social security and medicare. House Budget Committee Chair, Jodey Arrington, told CNN the Republican budget should be ready by the second week in May. Ukrainian refugees are finding help all over the world. People are reaching out in extraordinary ways, and our own city of Auburn in central New York is part of the effort. One example is the free English tutoring offered by Literacy Volunteers of Cayuga County. Since last August, LVCC has been working with SS. Peter and Paul Church to provide English as a Second Language classes and one-on-one tutoring to Ukrainian refugees. Not speaking the language can be isolating for a refugee or immigrant. The language barrier makes it hard to find work, communicate with a doctor or your childs school. Simple tasks like shopping or riding a bus can be difficult for someone unfamiliar with the local language. To learn more, I met with Olena Abramova, a refugee from Ukraine, and her tutor, Susan Marteney, from Auburn, on Feb. 25. Elisa Carabajal Hunt, executive director of LVCC, also joined us. Olena first met Susan in August. Olena had some basic knowledge of English vocabulary, but wanted to learn to speak English fluently. Susan was not familiar with the Ukrainian language, but had taken a tutor training course from LVCC in preparation for working with Olena. Both tutor and student were facing a challenge, but both had the ambition and self-confidence to succeed. How to help Volunteers are needed to help teach English as a second language to refugees and immigrants. By volunteering two or more hours per week, you can give an adult the skills to become a successful worker, parent or citizen. Both tutors and students find this rewarding; it changes their lives. To learn more call (315) 253-5241 or email literacycayuga@gmail.com. Susan recalled their first lesson. We spoke slowly, at a very simple level, to get a sense of where we should begin, she said. For instance, My name is Susan and My name is Olena. And we progressed from there. As their conversations continued, Susan learned that before leaving Ukraine, Olena lived with her husband in Bila Tserkva, White Church, a 1,000-year-old city. She had been a journalist and then was running a humanitarian volunteer organization in Kyiv when the war began. Her husband has remained in Ukraine, serving in a territorial defense group while she traveled to America. Olena speaks with him every day. She is now living in the home of Sam and Sheila Giangreco, one of three Auburn families hosting refugees through SS. Peter and Paul. In addition to their conversations, Susan and Olena study many aspects of the English language, including vocabulary, pronunciation, sentence structure, verb conjugation and much more. And Olena is expanding her education through a variety of resources. Besides her private tutoring sessions with Susan, she attends LVCC classes and studies on her own time as much as possible. I speak English every day, she said, adding with a laugh, I have no choice. At first, she recalls, she found it challenging to speak English as part of a group. But I no longer speak or think slowly I am much more confident now. Faces of Ukraine: Refugees in Auburn recall war there, welcoming here AUBURN In July, Maryna Svorin was working in a building in the city of Vinnytsia, Ukraine, when it was struck by a bomb. Watching American television and speaking with her hosts has also helped her learn the language. Her skill with English led to a 40-hour/week job as a teachers aide at Seward Elementary School. She works with two Ukrainian children, helping them with speaking English. At the same time, she said, working at the school expands her own English vocabulary as she converses with the other teachers. My first day as a teachers aide, I felt nervous, but now its my life, she said. After school, I ask Susan or the teacher I work with to explain anything I didnt understand. She also learns about a variety of American experiences by sharing stories with her Ukrainian friends. If one of us goes to a concert, or a funeral, or a Buffalo Bills game, we describe it to one another, so we all learn new things, she said. When asked how learning English has changed her life, Olena answered, For me, it is very good to learn English. It is a great opportunity. I hope I continue to use English in the future. She said that she had studied French and Russian in school in Ukraine, but that it is very different to learn a language in the country where it is spoken. I am starting to dream in English, she added. Regarding her experience in America, she said, I feel safe in Auburn. The people are very generous. I am happy here, but I will be very happy when the war is over. Hyderabad, March 19 : The leadership of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which recently rechristened itself as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), never felt comfortable with the Congress party or Gandhi family. The Gandhi family has not forgiven TRS founder and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) for allegedly going back on his word to merge TRS with the Congress if it carves out Telangana State. After the Parliament passed Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh, KCR along with his family members had called on then Congress president Sonia Gandhi to thank her. The Congress leaders had expected that after the meeting, KCR will announce the merger of his party with the Congress. However, KCR decided to maintain a separate identity of TRS to work for building Telangana. The bitterness between the two parties has only increased since then. After winning the 2014 elections with a simple majority to form the first government in Telangana, KCR lured top leaders from both the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to join TRS. Several Congress legislators defected to the TRS soon after the 2014 elections. Despite retaining power in 2018 with a thumping majority in 119-member Assembly, TRS continued to woo MLAs from Congress. The grand old party lost a dozen MLAs to TRS in 2019 and also the status of main opposition party in the Assembly. Nearly nine years after formation of Telangana State, the Congress party still appears clueless to regain the lost ground in its former stronghold. Reeling under defections of several leaders and legislators and humiliating defeats in by-elections, the party looks to be in disarray. Infighting and lack of any charismatic figure have added to the woes of the grand old party. Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi brought some enthusiasm to lift the spirit of demoralized cadre and the state Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy is trying to keep the momentum with ongoing padyatra as part of Hath Se Hath Jodo campaign but the party faces big odds in 2023 Assembly polls. The Congress party faces the biggest challenge to its survival as BJP appears to have occupied the space of principal contestant for ruling BRS. In both 2014 and 2018, the Congress party was the main rival for BRS but this time the party may face the next polls even without this status. Political observers say that in the narrative of BRS versus BJP built by the saffron party, Congress party may face the going tough. In 2014, the Congress party could win 22 seats while it was a disaster in 2018. It could win just 19 seats, though it had forged electoral alliance with the TDP, the Left parties and some smaller parties. When KCR first mooted the idea of a national alternative in 2018, he was targeting both BJP and Congress, blaming them for the problems faced by the country. This stand was not in sync with other regional parties who see BJP as the number one enemy and were not averse to joining hands with the Congress. After apparently failing to unite the regional parties for a third alternative, KCR recently turned TRS into BRS to expand the party to other states. The BRS continues to see Congress as its opponent in Telangana. A bitter war of words between the leaders of the two parties had been continuing for several years. On one occasion, KCR had dubbed Rahul Gandhi as the 'biggest buffoon' in the country. "Everyone knows what Rahul Gandhi is...the biggest buffoon in the country. The whole country has seen how he went and hugged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament and winked," KCR had said. Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Telangana last year had lambasted KCR and called him a 'king' who shattered the dreams of people of Telangana. The Congress leader had also ruled out any alliance with the TRS. KCR's party had ridiculed Rahul Gandhi and asked him who wants to join hands with the Congress party. On Rahul Gandhi's appeal to people of Telangana to give one chance to Congress, KCR's son K.T. Rama Rao had remarked that people gave Congress 10 chances but it ruined the state and the country. He had also ridiculed 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. "The Congress failed to play its role as the principal Opposition party and also protect itself from the BJP. Instead of 'Bharat Jodo Yatra', Rahul Gandhi should take up 'Congress Jodo' exercise before it is too late. There is no guarantee that the Congress can survive after the 2024 elections," KTR had said. During Bharat Jodo Yatra in Telangana, Rahul Gandhi had made fun of TRS becoming BRS. "If the chief minister of Telangana believes that he is running a national party that is perfectly okay. There is no problem, he can believe it. That is also fine if he is running a global party," Rahul had taunted. Hitting back at the Congress leader, KTR had mockingly called him an international leader and wannabe PM. He reminded the Congress leader that he had lost his own parliamentary seat (Amethi) in the elections. "International leader Rahul Gandhi who can't even win his own parliament seat in Amethi ridicules Telangana CM KCR's national party ambition. Wannabe PM should first convince his people to elect him as an MP," KTR had said. New Delhi, March 19 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has assured the Delhi Police that he will share the information about the claims that he had made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra speech in Srinagar, and also said that he needed some time for this. "We have met Rahul Gandhi, he has said that he needs time to give his statement. Mr Gandhi said that the Yatra was so long and he needed to recollect who had connected him and his team. After receiving details he has assured to share them with us," said a police official who did not wish to be named. A Delhi Police team led by Special Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, Dr Sagar Preet Hooda and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), New Delhi Pranav Tayal had reached Gandhi's residence at Tughlak lane early this morning to serve him a notice. According to sources, the police team on March 15 had waited for three hours at Gandhi's residence to serve him notice, however, he did not meet them. Again on March 16, senior officers visited his residence and served the notice after waiting for one and a half hours. A senior police officer said the notice was issued after the police took cognisance of social media posts and sent a list of questions. " ...in one particular case, I asked a girl (who had been raped) if we should call the police? She said 'don't call the police... I will be shamed'," Rahul Gandhi had said during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. Speaking with the mediaperaons, Special CP Hooda said that Gandhi made the statement on January 30 in Srinagar. "This is a very serious matter and we came here to gather more information in this connection. We need information regarding his speech and the victims so that we could initiate legal action into the matter and victims could get justice," said Hooda. Seoul, March 19 : North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) toward the East Sea on Sunday, South Korea's military said, in yet another provocation in apparent protest over an ongoing South Korea-US military exercise. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Tongchang-ri area on the country's west coast at 11:05 a.m., and the missile flew nearly 800 kilometre before splashing into the sea. The Tongchang-ri area is home to the North's key long-range rocket launch site, Yonhap news agency reported. "The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the US are conducting a comprehensive analysis on (the missile's) specifics," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters. It added the allies will carry out their combined military drills in a "high-intensity" and "thorough" manner, while vowing to maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond "overwhelmingly" to any North Korean provocations. "We strongly condemn the North's series of ballistic missile launches as an act of significant provocation that harms peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the international community, and a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the JCS said, urging the North to immediately stop such launches. Following the launch, the top nuclear envoys of South Korea, US and Japan held phone talks, condemned the North's latest provocation and discussed their coordinated responses, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said. Kim Gunn, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, as well as his US and Japanese counterparts-- Sung Kim and Takehiro Funakoshi, respectively -- agreed to step up consultations and coordination to build a united response against Pyongyang's provocations at the upcoming UN Security Council's meeting in New York slated for Monday, it added. The US Indo-Pacific Command said the launch posed no immediate threat to the US or allies. "The North Korea's recent missile launches highlight the destabilising impact of its unlawful (weapons of mass destruction) and ballistic missile programmes," it said in a statement. "The US commitments to the defence of the South Korea and Japan remain ironclad." The North has been ratcheting up tensions as the allies are conducting their regular Freedom Shield exercise that it has decried as "preparations of a war of aggression against it". The 11-day exercise is set to conclude on Thursday. Last week, the North fired a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It followed the launch of two short-range ballistic missiles on March 14 and of what it claimed to be two "strategic cruise missiles" from a submarine two days earlier. The ICBM launch came just hours before President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit in Tokyo and agreed on stronger security cooperation against the North's growing nuclear and missile threats. Concerns have persisted that the North could use the allies' exercise as a pretext to launch major provocations, such as an ICBM launch and even a nuclear test. New Delhi, March 19 : After a team of Delhi Police reached the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the party said that the "harassment will deepen its conviction to seek answers". The Congress said that Delhi Police's "cheap theatrics" prove how rattled Prime Minister Narendra Modi is with the questions on Adani. "Bharat Jodo Yatra and Rahul Gandhi gave a safe space to millions of women to walk freely, voice their concerns & share their pain. Delhi Police's cheap theatrics prove how rattled Mr Modi is with our questions on Adani. This harassment deepens our conviction to seek answers," Congress said in a tweet. Meanwhile, talking to media outside Rahul Gandhi's residence, Congress leader Pawan Khera raised questions over the police and asked that under which rule is the police coming to Rahul Gandhi's residence to take details of Bharat Jodo Yatra which got over 45 days ago. "We will answer questions related to incidents mentioned during Bharat Jodo Yatra according to rules. They want to talk for women...What action did they take in Hathras, Kathua? Behind the police, it's the government and we are not scared of the government", Khera told the media. Khera said the government is scared and not allowing Parliament to function. Rahul Gandhi's remarks are expunged every time which is unacceptable. Kabul, March 19 : The police in Afghanistan's capital Kabul have most recently arrested three persons on the charge of involvement in criminal activities, including robbery, mobile snatching and drug trafficking, a police official said on Sunday. Chief of Kabul's Police District 5, Qayumullah Badri, told reporters that the arrests were made on Saturday. In the operations, police also seized arms and ammunition from the possession of the arrested men, Xinhua news agency reported. The weapons included a Kalashnikov rifle and two pistols, he said. In similar crackdowns in the country's western Herat province over the past month, Afghan police seized a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, which included nine hand grenades, eight Kalashnikovs, and five pistols, while arresting 13 persons over illegal possession of arms and ammunition, according to Afghan media reports. Vijayawada, March 19 : Two workers were killed in an incident of lift collapse at Dr. Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) at Ibrahimpatnam near here on Sunday. The incident occurred when the lift cable snapped. There were around 20 workers in the lift, which got stuck apparently due to overloading. Other workers managed to get down but the cable snapped with two workers still inside. As a result of this, the lift came crashing down from a height of about 70 meters. Both the workers sustained grievous injuries and were rushed to the NTTPS Board Hospital. However, both were declared dead. The deceased were identified as Chotu Kumar Singh (23) and Jitendra Singh (24), both hailing from Jharkhand. The bodies were shifted to Vijayawada Government Hospital for autopsy. Police registered a case and took up investigation. Some workers at the plant complained that the lift capacity was only for 10 people, but there were 20 people in it and heavy material was also being moved through the lift. The contract workers were working on the plant's stage V, which is under construction. Labour unions staged a protest at the plant demanding that the management pay compensation and give jobs to the families of the deceased. The plant officials assured them that they will take steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents. Bengaluru, March 19 : Riding high on the anti-incumbency factor, the Karnataka Congress camp is brimming with the confidence of returning to power in the state in the upcoming assembly polls. State party president D.K. Shivakumar has stated that the party would win more than 140 seats. With the senior Dalit leader from the state Mallikarjun Kharge being elected as the AICC president, it will make a difference to the party in attracting their votes, which have gone to the ruling BJP in the state, say experts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited Kalaburagi made it a point to explain how Kharge was insulted during the party convention held at Chhattisgarh. Kharge, who suffered a humiliating defeat in the last Lok Sabha elections in his home turf, is eagerly waiting to settle scores. Party insiders explain that Shivakumar and Opposition leader Siddaramaiah have come to terms. The supporters of both leaders have stopped issuing statements and claiming their leader as the future CM candidate. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka made it clear that the MLAs of the party will elect their CM candidate post the elections. More or less, both the leaders have come to an understanding and are working for the party. The Congress which seemed to suffer a setback after the back to back visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Karnataka, bounced back. The protests by the Congress against the inauguration of the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway, the project which the BJP is claiming as one of its major achievements, are getting traction among the people. The social media is abuzz with the shortcomings of fixing the toll fee, service road etc. A National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) officer claimed that the expressway was never meant to be a 10-lane one and it is a six-lane highway. He stated that if everyone takes the service road, who will pay the toll? These statements have seriously affected the goodwill created by the BJP about the project. The scandal involving BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa, in which his son, a government officer was caught red-handed while accepting a Rs 40 lakh bribe and the MLA being named as the prime accused in the case has proved to be a shot in the arm for the Congress. The Congress attacked the Central as well as the state BJP vehemently in this backdrop and told the people that this has proved their charge of a 40 per cent commission government in the state. Sources in the party state that 30 seats have been reserved for those who will be pulled from other political parties, mostly the BJP. The saffron party has been successful in taking independent MP Sumalatha Ambareesh from Mandya into its fold. The Congress has pulled more than half a dozen leaders from the ruling BJP. With two ministers also winking at the Congress, the opposition party is confident of making it to power. Shivakumar, who was jailed, is putting in all efforts, channelising resources and is eager to settle political scores by giving a taste of defeat to the BJP. Siddaramaiah has continued his attacks on the RSS and the BJP. "I will continue to oppose the RSS and the BJP till my last breath," he announced. Party insiders explain that ticket allocation is the crucial point for the Congress party and if the high command quells the dissidence that is likely to crop up, the party has a fair chance of grabbing power in the state. Bengaluru, March 19 : Former Chief Minister B.S Yediyurappa's son B.Y. Vijayendra has come into the limelight again in the ruling BJP circles in Karnataka ahead of the assembly polls. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has appealed that the people of Shikaripura assembly constituency should extend their support to Vijayendra like they supported his father Yediyurappa, confirming the party's decision to give the ticket to him. The development is being observed closely by political circles in the state, especially senior BJP leaders, who do not wish to see him emerging as the leader of the Lingayat community. The statement of Bommai has also caused heartburn among scores of enemies of Yediyurappa within the party. Vijayendra hogged the limelight at the time of by-elections, in which he managed to open the account of the BJP in K.R. Pet and Sira constituencies where the BJP had never won. His efforts were appreciated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Vijayendra went on to become the shadow CM to his father and is alleged to have taken full control of handling things for him. After this BJP MLAs came out in the open and issued statements against Vijayendra and also attacked Yediyurappa. Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs Basabagouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad, C.P. Yogeshwar and others made a series of trips to New Delhi and complained against Vijayendra. Finally, after Yediyurappa stepped down, this camp celebrated. Their happiness was shortlived as Yediyurappa ensured that Basavaraj Bommai became the CM and Yatnal and Arvind Bellad were not included in the cabinet. C.P. Yogeshwar, who was the minister in the term of Yediyurappa, was excluded from the cabinet. Yediyurappa has sent a strong signal to his opponents. Later, Yediyurappa's attempts to conduct a state tour were stalled by the party. The fear was that Yediyurappa will project Vijayendra as a community leader and compel the party to give him a prominent position. His opponents ensured that Yediyurappa's plan to go on a tour was nixed and his attempts to get Vijayendra into the cabinet were thwarted. The party also refused to give a MLC ticket to Vijayendra. Now at a time when the rival camp was heaving a sigh of relief, the high command has started giving prominence to Yediyurappa again. Party sources say he is most interested in his son's political career. Opponents suspect that Yediyurappa will put his weight behind his son and help him to emerge as a force in the state. Vijayendra has a decent following and has been touring the state. Recently, his statements warned leaders within the party to be cautious while talking about his father and they will repent if they continue to do so. He has also challenged these leaders whether anyone has the capability to assure they will bring the BJP to power in Karnataka like his father. It is to be seen how the party is going to treat Vijayendra in the coming days. Lucknow, March 19 : As the strike by power employees in Uttar Pradesh entered its third day on Sunday, the law-and-order situation in several districts is getting disrupted due to protests and demonstrations by people facing prolonged power cuts. Electricity department employees in Farrukhabad, Muzaffarnagar, Prayagraj, Hardoi, Firozabad, Moradabad, Etah, Varanasi and Rae Bareli have launched protests against the dismissal of contractual employees. Their leaders have warned that if the workers are dismissed or arrested, the symbolic strike would turn into an indefinite strike. Meanwhile, around 1,000 villages in Rae Bareli have plunged into darkness and the power crisis has continued unabated in 70 localities of the urban area where people have run out of drinking water. The non-availability of electricity has disrupted health services in Rae Bareli as AIIMS and other hospitals are without power. However, intermittent attempts are being made to solve the crisis through generators. As many as 27 out of 54 power stations have developed faults in 33 KVA lines, adding to power cuts. In Varanasi, residents took to the streets due to the continuous and prolonged power cuts. The protesters also organised the Chakka Jam at the Bhadaini power sub-station. Similar reports are coming in from other districts. It may be recalled that power department employees in Uttar Pradesh have been on a strike since Thursday night over the selection process for chairman and the managing director in power companies and pay anomalies. The Yogi-Adityanath government has said if the strike creates problems for the public, it will take action against the protesting employees under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and threatened to sack contractual workers who do not return to work. It also said action would be initiated under the National Security Act in case vandalism occurs during demonstrations. Employees, under the banner of Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti, a union of electricity department employees, have been holding demonstrations across the state. UP Energy Minister A.K. Sharma has again issued a stern warning to electricity department employees on strike, directing them to join their duties by 6 p.m., or face dismissal. "A decision has been taken to initiate action against 22 people from the department under the ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act). Apart from this, instructions have also been issued to lodge an FIR against those damaging government property and obstructing others from discharging their duties. An FIR has been registered against 29 people in this matter," the minister said. Seoul, March 19 : South Korean exports to Japan will rise 3.5 trillion won ($2.69 billion) this year if Seoul's export structure to Tokyo returns to the status it had in the 2017-2018 period before a trade dispute flared up in 2019, a business lobby said on Sunday. Japan accounted for 4.5 per cent of South Korea's overall exports in 2022, down 0.4 percentage point from an average of 4.9 per cent for the 2017-2018 period, according to a report released by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KORCHAM). Steel, petrochemicals, electronics and auto parts companies will benefit if the two countries put their estranged ties back on track after years of a trade dispute over key materials, the KORCHAM report said. In 2019, Tokyo imposed export controls on three materials critical for the production of semiconductors and flexible displays, and officially removed South Korea from its list of nations given preferential treatment in trade in apparent retaliation for the South Korean Supreme Court's ruling that ordered Japanese companies to pay compensation to Korean forced labour victims. In response to the export controls, South Korea filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over the trade dispute, calling it a discriminatory act, Yonhap news agency reported. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo warmed significantly after South Korea announced its decision earlier this month to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labour on its own without asking Japan for contributions. On Thursday, Seoul decided to withdraw the complaint filed with the WTO as Tokyo vowed to lift its export restrictions on the three materials -- fluorine polyimide, photoresist and hydrogen fluoride -- to South Korea. On the same day, South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a summit in Tokyo. When I arrived in Auburn seven years ago, I wrote my first article for The Citizen, saying, This place is going to change me. Its going to show me God. In that time, I have pastored my first congregation, Westminster Presbyterian Church. I have become a father to two beautiful children whom we adopted and to six others in heaven. I have learned the lakes, woods and waterfalls of this verdant country. I have enjoyed the hospitality of neighbors, movies in the park, and the fairs and festivals that so evoke Americana. I have walked in the footsteps of Harriet Tubman, William Seward and a history brimming with the ongoing fight for equal rights. I have witnessed the creation of LGBTQ Pride Week and the drop-in center for teens, Pride House. I have had the privilege of touching many hands in sharing food at a soup kitchen, in praying over the dying, in officiating weddings and baptisms, in rehoming victims of domestic violence, in counseling the grieving, in kneeling for George Floyd and the insistence that Black Lives must matter. Much has happened more than I can name here. But, among it all, what remains with me the most is the love of the people. You. Im talking about a people whose lives are busy and full of problems of their own, and yet who again and again show up for each other, to care for one another. Oh Ive seen plenty of the bad too. I am a Presbyterian minister (a Calvinist ... ooh) after all. Im well aware of our sinful capacities for selfishness, hate and cynicism. I was there when they tried to ban the book "All Boys Arent Blue," when someone vandalized our Black Lives Matter banner, when we were collecting school supplies for children and people walked past us, refusing to donate, when more pews were empty than full on Sunday morning, and when more and more of our neighbors fell to poverty, homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. In each case, however, love refused to cease its song. For, I have also seen a school board meeting crowded with people defending free speech and the power of learning each others stories. I have seen, in the wake of one vandalized sign, hundreds more appear in the lawns and storefronts of Auburnians. I have seen the smiles of children as volunteers distribute more than 500 backpacks stuffed with school supplies. I have seen passionate worship and the curious, delightful wrestling with the questions of our faith. I have seen suffering people walk through the doors of our church, and volunteers greet them as if Jesus Christ himself had just entered. In short, this place has changed me. It has shown me God. For, God is Love. And now that God of Love is taking me elsewhere. I will be concluding my time as Westminsters pastor. When my Mom died three years ago of a sudden heart attack at 69, it hit home to me the fragility of life. Though I rationally knew otherwise, I think I assumed that my family would always be there or at least be there longer. I am reminded of the charge my pastor in Cincinnati would speak at the end of each service, based on the words of Henri Frederic Amiel: Friends, life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make the journey with us. So be swift to love, and make haste to be kind. This summer, my family and I will be moving in with my Dad, in Cincinnati, to care for him. We will be closer to family. Emerson and Josephine will get to know their grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles more deeply. Jenna will get to focus on her vocation and career, as she will be the one this time pursuing full time ministry. Ill be focusing on being a father and being a son. This will be a time for growing closer to my Dad, helping him with the house and his health, and grieving together. I might do some writing, some volunteering. I am looking forward to worshiping as a family. And then, when the time is right, Ill discern what ministry God is calling me to next. But for now, I am excited to dwell in the holiness of relationships, to be swift in the same love I have experienced here in Auburn. I will miss you. A lot. I find hope, however, in the thought of all the people (yes, even the pastors) you will change and show God. I find hope in the God of Love who remains here, waiting for the next person to arrive. The air forces of South Korea and the United States carry out a joint drill over the West Sea and the central inland region on March 3, 2023.(Yonhap/IANS) Image Source: IANS News Seoul, March 19 : A US nuclear-capable B-1B strategic bomber returned to South Korea for joint exercises on Sunday, just 16 days after its previous deployment, as Pyongyang fired yet another ballistic missile into the East Sea, according to the Defence Ministry. The drills took place in skies over the Korean Peninsula as part of the Freedom Shield exercise that has been under way since March 13, and also involved F-35A stealth fighter jets of South Korea and US F-16 fighters, the Ministry said. A B-1B bomber was previously deployed to the peninsula on March 3, Yonhap news agency reported. The deployment, seen as a show of force against North Korea, came as the North fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea earlier on Sunday, three days after Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The Defence Ministry said the joint air drills demonstrated the robust combined defence posture of the South Korean and US air forces and commitment to extended deterrence, while enhancing the allies' interoperability and wartime capabilities. "S.Korea-US alliance is maintaining the highest level of combined defence posture against North Korea's consistent threats to regional stability and will achieve 'peace through strength' based on the allies' robust capabilities and posture, while enhancing trust in the US extended deterrence," the Ministry added in a statement. Seoul/Tokyo, March 19 : Japanese Prime MInister Fumio Kishida is doing final fine-tuning to invite South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to a Group of Seven summit set for Hiroshima in May, a news report said on Sunday. Yoon is expected to be one of the leaders to be invited to the gathering, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported. Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is also considering inviting Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the paper said. Japan's Kyodo News agency also reported on Friday that Kishida conveyed his intention to invite Yoon to the G-7 summit when the two leaders held summit talks in Tokyo on Thursday, Yonhap news agency reported. Yoon was the first South Korean President to visit Japan for a bilateral summit in 12 years. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo warmed significantly after South Korea announced its decision earlier this month to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labour on its own without asking Japan for contributions. Kishida reaffirmed his commitment to continuing what is dubbed the "shuttle diplomacy" between the two countries, when he and Yoon had an after-summit drink at a popular Tokyo restaurant, Rengatei, on Thursday, people close to the matter said. The Prime Minister told Yoon that he hopes the last drink he was having will lead to another drink when he visits South Korea, renewing the commitment to the shuttle diplomacy that refers to the leaders of the two countries visiting each other's nation on a frequent basis, the people said. Kishida was also quoted as saying that he was "touched" by the resolute and candid attitude Yoon showed when dealing with the issue of forced labour and that he hopes to continue his friendship with Yoon forever. Srinagar, March 19 : J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation stone of a mega-mall on Sunday in Sempora area of Srinagar district which is the first direct foreign investment project in the UT. The construction of the mega-mall will cost Rs 250 crore, Sinha told reporters. "The Mall of Srinagar and allied projects with the Government of Dubai will fuel the economic growth of J&K and bring us closer to achieving the shared vision of strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties between India and UAE. "This is a new dawn of limitless possibilities. We are taking forward Hon'ble PM's vision for development of J&K. Mall of Srinagar will have transformative impact on UT & boost infrastructure, employment generation and ease of living. "This is to be one of the largest malls in the region, the mall will have over 500 shops," Sinha said while congratulating the people of J&K on the historic occasion. He said the credit for the strong ties between UAE and India goes to the strenuous efforts of the Prime Minister. The Lt Governor highlighted the progressive reforms introduced under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister to create a favourable environment for Industries and Business to flourish in J&K. "Unprecedented Industrial investment & economic growth of J&K is laying the foundation for a stronger and more prosperous future for the people of Union Territory. "Within 22 months of implementation of New Industrial Policy, we have received investment proposals from more than 5,000 domestic and foreign companies. Every day, eight companies have expressed their willingness to invest in J&K, the Lt Governor noted. "A new industry is becoming operational in the UT every day. Last month, 45 industries started their operations", he added. He further said that the Prime Minister has already done the groundbreaking ceremony for projects worth Rs 38,000 crore. "Those who raised questions on employment post August 2019, should introspect what they have done for J&K in the past decades. Only Rs 14,000 crore industrial investment came to J&K since Independence till 2019. "In the last three years, we have registered phenomenal growth in different sectors and in terms of knowledge, physical and digital connectivity, Jammu and Kashmir has performed exceptionally well in the entire country," he added The Lt Governor invited the Industry leaders from across the world to be a part of the new industrial revolution of Jammu Kashmir. "We have broadened the economic and social base of development and are offering best incentives across the country, land for industries, skilled labour, technical support, market connectivity, national and international air cargo facilities, raw materials, cheapest power, lowest crime rate, single window clearance, ease of doing business, he observed. "One lakh crore rupees worth highways and tunnels projects are going on in J&K UT. Kashmir will be connected to Kanyakumari this year. The flight operations in both Jammu & Srinagar airports have increased and international flight connectivity has been strengthened," observed the Lt Governor. Today, peace is prevailing in Jammu Kashmir. Days of Hartals have become history now. World has witnessed the youth and people of Pulwama, Tral, Shopian coming out of their houses in huge numbers with national flags in their hands, he noted. Jammu Kashmir has everything to offer to maximise the immense potential of the business. This decade belongs to Jammu Kashmir, the Lt Governor said. Amit Jain, CEO Emaar said the Mall of Srinagar is one of our milestone projects and we are excited about the potential of it. "As Emaar group, we bring along strong relationships with leading retail brands of UAE, most of which will be launching their presence in India through this initiative," he added. It was informed that Emaar Group will develop One IT tower at Jammu and One at Srinagar. The mega-mall is the first significant FDI investment in Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate investments in marquee projects as per the MOU signed between the governments of the UAE and India. Launched by Emaar and Magna Waves Buildtech, the mall is set to become operational by 2026. In January 2022, during the Investor meet at Dubai, the J&K government entered into a bilateral agreement with various stakeholders and the Government of UAE to deliver over a billion dollars worth of projects in the valley. These projects include the development of industrial parks, a medical college, a specialty hospital, logistics centres, IT towers, and multipurpose towers, in addition to the Mall of Srinagar by Emaar. "Some people have a negative mindset in J&K and continue to criticize the government policies as they can't digest the huge development taking place in the UT. J&K has witnessed a huge sea change post August 5, 2019. The government land was kept under illegal possession by some people that was retrieved. The land retrieved will be used for setting up industries, playgrounds for youth...," he said. New Delhi, March 19 : With the whole of last week's parliamentary proceedings having been washed out without transacting any business, owing to disruptions by treasury benches and opposition members, Government only has two weeks to get the Union budget for 2023-2024 passed in Parliament. As per norms, the Union budget needs to be passed in both Houses of Parliament before the end of financial year, i.e. prior to March 31, 2023. Therefore, in the forthcoming week starting from Monday, government may try to get the process of budget clearance started. Normally, demands for grants for some key ministries like railways and agriculture are taken up for discussion and voting in Lok Sabha. After these are voted for, since there is no time to take up demands for grants for each and every department, the Speaker applies guillotine on all such outstanding demands for grants, and they are put up for voting, whether discussed or not. Once this is done, the government introduces the Appropriation Bill, seeking approval for withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Fund of India. After this bill is passed, it becomes the Appropriate Act. After voting on Appropriation Bill, the finance bill is taken up for consideration. According to sources, government on Monday may try to take up for discussion and voting, demands for grants for railway ministry for 2023-24 in Lok Sabha. Apart from this, Lok Sabha may also take up a general discussion on the budget for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2023-24. In addition to this, discussion and voting on the demands for grants for Jammu and Kashmir for 2023-24 may also be taken up this week. If at all Lok Sabha manages to function smoothly, it may also take up discussion and voting, the supplementary demands for grants for Jammu and Kashmir for 2022-23. Government will also try and get the parliament's approval for the second batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2022-23. New Delhi, March 19 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday said that they have arrested an accused, Md Irshad Alam of Mehsi in Bihar's East Champaran in connection with the Phulwari Sharif PFI case. The NIA said that they found that despite the ban on the PFI imposed on September 27, 2022, the PFI leaders continued to propagate the ideology of violent extremism and were also arranging arms and ammunition to commit crimes. The case was registered in July 2022 when four accused were arrested as they gathered in the Phulwari Sharif area of Patna for training and to carry out acts of terror and violence. Three more were arrested in February this year. PFI cadres in Phulwari Sharif and Motihari had vowed to continue PFI activities in a clandestine manner in Bihar and had also arranged a firearm and ammunition recently to eliminate a youth of a particular community in Bihar's East Champaran district. "Alam, who has been arrested yesterday, was in close association with accused Yakub Khan alias Usman alias Sultan, a Physical Education Trainer of PFI. Accused Yakoob Khan had posted incriminating videos on social media to spread communal flare-up. Subsequently Yakoob, along with Md Irshad Alam and other associates, had planned to execute a targeted killing. Reece was conducted with the help of Irshad to carry out the attack. A firearm and ammunition were also arranged by Yakoob Khan with the help of other arrested accused," the official said. The official said that as of now they have arrested 13 accused in this connection. Earlier, in January this year, the agency filed a charge sheet against four accused persons. Yangon, March 19 : Myanmar's government has designated a new protected public forest area in western region Sagaing's Katha district. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation last week designated the area of more than 550 hectares as "Gahe-2" protected public forest, in Katha's Indaw township, Xinhua news agency reported. The move is aimed at conserving watershed areas for farmland for local residents to meet their daily needs and protecting biodiversity, according to the Ministry. On the land in this area grow varieties of Myanmar hardwoods and there are large pasture lands for wild animals. The Southeast Asian country expects to establish 30 per cent of its total area as forest reserves and 10 per cent as protected areas, according to local media reports. San Francisco, March 19 : Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, believes that artificial intelligence technology will reshape society as we know it, adding that he worries that AI chatbots could "eliminate a lot of current jobs". He believes it comes with real dangers, but can also be "the greatest technology humanity has yet developed" to drastically improve our lives, according to ABC News. "We've got to be careful here. I think people should be happy that we are a little bit scared of this," Altman was quoted as saying. When asked why he was "scared" about forming his company, he said that if he wasn't, "you should either not trust me or be very unhappy that I'm in this job". "It is going to eliminate a lot of current jobs, that's true. We can make much better ones. The reason to develop AI at all, in terms of impact on our lives and improving our lives and upside, this will be the greatest technology humanity has yet developed," said OpenAI CEO. In addition, he discussed the possible effects of chatbots powered by AI on education, including their potential to encourage laziness among students. "Education is going to have to change. But it's happened many other times with technology. When we got the calculator, the way we taught math and what we tested students on totally changed". Moreover, Altman and his team want users to think of ChatGPT as a "co-pilot," in any field, someone who can help you write complex computer code or solve problems, said the report. Last week, OpenAI announced that ChatGPT Plus, the subscription service to access its text-generating AI, is now available in India. "Great news! ChatGPT Plus subscriptions are now available in India. Get early access to new features, including GPT-4 today," OpenAI said in a tweet. New Delhi, March 19 : Testing is paramount to identify HIV cases, and making self-testing a national policy can certainly pave the way for ending AIDS in India, health experts contended on Sunday. Globally almost half of the countries (98) have included HIV self-testing policies, and one-fourth nations globally (52) are routinely implementing it. However, India is among the countries that have not yet developed a national policy on HIV self-testing. "People who have HIV should know their status. Self-testing is a right of everybody," Dr Ishwar Gilada, President of President, AIDS Society of India (ASI), told IANS at its ongoing three-day 14th National Conference (ASICON) in the national capital. Not implementing self-tests in India is just "a mindset issue", Gilada said. "They (the government) unnecessarily thinks that somebody will commit suicide or counselling," if people get to know their HIV status. Citing the examples of "self-tests for Covid-19, pregnancy, diabetes," he said, these "have not only proven successful in increasing the uptake of tests but also how it links to care services". Gilada said that HIV self-test is one of the key cog-in-the-wheel to reaching out to the last mile for the first-95 target. "There is no reason at all to delay full scale rollout of HIV self-testing in India as well as other countries which are missing leveraging upon this evidence-based intervention," he noted. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS aims that 95 per cent of people living with HIV must know their status, 95 per cent of them should be on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95 per cent of these must be virally suppressed. ART is the treatment for HIV, and involves taking a combination of medicines. While it cannot cure HIV, it can help people with HIV live longer, healthier lives. In India, as of March 2022, 77 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status, 84 per cent of them were on antiretroviral therapy, and 85 per cent of them had viral suppression. This translates into 55 per cent of total people living with HIV in India being virally suppressed in 2021-22 against the target of 86 per cent of them virally suppressed by 2025-26. "On the other hand, the poorest of the poor countries, including in Africa about 90-95 per cent know their HIV status," Gilada said. According to the National AIDS Control Organisation 2022 report, between 2010 and 2021, new infections declined by 46 per cent whereas the goal was to reduce new HIV infections by 80 per cent by 2025. "Testing is probably paramount. Every opportunity that we get to test everybody, that means in emergency situations, in family clinics and reproductive health clinics, only then you will be able to know what the magnitude of the infection is," said Dr Jyoti Dhar, an HIV Physician and GUM (Genitourinary Medicine) Consultant at University Hospitals Of Leicester NHS Trust, UK. It is because in most cases, the samples taken to understand the prevalence rate are usually biased, she told IANS. But "with self-testing you are empowering people to identify that they have put themselves at risk. With self-testing we can help provide information and make people aware where to go and what to do after being exposed to the virus," Dhar noted. She said that in this day of modern technology, where everybody has a smartphone, people do not need to go anywhere anymore. "You can link the test with an online resource, where patients can fill in a questionnaire, identify if they have put themselves at risk, and seek what they have to do next". "That is the type of education and knowledge that we need to instil into the common person," Dhar said, adding that self-tests should be provided free of cost for people in the poorest sections of society. It may also help fight the stigma that these patients, particularly the vulnerable populations like the hijra community, face while going for identifying their status, the health experts said. The positivity rate of HIV in the country shows to be just 0.21 per cent of the whole population or adult population. "But when you talk about the marginalised population, say men who have sex with men, the positivity rate is 15 to 16 times more, in the hijra community it is more than 15 times, among injection drug users it is 45 times more than the general population," Gilada said. "These people do not get tested because of stigma," he said, and self-tests can help them identify their status. Gilada also cited the example of Vietnam and Cambodia who were very high in HIV at one time. They implemented self-testing and achieved good results. "They controlled HIV because they were proactive. So I think our mindset has to change. We have to become proactive. We should go one step further, particularly for marginalised communities and let them come out let them be tested". (Rachel V. Thomas can be contacted at rachel.t@ians.in) New Delhi, March 19 : After Delhi Police reached residence of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, party's National President Mallikarjun Kharge said that Congress will not stop questioning on Adani row. Kharge reached the party office and held a meeting with senior leaders. He said, "Rahul Gandhi and Congress will not get scared and this is done to divert attention from the Adani issue, we will continue to question them on Adani, no matter how much they want him to save." Congress said that Delhi Police's cheap theatrics prove how rattled is Prime Minister Narendra Modi with questions on Adani and it's not fault of police but their political masters. "Bharat Jodo Yatra and Rahul Gandhi gave a safe space to millions of women to walk freely, voice their concerns & share their pain. Delhi Police's cheap theatrics prove how rattled Mr Modi is with our questions on Adani. This harassment deepens our conviction to seek answers," Congress said in a tweet. Meanwhile, talking to media outside Rahul Gandhi's residence, Congress leader Pawan Khera raised questions over the police and asked that under which rule is the police coming to Rahul Gandhi's residence to take details of Bharat Jodo Yatra which ended 45 days back. "We will answer questions related to incidents mentioned during Bharat Jodo Yatra according to rules. They want to talk for women...What action did they take in Hathras, Kathua? Behind the police, it's the government and we are not scared of govt," Khera told media. New Delhi, March 19 : Several incidents of suicide by students have come to light in the recent past in many cities, including Chennai, Kota, Mumbai, Pune, Varanasi etc. Social disparities, lack of bonding and exam pressure have been some of the prominent reasons that drove these students to take the extreme step. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 10 per cent of adolescents globally experience a mental disorder. What adds to the concern is that these youngsters usually are without any help or care. Statistics show that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 19-year olds. According to experts, these figures serve as a wake-up call to educational institutions that mental health disorder among students is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. According to Union Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, six students have committed suicide in higher educational institutions like IITs and NITs so far this year. Last year, 16 students had died by suicide, seven in 2021, five in 2020, 16 in 2019 and 11 in 2018. In the last five years, a total of 55 students have died by suicide in institutions like IITs, NITs, and IIMs. Recently, an 18-year-old Dalit student committed suicide in IIT Bombay, by jumping off the seventh floor of his hostel building. Sarkar said that several steps are being taken by the concerned institutes to reduce academic stress. He said that all the courses have been introduced in regional languages now to reduce stress among the students. As a part of this initiative, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has released the complete syllabus of 12 different technical courses in regional languages. Psychiatrist A.K. Bhamri said: "After the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of students suffering from mental disorders because of various reasons, including exam pressure, academic stress, competition among classmates as well as family pressure. Moreover, as the level of competition for admission in institutions is increasing, the pressure on the students is also going up. Also, there needs to be a conducive environment to prioritise wellness." Educationist C.S. Kandpal said that the time when a student prepares for any examination is especially important and stressful. The second such situation occurs when results of these exams are declared, making the students feel anxious. He said that there is a need to motivate the student during that time. Kandpal added that sometimes, students' mental health gets affected by how parents respond to different situations at home, throughout the preparatory cycle. He said: "There should be regular interaction and dialogue between the students and their parents. Students must be made to understand that exams are not the end of the road." According to Hansraj Suman from Delhi University, students studying in higher educational instiutions also take the extreme step because of being lonely and not being able to socialise with their peers. Suman added that students in IITs and other similar educational institutions come from different parts of the country, and their dialect, lifestyle, economic and education level differ from each other. He said that familial pressure also leads to a situation where a student somehow believes that he/she is a failure. He concluded that sometimes not getting the desired course in such higher educational institutions even after due preparation and hard work also leads to cases of suicides among students. The improvement courses aimed at further improving the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of the staff of the Azerbaijani army's personnel have ended, Azernews reports. A graduation ceremony was held at the end of the trial exam organized at the Military Administration Institute of the National Defense University. First, the memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Martyrs was honored with observing a minute of silence. At the graduation ceremony, the Deputy Chief of the Main Department for Personnel Chief of the Department for Personnel, Major General Elchin Khalilov spoke about the work carried out in the Azerbaijan Army on the improvement of the staff of the Personnel Bodies and achievements in this field. The Chief of the department noted that the reforms carried out in the field of army development under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev are being improved within the framework of modern requirements. Then Major General E. Khalilov congratulated the course participants on the occasion of the upcoming Novruz holiday on behalf of the Minister of Defense Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, and gave them recommendations for future service activities, and wished them success. It should be noted that during the courses, the listeners were given lectures on the implementation of a successful personnel policy in the Azerbaijan Army applying modern innovative methods. They were trained on the rules of recording and honoring personnel, giving honorary titles and awards. In addition, trainings were held on the rules of enlistment, planned rotation, reserve and resignation, as well as social issues of military personnel and other necessary service topics. March 19, 2008 AUBURN Auburn Memorial Hospital is not going anywhere. It will be around to offer medical service for generations to come. This was the message Tuesday during the first-ever State of the Hospital address. During an optimistic hour-long presentation, AMH President and CEO Scott Berlucchi told members of the public and hospital officials despite recent hardships, the institution has a bright future. The hospital is overcoming its past financial issues, which included numerous years of reported financial losses followed by Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Berlucchi said. Over the last year, AMH reduced operating costs by $5 million and posted $1 million in financial gains. That was the first year to see gains since 2002, he said. The cost-reduction was achieved because hospital officials have right-sized the business by cutting unneeded expenditures, according to Berlucchi. Health care is moving toward more of an outpatient model that AMH had yet to adopt, he said. Over the years, we had built an infrastructure to support a 300-bed facility, Berlucchi said after the presentation. Instead, AMH will operate as a 99-bed facility with a strong emphasis on outpatient diagnostics, he added. Berlucchi said AMH's 2008 budget predicts a $2 million gain, though after a strong start to the year, he said he could realistically see more than $3 million. Because of the turnaround, Berlucchi predicted that the hospital would complete its Chapter 11 proceedings by June or July. As the hospital moves forward, it will upgrade its facilities and expand its services to more specialized fields while conducting its business in a transparent manner, Berlucchi said. AMH has expanded its orthopedics staff to seven physicians, which is up from one since August, he said. The hospital is also looking to expand its bariatrics department by offering new procedures to treat obesity. A new ear, nose and throat specialist will join AMH and the hospital will further develop its physical rehabilitation program. The psychiatric unit will become an in-house program, and the hospital plans to purchase MRI and PET/CT machines for its radiology department, Berlucchi said. Such programs will increase the facility's profitability by attracting patients who would otherwise have to be treated at hospitals in larger markets, he said. Now that we are promoting these services, those people will all be coming back to us, Berlucchi said. The hospital's obstetrics department will remain open despite a recent recommendation by the Berger Commission to close the ward, an accomplishment Berlucchi attributed to the organization's diligence. I think we are the only hospital who has had a reversal of a Berger Commission recommendation in the state of New York, he said. Dave Smith, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees, said the address was needed because so many people in the community are concerned about the hospital's future. As things turn around, it is important for the hospital to be as open as possible to the community it serves, Smith said. When things aren't going as well as they should, you tend to keep your laundry inside of the house, Smith said. But the community has to be part of this hospital, and the community can't do that if we don't let them. Take action against those responsible for fire accidents: Kishan Reddy . Image Source: IANS News Take action against those responsible for fire accidents: Kishan Reddy . Image Source: IANS News Hyderabad, March 19 : Union minister for tourism and culture G. Kishan Reddy on Sunday alleged that the Telangana government is not taking action against owners of buildings whose negligence is leading to a series of fire accidents. He visited Swapnalok Complex in Secunderabad, where a huge fire on Thursday night claimed six lives. The minister spoke to officials and enquired about the cause of the fire. Kishan Reddy, who is a member of Lok Sabha from Secunderabad, told media persons that the state government is regularising unauthorised buildings for revenue. He alleged that the government is encouraging illegal constructions so that it can earn more revenue. The Union minister termed the fire accident in the building unfortunate. He said that though poor and innocents were losing lives in fire accidents, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and state government were not taking action against those responsible for the accidents. "Whenever a fire accident takes place, they say we will take action but later forget it," said Kishan Reddy. He said negligence by the owners of buildings was resulting in tragedies. Many commercial establishments lack fire safety equipment or not complying with fire safety guidelines. Kishan Reddy asked all enterprises to do regular inspections of fire safety compliances and audits and rectify any defects to avoid accidents. Six youths including four women were killed and few others injured in a huge fire that broke out at Swapnalok Complex on Thursday night. This was the second major fire accident in Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad, in less than two months. Three persons were killed in a huge fire at a multi-storey commercial complex on January 28. The building was completely gutted in the fire and it was later demolished by the authorities as the structure had become weak. Lucknow, March 19 : Power employees in Uttar Pradesh have called off their 72-hour strike after a detailed round of discussion with UP energy minister Arvind Kumar Sharma. The strike was called off after 64 hours on Sunday. The Vidyut Karmachari Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti (VKSSS) announced the decision after the UP energy minister Arvind Kumar Sharma said that the government would sympathetically consider all their demands. The minister appealed to the power employees to return to work at the earliest so that power supply could be restored in areas where it had been adversely affected. The minister further assured that any action initiated against employees would be legally withdrawn. VKSSS convenor Shailendra Dubey said that after the assurance from the government, the power employees had decided to give time so that their demands could be fulfilled. Seoul, March 19 : North Korea on Sunday criticised the US and the UN for having raised the issue of Pyongyang's human rights problem recently at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the regime's missile provocation, according to the North's state media. On Friday, the US co-hosted an informal meeting highlighting the human rights violations in the reclusive nation at the UNSC. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the North's recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a violation of UNSC resolutions on the same day, Yonhap news agency reported. In response to the meeting, the North's mission to the UN said in a statement that Pyongyang "will counter the illegal 'human rights' campaign by the US and its followers with the most powerful means," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The mission said it defines the "pressure campaign" as a violation of the dignity and sovereignty of the North, and "resolutely denounces and rejects it," according to the KCNA. On Guterres' statement, Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the Secretary-General of "adding fuel to the flames" and "far from helping easing the tension in the Korean Peninsula and the region," according to the KCNA. "I think it is good for defusing tension and for himself that the UN Secretary-General remains silent rather than meddling in the Korean Peninsula issue as now," Kim Son-gyong, the North's Vice-Foreign Minister for international organisations, said in a separate statement. Muzaffarpur, March 19 : Mango trees in Bihar are a sight to behold this year. The weather has also been favourable so far due to which the farmers are happy about their mango production this time. The mango trees in the state are laden with flowers or 'manjar', and the farmers are busy protecting them from any kind of disease or natural disaster. In India, the major mango-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar, among others. National productivity of mango is 8.80 tonnes per hectare. In Bihar, mango is cultivated in an area of 160.24 thousand hectares with production of 1,549.97 thousand tonnes. Mango productivity in Bihar is 9.67 tonnes per hectare, which is slightly higher than the national productivity. Bihar ranks 13th among 27 states in the list of mango-producing states. Bihar is known for its wide variety of mangoes, which includes 'Dudhiya Malda', 'Jardalu', and 'Gulab Khaas', among others. Among the different types of mangos produced in Bihar, the 'Jardalu' variety of Bhagalpur got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2018, which shows the uniqueness of the fruit. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in collaboration with the state government, has exported 4.5 lakh tonnes of organic Jardalu mangos to Bahrain, Belgium and the UK. The specialty of this variety is that if the saplings are planted anywhere other than Bhagalpur, the fruit will lose its fragrance. Seeing its specialty, the government has decided to expand the production of this variety to Munger and Banka, which are adjacent to Bhagalpur and have similar soil pattern. The other varieties produced in Bihar include 'Fazli', 'Sukul', 'Sepia', 'Chausa', 'Kalkatiya', 'Amrapali', 'Mallika', 'Sindhu', 'Ambika', 'Mahmud Bahar', 'Prabha Shankar' and 'Biju'. The 'Jardalu' variety of Bhagalpur, 'Dudhiya Malda' of Digha and 'Chausa' of Buxar are not just sold in different parts of India, but are also exported to other countries. A mango grower told IANS: "This year the mango trees have blossomed well. We are speculating that if the 'manjars' are saved from storm, this year there will be a bumper yield of mangos." A farmer from Bhagalpur said: "The production in the area has been not been good for the last three years, but this year the mango trees are in bloom and there is hope of a good crop. This is the time to protect the flowers from germs and heat." S.K. Singh, chief scientist and co-director of research at Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Samastipur, who has done detailed research on the diseases that affect mango trees, said that there is no use of pesticides at this juncture. "Wait until the fruits are equal to the size of peas, after which you can use pesticides. At this time, a large number of bees have come to the mango orchards, and we should not disturb them because they are doing pollination work in the orchards," he said. Singh added: "If you sprinkle any kind of medicine, it will harm the bees and there is a possibility of the delicate parts of the flowers getting damaged." Hyderabad, March 19 : Telangana unit Congress chief A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday alleged that the personal assistant of state minister for industries and information technology K.T. Rama Rao has played a key role in the question paper leak case that has rocked Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) He also alleged that KTR's PA Tirupati has links with Rajasekhar Reddy, a contract employee of TSPSC and number two accused in the case. Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president claimed that the paper leakage happened from KTR's office. He said the minister gave Rajasekhar Reddy a job in TSPSC on the recommendation of Tirupati. Revanth Reddy, who is currently on Haath se haath jodo padyatra, sat on protest in Kamareddy district over the question paper leak. He demanded the state government should immediately order a probe by a sitting judge of the High Court. He also announced that he would take the issue of paper leakage to the High Court. Stating that TSPSC employees are ineligible to attend the exams conducted by TSPSC, he wondered how 20 employees appeared in exams. Praveen Kumar, an employee of the Commission, had appeared in the Group-I Prelims. He had scored 103 marks. The Congress leader said in the past, TSPSC employee Rajinikanth was selected for Group-I post. He had secured fourth rank. Revanth Reddy said that the probe should cover all those who scored more than 100 marks in Group-I Prelims. He said 100 candidates from one mandal scored more than 100 marks. The TPCC chief said that there were irregularities in Group-I results in 2016. Madhuri, who had come from the US to write the exam, secured first rank, he said. He also claimed that 25 candidates who wrote Group-II exam in one place secured jobs. The TSPSC had conducted the examination on March 5 for 833 vacancies of Assistant Engineer, Municipal Assistant Engineer, Technical Officer, and Junior Technical Officer in various engineering departments. A total of 55,000 candidates had written the exam. However, the Commission suspected leakage of the question paper and lodged a complaint with the police. On March 13, police arrested nine persons including two employees of the TSPSC. Following the arrest of the accused, the Commission cancelled the exam and also postponed other exams scheduled to be held later this month. Amid doubts that the accused may have leaked question papers of some other exams, the Commission on Friday decided to cancel three other exams including Group I Prelims. Nearly 2.86 lakh aspirants of Group I posts had appeared in Group-I exam conducted on October 16, 2022. Quito, March 19 : At least 15 people have been killed and more than 400 injured after an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck Ecuador, the media reported citing officials. The epicentre was near Balao, about 80 km from Ecuador's Guayaquil city where about three million people live, the BBC reported. The earthquake occurred at around 12 p.m. (local time) on Saturday The southern province of El Oro was the worst affected and 12 people died there, authorities said. Buildings were damaged in several cities. In Ecuador, Machala and Cuenca were among the cities that suffered damage to buildings and vehicles, as emergency services rushed to help people. President Guillermo Lasso asked Ecuadoreans to remain calm as officials assess the damage. He also visited a hospital in the city of Machala to meet with some of the injured people. The government said more than 250 injured people were treated in the town of Pasaje, in El Oro, and nearly all of them were eventually discharged. "We ran from the house," Machala resident Exon Tobar told the BBC. Several roads have been blocked by landslides, while some homes, educational buildings and health centres have been damaged, authorities said. One person was killed in the city of Cuenca, in Azuay province, after a wall collapsed onto their car, while three persons died when a security camera tower came down on Jambeli Island, in El Oro province. There have also been reports of the earthquake being felt in several other cities, including Manabi, Manta and the capital Quito. This is the strongest quake to hit Ecuador since 2016, when nearly 700 people died and thousands were injured, officials. San Francisco, March 19 : A US-based school has filed a lawsuit against YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat, alleging they are purposefully designed to be addictive, having "carefully cultivated" a mental health crisis among students. In the lawsuit, the San Mateo County School Superintendent and School Board also claim that the tech companies engaged in activities such as negligence, racketeering, public nuisance, and unfair competition law violations, reports Fox News. "Powerful corporations who wield unmatched, highly concentrated technology in pursuit of profit are knowingly creating this unprecedented mental health crisis," the lawsuit states. "YouTube, Snap, TikTok and their related companies have carefully cultivated the crisis, which is a feature -- not a bug -- of their social media products," it added. Moreover, the report said that the social media platforms in defence argued that they have tools in place to protect children. "We have an external group of child development experts that help advise us on how to build age-appropriate experience and protect kids on YouTube," a Google spokesperson, was quoted as saying. TikTok, on the other hand, declined to comment on the lawsuit, though a spokesperson stated that the company "prioritises the safety and well-being of teens", according to the report. Further, a Snap spokesperson added that, while the app is primarily used for messaging, the company works "closely with leading mental health organisations to provide in-app tools for Snapchatters and resources to help support both themselves and their friends". The report further mentioned that the suit claims that the social media giants' algorithms intentionally deliver harmful content to youth, leaving school staff to address the issues caused by the platforms. "No one gets off the hook for the health and well-being of our young people. And when we try to work with social media companies to remove content that could be directly harming a child, it's very difficult," San Mateo Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee, was quoted as saying. In the lawsuit, the tech companies are asking for the court to declare their actions as a public nuisance and prevent them from continuing to act in this way. It also demands that defendants pay damages and contribute to a public education fund. New Delhi, March 19 : BJP President J.P. Nadda on Sunday shared a video on his Twitter handle showering praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Nadda posted a one-and-a-half minute animated video with the caption: "It is not without reason that our PM @narendramodi is the most loved and admired leader. In fact, there are not one but hundreds of reasons... This innovative video gives us a peek..." In the video, the Prime Minister could be seen making a wall in the shape of one with bricks named on the policies and work done by the Modi government, constructed with the cement 'Sabka Sath'. The bricks had names like Suraksha Bima, Garib Kalyan, Swachh Bharat, PM Awas Yojna, Operation Ganga, Kashi Corridor, Ram Mandir, Mahakal Corridor, G20, Beti Padhao, etc. At the end of the video, the Prime Minister's popularity is shown at 80 per cent as number one, followed by Mexico President Lopez Obrador with 68 per cent popularity. Switzerland President Alain Berset was placed third at 62 per cent followed by Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at 58 per cent. The BJP's official Twitter handle also shared the same video with the caption: "And command of the world's largest democracy lies in the hands of the world's most popular leader!" Los Angeles, March 19 : Oscar nominee Willem Dafoe has expressed his willingness to return to the Spider-Man multiverse again, if the right opportunity arises. The actor is known for his iconic villain role as Norman Osborne with alter ego Green Goblin in Sam Raimi's 2000s Spider-Man trilogy and beyond, reports Deadline. He said as much in a recent interview with Inverse, telling the outlet he'd gladly reprise the part, "if everything was right." "I mean, that's a great role," opined Dafoe. "I liked the fact that it's a double role both times. Twenty years ago, and fairly recently, both times (were) very different experiences, but I had a good time on both." As per Deadline, Dafoe's Spidey character Osborne is a scientist holding the post of CEO at Oscorp who goes mad in Raimi's 2002 trilogy opener 'Spider-Man', coming after the web-slinging superhero of the same name played by Tobey Maguire, after an experiment with strength enhancement goes awry, despite the fact that Spidey is, in his day-to-day life, Peter Parker, the best friend of his own son, Harry (James Franco). While the character meets his end in that film after a failed attempt at killing Parker, Dafoe reprised the part with small appearances in the Raimi-directed sequels, 'Spider-Man 2' and 'Spider-Man 3'. The actor most recently returned to the Spider-verse for the 2021 multiverse film 'Spider-Man: No Way Home', which had him reuniting on screen with Maguire's version of the character, while striking fear into the version played by Tom Holland in the more recent film series. And Dafoe certainly isn't the only legacy star of the franchise to have expressed excitement about further installments. Maguire himself said in an interview for the book 'Spider-Man: No Way Home The Official Movie Special', released last month, that when he got the call to come back for 'No Way Home', he was "like finally!" "I got the call and was immediately open about coming to do this. Not without nerves - you know, 'What will this look like and what will the experience be?' But to get to show up with beautiful, talented, creative people and play together? It's just like, 'Yes!' It's fun and exciting," he said. Lahore, March 19 : The Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Shah Mahmood Qureshi, on Sunday questioned Finance Minister Ishaq Dars statement on nuclear weapons in the Senate, demanding the Senator to clarify whether the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to give up its missile system, media reports said. Addressing a press conference, Qureshi said that the Finance Minister is the 'in-law' of the ruling party and his statement on the floor of the Senate is important, Geo News reported . "This statement has created a new crisis in the country," said former Foreign Minister Qureshi, adding that the foreign office spokesperson had to clarify during her weekly press briefing, the report said. "The spokeswoman says that talks about nuclear power are not on the agenda of talks with any country or financial institution. Then why did Ishaq Dar make this statement on the Senate floor," Qureshi questioned. "Tell us if IMF asked you for a missile system, Ishaq Dar. Why did you make such a big statement on the floor of the House," asked Qureshi, adding that no one has the right to ask us about our nuclear programme, Geo News reported. "Our nuclear [weapons] are for our defence," the PTI leader said, highlighting that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani has also asked Prime Minister (Shehbaz Sharif) to issue a policy statement on nuclear weapons. Qureshi said that his successor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, should have issued a clarification. Earlier this week, Dar had said in his address to the Senate that Pakistan would not compromise on its nuclear programme for reviving the stalled IMF loan facility, Geo News reported. The Finance Minister's comments came in response to Senator Rabbani's concerns that he raised during a Senate session, wherein he asked whether the IMF programme was being delayed to force the government into resorting to moves that were against the state's interests. The Finance Minister said nobody has any right to dictate to "Pakistan what range of missiles and what nuclear weapons it can have." "We have to have our own deterrence," he said, Geo News reported. It was completely predictable yet still jolting to see former President Donald Trump put out a public statement calling on his supports to protest and "TAKE OUR NATION BACK" ahead of what he says will be his imminent arrest and prosecution in New York state. In a Saturday morning message posted to his social media platform, written in all-capital letters, Trump claimed to know he will be arrested Tuesday on charges from the Manhattan district attorney. That office is investigating potential crimes connected with 2016 campaign hush money paid to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump. One of Trump's former attorneys, Michael Cohen, served time in prison for those payments, but Trump has never been charged. It would seem logical that Trump may also be criminally culpable for something that his attorney, acting on Trump's behalf and at Trump's direction, was convicted of doing, but it's hard to know unless and until prosecutors charge him and lay out the evidence. But that lack of information didn't stop Republican leaders from amplifying Trump's rage-filled post on Saturday. House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy called the arrest that has not yet happened "an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA" and said he has ordered "relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions." Cayuga County's representative in Congress, Claudia Tenney, retweeted McCarthy's message on Saturday. She also claimed "the far left wants total control, condemnation and subjugation of anyone who disagrees." Given their track records, it's not surprising that Tenney and McCarthy and a host of other GOP members of Congress would instinctively bolster Trump's attempts to sow chaos. They did the same thing when Trump knowingly lied about the results of the 2020 election and stoked the violence that erupted in the Capitol on Jan. 6. What this nation desperately needs at this moment is for some reasonable Republican officials to step forward and denounce inflammatory rhetoric by Trump and others, implore Trump supporters to be peaceful in expressing their opinions and allow the American justice system to play its vital role. If Trump is charged with crimes, he'll get an opportunity to defend himself, and prosecutors will have the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That's how it works for all of us, and that absolutely should include former presidents and current presidential candidates. The Citizen Editorial board includes executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd Moscow, March 19 : Russian President Vladimir Putin has paid a surprise visit to Mariupol -- the Ukrainian port city captured by Russian forces, the media reported. The visit is believed to be Putin's first to a newly-occupied Ukrainian territory. In a video, Putin is seen driving a car through streets at night and speaking to people, the BBC reported on Sunday. It was, however, not known when the footage was taken. During the visit, the Russian President is also reported to have met top military commanders in Rostov-on-Don city. Putin travelled to Mariupol by helicopter. In the video, he is in the car with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who explains how the city is being rebuilt, Tass news agency reported. Putin also appears to visit the Philharmonic Hall, which was used to stage trials of defenders of the Azovstal iron and steel plant, a huge industrial complex where Ukrainian troops held out before eventually surrendering. Mariupol has been under Russian occupation for more than 10 months after being devastated in one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the conflict. Ukraine said more than 20,000 people were killed there. UN analysis estimates that 90 per cent of the buildings were damaged and around 3,50,000 people were forced to leave, our of a pre-war population of about 5,00,000. A group of local residents has told the BBC that "Russia is conducting an expensive campaign to rebuild the city and win over the hearts and minds of its people". The purpose is to assimilate Mariupol and make it Russia's own. Russian authorities say 3,00,000 people are now living there. New Delhi, March 19 : Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has reportedly answered the Delhi Police regarding their query in connection with the sexual assault remark he made in Srinagar during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. The sources said that Gandhi sent four-page reply to Delhi Police highlighting in 10 points. However, the sources have said that the answers were not clear in nature. A Delhi Police team led by Special CP, Law and Order, Dr Sagar Preet Hooda and DCP, New Delhi Pranav Tayal had reached Gandhi's home in Tughlak lane on Sunday morning to serve him a notice. According to sources, the police team on March 15 had waited for three hours at Gandhi's residence to serve him notice, however, he did not meet them. Again on March 16, senior officers visited his residence and served the notice after waiting for one and a half hour. A senior police officer said the notice was issued after the cops took cognizance of social media posts and sent a list of questionnaires. " ... in one particular case, I asked a girl (who had been raped) if we should call the police? She said 'don't call the police... I will be shamed'," Rahul Gandhi had said during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar. Speaking with the mediaperaons, Dr Sagar Preet Hooda said that Gandhi made the statement on January 30 in Srinagar. "This is very serious matter and we came here to gather more information in this connection. We need information regarding his speech and the victims so that we could initiate legal action into the matter and victims could get justice," said Hooda. Islamabad, March 19 : Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and other PTI leaders were on Sunday booked on terror charges for clashes between the police and party activists outside the Islamabad judicial complex, according to a media report. In the FIR, which was registered by SHO Rashid of Ramna police station, the former Prime Minister and 17 other PTI leaders have been named, The Express Tribune reported. Ali Nawaz Awan, Aamir Mehmood Kayani, Asad Qaiser, Farrukh Habib, Asad Umar, Umar Ayub, Jamshed Mughal, Ali Amin Gandapur, Ehsan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Asim and Shibli Faraz have been named in the FIR. Moreover, a total of 38 protesters were detained for vandalising the premises and state property, The Express Tribune reported. The FIR stated that the ousted premier reached the G-11 judicial complex along with a crowd at 3:30 p.m., adding that the crowd accompanying Khan pelted stones at the police. The party workers tried to enter the premises by breaking the gate and surrounded the judicial complex from all sides, added the FIR, The Express Tribune reported. The FIR also noted that the PTI workers surrounded and tortured the policemen and set fire to the police check-post in Sector G-11. A 9 mm pistol, official wireless set, and Rs 20,000 were stolen from an official vehicle, while the protesters also took away eight anti-riot kits from the policemen, the FIR added. The report also noted that the protesters burnt two government vehicles and seven motorcycles parked in the parking area, adding that the agitators smashed 16 vehicles and four motorcycles outside the judicial complex with sticks and stones, The Express Tribune reported. Bengaluru, March 19 : The police in Karnataka's Shivamogga have questioned a Muslim youth who recited 'azaan' during a protest at the Deputy Commissioner's office two days ago. A Muslim organisation had staged a protest at the office of the Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate on March 17 against former minister and BJP legislator K.S. Eshwarappa over his remarks about 'azaan', or the Islamic call for prayers. During the protest, a youth had recited 'azaan' and the video of the same had surfaced on social media. The protesters had reportedly threatened to recite 'azaan' in front of the Vidhana Soudha as well. The police have registered a case against the youth who has been summoned and questioned about the incident, confirmed Shivamogga Superintendent of Police, G.K. Mithun Kumar. The SP said the youth was advised not to repeat such activity. The officer also clarified that the youth has not been arrested. The police are checking the antecedents of those who participated in the protest. The SP said action would be taken if the police find anything suspicious about them. Eshwarappa had said last week that loudspeakers used for 'azaan' disturb people, especially students preparing for examinations and patients in hospitals. His remarks had evoked protests from the Muslim community. Beijing, March 19 : Siri and Google Assistant may be able to schedule meetings on request, but so far they don't have the social understanding to independently prioritise the appointments. According to researchers based in China, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is smart, but it is stunted by a lack of social skills. "Artificial intelligence has changed our society and our daily life," first author Lifeng Fan, from Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI) said. "What is the next important challenge for AI in the future? We argue that Artificial Social Intelligence (ASI) is the next big frontier," Fan said. In a paper, published in the CAAI Artificial Intelligence Research, the team explained that ASI comprises multiple siloed subfields, including social perception, theory of Mind -- the understanding that others think from their own point of view -- and social interaction. By using cognitive science and computational modelling to identify the gap between AI systems and human social intelligence, as well as current issues and future directions, Fan said the field will be better equipped to advance. "ASI is distinct and challenging compared to our physical understanding of the work; it is highly context-dependent," Fan said. "Here, context could be as large as culture and common sense or as little as two friends' shared experience. This unique challenge prohibits standard algorithms from tackling ASI problems in real-world environments, which are frequently complex, ambiguous, dynamic, stochastic, partially observable and multi-agent." Fan said that ASI requires the ability to interpret latent social cues, such as eye-rolling or yawning, to understand other agents' mental states, such as belief and intent, and to cooperate in a shared task. According to Fan, the best approach is a more holistic one, mimicking how humans interface with one another and the world around them. This requires an open-ended and interactive environment, as well as consideration for how to introduce better human-like biases into ASI models. "To accelerate the future progress of ASI, we recommend taking a more holistic approach just as humans do, to utilise different learning methods such as lifelong learning, multi-task learning, one-/few-shot learning, meta-learning, etc.," Fan said. "We need to define new problems, create new environments and datasets, set up new evaluation protocols, and build new computational models. The ultimate goal is to equip AI with high-level ASI and lift human well-being with the help of Artificial Social Intelligence." Chandigarh, March 19 : Punjab Police continued their search for self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De', Amritpal Singh, who has been declared a 'fugitive', for the second day on Sunday, with the police registering a fresh FIR against him and his associates in an illegal weapons case. The police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Amritpal's aides, who were arrested on Saturday. The police had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and arrested 78 members of Waris Punjab De, including six to seven gunmen of the radical outfit. Daljeet Singh Kalsi, who handled the Khalistani ideologue's finance, was arrested from Gurugram. Seven of Amritpal's associates, who were arrested for taking siege of a police station in Amritsar's Ajnala area last month, have been sent to police custody till March 23 by a court in Beas. Four aides of the absconding radical leader were taken to Dibrugarh in Assam for security reasons. According to reports, the arrested persons might undergo interrogation by a joint team of Punjab and Assam Police. "Punjab Police are acting within the law. Amritpal Singh is still absconding. Don't believe in rumours and false news. We request all the citizens to maintain peace and harmony and not to panic," a video statement by IG (Headquarters), Sukhchain Singh Gill, said. To prevent any untoward incident in case of the arrest of Amritpal, the police along with CRPF personnel on Sunday conducted flag marches across Punjab. Punjab Police are planning to book Amritpal Singh under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), sources privy to the development told IANS. In the interest of public safety, the government has extended the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except voice call, till Monday noon. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parminder Singh Bhandal, told the media that the police have set up 100 checkpoints in Amritsar and its outskirts to physically check vehicles. CRPF jawans are accompanying the policemen at the checkpoints. Anticipating disturbance of peace, a large contingent of paramilitary force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's native village, Jallupur Khaira in Amritsar district. A special team of police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the separatist leader's convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar's Shahkot tehsil on Saturday. "Amritpal's vehicle was chased for 20-25 km. His vehicle was at the front. However, he managed to escape by changing his vehicle," Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said. Section 144 has been imposed in many districts of the state. The police have also increased security across Punjab. In addition, all vehicles are being checked on the Punjab-Haryana border. Meanwhile, Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, has told the media that the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours, but did not find anything illegal," he said. He also termed the police action as "unjustified", claiming that his son was weaning the youth off drugs. "Why are the police not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs trade," he asked. Kuwait City, March 19 : Kuwait's Constitutional Court on Sunday annulled the 2022 National Assembly and brought back the 2020 Parliament, the media reported. The ruling, which took immediate effect, saw members of the previous Parliament, including Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, taking office, Xinhua reported citing Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). The decision came after the Constitutional Court ruled that the election process in September 2021 in all the five electoral districts was null and void. Last December, the Constitutional Court postponed its examination of appeals lodged by several electoral districts against the Parliamentary election results, according to KUNA. In January, the then-Kuwaiti cabinet resigned, following a standoff between the government and the opposition-led Parliament over financial relief policies. Earlier this month, the court announced it would rule on March 19 on the electoral appeals. Amaravati, March 19 : The results in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council elections clearly indicate that YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) will not come to power again, former chief minister and TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday. Thanking the voters for the victory of TDP in all three graduates' constituencies, Naidu told mediapersons here that the results clearly indicate the anti-incumbency. Terming it as a people's victory, the TDP supremo said that by electing the TDP candidates people have reposed complete faith and confidence in the party. Observing that the people have predicted the future of the state a couple of days before the Ugadi, Chandrababu Naidu said that the election results reflect the inconceivable pain of government employees, sufferings of farmers, underprivileged, common man and students who are over-burdened with rising prices. The agony of an average person living in fear under an anarchic regime is completely reflected in these election results, the former chief minister felt. "Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy always believes in money and muscle power and in indulging in atrocities. He transformed all the elections in these four years only as selections," Chandrababu Naidu said, adding the YSRCP will soon disappear into oblivion. Terming the latest polls as a "war between Jagan Reddy and the 5 crore people of the state", the TDP supremo said that the destruction that he caused to the state and the large-scale corruption will certainly teach him a fitting lesson. Chandrababu felt that the YSRCP will not be in power again and expressed concern that even senior IAS and IPS officers too are becoming partners in the crimes being committed by Jagan Reddy. Though the courts have pulled up this government several times, the ruling party leaders have not learnt any lessons, he remarked. He slammed the YSRCP government for imposing restrictions on the opposition. He said that democracy has certain checks and balances and the ruling party should follow them religiously to win the people's confidence. He expressed surprise that even the directions of the Election Commission are not being honoured and felt that the bureaucrats are resorting to atrocities only to win the confidence of Jagan. He wondered how officials refuse to hand over the declaration forms to the candidates who won the polls. The TDP leader felt that the bureaucrats should be partners in progress but not partners in committing crime. Naidu said that Ram Gopal Reddy, who was declared elected in the polls, was illegally arrested. The graduates constituencies polls covered 108 Assembly segments and 5,000 to 25,000 voters cast their ballot in each segment, the former chief minister said and stated that money, silver articles and other materials were distributed to the voters everywhere. Even voters were enrolled with fake graduate certificates, he said and observed that despite all such atrocities the voters reposed confidence only in the TDP. Mumbai, March 19 : Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is currently enjoying the appreciation coming her way with the release of the latest season of her talk show 'What Women Want', said that the Hindi film industry has changed for good and is on the path of progress, adding the industry as a whole is moving away from the concept of big or small actors to good actors. The actress, who has over the years portrayed many memorable roles such as Geet in 'Jab We Met', Pia in '3 Idiots', Rasika in 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and several others, told IANS: "Women in the industry today are so vocal and rightly so. The kind of brave choices that my fellow actresses have put up in terms of selections of scripts and roles, it's really applause worthy." She said: "Today, there are no big or small actors, there are just good actors. A lot of lines have been blurred in the industry and outside of it and it shows the progress of our cinema. Things will only change for the better from here". Kareena's new show 'What Women Want' is streaming on the YouTube channel of Mirchi Plus. Hyderabad, March 19 : Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) has seized 200 kg ganja and arrested three persons in this connection, an official said on Sunday. The sleuths of H-NEW along with Langer House Police apprehended two drug transporters and a peddler who were found in illegal possession of ganja at Attapur under Langer House Police Station limits. The police seized 200 kg of ganja, three cell phones and one four wheeler (Eicher DCM) -- all valued at Rs 60 lakh. C. Srinivas Rao and A. Sathi Babu, both transporters from Andhra Pradesh and a drug peddler Habeeb from Rangareddy district were arrested. Five other accused are absconding. They are Parvez and Jaweed of Hyderabad, Mangesh from Maharashtra and Nagesh and Pandu, both from Andhra Pradesh. According to police, Pandu and Nagesh had lured Srinivas Rao, driver of DCM and Sathi Babu to earn easy money by transporting ganja from Rajahmundry to Hyderabad. They offered Rs 1.20 lakh for the trip. Srinivas had modified his vehicle by setting up a box on the top of the driver cabin for keeping ganja. The ganja was to be handed over to Habeeb and Parvez in Hyderabad. Preliminary investigation revealed that this ganja consignment was destined to Osmanabad in Maharashtra. On credible information, H-NEW with the assistance of Langer House Police seized the ganja and arrested three accused. SAIC Volkswagen Automotive Co is offering 3.7 billion yuan ($537 million) in cash subsidies for car purchases in China, joining more than 40 brands in slashing prices ahead of a change in emissions rules in the world's largest auto market. The joint venture between China's SAIC Motor Corp Ltd and Germany's Volkswagen AG is offering 15,000 yuan to 50,000 yuan in subsidies until April 30 for its full lineup, which includes the Teramont, Lavida and Phideon models, SAIC-VW said on its WeChat account late on Thursday. Guangzhou Automobile Group, the Chinese partner of both Honda Motor Co Ltd and Toyota Motor Corp, has also offered subsidies running from March 15 to March 31. Chinese passenger vehicle sales fell 20% in January-February, industry data showed, even as some manufacturers offered reduced prices to stimulate demand. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Volkswagen Taigun 10.49 - 17.5 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Skoda Kushaq 999 cc | Petrol | Manual | 17.88 kmpl 10.5 - 17.6 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Hyundai Verna 10.89 - 17.38 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Honda All New City 1498 cc | Petrol | Manual | 17.8 kmpl 11 - 15.21 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers Honda City 1497 cc | Petrol | Manual | 17.4 kmpl 11 - 11.26 Lakhs* *Ex-showroom price Add to compare Check latest offers UPCOMING Kia Seltos Facelift 11 - 19 Lakhs* *Expected Price View Details (Also: In pics: Volkswagen ID.2 concept EV will have a driving range of 450 km) Sales of new energy vehicles, which include all-battery and plug-in battery-petrol hybrid vehicles, grew faster than the overall market, accounting for over 30% in February. In the same month, Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD Co Ltd outsold Volkswagen-branded cars for the second month in four. Government plans for a stricter auto emissions standard effective July 1 has added pressure to automakers and dealers to clear inventories of vehicles that do not meet the standard, Fitch Ratings analysts said in a client note on Thursday. "There is no other way to describe what is happening other than a catastrophic decline in performance of multi-national ICE(internal combustion engine) brands," said Shanghai-based Bill Russo of consultancy Automobility. Also Read : Volkswagen chooses this country for its first overseas battery cell factory ) The price war is likely to accelerate consolidation of the fragmented local auto industry which has over 130 passenger car manufacturers, state-owned newspaper Economic Daily said in a commentary on Friday. But it could also hurt profitability and innovation and stall development of the overall sector, which is a pillar of the economy, the newspaper said. Local governments have been supplementing incentives to revive demand for cars produced by local automakers. The central Hubei province and state-backed Dongfeng Motor Group Co Ltd have jointly offered subsidies of up to 90,000 yuan, or 40% of list prices for the entry-level Citroen C6 sedan produced by its joint venture with Stellantis NV. First Published Date: Hyderabad, March 19 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K. Kavitha on Sunday left for Delhi amid uncertainty on whether she would appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case. Accompanied by state minister and her brother K.T. Rama Rao and MP Santosh Kumar, she left for the national capital by a special flight from Begumpet Airport. It was not clear if Kavitha will personally appear before the ED or send her representative like she did on March 16. Hours before she was to appear before the ED officials in Delhi, she had written to the agency stating that she will not be personally joining the investigation. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader had authorised BRS general secretary Soma Bharat Kumar to appear before the ED on her behalf. She stated that since she was not asked to appear in person, she was appearing through an authorised representative. Kavitha also wrote that since the petition filed by her in the Supreme Court is listed on March 24, its outcome must be awaited before any further proceedings with respect to the summons issued by the ED. Kavitha, who is a member of Telangana Legislative Council, filed the petition in the Supreme Court challenging the ED summons in the case. She expressed the apprehensions that the ED might adopt highly coercive tactics and even resort to third degree measures in connection with their purported investigations. Kavitha had personally appeared before ED on March 11 She had taken exception to the ED calling her to the office and making her sit in the office till 8.30 p.m. despite her being a woman. She said though she furnished all relevant information and answered all queries, her phone was impounded. New Delhi, March 19 : Delhi Police said on Sunday that they have busted a fake scheme of work from home with the arrest of two accused who cheated a number of gullible persons. DCP of Outer Delhi, Harender Kumar Singh, said that the accused have been identified as Ankit Rathi and Sudhir Kumar. "The fraudsters lured victims with lucrative returns of 30 per cent on the amount invested. As many as Rs 64 Lakh was deposited in a bank account in one day before it was freezed by the bank," Singh said. The police said that a person named Harin Bansal had lodged a complaint in this respect alleging that he was cheated to the tune of Rs 9,32,000 by the accused. Bansal claimed that he was surfing Instagram when he came across a post said 'earn huge money daily working from home'. He clicked on the post and was taken to a WhatsApp number. "He was then asked to register on a website through a link that was given to him. The fraudsters said that he has to complete the tasks given to him on the website, which was his job. They told him that he will get commission along with the original amount after completing the tasks given to him. Initially he deposited a small amount and was able to withdraw his money along with the commission earned from his bank account. Later when he invested bigger amounts, he never got back the money," the police said. Bansal said the money was sought from him on the pretext of government tax, the police said. The police then found that money was being transferred to nine different bank accounts one of which belonged to Ankit Rathi, a resident of Baghpat. Immediately, a police team was sent there, which found that Rathi had fled to Haridwar. He was later nabbed from Haridwar. "Rathi told us that his friend Sudhir Kumar had told him that Rs 10,000 daily could be earned by opening bank accounts and handing them over to another person who would operate an online betting website. Sudhir has also been arrested by the police," the police said. Sudhir disclosed that once he was surfing Facebook when he saw a post regarding earning money by letting someone else access his account. He was told that they provide bank accounts to online betting websites. "They used to send links to their victims through Telegram/WhatsApp to create an account on a fake website operated by them. The accused initially gave high returns on small investment of Rs 100 to Rs 1,000. The return was above 30 per cent which could be remitted to the bank account of the victims," the police said. New Delhi, March 19 : After Rahul Gandhi sent a preliminary reply to Delhi Police, which had landed at his residence on Sunday morning regarding their query in connection with the sexual assault remark he had made during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar, the Congress and like-minded parties have decided to meet at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's office on Monday to chalk out their strategy for the ongoing Parliament session. While the opposition parties are pressing for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Hindenburg report concerning the Adani group, Kharge said the Congress will not stop questioning the Centre over the Adani row. "Rahul Gandhi and Congress will not get scared by the police visit as it was done only to divert attention from the Adani issue. We will continue to question them (the BJP) on Adani, no matter how much they want to save him," Kharge said. The Congress claimed that Delhi Police's 'cheap theatrics' show how rattled the Prime Minister is with questions on Adani, adding that it's not the fault of the police but their political masters. The parliamentary proceedings were disrupted this week without transacting any business owing to disruptions by treasury benches and opposition members. The government now has only two weeks to get the Union Budget for FY 2023-2024 passed in the Parliament. As per norms, the Budget needs to be passed in both the Houses of the Parliament before the end of the financial year, i.e., prior to March 31, 2023. Therefore, in the week starting Monday, the government may try to initiate the process of Budget clearance. Normally, demands for grants for some key ministries like Railways and Agriculture are taken up for discussion and voting in the Lok Sabha. After these are voted for, since there is remains little time to take up demands for grants for each and every department, the Speaker applies guillotine on all such outstanding demands for grants, and they are put up for voting, whether discussed or not. Patna, March 19 : A 13-year-old boy who was kidnapped from Patna district's Bihta town on March 16 was found murdered on Sunday, the police said. The police said that the body of the teenager -- Tushar, was found burnt. The police had constituted a Special Investigation Team to crack the case following which the prime accused, Mukesh Kumar, has been arrested from Patna's Boring Canal Road area. The arrested individual had sought Rs 40 lakh from the boy's father, Raj Kishore Pandit, who is a principal at a government school located in Srirampur village. During the investigation, the police learnt that Mukesh Kumar, also a teacher, is a native of the same village (Kanhauli) from where Pandit hails. The police said Kumar had killed Tushar one hour after kidnapping the 13-year-old on March 16. After committing the murder, he poured petrol on the body and set it afire to conceal the boy's identity. "The accused was under a huge debt of Rs 20 lakh which he had borrowed money from local lenders and opened a private school. As the students did not take admission in large numbers, he went into a financial crisis and finally shut the school. As a result, he was unable to return the amount to lenders. Hence, he had planned the kidnapping of Tushar. He was aware of the financial status of Tushar's father," Senior Superintendent of Police Rajeev Mishra said. Mukesh did not face any resistance while kidnapping Tushar as he was also used to provide tuition classes to the teenager. After kidnapping the victim, he took him behind a hospital complex and killed him. "After killing Tushar, Mukesh sent voice notes and text messages to Pandit and demanded Rs 40 lakh as ransom for his safe release. He also threatened that the boy was unconscious and if he was not paid the ransom amount, he would kill Tushar," the police officer said. The body has been sent for postmortem to Patna Medical College and Hospital. Pandit has six daughters, and Tushar was his only son. Los Angeles, March 19 : 'Wednesday' star Jenna Ortega recently shared that her behaviour at work was "unprofessional". The actress made the revelation on Dax Shepard's 'Armchair Expert' podcast. But Ortega wasn't on a teary-eyed apology tour atoning for her sins, rather she was extolling her behaviour as a virtue, reports 'New York Post'. On the podcast, the actress, who's also in 'Scream VI', discussed how, like an authoritarian dictator, she was a self-appointed script doctor on 'Wednesday' and that she deserves the utmost thanks from the actual paid, unionised writers for bettering their thoughtless schlock. "There were times on that set where I even became almost unprofessional in a sense where I just started changing lines," Ortega said proudly. "The script supervisor thought I was going with something and then I had to sit down with the writers, and they'd be like, 'Wait, what happened to the scene?' And I'd have to go and explain why I couldn't go do certain things," she was quoted as saying by 'New York Post' Some of those things: "(Wednesday) being in a love triangle? It made no sense. There was a line about a dress she has to wear for a school dance and she says: 'Oh, my God, I love it. Ugh - I can't believe I said that. I literally hate myself.' I had to go, 'No'." Chennai, March 19 : Former Chief Information Commissioner of Tamil Nadu and retired IAS officer, R. Rajagopal on Sunday joined the Congress. He was welcomed to the party by Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K.S. Alagiri. Speaking at the event, Alagiri said Rajagopal had a long and distinguished career as an administrator. Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) leader Malayiyaraja also joined the Congress. Alagiri said Malayiyaraja has been a "major voice" in Tamil Nadu for working-class and marginalised people throughout his life. On the occasion, speaking on the controversy surrounding Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks in London, Alagiri said: "Rahul Gandhi was invited by renowned colleges abroad to speak about the state of democracy in India. He spoke about how voices of opposition are being shut in the Parliament." Alagiri also said the Kerala unit of INC and the party in Tamil Nadu will jointly commemorate the 100 years of the Vaikom temple struggle, adding Erode East MLA and senior Congress leader, E.V.K.S. Elangovan will walk with his supporters and party workers to Vaikom in Kottayam district of Kerala on March 28. Patna, March 19 : One person has been arrested from Muzaffarpur district in a joint operation conducted by Tamil Nadu and Bihar police on Sunday for uploading a fake video on social media claiming that Bihari workers are being attacked in the southern state. The accused has been identified as Upendra Sahani, who had uploaded the video from his cellphone in Tirupur in Tamil Nadu, sparking tension both in Bihar and the southern state. After uploading the video, he had fled to Muzaffarpur in Bihar. Confirming the arrest, Manoj Kumar Saha, a sub-inspector at the Sadar police station in Muzaffarpur, said that the accused will be produced before a local court on Monday. During the operation, a cyber crime unit from Tamil Nadu headed by an inspector-rank officer along with a team from the Sadar police station conducted a raid in the Majholia locality and arrested Sahani. Guwahati/New Delhi, March 19 : Four aides of absconding self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De', Amritpal Singh, have been brought to Assam's Dibrugarh on Sunday, where they have been lodged in the central jail. Assam police are keeping a tight leash on the development, and have not issued any statement in this regard yet. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while interacting with mediapersons in the national capital, said, "It is an exercise being carried out by the police forces of Assam and Punjab. Once when there was a crisis in Assam, we had sent a few arrested persons to Bhagalpur in Bihar. So I think it is absolutely normal, and I should not comment anything more on this." Top police officers in Assam dodged all media questions on Sunday. When IANS tried to contact Assam DGP G.P. Singh and other senior police officers, all calls and text messages went unanswered. A top police source said that due to security reasons, Amritpal Singh's four aides have been flown to Dibrugarh jail, and some more arrested members of the Sikh radical preacher's team may be brought there in the next couple of days. Security has been beefed up in the Dibrugarh central jail. A large number of police personnel have been deployed outside the jail premise as well. Mumbai, March 19 : Bollywood megastar Salman Khan has received a fresh death threat in an e-mail following which the police in Mumbai have lodged a case and started an investigation, sources in the know of things said on Sunday. The e-mail threat, sent to a close associate of the actor, referred to the mafia don Lawrence Bishnoi's recent interview with a chilling claim, that "his life's aim was to kill Salman Khan". The Bandra Police swung into action, geared up security outside Salman's home in Bandra West and began a probe into the latest developments, booking Bishnoi and his associate Goldy Brar. The e-mail in Hindi, came from one Rohit Garg, who also wanted to talk with the actor and the police have booked him also following a complaint from 'Team Salman'. The e-mail advises that if Salman had not seen the Bishnoi interview, then he should watch it, and if he wanted to close the matter, he must speak with Garg and Brar, face to face, and he would arrange it. There has been no word from Salman on the latest ultimatum to eliminate him so far and it was not known if he was in Mumbai or not. New Delhi/Chandigarh, March 19 : A source in the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have suggested that the case of Amritpal Singh, the self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De', may be transferred to the Central probe agency. "There are possibilities that we might take over the matter. There is a terror link connected to Pakistan's ISI and therefore the Home Ministry can decide to transfer the case to the NIA," the source said. As of now, Punjab Police are looking into the matter. Amritpal is currently on the run and there are speculations that he might have fled abroad. Punjab Police are planning to book Amritpal under the provisions of National Security Act (NSA), sources privy to the development told IANS. In the interest of public safety, the Punjab government has extended the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except voice call, till Monday noon. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parminder Singh Bhandal, told the media that the police have set up 100 checkpoints in Amritsar and its outskirts to physically check vehicles. CRPF jawans are accompanying the policemen at the checkpoints. Anticipating disturbance of peace, a large contingent of paramilitary force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's native village, Jallupur Khaira in Amritsar district. A special team of police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the separatist leader's convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar's Shahkot tehsil on Saturday. "Amritpal's vehicle was chased for 20-25 km. His vehicle was at the front. However, he managed to escape by changing his vehicle," Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said. Section 144 has been imposed in many districts of the state. The police have also increased security across Punjab. In addition, all vehicles are being checked on the Punjab-Haryana border. Meanwhile, Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, has told the media that the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours, but did not find anything illegal," he said. He also termed the police action as "unjustified", claiming that his son was weaning the youth off drugs. "Why are the police not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs trade," he asked. In the world of anthropomorphic characters in film, its not always the do-gooder dogs, cool cats or hero horses that appear in memorable roles. Its also the common donkey. A donkey named Jenny practically stole the show in the Banshees of Inisherin, and the motor-mouthed Donkey tried to in Shrek. The donkey in the namesake movie EO charmed viewers enough to earn the film a number of prestigious nominations and international awards. Alas, the sad-sack Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh finally met his wretched destiny in the newly released Blood and Honey version. Wise, wonderful, adorable, noble, stubborn, silly, sad and big-mouthedthe transporter of kings and representative of gods has many facesbut whats really up with all these donkeys? Civilizations cornerstone Descriptors of the donkeycalled a burro here in Arizonarun the gamut. Pages of centuries-old journals that described expeditions across the Southwests rugged landscape include played-out runt, stubborn, father of civilization and a beast of burden that has a sober, dogged perversity. Spanish chronicler Garcilasco de la Vega reminisced about the burro his father had delivered from Africa (the burros homeland) to Cuzco, Peru, in 1557. In Spain, de la Vega sniffed, it would not have been worth six ducats, for it was a played-out runt. De la Vega went on to explain, [burros] have been bred in great numbers for the pack-trains, and wear out fast, owing to the roughness of the roads. As the Spaniards spread north, the burros faithfully followed. Recorded inventories for Juan de Onates 1598 expedition to the Rio Grande River listed 40 dozen pairs of shoes for burros. Onate personally brought along 30 burros. By 1896, journalist Charles Lummis had kinder words for the played-out runts. Two-thirds of the New World would hardly have been civilized yet, without him, Lummis wrote. [T]he burro has been the corner stone of history and the father of civilization. Lummis attributed this noble title to the burros part in developing more mines than all the railroads in the world. That sure was the case in Arizona. The mask of reason Burros appeared all over the pages of Arizonas mining history. Prospectors poured in with a burro or two in tow loaded with paraphernaliatools, bedroll, food, water, an empty lard bucket in which they made coffee and a skillet. Miners transported machinery on the burros backs, which could easily carry 300 pounds. Having the intelligence of dolphins and dogs, burros have long memories with the propensity to figure out what works for them, which doesnt always line up with everyone elses reality. The classic caricature of a prospector angrily pulling his half-ton mule contained little fiction. Independent, outside of the mother and foal bond, and ready to show its aggressive side when attacked, the burro doesnt like being led. Walter Wyckoffs 1901 account of an expedition guided by a seasoned prospector detailed how the burros, after miles of orderly walking, would suddenly break away in all directions, exploring the surrounding country. The burros, Wyckoff concluded, didnt do so out of mischief, but always with a sober, dogged perversity that was the more exasperating because it wore a mask of reason. Stream crossingsburros are not fond of waterbecame a project for the expedition. This would turn the prospector pale with rage and curses. Eventually the burros mustered the courage to proceed slowly at first, but presently, as though they rather enjoyed the water. The desert canary Burros not only like doing things their own way but on their own time. This often means s-l-o-w. Always has. A Sumerian saying found etched on a 4,000-year-old clay tablet states, My burro was not destined to run quickly. He was destined to bray. Ah, the burros bray: a sound likened to trumpets that earned it the Arizona nickname of desert canary. Philosopher Theodor Lessing, however, mused this bray contained the sum of all mankinds miseries. The indelicate onomatopoeic hee-haw provoked one poet (G.K. Chesterton) to call it a sickening cry and inspired another (Christina Georgina Rossetti) to ask, What does the donkey bray about? Strange appetites Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? Job wondered while lamenting his misery. Burros in Arizona just happen to prefer native grass, but burros have been known to settle for some farfetched fare. One trapper James Hobbs reported, We had no fears for our jacks, for they can forage for a living. A bundle of rags, or a deck of cards is a fine lunch for one of them. A quirky poem written as an eyewitness account by Colorado newspaper editor Dave Day in 1881 about burro cuisine reported burros love to dine on shirts and prefers to eat old skirts. As suspect as these excepts seem, the superintendent of the U.S. governments corral backed them up in the humorless, The Mule: A Treatise On The Breeding, Training, And Uses To Which He May Be Put. The 1867 publication stated, There were many instances, during the late war [Civil War], where a team of mules were found, of a morning, standing over the remains of what had, the evening before, been a Government wagon. Its clear which genes prevailed in the mules (a cross between a horse and burro) choice in food. They werent from the horse. The burro today The prospectors burros, well acquainted with a lean and lonely life, have fared well in the desert. Their descendants still live in Arizona, California, Oregon, Nevada and Utah. Wild burros roam freely in eight areas in Arizona, all managed by the Bureau of Land Management[link to map: https://www.blm.gov/programs/wild-horse-and-burro/herd-management/herd-management-areas/arizona]. The old mining town of Oatman, tucked deep in the northwestern corner of Arizona, became a sanctuary where burros freely roam the streets, charm the crowds and nibble carrots offered by benevolent admirers. The BLM also manages the Florence Wild Horse and Burro Training and Holding Facility[link: https://aci.az.gov/adopt-horse-or-burro/] where you can adopt a burro for as little as $25. Burros may be independent, but they do like a buddy. If its not another burro, humans (just like in the movies) work fine for them, too. New Delhi, March 19 : The Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, said on Sunday that the heads of executive, legislature or judiciary cannot be complacent and act in confrontation but must act in collaboration. The Vice President was addressing a gathering after releasing the book 'Governorpet to Governor's House: A Hick's Odyssey', a memoir of former Tamil Nadu Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, here. "There is no room for confrontation or being a complainant by those who head these institutions. Those who are heading executive, legislature or judiciary, they cannot be complacent, they cannot act in confrontation. They have to act in collaboration and find resolution together," Dhankhar said. He said that there is a need for a structured mechanism among those at the helm of these institutions - the legislature, the judiciary and the executive. And such structured mechanism of interaction will go a long way. Those who head these institutions cannot use their platforms for a dialogue with the other institution, he said. "I have no doubt... and I have been saying this for a long time... the country's great democracy blossoms and flourishes, it is the primacy of our Constitution that determines the stability, harmony and productivity of democratic governance," he said. The Vice President added that the Parliament is reflecting that the mandate of the people is "the ultimate and exclusive architect of the Constitution. A Constitution has to evolve from the people through the Parliament". Dhankhar said the executive has no role in evolving the Constitution and no other institution, including the judiciary, has any role to evolve the Constitution. Constitution evolution has to take place in the Parliament and there can be no super body to look into that, he said. He also stressed that democratic values and public interests are optimally served when the legislature, the judiciary and the executive discharge their respective obligations scrupulously, confining to their domain and acting in harmony, togetherness and tandem. "This is quintessential, and any transgression of this will create a problem for democracy. It is not being possessive about power. It is being possessive about the powers given to us by the Constitution. And that is a challenge we all have to collectively face and harmoniously discharge," the Vice President said. Johannesburg, March 19 : An accountant in South Africa who was investigating high-level corruption cases has been shot dead along with his son by unknown gunmen, the media reported, citing officials. Cloete Murray, 50, was attacked by unidentified assailants on Saturday while he was moving in the car in Johannesburg with his 28-year-old son Thomas, a legal adviser, the BBC reported on Sunday. His son died at the scene while Murray was taken to hospital and later died of his injuries. They were driving their white Toyota Prado towards their home in Pretoria, South African media reported. Murray, 50, was the liquidator for Bosasa, a company implicated in numerous government contract scandals. He also worked as a liquidator for firms linked to the wealthy Gupta brothers, who deny bribery accusations. The police said they will see if there is a link between Murray's murder and these corruption investigations, the BBC reported. Murray's job as a court-appointed company liquidator was to look into the accounts of firms that had folded, recover assets, and report any criminality. One of those companies was Bosasa, a government contractor specialising in prison services. New Delhi, March 20 : The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) late on Sunday summoned the senior-most UK diplomat in India to convey its strong protest after some pro-Khalistani groups allegedly took down the Tricolour at the Indian High Commission in London. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted: "India lodges strong protest with UK", along with a ministry statement. Some pro-Khalistani groups staged a demonstration at the Indian High Commission in London over Punjab government's crackdown against self-styled radical preacher Amritpal Singh. The MEA, in a statement, said an explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the High Commission premises. "She was reminded in this regard of the basic obligations of the UK government under the Vienna Convention," it said. A statement said it finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. "It is expected that the UK government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today's incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," it added. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Damascus/Abu Dhabi, March 20 : Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a state visit accompanied by his wife Asma al-Assad to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, according to the Syrian presidency. The Syrian President and First Lady were received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon their arrival at Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, Xinhua news agency reported. During their meeting at the Presidential palace, the two presidents discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, which would contribute to achieving their mutual interests, reported UAE's WAM news agency. The UAE president also expressed his condolences over the earthquake victims, stressing his confidence in Syria's ability and determination to overcome the ordeal. The visit came at a time when the UAE is helping Syria return to the Arab fold following years of diplomatic isolation after the Syrian war broke out in 2011. The UAE resumed its diplomatic ties with Syria in 2018, and is spearheading the relief aid delivery to Syria in the wake of last month's earthquakes as well as mediations apparently to normalize relations between Syria and major regional powers such as Saudi Arabia. The UAE has sent hundreds of relief planes, including those provided by Arab and other foreign countries, to quake-hit Syria. Cairo, March 20 : Egypt hosts a quintet meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to calm a surge of violence in the West Bank ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. High-level security and political officials from Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and the United States took part in the meeting, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. The meeting aimed to support dialogue between the Israeli and Palestinian sides to "stop unilateral actions and escalation and break the existing cycle of violence," it added. The five-party meeting is a continuation of discussions that took place on February 26 in Jordan that worked on paving the road for resuming the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The tension between Israel and Palestinians has been rising since the start of this year. The Palestinian Health Ministry said that 89 Palestinians have been killed so far this year by Israeli soldiers, while official Israeli figures show that 14 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians. Johannesburg, March 20 : South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 soldiers from March 17 to April 17 to maintain peace, the country's Parliament has said. The Parliament said in a statement that they have been informed by the President of the employment of the South African National Defense Force for service, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, for the prevention and combating of crime as well as peace maintenance, Xinhua news agency reported. The country's opposition political party Economic Freedom Fighters has called for a national shutdown on March 20 to force President Ramaphosa to resign. The employment of the soldiers is in line with the Constitution of South Africa, and an amount of more than 166 million rands (about $8.99 million) is expected to be incurred for this deployment, the Parliament said. FirstBoard.io Network The new Firstboard.io founding partners are all leaders in the technology space with investment, consulting, legal and GTM expertise who are active in building businesses. The representation of women in the tech industry still hovers at less than 30% and in the boardrooms of privately held companies the number of female board members is much lower. Only 14% of board director seats for private companies are held by women, and 56% of early-stage private companies had zero-woman directors, according to a 2022 report by the Women Business Collaborative in partnership with 50/50 Women on Boards. We all have a part to play in creating a diverse workplace, including at the board-level, and we applaud our partners for taking an active role in increasing the number of women on tech company boards, says Rita Scroggin, Founder of Firstboard.io. Working with our partners we want to make visible for consideration highly qualified women ready to serve on boards. The new Firstboard.io founding partners are all leaders in the technology space with investment, consulting, legal and GTM expertise who are active in building businesses. Firstboard.io invites corporate partners who want to support efforts to increase the representation of women on private company boards to contact Firstboard.io and join the Partner Network. The new founding partners of Firstboard.io are: Monica Nayar Monica Nayar is the office managing partner for PwCs Silicon Valley practice serving as the face of the firm to the local community and businesses. With almost 20 years of experience, she has held responsibilities across market, solutions, and service teams, with a primary focus in the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications and Private Equity sector. Natasha Allen Natasha Allen is a partner based in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco offices of Foley & Lardner LLP, where she serves as Co-Chair for Artificial Intelligence within our Innovative Technology sector, Co-Chair of the Venture Capital Committee, and is a member of the Venture Capital, M&A and Transactions Practices. Natasha is a strategic advisor, supporting her clients in complex decision making. Ally Millar Ally Millar is a partner with PwCs consulting business based in Silicon Valley. She partners with clients on mission critical business transformations to launch and scale new as a service business models that drive revenue growth and forward valuation multiples. Ally has spent her career leading large scale digital transformations and technology implementations which put the customer at the very heart of the business. She leads PwCs Anything as a service within PwCs Cloud and Digital practice and specializes in the Technology industry where she helps hyper growth and fortune 500 clients alike remake the Customer experience and operations across all channels, routes to market and offering types. Gorka Sadowski Gorka Sadowski has spent the last 30 years in cybersecurity, both in established as well as emerging market categories. Most recently he was a Gartner analyst where he was covering mature categories such as SIEM,and helped create new categories such as UEBA and SOAR. Now as Chief Strategy Officer at Exabeam, he is the driving force behind the XDR Alliance, an alliance of thought-leading cybersecurity vendors that band together to bring clarity on the confusing XDR market category. Apoorva Pandhi "Apoorva loves the complexity and thrill of the 0 to 1 startup phase and feels fortunate to work with deeply technical and product-centric founders. He finds them tackling the hardest challenges in AI/ML, data infrastructure and cloud-native infra. As a Managing Director at Zetta, he is excited to partner with founders who are ready to push through and beyond the complex chaos of this early stage to unleash greater potential and market impact.Over the years, Apoorva has experienced this frenzied energy, firsthand. He has been in the trenches with early-stage engineering-first startups in different modalities. He has partnered with several AI/ML and engineering-first companies as an investor at Lightspeed Ventures and then Foundation Capital." Rahul Kannan Rahul Kannan is a Business Builder and Operator with deep GTM expertise and in running Global Sales and Marketing, Strategy, Product Management teams. He has a proven track record of driving consistent high double-digit growth and experience scaling businesses from $10M to $300M+ ARR. Vertical areas of focus across B2B SaaS include IoT, Sales and Marketing Tech, Quote to Cash, Business Applications. He was most recently at Zuora leading their Multiproduct GTM and prior to that at Jasper (acquired by Cisco) where he transformed Jaspers business model and helped Jasper achieve market leadership in the IoT space. He is extremely passionate about GTM, in building diverse teams and in enabling people to succeed. Alidad Vakili Alidad is Of Counsel and a business lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP, based in the firms San Francisco office where he is a member of the Transactions Practice Group. Alidad regularly advises his clients at all stages of company growth from formation to exit. Alidad provides business and legal advice to entrepreneurs, founders, startups, emerging growth companies, and investors. Alidad regularly advises startups, emerging growth companies, and investors on a wide range of issues, including general corporate matters such as formations, corporate governance, as well as debt and equity financing, venture capital financing, and commercial matters across a number of industries, including technology, health care, clean energy, as well as other industries. Alidads experience also includes project finance for renewable energy development and cross-border transactions. Prior to joining Foley, Alidad was counsel in the San Francisco office of a global law firm in the corporate M&A and emerging growth and venture capital practice groups. Chris Hillock Chris leads the portfolio development function for Dell Technologies Capital globally. His team provides business development services and go to market support to help portfolio companies validate product market fit, establish, and then execute their scaling strategies. He appreciates how the DTC investment team combines deep domain expertise and diverse perspectives on the enterprise to offer portfolio companies informed, actionable points of view. An operating executive with a background in sales leadership and general management, Chris brings more than 20 years of experience in leading cross functional global sales teams and scaling emerging startup technologies, cloud infrastructure and software solutions.About Firstboard.io FirstBoard.io is a curated collective of diverse technology leaders who have been in key operating roles at startups and private and public technology companies. FirstBoard.io is an invite-only community of highly qualified women ready to serve on corporate boards, who have been selected based on criteria including technical depth, operational leadership, and go-to-market experience, amongst other criteria. FirstBoard.io does not charge its members a fee. Learn more about FirstBoard.io and its mission at https://www.firstboard.io. Investigroup Ghana Limited is an international company interested in assisting companies in achieving their strategic goals specifically multinational companies that require ultramodern supply chain assets such as Warehouses to enhance their operations. For this reason, Investigroup Ghana Limited has constructed a Newly Ultramodern Warehouse located at Kotoku, in the Eastern region of Ghana, closer to Media along the central road to Nsawam, which is about 20 minutes drive from Accra. The Warehouse location is appropriate as the facility can be reached via multiple routes. Also, getting to customers in Accra and its environs is effortless and fulfils the requirement of customers from all major cities in Ghana by avoiding the perennial traffic that occurs during rush hours of the day. The facility comprises of: Cold Room Space: 2,325 feet square Number of pallets in the Cold Storage Area: 236 Warehouse Space: 6,490.64 feet square Office Space Include Furnishing Dry Area: 958.1 feet square Office Space Dry Area: 958.1feet square Forklift (2 tons) To make good use of the space provided, racking systems are provided with an electrical drizzle forklift for easy movement in narrow aisles within the facility. The specifications of the racking systems are: Dimension: 2500/1300mm (L) X 1200mm (w) x 4050mm(H) Layers: 3 layers (3 layers of beam layer) Loading Capacity: 2000kg/layer Estimated Pallets capacity: 800 In calculation, the total additional space added by providing the racking systems is: 15,577.536 feet square. Multinational companies interested in the facility described above may indicate their interest by responding to the sole point of contact indicated below: Dr. Owusu Kizito Email: okizito@investigroup.com Phone no. +1 908 977 7320 on or before the close of business on Monday 27th March 2023. Arrangement has been put in place for site visitation. In the event of a positive response, provide the name, telephone number and e-mail address of the contact person in your organization to which a full tender document can be sent. Its a great honor being recognized on this prestigious list among some of the greatest businesses in the region is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing team," says Seth Price, Founder and CEO of Blushark Digital LLC. Inc. magazine today revealed that Blushark Digital LLC is No. 123 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000 Regionals: Mid-Atlantic list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing Mid-Atlantic private companies, based in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. This is the companys third appearance on the list in the four years of publication. Born of the annual Inc. 5000 franchise, this regional list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the Mid-Atlantic economys most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. Its a great honor, says Seth Price, Founder and CEO of Blushark Digital LLC. Being recognized on this prestigious list among some of the greatest businesses in the region is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing team. The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Mid-Atlantic region. Between 2019 and 2021, these 142 private companies had an average growth rate of 381 percent and, in 2021 alone, they added 14,439 jobs and $2.66 billion to the Mid-Atlantic regions economy. Companies based in the Richmond, Virginia and the Washington, D.C. areas had the highest growth rates overall. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 Regionals: Mid-Atlantic, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria, can be found at inc.com/mid-atlantic starting February 28, 2023. This years Inc. 5000 Regional winners represent one of the most exceptional and exciting lists of Americas off-the-charts growth companies. Theyre disrupters and job creators, and all delivered an outsize impact on the economy. Remember their names and follow their lead. These are the companies youll be hearing about for years to come, said Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. magazine. More about Inc. and the Inc. 5000 Regionals Methodology The 2023 Inc. 5000 Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2019 and 2021. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2019. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2021. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2019 is $100,000; the minimum for 2021 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. ### About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. About BluShark Digital LLC BluShark Digital LLC was founded with the vision of lifting the confusion around Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by implementing cutting-edge marketing techniques that help businesses stand out from the pack. BluShark puts clients first, developing innovative, viable, and successful SEO solutions for all businesses, regardless of their practice or size. BluShark Digital is made up of multiple departments that are each dedicated to specific facets of digital marketing, including technical optimization, content creation, link building, and social media management. Book an appointment with their team today or call to learn more at (202) 952-9794. Contact: Blushark Digital, LLC 500 Penn St NE, #2 Washington, D.C 20002 (202) 871-1548 Weekends with Yankee returns to public television this Spring Season 7 of Weekends with Yankee will bring viewers even more of the history, culture, and lifestyle that defines our region, says Brook Holmberg, publisher of Yankee. From the mountains to the coast, the farms to the cities, Yankee is Americas source for all things New England. Weekends with Yankee, the travel and food television series about New England, returns for a seventh season starting this April. With the region among the nation's top tourist destinations, the 13-part lifestyle program takes viewers on an insider's exploration of the cities, small towns, and far-flung places which highlight the diversity and beauty of New England. Check local listings for airdates and times on your local public television station. Weekends with Yankee is hosted by Richard Wiese, an EmmyO Awardwinning TV personality (Born to Explore), author and explorer who has traveled to all seven continents, participated in two expeditions to Antarctica, and cross-country skied to the North Pole. Amy Traverso, the senior food editor at Yankee who has appeared on The Martha Stewart Show and the Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay, serves as co-host. She highlights recipes, local flavors and the sense of community that make up the regions food and dining scene. Weekends with Yankee season 7 offers an "all-access" behind-the-scenes pass to the unique attractions and flavors that define the region, and the hidden New England that only locals know, from the regions most trusted experts and storytellers at Yankee. Selected highlights of Season Seven include: Learn from Bostons top chef Tiffani Faison as she whips up her signature dish Ski and surf in the same day in southern Maine Tour an innovative Vermont farming collective Join in a famous ice fishing derby on NHs Lake Winnipesaukee Go fishing and soak up maritime history in Mystic, CT Explore the rising foodie town of Biddeford, Maine and cook up a classic fish chowder In Vermont, discover winter thrills at a historic ski jump Explore Rhode Islands 3,500-acre sporting retreat Visit the up-and-coming food town of Worcester, MA Tackle one of the worlds most-climbed mountains in New Hampshire Season 7 of Weekends with Yankee will bring viewers across the country even more of the history, culture, and lifestyle that defines our region, says Brook Holmberg, publisher of Yankee. From the mountains to the coast, the farms to the cities, Yankee is Americas source for all things New England." Founded in 1935 Yankee magazine has been around for 88 years. As producers we have the privilege of being able to draw from all those years of knowledge, and experience, reaching out into every nook and cranny of New England, says executive producer at GBH, Laurie Donnelly. Produced by GBH, Bostons preeminent public media producer, Weekends with Yankee is a Telly Award-winner in the Tourism/Travel category and was recently nominated for Best New Series and Best Travel Program by The Taste Awards. Executive Producer of the series is Laurie Donnelly (Rare - Creatures of the Photo Ark, Ill Have What Phils Having, Moveable Feast with Relish, Simply Ming). Producers: Mercedes I. Velgot, Tiffany Thompson, Ian Aldrich, Richard Weise, Amy Traverso; Field Producers: Anya Adamsky, Jennifer Hickey; Directors of Photography: Corey Hendrickson, Jan Maliszewski; Associate Producer: Nora Kirrane; Business Director: Emily Stevens; Business Manager: Jonathan Trimby. Series funding for Weekends with Yankee is provided by the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development, The Vermont Country Store, Maine Office of Tourism, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. The Barn Yard, and American Cruise Lines. Weekends with Yankee returns for a seventh season starting this April. Check local listings or log on to the Station Finder at http://www.weekendswithyankee.com for airdates and times on your local public television station, Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) will have expended the last of its federal COVID-19 relief funds by September and is now making plans to adjust the positions that paid for at its schools. The district received three rounds of ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funding since 2020 to help with its response to the pandemic, totaling $21.37 million. The final $13.7 million allotment was part of ESSER III, which passed in the American Rescue Plan in March 2021 and can be used as funding through Sept. 2024. In FUSDs Feb. 28 board meeting, superintendent Michael Penca said the district was using $1.3 million of those funds on staff positions that would support students and employees including counselors, instructional aides, nurses and others. He also said FUSD will have expended all its ESSER funds by Sept. 2023. Now that its ESSER funding will be coming to an end, the district is looking at alternative funding sources for some of these positions while ending or changing others to fill those staffing needs from its existing budget. Were trying to be able to maintain as many positions as possible, but also consider all those other dynamics we have not only the loss of those funds but also projected declining enrollment, Penca said. He also listed uncertainty in the state budget, increasing costs and the boards desire to increase FUSDs financial health as factors in these decisions. Im trying to balance all of those as I make decisions about our needs, our students needs and trying to maintain as many positions as possible, he said. Eight categories of positions were discussed in Pencas report, with the plan for most being to switch to the districts Maintenance and Operations (M&O) budget. The districts Native American Education Support Program will be affected by this change, though this will come more through shifts in its areas of service than reduced numbers of employees. ESSER had funded the positions shift to certified rather than classified staff at the elementary levels. We had a lot of turnover and we werent getting those impacts on students, Penca said. With the ESSER funds, we hired certified staff, they provided reading and math and intervention and families were seeing a lot of success in closing those gaps. No reduction in staffing is planned for the program, he said, though FUSD will be re-allocating the programs staff to focus more on early intervention. The district plans to continue with certified staff at priority elementary schools while funding an ancillary position that will be split between Flagstaff and Coconino high schools, a total of $66,664 in the M&O budget. Penca said this shift had been recommended by the departments director. Were recommending that we prioritize early intervention, so we can close those learning gaps, social emotional gaps, those connections with families when our students are at a younger age, he said. Before they get older and those gaps get larger or our students leave our school system early because our system has failed them in some way. Schools he said were being prioritized with these changes were those with the highest percentages of Native American students and those designated by the state for target support and improvement based on achievement test results. The board agenda specifically lists Leupp and Puente de Hozho elementaries as priority schools. Eight, including district families, employees and other community members, had come to the meeting to make public comment about the changes to this program as they had heard that the high school advisor positions were being eliminated. Most asked for transparency about the decision and that the positions continue. Having this representation in our community, in our academic schooling, is really essential to me and to my other Native American peers at school, said Samira OldElk, a sophomore at Coconino High School. ...Without our advisor around the high school or other schools...we lose our main advocates that allow us to promote awareness and sensitivity in a lot of our students here in Flagstaff. They contributed a lot and it really helps us go through high school. Our community has struggled to get our students to a place where graduation rates and grades are more consistent, Rose Toehe said in her comment. It is because of these advisors that this long hard road has been accomplished. If our schools, especially our secondary schools, are left without advisors, these accomplishments will begin to fall again. Pencas presentation came later in the meeting and he said the comments were based on a misunderstanding. Were prioritizing where we assigned our staff, but were not reducing staff, he said. ESSER also provided funding for 3.5 full-time counseling and social work positions in the district ($266,373), which Penca said the district is trying to maintain. That was a discussion even before the pandemic about the ratios of counselors to students in our district, the social emotional and mental health needs of our students and behavioral needs of our students, he said. Thats been a priority for our district to increase counselors in this district. The districts current plan is to move 2.5 full-time employees into the districts M&O budget, with an additional full-time social worker being funded as part of a school safety grant it has applied for through the Arizona Department of Education. If this is not approved, FUSD will instead move a total of four full-time positions to its M&O budget. The district began implementing restorative practices in the past year at several of its schools, in part using ESSER funds. It plans to continue its restorative practices coordinator position for the 2023-2024 school year, using grant funding from Coconino Countys superintendent of schools. Half of two technology positions ($67,031 total) were funded through ESSER to help the district move to remote learning, which will be continuing through district funds to continue to support the use of technology in its schools. Theres no going back and we dont want to, Penca said. We aspire to be a one to one district. We value that technology and we think it really supports the technical learning of our students and equips them to be successful in the workforce or in college after they leave our district. Two full-time preschool paraprofessionals ($56,849) will also be moving to the M&O budget. The states at-risk funding will increase next year, which Penca said the district was planning to use to maintain these positions as one of its goals is to expand preschool programs. ESSER also allowed the district to fund instructional aides at all of its elementary schools for reading intervention work (10 full-time employees, or $348,806), which will continue through M&O funding. If some of those things up above have to change, we may have to consider reducing hours, reducing the benefits to those staff serving in those positions, Penca said, but wed love to be able to keep them as is because we think its really instrumental to closing achievement gaps and getting the scores that we all aspire our district students to have. Another pair of instructional aides funded by ESSER ($43,824) have been working with high schoolers on credit recovery using an online program called Plato. Those positions will be eliminated and the one employee still working in this role (the other resigned earlier in the year) will be moving to a different role at FUSD. FUSD plans to return to pre pandemic school nurse staffing levels, moving one position to part time ($55,836) and having two schools share nursing staff to reduce one full-time position. Priorities for this will be based on the health needs of students in each school, Penca said. He noted that the district has had difficulty finding nurses to work at its schools, due to retirements, resignations and healthcare shortages. It has been using a contract agency to fill some of those gaps. A recording of this meeting can be viewed at vimeo.com/802011384. Discussion of the ESSER-funded positions begins about an hour and 50 minutes into the meeting. A student uses Studies Weekly curriculum. We are grateful that these unapproved changes were never finalized nor delivered to schools for classroom use because we are a strong advocate, partner, and supporter of education. Studies Weekly was mentioned in a recent news article about Florida House Bill 7 and its influence on the Florida math and social studies adoptions. HB 7 forbids anything that encourages students to believe any group is inherently racist, implies a person can be considered oppressed because of their race, or infers that one should feel guilty because of actions committed by members of their same race. (The Florida Senate. House Bill 7 (2022) - The Florida Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2023, from https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/7/?Tab=BillText) As a social studies publisher, it is our duty to follow the directives provided by each state department of education. We write to the state standards and trust educators to ensure implementation is aligned with their state standards and legislation. The state has the right and responsibility to determine how and what its students are taught. Studies Weekly does not lean to the political left, right, or middle. Because the Florida Department of Education provided no guidance on interpreting Florida House Bill 7, Studies Weekly, like every publisher, has had to decipher how to comply with their legislation. That being said, during the Florida social studies adoption, individuals in our curriculum team severely overreacted in their interpretation of HB 7 and made unapproved revisions. Typically, our quality assurance processes would have flagged and denied edit approval. Unfortunately, during the final hours before the deadline, they circumvented our established protocols in an attempt to submit their revisions on time. We have identified those individuals, taken corrective action, and implemented additional safeguards to avoid any issues in the future. We find the omission or altering of historical facts to be abhorrent and do not defend it. Although it was too late, once we discovered the unapproved changes, as evidenced by the file discrepancies within our submission, we planned to rectify the situation but could not edit it during the review. Those unapproved changes have already been removed from our curriculum. We had no intention of allowing those versions to become our official state publications. As an entire company, we sincerely apologize for this situation and the distress that the adoption review submission has caused. We are grateful that these unapproved changes were never finalized nor delivered to schools for classroom use because we are a strong advocate, partner, and supporter of education. Empowered by a shared purpose, our team at Brightwell is dedicated to serving our users with passion and values at the core of everything we do. This recognition is a tribute to their unwavering commitment and the culture we have built together. Atlanta-based global payments technology company, Brightwell, has been awarded the prestigious Top Workplaces 2023 honor by Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top Workplaces for the fifth year in a row. The award recognizes Brightwell's commitment to fostering a vibrant company culture that is dedicated to increasing worldwide financial access. The winners of the award are selected based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey that uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, to name a few. Empowered by a shared purpose, our team at Brightwell is dedicated to serving our users with passion and values at the core of everything we do. This recognition is a tribute to their unwavering commitment and the culture we have built together, said Larry Hipp, CEO of Brightwell. They dont see their job as a paycheck; they see it as a purpose. This award is a testament to them. The award comes at a time of growth and momentum for Brightwell. Since launching ReadyRemit, a comprehensive global payments engine that enables fintechs, businesses, and other program managers, to capitalize on the digital cross-border payments market quickly and easily, the company has partnered with Virgin Voyages, Dash Solutions, and inCruises to help expand their respective payment offerings. Additionally, Brightwells fraud detection and prevention engine, Arden, was named a 2022 award winner in the BIG Awards for Business. Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure theyre allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces does this, and it pays dividends. To learn more about how Brightwell prioritizes people, not products, please visit brightwell.com. The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) comes together with the rest of America to salute our leading healthcare professionals on National Doctors Day, March 30. National Doctors Day is meant for all, including patients, to celebrate the essential role that physicians serve in all our daily lives and to thank them for their contribution to our public health. President George H.W. Bush proclaimed Doctors Day, a National Day of Celebration beginning in 1991. National Doctors Day was first observed in 1933 in Winder, Georgia. March 30 is the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery dating back to 1842. When asked about the meaning of being a doctor, ABPS Diplomate Loren J. Chassels, DO of Highland, IL, identified the importance of physicians. He said a doctor is a person who is held to the highest expectations because of the knowledge, reasoning, and skills developed over many years. A doctor is one of the most trustworthy individuals in a patients life, Dr. Chassels added. ABOUT US: Established in 1952, the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists Inc. (AAPS) a 501(c)6 organization headquartered in Tampa, FL. The ABPS certifies qualified physicians, both allopathic and osteopathic, in 18 specialties. ABPS sets rigorous standards of physician board certification and recertification, validating physicians skills, knowledge, and commitment. To learn more about ABPS Member Boards visit http://www.abpsus.org 100 years ago 1923: Rotarians and other taxpayers who were guests of Rotarians at Tuesdays Rotary meeting by vote requested city council to at once appoint a committee for a conference with Santa Fe railway officials to see what cooperation may be obtained from the latter in building a new city reservoir and making other immediately necessary improvements to Flagstaffs water system. Sid Gassman was scheduled chairman for the day and had a fine program arranged, but owing to the feeling that prompts action must be taken on the water question to insure an early start on the improvement program, Sid laid aside his program and the discussion was confined to the water question. Mr. I.B. Koch, president of the club, said that we all realize one of the main necessities of our town today is an adequate water supply. He gave a comprehensive review of the recommendations recently made for water development. He mentioned the fire menace now existing by reason of our insufficient distribution system, complimented city council on its hard and faithful work to bring the development problem to a point where it may be placed before the people for a decision, and suggested it be decided then and there whether the development work proposed should be carried out and whether a committee should be appointed to confer with the Santa Fe officials, the report of that committee to be made at a later meeting of Rotarians and other taxpayers. The girls of Morton Hall showed their kind feelings toward their fellow students by foregoing their regular monthly party this week, and instead bought fruit and nuts for Jack Tenney, the boy who has been seriously ill some time now with pneumonia but is now recovering. Several of the girls wrote entertaining notes and hid them cleverly among the good things. 75 years ago 1948: Starting of operations this morning at Arizonas newest, most modern sawmill, under construction here for more than a year, will boost the annual payrolls at Flagstaffs two big mills to well over $2,000,000, operators estimate. The new mill, built by Southwest Lumber Mills, Inc., was given full tests in all departments Friday and Saturday, and actual operation began this morning, soon after 7 oclock. The mill has a total capacity of about 16,000 feet of lumber per hour, and replaces a mill destroyed by fire on Jan. 11, 1947. When operating at full capacity in all departments, the new mill, with the other big Flagstaff mill operated by Saginaw & Manistee, will provide employment for more than 700 men. World-wide broadcast of the 14th annual Grand Canyon Easter Sunrise Service, featuring the 55-voice A Cappella Choir of Arizona State College at Flagstaff, will be from 6:30 to 7 a.m. over National Broadcasting Company facilities, Canadian hookup, and short wave, it was announced by J. Howard Pyle, program director of KTAR at Phoenix and producer of the program. Singing of the choir, under the direction of Dr. Eldon A. Ardrey, head of the Flagstaff College Music Department, and the Rev. Polings sermon will originate at the Shrine of the Ages. This is located just west of Bright Angel Lodge; it is a small rock ledge on the south rim overlooking an impressive view of the Canyon at one of the widest points, and it is one of the first points splashed by the light of the rising sun. 50 years ago 1973: The Flagstaff City Council will meet again tonight to consider the question of the All-Indian Pow Wow. The meeting was called by Mayor Harenberg following a lengthy session with a number of Indian representatives this week after the decision was made to cancel the 1973 event. It seems unlikely that city council will be able to come up with reasons for holding the 1973 powwow. Little has changed from Tuesday when Council voted 4-2 against giving permission to the powwow committee to use city park facilities for the mid-summer event. There are many, many residents in Flagstaff who would like to see the event take place. There are also many Indians who would hope city council would reverse its decision. But the same problems that existed Tuesday still exist today. There are safety problems. There are sanitation problems. There are liability problems. The majority of Council was unwilling to try and resolve these problems earlier this week. 25 years ago 1998: A pair of nonbinding resolutions to be voted on tonight have the Flagstaff City Council seeing green. Council is expected to approve a resolution opposing the expansion of the White Vulcan mine on the San Francisco Peaks and calling for the U.S. Forest Service to conduct an environmental impact statement. Council also smiled on another resolution against two bills before President Bill Clinton that would see nuclear waste transported through Flagstaff to Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The resolutions are simply opinions of the city council and have no power to be held as law, but they still garnered support from a slew of supporters. In two separate moves to slow down traffic, the Flagstaff Traffic Commission voted to test medians on San Francisco and Leroux streets and chokers on Leroux. Chokers are barriers that make the road narrower, forcing traffic to slow. In combination with a bike lane on the east side of the street, the commission voted to test two orange-barrel medians on San Francisco Street. The medians will be at least 20-feet long and 3-feet wide. On Leroux, the commission voted to test a median and two orange-barrel chokers. The citys traffic engineer said each test project will start with in three months. If they work and dont raise too much community opposition, then the commission will likely recommend them to city council as permanent traffic-calming measures. Model and TV personality Tyra Banks told TMZ that she doesn't plan to return as host of Dancing with the Stars on Disney+ next season. ADVERTISEMENT "I feel it's really time for me to focus on my business and my entrepreneurship, and also producing more TV -- but behind the scenes," Banks told the celebrity news website Friday. "I think it's time to graduate from the dance floor to the stock market floor. ... from the ballroom to the boardroom!" she added. "Don't you think it's time? Yeah, I think it's time." She explained she regards herself as "an entrepreneur at heart." "I really, really want to focus on my business, and you can't do that hosting a show," Banks said. The Hollywood Reporter said it has confirmed the supermodel's plans to leave the show. People.com said it has not heard back from representatives for Banks and DWTS after requesting comments from them regarding the news. Banks replaced Erin Andrews and Tom Bergeron as hosts three years ago in Season 29. ABC/Craig Sjodin By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/18/2023 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Zach Shallcross has revealed The Women Tell All moment that threw him a "curveball" and shocked him more than the rest."I was surprised by [ Cat Wong ]'s allegation of [ Anastasia Keramidas ] having a boyfriend the whole time," Zach admitted to E! News. "That was a little shocking."During The Women Tell All special that aired Tuesday night on ABC, Cat yelled out, "Anastasia, you had a boyfriend on the show! You called him in The Bahamas when you got your phone back!"Zach said of the startling accusation, "I don't know if it's true or not. But that got me. That was a curveball."Anastasia -- a content marketing manager who had already been under fire for allegedly going on the show for the wrong reasons, to gain social-media followers -- appeared stunned by the allegation.Cat claimed that Anastasia was in a relationship with the man who had agreed to watch her dog while she filmed .Anastasia denied the allegation and insisted her mother had watched her dog while she traveled for the show. And her pal Genevie Mayo said that as Anastasia's roommate, she would've known if Anastasia had a secret boyfriend back home."I have receipts!" Cat alleged. "Don't lie!"But Anastasia told Jesse, "I didn't have a boyfriend, I still don't have a boyfriend, and I never dated that person [on my Instagram]."Anastasia said the photos of the mystery man had been taken at a friend's wedding in Seattle one week before the show filmed and they were fun and innocent pictures."Okay keep lying Anastasia and maybe you'll hit the 50k [followers] you wanted so bad," Victoria Jameson snapped.Zach faced a room full of his brokenhearted and jilted exes on The Women Tell All. While none of the bachelorettes were angry at him, Jess Girod and Katherine "Kat" Izzo wanted answers.Both women had been blindsided by their eliminations and sought clarity on why Zach could no longer see a future with them."What was important to me was the women having closure on the relationships," Zach said of the experience."It's tough because I'm making these decisions with my heart and gut instinct. It becomes clear to me and then I have to move on to the next week."Zach apparently found the tense and emotional conversations to be cathartic."It was really important for me to talk to them and let them know what I was feeling," Zach shared. "Like, 'No, I really did like you so much.' It was really nice and helpful for me. And hopefully for the women."'s 27th season is winding down with Zach's Fantasy Suite dates airing next week on ABC.Zach will be enjoying overnight dates with Ariel Frenkel Gabi Elnicki , and Kaity Biggar Based on previews of what's to come, Zach tells host Jesse Palmer that he doesn't want to have sex with any of the women -- only to go back on his word."Something really special happened. I feel like I let myself down, and I feel like I let the women down," Zach laments in a preview clip."I really f-cked it up. It was a beautiful moment. It feels robbed."And Gabi tells the cameras in tears, "I feel so stupid. I feel disgusting. I feel ugly. Heartbreak doesn't feel good, but this doesn't feel good either!"Despite the drama that is clearly on its way, Zach said he's looking forward to his season's ending and living his life openly in the real world again."I'm just excited for the next chapter in life, with or without someone," Zach teased."Having this wild whirlwind of a show and then, as dramatic as it is, it's going to come to an end and the next chapter of an exciting new life starts. Who knows?"But in the meantime, Bachelor Nation should brace themselves for "overwhelming" final episodes, according to stars.Interested in more news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group The San Francisco Volcanic Field, which covers about 1,800 square miles between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon, contains more than 500 volcanoes. Flagstaff is also one of the snowiest cities in America. This unique combination of geology and weather creates a mesmerizingly beautiful winter landscape, beloved by locals and tourists alike. One of the most striking places one can visit during the winter to experience such stark contrasts created by ice and fire is Sunset Crater National Monument. Formed about 1000 years ago during a curtain of fire eruption, this monument, located just 18 miles northeast of Flagstaff, boasts a large cinder cone, basaltic Aa lava flows, collapsed lava tunnels, and other volcanic features such as small splatter cones. The black, lava covered landscape here provides a stark contrast to the evergreen ponderosa pines of the Coconino National Forest and the deep greens, blues, yellows, oranges, and pinks of the Kaibab National Forest and the Painted Desert to the north. In winter, these contrasts are made even more clear as the sharp ebony rocks protrude from beneath a layer of pristine, white snow. The visuals here during winter could only be described as surreal. The disparity of the blacks and whites are currently even more marked as a result of the Tunnel Fire, which burned through Sunset Crater in the spring of 2022. The blackened and burned trees extending from the snow create an illusion to the eye that the volcano could have erupted only 10 years ago as opposed to 1000. Luckily for the monuments visitors, Sunset Crater emerged from the fire mostly intact, the damage largely superficial. Two of the hiking trails here, the Lavas Edge and Lenox Crater Trails, are still closed as repairs are made. Two others, the Aa and Lava Flow Trails, however, remain open. A winter visit to this area is certainly recommendable. One will not only view the volcanic field under a unique lens, but will also encounter smaller crowds. While it is likely that some features may not be accessible or viewable due to variable snowfall, there is something completely other-worldly about these once fiery mounds now sleeping peacefully under the ice. As you walk the trails through this foreign-feeling landscape you will be able to read about the history of the site; how and when it was formed, speculation and theories about the native peoples that once lived in the area, and efforts taken today to preserve the monument. You will discover that you are not alone in thinking the formations here look as though they could exist on another planet entirely. NASA scientists were also struck by the other-worldliness of this place and used it as an astronaut training ground. A winter visit to Sunset Craters alien landscapes simply elevates the extra-terrestrial experience. Once youve made your way through Sunset Crater National Monument, your visitor pass allows you to continue the 18 miles down Loop Road until you reach Wupatki National Monument. During this journey the land over which the road passes goes through a wildly impressive geological change. As you leave Sunset Crater the ponderosa pines of the Coconino National Forest subtly shift to the junipers and pinyon pines of the Kaibab before eventually giving way to the serene canyons and grasslands of the Painted Desert. Here, the snow less often reaches the land that looks southwest upon the San Francisco Peaks. It is in this place that the Ancestral Puebloanssometimes referred to as the Anasazibuilt their communities. It is also here that the native peoples residing in these communities at the time would have witnessed the eruption of Sunset Crater. Though much of the history of these people remains unknown, some of their stone pueblos are still standing today at Wupatki, carefully preserved so that they may be visited by any and all. As you make your way through this monument you will be able to visit the Wupatki Pueblo, the Wukoki Pueblo, the Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos, and the Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos. The Wupatki Pueblothe largest free-standing pueblo in northern Arizonais a three story, 100-room site with an above ground kiva or community room, a Hohokam style ballcourt, and a geological feature known as a blow-hole which either expels or takes in air depending on the outside air pressure. This particular site is perhaps the most impressive of all that Wupatki has to offer, though the others are certainly worth a visitwitnessing the sunset from the Citadel Pueblo invokes a feeling of being transported back in time. As you explore Wupatki and its various cultural sites you will learn about theories on the native cultures usage of these pueblos, how and when they were built, and explore with your imagination what life could have been like on the plains of northern Arizona. As you gaze southwest at the San Francisco Peaks, its almost easy to imagine the height of the original stratovolcano that is known today as Arizonas island in the sky. A winter visit to Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments is worth the short drive out of Flagstaff. While colder weather and snow may result in occasional trail closures, you will experience smaller, if any, crowds during your visit. This is ideal for those who like to let the silence fill their imagination with the possibilities of the past. Additionally, something in the way the winter sun hits the land seems only to accentuate the vast array of deep colors native to the area, making for deeper, more meaningful experiences and beautiful photography opportunities. If you are lucky enough to visit while there is snow on the ground, youll experience some of the most starkly contrasting beauty the land has to offer. Based on his value to the Ravens, it should be safe to assume that Lamar Jackson is a keeper for his team and deserves fair negotiations. However, the Ravens placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson shortly before the deadline on March 7. This is basically a label for the player that says that he can negotiate offers from other NFL teams and the Ravens have a chance to either match that offer to keep Jackson or receive additional first picks in the draft. Wang Li says officials behaved oddly after the 2-year-olds death and said there was no surveillance footage Wang Hao, 2, the nephew of activist Wang Li, drowned in a creek [right] near his home in Jiangsu, China. A dissident in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan has called on police to investigate the drowning of her two-year-old nephew, citing unanswered questions about how the toddler ended up in a river after his grandmother lost sight of him. The familys suspicions were raised after officials and police in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu turned up shortly after the fatal drowning and took away the body of two-year-old Wang Hao, Wang Li told Radio Free Asia. Wang Li, who is currently under close surveillance as her poet husband Wang Zang serves a jail term for "subversion," said Wang Hao drowned on the afternoon of March 12 in his home village of Sanhe, Guannan county. The child had been with his grandmother, who lost sight of him. His body was later found floating face down in a nearby creek, and was fished out by his mother, who waded in to retrieve him despite not knowing how to swim, Wang Li said. Surveillance failure Wang Li said there had been some suspicion around how the child had died, with the incident not being caught by Chinas pervasive system of surveillance cameras. She said local police told her there was no surveillance footage from the scene, with a nearby camera lacking a memory card at the time. "He was floating there in the water, but the clothes around the back of his neck were dry," she said. "My mother said someone must have seen what happened, but nobody did." "Someone could have gone to get my mother, and if they had, the child wouldn't be dead." Activist Wang Li, the wife of poet Wang Zang, was recently put under close surveillance by Chinese authorities. She was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power." She was released last year after serving her sentence. Credit: Provided by Wang Li. No sooner had Wang Li's mother pulled the drowned child from the water than the Sanhe village Communist Party secretary turned up at the scene, and directed people to take the child's body away without the family's consent, Wang Li said. "My brother was holding the child's body at the time, and they forced his hands apart and took the body despite my brother saying he didn't consent," she said."The party secretary claimed that he quickly arranged for the body to be disposed of because he thought the family was too stricken by grief to do it." Wang Li called on local police to investigate. "We just want to know how the child ended up in the creek," she said. Beijing-based human rights activist Ni Yulan said there are questions to be answered about possible foul play. "If it was a normal drowning, they would come to comfort the family, not go burying the child in such a hurry," Ni said. "The party secretary should understand the law, and know that the child's body belongs to his family." "For the party secretary to do this is a violation of legal procedures [around funeral arrangements] as well as being very unfair on the family," she said. Gag order Yunnan police slapped a gag order, travel ban and round-the-clock surveillance on Wang Li and the children she has with Wang Zang as part of a nationwide stability maintenance operation during the National People's Congress in Beijing. The ongoing surveillance of Wang Li and the couple's children despite her release from prison at the end of her shorter sentence comes amid a nationwide mobilization of law enforcement agencies as part of China's "stability maintenance" program. The program aims to nip any form of public protest or criticism of the government in the bud during key political events or on sensitive dates. Wang Zang and Wang Li were both jailed after a closed-door hearing of the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture Intermediate People's Court, which found them guilty of "incitement to subvert state power" after they gave interviews to foreign media organizations. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Alex Willemyns and Malcolm Foster. Journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British dual national and one of the Kremlin's most vocal critics, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by a Moscow court after a closed-door trial for treason and other offenses, sparking an international outcry and calls for his immediate release. The Moscow City Court, overflowing with reporters, diplomats, and supporters, handed down its verdict in the trial on April 17, just over a year after Kara-Murza, who twice nearly died after what he says were deliberate poisoning attacks, was arrested on the charge of spreading false information about Russia's armed forces. He denies the charges. After his sentence was pronounced, Kara-Murza, who reporters said sat almost motionless inside a glass cage in the courtroom while listening to the judge, proclaimed that "Russia will be free," an opposition slogan. "This sentence shows that they are so afraid of him and that they hate him so much for his consistency, for his courage, for his amazing bravery," Yevgenia Kara-Murza told a Washington Post conference. She added that her husband put his life on the line for a democratic Russia "where human rights are respected, where the government does not persecute its own citizens for opposing the official narrative." Russian news agencies quoted Maria Eismont, part of his defense team, as saying they would immediately appeal the judgement because of various legal violations. Another of Kara-Murza's lawyers, Vadim Prokhorov, said the case was "political revenge" and that the closed-door format was "absolutely illegal," as there were no secret documents presented at the trial. The British government immediately condemned the verdict and sentence, one of the harshest penalties to date against a Russian who has spoken out against the Kremlin's war against Ukraine, saying the case against the 41-year-old father of three was "politically motivated." It added in a statement that the Russian ambassador to the United Kingdom had been summoned and that British officials "will make clear that the U.K. considers Mr. Kara-Murzas conviction to be contrary to Russias international obligations on human rights, including the right to a fair trial." United Nations rights chief Volker Turk called on Russia to release Kara-Murza "without delay," while the European Union also condemned the sentence. "Today's outrageously harsh court decision clearly demonstrates yet again the political misuse of the judiciary in order to pressure activists, human rights defenders, and any voices opposing Russia's illegitimate war of aggression against Ukraine," EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said in a statement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the case when asked by reporters in Moscow. In August, Russian authorities added the charge of involvement in an "undesirable" foreign organization, and in October they added the treason charge for his public criticism of the Russian authorities in the international arena. Kara-Murza ended up being sentenced to 18 years for the treason charge, seven years for the spreading of false information, and three years for participating in the actions of an "undersirable" organization. Some of the sentences will run concurrently. Aleksei Navalny, another Kremlin critic who has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for what most analysts say are trumped-up charges in retaliation for speaking out against President Vladimir Putin and his policies, called the sentence "unlawful, shameless, and simply facsist." The trial was delayed last month after his lawyer told the court his client's health had "significantly deteriorated." A certificate from the medical unit of Kara-Murza's detention facility stated he was being treated for polyneuropathy, which he says is a result of the poisonings. In his final statement to court on April 10, Kara-Murza, who Amnesty International has designated a "prisoner of conscience," said the level of opaqueness about the charges against him surpassed the trials of Soviet dissidents in the 1960s and '70s, and the language used against him was reminiscent of the 1930s, when Soviet citizens were arrested on fabricated charges and put on show trials. Russia adopted a law criminalizing spreading "false information" about its military shortly after it sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022. 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. Kara-Murza is the latest in a string of opposition activists, reporters, and others who have been arrested and prosecuted under the legislation amid a growing Kremlin crackdown on civil society. According to the human rights group OVD-Info, almost 20,000 Russians have been detained for anti-war protests since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Several hundred people have had criminal cases opened against them for opposing the war in Ukraine, with some facing sentences of up to 15 years for offenses as slight as posting anti-war messages on social media. OVD-Info said in the next week alone, 53 "political criminal cases"are scheduled for the coming week. "The criminalization of criticism of government actions is a manifestation of fear, not strength," U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy said on the steps of the court building. "Vladimir Kara-Murza and countless Russians believe and hope for a future in which fundamental freedoms are respected in Russia. And we share these hopes. "Thirty years ago, Russia fought for the creation of democracy. Now this struggle has taken a sad turn," the Canadian ambassador to Russia, Alison Leclaire, said after the court session. Kara-Murza was a key advocate for the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which sets out sanctions for human rights violators in Russia. He has also called for sanctions to be imposed on culpable Russian officials. On March 3, the United States designated six people, including three judges, for sanctions due to their role in Kara-Murza's detention. The judge who chaired the trial and who read the ruling on April 17, Sergei Podoprigorov, was one of the first sanctioned by the United States under the Magnitsky Act 10 years ago. The British government also has already sanctioned him for "previous involvement in human rights violations." He was also the judge who approved the pretrial detention of the law's namesake, Sergei Magnitsky, a whistle-blowing Russian tax lawyer who died in a Moscow jail in November 2009, just seven days before the expiration of the one-year term during which he could be legally held without trial. Magnitsky, who accused Russian law enforcement and tax officials of a massive tax fraud scheme, was tried posthumously and convicted on tax evasion charges. The British government also has already sanctioned him for "previous involvement in human rights violations." The late U.S. Senator John McCain was a proponent of Kara-Murza's efforts, and he served as a pallbearer at McCain's funeral in 2018. Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. www.rferl.org/a/31793259.html I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead. The Big Issue Iran appears to be making headway toward renewing official ties with Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states that in some cases have been publicly avoiding Tehran for decades. The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held talks in Beijing on April 6 in a significant step toward restoring diplomatic relations, which were cut in 2016 after protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadhs execution of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Iran also accepted an invitation from Saudi King Salman for President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Riyadh, while Tehran said it will send a similar invitation to the Saudi king. Meanwhile, a Saudi delegation traveled to Iran on April 9 to discuss the reopening of the embassy in Tehran and a consulate in Mashhad. The trip came as Iranian media reported on April 8 that a street sign near the Saudi consulate in Mashhad provocatively named after Sheikh al-Nimr had been quietly removed. An Iranian delegation also arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 12 to pave the way for the reopening of Iranian diplomatic missions there. Iran is meanwhile taking steps to improve ties with other countries in the region, naming an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and working to decrease tensions with Egypt and Bahrain. Why It Matters: Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be pursuing implementation of last months Chinese-brokered agreement, possibly clearing the way for Tehran to de-escalate tensions with other countries that followed Riyadhs lead on a rupture seven years ago. What's Next: Tehran and Riyadh could move surprisingly swiftly toward normalization, but its no sure thing. Abdolrasool Divsallar, a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Milan (UCSC), told me that the political environment between the two regional rivals could encourage the start of military and security talks within months. But Divsallar also warned that opponents at home and abroad could still undermine the agreement. Hard-liners in Iran may act as a spoiler rather than as a supporter of the deal, he said, adding that Israel could do the same. The regional tensions between Israel and Iran, on one side, andbetween Iran, Saudi [Arabia] and the United States, on the other side, are two dynamics that make this process very fragile, he said. Divsallar also suggested that any normalization between Iran and countries with less appetite for a quick restoration of ties, for instance Bahrain, could take longer. They feel more secure under the current status quo rather than immediately normalizing their ties with the Islamic republic and losing their leverage, he said, adding, They may wait to see a major change of policies. Stories You Might Have Missed Irans civil aviation sector has for years been under Western sanctions that prevent it from purchasing new aircraft or spare parts for repairs. Now, Russia's oldest airline, Aeroflot, has sent one of its passenger planes to Iran for repairs for the first time ever. Aeroflot reportedly ran into obstacles at home stemming from Western sanctions over Russias ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The RBK media group cited an Aeroflot representative and sources close to the company on April 11 as saying that an Airbus A330-300 had been sent to Tehran on April 5 to be repaired by specialists from Iran's Mahan Air. Iranian pensioners staged protests in more than a dozen cities across Iran, demanding higher pensions amid soaring prices. Protests were reported on April 9 in Tehran, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Arak, Qom, Shush, Tabriz, and several other cities where retirees complained of poor living conditions and chanted anti-government slogans. Labor protests in Iran have swelled as the economy deteriorates following years of mismanagement compounded by crippling U.S. sanctions. What We're Watching Prominent Iranian female religious scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi has challenged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the Islamic republics mandatory hijab law. In a letter published online, Vasmaghi asked about the reasoning behind Irans strict model for womens dress and said the Koran does not specify the need for women to cover their hair in public. There is no evidence to show that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad women were harassed and punished for not covering their hair or even their bodies, Vasmaghi, who has published several books on Islamic jurisprudence, wrote. Why It Matters: Vasmaghis letter is significant for its timing -- just days after Khamenei asserted that the removal of the hijab in public was religiously banned. But it is also important because it comes from a religious woman who wears the veil while opposing the mandatory hijab, which is seemingly being defied by a growing number of women. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. Until next time, Golnaz Esfandiari If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday. Montenegro's voters are casting presidential ballots on March 19 in a race between a long-dominant incumbent and a half-dozen challengers that could prove pivotal to whether the ex-Yugoslav republic can escape two years of political stalemate. It's the first national election in the tiny Adriatic nation since the narrow defeat of President Milo Djukanovic's party to a mostly pro-Serb coalition in 2020 spelled the end of an era but failed to establish a workable majority to move the country forward. Djukanovic feuded with two subsequent governments and resisted naming a third as he jockeyed to reestablish supremacy for his populist Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), culminating in the sudden dissolution of parliament on March 16. "Few presidential elections in Montenegro have been as important as this one," said Kenneth Morrison, a specialist in modern Southeastern European history and politics at De Montfort University in the United Kingdom. The last comparable national choice came in 1997, he suggested, when, as prime minister, Djukanovic unseated a staunch ally of Slobodan Milosevic for the presidency to put Montenegro on the path toward independence in 2006. "This election could be equally pivotal in that the outcome could determine the country's future trajectory," Morrison said. Djukanovic, 61, has effectively led Montenegro as president or prime minister since 1991, when the DPS arose as the successor to the local Communist League. He won outright five years ago with nearly 54 percent of the vote, and most experts say he is almost certain to advance to a second-round runoff on April 2 for a final presidential term under the constitution. Since it exited its political union with Serbia and then joined NATO in 2017, Montenegro has stalled on the kind of reforms that once made it a front-runner for the next wave of EU enlargement. It has struggled to put aside ethno-national divisions, including over identification as Serb versus Montenegrin, as well as tensions in relations with the influential Serbian Orthodox Church, politicians in Belgrade, and pro-Russians in and outside the region. Polling in Montenegro is frequently unreliable, although some surveys have suggested that broad opposition to Djukanovic far outweighs support. He is running on the slogan "Our President," but his three decades in power have been dogged by perceptions of rampant organized crime and corruption. Many observers question whether Djukanovic or any other candidate can successfully bridge the 620,000-strong population's divisions. Vesko, a voter in Podgorica who did not want his last name published, called it "a circus of a campaign." "Everyone promises something, everything," he told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. "And everyone is sinful." One of the most recognizable challengers is Andrija Mandic, a veteran politician who heads the right-wing New Serb Democracy party and is supported by the pro-Serb Democratic Front that helped unseat Djukanovic's DPS two and a half years ago. Mandic was accused alongside Russians and Serbians of plotting a failed coup attempt in 2016, although an appellate court eventually threw out all 13 convictions. Montenegro has long been one of the Balkans' most conspicuous theaters for pro-Russian disinformation. Another candidate, pro-NATO and pro-EU Social Democratic lawmaker Draginja Vuksanovic Stankovic, won 8 percent of the vote as a presidential candidate in 2018. She is the lone woman in the race. The pro-EU Europe Now movement is fielding candidate Jakov Milatovic, a former economic minister campaigning on boosting prosperity in a country that averaged nearly 3 percent growth for two decades before huge volatility the past three years. Europe Now shot into the national spotlight with a strong showing in last year's local elections in the capital, Podgorica, within months of being formed. Aleksa Becic, a 35-year-old former speaker of parliament from the centrist Democratic Montenegro party, is another pro-EU candidate. Goran Danilovic heads the conservative United Montenegro party, which has a single seat in parliament. Internet influencer Jovan Radulovic is the political outsider among candidates and has largely avoided staking out traditional political turf. Djukanovic set June 11 for snap parliamentary elections after his dissolution of the 81-seat Skupstina. The DPS this time hopes to erase the razor-thin one-seat margin that the Democratic Front and its allies mustered in 2020. Montenegrin civil activist Aleksandar Dragicevic told RFE/RL's Balkan Service that the presidential campaigns were as important for their success in winning over committed voters ahead of early parliamentary elections as picking a president. Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unannounced nighttime visit to Mariupol, the occupied Ukrainian city that symbolizes Kyiv's fierce resistance to Moscows invasion, in a possible show of defiance after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a war for his arrest. Putin flew by helicopter to the port city, which had been destroyed by Russian bombardments and heavy fighting, for a "working visit," Russian state media reported on March 19. He visited several sites in Mariupol and spoke with residents, the reports said. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensives, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. The trip was the first by Putin to a region of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces after the launch of his full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Putins trips are almost always highly choreographed by the Kremlin to boost his image at home. The battle for Mariupol captured international attention as Ukrainian fighters, encircled and holed up in a massive metals plant, heroically defended the city for three months before surrendering in May 2022 as they ran low on food and medicine. But the battle also highlighted for the world Russia's brutality as its military launched strikes on civilian infrastructure, killing what is believed to be thousands of Mariupol residents, and triggering accusations of war crimes. In two of the most infamous cases, Russia attacked a theater used as a bomb shelter, killing as many as 600 people, as well as a maternity ward. Putin's visit to the symbolic city sparked anger in Kyiv and in the West. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in a statement that Putin chose to visit at night to hide from Russian TV viewers the destruction he wrought on Mariupol and the ensuing desolation it has caused. Once a bustling port city with a population of half a million, Mariupol is now home to just about 90,000 people, many of them too old or too ill to leave the ravaged city. The outskirts of Mariupol are filled with the graves of those killed in the fighting. "The criminal always return to the crime scene," Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak said in a tweet about Putin's visit to Mariupol. "The murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and [its] graves. Cynicism and lack of remorse." Amid the intense Russian bombing and blockage, some Mariupol residents managed to escape to Kyiv-controlled territory. Others went to Russia, many forcibly so, including children. The alleged deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia is at the center of the ICC's unprecedented March 17 warrant for the arrest of Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, a Russian children's rights official. "There are reasonable grounds to believe that each suspect bears responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and that of unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children," the ICC said in a statement on March 17. The warrant means Putin could be arrested if he enters any of the court's 123 member states. The Kremlin dismissed the warrant, arguing that it is void because Russia is not in the ICC's jurisdiction. Ukraine is also not a member of the ICC. Putins Mariupol visit comes a day after he toured Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of Russia's annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine. Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea following Kyiv's overthrow of Moscow-leaning President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014 was the start of a new phase of Kremlin aggression against Ukraine that would culminate with the full-scale invasion of the country last year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has vowed to regain all territory captured by Russia, including Crimea. Ukraine is preparing a new, major counteroffensive that experts say could begin as early as next month. In the meantime, Ukraine and Russia have agreed to extend a deal allowing the safe passage of grain exports through Ukraines ports on the Black Sea. WATCH: Standing just behind the front line in Donetsk, the former industrial city of Avdiyivka lies in ruins. As Russian shelling continues, the few remaining residents say they're not going anywhere. Following several days of talks, Ukraine announced the deal had been extended for 120 days, while Russia said it had agreed to a 60-day extension. "The Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in Istanbul on 22 July 2022, has been extended," the United Nations said on March 18 in a statement, referring to the initial agreement brokered last summer by the UN and Turkey with Russia and Ukraine. The UN statement said the deal had allowed the supply of 25 million tons of grain and foodstuffs, helping to bring down global food prices and stabilize markets. The statement also thanked the Turkish government for its diplomatic and operational support of the deal. Britain's Defense Ministry said in its daily intelligence bulletin that the temporary switch to an alternative regional capital in the Zaporizhzhya region -- one of four illegally annexed by Russia last year -- is "likely a tacit acknowledgment" that Russia is failing to meet its objectives in the near future. On March 3, authorities in the Russian-controlled region issued a decree saying that occupied Melitopol would temporarily replace Zaporizhzhya city as the regional capital until it was controlled by Russia, Britain's Defense Ministry said in an update on Twitter, adding that Russia has never occupied Zaporizhzhya city, which is approximately 35 kilometers from the current front line. "The quiet declaration of an alternative capital is likely tacit acknowledgement within the Russian system that its forces are highly unlikely to seize previously planned major objectives in the near future," the intelligence update said on March 19. With reporting by RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, Current time, Reuters, AFP and dpa In-depth dialogue between mainland, Taiwan urged to cement culture bond Experts from both sides of the Taiwan Straits called for enhancing face-to-face exchanges and promoting in-depth interaction between academia on both sides. They made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the "Cross-Straits Scholars Face-to-face" series of academic activities in Xiamen, Fujian province, on Friday. Co-held by Xiamen University and the Academy of Chinese Culture, these activities aim to enhance in-depth dialogue between scholars from the mainland and Taiwan. Fang Ying, the assistant to the president of Xiamen University, said that the series of activities will promote and resume normal academic exchanges between the two sides of the Straits, deepen the in-depth interaction between the academic circles, advance the two sides to jointly carry forward Chinese culture, and promote mutual understanding. Fang said that Chinese culture is the common root and also an important bond to maintain national feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, which requires both sides to uphold and carry forward the traditions. Liu Yingfeng, head of the department of scientific research management at the Academy of Chinese Culture, said that once the door of cross-Straits exchanges is opened, it will never be closed. With the easing of the pandemic, people on both sides are more eager to look forward to exchanges and cooperation, and economic exchanges across the Taiwan Straits are bound to blossom. Chen Yiyuan, a professor at the Department of Chinese Literature at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, said that holding these activities will promote the common cultural identity of the two sides and strengthen mutual understanding. Scholars from the two sides of the Straits have had many opportunities for academic exchanges, but face-to-face communications were hampered by the pandemic during the past three years, he said. "It is time for us to resume face-to-face talks and share our ideas. I hope more relevant activities will be held in different cities such as Beijing and Taipei," he said. "Academic studies, such as the historical population studies in Fujian and Taiwan, allow us to understand the common past together, so that we can cherish the present and develop together toward a more harmonious and beautiful future, and I think that is what scholars from both sides should do," he said. While people on both sides of the Straits are calling for peaceful exchanges, Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party and relevant departments are pushing forward the amendment process of a "defense mobilization act", which will turn the island into a battlefield, said protesters from the island. About 300 people from dozens of parties and groups protested at the "Executive Yuan" Thursday morning in Taipei, demanding the authorities in Taiwan put a stop to the amendment. Protesters said that under the amended law, Taiwan will enter a wartime curfew in normal times and people's freedom of the press, speech, thought, movement and capital flows will be restricted. Cheng Si contributed to this story. DARASUN/MAKKAVEYEVO, Russia -- When Roman Melnikov left Darasun, a tiny hamlet in Siberia's Zabaikalye region, in 2015, few were sad to see him go. He had been sentenced to nine years in prison for manslaughter after being convicted of beating a cafe patron to death during a robbery. But when Melnikov's remains returned to the village last month in a military coffin from the war in Ukraine, dismayed residents watched as he was given a funeral with military honors, including an honor guard, paid for in part by the village administration. "What is happening?" local resident Nina, who asked that her last name be withheld for fear of repercussions, told RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities. "A prisoner who went to war just so he could get out of prison is suddenly a hero? My friends and I are shocked. The world really has turned upside down." Melnikov was one of tens of thousands of Russian convicts believed to have been recruited to fight in Ukraine in the ostensibly private Wagner mercenary army of Kremlin-connected businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, who himself served nine years in a Soviet prison on a robbery conviction. Darasun is a postage-stamp-sized village near Russia's long border with China. Officially, it has a population of some 6,500, although residents say far fewer live there now that the state-owned farm and a local factory have been shuttered. "Those who haven't left just drink and do drugs like [Melnikov]," a local retiree said. "Do you think he was sober when he got into that fight?" Moscow has only acknowledged about 6,000 killed since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but the fact that military funerals are being held in places like Darasun indicates the figure is much higher. Western analysts put Russia's total military casualties at nearly 200,000 killed and wounded. "Those of us here remember his heroics' very well," said another local, who asked not to be named. "Robberies, theft, and he even attacked the girl he was living with, nearly suffocated her. He was only finally sent to prison because he was such a repeat offender. And then they let him out? So he could finish suffocating her? That's our justice for you." Melnikov's funeral was held at the request of his sister, Olga Melnikova, who says she considers her brother "a hero" and who told RFE/RL he was killed in Ukraine on February 3. "We didn't communicate much," she told RFE/RL. "I didn't know that he'd agreed to go fight in order to gain his release. He didn't have much time left. But I think he did a good thing to go." "I don't know why the others don't agree," she said of her neighbors in Darasun. "He went to protect us. To fight in another country so that they wouldn't attack us. I don't think they could have made it to Zabaikalye, but to Moscow, maybe." Initially, when Melnikova requested that the funeral be held in the village club, officials demurred. "The relatives asked us to give them a space in the club," village head Valentina Cheremnykh said. "But they have their own program, children's groups and so on." Instead, Cheremnykh proposed holding the funeral outdoors. "Many honorable residents of Darasun had their funerals outside, without particular pomp," she said. "It is a normal thing for us." But it was not enough for Melnikova. "When the village head suggested it, I started writing on social media and to the media," she recalled. "One television channel responded. They raised a fuss that reached the governor and higher. In the end, they gave me the club for the ceremony." Twelve kilometers down the road from Darasun lies the neighboring village of Makkaveyevo, with a population of fewer than 5,000. Late last month, the military coffins of two local men -- former convicts Dmitry Filippov and Sergei Slepukhin -- were shipped back to the village for burial. Filippov's aunt, Nadezhda Filippova, arrived from her home in the Kursk region of western Russia to oversee the arrangements and was appalled that the men were not being treated like regular military because they had served in the Wagner mercenary army. "The local military commission and the Defense Ministry didn't want to have anything to do with the funeral," she told RFE/RL. "I know that in Kursk the military commission partially subsidizes the funerals for Wagner fighters, so why is it different here?" Just like in Darasun, locals in Makkaveyevo have no love lost for Filippov or Slepukhin. Filippov was serving sentences for several robberies and for selling dangerous homemade alcohol. Slepukhin had been convicted of at least six robberies and two muggings. "He was held in custody as a minor," Slepukhin's sister, Olga Vanchugova, told RFE/RL. "He fell into bad company. But later he went to fight, and I think he redeemed himself." Nadezhda Filippova agreed. "They got rowdy as stupid youths, but with their deaths, they redeemed everything," she said. Following lobbying by the two families, a military funeral was held for the two men at the local school, with the pupils in attendance. "My children go to that school," said one local woman. "What kind of example is this that we are giving such honors to recent prisoners? Of course I am against making children watch this and letting them think that this is a good life path -- robbery, drunkenness, prison, war." "That's what we said to the village head and, at first, she fully agreed with us," the woman added. "But you know what happened." Makkaveyevo administrator Tatyana Zhuravlyova didn't comment in detail about why she changed her mind. "It was decided to compromise with the relatives," she told RFE/RL. "Yes, some residents were unhappy. Such expenses aren't included in our budget. Yes, the family bought the graves themselves, but the flags and everything had to be purchased from the budget." Locals said only the relatives of the two men attended the school ceremony. "They complained to everyone, including the local military commissar," one local woman said. "He brought them an honor guard and some general to give a speech. Soldiers carried the coffins." "It was a nightmare to see these convicts buried with such honors," she added. "And we had to pay for it. The school needs repairs and our local museum is falling down, but, no, we need to pay for honor-guard funerals for convicts who ran off to war instead of serving their time." Written by RFE/RL feature writer Robert Coalson based on reporting from Russia by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities The ecological potential of synthetic diamonds, which is so often talked about, turns out to be not so unambiguous. The slogan "A diamond is forever", invented in 1947 by De Beers, is no longer a mantra for modern women. What was unthinkable until recently is becoming a reality today. When choosing a piece of jewelry with a symbol of eternal love a natural diamond, it is likely that you will be offered to purchase a jewel with a synthetic stone. AFFORDABLE LUXURY Since its creation in 1954 by American chemist Tracy Hall, synthetic diamond has become a potential competitor of a natural mineral. The prospect that opened up at the same time turned out to be so tempting that De Beers itself could not resist. After many years of neglect of artificial stones, which were branded with the label "For Industry", in 2018 the company itself began to grow diamonds for jewelry, announcing the launch of a retail brand of colored synthetic stones for a young audience "Lightbox Jewelry". TWIN BROTHERS? Chemically, natural diamond, like synthetic one, is formed as a result of carbon crystallization under the influence of extremely high temperatures and pressure. The only difference is the place where this process takes place. As it is known, natural diamond originated in the bowels of the Earth 2.5 billion years ago. His rival, grown in laboratory conditions in just a few weeks, is a pure artifact. If a natural diamond is associated with exclusivity and eternity, then a synthetic one is rather perceived as a product of alchemy. What is the basis for the success of a grown diamond? Firstly, it is not perceived as a product reserved for the elite, and is sold for 30-40% cheaper. Secondly, synthetic diamond is not linked to production associated with environmental scandals. In order to obtain several carats of natural diamonds, it is necessary to extract millions of tons of ore in ecologically vulnerable areas, the restoration of natural ecosystems of which takes decades. Unlike its older "brother", the grown diamond has nothing to do with the Kimberley Process, an international negotiating forum bringing together representatives of states, industry and civil society, which was created about twenty years ago to monitor the transparency of the diamond industry. As a result, a laboratory diamond is not in danger of a negative image, while a natural diamond is definitely vulnerable in this regard. But it seemed that Marilyn Monroe, who sang the song "Diamonds are the best friend of girls" in 1953, forever secured the glory of eternal value for natural stones. But times have changed. In 2006, the film "Blood Diamonds" showed the appalling working conditions in diamond mines. Impressed by his role, Leonardo DiCaprio becomes a fierce opponent of natural diamonds, and since 2014 - a shareholder of Diamond Foundry, a major producer of synthetic diamonds in the United States. RETALIATORY STRIKE At the global level, the Natural Diamond Council demonstrates its ambitions to dominate the market with the slogan: "Only natural diamonds". For its part, Diamond Collective, which unites industry organizations, publishes a study by Trucost, a world leader in environmental risk assessment. The results of this study are designed to draw public attention to the "reverse" side of the synthetic diamond, latribune.fr notes. In particular, it is indicated that the process of its production does not meet environmental standards. Thus, CO2 emissions from the cultivation of synthetic diamonds by the HPHT temperature gradient method, as it turns out, are almost three times higher than in the extraction of natural diamonds. Critics of laboratory production also note that it is poorly regulated. Most of the production centers are located in China and India, and for this reason it is impossible to control how the work is organized there both from an environmental and ethical point of view. In addition, the quality of synthetic diamonds is limited in size and color. The largest synthetic diamond weighs only 9 carats, while the weight of the largest rough diamond mined in Botswana in 2021 reaches 1,174 carats. Natural diamonds also offer a much wider palette of shades. Finally, the competitor of natural diamond provides employment to only a limited number of people, while the diamond industry also provides employment for the indigenous inhabitants of the areas where diamond mining is carried out, whether in Africa, Canada, Russia or Australia. Thus, a natural diamond still successfully withstands competition with its synthetic counterpart. So, 65% of French respondents aged 25-34 said that they would like to buy a natural diamond "at least once in their life". The market share of synthetic diamonds, according to a study conducted by the publication National Jeweler, is still less than 10%. At the same time, it has increased fivefold in five years, exceeding 6 billion US dollars. However, taking into account the fact that grown diamonds have also become the subject of controversy, their position may well be shaken. Therefore, the global diamond industry, most likely, will have to find a consensus option that allows seducing future generations of lovers, without relying on ethical and environmental aspects that risk discrediting both natural and synthetic diamonds. Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished East County Mortuary and Cremation Service owner Robert Zakar shows the area in his Magnolia Avenue business where he is hoping to put a cremation apparatus. Robert Zakar, president of the San Diego Funeral Directors Association, said there continues to be a growing need for cremation in San Diego County. Even though hes already been turned down several times, Zakar is appealing to the El Cajon City Council this month to grant him a conditional use permit to open a crematorium inside his mortuary at 374 N. Magnolia Ave. The cremation equipment would be put in a garage attached to the mortuary, unseen by the general public, he said. The machine costs about $120,000; the project altogether for indoor construction, including proper ventilation that meets health code standards, permits, licensing and more, will require an investment of nearly $250,000, Zakar said. Advertisement Cremation services have not been offered in the area for about seven years. In 2011, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District closed a Neptune Society of San Diego crematorium in unincorporated El Cajon due to concerns about aging equipment. Neptune, operating locally since 1973, has been using off-site cremation services since the cremation part of its business was shuttered. Cremation involves the combustion, vaporization and oxidation of a dead body into gases, ashes and mineral fragments. Crematories are allowed to operate in San Diego County with permits from the Air Pollution Control district, the Department of Environmental Health, and other state-issued licenses and permits. Zakar owns East County Mortuary & Cremation Service in El Cajon. Although cremation service is in his businesss title and he says many people mistakenly assume it offers cremation services onsite, the mortuary uses a warehouse in Vista for cremation services for clients. In February 2017, he was stopped from converting an existing empty industrial building in the citys manufacturing zone on Marshall Avenue into a crematorium by both the commission and the City Council, to which he had appealed. In June, Zakar was turned down by the El Cajon Planning Commission again. His request was to open a crematorium in the garage of his mortuary, which is on the other side of a wall in the businesss chapel area. The placement of the equipment would allow mourners to witness the cremation process if they choose. Tony Shute, director of community development for El Cajon, said the Planning Commission took city staffs recommendation to deny a permit because a crematorium is not in line with El Cajons downtown master plan or the citys general plan. The citys general plan notes that the downtown area around Main Street and Magnolia should be for administrative, civic and cultural activities, and that commercial establishments need to be carefully integrated with the surrounding area. A mortuary has been at the Magnolia site since 1942, Zakar said. Zakar will appeal the Planning Commissions latest decision to the City Council at its July 24 meeting. There are only five known crematories open to the public in San Diego County; there is another on the campus of UC San Diego. The closest one available for his clientele is at Cremation Services, Inc., a crematory warehouse on Fortune Way in Vista. Zakar said family and friends of a deceased person will often make the trip nearly an hours drive north to witness the cremation, and he is tired of families having to travel such a long distance and seeing their loved ones treated like a commodity, especially when we have the ability and technology to treat families and their loved ones so much better. The need nationwide for cremation services keeps rising. Interest is on the rise for a variety of reasons, Zakar said, including lower cost. While casket-centered burials can cost up to $15,000, cremation funerals typically cost $700. The Cremation Association of North Americas 2005 survey found 46 percent of Americans planned to choose cremation, compared with 31 percent in 1990. The association reported that in 2017, the United States cremation rate was 51.6 percent. By 2022, the cremation rate is projected to reach 57.8 percent in the U.S., it said. The 2016 annual report by Funeral Convergence, a group that keeps track of mortuary statistics, said that of 262,325 deaths in California, 164,382 bodies were cremated. In San Diego County that same year, of 21,182 deaths, 16,468 were cremated, Zakar said. Zakar said the latest statistics out of East County he has are from 2015. That year, of 4,000 funerals conducted in East County, nearly 2,600 of those were by cremation, he said. The five crematoriums in San Diego County serve a population of 3.3 million, according to statistics from the California Department of Consumer Affairs Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. Comparably, San Bernardino County with 2.2 million people has 11 cremation facilities; Orange County with a population of 3.2 million has 13; Riverside County with 2.4 million has 15; and Los Angeles County with 10.2 million has 27. Zakar said nothing visible will change if a crematorium is added to the site, that no construction will be taking place outside of the mortuary. He said the location already has bodies coming in and going out, and that a crematorium would minimize the number of bodies going out. It would also minimize traffic. Zakar said there have been as many as 40 cars taking the ride to Vista for cremation inside the warehouse. Zakar said public perception is important. He said he conducted a survey of about 200 residences in the area, and said he may share the results with the City Council. He said half of the respondents already think cremation is taking place on the premises and another third said they dont know and dont care. Zakar also said other California counties allow crematoriums near schools, colleges, residences, shopping centers and businesses. He said in Laguna Hills, there is a Pizza Hut near a crematorium; in Corona Del Mar, a crematorium is located next to an elementary school. The El Cajon City Council voted 3-1 in March 2017 to uphold the Planning Commissions decision, citing a concern with its location about 1,000 feet from Flying Hills Elementary School and some homes, as well as the El Cajon Animal Shelter. City Councilman Bob McClellan voted in favor of allowing the crematorium with City Councilman Ben Kalasho abstaining. This time around, Mayor Bill Wells said the council will be listening with fresh ears to Zakars presentation in July. I dont think anybodys made up their minds, Wells said. Last time at the hearing, there was a lot of discussion and it seemed like it could go either way. There is certainly some validity in the argument that its good for people to be able to do (cremation) close to home. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com We just missed the Columbus Pet Expo"the largest pet expo in America!"which was held March 10-12, 2023 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, Ohio. I did a quick review of their Instagram, and the expo looked amazingthere were pets of all kinds, and lots of fun being had by all. Here's a cool "dog's eye view" of the happenings, courtesy of the doggie cam! The Expo explains, "This is how a DOG sees the Pet Expo! Dogs get to visit lots of pals and see tons of toys and smell a bunch of treats! It is sensory overload! All dogs leave with tails a wagging!" One dog whose tail was definitely wagging is Dallas, whose glorious visagecheesy grin and allwas captured by the pet photographers at Pawz to Pose. To see more photos of Dallas, head over to the Pawz to Pose Facebook page, or this webpagescroll down to the very end of the gallery and feast your eyes on more images of Dallas, who clearly stole the show! Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry made a post on its Twitter account and congratulated Turkiye on the occasion of the 108th anniversary of Canakkale victory, Azernews reports, citing a tweet by the Ministry. "108 years have passed since the victory in Canakkale, a heroic epic that played a key role in the history of the war of independence of fraternal Turkiye. With great respect and gratitude, we pay tribute to our brothers and sisters who sacrificed their lives for the independence and territorial integrity of Turkiye." Last week at Art Museum Stuttgart I saw a really cool exhibit called "SHIFT," which focused on various conceptualizations and manifestations of artificial intelligence (AI), and AI's profound ecological, sociological, political, and economic impacts on the world. The museum's website describes the project: The exhibition project developed by the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart and the Museum Marta Herford deals with artistic perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI). AI is based on algorithms that are already having an impact on political, economic and social processesboth visible and invisible. As a key technology of the 21st century, AI has long since arrived in mainstream society. It is associated with both hopes and concerns. The term SHIFT underlines the thesis of the exhibition that this digital technology is permanently changing the idea of a community in which people, nature and technology are in a cooperative relationship. Eight international artistic positions will be shown. The works make the complex interrelationships of AI comprehensible. They are based on investigations into real and artificial physicality, digital surveillance, biological intelligence and hybrid life forms, social power relations, language technology, immortality and NFTs. The artists always ask the question of ethical responsibility when dealing with AI. Both the exhibition and the "Studio 11. Space for Art Education" offer the opportunity to deal fundamentally with AI. The extensive accompanying program was designed together with the Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science (SC SimTech) and the Cyber Valley Stuttgart / Tubingen. One of the most interesting pieces in the exhibit was by artist Heather Dewey-Hagborg, whose website describes her artistic practice: Dr. Heather Dewey-Hagborg is an artist and biohacker who is interested in art as research and technological critique. Her controversial biopolitical art practice includes the project Stranger Visions in which she created portrait sculptures from analyses of genetic material (hair, cigarette butts, chewed up gum) collected in public places. We discussed her work here at Boing Boing, back in 2016, via this interview with Chelsea Manning, the subject of the piece I recently saw in Munich. "Probably Chelsea" consists of 30 sculptures of Manning's faceall created from one genetic sample from Manningsuspended from the ceiling, as if they were floating in air. I was astounded at how different they all wereit's hard to believe they were all derived from the same genetic sample, which is one of the problems with AI-focused data analysis that this piece raises. The placard at the exhibit described the work: For "Probably Chelsea" she created thirty different versions of possible portraits of the US-American Chelsea E. Manning from one genetic sample. Manning, a soldier and IT specialist, had leaked classified data on U.S. activities during the war in Iraq and Afghanistan to the website WikiLeaks in 2010. She was arrested and sentenced to prison in 2013. With the sculptures, the artist gave her public visibility during her time in prison, during which Manning underwent gender affirming surgery. Dewey-Hagborg's work illustrates that the analysis of genetic and personal data, increasingly done through AI, is not always definite or leading to clear conclusions. You can learn more about Dewey-Hagborg's bio-focused work here and about her AI-focused here. You can also read about an earlier iteration of the Manning project here. Technology spotlight Technology How the SVB bank run caused Silicon Valley to break ranks The bank run at Silicon Valley Bank wasnt just a financial scare for entrepreneur Punit Singh Soni. For the CEO and founder of the Redwood City AI startup Suki, last weekends bank run also revealed Silicon Valley leaders he could count on and those he could not. This crisis really showed who are the real leaders and who are not who talked and who walked the talk, Soni told The Examiner. When his team was scrambling for funds to make payroll the following week, Soni said, there were VCs who called me and said, Im going to open my personal wallet to make sure that there is money available, he said. The SVB crash saw panicked startups stunned that their operating funds were suddenly trapped in a failed bank facing possible financial chaos without money to pay their employees and other expenses. The federal government eventually came to the rescue with a late weekend intervention. But the 48 hours of uncertainty exposed serious fissures in a close-knit technology ecosystem that has thrived for 40 years with Silicon Valley Bank playing a critical role. Sonis initial reaction to news that SVB was posting a loss and raising more capital was typical of what many in the tech industry thought: It was going to be bad for the banks stock price, but its hardly a fatal blow for SVB. Courtesy Suki Suki CEO Punit Soni speaks at a company meeting. What I did not expect was that people are going to lose confidence in them, Soni said. That loss of confidence came mainly in the form of text messages and social media posts. Michele Alt of Klaros Group called what happened the first Twitter-caused bank run in the history of deposit insurance funds. But Brex CEO Henrique Dubugras said the panic wasnt just spreading on Twitter, saying there was a lot of private texts and private WhatsApp and private connecting going on. There was massive amounts of texting going on. Soni said he got a call from a leading VC who told him, These memos have gone out and people are taking money out of their banks, and you need to think of what you need to do. My first reaction was, Well, this is a new random problem, he said. The second reaction was, Well, this is crazy. When he logged on to Twitter he said he found amazing people sending all cap messages everywhere, he quipped. The messages came from a bunch of VCs who said take your money out. Its going to be run on. Blah, blah, blah. A classic bank run had begun. Todd Baker, a senior fellow with the Richman Center for Business, Law and Public Policy, said these are typically hard to stop once they start because they take on their own logic. As long as no depositor jumps first to withdraw deposits there is no problem but theres a big problem as soon as someone breaks ranks, he told The Examiner. Suki Suki CEO Punit Soni says SVBs troubles were worse than he initially thought. What I did not expect was that people are going to lose confidence in them. But by late Thursday, it was clear that important players in Silicon Valley and the tech and VC world were breaking ranks. Theres been a debate on how VCs and tech startups reacted to Silicon Valley Banks meltdown. It was a tricky, complicated situation, some startup founders and industry experts argue. I want to choose my words carefully, Michele Alt said. A bank run is not illogical behavior on the part of each individual runner. If you know your money is at risk or you suspect your money is at risk, you will act to move it to a safer place. Thats the counter to the criticism that they werent acting in their best interest or the best interests of their clients. Dubugras, whose company is considered a Silicon Valley rival, said his team also moved funds out of SVB during the run. He said it was a logical move for startups: The math is, Hey, theres a 1% chance that this becomes a problem, why wouldnt I take my money out? Soni said many VCs and startups faced a bind. I cant fault them, for saying Its my fiduciary duty to take care of my company; then I can think about the community. Its a typical prisoners dilemma, Soni said. Questions also emerged on the way SVB management handled the crisis, especially after it was reported that CEO Greg Becker had sold nearly $30 million of his shares over the past two years. But for other industry observers, what some VCs did was tantamount to recklessly abandoning a critical part of the tech ecosystem, what Baker called a me-first attitude. And that act of breaking ranks hurt what Eyal Lifshitz, CEO and co-founder of financial technology startup BlueVine, described as a trusted partner with a really unique culture. Theyre really, really nice people, super nice, super easy to work with, he told The Examiner. They developed a no-a----- type of culture and it really comes through when you work with them. And I honestly feel bad. The people that Ive always interacted with there are just amazing human beings outside of them being super smart and talented. For Soni, whose company develops AI tools for doctors and medical professionals, the run on SVB meant dealing unexpectedly and suddenly with banking and financial issues. This is not the stuff that I thought I would have to ever know, he said. You know, I just work and you get your finance team to do the stuff. But by the time we figured out what the exposure was and we realized the exposure was basically a lot it was too late. Soni and his team had only hours to figure out where they would get the funds to pay employees the coming week. Soni said he reached out to people in the VC community and got disappointing responses. He said there were investors who told him, Oh, we are very sorry. This is a big problem. But you know, we cannot give you any money because even our money is stuck in SVB. And Im thinking to myself, Your money may be stuck in SVB but if I as an entrepreneur can look into my bank account and pull up money to fund my own company, Im sure you, whos worked in venture capital for decades, probably has some money somewhere you can use. Besides, they know that the FDIC will back it and you will get your money back. Benjamin Fanjoy/Associated Press Some industry observers have accused venture capitalists of recklessly abandoning a critical part of the tech-industry ecosystem with the run on Silicon Valley Bank. The good news was there were VCs willing to help. For all the people who did all the drama or made noises on Twitter, there were good, strong, high-quality investors who stepped up. One of them was San Francisco firm First Round Capital, he said. I didnt call them, Soni said. They proactively called me and said, We are putting together a fund of four just to help with payroll. Let us know if you need it. Another VC firm that offered to help Venrock in Palo Alto, he said. They stepped up and said, We will make sure this happens, he said. Some of the people who made this happen made it happen with personal funds. Like most, these guys also had their money in SVB. So people personally were opening their wallets. Soni said he hopes the SVB crisis leads to deep introspection in Silicon Valley and the rest of tech. The bank run also prompted him and his team to rethink the way they manage their finances. A lot of people say, Well, why were you guys not diversified? he said. Were entrepreneurs. Youre starting a company. You think somebodys gonna spend time trying to figure out multiple banks to put money into or this idea that theres exposure to risk because they invested in certain securities. The way the SVB collapse unfolded also underscored the importance of communication in Silicon Valley and the entire tech ecosystem, he said. Soni spoke of the need to have a common platform where we can communicate during times of uncertainty, instead of all these people on rooftops screaming, Take your money! If we all got together and said, This is an important partner of this ecosystem. We are going to leave things as they are and calm down and wait for 24 to 48 hours. We would not have this problem now. In a way, he is fortunate, Soni said. Im a well-funded company whos been around for multiple years, and Ill probably live through this. But, he asked, what about the many very small companies who may be more vulnerable to such a crisis? I usually tell people doing a startup is like being on a conveyor belt, Soni said. Somebody keeps sucker punching you every few minutes and then if youre still standing, youll win. Thats been the story of Suki, which he launched in 2017. When we started to build a company, who knew that we would have a pandemic then the economic downturn, he said. Then you have this drama. So, you know, but we live to fight another day. Australias national broadcaster has established an internal advisory group and brought in external consultants to try to stop the dramatic decline of its radio audiences in capital cities across the country. In the first GfK radio ratings survey of the year, all of ABCs metropolitan stations, as well as respective breakfast and drive time programs, reported a concerning drop in audience share compared to the same time the previous year. The cumulative audience, which quantifies how many people listened to a station at least once during the week, has fallen in every single market. In Sydney, ABC 702 lost more than one-third of its total audience in the past year, falling from 9.2 per cent to 5.9 per cent, which is largely driven by a fall in the number of people listening to the stations breakfast shows. The ABC is trying to figure out how best to serve its audiences. Credit: Regis Martin When 702s hosts Wendy Harmer and Robbie Buck departed at the end of 2021, ABC Radio Sydney was the second most popular show in the competitive breakfast radio market, with 13.2 per cent of the audience. Its been 20 years since the invasion of Iraq, which has now come up in question time. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie asked about the invasion, and how it was ignited on claims Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction and was supporting al-Qaeda. Will you help prevent such unconscionable disasters in future by bringing Australia into line with other countries where declaring war is the prerogative of the parliament, not the prime minister? he asked. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said decisions about war and deployment are among the most serious any government can make. Loading I would make clear my own view that parliamentarians should be given a chance to express their views following a cabinet decision to go to war, Albanese said. We have referred the issue to an inquiry now being conducted by the joint standing committee on foreign affairs, defence and trade. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also spoke on the issue, reiterating Albaneses tribute to those killed in the conflict. I want to support the word of the prime minister in regard to the support of our troops. There are decisions that governments make that arent agreed with or are supported depending on the circumstances in relation to committing troops to a conflict, Dutton said. Today on the 20th anniversary, though, I want to pay respect to all of those men and women who wore the uniform of our country and represented us in our countrys name at the direction of the government of the day. According to Bryce Templeton of Mudgeeraba (Qld), one of the things that seems to have been forgotten with the submarine deal is that the secondhand American subs will have to be converted to right-hand drive, including putting the windscreen wipers on the correct side and fitting yellow blinkers. As Bryce has experience from converting a 1960 American Ford Falcon, he offers to do the job on the first three Virginia class subs, with help from some mates, for the rock bottom price of $1 billion. Of course, the UK subs wouldnt need this conversion, but would probably be a bit eccentric with things like the speedo in the middle of the dashboard, or the starting button on the floor etc. Anyway, what do we prefer? A Chevy El Camino sub or a Morris Minor sub? In regard to Susan Haylocks tale of the Morris Minor (C8), George Veness of Pennant Hills also had one in the early 1960s, and I can confirm from experience that one does not drive off rapidly in a Morris Minor. One drives off at a very leisurely pace. During her daily trip along The River Road to and from Liverpool in the 1980s, Anne Cloak of Bargo recalls that somewhere near Peakhurst I occasionally passed a red Fiat Bambino with a large white key (C8), similar to those of old train-sets, turning in its rear engine. Jack Dikian of Mosman says that a part of the rationale for the Kindle keeping tabs (C8) on when weve finished reading a book is to help us avoid what is called a book hangover - that feeling that comes when the story is over, but we miss the characters and the plot so much that only a similar book can fix. Kindles are not the only thing being watched (C8). Last week Judy Bower of Burraneer took a recently gifted wristwatch into a high-end jeweller in Westfield Miranda to have its band adjusted. I was ushered in by the doorman and presented the watch to the sales lady. No credit card was used, no names were exchanged, yet that afternoon I received a pop-up post on my Facebook page promoting the very same jewellery store. Photo Credit: Alamy Stock Photo As the baby boomer generation rapidly approaches retirement age, the U.S. is projected to experience a radical demographic shift. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about one in five residents in the U.S. will reach retirement age (over 65) by the 2030s. For the first time in U.S. history, seniors will soon outnumber children under 18. This aging of the population will have far-reaching economic and social ramifications, especially when it comes to healthcare needs. Specifically, diseases that typically affect the elderly will become more prevalent in the U.S. One of the most common illnesses among people over the age of 65 is Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a neurocognitive disorder that affects a persons memory. Alzheimers typically starts with mild memory loss and sometimes progresses to hindering a persons speech, thought process, and ability to respond to his/her surroundings. The exact cause of the disease is unknown and it currently has no cure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimers disease. The onset of the disease usually occurs after the age of 60, and the risk of Alzheimers increases significantly with age. Currently, 11 percent of American adults over the age of 65 have Alzheimers. Unlike other medical conditions associated with aging, such as heart attacks or strokes, the development of Alzheimers disease is often a much slower process. Nevertheless, this disease can still result in death. In 2017, more than 120,000 deaths were a result of Alzheimers disease. Of these cases, 80,000 were among Americans over the age of 85. Interestingly, about two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimers are women. While there is no definitive explanation for the gender discrepancy, some medical experts postulate that reasons might include womens higher life expectancy. Additionally, the fact that more men are likely to die from other causes, such as heart disease, is also considered. In 2017, 84,079 women and 37,325 men died as a result of Alzheimers. Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, with death rates on the rise. Between 2000 and 2017, deaths due to Alzheimers rose by 145 percent. This change is in stark contrast to other illnesses that are also leading causes of death. Heart disease and influenza experienced a net decrease in deaths over the same period of time. Forms of dementia tend to be under-reported on death certificates because it is difficult to distinguish whether a person died because of dementia or if they only had dementia at the time of their death. According to the Alzheimers Association, the number of older adults dying from Alzheimers may be much higher than what is reported. Even when adjusting for age, the death rate due to Alzheimers disease continues to rise. The age-adjusted death rate due to Alzheimers has almost doubled since 1999. In 2018, the age-adjusted death rate per 100,000 people was 31. Over a span of 15-years, the Alzheimers death rate increased 20 percent for the 65 to 74 age group, 52 percent for the 75 to 84 age group, and 76 percent for the 85 and older age group. As Alzheimers continues to claim lives, its financial burden on society also remains impactful. Not only does the disease affect individual patients, but also their family members and taxpayers who fund government programs like Medicare and Medicaid. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the average annual total medicare payments per beneficiary with Alzheimers was $26,017 in 2017. Further, the Alzheimers Association estimates that in 2018, the total cost of treating Alzheimers diseaseincluding assisted living facilities, home health care, and other medical treatmentwas around $277 billion. The association estimates these costs will more than double by 2035 and continue rising as the 65+ population reaches more than 85 million by 2050. Although there is no cure for Alzheimers, advances in modern medicine may aid the severity of the condition. The use of biomarkers allows doctors to detect the disease earlier and intervene by treating the symptoms. Research from Precision Health Economics on behalf of the Alzheimers Association has estimated that early detection could save America nearly $8 trillion when treating people who will develop the disease. Given current population trends, Alzheimers will become an even larger national issue over the next few yearsdisproportionately impacting states with large senior populations. For example, the total number of people with Alzheimers disease in Alaska is expected to increase by 46.7 percent by 2025, compared to only 1.1 percent in the District of Columbia. Overall, Southern and Western states are projected to experience the greatest percentage increase in the number of people with Alzheimers. To find which states have the highest rates of Alzheimers disease currently, researchers at A Place For Mom analyzed prevalence and cost statistics from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For this analysis, states were ranked by their prevalence of Alzheimers disease. In the event of a tie, the state with the higher age-adjusted death rate was ranked higher. The highest rates of Alzheimers are located in the Northeastern or Southern states. 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 David Gyngell wants to raise the alarm: theres a mental health calamity going on around him. The 2022 floods that devastated the Northern Rivers region left a mark on all residents, including Gyngell, the Byron Bay-based former Nine chief executive. Water levels dropped to reveal the massive clean-up needed after severe flooding in Lismore. Credit:Elise Derwin I come from a truly privileged background, one that I am not ashamed of, he said. Helping people clean out their homes in Lismore, it was eye-opening. If you werent humbled by that experience, you are a wanker. At the height of last years disaster, Gyngell called Dominic Perrottet to draw the NSW premiers attention to the tardiness of the governments response. Later, he pushed the three commercial television networks into holding a joint telethon, which raised $27 million. Now, he wants to focus attention on the mental health crisis besetting the regions young after the floods. I dont want to swan through life and lose sight of whats happening in our community, he said. Everyone is obliged to help. For some children and young people, the initial impact of the record-breaking disaster is now metastasising into a black hole of despair: homelessness or insecure housing, escalating alcohol or drug use, family breakdowns and sundry human frailties are dragging them into places that no-one should occupy. Advertisement A soon-to-be-published Resilience Survey has found levels of depression and anxiety symptoms are now higher among Northern Rivers children and young people than the national average of earlier survey participants for some student groups. Conducted almost six months after the February 2022 disaster, the survey was taken by 6611 school students, nearly 13 per cent of all young people aged between five and 19 in the region. It found that almost one in three Northern Rivers primary students and more than one in three secondary students were at risk of depression and anxiety. More than 40 per cent of primary students were at risk of trauma-related stress. For secondary students, it was almost 20 per cent. Inundated, isolated, in despair: Floodwaters around Lismores St Carthages Cathedral and Trinity Catholic College. Credit:Getty Healthy North Coast, a not-for profit organisation delivering the Australian Governments Primary Health Network program in the region, commissioned the research as the first step in its Resilient Kids initiative, funded by a $10 million grant from the National Emergency Management Agency. Healthy North Coast chief executive Monika Wheeler said the survey established a baseline that could help to measure the mental health and well-being of young people in the Northern Rivers over time. Advertisement She said that young people reported generally feeling supported and connected within their schools and communities. However, the survey also highlighted areas to focus on in future. The Resilient Kids initiative will use local insights to design tailored mental health and well-being supports, she said. We know that successful recovery is based on understanding community context and is not a one-off event. Its multi-year, multi-layered, and our approach to supporting our young people might change over time as we see how they respond. Tens of millions of federal and state dollars has been promised for mental health and well-being programs in the regions schools and wider community. Safe haven hubs have opened across the region to provide free mental health support. Drop-ins are encouraged, and there is no need for referrals or appointments. For young people, dedicated online and phone services also are available. The difficulty is reaching those who wont or cant use these services. Advertisement Childrens charities Unicef Australia and Royal Far West also assessed the needs of children after the floods in the Northern Rivers and south-east Queensland, as part of a $4.5 million support program covering 30 state primary schools and preschools in the Northern Rivers and south-east Queensland. RFW will operate the federal-funded program which will see social workers, psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists enter school communities to help staff address learning delays in children in the two regions. Unicef Australia chief advocate for children Nicole Breeze said thousands of children will need intensive support, as the effects of the disaster can potentially remain hidden for years. Our first engagement in this space was after the Black Summer bushfires, she said. With children the impact can stay hidden, it can take a year or two, sometimes three. The good news is that with the right support, at the right time, they can bounce back. Last April, the plight of Northern Rivers children garnered international attention when Prince William spoke online with the principal of St Josephs Primary School Woodburn, Jeanette Wilkins, who told him the community had lost its school and everything in it and the mental health of the community had taken a major blow. The school was under water for eight days. Advertisement Were two months down the track and nothing has changed, those 34 families are still displaced, so theres no certainty for those children, she told the prince. For us, the most important thing was to make contact with our families and our children, and as fast as possible to set up a school somewhere just to get the children back to some form of normality and start dealing with their trauma. Loading At Christmas, 29 families of students and staff at St Josephs (more than half the students) were still living in some form of temporary housing such as a caravan, shed, shipping container or the shell of their flood-stripped home. Ten Catholic schools in the Lismore diocese were directly affected by the floods, including St Josephs. Three schools are inaccessible, with 1250 students being taught in temporary facilities. Morning tea and lunch are provided in some schools as are new school uniforms and shoes to help address absenteeism. A team of 30 counsellors is working in 23 schools, and community services provider Social Futures is operating in seven of the flood-hit schools to assist families in gaining to access additional mental health social and financial support. Larissa Polak, principal at Lismore South Public School Credit:Brook Mitchell Advertisement The body of a St Ives man has been located in the Blue Mountains after he went missing while canyoning with a group on Sunday. The search for Munib Dar, 39, was originally hindered due to heavy fog, meaning emergency services could not use helicopters. His body was found at 11am on Monday. Munib Dar went missing while canyoning with a group in the Wollangambe River on Sunday. Credit: Nine News Police launched the initial search after receiving reports about 5pm on Sunday that a canyoner had gone missing in the Wollangambe River, Mount Wilson, about 3pm. Officers began a search of the water and surrounding areas, helped by specialist police attached to police rescue and PolAir, as well as NSW Ambulance. The search was suspended about 7pm on Sunday due to poor light. Physical violence towards the states principals at the hands of students and parents has reached its highest level on record, a survey of hundreds of school leaders across public and non-government schools has found. The rise in threats and violence in NSW mirrors a national trend of worsening behaviour towards school leadership staff, the annual Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey released on Monday found. One-third of principals in NSW report that parents are the source of violence and threats. Credit: iStock The steadily increasing levels of offensive behaviour across the country in schools of all types should give us pause and shame, the Australian Catholic University (ACU) study said. It found NSW principals receiving threats of violence jumped from 28.5 per cent when the survey began in 2011 to 46.2 per cent last year. Meanwhile, school leaders experiencing actual physical violence has more than doubled from 20 per cent to 43.9 per cent over the same period. The most erudite of them was Sir Samuel Griffith, premier of Queensland in the 1880s and 1890s, leader of its colonial Liberal Party, and principal draftsman of the Constitution. Griffith became the first chief justice of Australia in 1903. Perhaps to relieve the boredom of presiding over the High Court, he amused himself by translating Dantes Divine Comedy from the original 14th century Italian. Those were the days before the court had a permanent home; the judges led peripatetic lives between sittings in the state capitals. It was said by one wit that Griffith translated Inferno in Brisbane, Purgatory in Melbourne and Paradise in Sydney. Robert Menzies, who closely identified with his Scottish heritage, loved the verse of Robbie Burns, and quoted from him extensively in his Forgotten People broadcasts. He occasionally illuminated his parliamentary speeches with verse. Remarkably, his reply to the 1947 budget included several stanzas of A. P. Herberts poem satirising the planned economy. At the parliamentary banquet for Elizabeth II in 1963, he famously charmed the young Queen with the words of the 17th century balladist Thomas Ford: I did but see her passing by/And yet I love her till I die. That may sound awkward to modern ears, but the times were different; an estimated three-quarters of the population did indeed turn out to catch a glimpse of the Queen but passing by. Robert Menzies with the Queen in 1954. Credit: Fairfax photographic As his extensive library reveals, Menzies was an avid collector of poetry. His daughter Heather Henderson tells us that the evening before a major speech, his habit was to read not government briefing papers, but poetry to get the rhythms running through his mind, the better to find the right cadence on the morrow. Menzies most intellectual minister, Paul Hasluck, published several volumes of poetry when he was a young man. They reveal a lover of nature and something of a tortured soul. They were republished as a collection in 1969 when he became Governor-General. Three of four people suffered serious injuries when the car they were in crashed into the back of a parked truck and caught fire late on Saturday. Two managed to free themselves, but two others, including an 18-year-old woman, remained trapped in the car until police arrived. Police say four people were initially trapped inside the car but were freed before the fire started. About 11pm police reported a car being driven dangerously in Redbank Plains. A short time later, they found a car crashed into a parked truck in Chris Street, Redbank. Of the four people trapped inside, two managed to escape, police confirmed on Sunday. The teal independents have always had a conflicted relationship with the fossil fuel sector. On the one hand, action on climate change is the galvanising force for their political movement. On the other, the very wealthy Australians who fund, vote for, and even run as teals tend to have a few awkwardly financially beneficial relationships with coal and oil themselves. Teal donor: Fred Woollard has big investments in the oil sector. Credit: Alastair Bett Theres no better exemplar of that conflict than teal bankrollers Climate 200, which, during its NSW election fundraising drive, received two donations worth $3300 each from Keep Them Honest Pty Ltd. That company, registered to a $13 million Darling Point residence, is owned by Fred Woollard, founder of Samuel Terry Asset Management, a boutique fund with significant investments in Horizon Oil and US-based Diamond Offshore Drilling. Woollards been a regular recent donor to progressive causes, with Keep Them Honest giving $270,000 to Climate 200 and various teal candidates before the last federal election. But a recent $7000 donation to the NSW Greens was, as reported in this masthead, returned over Woollards connection to big oil. We asked Climate 200 whether it was prepared to do the same, but didnt hear back by deadline. Sally Buick doesnt want to work 60 hours a week or spend every Saturday in her office catching up on admin. But being a principal can be all-consuming. I dont think Im a lone ranger, I dont think Im doing things really badly, or not delegating, or Im doing too much, she said. I just think its the nature of the job. Killester College principal Sally Buick says principals find their workloads extraordinary and at times overwhelming. Credit: Simon Schluter And as the school staffing crisis deepens, Buick, who is principal of Killester College in Springvale, is concerned the next generation of teachers are turning their backs on leadership roles. Part of the problem is, now, the really good ones and the ones that would be the leaders of the future are looking at what were doing and saying, I dont want that. They dont want the 60-hour weeks and no work-life balance, and not being able to spend time with your family. On this day 20 years ago when missiles rained down on Baghdad, millions across the world braced for the horror to come. Yet the direst of predictions did not foresee how deeply and irrevocably the invasion of Iraq would alter the world, birthing a new wave of radicalism to wreak havoc across the Middle East and terrorise further afield. That two decades on, Iraq would be left in chaos, a volatile conservative theocracy barely able to function. Protesters fill Federation Square in Melbourne in February 2003 to oppose the invasion of Iraq. Credit: Simon Schluter The Iraq invasion has wrought bitter, deadly lessons for the international community, but also timely lessons for Australia, should it wish to take notice. As millions marched in protest across the world in 2003, I walked the streets of Baghdad trying to convince ordinary Iraqis that Australians did not want to kill them. Premier Dominic Perrottet has clawed back ground in the final days before Saturdays election, but NSW Labor is still favoured to win government with the support of key crossbenchers. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the contest has tightened after the Coalitions primary vote jumped six points to 38 per cent. Labors primary remains unchanged on 38 per cent. Perrottet has edged further ahead as preferred premier, securing his highest rating since taking over as leader (40 per cent), while Labor leader Chris Minns is steady on 34 per cent. However, with the results indicating a 4.5 per cent swing, Labor is on track to return to power for the first time in 12 years, but will probably need the backing of crossbench MPs to form government. For too long Japan has stubbornly turned a blind eye to custody disputes where children have been abducted from or otherwise denied access to a parent of foreign nationality among them dozens of grief-stricken Australians. David Fleming holds a picture of his abducted children at his rural property outside of Brisbane. Credit: Glenn Hunt An investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes has revealed since 2004 at least 82 Australian children have been snatched, abducted or otherwise taken into sole custody by a Japanese parent who has then refused their former partner visitation or other contact rights. That is the number officially recognised by the Australian government; some believe the true total to be much higher. Nor is it a uniquely Australian problem: French authorities have identified more than 100 similarly abducted children; the United States counts 475. The personal cost to both the children and parents affected is understandably high. Yet, as Eryk Bagshaw reports, the Japanese government is reluctant to intervene, hiding behind a smokescreen that separations are private matters and that its distinctive sole-custody system is designed to protect those partners fleeing abusive relationships. A gun case against a parolee has ended in a plea deal that could spare him many years in prison. The case against Genile Wilson, 47, became more complicated when a parole officer involved in his case was later charged with planting evidence in a separate case. Prosecutors from the Erie County District Attorney's Office had asked the judge to bar Wilson's defense attorney from being able to refer to the other case. "Our position would have been that people don't just do this once," said defense attorney Nicholas Texido, who represents Wilson. Erie County Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes had yet to rule on the DA's request and had been scheduled to listen to arguments over it Thursday. Instead, Wilson pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D, nonviolent felony. Parole officer charged with planting evidence in search of parolee's room State police charged Eliezer Rosario II, 43, with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. Wilson was initially charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class C felony. If Wilson had been convicted of that initial charge at a trial, it would have been his third violent felony and exposed him to a stiffer sentence. When sentenced on May 8, Wilson will face 3 to 7 years in prison. Had he been convicted of the class C felony, he would have faced a prison sentence anywhere from 16 years to life to 25 years to life. "He was facing quite a bit of time if convicted," Texido said. "It was a case that was certainly triable, but just given the offer and the exposure that he faced if he was convicted by a jury, we decided to limit his exposure." Buffalo police arrested Wilson in May 2021 after parole officers on their way to conduct a search encountered him on East Ferry Street. Wilson ran from the parole officers, according to prosecutors, and Buffalo police found a handgun in a driveway on Goulding Avenue in the Hamlin Park neighborhood. Wilson's parole officer's partner at the time, Eliezer Rosario II, faces charges in Buffalo City Court after admitting during court testimony in June that he planted evidence in a November 2020 gun and drug case and also lied about it. Rosario was at the scene in May 2021 when the gun was found on Goulding. Rosario was in the vicinity at the time, but the gun was found by Buffalo police, a spokeswoman for the Erie County District Attorney's Office said in an email. The gun was found about 90 feet from Wilson, Texido said. Footage from Buffalo police body-warn cameras that was turned over to the defense begins with police officers standing over the gun, he said. Prosecutors had initially planned to call Rosario as a witness in the case, but changed their plans after his admission on the stand last year, Texido said. "All in all, I'd commend the District Attorney's Office for offering the reduced plea under these circumstances," Texido said. "While it's not the exact result we wanted, it's a fair resolution that appears to take some of our concerns into account." Washington: In 2021, while wrapping up research for a book about images depicting George Washingtons 1776 crossing of the Delaware River, the historian Patricia Millen spotted a one-line reference to a long-forgotten painting of the fabled scene by renowned Philadelphia artist George M Harding. Holy crap! Millen remembered thinking. A George Harding mural? I didnt know what became of it, but I knew it was important! The 1921 George M. Harding mural of George Washington crossing the Delaware River in 1776. Credit: Annette Earling That discovery sent her down a rabbit hole to locate the large painting that had once adorned the old Taylor Opera House in Trenton, New Jersey. Completed by Harding in 1921, the mural, titled Washington Crossing the Delaware, had disappeared when the building was torn down in 1971. A South Buffalo pizzeria owner has been sentenced in Erie County Court to five years probation for failing to pay nearly $300,000 in state sales taxes, according to the Erie County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors said that Jason W. Seefeldt, 41, the owner of Jay's Wiseguy's Pizza, neglected to pay $298,458 in sales taxes that he owed to the State Department of Taxation and Finance for the period between Dec. 1, 2015, and May 31, 2019. Seefeldt also admitted to underreporting his income on his personal tax reports for three years, according to prosecutors. Between 2016 and 2018, he failed to pay $160,242 in income tax to New York State. As part of the plea agreement, Seefeldt was allowed to enter a guilty plea to only the felony charge related to his business. On Jan. 11, he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree grand larceny, the highest sustainable charge against him. Also, as part of the plea agreement, Seefeldt signed a Confession of Judgment to pay full restitution, which requires him to pay a total of $458,700 to the state over the course of five years. To date, he has paid $49,000 in restitution. People who want to save a dog's life and adopt from shelter should be very careful, because very often these canines can carry psychological traumas, cautions Satu Mare-based dog trainer Zoltan Szabo, who advises new dog owners to go through a minimal program to learn how to handle the new addition to the family. He explained for AGERPRES that quite often these dogs are mentally and emotionally unstable and can easily become aggressive."This behavior is apparently even more pronounced in street rescues, because they are already unstable and if they end up in a certain environment with no clearly established rules, a dominant behavior is actually encouraged. Without even realizing it, if one doesn't set rules in the dog's territory, one simply encourages a dominant and aggressive behavior. Even a Labrador can show aggressive dominance with other dogs or react aggressively. If these tendencies are not kept in check, they can cause a lot of problems," Zoli says.According to him, improper education can trigger various behavioral issues in dogs."Not only a dog that is exposed to aggression, whose aggressive behavior is encouraged, that is subjected to trauma, or is deprived of love and affection will become aggressive. A canine that receives too much attention, too much affection and whose behavior and instincts aren't properly honed can equally develop serious issues. A fearful dog is more likely to turn aggressive as a compensation, as he realizes that if he growls, bares his fangs and bites, he can keep danger away, so this will be dangerous pooch," the trainer explains.Some people who take up the training on their own, resort to all kinds of aids such as spike or shock collars, but if used incorrectly they can aggravate the existing problems."In many countries certain types of correction equipment such as spike or shock collars, choke collars are already banned because they traumatize the dog, using them is an act of animal cruelty. From my point of view, no one should experience how to use a correction collar, because if not used responsibly and correctly, it will only traumatize the dog and won't solve the problem. People should turn to a specialist. Many coercive practices can be avoided simply by making the animal realize its past mistakes, through effective communication and correction, through motivation. Sure, there are certain situations when even I, as a specialist, have no other way. When I have to deal with a three-year-old aggressive dog, which is already used to jumping up and biting you, you have no other solution. Regrettably, love and affection won't do the trick, there's no other solution but fight the dog into submission. Even a medium-size animal is quite strong and has a powerful bite," says the trainer.The purpose of a brief training course is primarily intended for the owners, who learn how to communicate with the animal, set limits and understand their pet's language."The dog must spend energy, you must have a correct relationship in which you are the leader. You must know how to effectively communicate with your dog, what to expect from him, what his limits and possibilities are, as well as what his physiological needs are. You give him everything, but you also demand him to follow certain rules, because he's a pack animal, that's how it works. Many people make the mistake of humanizing the dog too much, their expectations of the pet are like those of a child or a human, and he cannot deliver. We can only communicate effectively with a dog when we learn to interact at his level and learn to perfectly decipher his communication and body language, only thus is living with a dog possible," Zoli points out.He also dwells on the special category of dogs classed as "dangerous" and for which certain states require the owners to take tests in order to prove that they are capable of managing them. In Romania they are only required to register their canines with the police."In Romania access is free to all dog breeds, but in other countries, if you want a dog classed in a potentially dangerous category, you need to pass a psychological test, similar to that for a gun permit, but for dogs. Only thus can you really prove that you are a responsible owner and will be able to control any situation. You know what you have on your hands. For instance, many buy Akitas, but this is a dog with a strong personality, dominant, unsociable. A reckless breeder who just wants to sell the puppies claims that this breed is ideal for the family and shows photos and films of the dog playing with children, but doesn't mention the amount of training it took to develop this friendly behavior," Zoli argues.He remarks that the number of stray dogs exploded after the pandemic because during the lockdown many people bought dogs to have a reason to leave the house for a walk, but eventually abandoned them. A lot of those dogs ended up in the street because their humans realized that they are an inconvenience, requiring daily care and attention which may prove too much for someone who has a comfortable life and is unwilling to sacrifice time and energy for the pet. In Satu Mare, the number of foster dogs is on the rise for several reasons, but the first and foremost one is that there are many irresponsible people who abandon them, considers Zoltan Szabo.A few years ago there were 300 - 400 dogs at the shelter, now there are over 1,000. It's extremely difficult, Zoli says, explaining that although he is a dog lover and a trainer with a 25-year long career, he accepts euthanasia for space in overcrowded facilities as an inevitable solution. President Klaus Iohannis toured on Saturday the Wahat Al Karama war memorial and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, on the first day of the official visit which the president is paying to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the Presidential Administration, the Romanian head of state laid a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama war memorial and signed the books of honor opened at the two landmarks.President Klaus Iohannis is paying an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saturday to Tuesday, at the invitation extended by the President of the Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.The main objectives of the visit are the following: the deepening of the political-diplomatic dialogue on topics of maximum interest for both sides, the boost of economic relations between the two states, which are already on a significant upward trend, attracting investments in the Romanian economy through projects in the area of infrastructure, energy, fight against climate change, cyber-security and food security, the diversification of direct sectorial contracts in these priority areas and in others with emerging potential (education, research and innovation, culture, inter-human contacts), so that these can additionally deepen the political and economic dialogue, the Presidential Administration mentions. A coalition of midsize U.S. banks, the Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America, has asked regulators to extend FDIC insurance to all deposits for the next two years, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday citing an MBCA letter to regulators. The letter argued that extending insurance will immediately stop the exodus of deposits from smaller banks, which in turn will stabilize the banking sector and restore confidence in banking system, the report said. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which held a high number of uninsured deposits beyond the FDIC guaranteed limit, prompted customers to move their money to bigger banks and triggered sharp selloff in banking stocks. According to the Bloomberg report, the group proposed that the expanded insurance program be paid for by the banks themselves by increasing the deposit-insurance assessment on lenders that choose to participate in increased coverage. The FDIC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment while MBCA could not be immediately contacted. Missouri members of MCBA are Clayton-based Enterprise Bank, St. Louis-based Stifel Bank & Trust, Kansas City-based Commerce Bank and UMB Financial Corp., and Jefferson City-based Central Bancompany. UBS agreed to buy rival Credit Suisse on Sunday, in an eleventh-hour merger engineered by Swiss authorities, and some of the worlds top central banks tried to reassure investors about the health of the banking system. UBS will pay for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) and assume up to $5.4 billion in losses in a deal expected to close by the end of 2023. In a sign of a coordinated global response, the Federal Reserve on Sunday said it had joined with central banks in Canada, England, Japan, the EU and Switzerland in a coordinated action to enhance market liquidity. The European Central Bank vowed to support eurozone banks with loans if needed, adding the Swiss rescue of Credit Suisse was instrumental for restoring calm. Officials raced to rescue the 167-year-old Credit Suisse, among the worlds largest wealth managers, after a brutal week saw the second- and third-largest U.S. bank failures in history. As one of 30 global banks seen as systemically important, a deal for Credit Suisse could ripple through global financial markets. The euro area banking sector is resilient, with strong capital and liquidity positions, the ECB said. In any case, our policy toolkit is fully equipped to provide liquidity support to the euro area financial system if needed and to preserve the smooth transmission of monetary policy. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said they welcomed the announcement by the Swiss authorities. Swiss regulators were forced to step in and orchestrate a deal to prevent a crisis of confidence spilling over into the broader financial system. The Bank of England also welcomed moves by Swiss authorities to broker the takeover and said the British banking system was well-funded. The Swiss banking marriage follows efforts in Europe and the United States to support the sector since the collapse of U.S. lenders Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. With one crisis at least temporarily smoothed over, attention shifted back toward troubled midsized and smaller U.S. lenders. Pressure from deposit outflows remained despite a move by several large banks to deposit $30 billion into First Republic Bank, an institution rocked by the failures of Silicon Valley and Signature Bank. S&P lowered First Republic Banks sovereign credit rating to B+ from BB+ on Sunday. Four prominent U.S. lawmakers on banking matters said Sunday they would consider whether a higher federal insurance limit on bank deposits was needed. The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., meanwhile, is planning to relaunch the sale process for Silicon Valley Bank, with the regulator seeking a potential breakup of the lender, according to people familiar with the matter. Decisive intervention It was not yet clear if the Swiss deal is enough to restore trust in lenders around the world. Stock markets open shortly in Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The euro, the pound and the Australian dollar all rose by around 0.4% against the greenback, indicating a degree of risk appetite in markets. It seems like a very large and decisive intervention, said Brian Jacobsen, senior investment strategist at Allspring Global Investments. Governments are intent on snuffing out the spark of contagion before the flames get out of control. UBS Chair Colm Kelleher said during a press conference that it will wind down Credit Suisses investment bank, which has thousands of employees worldwide. UBS said it expected annual cost savings of some $7 billion by 2027. The Swiss central bank said Sundays deal includes 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity assistance for UBS and Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse shareholders will receive 1 UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares held, equivalent to 0.76 Swiss francs per share for a total consideration of 3 billion francs, UBS said. Credit Suisse shares had lost a quarter of their value last week. The bank was forced to tap $54 billion in central bank funding as it tries to recover from scandals that have undermined confidence. Credit Suisse has written down its Additional Tier 1 bonds to zero as part of its takeover by UBS, angering some bondholders who thought they would be better protected in the rescue deal. The bonds, which are a riskier type of debt than traditional bonds, have a notional value of 16 billion Swiss francs ($17.24 billion). But some investors called Sundays developments positive. The UBS-CS deal is the best solution the market could have hoped for, said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments. CS shareholders are essentially wiped out, and some bondholders will be wiped out, but the basic functioning of the banking system was protected. Updated at 4:20 p.m. Sunday The endorsed Republican candidate for Erie County executive says she regrets spreading conspiracy theories about Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and writing other controversial social media posts. Chrissy Casilio's posts included comments and replies to other Twitter users about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, whether the 2020 presidential election was "rigged" and a debunked conspiracy theory alleging the online furniture store Wayfair was involved in sex trafficking. "As a private citizen, I'm going to take accountability for the things that I have posted on social media in the past," Casilio said in an interview with The Buffalo News. "I have some regrets. I have no problem taking accountability." In her first public comments on the matter, Casilio also defended some of the remarks and said her Democratic political opponents are "cherry-picking these things and taking them out of context." "My view of social media, especially on Twitter, was to kind of provoke conversation and influence the algorithm," Casilio said. "As a marketing PR person, I know how that algorithm works on Twitter. Whether I believe in a topic or not, I try to comment about it to get reaction, get likes, get comments." Casilio's Twitter account, which she has since deactivated, has provoked controversy since Feb. 27, when the Erie County Republican Committee announced its endorsement of Casilio to challenge incumbent County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. That same day, the website wnymedia.net posted screenshots of a Twitter exchange Casilio had with WKBW-TV anchor Jeff Russo in which Russo pushed back against false claims made by Twitter users alleging that Hamlin was dead. The News also obtained a screenshot of since-deleted tweets referencing the injured Bills safety, including one that stated, "Did the @BuffaloBills bomb their game because they were distracted/mad about the potential fake @Hamlinisland PR stunt taking things too far? #DamarHamlin" Casilio told The News that she "never" doubted that Hamlin was alive. She said she felt Bills fans were disappointed in not seeing more pictures or videos of Hamlin in the days following his injury. "I just thought how it was handled was interesting, to say the least," Casilio said. Investigative Post, a nonprofit investigative reporting website, published additional tweets written by Casilio, including one that appeared to question whether there was a connection between Hamlin's injury and recent strokes suffered by team owner Kim Pegula and Bills announcer John Murphy. Casilio tweeted: "Kim Pegula - StrokeDamar - heart attackJohn Murphy strokebut dont question anything! All normal!" "There were people questioning what was going on," Casilio told The News when asked about the tweet. "I obviously said things that I regret. I wasnt implying anything." The WNYmedia.net article also referenced a debunked conspiracy theory about the online furniture company Wayfair allegedly being involved in child sex trafficking. The conspiracy theory, which police said was false, alleged that the company was involved in sex trafficking in part because the names of some of its products matched the names of missing children. "If there is no truth...why did they pull the items down?" Casilio tweeted in 2020. Casilio also wrote the "100 percent" emoji symbol which signifies agreement below a tweet by another Twitter user that stated, "There are not 2 parties. There is ONE Globalist Party with a few honorable Americans on the fringe." The tweet stated that the country's politicians "destroyed Trump for exposing the swamp, and created a pandemic and rigged an election to do it," according to the Investigative Post article. Casilio told The News she did not share those beliefs. She said she was "not going to let Mark Poloncarz and his cronies try to diminish me to these tweets, because its a distraction from the disaster that theyve created." "I honestly couldnt explain to you what a globalist party even is," Casilio said. "Everyone has things they probably have regretted on social media, especially if they have never been a candidate. Thats just the world we live in for 2023." Other tweets referenced the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol. In a reply to former Democratic county executive candidate Nate McMurray, who has since dropped out of the race, Casilio suggested Trump supporters who were attacking a police officer that day were not actually supporters of the former president. Casilio tweeted, "Again you think these were Trumpers who drive around with back the blue flags? No way these people were anyone else? A wolf in sheep's clothing?" "Some of that actually did turn out to be accurate, but thats besides the point," Casilio said when asked about the tweet. "I have tweeted and said things to provoke, to get reaction, to grow the algorithm. I would poke because thats what you do." The fact-checking organization PolitiFact has said there is "no evidence" that members of the left-wing group Antifa disguised themselves as Trump supporters and stormed the Capitol. Video and photographs from the scene show people wearing and waving Trump-branded paraphernalia and flags, and reporters covering the events have described the crowd as Trump supporters. Casilio said she views the WNYmedia Network article as an attack by the Poloncarz campaign because campaign finance reports show the three-term county executive has paid the organization in the past. She said Democrats are pointing to her tweets so that Poloncarz's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, which was criticized by some business owners, does not become a larger issue. "Its unfortunate for them, because this is the best theyve got against me," Casilio said. "They cant talk about, they cant support their issues. They cant support their failed policies." Marc J. Odien, publisher of WNYmedia Network, said in a statement that Casilio was "attacking the messenger." "My only paid work for the Friends of Mark Poloncarz (campaign) is webmaster support," Odien said in a written statement. "I've never hidden my support for the county executive." Peter Anderson, Poloncarz's campaign spokesperson, said Casilio's tweets were "very concerning" and questioned why she deleted the tweets. "Any time a candidate is running for public office, and especially for the highest elected office in Erie County, the public has a right to know what the candidate believes in and stands for," Anderson said in a written statement. "When you delete your social media account, as Ms. Casilio-Bluhm did, it's obvious that you don't want people seeing or knowing about what you've said in the past. Why would that be?" Casilio said she deleted the tweets because she "didnt want it to be a distraction from the topics at hand." "Is this really what the voters care about?" Casilio asked. "I doubt that, and thats why I plan on focusing on the issues at hand and why I want to address these tweets and just move on and focus on what is best for Erie County and what Erie County residents actually care about." Before month's end, federal regulators are poised to allow over-the-counter sale of a nasal spray that reverses the potentially lethal effects of an opioid overdose. But groups that work to reduce the toll of drugs on the streets have one question: Will anybody be able to afford it? "It's a step in the right direction but I don't think it's enough," said Colin Miller, a co-founder of the Twin City Harm Reduction Collective, which hands out sterile needles and anti-overdose medicines to drug users in Winston-Salem, N.C. "No drug user is going into a pharmacy and paying $47 a kit." Right now, some harm reduction groups say the discounted price is around $47 for a two-pack of the Narcan brand sprays, doses they hand out to users at no cost. Prices for prescription Narcan vary widely, depending on insurance coverage at one D.C. chain pharmacy this week, it was selling for $73 without insurance. Narcan is the nasal spray version of liquid naloxone, and both have emerged as crucial tools in combating opioid overdoses, which kill more than 100,000 people each year in the United States. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain, and is safe to use even on someone who is not suffering an overdose. Last month, two advisory committees to the FDA unanimously recommended the agency switch the drug from prescription to over-the-counter. Narcan's manufacturer, Emergent BioSolutions, has declined to discuss how much it will charge when the FDA changes its classification so that kits can be stocked on store shelves, possibly by late summer. The Gaithersburg, Md., company insists it will continue to sell discounted sprays to "public interest" customers, such as harm-reduction groups. Those groups applaud the FDA's expected move and say it will help, particularly in rural areas and some states where pharmacy restrictions make it more challenging to distribute Narcan on the street. They also believe that having the sprays displayed on the shelves of pharmacies, supermarkets and gas stations ideally, alongside the aspirin and condoms will mark a cultural shift, normalizing its use across a broad spectrum of U.S. society. "It's not just about accessibility. It also sends a message we're trying to remove the stigma around the drug," said Laura Palombi, a professor of pharmacy and public health at the University of Minnesota in Duluth, Minn. Stefan Kertesz, an addiction scholar in Alabama, where the drug is harder to come by, agreed that making Narcan more visible to more people might boost its use. "I would love to see a world in which Boy Scouts make handing out naloxone as their Eagle Scout project," said Kertesz, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. How many stores will actually carry the spray, or display it prominently, remains to be seen after the FDA's expected action. But in many ways, the shift in perception is already happening with the rise in youth overdose deaths, particularly involving fentanyl mixed in pills. Schools are training parents to use the spray, hoping that the more people who know how to use it and have it on hand, the more lives might be saved. At a forum in Arlington, Va., on Monday, parents heard calls to train students as well. "If we're teaching our kids how to put condoms on bananas, we can teach them how to put Narcan up somebody's nose," a child psychiatrist told parents. In California, state lawmakers are weighing whether to mandate that schools carry the drug, as the Los Angeles school district is allowing students to carry it on campus. Narcan is now kept in libraries and airplanes. In Flint, Mich., one vending machine at a bus terminal offering free Narcan dispensed over 500 kits in its first three weeks, according to the county mental health agency. The Biden administration has called for wider distribution of naloxone, while embracing the strategy of providing drug users with naloxone, along with sterile needles and fentanyl tests strips, to try to save lives. Harm-reduction groups pursuing those strategies have played the biggest role in distributing naloxone, overcoming a patchwork of state and federal regulations to get it into the hands of those who need it most. Most states now have a system of blanket prescriptions, or "standing orders," allowing governments, health-care providers and harm-reduction groups to get both liquid and spray naloxone. An estimated 16.95 million naloxone doses were distributed in 2021, according to a study released this month by the Reagan-Udall Foundation, a nonprofit that advances FDA aims. Almost half of those doses were shared by community groups, governments and other organizations outside retail pharmacies and traditional health-care facilities. The number of doses was probably even higher last year, according to Remedy Alliance, a nonprofit that has been instrumental in securing naloxone and selling it to harm-reduction groups. The organization, which formerly operated as an informal buyers' club, launched an online store in 2022 amid manufacturer shortages and gaps in distribution networks across the country. The FDA in August also made it easier for drug companies to sell discounted naloxone sprays to "public interest" customers, such as harm-reduction groups and state government agencies. Since then, Remedy Alliance has shipped 768,000 more vials of liquid naloxone to groups from its warehouses 105,774 of them free. Now, selling Narcan "over the counter will expand the overall pie, we hope," said Remedy Alliance co-founder Nabarun Dasgupta. Groups like Remedy Alliance support making the cheaper, injectable naloxone an over-the-counter product as well, something that is not currently under consideration by the FDA. "Most drug users prefer the needle," said Miller, of the Twin City Harm Reduction Collective. "Nasal Narcan kind of feels like you got punched in the face after you've come to. I've been revived with both." Still, the more expensive nasal sprays are coveted. Remedy Alliance is now seeking financing to help it purchase the spray kits, so far to no avail, Dasgupta said. The FDA is also considering granting over-the-counter status to RiVive, a spray manufactured by Harm Reduction Therapeutics, a nonprofit founded to make free or low-cost naloxone available. Co-founder Michael Hufford said if the FDA grants approval by the end of April, he hopes the sprays will debut later this year or in early 2024. He said it costs $18 per unit to manufacture. The company doesn't have immediate plans to sell it in stores. Instead, supplies will go to harm-reduction groups. "Our goal is to sell it at cost, or to give it away free to the extent we are able to," he said. A few generic naloxone sprays could eventually earn over-the-counter status as well, including ones from companies Teva Pharmaceuticals and Amphastar Pharmaceuticals Inc., which last week got FDA approval for prescription use, although it might take years for those products to make it to store shelves. Over-the-counter Narcan will be particularly welcomed in states such as Alabama, where it is already available through some online programs but state restrictions make it difficult to hand out on the street. When people ask for Narcan from harm-reduction group GoodWorks in northern Alabama, founder Morgan Leah steers them out of state, or to a handful of pharmacies if they can afford the prescription price. Because of the stigma of drug use and worries about entering their personal information into government-run websites, many users are reluctant to sign up for Narcan to be delivered in the mail, Leah said. "And it's not going to get to you for like a week," she added. In northeast Minnesota, Sue Purchase of the small nonprofit Harm Reduction Sisters drives her weather-beaten Honda Fit over snow-covered rural roads delivering naloxone to houses, apartments and trailer communities. Getting the antidote in any form to users in such far-flung areas is challenging, she said. Harm Reduction Sisters gets free injectable naloxone through Remedy Alliance. Even at the public-interest price, the nasal spray is still too expensive. "There's not enough Narcan to go around," Purchase said. "So the [injectable] is primarily what we give." One of her volunteers, Delainey Hardy, 45, hopes an over-the-counter nasal spray will soon be made available inexpensively since she prefers them for their ease of use. She recalls the terrifying moment in 2020 when, for the first time, she had to inject naloxone into her boyfriend Jonathan Cloud, 43, after he overdosed. "You fumble and there's seconds that go by and there could have been brain damage," Hardy said. "You're shaking, and you've got to try and put the needle in and hold it still." Cloud, who says he has been revived over a dozen times with both nasal and injectable naloxone, hopes the nasal spray will be cheap. "If it's like five bucks, somebody might spring for it," said Cloud, who is now in recovery. "But I mean, that's money that you can use to buy another bag. And when you're out there using, that's your primary concern. . . . just getting that next bag." Even if Narcan's price is initially too expensive for drug users, there will be retail buyers from parents worried about teen overdoses to occasional drug users worried about pills at a party. Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger 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 ST. LOUIS Heather Taylors words packed a punch. I love the presidents of both unions. I would die for them. They would die for me, Taylor said on National Public Radios On Point program last week. (But) I disagree with them about the state taking over the police department. Taylor is the deputy director of public safety in the city. Its a job Mayor Tishaura O. Jones appointed her to after she retired from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department after 20 years of service. Sitting next to Taylor when she spoke those words we were in a radio studio in Grand Center it struck me how well they explain thin blue line, that concept that unites police officers. I would die for them. For many of us, outside of protecting our families, this is a foreign concept in the way police officers, or members of the military, use the phrase. I have a daughter who was a cop, and a son who is an officer in the Marines. They know instinctively what those words mean. Theyve probably spoken them, and taken those words to heart. I never have. And thats what makes discussion of policing issues so difficult, whether its in St. Louis or elsewhere. Too often, whether its police brutality, funding, racism, or, as in the current debate, who controls the department, there are only two camps in such debates: Us and Them. You are behind the thin blue line, or you are not. That makes actual discussion of the issues difficult, and its one reason why, over the past decade or so, Ive so often appreciated Taylors ability to speak to people on both sides of that line. They would die for me. Taylor was speaking about St. Louis Police Officers Association President Jay Schroeder and Ethical Society of Police President Donny Walters when she spoke those words. The three of them served as police officers together. I have no doubt Taylor meant those words. But she disagrees with the attempts by Schroeder and Walters to try to have the Missouri Legislature snatch control of the police department from the mayor and place it under the governor. While those pushing for state control blame activists for having too much of an effect on how the mayor has managed the police department, Taylor turns that argument on its head. Black people, we have rights because of activism, Taylor said. If it wasnt for Selma, we wouldnt be here. We wouldnt have rights. Just as she did when she was a homicide detective and president of the Ethical Society of Police, Taylor continues to live on both sides of the thin blue line. Shes a Black woman who stands up for social justice. Shes a cop who believes in law and order. Its not an easy place to be. Just the week before we sat in that radio studio together, Taylor spent a week in a courtroom downtown, where she was awarded a $300,000 verdict from a jury that found she had been discriminated against by the department she used to work for, and now helps to manage. Thats the reality for cops who cross that thin blue line to criticize their department: It takes courage, and acting on that courage has consequences. In a city that has long had a problem with violence most of it related to guns, Taylor points out, a problem which the Missouri Legislature has made worse discussing important issues of policing is made more difficult when too many people want to put everybody into a hashtag camp: #backtheblue or #defundthepolice. The reality is more nuanced, and the debate is elevated when somebody like Taylor adds her sincere and courageous voice to the conversation. Taylor would die for her former colleagues, leaders of the police unions, but shes going to stand in their way as they try to pry power away from the citizens who waited 150 years to have an opportunity to mold the police department into the version of policing they can believe in. The Missouri Highway Patrol said Markus R. Eldringhoff, 20, of Berger, was driving a 2012 Nissan Altima south on Route J, about 1 miles south of Missouri Route 100, around 1:30 a.m. when he crossed into the northbound lanes. He overcorrected, then traveled off to the right side of the road and struck a fence and tree. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Police have arrested a man accused of fatally shooting a woman in north St. Louis County. Authorities said Darrick Dillon, 47, and Adayshia Jackson, 28, got into an argument Saturday when Dillon shot Jackson several times. Jackson ran from the home, but Dillon dragged her body back into the house, located on the 1100 block of Soria Street. Dillon stole Jackson's phone and disposed of the gun used to kill her, St. Louis County police said. He confessed to his parents that he killed Jackson and that he "was going away," police said in a release. Dillon confessed to police and was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and three counts of tampering with evidence, authorities said. Dillon, who lives on the 1500 block of Doris Drive in unincorporated north county, is being held on $500,000 cash bond. Police said Dillon and Jackson had been in a relationship. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, who chairs the Senates Aviation Subcommittee, said she spoke with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday about the necessity to extend MetroLink to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Metro East leaders for years have touted this proposed MetroLink expansion as a vital link to help travelers by connecting MidAmerica with St. Louis Lambert International Airport. I actually talked to Secretary Buttigieg yesterday about that MetroLink expansion, Duckworth said Saturday. I mentioned to him how important that was. The state has already awarded a $96 million grant toward the extension of MetroLinks mainline about 5.5 miles to a new passenger station at the airport. Duckworth also met with MetroLink officials and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, in Washington, D.C., in the past week to discuss federal funding for MetroLink and safety on the system. As leader of the Senates Aviation Subcommittee, Duckworth said she is working on a proposed five-year reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration, and she met with regional airport officials on Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Collinsville about the issue. Duckworth said this plan for the FAA is one of the top priorities that the U.S. Congress needs to handle this year. The previous plan was approved in 2018, and at that time it had up to $96.7 billion in funding for the FAA, according to a report by Aviation International News. Duckworth said the proposed budget for the FAA has not been set. Were in the process of getting things put forward right now, she said. Along with funding, the proposed bill also will include the language that tells the FAA how to do things, Duckworth said. For instance, Duckworth said she wants the FAA to use its civil prosecution authority and added that the agency did not pursue civil penalties against Boeing after two Boeing 737 Max planes crashed. One crash was in Ethiopia in 2019 when 157 people died, and the other was in Indonesia in 2018 when 189 people were killed. Duckworth also said she wants the reauthorization bill to triple the amount of grants for workforce development. We need more mechanics, we need more pilots, we need more people in aviation in general, she said. Serving as chair of the Aviation Subcommittee fits into Duckworths experience as a pilot. She was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army in Iraq, where she lost both of legs when an RPG hit her helicopter on Nov. 12., 2004. Regional airports It was really important to sit down with my aviation leaders here in this part of the state, Duckworth said. Duckworth met with officials from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport and St. Louis Regional Airport. Other airports included Quad Cities International Airport, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Mount Vernon Outland Airport, Decatur Airport and Central Illinois Regional Airport. The senator said she gets lots of feedback from larger airports such as Chicago Midway International Airport, OHare International Airport and others across the country. But its really important to remember that we have so many other airports around the country and in particular Illinois that are major engines for the economy that are vitally important for economic growth, she said. Really in many ways, in a very exciting way, its where the growth is happening, where businesses are expanding. Ron DeSantis first foray into world affairs as a potential presidential candidate hasnt gone well. DeSantis dismissive description of Russias invasion of Ukraine as a territorial dispute that doesnt merit U.S. attention spawned a gale of fervent pushback from top Senate Republicans and others in the party. It has highlighted what one politician described as a civil war within the GOP over Ukraine and American foreign policy generally. If so, its a conflict that the believers in traditional Republican dedication to protecting democracy abroad must win and that the modern-day isolationists of the partys populist-MAGA wing (Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley prominent among them) must lose. The rift began when Fox News host Tucker Carlson released responses to a written survey of potential 2024 president candidates. DeSantis, the Florida governor widely viewed as a likely contender with MAGA voters who are ready to move on from former President Donald Trump, answered regarding Ukraine in pretty much the way Trump himself did. While the U.S. has many vital national interests securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness with our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural and military power of the Chinese Communist Party becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them, DeSantis wrote. Territorial dispute? Russia launched an unprovoked attack on a neighboring democracy and U.S. ally in a blatant land grab, has targeted civilians, committed war crimes and hinted at using nuclear weapons. This is a territorial dispute only in the Hitler-era-Germany sense. That fact wasnt lost on Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who noted that the Neville Chamberlain approach to aggression never ends well, referring to the British prime minister condemned in history for his appeasement of Hitler. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, worried that the remark raises questions about DeSantis understanding of the conflict a devastating assessment of a potential presidential candidate by a party elder. DeSantis fellow Floridian, Sen. Marco Rubio, lamented that I dont know what hes trying to do or what the goal is. Given that the comment represents an about-face for DeSantis support for Ukraine of just a few years ago, its clear that his goal here was to pander to the MAGA wing of the party. That wing shares Trumps continuing, disturbing deference to Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Trumps isolationist instincts, shortsightedly and inaccurately presented as America first. Graham described the Russian invasion as an attempt by Putin to rewrite the map of Europe by force of arms just as Hitler attempted. The World War II generation (and, indeed, the party of Reagan that todays Republicans still fancy themselves to be) understood that confronting such tyranny ultimately isnt a gesture of altruism but of self-preservation. Hopefully, that awkward first lesson of DeSantis expected presidential campaign will take hold. Who and where Gary and Monica Gaddis of University City standing in the Latvija (Latvia) welcome sign in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia. The trip The couple visited Latvia after extending a work-related trip to Lithuania in May. Travel tip Latvia and Lithuania are both former Soviet-occupied nations. It is impossible to over-estimate how much Latvians and Lithuanians detest Russia. ... Many flags of Ukraine flew along side the Lithuanian and Latvian nations flags in public spaces. Germany and other European NATO members that agreed to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine are running into logistical problems. Germany finally relented and allowed NATO nations that had purchased Leopard 2 tanks from Germany to send them to Ukraine whereupon the real problems started. Most contributors found that their Leopard 2s needed remedial work because they never expected another recurrence of European military tension, let alone another war, and failed to complete, or never started, planned or recommend upgrades. Delaying these upgrades seemed reasonable because the Americans were still an active NATO member and their M1 tanks were known to be up-to-date. There are still about 2,000 Leopard 2s in service with European nations. Unlike the Americans, the Europeans saw no need to complete needed upgrades to their tanks or even keep most of them operational. So the Ukrainians will have to wait until the Europeans get enough of their Leopard 2s operational or the Americans change their minds on how quickly they will deliver M-1s. There are already over 200 operational M-1s in Europe with American armored brigades. The Ukrainians dont need American soldiers but they could use their M-1 tanks. The M1 entered service in 1980 and 10,300 were built. The Leopard 2 followed in 1983 and 3,600 were built. Production of both these tanks sharply declined after the Cold War ended in 1991. At that point a lot of existing Leopard 2s were no longer needed and became a hot item in the second hand market. By 2010 secondhand Leopard 2s were hard to come by because so many had already been sold or scrapped. Germany sold off or retired so many of its Leopard 2s that by 2017, when they sought to rebuild their tank force to face the new Russian threat, it found Turkey, Chile, Greece, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland and Poland each had more operational Leopard 2 tanks than Germany. This odd situation was revealed in late 2017 when it was discovered that 53 of Germanys Leopard 2s were unavailable because they were undergoing upgrades and 86 were inoperable because of spare parts shortages. That meant Germany only had 95 Leopard 2 tanks that were combat ready. Thats 39 percent of the 244 Leopard 2s then operated by the German army. This was all attributed to a 2015 program to expand and upgrade the German tank force. That involved taking 104 retired (in the 1990s) Leopard 2A4 tanks and putting them back into service after refurbishing the older tanks and upgrading them to the A7V standard. The 104 reactivated Leopard 2A7Vs did not begin arriving until 2019 and it will take until 2023 to complete the process. There may be further additions to the active tank force depending on how much of a threat Russia continues to pose. Most Germans believed peace would last after the communist governments Russia had imposed on most East European nations after 1945 suddenly collapsed in 1989 followed by the Soviet Union dissolving in 1991. That marked the end of the Cold War. On top of that Germany was reunited in 1990 and the Russian-equipped East German military was largely scrapped. At that point the German Leopard 2 fleet shrank over 85 percent (from 2,000 to 225). Germany also retired over 2,200 Leopard 1s. Most of the retired Leopards were sold off or scrapped. But nearly a thousand Leopard 2s were put in storage just in case. Until 2014 Germany believed that those retired Leopard 2s would eventually be sold off or used for spare parts. A minority of Germans thought there was still a risk of a renewed Russian threat and so plans were made to keep upgrading Leopard 2s for foreign customers who were now operating most of the remaining Leopard 2s. Only 225 German Army Leopard 2s nominally remain in service. Continuing to encourage Leopard 2 upgrades made business sense because back in the 1990s the two most modern and effective tanks were the American M1 and the Leopard 2. In many respects the Germans were just trying to stay competitive with the M1 upgrades. For example, in 2014 Germany, Canada and Denmark agreed to upgrade over a hundred of their Leopard 2A6 tanks with ATTICA thermal imaging systems used by the tank commander and gunner. In most modern tanks both the commander and the gunner have high tech sights, usually with thermal (heat imaging) capability. The ATTICA sight is 3rd generation and that means images are sharper, more easily linked with other systems and the equipment is more reliable and easier to maintain. Third generation also means the engineers have added more wish-list items they have been receiving from earlier users over the years. The upgrade costs about $100,000 per sight and gives Leopard 2 users something most M1 users already had. In 2009 Germany began upgrading its few active duty Leopard tanks from the 2A6 to the A7+ standard. That meant more armor on the sides and rear. This was needed to provide protection against RPG rockets. There were also more external cameras so the crew inside could see anything in any direction, day or night. Plus, a remotely (from inside the tank) controlled machine-gun station on top of the turret is more useful than a manual one fired by the tank commander sticking his head and torso outside the turret where snipers can shoot him. Other upgrades included better fire control and combat control computers and displays, a more powerful auxiliary power unit and better air conditioning, and numerous other minor improvements to mobility (engine, track laying system, wheels and related gear), sound proofing and the thermal sights. All these together increased the weight of the tank to 65 tons. The Leopard 2A7+ also got more effective ammunition for its 120mm gun. This included fragmentation shells that detonate above or behind a target. Purportedly non-lethal ammo has also been developed for the Leopard 2A7+. The manufacturer also announced it was beginning work on Leopard 3 (a major upgrade of the Leopard 2). In 2016 the Leopard got its latest upgrade; the A7V. This added a few features to the A7+ including a 20 KW auxiliary power supply so the stationary tank could continue to operate all its electronics when the main engine was shut down. The other addition was the ability to easily add additional armor modules. The 55 ton Leopard 2A6 was introduced in 2006, is still the most commonly used model, and is a contemporary of the American M-1. The 2A6 model has a stabilizer (for firing on the move) and a thermal imager (for seeing through night, mist and sand storms.) Germany has been selling less capable (but refurbished) 2A4s since the 1990s. This enabled many nations to inexpensively upgrade their aging armored forces. Since 2000 many nations have upgraded to the A6 standard. Most users prefer to continue upgrading their Leopards, mainly because there are no new tanks to buy. But you could upgrade to the Leopard 2A7+ standard. Until the 1980s, the German Leopard I was considered one of the best tanks available. Entering service in the late 1960s, it was the first post-World War II German tank design. Although a contemporary of the American M60A3, the German tank was considered superior. For this reason, Germany was able to export Leopards to many nations. Most of the 4,744 produced (plus 1,741 Leopard chassis adapted to other uses, like recovery and anti-aircraft) have since been retired (in storage) or scrapped. Many owners eventually had to melt down their Leopard Is because there was not much of a market left for 44 ton tanks, even those equipped with a lot of nifty upgrades. The original buyers of Leopard I have already flooded the market and by the 1990s only Leopard 2s were wanted. The German Leopard 2 appeared in 1979 and was an immediate export hit, especially to replace elderly U.S. M-60 tanks (a 1960s design.) But when the Cold War ended in 1991 many users looked to sell off many of their Leopard 2s. Most of the original 3,500 Leopard 2s have been sold as second-hand vehicles to Austria, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Chile, Turkey and Spain. Originally, West Germany bought 2,125 new Leopard 2 tanks, the Netherlands 445, Switzerland 370, Sweden 120, Spain 219 and Greece 170. Although a contemporary of the U.S. M-1, many consider the 62 ton Leopard 2 a superior tank, even though the M1 has much more combat experience and subsequent upgrades based on the experience in battle. In 2003 both Germany and the United States believed the usefulness of heavy tanks like the M-1 and Leopard 2 were over. Then came Iraq and Afghanistan where it was found that these traditional designs were still very useful, especially with the most modern accessories like thermal sights, vidcams for all-round visibility from inside the tank and modern air-conditioning systems that can withstand tropical heat. Upgrading the Leopard 2s remained a big business and after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, there was a lot more demand for Leopard 2s as well as upgrades. In 2022 NATO members realized that the feared revival of Russian aggression was taking place in Ukraine, which was not yet a NATO member. Ukrainians would do the fighting but they also needed modern weapons, including M-1 and Leopard 2 tanks. The Americans refused to provide M-1s, first because the M-1 uses jet fuel. The Ukrainians said they had plenty of that so the Americans said they had other excuses and still refuse to deliver M-1s. European NATO members had a different attitude because they were much closer to Russia and offered Leopard 2s, only those were mostly unable to operate. Some have now arrived. Creates leading global wealth manager with USD 5 trillion of invested assets across the Group Extends UBS lead in Swiss home market UBS strategy unchanged, including focus on growth in Americas and APAC Attractive financial terms which include downside protection Annual run-rate of cost reduction of more than USD 8 billion expected by 2027 UBS remains strongly capitalized well above our target of 13% and committed to progressive cash dividend policy A focused Investment Bank, remaining committed to UBSs model; strategic Global Banking businesses to be retained, majority of Credit Suisse markets positions moved to non-core Transaction creates significant sustainable value for UBS shareholders ZURICH & BASEL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 of the SIX Exchange Regulation Listing Rules UBS (NYSE: UBS) (SWX: UBSN) plans to acquire Credit Suisse. The combination is expected to create a business with more than USD 5 trillion in total invested assets and sustainable value opportunities. It will further strengthen UBSs position as the leading Swiss-based global wealth manager with more than USD 3.4 trillion in invested assets on a combined basis, operating in the most attractive growth markets. The transaction reinforces UBSs position as the leading universal bank in Switzerland. The combined businesses will be a leading asset manager in Europe, with invested assets of more than USD 1.5 trillion. UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher said: This acquisition is attractive for UBS shareholders but, let us be clear, as far as Credit Suisse is concerned, this is an emergency rescue. We have structured a transaction which will preserve the value left in the business while limiting our downside exposure. Acquiring Credit Suisses capabilities in wealth, asset management and Swiss universal banking will augment UBSs strategy of growing its capital-light businesses. The transaction will bring benefits to clients and create long-term sustainable value for our investors. UBS Chief Executive Officer Ralph Hamers said: Bringing UBS and Credit Suisse together will build on UBSs strengths and further enhance our ability to serve our clients globally and deepen our best-in-class capabilities. The combination supports our growth ambitions in the Americas and Asia while adding scale to our business in Europe, and we look forward to welcoming our new clients and colleagues across the world in the coming weeks. The discussions were initiated jointly by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance, FINMA and the Swiss National Bank and the acquisition has their full support. Under the terms of the all-share transaction, Credit Suisse shareholders will receive 1 UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares held, equivalent to CHF 0.76/share for a total consideration of CHF 3 billion. UBS benefits from CHF 25 billion of downside protection from the transaction to support marks, purchase price adjustments and restructuring costs, and additional 50% downside protection on non-core assets. Both banks have unrestricted access to the Swiss National Bank existing facilities, through which they can obtain liquidity from the SNB in accordance with the guidelines on monetary policy instruments. The combination of the two businesses is expected to generate annual run-rate of cost reductions of more than USD 8 billion by 2027. UBS Investment Bank will reinforce its global competitive position with institutional, corporate and wealth management clients through the acceleration of strategic goals in Global Banking while managing down the rest of Credit Suisses Investment Bank. The combined investment banking businesses accounts for approximately 25% of Group risk weighted assets. UBS anticipates that the transaction is EPS accretive by 2027 and the bank remains capitalized well above its target of 13%. Colm Kelleher will be Chairman and Ralph Hamers will be Group CEO of the combined entity. The transaction is not subject to shareholder approval. UBS has obtained pre-agreement from FINMA, Swiss National Bank, Swiss Federal Department of Finance and other core regulators on the timely approval of the transaction. Conference Call Management will be hosting an analyst call at 10pm CET. Participants can access the webcast via the following link https://stream.swisscom.ch/ubs/20230319/ Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements This document contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. While these statements represent UBSs judgments and expectations concerning the matters described, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from UBSs expectations. Additional information about those factors is set forth in documents furnished and filings made by UBS with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2022. UBS undertakes no obligation to update the information contained herein. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230319005019/en/ UBS Group AG and UBS AG Investor Relations: Switzerland: +41-44-234 41 00 Media Relations: Switzerland: +41-44-234 85 00 UK: +44-207-567 47 14 Americas: +1-212-882 58 58 APAC: +852-297-1 82 00 www.ubs.com/media Source: UBS Group AG CALGARY, Alberta, March 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enerflex Ltd. (TSX:EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) ("Enerflex" or the "Company") today announced that Sanjay Bishnoi, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will relinquish his position effective April 10, 2023, to pursue another opportunity. Matthew Lemieux, Enerflex's Vice President, Corporate Development and Treasury, will be appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer following Mr. Bishnoi's departure. "Over three and a half years ago, we brought Sanjay aboard expecting that his disciplined approach to investing would facilitate accretive growth in our recurring Energy Infrastructure business. After successfully managing our financial position through the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instrumental in leading us in our transformational acquisition of Exterran. Sanjay's financial and business leadership have made us a smarter, more resilient, and more profitable organization," stated Marc Rossiter, Enerflex's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I would like to thank Sanjay for his contributions and wish him well in his next endeavour." "I am grateful for the privilege of leading Enerflex's Finance team over the last several years. Our accomplishments, including expanding our reach across new markets, developing innovative products and services, and instituting disciplined investment frameworks, are a true testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved," said Mr. Bishnoi. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to our talented employees, Marc and the Executive Management Team, and our Board of Directors for their unwavering support and trust throughout my tenure. The Company has a very solid financial plan to deleverage, and I expect it will deliver increasingly strong results as a combined company." Mr. Rossiter further stated, "We are pleased to appoint Matthew Lemieux to Interim Chief Financial Officer. Matt brings a deep knowledge of Enerflex's financial attributes, operations, and industry, which will further enhance our focus on growing shareholder value through disciplined capital allocation practices." Mr. Lemieux has been with Enerflex as Vice President, Corporate Development and Treasury since early 2020, where he has focused on cash management and accretive investing on a global scale, including deep involvement in the Exterran acquisition. Before joining Enerflex, Mr. Lemieux led over US$3 billion of equity and mezzanine transactions for GE Energy Financial Services and was previously responsible for debt underwriting and syndication for Merrill Lynch Capital and Wachovia Bank. Mr. Lemieux holds MBA and BA degrees from NYU Stern and Dickinson College, respectively. Enerflex plans to announce the appointment of a permanent Chief Financial Officer in the near future. ABOUT ENERFLEX Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, delivering natural gas processing, compression, power generation, refrigeration, cryogenic, and produced water solutions. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Enerflex, its subsidiaries, interests in associates, and joint ventures, operate in over 90 locations in: Canada, the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Kuwait, India, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Enerflex's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFX" and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EFXT". For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com . For investor and media enquiries, contact: ANCHORAGE, Alaska The Biden administration's approval of the biggest oil drilling project in Alaska in decades promises to widen a rift among Alaska Natives, with some saying that oil money can't counter the damages caused by climate change and others defending the project as economically vital. Two lawsuits filed almost immediately by environmentalists and one Alaska Native group are likely to exacerbate tensions that built up over years of debate about ConocoPhillips Alaska's Willow project. Many communities on Alaska's North Slope celebrated the project's approval, citing new jobs and the influx of money that will help support schools, public services and infrastructure investments in their isolated villages. Just a few decades ago, many villages had no running water, said Doreen Leavitt, director of natural resources for the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope. Housing shortages continues to be a problem, with multiple generations often living together, she said. "We still have a long ways to go," Leavitt said, "We don't want to go backwards." She said 50 years of oil production on the petroleum-rich North Slope has shown development can coexist with wildlife and the traditional, subsistence way of life. However, some Alaska Natives blasted the decision to greenlight the project, and they are supported by environmental groups challenging the approval in federal court. Three leaders in the Nuiqsut community, who described their remote village as "ground zero for industrialization of the Arctic," wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of New Mexico's Laguna Pueblo and the first Native American to lead a Cabinet department. They cited the threat that climate change poses to caribou migrations and to their ability to travel across once-frozen areas. Money from the ConocoPhillips project won't be enough to mitigate those threats, they said. The community is about 36 miles from the Willow project. "They are payoffs for the loss of our health and culture," the Nuiqsut leaders wrote. "No dollar can replace what we risk. It is a matter of our survival." But Asisaun Toovak, the mayor of Utqiagvik, the nation's northernmost community on the Arctic Ocean, said she jumped for joy when she heard the Biden administration approved the Willow project. "I could say that the majority of the people, the majority of our community and the majority of the people were excited about the Willow Project," she said. Willow is in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, a region roughly the size of Maine. It would produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day, the use of which would result in at least 263 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over 30 years, according to a federal environmental review. The Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, Sierra Club and other groups that sued Tuesday said Interior officials ignored the fact that every ton of greenhouse gas emitted by the project would contribute to sea ice melt, which endangers polar bears and Alaska villages. A second lawsuit seeking to block the project was filed Wednesday by Greenpeace and other environmental groups. For Alaska Natives to reconcile their points of view, it will take discussions. "We just continue to try to sit at the table together, break bread and meet as a region," said Leavitt, who is the secretary for the tribal council representing eight North Slope villages. "I will say the majority of the voices that we heard against Willow were from the Lower 48," she said of the contiguous U.S., excluding Alaska and Hawaii. ConocoPhillips Alaska said the $8 billion project would create up to 2,500 jobs during construction and 300 long-term jobs, and generate billions of dollars in royalties and other revenues to be split between the federal and state governments. The project has widespread support among lawmakers in the state. Alaska's bipartisan congressional delegation met with Biden and his advisers in early March to plead their case for the project, and Alaska Native lawmakers also met with Haaland to urge support. Haaland visited the North Slope last spring just hours after state Rep. Josiah Aullaqsruaq Patkotak, a whaling co-captain along with his brother on their father's whaling crew, harvested a roughly 40-ton bowhead whale and spent hours pulling it on the ice from the Arctic Ocean at Utqiagvik. He left the ice about 7 a.m. to be ready to meet with Haaland just two hours later. For him, the juxtaposition of those activities underscored the dual life led by Alaska Natives and highlights the choices communities make for their survival. "That's the walk our leaders have to walk," said Patkotak, an independent who supported Willow. "We maintain our culture and our lifestyle and our subsistence aspect where we're one with the land and animals, and the very next hour you may be having to conduct yourself, you know, in a manner that you're playing the Western world's game." He met again with Haaland this month in Washington, D.C., where he invited leaders in the White House to visit Utqiagvik, "because it's our duty to tell our story so that we're able to strike that balance of both worlds." "That's a reality for us," he said. Biden greenlights Alaska drilling project and extends new protections to the state's North Slope Biden greenlights Alaska drilling project and extends new protections to the state's North Slope Environmental concessions made alongside Willow's approval Janicek's Plumbing, a local plumbing company in Wallis, TX, expands service to include Rosenberg, Fulshear, Katy, Brenham, and surrounding areas, with new services such as PEX repiping, gas pressure testing, and sewer line repair. Wallis, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2023) - Under new management and ownership, Janicek's Plumbing is proud to announce its successful expansion from a small, family operation, to a growing plumbing company, with multiple plumbers stationed in different communities throughout its service area. From its original location in Wallis, TX, residents and business owners can now find Janicek'sPlumbing servicesavailable in nearby Rosenberg, Fulshear, Katy, Brenham, El Campo, Richmond, Wharton, Sealy, Brookshire, Bellville, Columbus, Eagle Lake, Needville, East Bernard, and many other small towns and cities throughout the countryside on the far west side of Houston and Katy's metro areas. For more information on Janicek's Plumbing services, visit: https://www.janiceksplumbing.com/services. Wallis Texas Plumber Announces Expansion to Rosenberg, Fulshear, Katy & Beyond To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/159001_bc7d093324e57a47_001full.jpg Local Wallis Plumber, Joe Janicek, founded his own plumbing company in 1962 after discovering the need for a dependable, affordable, local plumbing company in his community. After decades of hard, honest work, Joe the plumber eventually retired, and in 2020 the plumbing company passed to new owners, themselves eager to carry on the legacy and promise of Joe Janicek's plumbing company. In addition to its standard plumbing company services, such as water leak repair, drain cleaning, bathtub and shower installation, water heater installation, faucet installation, and toilet installation, Janicek's Plumbing now offers water softener installation, gas pressure testing, PEX water repiping, new construction plumbing, and even sewer, gas, and water line repair. This local plumbing company in Wallis, TX, plans to continue expanding and revamping its services to best serve and support the residents and business owners in these communities. Furthermore, in order to remain true to Joe Janicek's original promise of customer service and family values, the company plans to continue investing in local, certified plumbers who live in the communities they serve. For more information on the growth and expansion of Janicek's Plumbing service areas, visit: https://www.janiceksplumbing.com/service-areas. Janicek's Plumbing 6409 Commerce St, Wallis, TX 77485 (979) 478-6444 Follow them on social media: https://goo.gl/maps/CUsaa2s1n2znBYtK7 https://www.facebook.com/JanicekPlumbing https://www.instagram.com/janiceks_plumbing/ Contact Info: Name: Joe Janicek Email:[email protected] Organization: Janicek's Plumbing Address: 6409 Commerce St, Wallis, TX 77485, United States Website: https://www.janiceksplumbing.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/159001 (Tribune News Service) Brig. Gen. Scott Petrik, director of the Joint Staff for the South Dakota National Guard, retired this month after 39 years of service. He was honored with a retirement ceremony on March 4 at the Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid. Maj. Gen. Jeff Marlette, South Dakota National Guard Adjutant General, presented Petrik the Legion of Merit award for Petriks 39 years of outstanding service. Marlette thanked Petrik and his family for their service and commitment to the South Dakota National Guard. Petrik held several key leadership and staff positions during his career, including the Officer Candidate School Battalion commander, 196th Regional Training Institute commander, Army Chief of Staff, and director of the Joint Staff. Petrik deployed to Afghanistan in 2004-2005 with the 109th Engineer Group. He received multiple awards including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Petrik began his military service in 1983 with the 109th Engineer Group as a combat wire installer before receiving his commission as an engineer officer in July 1990 from the South Dakota Military Academy. Petrik has a bachelor of science degree in business management from Black Hills State University and a masters degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. The Petrik family has a history of military service. Petriks father, Brig. Gen. Stan Petrik, retired from the South Dakota National Guard as the Army Assistant Adjutant General and Scott and Tina Petriks son Garrett was recently promoted to captain and serves as the 881st Headquarters Company commander in the South Dakota National Guard. During his retirement ceremony, Petriks children praised their father for his dedication to the military and his family. The most fortunate thing of being a member of the South Dakota National Guard is this is a family-based organization, Scott Petrik said. The Guard is an extended family, and I would not have had the career that I did without the support of both my family and the Guard family. (c)2023 Rapid City Journal, S.D. Visit at rapidcityjournal.com CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile Sunday, its seventh day of launches so far this year, according to the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missile was launched at 11 a.m. from North Pyongan province and flew eastward nearly 500 miles before splashing down in the East Sea, or Sea of Japan, the Joint Chiefs said in a message to reporters. The launch is a serious provocation that harms peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the international community, the message said. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command announced in a statement Sunday said that the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies. North Korea has fired nine ballistic missiles so far this year. The communist regime last launched a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday, hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida. It was the two countries first summit since 2011, according to the Joint Chiefs. The Norths state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Saturday that the projectile fired two days earlier was an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was launched to exercise strict control over the enemies who are driving the tension and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, the report said. Yoon, who has sought to mend diplomatic ties with Japan after decades of historical differences , said in a statement Friday that he hoped to work with Tokyo for a brighter bilateral relationship for future generations. Yoon and Kishida agreed to coordinate their military intelligence to better respond to North Koreas weapon tests, the South Korean leader told reporters after the summit. Sundays launch happened as U.S. and South Korean forces conduct their largest joint military exercise in five years. Pyongyang views the Freedom Shield drills as a rehearsal of an invasion and has threatened to flex its own military power. The 11-day exercise kicked off Monday and is defensive in nature, according to U.S. and South Korean military officials. South Koreas Ministry of National Defense said it will be held without interruption despite potential provocations from the North. A U.S. B-1B Lancer flew over the Korean Peninsula as part of Freedom Shield, the Souths defense ministry announced roughly three hours after Sundays launch. The bomber was escorted by U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and South Korean F-35A Lightning IIs, according to a news release. An American bomber last appeared in South Korea on March 6, when an Air Force B-52H Stratofortress flew alongside South Korean fighters in a show of force to respond to North Koreas advancing nuclear and missile threats, the ministry said in a statement at the time. U.S. and Japanese guided-missile destroyers carried out a separate missile-defense exercise in the Sea of Japan on Saturday, U.S. Forces Japan said in a news release that day. The USS Milius and JS Atago demonstrated the countries shared values and resolve to hold the line against those who challenge regional stability, according to the release. (Tribune News Service) China President Xi Jinping will deliver a strong message of support for Vladimir Putin with his three-day visit to Moscow this week, even as he pitches Beijings proposals for brokering an end to the Russian leaders war in Ukraine. Xis trip marks his most ambitious effort yet to weigh into Europes bloodiest conflict since the Second World War and will be followed by his first conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since Putins February 2022 invasion. It comes on the heels of Chinas successful efforts to help Iran and Saudi Arabia patch up years of discord. But while Xis rock solid backing of Putin ensures a warm welcome in Moscow on his first trip abroad since securing a third term as president, it also makes him a harder sell as an honest broker to mediate an end to the war. Both Moscow and Kyiv have been cool to Chinas vague peace proposals, which Ukraines allies in the U.S. and Europe dismissed outright. Both sides are in lets give war a chance mode, said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center. Now is not the right time for diplomacy. Putin made a surprise trip to occupied Mariupol, the Ukrainian city largely destroyed by a monthslong Russian siege, according to a Kremlin statement Sunday and video released on state television. Ukraine is preparing an offensive with new weapons provided by its allies, while Russia is digging in for a long fight, hoping to outlast Kyiv and its supporters. Each side blames the other for being unwilling to talk. Still, Xis Moscow visit is a chance to tout his image as a global statesman and challenge U.S. global dominance, defying Washingtons efforts to isolate Putin, whos hosted only a few other leaders since the war began. The trip comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing have spiked. The U.S. on Friday again denounced Chinas Ukraine plan as biased toward Russia, calling on Xi to reach out to Zelenskyy directly. For Putin, Xis arrival is an opportunity to tighten whats become his most important international relationship, with one-on-one talks and an informal dinner planned. Trade between the neighbors has surged amid the unprecedented sanctions the U.S. and its allies imposed on Russia over the invasion. Over that period, China has bought more than $65 billion in Russian energy, providing a key source of cash for the Kremlin, as well as vital supplies of technology and other goods. Russia expects trade volume to jump to $200 billion this year from roughly $185 billion in 2022. Trade with China is now absolutely vital for Russia, said Janis Kluge, an analyst of the Russian economy with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. Economic relations were always asymmetric, but since the start of the war the asymmetry has turned into a dependency. But while the Kremlin said the two leaders will discuss energy and the arms trade, theres no sign major new deals are in the works. The U.S. has warned China against providing lethal aid to Russia, which has also been a major weapons supplier to Beijing. Henry Huiyao Wang, founder of the Center for China and Globalization, a policy research group in Beijing, said its in Chinas interest to see an end to the war. After three years of COVID, China wants to revive its economy, he said. Thats its number one priority. But a Ukrainian diplomat in Beijing told Bloomberg News theyd seen no evidence of China taking any practical steps to invite parties to talks. Chinas 12-point blueprint has little detail and largely consists of broader foreign policy positions long espoused by Beijing. While its embrace of the principle of territorial integrity won praise in Kyiv, which seeks to drive Russian forces back across the border, a call for freezing forces in current positions is a non-starter. Owing to Russias increasing reliance on China for commodity exports, critical goods and political support, Xi holds all the cards and is the only global player that could get Putin to settle with Ukraine, according to Kate Mallinson, founder of Prism Political Risk Management in London. However, Xi has no immediate incentive to end a conflict which, among other advantages, diminishes resources that the West could give Taiwan. Even if the timing is off, Xis push will give him the chance to portray China as seeking peace while the U.S. and its allies discuss sending more arms to Ukraine. That message is likely to resonate with much of the non-aligned world, which is reeling from the surge in global food costs triggered by the war. I doubt that China believes that the peace plan has any real viability in the near term, said Joseph Torigian, an assistant professor at the American University. They likely hope that the most the Russians will give them is an affirmation of its general principles, which China could then use to claim that it is having a positive effect on the course of the war. With assistance from Colum Murphy, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, Yujing Liu, Jing Li and Dan Murtaugh. 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Tribune News Service) Justin LeHew was so bothered by the image of a tattered POW/MIA flag flying on a Fredericksburg building, the retired Marine decided to walk across the country to remind others why that black-and-white banner is so important. LeHew recruited two other Marine veterans to join him on the effort they called The Long Road. During the 3,365-mile trek from Massachusetts to Oregon along U.S. 20, LeHew of Fredericksburg; Coleman Rocky Kinzer of Hawaii; and Raymond Shinohara, who joined the two in Illinois, gained a fresh perspective of their homeland. When you stepped away from the TV and internet, America really wasnt what people were telling you it was, at least not on Route 20, LeHew said. Youre being told they hate America or they dont like the military. Well, no they dont. Every single town came out waving flags, and theyre really proud of their communities. Particularly in the heartland, the team entered towns where students lined sidewalks, giving fist bumps and singing hymns, and adults of all ages held photos of loved ones who died in military uniform. They met private citizens and veterans groups who offered food, lodging and hot showers as well as police who wanted to escort them to the next village. Granted, the walkers didnt get that kind of reception in busy cities, especially in the Northeast, but that might have been because there hadnt been any buzz about the team when LeHew and Kinzer set off from Boston Harbor on June 6. That soon change as word spread, particularly through the groups Facebook page. The way the two chose the starting date sums up the spur-of-the-moment approach they took. As they talked about the effort, LeHew looked at a certificate in his office, given to his father who survived the Normandy invasion on June 6, 1944. Once the two knew when to start, they had to figure where. LeHew started looking at maps and discovered Route 20 crosses the country, allows pedestrians and is known as the Medal of Honor highway. LeHew also happens to be the national commander of the Legion of Valor, an organization open to recipients of the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross and the Air Force Cross. And, hes chief operating officer of History Flight, a privately owned nonprofit based in Fredericksburg that researches, recovers and brings back to the United States remains of those killed in combat as far back as World War II. Since 2003, the group has recovered the remains of 130 servicemembers who were missing in action, and it also has handed over to the government another 250 sets of remains, which are in the process of being identified. LeHew wanted to do something personal for those whod died in combat, as well as those still missing, and their families. In his mind, crossing Route 20 on foot would bring attention to the POW/MIA flag, History Flights effort to raise money to recover remains, and the campaign, going on last year, to make Route 20 the Medal of Honor highway. Being like the town crier from town to town, we were walking and talking to people about why the black flag is on their post office and everything else, LeHew said. When word spread about their various missions, people responded. In the 12 states the team walked through, they met at least one family in each state with a loved one whose remains were still missing. One of those encounters happened in a little sliver of New York, LeHew said, south of Lake Erie. Residents Fritz and Madolyn Kubera had seen a story about the walking Marines and set out to find them. The couple hes 90 and shes 85 took down from the wall a framed photo of her brother, Sgt. Jack Mathers, along with the medals he earned. He was 18 when he was declared missing in action, on Nov. 28, 1950, in Korea. Over the years, shes saved clippings of every story about service members whose remains were found, and she went to mass to pray for them and their families. She also told her children about her brother, who couldnt wait to be like his older brothers and go into the service. Kubera said she was thrilled to share her brothers story with LeHew and Kinzer. I never expected to go out before 8 oclock in the morning and go looking for two Marines I didnt know, she said during a phone call this week. But I was so interested (in their walk) because weve always been looking for Jack, we never stopped looking for him. The remains of more than 81,000 American servicemembers have never been found, including those who served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Cold War, LeHew said. The government of North Korea has not allowed access to American officials to look for remains and thats taken away hope for so many, LeHew said. However, in 2018, North Korean officials turned over 55 boxes of possible remains. About 200 servicemembers have been identified from the fragments and work continues to locate others. He hopes Madolyn Kuberas brother is among them. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency compares the DNA of remains with samples in its database from family members of veterans. The challenge, according to the DPAA, is not having DNA samples from descendants of all those missing in action. Along the walk, LeHew carried DNA kits with him and encouraged family members of the missing to send in their samples. He also provided information about the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, at dpaa.mil/, which includes information on how families can get an annual report about the missing service member. It was one of many pieces of equipment LeHew hauled in a cart behind him. He bought a child carrier, normally pulled behind a bicycle, and adapted it into a chuck wagon of sorts that he could pull as he walked. It contained tents, food, clothes and shoes, since the walkers had to get a new pair every 300 or 400 miles. Kinzer and Shinohara carried rucksacks filled with 40 to 50 pounds of gear. The backpacks represented the heavy burden carried by generations of warriors who have served since 1775 and as a reminder that we will never surrender and never leave a fallen comrade behind, according to a press release the team sent out before the walk. The journey took 6 1/2 months and subjected the walkers to the heat and humidity of summer in the Northeast as well as the below-zero temperatures of the Pacific Northwest. One of the highlights was walking through Yellowstone National Park as Route 20 runs through 88 miles of the park. As late October neared, the park service closed four of five gates into Yellowstone and told the walkers they could enter through the open remaining gate, if they got there by a certain time, before the weather turned too treacherous. The men had averaged 20 to 25 miles a day, walking, but stepped up the pace to be at Yellowstone in time. It was worth the effort as they were the only ones hiking through the park that time of year. They stuck to the parks rule about saying 25 meters away from herds of buffalo, even when the bison and other wildlife tried to get closer to them. LeHew said Yellowstone was the highlight of a trip that, three months after completion, still doesnt seem real. He continues to receive mementos of the journey, from copies of newspaper stories to an intricate Quilt of Honor made by a woman named Cathy Miracle who lost a son in combat. In a story from The Berkshire Eagle in Massachusetts, Kinzer said he was excited to get a closeup look of so many parts of the country. You know, after you spend years defending your nation, he said, its nice to be able to see it. (c)2023 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.) Visit The Free Lance-Star at www.fredericksburg.com/flshome Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Success comes with a price, as homeowners in Amherst are beginning to realize. Erie Countys most populous suburb now has 129,600 residents, which makes it bigger than the city of Albany. Growth and change are inextricably connected; neither is easy. In this case, growth needs to be accommodated in ways that are both liveable and inclusive. As Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa notes, Theres a lot of development and a lot of development pressure in Amherst. He adds, We have to be concerned with all development, but we do have a meticulous process. When theres a process that works, its a good idea to follow it. Its also fair to say that if the process isnt working, adjust it. A big part of that process is zoning. But in Amherst, not all zoning is created equal. While some areas, such as Snyder and Williamsville, have zoning codes that embrace progressive goals, such as mixed-use, human-scale development; walkable neighborhoods and less emphasis on parking, other areas are still subject to zoning that permits typical cul-de-sac subdivisions, accessible only from one major road. It must be noted that, in Amherst, demand is high for both types of development. And as formerly empty or underused sites begin to be filled with either traditional or more inclusive mixed-use development, there will always be reactions from neighbors. The negative reactions will be the loudest, while those who dont care or are even in favor may not say a word. Welcome to development in a popular suburb. People want to live and work in Amherst and, overall, thats a good thing. Diversity is key But not everyone who lives and works in Amherst can afford a patio home that can easily cost $500,000 at the low end. For example, many who work at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and given the hours that such work could entail would like to live closer to their jobs, may need a reasonably priced apartment. Thats the type of development being proposed for 1720, 1740 and 1760 Maple Road, which is meeting with some resistance from neighbors. Others who find renting more suited to their resources might want the chance to live in the walkable hamlet of Snyder, which is where a mixed-use project that includes 48 apartments as well as retail and restaurants is proposed for 4548-4564 Main St. This would replace an underused block of shops, with (far fewer) second-floor apartments. The project is very similar to similar structures many of them, like this, with three stories in front and four stories set back now taking shape up and down Elmwood Avenue. Like them, its storefronts would meet the sidewalk, inviting passersby. The similarity is not accidental; zoning codes in Snyder and Williamsville are now similar to Buffalos Green Code, which encourages a vibrant streetscape as opposed to big parking lots in front of strip malls. In fact, Snyders code is more restrictive than Buffalos, as it requires certain architectural features to match whats commonly found throughout the hamlet. Some neighbors in Snyder are objecting to the project, but its inclusivity and diverse components check boxes that most communities would like to have checked, especially on their main streets. Its change, though, and everyone understands that change can be hard. Disappearing green space Other new developments coming to areas in Amherst that retain elements of the rural countryside they once were have been more problematic. Its easy to sympathize with the prospective neighbors of a five acre strip of empty land at 166 Klein Road that will be filled with 18 patio homes. The project will be unconnected with any other road than Klein, a sure promise of traffic annoyances, not to mention the influx of 18 new households in this tight space. Its allowed under current zoning, though, and already has a waiting list. At 4300 Millersport Highway, a 67-acre site where neighbors successfully defeated a proposed Walmart is now to be filled in by patio homes, town homes, apartments, retail space and offices, in various configurations. Two groups of residents have opposed this development, which will still retain some green space and wetlands, but, even so, adds 51 homes and 44 apartments where before there was nothing but trees, undergrowth and wildlife. When Walmart was defeated in 2006, the Amherst Town Board rezoned the parcel from SC/shopping center to TND/town neighborhood district. But for many current residents of the area, this isnt the neighborhood they want. Nonetheless, the project has survived every challenge so far and has town approval. It is areas like this throughout Amherst where glimpses of rural and wild Western New York can still be seen that need the attention of the towns planners. How can a balance be maintained so that the natural beauty and environmental benefits of undeveloped green space can be kept at the same time housing is provided for those who need it? This question becomes even more urgent given Gov. Kathy Hochuls current budget proposal to require 1% new home creation throughout New York over three years. Yes, people want to live in Amherst. There are worse problems to have. With smart planning, its possible to provide that housing with concessions that will keep most current residents happy. Amherst should keep and strengthen its ongoing commitment to smart planning. 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. Joshua Bennet (21) drove around roundabouts the wrong way, drove directly at garda car, mounted the footpath and drove through a red light A young driver who led gardai on a high-speed chase causing motorists and pedestrians to get out of his path to avoid being struck has been given a suspended prison sentence. Joshua Bennet (21), who has no previous convictions, was trying to avoid the gardai because he had no insurance, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. Bennet drove off at speed, rather than stopping when gardai ordered him to, in a moment of madness, his lawyers told the court. Detective Garda Stuart Gleeson told Fiona Crawford BL, prosecuting, that there were three other people in the car when Bennet drove at speeds up to 140 km/hr in busy suburban streets around Blanchardstown and Dublin 15 at around 1am that morning. Bennet drove around roundabouts the wrong way, drove directly at garda car, mounted the footpath and drove through a red light while a number of pedestrians were crossing the junction. Det Gda Gleeson said one garda had parked his vehicle in Bennets path in an attempt to stop the chase but Bennet continued driving directly at the car, causing the garda to reverse at speed onto a nearby footpath. Bennet also mounted a footpath, causing a number of pedestrians who were walking home from a nearby pub, to run into the driveway of a house for safety. Det Gda Gleeson said the chase came to an end when Bennet took at sharp left at speed and skidded when he was unable to complete the turn. Gardai caught up with him and he was arrested immediately. Bennet of Bramblefield View, Clonee, Dublin 15 pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five charges of endangerment and one count of dangerous driving on May 2, 2022. At a sentence hearing on Thursday Judge Martin Nolan described Bennets behaviour as appalling and extraordinarily reckless. He endangered dozens of people and he didnt stop until he lost control of the vehicle and the garda took him out of the car, Judge Nolan said. Referring to a submission from defending counsel David Fleming BL that Bennet was a bad decision maker, Judge Nolan said what if he makes another bad decision? It is very hard to trust someone who has done this. Judge Nolan told Bennet that he was a very lucky man because he had not hit or injured anyone with his driving. You are getting a considerable chance, he said. Judge Nolan said he was suspending a three year prison sentence on the basis of Bennet's youth and his lack of any other criminal conviction. He ordered that Bennet keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the three years and disqualified him from driving for six years. Couple lived millionaire lifestyle with trips to Dubai, Mexico, Las Vegas and Madrid with proceeds of crime A husband and wife who were dubbed Mr and Mrs Bling after they pleaded guilty to drug and proceeds-of-crime offences are close associates of notorious Sligo mob boss Barry Young. Derry couple Patrick and Misha OConnor splurged an incredible 450k on Rolex watches and jewellery and almost 150k on holidays to Dubai, Mexico, Las Vegas and Madrid. OConnor was nabbed through the massive Encrochat hack investigation in 2020 and communications linked him to seizures made in 2016 and 2017 and to a handle known as Real Feet. Misha and Patrick OConnor The couple enjoyed an extraordinary high-end lifestyle from the profits of OConnors drug dealing network and even spent 180k fitting a special hot tub in their home. Each amassed tens of thousands in cash reserves in their banks. OConnor admitted that he was only involved in drug dealing for the money and had no issues with addiction, after he pleaded guilty to a string of drug dealing and proceeds-of-crime charges. The court also heard his wife Misha ran a hairdressing company, which was a dream of hers since she was young, and only escaped a prison term because she was the carer for the couples children. OConnor was nabbed with an Encrochat phone using the alias Real Feet and discussed drug shipments from Birmingham, Liverpool and Dundalk. He was linked to the phone thanks to images he sent of two cars belonging to him which had been seized and a picture of a Rolex Daytona watch which he said was also taken by police. A court heard how OConnor and others arranged deals of cocaine and cannabis and the delivery of vacuum-packed herbal pollen to Northern Ireland on the phones and that he communicated with other handles known as Padre Pio and Slurry Pump. Gang boss Barry Young And now the Sunday World can reveal OConnor had worked with Sligo criminal Barry Young for years and was part of his supply chain into the north west. Young pleaded guilty last week to directing a criminal organisation and is awaiting sentencing. Part of the evidence against him relates to 16,000 WhatsApp messages, but it is not known if any details were garnered from Encrochat as Garda management chose not to act on the intelligence from the French and Dutch hack of the service which has resulted in thousands of arrests and convictions across Europe. In court in Derry this week, OConnor was described as the leader of an organised crime gang supplying cocaine and cannabis in the north-west and was jailed for 11 years after pleading guilty to string of charges. Mark Kelly admitted being involved in cash for cannabis transactions OConnor (52) from the Old Fort in Strathfoyle, Derry, admitted that he had converted criminal property in the sum of 405,211 by purchasing Rolex watches and jewellery, 97.927 on foreign holiday travel from an agency in Armagh and a further sum of 31,622 in a travel agent in Derry. He admitted being involved in a series of drug transactions, including one in 2017 where a car was stopped with cocaine valued at 700,000 (792,000). His wife Misha (41) with an address in Stoneypath in Derry, admitted a series of offences linked to the proceed of crime. Judge Philip Banington said the pair quite clearly lived a lifestyle that could not possibly have been funded by legitimate sources of income. On five occasions, police had stopped vehicles carrying drugs and money in 2016 and 2017. Later, the Encrochat phone hack linked OConnor to other drug deals and money transfers being arranged between March and June of 2020. Misha OConnor Two men who formed part of OConnors network, Mark Kelly (47), from Armagh, and Barry Fox (42), from Dungannon, admitted involvement in an exchange of cash and cannabis in Derry after phones linked them to the incident. Benjamin Quinn (32), from Lifford in Donegal, admitted his involvement in the cocaine seizure after phones connected him to OConnor. Two other men, Kevin Cassidy (47) and Blaine Curtis (35) also pleaded to drug charges. Cash seizures of 103,980 and 72,480 found in a house in Armagh were also linked to OConnor. Justice Banington described the Encrochat hack as being conducted by French and Dutch police and said the system was designed for and used by criminals. OConnor was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for the first series of offences and three-and-a-half years consecutive for the second set making a total of 11 years. Misha OConnor was sentenced to two years, suspended for three years, Kelly was given a three-year sentence, suspended for four years, Curtis and Fox were sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years. Quinn was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years and Cassidy, who was described as being at the bottom of the ladder, was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for 2 years. The case is the first conviction related to the Encrochat hack in Northern Ireland. Another man has pleaded not guilty to separate charges. The Judge said the information had been transferred to the PSNI via Europol and the UKs National Crime Agency. The handsets were not sold to retail and had a limited function. They cost approximately 500 and were used with unregulated sim cards, which allowed roaming. Another package could cost 1,200, with six months data contact. They had the appearance of a normal phone but users required a password and could use encrypted voice calls or SMS. Barry Fox admitted being involved in cash for cannabis transactions In order to contact other users the sender needed to know the recipients name, and the phones had an ability to wipe date and delete all communications. What was significant during the Encrochat investigation was that the encrypted devices were used by criminals and there was no evidence whatsoever that they were used by innocent people. In June 2020, Encrochat became aware of the hack and issued a warning message to their users. They told all users to power off and dispose of their devices. As a result very few handsets were discovered. Other members of the Kinahan cartel in the prison include the likes of Fat Freddie Thompson, Peadar Keating and David Duffy Paramilitary hard man Gerard Mackin will serve his time rubbing shoulders with the gangland criminals he chose to work for. The Belfast native, who this week pleaded guilty to money-laundering, once had ambitions to head up his own dissident republican organisation. But instead, his breakaway New INLA teamed up with the Kinahan cartel in their brutal feud with the Hutch gang following the Regency shooting in 2016, from which Daniel Kinahan narrowly escaped with his life. Now aged 40, Mackin is locked up in the high-security Portlaoise Prison, but not in the paramilitary wing where dissident republican inmates enjoy a different regime and see themselves as having a higher status. Other members of the Kinahan cartel in the prison include the likes of Fat Freddie Thompson, Peadar Keating and David Duffy, who are serving sentences for their part in gangland murder plots. Gerard Mackin was deemed too unstable to lead INLA Mackins New INLA group were responsible for two killings during the height of the Kinahan-Hutch feud. During that bloody period in 2016 Mackin had been in prison for his part in an extortion attempt in Limerick in which a mans foot was nailed to a floor. The Sunday World were present in 2018 when he emerged from Castlerea Prison after serving his time during which he was said to be a model prisoner despite suspicions of organising drug dealing in the Co. Roscommon lockup. In the two years after his release, he fled Ireland following his arrest in relation to money laundering when he had returned to Limerick. According to sources, he had described himself as Daniel Kinahans personal bodyguard and had gone to stay in both Spain and Dubai. His arrest in Spain in 2022 came just a week after the arrest there of the Cartels senior money-laundering operator, Johnny Morrissey, although the two arrests are not thought to be connected. This week, Mackin pleaded guilty to laundering 4,780, allegedly the proceeds of criminal behaviour, at Rhebogue Road, Limerick, on April, 2019. At the Special Criminal Court, Mackin spoke only to confirm his name and answer guilty when the single charge was put to him by the registrar at the non-jury court on Monday. He had been arrested at Dublin Airport last December after being sent from Spain on a European Arrest Warrant issued on April 7, 2022. His defence lawyer asked that a prison governors report be prepared ahead of his sentencing later this month. His friend Johnny Keogh is serving life for the murder of Gareth Hutch in Dublin in 2016, while another close pal, Eamon Cumberton, is also serving life for the killing of Michael Barr. Until his previous arrest in 2016, Mackin was a senior figure in the New INLA with a strong base in Limerick. He had been in a power struggle for control of the INLA with other leaders, including Declan Wacker Duffy and Red Gar Byrne. But Mackin was considered too volatile to hold such a position, leading Mackin to break away and set up his own group, dubbed the New INLA, which included Keogh and Cumberton. Another notorious criminal from Ballymun was also a close associate of the faction and is now in custody awaiting trial for murder. Mackin was also an associate of another dissident paramilitary Fat Deccie Smith, who was gunned down in Dublin in 2014 as he brought a child to a creche. He previously went on trial when he became the first person found guilty in a Dublin court for a murder in Belfast under the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act of 1976. He was found guilty in the Special Criminal Court of the murder of Continuity IRA member Edward Burns in Belfast. Burns (36) was gunned down in west Belfast in March 2007 on the same night that his friend Joe Jones was bludgeoned to death in an alleyway in north Belfast. Three years later, Mackins conviction was overturned and a re-trial in 2011 collapsed when a witness told a judge: I have been threatened that if I give evidence I will be shot dead. Mackins capacity for violence was also laid bare during his trial in 2018 for the torture of a man in Limerick The victim was put in a chair in the middle of the kitchen and assaulted during which his shoe was removed and foot was nailed to the floor. It was part of an extortion attempt to fill the void left by the demise of the Dundons, it was heard in court. The victim from Rathkeale in County Limerick, told the Special Criminal Court that he thought he was going to be killed by Mackin. Abigail White (24) was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in a UK prison after she stabbed Bradley Lewis (22) through the heart last March. An OnlyFans model who murdered her ex-boyfriend is demanding conjugal visits with her new partner. Self-described fake Barbie Abigail White (24) was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in a UK prison after she stabbed Bradley Lewis (22) through the heart last March. She said she wanted only to scare the father of her three children after he broke up with her but was convicted of murder and handed a jail sentence. White is now calling on the prison service to allow female inmates to have conjugal visits with their partners to fulfil their needs. These visits typically involve prisoners spending a scheduled amount of time in private with a visitor, usually their legal spouse. The visits purpose is usually sexual activity, and they are permitted in several countries, such as the US, Canada, France, and Spain. White told prison magazine Inside Times: It has come to my attention, after recently being sentenced to 18 years, that prisons do not facilitate overnight stays for women prisoners and their partners. They should take into account and consideration our needs, and allow men and women to have overnight stays together. I would like to know what other prisoners think about this, as quite a few girls here agree. White, who has previously boasted about making 50,000 (57,100) a year on adult site OnlyFans, plunged a knife into her partners chest at their home following a row at a pub in Kingswood, South Gloucester on March 26, 2022. She claimed that she only meant to shock and scare him and didnt realise what she had done until it was too late. Jurors at her trial at Bristol Crown Court were played an audio message she had sent to a pal prior to the stabbing. In the recording, she can be heard saying: Obviously, I have no limit when I get angry and obviously he said I need help with that. Because people are generally saying to me - one of you are going to end up dead. I fully believe I am quite capable of killing him if he hurts me again. Or I am going to end up being in prison. In a second recording, the model continued: I don't believe a f**king word that comes out of that f**king boy's mouth. I have to beat the f**king living daylights out of him for him to tell me the truth, and he still don't tell me the truth. He only tells me the truth when he thinks I am going to fucking kill him. Like when I get a knife out. Like when I f**king stab him. I just don't get this kid. White, of Kingswood, got sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 18 years. Any move to remove whip will cut Coalition Dail majority to just one Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan will vote against her own government colleagues next week as the Coalition also faces a fresh no confidence motion over the scrapping of the eviction ban.. Ms Hourigan, writing for The Sunday Independent newspaper, has confirmed she will support a Sinn Fein motion when it comes before the Dail this week to extend the eviction ban into next year. It comes as Labour leader Ivana Bacik says her party will separately table a motion of no confidence in the Government on Wednesday week unless the ban is extended beyond March 31. This move will pile further pressure on the Coalition which is already grappling with a slim Dail majority and will now have to shore up support from nervous backbenchers and Independent TDs who are being contacted by constituents facing eviction. One senior TD predicted ministers will get a land when they return from their St Patricks Day trips this week. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and partner Matt Barrett celebrate Ireland's Grand Slam in Washington DC As pressure mounts, officials in Housing Minister Darragh OBriens department are devising legislation to give tenants first refusal to purchase their rented home if their landlord is selling and an associated state scheme to purchase a tenants home and rent it back to them under a cost-rental backstop. Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen said he is currently dealing with around 20 cases of tenants facing eviction in his constituency. I want to see real action and delivery on purchasing units where tenants in situ are subject to eviction notices to make good on Government promises, he said. This deserves weekly, at least, fortnightly reports to those of us making such submissions ensuring we have the backs of the unfortunate people in such dire circumstances. Ms Hourigan is now facing an uncertain future in the Greens with any decision to remove the whip set to reduce the Coalitions basic Dail majority to just one. Last year she was suspended from the party for six months after voting against the Government on a motion regarding the location of the National Maternity Hospital. Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan. Photo: Mark Condren To achieve stable government, all coalitions require compromise. As someone who has had to vote in ways I have often thought were not sensible, or not in the best interests of my constituents, Im more aware of this than most, Ms Hourigan writes. But coalition niceties dont count for much on the ground in Dublin Central, when all around you families are facing a life on the street. A Green Party source said it is not inevitable Ms Hourigan will face a sanction more severe than a six-month suspension and hinted the party may show leniency. However, any decision over her future, including her chairmanship of the Oireachtas Budgetary Committee which comes with a stipend of nearly 10,000, ultimately hinges on the view of party leader Eamon Ryan who will return from a St Patricks Day trip to China this week. Meanwhile Ms Bacik wrote to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last Thursday asking him to adopt a Labour bill to extend the eviction ban indefinitely until there is a fall in monthly homelessness figures for four successive months. If they dont do that then we are going to, I think, have no choice but to put down a motion of no confidence in Government and its not something we would do lightly in Labour, she said. We havent done it for a long time. But just the groundswell of hardship that this unexpected decision taken by the Government has caused is extraordinary. Ms Hourigan said in backing Sinn Feins motion this week she is upholding Green Party policy to maintain the ban until such time as the Government completes a significant policy intervention in the housing sector. There is still no transparency around how the decision was made or what, if any, measures to mitigate the terrible impacts of the decision were discussed. The proposals, hastily announced, were not detailed, she writes. If anything, the window between lifting the ban on March 31 and delivering detailed proposals to alleviate the consequences of that decision in June (a full three months later) is likely to create a 90-day free-for-all. The Dubliner is best known for playing Rory Brown on the sitcom between 2011 and 2017 but joined the cast of Fair City in 2019, where he has been playing John Bosco Walsh ever since. Actor Rory Cowan has said that he wont be touring with the Mrs Browns Boys cast this summer as he has recently signed an exciting new contract. The Dubliner is best known for playing Rory Brown on the sitcom between 2011 and 2017 but joined the cast of Fair City in 2019, where he has been playing John Bosco Walsh ever since. Taking to Twitter on Sunday afternoon, he announced that he would not be joining Brendan OCarroll and the rest of the Mrs Browns Boys favourites on their UK tour this summer. Rory explained that hes very happy with his role on Fair City and recently signed a contract that will see him remain in the fictional Carrigstown until the end of this year at least. He wrote: Im getting a lot of messages asking if Im going back on tour with Mrs Browns Boys this summer. No Im not. I live in Carrigstown in Fair City on RTE One now. Ive recently signed a contract that will see me living there until the end of 2023 at least. James Larkin Court, where the Browns live is an old memory. But if you see them on their tour, at their meet and greets after each show, tell them I said hello. He then sang Fair Citys praises as he shared a photo of himself posing with the shows iconic Failte go dti An Charraig/Welcome to Carrigstown sign. And I should point out that I love living in Carrigstown and hope to be living there for a long time to come, Rory said. All my neighbours and friends in Fair City are lovely and Im very happy living there. Rory previously spoke about the possibility of returning to Mrs Browns Boys, saying that he would only reprise his role if it didnt clash with his Fair City commitments. If ever I was to go back to Mrs Brown, Id just walk in on Agnes and say, Mammy, Im home, and not say another thing. Now that would be funny! he told the Irish Mirror last year. But right now, I am very happy in Fair City. I couldnt do anything without checking with RTE or Fair City, who I am contracted to. But I never had a row with Brendan and agree with everything he says about our time on the show. Id fully agree with Brendan. Id say never say never. You dont know whats going to happen. Mums to be, grandmothers and mother figures in all capacities (I was a dog mum first!) and thinking of those hoping to become mums and those missing their mums, she said. Rosanna Davison with her twin sons Hugo and Oscar Irish celebrities have been sharing sweet tributes on social media to celebrate Mothers Day today. Model and writer Rosanna Davison shared a post online in which she said her mother Diane de Burgh was everything I aspire to be as a mother. In the picture, Ms Davison and her mother are wearing matching cream knit jumpers and check trousers. Matching 1980s style, Happy Mothers Day to our queen, she said. The most kind, supportive and loving mum and grandmother to Sophia, Hugo and Oscar. We all absolutely adore you. And we simply wouldnt have survived the last few years with three babas at home without your help. Rosanna Davison with her twin sons Hugo and Oscar Ms Davison also wished a happy Mothers Day to mother figures in all capacities. Mums to be, grandmothers and mother figures in all capacities (I was a dog mum first!) and thinking of those hoping to become mums and those missing their mums, she said. Today can be difficult for lots of people for different reasons. Ms Davison has spoken publicly many times about her and her husband Wes Quirkes fertility struggles. The couple welcomed their first daughter Sophia via surrogate three years ago before naturally conceiving twins Oscar and Hugo. Dancing with the Stars Judge Arthur Gourounlian also shared a post in tribute to his mother Maria. Happy Sunday you gorgeous people. Here's to all the INCREDIBLE mamas out there Happy Mother's Day, he said. A huge and special Happy Mother's Day to my idol, my hero to the person who taught me everything. Mr Gourounlian and his husband Brian Dowling welcomed their first child via surrogate last September, a baby girl named Blake. Pippa OConnors husband Brian Ormond also shared a series of pictures online with the couples three children, Ollie, Louis and Billy. To the most loving and caring mom we could ask for - thank you for everything you do for us. In the words of Louis thank you for bringing us to nice places; Ollie thank you mom for all the nice things you buy us; Billymoma-more, he said. We love you so much. OConnor, founder of fashion collection Poco, also shared a message on Instagram for all those grieving their mothers. Pippa's mother Louise Mullen died unexpectedly in 2014 at the age of 61. "Thinking of our mums in heaven, she said. Meanwhile, Vogue Williams wished her gorgeous mama Sandra Wilson a Happy Mothers Day. The Howth native and podcast host said: I may have been a nightmare between the ages of 14-18 but were the best of pals now, love you. The TV presenter has three children with her husband Spencer Matthews: Theodore, Gigi and Otto. GNS Scientists are undecided about the cause of what some concerned Kawerau residents believe is a long "crack" running down the side of Putauaki - previously known as Mount Edgecumbe. The mark appeared on Saturday morning. Following a swarm of earthquakes in the Whakatane region, some locals in Kawerau decided to leave town on Saturday for the remainder of the weekend, not just because of the quakes, but also because they woke to find Putauakis appearance had changed. "Dunno about you fullas but Id get outta Kawerau today until Ruaumoko settles down," says Te Ringahuia Hata to their Facebook page. "We didn't get much sleep last [Friday] night, and we want to be somewhere we can sleep tonight, says a SunLive reader and Kawerau resident who travelled to Tauranga to stay with family on Saturday night. I just find Im on high alert every time theres another quake. GeoNet has recorded more than 332 earthquakes since the early hours of Saturday morning. The first was a magnitude 3.4 tremor at 3.29am on Saturday. It was 3km deep and 25km southwest of Whakatane, near Kawerau. On Saturday, Kawerau residents expressed concern about Putauaki, which rises above the Kawerau landscape, and is about three kilometres east of the town. The mark that has appeared down the side of Putauaki. Photo: Supplied. Some are wondering if there is a landslide imminent due to what they believe appears to be a long line or crack appearing on the side of Putauaki. The dacite volcanic cone is the easternmost vent of the Okataina volcanic centre, within the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Putauaki is not open to the public and a permit is required to access the road and to climb the mountain. SunLive sent photos from Kawerau residents to GNS Science to ask for more information about the observed mark.The scientists replied with two possibilities. Although hard to tell from the photos it does seem like a crack, says a GNS Science spokesperson. The scientists however are thinking there is a more likely cause to the visible mark. We have also been told that a large boulder was dislodged and has rolled a long way down the mountain creating a path along its way, says a GNS Science spokesperson. Which to the naked eye could be perceived as a crack. The mark that has appeared down the side of Putauaki. Photo: Supplied. In case it is a crack in the side of the mountain, the GNS Science Landslide Duty officer has passed on the following safety messages for SunLive readers: Landslides Stay away from existing landslide areas. Stay away from any cliffs, particularly coastal cliffs and around waterways in the regions that have been badly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and/or the earthquake swarm. Further landslides may occur. Landslides can occur without any warning signs. Be aware of the potential for landslides, particularly in the weeks after potential triggering events, such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and previous landslides. If you learn or suspect that a landslide is occurring or is about to occur in your area: Evacuate immediately, away from the potential slide area if it is safe to do so. Getting out of the path of a landslide or debris flow path is your best protection. Some warning signs before landslides occur: Small slips, rock falls, and sinking land, at the bottom of slopes. Sticking doors and window frames, which may mean the land is slowly moving under the house. Gaps where window frames are not fitting properly. Steps, decks, and verandas, moving or tilting away from the rest of the house. New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces. Tilting trees, retaining walls, or fences. Bay of Plenty Our client has plenty of work in the pipeline and as such they are in need of hammerhands for an immediate start.The successful... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz For most of my childhood, I worried about phone calls from my father my best friend because they were so crucial to our relationship, yet very dependent on circumstances that neither of us could control. For the majority of my birthdays, big accomplishments and growing challenges, those phone calls were the way I received my fathers love and support, and they became the bedrock of our relationship. But on many agonizing occasions, those calls did not come through no fault of ours. It was not until I started work with a nonprofit organization called Unchained NY that I realized this is a sad reality for too many boys and girls in our state whose parents are incarcerated. Families across New York deal with the enormous stress of worrying about the physical safety of their incarcerated loved ones and wondering when they will be able to speak to them again. However, many people in New York prisons face the risk of serious harm whenever they try to use the phone. Two major contributors to violence are limited recreation time and an insufficient number of phones in the facilities. In theory, most people are allowed to use the phones for a maximum of 15-30 minutes during recreation time, but the phones are limited and their use is on a first-come-first-served basis. Moreover, gangs often control many of the phones, and prison administrations sometimes leave phones broken for days or weeks at a time. So, in reality, access can be intermittent and highly unpredictable. Interviews from people incarcerated reveal that men frequently spend their entire recreation time waiting in line for a phone that they never get to use. Not only do they miss out on connecting with their loved ones, but they lose the chance to shower, exercise or attend programs that all need to be done at that same designated time. This should not be acceptable because all these things are necessary for the physical and mental well-being of the people inside, which, in turn, is crucial to their ability to be rehabilitated. When I received phone calls from my dad and had the opportunity to update him on what had been going on since we last talked, he always told me how much those calls meant to him as a way to lift him up and keep him going. Anyone who knows my dad knows that his children have always been his biggest motivation. This is the case for many people inside prisons: Their families are at the core of their being. Depriving people of the chance to connect with the ones they love impairs mental health and creates an environment where peoples safety is put at risk. This should not be the case. Inmates are already provided with tablets inside prisons, so they should all be given access to the phone app on that tablet. That way, they can maintain more frequent contact with their loved ones because they will be able to work around the schedules of family members who attend school and work and may not always be available to talk during the normal, limited recreation hours. Moreover, recreation hours can then be used for maintaining hygiene and taking advantage of valuable programs. This simple change will help families across the state and increase opportunities for rehabilitation. No family should have to go through what my father and I did when he was unable to call me. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. As days grow longer, we find ourselves turning towards lighter menu options, which in turn set us thinking about white wine. One of our go-to spots for complex whites that are terrific for drinking on their own but also pair well with a wide range of foods is Alsace, in the northeast corner of France. With about 1,000 producers making wine from several aromatic white varieties, Alsace offers a lot of choice. The cream of the crop from this narrow 75-mile-long region along the Rhine River, just across from Germany, come from 51 grand cru vineyards. Covering hillside sites that offer the best sun exposure and ideal growing conditions, vineyards that were first given official status in 1975 have been home to wine of great renown for hundreds of years. Its proximity to Germany is the reason that so many of the family-owned winery names as well as varieties grown here such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer here have Germanic rather than Gallic origins. Pinot Gris, which is French through and through but is also cultivated in Germany, is at home in Alsace as well. Aromatic whites are those that have notes of floral and spice in their bouquet in addition to stone fruit and citrus flavors. For the most part, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris from here are dry, but even those with higher residual sugar exhibit vivid acidity that keeps them from seeming overly sweet. This brilliant acidity is also one of the reasons that these wines age so well; far from being easy-drinking whites meant to be consumed young, they will last for years if stored properly and bring joy to your palate in years to come. You will note some slightly older vintages among our picks; while these are drinking well now, they still have plenty of life left in them. More from Robb Report Story continues Dry Riesling is terrific with anything breaded and fried, including Wiener schnitzel and fried chicken. Its also terrific with sushi and mixed raw bar. Riesling with a touch of residual sugar works well with foods that combine sweet and spicy elements such as General Tsos chicken or shrimp with sweet chili sauce. Gewurztraminers more floral profile and notes of ginger make it a natural alongside chicken tagine, pork fried rice, or green curries. Although Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio are the same grape, Pinot Gris from Alsace is made in a complex, mineral-driven style. The classic pairing is flammekueche, a local pizza-like flatbread topped with cheese, onion, and bacon, but we also enjoy it with fondue, raclette, or spicy dishes like tandoori chicken or even buffalo wings. These wines are also go nicely with green salads that include cheese and fruit among their ingredients. Here are nine whites from Alsace to help you welcome spring. Domaine Marcel Deiss 2017 Mambourg Grand Cru Alsace Mambourgs reputation dates to 783 AD; during the Middle Ages it belonged to monasteries and vines were tended by monks. This multi-variety field blend of white grapes is fermented and aged in barrels for 12 months and has floral, stone fruit, and baking spice aromas. It is generous in the mouth with amazing roundness and bright acidity and flavors of yellow peach, ripe apricot, and jasmine. An excellent wine to pair with spicy food. Buy Now: $85 Domaine Zind Humbrecht 2020 Hengst Grand Cru Gewurztraminer Translated roughly as stallion in local dialect, the vines of the Hengst are situated on a steep southeast facing slope near the village of Wintzenheim in Alsace. The vines are 69 years old and produce concentrated, flavorful grapes. This wine is pale gold in color with aromas of Bartlett pears, ginger, white peach, and cinnamon. It is soft on entry, with voluptuous body and flavors of citrus blossom, white stone fruits, and dried sage. The winemaker is quick to note that although the wine has 16.5 grams of residual sugar it does not taste sweet; in fact, the sugar contributes to the generous mouthfeel. Drink now or through the next two decades. Buy Now: $59 Trimbach Gewurztraminer Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre 2013 The Trimbach family has been making wine since 1626, spanning 13 generations and almost four centuries. This wine is a tribute to the Lords of Ribeaupierre who ruled over Alsace during the Middle Ages. It has amazing youthfulness for a 10-year-old wine, with aromas of tropical fruits, fresh ginger, ripe summer peach, and rose petal and flavors of nectarine, caramelized pineapple, and honeysuckle. Enjoy now or hold; in our opinion it will continue to improve over the next 10 years. Buy Now: $69 Albert Boxler 2015 Grand Cru Brand Riesling Alsace This luscious wine is made by Jean Boxler using grapes from the renowned Grand Cru Brand vineyard. His grandfather Albert started the estate after World War II and became the first generation of Boxlers to sell the family wine commercially. It is straw colored in the glass with aromas of Fuji apple, Meyer lemon, and white citrus blossoms and has racy acidity with flavors of Anjou pear, lemon zest, and brown baking spices. Drink now or over the course of this decade. Buy Now: $78 Jean Baptiste Adam 2016 Vieilles Vignes Le Riesling Kaefferkopf Alsace Grapes used to produce this enchanting Riesling come from the Kaefferkopf Grand Cru. It has an enticing bouquet of acacia honey, honeysuckle blossom, and caramelized orange peel. There is elegant texture in the midpalate with flavors of yellow peach, dried mango, and guava. The finish is round with a touch of crisp acidity in the post palate. Buy Now: $78 Hugel 2013 Grossi Laue Pinot Gris Alsace This delectable wine is made from 100 percent Pinot Gris grapes grown on the Hugel estate. The harvest started on October 1 and was a classic with healthy, well-balanced grapes. Golden straw colored in the glass this Pinot Gris has aromas of flint, ripe stone fruits, and guava with flavors of tropical fruits, caramelized pineapple, and tarte Tatin. It has bright acidity and full mouth roundness and a persistent finish. Its drinking beautifully right now so enjoy right away or over the next few years. Buy Now: $102 Pierre Sparr 2016 Grand Cru Mambourg Pinot Gris Alsace With 33 grams of residual sugar per liter, this delightful Pinot Gris is considered sweet, but thanks to its bright acidity it tastes very balanced and is not cloying on the palate. Aged in stainless steel tanks for eight to 10 months it has aromas of white flowers, ripe apricot, toasted hazelnut, and canned peaches in the complex bouquet. It is very well structured with good mouthfeel and flavors of nectarine, caramelized orange peel, and beeswax. Domaines Schlumberger 2015 Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris Alsace Pinot Gris grapes for this delicious wine are grown in the town of Schimberg in the Guebwiller Valley. After fermentation and pneumatic pressing the wine is allowed to rest on its lees for just about 7 months. It is golden yellow in color with aromas of almond blossom, Tangerine zest, toasted hazelnut, and a touch of freshly picked anise. In the mouth there are flavors of Fuji apple and candied orange peel with a lingering note of licorice root in the long, long finish. Buy Now: $60 Domaine Weinbach 2019 Clos de Capucins Cuvee Colette Riesling Alsace The estate currently known as Domaine Weinbach has had vines planted since the ninth century and was first established as a winery by Capuchin monks in 1612. Today it is run by Catherine Faller and her two sons Eddy and Theo using biodynamic and organic methods. This exquisite wine is light gold in color with aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine blossoms, anise fronds, and yellow peach. There are flavors of apricot, quince, and nectarine on the midpalate with well-structured minerality and balanced acidity. Drink now or lay down for a decade or so. Buy Now: $57 Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Family, FBI seeking info after US citizen kidnapped from home in Mexico A California family is desperate for news after their mother was kidnapped outside her home in Mexico more than five weeks ago and has not been seen or heard from since. Maria del Carmen Lopez, 63, a dual U.S.-Mexico citizen, was kidnapped in Pueblo Nuevo in the state of Colima on Feb. 9, according to the FBI, which is conducting a joint investigation with law enforcement authorities in Mexico. PHOTO: The family of Maria del Carmen Lopez speaks with ABC Los Angeles station KABC. (KABC) MORE: Texas advises against traveling to Mexico during spring break Her family told ABC Los Angeles station KABC that witnesses described seeing a white van drive onto her property. "There was an exchange of words," her daughter, Zonia Lopez, told KABC in an emotional interview this week. "She was refusing to get into the van." PHOTO: Zonia Lopez, the daughter of Maria del Carmen Lopez, speaks with ABC Los Angeles station KABC. (KABC) Another individual reportedly got out of the vehicle and helped pull the mother of seven into the van and then they drove off, according to her family. The woman's family has been unable to get ahold of her since. "We all started calling her, to see if she would pick up her phone or answer a message, and we have not heard from her," Zonia Lopez told KABC. "At this point, we need answers, we need to find my mother," she told the station. PHOTO: In this poster released by the FBI, Maria Del Carmen Lopez is shown. (FBI) The FBI's Los Angeles Field Office announced this week it is offering up to a $20,000 reward for information leading to her location. The State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to the state of Colima due to "widespread" violent crime and kidnapping. The #FBI is offering a #reward of up to $20K for information that leads to the location of Maria del Carmen Lopez, 63, who was allegedly #kidnapped from a residence in Pueblo Nuevo, Colima, Mexico, on 2/9. Lopez is an American citizen with ties to #SoCal. https://t.co/TbJDuPP7hA FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) March 16, 2023 MORE: 3 women missing for 2 weeks after traveling from Texas to Mexico Story continues The Lopez family -- which said investigators informed them their mother's case may be part of an organized kidnapping -- is not losing hope. "Us knowing how strong she is, and that she's fully thinking of us seven, and if we're bringing out that energy to her and we maintain those thoughts, we know we're going to have our mom," Zonia Lopez told KABC. PHOTO: In this image released by the FBI, Maria Del Carmen Lopez is shown. (FBI) Maria del Carmen Lopez is described as a Hispanic female with blonde hair and brown eyes who is 5'2" and weighs approximately 160 pounds. Anyone with information about her physical location should contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Family, FBI seeking info after US citizen kidnapped from home in Mexico originally appeared on abcnews.go.com More and more AI tools keep on arriving as the tech industry embraces artificial intelligence and other similar innovations. (Photo : Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images) A visitor watches an AI (Artificial Intelligence) sign on an animated screen at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), the telecom industry's biggest annual gathering, in Barcelona. One of the most popular AI models is ChatGPT; a conversational AI that can answer questions, give advice, tell jokes, and do text-based tasks. But, did you know that there are some underrated artificial intelligence tools that are also very helpful? Despite not having the same kind of attention that ChatGPT receives, these underrated AIs can still benefit users. Top 5 Underrated AI Tools You Must Try Medium provided the top five underrated AI tools. Although they are under the radar, they still offer cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions: (Photo : Photo by Andrea Verdelli/Getty Images) Cutting edge applications of Artificial Intelligence are seen on display at the Artificial Intelligence Pavilion of Zhangjiang Future Park during a state organized media tour on June 18, 2021 in Shanghai, China. Also Read: AI-Generated Works May Now Qualify for Copyright Protection Inworld.ai This AI generates realistic AI characters that can be used for games, digital workforces, etc. mealsAI Based on its name, this AI model can provide the best recipes for festive, holiday-ready, and other kinds of dishes. Rokoko Rokoko is an AI tech that focuses on animations. It offers advanced motion capture tools and services that can bring users' characters to life. AlphaResearch AlphaResearch is an AI-powered tool that can extract key information from unstructured texts, filings, earnings call transcripts, etc. ContractReader.io This advanced AI model is designed to help users read, understand, and interact with smart contracts. 2023's Top AI Trends As the AI race goes on, more and more tech firms are expected to develop better artificial intelligence tools. But, if they want to stand out in the tech market, they need to create models that will align with the top AI trends this 2023. Silicon Republic provided some of the top AI trends that tech companies should look out for: AI-generated content will grow in the following years. Natural language processing (NPL) will become the new norm in the next-gen AI models. Collaboration between AI tools is expected to take place in order to beat other competitors. AI models could lead to digital transformation. EU and other nations are expected to conduct stricter AI risk assessments as artificial intelligence models increase in numbers. Other stories we recently wrote about AIs: A new ChatGPT-like AI tool was recently unveiled by Warp. We also reported about Microsoft's AI integration in its Word, Excel, and Outlook emails. For more news updates about artificial intelligence and other similar innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Apple's Answer to ChatGPT Might Not be Another AI Model; Will Updated Siri be Enough? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Two individuals have been prosecuted for their suspected participation in last year's breach of the Drug Enforcement Agency's (DEA) online platform, as revealed by Gizmodo. 2022 DEA Portal Breach The US Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a news statement published earlier this week that Sagar Steven Singh and Nicholas Ceraolo stole the credentials of a police officer in order to get access to a federal law enforcement database, which they then exploited to extort victims. In a report by The Verge, authorities said Singh, 19, and Ceraolo, 25, are members of the hacking gang Vile. They often take personal information from victims before threatening to dox them online if they do not get paid. The DOJ does not specify which agency Singh and Ceraolo allegedly breached. Still, it does note the site in question includes "detailed, nonpublic records of narcotics and currency seizures, as well as law enforcement intelligence reports." This is consistent with a claim from Krebs on Security, suggesting the attack is connected to the DEA. See Also: Italy Reports Thousands of Exposed Computer Servers in a Ransomware Attack Taunting Victims The lawsuit alleges that Singh utilized information obtained from the federal site to threaten his victims, including writing to one individual and threatening to harm their family unless they provided him access credentials to their Instagram accounts. He then intimidated the victim by including his or her social security number, driver's license number, residential address, and other personal information he obtained from a government database. Singh reportedly said to the victim, "Through [the] portal, I can request information on anyone in the US doesn't matter who, nobody is safe. You're gonna comply to me if you don't want anything negative to happen to your parents." Ceraolo, meanwhile, utilized the web to gain the email address of a Bangladeshi police officer. He reportedly posed as the officer and persuaded an unidentified social networking platform to reveal the home address, email address, and phone number of a particular user under the premise that the victim participated in kid extortion and blackmail and threatened the Bangladeshi government. Ceraolo apparently tried to con both a well-known gaming platform and a face recognition firm in the same manner, but both turned down his demands. Several sources have identified Ceraolo as a security researcher, citing his work identifying flaws at telecommunications companies, including T-Mobile, AT&T, and Cox Communications, as noted by Krebs on Security. In May 2022, law enforcement searched Ceraolo's house; in September, they searched Singh's home. Although Singh was arrested in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on Tuesday, Mar. 14, Ceraolo turned himself in immediately after the DOJ published its allegations. The US claims that Ceraolo may spend a maximum of 20 years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to conduct wire fraud and that he and Singh could spend an additional five years in jail for their roles in a conspiracy to commit cyber intrusions. See Also: Hackers Break Into Data Centers of Major Tech Firms, Including Apple, Microsoft 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New research warns that healthy cats and dogs may spread harmful multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) to recently hospitalized owners. Moreover, humans may transmit these pathogens to their pets. The authors of the study stress, however, that the danger of cross-infection remains minimal. According to The Guardian, the research led by Dr. Carolin Hackmann of the Charite Hospital in Berlin evaluated almost 2,800 hospitalized patients and their dogs. The objective was to determine if cats and dogs contribute to the spread of MDROs, microorganisms resistant to many antibiotics. Genetic sequencing is carried out to identify the bacterial species and drug-resistant genes from swabs obtained from hospitalized patients and their pets. 30% of hospitalized patients tested positive for MDROs; 11% of these patients had dogs as pets, and 9% had cats. Almost 300 pet owners provided swab samples from their pets in response to a request for such samples. 15% of dogs and 5% of cats tested positive for at least one MDRO in these samples. In four instances, pets and their owners shared the same bacterial species and antibiotic resistance. Meanwhile, sequencing a dog's and its owner's whole genomes proved that only one pair of bacteria was genetically identical. Dr. Hackmann explains that the risk of cross-contamination between hospitalized patients and their cats and dogs remains low. Nonetheless, carriers can shed bacteria into the environment for months, exposing susceptible persons such as infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems to infection. Read Also: Amid Latest Findings, COVID-19 Origin Investigation Hindered by Chinese Government: Report The expert says that pet owners should exercise and maintain good hygiene to limit the chance of transmission, such as washing their hands after handling their pets and before eating. Similar Studies The antibiotic resistance of E. coli bacteria in pet and stray dogs in La Plata, Argentina, was examined in 2021 research. The researchers gathered stool samples from 50 dogs with owners and 50 stray dogs, testing the samples on antibiotic-containing and antibiotic-free plates. They discovered that samples from stray dogs included more antibiotic-resistant strains than those from dogs with owners. Concerningly, they found that several of these strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The study implies that close interaction between humans and dogs can spread antibiotic-resistant pathogens, a significant public health risk. The Threat of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria The World Health Organization advises that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global public health. WHO explains that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) arises when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites acquire resistance to antimicrobial treatments, rendering them ineffective in treating illnesses. According to the WHO, the emergence of AMR has made treating infections increasingly challenging and poses a substantial danger to disease control and prevention. Bacterial infections claimed around 1.27 million lives globally in 2019 owing to drug resistance. One of the primary causes of AMR is the overuse and abuse of antimicrobial drugs, which are often supplied needlessly. Furthermore, a lack of funding for developing new antimicrobial drugs has exacerbated the situation. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: CDC Issues Alert: Stop Using Artificial Tears Eye Drops Due to Drug-Resistant Bacteria Outbreaks 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) The silhouette of US engineer and NASA astronaut Megan McArthur is seen past the NASA logo in the Webb Auditorium at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC, on June 7, 2022. NASA plans to explore the far side of the moon. This was confirmed after the independent space organization chose a new commercial partner for the lunar mission. Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration confirmed that it selected Firefly Aerospace as its new partner to explore the far side of the moon. This new partnership will allow NASA to use the American private aerospace company's lander called Blue Ghost. NASA to Explore Far Side of Moon Using Blue Ghost According to Digital Trends' latest report, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost will help NASA deliver payloads to the moon. (Photo : Photo by Getty Images) The boy touch to model of moon during Explore CASCI(China Aerospace Science and Cultural Innovation) ART Exhibition on October 2, 2022 in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. China is celebrating its 73nd National Day and a week-long holiday known as the "Golden Week". Also Read: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Eyes an Extremely Small Galaxy with Red Gas Bubbles Among these payloads is a radio observation mission, which will land on the far side of the moon. Once this radio is in its targeted location, it will minimize the radio noise coming from the Earth. This can create a natural radio quiet zone, which can help the LuSEE-Night telescope (Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night) to detect weak radio signals emitted by the cosmic dark ages; an early period of the universe. "This lunar landing should enable new scientific discoveries from the far side of the Moon during the lunar night," said NASA Science Mission Directorate Deputy Associate Administrator Joel Kearns. He added that the payloads of Blue Ghost are expected to act as pathfinders for future observations. Blue Ghost's Payloads NASA's official blog post explained the specific details of the payloads that the Blue Ghost lander will carry to the far side of the moon. There will be a total of three payloads: Lunar Pathfinder: A communications and data relay satellite that will provide communication services to lunar missions. User Terminal: This payload will institute a new standard for S-Band Proximity-1 space communication protocol and establish space heritage. Lunar Surface Electromagnetics Experiment-Night: A pathfinder to understand the Moon's radio environment and to potentially take a first look at a previously unobserved era in our cosmic history. If you want to learn more details about the new collaboration between NASA and Firefly Aerospace, you can click this link. In other news, a NASA rocket team will try to find giant hurricane-like swirls. We also reported on NASA's investments in 3D printing and quantum technologies. For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming space missions, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Sees a 'Flood of Stars' in Intense Gravitational Attraction 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images) The Audi logo is seen as a worker polishes an Audi Q8 55 e-tron quattro car on the sidelines of the annual press conference of German car giant Volkswagen (VW) to present the business report, on March 14, 2023 in Berlin. The new compact Audi EV is expected to replace the Audi A3; the company's upscale small sedan. Audi is among the automakers that started their EV transition early. The German automotive manufacturer began working on its electric vehicle strategy in 2013. The first EV lineup of Audi is its e-Tron SUV. Now, it seems like Audi wants to make an electric car version of its A3 sedan. To give you more idea about this new EV model, here are the things you need to know about the upcoming Audi hatchback EV. New Compact Audi EV to Replace Audi A3? According to The Drive's latest report, the new compact Audi EV is expected to arrive around 2027. (Photo : Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) A sign marks the location of a Audi dealership on September 22, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has accused Volkswagen, the maker of Audi automobiles, of installing software on nearly 500,000 diesel cars in the U.S. to evade federal emission regulations. Also Read: Electric Vehicles Are Taking Over the US-Here's a Look at the Numbers As of writing, the exact name of this electric car is not yet confirmed by the German automaker. However, Audi Chief Technology Officer Oliver Hoffman said that the new EV model would still carry the A3 brand, which will be combined with the e-tron. Based on the details he provided, there's a chance that the new Audi EV will be called "A3 e-Tron." When it comes to changes, the new compact EV will be quite different from Audi's existing EV models. As of press time, the carmaker uses Volkswagen Group's MEB and J1 platforms for its e-tron GT and Q4 e-tron. But, rumors claimed that the Audi A3 replacement will rely on the SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) chassis of VW. If this is true, then the new hatchback EV will have a major advantage over other Audi EVs since SSP is a big step up from the MEB. New Audi EV's Other Details Autocar UK stated that since the new Audi EV will use the SSP electric structure, it could have a 400-mile range. Aside from this, this electric car might also abandon the front-wheel drive tech of Audi. However, this adjustment is only expected to happen on the standard versions. These are just some of the leaked details about the new Audi EV. If you want to learn more, you can click this link. Other stories we recently wrote about EVs: A new Volkswagen ID.2all EV pricing was recently confirmed. New Baidu robotaxis, which are fully autonomous, were previously deployed in Beijing. For more news updates about the new Audi EV and other next-gen electric cars, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: BMW's New Panoramic Vision Display for EVs Will Give Drivers All the Information They Need 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) A man is tested for COVID-19 at a free testing site in Farragut Square in downtown on January 10, 2022 in Washington, DC. According to a recent letter from the D.C. Hospital Association (DCHA) to the city's government, the strain on the District's health care system is greater now than at any time since the pandemic began. COVID-19 psychosis, a post-COVID mental health issue, is actually a real thing and many people are actually experiencing this in the form of anxiety, depression, and severe disorganization. One of them is Hadyne Wilson, a resident of Chatsworth in Los Angeles, California. The 23-year-old woman went missing after she left her workplace at this Vons in Chatsworth on September 29, 2022. "I could not find my way back. I literally cannot find my way back home," she said. Her doctors said that she was not herself because she suffers from the rare COVID-19 psychosis. COVID-19 Psychosis: Should You Worry About It? According to ABC 7's latest report, Wilson has no mental health issues based on her history. (Photo : Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images) A model of COVID-19, known as coronavirus, is seen ahead of testimony from Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), during a US Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the plan to research, manufacture and distribute a coronavirus vaccine, known as Operation Warp Speed, July 2, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Also Read: COVID-19 Face Masks are Inefficient, Claims New Study-Are CDC's Claims Exaggerated? But, since the woman disappeared after she was hospitalized with COVID-19, health experts concluded that she has COVID-19 psychosis. Neurologist Dr. Joey Gee explained that patients with COVID-19 psychosis could experience delusions, as well as have irregular thought patterns. Dr. Gee said that he is seeing an increase in COVID-19 psychosis patients. "Maybe they were in a hospital for a prolonged amount of time. And developed a level of anxiety or even what we call delirium," he added. Now, should you worry about COVID-19 psychosis? Is COVID-19 Psychosis a worrisome condition? As of press time, health experts are still confused about what really causes COVID-19 psychosis. But, a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine journal claimed that COVID-19 psychosis could be caused by brain inflammation. Although this is the case, Dr. Wilson said that this mental health condition can still be cured. He stated that they are seeing high success in recovery, rehabilitation, and improvement among COVID-19 psychosis cases. In other news, experts warned about the worsening COVID-19 misinformation and deceptive claims spreading on the internet. We also reported on the discovery of a new protein in the lungs, which is believed to boost COVID-19 immunity. For more news updates about COVID-19 and other health topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: New COVID-19 Origin? Data Says Raccoon Dogs at Wuhan Market May Have Caused the Pandemic 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo illustration by NASA via Getty Images) In this concept illustration provided by NASA, NASA's Perseverance (Mars 2020) rover uses its drill to core a rock sample and will store them in sealed tubes on the planet's surface for future missions to retrieve in the area known as Jezero crater on the planet Mars. NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) missions are expected to negatively affect other space activities. Recently, the international space agency released its 2024 budget proposal. NASA's FY2024 budget request is not something to take lightly since it is a record-breaking $8.26 billion, as reported by Space Policy Online. The majority of this billion-dollar budget will go to the NASA-ESA MSR missions. Now, experts believe that MSR missions could create issues in other space activities. NASA's MSR Could Negatively Affect Other Space Missions According to SpaceNews' latest report, NASA's MSR missions growing costs can lead to major problems in other planetary science and heliophysics endeavors. (Photo : Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) The NASA InSight spacecraft launches onboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas-V rocket on May 5, 2018, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. - NASA on May 5 launched its latest Mars lander, called InSight, designed to perch on the surface and listen for "Marsquakes" ahead of eventual human missions to explore the Red Planet. Also Read: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Snaps 'Beautiful Cosmic Death' of Rare Star The FY2024 budget proposal shows that NASA needs $949.3 million for Mars Sample Return activities alone. This is a major increase since the NASA FY2023 budget request only asks for $653.2 million for its MSR missions. "The budget supports increased requirements in [fiscal year] 2024 to ensure the project continues to make progress," said NASA via its official FY2024 budget proposal. NASA also warned that the costs for its MSR missions will further increase in the following years. How NASA Plans to Fix It NASA said that it will address the budget challenge by reducing funding for other space missions. The space organization added that it considers decreasing the budget for other elements of its Mars Sample Return activities. Based on these two solutions, other space endeavors will still be affected by the rising MSR costs. This was already seen when the VERITAS Venus mission was delayed in 2022. Because of this, VERITAS' future is now in jeopardy. If you want to learn more about the delayed VERITAS mission, you can click here. Other stories we recently wrote about NASA's missions: The most advanced NASA radar system is expected to reach space soon. Previously, NASA's investments in 3D printing and quantum technologies were confirmed. For more news updates about NASA, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Exploring the Far Side of the Moon: What We Know About Blue Ghost, Firefly Aerospace's Lander 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Customs officials in China apprehended a guy who was attempting to smuggle 84 Kingston solid-state drives (SSDs) over the border in the chassis of his electric scooter. Wccftech reports that on Friday, March 3, 2023, officials scanned the man's Yadea KS series scooter and discovered an interior bundle of SSDs at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Cross-Border Industrial Zone. Man Conceals 84 SSDs in Electric Scooter As seen in a surveillance video provided by Chinese customs, the man entered the checkpoint nonchalantly, pushing the scooter, to which one officer then pointed out that he should run the scooter through the scanner. The man had stashed the drives in the scooter's axle, wrapped in a way that customs inspectors would not detect. Nevertheless, during the scanning procedure, an unexpected object was identified inside the scooter's front bumper, prompting customs to remove the front area of the vehicle to expose the concealed SSDs. The man was later detained and is going to be investigated for violating smuggling laws. Wccftech highlights in the report that anybody trying to evade customs by concealing, disguising, or hiding goods when crossing the border, failing to report them, or paying the proper taxes, can be prosecuted as a criminal under Chinese law. The specifications of the confiscated SSDs were not stated in the report by Chinese customs. Read Also: AI-Generated Works May Now Qualify for Copyright Protection This is not the only case of attempted smuggling that Chinese customs have reported. Tom's Hardware reports that in March 2022, a man was captured trying to sneak 160 Intel CPUs across the border by taping them to his body. In December 2022, officials discovered a woman harboring 202 Intel Processors and nine iPhones under a fake belly contraption. A chip shortage in China? PCGamesN reported in 2021 that a shortage of graphics cards, RAM, and SSD in China had prompted several organizations and individuals to establish smuggling networks in the region. In the report, PCGamesN said Hong Kong officials captured a speedboat carrying 300 of Nvidia's newest CMP mining-dedicated graphics cards and RAM, SSDs, and cellphones. The Nvidia 30HX GPUs are individually worth $700, for a total value of roughly $210,000. As the US and its allies maintain their semiconductor curbs against China, the scooter smuggling incident may not be the last. How Conveyor Belt Scanners Work How do security scanners work? As you place an object on the conveyor belt, it is carried through an X-ray beam, and a detector on the opposite side of the tunnel detects the quantity of radiation that has penetrated the scanned item. Most airport and terminal security systems employ the same technology. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some screening equipment employs ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has such high levels of energy that it may knock electrons from atoms, a process known as ionization. Passengers and luggage are screened using ionizing radiation at airports. Depending on the type of machine, ionizing radiation is used to identify items that travelers may have concealed and to make images of the contents of baggage. Related Article: 2 Americans Arrested, Charged With DEA Portal Hack in 2022 Stay posted here at Tech Times. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images) Pilots from the US Marines fly a C-130 transport aircraft as part of the NATO Trident Juncture 2018 exercise departing from Orland Air Base near Brekstad, Norway, October 31, 2018. Pentagon's new study revealed that U.S. military pilots with cancer are increasing. Aside from this, the research also claims that cancer rates among ground crew members are also rising. The U.S. defense agency studied almost 900,000 pilots and ground crews who worked on military aircraft between 1992 and 2017. Based on their findings, the overall cancer rate among air and ground service members is 24% higher. Pentagon Claims US Military Pilot Cancer Patients are Increasing According to CTV News CA's latest report, air crew members had a 39% higher rate of thyroid cancer and an 87% higher rate of melanoma. (Photo : Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) The pilot of a US Navy Super Hornet is seen taxing his aircraft along the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan on July 14, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. USS Ronald Reagan is a 1,092- foot aircraft carrier which carries a crew of 4,539 around 60 aircraft. Exercise Talisman Sabre is the largest combined military exercise undertaken in Australia. Also Read: New Fighter Jet Development Deal Discussed by Japan, Italy, UK Ministers-Here's Their Plan Men aircrew members had a 16% higher rate of prostate cancer and women had a 16% higher rate of breast cancer. Aside from pilots and other aircrew members, Pentagon also released the new cancer rates among ground crew members: 19% higher rate of brain and nervous system cancers. 7% higher rate of breast cancer in women. 15% higher rate of thyroid cancer. 9% higher rate of kidney or renal cancer. This new health study of the Pentagon is a big deal since it is one of the largest and most comprehensive research conducted by the defense organization. The next step for Pentagon is to conduct a bigger study to understand why the cancer rates of air and ground crew members are getting higher. What Pentagon's Study Matters Before Pentagon's health study was released, many personnel already speculated that being exposed to jet fuels and solvents could increase the risk of cancer among aviation service members. If being a pilot or other aircrew and ground member is linked to having cancer, then there's a chance that applicants will be discouraged from applying to the U.S. military as aviation service members. However, Pentagon clarified that aircrew and ground crew occupations are not the main cause of cancers. The agency added that other factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and family histories, also play a major role in the increasing cancer rates. In other news, the UN said that 2.5 tons of uranium went missing from an uncontrolled site in Libya. We also reported about the new suicide prevention techs that won VA's Mission Daybreak competition. For more news updates about the U.S. military, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Pentagon Releases Footage of Russian Aircraft Pouring Fuel on Air Force Drone 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Azernews On March 19, Azerbaijani Defense Minister Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov, and the leadership of the ministry visited the Main Clinical Hospital under the Defense Ministry on the Novruz holiday, Azernews reports, citing the press release of the MoD. First, the military top brass paid homage to a monument of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the memory of the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Col-Gen Zakir Hasanov met with the servicemen, who were wounded in the March 5 provocation committed by illegal Armenian formations on the Khankandi-Khalfali-Turshsu dirt road, and other servicemen, undergoing treatment in the hospital. The minister enquired about their health, the rehabilitation process, and wished them a speedy recovery and return to their places of service. Conveying congratulations of the Azerbaijani President, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev on the Novruz holiday to the military and medical personnel, the Minister of Defense presented holiday gifts. Speaking about the accomplishments achieved in all spheres due to the successful policy of the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliyev, and the activities of the First Vice-President, Mehriban Aliyeva, the Minister emphasized the achievements in the field of military medicine. The Defense Minister also met with the military medical personnel and other employees of the hospital sent to the fraternal country in accordance with the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to provide medical aid to the injured in the earthquake in Turkiye, and thanked them for their high professionalism. The staff of the hospital and the treated servicemen expressed their deep gratitude to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the conditions created here, as well as for comprehensive care. Colonel General Z. Hasanov congratulated the medical staff on the occasion of the upcoming holiday and gave tasks regarding the better organization and improvement of the service provided to servicemen undergoing treatment. Trained volunteers at community organizations can walk people with modest incomes and a simple tax situation through the process of filing their taxes free of charge. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press - image credit) With tax season in full swing, volunteers across the Greater Toronto Area are available to help people with low or modest incomes file their income tax and benefit returns, potentially earning them money they could be entitled to. During March and April, dozens of tax clinics across the region are offering filing services free of charge through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. The clinics are being held at various libraries, community organizations, seniors' centres, shelters, churches and political offices, with walk-in, drop-off, by appointment or virtual options available. In 2021, 160,860 people filed returns this way in Ontario, with help from trained volunteers at 1,240 organizations across the province, according to the Canada Revenue Agency. "This has really been a great help to our communities," said Jyothi Venkatesh, who helps run the free tax clinic at North York Community House in northwest Toronto. "We've been able to reach so many people who are low income, who are newcomers to Canada, [who] might have any kind of immigration status such as refugees or refugee claimants, or [permanent residency]." Venkatesh said her organization helped more than 1,600 people file their taxes last year. After making an appointment, those looking for help can attend the clinic in-person or virtually with their relevant documents, and can usually file in one sitting, she said. "One of the biggest benefits of filing tax returns is that you start getting government benefits," said Venkatesh. "So for a person in need, these government benefits, such as the GST credit or the Ontario Trillium Benefit, these are very, very helpful." Benefits being left on the table Around 10 to 12 per cent of Canadians don't file their taxes each year, most of whom are missing out on government benefits as a result. That's according to a 2020 paper published in the journal, Canadian Public Policy. Story continues Jagdeep Kailey, who supervises the tax clinic at the Peel Multicultural Council in Mississauga, said beyond being necessary to qualify for government benefits, such as the Canada Child Benefit, filing taxes can also open the door to additional financial aid. "If you have to seek any financial assistance from a financial institution or something, they want to see what is your level of income, whatever little that is," he said. One of the biggest benefits of filing tax returns is that you start getting government benefits. For a person in need ... these are very helpful. - Jyothi Venkatesh, North York Community House Eligibility for help from a free tax clinic is based on annual income. The maximum eligible income is $35,000 per year, with the threshold increasing for each additional member of a household. However, adjustments can be made based on local economic factors, according to CRA. Tax filers must also have a "simple tax situation," meaning they don't earn income from self-employment, business, rental, interest, capital gains or foreign sources. They also can't have declared bankruptcy during the tax year. Vijaya Kula, founder of the Frontline Community Centre in Scarborough, said the tax clinic her organization runs helps low income people avoid paying fees to private accountants they can't necessarily afford. "Other places are quite expensive for the people to get it done, so that's why we do the services," said Kula. Shutterstock/kitzcorner Tax services at Frontline are offered in many languages, Kula said, including Tamil, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Persian and more. "It's very sensitive in terms of their income and the benefits," Kula said. "So people want to go to their trusted place where they can speak their language and they're comfortable." For a full list of free tax clinics in you area, visit the Canada Revenue Agency's website. Other free tax help is available Free help isn't just available for people with low or modest incomes. Public libraries in Toronto and Mississauga are offering free workshops for people looking for information about how to file their taxes. Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press In addition to tax clinics, the Mississauga Library is offering topical workshops for first-time tax filers, anyone who needs a refresher, retirees, newcomers and young people. For a full schedule, visit the library's website. A full list of upcoming tax and finance-related events at Toronto Public Library locations, including a "facilitated self-filing tax workshop," is available here. The deadline to file tax returns this year is April 30. For households where at least one of the earners is self-employed, the deadline is June 15. Gina Ortiz Jones is the first openly lesbian woman to serve as under secretary of any U.S. military branch. Gina Ortiz Jones is the first openly lesbian woman to serve as under secretary of any U.S. military branch. Most people probably dont know who the under secretary of the Air Force is. Thats true even for some people within the department. But from the moment she was confirmed to the post in July 2021, Gina Ortiz Jones stood out. For starters, Jones looked different. She is the first woman of color to hold this job (she is Filipina American), and the first openly lesbian woman to serve as under secretary of any U.S. military branch. Beyond that, the story of her rise to the top sounds like the inspiration for a movie. When Jones joined the Air Force in 2003, she had to hide that she was a lesbian because of the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy, which barred openly LGBTQ people from serving. She deployed to Iraq and served as an intelligence officer, all the while hiding who she was and feeling that her leaders werent as invested in her success. Twenty years later, that policy is gone and Jones became the departments second-highest ranked civilian leader, overseeing its $173 billion budget and responsible for making sure that roughly 700,000 military personnel and their families feel the Air Force is invested in their success. Amid those two decades, Jones ran for Congress in Texas twice and nearly won in a race so close that The Associated Press initially called it for her. Jones stepped down as under secretary this month. In a recent interview at the Pentagon, she said it seemed like a natural time to go, and that shes ready for a break after working 12- to 14-hour days on really meaty, meaty issues. She hinted at a couple of job prospects, but was vague about what they might be. It will always be related to public service, Jones, 42, said of her next step. A year and a half isnt a long time to make a difference at an entity as massive and bureaucratic as the Pentagon. But being the under secretary is at least partly what you want to make of it. And Jones, who is still very much shaped by her experience serving under dont ask, dont tell and feeling overlooked by leadership, came into the job knowing precisely what she wanted to accomplish. She pushed through some of the most significant diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Defense Department, and did so by espousing a pretty simple idea: Its crucial for military recruitment, retention and readiness. Story continues Jones meets with personnel at the Air Force's 88th Air Base Wing in Ohio in January. Jones meets with personnel at the Air Force's 88th Air Base Wing in Ohio in January. I dont know if anybody would be super surprised that the first lesbian and the first woman of color to serve as an under secretary of any military department would ... tackle some of these things, Jones said. When you have firsthand experience with these things and the data is so clear about where you need to do work, of course were going to tackle those things. Of course its probably going to be a little bit messy, she added, but we need the best Department of the Air Force for the country. In some cases, Jones used her authority to simply clarify existing policies to make sure that personnel and their families knew about them and how they could benefit from them. Amid the recent wave of anti-LGBTQ state laws targeting children, Jones last year directed the Air Force to clarify to its hundreds of thousands of personnel and families that it will provide them with any medical or legal help if they are personally affected by these laws. And if service members feel they need to leave those states entirely, for the sake of their childs mental or physical health, the Air Force will help them do that, too. The health, care and resilience of our [Air Force] personnel and their families is not just our top priority its essential to our ability to accomplish the mission, Jones said at the time. The Air Force is the only branch of the U.S. military that did this. When Jones learned in the fall of 2021 that the Thai Royal Air Force didnt let women attend its prestigious Air Command and Staff College, a mid-career professional military school, she worked with the defense secretarys office to engage with Thai military officials to change the policy. They eventually agreed to accept a U.S. female officer in the fall of 2022, which opened the door to five female Thai officers being accepted for the first time, too. Jones said that situation wasnt just about making sure female officers could compete for spots at military schools along with men. It was about the United States knowing it has influence in the region, and using that influence with allies to bring about meaningful change. You know who would never do anything like that? The Peoples Republic of China, she said. So yes, this is about equity. But its also about the power of our example. And we should never underestimate that. And we should ask because of the strength of that voice. This is about equity. But its also about the power of our example. And we should never underestimate that.Gina Ortiz Jones, former under secretary of the Air Force Jones pushed to change the department policy that governed when female pilots could fly while pregnant. Now, instead of some being barred from flying at all, female pilots can voluntarily request to fly during pregnancy as long as they apply for a waiver. They dont even need a waiver during the second trimester of pregnancy when flying a bigger, non-ejection seat plane, as long as its an uncomplicated pregnancy. All pregnant aircrew members can apply for a waiver regardless of trimester and type of plane, too. The effect of this change is that female pilots can decide for themselves whether they want to keep flying, and continue logging hours so they dont fall behind in advancing their careers, which was happening regularly. Previously, women flying small, ejection-seat aircraft think fighters and bombers were barred from flying these planes at all if they were pregnant. But its precisely these kinds of planes that disproportionately produce Air Force generals. In other words, this policy change is likely to have a major impact on the likelihood of women being considered for general officers. Jones said it took months of reviews to change this policy, which made such a splash that it was celebrated by news outlets ranging from People magazine to Fox News. What was key here, said Jones, is that the process that female pilots previously had to go through was opaque, and based on next to no data about the safety risks of flying while pregnant. Now, more women can fly and not have to choose between their careers and starting a family. What Jones wouldnt say, though it was clear from her evasiveness after being asked the question five times, was that she met significant resistance to updating this policy. It took a real push to get that one to change, was all she finally said. Air Force Major Lauren Olme and her husband, also an Air Force pilot, sit in the cockpit of a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20. Olme can continue flying after getting approved under the Air Forces new guidance that allows female pilots to voluntarily request to fly during pregnancy -- meaning female pilots no longer have to choose between advancing their career and having a family. Air Force Major Lauren Olme and her husband, also an Air Force pilot, sit in the cockpit of a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 20. Olme can continue flying after getting approved under the Air Forces new guidance that allows female pilots to voluntarily request to fly during pregnancy -- meaning female pilots no longer have to choose between advancing their career and having a family. Jones also pressed the Air Force to look at its data on personnel in different ways, namely so it wasnt overlooking certain people. When the department issued a 2021 racial and gender disparity report, Jones directed the creation of an addendum because the report looked at race and gender separately without assessing how the two intersected. Once completed, the addendum showed, not surprisingly, how disparities were even worse for people of color. The addendum revealed, for example, that women of color arent advancing at nearly the same rates as white women. Without looking specifically at the intersection of race and gender, the data made it seem as if women generally were making gains in promotions, enlisted leadership and military education designations. The addendum also revealed that Asian American and Pacific Islander men have the lowest promotion rates of any demographic. In another case, Jones commissioned a study in response to anecdotes shed heard about female general officers having more complaints filed against them with the Air Force inspector general than their male counterparts. The study found that while female general officers did have disproportionately more IG complaints filed against them, these complaints were substantiated at a much lower rate than those involving their male colleagues. Weve seen this across all military services, said Katherine Kuzminski, a senior fellow and director of the military, veterans and society program at the Center for a New American Security. She conducted the study for Jones. When a woman is relieved of command or faces consequences for toxic leadership, it becomes a real news story, she said. The reality is men are relieved for those reasons more frequently, but its not as much of a news story. Kuzminski, who has been doing research on military personnel for 12 years, said while there have long been anecdotes about women in the military being bad leaders, whats been missing is someone willing to look at actual data to see if theres any validity to such claims. But the first time Gina heard it, she said, Lets get to the root of it and take a look at what the data say, she said. Is there an issue? And if yes, what do we do to improve the situation? The point of a study like the one Jones commissioned isnt so much about fixing perceptions of women, Kuzminski said, but about showing Air Force leadership what opportunities it has to expand the scope of how people think about leadership skills and potential. This final report and its recommendations are currently being reviewed before being implemented. Not to be on the nose about it, but this is why having a diverse set of background experiences and perspectives is important in the policymaking community, she added. What Gina was great at was being able to translate the necessity for diversity, equality and inclusion into building the military force that A, represents the country, and B, is more lethal than one where we were only selecting from this subset. Jones, at right, visits the integrated response center at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska in January. It's one of seven bases chosen for a pilot program that creates a hub of support services for survivors of interpersonal violence. Jones, at right, visits the integrated response center at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska in January. It's one of seven bases chosen for a pilot program that creates a hub of support services for survivors of interpersonal violence. Jones led the Air Force in addressing some of its uglier realities, too. Domestic violence is a huge problem in the military; Air Force leadership gets twice as many reports on domestic abuse every year as it does on sexual assault. Jones came across the case of Kata Ranta, a domestic violence survivor whose abusive ex-husband was an airman. Nearly 10 years ago, he tried to kill her he shot her twice, in front of their 4-year-old son and is now in prison. Ranta was eligible for transitional compensation, an Air Force resource that provides money and health care for 36 months to help a victim of domestic violence transition through the trauma of the situation. Except Ranta never got it. When I said, Hey, we need to get this for her and help her apply for it, folks were like, Well, it was so many years ago, if we do this, we may open up the floodgates, Jones said. She was stunned. Im like, Well? Then open up the damn floodgates. Ranta ended up getting her benefits but it took eight months, and likely only happened because the under secretary made it a priority. The ordeal had a real effect on Jones. She directed staff to raise awareness of transitional compensation to military families. She also directed the creation of a six-month pilot program at seven Air Force bases that set up a hub of services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The goal was to see if co-locating these services would decrease retraumatization for victims and raise awareness of the problem. Jones tapped someone to serve as an adviser on the pilot and on follow-up efforts after it was over, too: Ranta. The family members of abusive active-duty members kind of get lost in the whole military machine, Ranta told HuffPost. In my case, [Air Force leaders] were definitely more concerned about my abuser than they were about me and my son. It just is unfortunate that it took something so extreme for people to jump into action to make things right. But that it happened at all, Im grateful for, she added, referring to finally getting some help from the Air Force. Its a story of women helping women. Air Force Major Jessica Padoemthontaweekij poses with five Thai students at the Air Command and Staff College. They are the first women ever admitted to the prestigious military school in Thailand. Air Force Major Jessica Padoemthontaweekij poses with five Thai students at the Air Command and Staff College. They are the first women ever admitted to the prestigious military school in Thailand. For all the work that Jones put into making diversity and equity a priority within the Air Force, she said she never became a target of right-wing lawmakers or news outlets eager to accuse the Biden administration of pushing woke policies that reduce people to identity politics. To the contrary, Fox News glorified Jones change affecting pregnant female pilots. Its hard to say what the lasting effects will be of Jones efforts. Its not because she just left, but because every presidential administration brings in a new team of people with their own ideas about the right policies to push. Jones isnt worried about it. She put in the time to gather data on most of everything she did, and crafted policies based on what the data found. Besides, as former President Barack Obama used to say about Republicans failed efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, its a lot easier to give someone a benefit than it is to take it away. Part of the key to that will be the people who are impacted by these things, how loud of a voice they raise, Jones said. Good luck to the person that wants to now tell pregnant women, Oh actually, were going back to the old policy where you couldnt even apply to keep flying when you were pregnant. Need help? 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At this Februarys ITEXPO 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I had the opportunity to take in a session from T-Mobiles (News - Alert) Director of Product Management Annette Williams. There, she expertly detailed the impacts of 5G. 5G enables flexibility, Williams told the sessions audience, and T-Mobiles 5G enables agile business partners to grow together. Soon thereafter, T-Mobile demonstrated precisely how its walking this talk: T-Mobile is officially working with AWS. Why? To pair T-Mobiles 5G Advanced Network Solutions (News - Alert) portfolio with AWS cloud-based services and its scalable, pre-integrated applications. Together, the two companies are assuring customers that more easily discovering and deploying 5G edge compute is well within their grasp. Thats the long story short of it, really. With this news, T-Mobile has established itself as the first U.S. wireless provider to work closely with AWS on delivering customizable 5G edge compute offerings. But make no mistake, this is a win-win for both T-Mobile and AWS. Again, why? Because both require substantial connectivity and compute power to unlock these capabilities. (Not to mention going in jointly on costs.) Additionally, this announcement carries weight for individuals and enterprises alike that may feel underwhelmed by 5Gs private network adoption rates thus far. Via this joining of forces, current AWS customers on the prowl for AWS services can use the Integrated Private Wireless (IPW) on the AWS portal to explore customized solutions. (i.e. browsing by industry, by use case, etc.) Then, they can choose T-Mobile as their 5G provider and T-Mobile will be able to work with them on setting up 5G public, hybrid, or private networking thats already integrated with AWSs edge infrastructure. T-Mobile and AWS have come together to do what industry-leading companies do best, said Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. We make things easier for customers with a combination of connectivity and compute that fits into their current infrastructure. Our flexible 5G network deployment options and AWSs cloud compute capabilities, we can quickly provide customers a right-sized solution to make their applications new and existing perform like never before. Adolfo Hernandez (News - Alert), Vice President, Telco Industry at AWS, is very much on the same page as Field. AWS and T-Mobile share many common desires, one being to work backwards from customer feedback to deliver true innovation, Hernandez said. One of the biggest challenges in galvanizing industries and revenue for 5G services has been the real lack of flexible 5G solutions that meet customers needs. With T-Mobile's innovative suite of 5G Advanced Network Solutions and our Integrated Private Wireless program, we have the power to meet customers where they are. In closing, this relationship is set to reap benefits galore for those seeking advanced network or compute solutions. More information can be found here. Parties interested can also click here for more about AWSs IPW. And for another helping of related news, Southwest recently chose to partner with AWS to enhance customer experiences, as well. Many household names are syncing up with AWS, it seems. More are sure to follow.Edited by Greg Tavarez It was the early 1990s when then 12-year-old Damion Frey first went fishing. He got the idea when he was outside of his home in the St. Bernard Projects and saw his neighbor, Charlie Brown, riding his bike to New Orleans' City Park with his fishing equipment in tow. Brown took Frey and his little brother, Henry Barthe, out on the water to fish that day. Since then, Frey said, hes been hooked on the sport. Learning to fish, Frey, now 45, said, kept other friends, Barthe and him off the violent New Orleans streets. He took us under his wing, and I thank the Lord for that, Frey said about Brown, now 73. I didnt want to be in trouble. I wanted to go fishing. In 2014, Frey became the founder of his own youth outreach organization Its My Mission 2 Hook Kids on Fishing, which he established to give back to kids what he said Brown gave to him. Their life can depend on it because mine did, Frey said. Paying the passion forward Mission 2 Hook has become a way for Frey to pay back to children what he didnt have, he said. Frey, who now lives in Baton Rouge, said he didnt have a hook or pole until Brown let him borrow his and added that he remembered collecting old cans for money in the 1990s to pay City Parks then $2 fishing fee. In contrast, Frey, who is a practicing tattoo artist and runs a womens clothing boutique in the Mall of Louisiana with his wife, Kendra Frey, said he hands out equipment for free to children learning to fish each year at City Parks Big Bass Rodeo. He hosts a table at the event to encourage children to learn the trade. There, he meets kids, gives them fishing tips and suits them with fishing equipment of their choice. Frey, who is a four-time champion of the rodeo, also teaches kids where to fish in the park, giving them special tips on where the best spots are. I want to consider myself as a fishing hype-man for the children, Frey said. The Fed has initiated an investigation into what went wrong with the banks oversight, headed by Michael S. Barr, the Feds vice chair for supervision. The inquirys results are expected to be publicly released by May 1. Lawmakers are also digging into what went awry. The House Financial Services Committee has scheduled a hearing on recent bank collapses for March 29. The picture that is emerging is one of a bank whose leaders failed to plan for a realistic future and neglected looming financial and operational problems, even as they were raised by Fed supervisors. For instance, according to a person familiar with the matter, executives at the firm were told of cybersecurity problems both by internal employees and by the Fed but ignored the concerns. Loading The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which has taken control of the firm, did not comment on its behalf. Still, the extent of known issues at the bank raises questions about whether Fed bank examiners or the Feds Board of Governors in Washington could have done more to force the institution to address weaknesses. Whatever intervention was staged was too little to save the bank, but why remains to be seen. Its a failure of supervision, said Peter Conti-Brown, an expert in financial regulation and a Fed historian at the University of Pennsylvania. The thing we dont know is if it was a failure of supervisors. Barrs review of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse will focus on a few key questions, including why the problems identified by the Fed did not stop after the central bank issued its first set of matters requiring attention. The existence of those initial warnings was reported earlier by Bloomberg. It will also look at whether supervisors believed they had authority to escalate the issue, and if they raised the problems to the level of the Federal Reserve Board. Its a failure of supervision.The thing we dont know is if it was a failure of supervisors. Fed historian Peter Conti-Brown The Feds report is expected to disclose information about Silicon Valley Bank that is usually kept private as part of the confidential bank oversight process. It will also include any recommendations for regulatory and supervisory fixes. The banks downfall and the chain reaction it set off is also likely to result in a broader push for stricter bank oversight. Barr was already performing a holistic review of Fed regulation, and the fact that a bank that was large but not enormous could create so many problems in the financial system is likely to inform the results. Typically, banks with fewer than $US250 billion in assets are excluded from the most onerous parts of bank oversight and that has been even more true since a tailoring law that passed in 2018 during the Trump administration and was put in place by the Fed in 2019. Those changes left smaller banks with less stringent rules. Loading Silicon Valley Bank was still below that threshold, and its collapse underlined that even banks that are not large enough to be deemed globally systemic can cause sweeping problems in the US banking system. As a result, Fed officials could consider tighter rules for those big, but not huge, banks. Among them: Officials could ask whether banks with $US100 billion to $US250 billion in assets should have to hold more capital when the market price of their bond holdings drops an unrealised loss. Such a tweak would most likely require a phase-in period, since it would be a substantial change. But as the Fed works to complete its review of what went wrong at Silicon Valley Bank and come up with next steps, it is facing intense political blowback for failing to arrest the problems. Some of the concerns centre on the fact that the banks CEO, Greg Becker, sat on the Federal Reserve Bank of San Franciscos board of directors until March 10. While board members do not play a role in bank supervision, the optics of the situation are bad. One of the most absurd aspects of the Silicon Valley bank failure is that its CEO was a director of the same body in charge of regulating it, Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter on Saturday, announcing that he would be introducing a bill to end this conflict of interest by banning big bank CEOs from serving on Fed boards. Other worries centre on whether Jerome Powell, the Fed chair, allowed too much deregulation during the Trump administration. Randal Quarles, who was the Feds vice chair for supervision from 2017 to 2021, carried out a 2018 regulatory rollback law in an expansive way that some onlookers at the time warned would weaken the banking system. Powell typically defers to the Feds supervisory vice chair on regulatory matters, and he did not vote against those changes. Lael Brainard, then a Fed governor and now a top White House economic adviser, did vote against some of the tweaks and flagged them as potentially dangerous in dissenting statements. A major barrier preventing most gay and bisexual men from donating life-saving blood plasma could soon be removed as Australias medical regulator considers scrapping the sexual activity criteria for potential donors. In a world first, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is urgently prioritising a submission from Australian Red Cross Lifeblood that all questions relating to sexual encounters be removed from the plasma donor questionnaire. Eligibility criteria prohibits anyone at higher risk of exposure to HIV from donating blood for three months since their last sexual activity, effectively banning sexually active gay and bisexual men from donating. This is genuinely exciting news: Matthew Mottola, 26, has not been eligible to donate blood since he was in high school. Credit: Eddie Jim If Lifebloods application dubbed the plasma pathway is approved, gay and bisexual men, as well as people taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), would be able to donate blood plasma without any wait time regardless of sexual activity as long as they met all other eligibility criteria. Darebin Mayor Julie Williams family connection to Preston Market runs deep, which helps explain her passion for wanting to keep the beloved shopping hub exactly as it is. It is the heartbeat of our vibrant community, she said. [My mother] would be devastated if there was a 5 per cent change to the Preston Market ... shed be turning in her grave because she knows how important it is not only for her family, but for my family. Darebin Mayor Julie Williams at the Preston Market on Saturday. Credit: Scott McNaughton The mayor said her mother, Pauline Williams, arrived from Malta in the 1950s with little English, and later found Preston Market to be an inclusive community hub in the culturally and linguistically diverse north of Melbourne. But the 50-year-old market has been at the centre of a long redevelopment struggle between developers proposing modernisation and 2200 apartments on well-connected land and a resident push to leave the site untouched. Earlier this year, Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said the government was also considering banning the Nazi salute after a series of recent incidents where white supremacists performed the gesture in public spaces, including at a ceremony for Indigenous Australians on January 26. The salute is already restricted in Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Sweden. Federal Labor MP Josh Burns said now was the time to consider whether tougher laws were needed. He told ABC radio it made no sense that it was illegal to display the Nazi symbol in Victoria but people could still walk along Spring Street doing the Nazi salute. We need to look across governments about what laws are required ... to ensure the bigoted and ugly scenes in Melbourne dont happen again, he said on Sunday. What was happening yesterday crosses a line. The opposition said the display from the neo-Nazi group amounted to a deliberate attempt to incite hatred and violence. Liberal MP Moira Deeming attended the anti-trans protest on Saturday. Credit: Jason South These shameful individuals and the hateful ideology they push have no place in our state and must never be tolerated, said Liberal MPs David Southwick and Brad Battin in a joint statement. Victoria is better than this. Southwick, whose seat of Caulfield includes Victorias largest Jewish population, said on Sunday he had people calling him in tears about the vision they saw of the protest. We have the largest population of Holocaust survivors here in Caulfield and the last thing they want to be confronted with is Nazis saluting and goose-stepping outside parliament, he said. The Liberal-Nationals will stand side by side with the government to ensure that police have the powers they need to make sure they dont behave in this way. Liberal MP Moira Deeming attended the anti-trans rights event and tweeted on Saturday of her disappointment with police for allowing the neo-Nazis to enter the protected area where Keen-Minshull was speaking. Southwick said he did not share Deemings views on transgender women, and said the party would speak with the upper house MP. I had some initial discussions with Moira and I will have more, he said. Im told many of those at the protests also felt unsafe from these neo-Nazis. There is one thing to protest, but it is another thing to incite hate. Her views are not my views and I dont think the views of the Liberal Party or most of mainstream Victoria, but she has a right to her views. Deeming was contacted for comment. The Age revealed on Saturday that the Australian Army has launched an urgent investigation after discovering serving soldiers have links to neo-Nazi groups. The inquiry was triggered by an investigation by The Age into white supremacist groups, which unearthed links between extremist groups and Australian Defence Force members, as well as state police forces. The investigation also established the identities of emerging or previously unknown neo-Nazi leaders around the country, some with a keen interest in obtaining firearms and training in their use. Premier Daniel Andrews condemned the Nazi salutes and anti-trans protesters in tweets on Sunday: They were there to say the trans community dont deserve rights, safety or dignity. Thats what Nazis do. Their evil ideology is to scapegoat minorities and its got no place here. And those who stand with them dont, either. Loading Opposition Leader John Pesutto also condemned the groups actions in a speech at the Victorian Multicultural Gala Dinner on Saturday night. Andrews, who also spoke at the event, said the groups views were vile and represented the worst of Victoria. I condemn that in the clearest terms. Pesutto, who is also the shadow minister for multicultural affairs, described what happened on the steps of parliament as an abomination. I too will stand against it, I condemn it and I will work tirelessly with my colleagues to make sure it never gets a foothold here in our country or anywhere else. Victoria Police said at least six groups attended the protest on Saturday, and officers were aware of the potential for multiple clashes between the opposing groups. Consequently, officers were required to form many lines between the different groups to protect the safety of all involved, stop breaches of the peace and prevent any physical violence, a spokeswoman said. Three people were arrested, including a 22-year-old man from Point Cook who allegedly put a female officer in a headlock and dragged her to the ground, and a 23-year-old Thornbury woman who allegedly slapped a police officer on the neck. Both are expected to be charged with assaulting police. A third person was also arrested for unlawful assault. A group of trans, LGBTIQ+, multicultural, womens and other civil society organisations together on Sunday condemned the hate speech and transphobic displays that took place during the rally. Trans Justice Project founder Jackie Turner said: Trans people deserve to thrive. Yet right now, we are facing unprecedented attacks on our rights, lives and health care from anti-trans hate groups. I encourage everyone to stand in solidarity with the trans and gender diverse community in calling out these attacks. Aleph Melbourne co-convenor Michael Barnett said: White supremacy of this nature led to the persecution and murder of millions of Jews, LGBTIQ+ people and other minorities in World War II. There is no room for this ugly behaviour in Melbourne, or anywhere else. Transgender, gender diverse and all LGBTIQ+ people have a right to live in peace and safety, without fear of bigotry, transphobia or intolerance. Victorias police union boss, Wayne Gatt, said the government would need to consider whether more action was needed to curb the rise of far-right extremism. I think more broadly, what governments have to ask themselves is, if left unchecked, do movements like this actually pose a significant threat to the community? And what weve seen thus is far-right extremism around the world lead to a new form of terrorism that emerges, Gatt told 3AW radio. So there is a broader question, do you get to a point where you have to outlaw the membership of this sort of group, and as challenging as that sounds, if the fundamental purpose of these groups is to cause hatred of other human beings in our community, if that becomes the sole purpose of their activities what place to they have? It consists of just a few words, daubed in white paint on an old red brick wall down a laneway off Lunan Avenue, in one of the citys older neighbourhoods. Decades-old graffiti in a laneway off Lunan Avenue, Geelong, reads Hang Bolte not Ryan. But the graffitis call to Hang Bolte not Ryan takes us back to one of Victorias more bitterly divisive episodes: the 1967 hanging of convicted murderer Ronald Ryan in Australias last execution, carried out with the enthusiastic backing of then-premier Sir Henry Bolte. Loading Thousands protested in the streets against Ryans death sentence as churches, unions, universities and newspapers, including The Age, campaigned against the hanging. The ABC even broadcast two minutes of silence as a protest imagine it doing that today all to no avail. Ryan was put to death in Coburgs Pentridge Prison on February 3, 1967. Back in G-troit, the property where the wall is located is slated for redevelopment, despite the objections on local heritage grounds of nearby residents. One neighbour, Peter Loney, told CBD that those rough few words, old and faded as they were, retained their power to evoke a dark time. It is an important piece of social history, no matter which side of the debate you were on at the time, Loney said on Sunday. I remember quite well. It was a huge issue in Victoria. Despite a late plea to the local council from the National Trusts Geelong branch for the graffiti to be saved, the redevelopment has consent to go ahead, and although it is not clear when, it looks like, um, the writing is on the wall. Unless someone from the states museums community has any ideas. SHAPE ISSUES Investors in celebrity-wielding fitness franchiser F45 face a further wait to see what shape their money is in after the Mark Wahlberg-fronted former market darling told US authorities that its 2022 annual report would be delayed while the company worked out a few things with its auditors. Long story short, material weaknesses in the companys internal reporting and accounting processes, similar to those identified in the FY21 report have been detected, and its going to take time to work them out, the company told the US Securities and Exchange Commission in a filing late last week. David Beckham claims he is owed endorsement fees. Credit: AP The timing is not great, with the Australian-founded gym chain not looking in great shape of late. The share price has found a new low of US$1.52 after hitting a $15.38 high just over a year ago; franchisees are eyeing the exits, with Australias biggest F45 gym in Port Melbourne closing its doors last month; and brand ambassadors David Beckham and Greg Norman are suing for millions in what they claim are unpaid endorsement fees, claims the company denies. Even last months silver lining, a much-needed US$90 million cash injection from New York private-equiteers Kennedy Lewis Management, has a cloud. The boys from the Big Apple are charging F45 12 per cent interest on that money. So, fair to say then that there will be some interest out there in those FY22 results, when we ever see them. MENDING FENCES Were delighted to bring the long-awaited news that the fence in Power Street, Hawthorn, demolished by local Tim Smith as he drove his Jaguar drunk one dark October night in 2021 will soon finally be fixed. Repairs are under way at the Hawthorn house where former Liberal MP Tim Smith crashed. Credit: Luis Ascui 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 Behind a nondescript door on the ground floor of the Royal Melbourne Hospital is a small warren of offices belonging to the bed management team. The manager of access and patient flow, Sam Strapps, is sitting in front of two computer screens. One shows the demand for admissions and one breaks down the potential discharges for each ward that day. Theres often a big mismatch there, Strapps says. General medicine staff do the morning rounds at Royal Melbourne Hospital. Credit:Penny Stephens On this particular morning, a Wednesday in March, they are in the red zone, which means the mismatch is significant. The hospital has yet to reach its likely afternoon peak of demand, but there are already 41 patients in the emergency department needing admission. Thats effectively the entire emergency department, Strapps explains. At 6.30am, a team of bed managers takes over from an after-hours manager to help get these patients moving. But Strapps says the goalposts are always shifting. Advertisement Perhaps five stroke patients arrive all at once, but there are just three stroke beds. There could be more than 100 potential discharges pencilled in at the start of the day, but that drops to 60 to 70 once ward rounds are completed and doctors find patients are sicker than expected. That means our original plan might not be the best fit. So we need to put all the pieces back together, but in a different way, Strapps says. We might just say alright, is there anything we can do to expedite the discharges? Are they awaiting a scan? Can I call radiology to say we prioritise this, to get the patient out? No matter how dire things look in the morning, Strapps says they always find a way to balance the ledger. On the red days there are regular video meetings with senior staff to talk through how they can improve the patient blockages. But the red days also seem to be on the rise, and staff from across the public hospital, which celebrated its 175th birthday this week, report they are seeing patients who are sicker and staying longer. The Age interviewed workers from the Parkville facility this month to talk about daily life in a major Melbourne hospital, in the midst of a long-awaited lull in COVID-19 cases. 8am: General medicine wards Advertisement About 20 doctors gather in a conference room. X-Rays, blood results and other patient details are displayed on a big screen, as the night shift staff present the details of notable cases. The first major business of the day is to talk through any dramas from overnight; any deaths, intensive care transfers, code blues or Medical Emergency Team (MET) calls. The Royal Melbourne Hospital usually averages about 10 to 20 MET calls a day, made when a patients vital signs deteriorate worryingly. A classic [case] would be a person who has had surgery and then they develop pneumonia or an infection and their blood pressure drops, says Associate Professor Doug Johnson, the hospitals head of general medicine. Johnson says code blues the highest-level medical emergencies are now reasonably rare because the hospital has lowered the threshold for MET calls, meaning they are seeing people before they become so sick. The handover meeting finishes at about 8.30am. The teams from the five general medicine units break off and start their morning rounds, which can continue into the early afternoon. The sickest patients are seen first. They may spend up to an hour with someone who has just been admitted whose cause of illness isnt clear. Associate Professor Doug Johnson, the head of general medicine, speaks to patient Nicholas Leray-Meyer during ward rounds. Credit:Penny Stephens This area of the hospital is responsible for the largest number of beds. The typical patient is an older person with multiple things wrong with them: diabetes; lung problems; heart failure. It also takes people who have both mental and physical illnesses, including those who have overdosed on drugs, or adults with severe eating disorders. Advertisement It may not always sound glamorous, but this section of the hospital is the part often reimagined in US television dramas, where young doctors unravel medical mysteries just in time. Indeed, the general wards at the Royal Melbourne Hospital are the training ground for 130 junior physicians, and its the place where patients with mystery illnesses come to be diagnosed. Johnson says there are usually about two or three diagnostic dilemmas within each of the units. Perhaps it is someone with prolonged fever or a patient who is wasting away. Solving these cases, he says, is a rewarding and fabulous part of what we do. Before the pandemic, demand on the general medicine wards would usually ease over summer, to around 80 to 100 patients, and then rise over winter, to about 120 to 130 admissions. But in the last 12 to 18 months there has been no dip, and admissions are now hovering at around 120 to 140. Part of that increase in demand has come from COVID patients, but not all of it. Lots of people have theories, but certainly the population is getting older, the population has more comorbidities, says Johnson. And because people had fewer opportunities to see their general practitioner or specialists during the pandemic, Johnson said people are now presenting with more advanced illness. Midday: Central equipment library Behind a locked grey door, accessible only by swipe card, is a cavernous room. Empty hospital beds are stored in rows and a collection of intravenous drips stand together against one wall. A technician beavers away, making simple repairs and ordering spare parts. Advertisement The central equipment library service has been operating at the Royal Melbourne Hospital for about a year. Before that, some wards of the hospital were constantly running out of particular types of equipment, such as bariatric beds for larger patients and infusion pumps that deliver medication and nutrients into the body. Infusion pumps are attached to patients in the emergency department, and they travel through the hospital with them. What we used to see is that emergency would be forever short of pumps, but we would see them stored in other places And because you could never find infusion pumps, people didnt want to share them either, says Dr Rebecca Bailey, the manager of clinical engineering. But now weve got this central equipment library, theres just this really great trust that youre always going to have enough. Rebecca Bailey, the manager of clinical engineering, with some of her team in the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Credit:Penny Stephens The clinical engineering team at the hospital has about 20 staff. Most of the work they do is invisible to patients, but it is vital to keep the hospital functioning. They make sure the medical devices are maintained and manage the buying of new ones within a limited budget. During the pandemic they began preparing for the worst, auditing the older equipment ready to be thrown out, to see if it could be used a little longer, in the event the hospital and the state was hit by a huge wave of COVID patients. Many of these contingencies were never used, as Australia largely suppressed the virus before vaccines arrived. Advertisement Rob Hayes had to concede his days of waging medieval battle were over after the savage axe blow that broke his wrist in 2021. Hayes had been travelling the world as a competitor in Buhurt, a sport in which combatants duel with medieval-style weapons and armour. Blacksmith Rob Hayes is an expert maker of medieval armour and weapons. Credit: Jason South But after that fateful tournament in Sydney, the self-confessed nerd and history enthusiast decided to give up risking serious injury and focus on his career as a blacksmith specialising in historic weapons and armour. I sat there thinking, Do I want to keep doing this into old age? If so, I have to stop playing with swords, he said. The most shocking of the hundreds of WhatsApp messages sent and received by British Health Minister Matt Hancock during the COVID-19 pandemic was one in which he asked the special adviser from the Department of Health, When do we deploy the new variant? The purpose was to frighten the pants off everyone with the new strain. It shows a government that went from following the fear in the population to deliberately using fear to justify its pandemic measures. A man is arrested in Melbourne during a 2021 anti-lockdown protest. Credit: Getty Images In Australia, a freedom of information request has revealed that the Victorian government spent heavily on polling to understand what a frightened population wanted, in order to give it to them good and hard. Meanwhile, the federal government fired off randomly, using the pandemic to allow people to access their super, with not-so-super results, it now turns out. And then provided massive stimulus anyway, which were now paying for in inflation. As the anniversary of the first Australian COVID-19 lockdown comes around, Facebook serves up memories. But most of us would prefer to forget. The television experts have been dispatched back into their ivory towers, events are back to capacity, and even the last of the performative parliamentary maskers is getting patchy about her out-of-hours usage. The pandemic is in the past; cost-of-living issues are now. But the scandalous insights into the way the pandemic was managed by those whom we allow to lead us are a reminder of why it is important to hold a proper pandemic review. Simply, because it turns out they were following our lead, so we better get straight on what we want to happen next time. The Australian government will have complete control over the Virginia-class submarines it plans to buy from the United States with Defence Minister Richard Marles rejecting any suggestion a deal has been done with America that the boats would be used in a war over Taiwan. Marles, speaking on ABCs Insiders on Sunday, said it was plain wrong to suggest the submarines, due to be acquired through the 2030s, were bought on the understanding they could be used for anything but Australias national interest. Defence Minister Richard Marles says the US-built Virginia-class submarines will be under direct Australian control. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Under the $368 billion AUKUS submarine project agreement announced last week US and British nuclear-powered submarines will make increased visits to Australia, allowing local submariners to become more familiar with the technology. These boats will remain under the control of the British and American governments. In her final report, McMurdo recommended the government legislate the management of police informants rather than leave it to internal police policies. But former Court of Appeal judge Stephen Charles, KC, said the bill proposed to legislate Gobbos unethical conduct despite the royal commission and High Court ruling she had committed fundamental and appalling breaches of her duties to both her clients and the court. Nicola Gobbo, pictured in an interview in 2019, was a barrister used by police to inform on her clients. Credit: ABC Our whole system of criminal law and its fairness depends on a number of things: the absolute right of silence, the right not to be tortured, the obligation remaining on the prosecution throughout and never on the defence, and the duty not to communicate what your clients told you to police or anyone, Charles said. If a lawyer is agreeing to be on a list of counsel who will provide information to police, that should be regarded at the very outset completely heretical. I hope the Bar will say to any lawyer that [providing information about a client to police] is a misconduct that would lead to disbarment. Charles joined an alliance of law groups comprising the Law Institute of Victoria, Victorian Bar, Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Australian Bar Association, Australian Medical Association and the Centre for Public Integrity to call for the bill in its current form to be scrapped. The law groups want the bill scrutinised by the Victorian Law Reform Commission, which examines and makes recommendations on legal issues referred by the attorney-general. The state opposition wants the bill to prevent lawyers from informing on their clients and to provide greater protections for the use of children, journalists, doctors and MPs as police informants. The Greens and two Legalise Cannabis MPs have confirmed they will also move amendments to protect children. Former Victorian Court of Appeal judge Stephen Charles, KC, has called for the bill to scrapped. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said she was still considering her position but was hopeful the bill would be amended to reflect concerns from interested parties, including the legal community. Liberal Democrats MP David Limbrick said he strongly opposed the bill in its current form, and believed the government was working on amendments to allay concerns around the use of lawyers and children as informants. The Andrews government has 15 MPs in the upper house and needs the support of at least five crossbenchers to pass legislation. Loading This bill will allow the Lawyer X fiasco to happen again, shadow attorney-general Michael OBrien said. Lawyers should not be allowed to compromise the legal privilege of their clients. Moreover, as the High Court and the Court of Appeal found, this sort of arrangement is a miscarriage of justice. Gobbo, previously referred to as Lawyer X and also known as police Informer 3838, was a prominent defence barrister who became a police informant and provided information to investigators about her own clients. She was often defending clients in court at the same time she was giving confidential information to police. The Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants handed down a stinging 1000-page report in November 2020, when McMurdo described Gobbos conduct as a breach of her obligations as a lawyer that undermined the administration of justice, compromised criminal convictions and shaken public trust in Victorias criminal justice system. Law Institute of Victoria president Tania Wolff said the centuries-old legal privilege between lawyers and their clients was sacrosanct and should not be touched. She said her members were receiving calls from the public concerned about whether they could trust their lawyers to uphold confidentiality. Nicola Gobbo, with then-client Tony Mokbel, outside a court in 2004. Credit: Nine News It is absolutely essential that you dont have lawyers who have ongoing confidentiality and privilege being used as informants, Wolff said. We dont think there is sufficient or robust oversight in the bill, and we think there is wide discretion given to police about the use of lawyers as human sources. We dont think we were properly consulted about this bill, despite the very strong words from the commissioner in her report about the government being required to consult justice and legal professional stakeholders. Loading Wolff said legal groups were not given draft copies of the bill, or the proposed wording, as was ordinarily the case during a consultation process. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said she had considered the concerns of the law institute and the Victorian Bar throughout the process and disputed claims the organisations werent properly consulted. This bill proposes the most robust police informant management system of anywhere in Australia, Symes said. Victorians deserve nothing less to ensure what happened with Ms Gobbo can never happen again. In the rare circumstances in which Victoria Police may be allowed to consider the registration of a lawyer as a police informant, they will be subject to multiple stages of independent oversight with regular reporting to the attorney-general and parliament, and will be required to consider legal advice all of which werent there before. But OBrien argued the final decision would continue to rest with the chief commissioner of Victoria Police. He said the Coalition would push for a retired senior judge to be given the power to have the final say on the use of vulnerable human sources, such as children, or others who have access to privileged information, such as journalists and MPs. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes. Credit: Eddie Jim The royal commission considered a blanket ban on the use of lawyers as informants but concluded that while it was rarely appropriate for police to seek confidential or privileged information from an informant, there might be exceptional and compelling circumstances to do so. Charles said the government had watered down that recommendation in the wording of its bill, as it proposes to give senior police officers at the rank of assistant commissioner or higher powers to register high-risk people as human sources if they are satisfied, for instance, there is a threat to someones life or welfare. Three months before bulldozers move in to demolish her home, 68-year-old Margaret Kelly is digging in. Theyll have to carry me out, she said on Friday. Margaret Kelly (right), with friend and supporter Lyn Dixon, says she wont leave her home. Credit: Wayne Taylor For the past 25 years, Kellys home has been Barak Beacon Estate, a sprawling housing estate within spitting distance of Port Melbournes New Beach, where Kelly lives with budgerigar Jack and pomeranian-cross Patchett. Now, shes fighting for the estates very survival. Barak Beacon is one of dozens of sites slated for redevelopment as part of the Andrews governments $5.3 billion Big Housing Build. The building program billed as the largest in the states history is in the process of replacing public housing estates with a mixture of social, affordable and private housing. The Old Courthouse on the Square in Carlisle will soon receive another historic mark of distinction. Cumberland County commissioners Thursday accepted a $120 donation from Historic Carlisle Inc. to place a Civil War building plaque on the building. It will be placed just to the left of the front doors, said Brent Durham, county director of facilities management. Historic Carlisle Inc. will have a one-day reenactment on June 10 to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the July 1, 1863, shelling of Carlisle, he said. As part of the event, the group is hosting walking tours where guides will talk about the buildings that stood in downtown Carlisle during the shelling, Durham said. Their hope is to unveil the plaque at a ceremony. In 2013, Historic Carlisle Inc. launched its Civil War Building Plaque Program, sponsored in conjunction with Carlisle Borough, the Cumberland County Historical Society and the local Historic Architectural Review Board. The program showcases Civil War-era buildings that witnessed the 1863 Confederate occupation and shelling of the town. Measuring 8.5 inches wide by 5 inches high, the plaque reads Civil War building, Carlisle, July 1863, Durham said. The Old Courthouse was hit with shrapnel during the shelling. The scars of the invasion remain today on the front columns and facade. The story behind the damage began on June 30, 1863, during the Confederate invasion of Pennsylvania. On that day, Rebel infantry under Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell left Carlisle for Gettysburg after receiving orders to rejoin the main body of the Army of Northern Virginia. The plan to assault Harrisburg was canceled. As Confederate soldiers moved out, they were replaced late in the afternoon of July 1 by a formation of New York guardsmen and Pennsylvania militia under the command of William Baldy Smith. Happy to be liberated, Carlisle residents treated the tired and hungry soldiers to an impromptu picnic on the Square. But the jubilation was short-lived. A formation of Confederate cavalry under Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee was coming up the York Road hoping to join up with Ewell. Lee had not received word that the infantry had moved on. Instead of friendly forces, the rebels were confronted by a town occupied by Union soldiers. Lee demanded the surrender of Carlisle, but Smith refused. This prompted Rebel horse artillery, under orders from Confederate Gen. Jeb Stuart, to fire on the town. Shells landed in many places, but few injuries were reported. By midnight, Stuart received orders from Lee that a battle was developing in Gettysburg, so Stuart and his men departed south toward the ensuring fight. The three-day Battle of Gettysburg resulted in a decisive Confederate defeat ending the invasion. Close An Inside Look: Photos of the Cumberland County Historic Courthouse An Inside Look, a new series from the Sentinel, aims to take readers into the curious places Cumberland County has to offer from the comfort of their living rooms. Victoria will strengthen its anti-vilification laws to ban the Nazi salute following a far-right protest at Parliament House on Saturday. Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes confirmed the move on Monday morning, condemning the behaviour at the protest as disgraceful and cowardly. Neo-Nazis marched on Spring Street on Saturday. Credit: Chris Hopkins Its clear this symbol is being used to incite hatred, not just towards Jewish people but our LGBTIQ+ community and other minority groups, she said. Victorians have zero tolerance of this behaviour and so do we. Thats why well expand our nation-leading legislation banning the Nazi Hakenkreuz to include the Nazi salute because everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and included in Victoria. For too long Japan has stubbornly turned a blind eye to custody disputes in which children have been abducted from, or otherwise denied access to, a parent of foreign nationality, among them dozens of grief-stricken Australians. An investigation by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes has revealed that since 2004 at least 82 Australian children have been snatched or otherwise taken into sole custody by a Japanese parent who has then refused their former partner visitation or other contact rights. That is the number officially recognised by the Australian government; some believe the true total to be much higher. David Fleming holds a picture of his abducted children at his rural property outside of Brisbane. Credit: Glenn Hunt Nor is it a uniquely Australian problem: French authorities have identified more than 100 similarly abducted children; the United States counts 475. The personal cost to both the children and parents affected is understandably high. Yet, as Eryk Bagshaw and Natalie Clancy report, the Japanese government is reluctant to intervene, hiding behind a smokescreen. It claims separations are private matters and that its distinctive sole-custody system is designed to protect those partners fleeing abusive relationships. President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Mariupol, Russian state media reported on Sunday, in what would be the Kremlin leaders first trip to the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraines Donbas region since the start of the war. The visit came after Putin travelled to Crimea on Saturday in an unannounced visit to mark the ninth anniversary of Russias annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine, and just two days after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader. Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre), Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev (left) and Metropolitan of Pskov and Porkhov Tikhon Shevkunov (right) visit the Childrens Art and Aesthetic centre in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Saturday. Credit: AP Mariupol, which fell to Russia in May after one of the wars longest and bloodiest battles, was Russias first major victory after it failed to seize Kyiv and focused instead on southeastern Ukraine. Putin flew by helicopter to Mariupol, Russian news agencies reported, citing the Kremlin. It is the closest to the front lines Putin has been in the year-long war. Driving a car, Putin travelled around several districts of the city, making stops and talking to residents. Vladimir Putin made a last-minute visit to Crimea on Saturday local time to tour a childrens palace that he commissioned, one day after being labelled a war criminal for abducting thousands of boys and girls from Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) and Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev visit the Childrens Art and Aesthetic centre in Sevastopol, Crimea on Saturday. Credit: AP The Russian president ostensibly arranged the trip to mark the ninth anniversary of his annexation of the Ukrainian territory in 2014, but it was seen as a pointed response to the International Criminal Courts (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for him. The president knows how to surprise, said Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Kremlin-installed governor of the region. Everything had been prepared for a video conference when before you know it he comes down here personally. By car. He was at the wheel. Putin had ordered the Korsun Childrens Centre to be built in May 2021, seven months before his planned invasion of Ukraine and the start of the mass abduction of Ukrainian children. New York: Donald Trump could be charged in New York as soon as this week for allegedly covering up hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign, nearly seven years after the money changed hands. But any trial of the former US president would still be more than a year away, legal experts said, and could coincide with the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign as Trump seeks a return to the White House. Former US president Donald Trump. Credit: AP In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said he expected to be arrested on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) and called on his followers to protest, though a spokesperson later said Trump has not been notified of any pending arrest. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has presented evidence to a New York grand jury about a $US130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the waning days of the 2016 presidential campaign in exchange for her silence about an alleged affair, according to sources. Trump has denied the affair, and his lawyer has accused Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, of extortion. Batavia, NY (14020) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 52F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Rain showers early changing to snow showers overnight. Low near 35F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precip 50%. Albemarle County has 2,157 units of affordable housing. Its not enough to meet demand, according to local officials. Stacy Pethia, the countys housing policy manager, estimated that just 41 of 2,065 affordable rental units are unoccupied, based on the countys low vacancy rate of 2%. All 92 of the owner-occupied affordable housing units are full. Overall, the county needs to add 10,070 units to the affordable housing stock by the year 2040, Pethia told The Daily Progress via email. The median home price in Albemarle County is $475,000, according to the most recent report from the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. Thats about 26.2% higher than the statewide average of $365,000, according to a report from the Virginia Association of Realtors. Its also well out of the price range for many who make the countys median household income of $90,568 as reported in the latest census figures. The annual household income needed to afford a $400,000 home is about $165,000, according to SoFi, a financial technology firm. According to Pethia, the county needs to add more than 590 units of affordable housing by the year 2040 to keep up with current and projected needs. New residential development in the county has not kept pace with growing housing demand, according to the countys Housing Albemarle website (Housing Albemarle is the countys plan to up the housing supply with a focus on affordable housing and workforce housing). That leaves more than 10,000 homeowners and renters struggling to find a place to live within their means. By 2040, the county expects that number to increase by 4,000 households. In Albemarle, there are 1,152 affordable units in the pipeline, and Pethia said some of those could be coming online as early as this year. She said she expected the rest to become available by the end of 2025. Still, Albemarle needs 8,518 units if it wants to meet its projected needs. Pethia and other local officials are working on developing incentives and changing its housing ordinance to promote more affordable housing that remains affordable for a longer period. In order to receive loans or grants from the county, a developer is required to designate 20% of its residential units as affordable for a minimum of 10 years. But the county is allowed to set that at a longer term. So if you go along with Housing Albemarle, that would be a 30 year affordability period, Pethia said during a planning commission meeting last week. Commissioners agreed that the 10-year affordability period wasnt enough. Its a ticking time bomb, planning commission member Karen Firehock said. Pethia is also working on a tracking tool that would allow the county to see how well Housing Albemarle is being implemented. In February, the Board of Supervisors heard about some plans to incentivize firms to build affordable housing. Among the ideas supervisors have floated are a property tax rebate that would cover the cost of water or sewer connection fees for a portion of units over 10 years. They also discussed whether the county should cover all of the water or sewer connection fees for projects where units were 100% affordable. That fee is about $14,000 per unit for this fiscal year, according to county staff. Other incentives, Pethia said, are still in the works. Planning commissioner Julian Bivins said the county needs to look beyond housing development to address the affordability gap. How do we reduce the need? Thats about jobs, its about economic activity, Bivins said during the planning commission meeting. Anthony Furey: The Need for Maximal Disclosure on Beijings Election Interference Commentary It looks like we finally have one political leader serving in higher office who actually wants to know more rather than less about the allegations of the Beijing Communist regimes interference in our elections. British Columbia NDP Premier David Eby says hes very troubled by these allegations. He wants a thorough and independent investigation and hes requested CSIS provide him with a full briefing. This comes after reports indicate that diplomats representing the Chinese Communist Party took an interest in cultivating Vancouver municipal candidates as saplings to further their causes. Eby went on to say that while he understands election interference is a federal issue, he wants to learn if there is anything his provincial government can do to close any gaps on tackling the issue. This is a refreshingly non-political response to whats become almost an existential issue for Canadian democracy. Here we have a leader who is basically saying lay it all on the table. The request for the CSIS briefing shows that hes more interested in simply learning as many details as possible than coming up with his own self-serving political spin. Let the chips fall where they may. To be clear, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been incredibly strong on this file. But hes not in government. Ebys request to be told the full story could, potentially, end up exposing challenges with his own candidates and caucus members if only because of how wide and deep this whole affair appears to go. But Eby seems to welcome sunlight as the best disinfectant. Contrast that with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is doing all he can to deflect from the issue. Hes pulling out every trick he can think of to give the appearance of accountability while still falling short of permitting a robust public inquiry into the matter, which is what most people want to see happen. Whats interestingand of course concerningis that what began as an issue isolated to federal elections in the Greater Toronto Area has now come to touch every level of government across the country. The CSIS documents that media have reported on now tell us that the Beijing regimes election interference interests run the gamut. Were covered geographically, from Vancouver to Toronto. Were covered politically, with allegations hitting mostly Liberals but also Conservatives. Plus we now have allegations about interference happening federally, provincially, and municipally. This is not good, to put it mildly. Its times like these that make you wish Canada had the sort of robust probes that they conduct in American politics. United States congressional hearings are serious affairs that you better not mess with. Theyve got the power to compel witnesses to attend and to procure documents and those who dont comply can face serious consequences. Also, because of their division of powers, they can operate these inquiries at considerable arms length from whichever administration is controlling the White House at the time. The U.S. system really can get answers for the people. Not so in Canada, with our weak committees that are ultimately controlled by the PMO. Everyone acknowledges we have an incredibly serious issue, but were just not getting the official response warranted. Its not just partisan actors who are making noise about the situation, either. Former diplomats, top-notch academics, national security expertsalmost everyone with credentials says that we need a serious airing out of whats really going on here. One would hope that those figures who feel theyve been wrongly ensnared in this fiasco would also support getting all the information out in the open, if they are so certain that the CSIS allegations concerning them dont tell the full story. Perhaps former governor general David Johnston can read the room and acknowledge that people see his appointment as special rapporteur to probe this issue as nothing more than window dressing on the part of Trudeau, and then politely withdraw his role in this and voice his support for a formal public inquiry. If the situation is so special, then why not go all the way in with how we tackle it? Premier David Ebys position seems to be the closest so far from a senior politician calling for maximal disclosure. That should be the default position that they all adopt. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Biden DOJ Asks Supreme Court to Fast-Track Case That Could Reinstate Federal Gun Ban Attorney General Merrick Garland delivers a statement at the Department of Justice in Washington on Aug. 11, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling that struck down a federal law preventing people under domestic violence-related restraining orders from having guns. The Biden administration asked in its new petition (pdf) for the high court to hear the case on a highly expedited schedule because of the significant disruptive consequences of the lower courts ruling. The petition was reportedly filed with the court on March 17 but had not been docketed as of press time. The case comes as courts nationwide are playing catchup regarding the Supreme Courts landmark June 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen that held firearms restrictions must be deeply rooted in American history if they are to survive constitutional scrutiny. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said on March 15 that the Bruen ruling offers little guidance to lower courts on interpreting the decision, as Courthouse News Service reported. The gun lobby saw Bruen as a landmark win, but it is a significant challenge for police, law enforcement, and the population of America when it comes to public safety, Durbin said. The case involves Zackey Rahimi of Texas, who pled guilty to violating a 1994 federal law Section 922(g)(8) of Title 18 of the U.S. Code that prohibits a person who is subject to a domestic-violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. Rahimi was involved in five shooting incidents after the restraining order was entered against him in February 2020. But when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit took up Rahimis case earlier this year, it overturned the law, finding it was no longer constitutional according to the principles laid down in Bruen. The government failed to demonstrate that 922(g)(8)s restriction of the Second Amendment right fits within our Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation, the panel stated. The ban on the possession of firearms by someone under a domestic violence-related restraining order is an outlier that our ancestors would never have accepted. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said last month the DOJ would appeal the ruling but did not provide a timeline for doing so. Nearly 30 years ago, Congress determined that a person who is subject to a court order that restrains him or her from threatening an intimate partner or child cannot lawfully possess a firearm, Garland said in a Feb. 2 statement. Whether analyzed through the lens of Supreme Court precedent, or of the text, history, and tradition of the Second Amendment, that statute is constitutional. Accordingly, the Department will seek further review of the Fifth Circuits contrary decision. In the new petition, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argues that the appeals court erred. In concluding that Section 922(g)(8) lacks adequate historical support, the Fifth Circuit missed the forest for the trees. The court overlooked the strong historical evidence supporting the general principle that the government may disarm dangerous individuals, the document states. The court also analyzed each historical statute in isolation and dismissed each one on the ground that it differed from Section 922(g)(8) in some way. The 5th Circuits mode of analysis was flawed. Courts interpreting the Second Amendment have to consider text, history, and tradition, [but] they should not focus on whether the law at issue has a historical twin, the petition states, quoting from the Bruen decision. This Courts review is warranted because the Fifth Circuit held an important federal statute unconstitutional on its face, the petition states. The Epoch Times has reached out to the DOJ for comment on its new petition. The Epoch Times has also reached out to Rahimis attorneys at the Federal Public Defenders offices in Fort Worth and Lubbock, Texas, for comment. California, Drugmaker Partner to Produce Affordable Insulin California Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a partnership with Civica Rx, a non-for-profit pharmaceutical company intended to manufacture insulin for the State of California's CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative, at a dramatically lower cost, during a visit to a Kaiser Permanente warehouse in Downey, Calif., on March 18, 2023. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) DOWNEY, Calif.The state of California and a generic drug manufacturer announced a 10-year partnership Saturday to produce affordable, state-branded insulin that they hope will rival longtime producers and push down prices for a medication used by millions of Americans. The product is not expected on store shelves until at least next year, and it was difficult to predict what effect it would have on a market already shaken by change. Earlier this week another major insulin maker promised steep price cuts as pressure builds on drugmakers and insurers to slash the cost of the drug. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said he hoped Californias emergence as an insulin-maker would prompt prices to collapse. Research has shown that prices for the drug have more than tripled in the past couple of decades. We are intent to make this about market disruption, Newsom said at a ceremony announcing the pact at a pharmaceutical warehouse near Los Angeles. He called it a game changer for 8 million Americans who use insulin to treat diabetes. Many questions remain. The state and its partner, the nonprofit Civica, have yet to locate a California-based manufacturing facility. Regulatory approvals will be needed. Newsom said a 10- milliliter vial of the state-branded insulin would sell for $30, but its possible competitors could slash their prices and undercut the state product. Is this perfect? We dont know yet, Newsom acknowledged at one point. California Gov. Gavin Newsom comments on the current high prices of insulin as he announces a partnership with Civica Rx, a non-for-profit pharmaceutical company intended to manufacture insulin for the State of Californias CalRx Biosimilar Insulin Initiative, at a dramatically lower cost, during a visit to a Kaiser Permanente warehouse in Downey, Calif., on March 18, 2023. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) Just days ago, President Joe Biden said his administration is focused intensely on lowering health care costs, including pressuring pharmaceutical companies to lower the costs of insulin. Legislation enacted last year capped copayments for insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. Biden has proposed extending that cap to all Americans. Novo Nordisk said Tuesday that it will slash some of its U.S. insulin prices up to 75 percent starting next year. The announcement comes less than two weeks after rival Eli Lilly said it will drop some of its prices by 70 percent or more later this year. Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide consumer health care advocacy group, welcomed Newsoms announcement, saying efforts by California and others to develop a competing generic are likely a factor in getting insulin manufacturers to cut their prices. Still, there are obstacles. The work to develop a generic, get FDA approval and set up manufacturing will take real time, Wright said in an email. There may even be more time in the effort to get doctors to prescribe the drug, insurers and [pharmacy benefit managers] to include it on their formularies and patients and the public to accept and ask for it. Thousands of doses of insulin are warehoused at a Kaiser warehouse in Downey, Calif., on March 18, 2023. (Damian Dovarganes/AP Photo) There could be other risks. State analysts have warned that Californias entry into the market could prompt other manufacturers to reduce the availability of their drugs, a potential unintended consequence. State lawmakers approved $100 million for the project last year, with $50 million dedicated to developing three types of insulin and the rest set aside to invest in a manufacturing facility. Even with the challenges of entering a competitive, established market, Newsom said taxpayers would have very ample protections. If for whatever reason the deal didnt work out to the states benefit, theres all kinds of provisions that would allow us to pull out, he said. According to state documents, the proposed program could save many patients between $2,000 and $4,000 a year. In addition, lower costs could result in substantial savings because the state buys the product every year for the millions of people on its publicly funded health plans. The state also is exploring the possibility of bringing other drugs to market, including the overdose medication Naloxone. The drug, available as a nasal spray and in an injectable form, is considered a key tool in the battle against a nationwide overdose crisis. We are not stopping here, Newsom said. By Michael R. Blood College Trustee Starts Fundraiser for Potential Legal Action After Being Censured Over Meme Community college trustee Dr. Luis Reynoso launched online fundraising early this month for potential legal action against the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District (CLPCCD) Board in California. The CLPCCD Board censured Reynoso in a heated board meeting on Feb. 22, followed by a slew of controversies and standoffs between Reynoso and the LGBTQ+ community. The CLPCCD Board censure sets a dangerous precedent for our country. I invite you to join me in fighting for and defending true conservative officials, Reynoso wrote on the fundraising website. The censuring was due to an apple meme Reynoso posted on a personal LinkedIn account in September 2022. The meme was a picture of an apple, titled This is a Banana, with a footnote reading If you see an Apple, youre a Right Wing Extremist. The meme and the comments posted after it are no longer available on Reynosos LinkedIn page, which has over 4,000 followers. Since Reynoso is a long-term elected trustee, the censuring would not be able to remove him from the Board of Trustees but would jeopardize his teaching career and re-election, Reynoso told NTD, a media partner of The Epoch Times, the day after he was censured. The week before the board meeting voted to censure, Reynoso received a notice from a high school hes been teaching at that next years contract has been canceled. According to an archived pdf file, a user named Kyle Johnson posted the first reply to Reynosos meme about one month after Reynoso posted it. The reply stated that this picture is commonly used as an Anti-Transgender joke. If you try to Google for that picture that the group claimed to be offended by, I cant find it anywhere, Reynoso told NTD. East Bay Insider searched and only found that a similar apple meme was used by CNN in 2017 as a campaign to push back a fake news accusation by then-President Donald Trump. My memes intent was the fact of the piece that the CNN did before, where the report had fire in the background and yet the reporter was telling us this is a peaceful protest, Reynoso said. Thats what it was. Its more of a summary of what we see is not what we are supposed to see. In the discussion following Reynosos meme, after Reynoso pointed out that his post never mentioned any group, Johnson still asked Reynoso to offer support for the LGBTQ+ community in order to prove that what Reynoso said is true. After Reynoso declined to apologize, LGBTQ+ community members brought the issue to the CLPCCD Board of Trustees. According to an investigation report by the ad hoc committee, during the Nov. 15, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting, Reynoso also refused to apologize. As for the reason, Reynoso told CBN News, I am a Christian, and it is against the word of GOD to support that type of lifestyle (LGBTQ+). Reynoso told NTD the whole process is a good example of what a witch trial looks like. Reynoso said that the really scary thing it will cause is the loss of critical thinking, because free speech has literally been squashed by powerful groups, and they wanted it that way. Its either their way of thinking or thats it, nothing else, he said. David Lam contributed to this report. SAO PAULO, BrazilNew York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has seen rapid growth since its inception in 2006; today it has eight equal-sized tour groups that travel the world simultaneously, poised to present nearly 100 shows each this 2023 season. But even though the company is making stops in more than 108 cities around the world this season, the demand for performances grows every year as well. As such, Joao Alberto Lisot and Karen Kirchhoff, both business owners, traveled about 1,000 miles from the capital of Brazil to catch Shen Yuns opening performance in Sao Paolo at the Teatro Bradesco on March 17. Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, and aims to show the 5,000 years of divinely inspired traditional Chinese culture. Fantastic. We came from Brasilia, because we believe in that message! said Mr. Lisot, who said he had read many good things about the performance prior to seeing it. It touched me a lot, Ms. Kirchhoff said. Mr. Lisot agreed, saying that many moments in the performance had moved him. There are many parts in the performance, but that part, the divine message, is very similar to what we believe, he said. Its a message that brings hope, brings joy that we have other paths to follow, so thats what we believe. We share these ideas, he said. Ms. Kirchhoff was saddened that the communist regime of China had nearly destroyed this culture and art, and was appreciative of Shen Yuns efforts to restore it. The enchantment of music, dance, performances, of artists, it is wonderful art, she said. Reporting by Mary Mann. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Democrats, Republicans React to Possible Trump Arrest Former President Donald Trump arrives for an event at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Democrats and Republicans reacted after former President Donald Trump announced his looming indictment and asked his supporters to protest and take our nation back. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) accused Donald Trump of being reckless. The former presidents announcement this morning is reckless: doing so to keep himself in the news and to foment unrest among his supporters, Pelosi said in a March 18 statement. He cannot hide from his violations of the law, disrespect for our elections, and incitements to violence, she continued. Rightfully, our legal system will decide how to hold him accountable. The congresswoman said the case against Trump was significant. Whatever the decision is of the Grand Jury, its consideration of this case makes clear: no one is above the law, not even a former President of the United States, Pelosi concluded. The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, is probing Trump for his involvement in providing $130,000 in hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, in a statement released on March 16, called Braggs investigation into Trump a witch hunt and said Trump is completely innocent and did nothing wrong. On Saturday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce that he will be arrested on March 21, based on illegal leaks from the corrupt & highly political DAs office. He insisted that possible indictment in the case would be based on an old & fully debunked (by numerous other prosecutors!) fairy tale. Trump ended his Truth Social post by telling his supporters, Protest, take our nation back. Former President Donald Trump arrives to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on March 4, 2023. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) Some Democrats shared Pelosis criticism of Trump. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), who sits on the House Oversight Committee, took to Twitter to say Trumps call to supporters was reminiscent of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. I experienced it firsthand on January 6th when he incited an insurrection, Gomez wrote. Now hes trying to do it again. Trump is, and will always be, a threat to our democracy and the rule of law. Trumps goal is acts of violence in his name, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who sits on the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees, posted on Twitter. And we must be prepared to protect against it. Republicans Many Republicans have rallied around Trump, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Here we go againan outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump, McCarthy said on March 18. McCarthy also directed House committees to probe whether federal funds were used for the looming indictment against Trump. House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) issued a statement criticizing the radical left. What these corrupt Leftist prosecutors like Alvin Bragg and their Socialist allies fail to understand is that America First Patriots have never been so energized to exercise their constitutional rights to peacefully organize and VOTE at the ballot box to save our great republic, Stefanik wrote. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), who sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, took to Twitter to question the U.S. justice system. President Trump is on the path to be indicted before any of the crooks in the Biden family. Think about that, Biggs wrote. We have a two-tier justice system. Arizona Republican gubernatorial nominee Kari Lake speaks to supporters during her election night event at The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Nov. 8, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Arizona GOP gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake issued a statement defending Trumps call to protest. The President has called for peaceful protests. And I would remind his critics that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution grants us the right to peaceably assemble, Lake wrote. We cannot allow ourselves to live in such fear of the lefts infiltration that we surrender our God-given rights without them even asking. This is the time to speak out. This is the time for the silent majority to roar, Lake continued. You have a voice. USE IT. And make it very clear that we stand with President Donald J. Trump, and all Americans who are under attack by the corrupt political machine. Trump, who announced his third bid for the White House in November last year, is scheduled to hold his first 2024 campaign rally in Waco, Texas, on March 25. Dershowitz: Manhattan DA Using Made-Up Laws in Trump Case Alan Dershowitz speaks at The Epoch Times' Defending the Constitution event in New York City, on July 19, 2021. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs reported impending prosecution of former President Donald Trump is based on made-up laws, according to prominent legal expert Alan Dershowitz. But even so, Dershowitz said he thinks that Trump would unlikely receive a fair trial in a city that leans heavily blue. The expert was responding to reports that Trump may soon be indicted on charges surrounding hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. That would make Trump the first former president to be criminally charged. Days before the 2016 presidential election, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in exchange for her silence on claims that she had an affair with Trump years earlier, which the former president denies. Cohen pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws in 2018 for arranging payment to Daniels and another woman claiming to have had an affair with Trump. Cohen claims to have done so at Trumps direction and was reimbursed by the Trump Organization through routine legal expenses. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that hes a victim of extortion. Braggs criminal case appears to be centered on whether Trump falsified business recordsa state offenseto cover up Cohens campaign finance violations of federal law. Nobody should ever be arrested based on made-up laws or combining a federal and state statute, Dershowitz told The Epoch Times in an interview on March 18. I taught criminal law for 50 years at Harvard, and the one rule was, no creativity is permitted by prosecutors. The law has to be clear. He queried Braggs apparent attempt to elevate a falsifying-records case to a felony from a misdemeanor by tying it to an alleged violation of federal campaign finance law. In order to turn the state statute into a felony, you have to borrow a federal statute, Dershowitz told The Epoch Times in an earlier interview, on March 16. He said that this combining of laws seems to raise real serious legal questions. In Braggs case, what theyre trying to do is add one and one, and come up with 11, Dershowitz said. No rational person would look at these two statutes and say that Trump violated them. Thomas Jefferson once put it very nicely: For a criminal statute to be constitutional, the average person has to be able to understand it if he reads it while running. The case pursued by Bragg, a Democrat, is politically motivated, Dershowitz says. Its not a righteous prosecution. Its not a just prosecution. And I think every libertarian, whether youre conservative, or liberal, should be opposed to it, he said. I cant imagine that an appellate court would ever hold this, but I dont think Bragg cares about this. He wants the publicity of a perp walk and an arrest. Dershowitz said that the theme of Braggs reported prosecution is consistent with a book the legal scholar published on March 14 titled Get Trump, in which he warned that the ongoing efforts targeting Trump and his allies are harming Americans basic liberties. History teaches that ends, even if believed to be noble, do not justify ignoble means that are inconsistent with democracy and the rule of law, Dershowitz wrote in his book, saying that Trumps political enemies are willing to weaponize and distort the U.S. criminal justice system to get Trumpat any cost. Conviction? If an indictment does materialize, Dershowitz said he believes that Trump would likely end up with a criminal conviction. Because I dont think that Trump can get a fair trial in New York, the legal expert said, pointing to the predominantly Democrat population in the city. A criminal conviction, he said, is thus the most likely outcome. Then, it will be reversed on appeal, but by that time, will be deep into the election cycle, Dershowitz said, referring to the 2024 presidential election. Theyre searching for crimes to get him. Theyre just rummaging through the law books and doing everything they can to get him, but I dont think theyve succeeded, he said. Hes not going to get prison, but nonetheless, he can run as a convicted defendant. A Trump spokesperson, in a statement to The Epoch Times, described the case as another instance of the weaponization of our injustice system. The George Soros-funded Radical Left Democrat prosecutor in Manhattan has decided to take his Witch-Hunt to the next level, the spokesperson wrote. Trump, for his part, has maintained that he would stay in the race if hes criminally charged. Oh, absolutely, I wont even think about leaving, Trump told reporters at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 4, in response to a question on the matter. Probably, itll enhance my numbers, but its a very bad thing for America. Its very bad for the country. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. When we fail, our natural desire is to hide from our failures, hoping they will disappear. Yet in his short story The Last Leaf, O. Henry demonstrates through a young woman named Johnsy that no matter what we have done, we can heal ourselves from our worst sicknesses by facing our failures. Johnsy (or Joanna) lives with her new friend Sue in the New York neighborhood of Greenwich Village. Finding that they have much in common, these two young women decide to share a studio and make a living through art. They befriended an elderly artist who lived on the floor beneath them, Old Behrman. He was a fierce, little old man who did his part to protect the young artists a floor above. However, in November, pneumonia visits the village and infects Johnsy, who already had a weak constitution. The doctor informs Sue that Johnsy has a one-in-ten chance of survival. And that chance is for her to want to live, he says. If she believes that she will get well, she will have a far better chance. After speaking with the doctor outside, Sue goes back in to see Johnsy and finds her counting the leaves of an old ivy vine. She counts backward as the leaves fall one by one to the ground. The sickness has greatly affected Johnsys mind: When the last [leaf] falls I must go, too. Ive known that for three days. Hearing Johnsy say this, Sue realizes that her friend has succumbed to the sickness and her fate. Johnsy has given up on herself and her dreams. Her courage has left her, she does not want to live, and she has abandoned all hope. Redeeming Oneself A rainstorm ensues that night. The next morning, Sue wakes to find Johnsys eyes wide open. Johnsy immediately orders the window blinds to be pulled up: She wants to see the ivy vine. To her astonishment, one last leaf remains! Twenty feet above the ground, it still bravely clings to the branch. The two are astonished, for the wind and rain beat against it all night. With the help of this single leaf, Johnsy realizes her mistakes. She recognizes that she has failed to appreciate life and its beauty: Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how wicked I was. It is a sin to want to die. She is determined to get better. Through Johnsy, O. Henry shows us that when we admit our mistakes, we can redeem ourselves. Even as Johnsy was on the edge of death, she found the strength and courage to face death and get well. What Johnsy was not aware of, before Old Behrman passed away, was that he did his part to give her hope. Whenever our worst failures appear before us, we must face them bravely. We must acknowledge our weaknesses and be willing to change. Henry shows, as Oscar Wilde says in A Woman of No Importance, that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. As we survey our many failures (with their varying degrees of severity), we should remember that struggles, sins, and temptations are part of our journey. It is through sins and struggles that greatness is born. We, too, can look to the future, face our failures with courage, and rise above them. Families, Communities Across Canada Mourn Young Edmonton Police Officers Killed on Duty The family of Constable Brett Ryan look over flowers laid at a vigil for Ryan and fellow Constable Travis Jordan who were shot and killed while on duty, in Edmonton on March 17, 2023. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) EDMONTONThe mother of one of two young police officers killed in Edmonton by a teenage shooter said the family is filled with sorrow and pain. Laurie Ryan, of Spruce Grove, Alberta, said on social media that her youngest son, Brett Ryan, was lost in the line of duty as an Edmonton Police Service (EPS) officer, after serving his community with pride and commitment. He loved his wife and unborn baby, his brothers and us, his parents, his mother wrote on March 16. RIP my son, weve been blessed to have you for the past 30 years but today your loss is unbearable. She thanked those who helped her son. Constable Ryan and Constable Travis Jordan were rushed to hospital by fellow police officers who worked valiantly to save their lives en route, Police Chief Dale McFee said on March 16. Ryan, age 30, and Jordan, age 35, were killed that day by a 16-year-old armed with a gun as they responded to a routine call for a domestic disturbance. After shooting police, the teenager shot and severely wounded his 55-year-old mother. According to police, the teenager then shot and killed himself. His father, 73, was in a different room at the time and not injured. Brett Ryan Ryan previously served as a paramedic in Saddle Lake, Alberta, from 2012 to 2015, before becoming a police officer five-and-a-half years ago. He is survived by his wife, Ashley Ryan, who is a paramedic, according to the Alberta Paramedic Association. The couple was expecting their first child. A fundraiser has been organized by the association to support Bretts wife Ashley in this difficult time. Garret Ryan, brother of the murdered police officer, said on Twitter on March 16: Ive lost my brother today. Life as I know it has changed forever. Words cannot describe how much I love my big little brother. He added, I am so proud of him, his accomplishments, and the man he has become. Ill miss him always. Catch you on the other side Brett. I love you forever. Travis Jordan Jordan grew up in Coldbrook, Nova Scotia, and is survived by his wife, mother, stepfather, and sister Sheena Jordan. In a social media post on March 17, his sister wrote, My baby brother had a wife, dogs he loved more than life, he had parents that he called almost everyday driving home from every shift, he had a sister, a nanny, nieces and a nephew that he loved very much. She said her brother had talked about being a police officer since the day he could talk. My brother and his wife flew across the country leaving their families behind to protect and serve the citizens of Edmonton. My brother put his uniform on every single day with pride, she wrote. She said her brother lived for his job. My brother LOVED his job. My brother was good at his job. My brother was ONE of the best, and every single person who got to work with him, got helped by him, and perhaps even got a ticket are lucky they had him, said his sister. Calling it a senseless act, a tragic act, due to a broken mental health system, Jordan said her brother would no longer get to go home to his wife, or call his parents. She added her brother was the most selfless, incredible guy I have ever known. Theres no way heaven needed him more than we did, she wrote, posting various photos of her brother clearly happy to be with his nieces and nephew. Edmonton Police Const. Travis Jordan (L), and Const. Brett Ryan were killed in the line of duty on March 16, 2023. (Courtesy of the Edmonton Police Service) Communities in Mourning On the afternoon of March 16, a line of RCMP, Kenville Police Service, and Canadian military police drove slowly past the familys home in Coldbrook to pay their respects to the family. The call itself was a non-violent domestic dispute where a mother was having trouble with her 16-year-old son, EPS Deputy Chief Devin Laforce said on March 17. There was nothing to really indicate this was a dangerous or high-threat violent response for our members. Laforce said the mother was shot as she tried to get control of the gun from her son. She is in hospital and unresponsive. The teenage boy had no prior criminal record, but police had visited the home previously, with one of the incidents being a mental health call. Nova Scotias Constable Travis Jordan was tragically killed yesterday morning while on duty in Edmonton. My heart goes out to Const. Jordans family and friends, wrote Premier Tim Houston in a Facebook post on March 17. Rest in peace, Const. Jordan. The world is worse off without you in it. Across Edmonton, the community is mourning the lives of the two young officers. City hall has condolence books available. Various city landmarks including city hall, the High Level Bridge, Commonwealth Stadium, Walterdale Bridge, and Muttart Conservatory were lit in blue lights to honour Jordan and Ryan. The University of Alberta announced it would lower its banner to half-mast from March 16 to 20 to honour the two young police officers. At Edmontons West Division Police Station, flags were flying half mast, and the citys residents have left a collection of cards and flowers in front of the station. Fallen Officers The Alberta government maintains a list of fallen officers as part of Alberta Police and Peace Officers Memorial Day, which takes place annually at the provincial legislature on the last Sunday of September. The list contains all officers killed in the line of duty since 1876. The Alberta RCMP also maintains a Wall of Honour, going back to 1874. The last time a police officer was killed on duty in Edmonton was in 2015, when Constable Daniel Woodall was shot while trying to enter a residence to arrest a suspect for a hate crime complaint. The suspect opened fire and shot the police through the door. Sgt. Jason Harley was struck by a round that went through his body armour, but survived. The suspect set the house on fire and is believed to have taken his own life. The same year, RCMP Constable David Matthew Wynn died from a gunshot wound in St. Alberta, Alberta, on Jan. 21, 2015, while attempting to arrest a suspect in a stolen vehicle investigation. On New Years Eve, Dec. 31, 2020, Calgary Police Sergeant Andrew Harnett was killed after pulling over a vehicle to check its licence plate during a traffic stop. A 17-year-old driver was charged with first degree murder in the death of Harnett, who died in hospital from his injuries after being struck by the vehicle as it fled. Harnett was a former military police officer who was expecting his first child at the time of his death. In 2005, four RCMP officers were ambushed and killed while on duty near Mayerthorpe, Alberta: constables Peter Schiemann, Anthony Gordon, Brock Myrol, and Leo Johnston. In 1990, EPS Constable Ezio Faraone, a member of the tactical team, while responding to an armed robbery was shot by a second suspect hidden from view in the vehicle. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. Florida Libel Bill May Challenge Long-Standing Supreme Court Decision A libel suit against CNN typifies what average people are up against if they are damaged by a story. Here, people walk by the world headquarters for the Cable News Network (CNN) in Atlanta on March 15, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Zak Young says his business and livelihood were destroyedand innocent lives endangeredwhen CNN allegedly trashed him in TV and print stories. As an elite security operator who had the skills and contacts to extract people from Afghanistan as it fell to the Taliban, Young saw himself savaged as a black marketer seeking to fleece helpless refugees and then not saving them to boot. None of it was true, Young says in his libel lawsuit complaint against CNN. He says he advertised for corporate sponsors to pay the stiff costs of covert extractions. Some had spent the money and were satisfied: hed rescued Afghan employees of Bloomberg, Audible, and other multinational companies. But after CNNs report, his income plummeted to zero and his rescue pipeline completely shut down, he says in the complaint. Zak Young has sued CNN for libel, claiming his business rescuing refugees from Afghanistan was destroyed by a CNN story they later had to retract. (Photo courtesy of Zak Young.) The contacts hed built over a lifetime in the military and related security work valued his skill and discretion. They didnt want to do business with someone labeled as a black marketer fleecing helpless and desperate Afghans with exorbitant fees, he says in the complaint. CNN (over and over again) stated or falsely implied that Young sold evacuations on a black market by definition and illegal marketwhen in reality, Young never broke the law and the work he did was fully legal, the legal complaint states. CNN also repeatedly stated or falsely implied that Young was exploiting desperate Afghanswhen in reality, Young never sold his services to Afghans and targeted corporate sponsors. CNNs attorney, Deanna K. Shullman of Shullman Fugate PLLC in West Palm Beach, did not respond to emailed requests for comment from The Epoch Times. Libel cases like Youngscurrently before a Florida judgewould be affected by a Florida bill filed by Rep. Alex Andrade. If passed, the bill would broaden protections for the subjects of news coverage, said Youngs lawyer, Devin Vel Freedman, of Freedman Normand Friedland LLP in Miami. The current standard for libel was set in the Warren-era decision of The New York Times Co. vs. Sullivan in 1964. Most notably, it holds that to win a libel case, a plaintiff must show not only that the defendant published information that was false and defamatory but that it did so with actual malice. That meant the publisher either knew the information was false or published with a reckless disregard for whether it was true or not. Devin Vel Freedman of Miami, attorney for libel plaintiff Zak Young. (Photo courtesy of Zak Young.) The cornerstone of U.S. defamation law is the ruling, known as Times v. Sullivan, which with its progeny makes it practically impossible for people in the public eye to sue news media for libel, even when they are maligned by harmful falsehoods, Edward Wasserman wrote in The American Prospect on Aug. 23, 2021. The harm worked by The New York Times libel standard is considerable. The doctrine strikes at core aims of government according to Americas oldest and most venerable traditions. It erodes equality, undermines the security of rights, and damages the nations capacity for genuine self-government, Carson Holloway wrote in The American Conservative on Sept. 9, 2022. The actual malice standard allows the press to spread defamatory falsehoods, especially in the political realm, with near impunity, Holloway wrote. Holloway participated in a round table Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis led on Feb. 7, arguing for the need to reform Times v. Sullivan. The decision originally applied to public officials but was expanded in two 1967 cases to public figures. An actress who accused Bill Cosby of raping her in 1974 while she was touring with her boyfriend Sammy Davis Jr. sued after being called a liar by Cosbys attorney. But she lost when, deemed to be a limited purpose public figure, she failed to meet the malice standard. This 2019 Supreme Court case was where Justice Clarence Thomas expressed misgivings with Times v. Sullivan in a dissent while concurring with the majority because, he wrote, the prevailing law required it. Another justice, Neil Gorsuch, subsequently questioned Times v. Sullivan in another dissent. Richard Jewell, the security guard falsely accused of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic bombing, lost his libel suit against the Atlanta Journal-Constitution because he had accepted an interview request from reporters, making him, for purposes of the lawsuit, a public figure. Defining Malice and Public Figure The pending Florida bill toughens the language on malice significantly and tightens up who can be deemed a public figure. For purposes of finding that defamation took place, the bill states, the court shall infer actual malice if the defendant fabricated or imagined the allegation, or if the allegation is based entirely on an unverified anonymous report. The court shall infer malice, the bill states, if the allegation is so inherently implausible that only a reckless person would publish it or there are obvious reasons to doubt its veracity or the accuracy of an informants report. It gets quite specific in telling journalists when they need to doubt what a source is telling them. There are obvious reasons to doubt the truth of a report, the bill states. [I]f there is sufficient contrary evidence that was known or should have been known to the defendant after a reasonable investigation, or the report is inherently improbable or implausible on its face, or the defendant willfully failed to validate, corroborate or otherwise verify the defamatory allegation. Andrade, the bill sponsor and a lawyer who has worked on libel cases, told The Epoch Times he didnt know of any other state having attempted to define malice so specifically in its libel laws. He said that some fears about the bill are overblown. He said he didnt think it challenged Times vs. Sullivan head on, but might raise some questions about subsequent rulings, such as those expanding who is a public figure. He also emphasized that existing Florida law, which his bill doesnt seek to change, protects publishers who promptly correct an error. If the subject of a story gives written notification within five days of an error having been made, and the publisher runs a retraction with an additional 20 days, the publishers liability for damages is reduced enough that most plaintiffs wont go to the cost and trouble of filing a lawsuit, Andrade said. The bill does not change what can be considered defamatory, Andrade said. Right now, if you call someone a transphobe, a racist, or a Nazi, those are opinions. And they still will be. Accusing someone of discriminatory actions can be the subject of a libel lawsuit, and the law somewhat strengthens a plaintiffs position here. According to the bill, allegations that the plaintiff discriminated against someone else based on race, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation would be considered defamation per se, the more serious of two types of defamation defined in the law, Andrade said. That means a plaintiff can sue for punitive damages. With a lesser form of defamation, the plaintiff may have to prove he suffered financially, which can be hard to prove, he said. Martin Luther King, 1964 (Public Domain) Andrade noted that in the case leading to the Times vs. Sullivan decision, The New York Times had been accused of errors falling into the lesser category. It published that Martin Luther King had been arrested seven times, while it was only four. Something like that, which Andrade called a technical falsehood, may or may not have been very damaging to anyone. The bill also provides that the defendant cannot prove the truth of an allegation of discrimination with respect to sexual orientation or gender identity by citing a plaintiffs constitutionally protected religious expression or beliefs, or the plaintiffs scientific beliefs. Interest from DeSantis Times vs. Sullivan may be on the mind of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who held a roundtable to discuss libel on Feb. 7. DeSantis included the decision among the issues and suggested legislative action would be forthcoming in the current state legislative session. After NBC and MSNBC claimedfalsely, according to DeSantiss officethat he opposed teaching about slavery in the public schools, DeSantiss office announced that the governor is boycotting the networks until they correct NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchells statement to that effect. DeSantiss spokesman Bryan Griffin, in a post on Twitter, said the legacy media outlets were maliciously intent on deceiving people. Mitchell appeared to backpedal some, noting in what was labeled a postscript that she had been imprecise in her language. But Griffin, in a statement to Fox News Digital, rejected what he called her non-apology apology. The state had rejected the College Boards proposed curriculum for AP African American Studies, objecting to its inclusion of black queer studies and other attempts at indoctrination. The private group changed it as a result. Libel in the Age of Social Media The greater power in Andrades bill, though, may be for those who would never be considered public figuresprivate individuals like Young suddenly thrust into the limelight. And the bill takes on some of the significant factors that have made Times v. Sullivan less workable nowadays, with the advent of social media. The bill makes the current system of assessing attorneys fees less onerous for plaintiffs, said Freedman. Damaged parties are often deterred from suing by the current system. And the bill makes it tougher for publishers to declare someone a public figure. The bill says a person cant be deemed a public figure merely for defending himself or herself against accusations or granting an interview, as in Richard Jewells case. Nor can they be because their image or video went viral online. If the bill passes, public employees cant be deemed public figures unless elected or directly appointed by an elected official. So the fellow who drives a garbage truck isnt a public figure. His department head might be. Young told The Epoch Times that CNN has yet to seek to declare him a public figure, but that he expected them to try. Youngs complaint against CNN contains a moment-by-moment description of CNNs story, noting and showing photos of the chyron, including the words black market prominently displayed on the screen underneath Youngs photo, as the narrator spoke. According to the complaint, Young was contacted in an encrypted text message by CNN reporter Alexander Marquardt, and texted back the next day asking for a detailed list of questions, as well as the facts and assertions they intended to publish about him. Marquardt texted back that the piece was set to run that day. According to the lawsuit, Young responded by text saying, some of your facts/assertions (are) not accurate, and if they are published, I will seek legal damages. Marquardt didnt offer to delay the piece to give Young enough time to respond and simply ran the inaccurate story, the complaint alleges. CNN failed to make a reasonable effort to learn the facts from Young or allow Young to supply the true version of events. CNN retracted the story and apologized to Young four months later. But by then, his reputation had been damaged, and his business had collapsed, he says in the lawsuit. No one in Youngs community will touch him as CNN has turned him into an international pariah, the lawsuit states. Young does not have any realistic prospects of ever reviving his career. Holloway writes in his article, In a representative democracy, the people are to set the basic direction of public policy by electing public officials with whom they agree on the major issues confronting the country. To perform this task well, the public needs accurate information about the candidates for public office. In a healthy democracy, the press would strive conscientiously to provide such information. It will, however, always be in the narrow interest of partisansincluding a partisan pressto influence the outcomes of elections by misrepresenting the positions of candidates on controversial issues and by rendering the character of some candidates odious through defamation. New York Times v. Sullivan in fact encourages such behavior. Former PM Rallies Liberals as Parties Target Western Sydney Former Prime Minister John Howard during the launch of "The Art of Coalition" book at the National Press Club in Canberra, Australia, on June 23, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Former prime minister John Howard will help the Liberals rally the party faithful in the western Sydney marginal seat of Penrith as parties make their final pushes for votes ahead of polling day. The scheduled appearance on Sunday will be Howards second outing in Penrith, coming a few days after he campaigned with Stuart Ayres, who holds the seat with a 0.6 per cent margin. Treasurer Matt Kean will miss the event, choosing instead to make a local funding announcement in Oatley, held by Multiculturalism Minister Mark Coure by 6.8 per cent. Labor will rally in a seat key to its election chances, Parramatta. The gateway to western Sydney is held on a 6.5 per cent margin but changing demographics and the retirement of incumbent Geoff Lee have placed it on a knifes edge. Labor on Sunday committed $75 million to recruit an additional 250 full-time-equivalent school counsellors in the next term to deal with what the party says is a growing mental health crisis in NSW schools. The Greens, taking advantage of sweltering temperatures in the citys outer suburbs on Sunday, will call for a climate-smart western Sydney. This would include a green-belt urban boundary, council-specific tree targets and a home buyback scheme for the lowest parts of the Hawkesbury-Nepean floodplain. Meanwhile, independents Helen Conway, Larissa Penn and Victoria Davidson will protest bus cancellations on Sydneys north shore by riding a crowdfunded one-off bus route created by frustrated commuters. The campaigning comes as Labor accuses Premier Dominic Perrottet of lying about plans to privatise Sydney Water. In a Sky News interview on Friday, the premier said privatising Sydney Water has never been something that has ever been considered by our government, or ever would be. But Labor said it uncovered documents showing a privatisation scoping study related to a $1.5 billion asset of Sydney Water was conducted in April 2021. Perrottet has repeatedly told voters Sydney Water will not be privatised and accused Labor of a Mediscare-style campaign. Previously, he also questioned Chris Minns how NSW Labor leader would finance big infrastructure projects, arguing that it could lead to project cancellations and tax increases. The premier on Saturday hit back at Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses criticism of his Kids Future Fund, a proposed superannuation-style fund for children born after 2012. Albanese said the fund, in which the government matches parental contributions up to $400 per year, would create a greater divide between rich and poor. For the prime minister to come out and say that hes against, like NSW Labor, setting up a future fund account for our children shows how out of touch he is with the challenges that families are facing today, Perrottet said on Saturday. GOP Presidential Hopeful Responds to Possible Donald Trump Arrest: Dark Moment Former President Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower the day after FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach home, in New York, on Aug. 9, 2022. (David 'Dee' Delgado/Reuters) Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said that rumors and reports claiming former President Donald Trump could be arrested soon are a dark moment in U.S. history. It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals, Ramaswamy, a tech entrepreneur who recently declared his GOP candidacy, wrote on Twitter Saturday. If a Republican prosecutor in 2004 had used a campaign finance technicality to arrest then-candidate John Kerry while Bush & Cheney were in power, liberals would have cried fouland rightly so. This will mark a dark moment in American history and will undermine public trust in our electoral system itself, Ramaswamy also wrote. I call on the Manhattan District Attorney to reconsider this action and to put aside partisan politics in service of preserving our Constitutional republic. Later on Saturday, Ramaswamy called on former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who announced a Republican run for president, and Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiswho is also reportedly mulling a presidential bidto denounce Bragg. I held a press conference following my South Carolina speech. I called on GOP donor class favorites [DeSantis] and [Haley] to join me by 9 a.m. tomorrow in calling on the Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to abandon the political persecution through prosecution of the 45th president, he said. Neither DeSantis, who has not indicated whether he plans to run for president nor Haley has made any comment on the reports. Former Vice President Mike Pence, however, criticized Braggwho received $1 million from left-wing billionaire George Soros Color for Change political action committeefor wanting to allegedly indict Trump when New York City has seen a surge in violent crime in recent years. Im taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, at a time when theres a crime wave in New York City, Pence told ABCs This Week on Sunday. The fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country. Despite the reports, Braggs office has not publicly confirmed whether hes going to indict Trump. Unnamed court sources told several news outlets that the arrest would be in connection to Trump having allegedly paid $130,000 to adult actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign. An unnamed source told Fox News that Braggs office will meet with officials next week to discuss logistics and that would mean that they are anticipating an indictment next week. The Epoch Times has contacted Braggs office for comment. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, speaks during the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., on March 3, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) More unnamed sources have told Reuters that Braggs office has looked into evidence to a grand jury about the payment. Trump has denied there was any malfeasance and has long described the investigation as a politically motivated witch hunt. Trump Responds With the reports of his looming indictment surfacing, Trump sharply criticized Bragg and Democrats on his Truth Social account on Saturday. The 45th president said that illegal leaks from the corrupt & highly political Manhattan DAs office indicate that he will be arrested Tuesday, March 21. Protest, take our nation back! Trump urged his supporters in the message. A spokesman for Trump told The Epoch Times that the former president had not been notified of any arrest. There has been no notification, other than illegal leaks from the Justice Dept. and the DAs office, to NBC and other fake news carriers, that the George Soros-funded Radical Left Democrat prosecutor in Manhattan has decided to take his Witch-Hunt to the next level, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said. President Trump is rightfully highlighting his innocence and the weaponization of our injustice system, he added. Government to Get Cracking With Sending Illegal Immigrants to Rwanda If Policy Clears Legal Hurdle, Minister Says Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, speaks to the media as he departs BBC Broadcasting House in London on March 19, 2023. (Victoria Jones/PA) Ministers will get cracking straight away if the courts determine that its lawful to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda, the UKs Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said on Sunday. It comes as Home Secretary Suella Braverman expanded the two governments refugee resettlement deal to include all illegal immigrants during her weekend visit in Rwanda. Defending the deal on Sunday, Dowden said the Conservative government is being forced to do it in order to deter dangerous people smuggling via the English Channel. But Labours shadow levelling up secretary Lisa Nandy dismissed the policy as astunt thats unethical, unworkable, saying the government should invest resources in a specialist National Crime Agency cell and in speeding up asylum processing. The multi-million-pound deal, first signed by Bravermans predecessor, Priti Patel, and Rwandas Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta in April 2022, would allow the UK to use Rwanda as an offshore asylum processing hub where successful applicants would be allowed to remain and unsuccessful applicants would be given opportunities to remain via other routes. The policys initial focus was on asylum seekers who made dangerous journeys to reach the UK after being in safe third countries. Braverman and Biruta on Saturday signed an update to the deal, meaning anyone who enters the UK illegally and cannot be returned to their home country could be eligible for relocation to Rwanda, where they will be supported to rebuild their lives, the UK government said. So far, no one has been relocated after the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) intervened to empty the first deportation flight and halted further flights to remove the individuals pending the results of their domestic judicial review. The Court of Appeal is now expected to rule on the legality of the policy after the High Court ruled in the governments favour in December last year. An inflatable craft carrying illegal immigrants crosses the shipping lane in the English Channel off the coast of Dover, England, on Aug. 4, 2022. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) Confronted with skepticism about the Rwanda deal as no one has been removed, Dowden told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday that hes confident the policy will clear the legal hurdles. We actually succeeded at the High Court stages before the Court of Appeal. But as soon as that process is throughand Im confident our policy is lawfulwe will get cracking straight away with the Rwanda policy and use that as a tool in our armoury, the minister said. The Home Office has previously said unaccompanied children would not be eligible for deportation to Rwanda, but minors accompanied by family members are. Asked if he is personally comfortable with removing children, Dowden said he does not relish any of this. I really wish we didnt have to do it and the government isnt running to do this. The government is doing this because this is a major problem, he said, adding that the number of lives put at risk, including those of children, would increase unless governments are willing to take tough action. Asked why Braverman only invited right leading media organisations to her Rwanda trip and not Sky News, not the BBC, not the i or The Guardian, Dowden said the logistics of the trip was up to Bravermans operations team, and that there would be plenty of opportunities for the BBC and Sky to scrutinise the home secretary. Speaking on the same programme, Nandy said the Rwanda policy is just more stunts from this government. What they should be doing is what Labours been calling for for a very long time, take the money that is being spent on this unethical unworkable scheme, and put it into the National Crime Agency to create a cross border cell in order to disrupt the criminal gangs who are profiting from peoples misery, she said. That will be the best way to stop the small boats. And back it up with proper resources at the front end of the asylum system so that we can process cases swiftly and get a grip on what has become an unwieldy system that is completely out of control. Nandy denied that Labours downplaying the difficulties in tackling illegal migration by wanting to wave a magic wand, saying her partys proposal is the hard yards that this government hasnt been prepared to do. Salt is more than an essential seasoning; it helps maintain the normal functioning of the body. Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, but cooking without salt can also lead to hyponatremia, a low concentration of sodium in the blood. In addition to its nutritional value, salt has medicinal characteristics that can come in handy in unexpected emergencies. Dr. Shu Rong, a veteran British traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physician, explained in the program Health 1+1 how to use salt as a pseudo first aid component to treat daily diseases. Shu said that TCM believes that salts taste enters the kidneys, so salt was often used to solve kidney problems in ancient China. Because of that belief, salt is often used as a medicinal conductor to enhance the effectiveness of kidney medicines. For example, the herbal compound Liuwei Dihuang Wan can be taken with some light salt water to enhance the medicines effect on the kidneys. Other medicinal materials, such as Morinda officinalis and Eucommia, can be stir-fried with salt to increase their kidney-related effects. Value of Salt in Traditional Chinese Medicine According to Shu, in ancient China, salts unique characteristics applied in the treatment of many diseases. Bone Disease TCM believes that the kidneys govern all the bony, hard substances (including the teeth). In ancient China, there were records of using salt water to treat bone-related diseases, such as loose teeth. Centuries later, this role has been affirmed by modern medical research. The kidney plays an important role in the regulation of bone development and metabolism, notes a review study published in the Journal of Nephrology in 2016. The kidney is the major organ involved in the regulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis, which is essential for bone mineralization and development. How to do it: Put the salt in your mouth, rinse with warm water, and let the saltwater flow through the teeth. Do it 100 times every morning for five consecutive days, and the loose teeth can become firm once more. Detoxification To induce vomiting, fry salt until its yellow, add water to make a concentrated solution, and drink it. Because the stomach cant hold the concentrated salt water, it will induce vomiting and help you expel the offending foods. Sober Up Some people drink too much alcohol, feel dizzy, have disrupted eyesight and nausea, but cant vomit. If you drink a bit of light salt water to neutralize the alcohol, you will feel much better. Detoxify Insect Bites After being bitten by mosquitoes or stung by bees, you can mix salt with saliva and apply it to the affected area. Because saliva also has detoxification properties, the two work synergistically to help you heal. Skin Diseases For skin problems such as eczema, athletes foot, chilblain, and other skin problems, you can soak your feet in salt water. Nasal Allergies When you suffer from sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and other symptoms without actually getting a cold, you can wash your nose with light salt water, flush it with water, and then blow it out. Make sure you use distilled or boiled water with a neti pot to avoid amoeba contamination, which can be very dangerous. Swollen, Red, or Painful Eyes When the eyes feel itchy, red, swollen, and painful and you have tears and eye mucus, you can use a cloth dipped in salt water to dab or wipe your eyes. Dysmenorrhea and Cold Uterus Before menstruation, you can stir-fry salt, apply it to the Guanyuan acupoint, then use moxa to burn on the salt, and change it after burning. Do this 30 minutes a day for the best results. (The Epoch Times) Salt Applied to 7 Everyday Ailments Shu lists seven everyday conditions that can be treated with the emergency use of salt: 1. Female urinary tract infection: Put a teaspoon of salt in the sink or bath, add boiling water, and stir it. First, steam the affected part with the heat from the boiling water, and when the water gets cooler, take a 1015 minute sitz bath, in which you sit in water up to your hips. This can also be applied to treat the redness and swelling of the buttocks or urinary tract caused by diaper rash in babies. This saline sitz bath is a safe and easy treatment when a doctor is unavailable. 2. Prolapse of the anus and hemorrhoids: For the pain caused by prolapse of the anus and hemorrhoids, you can also use a saline bath to reduce inflammation, clear away heat, and detoxify and relieve the discomfort of the affected area. 3. Acute sore throat: Put salt water into the throat, keep it there for a few minutes, then spit it out. Repeat several times. The antipyretic and detoxifying properties of salt water can improve symptoms of inflammation, such as intense redness, swelling, and heat pain in the throat. 4. Acute oral inflammation: Add a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water and rinse your mouth with the solution repeatedly to improve oral ulcers. 5. Toothache: Dip a cotton swab in a little water, then dip the wet cotton swab in salt and put the salt on the painful area. This can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. 6. Foot odor and beriberi: This is a problem of foot inflammation. You can prepare a foot bath using a spoonful of salt and half a basin of water and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes. A large, durable plastic storage bin can function as a basin. 7. Childrens frequent bed-wetting: You can stir-fry the salt, wait until it cools down, then spread a layer of salt on the childs navel. Heat it with moxa and burn it on the salt, then replace it with another one after burning, and do this for 30 minutes a day. Frequent bed-wetting is a sign of kidney deficiency. Moxa wont burn the skin, but the heat will penetrate deep into the body through salt, which can help treat this problem. 5 Types of People Who Shouldnt Use Too Much Salt Although salt has many medicinal values and is an indispensable seasoning item in daily life, Shu points out that the following people should avoid taking in too much salt: 1. Young children who are fed on milk: Children under 1-year-old who are still fed on milk arent suited to eating salt, because breast milk or formula milk already contains salt. It isnt suitable to supplement this food with added salt. 2. Meat eaters: Meat contains a lot of salt, so people who eat a lot of meat should reduce their salt intake. 3. People with low libido: Having no sexual desire might be an indication that the kidney energy is insufficient; in which case, it isnt recommended to eat too much salt, which can further damage the kidneys. 4. People with excessive phlegm and edema: Because salt has the property of retaining water, people with edema, too much body moisture, or excessive phlegm should eat as little salt as possible. 5. Thick skin: Salt is a chemical compound called sodium chloride. If you eat too much salt, the sodium ions in the body will increase, which will cause the facial cells to lose water and appear dry, and that will cause the skin to age and become thick. *Some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in Asian supermarkets. Note: Because different people have different physiques, its recommended to consult your doctor or TCM experts before supplementing. Huge Tipping Point: Trump Allies Sound Off on Possible Indictment An indictment of former President Donald Trump could blow back and help Trump in his bid to win back the Oval Office, some of his allies say. This is a huge tipping point and turning point in America that has to be pulled back, and we cannot allow for our justice system to be weaponized, Jenna Ellis, who represented the 2020 Trump campaign, told The Epoch Times. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had earlier predicted that Trump could win by a landslide if he does get arrested next week, amid the Manhattan District Attorney Offices hush money probea scenario Ellis believes is possible. American people are so outraged at how law enforcement and the institutions of America are being weaponized against conservatives and Republicans, especially Donald Trump and his allies, said Ellis, who suggests that the move is a bid by Democrats to drain [Trumps] war chest because they know that mounting a defense will be very costly. I think that there is a genuinely good possibility that Trump will gain a lot of followers who are sick and tired of seeing justice perverted in this manner. Before 2016, she said, a looming indictment would have marked the end of someones presidential candidacy, just because the American people believed in the legitimacy of law enforcement and the legitimacy of an indictment. But here, I think that virtually everyone who is paying attention, and certainly anyone on the Republican and conservative side that cares about due process and justice, knows that this is a political tactic. And so theyre not going to care. Ellis was not alone in thinking that a possible arrestwhich Trump suggests would happen on Tuesday, March 21, citing illegal leakswould make Trumps 2024 presidential bid easier rather than harder. If the Manhattan DA indicts President Trump, he will ultimately win even bigger than he is already going to win, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) wrote on Twitter. Hogan Gidley, a former White House spokesman under Trump, cited polls following the FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago that showed an uptick in Trumps popularity. Donald Trump is the voice of the American people. And people in this country get really angry when they are falsely accused, and when they are targeted by a weaponized federal government, he told The Epoch Times. So they will rally in support of someone who is falsely accused, whether that be someone from main street or someone from Mar-a-Lago. The Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs probe relates to a $130,000 hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels. The office didnt respond to The Epoch Timess request for comment by press time. Read More Stormy Daniels Ordered to Pay Trump Nearly $300,000 in Attorneys Fees After Losing Defamation Lawsuit Appeal While an indictment is very likely, a conviction would be a lot harder because it requires showing that Donald Trump intended to commit a crime, Texas GOP strategist Brendan Steinhauser told The Epoch Times. He, like others, agrees that the development will likely rally Trumps base, although for moderates, the controversies around Trump have led a subsect of Republicans to want to turn the page on the Trump era, he said, pointing to support for Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trumps strongest 2024 GOP rival. The Call to Protest Trump, on his social media site Truth Social, has called for supporters to protest and take our nation back, drawing criticism that he was inciting violence reminiscent of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. But Ellis argued that those remarks were probably an emotional reaction, even if not the wisest move. Read More Manhattan DA Signals Criminally Charging Trump; Trump Responds If weve learned one thing from Jan. 6, its how quickly these protests can get out of control, and how quickly the Democrats in the federal government can weaponize protests even against the American people, and so I think that we need to be very, very cautious, she said. Certainly people can stand up for President Trump, they can support him. But I dont personally believe that protesting in the streets is a responsible response. Steinhauser similarly said Trump wouldnt want to see violence in the streets. I dont think another January 6 type event helps Donald Trump at all, I think it hurts him, he said. But I think if they go out there and protest peacefully and say, Hey, this is politically motivated, this is a witch hunt, they may be able to help convince enough Republicans of the prosecutions politically charged nature to help him win the presidential nomination. Reed Zuehlke attended the matinee of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, Fla., on March 18, 2023. (Nancy Ma/The Epoch Times) ORLANDO, Fla.Reed Zuehlke, an IT sales engineer, attended the matinee of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on March 18. He liked how Chinese culture was represented in the performance. Its wonderful! Beautiful representation of Chinese culture, Chinese heritage, and not the current Chinese government. Based in New York, Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by leading Chinese artists and quickly became the worlds premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yuns mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture. Mr. Zuehlke saw differences between traditional culture and the present regime: a combination of strength, courage, caring, intellectual pursuits, and religion. He also saw the importance of holding on to traditional culture I think theres a great loss in current culture for understanding history and being able to get a chance to actually watch history and understand more about what happened before us teaches us an awful lot, he said. He also appreciated the music throughout the performance. I think its fantastic! Mr. Zuehlke said. I think its wonderful. It brings a lot of emotion out of you. You get a chance to experience highs and lows, and to get a chance to experience rhythm. I think it brings joy to peoples faces. History is a fantastic teacher. I think the storylines are great; [they] share a lot about whats going on before us and teach lessons. I think thats a good thing, he said. Mr. Zuehlke said it is good that people know about whats going on in China today. Extremely important. Extremely important. But I dont think its just China, its all over the world and theyre looking more at power and profit and less at enlightenment, I guess well call it. Shen Yun told stories of the divine in Chinese culture and its relevance today. Mr. Zuehlke agreed: Its extraordinarily relevant. Without hope, without a belief in God or a greater being, there is no life but today, and how do you get through bad times when you dont have hope? He said he hopes Shen Yun awakens people. I hope it is! I mean I have hope. I believe, so hopefully people will understand theres more than just us. Even in difficult times, in spite of difficult things that have happened to us on earth, we still hopefully will get our reward in heaven. Mr. Zuehlke said Shen Yun covers many topics. I think its a wonderful combination of a broad number of subjects. He had positive things to say to Shen Yuns performers. I would love to find out from them just how difficult it is to train. I was an Olympic athlete, so I know how hard it is to train, but also what do they do in their spare time to bring them their hope that theyre trying to portray in us. Reporting by Nancy Ma and Yvonne Marcotte. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Jonathan Turley: Manhattan DAs Potential Case Against Trump Legally Pathetic George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley panned reports of the looming potential case against former President Donald Trump after the former commander-in-chief announced he may be arrested in the next week. Alleged unnamed court sources have told multiple news outlets that Trump could be indicted in the near future, while Trump said via Truth Social that he expects to be arrested by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office on Tuesday. Braggs office has not publicly confirmed reports that he may possibly indict the former president for allegedly misclassifying a $130,000 hush payment made to Stormy Daniels in 2016. Trump has denied claims that he had an affair with Daniels in the early 2000s. However, unconfirmed reports alleged that a grand jury in New York has been empaneled and may be seeking an indictment of the former president. But Turley said that based on those reports, the DAs case against Trump is legally pathetic and is struggling to twist state laws to effectively prosecute a federal case long ago rejected by the Justice Department against Trump. In 2018 (yes, that is how long this theory has been around), I wrote how difficult such a federal case would be under existing election laws. Now, six years later, the same theory may be shoehorned into a state claim, wrote Turley, who was a former expert witness for Trumps first impeachment trial, for The Hill. While we still do not know the specific state charges in the anticipated indictment, the most-discussed would fall under Section 175 for falsifying business records, based on the claim that Trump used legal expenses to conceal the alleged hush-payments that were supposedly used to violate federal election laws, Turley said. While some legal experts have insisted such concealment is clearly a criminal matter that must be charged, they were conspicuously silent when Hillary Clinton faced a not-dissimilar campaign-finance allegation. He noted that a Section 175 charge would normally be a misdemeanor and that the only way to convert it into a Class E felony requires a showing that the intent to defraud includes an intent to commit another crime or to aid or conceal the commission thereof. That other crime would appear to be the federal election violations which the Justice Department previously declined to charge. Braggs office, meanwhile, could not prosecute the charge as a misdemeanor as it falls outside the two-year statute of limitations, Turley wrote. Instead, Bragg would have to pursue a felony charge. Prosecutors working under Braggs predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr., also reportedly rejected the viability of using a New York law to effectively charge a federal offense, Turley noted. Bragg also previously expressed doubts about the Daniels case and shut it down when he took office several years ago, he said, adding that two lead prosecutors resigned at the time. If Trump is indicted, it may require Trump to travel to the district attorneys office in downtown New York to surrender. In white-collar cases, the defendants lawyers and prosecutors typically agree on a date and time, rather than arresting the person at home. Trump would have his fingerprints and mugshot taken and would appear for arraignment in court. He would likely be released on his own recognizance and allowed to head home, legal analysts told Reuters. Trumps lawyer, Joe Tacopina, told CNBC on Friday that Trump would surrender if charged. If Trump refused to come in voluntarily, prosecutors could seek to have him extradited from Florida, where he currently resides. On Saturday, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the former president has not been formally notified of any pending arrest. Both Cheung and Trump accused Bragg, a Democrat who received $1 million in campaign cash from a George Soros-linked organization, of targeting him for political gain and could try to seek dismissal of the charges on those grounds. There has been no notification, other than illegal leaks from the Justice Dept. and the DAs office, to NBC and other fake news carriers, that the George Soros-funded Radical Left Democrat prosecutor in Manhattan has decided to take his Witch-Hunt to the next level, Cheung said. President Trump is rightfully highlighting his innocence and the weaponization of our injustice system, he added. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office has not responded to a request for comment. Reuters contributed to this report. Every year, journalists are killed in the line of duty, at home or venturing into war zones and areas of conflict. Sometimes they end up in jail, detained for years on end, or exiled from their countries, forced into hiding. Some go missing, disappear. In this episode of International Reporters Roundtable, we explore what it means to be a journalist on the frontlines. Our guests personally know the reality of reporters being hunted, what it is to face life and death, yet persist in the work of telling the truth. Nazira Karimi, Anjan Sundaram, and Armando Guzman join us to discuss their experiences and those of their colleagues in Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Mexico, the pressures and perils of this essential calling, and shed light on the source of their dedication. Longtime Conservative Activist Has Advice for Trump Supporters Considering Protesting A longtime conservative activist recommended that supporters of former President Donald Trump tightly police your gatherings and to be wary of provocateurs after the former president called for protests amid reports that he might be arrested by the Manhattan District Attorneys office next week. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, is reportedly investigating Trump for providing $130,000 to adult performer Stormy Daniels. On social media, Trump suggested he would be arrested on Tuesday and called for people to protest and take our nation back, although Trump did not say where or how people should protest. Arizona Republican candidate Kari Lake, too, suggested that peaceful protests should be in order if Trump is indicted. And I would remind his critics that the First Amendment of the United States Constitution grants us the right to peaceably assemble, Lake said in a statement. We cannot allow ourselves to live in such fear of the lefts infiltration that we surrender our God-given rights without them even asking. In response, a longtime conservative activist and Washington D.C. protest organizer, Kristinn Taylor, wrote for The Gateway Pundit that Trump supporters should be especially cautious in the wake of the events that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. With Trump supporters now recognizing that provocateurs and federal agents will attempt to infiltrate protests, my recommendation would be to go ahead and protestbut to tightly police your gatherings. Best to avoid the whole lot of em, he wrote in an article giving advice to demonstrators. I would also tell people who show up in camo or khaki military fatigues to get lost, the activist added. Tell the hotheads and people who dont want to follow the rules and those you just dont want around they are free to protest elsewherejust not with your group. Be firm. Its your protest, Taylor continued. You can still have fun and make your voice heard doing it like this. I know. I did it successfully in the belly of the beast for over a decade without being arrested or beaten. He noted that rights must be exercised or they will be taken away. The Democrats are using the powers of government to suppress conservatives. Peaceful, passionate protest is a must if we are to reclaim our Constitutional form of government from those who have abused their powers and subverted the government from within. There are other means of protest and activism besides street protests. Use them too, but dont give up the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,' he wrote. Reactions Several prominent Democrats and Republicans took umbrage with Trumps calls for protests. On Saturday, top Democrats including Reps. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) immediately claimed that Trumps Truth Social post was an incitement of violence. The former presidents announcement this morning is reckless: doing so to keep himself in the news and to foment unrest among his supporters, said Pelosi, a former House speaker, on Saturday. Soon after Trumps call for protests, former Vice President Mike Pencehimself a possible 2024 candidatetold reporters Saturday we want to send a very clear message that violence will not be tolerated and anyone that would engage in violence would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. He did not provide any evidence of any possible acts of politically motivated violence. Pence also said that we respect the right of Americans to let their voice be heard and to express the frustration over what appears to be a politically motivated prosecution of the former president. A spokesperson and advisor to Pence, Marc Short, went a step further in a CNN interview and likened Trumps post to the Jan. 6 breach. Trump, who announced his 2024 bid for the White House last November, is slated to hold his first 2024 campaign rally in Texas, on March 25. Majority of Canadians Support Bringing Back Death Penalty for Murder, Poll Shows The majority of Canadians would agree with bringing back the death penalty for murder, according to a new poll by Research Co. Of 1,000 Canadian adults polled between March 10 to March 12, 54 percent said they supported capital punishment for those convicted of murder, a three point increase since a similar poll roughly one year ago, in February 2022. Albertans were most in favour of the death penalty at 62 percent, following by Saskatchewan and Manitoba, at 60 percent. Ontario and British Columbia each sat at 58 percent respectively, with Atlantic Canada at 55 percent. Those in Quebec were least in favour of capital punishment, as the death penalty is sometimes referred, at 43 percent. Differences emerged by age categories. According to the poll, 59 percent, or three-in-five Canadians, aged 55 and over, would agree with reinstating the death penalty. The numbers sit at 54 percent among those aged 35 to 54, and at 50 percent among those aged 18 to 34. Support for the death penalty by vote in the 2021 federal election saw the highest support among Conservative Party voters at 71 percent, followed by NDP voters at 49 percent, and Liberal Party voters at 48 percent, according to the poll. When asked, 53 percent of Canadians expressed a preference for sentencing convicted murders to life in prison with no parole, while 37 percent favoured the death penalty. Of those completely opposed, 25 percent of Canadians answered it was never appropriate, while one in ten said it was always appropriate. A majority, 58 percent, answered it was sometimes appropriate. Of those who are opposed to state executions for murder, 66 percent indicated their primary concern was the possibility of wrongful conviction and execution. Other reasons cited by opponents of capital punishment are feeling that it is wrong to take a convicted murderers own life (42%), calling for murderers to do their time in prison, as indicated by a judge (41%), doubting that the death penalty will work as a deterrent (39%) and thinking that murderers can be rehabilitated (20%), said Research Co. Of those who responded with support for the death penalty, 57 percent felt it would be a deterrent for other potential murderers, 55 percent felt it fit the crime because of taking a life, and 51 percent responded that it would save taxpayers money from keeping criminals incarcerated. Only 46 percent of those who favoured state executions felt it would provide closure to the families of murder victims, and 30 percent indicated they believe murderers cannot be rehabilitated, the poll showed. Canada has not had state executions permissible by law since 1998, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia. The last executions took place in 1962, and the federal government completely abolished capital punishment in 1998. Man Gets 15 Years to Life for DUI Crash That Killed Woman, Dog Near Costa Mesa SANTA ANA, Calif.A 33-year-old Riverside man pleaded guilty March 17 and was immediately sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a deadly crash that killed a woman and her dog in an unincorporated area near Costa Mesa. Ali Zohair Fakhreddine pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury, and driving drunk. Fakhreddine killed 72-year-old Cleusa Moraes Coffman of Newport Beach and her Shih Tzu, Bob, on Sept. 6, 2020. Fakhreddine was charged with second-degree murder instead of vehicular manslaughter because he was convicted of drunken driving in a Rancho Cucamonga court, in San Bernardino County, in 2008 and in Orange County in 2015. When drivers are sentenced for drunken driving they are warned they could face a murder charge instead of a manslaughter charge if they are involved in a deadly collision while driving under the influence. The victim was crossing Irvine Avenue at Mesa Street with her dog in a crosswalk when she was struck by a 2014 Hyundai about 6:34 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol. Fakhreddine ran a red light at the intersection before hitting the victim and her dog and not stopping, the agency reported. Riverside police found Fakhreddine passed out behind the wheel of his car, which sustained front-end damage, according to the Orange County District Attorneys Office. When the officers attempted to rouse him he drove off, prosecutors said. The defendant had a blood-alcohol level of .10, as well as fentanyl and marijuana in his system, Deputy District Attorney Brian Orue said. The sons of the victim attempted to write an impact statement to Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger, but found it to be too painful an exercise, Orue said. They wrote the following statement: We are not going to write any statement to the court. We thought about it and its just too painful and at the same time brings a lot of anger and frustration about the tragedy and this whole process. I tried writing but it brought back so many emotions that I had to stop. The defendant offered to apologize publicly to the family, but that was rejected, Orue said. Fakhreddine broke down several times as he struggled to make a statement to the judge. There hasnt been a day gone by that I havent prayed for your family, Fakhreddine said to the victims, who did not attend the hearing. Every day, I pray to God to take away your pain, your grief, he added. Im sorry for the mental, physical, and spiritual harm I caused. I apologize for the actions Im responsible for, for taking the precious life of [the victim]. I wish I could take them back. The decision I made that day will haunt me. I have no excuse. I have to live with that. I will pray for you to the end of my days. Menninger said, I hope and pray there is some comfort in your words for the family. In these cases, there is no winner. Everyone suffers, Menninger said. Deadly crashes involving alcohol or drugs usually involve decent people who make a horrible mistake, Menninger said, adding that the defendants still have to pay the consequences. The judge said the defendants plea and apology should be impactful when he appears before a parole board. The defendant was given credit for 922 days so far in custody. Man Stabbed in Arm at San Diego House Party; Suspect Arrested SAN DIEGOA man was arrested for allegedly stabbing another man in the arm at a house party March 19 morning in the Lincoln Park community of San Diego, authorities said. Giovanni Sanchez Zuniga, 27, began arguing with another man about 2 a.m. at a house party in the 1300 block of Privado Place, the San Diego Police Department reported. At some point the two separated and Zuniga left the house party, only to return a short time later and allegedly stab the victim, a 36-year-old man, in the arm. Zuniga fled the scene but was arrested a short time later. Paramedics rushed the stabbing victim to a hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries. The San Diego Police Department urged anyone with information regarding the argument and attack to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Man Suspected of Firing Shot at Police Helicopter in Rolando SAN DIEGOA 49-year-old man who allegedly shot at a police helicopter in Rolando and made a threatening phone call to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) was arrested, authorities said March 17. Just before 3:30 p.m. Thursday, the alleged suspect, who lived in the 6100 block of Tarragona Drive, called the police department and said he was planning to grab a gun and start shooting people because his boat and car were towed without warning, according to the department. About 20 minutes later, the department received another call from a neighbor of the alleged suspect, who said they heard multiple gunshots near the suspects address. The SDPD sent a helicopter occupied by a pilot and two tactical flight officers to the scene, the airborne law enforcement quickly located the suspect, who was identified as Richard Favorite. As the helicopter circled Favorites home, he took a shotgun and fired a shot in the direction of the helicopter that missed, according to the department. After firing the errant shot, Favorite quickly went back inside his home but later surrendered to officers surrounding the residence, according to police. He was booked into San Diego County Jail for the attempted murder of the ABLE crew, assault with a deadly weapon, shooting at an occupied aircraft, and negligent discharge of a firearm, according to the SDPD. After the arrest, a shotgun and fired shotgun shells were discovered in the yard. It was also realized Favorite was the one who made the threatening phone call to the police prior to the ordeal, according to authorities. SDPD detectives were interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence, and investigating the crime. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. My Take on the Possible Trump Indictment Former President Donald Trump arrives for an event at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Commentary The goal isnt the political fallout. They know that former President Donald Trump isnt going to exit the racenor is he constitutionally required toin the event of an indictment in New York. The goal is to keep him from being able to raise enough money for a serious campaign. Its the same thing they did with Mueller and the Russia Hoax: drained the war chest. But he had the advantage then of being the incumbent, so the Republican National Committee (RNC) was (mostly) helpful. The 2020 campaign still spent over $1 billion. The question is whether donors will stand by him or look to an alternative. (The RNC doesnt have to support any one candidate because its an open primary.) All of this should matter because whether or not you support a Trump 2024 campaign, tactics like this shouldnt influence your ability to choose a candidate for the Republican nomination. He should win or lose fair and square. This is how radical the leftists are in their Trump Derangement Syndrome. Because of their perpetual witch hunts to GET TRUMP, no one is even pretending that this is a remotely justified indictment; everyone knows its politically motivated. Before 2016, if a candidate had a pending or actual indictment, it would be a huge blow to their credibility and almost certainly the end of their candidacy, because we assumed it was legitimate. Now, because of the Democrats, no reasonable American trusts the legitimacy of federal law enforcement. Nor should they. But the Democrats dont care about protecting our institutions or systems. They just want to get Trump. I hope they utterly, miserably failif Democrats are supposedly so concerned about protecting democracy, then just let the people decide. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. New Lawyer Network to Battle Racism in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mandates Cornell Law Professor says policies discriminate against whites Students at the University of Florida gather at the Marston Science Library on the campus in Gainesville, Fla., on Feb. 23, 2023 as part of a planned "walkout" to protest against Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis's efforts to curb Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public universities and colleges around the state. (Nanette Holt/The Epoch Times) A Cornell Law School professor has launched the Equal Protection Project, a network of attorneys battling discrimination against whites occurring under so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates. Professor William Jacobson, founder of the Legal Insurrection Foundation and Criticalrace.org, started his latest project, EqualProtect.org, in response to a disturbing trend that ditches the American idea that people should be treated equally, without regard to race or ethnicity. We reject the idea that the society we live in is systemically racist and that therefore racism is the default explanation for everything that happens, Jacobson told The Epoch Times. In fact, our system is systemically against racism, from the 14th Amendment to federal law, state law, local law, ordinances, corporate policies, and programs at virtually every corporation, he said. William Jacobson, a Cornell law professor, started a database of universities engaged in Critical Race Theory. (Photo courtesy of Jacobson) So far, more than 100 attorneys from across the country have signed on with the project, which is part of the nonprofit Legal Insurrection Foundation, to stop discrimination within public institutions such as schools, universities, and cities, he said. The new Equal Protection Project, launched in February, is an extension of Jacobsons work against Critical Race Theory (CRT). He created public database Criticalrace.org to track CRT initiatives at K-12 schools and universities across the country. Jacobson believes that DEI discrimination is the civil rights issue of our time and intends to fight it. DEI programs include CRT, a neo-Marxist ideology that divides people into two groupsoppressors and the oppressedbased on factors such as skin color or sexual orientation. It claims that America was founded on racism, is hopelessly flawed, and must be dismantled. One of the leading architects of modern CRT is Ibram X. Kendi, who wrote the book How to be an Antiracist, which promotes discrimination against groups that, according to Kendi, are oppressors, such as white males. Antiracist practices often are taught in schools and employer training that promotes DEI. What kind of society is that where you are holding people collectively guilty and collectively responsible, based merely on the color of their skin or their ancestry? he asked. It is a really regressive, pernicious ideology. Jacobson said he began to realize over the past few years of documenting instances of DEI that more needed to be done beyond compiling a database. What pushed the project over the top was an incident in Providence, Rhode Island, where the Providence Public School District allegedly violated the civil rights of whites by offering a teacher loan forgiveness program to only non-white applicants. Governor Gina Raimondo (C) addresses protesters, saying a prayer with them and telling them she will listen and work with them, after they called for her to come out and hear their demands during a Black Lives Matter rally on the steps of the State House in Providence, Rhode Island on June 5, 2020. (Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images) Jacobson called the public education system in Rhode Island a disaster, saying it struggles to attract and retain teachers. He pointed to abysmal grade-level proficiency scores in English and math at 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively. But they have very aggressive and well-funded DEI programming, he added. Jacobson explained that the teacher population in Rhode Island is more white than the student population, and the districts wanted to change that by offering new minority teachers up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness. Jacobson said his organization filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education that was transferred to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for allegedly discriminating against new white teachers. Signs against critical race theory in front of the Loudoun County School Administration building in Virginia on Nov. 9, 2021. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times) He said the Equal Protection Project has already had a victory by stopping Rhode Island schools from holding segregated teacher meetups organized by schools but held off school grounds. Jacobson said his organization sent a letter to the venues where the meetings took place explaining that public spaces had to be open to everyone regardless of race under the Rhode Island Public Accommodations law. Ultimately, the venue was canceled. The Rhode Island schools are still holding the teacher meetups but are now welcoming everyone. We do not accept that there is any good form of racism, Jacobson said Jacobson said that while the project is small, he knows others are stepping up across the country to reject a regressive ideology that could destroy the country by pitting races and ethnicities against each other. When you have a society that does that, what you end up with is Yugoslavia, a society that falls apart because people owe their allegiance to their racial and ethnic groups, not to their nation and not to their country, he said. He fears America is becoming more divided, with blue states falling deeper into a DEI agenda funded with billions of dollars in grants. He hopes theres enough resistance to give red states time to ban the practice in its public institutions. I dont know whether well be able to stop it or not. But I think we can slow it down while, hopefully, people take a step back and say this is madness. North Korea Launches Missile Into Sea Amid USSouth Korea Drills U.S. Army soldiers wait to board their CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a joint military drill between South Korea and the United States at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea, on March 19, 2023. (Ahn Young-joon/AP Photo) SEOUL, South KoreaNorth Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to ongoing U.S.South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The Norths continuation of missile tests showed its determination not to back down despite the U.S.South Korea exercises, which are the biggest of their kind in years. But many experts say the tests are also part of North Koreas bigger objective to expand its weapons arsenal, win global recognition as a nuclear state and get international sanctions lifted. The missile launched from the Norths northwestern Tongchangri area flew across the country before it landed in the waters off its east coast, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile traveled a distance of about 800 kilometers (500 miles), a range that suggests the weapon could target South Korea. The chief nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan, and the United States discussed the launch on the phone and strongly condemned it as a provocation that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They agreed to strengthen their coordination to issue a firm international response to the Norths action, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry. South Koreas military said it will thoroughly proceed with the rest of the joint drills with the United States and maintain a readiness to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation by North Korea. As part of the drills, the United States on Sunday flew long-range B-1B bombers for joint training with South Korean warplanes, according to South Koreas Defense Ministry. North Korea is highly sensitive to the deployment of B-1Bs, which are capable of carrying a huge conventional weapons payload. It responded to the February flights of B-1Bs by test-launching missiles that demonstrated potential ranges to strike some air bases in South Korea. Japanese Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said the missile landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft. He said the missile likely showed an irregular trajectory, a possible reference to North Koreas highly maneuverable, nuclear-capable KN-23 missile that was modeled on Russias Iskander missile. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest launch doesnt pose an immediate threat to the U.S. territory or its allies. But it said the Norths recent launches highlight the destabilizing impact of its unlawful weapons programs and that the U.S. security commitment to South Korea and Japan remains ironclad. The launch was the Norths third round of weapons tests since the United States and South Korean militaries began their joint military drills last Monday. The drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday. The field exercises are the biggest of their kind since 2018. The weapons North Korea recently tested include its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland. The Norths state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying the ICBM launch was meant to strike fear into the enemies. Thursdays launch, the Norths first ICBM firing in a month, drew strong protests from Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington. It was carried out just hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Tokyo for a closely watched summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the summit, Yoon and Kishida agreed to resume their defense dialogue and further strengthen security cooperation with the United States to counter North Korea and address other challenges. Ties between Seoul and Tokyo suffered a major setback in recent years due to issues stemming from Japans 19101945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. But North Koreas record run of missile tests last yearit launched more than 70 missiles in 2022 alonepushed Seoul and Tokyo to seek stronger trilateral security partnerships involving Washington, which also wants to reinforce its alliances in Asia to better deal with Chinas influence and North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea has missiles that place Japan within striking distance. Last October, North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over northern Japan, forcing communities there to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains. After Sundays launch, Kishida ordered a prompt response, including working closely with South Korea and the United States, according to Ino, the Japanese vice defense minister. A day before the start of the drills, North Korea also fired cruise missiles from a submarine. The Norths state media said the submarine-launched missile was a demonstration of its resolve to respond with overwhelming powerful force to the intensifying military maneuvers by the United States and South Korea. According to South Korean media reports, the United States and South Korea plan more training involving a U.S. aircraft carrier later this month after their current exercises end. This suggests animosities on the Korean Peninsula could last a few more weeks as North Korea would also likely respond to those drills with weapons tests. By Hyung-Jin Kim Nuclear-Powered Submarines Outperform Australias Current Diesel-Electric Subs, Defence Minister Says Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 10, 2022. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) Australias defence minister has defended the federal governments $368 billion (US$244 billion) deal to purchase up to five nuclear-powered submarines, saying Australias diesel-electric submarines pale in comparison to U.S. nuclear-propulsion technologies and Chinas existing fleet of more than 10 nuclear submarines. On March 13, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that Australia would replace its six Collins-class diesel-electric submarines with eight nuclear-powered submarines over the course of the next 30 years under AUKUS, a trilateral security pact with the United States and the United Kingdom. Australia had been seeking to replace its six Collins-class submarines, which are estimated to reach the end of their service life in 2036. Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has criticised the deal, saying the plan will take a lot more time, cost a great deal more money, have a lot more risk than if Australia had proceeded with his governments submarine project with France. In 2021, the Morrison government that took over from Turnbull tore up his $66 billion contract with France for 12 new diesel-electric submarines. Then-Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the French submarines were no longer suited to Australias operational needs at a time of increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. But under Labors leadership, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on March 19 that looking at projections through the 2030s and into the 2040s, it has become clear that the only capable long-range submarine that will be able to effectively operate is a nuclear-powered submarine. He told ABCs Insiders that diesel-electric submarines are only able to pursue targets for time frames measured in days before they have to surface to recharge their batteries. Thats a noisy thing to do. Its called snorting, he said. The ability to be able to detect that is growing. On the other hand, nuclear-powered submarines are able to be underwater for months at a time, and their only limitation is feeding a crew, Marles said. That is therefore what were going to need to happen in the future. And thats why we have to walk down this path, which is ultimately converting our six current diesel electric submarines to eight nuclear-powered submarines over the course of 30 years. Filling The Submarines Ability Gap Marles didnt explicitly name Chinas communist regime in his comments, but said there is an assertion of sovereignty in respect of the South China Sea, which is not consistent with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. In the year 2000, China had six nuclear-powered submarines. By the end of this decade, theyll have 21. In the year 2000, they had 57 surface ships, but by the end of this decade, theyll have 200. This is a very big military buildup, he said. According to the latest Pentagon assessment, China currently operates 56 submarines, 12 of which are nuclear-powered. The defence minister also denied that Australias access to the U.S. submarine technology is contingent on any commitment to the United States to defend Taiwan if a conflict breaks out. What Australians do in respect of any conflict is always a matter for an Australian government of the day to control, and this doesnt remove any one ounce of that control. The AUKUS submarine project is significant because the U.S. Navy hasnt shared its nuclear-propulsion technologies since partnering with Britain in the 1950s. Albanese, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and U.S. President Joe Biden all acknowledge that the rewards of cooperation outweigh the risk of sharing secrets, given the CCPs military buildup in the region. Implementing AUKUS will require robust, novel information sharing and technology cooperation, a joint statement said. Our nations are committed to further trilateral collaboration that will strengthen our joint capabilities, enhance our information and technology sharing, and integrate our industrial bases and supply chains while strengthening the security regimes of each nation. The deal will also make Australia the first nation outside the Club of FiveUnited States, Russia, China, Britain, and Franceto put a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines to sea. Emel Akan and John Haughey contributed to this report. Thad Czapka, Theatre Donor at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, at the Shen Yun Performing Arts concert on March 18, 2023. (Nancy Ma/The Epoch Times) ORLANDO, Fla.Thad Czapka, a realtor for Coldwell Banker and theatre donor at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where he watched Shen Yun Performing Arts on March 18, said this is one of the best productions Ive seen so far! This is the first time Ive seen it and its amazing I loved it, he said, the costumes, the design, the orchestra, everything is absolutely wonderful! Since 2006, Shen Yun has performed at top theatres worldwide. The company performs classical Chinese dance, ethnic, folk dances, and story-based dances, accompanied by a unique orchestra that blends traditional Chinese instruments with classical Western instruments. Mr. Czapka was amazed by the companys patented method of integrating a 3D animated backdrop with the stage performance. It allows the performers to seamlessly travel back and forth between the stage and the background projection. The choreography is amazing and the way they do the choreography with the background screening is absolutely beautiful, he said. Along with myths and legends from ancient times, Shen Yun presents story-based dances portraying the persecution of Falun Dafa, a meditation discipline based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. In 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a persecution campaign against the spiritual practice, which is also called Falun Gong, and adherents have since been subjected to unprecedented imprisonment, torture, and abuse. Its very educating as far as what has happened since the beginning of China to now and the struggles that theyre having with human rights, said Mr. Czapka, humans deserve to have the rights to live and be themselves. I think its very important to bring it to this generation, he said, we all want peace, we all want to live and get along with each other [and] we want to respect each others backgrounds. Mr. Czapka was thankful to Shen Yun for such a beautiful evening. I would love to see this again, he said. Reporting by Nancy Ma, NTD, 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. National COVID-19 Testing Companys Co-Owner Indicted for Defrauding US Agency Out of $83 Million People wait to take coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests at a pop-up testing site in New York on July 11, 2022. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) The co-owner and operator of a Chicago-based laboratory company that operated COVID-19 testing sites during the pandemic faces federal charges that he defrauded a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency out of more than $83 million with bogus or nonexistent testing. Zishan Alvi, 44, of LabElite, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 8 on 10 counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government funds, according to the indictment from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. The business is referred to only as Laboratory A in the indictment. Alvi is alleged to have devised a scheme to submit claims for PCR tests that werent performed for reimbursement under multiple federal programs set to pay for COVID-19 testing not covered under health insurance, including the Democrats Families First Coronavirus Response Act. According to the indictment, his company often provided COVID-19 test results to customers for tests that were never conducted. The charges in this case allege that the defendant disregarded public health concerns in favor of personal financial gain. Doing so by compromising taxpayer-funded programs intended to fight the spread of coronavirus was particularly reprehensible, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Morris Pasqual said in a statement. The Epoch Times attempted to reach Alvi for comment. His company left a message on its phone that its closed. LabElite is one of several companies that partner with hundreds of pop-up COVID-19 testing sites across the United States. Its among a string of Chicago-based testing labs that have been under investigation in the past year by various government agencies for their handling of COVID-19 test results. Massachusetts, Nevada, Washington, Minnesota, and California are among more than a dozen states that have found companies to either be mislabeling tests, not following proper testing procedures, or collecting money and never providing results to the customers who paid for them. Alvi is the first owner of COVID-19 testing labs with allegedly questionable practices to be criminally charged. In addition to submitting for reimbursement for tests that were never taken, Alvi is accused of ordering his labs to cut corners and skip testing standards. According to the indictment, an investigation found that his practices often led to providing customers with incorrect test results. Court records show that Alvi submitted fraudulent claims for reimbursement of COVID-19 tests never conducted to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an HHS agency, charged with administering the funds under the various federal COVID-19 reimbursement programs. According to the indictment, Alvi also received funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Paycheck Protection Program, and the Health Care Enhancement Act, which were created under Bidens 2021 $160 million COVID-19 funding initiative, called the American Rescue Plan. It is absolutely reprehensible that the defendant would use a public health crisis to allegedly defraud taxpayers and further put public health at risk by providing fraudulent COVID-19 test results, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement. Lucrative COVID-19 Black Market A review of past and ongoing investigations into COVID-19 tests shows that a lucrative black market was created out of the government reimbursement program nearly since its inception. Akbar Ali Syed and his wife, Aleya Siyaj, the listed owners of the Center for COVID Control, which has shut down amid a federal investigation into its operations, touted a million-dollar mansion and several luxury cars on their TikTok account before it disappeared, according to a USA Today report. The Epoch Times was unable to reach Syed or Siyaj. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records, Northshore Clinical Labs, another Chicago-based testing company under federal investigation, received more than $160 million worth in federal reimbursements for its COVID-19 testing operations before having to shutter its operations. The last listed owners of the company are brothers Hirsh and Gaurav Mohindra, and Omar Hussain. The Epoch Times was unable to reach any of the individuals for comment. In 2016, the Mohindras were named as defendants in a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against a ring accused of shaking down citizens for payments for nonexistent debts. The men surrendered $9 million in assets as part of a settlement with the FTC. In 2019, Hussain was named in a similar FTC suit and later surrendered millions of dollars worth of assets as part of a settlement agreement with the government agency. In the indictment against Alvi, the federal government lists in its forfeiture against him more than $83 million in assets, including a 2021 Bentley, a 2021 Lamborghini, along with other luxury cars, a $6 million bank account, and $800,000 in an E-Trade account. COVID-19 testing has also led to other schemes. Last August, the Federal Trade Commission reported that it discovered a scam involving offers of free COVID-19 tests to people on Medicare. The fraudsters would collect both personal and Medicare information under the scheme and then bill the federally-funded health insurance program for bogus test kits, the agency said. In some of the cases, according to the FTC, the scammers would also bill Medicare for other bogus claims through the COVID-19 test scheme. In just the past year, the FDA has sent more than 20 warning letters to various companies for their promotion of COVID-19 test kits that arent FDA approved. For her efforts to report injuries to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) and to educate others in her hospital system on doing the same, Physician Assistant Deborah Conrad said she was labeled an anti-vaxxer and fired from her job. Today, the New York-based Conrad tells her story at medical freedom conferences throughout the country, the most recent being one in Mississippi where physicians, scientists, and the vaccine injured warned state lawmakers to pull the COVID-19 vaccines from the market. Conrad told The Epoch Times she began to see early danger signals in 2021 upon the vaccine rollout, and with that, resistance among her colleagues to report on them. After the vaccines came out, there was this uptick in unusual symptoms, some of which I had never seen in my 20-year career, Conrad said. In every case, it was in somebody who had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Conrad said she had never admitted an adult patient with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) until the COVID-19 vaccines. And every patient who came in with RSV was vaccinated for COVID, Conrad said. It wasnt normal. Then, there were the adolescents with no previous medical conditions who had gotten the COVID-19 vaccine a week prior and, suddenly, they were struck with pneumonia and not able to function, she said. They werent able to walk or eat, and they were completely and totally fatigued, Conrad said. This was in 2021 before myocarditis was being discussed, so many of those early cases that were probably myocarditis were diagnosed as pneumonia, she said. A lot of these myocarditis cases came in with fevers because of this massive inflammatory response that was taking place in the body, so they would be labeled as septic, treated as if we were treating pneumonia or fevers of unknown origin, Conrad said. Wed treat them with antibiotics and all sorts of other things, not realizing that they were having heart failure. Conrad began reporting to VAERS, which she said was an overwhelming task not made easy by its multiple user-interface complications. My entire life had been taken over by doing these VAERS reports by myself, she said. In meetings with leadership, she would propose implementing a reporting system and hiring someone to manage the reports, she said. A Hostile Environment They kept telling me were looking into it and well get back to you, Conrad said. Around April 2021, leadership came back and said no one else is reporting injuriesimplying that I was crazy and there was nothing really going on with the vaccines. Leadership then audited her reports, she said and concluded that she was overreporting. I was then told that by doing VAERS reports and even discussing VAERS that it was an admission that the vaccines were unsafe, so its contributing to vaccine hesitancy, Conrad said. From there, it became a very hostile environment that compelled her to seek legal counsel, who wrote letters to the Department of Health, the CDC, and the FDA. No one cared, Conrad said. Finally, I had had it. It was so unethical; I couldnt take it anymore. These VAERS reports are critical to assuring these vaccines are safe for us all. I could no longer be a part of a system that is lying to the American people. Conrad decided to become a whistleblower, telling her story on Del Bigtrees The Highwire, knowing, she said, that it would cost her job. I couldnt remain silent, even if it meant losing my career and everything I worked for, she said. I was fired a few weeks later and walked out like a criminal in front of all my peers. The initiative and education she had brought forth to report to VAERS were squashed that day, she said. Whistleblower Deborah Conrad speaks about her termination for attempting to utilize the VAERS reporting in her hospital system, in Jackson, Miss., on Feb. 27, 2023. (Courtesy of Charlotte Stringer Photography) National Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 According to Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), under the National Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, its a federal requirement for health care workers to report vaccine-related adverse events to VAERS. Fisher, whose son was harmed by the DTP vaccine in 1980, worked with other parents of vaccine-injured children in establishing the NVIC in 1982. The 1986 Act was driven by parents of DPT vaccine injured children asking the government to pass legislation to secure vaccine safety informing, recording, reporting, and research provisions in the vaccination system to make it safer, and to create a federal compensation system alternative to a lawsuit against manufacturers of vaccines that injure or kill children, Fisher told The Epoch Times. In addition to NVIC arguing that physicians and vaccine manufacturers should be giving informed consent and report injuries, the organization maintained they should also continue to be held accountable in a civil court to serve as an incentive for physicians to administer vaccines responsibly, for manufacturers to produce safer vaccines, and for adequate federal compensation to vaccine-injured children. The vaccine manufacturers responded to our call for federal legislation reforming the vaccination system by threatening to leave the US without childhood vaccines unless the government gave them a blanket liability shield for harm caused by vaccines, arguing that if the FDA licensed a childhood vaccine as safe, and the CDC recommended the vaccine for universal use by all children, and the states mandated the vaccine for daycare and school entry, then the vaccine manufacturer should not be held liable for harm caused by the product, Fisher said. When the Act passed, physicians were still liable for medical malpractice claims and pharmaceutical companies remained liable for product design defect claims in civil court, Fisher said. Unfortunately, the 1986 Act looks nothing today like when it was passed in 1986, Fisher said. In 1987, Congress passed an amendment to give a liability shield to doctors and vaccine providers. Over the next decades, amendments were added that weakened or eliminated safety provisions and the ability of children to receive federal compensation. In 1990, VAERS was launched; however, Fisher said, there are no legal consequences for a doctors failure to file a report. Thats because Congress made it a federal requirement in the 1986 Act to report but did not include legal penalties when vaccine companies or vaccine providers fail to report, Fisher wrote. A Prescription for Tyranny In 2011, amid hundreds of lawsuits linking autism to vaccine injuries, Fisher said the U.S. Supreme Court ignored the legislative language and reasons for the 1986 Act when it shielded vaccine manufacturers from all civil liability for vaccine injuries and deaths. The federal government had sided with Big Pharma, Fisher said. At this point, those of us who worked on the 1986 Act with Congress know that our trust was betrayed by politicians who made backroom deals with drug companies, medical trade organizations, and federal agencies to gut the Act after it was passed and give the pharmaceutical industry what it wanted in 1986 and could not get: a complete liability shield for vaccine injuries and deaths, Fisher said. The 2011 caseBruesewitz v. Wyethcentered around the parents of Hanna Bruesewitz, who alleged their daughters neurological problems were caused by a vaccine made by Wyeth, which was a Pennsylvania pharmaceutical company before it consolidated with Pfizer. A Pfizer sign outside of their headquarters. In 2009, Pfizer paid $68 billion in cash and common stock for Wyeth Inc. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) The 1986 Act established a vaccine court to confirm vaccine injuries and award damages. After losing in the vaccine court, the Bruesewitz family brought the case to the highest court. Marcia Coyle with The National Law Journal told PBS NewsHour in 2011 that there were only eight Justices presiding over the case because Justice Elena Kagan had recused herself due to her involvement as Solicitor General of the United States representing the federal government on the case. The Obama administration is supporting Wyeth laboratories saying that this lawsuit is barred, Coyle said. So, there are eight Justices. There could have been seven. The Chief Justice [John Roberts] had recused himself in the initial stages because he owns stock in Wyeth and he sold the stock in order to participate now. The pharmaceutical companies entanglement with federal officials wasnt what Fisher said she would call an example of public health. In a 2011 commentary on the ruling, she said, This is exploitation of a captive people by a pharmaceutical industry seeking unlimited profits and by doctors and physicians of authority who have never seen a vaccine they did not want to mandate. It is a drug company stockholders dream, a health care consumers worst nightmare, and prescription for tyranny. In the wake of the decision, the 1986 Act seemed to lose its relevance, and the importance of reporting to VAERS became downplayed. Allegations that vaccines caused autism were ridiculed in pop cultures media campaigns such as magicians Penn and Teller widely shared video promoting the vaccines and shutting down those who questioned their safety while ignoring what groups like NVIC were initially calling for: not the eradication of vaccines but safer vaccines with no mandates. In retrospect, Fisher said, Had the Supreme Court upheld the spirit and intent of the Act as originally passed in 1986, we may have been able to hold mRNA COVID vaccine manufacturers liable for design defect in a civil court of law today. The COVID-19 vaccines were issued under emergency use authorization, which grants the manufacturers immunity from liability. The Whole System Is Corrupt Conrad herself said in her education as a physicians assistant she never trained to even acknowledge VAERS or adverse events. When it came to learning about the vaccines, we learned the basic immunology associated with the vaccines and the adult and childhood schedule, but theres no discussion on their side effects, Conrad said. We go into practice with the idea that vaccines are safe and effective. I never considered otherwise until COVID-19 happened. Among the insights the pandemic delivered has been that the unethical relationship between federal officials and the pharmaceutical-industrial complex has been going on much longer than many realize, Conrad said. This whole system is corrupt, Conrad said. The light in this whole experience for me is that now Im aware of how deep the lies and corruption really are. Police Arrest Female Suspect in Kidnapping of Ontario Woman Missing for Over a Year Ontario Provincial Police Det. Sgt. Jason Dinsmore provides additional information on the January 2022 abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri, during a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged a female suspect believed to be involved in the abduction of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri, who has been missing since Jan. 12, 2022. An OPP news release on March 17 indicates that Krystal P. Lawrence, a 30-year-old woman from Brampton, Ont., was arrested and charged with kidnapping on March 16. The police credited the public with helping to identify Lawrence, following the Feb. 16 release of photos of three suspects and a person of interest in connection with the kidnapping. Lawrence was released with bail conditions and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Collingwood on May 2, 2023. An arrest warrant remains outstanding for Deshawn David, a 35-year old Toronto man who is also a suspect in the kidnapping of Hajtamiri. Ontario Provincial Police have issued a warrant for Deshawn Davis, and are looking to identify a second suspect in the Jan. 12, 2022 kidnapping of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamari, who remains missing. (Courtesy Ontario Provincial Police Handout) Hajtamari, who also uses the last name Tamiri, was abducted over a year ago by men pretending to be police officers. Police say the woman was forcibly dragged from a relatives home in Wasaga Beach, Ont., by three men dressed in what appeared to be police gear, but were not legitimate uniforms. They fled in what police believe to be a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle, taking Hajtamari with them. Hajtamiri had been hiding with family members after she was repeatedly beaten with a frying pan in an underground parkade in a previous attack on December 2021, just a few weeks before her abduction. She reportedly suffered a head injury that required 40 stitches. Hajtamiris sister, Aysa Hajtamiri, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, told CTV News that Hajtamiri was hiding because her ex-boyfriend had allegedly begun threatening her. Her former boyfriend, 35-year-old Mohamad Lilo, was charged with abduction in relation to Hajtamiris January 2022 disappearance, as well as attempted murder and attempted abduction charges stemming from the assault in December 2021. Two other men were also charged in relation to the parkade assault incident. The OPP continues to seek the publics help in identifying a second male suspect. Police believe he is residing in the Greater Toronto Area. Anyone with information about these individuals whereabouts is asked to contact the OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122 or through the dedicated tip line at 1-833-728-3415. Police are also still trying to identify one, or potentially two, individuals of interest who rented vehicles in December 2021. They are not suspects in the kidnapping, but police would like to speak with them as they may have information related to this case. The OPP and York Regional Police have jointly offered a $100,000 reward to anyone with information that will help police find Hajtamari. According to the OPP, Hajtamiri emigrated from Iran to Canada less than five years ago. She is 53 tall, and slim, with short black hair that was cut from a longer length before she went missing. The police have published photos of the missing woman and suspected kidnappers. Anonymous tipsters are invited to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit tips online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip. Members of the public are strongly urged to help share our message on social media using the hashtag #BringElnazHome, said OPP spokeswoman Agata Czajkowski. Politicians are calling for the urgent removal of the millions of dead fish that are clogging the waterways of the lower Darling-Baaka River near Menindee, in the far west of New South Wales (NSW). The NSW Department of Planning and Environment said in a statement on Saturday it will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the community informed. The Department said the die-off of the fish, mostly bony herring, was caused by recent floods and hot weather leading to extremely low dissolved oxygen levels being recorded in the river earlier this week. The statement added this weekends extreme temperatures worsened the deaths, and will likely lead to further fish die-offs in coming days. Locals say the smell of the rotting fish is terrible, with video on social media showing a thick layer of fish floating on the water, which has turned a shade of bright green in some sections of the river. The federal opposition spokeswoman for Water, Perin Davey, said the national and NSW governments should be looking at ways to dispose of the rotting fish as soon as possible. Senator Davey suggested adapting aspects from the National Carp Control Program, which was created after six years of research into Carp biocontrol strategies. We know one of the biggest concerns for carp biocontrol was what to do with the dead fish, Davey said. The current natural event that we are seeing, with hundreds of thousands of dead fish floating along the Darling, provides an opportunity to test the clean-up options that scientists have considered under the carp control program. The current event is too urgent to go back to the drawing board, we need urgent action, she said. The NSW Greens water spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann said the fish need to be removed as soon as is feasible, before they decompose and cause an ecological disaster. This is categorically a catastrophe, regardless of whether this is a consequence of receding floods or water mismanagement, the NSW and federal governments should be acting now to clean up the millions of rotting fish which are spanning kilometres of the river, she said. Right now, every natural aspect of the river and the communities that rely on it for water are threatened with cascading collapse and these millions of fish that are rotting away are a harmful tragedy and will further degrade the system and quality of the water. Faehrmann said the NSW and federal governments should be acting together to clean up the fish to prevent the water quality degrading further. The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted temperatures in the far west of NSW to reach up to 40 degrees C this weekend, with much of the east coast of Australia baking in unseasonal autumn heat. A 40 kilogram algal bloom in the same part of the river was blamed for the death of one million fish in 2019. Stills from a Facebook video highlighting mass fish deaths in the Darling River in Mendinee, NSW, Australia. Hundreds of thousands of fish died in the Darling river over the weekend of Jan. 5-6, 2019, the second such incident in the same area over three weeks. (Rob Gregory and Tolarno Station via Storyful) The 2019 event coincided with a period of high temperatures in the states far south, and drought along the river system. This weeks fish die-off is expected to exceed the 2019 event. Pre-Dawn Shooting at Ohio Nightclub Leaves 2 Dead, 4 Wounded Columbus, OhioA predawn shooting at a Columbus night club left two people dead and four wounded, Ohio authorities said. Officers responded shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday to an after-hours club called Tha Plug on the citys south side, emergency dispatchers said. One person died at the scene and another was dropped off at Nationwide Childrens Hospital and was later pronounced dead, dispatchers said. Two other victims were taken to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and two more to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, authorities said. There was no immediate word on their conditions. The ages of the victims and other details werent immediately available. No arrests have been reported. Putin Makes Surprise Visit to Russian-Occupied Mariupol Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) gestures while speaking with Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin as they look at reconstruction illustrations while he visits the Russia-annexed city of Mariupol late on March 18, 2023. (Pool/AFP via Getty Images) Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to the port city of Mariupol, his first trip to the Russian-occupied territory. Mariupol is in the Donetsk region, one of four largely Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine that Putin in September moved to annex in an action rejected as illegal by most countries at the United Nations General Assembly. Putin arrived in Mariupol late Saturday after visiting Crimea, southwest of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Sunday. Russian media reported that Putin travelled by helicopter to Mariupol, where he met with local residents and was briefed on reconstruction efforts by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. Russian news reports said Putin drove himself around the citys memorial sites, concert hall, and coastline. Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with local residents during his visit to Mariupol in Russian-controlled Donetsk region, in a still from video released on March 19, 2023. (Russian TV Pool via AP) While visiting the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol in Crimea earlier Saturday, he was accompanied by the local governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, and was taken to see a new childrens center and art school. Following his trip to Mariupol, Putin met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city some 180 kilometers (about 112 miles) farther east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who is in charge of Russian military operations in Ukraine, Peskov said. Peskov said of the unannounced trip that Putin wanted to inspect the work of the [command] post in its ordinary mode of operation. Last year, a small group of Ukrainian forces held back Russian troops for almost three months in a steel mill in Mariupol before finally surrendering to Russia in May. Speaking with Russian state news agency RIA-Novosti, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnulin reasserted Russias continued presence in Mariupol, adding that reconstruction of parts of the city that were destroyed during the conflict would hopefully be complete by the end of the year. People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is under way, people started actively returning, Khusnulin told RIA. Mariupol had a population of around 450,000 prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. When the city was seized by Russia in May, only around 100,000 people remained, many without food, water, or basic necessities. The city experienced some of the heaviest bombardment, resulting in demolished buildings and structures throughout. Putins surprise visit to Mariupol came less than 2 days after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant on Friday for Putins arrest on charges of war crimes, though its unlikely hell be facing a trial any time soon. Putin has not commented on the warrant. Moscow, which does not recognize the courts authority, rejected the move as legally null and void. The trip also comes ahead of a planned visit to Moscow by Chinese leader Xi Jinping this week. Xis visit is expected to offer a diplomatic lifeline to Putin, in his endeavor to resist ongoing pressure from NATO and its allies. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told Fox News Sunday that any call for a cease-fire in Ukraine coming out of the Putin-Xi meeting would be unacceptable to the United States because it would only ratify Russians conquest to date and give Moscow time to refit, retrain, re-man and try to plan for a renewed offensive. Mykhailo Podolyak, chief of staff for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, heaped scorn on Putins trip to Mariupol. The criminal is always drawn to the crime scene, he said. While the countries of the civilized world are announcing the arrest of the war director in the event of crossing the border, the organizer of the murders of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and mass graves. Many Western governments denounced Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea. Last September, Moscow officially claimed four southern and eastern regions of Ukraine as Russian territories after referendums that were dismissed by the West. The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. From NTD News Putin Visits Crimea on Anniversary of Its Annexation From Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin, Governor of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhayev and Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov), chairman of the Patriarchal Council for Culture, visit the state museum-preserve "Tauric Chersonese" in Sevastopol, Crimea, on March 18, 2023. (Sputnik/Russian Presidential Press Office/Kremlin via Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Crimea on Saturday on an unannounced visit to mark the ninth anniversary of Russias annexation of the peninsula from Ukraine. Putin was greeted by the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, and taken to see a new childrens center and art school on what the official said was a surprise visit. State media did not immediately broadcast any remarks from Putin, a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) said it had issued an arrest warrant against him and accused him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. Putin has yet to comment publicly on the move. His spokesman has called it null and void, and said that Russia finds the very questions raised by the ICC to be outrageous and unacceptable. Russia seized Crimea in 2014, eight years before launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine says it will fight to expel Russia from Crimea and all other territory that Russia has occupied in the year-long war. Rhode Island School District Blocks Christian Club from Holding After-School Meetings The Providence Public School District (PPSD) is being sued in federal court for refusing to allow a Christian club to hold after-school meetings on school property. According to the complaint, for two years the district has ignored multiple applications from the plaintiff, the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Rhode Island, to allow a local chapter of its Good News Club to meet at school once a week immediately after dismissal. Plaintiff alleges that all the while PPSD has been approving applications by student groups such as the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Boys Club, the Girls Club, as well as the YMCA, to hold their meetings. The law is clear that public schools cannot discriminate against the Christian viewpoint of Good News Clubs. Equal access means equal treatment in terms of the use of the facilities, including fee waivers, time of meetings, and announcements. The Good News Club must be given equal treatment as the non-religious groups, said Mat Staver, the founder, and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a Christian advocacy legal foundation representing the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Rhode Island. Liberty Counsel cited as precedent a 2001 case, Good News Club v Milford Central School, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is a violation of the First Amendment for a school to not provide equal access and equal treatment to Christian clubs when facilities are open to secular clubs. Staver told The Epoch Times in a March 17 phone interview that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic-inspired suspension of extracurricular activities, Good News Clubs were permitted in Providence schools. Religious Discrimination When restrictions were lifted all the other clubs were allowed to resume meeting except the Good News Club, he said. I believe it was because the Good News Club is a Christian club. Superintendent Javier Montanez is also a named defendant in the suit. The PPSD administration did not respond to an email from The Epoch Times requesting comment. The case was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Injunctions Sought The plaintiff is seeking a preliminary and a permanent injunction against the school districts enforcement of its unconstitutional policies that prohibit the Good News Club from meeting while secular clubs are allowed to do so. To avoid the need for litigation, Liberty Counsel wrote several letters to school district officials setting forth the applicable facts, policies, and the law. It then requested prompt approval of the CEFs applications to meet after school like all the other clubs, according to a recent press release. The Child Evangelism Fellowship of Rhode Island is a Christian non-profit affiliated with the international non-profit Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. Good News Club meetings are run by local community leaders that have been vetted and trained by CEF. The clubs mission is to build character and leadership, encourage an attitude of service to others, promote learning, and stimulate spiritual growth in elementary and middle school students. Participation is free. Written parental permission is required. Currently, there are 4,800 Good News Clubs across the nation, with 11 operating in Rhode Island as of December 2022. Reach Them While Theyre Young Staver told The Epoch Times, Its critically important to have such clubs. They focus on the Four-to-Fourteen Window, the years of a childs life which are the most formative in establishing their values and faith and molding the future direction of their lives. Activists pushing the LGBTQ agenda know this and they are going after this age group. Through its decades-long fight for the rights of Good News Clubs to operate across America, Liberty Counsel has collected sworn affidavits from principals, school bus drivers, and others who testify that when a Good News Club comes to a school, there is a visible improvement in student behavior and respect for one another. These affidavits show the effectiveness of this Christian ministry in instilling good morals, honesty, integrity, and respect in our nations school children, said Staver. In all that time Liberty Counsel has never lost a case involving Good News Clubs, said Holly Meade, vice-president of media with the Counsel. Senate Targets Beijing for Violating Hong Kong Democracy and Double Voting at World Bodies Forty U.S. senators signed a non-binding motion on March 15, requiring the U.S. government to utilize any feasible tools in unwavering response to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) suppression of democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. The resolution lays out the actions taken by the CCP in undermining the 1984 agreement of one country, two systems, the Basic Law that came into effect at the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. The resolution highlights the overly harsh actions taken against the Umbrella movement in 2014 when the general public protested at proposed changes to the electoral system and during the 2019-20 protests against the anti-extradition law. It also draws attention to Beijings introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020 and using national security as a pretext to enact changes to the electoral system, and subsequently arresting and imprisoning over 200 people for their actions during those two protest events as well as for political activities considered illegal by the regime. The resolution mentions that Hong Kong has a voting right in many international organizations, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the International Financial Action Task Force, the International Olympic Committee, and the World Trade Organization, which gives the CCP a double vote in these critical institutions. The non-binding proposal strongly encourages the U.S. government and other countries to facilitate the abolition of Hong Kongs independent voting status in the related agencies, as the voting procedures recognize no meaningful distinction between Hong Kong and mainland China. Jim Risch, vice chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, participated in the joint signature statement. Risch pointed out that the Hong Kong National Security Law, enforced by the Chinese Communist Party in 2020, had made Hong Kong and mainland China lose any of their meaningful distinction. He encouraged the U.S. authorities to hold Beijing and Hong Kong governments accountable in any feasible way. Risch also urged the Hong Kong government to cease its political accusations against democrats like Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, founder of now-shut down Next Media, and Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong. Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, expected the motion to pass quickly and said he would continue strengthening U.S. policy against China. The statement also condemns the Hong Kong National Security Law and the regime for violating human rights and their allegations of democrats like Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen against their political motives, such as fraud, to tarnish their reputations before their national security law trials. In the non-binding motion, the senators urge to pursue and hold China accountable for undermining Hong Kongs autonomy, the rule of law, and freedom. It warns the Hong Kong government to immediately withdraw its allegations related to incitement and national security law and release all political prisoners. The 40 U.S. senators support Hong Kong peoples struggle for fundamental human rights and freedoms. The Hong Kong government issued a news release on March 16, expressing its strong dissatisfaction and opposition to the U.S. Senates bill proposal. Q: Which school admitted women students first, Auburn University or the University of Alabama? A: It was close, but Auburn University began admitting women as undergraduates in 1892. The University of Alabama board of trustees didnt authorize the enrollment of women at the school until its June 1893 meeting. Encyclopedia of Alabama articles on both universities include the subject of coeducation. The Auburn University article says university president Isaac Taylor Tichenor had proposed admitting women as early as 1869 in an effort to improve the colleges income, but the board refused until 1892. The article says the number of women applying remained small, in part because of inadequate housing and few majors leading to employment. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914, which provided federal funds to agricultural and home demonstration agents, led API (Alabama Polytechnic Institute, the name of Auburn University at that time) to introduce a home economics curriculum, thus opening a career track to women students, the article says. The housing shortage eased with the 1921 opening of Smith Hall, the schools first womens dormitory. Women students also organized various societies, such as the Womens Student Government Association, and the college created the positions of social director in 1922 and dean of women in 1923. Discussions on the subject of admitting women to the University of Alabama began in the 1870s. In June 1892, a member of the universitys board of trustees presented to the board with a petition from Alabama social reformer and teacher Julia Tutwiler to propose the admission of women to UA, the Encyclopedia of Alabama article says. Invited to meet with the board, Tutwiler appeared two days later, and before she left the room, a motion was made and seconded to admit women to the three upper classes. The board named a committee charged with reporting on the issue, and at its meeting the next June the board authorized the enrollment of women at the school. Enrollment was slow at first. In the fall of 1893, only two women enrolled, the article says. By 1896, their numbers had increased to just five. Nonetheless, in 1897 the experiment was deemed a success, and women were allowed to enter the freshman class. These early coeds took their places in the same classes as the men, taking such courses as chemistry, mineralogy, history, geology, philosophy, English, German, and French. LONG BEACH, Calif.Jeffrey Umland, a chief mechanical engineer at NASA, attended Shen Yuns evening performance at the Terrace Theater on March 18. It was Mr. Umlands first time watching Shen Yun, and there was a surprise for him in every program. So far, its fantastic! Mr. Umland said during the intermission. Im amazed by the special effects with the video screen and how the dancers jump and bounce into the screen. Its really pretty cool. Ive never seen that before. The colors and costumes, theyre incredibly vibrant. It worked really well with both the lighting and the [3D backdrop.] Its vibrantan explosion of colors. According to its website, Shen Yuns patented 3D digital backdrop works together with the performers to extend the stage to infinite realms and brings to its audience storytelling without limits. Based in New York, Shen Yun is the worlds top classical Chinese dance and music company. To the delight of its audience worldwide, the company can be expected to return with a brand-new set of programs every year. Mr. Umland loved that Shen Yun not only told legends from Chinese history but also gave its audience a taste of the beauty of Chinas various regions and ethnic groups. More than anything, however, Mr. Umland appreciated the spiritual elements of Shen Yun. Im very glad to see that! I dont normally equate China with being very spiritually focused. So, Im actually very glad to see that its also a part of the country and its heritage, he said. For five millenniums, China filled its history with breathtaking legends and rich traditions rooted in spirituality. However, following the 1949 communist takeover, traditional Chinese culture went through a period of mass destruction. The spread of atheism quickly eradicated peoples belief in the divine, and the cherished teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism disappeared overnight. Since Shen Yuns establishment in 2006, these artists have made it their mission to revive this lost culture. Referring to the artists portrayal and adherence to the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, Mr. Umland said, thats a wonderful message. Its a set of values we can all embrace. I think we should all be embracing those kinds of values. He also thought the dancers skills were absolutely amazing. The men were very, very powerful and active. The women were just very, very gracefulthats really neat. It gave a dramatic touch to the dancing, he expressed. Im amazed at their activeness on stage and how well choreographed [the dances] are. Its all coming together very beautifully. Mr. Umland said he will definitely be recommending Shen Yun to others as a great date night or something to take the whole family to. Bravo! What [Shen Yun] is doing is just absolutely fantastic. Reporting by NTD and Jennifer Tseng. The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006. Swiss Government: UBS to Take Over Credit Suisse for More Than $3 Billion The takeover would be the most significant banking bailout since the financial crisis of 2008 Investment banking company UBS has agreed to purchase its rival Credit Suisse in a deal worth more than $3 billion after the Swiss government mediated the merger between the countrys two largest banks to avoid chaos in the financial markets before March 20. The announcement came after government officials had been scrambling for several days to figure out how to save the troubled lender Credit Suisse, a 167-year-old banking giant. Credit Suisse shareholders will receive 1 UBS share for every 22.48 Credit Suisse shares owned, or CHF0.76 per share, for a total value of CHF3 billion ($3.24 billion), according to a press release by UBS. The offer price is nearly 60 percent less than Credit Suisses March 17 closing price of CHF1.86. With the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, a solution has been found to secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation, Swiss National Bank (SNB) said in a statement. Both institutions will have unrestricted access to the central banks existing facilities. As part of the agreement, the central bank has committed to providing both institutions liquidity assistance up to CHF100 billion with privileged creditor status in bankruptcy, according to the statement. On Friday, the liquidity outflows and market volatility showed that it was no longer possible to restore the necessary confidence and that the swift and stabilizing solution was absolutely necessary, Swiss President Alain Berset announced during a press conference late on March 19. Swiss President Alain Berset gestures as he attends a press conference after talks over UBS taking over its rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse, in Bern on March 19, 2023. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) The takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS is the best solution for restoring the confidence that has been lacking in financial markets recently and for best managing the risk to our country and its citizens. The move comes after a turbulent year for the bank, which has been hit with a number of scandals, including questions about its business practices or lack of due diligence after leaked documents allegedly identified more than 18,000 accounts belonging to foreign customers, including criminals, dictators, and sanctioned political actors who stashed their money at the Switzerland-based bank. During the press conference, SNB President Thomas Jordan said the current banking crisis in the United States has exacerbated Credit Suisses problems. The failure of California-based Silicon Valley Bank on March 10 has sparked a crisis of confidence in the global banking industry. Credit Suisse dropped a bombshell on March 14, announcing that it discovered material weaknesses in its financial reporting that would result in a material misstatement of its annual financial statements. The following day, its biggest shareholder, Saudi National Bank, ruled out increasing its stake in the Swiss bank because of regulatory restrictions. The banks stock price fell by nearly 20 percent in a week. Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter pushed back against queries about whether this was a government bailout of a too-big-to-fail bank. The bankruptcy of Credit Suisse would have had a huge collateral damage on the Swiss financial market and also risk of contagion for UBS and other banks and also internationally, she said during the press conference. The merger will create a leading global wealth manager with $5 trillion in invested assets and is expected to result in annual cost savings of more than $8 billion by 2027, according to UBS. (From L) Credit Suisse chairman Axel Lehmann, UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher, Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Swiss President Alain Berset attend a press conference after talks over Credit Suisse in Bern on March 19, 2023. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) UBS intends to downsize Credit Suisses investment banking business and align it with our conservative risk culture, Colm Kelleher, chairman of UBS, announced at the press conference. Were well aware that the coming weeks and months will be difficult for many, especially for the employees. Let me reassure you that we will do our utmost to keep this time of uncertainty as short as possible. The deal is not subject to shareholder approval. He also noted that the deal is awaiting final regulatory approvals around the world. It will take weeks, if not months, to complete this transaction, Kelleher said. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell issued a joint statement on March 19 welcoming the deal. We welcome the announcements by the Swiss authorities today to support financial stability, the statement reads. The capital and liquidity positions of the U.S. banking system are strong, and the U.S. financial system is resilient. We have been in close contact with our international counterparts to support their implementation. Virginia, along with many other states, is seeing an alarming increase in congenital syphilis (CS) cases. The Virginia Department of Health reported that the number of CS cases in 2021 was the highest in more than three decades. Director of sexually transmitted disease prevention and surveillance for the Virginia Department of Health, Ms. Oana Vasiliu, in a letter to colleagues said that syphilis rates among women in Virginia of reproductive age have increased and are driving the increase in cases among newborns, with a record high of 20 CS cases in infants reported in 2022. Syphilis is a bacterial infection that is normally transmitted through sores on the skin. However, pregnant women can pass the infection to their fetuses. When a baby becomes infected before birth, this is known as CS. The national congenital syphilis rate of 57.3 cases per 100,000 live births in 2020 represents a 15% increase relative to 2019 and 254% increase relative to 2016, the CDC report stated. Before birth, CS can cause miscarriage, stillbirths, premature birth, or death shortly after birth. After birth, CS can cause deformed bones, severe anemia, enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice, brain and nerve problems like blindness or deafness, Meningitis, and skin rashes. If left untreated, the infection progresses through a series of stages. It can lie dormant in the body for years or even decades, doing even more harm in later stages, sometimes attacking the brain, nerves, eyes, and other organs. Other states including Texas and Mississippi have also seen alarming increases in CS. Mississippi saw a nine times increase in CS in the past six years. Mississippi is experiencing a frightening increase in pregnant women with syphilis and in turn, babies born with syphilis, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center said in a February news report. This is a devastating condition that leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, or death about 40 percent of the time if the mother contracts syphilis during pregnancy, depending on the stage of maternal illness. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report also found that CS rates mirror the rates of syphilis in reproductive-aged women. Read More CDC Investigating 1st Cases of New Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea Strain In 2012, close to 310 babies were born infected with the disease. In the most current 2021 data, that number increased nearly 7-fold, to at least 2,268, according to preliminary estimates. The CDCs report found that 166, or 7 percent, of babies diagnosed with syphilis in recent years have died; many others have faced severe health problems that include brain and bone malformations, blindness, and organ damage. The infant may not show any signs of infection after birth. But the infection, left untreated, can be fatal. Health officials recommend that pregnant women get tested for Syphilis early in their pregnancy. To combat this public health crisis, our priority must be to engage moms early in pregnancy and ensure testing and treatment. This will require a committed partnership between physicians and clinics, public health, and insurers, primarily Medicaid, Dobbs said. Tesco to Phase Out Chinese Surveillance Cameras Over Security, Human Rights Concerns Hikvision headquarters in Hangzhou, in eastern China's Zhejiang Province on May 22, 2019. (STR/AFP via Getty Images) Tesco, the UKs biggest supermarket, plans to ditch Chinese-made surveillance cameras from its stores, heeding warnings from human rights groups that they pose serious security and ethical risks. Tesco revealed the decision in response to an appeal from campaign groups Big Brother Watch, Hong Kong Watch, Stop Uyghur Genocide, and Free Tibet urging the retail chain to remove CCTV cameras made by Chinese firms Hikvision and Dahua from its stores. In a letter dated Feb. 22, the groups said these Chinese firms are involved in serious human rights abuses and associated with significant security issues. These companies provide technology that facilitates the persecution and oppression of ethnic and religious groups in the Uyghur region (Xinjiang), Tibet, and Hong Kong and have no place in the UK, they said. These cameras also give rise to serious security concerns, given their links to the Chinese state and their history of security flaws, the letter states. It is vital that UK companies do not invest in insecure, unethical, and rights-abusive technology. A picture shows signage on a branch of a Tesco in London on Jan. 27, 2017. (Daniel Leal-Olivas /AFP via Getty Images) In a letter dated March 16, Tesco CEO Jason Tarry replied, We have a strong commitment to ethical sourcing and human rights, and we do not tolerate any forms of human rights abuse in our supply chain. When we became aware of the allegations linked to Hikvision and Dahua, we immediately took action to identify alternative suppliers. While we recognise the severity of these allegations, due to the size and complexity of our business and our responsibility to maintain safety and security in our stores, it will take some time until all the equipment can be swapped out. We can confirm that we are now in the process of transitioning to new suppliers. Having robust security systems in place, in particular body cameras, is essential for keeping our customers safe but is also key to our programme to reduce abuse and assault of Tesco colleagues in stores. Ensuring the safety of our colleagues and customers is our first responsibility as an employer and one we take very seriously and we are mindful of this as we transition to alternative security equipment in our stores. Hikvision cameras in an electronic mall in Beijing on May 24, 2019. (Fred Dufour/AFP via Getty Images) Blacklisted Hikvision and Dahua, both ultimately controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), were blacklisted in 2019 by the U.S. Commerce Department for being implicated in enabling human rights violations and abuses against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups in Chinas Xinjiang region through the use of high-technology surveillance. The UKs surveillance watchdog, Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner Fraser Sampson, has repeatedly voiced concerns over the use in the UK of Hikvision and Dahua, including security risks and human rights implications. The UK government last year told its departments to stop installing new Chinese surveillance cameras at sensitive sitesciting security considerationsand advised them to consider replacing existing ones before the maintenance schedule and do the same with non-sensitive sites. Manufacturers are subject to Chinas National Intelligence Law, a law that requires all organisations and citizens to support, assist, and cooperate with national intelligence efforts, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden noted. Always Follow the Party Hikvisions controlling shareholder is China Electronics Technology HIK Group, a subsidiary of state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corp. (CETC), one of Chinas big 10 state-owned military industrial groups. The company was founded under the auspices of CETCs 52nd Research Institute to make a profit after the 9/11 terrorist attack made a splash in the global security and surveillance market, according to a Sina Finance feature on Hikvision. Fu Lihua, Dahuas founder and biggest shareholder, is also the CCP secretary for the company. According to feature reports on Fu, before founding Dahua, he was assigned after college to work at Tongda electronic equipmenta military-owned factory. In a speech at a CCP event in 2018, Fu said the company was armed with CCP leader Xi Jinpings new socialism with Chinese characteristics and vowed to always follow the party and contribute to the China dream with Dahua. Conor Healy, director of government research at the security and surveillance industry research group IPVM, previously told The Epoch Times that there are quite significant security risks in using Hikvision and Dahua equipment. He also argued that the companies, which provide custom-designed surveillance systems to Chinese authorities, are directly responsible for the scale of human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Recent research by IPVM found that Hikvision has activated alarms to aid the Chinese regime in tracking protesters and adherents of Falun Gonga spiritual practice based on the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance that is severely persecuted by the Chinese regime. Dahua surveillance cameras can identify Uyghurs from within a crowd, and issue Uyghur warnings to the CCP police, a separate IPVM study said. Officials at Hikvision and Dahua didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Lily Zhou contributed to this report. Congress has to be the one that appropriates any funds from the treasury. Thats the power of the purse that Congress has. And if we lose that, then well lose the country, because it has to be the elected representatives. If the executive is self-funding, then theres just no ability to rein that in. At the Conservative Political Action Conference, we sat down with Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel for the New Civil Liberties Alliance, which brings cases against the government when it violates constitutional freedoms. Today, we discuss three major lawsuits he is currently prosecuting. The first is The Cato Institute versus the Department of Education, which argues against Bidens loan forgiveness plan on the basis of lacking statutory authority. There just isnt explicit language giving the Secretary of Education the ability to cancel the debt of 43 million people and at a cost of over half a trillion dollars, says Chenoweth. The second case is Missouri versus Biden, which alleges that the Biden administration violated the First Amendment by directing social media companies to censor viewpoints that were in conflict with the governments narrative on COVID-19. There definitely seems to be a level of communication within the government about how to achieve this goal of censoring people that I think Americans are going to find disturbing, says Chenoweth. And the third case is Hoeg versus Newsom, which claims that California Assembly Bill 2098 violates the First Amendment rights of medical professionals by intimidating and punishing doctors who dissent from mainstream views, thus interfering in the doctor-patient relationship. I think of it as the Sovietization of science and medicine because this is the kind of thing you would expect in the Soviet Union under Lysenko, or something like that, says Chenoweth. This isnt what you would expect in the United States of America, where we have freedom. FULL TRANSCRIPT Jan Jekielek: Mark Chenoweth, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders. Mark Chenoweth: Good to be with you. Mr. Jekielek: You are involved, or your organization is involved in a number of incredibly high-profile cases, some of which are at the Supreme Court, as we speak. Were looking at this case on the Biden student loan forgiveness program. This is a huge one that youre doing. Another one, which Ive talked about extensively on this show, is Missouri v. Biden. Looking into the discovery materials has shown us unbelievable cooperation between the government and Big Tech. Finally, youve got Hoeg v. Newsom. I didnt even know the name of it until today. This is the case challenging the law that I call, Prevent doctors from doctoring in California. Were going to talk about all of this today. Mr. Chenoweth: Fantastic. Theyre all important topics. Mr. Jekielek: Absolutely. Lets start with the loan forgiveness. The bottom line is I keep hearing from people that this rule, this approach, is just simply illegal. I think youre the one who can actually tell me is that true and how true is it? Mr. Chenoweth: Right. Its very true, and its illegal six ways from Sunday, or maybe even 12. This is such an illegal act by the administration that we could take as much time as you have to really detail all the various ways in which this is illegal. But maybe the clearest reason why its illegal is theres just no statutory authority for the Secretary of Education to do what he has done. Federal departments and federal agencies dont have any power to act unless Congress gives them that power. Here, Congress has not given the Secretary of Education the power to forgive or cancel student loan debt anywhere like this. In fact, Congress has only done minor debt cancellations in the past with very specific recipients in mind, and you have to qualify for that cancellation based on criteria that have limited it pretty significantly. What Congress has done more broadly, and they did this in the CARES Act right at the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020, is they put into place a six-month moratorium, essentially a forbearance, where they said that students with federal student loan debt did not have to pay principle or interest payments on that for six months. That wasnt a cancellation of debt; it was just a forbearance. The idea that you could take from that any ability to cancel debt is really just wrong from a legal standpoint. Mr. Jekielek: One of the big questions in peoples minds is that it feels like its just shifting the burden, because someone has to pay. One of the big complaints is this idea; it shifts the burden from the people that took the loans out to some other people, the taxpayers, broadly speaking. What is the legality around this? Mr. Chenoweth: Its interesting you mentioned that fairness question because it came up in oral argument at the Supreme Court just this past week from Chief Justice Roberts, who I dont necessarily think of as the person most likely to bring up a fairness argument, but he did. He said, What about the kid who took out a loan for a lawn care company and then was devastated by the pandemic? Or it might be other kinds of small business type situations that you could imagine. The answers that both the Solicitor General of the U.S. had and that other justices had was, We dont judge law by how it affects other people; we judge it by how it affects the people who are covered by it. Because Congress has made that determination to give certain people relief and maybe not other people, is not an argument against that particular law. That would be fine if Congress had passed this, but Congress didnt pass this. This is something that really has been created out of whole cloth by the Secretary of Education, and that creates a few different problems from a legal standpoint. One of them that got a lot of play in the oral argument was whether or not the lines that were drawn by the secretary in crafting this were arbitrary and capricious lines. Thats a bit of jargon under whats called the Administrative Procedure Act. Pretty much any regulation that is passed by a federal department or agency has to satisfy the test of not being arbitrary or capricious. What it means is that when youre drawing the lines of who qualifies and who doesnt, the secretary has to provide sufficient justification for why he drew the lines where he did. He cant just say, Were going to forgive all the debt of women, but not men, or all the debt of people of a certain race, but not another race, or Catholics, but not anybody else. Those would all be arbitrary distinctions. One of the concerns with the lines that were drawn is he said, Were going to give $10,000 of debt relief to certain folks, and 20,000 to other folks, and nothing to other folks. Where did he come up with those lines? Congress would be allowed to draw lines like that, but its not clear that the secretary has the power to just arbitrarily decide who does and doesnt get debt relief. In fact, I would say its clear that he does not have the authority to do that. Those who support what the secretary has done would say, What about the Heroes Act of 2003 that was passed in the wake of 9/11 to give soldiers some debt relief? The idea was you may be going off to war and you may be getting paid less as a soldier than you were getting paid in the private sector. If youre getting called up for reserve duty, maybe you wont be able to make your student loan payments. The idea was to give the Secretary of Education at that point some ability to help soldiers out in that situation. Even then, that was never used to forgive a single debt. It was used to postpone debt, to give some forbearance, but it was never used to cancel any student loan debt. But now, it has. Now, the Secretary of Education has used that law because theres a provision in it that gives the secretary the ability to waive or modify any provision of Title IV of the act, which is the one that has to do with student loan debt. What the Solicitor General has essentially said is that waive or modify language that Congress used gave the secretary the keys to the kingdom, and he can do whatever he wants. Mr. Jekielek: He can modify this act to basically forgive anything. Is that what youre saying? Mr. Chenoweth: Right. Thats basically what he has done. Mr. Jekielek: That sounds unbelievable. Mr. Chenoweth: It is unbelievable. Hes taken the provisions that had limitations on any sort of forgiveness or cancellation, and hes just waived those provisions, and then hes modified it by adding in people to qualify for debt who Congress didnt have in there. This really bothered the Chief Justice, and he said, Wait a minute. Waive or modify doesnt mean anything. There was a case with MCI [MCI Telecommunications Corp. v. American Telephone & Telegraph Co.] several years ago where Justice Scalia said, Usually when we talk about modify, we mean that it has to be close to what was there originally. I mean, you could say that the French Revolution modified the status of the nobility in France. Mr. Jekielek: Thats stretching the word a little bit. Mr. Chenoweth: Yes. And I think he said, Only because the English language allows for understatement and sarcasm. Thats not exactly what we mean when we use the word modify. The Solicitor Generals response to that was, This is broader than that. Its waive or modify. The Chief Justice didnt seem to be buying that. He seemed to think that it didnt say you could waive debt; it said you could waive certain provisions. The other thing that individual states said, which I thought was a very good point, the secretary didnt even waive these provisions because they still apply. People who have student loan debt can still treat the law as though those provisions are still there. Its not as though he was really waiving provisions. Justice Amy Coney Barrett said, He just red-penciled the whole thing. He just took out what he didnt like and added in other things, and the government admits thats what the secretary did. It is not at all clear that you can do that. Mr. Jekielek: What does the term statutory authority actually mean, for the benefit of our audience? Mr. Chenoweth: It means that Congress has passed an explicit law giving a particular department or agency the ability to do something. No one doubts that the Secretary of Education is the right person who would be responsible for the student loan question, but that doesnt mean he gets to do whatever he wants in that territory. He only has the power that Congress gives him. Mr. Jekielek: Okay, very simple. A big topic that has come up on this program is that Congress is essentially ceding its rights or basically its work to the bureaucracy or to the agency. Mr. Chenoweth: For maybe 20 years or so now, you could say that theres a slow drip, and we see this happening. Certainly, this is something that the New Civil Liberties Alliance [NCLA] was created to stop. Were trying to turn off the spigot. What weve seen in this administration in particular is that its a fire hose now. Practically everything this administration has done has really been treating the administrative agencies as though theyre empowered to do things that they just arent empowered to do. You can look at the nationwide eviction moratorium, which interestingly also started with the CARES Act. Congress had said, For four months in federally subsidized housing, you cant evict anyone. That was what the CARES Act said. Originally, the Trump administration and then the Biden administration after many more months came in and said, Okay, were going to extend this nationwide and were going to say that its for all housing, not just federally subsidized housing. Eventually, that made it to the Supreme Court. When it did, in a case called Alabama Realtors [Alabama Assoc. of Realtors v. Dept. of Health & Human Services], the Supreme Court said, Wait a minute. Congress said four months of federally subsidized housing, you cant just change that language. The CDC quarantine power doesnt give it the ability to stop evictions nationwide and shut down all of the landlord/tenant courts across the entire country, which is what had happened. I think what the Supreme Court is going to do here is something similar. Theyre going to say, The CARES Act had this first four months, but it didnt give the secretary the ability to do this indefinitely. Mr. Jekielek: The ramifications of that decision are so massive. On a national scale, how many millions of people are deeply affected in both directions, with some not needing to pay, and some suddenly not having revenue to pay for their buildings? Mr. Chenoweth: Lots of people lost properties that they had lots of money invested in. Mr. Jekielek: Absolutely. The idea that the CDC could make a rule like this, but basically ignoring that reality, to me and perhaps some viewers, it seems unbelievable that could happen. Mr. Chenoweth: It was unbelievable. Folks had not planned for that possibility at all. They werent assuming that risk when they purchased these properties. Its one of the reasons we need to have the rule of law in this country. The laws change slowly when Congress is involved. This was very deliberate on the part of our founders when they set up the Constitution. Its bicameralism and presentment. You have to get something through the House of Representatives and the Senate. Thats very difficult to do. And then, you have to get the Presidents signature. Thats called presentment. If something doesnt go through all of those steps, then its not law. And yet, what we see from this administration time and time again is they want to use an executive order or some sort of shortcut or some sort of action where they have a secretary or a head of an agency go back, look at vague statutory language in some old law and pretend that old vague language gives them powers that no one had ever discovered before. You look back at student loans. When Nancy Pelosi was the Speaker of the House, she said Congress had to be involved, and that this wasnt something the Secretary of Education could do on his own. Nancy Pelosi: People think that the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not. He can postpone, he can delay, but he does not have that power. That would have to be an act of Congress. Mr. Chenoweth: And yet, they somehow forgot that, once this action had taken place. We need to get back to that constitutional regime where its our elected officials in the House and the Senate that make these sort of momentous decisions youre talking about. But certainly, at least four or five of those six justices seem to be very aware of the administrative state problem and the fact that too much power has slipped the grasp of Congress, and that its their job as the judicial branch to ensure that the separation of powers in the constitutional design is sustained. The particular way that theyre trying to go about that is a doctrine that theyve come up with called the major questions doctrine. It has developed over about a 25-year period. If you go back to the late 90s, early 2000s, you can see antecedents of this idea going back to a case called Brown and Williamson [FDA v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp.], where the FDA was trying to regulate tobacco. The Supreme Court said, Congress has not given the FDA authority to do this. It has thought about it many times. It has always failed. You cant just decide that you have this authority. There have been a series of other cases, but its really happened within the last few years, including the Alabama Realtors case about nationwide eviction moratoriums, including the OSHA vaccine mandate case, and then finally in a case called West Virginia v. EPA, which had to do with EPA regulation. Now Im suddenly blanking on whether its the Clean Air Act or Clean Water Act. But the particular outcome of that case was to say that essentially you cant find elephants in mouseholes. You cant take a particular vague or small piece of statutory language and blow out a huge new program from that small piece of statutory language. You can think of it as a clear statement principle if you want to. But the Supreme Court is going to look at the statutory language, and if an agency or department is reading that to give them vast power, then the court is going to expect the language to be much more explicit. What we see in all those cases that I mentioned, and then also in the student loan case, is there just isnt explicit language giving the Secretary of Education the ability to cancel the debt of 43 million people, at a cost of over half-a-trillion dollars. There is just no explicit language to do that. The Chief Justice brought it up three times at oral argument. Isnt this a major question? These look like major questions. Doesnt this fit very closely with our previous major question cases? The Chief Justice, at least, and I suspect because hes often the swing justice on the current court, I suspect that if thats where he is, then youre going to see a majority of the justices on the court decide that this is a violation of the major questions doctrine, and theyre going to set aside this rule on that basis. Mr. Jekielek: There is this attitude in government today where if you want to do something and the rules are an impediment, you get your best legal minds to go in and hunt for any excuse. Mr. Chenoweth: Rummage. Mr. Jekielek: Rummage is what its called. Mr. Chenoweth: Yes, for sure. Thats absolutely correct, and that makes me think of two things, Jan. First, it reminds me of how I got involved in this in the first place. I was an attorney at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I was legal counsel to Commissioner Anne Northup, who was one of the minority Republican commissioners under President Obama at the agency. There had been a law passed in 2008, signed right at the tail end of the Bush administration, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, trying to deal with lead on toys and things coming in from China. I joined about the time when the agency was implementing that law and putting rules into practice. I saw from the inside how the agency treated the statute that Congress had passed. It wasnt this faithful effort to read the statute and try to implement it as best as possible and figure out, What did Congress really mean by this? No, far from it. It was about how we can expand our authority as an agency as much as possible to cover as much territory as possible? How can we re-litigate these things that we lost in the debates on Capitol Hill and pretend that we have this power that was never given to us? That wasnt how I was taught administrative law in law school. I said, Wait a minute. If this is how its really working in practice at this agency, weve got a major problem on our hands, because that means that Congress isnt really in control anymore. Once it passes a law and turns things over to administrative agencies, Katie bar the door. And I think thats what we are. The second thing that this reminds me of is that the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice looked at this action by the administration to cancel student loan debt, and it had a couple of things to say about the debt. It said, Even under the broadest interpretation of the Heroes Act, it still says that you cant put students in a better position than they were before the emergency went into effect. In this case, we would be talking about the pandemic. What the Secretary of Education has done has actually put people in a better position, because no one had $10,000 in debt canceled before the pandemic. That wasnt the position they were in. In fact, Jan, I would argue that because of the forbearance, and well put to one side whether the forbearance was legal. Because as I said, Congress approved it for a limited time, and it went beyond that. But putting that to the side, students werent making principal or interest payments. Theyre still not, by the way, because its been extended until two months past the decision in this legal case, whenever that comes out. Theyre not worse off. They havent had to make any payments. Their debt hasnt been increasing. How can you argue that they need this debt cancellation to put them in the same position that they were before the pandemic or that they would have been in, but for the pandemic? Also, there has been inflation during that whole period of time. Economists will tell you that inflation helps the debtor because youre now paying back the same amount of debt with inflated dollars. Thats what these students will be doing when they start making the repayments. The idea that theyre worse off than they wouldve been is very hard to justify. The Office of Legal Counsel looked at this. They didnt say all the things I just said, but they did say that, Look, you can only take people back to where they were. You cant make them better off. This regulation unquestionably makes students better off than they were, which is another reason why its illegal. Mr. Jekielek: As we finish up this topic of the student debt, its basically Congress that has appropriated the money. Congress is the funder here. Is that right? Mr. Chenoweth: Yes, thats absolutely right. The Solicitor General was trying to say that because this is a benefits program and not a liberty at stake program the way that maybe the landlord interests were in the nationwide eviction moratorium case, that the rule would somehow be different and that the major questions doctrine wouldnt apply. But the appropriations clause of Article 1 of the Constitution still applies. That says Congress has to be the one that appropriates any funds from the Treasury. Thats the power of the purse that Congress has. If we lose that, then well lose the country, because it has to be the elected representatives. If the executive is self-funding, then theres just no ability to reign that in. Justice Thomas brought this up at the oral argument and the response was disappointing from the government. They said, This isnt an appropriation from the Treasury because this is debt thats being canceled. Theres a couple of problems with that. First of all, the money was going to be going to the Treasury, so its really the flip side of the same coin. The other issue is that in the early days of the Republic, we only had debt. The idea that somehow debt doesnt count as money being appropriated by Congress is just wrong historically as an understanding of what counts as an appropriation or what the founders had in mind in using that language. Typically, when Congress cancels debt, they do appropriate funds. Theyll say, Were no longer going to charge this up to a hundred million dollars, or whatever, and they allow for a certain cap on what the spending is. The government wants to treat this as a new entitlement. They dont even know how much its going to cost; $400 billion, $500 billion, $800 billion. Theyre not sure. Thereve been estimates over a trillion dollars that this program might cost before its all said and done, with no appropriation from Congress whatsoever. Thats another reason that the Supreme Court is having not just second thoughts, but I think that theyre going to put a stop to this. They understand that the separation of powers cant be protected if you have the executive spending a trillion dollars unauthorized. Mr. Jekielek: At the beginning of the Republic, it was all debt. Thats really interesting, isnt it? Please explain that. Mr. Chenoweth: It was just the way the money worked back in those days, there were private banks like the Bank of New York that would issue different kinds of debt instruments. Currency wasnt used as much. It was more debt instruments that were exchanged. If debt instruments arent treated as appropriations, then that would really blow a giant loophole into the appropriations clause and the power of Congress. At that point, I suppose the administration would say, Any agency or any department of the government that issues debt would be able to cancel debt without the say so of Congress. You can just think of what the cost of that would be. Mr. Jekielek: Exactly, what the raw cost of that would be. Mr. Chenoweth: Absolutely. Mr. Jekielek: Absolutely fascinating. Lets switch gears. Lets jump to the case that most people are familiar with, Missouri v. Biden. Some of the discovery materials you guys were able to procure were Mr. Chenoweth: Eye-opening? Mr. Jekielek: Eye-opening is a good word. It seems like everyone is excited about it too. Please summarize the case for me just in case anyone isnt familiar, and just let me know where were at with it. Mr. Chenoweth: Yes, sure. For those who arent familiar, it is a case where the Attorney General of Missouri and the Attorney General of Louisiana are representing those states in the lawsuit. The New Civil Liberties Alliance is representing four private plaintiffs in the same lawsuit. Were all suing the administration, including Anthony Fauci, the Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, and several other administration officials saying that those officials ordered Twitter and Facebook and other social media companies to censor certain things and even take people off of those platforms entirely. Because that was the action of the government and not just action of those private companies, the First Amendment is implicated and that conduct is illegal. Thats the claim in the case. Were representing Jay Bhattacharya, Martin Kulldorff, Aaron Kheriaty, and also a small healthcare organization in Louisiana. Jill Hines is the head of that organization, so shes the other plaintiff that were representing. What the discovery has shown in that case, as you were alluding to, Jan, is that there were quite extensive communications between the White House and many others. Rob Flaherty at the White House is the one who has been most often appearing in a lot of these emails. Not only was there a lot of communication, but a lot of it was quite explicit. Now that theyre under suit, the government wants to pretend that these were just suggestions. If you read these emails, and some of them are public and others will become public over the course of the lawsuit, this doesnt read like a friendly suggestion from your neighborhood government. These read very much like, Why the hell havent you acted on what I told you to do yet? They were instructions that any reasonable juror would look at and say, This is coercive on the part of the government. This is ordering a company to do something, not suggesting something that they might want to do. The other thing that has come out is that there were private channels created, some at the behest of the government. Maybe others werent, but in any event, these private channels of communication and special portals were created where certain government agencies, including the FBI, could directly send information to these companies saying, Check out this tweet, check out that tweet, check out this post, take down that post. The third thing that has come out now is that some of these communications took place on a platform called Signal. To get your audience familiar with it, its a little bit like Snapchat in the sense that the communications disappear very quickly. Mr. Jekielek: They can be configured to do so. It doesnt have to. Mr. Chenoweth: Theres a couple of problems with that. One is that under the National Archives and Records Act, typically government actions are supposed to be preserved, and there should be a record of any of those communications. The other thing is, if we dont have a record of this, then there could be an exfoliation of evidence issue. Now, I suppose the government would say, We had no reason to believe that we were going to be sued over this, but a judge might not see it the same way. Mr. Jekielek: What is the exfoliation of evidence again? Mr. Chenoweth: If you know that youre going to be sued and you have a bunch of evidence in your possession that shows that youre guilty of what theyre going to sue you over and you destroy thatyou burn the tapes, or you use BleachBit, on a serveryou might be accused of exfoliation of evidence. You might be guilty of that. Mr. Jekielek: Okay, understood. In this case, they would be kind of doing it ahead of time, just sort of planning to make sure that nothing was available? Mr. Chenoweth: They say, We wont make any records. Even if its not speculation, you might have a judge who would say, Look, the fact that they deliberately set this up not to create an evidentiary trail of what they were saying or doing, we can use that as a reason to infer that the things that they were saying here might not have been fully lawful. Mr. Jekielek: Fascinating. The Twitter Files release, subsequent to the beginning of your lawsuit, have really also been, I dont know if vindication is the right word, but theyve added to the evidence. Presumably you actually got from the Twitter Files more evidence that you can use. Is that right? Mr. Chenoweth: Thats absolutely right. The Twitter Files have been immensely helpful. Theres lots of information in there that confirms what we were already able to see from the discovery that we had obtained, which is that these were very extensive communications back and forth. Something that I believe came out of the Twitter Files that we didnt know, if I remember correctly in terms of the sequencing of information here, is that the FBI was actually paying these companies for some of what they were doing. Now, theres a federal statute that allows the government to pay for certain kinds of information. If the government is producing a search warrant, and its going to be very costly for a company to comply with that search warrant, then sometimes the government will subsidize the cost of that. There certainly isnt a statute that subsidizes companies for violating the First Amendment rights of people at the governments behest. To the extent that the payments were being made for this unlawful conduct that was being done, that is an additional level of illegality, because they were abusing the statute that would allow for paying companies in this other circumstance. Mr. Jekielek: Something thats also really interesting is that with the Twitter Files, there was a huge focus on Twitter, just this one company. Whereas, when you add the discovery information that you found and youve published, you see that its not just one company, its many companies. Mr. Chenoweth: Its a pattern. Absolutely. Its a trend. Its a pattern across multiple companies. Even more disturbing, Jan, its a pattern. Its not just Rob Flaherty at the White House. Its not just Elvis Chan at the FBI. Its not just some of these nameless and faceless bureaucrats in other parts of the administration. There seems to have been a concerted effort across different offices in the administration. I dont know if we know enough yet to be able to say, Okay, you guys take care of Facebook, and you take care of Twitter, and you take care of LinkedIn. But there definitely seems to be a level of communication within the government about how to achieve this goal of censoring people that Americans are going to find disturbing and that, fortunately, the First Amendment already protects them from. But it takes a lawsuit like the one that NCLA is bringing to get an injunction against the government to stop it from doing the illegal conduct that its been engaged in. Mr. Jekielek: Im just thinking about juries. I attended a trial where John Durham was presenting evidence here in the DC Court. I felt the case was very strong. My guess is that the jury was just sympathetic to the actions of the plaintiff. I can understand why too. Based on the particular media reality that were in, I get it. Can we get juries in this day and age to actually consider the realities of law? Mr. Chenoweth: Absolutely. And can we get judges to do it as well? Jury nullification is a separate question. It doesnt come up as often in some of the kinds of cases that were involved in at the New Civil Liberties Alliance, because you most often have juries in the criminal context. Not to say that we dont have civil juries. Obviously, you do. But a lot of the kinds of cases that we bring against the government are decided at a summary judgment phase by the judge, because theyre legal questions rather than factual questions, and juries are really there for the factual questions in deciding the factual record. Mr. Jekielek: But of course, as you just said, this applies equally to judges? Mr. Chenoweth: Absolutely. Judges bring their priors to these things as well, and some of them are better at setting aside their biases than others. There was an expression, Trump law. What do people mean when they say Trump law? They mean, Are the judges deciding this question the same way that they would have if a different president had done the exact same conduct? If the answer is No, theyre not, well then youve come up with a special rule that applies only to this president that you wouldnt apply elsewhere. Thats not the rule of law. Thats making decisions based on personalities and people, rather than on what the statute and the law and the words say. Thats not something that any judge should do. Mr. Jekielek: This is an actual term? Mr. Chenoweth: This is a term that people throw around. I dont know that anyones done the definitive article on Trump law, but it wouldnt surprise me. There may be a law review article out there. A lot of the articles are not widely read typically. But there may be one out there that tries to quantify this effect, because its certainly something folks are talking about in the profession. Mr. Jekielek: As we continue here, lets jump to this third case, which is happening at the state level now. Mr. Chenoweth: AB2098 was a law passed by the California legislature last year. It was signed by Governor Newsom. It went into effect on January 1, 2023. What the law said is that if youre a doctor, either an MD or a DO, governed by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Board of California, if you say something to your patients that is inconsistent with the contemporary scientific consensus about COVID, then complaints can be made to the respective boards of medicine and your medical license is in jeopardy. They can take away your license if you say these things.This was something that frightened a lot of doctors. Unfortunately, the Medical Board of California was complicit in this legislation being passed. The problem is that when folks go to their doctor, the person they trust, they want that person to give their honest medical opinion specific to that individual and their circumstances. Your doctor knows you. They know all your other history, your medical history, and how you react to different sorts of medicines or vaccines. You want their honest opinion. You dont want them to say, The state of California has required that I tell you that this is perfectly safe, or, Everyone needs to get this regardless of their status. Youre not supposed to be going to see a robot controlled by the state. Youre supposed to see a doctor who has been highly educated and went to school for many years. The government has been wrong so often during COVID about so many different things that if everyone was stuck obeying those rules, then there wouldve been a lot more deaths that occurred. Fortunately, there were people who broke out of that. Ill give you two examples, Jan, that are really important for why this law is just wrong from a public policy perspective. One of the doctors that we represent is Tracy Hoeg. One of the other five doctors that we represent in this case, early on in the pandemic, was treating people in the hospital who were diagnosed with COVID. He said, I dont think intubating these patients with feeding tubes or respirators is the best way to get these people healthy. At the time, the contemporary scientific consensus was to intubate. They wanted every patient that came to the hospital at a certain level of seriousness to be intubated. This doctor didnt do that. He refused to do that. He fought back against that consensus. He didnt intubate his patients. Lo-and-behold, Jan, his patients had much better outcomes than the people who were being intubated. Other doctors around the country were doing the same thing. Over time, the contemporary scientific consensus shifted, and now the best practice is to not intubate. If you dont allow anyone to deviate from the norm and to test based on their hunches and their medical training, then you dont ever get to that. Wed still be intubating people today, and wed still be losing more people to COVID in the hospital setting than we would need to be losing. Thats one reason why this is really destructive. The other example Ill give you has to do with natural immunity. There was a kind of wry joke on Capitol Hill from one of our clients, Dr. Kulldorff, this week, where he said, Look, we learned about natural immunity after the Athenian Plague in 430 BC, and we knew about it up until 2020, and then we forgot about it for three years, and now weve remembered it again. The problem is that the government was telling people that they needed to get a vaccine, even if they already had COVID and they had antibodies in their system, provable from an antibody testing, that they already had antibodies. The whole point of a vaccine is to give you the antibodies. In fact, the way they test a vaccine and its efficacy is to test its antibody creation versus what natural antibody creation is. They knew this from day one. This was not something that they didnt know. This was something that they deliberately lied about because they thought that it would enhance the number of people who would go and get vaccines. I find it very disturbing that that was taking place. But there were plenty of doctors out there that were telling people, You dont need this vaccine if you have natural immunity. You already had COVID. If everyone had to tell their patients because of this law, You need to go ahead and get the vaccine, then you would be forcing doctors to violate the Hippocratic oath. Youd be forcing them to deny 2,500 years of medical knowledge. I think of it as the Sovietization of science and medicine, because this is the kind of thing you would expect in the Soviet Union under Lysenko. This isnt what you would expect in the United States of America where we have freedom, where we have doctors who are supposed to give their best medical opinion, where theres a First Amendment right for those doctors to share that opinion, and most importantly, a first Amendment for their patients to hear the doctors honest opinion about these things without having to fear for their medical licenses. Mr. Jekielek: Because how could you trust a doctor if this law is on the books to do anything related to COVID for you? Mr. Chenoweth: One of our clients said that their fear wasnt so much from their current patients because they have a doctor/patient trust with their current patients. Part of their fear was that any new patient that came in could be a patient who was just there in order to try to get the doctor in trouble. You dont want new patients seeing a doctor for their first time to have their doctor take that sort of skeptical approach to a new patient coming in the door. Thats not the way to build trust. Its not the way to get an accurate medical history about that person. Its really disturbing to see this happen. The other thing, Jan, about this law, they say that its contemporary scientific consensus. I should mention the fact that the New Civil Liberties Alliance won an injunction against this law in the Eastern District of California and the state of California is not appealing that decision. Now, unfortunately, there were a couple of other cases brought where the state of California prevailed, and those cases are now up on appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. But the injunction that NCLA won is still in effect in the eastern district of California, which covers Sacramento and points east. But what is the contemporary scientific consensus? What our judge, and Ill give him credit here, Judge Shubb said is, Well, whose consensus are you talking about? The Medical Board of California? Its comprised of half doctors and half non-doctors. Were going to go with what their view is? Are you talking about the consensus in Sacramento? Are you talking about the consensus in California? Are you talking about the consensus in the United States? Are you talking about the consensus among all doctors, among epidemiologists, among public health officials? By the way, how is any one individual treating physician supposed to know what the contemporary scientific consensus is at any one point in time Are we polling people? Who are we going to poll? How do we determine this? Its really an impossible standard for any doctor to meet. Theres a vagueness to it that creates a First Amendment problem and a due process problem, because doctors are entitled to due process of law, knowing ahead of time, before they say anything, whether or not what theyre saying is going to get them in trouble. But theres no way to know if something is squirrely, using contemporary scientific consensus as the standard. Mr. Jekielek: It allows the state to basically exercise power somewhat arbitrarily, which is always a terrible thing. At least it creates the possibility for that. Mr. Chenoweth: Can I just say, you hit the nail on the head there, Jan, because its pretty clear from the people who passed this law that they were interested in going after particular doctors. There were people who had said things that the government didnt like about COVID, and this was the instrument that they wanted to be able to threaten those people with their medical licenses. Youre absolutely right about the intent of the law, I believe. Mr. Jekielek: When I look at all the official guidelines, a pattern emerged for me over time that they were much more concerned with, and you alluded to this a little bit earlier, with eliciting a particular kind of behavior, and that they were going to deny natural immunity because they wanted everyone to get jabbed. It was just the simplest way to make sure everybody gets jabbed, correct? Mr. Chenoweth: Administratively efficient. Mr. Jekielek: Right. I dont know if someones sitting there thinking; Sure, there may be a cost for that, but its worth it, and Im just going to make that decision because I want this behavioral outcome. Im not going to tell people I want this behavioral outcome explicitly. Im going to basically create other incentives and disincentives as guidance to do that. Theres so many things like this. We could play a game and you could name one, and I could tell you why I think it would be that way. Mr. Chenoweth: Sure. Mr. Jekielek: Thats my gut sense from watching a lot of just overtly really bad guidance that just ultimately hurt a lot of people. I want to know what you think here. Mr. Chenoweth: Theres been this theory going for maybe 20-ish years now of, regulatory nudge. I had a professor in law school, Cass Sunstein, who taught me administrative law among other things, a very good professor. He is one of the people whos been an expository of this theory of nudge. The concern I have, and the problem I have with Casss theory is when youre talking about that nudge coming from the state, its not really a nudge anymore. Its the boot of the state. If youre coercing people with state power, then individuals arent being nudged; theyre being shoved and shoved hard. And in this case, shoved hard into a needle. Thats not the proper role for the government. There is a terrible violation of individual rights that takes place there. Mr. Jekielek: The messaging not only created the sense that this is the right thing to do, but it also created this situation where theres a large portion of the population which perceives the people not complying with this as somehow immoral or bad. Mr. Chenoweth: Thats right. Great point. This is another lie that was told by our government, unfortunately, that if you took the vaccine, then you wouldnt be able to transmit the virus to anybody else. President Biden: Youre not going to get COVID if you have these vaccinations. Mr. Chenoweth: The theory is that somehow you need to do this, even if youre not worried about dying because youre young and healthy. You need to do this for grandma, and if youre not willing to do this for grandma, then youre an evil person and youre morally wrong. The thing is that that might be true for something like a smallpox virus where it actually does prevent transmission of the virus to third parties. But these vaccines dont have that property. It does not prevent transmission to third parties. Forcing someone to get the vaccine for the benefit of someone else never had a moral element to it, and yet they were pretending that it did. Go back to college, introduction to ethics. In this country, we dont take a healthy person and divide them up and give their organs to five other sick people, because then we have five people who live and only one person dies, instead of five people dying. We consider that to be unethical behavior. But really, its the same logic chain that would lead you to say its just more administratively efficient for everyone to get the jab. They say, We know that some young and healthy people are going to get myocarditis and die, and we know that some people are going to have strokes, but we think overall more people will live as a result of this, and therefore were going to use the power of the state to enforce this. In other contexts, we would view that as unethical, and somehow we lost sight of that in this pandemic. Mr. Jekielek: Weve covered a lot here. Any final thoughts as we finish? Mr. Chenoweth: I would encourage people to go to the website of the New Civil Liberties Alliance, nclalegal.org. They can find out about these cases and any of the 75 other cases that weve brought against the government. Many of them have been in the context of lockdowns or vaccine mandates, but many more of them have been in other contexts. Weve probably sued some federal agencies that folks havent even heard of. Its a trend that some of these cases, the ones weve talked about today, get to the Supreme Court. In fact, we have another case pending at the Supreme Court against the Securities and Exchange Commission right now. We argued it back in November, and we expect the decision by June. Folks can go learn more about those cases and pick their favorite federal agency and figure out what we might be doing to hold that one in check and really restore constitutional guardrails around the administrative state. Mr. Jekielek: Mark Chenoweth, its such a pleasure to have you on the show. Mr. Chenoweth: Thank you so much, Jan. Always good to be with you. Mr. Jekielek: Thank you all for joining Mark Chenoweth and me on this episode of American Thought Leaders. Im your host, Jan Jekielek. This interview was edited for clarity and brevity. Trump Accuses Manhattan DA of Prosecutorial Misconduct, Calls for Investigation Former President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of misconduct over his offices investigation into an alleged hush money payment and called for an investigation into whether Bragg is interfering in the 2024 election. On Saturday, Trump said he would be arrested Tuesday on charges connected to the investigation amid anonymously sourced reports that Bragg was looking into procedural rules around indicting the former president. A day later, he wrote on Truth Social that there was no crime and again accused Bragg of acting in a politically motivated manner. All other of the many Democrat law enforcement officers that looked at it, took a pass. So did [former Manhattan DA] Cy Vance, and so did Bragg. But then, much latter [sic], he changed his mind. Gee, I wonder why? Prosecutorial Misconduct and Interference with an Election. Investigate the Investigators! Trump wrote on Sunday. In another post Sunday, the 45th president asserted that Bragg, a Democrat, initially decided not to pursue the investigation before reversing his decision. Then, according to Trump, Bragg was pressured by the Biden White House, Democrats, and other entities into bringing a case against him. When Alvin Bragg first attained office, he made it very clear that, like many other prosecutors, there was no case against Donald J. Trump. Then the Biden Administration, the Democrats, and the Fake News Media began pushing him, and pushing him hard, and low and behold he said that there might just be a case after all, Trump wrote. Alvin Bragg speaks during a Get Out the Vote rally at A. Philip Randolph Square in Harlem in New York City, on Nov. 1, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Bragg is investigating whether Trump falsified business records by concealing his reimbursement of his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment Cohen made to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, in 2016. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said he did not engage in an affair with Daniels. Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, did not say in Truth Social posts whether he had been formally notified of forthcoming charges and did not discuss the possible charges in the post. A spokesperson for Trump, Steven Cheung, told The Epoch Times that his team hasnt been formally notified of any pending arrest. Cohen previously testified that Trump directed him to arrange the payment, and Cohen pleaded guilty in December 2018 to campaign finance violations and other charges. But, according to a Trump lawyer in a March 10 statement, charging Trump in connection to the case would represent an unprecedented move. For the DAs office to charge former President Trump, a victim of extortion, with a crime because his then lawyer, Michael Cohen, a convicted liar, paid the extortionist would be unprecedented and outrageous selective prosecution, Trump attorney Susan Necheles said. No U.S. president, while in office or afterward, has faced criminal charges. Trump has said he will continue campaigning even if charged with a crime, and he is expected to hold a rally later in March in Waco, Texas. Trump is also confronting a state-level criminal probe in Georgia over efforts to overturn the 2020 results in that state. A special counsel named by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is currently investigating Trumps handling of government documents after leaving office and the aftermath of the 2020 election. In those cases, Trump has denied wrongdoing and described those investigations as politically motivated. Reuters contributed to this report. UK to Send Emergency Alerts via Mobile Network UK residents will get a loud siren-like alert from their smartphones on April 23 as the government tests its new emergency alert system. Launching the system on Sunday, the government said the system has already been tested in East Suffolk and Reading, and is now ready for a nationwide test. The government said similar systems have been widely credited with saving lives in other countries including the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan, in incidents such as severe weather events. In the UK, alerts could be used to tell residents of villages being encroached by wildfires, or of severe flooding, the Cabinet Office said. The sound of the alert will last for up to 10 seconds and accompanied by a vibration. After the alert, the message will remain on the home screen. Phone users will have to acknowledge the alert before they can use other features of their phone. In the event of an emergency, the message may include telephone numbers or website links containing further information. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden told Sky News on Sunday that people will only receive that in the most serious of circumstances and it will warn you about action that you need to take. The system only works on 4G and 5G networks, which are used by most smartphones. Those who dont have a compatible device will be informed about an emergency via other means, the government said. Residents wont receive the alerts if their device is turned off or in airplane mode. They can also opt out of the system in their phones settings, but the government recommends people keep the potentially life-saving feature on. The government also said the system works by using cell towers in affected areas to send alerts to devices that are connected to the tower at the time and therefore doesnt require the collection of location and other personal data on phones. Launching the system, Dowden said the system will strengthen the UKs national resilience. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, speaks to the media as he departs BBC Broadcasting House in London on March 19, 2023. (Victoria Jones/PA) It will revolutionise our ability to warn and inform people who are in immediate danger, and help us keep people safe. As weve seen in the [United States] and elsewhere, the buzz of a phone can save a life, he said in a statement. The scheme could eventually be expanded to cover terrorist incidents, but officials acknowledged that much more information about how the alerts system operates in the UK would be needed before that could happen in response to a fast-moving attack. In respect of terror incidents, it will depend on the operational advice that we received from the counter-terror police and others because clearly, it would depend on the circumstances, Dowden told Sky News Sophy Ridge on Sunday. It may well not be appropriate to have a loud alert in some situations. In others, it could be the case that a warning is required, he added. National Fire Chiefs Council chairman Mark Hardingham said he is looking forward the having the alerts available. Weve seen this type of system in action elsewhere across the world and we look forward to having the facility here in the UKby working together with fire services and partners, we want this system to help us to help you be as safe as you can if a crisis does hit, he said. Caroline Douglas, executive director for flood and coastal erosion risk management at the Environment Agencys flood and coastal erosion risk management, said: Being able to communicate warnings in a timely and accurate manner during incidents is really important to help people take action to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbours. This year is the 70th anniversary of the 1953 east coast surge, one of the worst flood events in our recent history which saw over 300 people perish in Englandwhile our ability to warn and inform has come on leaps and bounds since then, Emergency Alerts is a fantastic addition to our toolbox that we can use in emergency situations. PA Media contributed to this report. US-Congo Agreement Can Help Fix African Countrys Corrupt China-Dominated Cobalt Industry: Experts Agreement seeks to prevent a Chinese chokehold on the critical mineral U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C) poses with Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula (L), DRC President Felix Tshisekedi (2nd L), Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema (2nd R) and Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo (R) during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony in Washington, DC, on Dec. 13, 2022. (Evelyn Hockstein/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) News Analysis The United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Zambia late last year. The agreement was intended to facilitate the development of electric vehicle battery supply chains, which involve the mining of critical minerals such as cobalt and copper. The agreement has raised concerns because cobalt mining in the DRC is currently monopolized by China. Critics worry that the MoU will ultimately benefit China, by focusing the United States on what some see as a less-than-reliable source of materials, rather than developing sources at home. While both Zambia and the DRC are top producers of the metals, the DRC is the more richly endowed, producing over 70 percent of the worlds cobalt, which is typically mined as a by-product of copper or nickel mines. Experts told The Epoch Times that the MoU (pdf), which was signed on Dec. 13, can help the U.S. secure the supply chain and gradually enable it to replace the corrupt practices cultivated by the Chinese. The International Energy Agency said in 2021 that amid the energy transition, the development of new supply chains for critical minerals like cobalt will come to define 21st century energy security because although the consumption of EV battery-run products is increasing, the production of cobalt continues to be dominated by just a few countries. If successful, the MoU, which aims to facilitate the development of an integrated value chain for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the DRC and Zambia, could help break Chinas grip on mineral supply chains based out of Africa, said Christian Geraud Neema Byamungu in a commentary published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on March 6. The State Department said in a release on Jan. 18 that the American private sector can provide technical knowledge and financing for commercial development, while the U.S. government will work with the DRC and Zambia to ensure the private sector has a level playing field to participate in these projects. American Businesses a Qualitative Improvement J. Peter Pham served as United States special envoy for the Sahel and Great Lakes regions of Africa under President Donald Trump. He told The Epoch Times that U.S. participation will positively impact the DRC. More U.S. engagement, especially U.S. businesses which have reputations to protect, will improve the environmental, social, and governance climate, said Pham. What has staying out of the DRC for years done but given China the dominant position it has acquired for want of competition? Fifteen out of the 19 cobalt operations in the African nation are owned or co-owned by Chinese entities, according to an October, 2022 report in The Diplomat. The Chinese companies have come under scrutiny for their operations in the DRC. According to an investigative report by Spanish daily El Pais, Chinese-owned companies are illegally extracting natural resources in the northern DRC, using permits that amount to blank checks. A few months before the MoU was signed, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited the DRC. The United States welcomed the DRCs renewed pledges to root out pervasive corruption, the State Department said in a trip fact sheet. Long-running, systematic issues with corruption in the DRC cant be expected to disappear overnight, said Pham. Overcoming these issues will require long-term commitment and vigilance from the Congolese government and international investors. That said, however, American businesses would represent a qualitative improvement over mainland Chinese competitors, said Pham. Not only are American businesses subject to robust legal obligations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other U.S. laws, but American businesses are accountable to their shareholders, who are sensitive to reputational concerns, and also operate under different cultural ethos. Artisanal miners working at the Shabara artisanal mine near Kolwezi , DRC, on October 12, 2022. (Junior Kannah/AFP via Getty Images) Multi-dimensional Challenges Chinas monopoly over cobalt mining in the DRC has raised concerns among industry insiders, human rights activists, and lawmakers. Melissa Sanderson is a former American senior diplomat who served as Charge dAffaires in Kinshasa, DRC. Writing in Investor Intel, Sanderson said that the DRC and Zambia cant be defined as reliable sources. She feels the MoU shows desperation on the part of the U.S. administration to solve the looming disaster confronting the electric vehicle, green energy, and defense industries due to a global shortage of materials. Caught between dueling national defense and political priorities, the administration continues thrashing about to find reliable sources of the above-mentioned materials without having to actually permit new mines in the U.S., said Sanderson. Critics like Sanderson want to know why the administration is not making efforts to build a domestic supply chain for materials such as cobalt and copper, instead seeming to encourage the opposite. North Americas Cobalt Reserves However, Pham said these arguments dont really apply to cobalt, which is used not only for EV batteries but for a host of other applications, including temperature-resistant alloys for fighter jets and magnets used in stealth technology. Pham told The Epoch Times that cobalt reserves in the United States are so limited that if mined, they would last less than eight years. The simple fact is that God has not blessed America with an abundance of cobalt, he said. In contrast, the DRC has as much cobalt as the rest of the world put together. If we are to have sufficient cobalt for our needs, the DRC will have to be part of the supply chain. There is no other way. Compared to the DRCs 3.6 million tons of cobalt reserves, the United States has only 55,000 tons of the metal, according to Mining Digital magazine, while Canada has additional reserves of 230,000 tons. According to Mining magazine, the silver lining in the North American cobalt supply chain is that the Canadian reserves are of the highest qualityso much so that investors including Bill Gates are funding cobalt exploration in Canada. California-based start-up Kobold Metals, backed by Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and other billionaires, is taking a data-driven approach to finding cobalt reserves in Canada, using what it calls machine prospecting. Congos Mining Ecosystem Congos mining ecosystem, on the other hand, is huge and operational, although it has never been devoid of problems and controversies. Cobalt has become a unique commodity because it is controlled by only two countries: China and the DRC, according to Cade Ahlijian, writing on Michigan State Universitys Global Edge blog. While the DRC supplies about 70 percent of the worlds cobalt, China finances or owns 80 percent of industrial cobalt mines in the central African country. If that wasnt challenging enough for the liberal, democratic economies reliant on this supply chain, mining operations in the DNR are tainted by the widespread use of child labor. According to a Wilson Center report, Congolese mines employ 40,000 children, including some as young as six years of age. At the root of this problem is artisanal cobalt mining. Up to 200,000 artisanal miners currently work in the DNR, according to a Reuters report. The small-scale cobalt mines, frequently lacking proper protective equipment and with few safety standards, are responsible for 20 percent of the countrys cobalt output, according to the Wilson Center report. To address the issue of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) Congo launched the state-backed Entreprise Generale du Cobalt (EGC) in March of 2021, to formalize the ASM cobalt supply chain with a primary focus to preserve and protect respect for human rights, safety, and environmental standards, according to an EGC release. The company has monopoly rights to all artisanally mined cobalt. EGC will partner with Pact, a Washington headquartered NGO, to ensure responsible mining standards, according to the release. Trouble also exists in the east and north of Congo, due to armed militia groups running rampant, said Sanderson. Addressing the Challenges Pham said that the challenges to cobalt mining in the DRC are not insurmountable. As for human rights and other concerns, no one claims things are perfect in the Congo (or anywhere else), but if we want cobalt, geology does not give us other realistic choices, said Pham. The presence of U.S. companies has the potential to raise the policy standards of the industry in Congo, he added. Immediately after the MoU was signed, KoBold Metals announced an investment of $150 million to explore and develop the Mingomba copper deposit in Zambia (pdf). A man watches a conveyor belt loaded with chunks of raw cobalt at a plant in Lubumbashi, DRC, on Feb. 16, 2018. The cobalt would be exported, mainly to China, to be refined. (Samir Tounsi/AFP via Getty Images) Tackling Chinese Corruption Experts say Chinese companies used unscrupulous tactics to monopolize the production of cobalt in Congo. In many cases, the Chinese companies obtained the mining licenses through corruption and/or have not fulfilled the obligations they committed toan infamous example being the minerals for infrastructure deal that former President Joseph Kabila struck, said Pham. The so-called Sicomines Agreement, signed in 2007, was a multibillion-dollar materials for infrastructure deal. It gave Chinese partners mining rights in exchange for the construction of transport and social infrastructure in the DRC, financed by loans from state-owned China Eximbank. Byamungu said the United States has made political attempts to compel DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to revise previous Congolese deals with China, including the Sicomines agreement. However, so far, the move has not been able to bear tangible results, much to Washingtons dismay, said Byamungu. Pham said that when he was acting as U.S. special envoy for the Great Lakes, the government of the DRC had started investigating these questions and had also initiated several disputes with Chinese companies. Preventing a Chinese Bottleneck The issue goes beyond cobalt mining itself, Pham said. The strategic challenge for the United States is to have secure supply chainsthat is, accessto cobalt. And so, at the end of the day, it is less of a concern if Chinese companies dig up the cobalt. The issue is whether China can bottleneck the supply chain and block American access to processed cobalt. The intent behind the MoU was to help the DRC and Zambia, which has great quantities of copper, capture the value chain by developing processing there, he said. Thus, even if Chinese companies retain the license to mine, the processing of the raw mineral would be done there by some sort of a joint venture of Congolese, Zambian, American, and other stakeholders, according to Pham. The end product of this endeavor, if successful, would be the availability of cobalt to all at market prices. China would neither be able to capture the value chain nor have the ability to make cobalt processing a choke point, Pham said. Volkswagen to Invest in Mines in Bid to Become Global Battery Supplier The logo of carmaker Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is pictured at the IAA Transportation fair in Hanover, Germany, on Sept. 20, 2022. (Fabian Bimmer/Reuters) BERLINVolkswagen plans to invest in mines to bring down the cost of battery cells, meet half of its own demand and sell to third-party customers, the carmakers board member in charge of technology said. Its strategy aligns with a wider trend of carmakers seeking greater control over parts of the supply chain traditionally left to third parties, from energy generation to raw material sourcing, as they compete for scarce resources they need to meet electrification targets. Europes biggest carmaker wants its battery unit PowerCo to become a global battery supplier, as well as meet half its own demand with plants mostly in Europe and North America, Thomas Schmall told Reuters in an interview. PowerCo will start by delivering cells to Ford for the 1.2 million vehicles the U.S. carmaker is building in Europe on Volkswagens electric MEB platform, he said. The bottleneck for raw materials is mining capacitythats why we need to invest in mines directly, he said. The carmaker was partnering on supply deals with mining companies in Canada, where it will build its first North American battery plant. Such partnerships guaranteeing finance can cut years off mine development times for junior miners, John Meyer, senior analyst at boutique investment bank SP Angel, said. Schmall declined to comment on further locations under consideration or when Volkswagen might invest directly in mines until the market was more settled. In future, there will be a select number of battery standards. Through our large volume and third-party sales business, we want to be one of those standards, he said. Ambitious Roadmap Acquiring batteries at a reasonable cost is a challenge for carmakers like Volkswagen, Tesla, and Stellantis looking to make electric vehicles (EVs) affordable. Only Tesla has pledged more investment into battery production than Volkswagen, a Reuters analysis showedthough even the U.S. EV maker is struggling to ramp up production and is recruiting Asian suppliers to help. Few carmakers have disclosed direct stakes in mines, but many have struck deals with producers to source lithium, nickel and cobalt and pass them onto their battery suppliers. Securing those resources in time, close to refineries and from places outside of China is key to winning the battery race, Geordie Wilkes of the UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources said. PowerCo, set up last year, is targeting over 20 billion euros ($21.22 billion) in annual sales by 2030. It is an ambitious roadmap for a unit not yet producing at scale. Production will start in 2025 at PowerCos plant in Salzgitter, Germany, 2026 in Valencia, Spain, and 2027 in Ontario, Canada. Still, Schmall is confident the carmaker can expand quicklyand must do so if it wants to build an affordable EV, in which 40 percent of the costs come from the battery. Volkswagen released on Thursday the details of a 25,000-euro EV it aims to sell in Europe from 2025. Chinas BYD, which also produces batteries, is far ahead of Volkswagen in the affordable EV race and outsold the German carmaker for the second time in four months in China in February. Half the staff at Volkswagens PowerCo are industry veterans from Asia, where producers like CATL, LG Chem and Samsung SDI dominate global cell production. Reducing Costs In Volkswagens 180-billion-euro five year spending plan, up to 15 billion is earmarked for its three announced battery plants and some raw material sourcing. The carmaker has so far nailed down raw material supply until 2026 and will decide in the next few months how to meet its demand from then on, Schmall said in the interview. It has also ordered some $14 billion in batteries from Northvolts Swedish plant. Bringing down battery costs further is a challenge, Schmall said. Were using all the instruments with PowerCo. ($1 = 0.9427 euros) By Victoria Waldersee When Does the Hand-Holding Stop? Instilling Unresiliency in Our Troops Commentary The Air Force says it wants to have resilient troops. Mostly, this is in reaction to the high suicide rate. Its terrible, and wanting to reduce suicides is admirable and critical. But, in typical Air Force fashion, it resorts to training to fix a problem, and truthfully, the other branches probably do the same thing. Creating a training course to fix a problem is the easy way out. Its a way to demonstrate positive action to solve a challenge without putting a huge effort behind it or making huge changes. But ask professional training people how often these band-aids work, and the answer will be something along the lines of rarely. Resilience: One dictionary defines it as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Toughness: The Air Force needs tough people, as do the other branches, especially if we get into an all-out war like World War II with an adversary like China. But is the Air Force of today creating tough airmen? Lets start with Air Force basic military training (BMT). Does it create toughness? I can tell you that BMT in 1980 wasnt tough and didnt create toughness. It schooled you in military life and got you to a basic level of fitness. But it didnt create tough people; it created technicians. Please note that there are exceptions in the Air Force, such as pararescue and tactical air controllers, but most everyone else is a technician. I dont know what BMT was like in 1947, but my dad went through it in 1954 and it wasnt appreciably different from my experience. And from what I hear, things are about the same for the current E-1s (airmen, basic). Again, I wont mention the other branches, but I have heard stories about how things have become softer. Often I will share with current Air Force folks how I used to deal with certain infractions and the standard response is, Wow thats great, but if you did that today you would get written up and eventually kicked out! Heres an example: When I was teaching aircraft maintenance to students at Sheppard Air Force Base in North Texas, we would warn them not to do certain things, often because of the associated danger. Aircraft maintenance is one of the most dangerous jobs out there and airplanes have literally hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to kill or maim you in a heartbeat. One of the things we used to do was take students up on the wings of a B-52. We always told them not to walk down the fuselage because it was too easy to fall. And for sure not to walk down and jump onto the horizontal tail, because you cant get back up to the fuselage due to the height and angle. One summer afternoon we were out at the BUFF (a nickname for the B-52). The temp was well above 100 degrees. I heard someone calling my name from the back of the plane. All the students followed me back and I saw two of my students up on the tail. I asked them what was wrong, and they recounted what they had done and that they couldnt get back up. I asked them if they remembered my warning about going back there and they recited it word for word. I then told them that we were leaving on break and would be back in 15 minutes. Their mouths dropped open, but they said nothing. I should also mention that this aircraft still wore its Vietnam-era paint which included lots of dark green and black. When we returned, they had their shirts and t-shirts off trying to stay cool. We got a large maintenance stand and got them down. Then I asked them what might have happened if they were on a large base in a tropical climate and nobody knew they were stuck on the tail. They could have died very quickly from heatstroke or died from falling off the fuselage. They got the message and learned a lesson, even though it was tough. Whenever I tell this story to current Air Force people, they love it and see it as a great way to discipline and provide practical lessons. But they also follow up with, We couldnt do that today. There would be complaints of being harsh and insensitive and we would be counseled and made to apologize. Yeah. Im positive the Chinese will be sensitive to their emotional needs as well. And exactly how does this sort of action make resilient troops? Every time their feelings get hurt someone apologizes to them. This just enables them to be unresilient. When we cater to their every need, hold their hands, and give them a shoulder to cry on, we are not making them more resilient. Period! And yet thats the current mantra of the Air Force. One reason for this sad state of affairs is that commanders live in fear of getting a congressional inquiry because Airman X-Box complained to his mommy that some sergeant was mean to him and made him pick up his messes. And mommy contacted her congressperson and probably inflated the story even more than little Bobby did when he went whining to mommy in the first place. In reality, Bobbys mom created an unresilient kid by doing his laundry for him every day of his life, cleaning his room for him, never making him accountable for his actions, and always bailing him out when he messed up. Regardless of how bad a parent Mrs. X-Box was, it still remains that the military should be able to toughen Bobby up so that he doesnt fall to pieces when Sergeant Meanie tells him to sweep the floor and clean up the Froot Loops he spilled in the breakroom. Heres another bad facet of catering to whining. In early 2003 we were deployed for Iraqi Freedom and things were really heating up. We were working 14-hour days and we had been told to take our gas masks everywhere because Saddam had weaponized smallpox. Everyone who didnt have a scar had to get the smallpox vaccination. We had also been told that Saddam had put a $10,000 dead or alive bounty on everyone on the base. We were also in SCUD missile range, so all dependents and civilian personnel were evacuated. Then one day this kid, an E-4 (a senior airman, a transitional period) I think, came up to me and complained that he hadnt signed up to go to war to get killed and that he had only joined for the college benefit. We were right in the middle of getting aircraft ready to go and things were crazy. I looked him dead in the eye and said, Why do you think you have been wearing a camouflaged uniform since the day you joined? Did you think it was a fashion statement to pick up chicks? No, its so the bad guys cant easily see you to shoot you. Now one thing I know for sure, we have a lot of work to do right now and if you dont get your act together and start doing your part, then all these other guys are going to have to do their jobs and yours. And do you want to have to deal with them afterward? (He shook his head no.) Okay, then suck it up, get back to work and do the job you were trained to do. We have a lot to do to get these birds in the air before we can have chow. He immediately went to work and did fine for the rest of the deployment. So whats the lesson here? Well, if you give them a shoulder to cry on and send them to the chaplain you just reinforce that they have a reason to be afraid. You enable their softness and dont help them to toughen up, to become resilient. Did I keep an eye on this young airman? Of course, I did, and he was fine. I had another one who decided he didnt have to help out because he was special because his dad was in the unit and he didnt have to do what I said. I told him if he didnt get up right then and get to work then I was calling the Sky Cops to come arrest him on insubordination charges and then we could see who the base commander believed, an A1C (airman first class) or a master sergeant. He got up and started working. Now Im sure some have already labeled me as a General George Patton who slaps around shell-shocked troops in hospital wards, but thats simply not the case. Im very compassionate when the circumstances dictate and will bend over backward to help someone. But I hear too many moms and dads just say they cant discipline their children because they love them too much and they dont want to hurt their self-esteem. Fine. But youre raising kids to not be resilient, and they are offing themselves in record numbers. Heres something else to think about for those of you that have served or are serving. What kind of Officer or NCO (non-commissioned officer) do people often remember most fondly? The phrase I often hear is, I appreciated Sergeant Jones because he was tough but fair. He expected a lot out of us, but he also helped us succeed and he looked out for us. Ive never heard anyone hold a wimpy officer or NCO in high regard. They are always the target of derision. Why do you suppose that we all love the tough but fair ones? Because they knew we could be better and rise above our current level of performance. They showed confidence in us by challenging us to adapt and overcome. The hand-holders just give sympathy and reinforce that you are doing the best you can, which isnt that great. So all of this effort to make sure everyone feels included, and special, and is never offended, is not creating resilience, its creating weakness. And its making the Air Force weak. Ill close with one story from Air Force training, which I have no reason to disbelieve, considering the source. I dont remember where I read it, maybe in a book about Jimmy Stewart. But I think it was new pilots reporting to Randolph Field in WWII and they had to march from the train station to the base. The instructors carried .45s and were getting tired of people slacking off on the pace. They singled out one young cadet and kept yelling at him to pick it up. Finally, in frustration one of the instructors pulled his sidearm and shot the cadet and he fell into the ditch. The rest of the students almost ran to the base but when they arrived the shot student was standing with the welcoming party with a big grin on his face. Am I suggesting that we do this today? Of course not. It would traumatize the Call of Duty Grand Theft Auto generation. But therein lies the problem. Even lesser things will traumatize them. And whats going to happen to them if we keep having group hugs and then get into an all-out war? Whats the answer then? Its pretty simple. The military needs to get back to being the military and not a social experiment, but thats going to take generals and a secretary of defense who say enough is enough, who are willing to resign if Congress and the President dont want to listen. The defense of our nation depends on it. This article first appeared in The Havok Journal. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has hosted a meeting with young people selected for the Young Talents Program, Azernews reports citing the press service of Baku Higher Oil School of SOCAR. The students first viewed the exhibition dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev and the exhibition "Azerbaijans Oil". Then SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf met with the students participating in the Young Talents Program. Rovshan Najaf congratulated the participants of the program and spoke about the role and importance of talented youth in achieving the corporate goals of the company. After presentations on the achievements of the previous winners of the program, the meeting continued in the format of discussions. General Director of Samsung Vietnam Complex Choi Joo Ho said the group would not move smartphone production lines from Vietnam to India. The Korea Herald quoted a source last month as saying that Samsung Electronics decided to gradually shift production of its flagship models to India, including phones being manufactured in Vietnam. The report said the move is to minimize damage from the U.S.-China trade war and penetrate deeper into the world's fifth economy. However, Choi denies the information at a recent meeting with authorities of the northern province of Thai Nguyen which hosts a Samsung Electronics factory. He said products made in India are mainly for the domestic market and a small part is exported to African countries. In Vietnam, phone models are manufactured and exported to 128 countries around the world. Thus, the output of Samsung Electronics Vietnam is not affected by output in India. Choi added that the group is committed to long-term investment in Thai Nguyen, and has recently increased capital by nearly US$1.2 billion into Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam factory, raising Samsungs total investment capital in the province to $7.5 billion. An audited financial report shows that Samsung earned US$234 billion of revenue last year, up more than 8% from 2021. Four factories in Vietnam contributed 30% of the groups total revenue and created profits of about US$4.6 billion. Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen (SEVT), currently Samsungs biggest smartphone factory in the world, created the highest revenue, $28 billion, up 13% against 2021. Samsung has invested $18 billion in Vietnam and is planning to raise it to $20 billion. Xi Jinpings Guiding Light Xi's unswerving devotion to Marxism means trouble China's leader Xi Jinping swears under oath after being confirmed as head of state for a third term, during the third plenary session of the National People's Congress in Beijing on March 10, 2023. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images) Commentary When Chinese leader Xi Jinping speaks, observers around the world listen for clues about what to expect from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the coming months and years. Sifting through the Xi-speak associated with the Two Sessions requires ignoring all the fluff and cliches that are routinely echoed by the state-run Chinese media to get to the core concerns and issues that matter most to the communists. The Two Sessions refers to the perfunctory annual sessions of the National Peoples Congress (NPC) and the national committee of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This years sessions were the 14th in the dreary series. Perfunctory? Yes, indeed, as theyre both rubber-stamping bodies deployed to show to Chinese citizens and the world that the Chinese communists practice democracy with Chinese characteristics. For example, on March 10, Xi was elected by the NPC for his third five-year term as Chinese president by a unanimous vote of 2,9520. Hows that for democracy when theres only one candidate? Chinas touted whole peoples democracywhich delivers only CCP-approved officialsis just the latest Marxist euphemism for democratic socialism. The NPC impersonates a Western-style legislature. In reality, it rubber-stamps so-called work reports and policies developed by CCP apparatchiks and committees that were blessed by Xi and his totally controlled Politburo Standing Committee before the session. Nothing is presented that hasnt been vetted and approved by the CCP leadership; everything is accepted without debate. More democracy with Chinese characteristics. (Fore, LR) Chinese Vice Premier, Sun Chunlan, Central Committee Political Bureau member Liu Guozhong, and Vice Chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference Shi Taifeng attend the fourth plenary session of the National Peoples Congress in Beijing on March 11, 2023. (Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) Meanwhile, the CPPCC is advertised as a national political advisory body. This particular session established 10 special committees to cover multiple areas such as proposals, the economy, agriculture, and social, legal, ethnic, religious and foreign affairs, according to the official CPPCC website. Communists advising other communistshows that working out? Apparently not very well, as the list of persistent problems below demonstrates. Massive Structural Debt Forbes reported that Chinas public and private debt now exceeds $51.9 trillion, almost three times the size of Chinas economy, and continues to grow. As reported by Zero Hedge, China has more than $7 trillion in so-called hidden debt that could lead to massive defaulting of public bonds: Local government financing vehicles, or LGFVs, are mostly tasked with building infrastructure projects. They allow local authorities to raise money without having the debt appear on the governments balance sheet. A defaulting of LGFV bonds exacerbated by extremely high levels of household debt would adversely affect the rest of Chinas credit market, which has already been stressed by Xis failed zero-COVID policy. And debt servicing itself will also put a damper on Chinas future economic growth. Systemic Corruption Corruption permeates Chinese life, driven by the unfairness of incomes and a lack of opportunity and a state system that was designed to keep people in their place. The household registration, or hukou, system restricts movements and access to employment opportunities, benefits, and services. Greasing palms is one of the few ways to get around the system and improve ones condition in life. That communist bureaucrats are underpaid makes corruption inevitable, too, as permits and other authorizations are sold under the table. Xi has railed against corruption since 2013 and has periodically announced anti-corruption campaigns, which always seem to peter out without any great success. Xi and the communists fail to understand that their inherent atheism and lack of moral foundation breed the corruption that they seek to eradicate. Demographic Implosion CNN reported in January thatfor the first time since 1961Chinas population fell in 2022 to 1.411 billion, down some 850,000 people from the previous year as announced by Chinas National Bureau of Statistics. The Chinese economic miracle will go up in smoke if this trend isnt reversed, and frantic efforts to incentivize larger families by reversing the long-standing one-child policy reflect the communists fretting. Thats because the combination of declining birth and fertility rates and a decreasing number of Chinese marriages is creating an old-age dependency ratio problem. Social welfare costs paid to the elderly will be increasingly borne by a shrinking workforce, resulting in old versus young societal tensions surrounding benefits paid and the taxes required to pay for themwho receives how much and who pays. Food Insecurity China cant feed its 1.4 billion people and, in attempting to do so, has become the second largest importer of foodstuffs in the world. The Chinese agricultural problem harks back to the inability of Soviet agriculture to feed the Russian people, from Vladimir Lenins days through the demise of the USSR. Its axiomatic that communism interferes with the laws of supply and demand, with the result being shortages everywhere. The communist Chinese havent solved the problem, either, despite all their gargantuan agrarian reforms (collectivization), great leaps forward, and other crackpot programs associated with an agricultural economy with Chinese characteristics. Protests The protests against the zero-COVID policy that erupted in numerous Chinese cities in the last quarter of 2022, dubbed the white paper revolution, surely frightened the communists. Some protestors even demanded that Xi step downan unprecedented public expression of discontent with the CCPs mandated lockdowns that have paralyzed China since March 2020. Xi himself appeared to blink and abruptly reversed course, with zero COVID consigned to the dustbin of other CCP failures such as the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward. Illegitimacy Not the familial kind, but rather that of the communist regime itself. The communists assumed political power in China through the barrel of the gun, as Mao Zedong opined. And the power of that gunthe Peoples Liberation Army (PLA)is what has guaranteed the continuity of the CCPs rule to this very day. Not the Chinese people! The communists and the people know this, and the CCPs greatest insecurity is their very illegitimacy in controlling China. The CCP fears its own long-suppressed people more than it fears foreign devils. A police officer stands guard outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 10, 2022. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images) Pronouncements From the Two Sessions Retaining political power in China is the only issue that matters to Xi and the communists. Nothing else comes close. To do so, Xi is returning to Maoist methods by reemphasizing the importance of Marxist heterodoxy and controls in delivering shared prosperity, common security, high-quality development, putting people first, and other vague nonsense. Beneath the flowery slogans, these are the measures that count most, as articulated by Xi during the two sessions: A blunt rebuke of U.S. policy (signifying a return to Lenins policy of antagonistic contradiction) A 7.2 percent growth in military spending (including a push toward nuclear parity with the United States and the willingness to use those new PLA capabilities to project power and intimidate neighbors) Institutional reforms that centralize CCP control of all sectors of the economy, including technology innovation, securities and banking regulation and reform, and other major financial reforms under the oversight of the State Council (centralized control is a standard Marxist tenet) Reunification with Taiwan (a top CCP objective since 1949) A focus on stability and self-reliance (stability is prized by the CCP above all things, and self-reliance signals an inward concentration on self-sufficiency) Upholding the leadership of the CCP (he refers to tackling the special challenges, which implies hardened measures to implement unanimity of action and controlspoken like the Marxist that he is, with no dissent allowed) Concluding Thoughts China faces unprecedented challenges, many of which are the direct result of failed CCP policies over many years, including economic and demographic challenges, food insecurity, and unrest. In the face of these problems, Xi is tightening Marxist control of the communist-run regime and Chinese society in general. His unprecedented third five-year term is itself a sign that he views himself as a leader on par with Mao Zedong himself. Xis public pronouncements about the importance of Marxism have been consistent throughout his reign. He has been implementing a top-down return to Mao-style Marxism within the CCP itself and throughout Chinese society in general. The bitter fruit of the recent Two Sessions is clear evidence that Marxism remains his guiding light. And that means big trouble for Chinese citizens and the rest of the world. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has noted that the recent amendment of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, which allows Public Limited Companies (PLCs) to conduct yearly general meetings virtually will aid inclusiveness through enhanced shareholders participation and engagement, as well as attract foreign investors. President of ICSAN, Taiwo Owokalade, said the recently signed Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023, signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, which amended CAMA 2020, has now paved way for public companies in Nigeria to hold their yearly general meetings without having to specifically seek the permission of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). He said the Act, which amends CAMA 2020, now allows PLCs to hold their meetings electronically following provisions of their articles of association. The move is viewed by Owokalade as a positive development for Nigerias business regime and in consonance with the agitation of the institute. The ICSAN chief said it would motivate foreign investors to monitor the proceedings of the meetings of the companies they invest in. Under Section 240 (2) of CAMA 2020 only private companies are allowed to hold their AGMs by electronic means. PLCs could only be permitted to hold AGMs if specifically permitted by the CAC. This in itself was an improvement to what obtains under the old CAMA1990, which only recognised physical meetings. But we had recommended that whenever an opportunity for amendment of CAMA 2020 comes, the permission to hold AGM electronically should be extended to the PLCs. This is exactly what has been done now by Section 11 of the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 was signed into law on February 13, 2023, which now allows PLCs to hold AGM as long as it allows all the shareholders to participate and it is following the provisions of the articles of association. Furthermore, virtual meetings break the barriers of national and international boundaries as shareholders from any part of the world can participate in the AGM. Another advantage is that virtual meetings allow easy recording of proceedings for future reference. It has always been our position in ICSAN that our law should allow maximum use of technology to boost business to the scope and levels demanded by modern exigencies, Owokalade said. Nigeria is ready for an idealistic revolution; the time has come to begin. During the 2023 election season, Nigerians in a supposedly democratic environment were clearly subjected to political and economic slavery more than ever before. Physical force is always used by the state and federal governments to quell the vast majority of Nigerians' demands for liberty, freedom, and equality, including youths and young adults as well as the average Nigerian. Nigeria is only a democracy in name, as evidenced by the fact that during this election period, many Nigerians were deprived of their political liberties, forced to act on a ruler's instructions in deciding who to vote for, lacked control over their property in deciding how to use their voting rights, and those who tried to resist were met with absolute tyranny of the state and federal powers via the police, military, security officials, sponsored thugs, and unknown killers. Rising citizen discontent with security, economic, and political issues, particularly rising violence, and poverty, have fueled anti-government protests in Nigeria at various times. Rising citizen rage, particularly over political, economic, and educational issues, has fueled anti-government protests to a new high in recent years, but we also know about the government's brutal and lethal responses on the bodies of protesters. So, what should we do now to continue the revolution? I refer to it as the Idealistic Driven Revolution (IDR for Nigeria), a strategy that will completely avoid the intentional use of state power (such as tear gas, water cannons, and live rounds) against people and property during revolutionary movements. Instead of risky massive street protests against all forms of injustice within Nigeria, the idealistic-driven revolution necessitates global and national participation propelled by technology. The power of an idealistic-driven revolution is transforming almost every aspect of our lives. Every minute, both within and outside of Nigeria, should now involve aggressively sending all forms of any audio/video talk, image, photographs, items, and materials that demonstrate signs of injustice in order to revolutionize various dissents. Aggressive social media-organized protest coordinated mass virtual unrest, and a large volume of organized or individual e-mail letters to national and global authorities are among IDR strategies. Images of violent scenes on the streets against voters, gun-toting cops, and security men and women guarding thugs who openly disrupt legitimate voting have become more common this election season. These autocratic moves are unstoppable, at least in terms of street protest. So, all we have is a technology-powered IDR that will disseminate information to global economies and leaders, who must explicitly condemn the extraordinary hardship, violence, and intimidation that is impeding Nigeria's democratic development. Furthermore, these depraved leaders', their supporters, friends, and families must be barred from entering or residing in their countries. Let us begin by protesting quietly and loudly against local issues such as dissatisfaction with a leader, rising fuel prices, cash scarcity, economic inequality, political corruption, government violence, and poor governance. There is a need for continued protest outside of Nigeria, where protesters will not be violently attacked by authorities, and a call made by a former Army chief Theophilus Danjuma, urging Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves against violent attacks and injustice inform of what I call full-fledged self-defense protest should continue only if the protester is willing to take such a risk, which I will not advise, IDR is the new way. If you believe that previous and current political systems have failed to respond to people's cries, let us use other channels, such as IDR, to make a difference. The time has come for an idealistic revolution in Nigeria. May the good God, good spirits, and wise people be with Nigeria. Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult and child psychological services in the USA; chief educator and clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an online lifelong center for personal, professional, and career development; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings A former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. An adjunct professor in the doctorate clinical psychology program at Nova Southeastern Universitys College of Psychology in Florida, USA. A contributing faculty at the Psychology program, Walden University. Director of Online Studies and Professor of PsychologyOnline Faculty at Weldios University in the Republic of Benin. He is a virtual behavioral leadership professor at ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of truth, ethics, and openness. Over forty academic publications and creations, at least 300 public opinion pieces on African issues, and various books have been written by him. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues. His most recent textbook publication is Concise Psychology: An Integrated Forensic Approach to Psychology for Global African Settings. Chinese Ambassador calls for more Chinese-language signs in Phuket PHUKET: Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqian and a delegation from the Chinese embassy in Bangkok paid a visit to Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew yesterday (Mar 18), which according to official reports saw discussions focussed on promoting tourism for Chinese tourists to travel in Phuket. Chinesetourismpoliticseconomics By The Phuket News Sunday 19 March 2023, 02:01PM Joining the official visit at Phuket Provincial Hall were heads of local government agencies and representatives from private industry, including Tunyaratt and Pramook Achariyachai and Bhummikitti Raktaengam. Following talks with Governor Narong, Ambassador Han joined a meeting to discuss the Chinese tourism situation in Phuket in more depth. During this period, there are more Chinese tourists traveling to Phuket, Governor Narong said after the meeting. The Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China in Thailand thanked Phuket and the nearby provinces for welcoming and taking good care of Chinese tourists, especially in terms of various security measures, he added, according to an official report. However, he continued, Ambassador Han asked relevant agencies to have more Chinese-language public signs at various tourist attractions, which the province [provincial government] will let the relevant agencies take further action on. Governor Narong added that he had asked the Chinese authorities to support Phuket in its bid to host Expo 2028. While in Phuket, Ambassador Han visited local ethnic Chinese community associations and met with local Chinese community leaders in Phuket Town. Of note, official reports marked only that Ambassador Han and his delegation were in Phuket yesterday, while it is openly known that he was on the island on Thursday to attend an event at Phuket Thaihua Asean Wittaya School. It is not known whether Amb Han and his entourage have remained on Phuket today, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is expected to visit. Collecting user data to improve customer experience? Make sure you comply with the PDPA In 2019, Thailand introduced the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA), which requires data controllers and processors to ensure data collected are managed and processed with explicit consent on sensitive data. Due to COVID-19, however, the enforcement of the law was delayed by two years until June 2022. technology By The Phuket News Sunday 19 March 2023, 11:00AM Photo: via Silk Legal After the Act took effect, the government announced that SMEs would be exempt from some of the Acts provisions following concerns from small and medium-sized businesses about their ability to comply with the law. While data privacy protections have been enshrined in law, many users have expressed their willingness to give their personal data in exchange for better services, particularly around finance and fintech. According to a report published by technology consultancy Capco, around 70% of Thais are willing to share their personal data to improve their digital services experience. For financial and fintech businesses, doing so may mean that they need to collect user data to better tailor their services. How can companies leverage consumer data while complying with the PDPA? Personalisation and setting customer-centric elements to digital services are key in understanding what customers want. Collecting data and analytics are important for businesses to identify opportunities to better serve their clients. However, in light of the PDPA, and the growing consciousness of users to their rights as owners of their personal data, businesses in the fintech, technology and financial space must be cognizant of what the types of data they can collect and how they are able to do so within the legal and ethical bounds of Thailands data privacy regulations. This is important as the data companies seek may not always be what customers feel obliged to share. While many users in Thailand have expressed their willingness to give their personal data for better services, this should not be interpreted as a blank cheque for digital service providers to collect user data without consent. This is particularly so as digital users around the world take serious precautions when having to provide their personal information and place great importance on data privacy and protection. Under the PDPA, the legal bases for the collection of personal data include: Archiving for documents of historical significance or public interest; The suppression of danger; Making contracts; Legitimate interests of either, or both, the user and the platform collecting personal data; Legal obligations; and Gaining consent from users. Based on this, apart from legal obligations and maintaining the interests of both users and the platform, fintech and technology firms can legally collect user data only when users give prior consent to do so, particularly if sensitive data is involved. How can companies get legal consent from users? According to guidelines provided by the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) on Sept 7, 2022, users must give consent in either written or electronic form and have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Moreover, consent given by users must be informed and forthright, meaning platforms are required to provide the following information clearly when getting consent: The type of personal data that will be collected and how; The reasons for doing so; The users rights and obligations; How long the personal data will be held for; and Whether the personal data given by users will be sent to third parties, and if so, whom. It should be noted that platforms cannot collect personal data from other sources unless they notify the users directly and gain consent to do so. What should companies do if they wish to collect user data? Obviously, companies and platforms that wish to collect user data to improve their services must obtain consent from their users. This means drafting a separate consent notice that is easily identifiable to users, such as a pop-up or notification, that is written in a way that is clear and unambiguous, as well as creating a data retention policy for the various types of data to be collected. Platforms may also want to consider ways of collecting consent from those with disabilities. If policies covering consent already exist within the platforms operations, it may be prudent for service providers to review them to ensure they comply with the PDPA and its supporting regulations. However, we recommend that service providers consider a continuity plan for when consent is withdrawn by users as well as a process for destroying data when users want to do so. As always, regardless of whether you are an established service provider or are looking to set up a technology or fintech company in Thailand, you should seek legal advice if in doubt to avoid severe consequences for non-compliance. By Sasitorn Ongcharoen Silk Legal is an experienced law firm that has been advising clients on PDPA compliance, and are ready to help clients meet business goals. To consult on PDPA-related issues, contact info@silklegal.com. Patong bar child sex raid uncovers tourist area network PHUKET: Police have identified three key suspects wanted for leading a child sex trafficking network operating in other tourist areas in the country following a raid at a bar in Patong on Wednesday night. patongtourismsexcrime By The Phuket News Sunday 19 March 2023, 10:51AM Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surchate Hakparn revealed the news during a visit to Phuket yesterday (Mar 18). According to a Royal Thai Police report, Gen Surachates visit was to speak with Region 8 Police, Immigration police and Phuket Provincial Police to expedite the investigation into the network and to follow-up on the progress in the case. Gen Surachates visit followed a special operations team from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) raiding the Velvet bar on Soi Sea Dragon on Wednesday night (Mar 15). Patong Police were not part of the operation. Immediately following the raid, five senior officers at Patong Police Station, including Patong Police Chief Col Sujin Nilabadee, were removed from duty. The bar was operating as a general bar for tourists, but was offering underage girls as prostitutes to foreign customers. The two women were placed under arrest and later charged for human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation of children. While the bar was being raided, other officers entered a hotel nearby where prostitutes working for the bar were waiting for customers. Six of the sex workers were underage. The youngest was just 15 years old. All six were taken into protective care. Gen Surachate yesterday said the expanded investigation into the child sex trafficking network had identified seven more underage girls being used by the network. Two of them had now also been taken into protective care. The key suspect, named by police only as Mr Rolly, had fled Bangkok to Laos, Gen Surchate said. Police are searching for two other key suspects believed to still be in the country, he added. Gen Surachate explained that police were also investigating Thai nationals used as nominees to allow foreign nationals to operate the nightlife businesses now under investigation for being part of the child sex trafficking network. The network is extensive, Gen Surachate said. There are many branches in tourist province areas, he said. The child victims traveled from many provinces in the North, Northeastern and Central regions, most of them claiming to have family problems and going to live with relatives, he added. Child sexual exploitation is a form of human trafficking that should not happen and should not exist in the area. Such offenses may occur from the negligence of both administrative and police officials, Gen Surachate said. In such cases, there must be a final prosecution, he added. Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub Phuket Opinion: The Russian Conundrum PHUKET: The report during the past week of the Thai Cabinet approving an extradition agreement with Russia sent keyboards aflutter with all sorts of comments, some of them near to outright racist, spurring deep incentive to take a beat and a deeper look at what people are seeing on the island. Alarmist reports bordering on inciting anti-Russian sentiment are not helping. opinionRussiantourismeconomics By The Phuket News Sunday 19 March 2023, 09:00AM People in Patong last month protest the Russian militarys invasion of Ukraine. Phuket for years has been a safe haven for people of all nationalities. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub / file The extradition agreement is not in dispute, and was clearly included in the minutes of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday (see here). However, despite several extensive searches The Phuket News has not been able to confirm through any official reports the comments attributed to government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek in announcing the news. All subsequent reports, including by Europa Press and MSN News, have all been sourced to the one story, by The Nation (see here). There has not been any reports of the extradition agreement by state news agencies. Of course, extradition agreements are common between countries, but Ms Rachadas explanation if accurately reported that the pact does not require the approval of the Parliament since it does not affect Thailands territory, economy, society or trade and investment is utter rubbish, and anyone living on Phuket can tell you that. The number of Russians in Phuket is already having an economic effect and affecting the social fabric in certain areas on the island. Giving just one example, rental prices in areas preferred by Russians in Phuket, such as Bang Tao and other areas in Cherng Talay, have risen by as much as 300%. That alone has caused much angst among local expats, but it does deserve closer observation, coupled with a look at the much-reported fact that Russians have bought 40% of all condos sold in Phuket in the past year. ARRIVALS First, looking to the source, the number of Russian arrivals in Phuket are being reported as if they are record numbers never seen before, all attributed to the so-called draft dodgers looking to escape being called up to serve on the frontlines in Ukraine. This understanding is so convoluted it beggars belief. The most common figure reported to highlight the number of Russians arriving in Phuket is that from Nov 1, 2022 to Jan 21, 2023, more than 233,000 Russians arrived on the island. Compared with other nationalities and any of the past three years, this is a large number. But in 2019, before COVID hit, more than 700,000 Russians visited Phuket meaning that the alarming high number of Russians currently coming to Phuket is actually on pace with that rate. Another consideration not even mentioned in recent reports marking Russian arrival numbers is that the months selected to highlight are the peak period of the whole year for Russians to come to Thailand. As Phuket Immigration has started reporting, the daily number of Russian is already falling. Of course there are those fleeing being drafted into the Russian military among those coming to Phuket, but their number is a far cry from being the majority of them. As for the alarming number condos in Phuket being bought by Russians, again, this is no different from the pre-COVID period, when Chinese and Russians together were the two main buyers of all condos being sold in Phuket, when 90% of new condos were being bought by foreigners. The excellent report by Knight Frank earlier this month also helped to set the record straight by presenting, with actual statistics, just how few condos were sold in the past year, again, especially when compared with the huge volume sold in 2019. Considering the reaction among many local residents to the 40% reports, it will be very interesting to see their response when the Chinese start return to buy Phuket condos in force. ON THE GROUND What is causing the angst against Russians amongst local expats is the rate of change and extent of the impact in their lives. This is what makes Ms Rachadas claim that the extradition pact does not affect Thailands territory, economy, society or trade and investment utter rubbish. The relatively sudden arrival of a large number of Russians coming to Phuket has changed the face, and nature, of several key areas on the island. And this is affecting Phukets attractiveness to other nationalities. People do not come to Thailand to be among a single nationality from somewhere else. Without the Russian militarys invasion of Ukraine, over time much of this impact of the Russian arrivals would have been diluted and easily dismissed as inevitable. Older expats on the island will remember a time when foreigners of other nationalities created their own enclaves, with Scandinavians in Kata-Karon, Germans in Rawai, French in Patong, South Koreans in Wichit and Japanese in Kamala. It takes time for foreigners to assimilate and create new lives in a new home, and now these areas are no longer considered nationality-specific. Likewise with the Russians, those who choose to stay will also take time to become integrated members of our island community as their enclave dilutes and number is spread across wider areas of the island. As for the Russian-speaking opportunists who are working to specifically serve the new arrivals, in property or any other services, if they are working illegally the authorities need to slap them down as quickly as possible just like they have done with any other foreigners before them. WELCOMED Of all the anti-Russian comments blasted across social media channels this past week the one that bites the hardest is the use of the term draft dodger as if it were a slur. How these people would not be welcomed here just does not make sense. Surely it is understood that if a 22- to 35-year-old Russian male is choosing to be here in Phuket, that makes it impossible for him to be pulling a trigger in Ukraine. Add to this a report The Phuket News received this week of a foreigner having great difficulty enrolling his child at an international school due to a large influx of Russian children into the schools on the island. One cannot attribute any blame to Russian parents who have moved their whole families to Phuket, just like so many other families from around the world. Again, it is a problem of too many too quickly. Phuket has been struggling to deal with its recovery of tourism, nevermind a large influx of foreign residents. These two examples alone highlight certain Russians who have made a decision about the circumstances in their home country. If they want to come to Phuket, they should be welcomed just like families and other people fleeing Germany in the years the Nazi Party rose to power. What needs urgent attention is just how many new residents Phuket and the surrounding area can support, and how to achieve that. Prayut reviews eco-tourism projects in Phuket PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Phuket today (Mar 19) visited the Soi King Kaew area in Ratsada, one of the poorest neighbourhoods on the island, to promote the Ratsada Green in the City mangrove tourism project. economicsenvironmenttourismpoliticsnatural-resources By The Phuket News Sunday 19 March 2023, 04:05PM Joining PM Prayut today was Apichai Ekwanakul, Acting Director-General of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE). Prayut and his entourage met with local residents to explain the project, and explain that in order for such projects to go ahead special permission was required by Cabinet following a Cabinet resolution on Dec 15, 1987 to protect mangroves throughout the country. Present to welcome PM Prayut was Pricha Jaiart, advisor to Ratsada Mayor Nakarin Yosangrat, and a host of local officials, including Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew. According to official reports of PM Prayuts visit, Ratsada Municipality today is to submit its request for the budget to build its Ratsada Green in the City project. However, so far no official reports have revealed exactly how much will be requested to build the project. Ahead of the prime ministers visit today, Ratsada Mayor Mr Nakarin on Friday (Mar 17) conducted an inspection of the site to explain details of the project to local media. The project area is to cover 678 rai throughout Moo Baan 1-4 of Tambon Ratsada. The area is a protected national forest along Klong Bang Chee Lao - Klong Tha Chin (pronounced tah jeen, as in Chinese Pier). The greater area of the protected mangrove forest covers more than 1,234 rai of unspoilt mangroves. The Ratsada Green in the City initiative was floated in June last year, and approved in principle by Cabinet on Aug 22 last year. The aim of the project is to create a learning centre and elevated walkways through the mangroves for people to learn about and appreciate their natural beauty, Mr Nakarin said. Mr Nakarin on Friday also released images showing artists impressions of what the completed project is likely to look like. Meanwhile, PM Prayut and his entourage today provided a free banquet of Thai food for the local residents in Soi King Kaew. On landing at Phuket International Airport this morning, PM Prayut was welcomed to the island by Phuket Governor Narong amid the usual high security. He was escorted to the main meeting room at Phuket airport, where he led a meeting to be updated on the policies currently being acted on by Phuket officials and their efforts to promote Phukets bid to host Expo 2028. Joining the PM at the meeting were Minister of Interior Gen Anupong Paochinda and Minister of Labour Suchat Chomklin, along with Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, spokesperson of the Prime Ministers Office, who also served as spokesperson for Thailands Center for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the meeting, PM Prayut and his team travelled to the nearby 141 rai site in Mai Khao that is to become home of the Andaman International Health Center and to serve as the base for Expo 2028, if Thailand wins its bid. Cabinet in October last year approved B5.11 billion to develop the entire site. PM Prayut is expected to attend an event held to present a vision of Andaman Ready at Phuket Rajabhat University in Ratsada, north of Phuket Town, before returning to Bangkok this evening. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Rain likely. High 52F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 41F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High 52F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low 41F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. A tiger skin found on a taxi is kept at a police station in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Huy Manh Police found three tiger skins as they inspected two taxi cabs in Hanois Hoang Mai District on Friday. The drivers were on their way to deliver the skins to a bus station when they were stopped by police. Each of the tiger skins stretches about three meters in length. One of them still has the tail attached. Both drivers said they did not know the customers and were just hired to deliver the skins. Police are currently investigating to ascertain the origins of the skins. Vietnam is one of only 13 countries still home to tigers in the wild. But its populations are plunging even after a national decree in 2010 pledged to double Vietnams tiger numbers by 2022. Tigers are critically endangered in Vietnam, with only five thought to be left in the wild in 2016, down from 30 in 2011, according to the World Wildlife Fund. More than a few times in Vietnams recent history tigers have been held in captivity illegally by local residents who sell them for their bones and skins. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. The writer is pastor of The Evangelical Congregational Church of Easton. We are an unjust, morally corrupt nation Top Republicans, including some of Donald Trumps potential rivals for the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest. The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans, said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didnt want to live in a country where the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition. The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing his post on social media about the Manhattan district attorneys probe led to the public declarations of support remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base. Trump garnered similar support last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon. Among those coming to Trumps defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against Trump. McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions. McCarthy has not endorsed Trumps White House campaign, but Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be unAmerican. The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments On Saturday, several of Trumps declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorneys investigation. Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president. No one is above the law, he added. Im confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people. Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. I think its a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions, he said. Trump has said he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted. Ramaswamy, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to reconsider. A Trump indictment would be a national disaster, Ramaswamy tweeted. It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals. Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trumps most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trumps candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina. Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trumps endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trumps campaign. The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger, he tweeted. We simply dont have a real country if justice depends on politics. Trump denies the allegations and has cast the investigation as a witch hunt by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trumps latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed. The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected, Graham said Saturday at the Vision 24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. Theyre doing this because theyre afraid of Donald Trump. (AP) Soon after a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio last month, anonymous pro-Russian accounts started spreading misleading claims and anti-American propaganda about it on Twitter, using Elon Musks new verification system to expand their reach while creating the illusion of credibility. The accounts, which parroted Kremlin talking points on myriad topics, claimed without evidence that authorities in Ohio were lying about the true impact of the chemical spill. The accounts spread fearmongering posts that preyed on legitimate concerns about pollution and health effects and compared the response to the derailment with Americas support for Ukraine following its invasion by Russia. Some of the claims pushed by the pro-Russian accounts were verifiably false, such as the suggestion that the news media had covered up the disaster or that environmental scientists traveling to the site had been killed in a plane crash. But most were more speculative, seemingly designed to stoke fear or distrust. Examples include unverified maps showing widespread pollution, posts predicting an increase in fatal cancers and others about unconfirmed mass animal die-offs. Biden offers food, water, medicine, shelter, payouts of pension and social services to Ukraine! Ohio first! Offer and deliver to Ohio! posted one of the pro-Moscow accounts, which boasts 25,000 followers and features an anonymous location and a profile photo of a dog. Twitter awarded the account a blue check mark in January. Regularly spewing anti-US propaganda, the accounts show how easily authoritarian states and Americans willing to spread their propaganda can exploitsocial mediaplatforms like Twitter in an effort to steer domestic discourse. The accounts were identified by Reset, a London-based nonprofit that studies social medias impact on democracy, and shared with The Associated Press. Felix Kartte, a senior advisor at Reset, said the reports findings indicate Twitter is allowing Russia to use its platform like a bullhorn. With no one at home in Twitters product safety department, Russia will continue to meddle in US elections and in democracies around the world, Kartte said. Twitter did not respond to messages seeking comment for this story. The 38-car derailment near East Palestine, Ohio, released toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, leading to a nationaldebate over rail safety and environmental regulations while raising fears of poisoned drinking water and air. The disaster was a major topic on social media, with millions of mentions on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, according to an analysis by San Francisco-based media intelligence firm Zignal Labs, which conducted a study on behalf of the AP. At first, the derailment received little attention online but mentions grew steadily, peaking two weeks after the incident, Zignal found, a time lag that gave pro-Russia voices time to try to shape the conversation. The accounts identified by Resets researchers received an extra boost from Twitter itself, in the form of a blue check mark. Before Musk purchased Twitter last year, its check marks denoted accounts run by verified users, often public figures, celebrities or journalists. It was seen as a mark of authenticity on a platform known for bots and spam accounts. Musk ended that system and replaced it with Twitter Blue, which is given to users who pay $8 per month and supply a phone number. Twitter Blue users agree not to engage in deception and are required to post a profile picture and name. But theres no rule that they use their own. Under the program, Twitter Blue users can write and send longer tweets and videos. Their replies are also given higher priority on other posts. The AP reached out to several of the accounts listed in Resets report. In response, one of the accounts sent a two-word message before blocking the AP reporter on Twitter: Shut up. While researchers spotted clues suggesting some of the accounts are linked to coordinated efforts by Russian disinformation agencies, others were Americans, showing the Kremlin doesnt always have to pay to get its message out. One account, known as Truth Puke, is connected to a website of the same name geared toward conservatives in the United States. Truth Puke regularly reposts Russian state media; RT, formerly known as Russia Today, is one of its favorite groups to repost, Reset found. One video posted by the account features ex-President Donald Trumps remarks about the train derailment, complete with Russian subtitles. In a response to questions from the AP, Truth Puke said it aims to provide a wide spectrum of views and was surprised to be labeled a spreader of Russian propaganda, despite the accounts heavy use of such material. Asked about the video with Russian subtitles, Truth Puke said it used the Russian language version of the Trump video for the sake of expediency. We can assure you that it was not done with any Russian propagandist intent in mind, we just like to put out things as quickly as we find them, the company said. Other accounts brag of their love for Russia. One account on Thursday reposted a bizarre claim that the U.S. was stealing humanitarian earthquake relief supplies donated to Syria by China. The account has 60,000 followers and is known as Donbass Devushka, after the region of Ukraine. Another pro-Russian account recently tried to pick an online argument with Ukraines defense department, posting photos of documents that it claimed came from the Wagner Group, a private military company owned by a Yevgeny Prigozhin, a key Putin ally. Prigozhin operates troll farms that have targeted U.S. social media users in the past. Last fall he boasted of his efforts to meddle with American democracy. A separate Twitter account claiming to represent Wagner actively uses the site to recruit fighters. Gentlemen, we have interfered, are interfering and will interfere, Prigozhin said last fall on the eve of the 2022 midterm elections in the U.S. Carefully, precisely, surgically and in our own way, as we know how to do, Prigozhin said at the time. (AP) Police in the northern city of Hai Phong detained a Georgian man Saturday for cheating a money changer out of US$30,000 by switching it with envelops of paper. Sordia Gia, 55, is under investigation for "fraudulent appropriation of property." Police said Gia has stayed in Vietnam for several years on a tourist visa. In February, he and another Georgian frequently visited a jewelry shop on Cho Hang Street in Hai Phongs Le Chan District to exchange Vietnamese banknotes for dollars. Gradually, he became a familiar face at the shop. On the evening of Feb. 27, Gia brought three envelopes to the shop, each of them having a transparent window that allowed others to see what was inside. He told the shop owner that he wanted to exchange Vietnamese dong for $30,000 in cash. When given the $30,000, he divided the cash into the three envelopes he had brought. Then, when the shop owner was not paying attention, Gia swapped those three envelopes with three other envelopes that he had prepared in his backpack. The swapped envelopes looked exactly like the original ones and at the transparent window, Gia had put a $100 note in each to trick the shop owner. He put some vig stacks of Vietnamese dong notes on the table to draw the shop's attention. But then he told the owner that he realized he did not bring enough Vietnamese cash to exchange for the US$30,000 and would return later. He gave the three envelops containing $300 the shop owner, who thought they contained the shop's $30,000 in the first place. After Gia left the shop, the owner checked the three envelopes and realized that they had been swapped. Each envelope had just one US$100 bill behind the transparent window, with the rest just pieces of paper. The shop reported the incident to the police. When police tracked Gia down, they found that he had already left for Hanoi, from where he flew to Ho Chi Minh City. On Feb. 28, Gia was arrested as soon as he touched down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport. When Hai Phong police looked further into the case, they discovered that Gia had used the same trick to steal money at jewelry shops in several localities. He could communicate in Vietnamese but he always pretended he could not understand the language and always used Google Translate to exchange money, making it confusing for the jewelry shop owners so that he could distract them more easily. Gia had planned to flee to Cambodia from Ho Chi Minh City via illegal trails. Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine on Saturday, the day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Russian leader accusing him of war crimes. Putin visited an art school and a childrens center that are part of a project to develop a historical park on the site of an ancient Greek colony, Russian state news agencies said. The ICC accused him Friday of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine during Russias full-scale invasion of the neighboring country that started almost 13 months ago. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world denounced as illegal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded that Russia withdraw from the peninsula as well as the areas it has occupied since last year. Putin has shown no intention of relinquishing the Kremlins gains. Instead, he stressed Friday the importance of holding Crimea. Obviously, security issues take top priority for Crimea and Sevastopol now, he said, referring to Crimeas largest city. We will do everything needed to fend off any threats. Putin took a plane to travel the 1,821 kilometers (1,132 miles) from Moscow to Sevastopol, where he took the wheel of the car that transported him around the city, according to Moscow-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhaev. The ICCs arrest warrant was the first issued against a leader of one of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council. The court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Lvova-Belova, the commissioner for Childrens Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. The move was immediately dismissed by Moscow and welcomed by Ukraine as a major breakthrough. However, the chances of Putin facing trial at the ICC are highly unlikely because Moscow does not recognize the courts jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. Despite the courts action and its implications for Putin, the United Nations and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday that a wartime deal that allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia was extended, although neither said for how long. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted that the deal had been renewed for 120 days, the period that Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. wanted. But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Russian news agency Tass that Moscow agreed to a 60-day extension. Russia and Ukraine are both major global suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other affordable food products that developing nations depend on. They signed separate agreements with the U.N. and Turkey last year to allow food to leave Ukraines blockaded ports. Russia has complained that shipments of its fertilizers which its deal was supposed to facilitate are not getting to global markets. The country briefly pulled out of the agreement in November before rejoining and agreeing to a 120-day renewal. Putin signed a law Saturday that imposes stiff fines for discrediting or spreading misleading information about volunteers or mercenaries fighting in Ukraine. The law calls for a fining individuals 50,000 rubles ($660) for a first offense and up to 15 years in prison for repeated offenses. The measure mirrors one passed in the early days of the war that applied to speaking negatively about soldiers or the Russian military in general. Fighters from the Wagner Group, a private Russian military company known for fierce tactics, have taken key roles in Ukraine, particularly in Russias grinding campaign to seize the eastern Donetsk province town of Bakhmut. In Ukraine, authorities reported widespread Russian attacks between Friday night and Saturday morning. Writing on Telegram, the Ukrainian air force command said 11 out of 16 drones were shot down during attacks that targeted the capital, Kyiv, and the western Lviv province, among other areas. The head of the Kyiv city administration, Serhii Popko, said Ukrainian air defenses shot down all drones heading for the capital. Lviv Gov. Maksym Kozytskyi said Saturday that three of six drones were shot down, with the other three hitting a district that borders Poland. According to the Ukrainian air force, the attacks were carried out from the eastern coast of the Sea of Azov and Russias Bryansk province, which also borders Ukraine. The Ukrainian military reported that between Friday morning and Saturday morning, Russian forces launched 34 airstrikes, one missile strike and 57 rounds of anti-aircraft fire. It said falling debris hit southern Ukraines Kherson province, damaging seven houses and a kindergarten. Russia is still concentrating the bulk of its offensive operations in Ukraines industrial east, focusing attacks on Bakhmut and other parts of Donetsk province. Regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko said one person was killed and three wounded when 11 towns and villages in the province were shelled Friday. Further west, Russian rockets hit a residential area overnight in the city of Zaporizhzhia, the regional capital of the partially occupied province of the same name. No casualties were reported, but houses were damaged, Anatoliy Kurtev of the Zaporizhzhia City Council said. British military officials said Saturday that Russia was likely to expand mandatory conscription to replenish its troops fighting in Ukraine. The U.K. Defense Ministry said in its latest analysis that deputies in the Russian Duma, the lower house of Russias parliament, introduced a bill to change the draft ages for men to 21-30, from the current 18-27. The ministry said many Russian men ages 18-21 claim exemptions from military service because they are enrolled in higher education institutions. The wider age range would mean they would have to serve eventually. British officials said the law would likely pass and take effect in January 2024. (AP) Republicans who are seeking to lead their party in the 2024 presidential race are gathering in South Carolina this weekend with a goal at the forefront of their agenda: taking on woke ideology. On Saturday in North Charleston, Palmetto Family, which lobbies for what it considers to be biblical values, is hosting Vision 24, described by organizers as casting the conservative vision for the next White House race. More than 400 attendees are expected to hear from presidential hopefuls, including Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor who was Donald Trumps U.N. ambassador, and tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Organizers expect issues such as gas prices and national security to get plenty of attention. But there also is an expectation that much of the focus will be on the pushback by some across the U.S. against what they perceive as affronts to conservative ways of life by efforts characterized as woke. Its playing out in state-level debates over classroom instruction, gender-affirming care for minors and collegiate diversity programs. Organizer Mitch Prosser of Palmetto Family says Vision 24 is shaping up as an opportunity for Republicans to outline their ideas in the state that holds the first GOP primary votes in the South next year. Youre going to hear a lot about woke ideology, specifically when it comes to children in school, and in parenting, Prosser said. The catch-all label is taking on a leading a role within the burgeoning GOP presidential contest, with candidate-in-waiting Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, emerging as a fierce opponent of policies designed to ensure equity when it comes to race, gender and public health. Ramaswamy, who entered the race this month, wrote a book on the topic, particularly as it pertains to business: Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate Americas Social Justice Scam. The debate has spilled over into the finance space, too. On Thursday, 19 Republican governors, including DeSantis and South Dakotas Kristi Noem, another possible 2024 contender, signed a letter opposing the Biden administrations support of federal labor rule allowing retirement plans to consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions. Critics say the efforts are the latest example of the world trying to get woke, allocating money based on political agendas, like a drive against climate change, rather than on earning the best returns for savers. DeSantis wont be on stage in South Carolina, but Ramaswamy and Haley will. Haley has adopted strong and proud, not weak and woke on yard signs, shirts and campaign stickers. At the Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this month, she said that wokeness is a virus more dangerous than any pandemic, hands down. For Ramaswamy, being anti-woke is central to his political brand. Leaving his biotech company following pressures for him make a statement in favor of the Black Lives Matter movement, Ramaswamy called at CPAC for an opportunity for the conservative movement to rise to the occasion and fill that void with a vision of American national identity that runs so deep that it dilutes this woke poison to irrelevance. He later launched his own firm intended to pressure companies to quit ESG initiatives. Its a similar vein of messaging that South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, yet to announce his own 2024 bid but expected to be in attendance Saturday, has been making for years. In a 2021 op-ed, Scott wrote that, due to his status as the Senates sole Black Republican, he had long endured critique from woke folk because my ideology does not match that which they prescribe based on my complexion. Others scheduled to attend include former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Stumping for GOP Rep. Nancy Mace in November, Gabbard criticized her former party for trying to push these radical woke policies on us, in every way, in every aspect of our lives. Previewing the event on Friday, South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson called the push by the MAGA agenda a dog whistle to some. If theyre talking about a culture war and woke, then youre not paying attention to the fact that your rights and your freedom to make your healthcare decisions as a woman are being taken away, Robertson said, referencing pushes for more restrictive abortion laws in a number of states. They want to talk about woke because they arent capable of talking about anything of substance. (AP) Chinese President Xi Jinpings plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week highlighted Chinas aspirations for a greater role on the world stage. But they also revealed the perils of global diplomacy: Hours after Fridays announcement of the trip, an international arrest warrant was issued for Putin on war crimes charges, taking at least some wind out of the sails of Chinas big reveal. The flurry of developments which followed Chinas brokering of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and its release of what it calls a peace plan for Ukraine came as the Biden administration watches warily Beijings moves to assert itself more forcefully in international affairs. U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday he believes the decision by the International Criminal Court in The Hague to charge Putin was justified. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House for his Delaware home, he said Putin clearly committed war crimes. While the U.S. does not recognize the court, Biden said it makes a very strong point to call out the Russian leader for his actions in ordering the invasion of Ukraine. Other U.S. officials privately expressed satisfaction that an international body had agreed with Washingtons assessment that Russia has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. Asked about the Xi-Putin meeting, Biden said, Well, well see when that meeting takes place. The Biden administration believes Chinas desire to be seen as a broker for peace between Russia and Ukraine may be viewed more critically now that Putin is officially a war crime suspect, according to two U.S. officials. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the matter publicly, said the administration hopes the warrants will help mobilize heretofore neutral countries to weigh in on the conflict. A look at the Xi-Putin meeting and how it may be affected by the warrant. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF XI MEETING WITH PUTIN? The visit to Russia will be Xis first foreign trip since being elected to an unprecedented third term as Chinas president. It comes as Beijing and Moscow have intensified ties in steps that began shortly before Russias invasion of Ukraine with a meeting between the two leaders in Beijing during last years Winter Olympics at which they declared a no limits partnership. Since then, China has repeatedly sided with Russia in blocking international action against Moscow for the Ukraine conflict and, U.S. officials say, is considering supplying Russia with weapons to support the war. But it has also tried to cast itself in a more neutral role, offering a peace plan that was essentially ignored. The meeting in Moscow is likely to see the two sides recommit to their partnership, which both see as critical to countering what they consider undue and undeserved influence exerted by the U.S. and its Western allies. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ICC ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR PUTIN? In the immediate term, the ICCs warrant for Putin and one of his aides is unlikely to have a major impact on the meeting or Chinas position toward Russia. Neither China nor Russia nor the United States or Ukraine has ratified the ICCs founding treaty. The U.S., beginning with the Clinton administration, has refused to join the court, fearing that its broad mandate could result in the prosecution of American troops or officials. That means that none of the four countries formally recognizes the courts jurisdiction or is bound by its orders, although Ukraine has consented to allowing some ICC probes of crimes on its territory and the U.S. has cooperated with ICC investigations. In addition, it is highly unlikely that Putin would travel to a country that would be bound by obligations to the ICC. If he did, it is questionable whether that country would actually arrest him. There is precedent for those previously indicted, notably former Sudanese President Omar Bashir, to have visited ICC members without being detained. However, the stain of the arrest warrant could well work against China and Russia in the court of public opinion and Putins international status may take a hit unless the charges are withdrawn or he is acquitted. WHAT IS THE VIEW FROM WASHINGTON? U.S. officials have not minced words when it comes to Xis planned visit to Moscow. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called Beijings push for an immediate cease-fire in Ukraine a ratification of Russian conquest and warned that Russians could use a cease-fire to regroup their positions so that they can restart attacks on Ukraine at a time of their choosing. We do not believe that this is a step towards a just, durable peace, he said. Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan this week called on Xi to also speak with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian leader has also expressed interest in talks with Xi. WHAT IS THE VIEW FROM KYIV? Speaking before the ICC warrant was unveiled, Ukrainian analysts cautioned against falling into a potential trap ahead of the Xi-Putin meeting. We need to be aware that such peace talks are a trap for Ukraine and its diplomatic corps, said Yurii Poita, who heads the Asia section at the Kyiv-based New Geopolitics Research Network. Under such conditions, these peace talks wont be directed toward peace, said Nataliia Butyrska, a Ukrainian analyst on politics related to Eastern Asia. She said the visit reflects not so much Chinas desire for peace but its desire to play a major role in whatever post-conflict settlement may be reached. China does not clearly distinguish between who is the aggressor and who is the victim. And when a country begins its peacekeeping activities or at least seeks to help the parties, not distinguishing this will affect objectivity, Butyrska said. From my perspective, China seeks to freeze the conflict. WHAT IS THE VIEW FROM MOSCOW? Even if China stops short of providing military assistance to Russia as the U.S. and its allies fear, Moscow sees Xis visit as a powerful signal of Chinese backing that challenges Western efforts to isolate Russia and deal crippling blows to its economy. Kremlin spokesman Yuri Ushakov noted that Putin and Xi have very special friendly and trusting personal ties and hailed Beijings peace plan. We highly appreciate the restrained, well-balanced position of the Chinese leadership on this issue, Ushakov said. Observers say that despite Chinas posturing as a mediator, its refusal to condemn the Russian action leaves no doubt about where Beijings sympathy lies. The Chinese peace plan is a fig leaf to push back against some Western criticism on support for Russia, said Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The optics that it creates is that China has a peace plan, both parties of war endorsed it and were ready to explore the opportunities and then it was killed by the hostile West. WHAT IS THE VIEW FROM BEIJING? Chinese officials have been boasting about their new-found clout in the international arena as their countrys foreign policy has become increasingly assertive under Xi. In announcing the Xi visit, Chinas foreign ministry said Beijings ties with Moscow are a significant world force. As the world enters a new period of turbulence and change, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an important power, the significance and influence of China-Russia relations go far beyond the bilateral scope, it said. It called the visit a journey of friendship, further deepening mutual trust and understanding between China and Russia, and consolidating the political foundation and public opinion foundation of friendship between the two peoples for generations. (AP) The United States, its Western allies and experts shone a spotlight on the dire human rights situation and increasing repression in North Korea at a U.N. meeting Friday that China and Russia denounced as a politicized move likely to further escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula. China blocked the U.S. from broadcasting the informal Security Council meeting globally on the internet, a decision criticized by U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as an attempt to hide North Koreas atrocities from the world. Webcasting requires agreement by all 15 council members. But the U.S. envoy said Beijings effort was in vain because the meeting will be made public, and the U.S. and many others will continue to speak out against Pyongyangs human rights abuses and threats to international peace. James Turpin, a senior official in the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the ongoing tensions on the Korean peninsula pose a threat to regional and international peace and security, and these tensions cannot be separated from the dire human rights situation in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Norths official name. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, North Korea has been isolated. The United Nations has no international staff in the country and Turpin said this coincides with an increase in the repression of civil and political rights. He pointed to stronger government measures to prevent people from getting access to information from the outside world, an extreme level of surveillance, peoples homes being subjected to random search for material not authorized by the state, and punishments for anyone trying to exercise basic rights including freedom of expression, religion and peaceful assembly. Elizabeth Salmon, the U.N. special investigator on human rights in North Korea, also stressed the interdependence of international peace and security and human rights, saying peace and denuclearization cant be addressed without considering the current human rights violations. She told the meeting that the limited information available shows the suffering of the North Korean people has increased and their already limited liberties have declined. Access to food, medicine and health care remains a priority concern, people have frozen to death during the cold spells in January, and some didnt have money to heat their homes while others were forced to live on the streets because they sold their homes as a last resort. Xing Jisheng, a counsellor at Chinas U.N. Mission, criticized the U.S. for discussing human rights in the Security Council whose mandate is ensuring international peace and security, saying it is not constructive in any way. Instead of easing tension, he said, it may rather intensify the conflict, and therefore its an irresponsible move. Using U.N. WebTV for live broadcast is a waste of U.N. resources, Xing added, saying if countries are really concerned about the situation on the Korean peninsula and well-being of the people they should work to relaunch dialogue, de-escalate tensions, and support lifting sanctions that affect the livelihood of North Koreans and the countrys deteriorating humanitarian situation. Stepan Kuzmenkov, a senior counsellor at Russias U.N. Mission, echoed Chinas opposition to having the Security Council discuss human rights and said there were no grounds for convening the meeting which has a clear anti-North Korean bent. He accused the U.S. of using human rights to settle scores with the governments not to their liking and condemned what he called streams of disinformation about North Korea disseminated by the U.S. and its allies on the pretext that theyre trying to protect human rights. What we see is that the United States, South Korea and Japan are engaging in aggressive, militaristic activities, thereby whipping up tensions in northeastern Asia, putting the security of countries in the region at risk, Kuzmenov said. The Americans are ignoring initiatives which would help ease tensions as well as the substantive and constructive signals (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un is sending, which could bring about possible de-escalation. Americas Thomas-Greenfield countered that the regimes widespread human rights abuses and its threats to our collective security could not be clearer. North Koreas ballistic missile and weapons of mass destruction programs threaten international peace and security and are inextricably linked to the regimes human rights abuses, she said. In the DPRK, the pursuit of weapons of mass destruction always, always trumps human rights and humanitarian needs of its people, Thomas-Greenfield said. (AP) A commander in the Palestinian terrorist group Islamic Jihad was killed in Syria on Sunday in what it described as an assassination by Israeli agents. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, said in a statement that Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning in the Damascus countryside in a cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the Zionist enemy, referring to Israel. There was no immediate statement from Israel on Sundays alleged assassination. The Islamic Jihad said in a statement Aswads family had been displaced from the city of Haifa in 1948 and settled in the refugee camps in Syria, where he joined the terror organization as a young man. In 2019, Israeli warplanes fired missiles at the home of Akram al-Ajouri, a member of Islamic Jihads leadership living in exile. Ajouri was not harmed, but his son was reportedly killed in the attack. Last month, airstrikes on residential areas in Damascus that Syrian officials said killed at least five people were attributed to Israel. An Islamic Jihad official warned Israel in a statement that there would be a decisive response without delay to any assassination attempt (on) the leaders of the resistance. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, including attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. (AP) In response to a Fox News segment discussing the Manhattan District Attorneys office requesting a meeting with law enforcement ahead of a potential indictment of former President Donald Trump, Twitter CEO Elon Musk predicted that if Trump is indicted, or possibly even arrested and handcuffed, he will be re-elected in a landslide victory. If this happens, Trump will be re-elected in a landslide victory, Musk tweeted. The meeting with law enforcement is to discuss logistics for some time next week, which would mean that they are anticipating an indictment next week, but the meeting had not been set, and it isnt clear where Trump got the idea or information that his arrest will take place Tuesday, as he wrote on Truth Social. The possible indictment of former President Donald Trump is related to an extensive investigation into his purported payment of hush money to a woman during his 2016 presidential campaign. During the final stages of that election cycle, Trumps former attorney Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to a woman to keep her from revealing a past encounter with Trump. Although Trump denies having had any personal encounter with her, he reimbursed Cohen through a series of installments. The Manhattan District Attorneys office, headed by Alvin Bragg, has been investigating the alleged payments for the past five years. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A rocket was launched into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip on Motzei Shabbos. The rocket exploded in an open area near the border and bchasdei Hashem, there were no injuries or casualties. The rocket launch follows threats of escalation by Gaza terror groups in the wake of an IDF operation in Jenin on Thursday in which four terrorists were killed. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Dozens of leftists protested on Shabbos morning in Kfar Oriyah, near Beit Shemesh, against National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was spending Shabbos there with his family. The protesters shouted into megaphones and blew whistles and horns next to the shul where Ben-Gvir davened. The residents of the yishuv were outraged by their behavior and demanded that the leftists leave immediately. Clashes between the two groups ensued, including throwing firecrackers, stones, and smoke grenades. Two protesters and one resident of the yishuv were arrested. Ben-Gvir left the shul wrapped in a tallis under heavy security. The police issued a statement saying: Border Guard officers operated in Kfar Oriya following a protest than turned into a public disturbance. Riots began, with insults and clashes between protesters and residents. Border Guard officers from the Mateh Yehudah station separated those involved and acted to repel the rioters after they failed to heed the warnings of the police and dispersal orders. Ben-Gvir wrote on Twitter on Motzei Shabbos: Protest against me as much as you want, Ill fight for your right to protest. But why yell into megaphones at the windows of a shul, honk, scream, and cause people to be mechallel Shabbat? Im sure that if was a mosque, you would have respected its leaders. But apparently, everything is permissible against religious Jews. Thank you to the residents of Kfar Oriyah for the wonderful hospitality. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Undercover police officers on Motzei Shabbos raided a simcha hall in the Mea Shearim neighborhood of Jerusalem and arrested a minor who was allegedly involved in seriously injuring a Chareidi woman during a protest in the Geulah area in December 2022. The police have been searching for the 15-year-old suspect for several months. Shortly after the incident, the police arrested two suspects, an adult and a minor. Both were indicted for a number of charges and their trial is ongoing. The injured woman, Mirel Duzlovosky, 40, a mother of 11 children including a nursing baby, was sedated and ventilated in the ICU for almost three weeks, but chasdei Hashem, eventually recovered. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A Chareidi driver from the UK was killed and 18 passengers were injured in a traffic accident between a minibus and a car outside Antwerp overnight Motzei Shabbos. The driver of the minibus, filled with 18 chassidim from London who had traveled to visit the Pshevorsk Rebbe in Antwerp for Shabbos, suffered a medical incident while driving, causing the bus to careen out of control and overturn. The 60-year-old driver, Shimmy Segal, zl, was killed on the spot and two of the passengers, including a 15-year-old bochur, were seriously injured. Most of the other passengers were lightly injured. Hatzalah paramedics from Antwerp quickly arrived at the scene and evacuated the injured passengers to local hospitals. Volunteers of the Chaveirim Antwerp branch worked throughout the night assisting the passengers by dealing with authorities and providing food and places to sleep for passengers who didnt require hospitalization. The public is asked to daven for Tzvi ben Rochel Liba and Avraham Eliezer ben Chaya Yutel btoch shaar cholei Yisrael. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Foreign tourists at a restaurant on the famous Ma Pi Leng Pass in Ha Giang Province in the northern highlands, 2019. Photo by VnExpress/Huy Manh As the government begins moving ahead with relaxation of tourist visas, foreigners are hoping the three-month visa policy will soon be resumed to give them more time to explore the country. Eric Warnken from Germany, who says he is tired of having to make visa runs every month, felt a little hopeful after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh earlier this week ordered officials to waive visas for more countries and to extend the length of stay for foreign tourists to speed up the recovery of tourism. "It was problematic to leave the country every 30 days," he said. "We flew from Nha Trang to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to spend 3-4 days there and return with new e-visas. Those AirAsia flights and hotel stays cost us around $1,000 every 30 days." Due to strict visa policies, Eric had to move to Thailand for his recent winter vacation where he can easily get a visa for longer stays or in Malaysia, where there is a visa-free entry for 90 days. "We and many of our friends would love to come back to Vietnam next fall and winter but only if there are finally visas for at least three months like before the pandemic," he added. "We've waited very long for Vietnam's 3-month visa policy," he added, "but nothing has changed until now." Eric said he hopes new relaxed visa policies will soon be issued. Vietnam now offers a one-month, single-entry e-visa to visitors from 80 countries. The multi-entry, three-month visa that was available before Covid has not been brought back yet. In a response to the prime ministers order, the Ministry of Public Security proposed Friday to prolong the duration of e-visas granted to foreigners entering Vietnam from the current 30 days to a maximum of three months to boost tourism. Pritesh Meta from India said a 30-day visa is not enough for him to explore rural parts of northern Vietnam, where he wants to get a deep understanding of local cultures. Pritesh visited Vietnam last month and he spent 28 days riding a motorbike from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the restrictive visa, he had not been able to travel further north to areas where he wants to learn more about ethnic minority groups with their distinctive culture. Pritesh Meta stands in front of a bar in Hue, central Vietnam, on a rainy day in February 2023. Photo courtesy of Pritesh Meta He said he hoped the three-month visa policy would soon be restarted to give him more time to explore remote parts of the country on motorbike. Australian John Rafter and his family is preparing to visit Vietnam next month and that he is waiting for "major changes" in the visa policy. Rafter said he hoped the duration of maximum stay for foreign tourists would be extended up to three months like it was before the pandemic as some tourist destinations in Vietnam "are really beautiful." Since Vietnam reopened its borders in March last year, the number of foreign tourists has remained low while Southeast Asian neighbors with open visa policies have already recorded significant increases in international tourism. Despite being one of the first Southeast Asian countries to fully reopen to international tourism post Covid, Vietnam only received 3.6 million foreign tourists last year, around 20% of pre-pandemic levels. With disappointing numbers, tourism industry insiders have been calling on the government to lift visa barriers to help the tourism industry to take off again. A commander in the Palestinian terror group Islamic Jihad was killed in Syria on Sunday in what it described as an assassination by Israeli agents. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, said in a statement that Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning in the Damascus countryside in a cowardly assassination with bullets bearing the fingerprints of the Zionist enemy, referring to Israel. There was no immediate statement from Israel on Sundays alleged assassination. However, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu hinted at the assassination in Sundays Cabinet meeting. Our forces are working around the clock to come to bring terrorists to account and thwart terrorist infrastructures, Netanyahu said. Dozens of terrorists were killed in the last month, many others were arrested. I repeat: all those who try to harm the citizens of Israel their blood is on their heads. We reach the terrorists and the architects of terrorism everywhere. The Islamic Jihad said in a statement Aswads family had been displaced from the city of Haifa in 1948 and settled in the refugee camps in Syria, where he joined the organization as a young man. In 2019, Israeli warplanes fired missiles at the home of Akram al-Ajouri, a member of Islamic Jihads leadership living in exile. Ajouri was not harmed, but his son was reportedly killed in the attack. Last month, airstrikes on residential areas in Damascus that Syrian officials said killed at least five people were attributed to Israel. An Islamic Jihad official warned Israel in a statement that there would be a decisive response without delay to any assassination attempt (on) the leaders of the resistance. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets inside government-controlled parts of Syria in recent years, including attacks on the Damascus and Aleppo airports, but it rarely acknowledges or discusses the operations. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem & AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com She lies at the heart of the most controversial issues that have hit the Chareidi World since the mid-sixties. Satmar and the Rabbis in Lakewood, New Jersey would like nothing better than to see her go away. The same is true with the Rabbanut of Israel and the Eida HaChareidis in Yerushalayim. The Rabbanut has even barred her from entering the country. At least two local Five Towns/Far Rockaway synagogues have forbidden her entry. Yet throughout America, she is welcomed and loved almost everywhere. Who is Kerria Lacca? Where does she come from? More pertinently, why has she inspired such abhorrence and debate? THE BEGINNING Let us start at the beginning. Kerria Lacca started off in the jungles of south-east Asia where she first found her home. Kerria Lacca, by the way, is a small female beetle more commonly called the lac beetle of shellac fame. She is found covering numerous foods particularly chocolates, Mike and Ikes, Cinnamon flavored Hot Tamales, and shiny fruits. [Some apple suppliers use shellac as the wax while others use Carnauba wax which is not beetle-based.] THE PROCESS Farmers in southeast Asia and in Mexico obtain sticks of Kerria Lacca eggs that are ready to hatch and attach these sticks to trees that are to be infested. The beetles hatch and colonize the branches of the host trees. Let us watch her for a few minutes. There she stands inserting herself into these branches in small cavernous tunnels, sucking out the sap and some bark for sustenance. Soon she will begin secreting a much sought after resin in order to traverse the branches of the tree. The resin is called sticklac. There are 150 Kerra Lacca beetles per square inch, after they hatch. The resin is collected by workers. It is heated and filtered. Body parts and bark parts are removed. The end product is known as Shellac. Alcohol is added to it, and it becomes an ingredient in many food grade glazes. This glaze is placed on thousands of products including candies, chocolates, and fresh waxed fruit. The glaze is actually made out of sugar and gum Arabic, but the shine doesnt last too long. To give the shine some longevity, the glaze-makers add in some shellac. Shellac is added to many New York State apples, chocolates, and other glazes. To make the glaze, the Shellac is mixed with four or five parts of alcohol. The issue is not a new issue. What is new is that a growing number of organizations and people are taking the more stringent view. Why this has happened is another issue. But few can deny that the matter is of growing concern. The debate seems to be a three-way debate between Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl, Rav Elyashiv ztl, and Dayan Weiss ztl. It concerns the Kashrus of confectioners glaze and other food resins that are used on hundreds of food products, including apples and candy, and come from beetles. RAV MOSHE ZTL Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl (Igros Moshe YD II #24) in a letter dated January 18th, 1965 to Rabbi Nachum Kornmill, the former Rabbi of the Young Israel of Lawrence Cedarhurst in the Five Towns, cites four reasons why shellac should be permitted: The process regarding Lac beetles seems no different than bee honey where the product is produced outside of the main body of the insect. The Beis Yoseph seems to extend one type of honey to another type of honey therefore we can perhaps also extend this to shellac production from beetles. Rav Feinstein ztl also suggests that Shellac would be included within the verse that is understood to specifically come to permit bee honey since there is only one type of Shellac (as opposed to many types of honey). The verse, argues Rav Feinstein ztl, permits the product of all flying things that do not require name identification by species. Shellac does not require this because there is only one type of shellac. Rav Feinstein ztl disagrees with the view of Rabbi Joseph Teumim (the Pri Magadim) who writes that even a non-kosher item with no taste still requires a ratio of sixty times the amount of kosher to non-kosher in order for it to be considered kosher. Rav Feinstein suggested that this view is incorrect. Rav Feinstein dealt with the possibility that this Shelac is not ingested into the body at all and is therefore not forbidden. At least three of Rav Feinsteins four points have come under great scrutiny and debate among some circles in the Rabbinic world. The first point is questioned because Rav Feinstein needs to change the girsah or wording of the Talmud in order to make this argument. Some question this because there is no indication of this change in any manuscript or Rabbinic work. There are also over 100 different types of coccoid beetles that produce different lac products. Rabbis also question his other points as well (See volume III of Rav Yechezkel Roths responsa book). DAYAN WEISS ZTL The next view is that of Dayan Yitzchak Weiss ztl. He writes in a responsa dated May 7th, 1986 (Minchas Yitzchok Vol. X #65) that there would be basis to permit it based upon the fact the Shellac is only added for Chazussah appearance and even then it may fall into the category of zeh vazeh gorem two items both being a cause of it. Furthermore, he rules that the halacha is in accordance with the Pri Chadash that in regard to matters of appearance we are only dealing with a Rabbinic issue and not a Torah prohibition. The fact that it is mixed with a greater percentage of alcohol may make the prohibiton null and void. However, he concludes that due to our lack of a depth of knowledge into the properties and nature of Shellac he is unable to permit it. *** Give Maos Chittim to an Almanah and another Single Mom*** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/maos-chittin-for-an-almanah RAV ELYASHIV ZTL Finally, the third view is that of Rav Elyashiv ztl. He writes in Kovetz Teshuvos (Vol 1 #73) that according to the ruling of the Mordechai and Rabbeinu Gershom the leniency of the external product of a forbidden animal would only have applied to an animal or creature that the surrounding population generally consumes. Beetles, however, are not generally consumed therefore that which comes from it (the Shellac) would still be forbidden. One can perhaps challenge the information presented to Rav Elyashiv in terms of whether or not the beetles are eaten by the general population or not. Beetles are the most popular insect in the world with some 3 billion people in China, India and Africa consuming them. While it could be argued that Rav Elyashivs point would not apply in those countries, but there is a huge icky factor in western countries. Thus, in the United States, Canada, and in Israel they would still be forbidden. Nonetheless, there are 36 African countries that are entomophagous as are 23 in the Americas, 29 in Asia, and 11 in Europe. Clearly, we are moving toward a more entomophagous society. The United Nations in New York has also called for more and more beetle and insect consumption. It is this authors view that commercial bug and beetle consumption in this country is on the rise. The Bugsfeed.com/directory lists some 69 restaurants tin the USA alone that carry insects on their menus. It could be that with the rise in immigration from bug consuming countries, Rav Elyashivs stringency would no longer be applicable. It seems, however, that most of the organizations and Rabbis who have ruled stringently on the matter also do so because of Dayan Weiss hesitations as well as questions that they had on Rav Moshes ruling. Some have also argued that Rav Feinstein ztl was the Posaik of America and since he permitted it, how may anyone come to question his ruling? Of course each person should consult his own Rabbi as to what to do in regard to Kerria Lacca. But whatever ones personal views on the matter, at the end of the day, many schools, shuls and entire communities are now strictly adhering to this standard to avoid Kerria Lacca. The vegan community is also interested in a replacement product and many in that world have stopped eating this product opting for a corn-based item instead. *** Give Maos Chittim to an Almanah and another Single Mom*** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/maos-chittin-for-an-almanah The author can be reached at [email protected] Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the occupied port city of Mariupol, his first trip to the Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin arrived in Mariupol late Saturday after visiting Crimea, a short distance southwest of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine. Mariupol became a worldwide symbol of defiance after outgunned and outmanned Ukrainian forces held out in a steel mill there for nearly three months before Moscow finally took control of it in May. The visits, during which Putin was shown chatting with local residents in Mariupol and visiting an art school and a childrens center in Crimea, were a show of defiance by the Russian leader two days after a court issued a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges. Putin has not commented on the arrest warrant, which deepened his international isolation despite the unlikelihood of him facing trial anytime soon. The Kremlin has rejected the move by the International Criminal Court as legally null and void. The trip also came ahead of a planned visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, expected to provide a major diplomatic boost to Putin in his confrontation with the West. Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the citys memorial sites, concert hall and coastline, Russian news reports said. The state Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday showed Putin chatting with locals outside what looked like a newly built residential complex, and being shown around one of the apartments. Following his trip to Mariupol, Putin met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city some 180 kilometers further east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov who is in charge of the Russian military operations in Ukraine. Peskov said. Peskov told reporters that the trip had been unannounced, and that Putin intended to inspect the work of the (command) post in its ordinary mode of operation. Speaking to the state RIA agency Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin made clear that Russia was in Mariupol to stay. He said the government hoped to finish the reconstruction of its blasted downtown by the end of the year. People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is under way, people started actively returning, Khusnullin told RIA. When Moscow fully captured the city in May, an estimated 100,000 people remained, out of a prewar population of 450,000. Many were trapped without food, water, heat or electricity. Relentless bombardment left rows upon rows of shattered or hollowed-out buildings. Mariupols plight first came into international focus with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital on March 9 last year, less than two weeks after Russian troops moved into Ukraine. A week later, about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theater that was serving as the citys largest bomb shelter. Evidence obtained by the AP last spring suggested that the real death toll could be closer to 600. A small group of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steel works in eastern Mariupol before surrendering, their dogged defense tying down Russian forces and coming to symbolize Ukrainian tenacity in the face of Moscows aggression. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world denounced as illegal, and moved on last September to officially claim four regions in Ukraines south and east as Russian territory, following referendums that Kyiv and the West described as a sham. The ICC on Friday accused Putin of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. U.N. investigators also said there was evidence for the forced transfer of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia. According to Ukrainian government figures, over 16,000 children have been deported to Russian-controlled territories or Russia itself, many of them from Mariupol. Peskov reaffirmed on Sunday that Moscow considers any decisions by the International Criminal Courts legally null and void. While the move by the ICC Friday was welcomed by Kyiv, the chances of Putin facing trial are slim because Moscow does not recognize the courts jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. (AP) Top Republicans, including some of Donald Trumps potential rivals for the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest. The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans, said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didnt want to live in a country where the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition. The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing his post on social media about the Manhattan district attorneys probe led to the public declarations of support remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base. Trump garnered similar support last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon. Among those coming to Trumps defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against Trump. McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions. McCarthy has not endorsed Trumps White House campaign, but Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be unAmerican. The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the charges, had been responding in that post to media reports and had no independent knowledge of any pending legal action. Trump, in a message on his Truth Social network, nonetheless declared that, THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. He then called on his supporters to PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!! recalling the pleas he made before the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Any potential violence spurred by Trumps comments could change the tenor of reaction. But on Saturday, several of Trumps declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorneys investigation. Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president. No one is above the law, he added. Im confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people. Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. I think its a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions, he said. Trump has said he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted. Ramaswamy, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to reconsider. A Trump indictment would be a national disaster, Ramaswamy tweeted. It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals. Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trumps most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trumps candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina. Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment. Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trumps endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trumps campaign. The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger, he tweeted. We simply dont have a real country if justice depends on politics. Prosecutors have been investigating hush money payments made to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump decades ago. A grand jury has been hearing from witnesses including former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to the women in exchange for their silence. Trump denies the encounters and has cast the investigation as a witch hunt by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trumps latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed. The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected, Graham said Saturday at the Vision 24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. Theyre doing this because theyre afraid of Donald Trump. (AP) TikTok is once again fending off claims that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, would share user data from its popular video-sharing app with the Chinese government, or push propaganda and misinformation on its behalf. Chinas Foreign Ministry on Wednesday accused the United States itself of spreading disinformation about TikToks potential security risks following a report in the Wall Street Journal that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. part of the Treasury Department was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its Chinese owners divest their stake. So are the data security risks real? And should users be worried that the TikTok app will be wiped off their phones? Heres what to know: WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT TIKTOK? Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that ByteDance could share TikTok user data such as browsing history, location and biometric identifiers with Chinas authoritarian government. A law implemented by China in 2017 requires companies to give the government any personal data relevant to the countrys national security. Theres no evidence that TikTok has turned over such data, but fears abound due to the vast amount of user data it, like other social media companies, collects. Concerns around TikTok were heightened in December when ByteDance said it fired four employees who accessed data on two journalists from Buzzfeed News and The Financial Times while attempting to track down the source of a leaked report about the company. HOW IS THE U.S. RESPONDING? White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby declined to comment when asked Thursday to address the Chinese foreign ministrys comments about TikTok, citing the review being conducted by the Committee on Foreign Investment. Kirby also could not confirm that the administration sent TikTok a letter warning that the U.S. government may ban the application if its Chinese owners dont sell its stake but added, we have legitimate national security concerns with respect to data integrity that we need to observe. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump and his administration sought to force ByteDance to sell off its U.S. assets and ban TikTok from app stores. Courts blocked the effort, and President Joe Biden rescinded Trumps orders but ordered an in-depth study of the issue. A planned sale of TikToks U.S. assets was also shelved as the Biden administration negotiated a deal with TikTok that would address some of the national security concerns. In Congress, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Jerry Moran, a Democrat and a Republican, wrote a letter in February to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Committee on Foreign Investment panel, which she chairs, to swiftly conclude its investigation and impose strict structural restrictions between TikToks American operations and ByteDance, including potentially separating the companies. At the same time, lawmakers have introduced measures that would expand the Biden administrations authority to enact a national ban on TikTok. The White House has already backed a Senate proposal that has bipartisan support. HOW HAS TIKTOK ALREADY BEEN RESTRICTED? On Thursday, British authorities said they are banning TikTok on government-issued phones on security grounds, following similar moves by the European Unions executive branch, which temporarily banned TikTok from employee phones. Denmark and Canada have also announced efforts to block it on government-issued phones. Last month, the White House said it would give U.S. federal agencies 30 days to delete TikTok from all government-issued mobile devices. Congress, the U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states had already banned the app. WHAT DOES TIKTOK SAY? TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said the company was already answering security concerns through transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification. In June, TikTok said it would route all data from U.S. users to servers controlled by Oracle, the Silicon Valley company it chose as its U.S. tech partner in 2020 in an effort to avoid a nationwide ban. But it is storing backups of the data in its own servers in the U.S. and Singapore. The company said it expects to delete U.S. user data from its own servers, but it has not provided a timeline as to when that would occur. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is set to testify next week before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the companys privacy and data-security practices, as well as its relationship with the Chinese government. Meanwhile, TikToks parent company ByteDance has been trying to position itself as more of an international company and less of a Chinese company that was founded in Beijing in 2012 by its current chief executive Liang Rubo and others. Theo Bertram, TikToks vice president of policy in Europe, said in a Tweet Thursday that ByteDance is not a Chinese company. Bertram said its ownership consists of 60% by global investors, 20% employees and 20% founders. Its leaders are based in cities like Singapore, New York, Beijing and other metropolitan areas. ARE THE SECURITY RISKS LEGITIMATE? It depends on who you ask. Some tech privacy advocates say while the potential abuse of privacy by the Chinese government is concerning, other tech companies have data-harvesting business practices that also exploit user information. If policy makers want to protect Americans from surveillance, they should advocate for a basic privacy law that bans all companies from collecting so much sensitive data about us in the first place, rather than engaging in what amounts to xenophobic showboating that does exactly nothing to protect anyone, said Evan Greer, director of the nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future. Karim Farhat, a researcher with the Internet Governance Project at Georgia Tech, said a TikTok sale would be completely irrelevant to any of the alleged national security threats and go against every free market principle and norm of the state departments internet freedom principles. Others say there is legitimate reason for concern. People who use TikTok might think theyre not doing anything that would be of interest to a foreign government, but thats not always the case, said Anton Dahbura, executive director of the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute. Important information about the United States is not strictly limited to nuclear power plants or military facilities; it extends to other sectors, such as food processing, the finance industry and universities, Dahbura said. IS THERE PRECEDENCE FOR BANNING TECH COMPANIES? Last year, the U.S. banned the sale of communications equipment made by Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE, citing risks to national security. But banning the sale of items could be more easily done than banning an app, which is accessed through the web. Such a move might also go to the courts on grounds that it might violate the First Amendment as some civil liberties groups have argued. (AP) North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The Norths continuation of missile tests showed its determination not to back down despite the U.S.-South Korea exercises, which are the biggest of their kind in years. But many experts say the tests are also part of North Koreas bigger objective to expand its weapons arsenal, win global recognition as a nuclear state and get international sanctions lifted. The missile launched from the Norths northwestern Tongchangri area flew across the country before it landed in the waters off its east coast, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile traveled a distance of about 800 kilometers (500 miles), a range that suggests the weapon could target South Korea. The chief nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. discussed the launch on the phone and strongly condemned it as a provocation that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They agreed to strengthen their coordination to issue a firm international response to the Norths action, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry. South Koreas military said it will thoroughly proceed with the rest of the joint drills with the U.S. and maintain a readiness to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation by North Korea. As part of the drills, the U.S. on Sunday flew long-range B-1B bombers for joint training with South Korean warplanes, according to South Koreas Defense Ministry. North Korea is highly sensitive to the deployment of B-1Bs, which are capable of carrying a huge conventional weapons payload. It responded to the February flights of B-1Bs by test-launching missiles that demonstrated potential ranges to strike some air bases in South Korea. Japanese Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said the missile landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft. He said the missile likely showed an irregular trajectory, a possible reference to North Koreas highly maneuverable, nuclear-capable KN-23 missile that was modeled on Russias Iskander missile. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest launch doesnt pose an immediate threat to the U.S. territory or its allies. But it said the Norths recent launches highlight the destabilizing impact of its unlawful weapons programs and that the U.S. security commitment to South Korea and Japan remains ironclad. The launch was the Norths third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their joint military drills last Monday. The drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday. The field exercises are the biggest of their kind since 2018. The weapons North Korea recently tested include its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland. The Norths state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying the ICBM launch was meant to strike fear into the enemies. Thursdays launch, the Norths first ICBM firing in a month, drew strong protests from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. It was carried out just hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Tokyo for a closely watched summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the summit, Yoon and Kishida agreed to resume their defense dialogue and further strengthen security cooperation with the United States to counter North Korea and address other challenges. Ties between Seoul and Tokyo suffered a major setback in recent years due to issues stemming from Japans 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. But North Koreas record run of missile tests last year it launched more than 70 missiles in 2022 alone pushed Seoul and Tokyo to seek stronger trilateral security partnerships involving Washington, which also wants to reinforce its alliances in Asia to better deal with Chinas rise and North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea has missiles that place Japan within striking distance. Last October, North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over northern Japan, forcing communities there to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains. After Sundays launch, Kishida ordered a prompt response, including working closely with South Korea and the U.S., according to Ino, the Japanese vice defense minister. A day before the start of the drills, North Korea also fired cruise missiles from a submarine. The Norths state media said the submarine-launched missile was a demonstration of its resolve to respond with overwhelming powerful force to the intensifying military maneuvers by the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces. According to South Korean media reports, the U.S. and South Korea plan more training involving a U.S. aircraft carrier later this month after their current exercises end. This suggests animosities on the Korean Peninsula could last a few more weeks as North Korea would also likely respond to those drills with weapons tests. (AP) A terrorist opened fire at an Israeli car driving on a road in Huwara in the Shomron. An American-Israeli man in the car was seriously injured and his wife suffered from shock. They were treated at the scene by IDF medics and evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah. The husband is in serious condition, sedated and ventilated. According to witnesses, the terrorist opened fire at the car at zero-point range with an improvised Carlo submachine gun and shot 21 bullets. The victim, who is a weapons and combat trainer, managed to return fire and wounded the terrorist, who threw his gun on the ground and fled the scene. The victim then made himself a tourniquet. IDF soldiers who arrived at the scene also shot at the terrorist as he fled. The soldiers ran after him and a Golani soldier spotted him shortly later in a building seriously wounded and detained him. The attack occurred on the same street where the Yaniv brothers, hyd, were killed exactly three weeks ago. Sources told YWN that the victim is an American citizen, originally from Far Rockaway, named Dovid Stern, 44, a former U.S. Marine, who made aliyah many years ago. His name for tefillah is Alexander Dovid Dov Ben Necha Rochel. Stern is a Krav Maga instructor and trainer for first-responder security teams in the Shomron and is known locally as Rambo. He and his wife, Rachel, are residents of Itamar, north of Huwara. According to the victims wife, he is now in moderate to serious and stable condition. She said that miraculously, the bullet only grazed his skull and then hit his arm. A CT scan showed that there was no internal damage. (YWN Israel Desk Jersalem) Medicaid coverage will end for millions of Americans in the coming months, and it will push many into unfamiliar territory: the health insurance marketplace. States will start cutting people from the government-funded plans when they no longer qualify based on income, a process that has been paused since shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The timing of these cuts will vary. But all states have insurance markets where people who lose Medicaid can buy new coverage with help from subsidies. Some states will even connect shoppers with a potential new plan. Shopping for affordable insurance that covers regular doctors and prescriptions can be daunting, especially in marketplaces that offer dozens of choices and subsidies to help pay for them. Experts say it helps to start this search with a plan. Heres a deeper look at the process. WHATS HAPPENING TO MEDICAID? Nearly 85 million people are covered by government-funded Medicaid, which focuses on people with low incomes. At the start of the pandemic, the federal government prohibited states from kicking people off Medicaid if they were no longer eligible. That ban ends this spring, and many people on Medicaid will be introduced to this so-called redetermination process for the first time. States are already verifying eligibility. Some, like Arizona, Arkansas and Idaho are expected to start ending coverage for ineligible people in April. Most states will be doing that in May, June and July. Federal officials estimate that more than 8 million people will lose eligibility and leave Medicaid mainly because their incomes have changed. WHERE TO GET NEW COVERAGE State-based health insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act are the only places where people can buy individual insurance with help from an income-based subsidy. They can be found through the federal governments healthcare.gov website. Shoppers also can find coverage sold outside these marketplaces, but it may be risky. For instance, short-term plans can exclude coverage of certain things like a medical condition someone had before signing up. INCOME-BASED SUBSIDIES The cost of any new plan should be one of the first things people consider. Shoppers can get income-based subsidies to help pay monthly premiums of plans they buy on the state-based marketplaces. Those subsidies were enhanced during the pandemic. People often dont realize they can get this help, said Jeremy Smith, director of West Virginias health insurance navigator program, which helps shoppers find coverage. A very large percentage of people can qualify for a plan starting at $0 per month, he said. COVERAGE DIFFERENCES Individual insurance differs from Medicaid in several ways. Some marketplace plans come with a big deductible that people must pay before most coverage starts. Shoppers should understand deductibles and other payments they will need to make before committing to a plan, Smith noted. Individual insurance also groups hospitals and doctors in networks. The insurance may cover much less of the bill for care received outside those networks. Shoppers should learn how any regular doctors and medications are covered before enrolling in a new plan. Individual insurance also can give people more care choices. Many doctors dont accept Medicaid, and states may pay for only a limited amount of prescriptions. It is possible that people will have better access to certain services in the marketplace, said Jennifer Tolbert, a Medicaid expert at the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation. IMPORTANT STEPS IF YOURE ON MEDICAID Make sure your state program has your current contact information, including a mailing address plus email and cellphone. They will send notifications if they need more information or if someone no longer qualifies for Medicaid. Everyone should do that before April, said said Joshua Brooker, an independent broker based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Its going to make a smoother transition. Start shopping for new insurance before Medicaid ends. Shoppers should allow plenty of time to sort through options. The goal should be to have new insurance that starts the day after Medicaid ends. That would cut down on temporary coverage losses for regular doctors or important medicines. Once shoppers register to shop in the insurance marketplace, they have 60 days to find a plan. GETTING HELP Seeking assistance may be a good idea, especially for people who need help figuring out their income for the coming year. Thats needed to calculate subsidies. There are several ways people can get help. States will transfer the names and contact information of those who no longer qualify for Medicaid to their marketplaces. They also will send a letter to Medicaid beneficiaries telling them how to connect to the marketplace, said Kate McEvoy, executive director of the nonprofit National Association of Medicaid Directors. Some states will go further. Californias marketplace, Covered California, will enroll people in a qualified health plan and send them the information. Those people then must confirm enrollment and pay the first premium to remain covered. State marketplaces have navigators like Smith who can help people sort through options and understand potential plans. The government-funded navigators are free to use but they cannot recommend any specific choices. Federally qualified health centers also have counselors who can help people apply. Independent brokers also help people sort through options. They will get a fee that usually comes out of the premium you wind up paying. (AP) [By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times] A prominent Rav once gave the following update to a moshol from the Dubno Maggid: Imagine for a moment, a wealthy gvir wanting his family to get together. Although a seasoned businessman, our gvir is not so familiar with Travelocity and Orbitz. He gives Chaim, one of his sons in Eretz Yisroel, his credit card to arrange for everyone to come to New York. They will all get together in a luxurious hotel. Chaim purchases first class bookings for himself, his wife and children. His brother Yaakov and family from Kiryat Sefer were booked on Delta with a 12 hour stop-over. Brother Dovid and family from Beit Shemesh were booked on Ukrainian Airways through Kiev, saving his father thousands of dollars. Shimshi and family were booked on a fabulous deal on Turkish Airlines. When Chaims father went to pick him up from JFK, he asked where everyone else was. Chaim answered, Well, Yaakov is on Delta, arriving tomorrow, Shimshi is on Turkish Airlines arriving Tuesday night and Dovid will be here Thursday morning from Ukrain- What?? I gave you the credit card so that everyone could come. Instead you booked yourself on First Class so that you could live in luxury while your brothers are struggling on two bit air fares! But Ta, I saved you money! I am reversing the charges on your airfare, Chaim! Pay for those tickets yourself! The Dubno Maggid explained that regarding our obligation to give Tzedakah, it is not that we are the owners of our money and we choose to give it to the needy. No. We are mere messengers of Hashem to give this money that He gave us to His other children. When we eat on Yom Tov, but our brethren do not it is an abuse of the system no different than the moshol expounded above! *** Give Maos Chittim to an Almanah and another Single Mom*** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/maos-chittin-for-an-almanah Maos Chittim, of course, is providing to those local people who are struggling financially so that they can afford Pesach Matzoh and the other expenses associated with this Yom Tov. QUESTIONS Some questions, of course, arise. What is the source of this custom? Who must give? And who is considered as struggling financially? And why only Pesach? Sukkos is also a rather expensive Yom Tov, with lulavim and esrogim commanding a heavy premium, aside from the cost of sukkah panels and schach. Furthermore, is Maos Chittim charity or is it some other obligation? THE SOURCE The custom, at first glance, is not found in Tanach verses, nor the Mishna. It would seem that the original source for this custom is found in the Jerusalem Talmud (Bava Basra 1:4). There, Rabbi Yossi Ben Rabbi Boon states: Twelve months for Pesach wheat, whether to take or to give. With this one statement, according to the commentaries, we have an answer to the first three of our questions. It is a Talmud Yerushalmi, all residents of the town must give to it, and the residency requirement is twelve months. In order to qualify as a local financially struggling party there is also a twelve month residency requirement. ADDITIONAL SOURCE Is it just a Yerushalmi, however? The Vilna Gaon (Kol Eliyahu Parshas Bo Shmos 13:6) asks why the verse repeats the obligation to eat Matzah twice and why in the second clause it uses the passive form of eaten rather than the command form of eat. He explains that the passive form indicates that there is an obligation to make sure that each poor person fulfills this Mitzvah. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT As far as the residency requirement, the Chok Yaakov (Chapter 429) writes that if the person intends to stay there for twelve months and has signed a lease to that effect, then this too fulfills the residency requirement. The Beer Heitev states that one merely needs to show that one is staying in the community for over 12 months. All this brings us to further explore the nature of this obligation. This Yerushalmi is cited by Rabbi Yitzchok Ben Moshe of Vienna, author of the Ohr Zaruah (Vol. II Chapter 255) and teacher of the Maharam MRottenberg. He writes: It is a custom in all communities to place a tax on the community for the purposes of providing wheat for Matzos for the poor of the city as it states in the Yerushalmi. The Ohr Zaruah is cited by the Ramah in the Darchei Moshe (OC 429:1). TAX RATHER THAN CHARITY We see from the wording of the Ohr Zaruah that it is viewed, in fact, as a tax rather than a form of charity. The juxtaposition of Pesach wheat in tractate Bava Basra alongside the obligation to partake in the building of the city wall is perhaps the Ohr Zaruahs source for this wording. Rabbi Yair Bacharach in his Mekor Chaim also writes that it is a tax not a tzedaka. What is the difference as to whether it is a tax or a charity? One difference lies in whether Maaser funds may be used to this end. The Poskim have ruled that Machtzis HaShekel, Matanos LEvyonim, and Yom Kippur Kaparos Tzedakka cannot be deducted from ones normal Maaser obligation (See responsa of Maharil Diskin and others cited in Ahavas Chessed by Rabbi Avidan p. 154 for further sources). Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach distinguishes between the obligation of Maos Chittin in older times and nowadays. Back then it was an actual tax where each member of the community was assessed. This no longer is so prevalent and Rav Auerbach ruled that Maaser moneys may be used. THE MITZVAH HAS CHANGED We also see from the sources cited earlier that the original custom was to distribute the wheat itself, and not to distribute ground up flour. It seems that the nature of the Mitzvah has evolved from wheat to flour to Matzos to money. The Mishna Brurah explains that the flour was given because it caused the benefit to be that much closer. The Mishna Brurah in his Shaar HaTziyun (429:10) explains the reason for the Mitzvah, which answers our final question as to why it is only Pesach and not Sukkos. He writes that since Pesach is the holiday of our freedom where we all sit around and celebrate our freedom in joy it is not kavod Hashem, honor to G-d, that poor people are hungry and thirsty. Rabbi Ben Tzion Abba Shaul (Ohr Ltzion Vol. III 5:2) writes that even in our times, one may actually force members of the community to give to Maos Chittim. Indeed, other meforshim have written that whoever excuses himself from this obligation it is as if he has spilled blood. WHY IS IT SO OBLIGATORY? All this brings up the question why is this custom so obligatory in its nature? Isnt it just an auxiliary aspect of this Yom Tov? There is a fascinating Tanna DBei Eliyahu (Shmos chapter 23) which indicates that far from being auxiliary, it lies at the very essence and core of why we were, in fact, redeemed. It states that when we were to leave Egypt they enacted a Bris between themselves that they would always perform acts of chessed toward each other. It is for this reason that they merited redemption, states the Midrash. A few further thoughts: The Zohar (Zohar Chadash Bereishis 18) understands the statement of Chazal (Rosh Hashana 16a) that on Pesach we are judged on the bounty the intent is how much charity we have distributed in the past year. Based upon this Zohar the Kav HaYashar (chapter 91) writes that the entire month of Nissan we should contemplate whether we have fulfilled our charitable obligations in light of the blessing that we have received from Hashem. One last thought: The word Pesach is equivalent in Gematria to Kemach flour and also to the word Yechalek which means distribute. *** Give Maos Chittim to an Almanah and another Single Mom*** https://thechesedfund.com/zechornilah/maos-chittin-for-an-almanah The author can be reached at [email protected] Sponsored Content The creators of Dekal Pesach counter covers journeyed from a new company to taking the frum world by storm in a matter of weeks. This year, they reconvene to introduce a whole new product with the highest Kashrus standard while reflecting on the past. Full Story For the founders of Dekal, last years Pesach was a whirlwind. Starting from the ground up, Dekal introduced a new product to the Pesach scene and inspired many to beautify their kitchens while streamlining their Pesach prep with the highest Kashrus standard. It was a simple solution to an age-old frustration. Working with a reputable factory in China, Dekal worked and reworked the formula to fit the needs of the Frum world over Pesach. Customers were excited to try out this new product that was both functional and beautiful! But sometimes, Hashem has other plans. When complaints started rolling in post-Pesach, the founders were quick to respond. They issued a full refund for those having trouble with Dekals cleanup, laying out their personal money to make up for the loss. But the question remained: what caused the poor quality of a batch of Dekal covers? The answer was revealed as a rush job by the Chinese factory to meet the high demand in a very short period of time. The founders, armed with their answers, were determined to rectify their mistakes and develop a new product to meet this need in the Frum community without any issues. Throughout the year, the Dekal brothers traveled around the world to find trustworthy partners to develop a new counter cover. They landed on a prominent factory in Europe that specializes in the category and had years of experience with similar products. Together, they formulated a whole new counter cover that was rigorously researched, refined, and tested to be easy to apply and even easier to remove, guaranteeing to leave no residue behind. Dekal is now proud to introduce their NEW and IMPROVED kitchen counter covers! Key upgrades include: ALL-NEW product and material Proven residue-free formula 2x thicker, non-rip material 26.5 Wide fits all counters Though last years Dekal disappointed some, this year is guaranteed to be Nice. And Easy! From zombified Indonesian teenagers to Canadians getting the right to be rude. Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world. Only in New York New York's 311 non-emergency hotline is there to log complaints about noise or rats, but it also has to field some pretty bizarre requests like "Can you check if my boyfriend is married?", and "Please transfer me to a UFO - ologist." One caller asked to be talked through "the steps for boiling a live chicken" while another wondered if they could claim their dog on their taxes. One desperate New Yorker even rang to find out who won the TV talent show "American Idol." But some of the strangest calls were about animals, like the woman who rang to report that "a raccoon is eating lasagna on my porch." The right to be rude Canadians have a reputation for being terribly nice. But centuries of civility has been rocked by a judge ruling that they have a God-given right to give each other the finger. "Flipping the proverbial bird is a God-given, Charter enshrined right that belongs to every red-blooded Canadian," said Judge Dennis Galiatsatos in a 26-page decision after a teacher in French-speaking Quebec was arrested for insulting his neighbor in a Montreal suburb. The gesture "may not be polite, it may not be gentlemanly... nevertheless, it does not trigger criminal liability," Galiatsatos said. The judge was so sure of his ruling he said "the Court is inclined to take the file and throw it out the window." "Alas," Galiatsatos added, "Montreal courtrooms do not have windows." Teenage zombies It is never easy to get teenagers out of bed. But in Indonesia it is even harder since the governor of East Nusa Tenggara province ordered secondary school students to be in class by 5:30 a.m. Eureka Ata, 16, now has to get up at 4 a.m. every morning. "She is exhausted and falls asleep immediately when she gets home," her mother told AFP. Indonesia students walking to school in the dark. Photo by AFP/Elizar Ballo The governor is adamant, however, his experiment will improve discipline despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending that teenagers actually start school later than others. But Marsel Robot, an education expert from Nusa Cendana University, said teenagers zombified by sleep deprivation were more likely to lose it. U.S. loves French lapdogs First they came for "frites" and made them French fries, then they turned croissants into cronuts, now America has taken another beloved French institution to its ample bosom. The French Bulldog has supplanted the loveable Labrador as the most popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club. Photo by AFP/Oli Scarff Yanks are barking about the little lapdogs, despite their bat ears and the wheezing and drooling which has prompted the Dutch to consider banning them on cruelty grounds. Smog big buzzkill for flies We all know air pollution is bad, but it is even worse for fruit flies. Ozone-laden smog is playing havoc with their sex lives. Not only does it cause male flies to lose their sex appeal, it also leaves them unable to tell the difference between he-flies and she-flies, according to German scientists. While this is unfortunate -- tragic even -- for flies, it is also extremely worrying for the planet, said Markus Knaden of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology. For it may be a driver in the accelerating decline of nearly half of all insect species. "We're talking about millions of species," said Knaden, adding, "Things were great until we came along." On the hop: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt Pensions are not rabbits. That may be pretty obvious to you and me. But it's a truth that seemingly evades successive Chancellors of the Exchequer. Jeremy Hunt was the latest to make this crucial mistake when he delivered his Spring Budget statement last Wednesday. As always with Budget statements, it was a theatrical affair. The Chancellor did the traditional staged posing with the red box on the morning of his statement, attempted comedy throughout his delivery, and at times his speech was almost drowned out by the raucous cheers and jeers from the benches. The height of the spectacle as usual was when the Chancellor pulled a rabbit out of the hat. In other words, he made a policy announcement that few saw coming, designed to elicit oohs and aahs from Ministers, the electorate and the media. Chancellors nearly always do this they can't resist the drama of it. This time, Hunt's so-called rabbit was a change to pension policy. The Chancellor had been expected to increase the Lifetime Allowance in other words the amount of money that you can have in a pension without being taxed punitively when you withdraw it. But he hadn't been expected to scrap the Lifetime Allowance altogether. He also increased the annual allowance by 50 per cent to 60,000 and increased the amount you can pay in once you've started withdrawing money from a pension from 4,000 to 10,000. Now the problem, as I say, is that pensions are not rabbits. They are delicate creatures that do not take well to being cavalierly scooped up under the belly and held aloft before an impressed crowd. If pensions were an animal, I think they would be more like a daddy longlegs. With spindly, delicate legs, they need careful handling and coaxing. They are complicated, nuanced, and fiddly. And they're already pretty wounded from the magic tricks of previous Chancellors. Gordon Brown's meddling with dividends on final salary pensions; George Osborne's pension freedoms. I'm not saying that pension policy should never be changed. But if you're going to do it, a surprise in a Budget statement is not the way. There are always unintended consequences to tweaking pensions. If you do it on the hoof, you will only find out what the fallout is later, by which time it's too late. But, if you make changes through a thoughtful consultation, those consequences will come to light before you go ahead and you can decide whether it's still worth it. For example, when the Lifetime Allowance was cut by former Chancellors in previous Budget statements, they did not foresee that it would lead to senior doctors and consultants retiring early, and hurting the NHS. Similarly, when previous Chancellors used Budgets to hack away at the amount you can pay into a pension once you have started to make withdrawals, they did not predict that it would stop people who had left the workforce during Covid from returning. In last week's Budget, the Chancellor also meddled with the 25 per cent lump sum that savers can take from their pension tax free. From April, you will still be able to withdraw up to 25 per cent tax free once you turn 55, but only up to a maximum of 268,275. He is the first Chancellor to add an upper limit. What will be the impact of this change? We don't know. That's precisely the point. Once again, a Chancellor has introduced new complexity to pension policy in a Budget and it is only now, after the event, that experts, policy makers and savers can pick through and try to understand what impact it will have. But if I had to guess, I would say it will have greater ramifications than he realises. Hunt has introduced yet more complexity to the pension system and another allowance that subsequent Chancellors can pick away at when they're feeling a bit skint. It creates yet another bit of uncertainty that makes it even harder for savers to plan their long-term financial futures. So here is my plea to future Chancellors. If you need to do theatrics in your Budget statement, pick something straightforward as a prop. But if you're thinking about tweaking the pension system, please don't do it on the hop. Whatever regulators and Bank of England officials may say, cash continues to be the oil that helps drive the engine of our challenged economy. Hard cash five pound notes, 50p coins not cryptocurrencies. Although the big banks are not pushing us towards cryptocurrencies, they are eager (some would say over-eager) to change the way we bank. They want more done online or via an app and less of it through use of a high street branch or ATM. More contactless, less use of hard cash. This desire to turn us all into digital customers explains why banks are closing branches in droves 737 announced in just over a year, and plenty more to come. It is also why free-to-use ATM numbers are shrinking fast. Yet demand for access to cash and cash deposit services will not go away as quickly as maybe the banks wish. For many small businesses and elderly people, cash remains king. Key to the future of cash is effective legislation, followed by tough regulation both of which have long been promised respectively by Government and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Take note: Shoppers will always want to use cash for purchases even if the banks don't like it Yet it seems increasingly unlikely that the better safeguarding of access that these two steps should guarantee is going to come in a hurry. We could be well into 2024 before the FCA starts properly tooling itself up to defend our right to cash. In the meantime, we must cross our fingers and hope that Cash Access UK comes to the rescue. This organisation has been given the onerous task of ensuring continued nationwide access to cash against a backdrop of branch and cash machine closures. Life isn't easy for Cash Access UK. It is funded by the big banks parsimony is their watchword and its work is dictated by strict rules laid down by the banking behemoths. But, helped by cash machine network Link, this not-for-profit organisation has the right to allocate chunks of its budget to create banking hubs where communities have lost their last bank branch. These hubs, managed by the Post Office, allow customers of all the major banks and building societies to visit and do their banking with some able to get help from one of their own bank's staff. Cash Access UK's record on establishing hubs is patchy, to say the least. Only four out of 38 promised are up and running, although two more (Troon, Ayrshire and Acton, West London) should come on stream in the next couple of months. The slow roll-out is not entirely the organisation's fault. Suitable premises have to be found, leases must be signed, planning permission can take an age (especially in Scotland and Northern Ireland) and refurbishments don't happen overnight. But officials believe once momentum starts, the quicker the roll-outs will become (currently, it is taking at least a year from the time a hub is recommended for it to be operating). Cash Access UK is also looking at installing temporary hubs in communities that lose their last bank branch before a permanent hub can be opened. This would reduce the time a community is left without a bank other than a local post office. In time, the organisation hopes to have a network of 200 hubs. Fanciful? Maybe, but it's good that it is thinking big. I am sure Derek French, who has led the way on campaigning for banking hubs (with a lot of support, I hasten to add, from The Mail on Sunday) would do a victory jig if we got to 200. Cash Access UK is also looking at ways to make life easier for small businesses who need to bank cash deposits quickly and securely. This week, it will announce the piloting of new-style cash deposit services in 16 communities including Ilfracombe in North Devon, Shanklin on the Isle of Wight and Holyhead on Anglesey. Post office-based, these pilots will use greater automation to ensure cash deposits are quickly counted and include priority counters which small businesses can use to do their banking in privacy. In time, it is also hoped that the banks gently egged on by Cash Access UK will push some of their petty differences to one side and agree to adapting their ATMs so they can receive deposits from all bank customers, not just their own. An easy thing to do, I am reliably told. But we're not there yet with the likes of NatWest amenable to such a change and others (namely the one that likes to fill our screens with black horses) not so keen. A few days ago, I met up with Gareth Oakley, chief executive of Cash Access UK. Having spent more than 30 years in banking with a focus on SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) he's optimistic that the pilots will encourage small businesses 'to keep on accepting cash from their customers'. Let's hope he's right and that the pilots encourage the Post Office to make such user-friendly services the norm, not the exception. Access to cash. An imperative. Today, tomorrow and long into the future. How a lost 29p cost a staggering 44 interest Mistake: Peter and Jenny Wall, who normally clears her balance I bumped into reader Peter Wall eight days ago at the Hawthorns home of West Bromwich Albion FC. Over a cup of steaming Bovril, he told me how his better half always pays off her credit card bill every month to avoid interest charges. But in January, she inadvertently paid 3,032 not 3,032.29 as requested. The result was an interest charge of 44.47. Although she successfully challenged the charge on the grounds she had made a genuine mistake, the financial moral to this story is simple: if you don't want to pay interest, clear your balance in full. Happy to help in fight for justice Sometimes, it's nice to be cheered up by a letter from a reader especially when you've just had to wade through reams of Budget paperwork. So thank you to John Holden, from Pontypool, for thanking me in helping him get back most of his money from an investment in failed fund group Arch Cru. Although it's taken a while, John has now recovered most of the 20,000 he invested 12 years ago. 'I am now closing the book on this sorry episode,' he told me last week. 'But I would like to thank you for your tireless, public spirited and highly effective campaign in getting justice for investors like me.' John, it's my pleasure. Let's hope my campaign to get justice for Woodford Equity Income investors is equally successful. It's no coincidence the fund overseers for Arch Cru and Woodford were Link Group (not connected to Link, the cash machine network operator). All change at Boots Of all the loyalty cards lurking in my wallet, the one I like the most is Boots Advantage four pence worth of points for every 1 spent. Sad though this may sound, nothing quite excites me more of a lunchtime than to discover that the bath salts I have put in my Boots shopping basket ahead of a long evening soak will cost me nothing more than the accumulated points on my Advantage card. Money talks: From May every 1 of spending will then only get three pence worth of points But from May, I am going to have to spend more to collect sufficient points to buy Doctor Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution (incidentally, marvellously infused with the scent of lavender). This is because every 1 of spending will then only get me three pence worth of points. The only consolation is that points earned before the May deadline maintain their value (quite right too). Also, because of my age, I will still get eight pence worth for every 1 spent on Boots' branded products and 'selected exclusives'. Doctor Teal's. I ain't for changing. As its name implies, investment trust Schroder Income Growth is set up to deliver a rising income to shareholders. It is a job entrusted to Sue Noffke, head of UK equities at asset manager Schroders and so far she has not let down the trust's investors. The 204 million fund, listed on the UK stock market, has 27 years of annual dividend growth under its belt and Noffke is determined to keep it going. 'Growth in income is what our shareholders want,' she says, 'and it's our responsibility as managers to ensure we deliver it. There will be potholes along the way, but our job is to avoid them and keep our investors sweet.' Since Noffke took over the trust's helm in March 1995, the biggest pothole she has had to negotiate is the drying up of dividend income in response to the pandemic and lockdowns. The trust managed to grow its dividends by drawing on income reserves built up over many years and designed for use in years like 2020 and 2021. Noffke adds: 'I see the squirrelling away of income into the trust's reserves in good times to pay out when things get tough as akin to mending the roof when the sun is shining.' The trust currently has the equivalent of ten-and-a-half months of income up its sleeve to draw upon if needs must. Like most income-orientated trusts, the Schroders fund pays income quarterly. The amount it hands out is on the high side equivalent to 4.5 per cent a year against an average for UK equity income trusts of 3.9 per cent. Rival trusts that pay a bigger income in yield terms include JP Morgan Claverhouse (5.1 per cent), City of London (5 per cent), and Lowland (5 per cent). The trust delivers its income from a 43-strong portfolio, full of household names. Banks represent a big holding at 12 per cent, with HSBC and Lloyds among its top ten positions. It also has stakes in NatWest and Standard Chartered. Other key holdings include insurer Legal & General that earlier this month increased its dividend for 2022 by five per cent and Whitbread, owner of Premier Inns. It also has a stake in private equity group 3i which is a majority shareholder in fast-growing European non-food discount retailer Action. Noffke is also a big fan of tenpin bowling operator Hollywood Bowl which she says offers customers a good value experience at a time when households are watching every penny they spend. The fund manager says the UK economy is in better shape than some commentators think and that all the gloom and despair triggered by Liz Truss's failed attempt to introduce unfunded tax cuts was wildly overdone. 'When you speak to companies, there's less gloom, less despair,' says Noffke. The shock to global stock markets caused by the demise of United States-based Silicon Valley Bank has had an adverse impact on the trust's assets. Noffke says: 'I expect markets to remain volatile in the short term but I believe the trust's focused, yet diversified, portfolio of attractively valued and income- producing companies will not be impaired in the longer term.' The overall performance numbers for Schroder Income Growth are robust. Over the past three and five years, it has outperformed both its peer group average and the FTSE All-Share Index with respective returns of 71 and 32 per cent. But over the last year, its performance has lagged the market. Total annual charges are reasonable at 1.18 per cent. The fund's stock market identification code is 0791586 and its market ticker is SCF. Tata Steel could shut down one of its two blast furnaces in Port Talbot unless the Government lays out long-term plans to help the industry by the summer. The Indian group has told Ministers they need to provide details of support by July in order for it to go ahead with a potential multi-billion investment in green steelmaking facilities at the site in South Wales. The steelmaker has now said it is 'concerned' about the amount of assistance currently on offer and that the Budget was a missed opportunity for the Government to highlight its commitment to the industry. Hot spot: Tata Steel has warned it could close a blast furnace in Port Talbot Officials are locked in talks with Tata Steel and British Steel, which operates the country's only other two blast furnaces, to provide them with 300million each to kickstart investment in green technology. One of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot is due to wind down in the next two to three years and Tata must decide soon whether to extend its life, shut it down or replace it with a new electric steelmaking facility. Shutting it down permanently without new technology could lead to the loss of thousands of jobs and deal another hammer blow to the UK's already dwindling industry. Energy costs have been a major sticking point for industrial groups including the steel industry for years.The Government has committed to cutting costs through a 'supercharger' scheme, but it does not kick in for at least a year. Defender: Actor Michael Sheen fears for home town A Tata Steel spokesman told The Mail on Sunday: 'While we recognise a positive direction of travel through some of the energy measures recently announced, we remain concerned that the measures will not be sufficient to allow our industry to progress to green steelmaking at the pace and scale required, The Spring Budget was an opportunity for the Government to further demonstrate its commitment to supporting a decarbonised and competitive UK steel industry.' Award-winning actor Michael Sheen, who grew up in Port Talbot, told the MoS it was 'unthinkable' that the sector could be put at risk. 'Having grown up in Port Talbot and now returned to live here again, I'm keenly aware of how important the steel industry is, not only to our community but also to our country as a whole,' he said. A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said it is 'committed to securing a sustainable and competitive future' for UK steel. The billionaire owner of Home Bargains was handed more than 20 million in dividends last year despite the retailer's profits falling by 26 per cent. TJ Morris, which runs the discount chain, posted profits of 290 million for 2022 from revenues of 3.42 billion, its latest filings show. This led to a 30 million dividend to shareholders, with the lion's share going to chief executive Tom Morris. The Morris family, which has a reported fortune of more than 5 billion, sparked controversy last year when it refused to repay taxpayer support from the pandemic. Cashing in: Home Bargains, which has 570 UK outlets selling a wide range of discount products, launched in Liverpool in 1976 That was despite pre-tax profits ballooning to almost 400 million. Home Bargains, which has 570 UK outlets selling a wide range of discount products, launched in Liverpool in 1976. It now employs 28,000 workers and is Britain's largest independent grocer. The company's most recent filings declared an ambition to 'eventually have between 800 and 1,000 retail outlets'. Home Bargains was contacted for comment. There is little more disconcerting than news of bank runs, government bailouts and plunging bank share prices all of which we saw last week. Silicon Valley Bank in the US collapsed and HSBC had to bail out its UK arm. Then troubled banking giant Credit Suisse announced it had secured a 45 billion lifeline from Switzerland's central bank. But although the headlines may sound as if they have a whiff of the global financial crisis about them, the circumstances are very different. Banks are in a lot better nick than in 2008. They have to comply with beefed-up Bank of England regulations and they are regularly stress-tested to see how they would manage in a variety of difficult events. Even if something did go wrong, UK savers and investors benefit from a number of protections. Crisis: The US tech bank Silicon Valley Bank collapsed after businesses withdrew deposits Bank safety: Your cash savings In the very unlikely event that your bank, building society or credit union goes bust, you should get your savings back, so long as you meet certain conditions. Firstly, the provider holding your cash must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). They should advertise clearly if they do have this coverage. You can also check on the FSCS website. Secondly, you will only get back savings worth up to 85,000 per bank. If you have a joint account, you're covered up to 170,000. Laura Suter, head of personal finance at investment platform AJ Bell, says: 'This means that ideally you don't want more than 85,000 with each provider, even if it's spread across different accounts.' Protection is across all accounts held within the banking group, not per account, so watch out for banks with a number of brand names. For example, First Direct is owned by HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland is another brand under the NatWest bank. You may get protection of up to 1 million for up to six months if you have a temporarily high balance. How are investments protected by FSCS Your investment provider should not go bust. They are very tightly regulated precisely so they don't. Even if it does, your provider should be holding your money safely in a separate client account. If something does go badly wrong, you should receive FSCS protection worth up to 85,000. Furthermore, if an authorised firm gives you bad advice or is negligent in its management of your investments, you will be covered. However, you will not be compensated if your investments drop in value as a result of movements in financial markets. That is just part of the risk of investing. Before investing, check that the firm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. Make sure that it is regulated to do the particular activity that it is offering you, for example giving investment advice. Some investment types offer no protection. These include cryptocurrencies, mini-bonds and peer-to-peer lending. What protects your pension Should your pension provider go bust, the compensation you're entitled to will be determined by the type of pension you have and if it is regulated by the FCA. Defined contribution pensions: These are pension schemes where both you and your employer pay in a set monthly amount. Although these schemes are arranged by your employer, your money is held and managed by a separate pension provider. That means that if your employer goes bust, it will not affect your pension holdings. Whether your savings have FSCS protection should the pension provider go bust depends on how your scheme was set up. You can check this with your pension provider. Self Invested Personal Pensions: In most cases, if your Self Invested Personal Pension (Sipp) provider were to go bust, you would receive up to 85,000 FSCS compensation. However, some providers structure their Sipps so all of your savings are covered. Ask your provider what protection it offers. Defined benefit pensions: Also known as final salary, this type of workplace pension offers a guaranteed income in retirement. It is up to your employer to ensure there is enough money available to pay out. Pension funds are usually ring-fenced from the company balance sheet, so even if your employer gets into financial difficulty your pension should be protected. If the scheme can't pay, your pension is taken over by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which is a lifeboat fund set up by the Government. Becky O'Connor, director of public affairs at pension provider PensionBee, says: 'The PPF will compensate you for 100 per cent of your pension if you've already reached the scheme's retirement age at the time your employer goes bust. 'If you haven't yet reached the scheme's retirement age, you'll only be entitled to 90 per cent compensation, to a set limit.' A Brazilian expert has said that Brazilian president's visit to China is fundamental, which offers an opportunity for Brazil to learn from China's experience in building infrastructure and eradicating poverty. Click here to watch the video. All Vogue Williams wants to do this Mothers Day is relax with a good book. The podcast host and media personality, who has three young children with husband Spencer Matthews Theodore, four, Gigi, two, and baby Otto, who turns one next month said: Its Mothers Day on Sunday and all I want to do is go downstairs on my own with my book, and have a couple of hours and light some candles and relax. Thats all I feel like doing, so thats what Im going to do. Thats self-care to me. If I have a bath, Ill always have a glass of milk and a piece of chocolate or something like that and sit in the bath and relax, and again Ill have my book and just chill. My self-care usually involves my book. As for what shes reading, Williams said: At the moment, Ive gone down an Adam Kay hole [author of This Is Going To Hurt] its actually embarrassing, Im reading his last book at the moment and then Im having an Adam Kay break. I never read his books before, and now I cant get enough of them. I love Colleen Hoover [author of It Starts With Us], and [The Seven Husbands Of] Evelyn Hugo [by Taylor Jenkins Reid] was one of my favourite books, and John Boynes The Hearts Invisible Furies was amazing. Anything that can rope you in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by voguewilliams (@voguewilliams) The Irish model, 37 who hosts the popular My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast with her friend and comedian Joanne McNally, as well as Spencer & Vogue with her husband has just been named as Yankee Candles first-ever brand ambassador, coinciding with the launch of the new Signature design. Despite being a big advocate for self-care, she admitted that like lots of people, she has to force myself into it sometimes. But there are a few things I love doing that will actually relax me, said Williams, who has talked previously about her struggles with anxiety. And its not just when Im unwinding. So if Im doing my podcast I find it very relaxing to record my podcast, but Ill always have a candle beside me on my desk and have a really nice set-up, so its a really relaxing environment to sit and chat to my friend. Fitness and getting outdoors is also integral for the podcaster when it comes to managing anxiety. I love training, thats really good for me. I train almost every day, I love it, but not for long periods and some days I might just go for a long walk. I just think being outside, being relaxed [is helpful]. Thats why I love running so much, because youre not really thinking of anything except trying to get to the end of the run. Im a real advocate for people getting out and getting moving. I dont necessarily think that you should look at training as just to look after your body of course its great for your body, but its so good for your mind. And its such a nice thing to get into, and once youre into it, you love it. So Im all good with [the anxiety] at the moment, Williams added. It sort of peeks its head up every so often, but Ive got good ways of dealing with it. I find not drinking too much caffeine and not drinking too much alcohol alcohol is the worst for me. I do still love going out the odd time, but I tend to knock it on the head for weeks on end. Ive always been like that with alcohol, Ive never really drank very often, but I find that really can make you feel quite anxious. [March 19, 2023] CGTN:A look at China's democracy: What is the essence? BEIJING, March 19, 2023 /CNW/ -- Carrying his fellow villagers' hopes and expectations, Long Xianwen of the Miao ethnic group, headed to Beijing from his remote village in central China's Hunan Province in early March, to discuss social and economic development with Chinese leaders and the nearly 3,000 other deputies to China's national legislature. As a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), Long brought his proposal on supporting the development of deep integration of the tea tourism industry in Hunan's Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. What distinguishes Chinese democracy from the West's largely money politics and power-for-money deals is its essence that the Chinese people are the masters of the country. Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that whether a country is democratic depends on whether its people are truly the masters of the country; whether the people have the right to vote, and more importantly, the right to participate extensively. The composition of deputies to people's congresses offers insight into why China's whole-process people's democracy ensures people's status as the country's masters. Extensive and universal In China, there are five levels of people's congresses township, county, city, provincial and national levels. Till now, 2.77 million people have served as deputies to people's congresses at all levels nationwide. Among them, those at county and township levels accounted for 95 percent of the total, who are elected directly by people in their districts. The upper three levels of deputies are elected by their lower-level deputies. In the latest election, more than 2.6 million new deputies have been elected to peole's congresses in townships and county-level regions, following the conclusion of local elections in last June. According to statistics, 921 million voters, accounting for 86.49 percent of registered voters, cast their votes in the election of deputies to the county-level people's congress. Meanwhile, 623 million voters, accounting for 85.63 percent of registered voters, voted in the election of deputies to the township-level people's congresses. Since the initiation of reform and opening-up, China has held 12 direct elections to people's congresses at the township level and 11 direct elections to those at the county level. Making full use of their close connections with the people, these deputies diligently fulfill their duties by soliciting and submitting people's suggestions and advice through various forms and channels. Full representatives of the people The annual people's congresses are first held from the grassroots level, up at township, county, city, and provincial levels and then at the highest national level, to take full cognizance of the people's aspirations and report them to upper levels. The deputies to the 14th NPC, elected from 35 electoral units across the country, make up a broad cross-section of people, with every region, ethnic group and sector of society having an appropriate number of representatives. According to the 14th NPC Standing Committee, among the total 2,977 deputies, 442 are from ethnic minorities, representing all of China's 55 ethnic minority groups. The lineup includes 790 female deputies, accounting for 26.54 percent of the total, up 1.64 percentage points from the 13th NPC. A total of 497 deputies are workers and farmers. Their share has grown by nearly one percentage point to 16.69 percent of total deputies. Technical personnel, altogether 634 in number, make up 21.3 percent of all deputies, with a 0.73-percentage-point increase from the previous NPC. A total of 969 deputies are the Communist Party of China and government officials, whose share has dropped by 1.38 percentage points to 32.55 percent. There are also 36 deputies elected from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and 12 from the Macao SAR. Thirteen deputies representing Taiwan Province also sit on the national legislature. Forty-two deputies represent overseas Chinese who have returned to the motherland. Representing the people's will, the NPC deputies have discussed plans for national development and issues affecting people's lives, and put the people's expectations at the top of the agenda on state matters. Many of their motions and proposals have been carefully reviewed at the annual NPC session and then included into policy decisions of state organs. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-03-19/A-look-at-China-s-democracy-What-is-the-essence--1iab1tZb25G/index.html View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtna-look-at-chinas-democracy-what-is-the-essence-301775630.html SOURCE CGTN [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 19, 2023] Attentive Launches in APAC Region as Global Expansion Continues Attentive, the conversational commerce platform, today announced it is continuing its global expansion with an office opening in Australia-the first establishment in the APAC region and second regional office outside of the US. More than 87% of consumers in Australia said they would like to receive texts from brands or are already subscribed to a brand's text message program. This significant interest from consumers presents a key opportunity for marketers to leverage the Attentive platform to better engage with their customers and drive incremental revenue through conversational commerce. "We're thrilled to build the next pillar of international expansion in Australia to unlock the full value of our SMS-first platform to brands," said Anup Khera, VP and GM of International at Attentive. "While Australia is familiar with text messaging as a marketing channel, there is a desire to drive higher ROI via personalization and move away from bulk SMS sending. Our world-class technology is known for top-performing list growth tools, advanced audience management, and targeted two-way messages that create a superior customer experience at every stage of the shopping journey." More than 8,000 brands work with Attentive, powering hyper-personalised marketing programs that drove over $15 billion USD in 2022 globally. The company has continued to expand its conversational platform with products such as Attentive Concierge for two-way conversations that cobines AI-assistance and live agents, and LiveSMS that replaces traditional chat to allow real-time answers from agents. Attentive already has interest in the region, facilitating SMS marketing programs for brands like Charlotte Tilbury, CASETiFY, Cupshe, HartCo. Home + Body, and more. "At Lexer, we believe partnerships are key to unlocking the full potential of our technology. We take a fundamental approach in aligning partnerships to the joint value we create for our clients," said Aparna Gray, Vice President of Marketing at Lexer. "Attentive has been instrumental in helping us deliver personalization in SMS with Lexer's CDXP insights. We've witnessed firsthand how our collaboration has flourished for clients in the North American market, and we are excited to grow our shared commitment to innovation in APAC." To lead the local market, Zach Hotchkiss has been appointed as Regional VP of APAC and will build out Attentive's presence in Australia. Come visit us at Retail Fest 27 - 31 March and tune into The Marketing Mix: Personalisation Strategies to Drive ROI, a webinar in partnership with Lexer, the leading customer data platform for retailers, on 26 April. About Attentive Attentive is the leader in conversational commerce, reinventing business-to-consumer communication. The SMS-first software platform helps everyone from entrepreneurs to enterprises strengthen relationships with their consumers in a new way. Through two-way, real-time, personalised communications, Attentive drives billions in e-commerce revenue, and over 8,000 leading brands rely on Attentive to deliver powerful commerce experiences. To learn more about Attentive or to request a demo, visit Attentive.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230319005008/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Right now angel Lilly inspires this quick peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines . . . Check TKC news gathering . . . Savor Local Freshness Kansas City's farmers market at City Market now open Sundays KANSAS CITY, Mo. - March brings changes to the Farmers Market at Kansas City's City Market. The attraction is now open on both Saturday and Sunday for the spring season. Weekend hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The market also added a new guest services booth for customers who need help, or shoppers using SNAP benefits. Rock Chalk Equity?!? Kansas legislators want a pay increase. Those working minimum-wage jobs deserve one too. - Kansas Reflector Kansas legislators have figured out a way to boost their pay - through an independent body that would explore per diem and retirement benefits. Reportedly, the nine-member, independent body would shield lawmakers from the appearance that they're feathering their own nests, which do need some feathers. Show-Me Legal Fight Judge grants Missouri AG more time to amend petition against Kim Gardner ST. LOUIS - A judge has granted the Missouri Attorney General more time to amend his petition against St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner. On Feb. 23, Missouri AG Andrew Bailey filed a writ of quo warranto against Kim Gardner, accusing her of neglecting her duties as circuit attorney. Bi-State Policy Unpacked 4 The People: Missouri, Kansas legislative progress report It's a legislature progress report from both sides of the state line on this week's episode of "4 The People." Missouri capitol bureau reporter Emily Manley joins us from Jefferson City and Rebekah Chung, our Kansas capitol bureau reporter is in Topeka. Lawmakers in both states have a lot of issues left to cover before the sessions end. Golden Ghetto Has Burnout Too Residents from 8 units displaced in overnight apartment fire in Overland Park KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Residents from eight apartment units were displaced after an overnight apartment fire at Sheridan Ridge Townhomes in Overland Park. Shortly before 3 a.m. crews from the Overland Park, Lenexa and Shawnee fire departments responded to a fire at a two-story apartment building in the 8300 block of Farley Street. Angels Always In Fashion From Lily with Love: Weekend Max Mara Spring 2023 Collection Weekend Max Mara and Lily Aldridge team up for the brand's SS23 Signature Collection Fashion brand WEEKEND MAX MARA collaborated with supermodel Lily Aldridge for their Spring Summer 2023 Signature Collection called FROM LILY WITH LOVE . The collection was inspired by the supermodel's father and a renowned English illustrator Alan Aldridge. Here's The Trouble With Hunter Hunter Biden scandal plagues president (The Center Square) - The Hunter Biden investigation reached a new level in recent days after lawmakers announced that millions of dollars were transferred from a Chinese energy company with much of it ending up in the hands of the Biden family and associates. GOP Theory Emerges Republicans Suggest Possible Trump Indictment Is to Distract from Hunter Biden Allegations Rather than attacking the merits of the impending alleged hush money case against Donald Trump, Republicans on Fox News suggested that the news of former president's potential arrest is part of a secret plan to distract from the allegations against Hunter Biden. NYC Claps Back Manhattan DA says his office won't tolerate 'attempts to intimidate' following Trump posts | CNN Politics Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said in an email to staff on Saturday that his office will "not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York." Beltway Rhetorical Gambit: Legit Complaints Help Vlad?!? Pro-Moscow voices tried to steer Ohio train disaster debate WASHINGTON -- Soon after a train derailed and spilled toxic chemicals in Ohio last month, anonymous pro-Russian accounts started spreading misleading claims and anti-American propaganda about it on Twitter, using Elon Musk's new verification system to expand their reach while creating the illusion of credibility. Premature Russian Victory Lap Vladimir Putin visits captured Ukrainian city for first time since invading Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a captured Ukrainian city on Sunday for the first time since invading the country last year. Putin made an unannounced trip to the coastal city of Mariupol, a city Russian forces reduced to near ruins with artillery fire earlier in the invasion. Pandemic Confessional A letter to my loved ones about COVID-19: You've moved on, but I'm still here Dear loved one, I'm writing this letter because of how much I care about you. You are my childhood friend, my sibling, one of my favorite co-workers, my dad, mi prima. A little over three years ago, I called you and told you I was going to start quarantining myself because I have an underlying condition that puts me at high risk for COVID-19. El Papa Confronts Questions Pope Benedict XVI's aide acknowledges criticism over memoir ROME (AP) - The longtime secretary to Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged Sunday that his tell-all memoir, published in the days after Benedict's death, had been criticized for casting Pope Francis in an unfavorable light, but insisted that some of the polemics were more about prejudice than anything else. EPIC Local Tribute Kansas City's oldest St. Joseph Table tradition makes its grand, cookie-filled return The Feast of St. Joseph, on March 19, is a major celebration for Italian Catholics in Kansas City. Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Columbus Park lays claim to the city's original "St. Joseph Table," with volunteers spending weeks baking 30,000 homemade cookies. Katie's Forecast For Now . . . Sunday is still cold, but warmer weather (and precipitation) lies ahead Sunday is still cold, but warmer weather (and precipitation) lies ahead Sunday will have high temperatures around 44 degrees; rain or snow is possible Tuesday through Friday. Hide Transcript Show Transcript ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO OUTSIDE. I CAN SEE MY HUSBAND SHAKING HIS HEAD AT ME RIGHT NOW. Another Park, Another Sunday is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Former Prez Trump earns EPIC headlines across the nation amid fear that he might be arrested. Here's the word from Missouri's newest senator . . . Collected from a series of tweets you can check for yourself . . . Here's the easier to read version: The reported upcoming arrest of President Trump by hyper partisan Soros prosecutor Alvin Bragg is some Third World Banana Republic lunacy and a very, very dangerous road to go down. Leftists in the United States are increasingly weaponizing investigations to persecute and prosecute political opponents. It must end. The lefts conduct is similar to the conduct you find in a banana republic where the authoritarian state punishes its political enemies with criminal prosecutions in search of crimes. Its antithetical to Americas founding which rejected the idea and practice of those in power punishing political opponents for vague and ambiguous crimes against the state. Instead, the Founders chose to create a country of laws, not of men. Justice is supposed to be blind there is a reason Lady Justice wears a blindfold instead of a political jersey. Prosecutors have a special responsibility to adhere to the rule of law. Trump Derangement Syndrome does not provide legal cover. The public rightfully expects prosecutors to carry out our responsibilities without political prejudice. Indictments, investigations and incarceration to settle political scores shows a deep contempt for the rule of law. If this same behavior occurred in an authoritarian state, our own U.S. State Department would condemn it. In liberal New York, evidently its politics as usual. We must have the courage to call out this insanity before it becomes normalized. We must fight to save this Republic and the rule of law. If we dont, or if we choose to remain silent, we will become just another junk banana republic. End Thread ########## Developing . . . Toronto police have identified the man gunned down Saturday in an apartment building in the Trethewey and Black Creek drives area. In the United Kingdom, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine completed live-fire training under the leadership of instructors from Australia. Accuracy and lethality were paramount for the Armed Forces of Ukraine recruits under the leadership of the instructors of Operation "Kudu" of the 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment of the 1st Brigade - Australian Army of the Australian Army of the Australian Defense Forces Defence Australia during their live-fire training in the UK, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook. Starting with static shooting at 100 metres, the trainees moved on to fire and movement in pairs and finished with live-fire attacks. As the recruits skills developed, so did their confidence, along with improving lethality, accuracy and safety with weapons, reads the report. One of the safety supervisors on the range said safety was an important part of the training. All the training weve done up to this point is going to give the Ukrainians confidence on the weapons systems they are going to have to use when they return to Ukraine. Whats surprised me the most is how quickly they learnt, and how keen they were to fix errors in their drills, he said. The recruits completed wooded, urban and trench training to develop the combat skills needed on the battlefield to defend Ukraine. The recruits had to adapt to different weapons, tactics and environments, but the Australian Army instructors worked hard to ensure the success of the serial. The training is also enabling the Australian Army instructors to develop their skills. Contingent Commander for Operation Kudu, Major Gregory Sargeant, said live-fire training was vital. Live fire is important to achieve battle inoculation to prepare people for when theyre actually in a fight, Major Sargeant said. The more realistic you can make live-fire training, the better they will perform in combat. This training has seen a progression of training from static engagements at 100 metres, up to them being able to conduct a live-fire section defence. Our soldiers are learning from our Ukrainian mates, and that will enable them to come back home and, in turn, teach these lessons to our soldiers. Its been mutually supportive, he added. As noted, Australia continues to stand with the people of Ukraine and is providing ongoing support in response to Russias continuing violation of international law. The Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) signed a letter of intent, which provides support for the creation of a procurement organization for defense material. "This letter of intent is the start of a long and fruitful collaboration between our agencies. I am impressed that Ukraine is able to prioritize the creation of a new agency in such a difficult time of war. I think it says something about the commitment and professionalism you show in the defense of your country," said Gro Jre, director of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency, during the signing of the agreement in Oslo. As noted, the agreement has a duration of three years. The signing ceremony took place within the framework of a four-day visit by the Ukrainian Defense Procurement Agency to Norway. Last summer, the Ukrainian side visited Norway to learn more about how to establish a defense procurement organization in Ukraine. In December, the Ukrainian agency asked the Norwegian agency for support in developing its agency in accordance with Western standards and working methods. Therefore, the collaboration will also contain information about NATO standards and how other NATO countries carry out their procurement. "For us, the issue of creating integrity and transparency in procurement and other procedures is unwavering. Any corruption risks must be eliminated, and the sector must be reformed. The trust of partners and joint reforms are the best evidence that we are moving in the right direction," said Defense Minister of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine informs. German authorities will comply with the ruling of the UN International Criminal Court in The Hague and be forced to arrest Russian warmonger Vladimir Putin if he dares to enter their country. Thats according to the Federal Minister of Justice, Marco Buschmann, Ukrinform reports citing Bild. "I expect that the ICC will quickly turn to Interpol and the contracting states and ask them to ensure compliance," the minister said, adding that then Germany "will be forced to arrest Putin and hand him over to the ICC if he enters German territory." The newspaper also cites the opinion of international law professor Marcel Kau (Uni Konstanz), who called the arrest warrant by The Hague "a radical measure with far-reaching legal and - for Putin's freedom of movement pressing consequences." Two-thirds of all countries, including all EU members, will be obliged to detain and extradite Vladimir Putin. "In international law, it is increasingly being discussed that countries that are not parties to the treaty may also be obliged to extradite the suspect to The Hague," Kau noted, adding that "even if Putin were invited to peace talks to the EU, the warrant for his arrest would have to be removed in due manner." In any case, it is more likely that Putin will never voluntarily set foot on Western soil again, the author of the note notes. Earlier, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised ICCs arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Hague-based court has charged the Russian president with the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, which is recognized as a war crime under international law. South Africa has taken note of the ICC ruling to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Thats according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports. "We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued, said Vincent Magwenya, a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa. We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. The comment came in the wake of reports that Putin was expected to visit RSA in August to attend a BRICS summit. Read also: Germany to hand Putin over to ICC if he crosses into country "However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders," spokesperson added. While there has been no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he has been expected to attend the event, as he did in 2013. "It remains South Africa's commitment and very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations," spokesperson stressed. As Ukrinform reported earlier, on March 18, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova. Both are suspected of war crimes in the form of illegal deportation and transfer of the population, including children, from the occupied territory of Ukraine. South Africa is on the list of countries that have ratified the ICCs Rome Statute, and is therefore obliged by law to ensure that any arrest warrant is executed. Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt have discussed the return of Ukrainian children deported to the Russian Federation. Lubinets said this in a Facebook post following the meeting, Ukrinform reports. "I continue to work in Oslo. Together with the team, we held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway and with the Ukrainian community living in Oslo. They told about challenges in the work of the commissioner's institution during Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine," the report says. According to him, "issues related to assistance for Ukraine were discussed. In particular, the issue of the return of Ukrainian children deported to the Russian Federation." Lubinets noted that according to official data, 16,226 children were deported. He also drew attention to the problem of returning prisoners of war and civilian hostages. At the meeting, the ombudsman also thanked Norway for its powerful assistance and support. As reported by Ukrinform, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk stated during the Yedyni Novyny telethon that the issue of returning deported children is under the personal control of President Volodymyr Zelensky. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is aware of the visit of a Myanmar delegation to Bangladesh to meet with a group of refugees on a bilateral pilot project between the two countries on possible returns. UNHCR is not involved in these discussions. UNHCRs position on returns of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remains unchanged. In UNHCRs assessment, conditions in Myanmars Rakhine State are currently not conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees. At the same time, we reiterate that every refugee has a right to return to their home country based on an informed choice, but that no refugee should be forced to do so. Bangladesh has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to voluntary and sustainable repatriation since the onset of the current crisis. In support of efforts to preserve the right to return, UNHCR considers consultation of and dialogue with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by all parties in relation to the conditions in Myanmars Rakhine State as important to enable refugees to make an informed choice about return and build confidence amongst the community. This is particularly important as many refugees have reiterated that they do hope to go home to Myanmar as soon as conditions allow. Following the events of August 2017, UNHCR has also consistently encouraged Myanmar to expeditiously verify the previous residence in Myanmar of refugees in Bangladesh, as part of efforts to lift any administrative obstacles to return when the refugees decide to do so. UNHCR therefore supports efforts that could lead to the verification of all refugees and pave the way for eventual return. This most recently included providing logistical support to members of the Myanmar delegation to cross into Bangladesh for the technical verification process. UNHCR will continue to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure that Rohingya refugees maintain the right to return when they choose to do so, based on a fully informed and voluntary decision. UNHCR will also support efforts to create conditions that would be conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees in Myanmars Rakhine State. In Bangladesh UNHCR will continue to support building the skills and capacities of refugees to facilitate their eventual return and sustainable reintegration in Myanmar. The 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh was recently launched and UNHCR calls upon the international communitys continued robust support for this appeal which is currently 10 per cent funded. A delegation led by Mayor of Serbian city of Novi Pazar Nihat Bisevac has visited DOST Center No1 in Baku, Azernews reports. Azerbaijans Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Hidayat Abdullayev informed the Serbian delegation about the DOST concept. He highlighted the advanced innovations brought to the system of public and social services by the DOST Agency and DOST centers, established by the Decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated August 9, 2018. The DOST concept, created on the initiative of First Vice-President, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, aims to provide transparency, efficiency and civic satisfaction in the social services based on the principle of single window. Chairman of the Board of DOST Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Farid Mammadov briefed the delegation on the activities of DOST centers. DOST Centers have already served nearly 1.5 million citizens over the past period, and the DOST conception is highly appreciated at the international level, the Agency has been awarded international awards. Then, Deputy director of the DOST Digital Innovations Center Orkhan Salahov made a presentation on e-services provided by the center. BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2023) EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says Belgrade and Pristina reached agreement during talks in North Macedonia on the program for the implementation of the European-US reconciliation plan for Kosovo and Serbia. On Saturday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo leader Albin Kurti held talks in Macedonia with the participation of Borrell and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak. The talks were held behind closed doors in the town of Ohrid and lasted 12 hours. Vucic told reporters after the talks that an agreement was reached on "some points" of the implementation plan. Borrell told reporters after the talks that, after 12 hours of negotiations, Kosovo and Serbia "agreed on the implementation annex of the agreement on the path to normalization of relations between them." He admitted that, initially, a more ambitious and detailed implementation annex was proposed but the parties could not agree on it due a lack of flexibility and certain "red lines." Borrell also said that Kosovo agreed to "launch immediately . .. negotiations with the European Union facilitated dialogue on establishing a specific arrangement and guarantees to ensure an appropriated level of self-management for the Serbian communities in Kosovo." On February 27, Borrell published the full text of the European Union's proposal that contains clauses on mutual recognition of documents and state symbols and Belgrade's consent not to prevent Pristina from joining international organizations. The EU and US leaders insist that Kosovo Albanian authorities form a Community of Serb Municipalities complete with autonomy rights - in accordance with the 2013 Brussels Agreement. US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier has said there is no better plan than the European Union's proposal for a Serbia-Kosovo settlement, which Washington fully supports. However, Vucic has insisted that Serbia has fulfilled its part of the Brussels Agreement, while Kosovo, the independence of which Belgrade has never recognized, only started to develop the charter of the Community of Serbian Municipalities and then suspended the process. DONETSK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2023) Ukrainian troops have fired 15 rockets from a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) at the Kirovskyi District in the city of Donetsk, the Donetsk People's Republic's (DPR) mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of issues related to Ukraine's war crimes (JCCC) said. "Shelling was recorded from the side of the armed formations of Ukraine in the following direction: 00:23 (21:23 GMT on Saturday) Krasnogorovka - city of Donetsk (Kirovskyi district): 15 rockets were fired from MLRS" the DPR mission said in a statement on Telegram. In a later update, the DPR mission said that Ukrainian troops shelled the Kirovskyi district for the second time overnight, firing three 155mm NATO-caliber shells. Egypt calls for the immediate cessation of military operations in Sudan and the prioritisation of dialogue, according to a statement released by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. When Razia Muradi, a 27-year-old Afghan student, won a gold medal for her performance in a master's program in a college in India, her thoughts flashed back to her homeland, she told VOA this week. Growing up in Bamiyan province in Afghanistan, the future looked promising. She worked by day and went to night school to complete her bachelor's degree. Life was peaceful and normal, Muradi said. Women were free to attend university. Girls were eager to learn. Families were supportive and encouraged their daughters to pursue higher education. Two years ago, she came to India on a scholarship for a postgraduate course in public administration. She was among thousands of Afghans who headed to Indian colleges in the last two decades after the Talibans overthrow in 2001 following its first stint in power. Like many of these young students, her goal was to return and use her degree in policymaking to take a job and help Afghanistan modernize. All that changed abruptly when Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Like many women, she was gripped with dread that the country would regress into the dark days an older generation vividly remembered. That is why it was a moment of great pride but also deep sadness when Muradi went onstage this month to accept the gold medal for achieving the highest grade-point average in her program at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in in the western Gujarat state. I dedicate this achievement to all the women who do not have the opportunity that I have to study, she told VOA. And at some point in time, girls like me want to return this chance in some way to them. This medal is an affirmation that women can accomplish anything. Muradi said she sees herself as representing the women of Afghanistan deprived of education. In December, the Taliban banned women from attending university, dealing a second blow to female education the group had earlier barred girls from secondary schools, depriving millions from studying beyond the sixth grade. In the year and a half since the group swept into power, women have been removed from many jobs, must wear the full veil, and are not allowed to travel without a male relative or visit parks and gyms as the hard-line Islamists roll back women's rights and freedoms. For Afghan women like Muradi, all hopes that the Taliban would live up to their initial promises of a more liberal rule have been crushed. I feel broken from inside. Everything that happened in the 1990s is being repeated. The hope with which I came to India is destroyed, Muradi said. I cannot see any bright future for myself. I dont know whether I will be able to go back and meet my family. I struggle with these thoughts all the time. With her country in turmoil, studying for her masters was not easy. She worried about her family, but she said she worked to stay calm as there was little she could do except honor her luck in being among the Afghan women still pursuing an education. I had to manage my stress. Every time I thought about Afghanistan, I told myself that it is my responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity that other girls in my country can no longer avail. So, I must focus on my studies and build my capacity if I want to bring change in the future, she said. Muradi is now working on her Ph.D. in public administration from the same college, supported by a scholarship from the Indian governments Indian Council of Cultural Relations, and she has a message for the Taliban. I think the Taliban need to rethink about depriving women of education. If they want to rule, they cannot ignore the women. Women will protest, at some point they will stand and ask for their rights. Otherwise, half the countrys population will be useless, she said. At least six people were killed in a clash between remnants of the defunct Shining Path rebel group and a military patrol in a coca-growing valley in central Peru, a Defense Ministry unit reported Saturday. The statement from the Joint Command of the Armed Forces did not give the date of the confrontation, in which it said that five members of the Sendero Luminoso, as the guerrilla group is known in Spanish, and an Army soldier died. It said the clash took place in Vizcatan del Ene, in central Peru, as part of an operation that tried to capture Victor Quispe Palomino, alias Comrade Jose. He is the leader of holdout troops of the leftist rebels defeated militarily in the 1990s. Quispe Palomino was not found, the statement said. One member of the Maoist group, known as "Paulino," "died when he was preparing to mine the combat area." The Vizcatan del Ene area is in the central department of Junin, part of a large coca-growing area where remnants of the Shining Path allied to drug traffickers have long taken refuge, authorities said. Coca leaves are the raw material from which cocaine is made. Shining Path emerged in 1980 when it launched a "people's war" in what the government said was an act of "terrorism." Two decades of clashes with security forces left 69,000 people dead or disappeared, according to Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Most of the guerrilla leaders are dead or imprisoned, but the military estimates that 200 to 350 ex-combatants are still active in an area known as the VRAE -- the Spanish-language acronym for the Apurimac and Ene River Valley, some 280 kilometers southeast of Lima. China's embassy in Britain on Sunday condemned a visit this week by British lawmakers to Taiwan, saying they were insisting on visiting the island despite China's strong opposition. Taiwan's Presidential Office said the group of six lawmakers from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group would meet President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on Monday. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has been ramping up military, political and economic pressure to assert those claims. A statement from China's embassy in London said that the lawmakers have "insisted on visiting the Taiwan region of China despite China's resolute opposition." This is a "gross interference in China's internal affairs and a serious wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces," the embassy said. "We want to tell the relevant British politicians that any act that harms China's interests will definitely be vigorously countered by China," it added, without elaborating. Taiwan regularly hosts visiting foreign lawmakers, which China routinely condemns. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. Gunmen stormed a Chinese-operated gold mining site that had recently been launched in Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals and wounding two others Sunday, authorities said. However, the rebel coalition initially blamed by some for the attack put out a statement later in the day. Without providing evidence, it accused Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group of being behind the violence. The attack early Sunday came just days after gunmen kidnapped three Chinese nationals in the country's west near the border with Cameroon, prompting President Faustin Archange Touadera to plan a trip to China in a bid to reassure investors. The assault on the Chimbolo gold mine began around 5 a.m. when the gunmen overpowered the site's guards and opened fire, said Abel Matipata, mayor of the nearby town of Bambari, located 25 kilometers (16 miles) away. The mining site's launch had taken place just days earlier, he added. The bodies of the victims were brought to the capital, Bangui, later Sunday. Local authorities said they were pursuing the assailants but declined further comment. Residents said that the violence was the latest incident undermining confidence in security forces. "The government is having difficulty proving its ability to protect Central Africans and foreigners living in the country," said Ange Morel Gbatangue, a resident of Bambari. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on the Coalition of Patriots for Change, or CPC, which is active in the area and regularly launches attacks on the country's armed forces. The alliance of rebel groups is aligned with former President Francois Bozize. Anselme Bangue, who supports the current president's administration, called the attack on Chinese businessmen an act of "indescribable cowardice." "The CPC has not only slowed down the country's economic momentum but is now attacking the foundation of development. This is unacceptable," Bangue said. However, CPC military spokesman Mamadou Koura said those allegations were false. He claimed without evidence that Russian mercenaries had planned the attack "with the goal of scaring Chinese who have been present long before the Russians settled in this part of the country." The shadowy Russian mercenary group was hired by Touadera to provide security and military training but has been accused by U.N. observers of committing human rights abuses including massacres. Central African Republic remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others. A myriad of rebel groups have operated with impunity across the embattled country over the past decade, thwarting mining exploration by foreign companies. Many of those now operating in the country are Chinese-run and have faced security challenges. In 2020, two Chinese nationals died when local residents led an uprising against a Chinese-operated mine in Sosso Nakombo. And in 2018, three Chinese citizens were killed by angry community members after a local leader died in a boating accident while accompanying Chinese miners to a site. A group of Israelis describing themselves as reservists in elite military and intelligence units said they would not turn up for some duties from Sunday, escalating protests at the hard-right government's planned judicial overhaul. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, which wields a Knesset majority, say they want bills the would limit Supreme Court authorities written into law by April 2. The plan has stirred concern for Israel's democratic health at home and abroad. As ratification nears, demonstrations have spiraled, the shekel has slipped and fears have been voiced by national security veterans who usually shy from public exposure. In a letter circulated to the Israeli media, 450 protesters describing themselves as volunteer reservists from military special forces and another 200 as volunteer reservist offensive cyber operators, including from the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, said they were now refusing call-ups. Reuters could not verify the signatories' identities and the secrecy around the units they said they belong to also made it difficult to assess the protest's potential impact. "We have no contract with a dictator. We would be happy to volunteer when the democracy is safeguarded," the letter said. The military declined comment. Representatives for Mossad and Shin Bet did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters. Netanyahu calls the judicial overhaul a restoration of balance between the branches of government. Critics see a gambit by the prime minister - who is under trial on corruption charges that he denies - to subordinate the courts to the executive. On Sunday, a Knesset review committee was due to discuss, before final voting sessions in the plenum, a bill that would give the coalition more control over appointments to the bench. That, critics say, could foster corruption and imperil judicial independence key to Israel's economic strength and defenses against attempts to isolate it internationally. Netanyahu has condemned the protests' reach into the military ranks as an attempt to subvert an institution meant to be above politics. Such misgivings have been voiced by some opposition leaders, while others say an authoritarian tilt in government would throw the idea of national duty into question. "When a country stands on the threshold of dictatorship, we are likely to see a break-down of the security agencies," former Shin Bet director Nadav Argaman told Channel 12 TV. "It is extraordinarily terrifying." A man describing himself as a military intelligence captain taking part in Sunday's reservist protest told Kan radio that he and other signatories were deemed volunteers in part because their time commitments exceeded normal quotas for reservists. Signalling that the protest would be suspended in the event of a compulsory wartime call-up, he said: "We are not calling for refusing orders. We calling for a halt to the volunteering." Most Israelis are conscripted into the military for between two and three years. Some continue to do reserve duties into middle-age. While reservists have helped Israel prevail in previous wars, more recently it has relied on regular forces. But some units consider reservists especially valuable given their maturity and accrued skills. An air force pilot taking part in the protests told Channel 12 TV that as many as 60% of crews sent on bombing sorties in Syria are volunteer reservists. Iraq and Iran signed a border security agreement on Sunday, a move Iraqi officials said aimed primarily at tightening the frontier with Iraq's Kurdish region, where Tehran says armed Kurdish dissidents pose a threat to its security. The joint security agreement includes coordination in "protecting the common borders between the two countries and consolidating cooperation in several security fields," a statement from the Iraqi prime minister's office said. Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani signed the deal with Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, in the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, the prime minister office said. "Under the signed security deal, Iraq pledges it would not allow armed groups to use its territory in the Iraqi Kurdish region to launch any border-crossing attacks on neighbor Iran," said an Iraqi security official who attended the signing. The frontier came into renewed focus last year when Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched missile and drone attacks against Iranian Kurdish groups based in northern Iraq, accusing them of fomenting protests that were sparked by the death of a Iranian Kurdish woman while she was being held in police custody. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, speaking in Tehran, said "Shamkhani's current trip to Iraq has been planned since four months and is focused on issues related to the armed groups in northern Iraq". The Islamic republic of Iran will in no way accept threats from Iraqi territories, he added. Iran has also accused Kurdish militants of working with its arch-enemy Israel and has often voices concern over the alleged presence of the Israeli spy agency Mossad in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region. Last year, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said a sabotage team detained by its security forces were Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a "sensitive" defense industry centre in the city of Isfahan. Israel and the Palestinians pledged Sunday at a meeting in Egypt to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season including a partial freeze on Israeli settlement activity and an agreement to work together to "curb and counter violence." But a Palestinian shooting attack that wounded two Israelis in the occupied West Bank underscored the tough work that lies ahead as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches this week. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a year-long spasm of violence. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks during that time. Following Sunday's summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. These include pledges to stop unilateral actions, it said. Israel pledged to stop discussion of new settlement construction for four months, and to stop plans to legalize unauthorized settlement outposts for six months. "The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions," the communique said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added. There was no immediate comment from Israel or the Palestinians. The agreement marked a breakthrough, in words at least, but implementing the pledges could be a challenge. A similar meeting in Jordan late last month ended with pledges to de-escalate tensions. But the meeting was quickly derailed when a new burst of violence erupted on the same day. A Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Jewish settlers in response rampaged in the Palestinian town of Hawara, destroying property and leading to the death of one Palestinian. As Sunday's talks were going on, a Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli vehicle in Hawara again, seriously wounding an Israeli man, medics said. The man's wife, who was initially thought to have been shot, was treated for shock. The Israeli military said the wounded man and Israeli troops opened fire at the assailant and hit him. The man was later arrested, the army said. His condition was not immediately known. Hawara lies on a busy road in the northern part of the West Bank that is used by Israeli residents of nearby Jewish settlements. Many settlers carry guns. The Israeli pledges were largely symbolic. Israel recently approved the construction of thousands of new settlement homes, and there were no immediate plans to approve additional construction. Still, even any talk of slowing settlement activity could risk a backlash in Israel's new coalition government, which is dominated by settler leaders and supporters. Bloodshed has been surging since the meeting in Jordan. Sunday's shooting, along with the killing of an Islamic Jihad militant in neighboring Syria, added to the tensions. The militant group, which is active in the northern West Bank, accused Israel of assassinating the commander. Israel had no comment. Mediators want to ease tensions ahead of Ramadan, which start this week and which will coincide next month with the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of Sunday's summit in his weekly Cabinet meeting. Later, he called the Israeli man who was shot a "wounded hero." "Anyone trying to harm the citizens of Israel will pay the price," Netanyahu said. Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh tweeted that the meeting in Egypt was meant to "demand an end to this continuous Israeli aggression against us." The upcoming period is sensitive because large numbers of Jewish and Muslim faithful pour into Jerusalem's Old City, the emotional heart of the conflict and a flashpoint for violence, increasing friction points. Large numbers of Jews are also expected to visit a key Jerusalem holy site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount an act the Palestinians view as a provocation. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying out in the open. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo. Clashes at the site in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Israeli police said it was wrapping up preparations in Jerusalem to "enable the freedom of worship" for all faiths during Ramadan and Passover "while maintaining security, law and public order." It said hundreds of police offices were being deployed, with a focus on Jerusalem's Old City. While the latest violence began under the previous Israeli government, it has intensified in the first two months of the new government, headed by Netanyahu and his coalition the country's most right-wing administration ever. The government is dominated by hard-line settlement supporters. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister who oversees the police, is an extremist once relegated to the fringes of Israeli politics, with past convictions for incitement to violence and support of a Jewish terror group. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Hawara to be "erased" after last month's settler rampage, apologizing after an international outcry. The violence is one of the worst rounds between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in years. Following a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis last spring, Israel launched near-nightly raids in the West Bank against what it says are militant networks. But the raids have not slowed the violence and attacks against Israelis have continued, killing 44 people. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed by Israel in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 2022, the deadliest year in those territories since 2004, according to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem. So far this year, 85 Palestinians have been killed, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Israel says most of those killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. Hundreds of Palestinians have been rounded up and placed under so-called administrative detention, which denies them due process on security grounds. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their future independent state. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held the first round of government consultations in Tokyo Saturday and agreed to strengthen economic and defense ties to better cope with China's growing influence and global security concerns. Kishida told a joint news conference after the talks that the sides agreed to strengthen supply chains in minerals, semiconductors, batteries and other strategic areas, in order to counter economic coercion, state-led attempts to illegally acquire technology and nonmarket practices, apparently referring to China. Japan and Germany, both industrial nations that share fundamental values, need to take global leadership to strengthen resilience of our societies, Kishida said. Scholz brought six of the 17 Cabinet members for talks with Japanese counterparts, including economy, finance, foreign, interior, transport and defense ministers. They discussed deepening economic and national security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as Chinas assertiveness in pressing its maritime territorial claims and its closer ties with Russia. Germany has a similar government consultations framework with several countries. In Tokyo, the two leaders again condemned Russia's war on Ukraine and agreed to continue tough sanctions against Moscow and strong support for Ukraine, Kishida said. Russia's nuclear threat has made atomic weapons disarmament even more difficult and divided the international community, Kishida said, adding that it's crucial to get China, Russia and other nuclear states to resume discussing nuclear disarmament. Kishida is an advocate of a world without nuclear weapons, though critics say being under the U.S. nuclear umbrella makes his stance less convincing. Scholtz said the government consultations will further advance our strategic cooperation, and theyre a very important part of giving a new drive to this close cooperation we want to achieve together, German news agency dpa reported. In separate talks, the two defense ministers confirmed the German armed forces' continued engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and a stronger military cooperation between the countries. Japanese Defense Minster Yasukazu Hamada and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius agreed to coordinate closely in future regional deployments of the German military and step-up joint exercises. They also agreed to seek a legal framework to facilitate increased joint defense activities, as well as cooperation in defense equipment and technology, the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a statement. Japan, noting growing threats from China and North Korea, has been expanding military cooperation beyond its main ally, the United States, and has developed partnerships with Australia, Britain, European and Southeast Asian nations. Kishida's government last year adopted a new national security strategy under which Japan is deploying long-range cruise missiles to strengthen its strike-back capability, a major break from the country's postwar self-defense-only principle. Scholtz visited Japan last year before going to China, making a point of prioritizing Germanys economic ties with Tokyo over Beijing. Scholz is pushing to diversify Germanys trade partners, while speaking out against a complete decoupling from China. Japan, along with the United States, is seeking ways to stand up to increasing Chinese economic influence in the region. Tokyo also wants to reinforce economic security with other democracies in areas such as supply chains and the protection of sensitive technologies, apparently as a counter to China. But Japan, which is a top U.S. ally and a major trade partner with China, is in a delicate situation and must balance its position between the two superpowers. For Germany, China was its biggest trading partner in 2021 for the sixth consecutive year, as business ties have flourished even though political relations have turned tense. For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russia's war on Ukraine. All times EDT. 6:20 p.m.: 5:30 p.m.: Caregivers at a Ukrainian orphanage in previously occupied Kherson detail ways they hid orphaned Ukrainian children from being abducted by Russians. In an interview with the The Guardian's Observer Magazine, orphanage staffers described how they concealed the children, a fraction of the 16,226 taken, their story rivaling a Hollywood movie script. Theirs was only one of the many scenarios Ukrainians devised to save unprotected Ukrainian children from being dispatched to Russia and Russian-occupied territories for adoption and reeducation. 5:05 p.m.: White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Sunday the United States would be watching closely to see what emerges from the upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in Moscow. China and Russia, Kirby said on Fox News Sunday, are two countries that are chafing against this international rules-based order that the United States and so many of our allies and partners have built up, since the end of World War II. He said the two superpowers are attempting to shake up international order. Theyd like to rewrite the rules of the game globally, he noted. They have been increasing their cooperation and their relationship, certainly of late, Kirby said. China recently floated a 12-point plan designed to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Kirby told host Mike Emanuel that Washington remains skeptical of Chinas intentions regarding Russias invasion on Ukraine. What we have said before, Kirby said, and well say it again today, that if coming out of this meeting, theres some sort of call for a cease-fire, well, thats just going to be unacceptable because all thats going to do ... is ratify Russians conquest to date. Kirby expressed hopes that Chinas president would keep open lines of communication with President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Politico reports. 4:20 p.m.: In a tweet, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser in the Office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy likened Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to the occupied city of Mariupol to that of a criminal returning to the crime scene. 4:10 p.m.: In another tweet, Podolyak said that the warrant by the International Criminal Court against Russian President Vladimir Putin must be complied with. 3:15 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the ongoing Russian shelling of Ukrainian cities and villages, killing civilians. The evil state will be held accountable for every act of terror against Ukrainians, he said in his nightly video address. This week has finally brought a truly significant international legal result for Ukraine, for justice. There is a warrant of the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the Russian leader, and this is a turning point, he said, for Russia to face consequences for its crimes in Ukraine. Responsibility for every strike on Ukraine, for every destroyed life, for every deported Ukrainian child... And, of course, for every manifestation of destabilization of the world caused by Russian aggression, he said. 2:05 p.m.: Speaking on Russian state television Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he had decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 rather than earlier because of economic and military factors, The Kyiv Independent reported. Putin explained that Russia didn't wage a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2014, when it invaded Crimea and started a war in the eastern Donbas region because it wasn't ready militarily in 2014 for a full-scale war, primarily because it didn't have "hypersonic weapons." Russia's hypersonic missile Kinzhal entered service in 2014. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, both Russia and Ukraine have said that Russia had launched Kinzhal missiles at targets in Ukraine. The missiles are considered impossible to intercept. Putin also said that Russia had been preparing economically to withstand the cost of the war. He cited good harvests, import substitution policies, and improving the countrys financial system as the factors that allowed him to start the invasion. 1:20 p.m.: In a statement, Ukraines State Intelligence Service says Russian hackers distribute software online that includes malicious codes. Officials are warning that downloading hacked software is dangerous. Hackers trojanize ISOs and installers and make them freely available on torrent trackers. If a victim downloads and installs such files on their computer, hackers gain access to its contents and can remain undetected for a long time," the statement says. By installing hacked software from torrents, they actually give Russian intelligence services access to the contents of working machines. The use of a hacked operating system is especially dangerous, because in this case, attackers have full administrative access to the computer on which it is installed, it adds. 12:05 p.m.: Three civilians were killed and two wounded in Russian shelling of a residential building in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday, Reuters reported. The region's military administration said Russian troops fired grad rockets at the small village of Kamyanske which had a pre-war population of some 2,600 people. The authorities warned residents in the region that the danger of shelling was constant near the front lines and urged them to evacuate. 11:05 a.m.: The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war crime of unlawful deportation of people, in particular children, and their unlawful transfer from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The ICC issued a separate warrant on the same charge for Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova the Russian commissioner for children's rights. Moscow dismissed Friday's move. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the allegations "outrageous." Russia, which has denied targeting civilians since its invasion in February last year, has repeatedly denied its forces have committed atrocities, and has rejected past allegations of illegally moving Ukrainians. Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said on March 17 the prosecutors were investigating cases of deportation of over 16,000 children from Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions. "But the real figure can be much higher," Kostin said on his Facebook page. So far, Ukraine has managed to return 308 children according to officials, Reuters reported. 10:15 a.m.: 9:58 a.m.: Ukrainian forces outside the battered eastern city of Bakhmut are managing to keep Russian units at bay so ammunition, food, equipment and medicines can be delivered to defenders, the army said on Saturday. "We are managing to deliver the necessary munitions, food, gear and medicines to Bakhmut. We are also managing to take our wounded out of the city," military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevaty told the ICTV television channel. Kyiv said its troops had killed 193 Russians and injured 199 others during the course of fighting on Friday, Reuters reported. Russia has made the capture of Bakhmut a priority in its strategy to take control of Ukraine's eastern Donbas industrial region. The city has been devastated after months of fighting and Russian repeated assaults. 9:17 a.m.: Russia has found itself in an unequal relationship with China since strengthening its relations toward Beijing, according to AFP. Since Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow, bilateral trade between the two neighbors has reached a record $190 billion and the proportion of Russian foreign trade carried out in yuan has gone from 0.5 percent to 16 percent. "It's absolutely critical for Russia to be close to China, because Russia doesn't have many trade friends," Elina Ribakova, deputy chief economist at the Institute of International Finance, told Agence France-Presse. Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to host Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week. Ties between the two countries are particularly strong in the energy sector, which has been heavily targeted by Western sanctions. "China and India have replaced the European Union as Russia's most important export market" for oil, said a group of economists from the Institute of International Finance. However, most big Chinese companies that are well-integrated into Western markets opted to pause their activities in Russia for fear of potential sanctions, said Anna Kireeva, a research fellow at the prestigious MGIMO University in Russia. Time will tell if the alliance of convenience will turn into a long-term sustainable partnership, Agence France-Presse reported. 8:40 a.m.: The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported Sunday, that Russia had lost 164,910 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24 last year. The military said that Russian forces suffered 710 casualties just over the past day, The Kyiv Independent reported. According to the report, Russia also lost 3,532 tanks, 6,853 armored fighting vehicles, 5,408 vehicles and fuel tanks, 2,568 artillery systems, 507 multiple launch rocket systems, 268 air defense systems, 305 airplanes, 290 helicopters, 2,159 drones, and 18 boats. 8 a.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, a place where some of the worst devastation was inflicted by Russian forces. According to Reuters, state television showed extended footage of Putin being shown around the city on Saturday night, meeting rehoused residents and being briefed on reconstruction efforts by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. The port city of Mariupol became known around the world as a byword for death and destruction as much of it was reduced to ruins in the first months of the war, eventually falling to Russian forces in May. Hundreds were killed in the bombing of a theater where families with children were sheltering and Russia's early bombing of a maternity hospital there was called a war crime by the Organization for Security and Cooperation and Europe (OSCE). Moscow contested that, saying that it does not target civilians. Putin's visit took place after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest on Friday, accusing him of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The visit to Mariupol was the first Putin has made to the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine's Donbas region since the beginning of the war, and the closest he has come to the front lines. 7:30 a.m.: U.S. drone flights over the Baltic Sea are a sign of direct U.S. involvement in conflict with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Sunday, Reuters reports. Peskov made these comments after a U.S. drone was intercepted by Russian fighter planes and crashed into the Black Sea last week. "It is quite obvious what these drones are doing, and their mission is not at all a peaceful mission to ensure the safety of shipping in international waters," Interfax news agency quoted Peskov as saying in a TV interview. In fact, we are talking about the direct involvement of the operators of these drones in the conflict, and against us," he noted. 5:19 a.m.: The Institute for the Study of War, a U.S. think tank, said in its latest Ukraine assessment that Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line. They also continued offensive operations in and around Bakhmut and on the outskirts of Donetsk City. 4:10 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said that earlier this month, officials in the Russian-controlled part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast have declared Melitopol the oblast capital. The U.K. defense ministry said that the declaration was likely "tactit acknowledgement" that Russia will control the much-larger city of Zaporizhzhia anytime soon. Zaporizhzhia, which has some 700,000 people, is about 35 kilometers from the current front line. 3:06 a.m.: Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported that 10 people have been injured due to Russias attack on Kramatorsk, The Kyiv Independent reported. Earlier on March 18, Kyrylenko reported that Russian forces used cluster munitions in their latest attack on the eastern city of Kramatorsk, killing at least two civilians and wounding five. He said that the Russian forces targeted Bernatsky Park, located in the southern part of the city, damaging a dozen residential buildings and several cars. 2:22 a.m.: The Kyiv Independent, citing an official from Ukraine's Armed Forces, reported that Ukrainian forces repelled more than 80 Russian attacks Saturday. Russian forces were targeting Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, and Shakhtarsk, the Independent said. 1:30 a.m.: Russia's Wagner mercenary group plans to recruit approximately 30,000 new fighters by the middle of May, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said, according to Reuters. He said in an audio message on Telegram that Wagner recruitment centers, which he said last week had opened in 42 Russian cities, were hiring on average 500-800 people a day. He gave no evidence to support the numbers, which Reuters could not independently verify. Prigozhin's men have sustained heavy losses while leading Russian efforts to capture the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which has held out since last summer in the longest and bloodiest battle of the yearlong war. In January, the United States assessed that Wagner had about 50,000 fighters in Ukraine, including 40,000 convicts Prigozhin had recruited from Russian prisons with a promise of a free pardon if they survived six months. Ukrainian officials have claimed that some 30,000 of Wagner's fighters have deserted or been killed or wounded, a figure that could not be independently verified. 12:02 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced sanctions on 400 more individuals and companies Saturday, vowing that Russia and those who help it wage war will be punished, The Kyiv Independent reported. Most of the sanction targets are related to Russias military-industrial complex, but they also include Iranian and Syrian individuals, according to the president. Zelenskyy said these sanctions contribute to global pressure on Russia and those that supply it weapons of terror. This includes Iran, which provides Russia with Shahed kamikaze drones that have been used to attack Ukraines civilian infrastructure for almost six months. Russia must be punished for its aggression not just against Ukraine but other countries like Syria, Zelenskyy said. Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse, Associated Press and Reuters. Miami Beach officials imposed a curfew beginning Sunday night during spring break after two fatal shootings and rowdy, chaotic crowds that police have had difficulty controlling. The city said in a news release the curfew would be from 11:59 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, with an additional curfew likely to be put in place Thursday through next Monday, March 27. The curfew mainly affects South Beach, the most popular party location for spring breakers. The release said the two separate shootings Friday night and early Sunday that left two people dead and "excessively large and unruly crowds" led to the decision. The city commission plans a meeting Monday to discuss potential further restrictions next week. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a video message posted Sunday that the crowds and presence of numerous firearms has "created a peril that cannot go unchecked" despite massive police presence and many city-sponsored activities meant to keep people busy. "We don't ask for spring break in our city. We don't want spring break in our city. It's too rowdy, it's too much disorder and it's too difficult to police," Gelber said. The latest shooting happened about 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Ocean Drive in South Beach, according to Miami Beach police. A male was shot and died later at a hospital, and officers chased down a suspect on foot, police said on Twitter. Their identities were not released, nor were any possible charges. In the Friday night shooting, one male victim was killed, and another seriously injured, sending crowds scrambling in fear from restaurants and clubs into the streets as gunshots rang out. Police detained one person at the scene and found four firearms, but no other details have been made available. Under the curfew, people must leave businesses before midnight, although hotels can operate later only in service to their guests. The city release said restaurants can stay open only for delivery and the curfew won't apply to residents, people going to and from work, emergency services and hotel guests. Some roads will be closed off and arriving hotel guests may have to show proof of their reservations. Last year, the city imposed a midnight curfew following two shootings, also on Ocean Drive. The year before that, there were about 1,000 arrests and dozens of guns confiscated during a rowdy spring break that led Miami Beach officials to take steps aimed at calming the situation. Fierce fighting raged in Sudan's capital despite an hours-long pause Sunday to address humanitarian needs including the evacuation of wounded, on the second day of battles that left three UN staff among more than 60 civilians killed. Sweden won't be in a vulnerable security situation even if Finland joins NATO first, the Finnish president said Sunday, as both Nordic membership candidates negotiate bilateral military pacts with the United States. "It is possible that Finland joins NATO before Sweden," Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in interview published by the Swedish public broadcaster SVT on Sunday. "Should we have refused Turkey's offer to ratify? That sounds a bit crazy. It would have been a terribly difficult situation if we had said 'no' to Ankara." Niinisto referred to his Friday visit to Ankara where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government would move forward with ratifying Finland's NATO application, paving the way for the country to join the military bloc, but wouldn't ratify Sweden's bid before disputes between Ankara and Stockholm are solved. Both Finland and Sweden applied to become NATO members 10 months ago in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abandoning decades of nonalignment. NATO requires the unanimous approval of its 30 existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that haven't yet ratified the Nordic duo's bids. Should Sweden's NATO membership talks with Turkey drag on for a long time, many Swedish security policy experts agree it would put Stockholm in a vulnerable military position in the Baltic Sea region. Niinisto said that Finland, Sweden and Denmark are currently in separate talks with the United States on security matters to reach a bilateral military pact similar to what Norway has concluded with Washington before. "I think that is a big change, almost bigger than NATO membership," Niinisto said of the ongoing talks with the U.S. when asked what happens to Sweden's security if talks to join NATO drag on. "It means a lot if we (Nordic countries) all have a direct and a quite similar (military) agreement with the United States." Since announcing their intention to join NATO in May 2022, Finland and Sweden pledged to enter the Western military alliance jointly at the same time. Niinisto told SVT that the Nordic neighbors were determined to enter NATO "hand in hand as long as it is in our hands, but the ratification of Finnish NATO membership is in the hands of Turkey and Hungary." North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The North's continuation of missile tests showed its determination not to back down despite the U.S.-South Korea exercises, which are the biggest of their kind in years. But many experts say the tests are also part of North Korea's bigger objective to expand its weapons arsenal, win global recognition as a nuclear state and get international sanctions lifted. The missile launched from the North's northwestern Tongchangri area flew across the country before it landed in the waters off its east coast, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile traveled a distance of about 800 kilometers (500 miles), a range that suggests the weapon could target South Korea. The chief nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. discussed the launch on the phone and strongly condemned it as a provocation that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They agreed to strengthen their coordination to issue a firm international response to the North's action, according to Seoul's Foreign Ministry. South Korea's military said it will thoroughly proceed with the rest of the joint drills with the U.S. and maintain a readiness to "overwhelmingly" respond to any provocation by North Korea. As part of the drills, the U.S. on Sunday flew long-range B-1B bombers for joint training with South Korean warplanes, according to South Korea's Defense Ministry. North Korea is highly sensitive to the deployment of B-1Bs, which are capable of carrying a huge conventional weapons payload. It responded to the February flights of B-1Bs by test-launching missiles that demonstrated potential ranges to strike some air bases in South Korea. Japanese Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said the missile landed outside Japan's exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft. He said the missile likely showed an irregular trajectory, a possible reference to North Korea's highly maneuverable, nuclear-capable KN-23 missile that was modeled on Russia's Iskander missile. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest launch doesn't pose an immediate threat to the U.S. territory or its allies. But it said the North's recent launches highlight "the destabilizing impact of its unlawful" weapons programs and that the U.S. security commitment to South Korea and Japan remains "ironclad." The launch was the North's third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began their joint military drills last Monday. The drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday. The field exercises are the biggest of their kind since 2018. The weapons North Korea recently tested include its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland. The North's state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying the ICBM launch was meant to "strike fear into the enemies." Thursday's launch, the North's first ICBM firing in a month, drew strong protests from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. It was carried out just hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Tokyo for a closely watched summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the summit, Yoon and Kishida agreed to resume their defense dialogue and further strengthen security cooperation with the United States to counter North Korea and address other challenges. Ties between Seoul and Tokyo suffered a major setback in recent years due to issues stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. But North Korea's record run of missile tests last year it launched more than 70 missiles in 2022 alone pushed Seoul and Tokyo to seek stronger trilateral security partnerships involving Washington, which also wants to reinforce its alliances in Asia to better deal with China's rise and North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea has missiles that place Japan within striking distance. Last October, North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over northern Japan, forcing communities there to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains. After Sunday's launch, Kishida ordered a prompt response, including working closely with South Korea and the U.S., according to Ino, the Japanese vice defense minister. A day before the start of the drills, North Korea also fired cruise missiles from a submarine. The North's state media said the submarine-launched missile was a demonstration of its resolve to respond with "overwhelming powerful" force to the intensifying military maneuvers by "the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces." According to South Korean media reports, the U.S. and South Korea plan more training involving a U.S. aircraft carrier later this month after their current exercises end. This suggests animosities on the Korean Peninsula could last a few more weeks as North Korea would also likely respond to those drills with weapons tests. Police in Pakistan on Sunday filed new terrorism charges against the country's populist former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a day after thousands of his supporters clashed with security forces in the capital, Islamabad. Dozens of senior leaders and workers of Khan's opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have also been named for allegedly committing terrorism and offenses such as wounding officers and threatening their lives. Police rounded up 61 PTI workers in connection with the clashes, saying raids were underway for further arrests. The allegations stemmed from Saturday's clashes outside of a court compound in Islamabad where Khan was due to appear to face charges of unlawfully selling state gifts he received while in office. Several thousand riot police fired tear gas and wielded batons for hours to disperse the crowd. Authorities said security forces responded to rocks being thrown at them. The violence injured dozens of people, including police and protesters. Witnesses and officials said the chaos had prevented the 70-year-old opposition leader from entering the court compound, prompting the judge to allow Khan to mark his attendance from inside his vehicle and adjourn the hearing until March 30. Khan denies the corruption charges and characterizes them as politically motivated. Meanwhile, in a televised speech Sunday, the former prime minister condemned a police raid against his residential compound in the eastern city of Lahore while en route to Islamabad for the court hearing. Khan said police had stormed his home and smashed down the gate and walls while his wife was at the property along with a few servants. He vowed to take legal action against the police officers behind the raid. "I want to ask the people, police officers, military officers, and judges of this country how they would have reacted if the police had carried out such an action against their homes without a search warrant?" Khan warned that attempts to corner him and his party or get him eliminated could plunge the country into anarchy. "Pakistan has been pushed to a point where the situation can spiral out of control. And in such an eventuality, you will forget about (the crisis in) Sri Lanka. It will take us to an Iran-style revolution." The state-run media regulator barred television channels from broadcasting Khans speech, which was carried live by PTI social media outlets, including YouTube. Police officials defended the raid against the politician's Lahore residence, claiming they had seized weapons and ammunition, and had arrested dozens of people from the compound involved in last week's clashes with security forces, charges Khan and his aides rejected as concocted. The police action came days after a violent standoff erupted Tuesday outside Khan's Lahore home when police officers had attempted to arrest him for failing to appear in the Islamabad court on graft charges. Khan was removed from office in a parliamentary no-confidence vote last April, toppling his nearly four-year-old government and paving the way for the then-opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif to become the prime minister of a new coalition government. The ousted leader has since held massive protest rallies across Pakistan to press for fresh elections. He has alleged his ouster was a conspiracy plotted by the Pakistan military and Sharif in collaboration with the United States. Washington and Islamabad rejected the charges. Sharif has also turned down calls for a snap vote until later this year when the parliament completes its mandated five-year term. Khan's party says the government has brought 97 cases against him since his removal from power, ranging from sedition, terrorism, blasphemy, and corruption. The deposed leader reiterated Sunday the "fake" legal challenges were allegedly part of efforts to get him arrested or disqualified from national politics in the wake of his party's popularity and sweeping victories in recent elections. Khan was shot and wounded during a protest rally last November. He accused Sharif and an unnamed army general, among others, of plotting to kill him. Since then, he has called on the courts to allow him to appear virtually in the dozens of cases brought against him due to the threats to his life. Pakistani Minister of Information Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed Khan's assertions Sunday, calling him a "terrorist." She told reporters in Lahore that the opposition politician was "flouting the law" to run away from courts. "Yesterday it was proved that claim of Imran Khan's threat to life is bogusImran is intimidating the court with hooliganism and terrorism, Aurangzeb said referring to Saturdays chaotic scenes outside the court in Islamabad. Government ministers in recent days have even called for outlawing the PTI and its leader, even though recent surveys have found Khan to be the most popular leader with a massive following in urban centers of Pakistan. Treating a major political leader...a principal rival, like an outlaw is short-sighted and reeks of desperation, read an editorial in the English-language DAWN newspaper Sunday. Mozambique police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters planning a march Saturday in memory of a rapper vocal in his criticism of the government, Human Rights Watch said. The sudden death of Edson da Luz, known by his stage name Azagaia, has sparked rare anti-government demonstrations in the southern African country. On Saturday, more than a thousand people were expected to take part in a memorial march in central Maputo, with rallies also planned in other cities. But in the capital, a heavy police presence prevented the procession from taking place. "They didn't allow people to gather," said Zenaida Machado, a senior researcher with HRW in Mozambique, pointing out that the rally had been authorized by city authorities. "Without any sign of violence from the protesters, they started throwing tear gas, and rubber bullets." Social media footage showed anti-riot police with armored vehicles and dogs firing tear gas as they dispersed small groups of demonstrators. "We came here to say thank you to rapper Azagaia for everything he has done for this country. Why are they attacking us?" activist Fatima Mimbire told AFP. "It was a peaceful march. At least two people were injured after a tear gas grenade landed inside a house, said Quiteria Guirrengane, a rights activist who was among the organizers of the demonstration. "Some young people who were in the march were arrested and we are currently trying to free them." A police spokesperson did not answer calls from AFP seeking a comment. Azagaia, who died after an epileptic seizure earlier this month, was popular among Mozambique's youth for his lyrics focusing on poverty, corruption and human rights issues. A funeral procession attended by thousands of people earlier this week also saw police firing tear gas. HRW has called on the government to investigate both incidents. "Authorities in Mozambique appear to be completely paranoid about having seen people on the streets peacefully protesting or marching for a cause," Machado added. Political protests are rare in Mozambique, ranked among the poorest nations in the world, where the ruling Frelimo party, has been in power since independence from Portugal in 1975. The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol after a stopover in the Crimean Peninsula to mark the ninth anniversary of Moscows illegal annexation of the territory in 2014. The Russian leader arrived late Saturday in Mariupol, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, with video footage showing Putin chatting with residents after earlier visiting an art school and a childrens center in Crimea. The visits came after the International Criminal Court Friday issued a warrant for Putins arrest on war crimes charges for Russias seizure of Ukrainian children during the midst of its 13-month invasion. Putin has not commented on the charges and the Kremlin has called the allegations legally null and void. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded Russias withdrawal from Crimea and all areas it has occupied in the eastern regions of Ukraine, but the ground war in Ukraines eastern regions has to a large degree stalemated, with neither side gaining much territory. Putins visit to war-torn Ukraine was his first since the February 2022 invasion. Numerous Western leaders supporting Ukraine, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have visited Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital that Putin tried and failed to capture in the earliest weeks of the war. Mariupol was one of the centers of fighting in the first months of the war, although when Russia took full control last May, only about 100,000 residents remained of the citys prewar population of 450,000. Russian news reports said Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the city's "memorial sites," concert hall and coastline. The state Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday showed Putin chatting with residents outside what appeared to be a newly built residential complex and being shown around one of the apartments. Peskov said Putin, after leaving Mariupol, met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city about 180 kilometers farther east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the leader of Russian military operations in Ukraine. On Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told the RIA state news agency that Russia plans to stay in Mariupol, saying the government hopes to finish the reconstruction of its bombed-out downtown by the end of 2023. "People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is underway, people started actively returning," Khusnullin told RIA. Mariupol's plight first drew the worlds attention with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital March 9, 2022, less than two weeks after Russian troops moved into Ukraine. A week later, about 300 people, and possibly hundreds more, were reported killed in the bombing of a theater that was serving as the city's largest bomb shelter. A small contingent of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steel works in eastern Mariupol before surrendering. But their defense of the steel plant was an early indication that Ukrainian forces would not willingly capitulate to the Russian invasion. Putins visit to Ukraine came just ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinpings trip to Moscow. Hes scheduled to arrive Monday for talks about the war and other global issues. China has cast itself as trying to broker negotiations to end the war and contended that Ukraines internationally recognized territorial boundaries should be respected. But Beijing has not denounced Russias invasion. Meanwhile, Britains Defense Ministry said Sunday in its daily intelligence update on Russias invasion that the quiet declaration of an alternative capital for the Zaporizhzhia Oblast is likely [a] tacit acknowledgement within the Russian system that its forces are highly unlikely to seize previously planned major objectives in the near future. Russian officials published a decree March 3 declaring Melitopol as the Zaporizhzhia oblast capital. It was designed as a temporary measure, the ministry said, until the city of Zaporizhzhia is controlled by Russia. However, Russia has never occupied the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the current front line. Putin claimed in September to have annexed four oblasts, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of the Russian Federation. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. Kazakhstan voted in a snap parliamentary election on Sunday widely expected to cement President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's grip on power and complete a reshuffle of the ruling elite that began after he fully assumed leadership last year. Exit polls showed the ruling Amanat party winning 53-54% of the vote, enough to retain a comfortable majority. Voter turnout stood at 54.2%, the Central Election Commission said. A stronger mandate will help Tokayev navigate through regional turmoil caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent damage to trade, investment and supply chains throughout the former Soviet Union. Although he formally became president in 2019, Tokayev, 69, had remained in the shadow of his predecessor and former patron Nursultan Nazarbayev until January 2022, when the two fell out amid an attempted coup and violent unrest. Tokayev sidelined Nazarbayev, after suppressing political unrest in the oil-rich Central Asian country and had several of his associates removed from senior positions in the public sector, some of whom later faced corruption charges. While Tokayev has reshuffled the government, the lower house of parliament - elected when Nazarbayev still had sweeping powers and led the ruling Nur Otan party - was not due for election until 2026, and the president called a snap vote. Ruling party Unlike Nazarbayev, Tokayev has chosen not to lead the ruling party, rebranded Amanat, but it is certain to form the core of his support base in the legislature. Five other parties set to win seats also support Tokayev. However, for the first time in almost two decades, several opposition figures were running as independents, a move which may allow some government critics to win a limited number of seats. Still, in Almaty, Kazakhstan's biggest city which usually shows the most support for the opposition, voting appeared slow Sunday amid a heavy police presence on the streets. "We keep complaining that nothing changes in our country and we ourselves take no part in our country's political life," said Yevgeniya, a 36-year-old marketing executive who declined to give her last name or say for whom she voted. "Going out and voting is the least we can do to bring about change." Tokayev, who cast his ballot in Astana early in the morning without talking to the press, has said the vote would allow him to start implementing his plan to reform the country and ensure a fairer distribution of its oil wealth. The completion of this political transition is also likely to strengthen Tokayev's hand in foreign policy. Despite receiving Moscow's backing during the 2022 unrest, he has refused to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine or recognize its annexation of some Ukrainian territories. Astana is trying to maintain good relationships with both Moscow, its neighbor and major trading partner, and the West, which seeks to isolate Russia. Kosovo and Serbia have reached an agreement on implementing a European Union-backed deal to normalize ties, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said late on Saturday, though the two leaders said disagreements remain. Kosovo and Serbia have been in EU-backed talks for nearly 10 years since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, almost a decade after war ended Serbian rule. But Serbia still regards Kosovo as a breakaway province and flare-ups between the Balkan neighbors have stoked fears of a return to conflict. The agreement on Saturday came after 12-hour talks between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and EU officials on implementing the deal, which both sides had agreed to in Brussels last month. The two leaders held separate meetings with Borrell before a three-way session in North Macedonia. "Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on the implementation annex of the agreement on the path to normalization of relations between them," he told reporters after meeting both leaders in the North Macedonian town of Ohrid. Vucic told a news conference the parties have not agreed on all points. "Despite differences, we had decent conversation," he said. Speaking at a different news conference, Kurti said, "This is a de facto recognition between Kosovo and Serbia" since Serbia has not yet signed the agreement. Borrell said the EU will now demand both sides fulfill obligations if they want to join the bloc, warning there would be consequences otherwise. He also touched upon a proposed association of Serb municipalities in Kosovo, which would give greater autonomy to Serb majority municipalities, a long-disputed topic. "Kosovo has agreed to launch immediately and when I am saying immediately, I mean immediately negotiations with the European Union facilitated dialog on establishing a specific arrangement and guarantees to ensure an appropriated level of self-management for the Serbian communities in Kosovo," the EU top diplomat said. In the annex on the implementation of the agreement published on Saturday evening, the EU committed to organizing a donor conference within 150 days to set up an investment and financial aid package for Kosovo and Serbia. Somalias federal and regional leaders have agreed to increase the number of armed forces and police officers to meet security demands as African Union forces leave the country by the end of next year. The leaders have agreed the number of national armed forces to be at least 30,000 soldiers and at least 40,000 police personnel, according to the agreement obtained by VOA Somali. According to the agreement known as the National Security Architecture signed by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and the leaders of federal member states last week, the new number of armed forces do not include the navy, air force and special commando units trained by the United States and Turkey. The agreement revises a 2017 deal between Somali leaders, which specified the number of military and police to be at least 18,000 and 32,000 respectively. The earliest age to register for the army will be 18 and 62 is the new retirement age. According to the new agreement, the countrys National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) will continue to have special armed agents until current security conditions end. Federal member states, which currently have their own intelligence agencies and armed agents, will no longer have these agencies once the country is stabilized. The new agreement also allows the number of custodial corps to be 5,300 comprised of 4,500 federal and 800 prison guards. Leaders of the Puntland semiautonomous region did not participate in the meeting held in the southwestern town of Baidoa between March 15 and 17. In January, Puntland leaders said they would govern their own affairs like an independent government until the federal constitution is completed. Somali government officials said the new agreement is intended to prepare the countrys forces to take over security responsibilities from AU forces. The Somali government today is concentrating on transferring security responsibilities from ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) which have been in the country for not less than 15 years, Kamal Dahir Hassan Gutale, national security adviser to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre told VOA Somali. The target is that on December 2024 the last AU soldier will leave the country. This is important for Somalia meeting its security responsibilities. Gutale said paramilitary forces belonging to the regions will be used as stabilization and holding forces in areas captured from al-Shabab militants. Immediately after the agreement was reached, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Uganda to attend the graduation of newly trained soldiers. Somalias national security adviser Hussein Sheikh-Ali confirmed to VOA in January that the government is training 3,000 soldiers in Uganda. Ali also recently confirmed that troops from neighboring countries will participate in the next phase of military operations against al-Shabab. Gutale told VOA that the new offensive will commence during Islams holiest month, Ramadan, which starts this Wednesday. There is a rigorous preparation by the Somali national armed forces and all other forces for large operations during Ramadan, he said. God willing, we hope Somali forces will achieve [a] big victory. Brazilian federal agents aboard three helicopters descended on an illegal mining site on Tuesday in the Amazon rainforest. They were met with gunfire, and the shooters escaped, leaving behind an increasingly familiar find for authorities: Starlink internet units. Starlink, a division of Elon Musk's SpaceX, has almost 4,000 low-orbit satellites across the skies, connecting people in remote corners of the Amazon and providing a crucial advantage to Ukrainian forces on the battlefield. The lightweight, high-speed internet system has also proved a new and valuable tool for Brazil's illegal miners, with reliable service for coordinating logistics, receiving advance warning of law enforcement raids and making payments without flying back to the city. Agents from the Brazilian environment agency's special inspection group and the federal highway police rapid response group on Tuesday found one Starlink terminal up and running next to a pit, an officer who participated in the raid told The Associated Press. He spoke on condition of anonymity over concerns for his personal safety. They also seized mercury, gold and ammunition, and destroyed fuel and other equipment used by miners in an area known as Ouro Mil, controlled by Brazils most feared criminal organization, known as the First Command of the Capital, according to federal investigations. Since taking office this year, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sought to crack down on environmental violations, particularly illegal mining in Yanomami land, Brazil's largest Indigenous territory. In recent years, an estimated 20,000 prospectors contaminated vital waterways with mercury used to separate gold. They have disrupted traditional Indigenous life, brought disease and caused widespread famine. The environment agency, known as Ibama, has seized seven Starlink terminals in Yanomami land over the past five weeks, the agency's press office said. Illegal miners have long used satellite internet to communicate and coordinate, but until now that entailed sending a technician, usually by plane, to install a heavy, fixed antenna that cannot be carried off when mining sites move or are raided. And the connection was slow and unstable, especially on rainy days. Starlink which first became available in Brazil last year and has spread rapidly solved those problems. Installation is do-it-yourself, the equipment works even on the move, speed is as fast as in Brazils large cities and it works during storms. Starlink has long viewed the Amazon as an opportunity. That was underscored by Musk's visit to Brazil last May, when he met with then-President Jair Bolsonaro. "Super excited to be in Brazil for launch of Starlink for 19,000 unconnected schools in rural areas & environmental monitoring of Amazon," Musk tweeted at the time. That project with the government hasn't advanced, however. SpaceX and the communications ministry haven't signed any contract, and only three terminals were installed in Amazon schools for a 12-month trial period, the ministry's press office said in an emailed response to questions. Nevertheless, Starlink has taken off in the region and begun ushering in change. In Atalaia do Norte, on the western reaches of the Brazilian Amazon near the borders with Peru and Colombia, Rubeney de Castro Alves installed Starlink at his hotel in December. Now, he can make bank transfers and conduct video calls. He even started bingeing Netflix. "There are so many new things to watch that I'm not even sleeping," Alves said, chuckling. His son once flew all the way to Manaus, the state capital 1,140 kilometers (708 miles) away, just to negotiate with a group of tourists via conference call. Today, internet at his 11-room hotel in Atalaia do Norte is more reliable than in Manaus, and he bought a second terminal for his tour boat to enable communications on its 10-day voyages, Alves said. With high demand for internet, dozens of the riverside town's 21,000 residents flock to Alves' hotel each day. Its balcony is a meeting point for teenagers who spend hours playing online games on their phones. "It made a revolution in our city," Alves said. A world away, in Ukraine, Starlink has yielded advantages on the battlefield in its war with Russia. Ukraine has received some 24,000 Starlink terminals that allow continued internet in the most vulnerable regions of the southeast even amid ongoing Russian shelling. In large Ukrainian cities, authorities have set up "points of resilience" that offer free internet along with hot beverages. The benefits of connectivity were immediately apparent to bad actors in the Amazon, Hugo Loss, operations coordinator for Brazils environment agency, told the AP in a phone interview. "This technology is extremely fast and really improves the ability to manage an illegal mine," Loss said. "You can manage hundreds of mining sites without ever setting foot in one." Another official with the environment agency told AP it is just beginning to expel miners from the Yanomami territory and the spread of Starlink has complicated that mission. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of concerns about personal safety. An unauthorized reseller of Starlink in Boa Vista, the gateway for travel into Yanomami territory, has been marketing the units in a WhatsApp group for illegal miners and promising same-day delivery. Her price for a terminal is $1,600 six times what Alves pays for service at his little hotel in Atalaia do Norte. Others are selling the Starlink terminals on Facebook groups for illegal miners, like one called "Fanatics for Prospecting." As lawbreakers have gained access to superior internet service, authorities have started using Starlink themselves. Federal agents installed a terminal at a new checkpoint on the Uraricoera River an important corridor for miners entering Yanomami territory. The official who informed the AP about the Tuesday raid used Starlink to send photos and even heavy video files of their operation. Brazil's environment agency told the AP via email that it, along with other federal bodies, is studying how to block Starlink's signal in illegal mining areas, calling it crucial to stopping the activity. The AP emailed James Gleeson, SpaceX's Communications Director, questions about Starlink's presence in Brazil and its use by illegal miners in remote areas, but received no response. Three senior U.S. security officials held a video call with a group of their Ukrainian counterparts to discuss military aid to Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's chief of staff said Saturday. "We discussed the further provision of necessary assistance to our country, in particular vehicles, weapons and ammunition," Andriy Yermak wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Yermak said he, Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, top general Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, and several other senior commanders and officials had attended the meeting Friday. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, top military commander Mark Milley, and the White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan represented the other side. The Ukrainian officials provided an update on battlefield conditions and expressed appreciation for the continued provision of U.S. security assistance, according to a White House statement released Friday. Yermak did not give details of specific requests to the U.S. side. The meeting took place as Kyiv seeks to gather sufficient supplies of arms from its Western backers, of which the U.S. has been the most significant, to mount a counter-offensive and try to take back territory captured by Moscow last year. Yermak added that Zelenskyy had joined the meeting at the end to give his views on the liberation of Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia since its invasion nearly 13 months ago. "We briefed our allies in detail about the current situation at the front, combat operations in the most difficult areas, as well as the urgent needs of the Ukrainian army," Yermak said. Ukrainian forces continued Friday to withstand Russian assaults on the ruined city of Bakhmut, the focal point for eight months of Russian attempts to advance through the industrial Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine bordering Russia. Visitors to the Giza Plateau can now finally enjoy an unobstructed view of the entire southern angle of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, after the Khufu Boat Museum that had blocked the view for decades was removed. The museum was built and inaugurated at the site in 1982 on the location where the first Khufu boat was discovered in 1954 at the southern side of the Great Pyramid. The museum had distorted the aesthetic view of the Great Pyramid for decades, the only surviving example of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquites (SCA), explained that the museum was demolished, not only because it distorted the panoramic view of the pyramid, but because it had become redundant after the boat that was exhibited inside had been moved to a new, state-of-the-art display inside the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) last year. In August 2021, the work team from SCA and GEM carried out a complex three-day operation to move the boat to its new resting location after nearly a year of preparation. Waziri described the boat as one of the largest, oldest and most important wooden antiquities in human history, and that its new location would display it in a manner commensurate with its historical and archaeological importance. The previous museum was not equipped to house the boat, whose organic structure soon began to decay after being unearthed. Search Keywords: Short link: Britain's interior minister arrived in Rwanda Saturday for a visit aimed at reinforcing the United Kingdom government's commitment to a controversial plan to deport some asylum-seekers to the African country. Ahead of her visit, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said the migration policy will act as a powerful deterrent against dangerous and illegal journeys. Britain's Conservative government wants to stop migrants from reaching the U.K. on risky journeys across the English Channel, and a deportation agreement signed with Rwanda last year was part of measures intended to deter the arrivals. More than 45,000 people arrived in Britain by boat in 2022, compared with 8,500 in 2020. Under the plans, some migrants who arrive in the U.K. in small boats would be flown to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed. Those granted asylum would stay in the African country rather than return to Britain. But the 140 million-pound ($170 million) plan has been mired in legal challenges, and no one has yet been sent to Rwanda. The U.K. was forced to cancel the first deportation flight at the last minute in June after the European Court of Human Rights ruled the plan carried a real risk of irreversible harm. Human rights groups cite Rwanda's poor human rights record, and argue it is inhumane to send people more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) to a country they dont want to live in. Earlier this week, a group of asylum-seekers from countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria were granted permission to launch court appeals against the British government's decision to relocate them. Defending the plan, Braverman said it will support people to rebuild their lives in a new country as well as boost Rwanda's economy through investments in jobs and skills. She is expected to meet President Paul Kagame and her counterpart, Vincent Biruta, to discuss details of the deportation agreement. Sonya Sceats, chief executive at the nonprofit Freedom from Torture, described the policy as a cash-for-humans" plan. Rather than pushing through this inhumane and unworkable policy, ministers should focus on establishing safe routes to the U.K. and tackling the unacceptable backlog of asylum claims, so people fleeing war and persecution can rebuild their lives with dignity," she said. Britain's government said Sunday that it could start deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda in the next few months but only if U.K. courts rule that the controversial policy is legal. The Home Office said it was aiming to start flights "before the summer," as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited the east African country to reinforce the Conservative government's commitment to the plan. In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, she met with President Paul Kagame and Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, visited accommodations intended to house deportees from the U.K. and laid a brick at another housing development for migrants. The project is expected to build more than 1,000 houses. "I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing firsthand the rich opportunities this country can provide to relocated people through our partnership," Braverman said. Biruta said Rwanda would offer migrants "the opportunity to build new lives in a safe, secure place through accommodation, education and vocational training." Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told reporters the country is ready to receive thousands of migrants from the U.K., saying she doesn't consider living in Rwanda "a punishment." She said Rwanda is determined to make the agreement a success. The U.K. and Rwanda struck a deal almost a year ago under which some migrants who arrive in the U.K. in small boats would be flown to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed. Those granted asylum would stay in Rwanda rather than return to Britain. The U.K. government argues the policy will smash the business model of people-smuggling gangs and deter migrants from taking risky journeys across the English Channel. More than 45,000 people arrived in Britain by boat in 2022, compared with 8,500 in 2020. But the 140 million-pound ($170 million) plan is mired in legal challenges, and no one has yet been sent to Rwanda. In December, the High Court ruled the policy was legal, but a group of asylum-seekers from countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria has been granted permission to appeal. Human rights groups cite Rwanda's poor human rights record, and argue it's inhumane to send people more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) to a country they don't want to live in. The government also has drafted legislation barring anyone who arrives in the U.K. in small boats or by other unauthorized means from applying for asylum. If passed by Parliament, the Illegal Migration Bill would compel the government to detain all such arrivals and deport them to their homeland or a "safe third country" such as Rwanda. The U.N. refugee agency says the law breaches U.K. commitments under the international refugee convention. Braverman faces criticism for inviting only selected media on her taxpayer-funded trip to Rwanda. Journalists from right-leaning outlets including The Times and The Telegraph newspapers and television channel GB News were invited, while the BBC and the left-leaning Guardian newspaper weren't. The Kremlin says that Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the Russian-occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol after a stopover in the Crimean Peninsula to mark the ninth anniversary of Moscows illegal annexation of the territory in 2014. The Russian leader arrived late Saturday in Mariupol, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, with video footage showing Putin chatting with residents after earlier visiting an art school and a childrens center in Crimea. The visits came after the International Criminal Court Friday issued a warrant for Putins arrest on war crimes charges for Russias seizure of Ukrainian children during the midst of its 13-month invasion. Putin has not commented on the charges and the Kremlin has called the allegations legally null and void. SEE ALSO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded Russias withdrawal from Crimea and all areas it has occupied in the eastern regions of Ukraine, but the ground war in Ukraines eastern regions has to a large degree stalemated, with neither side gaining much territory. Putins visit to war-torn Ukraine was his first since the February 2022 invasion. Numerous Western leaders supporting Ukraine, including U.S. President Joe Biden, have visited Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital that Putin tried and failed to capture in the earliest weeks of the war. Mariupol was one of the centers of fighting in the first months of the war, although when Russia took full control last May, only about 100,000 residents remained of the citys prewar population of 450,000. Russian news reports said Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the city's "memorial sites," concert hall and coastline. The state Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday showed Putin chatting with residents outside what appeared to be a newly built residential complex and being shown around one of the apartments. Peskov said Putin, after leaving Mariupol, met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city about 180 kilometers farther east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the leader of Russian military operations in Ukraine. On Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told the RIA state news agency that Russia plans to stay in Mariupol, saying the government hopes to finish the reconstruction of its bombed-out downtown by the end of 2023. "People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is underway, people started actively returning," Khusnullin told RIA. Mariupol's plight first drew the worlds attention with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital March 9, 2022, less than two weeks after Russian troops moved into Ukraine. A week later, about 300 people, and possibly hundreds more, were reported killed in the bombing of a theater that was serving as the city's largest bomb shelter. A small contingent of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steel works in eastern Mariupol before surrendering. But their defense of the steel plant was an early indication that Ukrainian forces would not willingly capitulate to the Russian invasion. Putins visit to Ukraine came just ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinpings trip to Moscow. Hes scheduled to arrive Monday for talks about the war and other global issues. SEE ALSO: China has cast itself as trying to broker negotiations to end the war and contended that Ukraines internationally recognized territorial boundaries should be respected. But Beijing has not denounced Russias invasion. Meanwhile, Britains Defense Ministry said Sunday in its daily intelligence update on Russias invasion that the quiet declaration of an alternative capital for the Zaporizhzhia Oblast is likely [a] tacit acknowledgement within the Russian system that its forces are highly unlikely to seize previously planned major objectives in the near future. Russian officials published a decree March 3 declaring Melitopol as the Zaporizhzhia oblast capital. It was designed as a temporary measure, the ministry said, until the city of Zaporizhzhia is controlled by Russia. However, Russia has never occupied the city of Zaporizhzhia, which is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the current front line. Putin claimed in September to have annexed four oblasts, including Zaporizhzhia, as part of the Russian Federation. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. 14 Day Order to "Stay at Home" and limit movements outside of their homes (file photo) An image of the front entrances of Alexandria Area High School, which opened for students in September, 2014. User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale Contribute: Leave a comment if you find a particular report interesting or want to add to it. Flag as inappropriate. Mark as helpful or interesting. Send your own user report! Translate Soldotna (106.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s Heard the house move before I felt it. Sofa shook and television started to tilt. Pets woke up immediately. | 13 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 5-10 s Soldotna (105.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : I was playing games and my buddy told me theres an earthquake happening right now. I was like no quit joking around and seconds later it hit and the whole house was shaking. | 11 users found this interesting. Alaska City, Anchorage (208.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating My closet mirror sliding doors started rattling along with anything touching a wall. My bed was shaking for about 5-10 seconds. Nothing fell over though | 10 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating Diamond Ridge, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (23 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 5-10 s : Strong shaking. The whole house was shaking and my bed along with it. I counted the seconds. The shaking started to slow down to about 10 seconds. I've been in bigger shakes but in this house in Homer, which is up on pylons, shook stronger and more longer than it has before. | 8 users found this interesting. Soldotna, AK (111.3 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Shaking while still in bed | 8 users found this interesting. Anchorage (207 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 5-10 s : In bed in Anchorage hotel room. It felt like someone was shaking the bed at first. I thought it might be vibration from the elevator through the wall. But it was too rhythmic and lasted for several seconds. Like waves of water gently rocking me. I could feel the give and pull of the building and thats when I realized it had to be an earthquake. | 6 users found this interesting. Homer, AK (24.1 km E of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : In the e kitchen. Things fell of shelves. | 7 users found this interesting. Kenai, Alaska (115.1 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : Laying in bed | 7 users found this interesting. Anchor point, ak / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 20-30 s We felt a large jolt. Usually don't feel anything under a 6 or above but this one jolted me and family awake and then continued with Light shaking after the initial jolt, for a several seconds. | 6 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / single vertical bump / 20-30 s Kasilof, Alaska (87.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 30-60 s : Sitting on couch, rumbling start, got more intense, room started moving and shaking, heavy rocking chair started to kind, room started moving. Got slight vertigo from movement. Dogs started barking. | 5 users found this interesting. Diamond Ridge, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (19.7 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s Woke everyone. All the dogs. Nothing fell no cracks. | 6 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vibration and rolling / 15-20 s Kasilof (85.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : In bed thinking about getting up and the bed shook slightly. | 6 users found this interesting. Nikiski / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 20-30 s : Started off as light shaking then turned a little more intense. I was awake my husband was sleeping and it woke him. | 5 users found this interesting. Homer, AK (39.4 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s : My apt. started creaking, blinds hitting against the patio doors, coffee in my cup moving back & forth. Nothing fell off the walls. Could have been much worse. | 4 users found this interesting. 6 miles up Oilwell Road in Ninilchik (49 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / complex motion difficult to describe / 30-60 s : My bed rocked badly - in retrospect it felt like I was on rough seas! | 5 users found this interesting. Eagle River, AK (227.6 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Mild vibration/shaking | 5 users found this interesting. Diamond Ridge, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska (16.9 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s Woke us up from deep sleep | 4 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 30-60 s soldotna (105.8 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / 10-15 s : sitting using my pc | 3 users found this interesting. 135 s Leibrock Street Soldotna / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s : Started with vibration and then shaking and rattling Acted like was going to stop and then started again | 2 users found this interesting. Nikolaevsk, AK (27.3 km NE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / rattling, vibrating / 10-15 s : Mild to moderate shaking for a few seconds then a very strong shake followed by a few more seconds of moderate to mild shaking. We tend to sleep through these events. This one shook us all awake. | One user found this interesting. 379 s (108.7 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / rattling, vibrating / 1-2 minutes : Woke me up from dead sleep ???? Scared me for a second but got me good for a minute for sure | 2 users found this interesting. Chugiak (236.5 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / very short : Single small bump | 2 users found this interesting. Moose Pass, AK (155.6 km ENE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Woke us up with the shaking | 2 users found this interesting. Kenai, Alaska (107.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Light to moderate shake | 2 users found this interesting. Soldotna, AK (117.2 km NNE of epicenter) [ Map ] / Light shaking (MMI IV) : Lying in bed, whole house shook for about 10 seconds (growing in intensity). | 2 users found this interesting. Anchorage / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : 2 light waves | 2 users found this interesting. Home seward ak / Very weak shaking (MMI II) : Bed shook, walls and floors. On the second floor | 2 users found this interesting. Anchor Point, AK / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / vertical swinging (up and down) / 2-5 s : My family was asleep and our beds lifted and shook. It woke us up from a deep sleep. | 2 users found this interesting. Tudor and Boniface / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Rattling and light, but rapid, shaking. | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through (reported through our app / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s Soldotna ak / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : Bed shook and made noise for three seconds. Continued light movement for another four seconds. | 2 users found this interesting. Homer / Light shaking (MMI IV) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / 15-20 s : I was asleep, it shook the building ,, The Butler | 2 users found this interesting. North Korean citizens are signing up in droves to join the military. While men are mandatorily required to serve in the army for 10 years and women for 3 years, a wave of voluntary enlistment is being witnessed. According to observers, this phenomenon is occurring both in cities and in rural areas. On 17 March, 800,000 citizens turned up at army recruiting centers. The 25 million people living in North Korea continue to feel threatened by the United States, 73 years after the aggression against their country began. Technically, the Korean War (1950-1953) has not ended since the warring parties never signed a formal peace treaty. The United States is currently engaged in major military maneuvers with South Korea, while the latter is sealing an alliance with Japan, the hereditary enemy of all Koreans. According to the Labor Party, Washington is also trying to prevent North Korea from importing cereals. Last month, a vast food production program was put in place in an effort to forestall another famine like the one in the 1960s, which was intentionally exacerbated by Western powers. The Pharaoh Khufus second boat is to regain its original look after more than 4,500 years buried beneath the sands, writes Nevine El-Aref After its discovery along with the first in 1954 by late Egyptian architect and archaeologist Kamal Al-Malak and fellow archaeologist Zaki Nour during routine cleaning on the southern side of the Great Pyramid of Khufu on the Pyramids Plateau, Kuufus second boat remained sealed within its pit until 1987 when the US National Geographic Society examined it in association with the Egyptian Office for Historical Monuments. The team penetrated the limestone ceiling of the pit and inserted a tiny camera within to ascertain the boats status, then sealing the pit again. Unfortunately, the hole that was made then leaked air into the pit, allowing insects to thrive and damage to take place to some parts of the boats wooden beams. In collaboration with the Japanese government, a Japanese scientific and archaeological team from Waseda University then offered a grant of $10 million to lift the boat out of the pit, restore, and reassemble it. A joint Egyptian-Japanese team started the work and completed the first phase when a collection of 1,698 wooden beams was lifted out from 13 layers found inside the pit. First-aid restoration was carried out on them, and they were transferred together with other parts of the boat to the conservation centre of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) for restoration. Late last week, the second phase of the project was launched to reassemble the boat to its original design and display it beside its twin at the Khufu Boats Museum established at the GEM to be its new permanent home. This phase will include the restoration of the beams and the reassembly of the boat to its original appearance in ancient times. To enhance the visitor experience at the GEM after its opening, the reassembling of the boat will be carried out by the Japanese-Egyptian restorers live at its display location at the museum, Al-Tayeb Abbas, assistant to the minister of tourism and antiquities for GEM archaeological affairs, told Al-Ahram Weekly, adding that the work would take almost four years of hard and accurate restoration. It is exceptional and challenging work, said Atef Moftah, GEM supervisor-general, during the launch ceremony held late last week at the museum. Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, a former minister of antiquities, expressed his enthusiasm and pride in the project, saying that it was started as early as 1992 and highlighting the work carried out to lift the boats cedar beams out of the pit and restore it and transfer it to the GEM to be put on display beside its sister, the first boat, which was transferred to the GEM in 2021. Sakuji Yoshimura, head of Higashi University in Japan, said that the Egyptian-Japanese team was working hard on the project, considering it to be a special gift to humanity. Eissa Zidan, director of the restoration and transfer of antiquities at the GEM, said that the first phase of the project started in 2008, when the Egyptian-Japanese archaeological team assessed the area surrounding the Second Boat pit with the use of topographical radar surveys. A large hangar was built over the pit, with a smaller hangar erected inside to cover the top of the boat itself. The hangars were especially designed to protect the wooden remains during the projects analysis and treatment phases. A laser-scanning survey also documented the area, particularly the wall between the Great Pyramid and the pit. Zidan said that a collection of 41 stone blocks that had covered the pit containing Khufus second boat for the last 4,500 years was also removed. The team lifted out 1,698 wooden beams from the 13 layers inside the pit. All were restored in situ and documented and damaged ones were consolidated and given first-aid treatment, he said. The assembly will be featured on the tour of the GEM, allowing visitors to admire the boat and watch the restoration work carried out live before them. Khufus boats are the largest ancient royal vessels ever found in Egypt and among the oldest planked vessels in the world. They were built for king Khufu, the second Pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of ancient Egypts Old Kingdom. The First Boat was uncovered inside a pit found under a roof of 41 limestone slabs. Removing one of these slabs, a cedar boat, completely dismantled but arranged in the semblance of its finished form, was found along with layers of mats, ropes, instruments made of flint, and some small pieces of white plaster with 12 oars, 58 poles, three cylindrical columns and five doors. The boat was removed to a nearby warehouse where master restorer Ahmed Youssef spent more than 20 years reassembling it. It was then put on display at a museum bearing its name on the Giza Plateau near to the Great Pyramid. It has since been removed to its new permanent location at the GEM. To begin his work, Youssef had to conduct a meticulous study, looking at drawings sculpted on ancient Egyptian walls and tombs as well as at the construction techniques of modern boats used at the time. Based on his research, he took almost 14 years to solve the puzzle, and piece by piece he succeeded in reconstructing the boat. The discovery of the boat created debate among scholars, as some Egyptologists see it as a Solar Barque, a boat to carry the dead king of Egypt, resurrected and floating with the deity of the Sun god Re, on his eternal journey across the sky. Others propose that it was a pilgrimage boat used by Khufu during his lifetime. Archaeologists who investigated the remains found evidence of rope markings clearly showing that the boat had been used on water. *A version of this article appears in print in the 8 September, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly. Search Keywords: Short link: Comment on this story Comment Gift Article Share Its hardly surprising that the year after a war on Europes borders cut off its largest source of natural gas, Brussels should be looking to armor-plate its supply chain for green technologies. The numbers look stark. In 2021, the European Union got about 42% of its imported gas from Russia. It depended on China for 64% of its wind turbine imports, 89% of its solar panels, and 43% of its electric cars. Beijing is even more dominant in raw materials for the energy transition, with more than 75% of the worlds production capacity for lithium-ion batteries, according to BloombergNEF. Put that way, the Net Zero Industry Act announced Thursday looks like a straightforward effort to guarantee energy security in line with measures already under way in the US and China. The European Commission hopes the legislation will ensure a 40% local share for key green technologies by 2030. Advertisement The policy, however, is based on a profound misreading of the way commodities and machinery are used in the production of energy. Paradoxically, it may leave the EU more vulnerable in the event of conflict than it would be otherwise. Europes own history of using raw materials as a weapon during wartime ought to demonstrate the fallacy of its decision-making now. One way we categorize the materials used in modern society is to divide them into durable goods and consumables. Durable goods, such as cars and refrigerators, are bought once and used again and again over a span of a decade or more. Consumables, such as gasoline and milk, are purchased every few weeks: To use them is to destroy them, so we need to constantly refill our supplies. You can make a broad distinction between commodities on the same basis. Food, fertilizers and fuels are consumables, while most metals and machinery resemble durable goods. Advertisement That divide has important national security implications. If youre dependent on imports for your supply of consumables, foreign nations can bring your economy to a standstill by blocking trade routes. Consumables need to be continually restocked. During World War I, the Allies brought Germany to the brink of famine by cutting off its supplies of nitrate fertilizer, which at that point largely came from deposits of bird droppings around the coastlines of the Pacific ocean. With durable goods its a lot harder. If the US, Japan and South Korea stopped exporting cars to the EU tomorrow, most people would barely notice. Annual imports amount to just 3 million or so in a passenger car fleet that numbers more than 250 million. During World War II, the US and UK held scrap drives to recycle steel and rubber from domestic vehicles and household goods for armaments factories. The same allies predicted that Nazi Germany would be brought quickly to its knees because of its dependence on imported metals. In practice, thrift and substitution meant that metals shortages werent a serious issue for Berlin at any point. Thats why restrictions on imports of renewable machinery are misconceived. The 146.7 billion cubic meters of gas that flowed from Russian pipelines into Europe in 2021 is gone for the foreseeable future, meaning the continent had to find immediate alternatives to supply the roughly 775 terawatt-hours of electricity you could generate from it.(1)The 255 gigawatts of wind turbines that were installed at the end of 2022, however, will generate 558 TWh or so of electricity year in, year out, regardless of the state of geopolitics. China cant cut off Europes supplies of wind. Advertisement What the measures do achieve is to slow the pace of renewable transition, by forcing up costs for renewable developers and electric-vehicle buyers in an attempt to protect sub-scale European green-energy manufacturing industries. That is likely to make the regions energy security weaker, rather than stronger. Europe depends on fuel imports for more than half of its power supply, with domestic reserves providing just 13% of gas, 3% of oil and 60% of coal. Its also highly dependent on Russian uranium and nuclear fuel to supply its reactors, particularly in parts of the east where plants are based on Soviet designs. Reducing that dependency by moving to domestically-produced renewable power will help the EU in energy-security terms almost as much as it will in climate terms. With costs for most renewable technologies more competitive than ever, its misguided regulatory policy of this sort thats most likely to slow the decarbonization of our economies. Europe is following the US and China in returning to the failed dirigiste economic policies of the past, when it should be embracing the technology of the future. Advertisement More From Bloomberg Opinion: Your Local Solar Panel Plant May Be Holding Back Net Zero: David Fickling Coals False Comeback Flashes a Warning Signal on Climate: Lara Williams Go Ahead, America, Give European Companies Billions: Chris Bryant (1) Based on the assumption that all gas is burned for an electrical turbine with 60% thermal efficiency. In practice, much of it is burned for heat in homes or factories. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. David Fickling is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. Previously, he worked for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. GiftOutline Gift Article Department of Data Analysis Whos coming to America post-pandemic? And does the age at which we decide to abandon homeownership have anything to do with shoveling snow? About 100 metres off the point between Tamarama and Bondi Beach, beneath a light cloud of tawny-coloured jelly-blubbers and a thick shoal of yellowtail scad, two grey nurse sharks sheltered under a rock overhang on Saturday morning. They were oblivious to the free-divers struggling to hold their breath long enough to take clear photos of them 10 metres beneath the swell. Two young grey nurse sharks amid a school of fish 10 metres underwater off the headland at South Bondi on Saturday. Credit: Duncan Heuer & Edwina Pickles The sharks were young, both smaller than two metres long, and presented no threat despite the fierce-looking teeth that once led them to be killed on sight. So many were killed, and their breeding cycle so slow, that the timid creatures are now critically endangered in NSW. More than 3.6 million Australians have failed to return their bowel cancer early detection test kits, as experts warn the nation has reported the most severe drop in a decade of people using the preventative screening tool. Recent figures released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed more than 6 million Australians, aged between 50 and 74, were sent a kit to screen for the disease themselves at home, but less than 2.5 million, or roughly 41 per cent, returned the test. Helen Page-Wood says a bowel cancer home kit saved her life. She was left gobsmacked when her test came back positive for colon cancer. Credit: Joe Armao Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance executive director Professor Grant McArthur said even a tiny decline in people undertaking preventative screening can have significant implications on the number of Australians that may end up dying or becoming seriously ill from bowel cancer. A small percentage change in screening still affects a very large number of people, for a very common cancer like bowel cancer, that often develops without warning signs, McArthur said. Saudi Arabia could start making investments in Iran "very quickly" after they agreed to restore diplomatic ties, the Saudi finance minister said on Wednesday, despite sweeping US sanctions against the Islamic republic. Mohammed Al-Jadaan said there were "a lot of opportunities" in Iran and that he couldn't see any reason to prevent investments taking place between the two Gulf heavyweights. "I would say quickly," he told the Financial Sector Conference in Riyadh, when asked how soon Saudi Arabia could start making "significant" investments in Iran. "When people really stick to the principles of what was agreed, I think that that could happen very quickly." The positive sentiment comes after Riyadh and Tehran announced, March 10, that after seven years of severed ties, they would reopen embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation agreements signed more than 20 years ago. The oil-rich rivals, who are on opposing sides in conflicts across the Middle East, severed relations in 2016 after Saudi's execution of a Shia cleric triggered violent protests. Iran has been under renewed US sanctions since then president Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear agreement between Tehran and major powers in 2018. Saudi Arabia, a longtime US ally, has said it supports the sanctions, which target key areas, including oil. But Al-Jadaan said: "There is no reason for (investments) not to happen. I mean, Iran is our neighbour and has been and will continue to be for hundreds of years. "So I don't see any issue that would prevent the normalisation of the relationship across investments... as long as we stick to the agreement, you know, respecting sovereign rights, not interfering in other affairs." He added: "I think that there are a lot of opportunities in Iran, and we provide a lot of opportunities for them." Search Keywords: Short link: A West Australian man has been charged with 22 offences after a haul of 19 weapons was seized at a unit in Karrinyup, in Perths north. The cache of weapons included Tasers, gel blasters, axes, machetes, knives and ammunition. Reports of a man acting aggressively with a Taser in a Karrinyup shopping centre two weeks ago led to the discovery. Scarborough Police managed to locate the man using information provided to them by members of the public. Doctors will be able to receive an official endorsement in cosmetic surgery from the Medical Board of Australia despite not undertaking the training that would make them proper surgeons, after the countrys health ministers agreed to create a special category in an attempt to regulate the controversial industry. The move has alarmed the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the body in charge of surgical training and qualifications, as well as several other plastic surgery and nurses groups, who say it will give a green light for practitioners to conduct invasive surgery without the proper safeguards and put patients at risk. Health ministers have agreed to create an official endorsement in cosmetic surgery classification. Credit: iStock State and federal health ministers last year flagged urgent action to improve the safety of the $1.4 billion cosmetic surgery industry and make it safer for the public. It followed a 2022 investigation by the Herald, The Age and 60 Minutes which revealed dozens of patients were left permanently disfigured and in pain, and hundreds of others were left scarred by improperly trained doctors. They made changes in December that will ban doctors without suitable qualifications from calling themselves cosmetic surgeons as well as restrict their use of patient testimonials decisions that were welcomed by the health sector. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Thursday that Iran has agreed to halt covert weapons shipments to its Houthi allies in Yemen as part of a China-brokered deal to re-establish diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia. The newspaper quoted US and Saudi officials as saying that the move could inject new momentum into efforts to end one of the regions longest-running civil wars. If Tehran does stop arming the Houthis, it could put pressure on the militant group to reach a deal to end the conflict, the US and Saudi officials explained. The WSJ, however, reported that the Iranian delegation to the United Nations declined to comment when asked whether Tehran would suspend arms shipments. Soon after exploding in 2014, Yemen's conflict turned into a proxy war between Saudi Arabia, which led a military coalition backing Yemens internationally recognized government, and Iran, which has aided the countrys Houthi rebels. Iran has long been accused by western governments and U.N. experts of providing weapons to the Houthis. Western militaries have repeatedly intercepted Yemen-bound ships carrying Iranian weapons in the Red Sea. Tehran has denied the accusations of arming the Houthis. Search Keywords: Short link: If you know of local business openings or closings, please notify us here. PREVIOUS OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS - Air Products & Chemicals Inc. plans to invest a half-billion dollars to produce environmentally friendly hydrogen in New York state. - The Trexlertown Chick-Fil-A plans to add a second drive-thru lane as part of a plan to reduce traffic congestion. - The Harrisburg-based Mid Penn bank has opened its first full-service branch in the Lehigh Valley in South Whitehall. - The Allentown Planning Commission put off a decision on a new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen at the site of the former Nostos Greek restaurant. - The former Star Crete concrete plant at the intersection of Farmersville Road and Easton Avenue has been sold for $1.58 million, and that may clear the way for a medical office building. - The local business SuperSets Gym will open its third location in Allentown's South Mall, with no opening date set yet. - The jewelry boutique Versant will close later this year, but the business will be consolidated at Gary Werkheiser's other location in Saucon Valley Square. - The DSW Woodmill Commons has moved to Berkshire West, 1101 Woodland Road in Wyomissing. - Trainer Michael Melendez has opened his new Reading Extreme Boxing Club where PacSun used to operate in the Berkshire Mall. - Frackville NAPA Auto Parts held a grand opening with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Frackville Business & Professional Association. - Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers in North Manheim Township held a grand opening, in conjunction with the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Pottsville Business Association. - PDC Machines, a maker of hydrogen compressors, showed off a new plant in Lower Salford. - Maya Capital Partners has acquired Amwell Valley Self Storage, a 265-unit storage business on Route 31 in Ringoes, New Jersey. - Norwescap is buying the former Sullivan's on the Main restaurant in Phillipsburg to renovate the building and then use it for programs to help educate and feed people. Today A shower lingering early; otherwise, morning clouds break for some afternoon sun. Brisk and cooler as temperatures take another step back closer to seasonable levels. Tonight Partly cloudy and breezy. Tomorrow Clouds and some sun, breezy and chilly; there might be a stray shower around mainly north and west. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Inside First Presbyterian Church in Allentown, Sandra and Mike Moses received assistance from the American Red Cross. The two had been inside their Trexler Park apartment early Friday morning when a three-alarm fire broke out above them. "You know 1:30 in the morning you don't expect someone knocking on your door to get out, the building is on fire," said Mike Moses. He said they made it outside and he looked up at the building. "I went outside and was like whoa it's like a movie. In about 10 minutes there had to be about 20-30 Allentown firefighters there," said Moses. Officials say 65 people were impacted. They tell us once a main electrical power line that was damaged is fixed, most people will be able to return to their apartments. "Due to the number of people affected, the number of families affected, the decision was made that we would open a shelter," said Bill Slotter, American Red Cross disaster action team manager. The American Red Cross said it is providing immediate assistance with things like financial assistance. Moses tells us they have been given names and numbers of people to contact who can provide help as well. "They know what you're going through and they know where to put you," said Moses. A fire captain said neighboring apartments sustained water damage. We are told no injuries have been reported. "You know, we're lucky it could've been a lot worse," said Moses. NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Horsham Police Chief Scott Fida have announced an investigation into a shooting in a cemetery that left Daniel Elijah Hawkins, 29, of Philadelphia dead and another man seriously injured. Horsham Police were dispatched at 3:04 p.m. to the Whitemarsh Memorial Park for a call of shots fired. Police arrived to find Hawkins dead and Arian Davis, 33, of Philadelphia seriously injured. Davis was transported to Abington Hospital and is being treated for injuries to his jaw, hand and leg. Detectives processing the scene found that more than 30 shots had been fired. A joint investigation into the death has been launched by Montgomery County Detectives and Horsham Police. The initial investigation found that a large group of people were at a birthday celebration in the cemetery at the grave of Tyrek Fairel, who was shot and killed in 2013 in Norristown. Gunfire broke out within the group, killing Hawkins and injuring Davis. Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact the Horsham Police Department at 215-643-8284 or call Montgomery County Detectives at 610-226-5553. The United Arab Emirates' national security adviser held talks Thursday in Abu Dhabi with his Iranian counterpart, whose visit to the UAE comes days after a surprise rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a brother of the UAE's president, received Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, the official WAM news agency said. The two officials discussed "bilateral relations and opportunities to advance them in a way that serves the mutual interests of the two countries," WAM said, without elaborating. Sheikh Tahnoun previously met Shamkhani on a visit to Iran in 2021, the first trip of its kind since relations between the two countries were downgraded in 2016. Shamkhani called his UAE visit "a meaningful beginning for the two countries to enter a new stage of political, economic and security relations," Iran's state news agency IRNA said. His visit came after Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a Chinese-brokered deal on Friday to end a seven-year rupture in diplomatic ties. Shamkhani had travelled to Beijing for intensive talks with his Saudi counterpart ahead of the shock announcement. "We should try to increase the security, peace and well-being of the people of the region through dialogue and interaction... while preventing foreigners from playing a non-constructive role," Shamkhani said during Thursday's meeting with Sheikh Tahnoun, IRNA reported. In 2016, the UAE and other Gulf states scaled back their ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi Arabia's diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadh's execution of prominent Shia Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Despite the diplomatic downgrade, the oil-rich UAE maintained strong economic ties with Iran. Last year, the UAE's ambassador in Tehran resumed his duties after a six-year absence, while in September, Iran's top diplomat Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran wanted to broaden relations with the UAE. Search Keywords: Short link: WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) President Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express "concern over his governments planned overhaul of the countrys judicial system that has sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise. The White House said Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about the measure to roll back the judiciarys insulation from the countrys political system, in a call a senior administration official described as candid and constructive. There was no immediate indication that Netanyahu was shying away from the action, after rejecting a compromise last week offered by the countrys figurehead president. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders' private call, said that Biden spoke to Netanyahu as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found. The White House in statement added that Biden underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles, the statement said. Netanyahu told Biden that Israel will remain, a strong and vibrant democracy, according to the prime minister's office. Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government the countrys most right-wing ever says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting publics will. Critics say it will upend Israels delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and has even embroiled the country's military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty. The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. Biden in the call "reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution, according to the White House. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a yearlong spasm of violence. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks during that time. These include pledges to stop unilateral actions, it said. Israel pledged to stop discussion of new settlement construction for four months, and to stop plans to legalize unauthorized settlement outposts for six months. The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions, the communique said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added. The Biden administration remains concerned about a repeat of the nightly clashes and other violent incidents between Palestinians and Israelis in Jerusalem during Ramadan two years ago. Clashes at the Temple Mount in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo. Madhani reported from Washington. Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed that he will not be attending the upcoming Broadway opening night of his musical Bad Cinderella. Lloyd Webber revealed that his son, Grammy-nominated composer and songwriter Nicholas Lloyd Webber, 43, has been battling gastric cancer for the last year and a half and has now been admitted to hospital. The Bad Cinderella and Jesus Christ Superstar progenitor said that he will remain with his son and family, and that he is "praying that Nick will turn the corner." Bad Cinderella is a rechristened version of his musical Cinderella, first seen in London in mid-2021. Closing in the spring of 2022, it has now moved to New York. You can read the statement in full below: "I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill. "As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised. "I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on opening night this Thursday. "We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family." The Winona Heritage Preservation Commission is seeking grant support to complete its Historic District Guidelines project for the Windom Park Historic District. With Windom Park as the visual focal point of the district, the boundaries of the historic district have been outlined so the majority of residences encircle the park. Running roughly from Wilson Street to Huff Street and West Fifth Street to West Broadway Street, the historic district is Winonas third and most recent district; it was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. The Windom Park Historic District is a collection of 29 properties, of which 23 ... are contributing properties meaning they are found to have historic significance, architectural significance and cultural significance for our community, said Winona City Planner Luke Sims. The district is a few blocks west of the central business district of Winona and five blocks from the Mississippi River. As one of the oldest residential areas in the city, the district hosts many of the citys high-style architecture including Italianate, second empire, Queen Anne, colonial revival and Tudor revival buildings built between 1857 and 1930. During the March 6 Winona City Council meeting, the council approved the Heritage Preservation Commissions request to apply for grant funding to create context-sensitive guidelines for property owners who seek to make exterior alterations to their properties. Ideally, the preservation commission sees this as a collaborative project with Windom Park residents to create standards that are approachable, understandable and applicable. Grant funds would go toward contracting a preservation professional to hold meetings with the Windom Park community and work with historic district property owners, city staff and the preservation commission. The goal is to create guidelines unique to Windom Park and improve the process for property owners. The end goal for this process, specifically, will be to have those guidelines. And to have a clear, approachable, and understandable design process for them, Sims said. Into the future, I think that the end goal is to have a premier residential historic district in southeastern Minnesota. This is a historic district that is already very well documented. Its a historic district that has a very involved community. They want to continue to have great investment in their historic district. Every year the Heritage Preservation Commission prepares a budget memo with proposed future processes. Sims said education and interpretive signs continue to be on the list of potential projects. Another potential for the future is the integrity of setting for the historic district or being able to know youre in a historic place inherently as you enter it. During the National Register nomination process in 2021, only one Windom Park property owner objected to the process. The Winona Heritage Preservation Commission likes to work with property owners as much as possible. We, as city staff, also try to work with property owners before they even get to the point where theyre ready to apply for a certificate of appropriateness so they understand what the guidelines are, what the standards are, and how that process will be applicable to them, said Sims. The preservation commission, every year, prepares an annual report to the city council listing every certificate of appropriateness that they heard. We approve about 99% of them; usually, one or fewer are denied in a year. Its fairly rare that we end up with objectionable proposals or proposals that cant be found workable within the context of the historic district. This process of creating guidelines that are unique and context-sensitive has already been completed for Winonas two other historic districts: the East Second Street Commercial Historic District and the Third Street Commercial Historic District. Sims said hes hopeful the process to create the guidelines will take about a year. The grant application through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant program administered by the Minnesota Historical Society is due in April. With funding released in July, the latter half of the year would be spent on creating the guidelines for city council approval around this time next year. The historic districts are great for tourism. A lot of people come to communities that have historic districts to visit them and to experience the relationship between those buildings and the history that they convey. In Winona, in particular, we have fantastic architectural history, said Sims. Israeli forces shot and killed yet another Palestinian on Friday, adding to the already high number of casualties in the ongoing conflict. This brings the total number of people killed in the conflict this year to 100, with a vast majority of them being Palestinians. The Palestinian health ministry announced the death of Yazan Omar Jamil Khasib, 23, who died "after the occupation (Israel) opened fire on him at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh" city near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli army said, "soldiers spotted a suspect and asked him to identify himself. The suspect drew a knife and approached the forces who responded by opening fire". No military personnel was injured in the incident, it added. In only 76 days, since the start of the year, the Israeli occupation army has claimed the lives of 86 Palestinians, including children. Thirteen Israeli adults including members of the security forces have been killed over the same period, according to an AFP tally based on official sources from both sides. Since the 1967 War, Israel has maintained its occupation of the West Bank and Jerusalem, which has been a source of ongoing conflict. The United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, adopted in 1967, calls for Israel to withdraw from the territories it occupied in this war, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. * This story has been edited by Ahram Online. Search Keywords: Short link: Weather Alert ...Gusty Winds and Elevated Fire Conditions Today, Frost Potential Tonight... Westerly winds will be sustained around 15 to 20 mph today with gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The strongest gusts are expected to be across portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and northwest Kentucky. This may cause small tree limbs to break and loose outdoor objects to be blown around. In addition to the gusty winds, relative humidity values are expected to fall below 25 percent in many areas. This combination will lead to elevated fire weather concerns today. Caution should be used in any outdoor burning. Tonight, winds will decrease, setting the stage for temperatures to fall into the mid to upper 30s across northern portions of southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. This may lead to patchy frost developing, mainly for areas north of the I-64 corridor. A meeting in Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh between high-level political and security officials from Egypt, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and the United States on Sunday will seek to support de-escalation between the Palestine and Israel, said the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement. The five-way meeting aims at backing dialogue between the two sides to work towards ending unilateral actions and escalation, breaking the cycle of violence and achieving calm, the ministry added. According to the statement, this would pave the way for creating an appropriate atmosphere to resume the peace process. Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Authority Hussein Al-Sheikh, who is due to lead the Palestinian delegation, tweeted that the meeting is meant to defend the rights of our Palestinian people to freedom and independence, and to demand an end to this continuous Israeli aggression against us." The Palestinian delegation will participate tomorrow in the Sharm Al-Sheikh meeting, with regional and international presence. To defend the rights of our #Palestinian people to freedom and independence, and to demand an end to this continuous #Israeli aggression against us. Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) March 18, 2023 The upcoming meeting will serve as a follow-up meeting to the Aqaba summit in Jordan in February, according to the ministry. The Jordan meeting, which was attended by high-ranking security officials from the five countries, led to an agreement on a temporary freeze on Israeli settlements, which Tel Aviv later revoked. The Aqaba statement ended with an agreement to establish a joint security committee to examine renewing Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation and another to establish a civilian committee to advance confidence-building economic measures. However, Israeli crackdowns continued in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Since the Aqaba summit, Israel has killed 18 Palestinians and wounded at least 400 others. A total of 100 people have been killed this year amid Israeli violence in the Palestinian lands, with a vast majority of them being Palestinians, according to an AFP tally on Saturday. On Sunday, according to AFP, Islamist group Hamas, which controls the blockaded Gaza Strip, said it "rejects the Sharm El-Sheikh conference and conferences that aim for calm," senior member Mussa Abu Marzouk said in a statement. "Our choice... is to escalate the resistance in the face of the occupation", he added. Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a joint statement reported by AFP that Israel "takes advantage of these security meetings to launch more aggression". The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine also demanded Palestinian representatives leave the talks. Search Keywords: Short link: Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company (SRC), a unit of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), has signed a portfolio purchase agreement with Alrajhi, the worlds largest Islamic bank by mortgage assets and market cap, to refinance over SR5 billion ($1.3 billion) real estate financing portfolio. The deal is the largest of its kind signed in the Saudi banking industry, thus reflecting the ongoing efforts by SRC to actively support further development in the residential real estate finance sector by expanding its refinancing portfolio, and solutions to create a stable secondary real estate market in the kingdom. It was signed by the group's CEO Fabrice Susini and Alrajhi Bank CEO Waleed Abdullah Almogbel in the presence of Majid bin Abdullah Al Hogail, the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing. This is the latest agreement in a series of similarly significant deals to support mortgage financiers and originators in order to broaden Saudi citizens access to more affordable and flexible home financing solutions that suit their needs. Through these agreements, SRC provides liquidity, capital management and balance sheet de-risking solutions to enhance real estate financiers and originators financing capacity which ultimately leads to increasing demand for home ownership in the kingdom. "Our agreement with Alrajhi Bank is a significant milestone in our strategic approach to help accelerate growth in the kingdoms thriving housing market,"stated Susini. "It is part of our strategic partnerships with leading financiers and originators which underpin our efforts to develop a best-in-class secondary mortgage market in the kingdom," he noted. In addition, by providing our solutions, we continue to help accelerate the growth of affordable home financing and expanding citizens access to homeownership, in line with Vision 2030 goals, he added. Dubbing it as a significant deal, Almogbel said: "The strategic partnership with SRC supports our ongoing joint drive to offer customers more access to flexible and affordable home financing solutions." "The deal with SRC strategically enhances our mortgage solutions and supports our established capabilities to address the needs of a broad customer base and the increasing demand for home ownership in the kingdom," he added.-TradeArabia News Service President George W. Bush and his administration put forward a variety of reasons to justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In the months before the U.S. invasion, Bush said the looming conflict was about eradicating terrorism and seizing weapons of mass destruction but also because of a freedom deficit in the Middle East, a reference to the perceived lag in participatory government in the region. Many of these arguments would emerge as poorly grounded, given later events. In 2004, then Secretary of State Colin Powell reflected on the weak rationale behind the main arguments for the invasion: that there were weapons of mass destruction. He acknowledged that it turned out that the sourcing was inaccurate and wrong and in some cases deliberately misleading. In fact Iraq did not have a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, as Powell and others had alleged at the time. But the Bush administrations rhetoric of building a more free, open and democratic Middle East persisted after the weapons of mass destruction claim had proven false, and has been harder to evaluate at least in the short term. Bush assured the American public in 2003 that, A new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom for other nations in the region. He focused on this theme during the ground invasion, in which a coalition force of nearly 100,000 American and other allied troops rapidly toppled Saddam Husseins regime. The establishment of a free Iraq at the heart of the Middle East will be a watershed event in the global democratic revolution, Bush said in November 2003. He also said that the U.S. would be pursuing a forward strategy of freedom in the Middle East. Twenty years on, it is worth considering how this forward strategy has played out both in Iraq and across the Middle East. In 2003, there was indeed, as Bush noted, a freedom deficit in the Middle East, where repressive authoritarian regimes dominated the region. Yet, in spite of tremendous upheaval in the Middle East over the past two decades, many authoritarian regimes remain deeply entrenched. Measuring the Freedom Gap Political science scholars like myself try to measure the democratic or authoritarian character of governments in a variety of ways. The non-profit group Freedom House evaluates countries in terms of democratic institutions and whether they have free and fair elections, as well as peoples civil rights and liberties, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and a free press. Freedom House rates each country and its level of democracy on a scale from 2 to 14, from mostly free to least free. One way to think about the level of democracy in the region is to focus on the 23 countries and governments that form the Arab League, a regional organization that spans North Africa, the Red Sea coast and the Middle East. In 2003, the average Freedom House score for an Arab League member was 11.45 far more authoritarian than the global average of 6.75 at the time. Put another way, the Freedom House report in 2003 classified a little over 46% of all countries as free, but no country in the Arab League met that threshold. While some Arab countries were ruled by monarchies around this time, others were ruled by dictators. The nearly 30-year-long regime of Hussein in Iraq fit this second pattern. Hussein was part of a 1968 coup led by the Ba'ath political party, a group that wanted all Arab countries to form one unified nation but also became known for human rights violations. The Ba'ath Party relied upon Iraqs oil wealth and repressive tactics against civilians to maintain power. The fall of Husseins regime in April 2003 produced a nominally more democratic Iraq. But after fighting a series of sectarian insurgencies in Iraq over an eight-year period, the U.S. ultimately left behind a weak and deeply divided government. Post-invasion Iraq The U.S. 2003 invasion succeeded in ousting a brutal regime but establishing a healthy and thriving new democracy proved more challenging. Rivalry between Iraqs three main groups the Sunni and Shia Muslims as well as the Kurds, the largest ethnic minority in the country paralyzed early attempts at political reorganization. While Iraq today has a constitution, a parliament and holds regular elections, the country struggles both with popular legitimacy and with practical aspects of governance, such as providing basic education for children. Indeed, in 2023, Freedom House continues to score Iraq as Not Free in its measure of democracy. Since the U.S. military withdrawal in 2011, Iraq has lurched from one political crisis to another. From 2014 to 2017, large portions of western Iraq were controlled by the extremist militant Islamic State group. In 2018 and 2019, rampant government corruption led to a string of anti-government protests, which sparked a violent crackdown by the government. The protests prompted early parliamentary elections in November 2021, but the government has not yet been able to create a coalition government representing all competing political groups. While Iraqs most recent crisis avoided descending into civil war, the militarized nature of Iraqi political parties poses an ongoing risk of electoral violence. The post-invasion Middle East While Iraq continues to face deep political challenges, it is worth considering the U.S. efforts at regional democracy promotion more fully. In 2014, widespread protest movements associated with the Arab Springtoppled dictators in. In other countries monarchs were able to offer concessions to people and remain in control by delaying public spending cuts, for example, and replacing government ministers. Yet sustaining stable democracies has proved challenging even where the Arab Spring seemed to succeed in changing political regimes. The average Freedom House democracy score for members of the Arab League is today 11.45 the same as it was on the eve of the Iraq invasion. It is hard to know if U.S. efforts at democracy promotion accelerated or delayed political change in the Middle East. It is hard to know if a different approach might have yielded better results. Yet, the data at least as social scientists measure such things strongly suggests that the vision of an Iraq as an inspiration for a democratic transformation of the Middle East has not come to pass. Search Keywords: Short link: Lenhart and Landrock (L&L), one of Egypt's oldest bookshops, photographic collections and publishing houses, is publishing a new book that documents almost 100 years of their work in Egypt. Ahram Online interviewed Dr. Edward Lambelet, the owner of L&L, about their enchanting journey. L&L was the first to print a photo guide to The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, document Egypt from Abu Simbel to Alexandria in photographs, and to print a photobook on Egypt's Coptic heritage. Their photos were even printed on old Egyptian paper currency. The shop is located on the first floor of an old Cairene building in the heart of downtown Cairo, where it puts Egypt's intangible heritage neatly on display. Lenhart and Landrock reads the 99-year-old sign outside the shop that has witnessed almost a century of Egypts book and photographic history. "We say in the family, that the discovery of the tomb of Tut Ank Amoun brought L&L to Egypt in 1924 along with my father," Edward Lambelet told Ahram Online. For the full story view our video: Search Keywords: Short link: Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said Sunday one of its senior members, an engineer, had been shot dead in Syria in an assassination it blamed on Israeli agents. The Iran-backed group said Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning "by agents of the Zionist (Israeli) enemy" in the countryside outside the Syrian capital Damascus. "The assassination was carried out by direct shooting near his house," an Islamic Jihad official, who asked not to be named, told AFP. Aswad, a Palestinian refugee living in a Syrian camp and also known as Abu Abed al-Rahman, was a member of the group's Al-Quds Brigade armed wing, it said. Many of the Gaza-based group's senior leaders have been living in Damascus, and the killing is the latest reported targeting of the group by Israel. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which fights alongside Syrian government forces, condemned the attack in a statement late Sunday, saying "this heinous crime... bears the hallmarks of the Zionist enemy". Since civil war erupted in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in the neighbouring country, targeting government troops as well as Iran-backed forces and Hezbollah fighters. The Israeli military rarely comments on individual strikes against Syria, but has vowed repeatedly to keep up its air campaign to stop arch-foe Iran consolidating its presence. Last week, Israeli airstrikes targeting a weapons depot in Syria killed an army officer and two pro-Iran fighters, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. Search Keywords: Short link: Smoke rises from the Trade Ministry in Baghdad on March 20, 2003, after it was hit by a missile during US-led attacks. Sunday marks 20 years since American and coalition forces invaded Iraq on a mission to topple Saddam Husseins dictatorship and find weapons of mass destruction. Former President George W. Bush and his administration wagered to the American public and the international community that Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction. The coalition found no such weapons, and two years later the WMD Commission, established by Bush, acknowledged in a report that the "WMD" fiasco was one of the most public and most damaging intelligence failures in recent American history. Forces did succeed in knocking Hussein out of power, clearing the way for a fraught nation-building project that would stretch for nearly a decade. By the U.S.s withdrawal in 2011, the costs of the war stood high: At least 4,480 U.S. deaths and more than 32,000 wounded At least 100,000 Iraqi civilians dead At least $806 billion spent on the war Thousands of troops with illnesses believed to be caused by exposure to burn pits In 2003, an American public still stunned by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks largely supported the war. But public sentiment today has shifted. A Pew Research Center survey in 2019 found 62% of Americans thought the war wasnt worth it. In the same poll, 64% of veterans shared the same view. Ukraine update: Biden calls arrest warrant for Putin 'justified'; widespread attacks in Ukraine China President Xi: Plans visit to Russia in apparent show of support for Putin amid Ukraine war Bush and supporters of the war would go on to admit the failure to find weapons of mass destruction, but maintain the world would've been "a lot worse off" had Hussein remained in power. The Iraq War in photos President Bush, center, flanked by Vice President Dick Cheney, left, and House Speaker Dennis Hastert, D-Ill., right, acknowledges applause in the House Chamber of the Capitol during Bush's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Jan. 29, 2002, in Washington. Bush opened by saying, "As we gather tonight, our nation is at war, our economy is in recession, and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet the state of our Union has never been stronger." In his 2002 State of the Union address, Bush suggested Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction. "This is a regime that has something to hide from the civilized world," Bush said. "States like these and their terrorist allies constitute an axis of evil The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons." Story continues In this Feb. 5, 2003 file photo, Secretary of State Colin Powell holds up a vial he said could contain anthrax as he presents evidence of Iraq's alleged weapons programs to the United Nations Security Council. Just more than a month before the invasion, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave an impassioned speech and presentation before the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction. The speech helped swing the U.S. public in favor of the war. Powell, who died in 2021, would go on to regret the speech. I will always regret it," Powell said in an interview with The Harvard Gazette five years later. "It was a terrible mistake on all our parts and on the intelligence community I wish it had been different. " Colin Powell: Late official lent his prestige to make a case for the Iraq war: 'I will always regret it' Several thousand people march down 16th Street on March 8, 2003 to the White House in Washington to protest the Bush administration's war plan on Iraq. The surprisingly balmy weather had several thousand people chanting and cheering at a rally before their planned march to the Ellipse just south of the White House. The event was organized by the group calling itself CodePink, the name a protest against the governments color-coded terror alert system. As the war grew imminent, thousands of protesters in the United States and around the globe demonstrated. Employees and customers at the Township Grille in Matthews, N.C., watch as President Bush announces the beginning of U.S.-led military action in Iraq late on the evening of March 19, 2003. After the deadline he issued for Hussein to leave Iraq passed, Bush announced the beginning of the invasion on the evening of March 19, 2003. Smoke covers the presidential palace compound in Baghdad on March 21, 2003 during a massive US-led air raid on the Iraqi capital. Smoke billowed from a number of targeted sites, including one of President Saddam Hussein's palaces, an AFP correspondent said. U.S. airstrikes pummeled Iraq to clear the way for invading troops. U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines wear their gas masks on March 21, 2003 as they prepare to advance towards Iraq. An Iraqi woman screams upon arriving with her wounded husband and son at al-Kindi hospital in this April 8, 2003 file photo, in Baghdad. Razzaq Kazem al-Khafaj grieves over the body of his mother in Hilla in the southern province of Babylon on April 1, 2003. Khafaj lost 15 members of his family including six children, as his car was bombed by coalition helicopters while fleeing al-Haidariyeh towards Babylon. Thirty-three civilians were killed and 310 wounded in a U.S.-British coalition bombing of the residential area of Nader south of the city of Hilla, 50 miles south of Baghdad. In this April 9, 2003 photo, an Iraqi man, bottom right, watches Cpl. Edward Chin of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines Regiment, cover the face of a statue of Saddam Hussein with an American flag before toppling the statue in downtown in Baghdad, Iraq. After three weeks of combat, American troops took Baghdad, Iraq's capital, and toppled the statue of Hussein, symbolically ending his reign. President Bush flashes a "thumbs-up" after declaring the end of major combat in Iraq as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the California coast, in this May 1, 2003 file photo. In May 2003, Bush declared "mission accomplished," but the war would drag on for years as sectarian violence and insurgency engulfed the country. A US soldier from the 1st Brigade of 4th Infantry Division on Dec. 15, 2003 gets ready to enter the hole where toppled dictator Saddam Hussein was captured in Ad Dawr. Two days earlier, Hussein was captured there in the hole under a small hut, near his hometown of Tikrit, 110 miles north of Baghdad. Hussein was captured by American forces in December 2003. He would be tried and found guilty of crimes against humanity. He was executed in 2006. Rows of boxes shaped like coffins, draped with flags representing American soldiers killed in Iraq are carried by demonstrators marching during an anti-Bush protest in New York City on Aug. 29, 2004, the eve of the Republican National Convention. The U.S. saw protests throughout the war. U.S. Marines, no names available, grieve during a memorial service for 31 U.S. servicemen at Camp Korean Village, near Ar Rutbah, western Iraq, on Feb. 2, 2005. Thirty Marines and one sailor died on Jan. 26, 2005 when their helicopter crashed near Ar Rutbah while conducting security operations. A photo of fallen U.S. soldier, Sgt. Jerry Lee Bonifacio Jr., from Bravo Company, 1-184 assigned to TF 4-64, 3rd Infantry Division, sits between the boots of soldiers standing at attention during a memorial service at US army base FOB Prosperity, in central Baghdad on Oct. 13, 2005. Army 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Baker Company PFC Jonathan Burton of Louisville, Kentucky, patrols in the mahallah (neighborhood) of Toma on the outskirts of Baghdad at the corner where on June 28, 2007, a Baker Company patrol was hit by an IED in Toma and five soldiers were killed along with 13 wounded. Army 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Baker Company soldiers patrol in the mahallah (neighborhood) of Toma on the outskirts of Baghdad. Mary McHugh mourns her slain fiance Sgt. James Regan at "Section 60" of the Arlington National Cemetery May 27, 2007. Regan, a U.S. Army Ranger, was killed by an IED explosion in Iraq in February2007, and this was the first time McHugh had visited the grave since the funeral. Section 60 is the resting place for many U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. A kiosk owner attaches a magazine fronted with the images of the front-runners in the U.S. elections in central Baghdad, on Nov. 04, 2008. A U.S soldier in Baghdad, Iraq, watches U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on television on Nov. 5, 2008. President Barack Obama, elected in 2008, promised to withdraw troops from Iraq. A picture taken on May 15, 2011 shows U.S. troops standing to attention in front of U.S. and Iraqi flags during a handover ceremony near the northern Iraqi town of Hawija. President Barack Obama announced on October 21, 2011 that he would withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq by the end of the year. The last vehicles in a convoy of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait, on Dec. 18, 2011. The brigade's special troops battalion were the last American soldiers to leave Iraq. The U.S. completed its withdrawal from the country in December 2011, leaving security in the hands of the Iraqi government. Major conflict and violence would continue to rack the country. A fledging terrorist group, ISIS, would famously emerge and conquer parts of Iraq and neighboring Syria in the mid-2010s. Today, a small network of 2,500 American troops are stationed in the nation as part of the United States' ongoing partnership with Iraq. Contributing: Tom Vanden Brook and Dan Nowicki, USA TODAY Network; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iraq invasion 20th anniversary: A timeline and photos of a costly war A lifelong Tallahassee resident, Carmen Conner grew up in Leon County public schools, watching the city grow up with her. She is a born educator who remembers setting up a classroom of her own and playing school. Even if I had a classroom of nobody, I would pretend to be the teacher, she laughs. That instinct led her to create a career in education that serves the community she loves, and to inspire those around her as one of Tallahassees 25 Women You Need to Know. Carmen Conner, one of the 25 Women You Need to Know for 2023 After earning a degree in Elementary Education from Florida A&M University, Conner spent 14 years as a classroom teacher at Hawks Rise Elementary before becoming the assistant principal at Roberts Elementary. Now, you can find her proudly walking the halls of Pineview Elementary, a school that was failing when she arrived and now boasts at B grade. Class of 2023:Who do you know? Meet the 2023 Class of 25 Women, 5 Young Women 25 Women:25 Women for 2023: Carmelesa Crosby-Harley enjoys sharing time, resources She vividly remembers hearing her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Roy, reading the "Boxcar Children." Thats when I fell in love with books, she shares. I would go home and pretend that I was one of the boxcar children. As principal, she relishes the opportunity to share that same joy of reading and learning with the students in her school. The most important thing I can do for our students is to offer unique experiences, she says. As a Title 1 school, many of our students, for a variety of reasons, dont have access to things that could spark an interest in future studies. To that end, she writes grants to fund field trips, musical instruments, and after school programming. I want them to have the same experiences as their counterparts on the other side of town. She recalls a high school field trip to the Salvador Dali museum, which opened her eyes to new concepts and ideas and inspired her to invest in student experiences beyond the classroom. About one third of the students in my school dont leave home other than to go to school. If we can connect them with a glimpse of what else is out there, I want to do it. Story continues Carmen has a sense of adventure, recently taking up beekeeping as a hobby. I had the idea that I was going to make honey and give it away to my friends, and then I learned more about it and how hard it could be, she laughs. Im going to give it a real effort, we will see how it works out! Spending time with her husband and their adult daughters takes priority during free time, and you can often find them kayaking on area rivers seeking out manatees or at a local restaurant enjoying good food. When we travel, as soon as we decide where to stay, we decide where to eat! she says with a chuckle. She enjoys exploring the city as it evolves and changes, finding joy in the revitalization of FAMU Way and Cascades Park, saying, I enjoy visiting large cities, but the vortex of Tallahassee is strong! Carmen invites the community to visit Pineview Elementary and discover the opportunities to volunteer and engage with the students. In a Title 1 school, over half of the students have not attended preschool because of a variety of reasons, she explains. Of all of the volunteer opportunities in our city, giving time as a mentor or volunteer at a school like mine really helps. Her passion for equity in education led to service on the first Childrens Services Council, where she is finishing a two-year term. It is exactly what the families of schools like mine need, she says. I put my name in to be considered and was appointed by the Governor to serve. I feel proud to have been part of the inaugural group to get this support into the lives of children who need it. From student to teacher and now principal and community advocate, Carmen Conners classroom is no longer empty. The children and families that she reaches each day are inspired by the passion, joy, and leadership that define who she is. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 25 Women for 2023: Carmen Conner guides Pineview Elementary to success The BBC is reviewing whether to ban TikTok and has told staff to delete the Chinese social media app from work phones unless they are using it for editorial or marketing reasons. The broadcaster issued fresh guidance for employees on Sunday after the UK government prohibited the use of TikTok on the phones of ministers and civil servants. More from Deadline The BBCs guidance marks a significant change of tone from the broadcaster after it has vigorously embraced TikTok over the past year, even hiring specialists for its social media team. TikTok said it was disappointed by the BBCs edict, adding that bans are based on fundamental misconceptions about the apps security risk. In the guidance sent today, obtained by Deadline, the BBC said: We dont recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason. BBC employees were issued with the instruction after concerns raised by government authorities worldwide regarding data privacy and security. In a Q&A on the guidance, the BBC asked itself: Will the BBC ban the use of TikTok on corporate devices, or my personal device that I use for BBC work purposes? The answer: We are currently reviewing the TikTok concerns and will provide further updates based on the government and National Cyber Security Centre guidelines. Senior BBC journalists have been warning about the corporations obsession with TikTok for months, with some alarmed that the company admitted to tracking reporters working for Forbes, BuzzFeed, and the Financial Times. One BBC insider told Deadline that it was not exactly the time to be uncritically throwing resources at a platform. A TikTok source said at the time that it was happy to discuss security issues with BBC journalists and allay any concerns that they have. Story continues The updated BBC guidelines follows Danish public broadcaster DR advising employees to stop using the app last week. A TikTok insider described the ban as self-defeating and pointed to its plan to create a secure enclave for European TikTok user data to help ease security concerns. TikTok said: We are disappointed with the guidance that the BBC has shared but welcome the fact TikTok can still be used as part of editorial, marketing and reporting purposes. The BBC has a strong presence on our platform, with multiple accounts from news through to music reaching our engaged community both in the U.K. and around the world. We believe these bans have been based on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics. We remain in close dialogue with the BBC and are committed to working with them to address any concerns they have. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Bettmann - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Content warning: This article contains references to murder and abuse some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. Hulu's The Boston Strangler stars Kiera Knightley as Loretta McLaughlin, a Boston Record American lifestyle reporter who took on the coverage of a series of targeted murders with fellow reporter Jean Cole back in 1962. The true-crime movie is based on a real and partially-unsolved case of a murderer (dubbed "the Boston Strangler" by McLaughlin and Cole) who primarily targeted elderly women living alone, ransacking their apartments and leaving behind nothing but the dead body as evidence. In 1964, Albert DeSalvo confessed to being the Boston Strangler during an examination for trial with psychiatrist Dr. Robert R. Mezer. At the time of confession, DeSalvo was in prison for a separate string of sexual assaults and burglaries and had previously served time for other sexually-motivated crimes. In his verbal confession, he claimed responsibility for all 13 women killed by the Boston Strangler as well as detailing the gruesome acts he committed against some of them. DeSalvo served a life sentence for the rapes that he was convicted of but, due to insufficient physical evidence, was never charged for the murders despite his verbal confessions. DNA proof that linked DeSalvo to the rape and murder of strangling victim Mary Sullivan was eventually discovered in 2013, but many people believe there might have been a string of copycat killers who could've adopted the Boston Strangler's MO and strangled some or all of the 12 other victims. DeSalvo recanted his confession while at Walpole State Prison right before his death in 1973. Keeping his all-female victims and history of sexual assault in mind, was Albert DeSalvo married? Did he have a family? Here is what we know about his personal and romantic life. Was Albert DeSalvo married? Yes, he was. Albert DeSalvo married Irmgard Beck in 1953 and the couple stayed married until his death in 1973. The Boston Globe reports that DeSalvo once remarked, It was the best thing I ever did when I married a German girl. Story continues What do we know about his wife? DeSalvo served in the army for almost eight years and was stationed in Germany when he met Irmgard Beck. The couple got married in Frankfurt and ended up having two children together. Their first child, a daughter named Judy, was born with a physical handicap. A couple of sources claim that Beck avoided sleeping with her husband to evade the possibility of having another child with a handicap, but they had a second child together a healthy son named Michael. Using recently-uncovered notes from a social work researcher who went by the initials J.E.B., The Boston Globe described DeSalvo's "careless supervision of his two children" during a visit in 1962. The man reportedly egged young Michael on to make a mess that "Mommy can clean up." Said reports also noted in all caps, [DESALVO'S] MOTHER MADE CLEAR THAT [HIS] WIFE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HIS JUVENILE RECORD OR COMMITMENT AND THAT BOTH HE AND SHE THE MOTHER WANT THE WIFE TO REMAIN IN IGNORANCE ABOUT THIS POINT. Some sources report that Beck didn't believe it when defense attorney F. Lee Bailey informed her of her husband's confession, claiming that he had confessed to procuring money from the newspapers and profiting off of his newfound notoriety. You Might Also Like A criminal court in Egypts Assiut governorate sentenced a young male to seven years in prison on Sunday for blackmailing 12 girls, demanding illicit relationships with them and threatening them through social media with defamation after fabricating sexually explicit photos. The accused reportedly blackmailed 12 girls from Assiut, Alexandria, Cairo and Giza by sending them sexually explicit messages through WhatsApp and Facebook. Moreover, he harassed them, demanding to have illicit relationships with them with the intent of obtaining sexual benefit. The investigations began after the General Department of Information Technology at the Ministry of Interior received several reports from girls who claimed they had been blackmailed by a person through WhatsApp and Facebook, who threatened them with fabricated pictures of themselves on bodies of naked women. The technical investigations conducted by the department found that the phone numbers and Facebook account responsible for the blackmail attempts belonged to the accused, Ahmed H.M, a resident of Abnoub city in Assiut. Egypts penal code criminalises extortion, threats and violation of private life. In addition, Egypts data protection law criminalises these crimes on the internet. In 2018 the anti-cyber and information technology crimes law was amended, allowing a blackmailer who hacks the private information of any person to be imprisoned for not less than two years and not more than five years instead of six months in jail and/or a fine not less than EGP 50,000 and not more than EGP 100,00. How to report blackmailing and online harassment? People who have been subjected to blackmail can reach out to the Internet Investigation Department by calling hotline number 108 from a mobile or landline phone. Another option is to go to the nearest police station or security directorate and submit a regular report to the department. People who have been subjected to blackmail can also report the crime to the Department of Combatting Computer Crimes and Information Networks at the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior in New Cairo. Egyptian penal code regarding crimes committed through the internet stipulates that a report must be submitted within 90 days (three months) of the occurrence of the crime. Search Keywords: Short link: As a child, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that causes problems with breathing and digestion. My parents were told I would only survive until the age of 12 and now, almost 40 years since my diagnosis, I have far exceeded expectations. I pursue an active lifestyle, which has helped immensely, but I know I wouldnt be here if it werent for the healthcare providers and innovation in treatment options that have become available for patients like me. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, six in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic illness, with four in 10 people having two or more. Medications can now cure or treat many chronic conditions, but some patients cannot access these medications because of high out-of-pocket costs. My situation is a prime example. CF is not curable but can be managed with treatments that help control symptoms, prevent complications, and make the condition easier to live with. Managing a condition like CF is a full-time job to say the least. I am typically on 10-15 treatments at once, which can amount to over $50,000 per month. Managing both the cost and the regimen of treatments, as you can imagine, places a significant burden on me not only financially, but also emotionally and mentally. Throughout my life, I have fortunately been able to financially manage my treatment options. However, in 2022 I was shocked to find that my insurance plan in Michigan had implemented a co-pay accumulator program without warning. For context, co-pay cards assist patients by helping them afford their co-pay requirements and meet their annual deductible. If a patient is subjected to an accumulator program, however, the co-pay assistance doesn't count toward the patient's deductible. As a result, the insurance company collects the deductible twice before the patient actually meets their annual deductible requirements. These programs have become pervasive and they are particularly burdensome for individuals like me with chronic or rare diseases who have limited treatment options. Several states have passed bipartisan legislation to ban co-pay accumulator programs. Both sides of the aisle recognize the burden they place on patients. But here in Michigan, co-pay accumulator programs still exist and harm those who need both treatment and assistance the most. Co-pay accumulator programs are a damaging practice used by insurance plans to stop co-pay assistance from counting toward a patient's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Co-pay assistance is vital for people with a serious illness or disease to be able to afford medications that offer them a better quality of life. As legislative sessions are underway across the country, co-pay bills are being filed in several statehouses. In fact, 13 states have introduced legislation, with Florida having a pre-filed bill. In 2021, HB 4354, legislation in support of helping patients pay for life-saving medication, passed the Michigan House of Representatives but did not move any further. This measure needs to be reintroduced. Co-pay accumulator programs are hurting people who depend on co-pay assistance. The time is now for legislators in Lansing to ban these programs so that patients like me can continue to access the medication we need. Emily Schaller is the director and founder of Rock CF Foundation, a thousands-strong community thats changing the face of what living with cystic fibrosis looks like and giving those living with CF the tools to not only survive, but thrive. Rock CF is a member of the Cystic Fibrosis Engagement Network. Emily Schaller is the director and founder of Rock CF Foundation and has suffered from cystic fibrosis since she was born. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: My Take: How co-pay accumulator programs hurt cystic fibrosis patients A state board approved public funds Friday for manufacturing giant Collins Aerospace's plan to expand microchip production at its Cedar Rapids campus. Under the incentives from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Collins will receive $1.8 million in tax credits to renovate about 20,000 square feet of production space and buy equipment to make the chips. The board's approval came three days after the Cedar Rapids City Council approved a $1.1 million grant for the project. A Collins spokesperson said in an email Friday that the chips are for military communications equipment. The company will remodel part of its building from April through January, then install the new equipment through January 2025. Collins Aerospace is getting state money for installation of a planned microchip production line in Cedar Rapids. "This new facility represents the best of our communitys strong history in advancing aerospace technology and further reinforces Cedar Rapids reputation as a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing," City Manager Jeff Pomeranz said in a statement Friday. As part of the agreement with the state, Collins will retain 25 employees and add 16 more. The company employed 7,800 workers in Iowa as of February, according to the IEDA. Cedar Rapids' biggest employer, Collins has gone through several corporate changes in recent years. United Technologies Corp. bought Collins in 2018. It and Raytheon merged a year later. Under anti-trust scrutiny, Collins agreed to sell its GPS manufacturing business to United Kingdom-based BAE Systems in 2020. "There's just been a lot of unknowns and uncertainties during these transitions and everything," Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance Vice President Ron Corbett said Friday. "But now it seems like were through all that. The investments are taking place." Companies struggled to get microchips after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic amid strict government-ordered lockdowns in southeast Asian countries where manufacturers make much of the world's supply. In response, Congress passed a bill in August that allocated $39 billion to companies to make chips in the United States. Story continues The Collins spokesperson said Friday, however, that the company does not plan to apply for the federal funding for the Cedar Rapids project. According to the IEDA, the renovation will cost $22 million $12.5 million for the equipment and $9.5 million for the construction. The company will fund about $21 million of the project on its own, according to the IEDA, with the city kicking in the rest of the money. The city funds will come from an existing tax increment financing district, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Governments devote property tax revenues generated in TIF districts to improvements within their boundaries in this case, Collins' property tax payments will go to Collins' renovation. In July, Raytheon CEO Greg Hayes told analysts the company was operating "hand-to-mouth" in its search for chips, then in October said the company's distributors and manufacturers were increasing their chip-making capacity. In February, he said the company's agreements with suppliers had helped it secure the products it needed. "Chips, for the most part, are no longer an issue," Hayes said at the Barclays Industrial Select Conference. Collins reported a $2.34 billion operating profit in 2022, up 3% from the year before. Tyler Jett covers jobs and the economy for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at tjett@registermedia.com, 515-284-8215, or on Twitter at @LetsJett. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: State gives Collins Aerospace $1.8 million for Iowa microchip production The Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo The Colorado Department of Human Services is offering a $14,000 sign-on bonus to help recruit nurses to the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo amid a staffing shortage at the facility. CDHS earlier this week announced it is offering the bonus and other benefits such as health and dental insurance and disability coverage, among other benefits available to state employees to help staff Colorados two psychiatric hospitals, the other of which is in Denver. Both facilities are experiencing a staffing shortage for nurses. At the Pueblo facility, there are approximately 150 nurses on staff but more than 100 openings for that position, said Pedro Almeida, deputy executive director of administrative solutions for CDHS. The hospital would like to fill all those openings, though Almedia said that was an aggressive target, to help staff a facility that has been struggling to recruit and retain nurses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the nation, theres been a lot of hits to the health care workforce because of the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic and that is one of the key calling factors behind where we are right now, Almeida said. Our challenges with hiring and staffing went up significantly since the pandemic, and were basically still dealing with the fallout of that. The bonus lapses after June 30 and is highlighted next to a salary figure, job description and qualification list on CDHS job postings for nurses. There isnt a clause tied to the bonus that states applicants who are hired before that date must work a certain amount of time at either facility to receive the bonus, Almeida said. It is paid out in increments over a nine-month period. CDHS in September also attempted to offer bonuses to entice people to work at its facilities. That offer was between $2,000 and reached up to $7,000, Almeida said. More:Pueblo Community College tailoring programs to address local workforce needs To curb resignations, which have also impacted the Pueblo facility, and incentivize employees to stay, CDHS has a $5,000 retention bonus for those staffers and offered a similar $1,000 bonus in September. Story continues A separate bonus, paid through CDHS referral program, allows employees to receive $1,000 if they refer someone to one of the open positions. We consider this to be a significant challenge, Almeida said. Were putting forth a lot of resources to address the challenge that we have here in (Colorado). Employees at the Pueblo facility could receive additional compensation if the 5% increase to state employees salary included in Gov. Jared Polis budget proposal for the 2023-24 fiscal year is approved. Almeida said CDHS partners with Colorado nursing programs that are working to graduate students and enter them into the profession. Pueblo Community College is one example of an institution thats expressed a desire to tailor its nursing program in a way that can help the city meet its workforce needs. A list that shows the number of unfilled job postings in Pueblo in the city's economic dashboard has had registered nurses as the top posting for 12 consecutive months. In the latest report, there were 390 job postings in Pueblo for registered nurses, by far the highest of any profession listed. That number reached a peak of 432 in June 2022, according to a report from July. A 2021 report from the consulting firm Mercer, which CDHS cited in its announcement, said Colorado is one of five states projected by 2026 to be unable to meet the increased hiring demand for mental health workers, mostly because people are leaving the profession. That same study said national recruiting efforts may prove fruitful for states dealing with that demand and without a surplus of health care workers. Colorado is projected to fall 54,000 health care workers short of that demand in 2026, whereas states such as Washington and Georgia are protected to have a surplus of 168,227 and 67,503 workers, respectively. The study also said states that are projected to have that surplus in 2026 will likely have it because demand for those employees is not growing as rapidly as it is in other states and a steady stream of lower-wage labor is entering the job market in states with the projected surplus. Although a COVID-19 impact study from the American Nurses Foundation published in March 2022 does not specifically mention mental health nurses, it does report that 60% of acute-care nurses in the United States at the time of publishing felt "burnt out" and 75% of respondents reported feeling "stressed, frustrated and exhausted." The study also showed that of the nurses surveyed, 52% reported that they want to leave the profession or were considering doing so because of "insufficient staffing" and "work was negatively affecting their health and wellbeing." Nearly 90% of respondents reported that their organization was experiencing a staffing shortage. Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @josuepwrites. This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: State offering $14k bonus to attract nurses to state hospital in Pueblo Katie Quinonez is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. When the U.S. Supreme court overturned Roe v. Wade, the case guaranteeing women a constitutional right to abortion access, last summer, Katie Quinonez felt utter devastation. But heartbreak wasnt the only emotion coursing through the executive director of the Womens Health Center of West Virginia she felt determination, too. Quinonez, 32, has been working for nearly six years at what was the only abortion clinic in West Virginia. After the court's June 24 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which sent abortion issues to the states, West Virginia enacted a total ban. Her clinic had to stop providing abortions. But it continues to offer annual exams, birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and screenings for breast and cervical cancer all on a sliding scale to ensure even the poorest women get the help they need. What Dobbs taught me is that you keep fighting for what matters even when it feels hopeless, she told USA TODAY. Roe fell, but were still standing. Abortion will be legal again in West Virginia in my lifetime, and Ill be just one of many people who plays a part in that happening. "Dobbs did not break us if anything, Dobbs taught me how strong we are. For her commitment to consistently provide healthcare to women across her state, Quinonez has been named USA TODAYs Women of the Year honoree from West Virginia. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Why this work? I came to this work because of my own lived experience. Ive had two abortions, the first when I was a 17-year-old in high school who had dreams of pursuing a career in journalism in college. My second abortion experience was actually here, at the Womens Health Center of West Virginia, and the care I received was so impactful everyone was so kind and compassionate, affirming and supportive from the moment I walked in the door. A few years later, when I saw the development director job posting, which was my first role here, I thought to myself, "That seems like it would be my dream job." Story continues I know personally how it feels to have an unplanned pregnancy, the feeling of desperation to have control of your body and to be able to live out the life you dreamed of its an honor to be able to help people do that because it meant so much to me. Katie Quinonez, the executive director of the Women's Health Center of West Virginia, believes abortion will be legal again in West Virginia "in my lifetime." Who paved the way for you? My mom. I really looked up to her. My parents got divorced when I was young and she pursued a college degree in her late 20s and early 30s and I just always admired her for doing that while she still had two young girls at home. And then I really credit my predecessor, Sharon Lewis, who was the previous executive director at the clinic. She always challenged me and supported me. She was in this line of work for two decades, a Black woman running the states only abortion clinic in a state thats predominantly white. I really admire her. What is your proudest moment? When I was development director I helped write a grant that funded a statewide billboard campaign. It came after a piece of legislation, referred to as Amendment 1, narrowly passed in 2018, ending Medicaid coverage of abortion in West Virginia. We received a lot of calls after that asking if abortion was still legal in West Virginia which it was, at the time. So we dreamed up this campaign where wed have billboards across the entire state that read, Abortion is still legal in West Virginia. There were more than 30 billboards across the state. To my knowledge, its the first pro-abortion billboard campaign that ever happened in West Virginia. Around that time we also saw a large increase in aggressive anti-abortion harassment, so I set up the clinics first-ever escort program. I was often on the front lines with patients with big umbrellas and bright pink escort vests, getting patients in the door and shielding them from protestors, who were trying to intimidate us. And then, the day the Dobbs decision came down, we did have to stop providing abortion care, and we couldnt provide abortion care for a month. But we filed a lawsuit challenging our states abortion ban from the 1800s and in the month we had that injunction, we were able to provide abortion care to 100 more patients. All of these moments wouldnt be possible without the staff I work with. Everyone is so committed to the patients we serve and the work we do, they show up with energy, grace and humor every day. Do you have a guiding principle or mantra? Lean into your values, even when it hurts and its hard. Who do you look up to? The people who work at and lead independent abortion clinics across the country are who I admire and draw inspiration from. They are the most compassionate and creative badasses in the country. Despite all the hardship and challenges, despite roadblocks put up by politicians, they work around the clock to get patients the abortion care they need. What advice would you give to your younger self? You dont have to be perfect you can make mistakes. That will be the biggest way you learn and move forward. Also, take a nap and drink more water! Youre going to be in this for the long haul. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Women's Health Center director fights for abortion rights despite ban Dr. Russell J. Levenson, former rector of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, was in town recently to promote a book about his special relationship and time spent with a very prominent couple from Houston. Levenson, who was a friend and priest to President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush, shared tidbits of his new book "A Witness To Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush" with members of the community he still considers a very special home for his family and him. "A Witness To Dignity" was published in November 2022, and includes never-before shared correspondence, experiences, and personal stories. Levenson said it offers insight into the Bushes wit and wisdom, their commitment to family and friends; their tireless desire to bless the lives of others; and their steadfast loyalty to their church, their faith, and God. Rev. Russell Levenson, George H.W. Bush's and Barbara Bush's priest, pastor, and friend speaking at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension about the release of his book, Witness to Dignity. Wednesday, March 15, 2023. While working for his alma mater, Birmingham Southern College, Levenson began to enter the process that would lead to full-time ordained ministry. He served as a Lay Assistant at the St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Alabama and received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia in 1992. As an English major, he said he has always enjoyed writing. It was while writing articles for religious magazines and theoretical articles that he decided to write his first book. Speaking at his former church on Wednesday, Levenson talked about his first encounter with Bush. He briefly met him in college but he never expected years later that he would become Bush's priest. It was not until 2007 when Levenson, relocated to Houston that he connected with the Bushes. He serves as rector of St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston where George and Barbara were active members for more than 50 years. Levenson remembers a time that he got a phone call letting him know the president wanted to have dinner. "I kept thinking what I am doing here? I'm a redneck from Alabama. What can I talk about with the president? Then there were moments where I thought was this a one-time thing or will this ever happen again?" he said. Story continues Rev. Russell Levenson, George H.W. Bush's and Barbara Bush's priest, pastor, and friend speaking at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension about the release of his book, Witness to Dignity. Wednesday, March 15, 2023. During his friendship with the Bushes from 2007 until the time of their deaths in 2018, Levenson believes he was invited into private moments so he could serve as a witness: a witness to observe, and a witness to tell. In 2018, he officiated at the memorial service for First Lady Barbara Bush in Houston, and later that year, he co-officiated and preached at the State Funeral for President George H.W. Bush. Before beginning to write "A Witness To Dignity", Levenson sought and received the blessing of all the Bush children, including the 43rd president, George W. Bush. In the book, Levenson shows readers how the Bushes lived out their faith in their day-to-day lives and showcases the untold eyewitness and intimate stories of the character, integrity, service, faith, and dignity of the former president and first lady. Levenson said that he's read many books about the Bushes, but not a book about their faith. Knowing them as their priest, not as someone in politics, Levenson says he observed their faith and wanted to tell that story. "Their faith was very strong, so I wanted to write a book to honor them, to honor their faith, and honor the Christian faith." This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Dr. Russell Levenson returns to Lafayette to talk about his new book Elementary School Children in line at cafeteria being served healthy lunches Hagerstown, Maryland - Credit: Edwin Remsburg/VW Pics via Getty Images Republican state Senator Steve Drazkowski claimed he has yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry in a speech opposing a bill that would provide free breakfast and lunches to students in the state. Hunger is a relative term I had a cereal bar for breakfast, I guess Im hungry now, Drazkowski said. I didnt see a definition of hunger in the bill most reasonable people suggest hunger means you dont have enough to eat in order to provide for metabolism and growth. More from Rolling Stone Minnesota Republican state Sen. Steve Drazkowski on bill providing free school breakfast and lunch: "I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry. Yet today. I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that says they don't have access to enough food to eat." #mnleg pic.twitter.com/H7JsyfsGWw Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 14, 2023 The proposed bill, which passed the Minnesota senate on Tuesday and is now headed back to the states House for a procedural vote, will provide free meals for all students in the state, with no income-based restrictions. According to state Rep. Sydney Jordan, a quarter of Minnesota students who are suffering from poor nutrition do not qualify for existing free or reduced-price lunch programs. This bill will ensure that every child has the toolsbreakfast and lunchto succeed in school, Jordan said in February. The final passage of the bill would make Minnesota the third state in the country to provide free lunches to all students, alongside California, and Maine. In 2022 Colorado voters approved a ballot measure to fund free school lunches for districts that chose to enter the states program. Story continues It is not the first time Drazkowski has opposed measures to ease the burden of educational costs on families. Earlier this month, the Minnesota state senator argued against a proposed increase in early childhood spending. In his view, children should remain at home until at least the age of five before being admitted into public schools, and the educational budget should reflect that. MN state Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R) argues for abolishing early childhood education: "We should let parents raise their kids until they're 5 at least before government comes with a school bus, backs it up to the maternity ward room door and takes them to the government school." pic.twitter.com/qV1abRUnaQ Heartland Signal (@HeartlandSignal) May 9, 2022 Opposition to food and nutrition subsidies has increased with the recapture of the House by Republicans in the 2022 midterms. Earlier this month, Congressional Republicans introduced an amendment to a bill that would place increased eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill, introduced by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), would raise the age of eligibility for the program from 49 to 65. In February, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz released an open letter to President Joe Biden urging him to implement work requirements in his proposed welfare reforms. Gaetz urged the administration to crack down on states abuse of waivers for able-bodied adults, when granting income-assistance benefits. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 35 million Americans, including 9 million children, live with the struggle of food insecurity. While Drazkowski may claim he has never met a person experiencing hunger, he and Republican legislators seem all too willing to ensure that those who do continue to struggle to put food on the table. Correction: This article was updated to reflect that some school districts in Colorado are not currently participating in the states expanded program. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Abu Dhabi is spending big to become the Middle East's art capital here are the best museums and galleries to visit. Natalie Naccache From left: A stairwell at the Cultural Foundation combines traditional tilework with 1970s Modernism; Hashel Al Lamki in his downtown Abu Dhabi studio. On the sunbaked shores of the Arabian Gulf, a good spot to catch a breeze is under the 600-foot-wide metal dome that shades the Louvre Abu Dhabi, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The surface of this giant, parasol-shaped roof is an intricate, 7,850-piece jigsaw of perforated aluminum and stainless-steel panels. Rays of light pierce through the gaps, falling like golden rain on the museums exterior walls. Inside, the 23 galleries are divided by narrow alleyways and plazas to evoke the look and feel of a shady medina. Squinting out from underneath this structure on a recent visit, I spied the concrete columns of another vast new museum: the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, designed by Frank Gehry. Scheduled to open in two years time, this building sits less than a mile away on Saadiyat Island, a sandy triangle just off the coast. It will house more than 600 works of modern and contemporary art by established names, such as Louise Bourgeois, as well as new Emirati artists and emerging talents from across Asia and Africa. Also rising from Saadiyats dusty desert scrub are a multi-faith cultural center called the Abrahamic Family House, designed by David Adjaye, the British architect behind the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.; the Zayed National Museum, by London architects Foster & Partners; and two more cultural institutions to be unveiled next year. Natalie Naccache From left: Abu Dhabis Cultural Foundation, built in 1981, was for decades the Emirates only major art institution; the studio of Emirati painter Hashel Al Lamki. These grand projects are at the heart of a program, said to be worth $12 billion, that the rulers of the United Arab Emirates hope will turn the largest and most oil-rich of the regions sheikhdoms into a global center for the arts. The plans are designed to help diversify the economy away from oil and to draw more visitors. Thanks to the U.A.E.s super-connector airlines, Emirates in Dubai and Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi, the Gulf has become one of the worlds preeminent transportation hubs, but its tourism offerings have so far been mostly limited to malls, theme parks, and headline-grabbing structures like the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The new museums will also push the boundaries of taste in what remains a conservative society as Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, told me when I visited his all-white office overlooking the citys sweeping corniche, which runs along the seafront from Saadiyat Island to the Emirates Palace Hotel. These grand projects are at the heart of a program, said to be worth $12 billion, that the rulers of the United Arab Emirates hope will turn the largest and most oil-rich of the regions sheikhdoms into a global center for the arts. The plans are designed to help diversify the economy away from oil and to draw more visitors. These artistic gifts will open hearts and minds, he said as we sat down to chat, his white dishdasha riding up to reveal a pair of limited-edition Nike sneakers. Culture is the backbone of any progressive society. On paper, the idea of spending $12 billion to make Abu Dhabi as artistically and culturally important as New York, London, and Paris might sound fanciful, but one look at the Louvre was enough to make even a deep skeptic think twice. The building rivals the Sydney Opera House in eye-popping originality. Art institutions all too often appear so intimidating and exclusive that they might as well have a sign out front saying Only smart, rich people can enter. But the Louvre appears, at first glance, to be a flying saucer that has crash-landed on the beach. And who wouldnt want to take a peek inside that? Natalie Naccache Curator Mariam Al-Dhaheri at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. To try to appeal to everyone from liberal-minded Americans and Europeans to more conservative Saudis, the exhibits in the Louvre are not arranged by region, civilization, or era but instead by theme. Each one of 12 chapters, as the galleries are called, has a universal idea behind it. Theres the birth of civilization; motherhood; the portrayal of power; and representations of the divine, which include, unusually for a cultural institution in an Arab country, icons of Judaism, among them a 13th-century funerary stele and a 15th-century Yemenite Torah. Were putting civilizations and cultures next to each other to find a dialogue between them, curator Mariam Al-Dhaheri explained as we crisscrossed floors made from a patchwork of dark Omani stone and camel leather. We want to showcase that theres much more in common between the peoples of the world than there are differences. The idea that diverse cultures have adopted a remarkably similar approach to the fundamental questions facing humanity is a strikingly open and egalitarian one and one in keeping with modern thinking. It came through loud and clear from the moment I arrived. In the lobby, 16th-century paintings of scholars by Belgian artist Jacob de Backer were juxtaposed with a 21st-century sculpture made up of Arabic words cast in bronze by Egyptian artist Ghada Amer. Inside the galleries, a 14th-century French sculpture of Mary with Jesus by an unknown artist was exhibited alongside startlingly similar expressions of motherhood from Egypt and Congo. Political and religious leaders and philosophers from around the world and from different centuries, including Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II, Mesopotamian ruler Gudea, Buddha, Socrates, and Confucius, were presented cheek by jowl. They are all doing the same things. Asking questions. Why are we here? What is our destiny? Al-Dhaheri said. The exhibits in the Louvre are not arranged by region, civilization, or era but instead by theme. Each one of 12 chapters, as the galleries are called, has a universal idea behind it. As she and I wandered through the space, we admired furniture, porcelain, carpets, and scientific instruments from France, India, Iran, and China that demonstrate how modern techniques of craftsmanship and scientific study developed during the earliest days of global trade. There were nudes on display, and I ordered gasp! a glass of wine in the cafe and another in the museums outpost of Fouquets, the renowned restaurant, where the steak tartare is mixed tableside, a la Parisienne. The dazzling architecture notwithstanding, it all felt a little tame, by Western standards at least. Paris, this aint. It was time to look for a little grit inside the Gulf oyster. The next morning I left the Saadiyat Island Jumeirah hotel (to my mind the best bolt-hole in the city, because of its position on a secluded stretch of beach) and took a taxi down the road to meet Maya Allison, executive director of the Art Gallery at New York University Abu Dhabi. NYU was the first big Western education and arts institution to partner with Abu Dhabi, opening a 38-acre campus on Saadiyat Island 12 years ago. Allison, a Californian and the former curator of the art gallery at Brown University, showed me a wonderfully iconoclastic and funny exhibition of the work of a collective of Iranian artists Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh, and Hesam Rahmanian who live in self-imposed exile in the U.A.E. Natalie Naccache Armor created for Ottoman soldiers and their horses at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The centerpiece was a video tribute to Irans King of Dance, a man named Mohammad Khordadian. He fled Iran after the revolution because dancing was no longer allowed, and he ended up in Los Angeles, Allison explained. In the L.A. of the early 1980s Khordadian came across workout videos by Jane Fonda and created his own versions, which also referenced traditional Iranian dance styles. His East-meets-West workouts were smuggled back into Iran on VHS cassettes and became an underground sensation. They captivated the three artists, collectively known as Ramin Rokni Hesam, who in turn created their own mash-up tribute featuring both Khordadian himself and ordinary Iranians copying his moves. Their work challenges Tehrans cultural strictures and feels timely, given the protests currently being led by women in the city. It also highlights a blurring of the boundaries of gender identity: many of the routines Khordadian created are based on dances that are traditionally performed by women, such as belly dancing. Its fun and light but also subversive, Allison said. Its like a viral TikTok video but happening on VHS cassettes in the 1980s. More Trip Ideas: The 10 Best Cities in the World for Art Lovers, According to Data The next day I found challenging work of a different kind in a studio at the top of the glass-fronted Sama Tower, in downtown Abu Dhabi a building that, from the outside, looks much like every other modern office block in the Gulf. Up on the 23rd floor, as the sun penetrated the morning desert haze below us, I walked into the paint-spattered flat where 33-year-old artist Maitha Abdalla lives and works often at night, when my feelings are strongest, she explained. Abdalla is one of the U.A.E.s most radical young artists. Her multimedia works play with deliberately provocative imagery to explore themes of sin, conflict, and forgiveness. Pigs are a recurrent theme. She told me that she sees the animal as a metaphor for wrong, because in this region the pig is known as a sinful animal. She showed me a scene from one of her videos, The Guest, in which she wears the veil and the dress I wear to pray but Im holding a pigs-head mask and I put it on the table. I start offering the pig food and then eating with the pig. Its all about confronting sin and fear. Natalie Naccache The 15th-century Flemish tapestry Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Abdallas work can be hard to understand, and in the context of what remains a traditional society, often feels confrontational. Indeed, her father once begged her to give up her work in favor of creating the generic sculptures of falcons and horses that typically adorn traffic circles in the U.A.E. Thank goodness she ignored him: she was one of three artists chosen to represent Abu Dhabi in a show at the Palazzo Franchetti during the 2022 Venice Biennale, she had a solo show during Frieze London this past fall, and her work is due to be shown during Art Basel 2023. After the U.A.E. gained independence from the U.K. in 1971, its then-ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ordered that an entire block of the middle of the federal capital, Abu Dhabi, be spared skyscrapers and instead be made into a park and cultural center. One of Abdallas closest friends, and a former studio-mate, prefers to work in an industrial space in the Mussafah area, on the outskirts of town, where halal butcher shops and small factories line the streets. Hashel Al Lamkis choice of location struck me as surprising, since he depicts a different side of the emirate one more closely connected to the natural world. The 36-year-old, who studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City, focuses on themes connected to sustainability, often painting the mountainscapes of his home near Al-Ain. Im nomadic in my soul and have a sense of connection with the earth and the environment, he said. In his hands, the desert never looked more beautiful. Where did the Abu Dhabi cultural story start, I wondered. To find out, I headed to one of the highlights of any trip to the city-state: the Cultural Foundation. After the U.A.E. gained independence from the U.K. in 1971, its then-ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ordered that an entire block of the middle of the federal capital, Abu Dhabi, be spared skyscrapers and instead be made into a park and cultural center. The building, completed in 1981, is a work of art in itself, with Brutalist concrete columns offset with geometric tiles in a mid-century palette of mustard and cerulean blue. The Bauhaus-meetsMiddle East style is the result of a global competition held to choose a lead architect. The winner was the Architects Collaborative, one of whose cofounders was the influential Modernist Walter Gropius. Natalie Naccache A corner of Al Lamkis work space. Rabi Georges and Zuhoor Al Sayegh, the foundations curators and arts programmers, welcomed me and introduced me to the work of Farah Al Qasimi, on display in the central hall. The 32-year-old, Yale-educated photographer, who now lives in Brooklyn, likes to catch audiences off guard with her images, many of which examine issues of vulnerability and power. Georges and Al Sayegh pointed out the portraits of Arab men that were shot to make them appear quite feminine the opposite of the studied machismo thats more the regional norm. They showed me how her portraits of Arab women question conventional ideas about beauty. (One image is retouched to show a woman with one blue eye and one brown.) Many of Al Qasimis works will be exhibited in the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, as part of its permanent collection, when it opens. Related: Must-see Pieces of Public Art Around the World The latter-day answer to the Cultural Center is 421, a 12,000-square-foot converted warehouse space near the docks. Its run by Faisal Al Hassan, whose role is to give young artists their first break Hashel Al Lamki was one of the projects beneficiaries. When I visited, 421s main exhibit was devoted to Ammar Al Attar, a photographer and performance artist. Al Attar has a day job as a government office worker, which inspired Out of Range, a series of videos and photographs that encapsulate the sense of boredom and stagnation many people felt when working from home during the COVID lockdowns. In one video, Al Attar moves round and round, drawing the same circle in charcoal until either the charcoal runs out or he collapses from a combination of dizziness and exhaustion; in another, he stamps the same piece of paper over and over. Natalie Naccache A recent exhibit on foraging and food at 421. Like most big projects in the Gulf, Abu Dhabis push to promote culture over carbon has its critics. Detractors argue that, despite claims that it is using the arts to change local mores, old attitudes endure. They cite the example of Caitlin McNamara, the British woman hired to organize the first Hay Festival, a literary gathering, to be held in the emirate. In 2021 she accused Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the U.A.E.s minister of tolerance, of sexually assaulting her at his villa. No charges have yet been brought against Al Nahyan, who denies the allegation; McNamara is pursuing a private prosecution. Others accuse Abu Dhabi of culture washing using artistic projects to distract from the countrys shaky human rights record, notably the treatment of migrant construction workers. The Gulf Labor Artist Coalition, an activist group, has urged artists to boycott Saadiyats new cultural institutions because of the poor working conditions endured by those who build them. In his aerie on the corniche, Mubarak denied culture-washing. Were doing this to educate the future masses, he said. He insisted that massive policy changes are improving working conditions for migrant laborers. An ancient practice called kafala, which prevented workers from moving jobs or returning home without their employers consent, has been scrapped. Is it perfect? No. But when we spot problems, we come down with a hammer. Natalie Naccache From left: A walkway under the perforated roof of the Louvre Abu Dhabi; Alice Aycocks Whirlabout (Dynamo) on the Abu Dhabi campus of New York University. As I walked out from under the steel dome of the Louvre at the end of my visit, I considered the advice Id give culture geeks with air miles. Dont ignore the less beautiful sides of the new museums and galleries, Id say, but dont let them put you off, either. A new, more socially liberal and inclusive Middle East is emerging, and Abu Dhabi is at its heart. Allison put it best: You dont invest as much in art, culture, or education as they are doing here just to make people like you, she told me over coffee and dates. You do it because you are serious about developing a population that can think and act originally and creatively. If your conscience is still cloudy, try this. When so much ancient culture has been destroyed in places like Syria and Afghanistan, and at a time when tourists have been attacked for visiting a museum in Tunisia, its more important than ever to promote cultural dialogue between East and West. Thats what Abu Dhabi is trying to do, with a little help from French and American cultural institutions and tourists. I recommend becoming one of them. Natalie Naccache From left: A stairwell at the Cultural Foundation combines traditional tilework with 1970s Modernism; Hashel Al Lamki in his downtown Abu Dhabi studio. A Cultural Tour of Abu Dhabi How to Get There Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabis sovereign airline offers nonstop flights from New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Book on the spacious Airbus A350 if you can. Where to Stay Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort: This property has 296 rooms, suites, and villas overlooking the Gulf. Staff and guests help to conserve marine life, including the turtles that nest on the beach. What to Do Cultural Foundation: Opened in 1981 as an arts center for the newly independent nation of the U.A.E., it was intended to foster all forms of intellectual and creative activity. 421: The people who run this art gallery, in a converted warehouse near the docks, aim to give Middle Eastern artists their first break and provide interactive programs and activities for all ages. Louvre Abu Dhabi: The first overseas outpost of the hallowed Paris museum showcases global art under a dome that weighs as much as the Eiffel Tower, but appears to float above the building. NYUAD Art Gallery: Public programming and guided tours complement exhibitions by international and local artists on New York Universitys Abu Dhabi campus. A version of this story first appeared in the March 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Fine Lines." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: Ian Ziering attends the 2022 iHeartRadio Wango Tango at Dignity Health Sports Park on June 04, 2022 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) Jon Kopaloff/Getty American Idol could have been a very different show. At 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, Ian Ziering joined Beverly Hills, 90210 costars Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Jason Priestley and Rebecca Gayheart to chat about the popular 1990s teen drama on a panel moderated by PEOPLE's Andrea Lavinthal. When the cast was asked what notable projects they passed up or that they came close to getting, Ziering revealed that he had almost had a future in reality television. RELATED: Shannen Doherty Says She's 'Feeling Great' During 90s Con Appearance Alongside 'Charmed' Cast "Shortly after [Beverly Hills, 90210] went off the air, Missy Halperin, who we all know [in casting], said, 'Ian, would you ever consider hosting a reality show?' And I'm like, 'No. I'm an actor.' That reality show was American Idol," Ziering explained, to a shocked crowd. "Not that it was an offer," he clarified. "But would I consider my name being thrown in a hat." Still, Ziering insisted, "I would have been horrible," joking that he must now wait for Drew Carey who hosts The Price Is Right to retire, "so I can jump in there." RELATED VIDEO: Lauren Daigle Surprises 'American Idol' Contestant Auditioning with Her Song 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. Though Ziering did not move forward with the hit singing competition show, he went on to star as Fin Shepard in the Sharknado film series following his time as Steve Sanders in 90210. As for American Idol, the series premiered on Fox in 2002 with Ryan Seacrest and comedian Brian Dunkleman as its hosts. Dunkleman did not return for the show's second season, and Seacrest has been Idol's sole host ever since. Idol, currently in its 21st season on ABC, features judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. The second annual 90s Con is taking place from March 17 to 19 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut. More information can be found here. Kate Middleton (pictured with her children last year) is celebrating Mother's Day in the U.K. (Photo: REUTERS/Hannah McKay) Kate Middleton is marking her first Mother's Day which falls in March in the United Kingdom as the Princess of Wales. On Sunday the royal shared two new family photos taken by photographer Matt Porteous. In the first, Middleton, 41, perches in a tree alongside children Louis, 4, George, 9, and Charlotte, 7, who are all decked out in summery, coordinating outfits. The second image sees the mother of three wearing a white eyelet blouse paired with jeans, her hair worn loose and wavy playfully carrying her youngest child, Louis. "Happy Mothers Day from our family to yours," the Prince and Princess of Wales Instagram account captioned the images, which do not feature Middleton's husband, Prince William. The Mother's Day celebration is the royal family's first since the death of Queen Elizabeth II last summer. It also comes as Netflix series The Crown at last turns its attention to the younger royals. Last week actors Ed McVey and Meg Bellamy, who have been cast as a young William and Kate for the show's sixth season, were seen filming in St. Andrews, Scotland, where the couple first met while attending university. The couple's three children are expected to make an appearance during the coronation procession for their grandfather King Charles on May 6, the Times has reported. Protesters fill the steps on the south side during a rally and walk to the Capitol by Oklahoma Providers for Privacy to remove mental health from the Health Information Exchange mandate, Saturday, March 178 2023 Mental health providers are demonstrating their opposition to a proposed state rule that would require them to share patient names and diagnoses information to regulators and other health professionals through a health information exchange. About 500 providers and patients gathered Saturday at noon outside of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which will consider adopting a revised rule that would require those disclosures when it meets at 2 p.m. on March 22. From there, the group marched along Lincoln Boulevard to the south steps of the State Capitol, where they rallied to make sure their views were heard. "Our biggest issue is the privacy for our clients," said Victoria Whatley, a licensed professional counselor at an Edmond facility. Whatley works with patients who have been through traumas, suffer from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders or other illnesses such as depression or anxiety. While the rule states that the confidentiality of patients' records will be protected within the system, Whatley and others who gathered Saturday said even sharing those records across a statewide health information exchange system would violate patients' rights under federal law. Whatley said the rule would violate her own ethical rules. She believes it is wrong even to confirm that an individual is a patient of hers unless the patient has expressly signed an agreement for the information to be released. "They have said there would be an opt out, but even that would force me to confirm that an individual is receiving my services, and that would violate my ethical codes," she said. Health Care Authority expects updated rule to benefit providers and patients According to the health care authority, the proposed rule would benefit all Oklahomans and their healthcare providers because information that will be gathered and accessible through the exchange will enable users to better coordinate patients' medical care and improve the health care delivery system's efficiencies. Story continues If adopted, it would require all health care providers to at least be working on connecting to the health information exchange by July 1 so their data could be shared among all network users. Authority members will gather to consider adopting the amended rule when they meeting in their boardroom at 4345 N Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. Opponents only recently learned of participation requirement, one says Jeff Fine-Thomas, a licensed marriage and family therapist who practices in Edmond with his wife (a licensed psychologist) said Saturday he only recently learned about participation requirements in the health information exchange, even though the exchange itself was created through a law the legislature approved last year. "A lot of people who wanted to comment about this were unable to" because they only learned about the proposed modified rule as a public comment period was about to close, Fine-Thomas said. He said a representative of the health care authority met with concerned practitioners Friday. "It sounds as if they are trying to understand our concerns, but I don't know how this is going to play out. It is a complex issue, for sure." Fine-Thomas said he worries a requirement that would force him to disclose his patients names and diagnoses into a system that could be accessed by every other health care provider in the state would create "a situation where informed consent is being stripped from a patient's control." Whatley echoed his concerns. "When people go to therapy, they let out the deepest, darkest secrets in their mind, and they don't want other people to know that. We are just fighting for people's privacy," she said. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mandatory reporting requirements protested by mental health advocates Palestinian Authority and Israeli government reaffirmed on Sunday in Egypts Sharm El-Sheikh commitment to work on ending unilateral measures for a period of three to six months, a joint statement shared by Egypts Foreign Ministry said. In a follow-up meeting to last month's Aqaba summit, high-level officials from the Palestinian Authority and Israeli government as well as Egypt, Jordan and the United States discussed steps to lower tensions ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan as well as Passover and Easter in Palestine. Following Sunday's summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said that the two sides reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. They also affirmed that they were committed to all previous agreements between them and to addressing all outstanding issues through direct dialogue. These include pledges to stop unilateral actions, according to the foreign ministry. Israel pledged to stop the discussion of new settlement construction for four months and to stop plans to legalise unauthorized settlement outposts for six months. The two sides reaffirmed, in this regard, their unwavering commitment to all previous agreements between them, in particular, the legal right of the Palestinian National Authority to carry out the security responsibilities in Area (A) of the West Bank, in accordance with existing agreements, and will work together towards realising this objective, said the foreign ministry. They also reiterated the commitment to upholding unchanged the historical status quo at the holy sites in Jerusalem, both in word and in practice, and reaffirmed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship. The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions, according to the foreign ministry. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt in April, the foreign ministry added. The parties also agreed to establish a mechanism to take the necessary steps towards improving the economic conditions of the Palestinian people, per previous agreements, and to significantly enhance the fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority, which will report to the April follow-up meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh. There was no immediate comment from Israel or the Palestinians. Search Keywords: Short link: Former Vice President Mike Pence is separating himself from Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis on the issue of Ukraine as he weighs a run for president in 2024. Trump, who is running for a second term, and DeSantis, who is widely expected to launch a campaign later this year, have both suggested that opposing Russias war on Ukraine is not "vital" to American interests. "Anybody that thinks that America has no national interest in supporting Ukraine in their fight against the Russian invasion is wrong," Pence said in an interview with the Des Moines Register on Saturday. Pence, who was in Des Moines for a foreign policy forum hosted by the Bastion Institute, said the U.S. should never send forces to Ukraine. But he said Democratic President Joe Bidens administration needs to send other aid at a faster pace. "Anyone who thinks that Putin will stop if he takes over Ukraine is wrong," Pence said. "And it would not take too long for Russian tanks to be arrayed at the border of a country that we would have to go and fight to defend." Those comments stand in contrast to those of Trump and DeSantis, who currently lead early polling of the still-forming presidential field. In a Fox News questionnaire, which host Tucker Carlson shared on Twitter, DeSantis said that although the U.S. has many vital national interests, "becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them." "We cannot prioritize intervention in an escalating foreign war over the defense of our own homeland, especially as tens of thousands of Americans are dying every year from narcotics smuggled across our open border and our weapons arsenals critical for our own security are rapidly being depleted," he said. Trump shared similar sentiments, saying that opposing Russia in Ukraine is not a vital American interest. "Our objective in Ukraine is to help and secure Europe," Trump wrote. "But Europe isnt helping itself. They are relying on the United States to largely do it for them. That is very unfair to us. Especially since Europe takes advantage of us on trade and other things." Story continues More:Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says supporting Ukraine is not a 'vital' U.S. interest, calls the war a 'territorial dispute' Pence offered some praise for Biden's approach while urging him to do more. "It's commendable what they've done in providing support and martialing NATO allies," he said. "But they need to pick up the pace dramatically. President Biden said we'll be there as long as it takes. My response is it shouldn't take that long." Pence will make a decision about 2024 "likely in the coming month" Pence was in Iowa once again as he weighs whether to formally launch a presidential campaign against his former running mate and a growing slate of others. He is scheduled to return March 29 for a dinner with the Johnson County Republican Party. Pence told the Register he and his wife will make a decision likely in the coming month. According to a Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll released earlier this month, Pence is viewed favorably by 66% of Iowa Republicans. But he has the highest unfavorable rating of the four politicians tested among Iowa Republicans at 26%. Another 7% are not sure. Those numbers have changed substantially since June 2020, when the Register last tested Iowa Republicans' attitudes toward Pence. Then, 86% viewed him favorably, while just 7% viewed him unfavorably and 7% were not sure. Pence said that if he becomes a candidate, he will consider the polling and how to create inroads with Iowans. "If I'm a candidate we'll think harder about that," he said. "But I think a lot of people around the country know me as vice president and not as a conservative governor of a Midwestern state or as a conservative leader in the Congress of the United States. And so if we become a candidate, I know we're very well known, but I don't know how well people know us." Pence has become a pariah among many of Trump's biggest supporters after he refused to help overturn the results of the 2020 election on Jan. 6, 2021. That day, some who rioted at the U.S. Capitol erected makeshift gallows and chanted "hang Mike Pence" as others flooded the halls of Congress in search of the vice president. Just 58% of Iowa evangelicals the group consistently showing the most support for Republicans and seemingly one of Pences most natural constituencies say they have favorable feelings toward him. Still, Pence has met a warm reception so far in Iowa, drawing crowds in Creston and at the Iowa State Fair. "Look, my old running mate enjoys support across Iowa and around the country," he said. "There are other candidates and others that may get in, but I also have a sense that different times call for different leadership." During his remarks at the forum, Pence repeatedly spoke about the accomplishments of the "Trump-Pence administration," including getting tough on China, rebuilding the American military, securing the Southern border and negotiating the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Pence told the Register a man approached him after the forum and thanked him for speaking highly of the administration. "I said, 'I'm incredibly proud of the record of our administration.'" Pence said. "It didn't end well. It's difficult. And I've been candid about that. But I hear people wanting to get back to those values. And so we've been encouraged in our visits here in Iowa, including today." Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: In Iowa, Mike Pence distances himself from Trump, DeSantis on Ukraine As an artist, he's hailed as a master for his use of light, rich pigments, and the serenity of his interior scenes; as a man, however, Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer is very much still a mystery. His body of work just about three-dozen paintings hold some of the only clues to this once virtually forgotten 17th century artist. Today, even one of his masterpieces can be a museum centerpiece, which is what makes the exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam extraordinary. Twenty-eight of Vermeer's paintings, the majority of his life's work, have been assembled in what co-curator Gregor Weber calls a once-in-a-lifetime show. Doane asked, "Have there ever been this many Vermeers together at any point?" "No, no," he replied. "I think also Vermeer never saw himself such an amount of his own paintings together." Weber said he'd dreamed of such an exhibition, and the dream came true once he heard that the Frick Collection in New York City, which owns three Vermeers, was going to close for remodeling. "And if you get them, then of course you can continue collecting all the other ones," he said. List of Vermeer paintings in the exhibition The Rijksmuseum already had four. Others are on loan from around the world: New York, Washington, Paris, Berlin. And what may be Vermeer's most familiar painting, "Girl With a Pearl Earring," has traveled from the Mauritshuis in The Hague. Weber likens "Girl With a Pearl Earring" to the "Mona Lisa" for her captivating gaze. She inspired a book, which became a movie. But her celebrity came late: "The painting was forgotten forgotten, forgotten, forgotten, forgotten," he said. "And it turned up at the end of the 19th century. A man living in The Hague bought the painting for a little bit more than two guilders (about $40 today). This is nothing!" How Vermeer was nearly lost to history is a story which traces back to his hometown of Delft in the Netherlands. Art historian David de Haan notes that, during Vermeer's lifetime, neither the artist nor his art ever really left Delft; his main patron was there. "That didn't do much good to his fame, the fact that he had just a small body of work and that most of the paintings stayed in Delft," he said. "But then, they moved into different private collections." Story continues Vermeer painted slowly, just about two pieces a year. One of them was "The Little Street." To find the location of the building, a researcher used tax records. Johannes Vermeer's painting Marriage and death records are also on display at the Prinsenhof Museum, where de Haan is curator. "From that, we have to sort of pieced together a little bit of insight into how his life was," he said. "It's a bit of a puzzle." There are no known self-portraits, though some suggest a figure on the left in "The Procuress" could be the enigmatic painter who fathered 15 children and died in 1675 at just 43. Detail from His widow wrote that Vermeer was "unable to sell any of his art," "lapsed into such decay and decadence," and "as if he had fallen into a frenzy," suddenly died. Documents reveal she traded Vermeer's art to pay for bread. "So, the local baker had these, what would wind up being, priceless artworks?" asked Doane. "Yeah," de Haan said. "It's weird that you imagine now having a baker owning three paintings by Vermeer? But that was actually the case." "View of Delft" may have saved Vermeer from obscurity. Nearly two centuries after the artist's death, a French art critic, Theophile Thore-Burger, came across the painting, describing it as "superb and most unusual." He became obsessed with the then-obscure artist, and helped establish Vermeer as a master of the Dutch Golden Age. Ige Verslype is one of the researchers using new technologies to analyze Vermeer's paintings. She told Doane, "Vermeer's doing some things that we don't see with other 17th century painters the very unusual buildup of paint layers, unusual use of certain pigments. So, he's really experimenting in his paintings, and that's what really amazes me." Art experts use modern technology to analyze the work of the 17th century artist - here, his With such precious few works, and never so many in one place, this show sold out in two days. The exhibit only runs until June. No surprise, the other museums want their Vermeers back. Doane asked, "Where does Vermeer sit in the pantheon of great painters?" Weber replied, "This depends on your artistic feeling. For me? At the top." For more info: "Vermeer" at the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam (through June 4)Art historian David de HaanMuseum Prinsenhof, Delft Story produce by Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Joseph Frandino. See also: Vermeer and the Dutch Masters who influenced him ("Sunday Morning") Sen. Elizabeth Warren says proposal to lift FDIC insurance cap has "got to be on the table right now" Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," March 19 Nature: Galapagos Tortoises Amelia Spencer It might be a minute before we get another royal weddingthe newly minted Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (aka Edward and Sophie)s children, the youngest of Her late Majestys eight grandchildren, are still teenagers. So, in light of that, lets turn to a wedding close at hand that is royally adjacent, shall we? Lady Amelia SpencerPrincess Dianas niece, Earl Charles Spencers daughter, and Kitty Spencers younger sisteris getting married soon, to longtime partner Greg Mallett. Though we dont have an exact wedding date, Amelia recently posted a photo with Greg that said Not long now In the image, Amelia lovingly held a hand to her husband-to-bes face as they posed closed against the backdrop of a beautiful mountain range, People reports. The couple dated for 11 years prior to getting engaged in July 2020. At that time, Amelia wrote on Instagram of the proposal Best day of my life. I cant wait to spend forever with you @gregmallett. I couldnt love you moreher new diamond ring on display. Greg proposed at the Clouds Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa, telling Hello I had one big pink box, inside which I put in eight smaller boxes, decreasing in size. In each box was a photograph of a first time. The final box contained a note instead of a picture that said, But most importantly, I know that you will remember tonight as the night that I proposed. As Amelia was reading the note, I dropped to one knee with the ring. So, who is Amelia, other than one lucky lady in love? The daughter of Charles and his first wife, Victoria Aitkin, Charles took to social media himself to congratulate the couple on their engagement, tweeting So happy for my daughter, Amelia, engaged to her boyfriend of 11 years, Greg. Its wonderful to hear them both so excited about their future. Sending them both love, and every good wish for their life together. I love that Greg asked my blessing before proposing. Very sweet. Greg might have himself spilled the beans on his wedding dayor at least his wedding monthwriting in November 2022 I did a thing for you. 4 months until I marry the love of my life! Four months from November, is, of course, this month. Story continues Tatler reports that the couple met as students at the University of Cape Town, and the outlet writes that the pair might wed in South Africa, where Amelia and her three siblingsolder sister Kitty, twin sister Eliza, and younger brother Louisgrew up. Marie Claire reported that Kittywho married lavishly herself in Italy in July 2021, complete with five Dolce and Gabbana looksopted not to wear her familys Spencer heirloom tiara, the one Diana wore at her wedding to the then Prince Charles in July 1981. Maybe Amelia will don the tiara? If her dad Charles has his way, Amelia will get married at his ancestral home Althorp House in Northamptonshire, England, according to Tatler . But, per the outlet, Amelia seems to lean more towards South Africa: Its our family home, its beautiful, she said. We would be very lucky to get married there, but Cape Town is where we grew up and there is a possibility that we might do it here, too. Amelia Spencer Amelia, born in July 1992, was just five years old when her aunt died in a Parisian car accident in August 1997. Of Diana, she told Hello that she feels a special connection to her, saying I feel that I have quite a compassionate nature, and I hope thats something I inherited from her. Diana was an incredible icon, and I know she touched a lot of peoples hearts and lives. Amelias parents divorced in 1997, and she and her siblings grew up in South Africa but traveled back to the U.K. for certain royal events, including the dedication of the Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in 2000, the Service of Thanksgiving on the tenth anniversary of Dianas death in 2007, and the wedding of cousin Prince William to Kate Middleton in 2011, People reports. Amelia wasnt photographed at the wedding of cousin Prince Harry to Meghan Markle in 2018, though her mother and siblings were there. FAIRFIELD COUNTY A change is coming to a dangerous spot with the construction of dual roundabouts to replace intersections at U.S. 22, Ohio 159, and Delmont Road. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced upcoming projects and traffic impacts for the Central Ohio region with two events on Wednesday. Highlights from one of the events included an outlining of large upcoming projects in Fairfield County and an emphasis on the need for drivers pay attention when going through work zones. One of the most notable projects on the docket was the U.S. Route 22, Ohio 159 and Delmont Road Intersection Improvement. This includes the reconfiguration of the intersection of U.S. 22/Ohio 159 along with the intersection of U.S. 22/Delmont Road in Fairfield County. The proposed construction includes the construction of dual roundabouts, replacing the two existing intersections. A car travels past the intersection of US 22 and Ohio 159 in this file photo. ODOT plans on putting two roundabouts at that intersection and the intersection at US 22 and Delmont Road. According to District 5 area engineer covering Fairfield and Perry counties RJ Starkey, this intersection was on Governor Mike DeWine's list due to safety concerns. "With the amount of traffic incidents that have occurred in the history of those two intersections it was on the Governor's list to upgrade that intersection for safety reasons," said Starkey. Starkey explained why these intersections are prone to safety issues. "You've got your major route which is US-22 coming through there so they are the priority, they do not stop," said Starkey. "If you're in a rush coming off a side road not paying any attention, it's very easy to have an accident." This $3.4 million project began in 2022 and is expected to be finished by November. Traffic impacts include lane restrictions and road closures. A car drives south past cracks in the road along Ohio 37 just outside on March 15, 2023, just outside of Bremen, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation will announced its plans for upcoming projects for Fairfield county and plans for Slide Repair and Geologic Maintenance of Ohio 37. Additional plans included two Ohio 37 resurfacing projects, both of which have a cost of $3.4 million. One of these is for resurfacing and related work on Ohio 37 from U.S 22 to the Fairfield/Perry County line while the other is on a portion of Ohio 37 in Fairfield and Licking counties. Story continues "It's been quite a while since the east side has been resurfaced," said Starkey. "It's at the end of its life and it's time to repave it." Map of Fairfield County's 2023 Construction Program "The northern section got some micro surfacing on it four or five years ago just to extend the life as much as possible but it's also time for that to be resurfaced," said Starkey. Both Ohio 37 resurfacing projects are expected to start in May and end in October and will come with lane restrictions. Fairfield County's largest project in terms of cost is the resurfacing of Interstate 70, which will cost $10.3 million. This project is for the resurfacing and related work on I-70 from the Franklin County line to Ohio 158 in Licking County. This project will also come with lane restrictions. A car drives south past cracks and a puddle in the road along State Route 37 just outside on March 15, 2023 just outside of Bremen, Ohio. The Ohio Department of Transportation announced its plans for upcoming projects for Fairfield county and plans for Slide Repair and Geologic Maintenance of Ohio 37. Other projects in Fairfield County include the following: County Road 20 Bridge Replacement County Road 502 Resurfacing Ohio 159 Bridge Replacement Ohio 37 Slide Repair/Geologic Maintenance ODOT is encouraging drivers to be safe as they travel through work zones. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 4,628 work zone-related crashes in Ohio last year, 21 were deadly resulting in 23 deaths and 85 involved serious injuries. This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: ODOT project to fix dangerous intersection and more A Florida Forest Service map shows in red the location of a 150-acre wildfire in Volusia County. Firefighters have a containment line almost entirely around a 150-acre wildfire near State Road 415 and south of State Road 44 in Volusia County. Crews dig around the perimeter of a wildfire to help keep it from spreading. As of about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, the Florida Forest Service announced that the fire was 95% contained. That means a containment line, or area where fire is less likely to spread, is almost entirely around the fire. The fire is not a threat to homes or business, and there are no road closures, according to Julie Allen, a forest service spokeswoman. Fire risk elevated:Unusually warm, dry weather leads to increased fire danger in Volusia County Recent fire activity:Forest firefighters battling dry conditions and wind Officials believe lightning started the fire after 2 p.m. Friday near Leffler Landing Road, according to Allen. Florida Forest Service wildland firefighters from the Bunnell and Orlando districts have received support from the The Volusia County Professional Firefighters Association, the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, the Seminole County Fire Department, Volusia County Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. To view a map of the wildfire, visit ffspublic.firesponse.com. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia wildfire at 150 acres but almost 100% contained Paul Beasley - Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images Paul Beasley, tenor for the Blind Boys of Alabama, died last Monday (13) at the age of 78. The falsetto had joined the famed gospel collective in 2013. The groups Ricky McKinnie, Jimmy Carter, Joey Williams, Rev. Julius Love, and Sterling Glass said in a statement: In life there are some things that only come once, and the legacy and voice of Paul Beasley is one of those things. Thank God for him. He was often imitated, but never duplicated. The Blind Boys have been friends and soulmates with Paul for many years. The memories that we shared are unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all of his family and friends. God bless you all. Beasley was born in DeRidder, Louisiana on December 11, 1944 and became a member of the Gospel Keynotes and the Mighty Clouds of Joy before he lost his sight and joined the Blind Boys, whose Alabama origins date from 1939. Co-founder Clarence Fountain died at 88 in 2018. Asked about his falsetto style, Beasley said: It just came naturally. When I was about 12 or 13 years old me and my sister used to sit down and see who could go the highest. His album debut with them came on 2013s Ill Find a Way, for which Justin Vernon of Bon Iver brought the group to his Wisconsin studio to produce the set. In his review, American Songwriters Lee Zimmerman singled out the enduring gospel standard Take Me to the Water, featuring the sextets new newest member Paul Beasley contributing his soaring and stately falsetto. Ill Find a Way was the first of four Blind Boys albums to which Beasley contributed; he was also with them on the 2021 single version of I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free, with Bela Fleck. During his time with the group, Beasley and the Blind Boys received four Grammy nominations, including Best American Roots Performance for Let My Mother Live, from the Almost Home album, at the 60th annual ceremony in 2018. A funeral service for Beasley will be held in DeRidder on March 25. For the latest music news and exclusive features, check out uDiscover Music. uDiscover Music is operated by Universal Music Group (UMG). Some recording artists included in uDiscover Music articles are affiliated with UMG. Close up of closed circuit camera on the wall decorations. In the coming days, Virginia prosecutors plan to release the 12-minute video of Irvo Otienos final moments before he passed away after being smothered by medical personnel and deputies at a mental health facility at the Central State Hospital. As previously reported by REVOLT, the 28-year-old was arrested on March 3 when police found him while responding to a possible burglary call. Otieno was placed under an emergency custody order and transferred to the Henrico County Jail West before landing at the hospitals facility. It was there that the aspiring hip hop artist, who had a past with mental illness that required medical treatment, met his demise. The beloved son was bound at the ankles and hands when deputies pulled him from a chair and pinned him to the ground after claiming he had been combative. For 12 minutes, the law enforcement members and three hospital employees held him down with their knees pressed into his back until he lay motionless. When you see that video, you will be shocked, said Attorney Mark Krudys, who, along with Benjamin Crump, is representing the family, at a press conference on Thursday (March 16). The force of them you can see that theyre putting their back into it. Every single part of his body is being pushed down with absolute brutality. You cannot even see his image many times. Family members have also viewed the gut-wrenching footage. My son was tortured, exclaimed Caroline Ouko, Otienos mother, at the press conference. At what point do we consider mental illness a crime? Can someone explain to me why my brothers not here right now? Someone explain to me why my mother cant sleep, cant eat were broken, said Leon Ochieng, Otienos older brother. Thus far, 10 people have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Otienos death: deputies Bradley Disse, Brandon Rodgers, Dwayne Bramble, Jermaine Branch, Kaiyell Sanders, Randy Boyer, Tabitha Levere, and hospital employees Darian Blackwell, Sadarius Williams, and Wavie Jones. Trending Stories Winner of SXSWs narrative grand jury award, Raging Grace deserves ample credit both for what it is and what it is not. But its difficult to be much more detailed in any appraisal of this cunning thriller without prematurely releasing cats from bags. On the other hand, it is safe to say that Paris Zarcilla, the British-born Filipino writer-director here making his feature debut, does an impressive job of infusing scary movie conventions with the potent urgency of a sharply observed social critique. Right from the start, Zarcilla generates a compelling rooting interest in his protagonist: Joy (Max Eigenmann), a single Filipina mom whos trying to maintain a low profile while working at various housekeeping jobs mostly for well-off folks who sound condescending even during the most innocuous conversational gambits and saving to purchase a gray-market visa so she and Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadilla), her mischievous young daughter, can remain in London. More from Variety Joy stoically accepts a demeaning system that allows (and, indeed, encourages) the exploitation of undocumented immigrants in her position. If she contrives to occasionally claim as temporary homes for herself and Grace the houses of clients on out-of-town trips, her actions are not signs of budding class-war rebelliousness. Rather, she comes off as an anxious mom simply trying to do right by the daughter she loves, having long ago chalked up pride as a luxury neither one of them can afford. In all likelihood, only someone stuck in such day-to-day drudgery would refrain from asking too many questions when shes offered what appears to be, if not a dream job, a safe refuge. So it doesnt strain credibility to a deal-breaking degree when Joy readily accepts a gig as combination housekeeper and caregiver for Master Garrett (David Hayman), an elderly aristocrat whos slowly dying of cancer in his gloomy (and quite dusty) secluded mansion. Mind you, the semi-comatose Garrett is in no position to do any actual hiring himself, leaving it to his haughty niece Katherine (Leanne Best) to offer Joy the job of cleaning house, cooking meals and caring for her uncle who seems to require fistfuls of medication on a regular basis while shes away on business. Story continues Again, someone in Joys position cant be too choosy; she cant work someplace where she might call undue attention to herself, and she really needs the money for that visa. Besides, although Katherine vacillates between transparently phony pleasantness (she insists, rather too aggressively, that Joy refer to her by her first name) and autocratic patronization, she isnt the most observant person in the world, thereby enabling Joy to keep Grace hidden in her room when the niece is around, and under control (relatively speaking) when the niece isnt. But it doesnt take long before Zarcilla begins to elevate the undercurrents of mounting dread with a few jump-scares (some funny, some not), followed by nightmares and apparitions that recall scenes from Roger Cormans long-ago Edgar Allen Poe adaptations in which Vincent Price or Ray Milland would be startled by creepy sights and sounds. Despite all of that, however, Joy and Grace are reluctant to leave because their options are limited. Raging Grace strikes a skillful balance of sociopolitical commentary and conventional yet effective spooky stuff, and maintains that equilibrium after Zarcilla flips the script in regard to motivations and assumptions. Eigenmann is exceptionally adept at vividly conveying the full range of Joys desperation and resilience, along with the sheer willpower it must require for someone with the characters obvious intelligence to maintain an unthreatening air of meek subservience. (A nice touch: The fleeting hint that she acquired invaluable knowledge about medicine during some previous, better-paying employment.) Her scenes with the well-cast Boadilla resound with the solid ring of truth, particularly when its clear that the loving mom is being driven close to crazy by her daughters ill-timed pranks. As for other members of the cast well, lets just say that theyre good enough to surprise you even when theyre fulfilling your worst suspicions. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Renaming of Colorados Mount Evans Delayed By RICK SALLINGER MOUNT EVANS, Colorado (KCNC) By now Mount Evans was expected to be renamed Mount Blue Sky, but the Northern Cheyenne tribe has objected to the process. Thats their prerogative thats their right as a sovereign nation, said Fred Mosqueda of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes. The name of the mountain should be changed to Cheyenne Arapaho according to the dissenting tribes administrator William Walksalong, who spoke exclusively with CBS News Colorado. He is originally from Montana. Reggie Wassana, the governor of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes, says he is not dismayed by the delay. The tribe had a vision, I guess and they felt that the consultation process didnt meet their needs, he said. The Colorado History Museum was filled with Native Americans as there is widespread agreement among them that the name associated with Gov. John Evans had to go because he instigated the Sand Creek Massacre. We were outed and unfortunately attacked and killed and murdered in those cases we were almost running out of Colorado, Wassana explained. The renaming is now in the hands of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, but Mosqueda is still remaining optimistic. Its a delay its still going to be named Mount Blue Sky, he said. The administrator for the Northern Cheyenne tribe told CBS News Colorado they wrote to Gov. Jared Polis, but did not hear back. A spokesman for the Colorado Department of Natural Resources says the Northern Cheyenne gave a presentation and answered questions at one of the two public meetings. The-CNN-Wire & 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. Sam Neill is eight months in remission following a blood cancer diagnosis but says hes fine and wishes the headlines were more focused on his upcoming book, which he wrote while undergoing treatment. The Jurassic Park and Invasion actor initially opened up about his health in an interview with The Guardian published on Friday, which was tied to his new memoir. Releasing on March 21, Did I Ever Tell You This? was written in just a few months during 2022 while, as Neill wrote, he was possibly dying. The book chronicles the Ireland-born actors Hollywood journey from New Zealand beginnings where there was no film industry in the 60s and 70s, according to the books summary to his time working with Meryl Streep, Isabelle Adjani, Jeff Goldblum, Sean Connery, Steven Spielberg and Jane Campion. More from The Hollywood Reporter According to the actor, he first discovered he had swollen glands in March of last year while doing press for Jurassic World Dominion in Los Angeles. The diagnosis was stage three angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a blood cancer, that he was in chemotherapy to treat within weeks. Neill told the outlet that at the time, he wasnt afraid to die and ultimately couldnt care less about it, but it would annoy me. Because Id really like another decade or two, you know? Weve built all these lovely terraces, weve got these olive trees and cypresses, and I want to be around to see it all mature. And Ive got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big. The interview details that after his first round of chemo didnt work, the actor tried a new and very expensive drug that Neill will do monthly for the rest of his life. He will also receive it for free after signing a contract with the drug company that guaranteed it was no-cost if he was still alive after the first four months of treatment. After joking that he has a slight look of lab rat about him, he told The Guardian, Im not off the hook as such, but theres no cancer in my body. Story continues Now the actor says that he wished the headlines focused more on that reality that hes alive and well, promoting a book and gearing up for a new film instead of the slightly tiresome cancer news that proceeded the interview. My news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and its sort of Cancer! Cancer! Cancer! Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good, he said in an Instagram video posted Saturday, which saw Neill responding to reports about his health. Im alive and kicking and Im going to work. The Hunt for Red October star shared that along with his books impending release, he is slated to start filming Apples Never Fall alongside Annette Bening in seven days and is very happy to be going back to work. I just wish the headline wasnt that thing so much, because the main thing is that I have written this book, its called Did I Ever Tell You This? he continued. And it does mention cancer because thats the sort of context in which I wrote it. But I didnt really mean to write a book, I needed something to do while I was undergoing treatment, and I am used to going to work and I suddenly couldnt go to work. He went on to celebrate the great response around the book, which he said he was very nervous to write as a first-time author. It gives you an idea of all the crazy things that have happened to me. The tone of the book is one of surprise. I never thought that I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor onscreen. But thats kind of what happened and I am full of gratitude looking back on this life, and thats what the book is about, he added. So I hope you enjoy it, and lets not worry too much about all that because Im fine. Click here to read the full article. President Xi Jinping heads to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker. The two countries had turbulent relations during the Cold War, but over the past decades the two neighbours have pooled forces against the United States and developed economic cooperation. As President Xi Jinping heads to Moscow next week, here are key dates in relations between the two countries since 1950. 1950: Korea war In the aftermath of World War II, China and the Soviet Union in February 1950 sign a friendship, alliance and mutual assistance treaty. During the 1950-1953 war on the Korean peninsula, the Soviet Union provides military assistance while Chinese forces fight alongside the North against the US-dominated international coalition which allied with the South. 1956: secret speech In 1956, following the death of Stalin, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev delivers a speech denouncing the cult of personality and brutality of his predecessor, sending shockwaves through the Communist world. Mao -- already building his own cult of personality at home -- later accuses Khrushchev of "revisionism" and of straying from the true path of communism, laying the groundwork for a decades-long souring of relations. 1960: split In November 1957, rivalry between China and the Soviet Union emerges during the International Meeting of Communist and Workers Parties in Moscow. The ideological and strategic split deepens in April 1960, when Khrushchev cancels a bilateral nuclear agreement. In July 1963, the Chinese and Soviet communist parties break off contact over border incidents, disagreements over the Cuba crisis and the conflict between China and India. Then, in August 1963, Beijing denounces the Partial Test Ban Treaty between the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union. 1969: border dispute In November 1965, Chinese Communists begin to campaign against the new revisionism of Khrushchev within the international communist movement. In 1969, a dispute over the eastern China-Russia border, along the Amur River, degenerates into armed clashes which leaves several hundred dead. In April 1979, China walks out of the 1950 treaty with the Soviet Union. Negotiations on normalising relations are suspended in January 1980, after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. 1989: normalisation After a 30-year hiatus, a summit between Deng Xiaoping and Mikhail Gorbachev in May 1989 seals the normalisation of relations. Beijing and Moscow agree in December 1992 to not join any politico-military alliance against each other. In September 1994, the two countries end their nuclear standoff, agreeing to withdraw their respective missiles. 1996: stand against the US President Jiang Zemin and his Russian counterpart Boris Yeltsin in April 1996 establish in Beijing a strategic partnership for the 21st century to counter US international domination. Meeting in Shanghai, China, Russia and three ex-Soviet central Asian states -- Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan sign a security accord which will result in the birth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in 2001. 2001: friendship treaty The first China-Russia friendship treaty for five decades is signed at the Kremlin in July 2001. In June 2005, a final agreement is signed resolving the dispute over the eastern part of the China-Russia border after 40 years of negotiations. New Chinese President Xi Jinping chooses Moscow for his first official foreign visit in 2013, signing some 30 accords on oil and gas. 2011: Syria After the Syrian civil war breaks out in 2011, Russia and China block several draft resolutions at the UN Security Council condemning the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Beijing also displays neutrality over Moscow's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. 2014: Energy cooperation On May 21, 2014, China and Russia conclude a $400 billion mega gas supply contract over 30 years, after a decade of negotiations. A joint pipeline is inaugurated in December 2019 which will take gas from eastern Siberia to China. On June 28 2021, the two countries extend by five years their 2001 friendship treaty. 2022: Ukraine Russian and Chinese leaders in early February 2022 proclaim in Beijing their "unlimited friendship". Several days later President Vladimir Putin orders the invasion of Ukraine. In September 2022, at the height of the crisis with the West, Xi and Putin say they want to strengthen their links. Beijing neither condemns nor openly supports the Russian offensive, while giving diplomatic support to Moscow and calling for a solution to the conflict. Search Keywords: Short link: A StarNews file photo shows apartment construction in Wilmington, N.C. A new bill introduced recently in the North Carolina state legislature could give local officials statewide the power to curb rising rents. In Wilmington, rent hikes have become the norm for many since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic hit, average monthly rent in Wilmington hovered around $1,250. Now, it averages around $1,800, according to data from Rent.com. But it has shown signs of stabilizing. Rents in North Carolinas biggest cities have also climbed. While campaigning for the North Carolina Senate last year, Lisa Grafstein said rent was a hot topic with her Raleigh-area constituents. It was hard to have a conversation that didnt mention affordability, she said. Prompted by those rising rents, Grafstein, a Democrat who represents District 13, filed a bill that would strike a state statute that prohibits city and county governments from regulating rents. More:Major Wilmington intersection to get 120 new apartments as developers plan expansion More:After skyrocketing increases, have rental rates finally stabilized in Wilmington? A StarNews photo shows ongoing construction on an apartment complex near Hanover Center in Wilmington, N.C. Why is rent control banned? In 1987, the North Carolina legislature approved the existing rent control ban by a wide margin with bipartisan support. The statute states no city or county may enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance or resolution which regulates the amount of rent to be charged for privately owned, single family or multiple unit residential or commercial rental property. Since then, just a handful of bills aimed at workforce housing and inclusionary zoning have been introduced in the state legislature, Grafstein said. Sen. Lisa Grafstein represents District 13 in the N.C. Senate. What would this bill do? Grafsteins bill would strike the ban on local rent control from state law. That would allow leaders across the state to address affordability issues in ways tailored to the area, Grafstein said. To me, the important thing was to untie the hands of local governments so they could look at their specific circumstances, she said, and see what was in the best interest of their local residents and try to do something to help them. Story continues Those efforts could take a variety of forms, ranging from rent control, to subsidies or concessions to builders. The virtue of this particular bill is it's not requiring any local government to do anything, Grafstein said. It's just taking away a barrier that's in place at the state level. A StarNews photo shows ongoing construction on an apartment complex near Hanover Center in Wilmington, N.C. A nationwide trend As rents rose during the pandemic, Jim Lapides, a vice president of advocacy and strategic communications with the National Multifamily Housing Council, said he noticed an uptick in legislation aimed at giving rent control powers to local leaders. There is this huge housing affordability crisis, and cities and states don't have a ton of levers that they can pull to try to impact this issue, Lapides said. So, rent control seems like something that is a quick fix. Currently, the District of Columbia, Oregon and California have statewide rent control ordinances. Several other states, including New York, Maine, Maryland and New Jersey, have local and county rent control ordinances in effect, according to data from the National Multifamily Housing Council. More:'Messing with my psyche': Wilmington renters face uncertainty as rents climb STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the areas latest development news by following our Growth and Development page on Facebook. Is rent control effective? Rent control can help reduce rents quickly, but research has shown there can be a down side. Government-sponsored rent control can drive up rents for other renters, result in reduced housing supply and, if not targeted, can disproportionately benefit high-income renters, Lapides said. Its really the worst possible thing that you can do to address housing, he said. In place of rent control alone, Lapides said the National Multifamily Housing Council advocates for subsidies to lower income renters to address short-term cost hikes and in the long term is pushing for more construction to address an imbalance of housing supply and demand. A file photo from 2021 shows the state capitol building in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. Whats the future of the N.C. bill? The bill has been referred to the state senates rules committee and needs a push from the committees chair to make it to the floor. Thats unlikely given the Republican-dominated house and senate. It's not a place where I think there's an overwhelming appetite for a bill like this, Grafstein said. Still, she said, its a start to addressing the rising cost of housing, an issue Grafstein and others in the state legislature are looking to address this session. There's an understanding that we need to do something, she said. How much gets done is a big question. Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at edill@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: North Carolina bill could give officials ability to curb rising rents LGBTQ activist and advocate Meta Ellis in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday November 16, 2022. Meta Ellis is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Meta Ellis attended her first protest when she was 3 years old. Her parents were activists in their own right. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Ku Klux Klan bombed her house twice. Even at just a few years old, she knew what was going on around her. She said that being born during the Montgomery Bus Boycott gives you an awareness. Now, shes the director of Montgomery Pride United and co-founder of the Bayard Rustin Community Center and Thrift Store. She and her wife, Emma McDaniel-Ellis, sit outside the Alabama Statehouse to protest the laws that target marginalized groups. McDaniel-Ellis joked that they had their own bench. In 2015, they founded the community center, where they offer lunches to those in need. McDaniels-Ellis even provided a bus pass to a man who needed one while she was being interviewed for this story. In the backroom, theres a lending library, which they said may have the largest collection of LGBTQ+ literature in Alabama. LGBTQ activist and advocate Meta Ellis, left, with her wife Emma McDaniel Ellis are seen in Montgomery, Ala. on Wednesday November 16, 2022. Montgomery Pride United was founded in hopes of bringing organizations together: Equal Justice Initiative, American Civil Liberties Union and more. She said theres a lot of need in the area. When she spoke in the interview, she continued that hope and wanted to call attention to more groups doing good work across Alabama. She named Magic City Acceptance Center, an LGBTQ+ affirming space in Birmingham. She credited TKO Society, an organization dedicated to TLGB+ Black people in the south. In the past year, Ellis has been present at protests for the laws targeting LGBT+, especially transgender youth, in Alabama and the Dobbs decision, which made abortion illegal in Alabama. These issues are ones shes been protesting for decades and shes not surprised that shes still protesting them. Story continues She said that nothing that lawmakers do surprises her anymore. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Who paved the way for you? First of all, my parents, and I've had a lot of good mentors along the way, and most of them were much older than myself. I've had some awesome teachers over the years; went to a lot of different schools and a lot of different places. But I had a really awesome teacher named Paul Parody, who taught stage and I'll never forget him. He just was somebody that really cared about young people. And, you could feel it from him. But one of my best mentors was a Cherokee and Irish woman named Mellowryexxx. And, I learned the most about activism and caring for the earth and old medicine ways and things like that. I'd have to say she was probably, other than my parents, the most important mentor of my life. What is your proudest moment? Having wonderful children. It's one way of teaching somebody closely your values and all of that. Very proud. I have two daughters. Do you have a lowest moment? In the past, my lowest moment was when I lost my brother and my closest friend who was ill and my grandfather and a few other friends all in a few months time. What is your definition of courage? Not giving up. Staying the course even when its rough. Meta Ellis speaks during an abortion rights rally on the grounds of the Alabama Archives building followed by a march on the Alabama Capitol Building in Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday June 26, 2022. Over 150 protestors showed up to protest the overturning of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. It seems like you do that when you wait outside the statehouse during the legislative session. Oh, yeah. Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself? One of the things I always try to do is to clear my pathway. Take care of the old business, so that you can attend to what is most important for the day. And, then, I look for the light. Embrace the light and what is good in a situation. What light have you found in the past? Mostly through inspiring people. And, when you're looking for that in folks, it shows up. When you're expecting it, when you're seeking it out, it definitely shows up sometimes in situations, a lot of times in people that you run into it's inspiring people. Who did or do you look up to? I have a great deal of respect for Michelle Browder [Alabama's Women of the Year honoree in 2022]. I want to put some kudos out there for her. I have a great deal of respect for her. And, there's so many people here that we were talking about: Lydia Pickett, who works with [Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless], and JaTaune [Bosby] with the ACLU. She does an awesome job. We have we have great team of workers here [the center], too. Travis Jackson. Mia Raven, at the P.O.W.E.R. [People Organizing for Womens Empowerment & Rights] House, is part of our team. So, we are surrounded by really awesome people. How do you overcome adversity? First of all, you have to allow yourself to be disappointed and to feel those feelings. Allow yourself to have the feelings and then just toughing it up and then go back out there for the day's battle. What advice would you give your younger self? There's a a lot of things I would tell my younger self. First of all, to value yourself. I'm still not there, OK, I'll be 70 soon. I think that's the thing that I would most want to tell my younger self: to place more value in and not be so down on who you're not. And, just one physical thing I probably would have done, but to tell myself not to enjoy smoking, just on a practical course. But other than that, I don't think telling somebody something when they're that young really sets in, you almost have to find out things the hard way to really learn them. And, I did have to learn a lot of things the hard way. What keeps you going? Pure stubbornness. And, if you ever met my mother, youd know where I got it from. This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Activist born during Montgomery Bus Boycott honored by USA TODAY The Biden administration thought its pressure campaign on Nicaragua might be getting some traction when the Central American countrys authoritarian government handed over 222 political prisoners to the United States last month. The hopes didnt survive long. Almost immediately, Nicaragua stripped the ex-detainees of their citizenship, threatened to seize their property and sentenced a Catholic bishop who declined to leave to 26 years in prison. So much for a possible rapprochement with Washington or political softening in Managua. The moves by Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo his powerful wife and vice president now seem more like a way to consolidate power and continue repression than make amends with Washington. For the prisoners, its good. For the country, it sucks, said Eddy Acevedo, a Republican former Capitol Hill staffer who has helped craft U.S. policy on Nicaragua over the past seven years. Ortega just deported his whole opposition. What happens if this gets replicated in other countries? The U.S. will keep on or possibly intensify the pressure campaign on Nicaragua, maybe adding new sanctions, say Biden administration officials. Yet America is struggling to protect and promote democracy not just in Nicaragua but across Latin America. Democracies in Peru and Brazil have wobbled. Relations with Mexico are strained. These diplomatic challenges for Washington come at a time when China and Russia, its chief global rivals, are making in-roads in the region. Were already seeing a troubling drift toward authoritarianism and deliberate attacks on democratic institutions in Nicaraguas neighbors, such as Guatemala and El Salvador, said Rebecca Bill Chavez, a former Defense Department official in the Obama administration. Nicaragua is a test case. Washington has devoted a lot of effort both to weaken and sway the Ortega regime, but has come short of its goals a situation likely being watched by others in the region. Story continues Some of the prisoners now released in America are urging the Biden administration to keep up the pressure on the dictatorship they hope to weaken from abroad. We were not the most important part of the story, said the newly freed Juan Sebastian Chamorro, a former Nicaraguan presidential candidate. The most important part of the story is that there are no liberties in Nicaragua. Theres no freedom. Theres no democracy. A bad relationship turns toxic U.S.-Nicaragua links began unraveling more than a decade ago as it became clear that Ortega a former rebel who fought another Nicaraguan dictator wouldnt leave the presidency. Relations worsened over the past five years as Ortega and Murillo strengthened their grip. The Trump administration imposed economic sanctions and other penalties, mainly targeting individuals such as Murillo, in 2018, a year when the regime brutally cracked down on widespread protests. In June 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Nicaraguan counterpart that the United States could ease up on those penalties if Nicaragua were to move back toward democracy and improve its human rights record. (Abuses such as torture and extrajudicial executions in Nicaragua may constitute crimes against humanity, a U.N. investigative panel said earlier this month.) Blinkens message failed to sway the ruling power couple. Over the next few months, Ortega and Murillo imprisoned more dissidents ahead of an election. The U.S. responded by slapping sanctions on a Nicaraguan state-owned mining company and banning visas for hundreds of Nicaraguan officials and their relatives. Biden also issued orders in October that authorized his administration to impose future sanctions on various economic sectors in Nicaragua, as well as trade and investment. This was a major threat because it would, effectively, circumvent a trade deal between the United States, Nicaragua and a number of other countries. The United States is Nicaraguas largest trading partner. A no-brainer operation On Jan. 31, Murillo called U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua Kevin Sullivan and urged him to get in touch with the foreign ministry for a matter that could improve ties. Ten days later, the 222 prisoners landed in the Washington area. According to three U.S. officials familiar with the issue, Nicaragua demanded nothing in return. Biden aides saw taking the prisoners as a humanitarian no-brainer so non-controversial that it was largely handled at the assistant secretary level, according to a senior National Security Council official. Biden was kept apprised throughout, a second senior NSC official said. The NSC officials, like other U.S. officials quoted, were granted anonymity to describe sensitive diplomatic matters. Multiple U.S. departments were involved in the logistics, including screening the prisoners for security risks and preparing mental health services for those who might need them. They rejected a handful of people on the original list of 228. Two people, including Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez, declined to go to the United States. Biden administration officials knew that Ortega and Murillo could benefit by putting distance between themselves and their rivals. But the opposition hadnt been able to do much inside Nicaragua because all the key figures were in prison. One of the prisoners described being awakened by guards in the early morning on Feb. 9 and told to dress and be ready in 10 minutes. The prisoner and fellow detainees then boarded buses with windows covered by bars and wood. They were told to keep their heads down and mouths shut. Toward the end of the road trip, guards on the bus handed the prisoners papers to sign. It was dark and some prisoners were reluctant to sign a document they could barely see. The guards told them that if they didnt sign, they wouldnt be able to leave the country. That was the first clue many prisoners had that they could soon be free. Once the prisoners were let off the buses, they saw they were on the tarmac of the airport, next to a massive plane. We saw a box on the tarmac that had the passports of all of us new Nicaraguan passports, said the former prisoner, who was granted anonymity to protect their family in Nicaragua. This was quite an operation. Searching for rifts The prisoner release could be a sign of dissension within the ruling ranks. A video said to be from late December appeared to show Ortega and Murillo parting after a disagreement, spurring ongoing speculation about a rift between the pair. After the release of the prisoners to the United States, Ortega appeared to suggest the idea came from his wife. Reports last spring that Laureano Ortega, the child thought most likely to succeed the ruling couple, had reached out to U.S. officials about sanctions relief also led to questions about potential tensions within Nicaraguas elite. This all comes amid speculation that Daniel Ortegas health is failing and a lack of clarity about how loyal his supporters are to his wife. Ortega and Murillo were once leaders in the Sandinista rebel movement, helping topple the dynastic autocracy of Nicaraguas Somoza family. Today, they have turned into what they once loathed, their critics say. After revoking the citizenship of the exiled dissidents, at least one of whom also has American nationality, Nicaraguas government also stripped 94 other people of their Nicaraguan passports. Many of the latter are activists living outside the country. Nicaraguas ambassador in Washington did not respond to requests for comment. Limits of U.S. power Still, Americas options in Nicaragua are limited. Increasing sanctions pressure could damage Nicaraguas economy and worsen the migration crisis in the hemisphere. Ortega and Murillo have other potential options for international support Russia and China. The regime supports Russias war in Ukraine and has permitted Moscow to place troops and military equipment on its soil. In late 2021, Nicaragua switched its diplomatic recognition away from Taiwan in favor of Beijing, in a sop of the Chinese. Hawkish figures such as former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton have called Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela the troika of tyranny because of their repressive rule. The United States has taken particularly harsh measures toward each, with little success. The Cuban communist regime has survived decades of U.S. sanctions. Biden has yet to embrace a brief diplomatic flowering of relations with Havana that began under then-President Barack Obama but was ended by then-President Donald Trump. The Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, too, has weathered years of sanctions and other U.S. pressure. A U.S.-backed opposition effort to overthrow Maduro has largely fizzled in the past six months, and the dictator appears secure. Some of the former Nicaraguan prisoners already are in touch with each other, looking at uniting around a common platform to oppose Ortega and Murillo from exile. This is one of the mistakes Ortega made he made us closer, said Chamorro, the former presidential candidate. Yet diaspora-led opposition movements are rarely successful, noted Christopher Sabatini, a Latin America analyst with Chatham House. Such campaigns dont command the resources, they dont command diplomatic legitimacy theyre often very fractious, Sabatini said. Inside Nicaragua, theres not going to be a popular uprising that unseats Daniel Ortega at this point. There cant be. Theres no one to lead it. UNIFY Off the Record | Supplied Last last year, UNIFY Gathering organisers announced that the annual heavy music festival would not be taking place in 2023, sharing a statement in which they revealed they had made the call to take a year off. Now, in lieu of the festivals 2023 outing, organisers have announced UNIFY Off the Record: a series of mini-festivals that will take place in May and June, in five Australian cities, each featuring their own unique lineup. UNIFY Off the Record Will Take Place in Five Australian Cities in May and June UNIFY is hitting the road for 2023 ?? General on-sale for all shows is from 9AM (AEDT) this Wednesday, 22 March.https://t.co/0Uo92LlbJB pic.twitter.com/YfJcC2VJ1f UNIFY Gathering (@UNIFYgathering) March 19, 2023 The touring series will kick off in Mackay, Queensland (on Yuwibara Country) at Seabreeze on Saturday, 20th May, with a bill headlined by Thornhill and Void of Vision. Adelaide (Kaurna Country) is up next, on Friday, 26th May, with Teenage Joans, Thornhill, Ocean Grove and Yours Truly playing Hindley Street Music Hall. On Saturday, 27th May, Wollongong Uni Bar (on Dharawl Country) will host Thy Art Is Murder, Make Them Suffer, Ocean Grove, Yours Truly and more. On Thursday, 1st June, the tour will head to Hobart (nipaluna) with a show at the Odeon Theatre headlined by Alpha Wolf and In Hearts Wake. UNIFY Off the Record will wrap up at The Pier in Frankston on Friday, 2nd June, with a lineup that includes Northlane, In Hearts Wake, Make Them Suffer and many more. See the full lineup for each city below. In addition to live music, each event will also feature artist signings, a 24Hundred pop-up merch shop, DJs, panels, workshops and more. Tickets for all shows will go on sale this Wednesday, 22nd March. When we made the decision to skip the 2023 gathering, we knew right away that we wanted to do something to fill the space left, organisers said in a statement. Weve always been so grateful to all the people who make the annual pilgrimage to Gippsland from all over Australia, and sometimes the world. So this year we thought, why not take the show to the people? Story continues UNIFY Gatherings regular Gippsland outing last took place in 2022, with a bill that included The Amity Affliction, Violent Soho, Trophy Eyes, Slowly Slowly, Ocean Grove, Thornhill and many more. UNIFY Off the Record 2023 Saturday, 20th May Seabreeze, Yuwibara/Mackay QLD Thornhill Void of Vision Young Lions Wildheart Arcade Stories Friday, 26th May Hindley Street Music Hall, Kaurna/Adelaide SA Teenage Joans Thornhill Ocean Grove Yours Truly The Beautiful Monument Alt The Last Martyr Wildheart Saturday, 27th May Uni Bar, Dharawal/Wollongong NSW Thy Art Is Murder Make Them Suffer Ocean Grove Yours Truly Fit for an Autopsy Bloom Banks Arcade Reliqa Alienist Raised as Wolves Thursday, 1st June Odeon Theatre, nipaluna/Hobart TAS Alpha Wolf In Hearts Wake Void of Vision RedHook Offset Vision Friday, 2nd June The Pier, Bunurong/Frankston VIC Northlane In Hearts Wake Make Them Suffer RedHook Fit for an Autopsy Ocean Sleeper Mirrors Chasing Ghosts Banks Arcade Future Static Tickets for all shows on sale this Wednesday, 22nd March Further Reading UNIFY Gathering 2020 Review Tarwin Meadows, Victoria UNIFY Gathering Will Not Be Happening In 2023 Alpha Wolf: We Found Out About Knotfest When We Were Out on the Town in Europe The post UNIFY Gathering Organisers Announce Touring Mini-Festivals for 2023 appeared first on Music Feeds. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Sunday pushed back on former President Donald Trump over his call to protest his potential arrest related to paying the adult film star Stormy Daniels. "Violence is never the right answer, and I always worry about it. But this is another case of Donald Trump just trying to advance the interests of Donald Trump, not of the rest of the nation," Warren, D-Mass., told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl. "Let's be clear about what's going on here: No one is above the law, not even the former president of the United States, and if there has been an investigation, and that investigation should be allowed to go forward appropriately, if it's time to bring indictments, then they'll bring indictments," Warren said. "That's how our legal system works." In a statement on social media on Saturday, Trump claimed he would be arrested on Tuesday and that his supporters should protest. A spokesperson later walked some of that back, saying the former president was merely "highlighting his innocence and the weaponization of our injustice system" and that there was no notification of an imminent arrest. MORE: Trump claims he will be arrested Tuesday, calls for protests Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office has been investigating whether Trump falsified business records in connection with his payment to Daniels -- to allegedly cover up what Daniels claimed was an affair with Trump -- sources previously told ABC News. While Bragg's office had no comment on Trump's social media post, Bragg wrote in an email to staff obtained by ABC News that we do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York." Trump has denied wrongdoing, including having an affair with Daniels, but has admitted he paid her, once defending it as "very common among celebrities and people of wealth." His attorney has cast the money as an extortion payment. On "This Week" on Sunday, Warren said Trump was wrong to claim political persecution, a view echoed by his former vice president, Mike Pence, in a separate "This Week" sit-down. Story continues "There's no reason to protest this. This is the law operating as it should, without fear or favor for anyone," Warren said. PHOTO: Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks during a hearing by the Senate Finance Committee on the proposed budget request for 2024, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, March 16, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Much of her interview was focused on the financial industry in the wake of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, which led to the federal government stepping in to ensure all depositors at SVB received their money. Karl pressed Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, on any consequences she believes should be meted out, including criminal charges, and whether she had learned from regulators if any other institutions were at risk. She declined to speak about "private conversations" but said, "Let me be clear about what I'm calling for right now: I'm calling for an independent investigation of the [Federal Reserve] and the whole regulatory system here. The Fed doesnt just get to do it." "Do you think we could see criminal charges?" Karl asked. "It depends. ... The Department of Justice has opened an investigation. I think thats appropriate for them to do. Well see where the facts take them. But weve got to take a close look at this," she said. MORE: After the fall of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, here are tips to keep your money safe Warren reiterated her anger with what she described as the cycles of banking busts and bailouts and said it was time for the government to impose regulations on banks that are not among the biggest in the country but still hold billions of dollars in assets. "I'm also calling on Congress ... to roll back the ability of the Fed to weaken regulations and calling for these CEOs to be held accountable so that we have laws in place to get claw-backs of their bonuses, of their giant salaries. And, when you explode a bank, you ought to be banned from banking forever," she said. In particular, she singled out the recent history of lessening regulations on banks like SVB, urged on by executives like former President and CEO of SVB Greg Becker, who had played down the danger to the broader economy, she said. Just days before his bank's collapse, Becker sold more than $3.5 million of his company stock holdings while publicly appearing confident to investors, ABC News previously reported. (Becker has not responded to multiple requests for comment from ABC.) "These big multibillion-dollar banks loaded up on risk, they boosted their short-term profits, they gave themselves huge bonuses and big salaries and they exploded their banks. And so, where we stand now is now the federal government's got to step back in and back up these multibillion-dollar banks," Warren said on "This Week." "And I think there's two halves to this: One half is the government is clearly doing that. But there are a lot of people saying, 'Gee, if they've been so lightly regulated for such a long period, it's important to look under the hood and see what's happening with the other banks.'" MORE: Biden seeks greater penalties for failed bank executives, including industry ban Warren, however, declined to go after some of her fellow Democrats for supporting a deregulatory bill in 2018, saying she had no problem with removing stress tests for community banks but that regulations should be reimposed on larger institutions. "You got more than $50 billion? Then by golly, you ought to be subjected to stress tests and decent capital requirements and so on," she said. Warren reacts to Trump's call for protests over possible arrest: 'No one is above the law' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Tammy Slaton is giving followers a look at her impressive weight loss in new photos. The 1000-Lb. Sisters star, 36, shared nine photos on Instagram Monday, and the captionless post attracted a host of praise and encouragement from her followers and fans of the TLC show. "I think I speak for everyone when I say WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ," one follower wrote on Slaton's post. Another shared their emotional reactions to her journey on this season of the TLC show, writing, "Omg Tammy you look amazing! And no more trach! I have cried on every episode this season! You freakin' did it girl! I am so proud of you!" "Tammy I am so proud of you! I always knew you could do it ," another follower wrote. "You look great & we can tell you're genuinely happy. I look forward to watching you transform into who you're meant to be!" Slaton had been inactive on the app since her last post on Feb. 14, which was her first since March 2022. In the latest season of 1000-Lb. Sisters, viewers have gotten an inside look at her recent marriage to Caleb Willingham, who she met at a rehab facility in Ohio and left her "speechless" after his surprise proposal. Slaton also achieved her weight loss goal in a recent episode she needed to drop from 717 lbs. to 550 lbs. in order to qualify for weight loss surgery, and, much to her excitement, she made it down to 534 lbs. "When I got on the scale and I saw the scale was at 534.7, I kinda stopped breathing for a second," Slaton said during the Feb. 7 episode. "I'm like 14 lbs. under my goal weight. From over 700, that's a huge drop." She added, "I'm feeling thrilled, proud, excited just all the emotions. I proved everybody wrong. Everybody that doubted me, I finally got mine! My told-you-so moment!" RELATED: 1,000-Lb. Sisters' Tammy Slaton on Recovering from Her Health Scare: 'I'm Not Letting My Body Defeat Me' Story continues 1000-Lb. Sisters' Tammy Slaton Weds Caleb Willingham at Ohio Rehab Center: Im Married!. Photo Credit - Michael Moretti. Michael Moretti At 534 lbs., Slaton is eligible and ready to undergo bariatric surgery with surgeon Dr. Eric Smith. It's unconfirmed whether the operation has already taken place or not. In an episode that aired Feb. 28, she is greeted and celebrated by her whole family as she leaves the Ohio rehab facility to undergo the weight loss operation. "They had a poster for me to read that everybody wrote a little something on there to celebrate me," she said during the episode. "I mean, bs this is about me at the end of the day because I'm queen." Her family's support moved her to tears, and she admitted that she "needed to know that they love me no matter what" ahead of the surgery. "I needed to know that they're here for me. They love me. That's one of the biggest things to help push me through to get to where I am now." Tammy Slaton weight loss Tammy Slaton/Instagram 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. Slaton's sister, Amy Slaton, was nervous as she anticipated the life-changing surgery Tammy had ahead of her. "I am nervous for Tammy," she said during the episode. "Anything could happen during surgery. I couldn't picture a life without my sister." New episodes of 1000-Lb. Sisters air Tuesdays on TLC at 9pm ET/PT. When they started dating, in the 2010s, Aaron Trotman and his now wife, Miranda, spent every free minute traveling the world together on epicurean adventures. We were Anthony Bourdaining across the beaten track, says Trotman, a serial entrepreneur from Melbourne, Australia, with a background in cosmetics. They signed up for food tours in Paris and chased down the best ramen in Tokyo. In New York and London, they booked the most talked-about Michelin-star restaurants. While he often ordered wine pairings with his lengthy tasting menus, Mirandawho gets flushed from drinking alcoholopted for intoxicant-free wine substitutes. Much to their surprise, these house-made libations, which skewed savory rather than sweet, were often more interesting than his aged cuvees. Mirandas drinks were very creative, with unusual ingredients, he recalls. Back home in Melbourne in 2018, one particularly eye-opening meal, a 14-course tasting menu at Lume, left Trotman inspirednot just gastronomically but entrepreneurially. He was particularly taken with the clarified apple juice infused with marigold leaves and mountain pepper, served with a crayfish dish, and by the bracing iced green tea with fresh lemon that arrived with dessert. Suddenly it dawned on me, he recalls of his eureka moment. Why cant I take on the empty wineglasses sitting in front of nondrinkers? More from Robb Report Soon he was spending 16-hour days in the kitchen, working with a chef friend to develop his own faux wines, signature blends as complex as the real thing. The pair experimented with a wide range of ingredients. They did a cold extraction of raspberries, dehydrated oranges and stewed cherries and tried teas and spices as well as salt from Australias Murray River. To build body, structure and texture, they turned to verjus, the juice of unripe grapes, which delivered the fresh acidity thats key to wines mouthfeel. White versions were infused with yuzu, orange and toasted cinnamon, among other ingredients. Reds were mixed with chocolate to develop the tannins that are essential to a classic red-wine finish. Story continues We built flavor by striking a balance between the fruit, tannins, salinity and acid found in the worlds best wines, says Trotman. Since he launched his company, Non, with three alt-wines in 2019, several competitors have followed him to market. The category is still so new for these non-wine wines that no classifying name has yet stuck. But whether theyre called wine substitutes, alternative wines or the charmingly blunt not-wine, these inventive libations are unleashing a wave of creativity in the industry and attracting new fans. Non1, a sparkling drink made with salted raspberry and chamomile Trotman was among the first commercial producers to take a culinary approach, cooking up concoctions in a professional chefs kitchen equipped with ovens, dehydrators and sous vide devices. For years, though, as Trotman discovered on his travels, many top restaurants, such as Chicagos Michelin three-star Alinea, have been offering teetotaling diners their own alcohol-free creations, eschewing the typically unsatisfying dealcoholized winesactual wines chemically stripped of their alcohol content and usually amped up with sugaron the market in favor of house-made elixirs. We didnt want people [abstaining from alcohol] to feel less than, says Allen Hemberger, of the Alinea restaurant group, who is coauthor, with his wife, Sarah, of Zero: A New Approach to Non-Alcoholic Drinks. We wanted them to have the same awesome experience that everyone else has, make them feel cared for in a bespoke way. A cultural shift is also underway. With a healthier lifestyle trending these days, even serious oenophiles are sometimes making alcohol-free choices. A recent study found that among consumers of low- and no-alcohol beverages, 78 percent also drink alcohol. And Dry January, which began in 2013 in the UK with 4,000 people giving up booze for the month, is now a full-fledged global phenomenon. Meanwhile, Gen Z is imbibing 20 percent less than its millennial peers. Theres a huge audience for nonalcoholic options just in time for a surge in quality among wine alternatives in particular. At Non, a sampling of ingredients Visit any Boisson, the new chain of alcohol-free beverage shops with outposts throughout California and New York, and youll be spoiled for choice. The selection is even more abundant at the Zero Proof, an e-commerce site that ships anywhere in the US. Non-alcohol wine is our top category, and its been growing like crazy, says cofounder and CEO Sean Goldsmith. Theres been such a huge surge in demand that brands cant even keep up with the growth. Goldsmith says his customers often drink alcohol, too. They want a nonalcoholic drink to work into their weekday routine, he says. Among the wine alternatives crowding the shelves at new retail outlets, a growing number focus on purported health benefits. Blurred Vines, for instance, a 2022 launch from the UKs Three Spirit, boasts of immune-system-boosting, energizing effects of its beverages antioxidants and polyphenols. Partners Dash Lilley, Tatiana Mercer and Meeta Gournay, who built the brand around botanical alchemy, as they describe their approach, worked with a natural-wine maker and a food scientist and fermentation expert on their proprietary ferments, base fruit and yeasts. Italian apricot and white grapes bring high acidity and vivid aromas to the companys first two releases, Sharp and Spark. Sharp, the fruitier blend, features pressed green-gooseberry juice along with manuka leaf and Ethiopian koseret, among other exotic botanicals. It clears the mind and reinvigorates with zero caffeine, says Lilley, who oversees product development. Dried chamomile flowers Spark, a bubbly brew that loosely mimics Champagne, has a base of pressed strawberries and red currants and features a mix of black and green teas from the Rare Tea Company in London, along with hints of cayenne pepper and schisandra berry (an adaptogen once consumed by fighter pilots hoping hoping to build endurance). Vinegar, a by-product of winemaking long touted for its gut-health benefits, is a natural starting point for producing alcohol-free wine substitutes. Acid League, a vinegar producer from Canada, made that leap with its new offshoot, Wine Proxies, which launched two years ago. The sparkling, white, rose and red varietieswith fanciful names such as Sauvage, Zephyr and Gallicaare all complex blends of juices, teas, spices, bitters and, of course, vinegar. The company has begun rolling out limited-edition collaborations with top culinary figures, including Michelin three-star chef Dominique Crenn (Riesling verjus, yuzu and tea), sommelier and winemaker Andre Mack (marion-berries, pu-erh tea and kola nut) and James Beard Awardwinning chef Sean Brock (elderberries, pawpaw and pine). Jukes Cordialities, launched in the UK by veteran wine writer Matthew Jukes in early 2020, allows you to make your own wine using an apple cidervinegar concentrate with macerated fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Each tiny bottle is packed with wine-like flavors and is designed to be added to your choice of club soda, tonic or water. The rose features hints of melon, pomegranate and pear along with Mediterranean herbs. Taken together, the flavors are meant to conjure whats known in wine circles as garigue, the classic thyme-and-lavender-scented aroma of the Mediterranean coast. Raspberry extraction after a 48-hour cold steep In many ways, the burgeoning universe of alcohol-free wine mirrors the wine world itself. Like the most radical natural winemakersin the Republic of Georgia, for instance, earthenware vessels are filled with product before being buried in the ground to agesome new players are reimagining the category entirely. Muri grew out of the New Nordic gastronomy of Noma, in Copenhagen. Founder Murray Paterson was once a distiller at Empirical, a spirits company launched by a team of Noma alumni. Paterson began developing his first wine alternative as a solo venture during the initial pandemic lockdown in early 2020. It took six months to devise my first wine, he says. He began with a base of kvass, a traditional Eastern European brew made from leftover bread, then added wild herbs, such as grassy woodruff, foraged from the woods around Copenhagen. The result, Passing Clouds, is like a cross between a pet-nat (a natural effervescent wine) and a wheat beer, with a hint of pear cider as well. Muris releases include so many foraged components that it has a forager on contract. Shes a badass, says Paterson. Shes actually a practicing witch. Topping cherries with spices before roasting Each new blend goes through a painstaking development process. Yamile, Muris sparkling rose, took a year to get right. The recipe includes beechwood-smoked rhubarb, gooseberry mead, fermented raspberries, pink peppercorns and angelica root. A lot of cheffy nonsense goes on before we do the final blend, he says with a laugh. While Muris funky beverages are the sorts of challenging sips a natural-wine connoisseur might appreciate, Trotmans more refined bottlings for Non are the grand cru Bordeaux of the alcohol-free wine world. Recently, theyve begun appearing on the menus of fine-dining restaurantsthe very types of places that first inspired their creation. In January, Michelin three-star chef Daniel Humm hosted a Non pairing dinner at his New York restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, to mark the brands US debut, serving five of Trotmans blends with his vegan creations. Its a beautiful product, Humm says, praising the balance and low sugar content. Chefs prepping their product for bottling. Its a time of change, adds Humm, who switched to a plant-based menu in 2021. People are pushing new boundaries with fermentation. Its happening to beverages, too, in the nonalcoholic space. Its just amazing that there are not a lot more options for people. I applaud them for pushing boundaries. Before introducing Non to a tough New York audiencewho enthusiastically downed second poursTrotman consulted experts back home. I wanted to be sure we were ready, he says. Beyond the first three bottlings that have hit the US market, he has a dozen more formulations still waiting to launch. A super-premium version is also in development, priced like fine wine between $100 and $200 a bottle. Hes been toying with rare ingredients, he says. Truffles? Saffron? Trotman is keeping the recipe close to his toque for now. I dont need my competitors swiping my ideas. Best of Robb Report Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Nicholas Lloyd Webber, the eldest son of Andrew Lloyd Webber, is critically ill with gastric cancer, the Phantom of the Opera composer has announced. Nicholas hospitalization will necessitate Sir Andrews absence from this weeks Broadway opening of the composers Bad Cinderella. I am absolutely devastated to say that my eldest son Nick is critically ill, Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement released tonight. As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is now hospitalised. More from Deadline The composer went on to say, I therefore have not been able to attend the recent previews of Bad Cinderella and as things stand, I will not be able to cheer on its wonderful cast, crew and orchestra on Opening Night this Thursday. We are all praying that Nick will turn the corner, he continued. He is bravely fighting with his indomitable humour, but at the moment my place is with him and the family. Andrew Lloyd Webber had also been scheduled to attend a Bad Cinderella New York press event this Wednesday, coinciding with the composers 75th birthday. Bad Cinderella opens Thursday, March 23, at the Imperial Theatre. The 43-year-old Nicholas is a Grammy nominated composer and record producer, known for scoring the BBC 1 drama Love, Lies and Records and the 2021 film The Last Bus, among other projects. He co-produced and mixed the 2021 original London cast album Cinderella (the previous name of Bad Cinderella). Bad Cinderella is the latest musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose The Phantom of the Opera, set to close next month, is Broadways longest-running production ever. Story continues Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Close up of unrecognizable hairdresser cutting a female customers hair - Small business concepts Getty On-demand beauty app founder Megan O'Brien has had enough of South Carolina's "sexist" laws against cosmetologists and she's doing something about it. After struggling to secure a hair and makeup appointment while in Charleston for a work event, the 46-year-old couldn't believe there wasn't an alternative for styling to local salons. And it sparked her business idea. Once she returned back home to Los Angeles, she launched her company, on-demand beauty app and styling service RingMyBelle. She then relocated to South Carolina, but there was still one big problem Beauty services on the go are against the law in South Carolina, so her app wasn't allowed. "I had no idea what I was doing was illegal," the RingMyBelle creator who's petitioning the law tells PEOPLE exclusively. "There are so many people in this city that do what I do but not on demand, because the wedding industry is so huge here." "I had some of these stylists say to me, that own these businesses, 'Well, you can't really advertise, and you can't do anything because this is illegal in Charleston and actually all of South Carolina,'" O'Brien continues. "I'm like, 'My website's built, I've moved here. I can't have an illegal business. What do you mean?'" Megan O'Brien Fadil Berisha Under the ruling written in 1999, hair stylists and makeup artists, most of whom are women, are banned from working anywhere other than a registered brick-and-mortar salon. But barbers, the majority of whom are male, fought to have the law repelled in 2021 and won, allowing them to perform their services anywhere. RELATED: La La Anthony Launches Her First Hair Product: All About Her 'Power Potion' When O'Brien, a beauty writer and publicist, heard of the sexist law, she was in disbelief at the consequences. "If a woman [worked remotely] she could lose her cosmetology license," O'Brien, who's in the process of launching her app in 10 cities, says. "In fact, in Texas they put two stylists in jail. It's illegal also in North Carolina and we're opening there, so I'm going to have to fight the law there too. It's crazy. These laws are really outdated. I feel like they're too polite here. You've got to make a little noise. They're not going to help you because they're nice people." Story continues Similar rulings have been repealed in a number of other states, such as Tennessee and Oklahoma while Iowa and Mississipi lawmakers are working to overturn them. Louisiana, Idaho, Michigan, and North Carolina continue to uphold the same ruling as South Carolina as several cosmetologists O'Brien is trying to hire keep fighting to work freely. Merit Sander charles sander 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. "I didn't even realize it was a law until I was in school because I'd been doing it for so long," esthetician Merit Sander, 40, of Face Foundrie in South Carolina tells PEOPLE. "And if this law was removed, it takes a lot of the stress level out. Because every time that you're going to do a job and being worried I could have a fine. Or there could be something [that] happen[s] to my license where I worked so hard for, that being taken away. I'm doing a job that is my passion and it's what I'm fantastic at and I'm proud of the work that I've done. I am posting it everywhere. All my family has been posting it too." Katrina Lawyer, 39, has been working in the industry for 20 years. As a single mom, Lawyer is begging lawmakers to let her work weekends servicing weddings in the area to make extra income while helping others who are unable to leave their home. "As a 1099 employee, I claim this on my taxes yet I can lose my license or possibly be fined for making others feel beautiful on their wedding day," Lawyer, who works at Salon Couture in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, tells PEOPLE. "Leaving the salon on the weekdays and doing weddings on the weekends allowed me more time to be a mom to my daughter." Katrina lawyer Mandie Roe "More people are working from home and simply do not want to leave the house. If you can order food to come to your door why can't you get your hair done from home? My hope is that they will change this law so that I will be allowed to help others," Lawyer says. "During the pandemic, I received so many calls from a lot of my elderly and vulnerable clients wanting my services. In the meantime, I won't give up! I love my career! I truly have a passion for making people feel beautiful inside and out including the sick." RELATED: Calling all shoppers! Sign up to get hand-picked deals, celebrity fashion inspo, and more delivered by text message. South Carolina based freelance make-up artist Dyana Aives hasn't felt the effects of the law quite yet, though she fears if she's not able to help put an end to it, she will. "It hasn't affected my work yet, but it will have a horrible impact on my work since as a freelancer, most of it is traveling to bridal suites or homes or events," Aives, 56, tells PEOPLE exclusively. "This will be a huge blow to my finances. My hope is that we will get the same respect and treatment that barbers get because they are not restricted. It seems almost sexist. I am passing around the petition and hoping that with enough signatures, this law will change." Dayna Aives courtesy Dayna Aives Some of congress has even stepped up to help O'Brien and the stylists fight against general bill S 0539. "We cannot allow discriminatory laws to hold back the careers of hardworking women in South Carolina," Rep. Nancy Mace tells PEOPLE exclusively. "It's time to repeal this law and empower all cosmetologists (not just barbers) to pursue their careers without fear of archaic restrictions holding them back." RELATED: Lisa Rinna Ditches Her Signature Hairstyle for a New Shorter Haircut See the Photo! O'Brien hopes her front line work along with several stylists she's come in contact with will soon change the laws, as she admits her livelihood is on the line. "I got a bill on the Senate floor all just from calling and calling and emailing," O'Brien says. "I wrote everything up. I worked on it every day because I couldn't lose all of my money and my investor's money on this app." "We started a petition and it has over a thousand signatures on it. They said they wouldn't vote on the bill when they were like, 'You could sit around for two years. They won't vote unless there's public pressure, so I need public pressure for them to vote on this." From coast to coast, these are the best places to travel for foodies. Calling all stateside gourmands: You need not leave the country to feast on innovative and plain-old delicious cuisine. In fact, the United States is home to dozens of incredible food cities complete with hidden gems, highly lauded hotspots, and everything in between. From large metropolises like New York City and San Francisco to unexpected (albeit just as delightful) picks like Greenville, South Carolina and Tucson, Arizona, here are 10 of the best foodie destinations across America. Get ready to dig in and explore. New York City, New York New York City represents a melting pot of cultures, which means you can enjoy any type of cuisine within its 300-square-mile radius, be it authentic dim sum at Joes Shanghai in Chinatown or mouthwatering bagels and smear plus meat-piled sandwiches at one of the citys dozens of Jewish delis like Katzs. Dont confine yourself to Manhattan, either: Feast your way through the five boroughs, including stops in Astoria and Jackson Heights (in Queens) for authentic Greek and Himalayan fare, respectively. Brooklyns Greenpoint neighborhood is home to a slew of Polish bakeries like Syrena, while Arthur Avenue (in The Bronx) and Staten Island offer some of the citys best Italian food. Additionally, the Big Apple boasts over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, ranging from fine-dining establishments like Le Bernardin to more low-key (and still delicious) haunts like Jeju Noodle Bar. Dont get caught up on all things Michelin, though some of the best eats can be found in the most unexpected places ($1 pizza, anyone?). New Orleans, Louisiana 400tmax/Getty Images New Orleans food offerings are just as diverse as its cultural influences from Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. With this in mind, its fitting that The Big Easy is, well, big on flavor. Savory staples here include poboys (Sammy's is a local fave), jambalaya (the one at Mothers is *chefs kiss*), gumbo (dig in at the aptly named Gumbo Shop), crawfish etouffee (check out Creole House), and muffulettas (grab yours at the Verti Marte, which is open 24/7) all best paired with live jazz, of course. Be sure to save room for powdered sugar-covered beignets at Cafe Du Monde (yes, there will be a line, but yes, its worth it) and wash everything down with NOLAs most iconic cocktail, the Sazerac, at The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel. Story continues Chicago, Illinois rudisill/Getty Images Chicagoans are passionate about their deep-dish pizzas and their, ahem, unique ketchup-free hot dogs. The former and the latter are best enjoyed at Windy City staples Pequod's and Jimmys Red Hots, respectively. Chicago also boasts over 50 James Beard Award winners and 20-plus Michelin-star-awarded restaurants, including the world-famous Alinea, best known for its creative multicourse tasting menus. New additions to the food scene here include the 24,000-square-foot Chicago Winery (one part winery, one part restaurant, and one part bar and events space) and the 17,000-square-foot Kindling, a live fire show kitchen helmed by James Beard Award winner Jonathon Sawyer. San Francisco, California Yusun Chung/Eye Em/Getty Images Sure, San Francisco may be best known for its innovative tech scene, but its culinary offerings are just as impressive. The City by the Bay has been named the most restaurant-dense city in the country. Here, diners can indulge in dozens of Michelin-starred meals at acclaimed eateries like Atelier Crenn (where haute French cuisine is served in a swanky space), Mister Jiu's (which features contemporary Chinese-American fare), and Lazy Bear (which bills itself as a modern American dinner party). Alternatively, for something more casual, make your way to the Ferry Building Marketplace, which is teeming with locally loved food vendors like Acme Bread Company, Dandelion Chocolate, El Porteno Empanadas, Donut Farm, and Hog Island Oyster Company. Lastly, no trip to San Fran is complete without sampling some sourdough (both Josey Baker Bread and Boudin Bakery make some of the best in town) and namesake Mission burritos (locals and travelers alike love Taqueria Cancun) Houston, Texas Campwillowlake/Getty Images As Americas most diverse city, its no surprise that Houston made our list of the best U.S. cities for foodies. The Bayou City offers something for every palate. As such, options abound, from Viet-Cajun fusion at Crawfish & Noodles to Southeast Asian-Latin American cuisine at Hawker Street Food Bar, which can be found at Post Market. Speaking of Post, this bustling international food haul features fantastic eats from acclaimed chefs. A few of our favorites include ChopnBlok for its West African fare and East Side King, which serves up Japanese street food like pork buns and beet home fries. Wed also be remiss not to highlight Houstons burgeoning food truck scene, including the award-winning Coreanos, where diners can feast on Korean-Mexican fusion like Korean barbeque tacos. Tucson, Arizona David Tomlinson/Getty Images Tucson was the first U.S. city to be deemed a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015. Today, the destination continues to wow culinary connoisseurs with its distinct Native American and Mexican offerings dating back thousands of years. The best Tucson restaurants incorporate locally sourced ingredients into their drinks and dishes. With this in mind, prickly pear margaritas are a staple here, as are nopales (edible cacti). Tucsons vibrant downtown district has 85-plus bars and restaurants, including Bata (which offers a largely veggie-focused menu 90 percent of which is sourced within 400 miles of the restaurant) and Boca. Helmed by James Beard finalist Maria Mazon, Boca is famous for its flavorful tacos and salsa flights. An additional 13 new eateries will call Tucson home in 2023, including the brand-new Blue Front, where menu highlights include orange wines, creative cocktails, made-from-scratch pies, and deviled eggs. Cleveland, Ohio bhofack2/Getty Images This Midwestern city has a severely underrated albeit eclectic food scene fueled by nearby farms, local producers, and trailblazing chefs. Moreover, its safe to say Clevelands culinary scene pays homage to the 100-plus diverse ethnicities that make up the city. For a taste of Clevelands best eats, head straight to West Side Market, an indoor-outdoor market that offers something for everyone. Local vendors include Orale! Contemporary Mexican Cuisine, Pierogi Palace, Franks Bratwurst, Theresas Bakery, and Crepes de Luxe. Then, carve out an afternoon to embark on your very own food tour of the city, including dim sum in AsiaTown and pierogies in Slavic Village. The Land also has an incredible selection of Black-owned and Black-led restaurants like Pearls Kitchen for top-notch comfort food, Yonder for delectable brunch, and Cleveland Cold Brew for coffee and pastries. Dont miss some of the citys newest spots like Cordelia (which serves comfort food with a Midwestern, nostalgia-inducing twist) and The Judith, a cozy Parisian-inspired cafe. Asheville, North Carolina Buxton Hall Situated in North Carolinas beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is easily amongst the best food cities in the U.S. due to its constantly evolving culinary scene. The citys 120-plus restaurants each offer something special. Dont miss the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Chai Pani, which serves mouthwatering Indian street food like chicken tikka rolls, crispy pakoras, and butter chicken in a colorful space. Curate, another James Beard Award winner worth visiting, is a trendy eatery housed in a 1927-era bus depot serving flavorful Spanish tapas. A trip to North Carolina isnt complete without some good ol BBQ. Enter Buxton Hall Barbecue: This James Beard Award-winning establishment best known for its pulled pork utilizes locally sourced pigs that are butchered in-house and smoked for hours. Louisville, Kentucky Bloomberg Creative Photos/Getty Images While Louisville is best known for its bourbon, you wont want to sleep on its exciting food scene. Boasting more than 2,500 restaurants plus several award-winning chefs, Louisville is sure to delight food and drink enthusiasts alike. You need not skip town without embarking on the Urban Bourbon Trail, which highlights Louisvlles best bourbon bars and restaurants over 40 of them, to be exact. While it may be tricky to hit the whole trail, must-visits include Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar, Merles Whiskey Kitchen, and Doc Crows Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar. Finally, you cant leave Louisville without trying the citys signature dish, the Hot Brown. This delicious open-face sandwich which features turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and Mornay sauce smothered on Texas toast dates back to the 1920s when it was first invented at the Brown Hotel. Greenville, South Carolina Scoundrel In recent years, Greenville has reinvented itself from a quiet cotton mill town to a vibrant city chock-full of unique culinary offerings rivaling larger nearby locales like Charlotte and Asheville. Here, youll find hundreds of locally owned restaurants, including Camp (which offers an eccentric menu featuring unique dishes like Thai-inspired calamari and lamb smothered in curry cream) and Coral. Feast on fresh seafood at the new-ish Great Jones before snagging an afternoon pick-me-up at Methodical Coffee. Scoundrel a fantastic French brassiere headlined by acclaimed chef and Greenville native Joe Cash is the citys newest haunt. Other must-visit spots include farm-to-table fan-favorite Topsoil Kitchen & Market (helmed by 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist Adam Cooke) and Mexican eatery Comal 864 (owned and operated by Dayna Lee-Marquez, a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist). For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. A Kuwaiti court on Sunday annulled the results of a parliamentary election held last year, saying it would reinstate the previous slate of lawmakers elected in 2020, according to the state news agency. "The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a verdict on Sunday annulling the results of the 2022 National Assembly elections," due to discrepancies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, the official KUNA news agency said. In its decision, the court cited discrepancies in the decree dissolving the 2020 parliament for its ruling. Authorities did not immediately explain what this meant for Kuwait's parliament. Kuwait has the freest and most active assembly among the Gulf Arab states. The squabbling has prevented the assembly from passing basic economic reforms, including a public debt law that would allow the government to borrow money, leading to the depletion of its general reserve fund despite its vast oil wealth. Kuwait, which borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq, has the worlds sixth-largest known oil reserves. Search Keywords: Short link: Editor's note: This is part two of three on a series about the life of Santa Anna, who has been portrayed as one of the great villains of Texas history. Part one explored Santa Anna's complicated role in the history of Mexico as president on 11 different occasions and a leader in supressing rebellions. Today's column focuses on his role at the Alamo. Part three will cover his later years in life. In 1836, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the president and general who dominated the political scene in Mexico, rose into Texas with his army, with destruction on his mind. He was determined to put down the uprising of the Texas colonists. He had spent months campaigning across Mexico to put down other rebellions, stepping down from the presidency to do it. Nevertheless, he was at the height of his power in Mexico; and for his opponents, including Texas, he was at the height of his cruelty. When he reached San Antonio, he found the small outpost on the edge of the town defiantly standing their ground. The Alamo was once part of a Spanish mission complex. Determined to eradicate any opposition, Santa Anna settled in for a siege on February 23. The Texans put up a furious resistance though they were outnumbered perhaps as much as 10:1. Santa Anna watched his own casualties increase. Col. William B. Travis sent word out, asking for reinforcements, but none were coming. On March 6, he ordered a final assault, signaling to the Texans there would be no quarter. More than 180 Texans died defending the Alamo, but Santa Anna had three times as many casualties. Bridges Three weeks later, Santa Anna repeated his depredations. More than 400 Texas troops, led by Col. James Fannin, had surrendered at Goliad. On March 27, Santa Anna ordered their execution. Each man was to die for defying him. The general had overseen these tactics since he was a young officer; but even in the years before the Geneva Convention and the fair treatment of prisoners, the Goliad Massacre was still condemned an atrocity. Texas forces led by Gen. Sam Houston were preparing for Santa Annas march eastward. But Santa Annas arrogance would be his downfall. At the Battle of San Jacinto, near modern-day Houston, on April 27, he allowed his troops to rest for the afternoon while Houston gathered his forces. In a surprise assault, Houston overpowered the Mexican army, forcing their surrender. Santa Anna, however, had escaped. Instead of standing with his men, he turned and ran. A Texas patrol found him some time later, disguised as a private. After his captured troops in their stockade gave him away under cries of Presidente, the Texans realized who they had captured. Santa Anna was brought before Houston, still in the privates uniform and totally humiliated. He agreed to recognize Texas independence and order the withdrawal of all Mexican troops in Texas. Mexico refused to recognize the treaty, and Santa Anna was sent to the United States. After he was allowed to return in 1837, he found himself powerless. When France attempted to invade Mexico in 1838, the new government allowed him to take command of an army unit. Called the Pastry War after debts owed to French citizens, Santa Anna fought several battles with the French. During one fight, he was shot in the hand and the leg. The leg was amputated, and Santa Anna ordered it be buried with full military honors. In spite of a peace treaty that forced Mexico to pay off the French, Santa Anna was now seen as a hero again. Afterward, he led a coup against the government, leading Mexico again for four months before stepping down once again. Santa Anna was at the center of Mexicos political chaos in this period, and he still looked to another attack on Texas as revenge for his humiliation during the Texas Revolution. Ken Bridges is a writer, historian and native Texan. He holds a doctorate from the University of North Texas. Bridges can be reached by email at drkenbridges@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Bridges: At height of his power, Santa Anna set sights on Texas An ALDI Food Market will open in Timpany Plaza in Gardner by the end of the year, according to officials. Pictured is the store's Leominster location. 2,000 Officials with the national grocery store chain Aldi confirmed that they would open a new location in Timpany Plaza in Gardner by the end of the year. Aldi officials have not yet announced a date for the scheduled grand opening of the store. The chain, which has locations in Leominster and Worcester, was founded in 1976 and has nearly 2,000 stores across 36 states. Officials said the markets main focus is saving people money by offering shoppers a selection of Aldi-exclusive brands. Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson said he applauded the chains decision to open a store in Gardner. The former Sake Bomb restaurant at 258 Park Ave., Worcester, will become Havana Nights Restaurant & Lounge in May. 258 When Havana Nights Restaurant & Lounge opens its doors at 258 Park Ave., city foodies will trade Asian cuisine for Cuban flavor on the tables where Sake Bomb Bistro previously did business for eight years. Set to open sometime in May, the new restaurant will feature authentic Cuban cuisine, according to Julio Roque, owner and manager of the restaurant. Roque, 47, was approved by the city License Commission for a transfer of an all-alcohol license from Kenichi Two 168, Inc., the entity that managed Sake Bomb. Sake Bomb Bistro closed its doors Feb. 14. Total employment in Massachusetts rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in January. 19,600 Total employment in Massachusetts rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in January, 34 months after the COVID-19 state of emergency began, as employers added 19,600 jobs. The January gains brought the statewide employment to 3,743,500, labor officials announced. That's just 200 positions short of the total recorded in February 2020, the last month before a cascade of enormous job losses followed by a jobs recovery. The industry with the biggest growth was education and health services, which employed 5,000 more people month over month. Officials also revised December's labor data to show an increase of 3,800 jobs, down from the original estimate of 6,300. Single-family homes line Vista Circle in Holden. 177 Six out of the 177 municipalities subject to a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority zoning law that mandates allowing for more multifamily housing in communities with access to public transit, have not filed plans to comply. The remainder are considered noncompliant. This includes Holden. The Town of Holden wants to zone the way the Town of Holden wants to zone, Town Manager Peter Lukes said. But by not complying, Holden could lose access to state grants including MassWorks and some funding for their housing authority. Lukes said this was a choice the town could make, describing the zoning legislation originally billed as voluntary." Story continues The Mercantile Center, 100 Front St., Worcester. 100 A coworking space venture has signed an 11-year lease to occupy the entire fourth floor of the Mercantile Center at 100 Front St. Startups and individual workers will be able rent out space for business matters. Wolanski CoWork Inc., a franchise of Florida-based Venture X, expects to take approximately five months getting the floor ready for occupancy, according to a news release. Westborough-based Wolanski CoWork is projected to start occupying the floor later this summer. The franchise is promising meeting rooms, virtual offices, members' cafe, lounge and secure 24/7 access to the spaces. This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Business Matters: Central Mass. by the Numbers Rialin Flores is the executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the state's natural lands and waters. Rialin Flores is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. The day Rialin Flores stood on the steps of the Idaho Statehouse and looked out over a crowd of hundreds who showed up to support her organization's conservation efforts, she knew she had succeeded in bringing Idahoans together to protect their public lands. As the executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho, Flores works to elect politicians from across the political spectrum who prioritize protecting the environment. With a passion for environmentalism and civil society, she has made it her mission to preserve Idaho's democracy, clean air, water and nature for the Idahoans of today and future generations. As successful as Flores is, it hasn't been an easy journey. The mixed-race Latina has fought against adversity her entire life her father was a farm worker with a seventh-grade education and her mother was in and out of the foster care system as a child. The path to professional success was anything but laid out for her. They moved around a lot, and Flores learned at a young age to adapt to her environment. And adapt she did, moving on to become a first-generation college graduate and the executive director of a nonprofit. But on her path to success she did not forget the mantra "lift as we climb" that was imparted to her by her own female mentors. She has created internships, mentored students and employees, and participated in women-focused leadership groups that, she says, "help ensure that my perspective and the unique path that I took into where I am today can be seen by others so that they can see themselves in leadership in general in the future." Story continues For her commitment to conservation in her community and beyond, Flores has been named USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Idaho. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Who paved the way for you? Who did you pave the way for? I think there were probably generations of women in my family who helped pave the way for me. And then, throughout that journey, I had incredible educators who regularly saw me as a first-generation student navigating certain systems. They kept me moving. As I work to navigate organizational leadership and leadership within my community, I have always sought to connect with others and find ways in which we can bring more people into the work. Whether it's creating new internships, mentoring students on campus, or being a part of women-centered leadership groups: To help ensure that my perspective and the unique path that I took into where I am today can be seen by others, so that they can see themselves in leadership in general in the future, as well. What is your proudest moment? In 2017, we were seeing some attacks on public lands in Idaho. We worked with a coalition of partners to bring together folks to the Statehouse and it ended up being a Saturday in the middle of the afternoon. There was a rally. I walked around the statehouse and saw the front steps crowded with people across the street into the park, across from the statehouse, and I got to stand at the podium with incredible leaders in the conservation community in Idaho. And to just see the crowd: It was young families and fifth-generation Idahoans wearing their camouflage head to toe, and folks who are either hunting or hiking. And it was such a powerful moment to remind me that when I step into spaces with elected officials, who aren't always so friendly to our issues, or who need room to grow when it comes to being supportive of our policy positions that I never stand in those rooms alone; I'm never testifying in front of a committee alone. There are people across the state who deeply believe in Idaho's natural heritage and in protecting what we all enjoy as part of our quality of life for future generations. But it was a reminder of the power of people, and that we never shape this policy or politics in a vacuum. Rialin Flores, executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho gives a speech at a 2017 public lands rally at the Idaho State Capitol. What is your definition of courage? The willingness, when things are really hard, to take that next step forward and to keep advancing and fighting for what you believe in. And I also think it's a willingness to say the thing that needs to be said, that not everyone's necessarily ready to hear, but in a way that brings them in. I think there's courage there. Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself? Sometimes it's just "keep swimming." It's also "lift as we climb," a mantra that I heard early on. I know that many folks helped make room for me, and I hope to continue to make room for others. Who do you look up to? I have always I've been fairly lucky to work mostly for women in my career. And I would say I've had several bosses who are not just bosses, but mentors and friends, who were honest about the challenges of leadership, and particularly, most recently, of being a working mother. I had bosses who modeled what it looked like to be our whole selves as we grow as leaders, but also the challenges in balancing being a working mother. How do you overcome adversity? I have been navigating adversity most of my life. My father was a migrant farm worker whose education stopped at around seventh grade. My mother grew up in and out of the foster care system, and we moved 24 different times by the time I was 18. I was always ready to navigate. Being flexible. Being OK with things changing is the resiliency that's needed when there's a challenge or loss or frustration. And so taking both what I learned about resiliency throughout my childhood into a professional career. What advice would you give your younger self? I remember when I was younger standing on the toilet in the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror and just envisioning who I was going to be when I grew up. And I remember, a lot of that had to do with what I thought success would be. I thought success would be, you know, I'd have all the brand names. I'd have Captain Crunch cereal and all the milk I wanted. I'd have the outfit, the car, and the house. And I remember having this moment when I think I was like 25 remembering that reflection of my younger self. So, for me, I would tell myself instead of paying attention to what people define as success and leveraging those as your benchmarks for where you're going, pay attention to the people along the way who are consistently there for you, who are honest, who helped bring joy to your life, but also, who are there in the hard times and help make life just a little bit easier. Those are the things that are going to matter when it gets really hard. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree for Idaho is Rialin Flores The bridge carrying Perryville Road over I-39 is seen on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Cherry Valley. The bridge is expected to be closed for several months due to construction. The bridge carrying Perryville Road over Interstate 39 and U.S. 20 will be closed for several months because of construction. Here's what you need to know. When is construction supposed to start? The Illinois Department of Transportation said construction on the bridge is expected to begin March 20. What kind of work is being done? The $7.9 million project will replace the existing bridge with a new structure that will accommodate the widening of I-39 under the bridge. The new bridge will also be wider than the current bridge, according to IDOT. More construction:Major road project impacting I-39/US 20 exits near Rockford, Cherry Valley on the horizon What roads will be closed? Perryville Road will be closed between Mill Road and Armer Drive. Will there be detours? Yes, IDOT said there will be two detours. The first is Harrison Avenue to Mulford Road to Linden Road. The second is Harrison Avenue to Mill Road. Will I-39 be impacted? Yes, drivers should expect occasional lane closures and shifts on I-39 during construction, according to IDOT. When is construction expected to end? IDOT said the project is expected to be finished by Dec. 1. Is more construction near I-39 on the horizon? The Perryville Road bridge project is part of advance work leading to the $227 million, multiyear project to improve I-39 between the U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange and Blackhawk Road. The changes include expanding the I-39 northbound and southbound ramps from one lane to two and converting the I-39/U.S. 20/Harrison Avenue interchange from a full cloverleaf to a diverging diamond interchange. A car is seen crossing the Perryville Road bridge over I-39 on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in Cherry Valley. The bridge is expected to be closed for several months due to construction. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Construction set to begin on bridge over I-39 near Rockford EL AL to offer non-stop seasonal service to Tel Aviv from Ft. Lauderdale Airport in September and year-round service next year El Al Airlines will offer nonstop service in September and October from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Tel Aviv, and year-round service will begin in the spring of 2024. It will mark the first time such service has been offered from Fort Lauderdale. The flights are designed to accommodate travel to Israel during the Jewish High Holidays. The complete schedule for the September and October flights is available on www.elal.com A website search on March 14 showed that a round-trip fare was available for $1,221 for Sept. 13, the day service begins at Fort Lauderdale. As demand for travel continues to increase from Florida to Israel, across all segments, were confident that the new service to Fort Lauderdale will exceed our customers expectation for service, convenience and value, said Mark Cavaliere, El Als senior vice president for the Americas. Spirit will now fly non-stop from PBIA to Atlantic City Passengers fill flights to Florida from Delaware's airport. New destinations are possible. DOJ lawsuit: Florida travelers would be significantly hurt by JetBlue-Spirit merger In 2022 El Al carried more than 100,000 passengers on 450-plus flights between Miami and Tel Aviv. Cavaliere said El Al is thrilled to continue opening new routes and increasing its service in the U.S., adding: "Well be operating more than 40 flights a week to Israel, continuing our mission to be 'The Bridge' between Israel and the world. Mark E. Gale, Fort Lauderdale's CEO and director of aviation, said the addition of El Al to the airports roster of international carriers is a significant step forward in its effort to increase the portfolio of global airlines and destinations. In addition to the new Fort Lauderdale service, beginning on May 25, 2023, El Al will add a sixth weekly flight on its Miami International Airport to Tel Aviv route. The flight will depart Saturday evenings from Miami at 11:30 pm and arrive at Ben-Gurion airport at 6:30 p.m. the following evening. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: EL AL to launch nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Tel Aviv An American student who studied in Florence has sparked a debate after sharing in an essay that she grew to despise the Italian city during her time abroad. On 9 March, Insider published a personal essay written by New York University student Stacia Datskovska about her fall semester abroad in Florence, Italy. In the article, the journalism and international relations student explained how her study abroad experience was much different than how shed imagined full of summer flings with people who called me bella and gelato that dripped down my fingers in the heat. But between her seven roommates, an online internship, and hostile locals, Datskovska said that she grew to despise the sights, hated the people, and couldnt wait to get back home to my campus in New York. The NYU student explained that her heavy workload meant that her study abroad experience looked drastically different from her seven roommates, many of whom would go out until the wee hours to take advantage of Italys young drinking age. Datskovska expressed how she felt pressure to travel throughout Europe on the weekends like her fellow classmates, which seemed like an exhausting form of escapism to her. Although she spent most lonely weekends in Florence taking in the local sights and sounds, this lack of human interaction made her feel disillusioned by the fact that no one in my study abroad program seemed to have my values. Throughout her semester abroad, Datskovska also had run-ins and some verbal confrontations with hostile, inconsiderate, and preposterous Italian locals. Im not quite sure whom I resented more during my stay in Italy: my American classmates or the locals, she wrote. For example, one time, two women were talking about me on the bus, looking at me up and down and scoffing. In response, Datskovska decided to dress as American as possible, wearing oversized hoodies and streetwear brands. The Italians rolled their eyes as I passed them on the street, she said. Story continues However, she concluded her essay with a reminder that her experience should not dissuade students from studying abroad in Florence. My feelings arent every college students experience yet I also cant be the only one who thought studying abroad was a nightmare, she wrote. The personal essay instantly went viral on Twitter this week after podcaster Ciaran Dold shared screenshots of the article to Twitter. No self-awareness, they captioned the tweet, which has since been viewed more than one million times. In the replies, Twitter users called out the article for perpetuating an idealised view of Europe, with some claiming they would expect nothing less from Americans abroad. Finding out Florence is not New York and Europeans are not Americans must have been brutal, read one sarcastic tweet from Sabina Ciofu. This is why Americans should be banned from entering Europe, said someone else. The absolute entitlement, a third tweet read. Finding out Florence is not New York and Europeans are not Americans must have been brutal. https://t.co/4GZJEruDVB Sabina Ciofu (@SabinaCiofu) March 14, 2023 this is why Americans should be banned from entering Europe https://t.co/puaJpuoQUr l j d (@itsLewisD) March 14, 2023 The absolute entitlement https://t.co/00e5hDskXl Adrian Rodriguez (@AdrianBremensis) March 14, 2023 Others simply blamed media depictions and classic romantic comedies for romanticising getaway destinations like Italy. I blame Lizzie McGuire, joked one person. Another tweeted: This is a White Lotus character. Emily in Paris has caused irreparable cultural damage, said one Twitter user, as someone else noted: You cant just land in Florence and expect to enter your perfect Italian fantasy lol. I blame Lizzie McGuire https://t.co/k0N9NtlgtQ Matt is LIVE | Two Puppets (@Two_Puppets) March 14, 2023 This is a White Lotus character https://t.co/scbWVvSImx Persevering Salaryman (@BallisticRooks) March 14, 2023 Emily in Paris has caused irreparable cultural damage wapen-wifestre (@DraftyLoft) March 14, 2023 I bet this girl barely learned any Italian, did not learn any of the cultural norms, and didnt travel to any Italian cities/towns that are not major tourist destinations. You cant just land in Florence and expect to enter your perfect Italian fantasy lol https://t.co/rfu16z0gHf Julia (@JuliaAnneReal) March 14, 2023 Despite some of the backlash, many social media users also sympathised with Datskovskas experience while studying abroad. One person agreed that travelling solo to a foreign country can make someone feel alone, while others felt that universities should do away with study abroad programs altogether. I completely get where shes coming from lol, said one tweet. Im glad that a lot of people are realising how dumb study abroad is, another wrote. I think its something that colleges should strive to get rid of. I wish I never went but felt pressured to by my peers for whatever reason. I completely get where shes coming from lol https://t.co/UX6HY58aQ8 FLWERS (@CarEAb) March 14, 2023 Not really. I'm glad that a lot of people are realizing how dumb study abroad is. I think it's something that colleges should strive to get rid of. I wish I never went but felt pressured to by my peers for whatever reason https://t.co/CJXpUK03rh Wilbo (@WilboBaggins95) March 14, 2023 I understand feeling like no one shares her values. I understand missing home. What I dont understand is why she would give the locals a middle finger, or try not to create beauty by making the most of her time. Seems to me like she wanted things to be easy, or miserable if not. xtina (@chrissyrboothe) March 14, 2023 Meanwhile, one person said they understand feeling like no one shares her values and missing home, but feels that she shouldve made the most of her time abroad. The Independent has contacted Insider and Datskovska for comment. From controversial to cool. First, peplums, and now, wedge boots. Florence Pugh is resurrecting some the most divisive trends of the 2010s one outfit at a time. Just a month after putting a high-fashion spin on the business-casual peplum silhouette at the London Critics Circle Film Awards, the actress pulled out another controversial piece from her wardrobe while stepping out with her grandma Pat in New York City over the weekend. Spotted by photographers in the Tribeca neighborhood, Pugh bundled up in a camel-colored Valentino wool coat lined with the fashion brand's iconic V logo on the collar and belt, which matched the print on her tote bag. Meanwhile, dark-wash flared jeans made their way down to the polarizing shoe in question: a pair of wedge-heeled boots. However, Florence's version wasn't clunky or awkward (which got the wedge boot a bad rap in the first place), and, instead, were the exact opposite, offering a much sleeker and more stylish shape. For glam, she wore her shoulder-grazing blonde hair down and in voluminous waves with a deep side part, and paired a nude lip with a subtly smoky eye. Related:Florence Pugh Wore Nothing But a Thong Underneath Her Sheer Sequined Evening Skirt The next day, Florence was photographed out and about with her grandma once again in another chic outerwear-boot combination. This time around, she wore a floor-sweeping gray trench coat that was left untied, revealing an all-black ensemble underneath including her black pointed-toe boots with the chunkiest of heels. She accessorized with cat-eye sunglasses and the same Valentino bag she was previously toting around town. For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on InStyle. Religious and environmental ideals are at odds for some in the ongoing debate around what to do with human remains. A proposal at the Illinois Statehouse would legalize and regulate natural organic reduction, a process in which human remains are rapidly decomposed into compost. The process is also known as human composting or terramation. That process turns human remains into dirt over the course of several weeks. Companies that offer this service place a persons remains in a vessel with wood chips, straw and other organic material and heat it to accelerate the growth of microbes that break down the body. This is distinct from natural burial, in which a body is buried with no casket or in a biodegradable container. More:30,000 gallons of water per day? The deep, intricate history of Peoria Mineral Springs The measure, House Bill 3158, passed in the House Energy and Environment Committee on Tuesday on a 16-10 vote. It now goes to the House for consideration, although its sponsor, Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said an amendment to the bill is likely. If lawmakers approve the proposal, Illinois would become the seventh state to legalize this process. Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California and New York have already made the process legal, according to the human composting company Recompose. Recompose pushed for the legalization of human composting in Washington. Its website notes that a body will stay in the vessel for four to seven weeks before the resulting soil is allowed to cure for two to six weeks. A persons loved ones are then left with approximately one cubic yard of soil. Natural organic reduction is, in fact, the most environmentally friendly death care option, Haley Morris, a representative of the human composting company Earth Funerals, said during the committee hearing. Its less resource intensive than any other option and it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 90 percent relative to traditional options, Moris added Story continues Representatives of several environmental groups around the state have also voiced their support of the bill in witness slips filed with the committee. These include the Illinois Environmental Council, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club and Go Green Winnetka. More:Saving this historic Tazewell County barn is part of farm's blueprint for its future Cassidy filed an amendment on Wednesday altering some of the fee structures for licensing the practice and indicated in an interview that another forthcoming amendment will modify some of the regulations around testing the compost. This is about creating choices and options and in particular choices that are less harmful for the planet, Cassidy said. Cassidy also said she updated her own will last year to include that she would like her body to undergo the natural organic reduction process. Notable among the bills opponents is the Catholic Church. Daniel Welter, the recently retired chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, spoke to lawmakers at the request of the Catholic Conference of Illinois on Tuesday. Turning the mortal remains of a human person into compost for the purpose of fertilization, as one would with vegetable trimmings or eggshells, degrades the human person and dishonors the life that was lived by that person, he said during the committee hearing. Welter added that he and the church oppose any tendency to minimize the dignity of a human being, even after death. Representatives of the death care industry also oppose legalizing this process. LeNette Van Haverbeke, a representative of Illinois Cemetery and Funeral Home Association, told lawmakers that many in the field oppose human composting as lacking the traditional dignity afforded to the dead. Others in the field are not as critical. After a similar bill was met with opposition last year from the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, Cassidy met with representatives of the industry to craft new language regulating the vessels used in the process, professional licensing and soil testing among other elements of the bill. Im not saying were a proponent of it, but the sponsor did listen to us, said Margaret Vaughn of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association. Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide, as well as hundreds of radio and TV stations. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Illinois could make human composting process legal for remains Isaac Seumalo will exit Philadelphia, but hell stay in the state of Pennsylvania after agreeing to a three-year, $24 million deal with the Steelers. Seumalos $8 million per season puts him in the top 10 for highest-paid right or left guards and gives Pittsburgh a versatile player capable of playing all five positions. Late last night, the #Steelers agreed to terms with #Eagles G Isaac Seumalo, giving him a 3-year deal for $24M, source said. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 19, 2023 Seumalo is the second former Eagle signing with the Steelers in free agency, joining Nate Herbig, who spent three years with the Eagles before a one-year stint with the New York Jets. Seumalo missed significant time with injuries during the 2020 and 2021 seasons but returned to play all 17 regular-season games for the Eagles in 2022. More Eagles News and Notes! Breaking down every Eagles move through first wave of free agency Report: Steelers agree to 3-year deal with Eagles right guard Isaac Seumalo Here's everything we know about new Eagles' CB Greedy Williams Highlights of new Eagles' running back Rashaad Penny Darius Slay on his contract extension: I plan on retiring as an Eagle Story originally appeared on Eagles Wire A metal sphere with a 5-foot diameter on a beach in Hamamatsu, Japan, on Saturday. NHK News A metal sphere, 5 feet in diameter, washed up on a Japanese beach and has mystified authorities. The hollow ball is not explosive, and it could be just a buoy, authorities said. Many have rejected this online, with some referencing the manga series "Dragon Ball" and Godzilla. A mysterious iron sphere that washed up on a Japanese beach has baffled authorities and sent social-media users into a frenzy. The metal ball is about 5 feet in diameter and recently appeared on Enshuhama Beach in the coastal city of Hamamatsu, NHK, a state broadcaster, reported. A passerby reported it to police on Saturday, which prompted an inspection, but a local man told the outlet that the ball had sat there for more than a month, the outlet said. The beach was subsequently cordoned off, with officials in protective clothing sent to inspect the object. Masaki Matsukawa, a representative of the city's civil-engineering office, told NHK that the rust-pocked object had still not been identified. The office said it could be a buoy, the outlet reported an explanation supported by the presence of two apparent metal handles sticking out of it. An oceanographer based out of San Diego told The New York Times that "it's just a normal buoy" and that buoys like this are very common, and have washed up on some US shores recently. Shigeru Fujieda, a marine debris expert in Japan, also told the Times that the ball was likely used to anchor ships. But on the tail of the media attention around Chinese spy balloons, the object has sent social media users into a flurry of speculation. Some quickly suggested that it's likely one of the orbs from the popular manga series "Dragon Ball." Others disagreed, saying it's clearly a reptile egg readying to birth Godzilla. A bomb-disposal team was dispatched and, after performing an X-ray, established that there's no risk of explosion, NHK said. Story continues The sphere was scheduled for removal on Wednesday and will be stored in case someone comes to claim it, NHK reported. The BBC confirmed its removal in a report on Thursday. "It could be confused for a World War 2 mine ... but those would have spikes sticking out of them," Mark Inall, a professor and oceanographer at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, told the BBC. He added that he immediately recognized the sphere as a buoy. "Given the recent events ... I could understand there's an interest in an unidentified floating object," he added. Read the original article on Insider Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad arrived in the UAE on Sunday for an official visit, accompanied by his wife Asma Al-Assad, to hold talks with by the UAE President Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. Upon their arrival, an official ceremony was held to Al-Assad at Qasr Al Watan where he received a canon salute as his convoy entered the royal palace, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said. The Syrian national anthem was played just before the discusssions between the two leaders. The talks aimed at "exploring ways of enhancing cooperation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region", bin Zayed said in a tweet. I welcomed President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to the UAE today, and we held constructive talks aimed at developing relations between our two countries. Our discussions also explored ways of enhancing cooperation to accelerate stability and progress in Syria and the region. pic.twitter.com/QlcIWomFDE (@MohamedBinZayed) March 19, 2023 According to the Syrian news agency (SANA), Al-Assad and bin Zayed discussed "the positive developments in the region and the importance of utilizing them to achieve stability, safety, and prosperity". The Syrian president praised the UAE's "rational and moral positions", describing its role in the Middle East as "positive and effective" in promoting strong relations between Arab countries. He emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations among Arab nations to achieve joint Arab action that benefits the interests of their people. The Emirati president "echoed the importance of Syria's return to its Arab environment and emphasized building bridges and strengthening relations between all Arab countries", the agency adeed. Excatly a year ago, the Syrian President traveled to the United Arab Emirates for his first visit to an Arab state since the Syrian war began in 2011. In January, Emirati top Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al met Assad in Damascus in further sign of thawing ties. The UAE has led a shift in the Middle East towards reviving ties with Assad, who held talks in Oman last month on his first foreign trip since the devastating earthquake hit Syria and Turkey, and visited Russia earlier this month. Syria was expelled from the 22-member Arab League and boycotted by its neighbors in 2011 but the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018. Abu Dhabi had pledged of more than $100 million in assistance to quake-hit Syria. Analysts say a diplomatic momentum generated in the quake's aftermath could bolster Damascus's relations with Middle Eastern countries that have so far resisted normalisation after more than a decade of war. "The UAE's approach and efforts towards Syria are part of a deeper vision and a broader approach aimed at strengthening Arab and regional stability," said senior Emirati presidential adviser Anwar Gargash. "The Emarati's position is clear regarding the need for Syria to return to" its place in the Arab world and regain legitimacy in the region, Gargash said on Twitter. Search Keywords: Short link: 20th Century Studios "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Content warning: This article contains references to murder some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. During the 1960s, 13 women with no clear connection were killed in the Boston, Massachusetts area. No one thought the murders were linked until two reporters from The Record American trusted their instincts, ignored the people who denied the crimes were being committed by one person, and started investigating the homicide cases themselves. Oh, and they were women, which in the 1960s meant dealing with blatant sexism from both the male editorial staff and male police department. As shown in Hulu's new true crime movie, Boston Strangler, which premiered March 17, Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole worked together to report the news and inform the public about who was being targeted and possible ways the criminal was gaining access to his victims, ultimately helping to capture the assailant they deemed the "Boston Strangler," aka Albert DeSalvo. Hulton Archive/Getty Images Although DeSalvo confessed to the killings he was never charged with the crimes in court. According to People, DeSalvo "was charged [in 1964] with several counts of assault, burglary and sex offenses, but was never charged in the case related to the Boston stranglings." He was sentenced to life in prison, but was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate, dying "under mysterious circumstances" in 1973. Interestingly, DNA evidence tested in 2013 linked DeSalvo to the final victim, 19-year-old Mary Anne Sullivan, which led police to believe he was probably responsible for the other 12 murders as well. Many people, however, are still unconvinced the Boston Strangler was one person. Some people as suggested in the movie believe several murderers, including George Nassar, used the Boston Strangler's persona to cover up their crimes. While the film is called Boston Strangler, it's more about the two powerful and brave women who investigated the murders terrorizing Boston. Story continues Claire Folger - 20th Century Studios In the movie, Loretta McLaughlin was the first of the two to start delving into the crimes, and Jean Cole was brought on by the paper to assist Loretta with the investigation. But, who was Jean and where is she today? Jean Harris ("Cole" was her maiden name) married Boston Globe reporter Frank P. Harris and had two daughters, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren by the time she passed away at 89 years old on August 8, 2015, according to her obituary posted by Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home. She was a longtime investigative reporter, working at The Record American and later the Boston Herald American. Her younger brother, Kevin Cole, who is a retired former Herald photo chief, told the publication Jean "put up with a lot of harassment back in those days as gruff City Desk editors and reporters felt women belonged in the back pages." 20th Century Studios Nevertheless, Jean, as well as Loretta, stuck to their task of investigating the murders and, as Kevin put it, "'a few of the bosses' finally noticed [Jean] was producing and believed her" about the single serial killer theory. Another way Jean left her mark on Boston was the fact she coined the term "Combat Zone" to describe the shady downtown district filled with peep shows and criminals. That area was to Boston as what Times Square in the 1970s and '80s was to New York City. So, while you watch (or re-watch) Boston Strangler don't forget that the character actress Carrie Coon is playing was a real person who helped Boston catch a notorious serial killer, as well as paved the way for more women to be taken seriously as investigative reporters. You Might Also Like A Pennsylvania woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison for fabricating her 5-year-old daughter's illness, subjecting the child to unnecessary medical treatment and causing her insurer to incur six-figure losses. Shelley M. Noreika, 49, told medical providers that her adopted daughter was experiencing seizures "when in fact no such seizures occurred" throughout February of 2020, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. RELATED: Reality TV Star Tim Norman Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murder-For-Hire Plot On Feb. 4 of 2020, Noreika instructed her daughter to fake a seizure on film, prosecutors wrote, then emailed the video to the child's pediatric neurologist. "In fact, at no point did Noreika witness her daughter have an actual seizure," read the Department of Justice press release. Noreika, who prosecutors said is no longer in custody of child, pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements concerning health care matters before she was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Sylvia H. Rambo. In addition to prison time, Judge Rambo sentenced the Pennsylvania mother to three years of post-release probation, and to pay a $500 fine and $137,710.86 in restitution "to the victims of the offense." Alex Murdaugh Sentencing Noreika's behavior was "consistent with factitious disorder imposed on another, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a mental illness in which a caregiver makes up or causes an illness or injury to a person under their care, to gain attention and sympathy for themselves," the government and defense attorneys agreed, according to the release. But in addition to sympathy, Noreika had a clear fiscal motive. Prosecutors said she received enhanced Medicare and adoption subsidiaries. She fundraised a collective $5,400 using Amazon Wishlist, GoFundMe and Facebook and took money from location charitable organizations towards her daughter's care, according to reporting by PennLive. Story continues Todays sentencing sends a strong message that protecting children is a top priority, said Special Agent in Charge Maureen R. Dixon, of the Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General Philadelphia Regional Office, according to the Department of Justice press release. Oxy App HHS-OIG will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate allegations of abuse against children and ensure claims submitted to federal and state programs by caregivers are truthful and accurate," Dixon added. "We would like to thank the Pennsylvania State Police and the U.S. Attorneys Office for their partnership and commitment in this investigation. At the state level, Noreika also faces charges for endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, strangulation and harassment, according to Cumberland County Court documents. Noreika incurred these charges in April of 2021 after police discovered that she and her husband used a plastic Wiffle ball bat to strike their daughter at their home in Pennsylvania's Lower Mifflin Township, according to reporting by FOX 43. The woman's husband, David Albert Noreika, 49, was charged with felony endangering the welfare of children, misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment in relation to the incident, according to PennLive. The man "choked the victim and struck the victim ... with a closed fist, causing injury" on several occasions between January of 2017 and June of 2020, according to the outlet. Tom Hiddleston met his Night Manager counterpart Aditya Roy Kapur for the first time last night. Hiddleston, who played Jonathan Pine in The Night Manager for the BBC and AMC in 2016, jumped on a video call with Kapur while attending a lively screening of Disney+ Hotstars The Night Manager India in London. More from Deadline Weve obtained exclusive images from the screening. Also in attendance was Night Manager India director Priyanka Ghose and series creator/director Sandeep Modi, who set up the call when Hiddleston unexpectedly arrived with David Farr, the writer of the original BBC and AMC series. Tom Hiddleston (second left), David Farr (third left), Simon Cornwell, Priyanka Ghose (second right) and Sandeep Modi (furthest right) at last nights screening We went to the London screening with zero hopes of seeing Tom but to all of our surprise he walked in along with David Farr, Modi told Deadline. I remember walking inside the theater and telling them that this felt like an ambush because I was showing one of the most loved shows of the world to the people who originally created it. Modi said the two-hour screening felt endless but was followed by applause and a long conversation with Hiddleston and Farr. Loki star Hiddleston told Modi it was surreal to see someone play the role of Pine, a former soldier turned hotel manager who goes up against a ruthless arms dealer. He felt that Aditya was nuanced, good looking and impressed with the layers that the character had, added Modi. Kaupr later took to Instagram to write: The OG Night Manager watched our show yesterday! and added screenshots of the conversation. The Night Manager India launched on streamer Disney+ Hotstar last month and went straight in as one of the countrys most popular streaming series, according to ratings analyst Ormax Media. Roy and Anil Kapoor, who plays the Indian version of Hugh Lauries Richard Roper, were also made cover stars of a re-issue of the John le Carres original Night Manager novel. Story continues A few weeks ago, we revealed The Night Manager is returning for a long-awaited Season 2, with Hiddleston returning to his role and Farr writing. Under the codename Steelworks, Deadline understands Season 2 will film later this year in London and South America. Although yet to be formally greenlit by Amazon and the BBC, it is set to receive a two-season order. AMC is no longer the U.S. home. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder enters the courthouse Wednesday. He is expected to take the stand in his own defense No sooner had a jury convicted Republican former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder on a federal corruption charge than an epidemic of selective memory flared up at the Statehouse among Democrats. Thats because there are two crucial facts General Assemblys Democrats likely would prefer Ohios voters to forget. More:Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, former Ohio GOP leader Matt Borges found guilty Fact One: Larry Householder only regained the House speakership in January 2019 because 26 of the 38 Democrats then in Ohios House voted for him. Fact Two: House Bill 6, the 2019 sellout of electricity consumers in favor of Akrons FirstEnergy Corp., only became law because enough Democrats voted for it. Householder, from Perry Countys Glenford, was elected House speaker in a 52-46 roll call in 2019, with 50 votes required. He unseated the previous sessions House speaker, fellow Republican Ryan Smith, of Gallia Countys Bidwell. (Smith is now president of the University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College.) Democrats critical part of victory Thomas Suddes The 26 pro-Householder-speakership votes from House Democrats were decisive in electing Householder because just 26 Republicans (including Householder) among the Houses then-60 GOP members (one GOP-held seat was vacant) backed him. Those GOP votes were nowhere near the 50 votes required to win the gavel. Among House Democrats supporting Householder for speaker in 2019 was then-state Rep. Emilia Sykes, of Akron, now in Congress. She became the Ohio Houses minority leader just after Householder won the Ohio Houses speakership. Why does it matter? The speakership matters big-time for a range of historical reasons. One is the 1975-94 speakership of Scioto County Democrat Vern Riffe, who made sure that, often as not, he not governors or Senate presidents was seen as the Statehouse decider. A central issue in Householders federal conviction was what a jury judged his corrupt machinations to pass House Bill 6 of 2019, which forced Ohio electricity consumers to bail out two financially faltering nuclear power plants then owned by a unit of Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp., which spent millions of dollars to pass (and prevent repeal of) House Bill 6. Story continues More:Dark money, Ohio politics and power: What the Householder, Borges guilty verdicts mean Democrats dont remind anybody that the FirstEnergy subsidy bill, HB 6, only passed the Ohio House and state Senate in 2019 because enough Democrats voted for it. The Ohio Houses final vote on House Bill 6, in the summer of 2019, was 51-38. That was just one vote more than the 50 votes required to pass a bill in the House. And among the 51 House yes votes on House Bill 6, Democrats cast nine votes. Without at least eight of the nine yes votes from House Democrats, House Bill 6 couldnt have reached Gov. Mike DeWines desk. In the state Senate, the vote was 19-12, just two votes more than the 17-vote minimum required there. Of those 19 Senate yes votes, Democrats cast three. Without at least one of those Democratic votes, House Bill 6 would have failed to pass. Opinion: Let's be honest about bailout scandal that led to conviction of 'corrupt genesis' Amnesia is the biggest pal a Statehouse politician has. Thats especially so of House Bill 6. Larry Householder may have done most of the heavy lifting. But the bill only passed because just enough Democrats voted for it -- in case anyone forgot. MEANWHILE: If theres one thing Ohio gets right, its the funding of the states great public libraries, the result of a bipartisan mechanism worked out in the 1980s under the aegis of Democratic then-Gov. Richard F. Celeste. Ohios library funding set-up is a combination of state money and locally approved real estate taxes. But both streams of library funding may be throttled by a bill pending in Ohios House, House Bill 1. The bills ostensible aim is to convert Ohios graduated income tax to a flat tax -- and change how Ohio taxes real estate. State aid and local real estate taxes help fund Ohios great public libraries. Thats why various analyses show that some changes that HB 1 proposes could squeeze public library budgets both on the state and local fronts. Its hard to imagine anything more short-sighted than messing with one of Ohios public-service gems. The many friends of Ohios public libraries need to be on guard -- and speak up. Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What role did Ohio Democrats play in Larry Householder's success? Owen Niese is concerned about what Mexico's GMO corn ban could mean for his family's multigenerational farm in northern Richland County. As snow swirled over the soil hundreds of acres in each direction, Owen Niese already was worried about a crop that hadn't even been planted. He was concerned because Mexico's president, Andres Obrador, decided this winter to ban genetically modified corn, a staple crop not just for Niese, but for farmers across northern Ohio. Mexico is the second-largest buyer of U.S. corn, just behind China. Ohio is a top 10 corn-producing state. The ban came about four months after Niese, like most farmers, already had purchased 2023 seed corn. "They want to deliver it now, because I need to plant it in a month," Niese said. "So for this year, it's impossible to get non-GMO seed and produce a non-GMO crop." More:Biofuels a growing part of Ohio agriculture Mexico's corn ban 'is very political' Obrador's corn ban is not just financially troubling for farmers, but also is a direct violation of an international treaty, according to Tadd Nicholson, executive director of Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association. The organization advocates public policy on behalf of nearly 2,000 member farms from across the Buckeye State. Nicholson explained the United States, Mexico and Canada all agreed to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) after 26 years. Treaty issues and inquiries were transitioned Feb. 12 to the Textiles and Trade Agreements Division of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to the customs website, cbp.gov. By signing the treaty, the heads of the three largest North American nations "committed to basing their regulation on scientific research," according to a March 6, 2023, New York Times article. The Times reported "that Mexicos ban on genetically modified corn did not conform to those promises." Ohio's top corn-growing advocate agrees, adding Obrador has chosen politics over science. "He is ignoring the sound science that says, by every health organization in the world that has tested this, that it is safe for consumption of both humans and animals," Nicholson said. "So it's very political." Story continues 'Our research dollars are invested in GMO' Niese grew up on his family's farm in northern Richland County. Like his father and grandfather before him, he grows yellow corn and soybeans. "We're a multigeneration farm," Niese said. Over the decades, their farm practices have been tailored to match their crops, which are grown from genetically modified seed. "All of our research dollars are invested in GMO corn," Niese said. Elora Tuggle, 4, runs through a cornfield during the Farm Science Review in London, Ohio. That means scientists selecting genetic traits to produce plants that are more resistant to diseases and drought, allowing farmers to harvest as many bushels per acre as possible. "It's hundreds of years of selective breeding," Niese said. "To feed all the other countries we need to feed, we need those yields." It's not just corn, either. Soybeans also have improved over the decades through genetic modification. 'You'd have food insecurity' Switching to non-GMO crop production would require extensive changes at Niese Farms. The first step would be finding seed that would provide as good of a yield as genetically modified seed. That would be a hard task. "I hear 25% yield decrease in non-GMO versus GMO," Niese said. "There's so many variables in that." Since the crops sell at the same rate per bushel, less yield would mean less income to pay for tractors, fertilizer, herbicide, fuel, insurance and myriad other expenses. That alone could make many farms go broke. A corn field is being harvested in Crawford County. "It's tolerant to some insects," Niese said of GMO seed. "It's tolerant to some soil-borne diseases, and then it's obviously tolerant to herbicides." Those higher expected yields in GMO crops are for healthy fields before factoring in all the risks that face the plants throughout the growing season. "It's tolerant to some insects," Niese said of GMO seed. "It's tolerant to some soil-borne diseases, and then it's obviously tolerant to herbicides." And if every farm in the world was forced to switch to non-GMO seed? "I think you'd have food insecurity," Niese said. GMO crops need fewer inputs and are more efficient Farmers shouldn't even have to think about those possibilities, though, the head of Ohio's corn growers association said. "It's such an outlandish thing to even contemplate," Nicholson said. The United States, Argentina and Brazil, he said, are the world's largest corn-producers, and they "are fully committed to the safety" of genetically modified crops. Their strategy is in place not just to feed a growing world population, but also to "farm in a more sustainable way." "It helps us to reduce the pesticides that we use and any kind of crop inputs," Nicholson said. "It helps us solve so many problems and makes us so much more efficient." Asking U.S. lawmakers to pressure Mexico into compliance Rumors on the ban started circulating through the farming community just a few weeks before Christmas. A month later, the ban was in full force, prohibiting GMO corn of all types. By February, Mexico relaxed some of its restrictions so some yellow corn for animal consumption could be brought into the country. A field of corn in North Central Ohio stands tall under the sun in early September of 2020. In Ohio, the corn growers association has an alert covering its website's homepage: "Call on congress to act now and protect Ohio farmers!" Lawmakers and farmers in the United States are still hoping for the ban to be lifted entirely. Users can click a link from the message that takes them to a form they can sign and send to their elected officials. "We're asking our congressional members to put pressure on the administration," Nicholson said. Concerned residents can call their elected officials. If there's enough outcry, the next step could be sanctions against Mexico. "The rules in USMCA, and any trade agreement that we sign, are very important to us," Nicholson said. "We just can't allow one political move to, you know, undo it." ztuggle@gannett.com 419-564-3508 Twitter: @zachtuggle This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Ohio farmers concerned what Mexico's GMO corn ban means for the future "The Story With Martha MacCallum" - Credit: Getty Images Former Vice President Mike Pence doubled down on his assertion that the prosecution of Donald Trump is politically motivated, blaming the radical left for the former presidents potential impending arrest. Appearing on ABCs This Week the day after Trump claimed he will be arrested Tuesday, Pence said he was taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, standing behind the man who endangered his and his familys lives by directing his supporters to attack the Capitol complex on Jan. 6. More from Rolling Stone At the time when theres a crime wave in New York City, the fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority I think just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left, the former vice president said. Pence downplays Trump calling for protest even after January 6: "The American people have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble." pic.twitter.com/aeUBDG0pXs Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2023 Trump is under investigation regarding an alleged $130,000 payoff to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to buy her silence ahead of the 2016 presidential election. According to Daniels, she and Trump were in a relationship in 2006 while he was married to his wife, Melania. Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen cut the check and admitted to paying Daniels and another former Playboy model. The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, has convened a grand jury, which could decide to indict Trump as soon as this week. In a mind-boggling turn, Pence attempted to claim that the events surrounding the hush money occurred before he joined the campaign. As you know, those events transpired before I even joined the national ticket, Pence said. Story continues But host Jonathan Karl corrected him: The payoff happened just two weeks before the election. I cant speak to the merits of the case, Pence replied. In America youre innocent until proven guilty. Thats not always true in the national media, but it is true in our justice system. Karl also questioned Pence about Jan. 6, confronting the former VP with shocking audio of Trump saying he was not worried about Pences safety that day, and he defended protesters who were chanting Hang Mike Pence. He could have, well, the people were very angry, Trump said. Because its common sense that if you know a vote is fraudulent, how could you pass on a fraudulent vote to Congress? Hes effectively justifying, or excusing, the actions of people who were calling for you to be hanged! Karl said. Theres no excuse for the violence that took place at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and Ill never diminish it as long as I live, Pence replied. But look, the president is wrong. He was wrong that day, and Id actually hoped that hed come around in time, that hed see the cadre of legal advisors he surrounded himself with had led him astray. But he hasnt done so, and I think its one of the reasons why the country just wants a fresh start. Pence on Trump: "I had actually hoped that he would come around in time." Pretty much says it all. pic.twitter.com/81i7hmBg9l Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2023 Pence, no doubt, is referring to himself as said fresh start. He has been laying the groundwork for his own presidential campaign to challenge Trump for the Republican nomination. Even so, Pence is doing everything he can to avoid condemning his former boss for putting his and his familys lives in danger. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Former Vice President Mike Pence said continued rhetoric by former President Trump related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol is the reason the two split despite leaving Washington after their first term amicably. Despite the fact that the president and I actually parted amicably when we left the White House on Jan. 20, Pence said in an interview with ABCs This Week. And spoke several times in the weeks that followed that. After I saw him return to that type of rhetoric in the spring of 2021, weve just gone our separate ways. Pence has increasingly split with Trump in recent months, as the former vice president is anticipated to run for a 2024 White House bid. As Pence has spent time in early primary states like Iowa, he has taken aim at Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 riots and for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. I know we did our duty that day, Pence said. I know the president continues to have a strong difference of opinion about my responsibilities that day We all face the judgment of history and I believe in the fullness of time that history will hold Donald Trump accountable for the events of Jan. 6. But as Pence dings Trump for the events surrounding the 2020 election, he also has refused to testify in front of the federal special prosecutor that is investigating the former president and his actions on Jan. 6. But Pence signaled in the interview with ABC that he may be willing to testify in front of the grand jury on other issues related to Jan. 6, just not his actions as president of the Senate. We simply dont want an executive branch to be able to haul legislators into court every time that theres a policy dispute. And so Ive directed my attorneys to make a strong case in defense of my role as president of the Senate, Pence said. Were not asserting executive privilege, which may encompass other discussions. The divisions between Pence and Trump come as the former president said over the weekend on social media that he expects to be arrested by Tuesday in connection to a New York investigation that is probing hush-money payments to adult-film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump called on his supporters to protest the potential arrest. Pence defended Trump over that matter, saying the arrest would be a politically motivated prosecution. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The new Prosser police chief left his last job just a month after his previous employer paid $765,000 to settle four lawsuits with former officers. The former Unalaska, Alaska, police chief was directly involved in one lawsuit, only a minor player in two of the other civil suits and not involved in the fourth one. But he was accused of not improving the situation at the troubled department, and in one case, making it worse by threatening an officer with criminal charges, according to court documents. Still, Prosser Mayor Randy Taylor told the Herald that Jay King comes highly recommended by his colleagues, and none of the lawsuits specifically named him as a defendant. Taylor said the lawsuits came up as part of the background investigation, and he was comfortable that they have the right person to lead their 16-person department. Jay brings the right amount of experience and leadership to our city, Taylor said in a news release announcing the decision. We are excited to have someone with his caliber of experience join our team. The Prosser City Council picked King to replace the retiring Chief David Giles. King was one of 11 applicants and three finalists chosen for the role. King took over the department this week in the city of 6,200. He brings more than 28 years of law enforcement experience with him to the position, most of that working for the Montgomery, Ala. police department. He rose through the ranks to the level of a major. He established the citys motor pool program and was the accreditation manager. Prosser City Clerk Rachel Shaw administers the Oath of Office to Police Chief Jay King. But his move to take over the police department in the Alaskan Aleutian islands, population 4,000, ended with him resigning and accusations of harassment and ignoring officer misconduct, according to a report from KUCB. He joined the department in 2020 after the city spent more than two years looking for a chief. Between October 2020 and May 2022, four former employees sued the department, all with accusations that they had been wrongfully terminated or forced out through harassment. Story continues The Northern Justice Project, an Anchorage-based law firm focusing on civil rights cases, represented the four former officers. Unalaskas attorneys denied the accusations before reaching the settlement agreement. Alaska officer lawsuits The complaints in the three lawsuits that happened during Kings tenure as chief each describe a troubled department with problems that predate King joining the department. The attorneys who represented officers Ann Sotelo, Anthony Recco and Sgt. John Merrion described a department where problem officers stayed in their positions while others found themselves harassed and pushed out. It is notorious for turnover, hostility, retaliatory firings and even physical confrontations between employees, attorneys James Davis and Goriune Dudukgian wrote. Worse yet, this dysfunction prevents the department from doing its job and actually serving the people of Unalaska. Most of the problems focused on two officers who predated Kings time with the department. The attorneys note that King didnt do anything to correct the problems. They accused him of being an incompetent and abusive manager and said the citys failure to take any corrective actions is ridiculous and cowardly. But one officer, Sotelo, specifically pointed to a tense interaction with King in May 2021, according to court documents. It started when she discovered in the patrol room a paper with airplane flight information for Kings girlfriend. She talked about it with a fellow officer, and left the paper where she found it, according to court documents. After King learned she had seen the paperwork, the attorneys claim the chief interrogated her, and told her he would seek criminal charges if she lied. He later denied making the threat, according to court documents. His then Deputy Chief Bill Simms contradicted him. Taylor told the Herald he had heard the story from Kings point of view and that it seemed that the department let issues build up. We have policies and procedures nailed down pretty well, Taylor said. If an employee complaint surfaced in our department, it would be handled quickly. ... When I look at what the investigator said ... its not the way that we do things. Prossers police chief pick Prosser started searching for Giles replacement last October, and enlisted the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to help conduct the search. Giles left the role after serving as the departments chief for 10 years. He had served 23 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration before taking the position, according to his LinkedIn profile. The 16-member department has an annual budget of $2.3 million, according to the associations advertisement. The rural city that also is the county seat of Benton County doesnt have a high violent crime rate. They were looking for someone with at least 10 years of experience, particularly with a small agency in a rural area. The job comes with an annual salary range of $108,000 to $130,000. In all, 11 candidates applied and that was narrowed to three finalists, including King. The other two were Washington State Patrol Sgt. Darin Foster and former Monticello, Ill., Police Chief John Carter. All of the finalists came with some history. Foster sued the state patrol in 2020 because the agency hadnt calculated his promotion information correctly. The case was ultimately dismissed because of a settlement in a similar class action lawsuit. Carter resigned his position in Illinois with a letter alleging he had been forced out of the position because of the mayor. Glover and Taylor said a thorough background check was conducted for King. The mayor said he looks for consistency among what people tell him about the candidate. Taylor told the Herald that the citys investigator traveled to Alaska and Alabama to conduct the background research. The investigator talked with people who had worked with him and worked for him as part of the two-month process. The Rotary Clubs love him. The police associations love him, Taylor told the Herald. Were pretty comfortable that hes not a bad egg. The city council confirmed Taylors pick during the Feb. 28 city council meeting. New Prosser chief As part of the announcement of the decision, King said his history as an officer shows he is determined to be a public servant. Along with his experience in Alabama, King participated in the FBI National Academy. As part of that training he was recognized for his participation in the International Partnership Program. In May 2021, he received a life saving recognition award from the Anchorage Airport Police Department. The city also noted he has been a member of several professional and civic organizations during his career. This included Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence, both the Alaska and Alabama associations of police chiefs and the FBI National Academy Association. My professional philosophy encompasses the mission of safeguarding life and property, a vision of ridding the community of crime while providing the best level of service possible, he said as part of Prossers news release. He is guided by his core values including service, integrity, respect, leadership and innovation, according to the release. This was not the first time King made it to a list of finalists. In October 2022, he traveled to Mill Creek, Wash., to apply to take over the chiefs position, according to the Everett Herald. He said that he prefers policing in small towns were everyone knows each other, and believes when officers respect community members they will get respect back. This tool is one of the best ways to score a free flight. Here's how to use it effectively. Stephen M. Keller/Courtesy of Southwest Airlines If you're something of a frequent flier or if you live in a Southwest Airlines hub you've probably heard the term "companion pass" thrown around a few times. Ultimately, a companion pass is exactly what it sounds like: a certificate that allows you to bring a friend on a flight for (mostly) free. Of course, there's fine print involved that severely limits the power of a companion pass, so free long-haul business-class tickets are rare. But you can indeed get a free or heavily discounted plane ticket with a companion pass, usually in economy. In a nutshell, companion passes are two-for-one deals, though their use is often restricted by fare class and route, and you'll still have to pay taxes and fees. You must also be on the same reservation as your companion. The most well-known companion pass is, arguably, the Southwest Companion Pass, because it's the only one that's reusable for a minimum period of a year. The rest of the companion passes out there are one-time-use annual perks for airline co-branded credit cards; their redemption value can often cover the card's annual fee. Here's everything you need to know about the major airline companion passes. Southwest Companion Pass The Southwest Companion Pass is the airline's top-tier status reserved for frequent fliers. Once the status is earned, the traveler can designate one person who can tag along with them on every flight for free, though they are still charged for taxes and fees, which start at $5.60. In order to earn the pass, you'll need to fly 100 flights on Southwest or earn 35,000 Rapid Rewards points in a calendar year whenever you cross the threshold, you'll earn Companion Pass status for the remainder of the calendar year and the following year. Rapid Rewards points can be earned on Southwest airfare, partner bookings for hotels and rental cars, using a Rapid Rewards co-branded credit card, shopping through the Rapid Rewards shopping portal, and dining at qualifying restaurants. Keep in mind that Rapid Rewards credit card sign-up bonuses count toward status, so that's one way to jumpstart your journey toward the Southwest Companion Pass. Story continues Alaskas Famous Companion Fare This isn't a true companion pass, but rather a companion discount. Travelers with the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card or the Alaska Airlines Visa Business Credit Card receive a one-time code on each card anniversary that allows them to buy a round-trip economy ticket for a travel companion for $99 plus taxes and fees. Existing cardholders don't have a spend requirement to earn the companion fare, but new cardholders will have to spend at least $6,000 a year to earn it. American Airlines Companion Certificate Like Alaska's Famous Companion Fare, American Airlines' Companion Certificate is also a companion discount. Travelers who hold the following credit cards are eligible for the certificate after spending $20,000 or $30,000 in a calendar year, depending on the card: AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard; AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard; AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard; or the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard. The certificate can be redeemed for $99 plus taxes and fees on one round-trip economy-class ticket in the continental U.S. However, residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it on a round-trip flight from their home airport to a destination in the continental U.S. British Airways Travel Together Ticket A true companion pass, this ticket can be earned by British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card holders who spend $30,000 in a calendar year. The ticket is valid in all classes even business class on round-trip flights originating in the United States. Like all companion passes, you must pay taxes and fees, as well as carrier chargers, and British Airways' fine print mentions how expensive that can get: "For a peak, return flight from Los Angeles to London, these can amount to $651.33 in economy (World Traveller) and $1,984.57 in business (Club World)." That said, you're still getting a heavy discount, since a standard plane ticket would also include those charges. Delta Companion Certificate Four credit cards issue Delta companion certificates on each card anniversary: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express and Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express, plus their business counterparts. The Platinum companion certificate can be used on one round-trip journey within the continental U.S. in economy, while the Reserve companion certificate can also be used in Comfort+ and first class. While you'll still have to pay taxes and fees, Delta caps the total amount to $75. Availability can be limited, though, as the companion certificates can only be used in certain fare classes. Hawaiian Airlines Companion Discount Holders of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard or the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business Mastercard are given a one-time 50-percent-off companion discount code for a round-trip economy flight between Hawaii and North America during their first year of card membership. On each card anniversary after that, cardholders receive $100 off one companion flight per year between Hawaii and the continental U.S. in economy. Lufthansa Companion Ticket After making a single purchase with their card in the first year they have it, Miles & More World Elite Mastercard cardholders are given an economy-class companion pass for a round-trip flight from the U.S. to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, or Asia on Lufthansa. It can only be used in certain fare classes, and travelers are still responsible for paying taxes and fees. After that, on each card anniversary, cardholders receive another companion ticket. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Brian Powers, who also went by the name "Egypt," wearing colorful braids. After time spent in prison and dozens of arrests by Akron police over the years, Brian "Egypt" Powers was seven months sober and getting his life back together when he was found shot to death nearly three years ago. The 43-year-old who liked to dress as a woman, was a loving man, said his sister, Vivian Powers-Smith. Now, Powers-Smith says she hopes justice will be done after police arrested Akron resident Bobby Lee Bell, 48, on a charge of murder in Powers' death. The circumstances have not been detailed by police, who said they identified Bell after reviewing and analyzing evidence, conducting interviews and following up on numerous leads and tips. Bell has a history of violent crime. In 1993, he was convicted of attempted aggravated murder and aggravated robbery. The court noted it would not object to his parole in 2002. Since his release, Bell was convicted of drug-related charges in 2008, 2012 and 2021. He is now being held in the Summit County Jail, with bond set at $1 million. Circumstances of Brian Powers' death unclear Powers was found face up on the ground by a groundskeeper just before 8 a.m. June 13, 2020, outside a church near East Buchtel Avenue and Chapel Drive. Police said they believe he had traveled about 100 yards before collapsing with a single bullet having pierced both thighs. "He went to a party and he was walking home, but he was dressed as Egypt," Powers-Smith said, adding she has still not heard all the details from police. "I don't know if they were outside a car or if he was just walking down the street, but I know he was leaving from a party that he had went to earlier that evening and he was walking home." Vivian Powers-Smith shows photos of her brother Brian "Egypt" Powers in Akron. Following Powers' death, some in Akron's LGBTQ community feared he may have been killed as a result of his gender identity and sexual orientation. However, hate crime laws or ethnic intimidation laws, as they are called in Ohio do not encompass gender identity and sexual orientation. More:Brian Powers friends say he may have been victim of hate crime Story continues "In his younger years he was gay, and then as time went on, I think he more identified as either gay or transgender," she said. "Whenever he felt like dressing as Egypt, that's what he did and that's how he is from day-to-day. When he wanted to be Brian, he was Brian. If he wanted to be Egypt, he was Egypt," Powers-Smith said. Never 'in the closet,' Powers was 'handsome ... beautiful' She said her brother was fun-loving and would make anyone he came in contact with feel welcomed. "He was a beautiful person," she said. "He was a man and he was very handsome. As a female, he was very, you know, very attractive, very beautiful, so if someone looked at him, they might not have been able to tell, but he would let you know, you know. He wasn't the type that would, you know, try to trick anybody or fool you. He was very proud of who he was, so, you know, he would let you know." Brian "Egypt" Powers Although Powers had been a sex worker in his younger years and had been charged multiple times for solicitation, his sister said he had moved beyond that lifestyle. "I've heard people say, 'Well, that's what happens when you live your life like that,' but I don't care how you decide to live your life, you don't deserve to be murdered, right? "He was always proud of who he was. Like when they say somebody comes out of a closet. I don't believe Brian ever came out of a closet. He was just born out the closet. He was just who he was, so he had to be tough. There were times where he had an issue with substance abuse and he had just overcame that. He was doing very well. He was seven months clean. He was very proud of that." Brian Powers was overcoming past troubles According to court records, Powers was convicted of several felonies including robbery, forgery and escape from 2001 to 2017 and also faced dozens of misdemeanor charges. Powers-Smith said he did not talk much about his past troubles. "It was something he was just trying to get past and, you know, leaving in his past. You know, he had his own apartment. He had his own income. He was doing very well," she said, explaining he was receiving supplemental assistance from the state, but did not know the specific reason. Brian "Egypt" Powers "He was going to meetings like two to three times a day. He was going to classes to keep himself, you know, on the straight and narrow." She said he didn't have any issues with anyone as far as she knows, other than random people who recognized his lifestyle. "Sometimes he, you know, walking down the street or in the store or something, somebody would say something negative to them. But you know, it wouldn't go any further ... because even when he was dressed as Brian, even when he was living his daily life as a man, he's still very feminine ... it wasn't something he was hiding. "Everybody's not comfortable with letting people be who they, who they choose to be," she said. A note on terms: We continue to refer to Brian Powers, also known as Egypt, using he/him/his pronouns, following extensive interviews with those who knew him. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Details still unclear in 2020 murder of Brian Powers in Akron Iran's top security official on Sunday signed a deal with Iraqi authorities for "protection" of their common border, the Iraqi prime minister's office said, months after Tehran struck Kurdish opposition groups in Iraq's north. Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region hosts camps and rear-bases operated by several Iranian Kurdish factions, which Iran has accused of serving Western or Israeli interests in the past. In November, Iran launched cross-border missile and drone strikes against several of the groups in northern Iraq, accusing them of stoking the nationwide protests triggered by the death in custody last September of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini. Ali Shamkhani, who heads Iran's Supreme National Security Council, inked the deal with his Iraqi counterpart Qassem al-Araji during a visit to Baghdad, the statement said. It comprises "coordination over the protection of common borders", and will also see the "strengthening of cooperation in several areas of security", the statement from the office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani added. Shamkhani denounced "vicious activities by counter-revolutionary elements" in northern Iraq, a reference to the Kurdish groups operating in the country, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA. He said the agreement signed on Sunday "can completely and fundamentally end the vicious actions of these groups," which the Iranian government labels "terrorist." After the Iranian strikes, Iraq in November announced it would redeploy federal guards on the border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, rather than leaving the responsibility to Kurdish peshmerga forces -- a move welcomed by Tehran. Factions based in Iraq's mountainous north have in the past waged an armed insurrection against Tehran, but in recent years their activities have declined and experts said they had ceased nearly all military activity. Shamkani's visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq that toppled former president Saddam Hussein. His fall gave birth to a political system that granted the Shia majority dominance over politics. Many of these Shia factions -- including Sudani's backers in parliament -- are supported by Shia-majority Iran. Relations between the two neighbours have grown ever-closer over the past two decades. Baghdad had also played a role in mediating a reconciliation between Iran and regional rival Saudi Arabia, hosting several rounds of talks between the two since April 2021. Riyadh and Tehran had cut all diplomatic ties in 2016 before a surprise Chinese-brokered reconciliation deal was announced earlier this month. Shamkhani also met the governor of Iraq's central bank and the deputy minister of foreign affairs, according to IRNA. Tehran is a key trade partner for Baghdad, which in turn is largely dependent on gas and electricity from Iran. Search Keywords: Short link: The northern lights are waiting for you in Yellowknife. With our eyelashes and hair frosty as we stood on a frozen lake near Yellowknife and looked toward the horizon searching for a glimpse of anything, we saw it. The faint, whitish-green bands appeared and began to slowly stretch overhead in the starry sky, becoming brighter and more saturated with hues of lime and magenta with every passing moment. Soon, it wasnt just visible in the distance; the aurora was dancing right above our heads. We were surrounded by undulating waves and quick-moving swirls of ethereal light, some reaching down so close that it felt like they might touch us. Elizabeth Rhodes Our aurora hunting guide, Joe Buffalo Child, told us that in his mother tongue, Denesuine Yatie, the northern lights are called yake nagas, which means the "sky is stirring." And stirring it was. The northern lights mean different things to the distinct groups of Indigenous people who live throughout this part of Canada; Joe shared that for some communities in this area, the lights are a sign from loved ones that have passed on. We stood silently for a moment before getting back in the toasty car; we had just spent the fastest hour of my life outside in -40-degree cold, enthralled by the incredible light show. Called the Northern Lights Capital of North America, Yellowknife is a land of extremes. The capital city of Canadas Northwest Territories is located on the northern shore of the deepest lake in North America, Great Slave Lake. Its northern, 62-degree latitude means winters are severely cold, with temperatures sometimes reaching as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit (as they did when I visited in February). In winter, the area transforms into a snow-covered wonderland frequented by displays of the elusive northern lights, and in summer, the midnight sun makes days stretch up to 20 hours long. Its the setting for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, made even more impactful by Indigenous-led tours ranging from northern lights hunting to guided wildlife excursions. Story continues Heres everything you need to know to plan a trip to Yellowknife and chase the northern lights, or midnight sun. Elizabeth Rhodes When to Visit Yellowknife Yellowknife is an all-seasons destination, but the experience is wildly different depending on when you visit. Winter months offer frozen landscapes, snowy outdoor adventures, and prime northern lights viewing, but average lows are in the negative teens, so prepare for extremely cold weather (and pack ample layers, heavy coats, and winter boots, or rent appropriate winter clothing from a company like My Backyard Tours). Summer brings warmer temperatures and the midnight sun, so you can enjoy long days on the nearby lakes or hiking trails. March and September are two of the best months to visit: March hosts the Snowking Winter Festival, complete with an ice castle and event lineup that includes kid-friendly activities, concerts, and comedy shows. Its also a great month for aurora viewing. Meanwhile, September offers an ideal combination of warmer temperatures and stellar northern lights and stargazing opportunities. Elizabeth Rhodes Things to Do in Yellowknife During the summer, boating, fishing, hiking, and soaking in the midnight sun are all popular activities. And snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, riding along the ice road, and northern lights viewing are top things to do during the winter. Places to visit at any time of year include the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Bush Pilots Monument, and the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly. There are many opportunities for Indigenous tourism in and near Yellowknife, and these experiences are a must for anyone visiting the region. Whether on a culture-focused activity or a fishing, hiking, or northern lights experience led by a local guide, Indigenous tour operators provide ways to connect with the communities here and gain a deeper understanding of their culture and history. For example, family-owned North of 60 Aurora Adventures hosts winter dog sledding tours that offer a look into their personal traditions and culture passed down from ancestors. Elizabeth Rhodes Chasing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife Thanks to Yellowknifes prime position in northern Canada, the city sees the aurora around 240 nights a year, so its the perfect place to go if youve been dreaming of witnessing this natural phenomenon. (We saw the aurora three of the four nights we were there.) Travelers seeking the northern lights should plan to take aurora excursions for several nights to maximize their chances of spotting them and to experience a few different viewing styles. Indigenous-owned North Star Adventures, run by our guide Joe, drives guests around to viewpoints around Yellowknife, relying on expert knowledge and instinct to find the aurora. Bucketlist Tour offers a cozy cabin where you can sit and snack on fish chowder and bannock while awaiting the lights. Aurora Village has heated teepees where guests can sit and sip on warm beverages between peeks outside at the night sky. Most northern lights excursions pick up guests from their hotels and drop them off at the end of the night. If youre worried about getting that perfect shot of the lights, ask your guide for help they likely know all the tips and tricks to snagging the ideal photo of the aurora. Exact timing may vary, but many tours typically start in the evening and end in the early hours of the morning, so prepare for a long (and chilly) night. (Dont worry, its worth it when you see those green and purple lights dancing overhead.) What to Eat and Drink Even though Yellowknife is a small city, theres a range of places to eat, including Ethiopian, Vietnamese, brewpub, and seafood restaurants. Expect to see local fish like whitefish, cod, and trout on menus, plus bison or elk dishes. Bullocks Bistro is a top pick for fish and chips; Fishy People Butchery offers a delicious brunch plus a fish-centric menu with sharing plates at dinner; Sundog Trading Post is the spot for sandwiches, soup, and handcrafted ice cream; and NWT Brewing Company serves local flavor by the pint. Elizabeth Rhodes Places to Stay Most visitors stay in the heart of Yellowknife, near the citys restaurants, bars, and attractions. Accommodations range from lakefront Airbnbs to properties like the conveniently located Explorer Hotel, where members of the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, stayed during trips to the Northwest Territories. How to Get There Most travelers visiting Yellowknife will need to fly into Yellowknife Airport (YZF) after connecting through another Canadian city (likely Edmonton, Calgary, or Vancouver). Air Canada, WestJet, and Canadian North offer regularly scheduled flights to the city. Tour operators may pick you up and drive you to day and nighttime excursions, and there are taxis readily available in town. If you want to explore beyond the city center, consider renting a car. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. The United States mens national team will not have Timothy Weah for next weeks CONCACAF Nations League matches against Grenada and El Salvador. Weah, the 23-year-old USMNT forward, was injured Saturday in Lilles Ligue 1 match versus Toulouse, where hes often playing fullback on the left and right sides. An aerial collision with a Toulouse midfielder in stoppage time of Lilles 2-0 win left Weah requiring a precautionary neck brace and stretcher to get of the pitch. Lille has started Weah in 10-straight matches, and the French outfits only lost twice. More USMNT news USMNT roster for Nations League features Gio Reyna, no Tyler Adams Christian Pulisic Watch: How did USMNT star play for Chelsea vs Everton? Christian Pulisic: Reyna-Berhalter incident extremely childish,... Djordje Mihailovic added to CONCACAF Nations League roster Djordje Mihailovic is back in the fold after spending much time as a popular uncalled figure under previous (and maybe future) USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter. Mihailovic made the move from MLS to AZ Alkmaar this winter and hes been a feature player for the Dutch side. Prolific in MLS, he so far has a goal and an assist in nine appearances for his Eredivisie side. The 24-year-old Mihailovic has six caps for the U.S., though five came in 2019 including his scoring debut against Panama. But he barely featured in the Gold Cup and didnt against see the pitch for the USMNT until Dec. 10, 2020 against El Salvador. The U.S. plays at Grenada on Friday and against El Salvador on March 27 in Orlando. Timothy Weah concussed for Lille; Mihailovic joins USMNT roster originally appeared on NBCSports.com Ronnie Floyd, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources lead investigator of the Tyler Doyle case, described the hours surrounding when Tyler Doyles jon boat took on water. The SCDNR released 11 folders with dozens of files Thursday detailing their efforts and materials collected during their search of missing boater Tyler Doyle. They were obtained by the Sun News through a Freedom of Information Act request. Floyd wrote in a Feb. 9 statement, two weeks after the Loris man was last seen, that he had looked into theories suggested online, but found no evidence and believes that Doyle drowned and is still missing. With all the many super sleuths out there on the internet and the many tips and stories I have listened to, I still at this point do not have any information that would lead me to any other conclusion other than that Tyler Doyle is drowned in a boating incident and has yet to be located. A crew with the North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad posted this photo of their Facebook page of the search for missing boater Tyler Doyle. Facebook page of North Myrtle Beach Rescue Squad Floyds statement lays out a rough timeline of the events of the night Tyler Doyle went missing. Bettmann - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Content warning: This article contains references to murder and sexual assault some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. Hulus Boston Strangler, the streamers latest true crime film, follows the chilling story of the notorious serial killer who terrorized Boston in the early 1960s, and the two Record-American investigative reporters, Loretta McLaughlin and Jean Cole, who discovered the connection between the assailants crimes. Between June 1962 and January 1964, 13 women in and around Boston were found sexually assaulted and strangled to death with cords, ropes, or articles of clothing in their homes, according to The Boston Globe. The Boston Strangler, as labeled by McLaughlin and Cole in their reporting at the time, targeted single women aged 19 to 85. Law enforcement believed that multiple assailants were responsible for the murders, according to The New York Times, but McLaughlin and Coles investigative work helped link the murders and point to one possible killer. 20th Century Studios In the mid-1960s, Massachusetts native Albert DeSalvo confessed to the murders of 13 women. At the time, DeSalvo was an inmate at Bridgewater State Prison for a separate string of crimes, including burglaries and sexual assault against four women, according to The New York Times. But DeSalvo was never tried or convicted for the stranglings, and before his death in 1973, he recanted his confession, according to USA Today. Boston Globe - Getty Images Why wasnt Albert DeSalvo prosecuted for the stranglings? Although he confessed, DeSalvo was never prosecuted for the gruesome murders related to the Boston Strangler. According to The New York Times, DeSalvo confessed to the stranglings during a mental evaluation with Dr. Robert R. Mezer for the court case tied to the aforementioned, unrelated crimes. DeSalvo told me he was the strangler . . . He told me he strangled 13 women . . . and he went into details of some of them, telling me some of the most intimate acts he committed, the psychiatrist said during the trial, per the outlet. But due to a lack of physical evidence, DeSalvo wasnt charged or convicted for the Boston Strangler murders, and before his death in 1973, he recanted the confession. Still, he was sentenced to life in prison in January 1967 for armed robbery, assault, breaking and entering and sexual acts, the Boston Herald reported. Bettmann - Getty Images With DeSalvo sentenced to prison for life, with an appeal to a higher court pending, and with the convicted man already in a mental hospital of the maximum security type as Bridgewater, it is doubtful that any prosecutor in the three counties involved Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex will take immediate steps to indict DeSalvo for the stranglings, in the opinion of most legal observers, the outlet continued. Before he claimed to be the Boston Strangler, DeSalvo was known as the Measuring Man. In 1960, DeSalvo went door-to-door under the guise of a talent scout, telling women he worked for a modeling agency and wanted their measurements, according to People. As he measured, he would fondle the women. He was arrested in March 1960, and spent nearly a year in prison. But after he was released, DeSalvo went off on a crime spree throughout New England. Dubbed the Green Man, because hed always be dressed in green, DeSalvo would break into womens homes and sexually assault them, History.com reports. Bettmann - Getty Images His crimes came to an end when he was arrested in November 1964 for the invasion of apartments of women in Arlington, Cambridge, Melrose, and Wakefield, the Boston Herald reported. Then, on November 27, 1973, while serving his life sentence at Walpole State Prison, DeSalvo was stabbed to death by an unidentified inmate. Nearly 50 years after the Boston Strangler murders, law enforcement recovered DNA that linked DeSalvo to the last strangling victim, Mary Sullivan. According to ABC News, Boston police retrieved his DNA from a water bottle left at a construction site by DeSalvos nephew and matched it with seminal fluid that was left behind at the crime scene in January 1964. Officials claimed that Sullivans DNA can be linked with 99.9 percent certainty to the late DeSalvo. You Might Also Like (AP) Former president Donald Trump fired out three furious all-caps posts on his Truth Social page on 18 March, invoking images of burning cities and World War III while stoking unrest with a call for his supporters to protest, protest, protest what he predicted would be his arrest in New York. Alvin Bragg the Manhattan district attorney whose office is overseeing a criminal investigation into the former presidents business practices following long-running allegations of fraud issued a memo to his staff in response, stressing that he does not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York. His internal message did not mention the former president by name or his incendiary rhetoric, but he referred to public comments surrounding an ongoing investigation by this office. Mr Bragg has been tight-lipped about the case and his offices work, ensuring in his recent memo that, as with all of our investigations, we will continue to apply the law evenly and fairly, and speak publicly only when appropriate. But he could make history with a looming indictment against the former president, potentially the first to ever face criminal charges. Right-wing opponents, meanwhile, have bombarded Mr Braggs office with claims of election interference or raised baseless conspiracy theories, including antisemitic and racist attacks, that accuse Mr Bragg of leading a politically motivated case against the 2024 candidate for president. Mr Trumps allies and right-wing pundits have baselessly accused Manhattan prosecutors of mounting a politically motivated investigation while ignoring violent crime. Last year, homicides in New York City fell by 12 per cent while shootings dropped by 17 per cent compared to 2021, the lowest rates since 2019, and significantly lower than massive surges in 1980s and 1990s. Spikes in robberies and burglaries drove a 22 per cent overall jump in so-called major crimes, and overall crimes dropped precipitously in February with significant decreases in murders, shootings and subway crimes, continuing what New York City Police Department officials report as a downward trend. Story continues The former president and other right-wing conspiracy theorists have also placed Mr Bragg at the centre of antisemitic and racist conspiracy theories, alleging Jewish billionaire philanthropist George Soros is directing Mr Braggs investigation at the expense of the lives of Black New Yorkers. On 19 March, Fox News programme Fox & Friends said that the Black prosecutor has to pay his master back by prosecuting Mr Trump. Manhattans first-ever Black district attorney was overwhelmingly elected to the role in 2021 with 84 per cent of the boroughs vote. A criminal investigation into Mr Trumps business empire includes a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels and long-running allegations that he inflated the value of his properties and assets to fraudulently obtain loans and defraud his lenders, which also is at the centre of a separate civil lawsuit from the office of the New York Attorney General. Mr Bragg inherited the case from his predecessor Cy Vance, who began his investigation into Mr Trump while he was still in the White House. The 49-year-old former state attorney and federal prosecutor from Harlem has been involved with lawsuits against the Trump administration more than 100 times. As the chief deputy attorney general for the state of New York, Mr Bragg led a lawsuit against the Donald J Trump Foundation, which resulted in then-president Trump admitting that he used the organisation for political purposes and for his business under an alleged scheme that the office of New York attorney general called a shocking pattern of illegality. The foundation agreed to pay out $2m to charities and agreed to dissolve. In November 2021, Mr Bragg handily defeated Republican opponent Thomas Kenniff in a general election for New York County District Attorney. He was sworn into office on 1 January 2022. In addition to being the first Black district attorney, I think Ill probably be the first district attorney whos had police point a gun at him, Mr Bragg said during a victory speech after his election. I think Ill be the first district attorney whos had a homicide victim on his doorstop. I think Ill be the first district attorney in Manhattan whos had a semi-automatic weapon pointed at him. I think Ill be the first district attorney in Manhattan whos had a loved one re-enter from incarceration and stay with him, he added. And Im going to govern from that perspective. An early memo from Mr Braggs office said he would only seek jail time for the most serious offences with a goal to keep non-violent or first-time offenders out of jail, stressing that locking people up does not stop or slow crime. After widespread criticism from police groups and public officials, he later clarified that prosecutors ultimately have that discretion. But the pledge outraged right-wing tabloids and Republican officials; Mr Braggs policy likely would have had a significant impact on hundreds of people routinely sent to jail for non-violent crimes, an effort that has increasingly seen bipartisan support. (REUTERS) Right-wing media and Republican officials routinely painted New York City as lawless and crime-infested, pointing the blame at recent laws aimed at reforming the money bail system. New Yorks Division of Criminal Justice Services, however, has reported that the re-arrest rate is nearly identical since the reforms were implemented in 2020. Criminologists have not made any meaningful connections between crime rates and so-called progressive prosecutors. Mr Braggs office and investigations were roundly criticised by Republican candidates across the country in last years elections, including by then-candidate for New York governor Lee Zeldin, a campaign that the GOP hoped would chip away at the states reliable Democratic firewall ahead of 2024. Mr Zeldin accused the district attorney of abandoning his duties and refusing to enforce the law after Mr Bragg pledged that his office would limit the kinds of cases for which prosecutors would seek prison sentences, a line of attack that echoed across the country as candidates pounced on progressive prosecutors to advance a tough on crime message. (Mr Zeldins campaign also aired a violent advert telling voters to cast their ballots like their lives depended on it.) While in office, Mr Bragg also opened a new Special Victims Division to focus on sex crimes, human trafficking and domestic violence. The offices hate crimes unit also has expanded with additional prosecutors and investigators. After he was repeatedly asked that year whether an investigation into Mr Trump and his Trump Organization was still ongoing, Mr Bragg said: It is. Prosecutors are going through documents, interviewing witnesses and exploring evidence not previously explored, he added. Mr Trumps former personal attorney Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to a federal charge relating to a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels two years earlier in the run up to 2016s presidential election. Notably, the case from federal prosecutors during the Trump administration who outlined Cohens actions made in service of then-President Trump. The payment allegedly intended to buy Ms Daniels silence before she spoke publicly about an alleged affair with then-candidate Trump. Cohen was allegedly repaid the money he gave to her in payments that could be grounds for felony falsification of business records. Mr Trump has continued to deny the affair. Mr Trump appears to have been the only person to have leaked news of his predicted arrest. He made similar claims during a federal law enforcement search of his Mar-a-Lago property in Florida, publicising that a raid was underway before law enforcement agencies did. Media outlets had previously reported that the former president could face possible criminal charges in New York; Mr Trump did not publicly announce whether he had been informed by law enforcement about any charges. A spokesperson for Mr Trump later clarified that there has been no notification of any such charges or plans for an arrest. The weather-beaten headstone of Civil War veteran Henry Pickett has been unearthed at Glendale Cemetery in Akron. He died in 1897 at age 71. Civil War veteran Henry Picketts grave is no longer unmarked. Last month, we told you about Pickett, an Akron inventor who in 1874 patented an easy-to-use scaffolding. A plasterer by trade, Pickett operated one of the citys first Black-owned businesses, Excelsior Whitewashing, in the 19th century. He died in 1897 at age 71, and is buried at Glendale Cemetery in Section 2, Lot 30, next to his wife and son. According to government records, the Vermont Marble Co. supplied a headstone for the veteran who had served in the 27th Ohio Infantry Regiment. When we visited Picketts grave, though, we couldnt find the marker. Several readers contacted the Beacon Journal, offering to raise funds, make a donation or contact Veterans Affairs. Do you know if anyone is trying to get a replacement gravestone? asked Howland Davis, a Vietnam War veteran who maintains a list of all known veterans buried in Summit County. I have started filling out the VA form. Jim Leone Sr., owner of Akron Monument & Granite Co. on North Hill, said the article saddened him. No grave should be left unmarked, he said. He offered to donate a suitable gravestone for Pickett and his family. This is my 50th year in the monument industry, and this would be a good way to give back in some manner, Leone said. Bill Ankeny, chairman of the 29th Ohio Civil War Living History Association, volunteered his group to take on the project. On Sept. 10, the association held a Glendale ceremony to dedicate 14 new markers for Civil War veterans who didnt have headstones or whose original monuments could no longer be read. It would be an honor to provide him with a new headstone, Ankeny said. Joan Moke, another member of the group, also mentioned the dedication ceremony at Glendale. The cemetery worked with us on filling out the paperwork and they donated the labor to have the markers placed at the gravesite, Moke noted. Since the government is involved, it is a long process and you have to make sure you have all the documentation they require. Story continues More:World War II sub found: Officials confirm final resting place of Akron sailor Ankeny contacted Steven R. Kaut, chief operating officer at Glendale, about getting a replacement stone for Pickett. Kauts prompt reply had surprising news. I had a sneaking suspicion there may still be a grave marker there, although not visible, Kaut wrote. Upon investigation, and a little digging, the marker was just below the surface. The government marker originally was upright, but for some reason it was laid flat. Over the decades, nature reclaimed the stone until grass and soil completely covered it. It appears to be intact, although the lettering has faded over the years. Kaut wrote. A groundskeeper has returned the headstone to its upright position. The weather-beaten marker has a crescent crater in the middle, but Henry Picketts name is visible at the top. The VA wont replace a headstone if its readable, Ankeny said. But it is great that he now has a marker to mark his final resting place, he said. More:Secretary, 95, is Girl Monday at Akron monument company That brings us back to Leone, the owner of Akron Monument & Granite Co. He still wants to donate a headstone. Every month, he said, he tries to do at least one good deed. Leone planned to contact Glendale about providing a flat granite marker with the names of Henry Pickett, his wife, Mary Jane Pickett, and their son, Alexander Pickett, to be placed near the marble slab. Id like to do it, he said. Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com. More:Have you seen it? Bronze ornament stolen from soldiers grave This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Civil War veterans headstone unearthed at Glendale Cemetery COSHOCTON Providing a pipeline of workers for the Intel chip plant coming to Licking County is a primary focus of Central Ohio Technical College at all its campuses. President John Berry of Central Ohio Technical College gives a presentation to local community stakeholders and COTC staff about the state of the college with a focus on providing employees for Intel at a recent state of the college address at Montgomery Hall on the Coshocton campus. President John Berry recently gave a state of the college address at Montgomery Hall in Coshocton. The college also has campuses in Newark, Mount Vernon and Pataskala. Berry talked about the college rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic, renovations to Founders Hall in Newark, new leadership being hired in the past year, College Credit Plus pathways and the Coshocton Promise program, that gives free tuition to county residents once other funding revenue is exhausted. Berry's speech last year included a focus on the Intel economic boost to the area and what role community colleges like COTC would play. While there had been talks with Intel representatives, what they were looking for exactly was still unclear. Berry said they have a much better picture now of what Intel needs and are adjusting programs and classes to fulfill those needs. Berry said while the semiconductor industry is new to the college, preparation for advance manufacturing is not. "We have always served an advanced manufacturing community in all our campus locations. This one (Coshocton) being one of the prime," Berry said. "Intel, at its heart, is advance manufacturing. What we want people to understand is what they do and how they process is just a variation of advance manufacturing in an interesting environment." What Intel is looking for COTC has been told that Intel plans to add 3,000 new high tech jobs with half of those to be hired by 2024. Of those jobs, 70% will be technicians, 25% will be engineers and 5% will be support staff. Technicians must demonstrate an interest and experience with maintenance and repair or troubleshooting equipment along with the ability to perform detailed visual inspection tasks and having experience with using basic hand tools and basic computer skills. Berry said Intel also wants technicians who work well in a diverse team environment and with minimal supervision, while adjusting well to changing priorities who also have strong analytical problem-solving and testing skills and experience reading schematics, drawings and diagrams. Story continues "If this is a skill set you're drawn to and are comfortable with, we're going to try to connect you to this dot," Berry said. Berry said about 80% of what Intel is looking for COTC already offers in its engineering technology associate degree program. What they don't offer, but will be adding, is knowledge and skill working with vacuum systems and cleanrooms and wafer processing and wafer processing equipment. A wafer is a thin slice of semiconductor used to fabricate integrated circuits. Berry said at least half of the coursework can be completed on the Coshocton campus, but lab work will need to be done at the Newark campus. "In the state of Ohio, we've never really done this. It's not what we do, it's not a semiconductor base. We're having to learn this process to make sure we can engineer that and then learn how to teach you to be able to do that," Berry said. President John Berry of Central Ohio Technical College shows a slide detailing where the majority of the college's students live. He recently gave a state of the college address at Montgomery Hall on the Coshocton Campus with a focus on working with Intel. Having the employee pipeline All curriculum should be finalized and validated by April. Semiconductor curriculum modules will be widely disseminated via online platforms to Ohio's community colleges in May. June to December will see targeted marking of the semiconductor programs with such programs starting this fall for some colleges, including COTC. There are 23 two-year colleges in Ohio. Berry said there's an entry level certificate students can complete in 30 credit hours, or two semesters. While that will get them in with Intel, they need an associate degree to progress. He said Intel is willing to help pay for them to get that degree. He also said College Credit Plus students could come out of high school already with that entry-level certification. "It's going to take almost all of us producing at some level. COTC and Columbus State are expected to do the vast majority, because we're the closest in proximity," Berry said. "We know that we need a pathway. But, once that pathway is done, we need as many people in it as possible." Berry talked about partnerships being important in finding students and letting people know about the semiconductor programs. This includes working with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, JobsOhio, Ohio Means Jobs, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, secondary school systems, Intel itself and other entities. Berry also said they want to focus on certain communities that have often been overlooked or underserved in the technology fields. This includes women, veterans, Appalachian communities, people of color and new American populations, like African immigrants. In summary, Berry said their focus from here is to continue to modify and expand all of its programs and ways to access education, such as College Credit Plus. He said they're looking at new programs that could be in support of Intel and other manufacturers related to drones, commercial driver's licenses and logistics and supply chain supervisors. "Intel hires their own nurses. They hire their own police force. Other things we produce they are also looking to hire in a smaller scale," Berry said. "There's a lot of work to be done and it's why we're spending so much time with (Intel) connecting all of these dots." Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst. This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: COTC gearing up to provide Intel workers Darlene Trappier. the owner and Executive Director of Beacon of Hope in Mount Holly, is USA TODAY's Women of the Year 2023 honoree for New Jersey. Darlene Trappier is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. She was a 19-year-old woman living in a park, hiding behind bushes to muffle the cries of her newborn baby. Darlene Trappier has known homelessness. She was a young mother with two mouths to feed and very little money, eating her children's leftover oatmeal and dipping chicken bones in water to trick herself into feeling full. Darlene Trappier has known hunger. Her children never knew she was struggling this is one of a mother's superpowers and when Trappier's life, also marked by sexual, physical and emotional abuse, began to change for the better, she gave God her word that she would use it to make a difference. Darlene Trappier has known hope. "Can you get me out of this situation?" she prayed. "If you do, I promise I will keep my word to not allow anybody ... to feel what I'm feeling." Years later, "I kept my promise." Trappier, 62, is the founder of Beacon of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides hundreds of thousands of pounds of food to people in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Every Friday, the group's employees and volunteers distribute bags of dry food beans, rice, canned goods, spaghetti plus meat, produce, eggs, butter, bread and pastries to people who line the sidewalk outside their Mount Holly office. She opened with one apartment refrigerator, one freezer chest and five racks for clothes. Ten years later, the organization has 24 freezers, two 40-foot shipping containers, a 17-foot-U-haul truck and an apartment next door that staff can rent. Beacon of Hope gives out 600,000 to 900,000 pounds of food every year. In 2022, Darlene Trappier was invited to attend the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in Washington, D.C. "We provide food because people are hungry," said Trappier, who in 2022 was one of 25 people from across the nation chosen to attend the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. "I know what hunger feels like." Story continues And it does not stop there. If someone needs a safe place to sleep, Trappier finds them a motel room and gives them frozen meals to eat. If they need help with medical co-pays, rental assistance, security deposits, utility bills, transportation or funeral expenses, Beacon of Hope is there. In the summer, they provide food to children whose only meals come from school. Even a monthlong hospitalization due to COVID-19 could not stop Trappier from helping. With IVs in her arms and an oxygen mask on her face, she organized housing placements and directed her staff of 11, all of whom "have been on the other side of the table," she said. "Everybody here has been in that situation; that's what makes it work," she said. "I call it falling below life; I don't like to say homeless or struggling." Trappier's promise to give back shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it is picking up speed. In 2023, she plans to move Beacon of Hope from its 786-square-foot home to a three-building property more than 10 times the size. It has room for staff to live, a county COVID-19 quarantine center, a 3,000-square foot storefront for events, a warehouse to provide shelter during cold weather, and temporary housing. "It is coming together," said Trappier, the New Jersey honoree for USA TODAY's Women of the Year program. "I kept my word." This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Tell me how your journey of giving back began. I was working at an insurance company, and I went on a trip and I'd hurt my back while I was there. I was laid up in a hotel room, and the Lord said 'I need to talk with you. Now we can start your pathway of you keeping your promise.' I left that job and opened up a retail store, a dollar store. I learned to pay attention to the seniors, because from the 21st to the end of the month, they buy a lot of pet food. Why is that? Because they run out of money. But they're not buying for pets the first 20 days of the month. I put out a pad and I would tell them, 'Put down what you would like to see at the store.' I created a wishlist (for) anything else that they needed; most of it was corned beef, tuna fish, canned chicken, Vienna sausage, sardines, crackers. The night of the 20th, we would put it on the shelves. I gave them $10, so they had a $10 credit. Sometimes they came and paid it back, sometimes they didn't. But I never asked them for it back. That was me starting to keep my promise. Who inspires you in your work? My children are the reason why I do what I do, because I want them to understand that life is not always fair. But as long as you put your all into it and you keep your word you can sign a contract, but your word is your bond, and that's one of the things that inspired me to do what I do. What has been your proudest moment? When I opened up my retail store, and that allowed me to be able to help other people. We sold food items, but at the same time, we were able to take care of other people. Darlene Trappier is the owner and executive director of Beacon of Hope in Mount Holly, a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing, shelter and life skills training to people in need. Trappier, shown surrounded by food she gathered to benefit those in need, is USA TODAY's Women of the Year 2023 honoree for New Jersey. Is there a principal or a mantra that you have for yourself? "It may be hard, but hard is easier than impossible." We do this by showing the families and individuals that you can rise back above your situations and your circumstances. Just because life kicked you, you can kick it back by doing something good for yourself, and also doing something good for somebody else. And that's what we do. What keeps me going is my faith in God, my children, and the staff here that constantly encourage me to keep moving forward, because we have a responsibility to ensure that people who have fallen below life have the opportunity to rise back up. What advice would you give your younger self? Look inward to yourself. Don't always depend on other people. You have to make it for you. You have to strengthen yourself, grow a second skin and realize life is not always going to be kind to you. But you have to be kind to yourself. You have to let yourself know that "I didn't make it today, but tomorrow's another opportunity to change the mistakes of yesterday." This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Beacon of Hope founder honored by USA TODAY for work fighting hunger ART APPRECIATION: Buying an Oriental rug can seem like a mysterious process, but it becomes less so when you know how these rugs are priced and what to look for in value. The more I learn about Oriental rugs, the more baffled I get. In my experience, choosing one is the single most difficult home design decision one can make. Thats because so many factors need to click: material, pattern, scale, quality, motif, size, colors, and wiliest of all, cost. How do you know if the seller is pulling the carpet wool over your eyes? Yet, a well-placed Oriental rug, that is one hand-knotted from Asia, can be the soul of a room. Which is why many designers suggest that, when decorating a room, you start with the rug. Of course, thats fantasyland. In the real world, rugs come last. Thats a beautiful rug, honey, but what are we going to sleep on? I have several of these rugs, which Ive collected over the years, and would not part with, but recently I learned theyre not from where I thought they were. Doubts surfaced while I was in an Uber. I got to talking with the Uber driver, that trustworthy of all sources, who was from Iran, where he worked in the rug trade. Naturally, I started asking questions like why is there so much distrust, price haggling, lying, and fraud in his business? I showed him a picture of a runner in my entryway. Made in India, he said, in the Mamluk tradition, very common. The guy who sold it to me was from Turkey, and implied it was from Turkey. Well, it might have come from Turkey, but it was made in India. This seemed farfetched enough to be true. For clarification, I called Robert Mann, owner of Robert Mann Rugs, in Denver, one of the foremost rug authorities in the country. The industry is not transparent, he said. Mann has worked in the rug industry for 45 years. He has made, repaired, sold, cleaned, and appraised rugs. Today, he runs a large rug cleaning and repair facility. Yes, he explained, Turkey was once a major producer of rugs. But as the country got richer around 1990, fewer women wanted to spend their days weaving. (Can you blame them?) Production plummeted. Around that time, the country lifted its ban on importing foreign handwoven rugs, he said. As a result, Turkey became full of rugs that werent Turkish. Story continues And that is how though Turkey still makes some rugs its rug dealers sell rugs made elsewhere. I sent him pictures of four rugs I thought were Turkish. Two are what he called Af-Pak refugee rugs. Likely made in Afghanistan, they harken back to the days after Russia invaded Afghanistan in 1979, driving its citizens to Pakistan, where they plied their craft. The other two rugs, Mann said, were made in India, including the entryway rug, as the Uber drive had said, in the Mamluk tradition. By this point, Mann could have told me that Santas elves wove these rugs during their offseason in the North Pole. Regardless, that wouldnt change my feelings toward them. I dont care where theyre made. I do care that these are beautifully handcrafted pieces of a dwindling artform that dates to 400 BC, and that they add warmth, color and, yes, soul, to my home. You dont buy an oriental rug as an investment, Mann said. You do it to make yourself happy. Thats the only logical reason. The value comes from your appreciation and enjoyment of it. While we average consumers cant always know a rugs provenance like Mann and some Uber drivers can, heres what we can consider when assessing a rug: Knot count. The more knots a rug has per inch, the finer the rug, the more time it takes to weave and the higher the value. In the Middle East theres a saying, Mann said. You can tell how rich a person is by how thin their rugs are. Put a ruler on the backside of a hand-knotted rug and count the number of stitches per inch each way. If you get 10 knots up and 10 across, the rug has 100 knots per square inch (kpi), and 14,400 per square foot (100x144 square inches). Labor. In one day, the average weaver working at a loom might tie 6,000 knots. On a 9x12-foot rug, three weavers working side by side (3 feet per weaver) could collectively tie 18,000 knots in a day. A 9-foot-wide rug with 100 kpi would have 129,600 knots for every foot-length of rug, and would take three weavers seven days to weave, and four months, working five days a week, to finish a 12-foot rug. That doesnt include the time it takes to harvest, spin, and dye the wool. Cost per square foot. That is how the industry calculates cost, and you should, too. Say a producers cost, for labor, materials and to ship rugs to a U.S. warehouse, comes out to $15 a square foot. He will generally sell rugs to a buyer for twice that, or $30. That buyer then tags the item for retail sale at three times that, or $90 a square foot, but hed be happy to get $60. Keep this supply chain in mind when negotiating. Fact check. Years ago, the occasional unscrupulous rug merchant gave the industry a bad name, Mann said. Fortunately, today the Internet can vet a lot of lies. Go into a store and ask questions. What type of rug is this? Where was it made? Whats it made of? (Look for 100% wool on cotton.) How many knots per inch? Take notes and pictures. When you find out its, say, a 16/18 Pakistan, search Google images to find out what it should cost. Gut check. Every rug dealer knows you cant buy a rug without seeing it in your home and will happily load it in your car. Put it down, see if it works, and, most important, make sure you love it. Marni Jameson is the author of six home and lifestyle books, including What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want, Downsizing the Family Home What to Save, What to Let Go, and Downsizing the Blended Home When Two Households Become One. You may reach her at marnijameson.com This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: MARNI JAMESON: Here's how to get a fair price on that Oriental rug Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) has signed a law that paves the way for a monument to the unborn to be built on the state capitols grounds, her office announced on Friday. The law aims to erect a monument as a memorial to the lives lost from 1973 to 2022 due to the decisions of the United States Supreme Court, and as a constant reminder of our duty to protect the life of every innocent human person, no matter how young or old, or how helpless and vulnerable that person may be. The text of Arkansas Senate Bill 307 rebukes the U.S. Supreme Courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, which established the right to an abortion, and subsequent decisions like the 1992 case Planned Parenthood v. Casey. The law sets up a Monument to Unborn Children Display Fund to raise money for the purpose of erecting and maintaining a suitable monument on the State Capitol grounds commemorating unborn children aborted during the era of Roe v. Wade, and requires the Arkansas secretary of state to permit and arrange placement of the memorial. Arkansass majority-Republican state House and Senate both approved the bill earlier this month, however two GOP lawmakers voted against the bill. Public memorials to our nations wars where we face an external threat are right and proper, Republican Rep. Steve Unger, one of those no votes, said, per the Associated Press. A memorial to an ongoing culture war where we seem to be shooting at each other is not. The Hill has reached out to Huckabee Sanders office for comment on the bill, which she signed on Thursday. A so-called trigger ban on abortions approved back in 2019 took effect last year when the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Arkansas currently bans abortions except to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions for rape or incest. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A shooting attack in the northern West Bank town of Huwara on Sunday wounded two Israelis, one of them seriously, Israeli forces and rescuers said. The attack came during Israeli-Palestinian talks in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh seeking to restore calm after a surge in deadly violence in the occupied West Bank. A Palestinian man opened fire on an Israeli vehicle injuring two civilians, at a junction in Huwara town, the Israeli forces reported. Israeli forces and one of the injured civilians responded with live fire toward the shooter injuring him. After initially fleeing the scene, Israeli forces located the shooter and apprehended him, Israeli forces added. Tomer Fein, a rescuer from the Magen David Adom emergency response service, said: "We found two injured people, one of them in serious condition, with wounds in the upper body". They were treated at the scene and then evacuated by ambulance, Fein said in a video released by the service. Neither Hamas nor the Islamic Jihad group claimed the attack, but they released similarly-worded statements describing it as a "normal response to the crimes of the occupation". On February 26, Hawara was the scene of a pogrom by Israeli settlers. The violent attack on Huwara garnered international condemnation after hundreds of Israeli settlers set homes, cars ablaze and hurled stones at Palestinian residents. More than 350 Palestinians were injured during the Huwara attack, most suffering from tear gas inhalation, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said, while a Palestinian man was killed in the nearby village of Zaatara, reports said. UN human rights chief Volker Turk warned the Human Rights Council (HRC) during a session following the incident that the "increasing violence is condemning innocent people on all sides to further tragedy," calling on both sides to adhere to a commitment to de-escalation reached following talks last week in Jordan. "For this violence to end, the occupation must end. On all sides, there are people who know this," Turk maintained. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: By Raneen Sawafta HUWARA, West Bank (Reuters) - A Palestinian gunman opened fire on Sunday on an Israeli couple in their car, wounding the man, in a West Bank town where a similar shooting last month prompted Israeli settlers to go on a violent rampage. Israeli officials said the wounded Israeli, who also has U.S. citizenship, and soldiers at the scene returned fire, wounding the gunman, who was pursued by troops and captured. The incident occurred as Israeli and Palestinian officials held U.S.-backed talks in Egypt aimed at calming months of violence. It took place in Huwara, where last month a gunman from the Hamas Islamist militant group opened fire on a car killing two Israeli settlers, also coinciding with a day when Israeli and Palestinian officials held de-escalation talks. Settlers responded to last month's incident by torching houses and cars and killing one Palestinian in a rampage described by a senior army commander as a "pogrom." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden about Sunday's shooting attack. "The prime minister told President Biden that Israel would continue to take action everywhere against terrorists and the architects of terrorism," Netanyahu's office said. Israel's ambulance service said it had treated a man shot in Huwara. A paramedic, among the first to arrive at the scene, said on Israel Radio that one Israeli man was wounded as he sat in his car with his wife. Israeli media reported the wounded man was a former U.S. Marine who now lives in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank where he is a security instructor. The U.S. ambassador to Israel confirmed a U.S. citizen had been injured in the attack. The embassy declined to provide further details. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and also has a presence in the West Bank, has denounced the Israeli-Palestinian de-escalation talks that took place last month in Jordan and on Sunday in Egypt. It said Sunday's attack was a natural response to Israel's occupation, although it stopped short of claiming responsibility. Story continues The Hamas gunman held responsible for last month's attack was killed by Israeli forces during a raid on the refugee camp in the West Bank town of Jenin earlier this month. The West Bank has seen a surge of confrontations, with near-daily military raids and escalating settler violence amid a spate of attacks by Palestinians. Sunday's talks aimed to head off further incidents when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins later this week. Over the past year, Israeli forces have made thousands of arrests in the West Bank and killed more than 200 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians, while more than 40 Israelis and three Ukrainians have died in Palestinian attacks. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch, Ali Sawafta; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Peter Graff and Matthew Lewis) Volunteer Michael and Jayel Kirby talk about assisting in filling sandbags in Midvale on Friday, March 17, 2023, as part of a two-day plan of action preparing for the spring runoff. The Kirbys first met years ago while filling sandbags at the same location and were later married. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Jayel Kirby was 15 when her summer youth group volunteered to fill sandbags that would be used to create a river down the streets of Salt Lake City during the infamous flood in 1983. More importantly for her, though, it was while filling sandbags that she met the man she would go on to marry. "There were around 80 youth out here, and that's where we met," Jayel Kirby said. "I was one of the five girls. I took one look at him and he knocked my socks off." When asked if he remembers it the same way, Michael Kirby laughed and said, "Not really." "They had a bunch of the youth out here and we came out here every day for about four weeks, and that's where we met," he said. "We were sandbagging doing the same thing right now and it just kind of stuck." The couple spoke with KSL.com while filling sandbags in the same place where they met 40 years ago, as the state braces for another round of flooding with rising temperatures melting Utah's record snowpack. "We saw the advertisement on Facebook asking for volunteers to come and sandbag," Jayel Kirby said. "We saw the address and I was flipping out, thinking this is gonna be so exciting, we've got to redo this. It's like nostalgia from 40 years ago. And so we're here." While the area surrounding the Midvale Operations Public Works yard has changed in the intervening years, Michael Kirby said the biggest difference is how they feel while doing the work. "It goes a little bit slower today," he said. "I'll probably need a lot of ibuprofen and rest tomorrow." "I've got a bad back, so he did most of the work," Jayel Kirby said. But 40 years later, the couple has still got it. They filled around 200 sandbags in just under two hours Friday morning, before leaving to babysit their three grandkids, including an 8-month-old. "That all started 40 years ago, doing this right here," Michael Kirby said. "It's the reason why you need to go out and help people," Jayel Kirby said. "I mean, you build a community, but you can also meet people and you can start a love story of your own." Story continues Volunteers assist in filling sandbags in Midvale on Friday, as part of a two-day plan of action preparing for the spring runoff. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News County leaders plan mitigation efforts The Kirbys were among several dozen volunteers who joined Salt Lake County leaders in an effort to fill 15,000 sandbags over the course of two days beginning Friday. County Mayor Jenny Wilson volunteered along with her father, Ted Wilson, who was mayor of Salt Lake City during the 1983 floods. He said that flood has served as a warning to city and state leaders ever since. "I think the fact that we had that flood in '83 has caused political leaders and others Jenny is a good example of it to say, 'We're not going to mess around, we're going to be prepared,'" he said. "More water will come down this year than '83, and it means that you got to be ... ahead of it." Jenny Wilson also said the 1983 flood has prompted improvements in infrastructure, and that the county remains focused on flood prevention and mitigation. I think there was a move after 83 to make sure the public infrastructure was updated, that we are keeping key employees on board throughout the year like our flood control team to continue to clear areas, get the branches and debris out of our pipes and infrastructure so the drainage is working in the right way, she said. So there have been a lot of steps since then, and weve seen some success when weve seen flooding years between 83 and now. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and her father, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson, talk about volunteers assisting to fill sandbags in Midvale on Friday. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News "This is a big year ... we feel very prepared and we're hoping that Mother Nature doesn't surprise us with extreme temperature rise," she continued. Both stressed the the importance of being prepared for possible floods, especially for homeowners. "We need to take a close look at the amount of water that comes immediately, because you've got to be up to capacity at that point in terms of your remedial stuff," Ted Wilson said. "If you're not ready to go ahead of the ballgame, you're cooked." "Take a look if you do live along a stream corridor at your brush and your area around the creek and just expect that creek to rise," Jenny Wilson said. "You don't want that brush and that debris to end up in the creek, that's a problem. It can lead to diversions, a blockage of the flow and that's a problem." The county will continue filling sandbags until 4 p.m. Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at 604 W. 6960 South, in Midvale. Volunteers who help fill sandbags can take 25 home for their own flood mitigation. FARMINGTON A draft restoration plan from the New Mexico Office of the Natural Resources Trustee that will determine how $10 million in settlement money from a Gold King Mine spill lawsuit will be allocated is expected to be released by the end of the month. Maggie Hart Stebbins, New Mexicos natural resources trustee, told The Daily Times in an email that her agency is on track to release the draft restoration plan on March 31. The plan will list projects that have been selected for funding and the justification for selecting them, she said. State officials received 17 proposals totaling more than $28 million in October 2022 from government entities in San Juan County, the Navajo Nation and New Mexico. The $10 million earmarked for the program is part of a $32 million settlement between the state of New Mexico and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its role in the 2015 incident, which saw millions of gallons of toxic waste released from the abandoned Gold King Mine near Silverton, Colorado. That was eventually wound up in the Animas and San Juan rivers. More:Navajo farmers still seek justice 7 years after a toxic spill turned river waters yellow More than half that money $18.1 million was designated for response costs, while $3.5 million was set aside for water quality and cleanup activities through Clean Water Act and Superfund grants. The remaining $10 million goes to the restoration of injured natural resources, with state officials saying the money could be used to fund outdoor recreation opportunities in northwest New Mexico. Hart Stebbins had said her agency initially hoped to vet and analyze all the proposals, and release the draft restoration plan in January. But that deadline was pushed to the end of February and then, finally, late March. She said the delay was caused in part by a decision to add an engineering feasibility review step to the process. State officials are expected to release a draft restoration plan by the end of March that will determine how $10 million in Gold King Mine spill settlement money will be spent on projects related to the Animas and San Juan rivers. Once the draft restoration plan is released, a 30-day public comment period will follow, Hart Stebbins said. Those comments will be reviewed, then a final plan will be released a few weeks after the end of the comment period, she said. Story continues Hart Stebbins said she hopes to have memoranda of agreements signed with the Office of the Natural Resources Trustees project partners by the start of its fiscal year on July 1. The list of 17 projects that Hart Stebbins agency received includes one proposal from the City of Farmington, two from the City of Aztec, one from the City of Bloomfield, three from San Juan County, one from the Navajo Nations Department of Fish and Wildlife, and one from the Navajo Nations Upper Fruitland Chapter. Farmingtons request was for $2 million, a sum that would be used to partially cover the cost of a $3.1 million project that would create a permanent whitewater wave in the Animas River that would be suitable for surfing near the Farmington Museum at Gateway Park. The project also would fund the replacement of a failing dam structure that would allow for fish migration, a new intake for the North Farmington Ditch and a fish ladder. San Juan Countys requests included nearly $3.5 million for a new office and training center for the San Juan County Cooperative Extension Service, along with $680,000 for improvements to staging, signage, parking and restroom facilities at existing recreation boat ramps owned and maintained by the county at McGee Park and Lions Park. The county also is seeking $1 million for improvements to a water and wastewater system for the Totah Vista subdivision south of Farmington. Officials in Aztec are seeking $950,000 for a project to rehabilitate the citys Reservoir 1, and $480,000 to build restrooms and a pump station for a plaza designed for public activities. More:Officials outline plans for grant money awarded from Gold King Mine spill settlement The City of Bloomfields request for $1.5 million is designated for a preliminary engineering report for a new, 44-acre reservoir that would provide more than five times the storage capacity of the citys existing reservoir and would extend the citys water storage from one month to eight months. Officials from the Navajo Nation Department of Fish and Wildlife requested nearly $70,000 for improvements to an existing road and the construction of a boat ramp on the San Juan River designed to provide river access for members of the Nenahnezad Chapter. The Fruitland Chapter requested nearly $92,000 for a project to clear nearly 10 miles of debris and vegetation from the Upper Fruiltland main irrigation canal. The remaining requests were submitted by the New Mexico Tourism Department, New Mexico State Parks and New Mexico State Universitys Water Resources Research Institute. Hart Stebbins previously had noted that the $28 million in requests was much greater than the amount of money available. We cant fund everything, she told The Daily Times in December. But we feel like there are some really exciting proposals in the pool (of applicants) that will get funded. Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e. This article originally appeared on Farmington Daily Times: Draft restoration plan for Gold King Mine spill expected March 31 WASHINGTON/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that democratic values were a hallmark of U.S.-Israeli ties and said he supported finding a compromise over a highly-contested judicial overhaul. Netanyahu, according to his office, assured Biden that Israel's democracy was healthy. Since being reelected late last year to head one of the most right-wing coalitions in Israel's history, Netanyahu has been pursuing changes to the judiciary that would give his government greater sway on selecting judges and limit the power of the Supreme Court to strike down legislation. The plan has stirred concern for Israel's democratic health at home and abroad. It has triggered weeks of mass demonstrations and on Sunday hundreds of Israeli reservists in elite military and intelligence units said they were joining the protests. Biden "underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship," the White House said in a readout of the call. Biden spoke of the need for checks and balances and for seeking broad support when making fundamental changes. "The president offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles," the White House said. Netanyahu's office said he told Biden "that Israel was, and will remain, a strong and vibrant democracy." Netanyahu's Likud party later said the coalition decided to push through changes to give the government more decisive sway in selecting judges by April 2, when parliament adjourns for a month recess. The rest of the legislation, including plans to limit judicial oversight, would wait until next session. Critics of the planned law changes say Netanyahu - on trial on graft charges that he denies - is pursuing steps that will hurt Israel's democratic checks and balances, enable corruption and bring diplomatic isolation. Proponents say the changes are needed to curb what they deem an activist judiciary that interferes in politics. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Diane Craft) Police closed a section of I-84 for hours Sunday as they investigated a mans death near Boise. A 23-year-old woman was heading east in a Ford Explorer on Interstate 84 with a 25-year-old man on Sunday morning, according to an Idaho State Police news release. About 8:27 a.m., while driving just east of Boise near mile post 56, the passenger exited the vehicle while the vehicle was still moving, police said. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police reported that the driver and passenger were from Twin Falls. Traffic was blocked for two hours while emergency responders cleared the scene. The Idaho State Police called the incident a suspicious death in a news release and said they are investigating. DBenitostock/Getty Images I just graduated from a Christian college on Wall Street, and it's on the verge of going under. The King's College is a tiny, private liberal arts school located in New York City's Financial District. Adjacent to the New York Stock Exchange and a short stroll from the famous Charging Bull, the college gets plenty of foot traffic but largely goes unnoticed. The entire campus is contained within three floors of a non-descript high-rise. But now the school is grabbing national headlines as it's on the brink of closing due to a drop in enrollment and financial troubles. It needs $2.6 million just to finish the spring semester. King's seemed like the perfect escape from my small-town childhood in rural Pennsylvania. The school offered both a tight-knit community and the big city. And as an Asian woman who grew up in white, conservative Christian spaces, I didn't feel out of place in a student body that was predominantly white. But I quicky found the school to have a dualistic culture that was offputting. King's is unlike other Christian colleges that are typically in rural areas or on the outskirts of larger, more conservative cities. As a result, the school draws a mixed crowd those who come to King's for the city and those who come to King's for King's. I'm embarrassed to have gone to King's, now more than ever. I graduated this winter feeling disillusioned by the whole experience and, honestly, I think it had it coming. 'Don't just go to college, come to King's' So how does a small, Christian school end up in the heart of the country's largest city? That's part of the school's pitch. It touts the best way to change culture is by engaging with it directly to be "in the world" but not "of the world," as the Bible teaches. King's mission is to prepare students "for careers in which they help to shape and eventually to lead strategic public and private institutions" by way of a classical education taught through a Christian worldview. Story continues In many ways, it achieved that goal. King's alumni work at financial-services companies, including Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Fidelity. Meanwhile, others cover finance at publications including Insider, Fortune, and the New York Post. The school was even a beneficiary of Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang's philanthropic arm, the Grace and Mercy Foundation. In 2021, Hwang was at the center of a high-profile Wall Street implosion in which he was charged with fraud and racketeering. He is currently awaiting trial. Hwang's charity was perhaps most notable among the student body for funding the free Chick-fil-A the school offered at its weekly Public Reading of Scripture. When the free chicken sandwiches disappeared, so, too, did the students. The King's College entrance in the Financial District. The King's College There are two kinds of King's students: those who just go to King's and those who are "King's people." The former tend to dissociate from "Kingsian" culture, which is ironic given one of the school's marketing campaigns is entirely focused around the phrase, "Don't just go to college, come to King's." The latter truly love the school and its mission. They seek to embody the school's words "good, brave, and ready." Adherence to the honor code is the best example of the duality of the school. Students can report their peers for violating school rules, which includes everything from underage drinking or drug possession to engaging in sexual activity or violating the school's business-casual dress code. It is meant to promote integrity and virtue within the student body, but in actuality, it creates an environment of petty tattle-taling and distrust between students. King's didn't live up to its promise to 'engage culture' I give some credit to King's. In class, I was challenged to wrestle with concepts I naively thought I already understood, like political ideology and religion. Through my education, I was motivated to question my beliefs, correct my ignorance, and address my misgivings. But I found many of my peers wouldn't truly consider the merit of the opinions that differed from their own. My shift in mindset and my peers unwillingness to see the other side of things opened my eyes to what I considered narrow-mindedness being fostered in King's classrooms. For as much as the school looks to "engage culture," I found that its religious and political views resulted in an insular student body largely ignorant and apathetic to the people and struggles right outside its campus doors. Through its Christian worldview, King's teaches students to resist secular culture. A symptom of that teaching is the belief that mainstream media is the purveyor of anti-Christian sentiment. Paige Hagy. Abby Leigh As a journalism major, I was heavily involved with the student newspaper, the Empire State Tribune. To agree to be an editor of the newspaper was to sign on as a target of antagonism from faculty and a point of contention among the student body. In one instance, one professor emailed my journalism advisor, calling me and a fellow editor "lazy" and "incompetent" over an article that was fairly reported and unbiased. The hard switch in my attitude came in 2021. I quickly saw that the school was unwilling in the best cases, slow to respond to the issues affecting students of color, such as the spike in violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic. It wasn't until two weeks following the deadly Atlanta Spa shootings that King's began to coordinate any sort of statement or organize resources for its Asian American Pacific Islander students. Even then, the response itself was student-led and spurred by students, including myself, who emailed administration and posted on social media to garner attention. For all its faults, I don't want King's to shut down And now the college is on the brink of collapse. King's advised current students to look into transferring. Some professors are leaving after this semester, and others have posted their CVs on LinkedIn looking for work. A bid for help from the school to alumni, parents, and prospective donors raised over $325,000 as of March 3, according to a spokesperson for the school. "We are deeply grateful for the generosity and support of our community. It has also been incredible to see how the student body has come together, encouraging one another towards prayer and proactively coming up with positive fundraising initiatives, like the beautiful TKC Letters Project," the spokesperson told Insider via email. The school reportedly received a $2 million loan from Peter Chung, CEO of Primacorp Ventures, that will cover faculty and staff's salaries for the rest of the semester. But it appears to be a short-term solution, as the loan doesn't cover the two months of back-rent owed for the apartments it leases as "on-campus" housing. King's has gone down this road before. The school, then located at Briarcliff Manor in upstate New York, experienced financial troubles that ultimately led to its closure in 1994. It resurrected itself five years later in the basement of the Empire State Building before it was pushed out by the building's management and moved to its current Financial District campus in 2012. So at a college where I felt unheard, unseen, and, at times, even antagonized as a result of its conservative ideologies, I can't say I'm proud to have gone to King's. All that being said, and this may come as a shock, I don't want the school to close. Watching my alma mater not-so-slowly but surely go down the drain isn't easy. I met some of my best friends at King's, and I have fond memories from those three, transformative years. I don't want the college to close, but I do think they had it coming for the ideals and people it pedestaled and the others it squashed. At the end of the day, I'm just glad I got out in time. Read the original article on Business Insider OKLAHOMA CITY Turns out it was Deandre Aytons hip. After feeling pain in his groin after Thursdays win against Orlando, the Suns big will miss Sundays game at Oklahoma City (34-36) with a right hip contusion. "I don't think it's anything major," Suns All-Star Devin Booker said after Saturday's practice. "Got to get him back right." Suns coach Monty Williams said after Thursday's game that Ayton suffered a hip injury after Thursdays game. Ayton suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter and played through it. "They just told me it was sore and it was best to keep him out," Williams said after Saturday's practice. Kevin Durant remains out with the left ankle sprain suffered in during his pregame workout before what wouldve been his Suns home debut March 8 against the Thunder. Ayton and Durant didnt make the trip to OKC as the Suns (38-32) will return to Phoenix after Sundays afternoon game. They play Wednesday at the Los Angeles Lakers and Friday at Sacramento. Durant is scheduled for a re-evaluation later this month. Landry Shamet is listed as probable for Sunday as hes been out with right foot soreness. Shamet hasnt played since Jan. 16 at Memphis. "That's exciting," Booker said. "Hell yeah, we've been waiting on it. He's been rehabbing. I always say how tough that can be. We want everybody healthy at the right time and it's a good time to be coming back and getting ramped up." Jan 8, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams talks with Phoenix Suns guard Landry Shamet (14) during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Footprint Center. Shamet has missed Phoenixs last 25 games. "You feel good for him, you feel good for your team because you're able to put another guy on the floor that can play in point-5, knock down a shot," Williams said. "He's a facilitator and he can defend. That's something that we feel like that can help our defense go to another level. Having guys like Landry who can get over screens and defend." The Suns sixth in defensive rating for the season, but rank 11th since the All-Star break. "As many pick-and-rolls teams run nowadays, anytime you have a guy who can over a screen and get back in front of his guy or keep you from having to switch late, it's a bonus," Williams said. "Landry is one of those guys that he's really good fighting over screens and he's not afraid to go lay some wood on a big who is at the rim to box out or keep him from getting a rebound. It's just something we value. Guys that can get over screens, keep the ball in front, but also be physical." Story continues Williams said Shamet won't play a "crazy amount of minutes" if he's able to go Sunday as the Suns guard has been out two months. PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 06: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat handles the ball against Landry Shamet #14 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on January 06, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) "We have options with (Terrence Ross and Damion Lee)," Williams continued. "They've really helped us. We've got to figure out which one of those guys is going to be in the rotation so we can start to get a rhythm." Having suffered a stress fracture in his left and right foot in college at Wichita State, Shamet has screws in his feet. So he knew not only the seriousness of the injury, but the warning signs before doing major damage. "Caught things right before a stress fracture," Shamet said. "The buildup process of the discomfort and it's sore, but you can kind of play through it and then it's sore. Then it gets worse and worse and worse and worse and then it eventually it just breaks. Luckily we caught that early enough, which is a great thing. So that cleared up." Shamet said he still dealt with more foot issues that were "stunting" his ability to return to action despite the bone having healed up. Phoenix Suns guards Landry Shamet (left) and Cameron Payne shake hands during a timeout against the Sacramento Kings in the first quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Feb. 14, 2023. "Soft tissue, inflammation type situations," Shamet continued. "We worked through it. It was frustrating, very frustrating at times. Very gray. Not knowing what exactly the situation was, but our training staff did a good job of trying to identify things and collaborating with me and my team. Trying to figure it out. So we did a good job and here we are." Averaging 9.5 points in his 30 games (seven starts) with the Suns this season, Shamet was providing Phoenix a scoring punch when Booker was sidelined with the left groin strain. He averaged 15.6 points in his last nine games as he had a pair of 31-point games with the latter coming at Denver on Christmas when Booker suffered the strain. "It's been a long two months," Shamet said. "Feeling a lot better and I'm ready to ramp up into the playoffs. Finish out the regular season, keep building with our guys. It sucked having to sit and watch. I'm just happy I get to get back out there and working with my guys again." Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin. Support local journalism. Start your online subscription. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Deandre Ayton (hip) out Suns at OKC, Landry Shamet (foot) probable A deputy of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office stands at the corner of Ellis Road and Richland Valley Drive, about a quarter mile from the scene were a deputy shot and killed a woman Saturday afternoon. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has identified a woman who was fatally shot by a Shelby County Sheriff's deputy in Bartlett Saturday. Melissa S. Horton, 43, was pulled over because law enforcement believed she had been involved in a domestic violence incident, officials said. "At approximately 2:40 p.m., deputies stopped the vehicle on Ellis Road near Golden Valley Lane in Bartlett," TBI spokesperson Keli McAlister said at a press conference Saturday evening. "For reasons still under investigation, as officers approached the vehicle, shots were fired, and the driver was struck." Horton, of Brownsville, was pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unknown what led the deputy, or deputies since TBI could not say how many were involved in the shooting to fire at Horton, and if she was armed at the time of the shooting. She was the only person in the car when shots were fired. Deputies were given a description of the car Horton was driving, along with the tag numbers, by Fayette County law enforcement, according to TBI. The deputies spotted the car and either "followed or pursued the vehicle to [Ellis Road]...and that's when the shots were fired," McAlister said. So far, TBI has been called in three times this year to investigate shootings involving a Memphis or Shelby County law enforcement agency. Incidents involved the Collierville Police Department, Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Office. TBI is also investigating Memphis Police for the Jan. 7 beating of Tyre Nichols. There were 10 officer-involved shootings in and around Memphis in 2022. Six of them happened in the last two months of the year. 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: Woman fatally shot by Shelby Co. deputies named, investigation ongoing A Chinese chip designer, whose mission has been to reduce the country's reliance on Intel and AMD, is trying to develop its own general-purpose graphic processing unit (GPU) despite being added to a US trade blacklist. Loongson Technology Corp, whose founder Hu Weiwu used to cite Mao Zedong to express his aspirations, is evaluating the advanced 7-nanometre process from a number of foundries to manufacture its future chips, according to a response from the company this week to investor questions. The new chips would include GPUs like those supplied by industry leader Nvidia, which is now restricted from selling its high-end chips to Chinese customers, and central processing units (CPUs), which is a market long-dominated by Intel and AMD. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The Loongson comments come a week after the Beijing-based chip designer, whose Chinese name translates to "dragon chips", was added by the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to the Entity List, along with 26 other mainland entities. US exporters must apply for special permits from Washington to sell products to companies on the list. For Shanghai-listed Loongson, however, its stated mission has always been reducing China's reliance on US technologies. As investors flooded the official inquiry platform run by the Shanghai Stock Exchange with questions on its product development and the impact of US sanctions, Loongson said the latest restrictions will not have any "material impact", according to publicly-available records. The US sanctions on Loongson are less extensive than what the US imposed on Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies Co, but the chip designer's efforts to procure foundry services could be undermined if US-origin technologies are used in the manufacturing processes, analysts said. Story continues "If a fabless company has no access to the best process nodes, why bother designing cutting edge chips," said Stewart Randall, head of electronics and embedded software at consultancy Intralink. Loongson launched its home-grown 3A5000 central processing unit (CPU) at the end of 2020, which was made on a now-restricted process node of 14-nm, according to its prospectus for a Shanghai initial public offering last year, in which it raised 2.46 billion yuan (US$357 million). This photo dated Oct. 24, 2013, shows Loongson founder Hu Weiwu delivering a speech at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Hubei province. Photo: Imaginechina via AFP alt=This photo dated Oct. 24, 2013, shows Loongson founder Hu Weiwu delivering a speech at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, Hubei province. Photo: Imaginechina via AFP> From 2019 to 2021, the company procured over half of its chip manufacturing from an unnamed foundry code-named BP00, its prospectus showed. Loongson warned at the time that its foundry supply could be disrupted due to "radical changes" in the global geopolitical landscape. In China, the only foundry capable of producing 14-nm chips is Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC). SMIC was reportedly able to produce a 7-nm chip last year, but the Shanghai-based company has never officially denied or admitted to the breakthrough. The Chinese semiconductor industry is betting that more support is on its way, after the central government pledged to mobilise more resources to further support the development of technologies seen crucial amid intensifying US-China tech rivalry. As part of a broader reform plan , Beijing sanctioned an overhaul of the Ministry of Science and Technology during the country's annual political gatherings which concluded earlier this week. The restructuring will strip some mandates from the ministry and force it to be laser focused on turning scientific research into technologies for industry production, Sun Yutao, a economics professor at Dalian University of Technology, was quoted as saying by Chinese media Caixin. However, chip sector insiders said the foreign reliance, especially on advanced tools and high-end materials, was hard to reduce in the short term. Loongson originated in 2001 as a research team under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the country's apex of scientific and technological research. It was spun out as a separate entity in 2010 to commercialise its chip development research. The business runs itself as a so-called fabless company, which mainly provides CPUs, its own chip-based servers and an instruction set architecture (ISA) known as Loongson Architecture (LoongArch), based on the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles which govern the basic computing rules of a CPU. Loongson licensed technologies from US-based MIPS Computer Systems in 2011 and 2017, enabling it to develop, produce and sell chips based on the MIPS instruction set architecture. MIPS ISA-based chips accounted for 70 per cent of Loongson's total sales from 2019 to 2021, according to its prospectus. It suspended the renewal of the MIPS licence agreement in April 2020 due to an intellectual property dispute with a Shanghai-based semiconductor IP company called CIP United. CIP United took Loongson to court, alleging that both LoongArch and the 3A5000 CPU infringed on its copyright after CIP United acquired an IP portfolio from MIPS. The lawsuits, involving 60 million yuan, are still being processed in a Beijing civil court, according to a Loongson stock filing in March. Loongsoon has pivoted to its Loongson Architecture in the development of its next-generation CPUs, labelled the 3A6000 and 3A7000. The company said its architecture is compatible with Intel's proprietary X86 architecture, Arm's instruction set, and the open-sourced RISC-V, which has seen growing interest among Chinese firms amid ongoing US-China tensions. The company said it aims to build an "independent ecosystem" with its Loongson Architecture, Loongnix operating system, CPUs and IP to compete with the dominant Arm-Google Android and Intel-Microsoft ecosystems, according to its prospectus. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. UBS CEO Ralph Hamers REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann UBS will take over Credit Suisse, the Swiss National Bank said Sunday. UBS had been in talks this weekend about buying some or all of its troubled Swiss rival. Swiss regulators are planning emergency changes to regulations so it can avoid a shareholder vote on the deal. UBS will take over Credit Suisse, the Swiss National Bank announced Sunday afternoon. The Swiss National Bank said in a statement Sunday afternoon that the takeover was made possible by support from the Swiss federal government and FINMA, which regulates Switzerland's finances. "With the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, a solution has been found to secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation," the statement said. The Swiss government issued an emergency ruling that the deal can avoid a shareholder vote to speed up the process. Credit Suisse and UBS later said the deal would value Credit Suisse at Sfr3 billion, or around $3.25 billion. "This acquisition is attractive for UBS shareholders but, let us be clear, as far as Credit Suisse is concerned, this is an emergency rescue," UBS chairman Colm Kelleher said in a statement. "We have structured a transaction which will preserve the value left in the business while limiting our downside exposure." In a press conference to announce the deal, the Swiss president said that deposit outflows on Friday made it clear that a stabilization of Credit Suisse was required. As part of the deal, the Swiss government is giving UBS a guarantee of Sfr9 billion to assume potential losses arising from certain assets. "Given recent extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances, the announced merger represents the best available outcome," Axel P. Lehmann, chairman of Credit Suisse, said in a statement. "This has been an extremely challenging time for Credit Suisse and while the team has worked tirelessly to address many significant legacy issues and execute on its new strategy, we are forced to reach a solution today that provides a durable outcome." Story continues The all-share deal will almost entirely wipe out Credit Suisse investors, with the $2 billion price tag significantly less than Credit Suisse's market capitalization on Friday, and a fraction of what Credit Suisse had been valued at at the turn of the year. In addition, investors in some of Credit Suisse's bonds will also get wiped out, with $17 billion of so-called additional tier one bonds, or AT1s, getting a "complete write down", per the Swiss regulator. Credit Suisse's two biggest shareholders are the Saudi National Bank and the Qatar Investment Authority, which have a combined stake of 17%. The rescue deal comes a week after Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, which had a ripple effect through the banking sector and rattled investors who feared other banks could follow suit. Shares in Credit Suisse dropped 24% on Wednesday after Saudi National Bank, which is its largest shareholder, warned it wouldn't be able to invest more cash in the bank because of regulatory hurdles. On Thursday, it secured a $50 billion lifeline from the Swiss National Bank and its shares jumped by a fifth, only to drop a further 8% on Friday. Read the original article on Business Insider Leading UAE developer Emaar Properties has announced that its board has approved the distribution of cash dividends worth AED2.2 billion ($598 million) to its shareholders for FY 2022. In a disclosure to Dubai Financial Market (DFM), the company said the proposed profits represent 25% of the capital, at 25 fils per share. For FY 2022, Emaar had reported solid growth in its profitability and marked improvement in the performance of recurring revenue businesses in 2022. Its net profit surged by 80% to hit AED6.8 billion ($1.9 billion), while its ebitda for the period hit AED9.8 billion ($2.7 billion), up 18% over the previous year, as a result of sustained revenue, improved margins, and continued control over costs. It also showed continued improvement in its property sales which rose to a record AED35.1 billion ($9.5 billion) The Dubai developer recorded a revenue of AED24.9 billion ($6.8 billion) in 2022, supported by the continuous strengthening of the Dubai real estate market and growth achieved by the recurring revenue businesses due to the rebound of global tourism. The BoD has submitted the proposal to the General Assembly which will meet next month to decide on the approval of Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) on the meeting agenda. It also approved the annual report on the consolidated statement of financial position for the year ending 31st December 2022 which will be presented to the General Assembly meeting for review and approval.-TradeArabia News Service Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi gave his directives to raise annual income tax exemption to EGP 36,000 from EGP 24,000, the Egyptian Presidency announced. According to the Egyptian Presidency, the directives come as part of the states efforts to mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis and its repercussions on citizens. The directives came during a meeting held at the Presidency between President El-Sisi, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait to discuss the draft FY 2023/24 budget. The Minister of Finance presented the most prominent final indicators of the draft budget, which aims to achieve a growth rate of 5 percent of GDP, and which will witness a primary surplus of 2.5 percent of GDP with a total deficit rate of about 6.37 percent. The budget will also see an increase in the growth rate of revenues to about 31 percent to reach more than EGP 2 trillion. It will also see a 30.5 percent increase in expenses to reach about EGP 2 trillion and 838 billion. The expenses include an increase in wages by 15 percent, to reach EGP 470 billion; an increase in subsidies, grants, and social benefits by 24 percent, to reach EGP 496 billion; and an increase in investment allocations to reach EGP 512 billion. According to the Egyptian Presidency, Minister Maait explained that the draft budget takes into consideration the negative effects of the current global crisis as a result of the significant rise in energy and food prices as well as the cost of the social package estimated at EGP 150 billion. In addition, the budget takes into consideration continuing the economic reform program, with the aim of increasing and stimulating exports, and strengthening industry and the role of the private sector in achieving development. Earlier in March, El-Sisi announced raising the minimum wage for government employees to EGP 3,500 and pensions by 15 percent - as part of a wide-ranging social package to alleviate ramifications of the global economic situation on the public - starting 1 April. The minimum wage for government employees was last raised in October 2022 from EGP 2,700 to EGP 3,000. Search Keywords: Short link: Social media app TikTok's rapid rise in popularity has raised questions regarding the relationship of ByteDance, TikToks parent company, to the Chinese government. Now, leaders on both sides of the aisle, including President Joe Biden, have called to ban or severely restrict Americans access to the popular app. Banning an app, however, could raise significant questions about the First Amendment rights of TikToks American users and affect far more than the ability to take part in the latest dance craze. TikTok is not the first company with ties to China to face scrutiny. For example, the United States has banned Chinese companies such as Huawei over national security concerns. Washington has denied necessary equipment approvals to some businesses, placing them on a covered list of companies viewed as a threat to the security of Americas telecommunications infrastructure. Trump tried to ban TikTok and failed This is also not the first time TikTok has faced threats of a national ban, as the Trump administration previously tried to undertake such actions via executive order. Banning TikTok raises a set of concerns separate from those associated with banning certain equipment from telecommunications infrastructure. Unlike the bans on equipment, the banning of an app removes an opportunity for communication and expression for millions of Americans users. TikTok bans dramatically expand the governments ability to control what apps and technologies Americans can choose to use to communicate. Further, bans create consequences not just for the companies themselves, but also for users who violate the bans. The ACLU, for example, has expressed concerns about the free speech and additional civil liberties implications of government bans by pointing out how it could set a dangerous precedent for the government interfering with what apps Americans may use to express themselves and communicate with others. Story continues Social media app TikTok's rapid rise in popularity has raised questions regarding the relationship of ByteDance, TikToks parent company, to the Chinese government. Some argue that national security concerns outweigh implications on speech, especially when users have a wide range of other social media platforms from which to choose. Even so, policymakers must walk a delicate line, as there could be further consequences of a TikTok ban. For example, a ban is unlikely to affect only TikTok. It could also apply to any number of apps or technology services, making it more difficult on U.S. platforms and businesses abroad. Increased scrutiny and the potential of a ban also could raise a tit for tat that leads other countries to ban U.S.-based apps and businesses, out of fear the U.S. government may have access to data they collect. It also might deter foreign companies from expanding in America, if they also do business in China, out of concerns they may get either caught in a tug of war or find themselves banned. There is an ongoing review of whether TikTok U.S., through its Project Texas, has established the necessary safeguards to assuage concerns about the Chinese government 's ability to access U.S. users data. The Trump administrations attempt to ban TikTok was struck down by courts when the a U.S. district judge found insufficient evidence of national security risks, thus deeming the ban arbitrary and capricious. One academic study found that TikTok does not censor U.S. content and does not have data collection practices that are more of a threat than other popular social media platforms. Before considering a radical step like a ban, policymakers must make sure any allegations of national security threats are firmly supported by evidence and not just vibes. Less severe restrictions deserve consideration Given the serious consequences of a potential TikTok ban and, particularly, the impact on users speech, policymakers should consider less restrictive options that can address potential national security concerns. Some of these steps have already been undertaken at the federal and state level, such as banning the app from government devices. Additionally, the ongoing review could provide further recommendations that would reduce concerns about the potential harm to users free speech rights, including potential divestment from the China-linked ByteDance. Banning an app affects millions of citizens' ability to communicate in the way they choose. With that in mind, the First Amendment implications of a TikTok ban deserve at least as careful consideration as the potential national security implications. Jennifer Huddleston, a research fellow at the Cato Institute focusing on technology policy, is an adjunct professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia Law School. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is TikTok getting banned? Doing so could threaten right to free speech An Oakland County judge set bond at $1 million cash for a woman who fled to her native Thailand on Jan. 3 two days after police said she killed a Michigan State University student as he walked on a road in Rochester Hills in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 1. Tubtim "Sue" Howson, 57, of Oakland Township was charged Friday, March 17, 2023 with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death. Tubtim Sue Howson, 57, was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident causing death a 5-year felony in the crash that killed 22-year-old Benjamin Kable. Judge Lisa Asadoorian of 52-3 District Court said the global reach of numerous law-enforcement agencies, led by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and the FBI, showed that "you can run but you can't hide." Asadoorian demanded that Howson surrender her passport, and driver's license and if she is able to post bond, not leave her home for any reason other than to appear in court. Benjamin Kable Howson's attorney, Bloomfield Hills-based Jalal Dallo, told the court that federal agents already had stripped Howson of her driver's license and two passports. He argued that she posed no flight risk, having surrendered to authorities in Thailand. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said his department was thankful to the judge "for her attention to the fact that clearly, the defendant has been a flight risk to the extreme." The county's crash investigators believe that Howson was driving the 2015 BMW that a witness saw strike Kable, a Shelby Township resident, while he was either standing or walking on Rochester Road south of Whims Lane in Oakland Township. The crash happened at 5:49 a.m., according to a news release from Bouchard's office. According to the release, Howson, who lived in Oakland Township not far from the crash, fled the scene. The release said that investigators "obtained a description of the vehicle and believed the driver was a female of Asian descent. A tip led Investigators to identify Howson as the driver. Howson, who is a dual citizen of both the United States and Thailand, left Michigan two days after the crash and flew to Bangkok." Story continues More:Opinion: I'm an MSU student. 1 month after shooting, we're still healing More:Michigan Senate OKs proposals to expand gun safety measures in step forward for Democrats Howson, her lawyer told the court, "left the scene in a panic" and flew to Thailand not to evade responsibility but instead "for support, to "sit down with her husband," who was in Thailand for his job, "and decide what to do." She has been in the United States for 12 years, has worked for Whole Foods for 11 years, and has been married for more than 20 years, her lawyer said. "The Thai authorities didn't feel she needed to be in custody. She returned (to the U.S.) on her own. The federal (extradition) case has been dropped," he said. Soon after Howson arrived in Thailand, her husband flew back to the U.S. and told law enforcers that she would turn herself in, her lawyer said. "No way is she going to miss" any court hearings, Dallo said. But Asadoorian denied the defense attorney's requests that his client be allowed to return to her job and visit a doctor if necessary. Kable, a senior in electrical engineering at MSU, was walking along Rochester Road after attending a New Year's Eve party and had been forced out of an Uber vehicle for an unknown reason shortly before the accident, according to previous reports. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His father, Michael Kable of Shelby Township, said after the hearing that his son's death was ruinous to the family. With his tearful wife standing nearby, Michael Kable said he'd been especially close to Benjamin, the couple's youngest child. "We're just happy to see justice finally happening," Michael Kable said, adding: "The Oakland County Sheriff's Office was really instrumental in making this happen. And (U.S. Rep.) John James really reached out to us. ... It's very difficult to lose a child. It's an emotional roller coaster." More:Michigan launches dashboard for data about violent deaths Michael Kable of Shelby Township stands inside a courtroom in Rochester Hills on March 17, 2023, after a woman was charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death in the vehicle crash that killed Kable's son, Benjamin Kable. Contact Bill Laytner: blaitner@freepress.com This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Woman who fled U.S. charged in hit-run death of MSU student Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R) signed a bill Friday to ban abortion pills from being used in the state, becoming the first in the country to specifically prohibit that form of abortion outside of a full ban on the procedure. Blanket bans on all forms of abortion have already taken effect in 13 states, and 15 states have placed restrictions on access to abortion pills, but Wyoming is the first to sign off on separate legislation outlawing the pills, which have become the most common method for abortion. Conservatives have pushed back against access to abortion pills in recent months following the initial prohibitions on abortion going into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. A U.S. district judge in Texas heard a legal challenge earlier this week to the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approval of mifepristone, a drug that blocks hormones necessary for pregnancy. Mifepristone is one of two abortion pills available nationwide and has been used by more than 3 million women since the FDA approved it to induce abortion up to 10 weeks into a pregnancy in 2000. Wyomings ban on abortion pills is set to take effect in July if legal action does not block it. Gordon said in a release that he also allowed an updated abortion ban to go into effect that will prohibit the procedure in all cases except for instances of rape, incest, a lethal fetal anomaly that will prevent the fetus from surviving and to protect the life of the mother. Anyone who performs an abortion in violation of the law could face up to five years in prison or a $20,000 fine or both. The law seeks to replace a trigger abortion ban that went into effect after Roe was overturned but has been put on pause by the courts amid lawsuits arguing it violates the state constitution. Gordon said he is concerned the new law will cause a new lawsuit to be filed and further delay a determination about the constitutionality of an abortion ban in Wyoming. He said the legislature has been continually making minor tweaks to the states abortion law each year, delaying a final decision from the courts. Story continues He said the legislature should place a constitutional amendment referendum on the ballot for the people of the state to decide if they want a ban in the state constitution. If the Legislature wants to expressly address how the Wyoming Constitution treats abortion and defines healthcare, then those issues should be vetted through the amendment process laid out in Article 20 of the Wyoming Constitution and voted on directly by the people, Gordon said. Antonio Serrano, the advocacy director for the Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union, slammed Gordons decision to sign the abortion pill ban. A persons health, not politics, should guide important medical decisions including the decision to have an abortion, Serrano said in a statement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Crime and Courts Reporter Donald W. Meyers is a multimedia journalist at the Yakima Herald-Republic covering crime and courts. He is also the writer behind It Happened Here, a weekly history column. Before coming to Yakima, Meyers covered a wide variety of beats at The Salt Lake Tribune, Daily Herald, and daily and weekly newspapers across New Jersey. He is also a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as a regional officer in the organization as well as on the national Freedom of Information Committee. Yakima County Government, Lower Valley Reporter Hi, Im Phil Ferolito, longtime reporter with the Yakima Herald-Republic, where I have gained an array of experience from covering small city governments and school districts to big-picture issues concerning county government, crime and the Yakama Nation, a federally recognized tribe with important historical and cultural ties to the land. I began with the Herald-Republic in Oct. 2000 as a copy editor, designing pages, writing headlines and proof-reading stories. Over the years I have covered four Lower Valley municipalities, Granger, Toppenish, Wapato and Harrah, and the Yakama Nation. My goal always has been to shine a light in dark places and bring readers closer to concerning issues, important people, and other events in our community. Education Reporter Vanessa Ontiveros is the education reporter at the Yakima Herald-Republic. She grew up near Los Angeles but has happily made Yakima her new home. She is passionate about reporting stories that serve the community and highlight various aspects of the educational system.She also hosts a podcast that discusses local arts education, Yakima Arts Talk, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The daughter of two longtime public school teachers, she is always looking to include community voices in her work. Tri-City lawmaker's bill to limit WA wind turbine lights goes too far, critics say If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq, Duragesic and Sublimaze. Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT and Tango and Cas, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse . An estimated 55 million people worldwide, have Alzheimers. Simply getting older is the main risk -- its usually a disease of people over age 65. Doug Whitney inherited the same gene mutation that gave Alzheimers disease to his mother, brother and generations of other relatives by the unusually young age of 50. Yet hes a healthy 73, his mind still sharp. Somehow, the Washington man escaped his genetic fate. So did a woman in Colombia who dodged her own familys similar Alzheimers destiny for nearly three decades. To scientists, these rare escapees didnt just get lucky. They offer an unprecedented opportunity to learn how the body may naturally resist Alzheimers. Its unique individuals oftentimes that really provide us with breakthroughs, said Dr. Eric McDade of Washington University in St. Louis, where Whitneys DNA is being scoured for answers. The hope: If researchers could uncover and mimic whatever protects these escapees, they might develop better treatments even preventive therapies not only for families plagued by inherited Alzheimers but for everyone. We are just learning about this approach to the disease, said neuropsychologist Yakeel Quiroz of Massachusetts General Hospital, who helped study the Colombian woman. One person can actually change the world -- as in her case, how much we have learned from her. Quirozs team has a pretty good idea what protected Aliria Piedrahita de Villegas -- an additional genetic oddity that apparently countered the damage from her family Alzheimers mutation. But testing showed Whitney doesnt have that protective factor so something else must be shielding his brain. Now scientists are on the lookout for even more Alzheimers escapees people who may have simply assumed they didnt inherit their familys mutation because theyre healthy long after the age their loved ones always get sick. They just think its kind of luck of the draw and it may in fact be that theyre resilient, said McDade, a researcher with a Washington University network that tracks about 600 members of multiple affected families including Whitney, the escapee. I guess that made me pretty special. And they started poking and prodding and doing extra testing on me, the Port Orchard, Washington, man said. I told them, you know, Im here for whatever you need. Answers cant come quickly enough for Whitneys son Brian, who also inherited the devastating family gene. Hes reached the fateful age of 50 without symptoms but knows thats no guarantee. I liken my genetics to being a murder mystery, said Brian Whitney, who volunteers for Washington University studies that include testing an experimental preventive drug. Our literal bodies of evidence are what they need to crack the case. _____ More than 6 million Americans, and an estimated 55 million people worldwide, have Alzheimers. Simply getting older is the main risk -- its usually a disease of people over age 65. Less than 1% of Alzheimers is caused by inheriting a single copy of a particular mutated gene. Children of an affected parent have a 50-50 chance of inheriting the family Alzheimers gene. If they do, theyre almost guaranteed to get sick at about the same age as their parent did. That near certainty allows scientists to study these families and learn critical information about how Alzheimers forms. Its now clear that silent changes occur in the brain at least two decades before the first symptoms a potential window to intervene. Among the culprits, sticky amyloid starts building up, followed by neuron-killing tau tangles. What happens instead in the brains of the resilient? Thats why Im here, said Doug Whitney, who for years has given samples of blood and spinal fluid and undergone brain scans and cognitive exams, in the hunt for clues. Its so important that people in my situation come forward. Whitneys grandparents had 14 children and 10 of them developed early-onset Alzheimers. The first red flag for his mother: Thanksgiving 1971, when she forgot the pumpkin pie recipe shed always made from memory. Five years later she was gone, Whitney said. Back then doctors didnt know much about Alzheimers. It wasnt until the 1990s that separate research teams proved three different genes, when mutated, can each cause this uniquely inherited form of the disease. They each speed abnormal amyloid buildup Doug Whitneys family could only watch and worry as his 50th birthday came and went. His older brother had started showing symptoms at 48. (Some other siblings later were tested and didnt inherit the gene although two still dont know.) We went through about 10 years when the kids would call home their first question was, Hows Dad? his wife Ione Whitney recalled. By the time he turned 60 we kind of went, wow, we beat the coin toss. But not the way hed hoped. In 2010, urged by a cousin, Whitney joined the St. Louis research. He also agreed to a genetic test hed expected to provide final reassurance that his children wouldnt face the same worry only to learn hed inherited the family mutation after all. He kind of got leveled by that result, Brian Whitney said. While Brian inherited the family gene, his sister Karen didnt but she, too, is part of the same study, in the healthy comparison group. ___ U.S. researchers arent the only ones on the trail of answers. In South America, scientists are tracking a huge extended family in Colombia that shares a similar Alzheimers-causing variant. Carriers of this mutated gene start showing memory problems in their early 40s. In contrast, one family member Piedrahita de Villegas was deemed to have extreme resistance, with no cognitive symptoms until her 70s. Researchers flew the woman to Quirozs lab in Boston for brain scans. And when she died at 77 of melanoma with only mild signs of dementia, her brain was donated to Colombias University of Antioquia for closer examination. Her brain was jampacked with Alzheimers trademark amyloid plaques. But researchers found very little tau and weirdly, it wasnt in the brains memory hub but in a very different region. Clearly something affected how tau formed and where. The thing that we dont know for sure is why, Quiroz said. DNA offered a suspect: An ultra-rare mutation on an unrelated gene. That APOE gene comes in different varieties, including a version notorious for raising peoples risk of traditional old-age Alzheimers and another thats linked to lower risk. Normally the APOE3 version that Piedrahita de Villegas carried makes no difference for dementia. But remarkably, both copies of her APOE3 gene were altered by the rare Christchurch mutation and researchers think that blocked toxic tau. To start proving it, Quirozs team used preserved cells from Piedrahita de Villegas and another Colombian patient to grow some cerebral tissue in lab dishes. Cells given the Christchurch mutation developed less tau. We still have more work to do but were getting closer to understanding the mechanism, Quiroz said. That research already has implications for a field thats long considered fighting amyloid the key step to treating Alzheimers. Instead, maybe we just need to block whats downstream of it, said Dr. Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute on Aging. And since Whitney, the Washington man, doesnt have that extra mutation, there may be multiple pathways for escape, Hodes added. In St. Louis, researchers are checking out another clue: Maybe something special about Whitneys immune system is protecting his brain. The findings also are fueling a search for more escapees to compare. The Washington University team recently began studying one whos unrelated to Whitney. In Colombia, Quiroz said researchers are looking into a few more possible escapees. ___ That search for answers isnt just work for scientists. Whitneys son Brian estimates he spends about 25 days each year undergoing different health checks and procedures, many of them far from his Manson, Washington, home, as part of Alzheimers research. That includes every two weeks, getting hooked up to a pump that administers an experimental amyloid-fighting drug. He also gets regular brain scans to check for side effects. Living with the uncertainty is tough, and he sometimes has nightmares about Alzheimers. He tries to follow what he now knows was his parents mantra: Make the best of life till 50 and anything after that is a bonus. He makes lots of time to go fishing and camping with daughter Emily, now 12, who hasnt yet been told about the family gene. He hopes there will be some answers by the time shes an adult and can consider testing. When I have a bad day and decide maybe I should not continue (the research), I think of her and then that all vanishes, he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. New Delhi: Disney's live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has set a new record for the studio, with over 108 million global views of its first full trailer in the first 24 hours of release. The trailer premiered during the Academy Awards ceremony on March 12, with stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy introducing the spot. Bailey plays Ariel, while McCarthy stars as the villainous Ursula. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film features Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay and Jonah Hauer-King in co-starring roles. The movie tells the story of a mermaid longing to join the human world, and includes updated versions of the original music as well as four new songs. The Little Mermaid is set to open in theaters over Memorial Day, with Alan Menken returning to update his score and pen a new song featuring lyrics from Lin-Manuel Miranda. Bailey, known for her work in the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, was cast in 2019, and this marks her biggest role to date. Watch the trailer here Disney has seen great success with live-action remakes of its animated classics over the past decade, including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, which have all grossed over $1 billion globally. Other remakes in the works include Snow White and Lilo & Stitch, as well as a Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King, from director Barry Jenkins. Following its debut at the Oscars, The Little Mermaid became Twitter's No. 2 trend for the night, and the trailer also climbed to YouTube's No. 1 Globally Trending video. New Delhi: On Saturday, Byju Raveendran described how he fell in love with Divya Gokulnath, his former pupil who is now his wife. The creator of the edtech business Byju's remarked during a speech at India Today Conclave 2023 that Gokulnath's propensity of asking a lot of questions was what first caught his attention. "How did the relationship develop? It's really difficult to see any single student in auditoriums like this or stadiums that are larger than this, as I can attest from experience "India Today cited a statement made by Raveendran. She (Divya) used to hold back and ask plenty of questions, which made her stand out. I'm not sure when things changed and we started dating. (Also Read: Tax-Saving Investment Options: Check out These 5 Schemes With High Return) The idea that opposites attract did not apply to them, according to Divya Gokulnath. "We are unsure about the order of events. That has had excellent results. You're probably aware of the idea that opposites attract. I assert that it a fictional occurrence rather than a true event "She spoke. (Also Read: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Admits ChatGPT Can Eliminate Human Jobs) "Having like-minded colleagues on your team in this situation is extremely helpful for both business and life. Folks who know us remark that while on the outside we are totally different people with chalk and cheese personalities on the inside, our principles are the same. Hence, our three main vices outside of work are our children, families, and travel." Two sons were born to Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath after their 2009 wedding. Raveendran added that his students were also his founding partners for the edtech platform, which was established in 2011. "The fact that they are all still present confirms that we have not altered our mission. Although our business models have changed, we have remained committed to our purpose of having a positive impact on students. Being in this industry has several advantages. Talent can be attracted and kept quite easily, "added he. Byju's has faced criticism for accounting issues, alleged course mis-selling, and major layoffs the previous year. Two sons were born to Byju Raveendran and Divya Gokulnath after their 2009 wedding. Raveendran added that his students were also his founding partners for the edtech platform, which was established in 2011. "The fact that they are all still present confirms that we have not altered our mission. Although our business models have changed, we have remained committed to our purpose of having a positive impact on students. Being in this industry has several advantages. Talent can be attracted and kept quite easily, "added he. Byju's has faced criticism for accounting issues, alleged course mis-selling, and major layoffs the previous year. New Delhi: Google is reportedly indicating ex-employees who were laid off while on maternity or medical leave that they will not be paid for the remainder of their time off. According to CNBC, sacked Google employees are asking the company to honour their approved medical time off. Over 100 former employees have formed a group called "Laid off on Leave". They are requesting that executives compensate them for the weeks and months they were authorised to take off prior to the January job cuts. ( Also Read: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Admits ChatGPT Can Eliminate Human Jobs The group of ex-employees wrote to executives, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Chief People Officer Fiona Cicconi, three times, most recently on March 9, without receiving a response, said the report.People who have been approved for or are currently on maternity leave, baby bonding leave, caregiver's leave, medical leave, or personal leave are included in this group."We respectfully request a good faith effort to honour the terms of our original parental and/or disability leave arrangements for all leaves that were approved as of January 20, 2023," a group of laid-off staffers, was quoted as saying.Moreover, the report mentioned that Pichai and other leaders are urged to provide immediate clarity on the matter because of an upcoming deadline.It is expected that official severance terms will arrive by March 31 for those who were laid off while on medical leave.The company announced in January the elimination of 12,000 jobs, representing about 6 per cent of its workforce, to reckon with slower sales growth after an extended period of expansion in the tech sector. Differently-Abled Artist In Rishikesh: There are times when we feel life is unfair, but we do know that all it takes is a strong desire to get through it. Differently-abled Anjana Malik is a living example of it. She doesnt have hands but has the desire to conquer her dreams. Once a beggar on the streets of Rishikesh, this 38-year-old handless artist gave her life a new direction with her unflinching spirit. While she could be seen as just one in a million artists, she decided to give herself a new identity that she expresses through her paintings. Who Is Anjana Malik? Anjana Malik is a 38-year-old differently-abled artist who was born with no hands and a deformed back and legs. Born and brought up in Nainital, a teenage Anjana decided to escape from her house as she felt her life had no meaning. Little did she know that life had other plans for her. She reached Rishikesh with the hope to add meaning to her life. Though initially, begging was her only option to sustain herself, all she could do was to sit roadside and write the name of Lord Rama on a piece of paper and people would donate her money. One day she was sitting at the corner of the road, holding a pen between her toes, writing the name of Lord Rama when she caught the attention of a foreigner, named Stephanie, who was visiting the place of sagas (Rishikesh). Also read: Body Positivity: 5 Ways To Overcome Body-Shaming And Nurture Self-Love How Did Anjanas Life Change? Stephanie was intrigued and impressed seeing Anjanas will to do something. It is when Stephanie gave Anjana the idea to paint with her toes and motivated her to start painting. I was initially skeptical about taking this step as I wasnt sure about it. But Stephanie helped me and guided me to learn the art of painting and actually filled colours in my life, Anjana told Zee News. She was the first person who believed in me and took my art seriously as she guided me through it. I will always be thankful to her, Anjana told Zee News. Where Is Anjana Today? Anjana soon started painting figures of deities like Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Durga, and a lot more. She soon started to sell her painting to meet her daily needs. She uses poster colours and A4-size sheets for paintings. I dont have to beg anymore and God sends blessings in the form of people who buy my paintings and help me meet my needs, Anjana told Zee News. Once a visitor gave me the idea to put my art out on Instagram. My brothers son is handling my Instagram account and it has helped my art reach netizens, Anjana told Zee News. My paintings help me earn anywhere from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 in a day and help me take care of my expenses, Anjana further explained. Today, she sits near Swarg Ashram in Rishikesh and her art draws the attention of many people, and is recognised as The Special Artist. Anjanas art is a major source of income that helps her run a family of five. She aspires to learn and explore more about paintings in the future. Jiwaji University Exam Dates: The Jiwaji University, Gwalior has released the final year examination schedule for B.Sc, B.Com, BA and other courses. Students who are scheduled to appear for the Jiwaji University exam 2023 can now check and download the timetable for their respective courses from the official website of the university- jiwaji.edu. Students can download the timetable for Jiwaji University 2023 following the simple steps given here or through the direct link given below. Here's How To Download Jiwaji University Examination Time Table 2023 Step 1: Visit the official site of Jiwaji Universit- jiwaji.edu Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link that reads Step 3: Jiwaji University Exam Schedule will appear on your screen, download it Step 4: Check for the exam dates for your respective subjects, Step 5: Take a printout and save it for the future. According to the official schedule, the examinations for BA, B.Sc and B.Com, B.Sc Home Science 3rd year will begin on March 31, 2023, and will be concluded on April 19, 2023. Students who are scheduled to appear for the examinations are advised to download the admit card from the official website- jiwaji.edu This raises the distant possibility of using the same technique for people although experts caution that very few mouse embryos developed into live mouse pups and no one knows whether it would work for humans. Still, Its a very clever strategy, said Diana Laird, a stem cell and reproductive expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who was not involved in the research. Its an important step in both stem cell and reproductive biology. Scientists described their work in a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. First, they took skin cells from the tails of male mice and transformed them into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can develop into many different types of cells or tissues. Then, through a process that involved growing them and treating them with a drug, they converted male mouse stem cells into female cells and produced functional egg cells. Finally, they fertilized those eggs and implanted the embryos into female mice. About 1% of the embryos 7 out of 630 grew into live mouse pups. The pups appeared to grow normally and were able to become parents themselves in the usual way, research leader Katsuhiko Hayashi of Kyushu University and Osaka University in Japan told fellow scientists at the Third International Summit on Human Genome Editing last week. In a commentary published alongside the Nature study, Laird and her colleague, Jonathan Bayerl, said the work opens up new avenues in reproductive biology and fertility research for animals and people. Down the road, for example, it might be possible to reproduce endangered mammals from a single male. And it might even provide a template for enabling more people, such as male same-sex couples, to have biological children, while circumventing the ethical and legal issues of donor eggs, they wrote. But they raised several cautions. The most notable one? The technique is extremely inefficient. They said its unclear why only a tiny fraction of the embryos placed into surrogate mice survived; the reasons could be technical or biological. They also stressed that its still too early to know if the protocol would work in human stem cells at all. Laird also said scientists need to be mindful of the mutations and errors that may be introduced in a culture dish before using stem cells to make eggs. The research is the latest to test new ways to create mouse embryos in the lab. Last summer, scientists in California and Israel created synthetic mouse embryos from stem cells without a dads sperm or a moms egg or womb. Those embryos mirrored natural mouse embryos up to 8 days after fertilization, containing the same structures, including one like a beating heart. Scientists said the feat could eventually lay the foundation for creating synthetic human embryos for research in the future. Search Keywords: Short link: Electric vehicle fires in places with hot climates have become a fairly common occurrence. The cars of the world's biggest EV manufacturer, Tesla, have not been untouched by the problem. In the past, there have been cases showing the Tesla EVs catching fire. Repeating the same last month, an Indian-origin living in Sacramento, California in, USA, the family was caught in an accident after their Tesla Model S caught fire, leading to an explosion. The incident was caught on camera and was shared on social media. The video of the incident recorded by the fire department shows the car bursting into flames. Furthermore, dark smoke billowing out of the car can easily be seen while flames emerge from underneath the car. Later on, the fire underneath the vehicle increases, engulfing the whole car. After a while, the flame leads to an explosion spitting flames on the side of the Tesla Model S. Also read: Youtuber Drives Modified Tesla Model S Upside Down With Giant 10 Feet Wheels: Watch Video According to the fire department, the car spontaneously caught fire as it was moving on the motorway. A total of 6000 gallons (2,300 litres) of water were used to put out the fire. ThThe fire brigade raised the car, and water was sprayed directly onto the vehicle's floor-mounted battery. This is Tesla's recommended reaction to the Model S battery fire, the department claims. The vehicle battery compartment spontaneously caught fire while it was traveling freeway speeds on EB Hwy 50. The fire was extinguished with approx 6,000 gallons of water, as the battery cells continued to combust. Thankfully no injuries were reported. pic.twitter.com/PRmlWzQdXS January 29, 2023 Driver Sunit Mayall spoke with the local media about her experience. She states that she pulled over to the side of the road after hearing popping sounds from underneath the vehicle. She became aware that the car was on fire. With her brother in the passenger seat, she pulled over the automobile and fled from it. In the video, he claims that they attempted contacting Tesla but have not yet received a response from the US-based EV manufacturer. It is to be noted that electric vehicle batteries are prone to fire depending on the climate and use of the vehicle. Last year, India saw multiple cases of EV fire prompting the government to establish contact with the manufacturers to deal with the problem. New Delhi: With 'Waris Punjab De' chief and Khalistan sympathizer Amritpal Singh still on the run, the suspension on all mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services in Punjab was on Sunday (March 19) extended till March 20. An official statement from the Bhagwant Mann-led government said that mobile internet services will remain suspended in Punjab till 12 pm on March 20 in the "interest of public safety". The state authorities had on Saturday suspended the internet and SMS services till Sunday noon. "It is directed that all mobile internet services (2G/3G/45/5G/CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services (excluding banking and mobile recharge) and all dongle services provided on mobile networks, except voice calls, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab shall be further suspended from March 19 (12.00 hours) to March 20 (12.00 hours) to prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order," an official order issued on Sunday said. The broadband services are not being suspended so that banking facilities, hospital services and other essential services are not disrupted, the order issued by the additional chief secretary read further. A manhunt is currently on to nab radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. "He is now a fugitive and we are looking for him and we will soon arrest him," Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal told reporters near Nakodar in Jalandhar late Saturday night. Chahal said six to seven gunmen of Amritpal Singh have been arrested. Mobile internet in Punjab was suspended after crackdown against Amritpal Singh The Punjab government had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal Singh and arrested 78 members of an outfit -- Waris Punjab De -- headed by him. The elusive preacher himself, however, gave the police a slip and escaped their dragnet when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district. As the operation went underway, authorities stepped up security at several places and suspended internet and SMS services in the state till Sunday noon. During their state-wide operation, police also seized one .315-bore rifle, seven 12-bore rifles, one revolver, and 373 live cartridges of a different caliber. 78 arrested after mega crackdown against Waris Punjab de#AmritpalSingh fugitive, Police teams are on manhunt Nine weapons including 8 rifles, one revolver recovered during operation Situation is under control, citizens requested to not to believe in rumours Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) March 18, 2023 Security has been tightened at many places in Punjab with intensive vehicle checking. Earlier last month, Amritpal Singh and his supporters -- some of them brandishing swords and guns -- broke through barricades and barged into the Ajnala Police Station on the outskirts of the Amritsar city, clashing with police for the release of one of Amritpal's aides. After the incident, in which six policemen including a Superintendent of Police rank officer had suffered injuries, the Mann-led government in the state had faced severe flak and was accused of kowtowing to extremists. Dubai-returned Amritpal Singh was last year anointed the head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year. 4 Waris Punjab De members flown to Dibrugarh after arrest in Punjab Four members of the 'Waris Punjab De', who were arrested in Punjab, have been brought to Assam's Dibrugarh on Sunday, police said. They were flown on a special flight, they said. "The four are currently kept in Dibrugarh central jail," a police officer said, without elaborating further. The Dibrugarh Police is likely to address the media later in the day. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday said that the Punjab Police is doing its job and will be able to complete the search for fugitive Amritpal Singh. "The Punjab Police is doing its job and I think it will complete its operation very soon. The government of Punjab is a responsible government," he told ANI. Saurabh Bharadwaj said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann understands what is important for Punjab and the country. He said, "The people of Punjab have given a big vote to Bhagwant Mann and Bhagwant Mann understands what is important for Punjab and the country and is working accordingly. Rest are matters of fact in this, which will be clearly told by the police and the government." Weapons seized by Punjab Police during chase to nab 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh. (Photo source: Police) pic.twitter.com/gwM0Kf28Lc ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said that a search operation is underway to nab `Waris Punjab De` chief Amritpal Singh. While speaking to the media, Jalandhar CP KS Chahal said, "He was chased by police for about 20-25 km but he managed to escape. We`ve recovered a no. of weapons & 2 cars also seized. Search is underway & we will arrest him soon. Law & Order will be maintained in the state". Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday late evening confirmed that Amritpal Singh had been declared a "fugitive". Vehicle used by 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh to escape seized by police in Jalandhar, says Punjab Police. pic.twitter.com/wbWIVSqqaK March 19, 2023 "Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway," Chahal said in an exclusive interview with ANI. On Saturday, mobile Internet services were suspended in several districts of Punjab until 12 noon on Sunday, police said after launching an operation to arrest the chief of pro-Khalistan outfit `Waris Punjab De` Amritpal Singh and his aides. Chikkanayakahalli (Karnataka): BJP national president J P Nadda on Saturday said, while his party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was focusing on all round and inclusive development of the country, the Congress was still busy promoting dynastic politics with repackaging after repackaging of its leader Rahul Gandhi. Addressing a public meeting as part of BJP's 'Vijaya Sankalpa Yatre' ahead of Assembly polls in May, he said that Rahul Gandhi, unable to win elections, is alleging that democracy in India was under threat, on foreign land. "Before 2014 (before the Modi govt) India was mired in corruption. There were scams like 2G, 3G, and commonwealth among others, but today the country is among the leading nations of the world," Nadda said. Addressing a public meeting here, the BJP president said, Modi has changed the political culture of the country, taking it away from Congress' corruption, commission, criminalisation, and dynastic rule. He has done it by giving thrust to development, with a focus on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and now Sabka Prayas". "Congress even today is encouraging dynasty politics, they are even today behind Rahul Gandhi, whether he is successful or not, his repackaging after repackaging is on. They are still focused on promoting family politics," he said while claiming that most of the BJP leaders including Modi and Yediyurappa are from very ordinary families and are self-made. Addressing a public meeting at Chikkanayakanahalli in Distt. Tumkur, Karnataka. https://t.co/JiWb1UteWl Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) March 18, 2023 It was heartening to see the massive support from the people of Chikkanayakanahalli during the road show. They understand that only BJP can provide a stable & development-oriented government in Karnataka. Congress has nothing to offer but empty promises and divisive politics! pic.twitter.com/2gQldD7Xrw Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) March 18, 2023 Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, the party's Parliamentary Board member and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, State Ministers J C Madhuswamy and R Ashoka, among others present at the public meeting. Earlier on Saturday, Nadda held road shows in Tiptur and Chikkanayakanahalli, as part of the Yatra. Noting that Congress has been wiped out in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Tripura, Nagaland, and Manipur, Nadda said, after facing defeat in elections, Rahul Gandhi goes to England and says India's democracy is under threat. "People reject you in elections by defeating you, and you say democracy is under threat, and that too not in India, but in England... One who cannot fight elections says democracy is under threat," he said. Further accusing Rahul Gandhi of instigating America and Europe against India, the BJP president said, he is causing a threat to India's sovereignty, this is an insult to the people of the country. "Rahul Gandhi has to apologise to the people of the county... Congress and its leaders have gone mentally bankrupt and should be sent home," he added. Accusing the previous Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka of rampant corruption, Nadda said, while today under BJP new stories of progress and development are being written, with the State emerging as a top destination for FDI, and has a leading position in innovations and startups. He also urged the people to support BJP in the upcoming elections. CHANDIGARH/DIBRUGARH: Police on Sunday conducted flag marches and searches across Punjab in their manhunt for radical preacher Amritpal Singh, arresting 34 more supporters and shifting four men in custody to a jail in far-off Assam. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has, however, asked the state government to respond on Tuesday to a habeas corpus petition, that claiming that the preacher is already in illegal police custody and should be released. Justice N S Shekhawat held the hearing at his home-office as the courts were closed. Police stuck to their version that the 'Waris Punjab De' chief gave them the slip during a car chase in Jalandhar district on Saturday, when the crackdown against the group began. They have slapped fresh FIRs against the Khalistan sympathiser and his supporters. Section 144 of the CrPc, which prohibits congregations, was imposed in the union territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. Prohibitory orders were already in force in some parts of Punjab. Police recovered a second vehicle in the case, an abandoned pick-up with a gun, a sword and several cartridges in Jalandhar district's Salema village and said it appeared to be a part of Amritpal Singh's cavalcade. The crackdown has come weeks after Singh and his supporters barged into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar, extracting an assurance that an arrested man would be released. Twenty-one Amritpal supporters were taken into custody near Boparai Kalan in Jalandhar district when they tried to stage a 'dharna' over the previous days' action. These detentions are apparently not part of the arrests' tally given by police 78 on Saturday and 34 more on Sunday. Earlier, police said nine firearms have also been seized. The state remained on high alert. Security forces took out flag marches at several places including Ferozepur, Bathinda, Rupnagar, Faridkot, Batala, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Moga and Jalandhar in a show of strength. The Punjab government also extended the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services till Monday noon. The official order, which exempted banking services, said this was to 'prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order'. Four of the arrested men were brought to BJP-ruled Assam's Dibrugarh by a 27-member Punjab Police team accompanying them, according to an Assam Police officer. The men, now lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, were identified as alleged fund raiser Daljit Singh Kalsi, Bhagwant Singh, Gurmeet Singh and 'Pradhanmantri' Bajeka. "Sometimes, persons arrested in one state are sent to another state's jail," Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters. "We will provide them all security in the jail," he said. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah, soon after the Ajnala episode. Days earlier, Amritpal Singh had also made a veiled threat to Shah. Security has also been tightened at Amritpal's native village Jallupur Khera in Amritsar, where his father Tarsem Singh said his son may have already been detained by police. "He faces a threat to life," the fugitive's father said. "There is no information since yesterday. We feel he has already been detained." Inspector General of Police Sukhchain Singh Gill said Amritpal Singh is still absconding. "Whatever the Punjab Police does in this case will be within the ambit of law. Everybody has a legal right and can avail whatever remedies are available under the law." He said police have acted in a transparent manner and Amritpal Singh was seen escaping at the 'naka' laid for him in Mehatpur. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal called it a game of 'chor-sipahi' (robbers and cops). "Sometimes, they manage to escape. But we will soon arrest him," he said, maintaining that there was no lapse on Saturday. The officer said Singh's vehicle was chased for 20 to 25 kilometres. There were narrow streets and "somehow he managed to escape by changing his vehicle". He said two of his vehicles have been seized so far. Police have now registered an FIR against Amritpal Singh and his supporters for breaking through a police checkpoint and another related to the recovery of a firearm in the vehicle found in a Jalandhar village. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Singh said another FIR was registered Saturday night under the Arms Act after the arrest of seven of the preacher's associates in that district. Police warned that strict action will be taken against anyone spreading rumours, saying it was monitoring fake news and hate speeches from different countries, states and cities. The crackdown follows the FIR registered a day after the storming of the Ajnala police station on February 23. The preacher and his supporters were accused of spreading disharmony, attempt to murder, attacking police personnel and obstructing public servants in discharge of their duties. Six police personnel, including a superintendent of police, were injured in Ajnala. Opposition parties had flagged the incident as a sign of the Aadm Aadmi Party government's failure to maintain law and order and expressed fears that Punjab could slide back to the days of Khalistan militancy. Dubai-returned Amritpal became the head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February last year. New Delhi: Delhi police reached Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence on Sunday (March 19) in connection with the notice that was served to him by the police, seeking information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, reported ANI. Earlier, on March 15, a team of Delhi police waited outside the Congress leader's home for 3 hours to serve the above-mentioned notice. However, sources told ANI that Gandhi did not come to meet the police team that day. #WATCH| Delhi: Special CP(L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda arrives at the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with the notice that was served to him by police to seek information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra pic.twitter.com/G7r2txze67 ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 Special CP (L&O) SP Hooda said that police personnel has arrived at Rahul Gandhi's home to talk to him regarding his statement on January 30 wherein he said he met several women who told him that they had been raped but didn't approach the police. Hooda said the police are trying to procure the details so justice can be given to the victims. "On March 15, a team of Delhi Police team waited for three hours to give notice to Rahul Gandhi on his statement made in Srinagar regarding an alleged sexual assault with women. Even after waiting for three hours, Rahul Gandhi did not meet the police team," sources told ANI. Delhi | Special CP (L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda arrives at the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with the notice that was served to him by police to seek information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. pic.twitter.com/WCAKxLdtZJ March 19, 2023 #WATCH | We've come here to talk to him. Rahul Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar on Jan 30 that during Yatra he met several women & they told him that they had been raped...We're trying to get details from him so that justice can be given to victims: Special CP (L&O) SP Hooda pic.twitter.com/XDHru2VUMJ ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 The next day, senior police officers went to attempt to serve the notice again. This time Rahul Gandhi received it personally after one-and-a-half hours. The notice asked Rahul Gandhi to share details of the victims of sexual harassment whom he met during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar and mentioned in his speech. The police reported that Gandhi recounted an incident during the Bharat Jodo Yatra where a girl approached him to talk about the atrocities she had faced, including rape. Gandhi asked if they should call the police, but the girl refused, fearing shame. The Congress criticized the government, stating that it was using the police to hide from Rahul Gandhi's questions regarding the Adani-Hindenburg controversy. The Congress tweeted that the government had waited 45 days after the completion of the Bharat Jodo Yatra before seeking information on women who had spoken to Gandhi about harassment and violence they may have experienced. New Delhi: Amid the tussle between the judiciary and the government over the appointment of judges, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said not every system is perfect but the current Collegium system is the "best" mechanism developed by the judiciary to maintain its independence. Justice Chandrachud put up a stout defence of the Collegium system of judges appointing judges to higher courts while speaking at the India Today Conclave, 2023, just hours after Law Minister Kiren Rijiju at the same forum again criticised the selection process, asserting that as per Constitution the appointment of judges is the duty of the government. Rijiju also said the appointment of judges was not judicial work but "purely administrative in nature". Justice Chandrachud's predecessor Justice UU Lalit also supported the Collegium process, saying it was the "ideal system" while another former CJI S A Bobde favoured primacy of the judiciary but was of the view that the government's opinion was vital. The two former CJIs were also speaking at the same event. "As the Chief Justice, I have to take the system as it is given to us... I am not saying every system is perfect but this is the best system we have developed. The object of this system was to maintain independence which is a cardinal value. We have to insulate the judiciary from outside influences if the judiciary has to be independent. That is the underlying feature of Collegium," Justice Chandrachud said. Raising questions on the Collegium system, Rijiju said it is a result of the "misadventure" of the Congress party. On the issue of the appointment of judges, Rijiju said there is no role of the judiciary as such to initiate and to give finalisation to the appointment of judges. "It was only later due to the misadventure of the Congress party, the Supreme Court started acting, which some people describe as judicial overreach. Then the collegium system came into existence". But right now, the position of the government is very clear that the collegium system is in place, he said. "As long as a new system is not introduced, we will follow the collegium system but the appointment of judges cannot be done by a judicial order. It is purely administrative." Rijiju said it is the bounden duty of the government to carry out due diligence on the names recommended by the collegium. "Otherwise I'll be sitting there as a post master. Secondly, as per Constitution, appointment of judges is the duty of the government," he observed. Responding to questions on the government's relations with the judiciary, Rijiju said it will not be proper to use the word "confrontation" in describing their relationship. "In a democratic setup, there are differences of opinions and positions. "Between different organs -- the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature -- there will be issues which run against each other's ideas. But to say that there is a confrontation is not correct," he said. On the issue of the Supreme Court Collegium making public intelligence reports with regard to some candidates recommended for high court judgeship, Rijiju wondered what is the sanctity of carrying out such a great effort in secrecy in the interest of the nation if reports of R&AW or IB are put in the public domain. "I am mindful of my responsibility. I'll never ever put in public domain information which will not serve the purpose for which we are sitting there," he said. The CJI also responded to Rijiju voicing displeasure over the Collegium revealing the government's reasons for not approving the names recommended by it for appointment as judges of constitutional courts. "He has a perception. I have a perception and there is bound to be a difference in perceptions. And what's wrong in having a difference of perceptions. We have to deal with perceptions even within the judiciary. I dare say there is a difference in perception within the government. But we all deal with it with a sense of robust statesmanship. "I do not want to join issues with the law minister for his perception. I respect his perception and I am sure he has respect for ours as well. The reason why we put this on the SC website is the desire of the present Collegium to meet the criticism that we lack transparency and a genuine belief that opening of the processes will foster greater confidence in the citizens," Justice Chandrachud said. Justice Lalit emphasised that the collegium system enables selection of judges by a body which is reviewing performances at the "grass-roots" and the process of recommendation by the apex court body is through a consultative route. While recommending a judge, not only is performance but the opinion of other judges as well as the IB report is also considered in the process and a new regime of appointment can only be "put in place in a manner known to law", he said. "According to me, the collegium system is the ideal system... You have persons whose entire profile is seen by the high court. Not by 1-2 persons but by repeatedly as an institution. Similarly, advocates who practice before high courts; the judges who form the body, they see their performances every day. So who are supposed to be better positioned to see the merit of the talent? Somebody sitting as an executive here or somebody who is seeing the grass root level performance, say in Kochi or Manipur or Andhra or Ahmedabad?" he said. New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the Delhi police after they reached Rahul Gandhi's residence to seek details about the sexual harassment survivors the Congress MP had mentioned in his speech during Bharat Jodo Yatra. Ramesh asked why the Delhi police were going for questioning 45 days after the Bharat Jodo Yatra ended. He further said that Rahul Gandhi's legal team will respond to the Delhi police's notice as per law. While speaking to ANI, he said, "It has been 45 days since Bharat Jodo Yatra ended. They (Delhi police) are going for questioning after 45 days. If they are so much concerned why didn't they go to him in February? Rahul Gandhi's legal team will respond to it as per law." Delhi | It has been 45 days since Bharat Jodo Yatra ended. They (Delhi police) are going for questioning after 45 days. If they are so much concerned why didn't they go to him in February? Rahul Gandhi's legal team will respond to it as per law: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pic.twitter.com/Xo4JqErSGG March 19, 2023 Delhi police reached Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence on Sunday (March 19) in connection with the notice that was served to him by the police, seeking information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Special CP (L&O) SP Hooda said that police personnel has arrived at Rahul Gandhi's home to talk to him regarding his statement on January 30 wherein he said he met several women who told him that they had been raped but didn't approach the police. Hooda said the police are trying to procure the details so justice can be given to the victims. The police reported that during his speech Gandhi recounted an incident during the Bharat Jodo Yatra where a girl approached him to talk about the atrocities she had faced, including rape. Gandhi asked if they should call the police, but the girl refused, fearing shame. NEW DELHI: India on Sunday night summoned the senior-most British diplomat in Delhi and demanded an explanation over the complete "absence of security" after pro-Khalistan separatist elements pulled down the Indian flag at the Indian high commission in London during a protest. In a strongly-worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India finds "unacceptable" the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK. The deputy chief of the UK high commission in Delhi was summoned to the MEA over the serious incident of pulling down of the flag as High Commissioner Alex Ellis is travelling, sources said. "The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned late evening today to convey India's strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day," the MEA said. "An explanation was demanded for the complete absence of the British security that allowed these elements to enter the high commission premises," it said. The MEA said the diplomat was reminded of the basic obligations of the UK government under the Vienna Convention. "India finds unacceptable the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel in the UK," the MEA said. It sought immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute those involved in today's incident. #WATCH | United Kingdom: Khalistani elements attempt to pull down the Indian flag but the flag was rescued by Indian security personnel at the High Commission of India, London. (Source: MATV, London) (Note: Abusive language at the end) pic.twitter.com/QP30v6q2G0 ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 "It is expected that the UK Government would take immediate steps to identify, arrest and prosecute each one of those involved in today's incident, and put in place stringent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents," the MEA added. I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London - totally unacceptable. Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) March 19, 2023 In a tweet, Ellis said, "I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the @HCI_London - totally unacceptable." New Delhi: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be on a 2-day India visit starting Monday (March 20) morning that will focus on strengthening the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries. Kishida's itinerary includes crucial talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivering the 41st Sapru House Lecture on Indo-Pacific, and visiting the Bodhi Tree at Delhi's Buddha Jayanti Park. He is expected to lay out his vision of Indo-Pacific during his lecture. The Bodhi Tree is of significant importance, as it is a sapling from the Holy Bodhi Tree, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was gifted by the then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, and planted by India's then Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, in 1964. The 81-acre Buddha Jayanti Park, located in Delhi's central ridge, is a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. India and Japan share a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, which has been elevated over the years to signify the growing importance of the relationship. Annual Summits and 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meetings are held between the two countries to discuss various areas of cooperation, including defence and security, trade and investment, S&T, education, healthcare, and critical and emerging technologies. Defence and security cooperation between India and Japan have been growing. Recent milestones in this area include the successful conduct of the first fighter jet exercise "Veer Guardian" in January 2023, and the 4th "Dharma Guardian" army exercise, which was conducted for the first time in Japan. Maritime security cooperation and Navy-to-Navy cooperation have also seen significant progress, with several joint exercises conducted between the two countries. Japan is a significant investor in India, and the two countries have set up Japan Industrial Townships (JITs) to promote economic partnership, investment, industry, and infrastructure development. The two countries also have a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that covers various areas, including trade in goods and services, movement of natural persons, investments, and intellectual property rights. Skill development and movement of skilled workers from India to Japan is an area where complementarities between the two economies exist. Several Memorandums of Cooperation have been signed between India and Japan to facilitate the same. Kishida's visit comes at a time when India and Japan are holding important discussions on a range of issues, including the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape in the Indo-Pacific region. KYODO NEWS - Mar 19, 2023 - 23:40 | All, Japan, World Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida left for India on Sunday for talks with his counterpart Narendra Modi, as Tokyo holds this year's presidency of the Group of Seven nations. During his three-day visit through Tuesday to India, chair of the Group of 20 economies for 2023, Kishida is expected to agree with Modi that Tokyo and New Delhi will work together more closely to tackle issues stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine. In a speech on Monday, Kishida is also likely to announce a new plan to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, a Japan-led initiative aimed at curbing China's growing regional assertiveness, according to a senior government official. India -- a member of the Quad, a four-way security framework involving the United States and Australia -- has emerged as a key member of the "Global South," a term that collectively refers to developing nations in areas such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Kishida has been eager to deepen ties with such countries to pave the way for the success of the G-7 in-person summit scheduled for May in Japan's western city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in World War II. Amid mounting fears that Russia might use an atomic device against Ukraine in the ongoing war, Kishida has pledged to pitch his vision of a world without nuclear weapons at the G-7 meeting. Along with the G-7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States plus the European Union -- the G-20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Turkey. Kishida's trip to India comes just weeks after Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi skipped a gathering of the G-20's top diplomats held for two days earlier this month in New Delhi. Hayashi's absence triggered a backlash from some Indian media, which said it could cast a shadow over bilateral relations. Kishida is expected to invite Modi to participate in the G-7 summit, while trying to confirm that Japan and India will continue supporting Ukraine. The eastern European nation has been under attack by Russia since February 2022. In tandem with other G-7 members, Japan has bolstered economic sanctions on Russia, but New Delhi has refrained from implementing punitive steps against Moscow as India is highly dependent on the resource-rich country for military and energy supplies. Pune: At least five people were injured after a Bengaluru-bound private bus from Mumbai met with an accident, informed officials from Pune`s Fire department. According to officials, the bus met with an accident on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Bavdhan in Pune. "The injured people were admitted to a hospital," said an official. Pune Fire Brigade officers and police personnel were at the spot at the time of filing this report. Maharashtra | Five people were injured after a Bengaluru-bound private bus from Mumbai met with an accident on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Bavdhan in Pune. Injured taken to hospital. Pune Fire Brigade officers, police on the spot: Pune Fire Department pic.twitter.com/cSSwYjF3Lz ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2023 Further details are awaited. Earlier, on Saturday, several passengers were injured after a bus met with an accident in the Gori Pora area in J&K`s Pulwama district. Speaking to ANI, one of the passengers from Bihar said, "After Awantipura, the driver increased the speed of the bus and lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the accident. The driver ran away from the accident spot." "Around 50-52 people were inside the bus at the time of the accident. Of them, 3-4 persons are critical, and several more sustained injuries," he added. Meanwhile, all the injured were admitted to the district hospital in Pampore. In another incident on March 5, at least five people were injured after a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus rolled down a hill in the Idukki district, police said. The incident took place near Neriyamangalam in the Idukki district. The injured were admitted to a hospital in Neriyamangalam in Kerala, they said. According to reports, the KSRTC bus en route from Thiruvananthapuram bound for Munnar rolled down a hill in Villanchira village. BEIJING: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reverentially called 'Modi Laoxian' meaning 'Modi the immortal' by Chinese netizens, a rare respectful reference to an international leader, notwithstanding the bitter India-China border row, according to an article published in the US-based strategic affairs magazine The Diplomat. In the article - 'How is India viewed in China?', Mu Chunshan, a journalist known for analysing Chinese social media, especially Sina Weibo, (akin to Twitter in China), also said that most Chinese feel that India led by Modi can maintain a balance among major countries in the world. Sina Weibo has over 582 million active users. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an unusual nickname on the Chinese internet: Modi Laoxian. Laoxian refers to an elderly immortal with some weird abilities. The nickname implies that Chinese netizens think Modi is different, even more amazing than other leaders," he said. They point to both his dress and physical appearance, seen as Laoxian-like, and some of his policies, which are different from India's previous ones, Mu said. On India's relations with other major countries, he said, whether it is Russia, the United States, or Global South countries, India can enjoy friendly ties with all of them, which is "very admirable" to some Chinese netizens. "So the word 'Laoxian' reflects the complex sentiment of Chinese people toward Modi, combining curiosity, astonishment, and perhaps a dash of cynicism," Mu wrote. "I have been doing international media reports for nearly 20 years and it is rare for Chinese netizens to give a nickname to a foreign leader. Modi's nickname stands out above all others. Clearly, he has made an impression on Chinese public opinion," he said. Besides hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Premier Li Keqiang, since he came to power in 2014, Modi also held two rare informal summits with Xi, 69, in Wuhan and later in Mamallapuram near Chennai, which raised expectations of improvement in the relations between the two Asian giants. The Sino-Indian relations hit the bottom following aggressive military actions by the Chinese military in eastern Ladakh violating the agreements to resolve the border dispute leading to a nearly three-year-long military standoff. The two countries have held 17 rounds of high-level military commanders' talks to resolve the standoff. India has been maintaining that ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas. Modi is also well known in China as he interacted with the Chinese public through his account on Sina Weibo which he opened in 2015 and had over 2.44 lakh followers. However, he quit Weibo in July 2020 after the Indian government moved to ban 59 Chinese Apps to send a 'strong message at the border, on the economic front and at a personal level too,' according to BJP general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh. In his article, Mu says Chinese views of India are very complicated but generally based on a sense of superiority and self-confidence. Significantly, he writes that the Chinese netizens believe China's attempts to use its 'all-weather ally', Pakistan as 'unrealistic' as the gap between the two South Asian neighbours is 'getting wider', an apparent reference to the political and economic meltdown Pakistan is currently experiencing. "The facts over the past nine years have proved that China and India have more room for cooperation. For example, China's trade with India is worth USD115 billion a year 'far more than China's trade with Pakistan, which sits at around USD 30 billion', Mu wrote. "Of course, China has not forgotten Pakistan. But many Chinese netizens have a realistic view of the two South Asian neighbours. The argument is very sober: The idea of using Pakistan to restrain India is becoming more unrealistic because the gap between Pakistan and India is getting wider," he said. He also writes about Chinese apprehension about India's growing popularity with western countries, especially with the US and New Delhi's handling of the Ukraine crisis without disrupting its close ties with Russia and America. "This is just one example of a widespread perception in China: India is the favourite of the West, while China has become the target of the West. How did India manage this? Why is India's circle of international friends so big?- was the question debated by the Chinese netizens. Most Chinese people feel a sense of superiority and self-confidence vis-a-vis India and of course, most Chinese people don't like to see India get too close to the United States, but they also think China and India can still cooperate, the article said. Mumbai: A 38-year-old woman died after being knocked down by a car at Worli sea-face promenade in south Mumbai on Sunday during her morning walk, a police official said. A case of rash driving was registered against the driver of the car for the accident that took place around 6.30 am, he said. "The woman, identified as Rajlaxmi Raj Krishnan, was hit from behind by a speeding car when she was on a morning walk. Due to the impact, she was flung into the air before falling to the ground," the official of Worli police station said. The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead, he said. The 23-year-old driver of the car also received minor injuries in the accident. He was booked under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rash and negligent driving, and causing death by negligence, the official said, adding that the accused is being questioned. Chandigarh: Security has been enhanced across the state of Punjab as searches continue to nab pro-Khalistan outfit 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, who has been declared a "fugitive", hours after a massive operation by the police. Police personnel have also been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar, as the police efforts are underway to nab him. Meanwhile, the Khalistani sympathiser outfit chief is currently on the run, as per the police. Punjab | Security enhanced across the state as searches continue to nab Khalistani sympathiser Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh who is currently on the run. Visuals from Jalandhar- Moga Road where checking of vehicles being done by police. pic.twitter.com/DMYHeCOoa6 ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2023 Earlier on Saturday late evening, Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal confirmed that the radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Jalandhar Commissioner said, "Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway". Search conducted at Amritpal Singh's home Amritpal Singh`s father, however, claimed that Punjab Police conducted searches at his residence in Amritsar but did not find "anything illegal".Tarsem Singh, Amritpal`s father, on late Saturday night said the police should have arrested him before he left the house."We don`t have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal. Police should have arrested him before he left home," said Tarsem Singh in an exclusive interview with ANI on Saturday. Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Police launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operation (CASO) in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De (WPD) against whom several criminal cases stand registered. During the operation, a total of 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained for questioning. Massive manhunt to nab Amritpal Singh, others who are on the run Sharing more details, the official spokesperson of Punjab Police said, "On Saturday afternoon, several activists of WPD were intercepted by the Police at the Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven persons were arrested on the spot. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them." "During the statewide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different calibres have been recovered so far," said an officer. The spokesperson informed that WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attacking police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants."Case FIR No. 39 dated 24-02-2023 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," he added. He said that all persons involved in criminal offences shall be dealt with in accordance with the law and all persons wanted by the police should offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights of legal defence shall be protected, he added. Police requested all the citizens not to pay heed to fake news and rumours. "Situation in the state is completely stable. All persons indulging in mischievous activities for disturbing peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly," the police said. Earlier in the day, mobile Internet services were also suspended in several districts of Punjab until 12 noon on Sunday. The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal`s close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through police barricades erected outside the Ajnala police station. The police later said "in the light of the evidence presented", it has been decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan will be discharged. Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 following orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police. Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that these "1,000 people" don`t represent Punjab, and alleged that they are "funded by Pakistan" to disrupt peace in the state. Amritsar: Father of pro-Khalistan leader and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh, who was declared a fugitive by the Jalandhar Commissioner on Saturday late evening, said the Punjab Police conducted searches at his residence in Amritsar but did not find "anything illegal". Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Police launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and his aides, in the wake of a showdown between his followers and uniformed personnel outside Ajnala police station to free a member, who had been arrested in an abduction case. Police carry out search at Amritpal Singh's residence for 3-4 hours Tarsem Singh, Amritpal's father, said the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don`t have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal." "Police should have arrested him before he left home," said Tarsem Singh in an exclusive interview with ANI on Saturday. Meanwhile, Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal on Saturday late evening confirmed that the radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". "Waris Punjab De` chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway," Chahal said in an exclusive interview with ANI. Punjab police's crackdown against the Khalistani leader Earlier on Saturday, Punjab Police launched a massive state-wide Cordon And Search Operation (CASO) in the state against elements of Waris Punjab De (WPD) against whom several criminal cases stand registered. During the operation, a total of 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained for questioning. Sharing more details, the official spokesperson of Punjab Police said, "On Saturday afternoon, several activities of WPD were intercepted by the Police at the Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven persons were arrested on the spot. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them." "During the statewide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different calibres have been recovered so far," said an officer. The spokesperson informed that WPD elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempting to murder, attacking police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. "Case FIR No. 39 dated 24-02-2023 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," he added. He said that all persons involved in criminal offences shall be dealt with in accordance with the law and all persons wanted by the police should offer themselves to the process of law. Their constitutional rights of legal defence shall be protected, he added. Meanwhile, the police requested all the citizens not to pay heed to fake news and rumours."Situation in the state is completely stable. All persons indulging in mischievous activities for disturbing peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly," the police said. Earlier in the day, mobile Internet services were also suspended in several districts of Punjab until 12 noon on Sunday. Clash between Amritpal Singh's supporters and police personnel in Amritsar The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal`s supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal`s close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through police barricades erected outside the Ajnala police station. The police later said "in the light of the evidence presented", it has been decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan will be discharged. Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 following orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police. Reacting to the incident, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said that these "1000 people" don`t represent Punjab, and alleged that they are "funded by Pakistan" to disrupt peace in the state. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today sent a 10-point preliminary reply to the Delhi Police's notice related to his remarks made in Kashmir. A Delhi Police team on Sunday queried Gandhi at his residence over his remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that 'women are still being sexually assaulted' and asked him to provide information about the "victims" to take up their complaints, officials said. In his response, Rahul Gandhi questioned the process adopted by authorities and the sudden urgency in taking action 45 days after his "women still being sexually assaulted" remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Meanwhile, hitting out at the Centre while defending Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot compared the Delhi Police notice to the time of Indira Gandhi's regime. "Despite Rahul Gandhi told that he will reply to the notice, the Police reached his house. This reminds us of the time of Indira Gandhi. When such things happened during Indira Gandhis tenure, everyone knows what were the results," said Gehlot. " , " - , pic.twitter.com/TWD5hl8ULF BJP Rajasthan (@BJP4Rajasthan) March 19, 2023 He said that the Delhi Police went to Rahul Gandhis residence despite the Congress MP seeking 8-10 days to file the reply. "Its impossible to believe that without the direction of the ruling government, the Delhi Police can take such actions," said Gehlot at a Congress press conference in Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh and national spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the move was a clear case of "vendetta, intimidation and harassment" to create an atmosphere against the former Congress chief. Gehlot warned that the central dispensation was setting a bad precedent by registering cases on statements of opposition leaders made during political campaigns, adding that the BJP leaders, including Union ministers, could face similar action over remarks made in states not ruled by it. Gehlot said, "Sunday's incident is not an ordinary episode. People of the country are watching it and will not forgive you. They are fascist people." The Rajasthan Chief Minister said that this was happening for the first time in the country`s history of 75 years that a politician has been questioned on the basis of such a case. "Hitler was also popular earlier, but only after that the situation changed in Germany. Today, they have created the fear of ED, CBI, I-T everywhere. Constitutional institutions like the judiciary and Election Commission are under pressure. Where is democracy then?" he asked. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: The German embassy in India has gone viral after releasing a dance video in honor of India's Oscar-winning song "Naatu Naatu." The video, which features German Ambassador Philipp Ackermann and his Indo-German team, has been shared across social media platforms, inspiring others to join in the celebration. The video was posted on Twitter on Saturday and has since been viewed millions of times. The dance routine, which was filmed in Old Delhi, showcases the team's enthusiasm and excitement for the award-winning song. But the German embassy's dance video isn't the only one to have gone viral. The South Korean mission also released a similar video on social media to celebrate the song's award from the movie "RRR." In response to the video's success, Ackermann tweeted his thanks to the South Korean embassy for inspiring them and congratulated the team behind "RRR" on their success. He also announced that the #embassychallenge is now open, calling on other embassies to join in the fun. The British High Commissioner to India also commented on the video and wrote, "Hmmm. Interesting." The German embassy's dance video has become a viral sensation, bringing people together across cultures and borders to celebrate India's success. And who knows? Maybe this will inspire other embassies to show off their dance moves and join in the fun! New Delhi: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is currently enjoying the appreciation coming her way with the release of the latest season of her talk show 'What Women Want', said that the Hindi film industry has changed for good and is on the path of progress, adding the industry as a whole is moving away from the concept of big or small actors to good actors. The actress, who has over the years portrayed many memorable roles such as Geet in 'Jab We Met', Pia in '3 Idiots', Rasika in 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and several others, told IANS: "Women in the industry today are so vocal and rightly so. The kind of brave choices that my fellow actresses have put up in terms of selections of scripts and roles, it's really applause worthy." She said: "Today, there are no big or small actors, there are just good actors. A lot of lines have been blurred in the industry and outside of it and it shows the progress of our cinema. Things will only change for the better from here". Kareena's new show 'What Women Want' is streaming on the YouTube channel of Mirchi Plus. Washington: Just a few days after surpassing Kylie Jenner as the `Most Followed` female on Instagram, Selena Gomez has added yet another feather to her cap! Selena recently hit 400 million followers on Instagram, which means she is the first woman to hit the magical number on the social media platform. Kylie was the most followed female on Instagram earlier. Kylie`s followers as of now stand at 382 million. Last month, when Selena became the most followed female celebrity on Instagram, announced taking a break from social media. Page Six reported that last month, Selena went live on TikTok saying, "I`m very happy, I`m so blessed. I have the best friends and the best fans in the whole world and I just couldn`t be happier." "I`m good, I love the way I am, I don`t care," she added. "And yeah, I`m gonna be taking a second from social media `cause this is a little silly and I`m 30. I`m too old for this," she said further, adding, "I love you guys so much and I will see you guys sooner than later. I just have to take a break from everything." However, Selena soon returned to social media and posted a series of photos with her family. New Delhi: Tejasswi Prakash is an actress known for her amazing fashion sense and acting skills. The actress is currently dating actor Karan Kundra whom she met in Bigg Boss season 15. Now recently at an event for breast cancer awareness, Tejasswi was seen wearing a lavender coloured bralette with matching high-waisted trousers and the clothes looked waterproof. However, this did not go well with her fans and they completely rejected her looks and brutally trolled her. Aisa kyu lag rha hai ise kisi ne yaha zabardasti bhej diya, she looks least interested, a user wrote. Fans even compared her with internet sensation Urfi Javed and said that the outfit is inspired from her. Urfi ki dress kyu chura li aapne, a user commented. Sab log urfi ko judge karte he sab ko ek wo hi dikti he ye log ese kapde pahan te h inko kyu judge nhi karte log, another user wrote. urfi banna itna asan nahi, a third user added. However, there were still fans who lauded her hard work and appreciated her for making it to the event after her hectic schedule. those who don't know, she was shooting for her show till 11, and now she's here kudos to her hardwork and efforts, a user wrote. so happy that you choose this breast cancer awareness event over others, another user wrote. Tejasswi Prakash recently won the prestigious honor of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recently. The actress is currently playing the leading lady in the sixth season of Naagin which has been the longest-running show on television. The actress is also working on multiple things in the pipeline. Tejasswi is also the winner of reality show Bigg Boss season 15. KYODO NEWS - Mar 19, 2023 - 10:27 | Feature, All, Japan Spending an hour or more in front of digital devices each day has a more limited effect on 2-year-olds' growth and development than previously thought, a recent study by Japanese researchers has shown, providing fresh insight into the possible risks of the use of digital devices on toddlers. The study also found that the negative effects of a day's screen time on young children can be reduced by letting them play outside for more than 30 minutes, according to researchers from Osaka University and the Hamamatsu University School of Medicine. The findings came amid persisting concerns over the adverse effects of smartphone use by children, with the World Health Organization recommending in its guidelines that 2-year-olds should not be exposed to sedentary screen time, defined as activities such as watching TV and playing computer games, for over one hour a day. "In the modern era, we cannot avoid using screens and digital technology in daily life, so we should explore a smart way to mitigate their negative effects," said Kenji Tsuchiya, a professor in child development at Osaka University who was involved in the research. The study analyzed past data collected on 885 children born between December 2007 and March 2012, and monitored them until they were between 18 months and 4 years old. The average screen time for the young children who took part in the research was 2.6 hours per day. The study showed that those monitored who used digital devices with screens for over 1 hour per day at age 2 saw no effect in their ability to socialize at age 4, including greeting and apologizing, but some other communication skills and "daily living skills" were slightly poorer than children who used them for less time each day. In the study, communication skills were defined as the ability to express opinions and understand statements made by other people, while daily living skills were determined as the ability to tidy things up and help out with household chores. But when children played outside for more than 30 minutes a day for six days or more a week at 2 years and 8 months of age, the negative effect on their daily living skills at age 4 was greatly reduced, though the effects on communication skills remained unchanged, according to the study. Such negative effects, however, are very limited and can be reduced if children's screen time is conducted together with parents, the study said. The study was published in January on the website of JAMA Pediatrics, a monthly journal of the American Medical Association. New Delhi: Uorfi Javed takes over the internet every time she drops a new post. Even if she just steps out of her house, she is all over social media but today, the starlet is receiving a lot of criticism for her bold choice of outfit. Netizens are unhappy with the 'Bigg Boss OTT' contestant as she was snapped wearing a super revealing see-through outfit. Uorfi stepped out in the streets of Mumbai wearing a black net see-through bodycon outfit with a bralette and netizens are upset. Paparazzo Viral Bhayani shared the video of the starlet and comments are flooded with trolls. One wrote, 'When you submit half assignments in college!' Another one commented, 'Sharm to bech khayi isne (She has no shame, has sold it), One even wrote, 'Kabhi toh normal kapde pehne, so bloody irritation to see her.' Earlier this week, at the launch of a store in Mumbai, Uorfi turned up in one of the most bizarre outfits. She wore a belt bralette with chains hanging as embellishments. The black dress did stun the onlookers as it barely managed to cover her modesty. Uorfi has often been accused of promoting vulgarity and nudity. However, she has repeatedly shot back at trolls and all those who have raised displeasure over her OTT dressing style. She is famous on social media for her DIY videos. From making a top from stockings to donning a dress made from trash - Urfi has done it all in her posts online. She was seen in Bigg Boss OTT season 1 last year and gained stardom and was recently seen in the dating reality show Splitsvilla X4. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the New Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express today. During his visit, the minister inspected the train as well as took feedback from the passengers present on the train. The video of the railway minister taking the first-hand assessment was shared on social media platforms while he was on the train. In the video, he can be seen interacting with travellers during their journey. In the video, the railway minister can be seen asking about the cleanliness of the train. The passengers can be heard giving positive feedback about the services on the train. Furthermore, by the end of the video, Ashwini Vaishnaw can be sitting with an official, talking about the functioning of the train. He also mentioned that the passengers informed him about the timeliness of the train on the route. Also read: Indian Railways To Begin First Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train For Northeast From March 21 In a statement, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that the Indian Railways will take new initiatives on the route. He informed that the speed of the train on the New Delhi-Ajmer route will be increased by making changes in the track. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Vande Bharat trains will be operated on the New Delhi-Jaipur route. The operations of the semi-high-speed train will begin after the conclusion of the testing and trials on the route. Passengers feedback; boarded Ajmer Shatabdi from NDLS pic.twitter.com/GMxpkcpMBe Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) March 19, 2023 Shatabdi Express trains are one of the special trains operated by Indian Railways, among others like Rajdhani, Duronto, and others. These trains are usually used for short to medium distances to connect metro cities with other places that are important for tourism, pilgrimage, or business. Furthermore, the train is one of the fastest ones in India and can be signified by its distinct grey and blue colour. PARIS: Paris police clashed with demonstrators for a third night on Saturday as thousands of people marched throughout the country amid anger at the government pushing through a rise in the state pension age without a parliamentary vote. The growing unrest and strikes have left President Emmanuel Macron facing the gravest challenge to his authority since the so-called "Gilets Jaunes" (Yellow Vests) protests four years ago. "Macron, Resign!" and "Macron is going to break down, we are going to win," demonstrators chanted on the Place d'Italie in southern Paris. Riot police used tear gas and clashed with some in the crowd as trash bins were set on fire. Municipal authorities had banned rallies on Paris's central Place de la Concorde and nearby Champ-Elysees on Saturday night after demonstrations that resulted in 61 arrests the previous night. There were 81 arrests on Saturday night. Earlier in the French capital, a group of students and activists from the "Revolution Permanente" collective briefly invaded the Forum des Halles shopping mall, waving banners calling for a general strike and shouting "Paris stand up, rise up", videos on social media showed. BFM television also showed images of demonstrations underway in cities such as Compiegne in the north, Nantes in the west and Marseille in the south. In Bordeaux, in the southwest, police also used tear gas against protesters who had started a fire. "The reform must be implemented ... Violence cannot be tolerated," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told Le Parisien newspaper. A broad alliance of France's main unions has said it would continue to mobilise to try to force a U-turn on the changes. A day of nationwide industrial action is scheduled for Thursday. Rubbish has been piling up on the streets of Paris after refuse workers joined in the action. Some 37% of operational staff at TotalEnergies' (TTEF.PA) refineries and depots - at sites including Feyzin in southeast France and Normandy in the north - were on strike on Saturday, a company spokesperson said. Rolling strikes continued on the railways. While eight days of nationwide protests since mid-January, and many local industrial actions, have so far been largely peaceful, the unrest over the last three days is reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests which erupted in late 2018 over high fuel prices. Those demonstrations forced Macron into a partial U-turn on a carbon tax. Macron's overhaul raises the pension age by two years to 64, which the government says is essential to ensure the system does not go bust. LAHORE: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah hinted that legal proceedings could be initiated to declare former prime minister Imran Khan`s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a banned outfit, Tribune reported. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Rana said that the legal team of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was examining the matter in light of several revelations that could lead to a reference being filed against the party. He however clarified that it is ultimately up to the courts to officially ban a political party. According to him, Punjab Police along with other law enforcement agencies conducted an operation against the "no-go area" in Lahore where a purported political leader had allegedly created an "atmosphere of fear". Sanaullah said that the action was taken after resistance was encountered during the execution of court orders, leading to concerns about a possible terrorist organisation`s presence, Tribune reported. "The operation resulted in the clearance of the no-go area in Zaman Park. Despite having a search warrant, officials did not enter the residential area," he added. The interior minister said that 65 people have been arrested from the outer part of the building, most of them do not belong to Punjab and their role is suspicious. He further said that guns, petrol bomb-making equipment, slingshots and other weapons were recovered from Zaman Park. Earlier on Saturday, the Punjab police launched a surprise search operation at Imran`s residence, hours after he left to appear before a local court in Islamabad, and arrested several party workers. Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah. The PTI lead!ership has strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was "part of a London Plan to eliminate him", the Dawn reported. Tribune reported that the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore himself monitored the operation as the police used heavy machinery to break down the gate of PTI chief Imran Khan`s residence. Police were accompanied by water cannons, bulldozers, and a prisoner van. They soon demolished PTI camps in the area with the help of cranes and removed barriers and containers.Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar said that weapons were recovered during today`s search operation. "We have recovered weapons from Imran Khan`s house. There are more arms present there. An impression was being given that it is a no-go area but we have cleared it," the Punjab IGP said during a press conference, flanked by Caretaker Punjab Minister for Information Amir Mir. He said that there were also some bunkers constructed at Zaman Park whereas some bullet-proof equipment was also found. He added that all illegal encroachments have also been removed, Tribune reported. Legal proceedings against Imran Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. The 70-year-old politician has been demanding a snap election and holding protests across the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan`s demands, saying an election would be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis, awaiting a bailout package of USD1.1 billion from the IMF. The case before the Islamabad High Court accuses Imran Khan of selling luxury watches and other items that were given to the state during his 2018-2022 term as prime minister. The Election Commission of Pakistan found him guilty and barred him from holding public office for one parliamentary term. Imran says he is avoiding the hearings because he fears for his safety. New Delhi: The International Criminal Court (ICC) this week issued an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. In its first warrant for Ukraine, the ICC called for Putin's arrest on suspicion of unlawful deportation of children and unlawful transfer of people from the territory of Ukraine to the Russian Federation since February 24, 2022. "Hundreds of Ukrainian children have been taken from orphanages and childrens homes to Russia," ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan said in a statement on Friday (March 17, 2023). "Many of these children, we allege, have since been given up for adoption in the Russian Federation," the statement added. The alleged acts "demonstrate an intention to permanently remove these children from their own country. At the time of these deportations, the Ukrainian children were protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention." Khan said his office will continue looking for additional suspects and "will not hesitate to submit further applications for warrants of arrest when the evidence requires us to do so." Ukraine has said more than 16,000 children have been illegally transferred to Russia or Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. A US-backed report by Yale University researchers last month said Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children in at least 43 camps and other facilities as part of a "large-scale systematic network". Vladimir Putin can be detained if he sets foot on ICC member states' territory The International Criminal Court's 123 member states are obliged to detain and transfer Vladimir Putin -- who has now become the third serving president to be the target of an ICC arrest warrant after Sudan's Omar al-Bashir and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi -- if he sets foot on their territory. Putin, however, is unlikely to see the inside of a cell in The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is situated, as he may not travel abroad to a country where he might be arrested. His war crimes arrest warrant could hurt his ability to travel freely and meet other world leaders, who may feel less inclined to speak to a wanted man. What is ICC, which has issued arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin? The International Criminal Court was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves. The ICC has 123 member states and can prosecute crimes committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors. Russia is not a member and neither are China, the United States, or India. According to media reports, the ICC judges have issued 38 arrest warrants and 21 people have been held in the ICC detention centre and have appeared before the court. As many as 14 people remain at large. Charges have been dropped against five people due to their deaths and the judges have issued 10 convictions and four acquittals. International Criminal Court's past actions Sudan's former president Omar al-Bashir and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi are the only other leaders who have been indicted by the ICC while serving as head of state. Charges against Gaddafi were terminated after he was overthrown and killed in 2011, while Bashir, who was indicted in 2009 for genocide in Darfur, remained in office for another decade until being toppled in a coup. He has since been prosecuted in Sudan for other crimes but has not been handed to the ICC. While in office, he travelled to a number of Arab and African countries, including ICC member states Chad, Djibouti, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda, which declined to detain him. The court rebuked those countries or referred them to the U.N. Security Council for non-compliance. The ICC has tried one former head of state after he left office: former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who was acquitted of all charges in 2019 after a three-year trial. Kenya's President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta were both charged by the ICC before they were elected. The charges against both men have since been dropped. Kenyatta is the only leader to have appeared before the ICC while still serving in office. KYODO NEWS - Mar 20, 2023 - 15:01 | All, World North Korea said Monday it conducted a ballistic missile launch drill the previous day that simulated a tactical nuclear counterattack, with the missile detonating 800 meters above the Sea of Japan. The projectile, likely the single short-range ballistic missile detected by Japan and South Korea on Sunday morning, was equipped with a mock nuclear warhead, the official Korean Central News Agency said. The missile test came amid the United States and South Korea conducting a joint military exercise dubbed "Freedom Shield," their first large-scale springtime joint drill in five years. The exercise runs through Thursday. North Korean units in charge of operating tactical nuclear weapons conducted a combined drill on Saturday and Sunday, designed to familiarize them with the "procedures and processes for implementing" their attack missions, the report said. The missile was launched from Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province in the country's northwest on Sunday and "accurately exploded 800 meters above the target waters" in its 800-kilometer strike range, "thus proving once again the reliability of nuclear explosion control devices," KCNA said. The drill was personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, who, according to the report, stressed the need for service members to be "more perfectly prepared in their active posture for making an immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack anytime." Kim also "set forth the important nuclear force-building orientation and the strategic tasks to be fulfilled in preparing the nuclear force for a war," KCNA said. The leader was quoted as saying the country's "enemies are getting ever more pronounced in their moves for aggression," and that North Korea is urgently required to bolster "its nuclear war deterrence exponentially." According to the Japanese government, the missile detected on Sunday is estimated to have flown about 800 km at a maximum altitude of around 50 km and may have flown on an irregular trajectory. It is believed to have fallen into the Sea of Japan, outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Photos carried by state media showed Kim was accompanied by his daughter in overseeing the drill. North Korean media also said more than 1.4 million young people in the country had newly signed up for military service as of Sunday in response to the U.S.-South Korea exercise, which Pyongyang views as an invasion rehearsal. South Korea's Unification Ministry expressed Monday deep regret over North Korea's denunciation of the "defensive" drill conducted by Seoul and Washington while also saying Pyongyang is "posing threats with nuclear weapons in a hostile manner." "It is clear that the cause and responsibility for creating the crisis on the Korean Peninsula lies in North Korea's reckless nuclear development," the ministry said. South Korea and the United States embarked on their first large-scale amphibious landing exercise in five years on Monday, according to the South Korean military. The Ssangyong training, held in and around the southeastern city of Pohang, will last until April 3. The last time such an exercise was held was in 2018, with former South Korean President Moon Jae In administration's efforts to improve inter-Korean relations the cause of the hiatus. Related coverage: North Korea fires short-range missile days after Japan-South Korea summit North Korea says it launched Hwasong-17 ICBM as "warning to enemies" North Korea conducts ICBM test ahead of Japan-South Korea summit KYODO NEWS - Mar 19, 2023 - 19:41 | All, World, Japan North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile eastward on Sunday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said, the latest in a series of provocations by Pyongyang and coming days after Japanese and South Korean leaders demonstrated the two countries' improving ties. The missile, launched around 11:05 a.m., is believed to have fallen in the Sea of Japan outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, and may have flown on an irregular trajectory, the ministry said. There were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships. The missile test also came as the United States and South Korea have been conducting a joint military exercise dubbed "Freedom Shield," which will last for 11 days through March 23, their first large-scale springtime joint military drill in five years. Japan's senior vice defense minister Toshiro Ino told reporters in Tokyo that the North Korean missile is estimated to have traveled about 800 kilometers at a maximum altitude of around 50 km. "The series of actions by North Korea are totally unacceptable as they threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international community," Ino said, also referring to North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday. The Japanese government has lodged a protest with North Korea via its embassy in Beijing, Ino said, adding that Tokyo will closely cooperate with the United States and South Korea to deal with the situation. The South Korean military said Pyongyang fired a short-range ballistic missile from a location near Tongchang-ri, northwestern North Korea. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the event "does not pose an immediate threat" to U.S. territory and its allies but added that Pyongyang's recent missile launches highlight "the destabilizing impact of its unlawful" ballistic missile programs. "The U.S. commitments to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remain ironclad," it added, referring to South Korea by its official name. Following a spate of missile tests by North Korea, Japan's Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. forces carried out joint exercises on Sunday for the third straight day, involving fighter jets, bombers and destroyers equipped with the Aegis missile interceptor system. South Korean military announced on Sunday a U.S. B-1B bomber flew over the Korean Peninsula and conducted a joint drill with South Korean F-35A stealth fighters. According to Yonhap news agency, the drill took place as part of the Freedom Shield exercise that has been under way since Monday. North Korea has reacted to the large-scale military exercise being conducted by the United States and South Korea, saying that its launch drill for a Hwasong-17 ICBM on Thursday was intended to give "a stronger warning to the enemies." The firing of an ICBM into the Sea of Japan took place just hours before a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in Tokyo. During the summit, Kishida and Yoon agreed to strengthen security cooperation bilaterally as well as trilaterally with the United States in the face of North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats. On Sunday, the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations released a statement, condemning North Korea's latest ICBM launch and urging it to "engage in meaningful diplomacy toward denuclearization and accept the repeated offers of dialogue" by Tokyo, Washington and Seoul. The top diplomats of the G-7 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union -- also showed their regret over "the stark contrast" between the frequency of North Korean missile tests and the U.N. Security Council's "corresponding inaction because of some members' obstruction." This comment was aimed at China and Russia -- two of the five veto-wielding permanent members of the council -- who continue to oppose a resolution that would bolster sanctions on North Korea for its missile development. Related coverage: U.N. chief condemns North Korea's latest ICBM test-launch North Korea says it launched Hwasong-17 ICBM as "warning to enemies" KYODO NEWS - Mar 19, 2023 - 13:59 | All, Japan Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. has recently signed agreements with Japanese junior and senior high schools to help them offer a curriculum that will improve the financial literacy of students. The move comes after financial education was made compulsory in public senior high schools last year along with the country lowering the age of adulthood to 18 from 20. The government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has made an effort to encourage people to invest their wealth as it seeks to double the amount of investment income generated by each household. Toshimagaoka Joshigakuen Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo signed the agreement on Feb. 15, followed by Edogawa Gakuen Toride Junior High School and Senior High School in Ibaraki Prefecture on Feb. 22, and Seigakuin Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo on March 9. Under the agreements, the securities firm and the schools will jointly hold classes from April to give students basic knowledge about the stock market, including its history, as well as information about how to go about selecting and buying company shares, according to an official from the brokerage. "We would like to enhance the financial literacy of students, who will lead the next generation, and help shift their minds from saving to making investments when they become adults," said Aoi Moriyama, a senior manager in charge of the program at the brokerage. Japanese households tend to hold much more of their financial wealth in cash savings than people in other countries. According to the Bank of Japan, cash and deposits accounted for 54.3 percent of financial assets held by Japanese people in March 2022, against 13.7 percent in the United States and 34.5 percent in Europe. The government created the Nippon Individual Saving Account, known as NISA, in 2014 to encourage people to invest in mutual funds, stocks and exchange traded funds to bolster their retirement savings by offering a capital gains tax waiver on income. Reforms to the system will take effect in 2024, allowing individuals to invest up to 3.6 million yen yearly, with the total investment capped at 18 million yen. In addition to the government's drive to promote investing, demand for financial education has been growing as parents worry about how to educate their children about the cashless economy. Although the schools had some ties with the company previously, Moriyama said that the agreement will enable the schools to engage directly, forge a program together, and even consult it when teachers need specific financial knowledge for their classes. Employees of the securities house and teachers will hold the classes, and at the end of the program, students will come up with a newspaper advertisement that tries to communicate the societal benefits of increased private investment. "I believe the program will offer students pragmatic knowledge about finance and help build their assets in the future," said Toshimagaoka Joshigakuen's School Curriculum Supervisor Masataka Tsuzuura. SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, March 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-invested tire factory in Cambodia's Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ) launched its operation on Saturday after more than one year of construction. The 300-million-U.S.-dollar General Tire Technology (Cambodia) factory, located in Cambodia's coastal province of Preah Sihanouk, is a subsidiary of Chinese tire maker Jiangsu General Science Technology. It is capable of manufacturing 5 million semi-steel radial tires and 900,000 all-steel radial tires per year, said Gu Cui, chairman of Jiangsu General Science Technology. "Our products will be mainly exported to the United States, Europe, and Brazil among others," he said at the inauguration ceremony. He said the 18-hectare factory has created some 1,600 jobs for local people. Speaking at the event, provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun congratulated the factory on launching its operation, noting that it is a major project for the SSEZ. "The factory will not only help boost the province's economic development and exports, but also contribute to poverty reduction through job creation," he said. The SSEZ, jointly invested by China and Cambodia, currently hosts some 175 enterprises from China, the United States, and Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions, creating nearly 30,000 jobs, according to SSEZ General Manager Cao Jianjiang. The 11-square-km industrial zone is the Southeast Asian country's largest industrial zone in terms of size and occupancy. Cao said the imports and exports passing through the SSEZ totaled 2.49 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent. TOKYO, March 18 (Xinhua) -- An event of warm and friendly exchanges centered around giant pandas was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Japan on Friday evening, with the guests sharing love for the cute animal as well as anecdotes about the China-Japan relations. Attending the big warm party held at a hotel here in Japan's capital city were Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, Director of Ueno Zoo Yutaka Fukuda, head of the Panda Protection Institute of Japan Toshimitsu Doi, and more than 230 giant panda fans who have been active on the front line of friendly exchanges between Japan and China. The panda-themed event came not long after Japanese people waved goodbye to the beloved Japan-born giant panda Xiang Xiang as well as three other pandas returning to China in February. Before the evening party formally kicked off, a documentary film was released on cooperation between the two countries on giant panda protection and research, which evoked happy memories of the audience about pandas. "When I was a child, I would stand in a long queue with my family to see giant pandas. It's an experience I will always remember," or "Japan held a writing competition about giant pandas, in which I participated and won a prize" was among people's cited experiences related to pandas. Yang Yu, charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in Japan, said when addressing the event that the giant panda is not only a messenger of friendship between China and Japan, but also a symbol of world peace. "We are ready to work with Japan and other countries in the world to build the Earth all people live on into a truly peaceful home," he added. In September 2017, Governor Koike announced that the female panda cub born three months earlier at Ueno Zoo was named Xiang Xiang, who soon became a nationwide star and permanently a trending topic on local media. In February this year, Xiang Xiang returned to China after living in Japan for five years. At the party, Ueno Zoo Director Fukuda updated the panda fans on how well Xiang Xiang is doing in China, while Koike said she wishes Xiang Xiang to grow up healthily in China and become a great mother. In talking to people charmed by the giant panda photos that he has taken for years, photographer and blogger of "Mainichi Panda" Takahiro Takauji said that he is planning to organize a group tour of panda fans to China to visit Xiang Xiang. "I can feel everyone's deep love for giant pandas," said Ruriko Kojima, a Japanese artist to go to China for studies. "I hope to go to China as early as possible to see them, and to introduce more of the real China to Japanese people. " Araki Tatsuo came to the event wearing a panda mask and a panda tie and carrying a panda doll. "Through the giant pandas, I can better introduce Chinese culture to everyone and let people feel the charm of China," said the special researcher at the University of Tokyo. Zhu Jianrong, a professor at Japan's Toyo Gakuen University who has long been active in the friendly exchanges between China and Japan, commented on the event: "When it comes to giant pandas, people have a lot to share." "We need more such events like this tonight to offer an opportunity for the Japanese people to feel the charm of China and to have a better understanding of China," said Zhu. South Africa: President Ramaphosa to lead commemoration of Human Rights Day President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Tuesday deliver the keynote address at the 2023 Human Rights Day commemoration. The commemoration will take place at the De Aar West Stadium in the Northern Cape. The theme for this first commemorative day on the annual national calendar is: Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future. The history of Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre that took place on the 21 March 1960 where apartheid police killed 69 anti-apartheid protesters. Human Rights Day also honours 35 people who were killed on 21 March 1985 when apartheid police targeted community members after a funeral at Uitenhage/Langa. As part of the democratic dispensation, South Africa observes March as Human Rights Month to promote respect for basic human rights for all and restore and uphold human dignity in line with the Bill of Rights. This period also honours those who fought for liberation, and celebrates the many rights guaranteed under the Constitution, and which are the basis for building a united and inclusive, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society. Government, social partners and constitutional institutions such as the South African Human Rights Commission are guided by the National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, the Presidency said in a statement. The National Action Plan provides the basis for raising awareness of anti-racism, equality and anti-discrimination issues and developing collective responses. De Aar in the Northern Cape has been selected as the site for the national Human Rights Day commemoration as part of governments rotation of national days that ensures that communities in all provinces are able to be part of such occasions. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Roshn, a leading Saudi community developer powered by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund), has signed agreements worth SR8 billion ($2.1 billion) with top construction firms for the development of modern infrastructure and facilities across the several projects it is developing in the kingdom. These deal were inked on the sidelines of the inaugural PIF-backed Private Sector Forum that concluded in Riyadh recently. A first-of-its-kind event, the forum was attended by leading PIF executives, ministers, senior government officials, and representatives from 50 PIF portfolio companies, as well as over 4,000 private sector participants from across Saudi Arabia, representing a broad range of sectors. On the strategic agreements, Roshns Chief Development Officer Oussama Kabbani pointed out that the pace of work at its project sites encourages the group to partner with the private sector to achieve its goals. These contracts were awarded to top builders including China Harbour Engineering Company, Shapoorji Pallonji, Ansab Contracting, Cityscape Group, Al Kifah Precast Company, Haif Company and Trans Contracting Company. "These types of partnerships are core to what we do at Roshn, as we are mandated to uplift the industry and raise the bar in the real estate sector by providing new modes of living that contribute to raising the quality of life in Saudi Arabia and Vision 2030 goals," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Herders in China's Qinghai have been contributing to the protection of glaciers near a mountain range over the past 15 years by voluntarily monitoring and marking the locations of glaciers. Produced by Xinhua Global Service COLOMBO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan central bank governor Nandalal Weerasinghe told media on Sunday that the country's "dollar crisis" is over, as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to approve a 2.9 billion U.S. dollar bailout package for the country on Monday. He said Sri Lanka will hence has adequate foreign reserves for imports for essential sectors, adding that the IMF package will boost investor sentiment and enhance the country's access to more foreign funds and investments. The IMF package will include budgetary support to Sri Lanka's government, which is a new element in IMF lending, he said. Sri Lanka started the related negotiations with the international lender in 2022 after the South Asian country was hit by a severe economic crisis. This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2022 shows an evening view of the Lujiazui area in east China's Shanghai. The fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) By Xinhua Writer Wang Siyuan BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Global firms are endeavoring to take the pulse of the recovering Chinese market, with some making long-awaited business trips and others staying on top of the latest policy moves. For Oliver Blume, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, his recent business trip to China proved a definite source of optimism. "China is the most important market for us, and we will continue to expand our product lineup in the country," Blume said in an interview with Xinhua. Right after the Spring Festival holiday, Blume used a full week to visit the cities of Beijing, Changchun, Shanghai and Hefei, exchanging ideas with his Chinese colleagues, business partners and representatives from local governments. Such face-to-face talks and intensive onsite visits have led to a deeper understanding of the Chinese market. "We predict that the Chinese automobile market will sustain its recovering momentum in 2023, and the market prospect of new energy vehicles is particularly bright," said Blume. Bullish on China's economy, he said Volkswagen would build new technology partnerships in the Chinese market. Volkswagen AG is not the only global heavyweight seeking to accurately understand the Chinese economy to enable it to grasp market opportunities. After China optimized its COVID-19 response, dozens of multinationals have reached out to the Ministry of Commerce for assistance in arranging their business visits in China, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson of the ministry said earlier at a press conference. To better meet the needs of multinationals, Shu said the ministry would strengthen regular exchanges with foreign-invested companies and overseas business associations and fully implement the national treatment of foreign-funded firms. On Wednesday at a news briefing dedicated to foreign businesses in China, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping reaffirmed China's commitment to continuously advance opening-up. Sheng introduced in detail the positive signals released by this year's government work report, as well as the country's favorable conditions for foreign firms to expand their investment, including a growing market scale, extended incentives from opening-up policies and new growth momentums that are emerging. Leon Wang, executive vice president of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, showed a keen interest in China's policy environment and paid particular attention to the government work report. "China has renewed its pledge to intensify efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment in this year's government work report. We think the country's further opening-up and a better business environment for overseas companies can be expected," said Wang. "As one of the world's biggest medical markets, China has become AstraZeneca's most important growth engine," he said. In 2023, AstraZeneca will speed up research and development in China, and rely on its regional headquarters in Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Qingdao to promote whole industry integration. The company is also looking forward to the Boao Forum for Asia and China Development Forum in late March, and will hold offline activities themed as "AstraZeneca R&D China Science Day" in Shanghai. A recent survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China also pointed to growing optimism, as over 90 percent of the surveyed companies said they considered China to be one of their most important investment destinations, with 75 percent of the respondents planning to reinvest in China in 2023. Official data from the Ministry of Commerce shed light on the investment dynamics. In the first two months of 2023, foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 6.1 percent year on year to 268.44 billion yuan (or 39.71 billion U.S. dollars). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its projection for China's economic growth in 2023 to 5.2 percent. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and other investment banks have also revised their forecasts upwards. With the synergy effect of various policies in play, China's economy is expected to pick up and again become an important "locomotive" of global economic growth, said Zhang Ming, deputy director of the Institute of Finance under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. For Leon Wang, the year's official growth target of around 5 percent is a strong suggestion of China's determination to stabilize its economy. "We have also seen the country's resolution in optimizing and deepening reform in the service sector, which is a shot in the arm for AstraZeneca," he said. By Xinhua Writer Wang Siyuan BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Global firms are endeavoring to take the pulse of the recovering Chinese market, with some making long-awaited business trips and others staying on top of the latest policy moves. For Oliver Blume, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, his recent business trip to China proved a definite source of optimism. "China is the most important market for us, and we will continue to expand our product lineup in the country," Blume said in an interview with Xinhua. Right after the Spring Festival holiday, Blume used a full week to visit the cities of Beijing, Changchun, Shanghai and Hefei, exchanging ideas with his Chinese colleagues, business partners and representatives from local governments. Such face-to-face talks and intensive onsite visits have led to a deeper understanding of the Chinese market. "We predict that the Chinese automobile market will sustain its recovering momentum in 2023, and the market prospect of new energy vehicles is particularly bright," said Blume. Bullish on China's economy, he said Volkswagen would build new technology partnerships in the Chinese market. Volkswagen AG is not the only global heavyweight seeking to accurately understand the Chinese economy to enable it to grasp market opportunities. After China optimized its COVID-19 response, dozens of multinationals have reached out to the Ministry of Commerce for assistance in arranging their business visits in China, Shu Jueting, a spokesperson of the ministry said earlier at a press conference. To better meet the needs of multinationals, Shu said the ministry would strengthen regular exchanges with foreign-invested companies and overseas business associations and fully implement the national treatment of foreign-funded firms. On Wednesday at a news briefing dedicated to foreign businesses in China, Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping reaffirmed China's commitment to continuously advance opening-up. Sheng introduced in detail the positive signals released by this year's government work report, as well as the country's favorable conditions for foreign firms to expand their investment, including a growing market scale, extended incentives from opening-up policies and new growth momentums that are emerging. Leon Wang, executive vice president of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, showed a keen interest in China's policy environment and paid particular attention to the government work report. "China has renewed its pledge to intensify efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment in this year's government work report. We think the country's further opening-up and a better business environment for overseas companies can be expected," said Wang. "As one of the world's biggest medical markets, China has become AstraZeneca's most important growth engine," he said. In 2023, AstraZeneca will speed up research and development in China, and rely on its regional headquarters in Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Qingdao to promote whole industry integration. The company is also looking forward to the Boao Forum for Asia and China Development Forum in late March, and will hold offline activities themed as "AstraZeneca R&D China Science Day" in Shanghai. A recent survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China also pointed to growing optimism, as over 90 percent of the surveyed companies said they considered China to be one of their most important investment destinations, with 75 percent of the respondents planning to reinvest in China in 2023. Official data from the Ministry of Commerce shed light on the investment dynamics. In the first two months of 2023, foreign direct investment in the Chinese mainland, in actual use, expanded 6.1 percent year on year to 268.44 billion yuan (or 39.71 billion U.S. dollars). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its projection for China's economic growth in 2023 to 5.2 percent. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and other investment banks have also revised their forecasts upwards. With the synergy effect of various policies in play, China's economy is expected to pick up and again become an important "locomotive" of global economic growth, said Zhang Ming, deputy director of the Institute of Finance under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. For Leon Wang, the year's official growth target of around 5 percent is a strong suggestion of China's determination to stabilize its economy. "We have also seen the country's resolution in optimizing and deepening reform in the service sector, which is a shot in the arm for AstraZeneca," he said. DAMASCUS/ABU DHABI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad paid a state visit accompanied by his wife Asma al-Assad to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday, according to the Syrian presidency and the UAE official WAM news agency. The Syrian president and First Lady were received by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan upon their arrival at Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. During their meeting at the Presidential palace, the two presidents discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, which would contribute to achieving their mutual interests, reported WAM. The UAE president also expressed his condolences over the earthquake victims, stressing his confidence in Syria's ability and determination to overcome the ordeal. The visit came at a time when the UAE is helping Syria return to the Arab fold following years of diplomatic isolation after the Syrian war broke out in 2011. The UAE resumed its diplomatic ties with Syria in 2018, and is spearheading the relief aid delivery to Syria in the wake of last month's earthquakes as well as mediations apparently to normalize relations between Syria and major regional powers such as Saudi Arabia. The UAE has sent hundreds of relief planes, including those provided by Arab and other foreign countries, to quake-hit Syria. TEHRAN, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran sentenced two people to death for involvement in a deadly "terrorist" attack on a religious shrine in the southern city of Shiraz last October, Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary reported Saturday. The two people were found to be directly involved in "arming, backing up and directing" main perpetrators, and have links with the Islamic State militant group which claimed responsibility for the attack, Kazem Mousavi, head of the Department of Justice in the southern province of Fars, was quoted by Mizan as saying. They were convicted on charges of "mutiny, acting against national security and corruption on earth," said Mousavi, adding three others involved in the attacks were sentenced to heavy imprisonment. All the rulings can be appealed at the Iranian supreme court, he noted. "Corruption on earth" is a criminal charge in Iran referring to a range of offenses including those against Islamic codes and punishable by death. A total of 13 worshippers, including a woman and two children, were killed, and 30 others were injured in a shooting rampage carried out by a heavily-armed "terrorist" at the Shah Cheragh shrine in Shiraz on Oct. 26, 2022. The assailant, who was wounded and arrested by security forces, later succumbed to his wounds in hospital, local media reported at the time, citing security sources. Following the attack, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced in a statement that it had arrested seven other people linked to the "act of terror." Great cormorants fly above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 17, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on March 18, 2023 shows a view of the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A black-headed gull flies above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 18, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Egrets are seen in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 18, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) An egret flies above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 18, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Black-headed gulls are seen in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 18, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on March 18, 2023 shows a view of the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A yellow-legged gull forages in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 17, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on March 17, 2023 shows great crested grebes in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on March 17, 2023 shows birds in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) A grey heron flies above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 18, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Turtledoves rest on the bank of the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 17, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) This aerial photo taken on March 17, 2023 shows birds flying above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Greylag geese fly above the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 17, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Greylag geese forage in the Bosten Lake in Bohu County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 17, 2023. As the temperature gradually rises, a large number of migratory birds have returned to the Bosten Lake. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Children visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Tourists visit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, in Beijing, capital of China, March 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xin) JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on security chiefs to prevent refusal to service, as hundreds of reservists said they would not show up for duty in protest against the government's contentious judiciary overhaul. Speaking in a televised address during his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that he expected Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and other security chiefs to "vigorously fight against refusal to serve." "There is no place for refusal to serve in the public discourse," he said. On Thursday, 650 reservists, including those from the Military Intelligence's Special Operations Division, Mossad, Shin Bet and cyber warfare units, announced in a statement that they would refuse to show up for duty starting Sunday in protest at the judicial reform. Meanwhile, some 180 reservists with the air force, mainly aircrews, drone operators and air traffic control operators, declared in an open letter that they would not show up for training this week, while approximately 100 others from a classified air force unit said they would refuse to serve if the government continue to push forward the plan. In Israel, military service became voluntary for reservists when they reached their 40s, but many choose to continue to serve. The objection is unprecedented since Jewish Israelis consider the military as one of the country's most trusted and adored institutions, and refusal as a taboo. Israel has seen weeks-long demonstrations against the plan pushed ahead by Netanyahu's new ultranationalist and ultra-religious governing coalition. The plan would give the Israeli parliament the power to override Supreme Court decisions and to decide all judicial appointments, sparking fear that it would weaken the supreme court and threaten democracy by giving the government too much power. According to Netanyahu, the overhaul is needed to curb the overly activist Supreme Court. HONG KONG, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of foreign consular corps and business communities in China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) started a tour of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on Sunday to seek business and investment opportunities. The delegation comprises over 100 representatives, including consuls-general and business leaders, who will visit southern Chinese cities of Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou and Zhuhai from Sunday to Thursday. Addressing the launching ceremony of the event held here, Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR Liu Guangyuan said since the release of the outline development plan of the GBA four years ago, the GBA has created huge "magnetic field effects". As the travel between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao is fully resumed, the development of the GBA is on a fast track, he said, adding that the tour was warmly welcomed by consular corps and business communities, showing their interest and confidence in investing in the GBA and seizing opportunities in China. Liu pointed out that Hong Kong has ushered in a new stage of stability and prosperity, and the principle of "one country" has become more solid and the advantages of "two systems" more prominent. He said during the process of Hong Kong's integration into the national development, the GBA will add momentum and set a big stage for Hong Kong to achieve greater development. VPorts, a global leader in the design, construction and operation of advanced air mobility infrastructure, has signed an agreement with Ras Al Khaimah Airport for the construction and operation of the first-ever vertiport in the northern emirate. VPorts, a global leader in the design, construction and operation of advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, has signed an agreement with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Airport for the construction and operation of the first vertiport in RAK designed to establish the UAE as a world-class global AAM hub. The move is aimed at establishing the UAE as a world-class global AAM hub. VPorts initial growth strategy is based on the regional transportation of goods, tourism and the efficient movement of patients, organs for transplants and medical equipment. The RAK vertiport, which will be established on a 10,000-sq-m site, will be designed for all types of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. VPortss vertiports will be opened for all eVTOLs manufacturers. Announcing the strategic deal, Dr Fethi Chebil, the President and Founder of VPorts, said: "With the support of the Department of Civil Aviation of Ras Al Khaimah, we are excited to build and operate the first vertiport at Ras Al Khaimah Airport. This project will enable all AAM partners to accelerate the adoption and deployment of advanced air mobility in RAK and throughout the UAE." Ras Al Khaimah Airport CEO Ralf Schustereder said this comes as part of RAK Airport's aim to be a leading enabler of RAKs economic and tourism growth. "This project will position RAK Airport as part of a development plan and key player in advanced air mobility in RAK. We will provide VPorts with our full support to ensure its success and prosperity," he added. According to him, the first vertiport in RAK is aligned with VPorts strategy in the UAE and in the world. By 2030, VPorts plans to extend its vertiport network to all major industrial areas across the UAE, providing a sustainable transportation solution via eVTOL aircraft. The network will focus on locations that optimize multimodal transportation connectivity, including Ras Al-Khaimah, Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, he added. In December last year, VPorts had announced the signing a 25-year exclusive lease agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), renewable for a further 25 years, to establish a state-of-the-art integrator centre on a 37,000-sq-m site within Dubai South. Development and construction of the centre will start in 2023; it is expected to begin operations and conduct its first flight test in 2024. "We look forward to collaborating with each and every emirate to define the location of dedicated vertiports as well as safety and security regulations, flight corridors, urban integration and business community engagement for this important undertaking,"added Dr Chebil.-TradeArabia News Service ADDIS ABABA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis have mired Africa's progress across a wide range of development sectors, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has said. This came at the expert's segment of the 55th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (CoM2023), where practical and innovative ways to accelerate inclusive economic transformation in Africa took center stage, the UNECA said in a statement issued late Friday. Presentations by the UNECA highlighted that despite a greater emphasis on building productive capacity, boosting agriculture, food security, trade, good governance, and development, most African countries, which form the majority of the least developed countries (LDCs), have made only limited headway in transforming the structure of their economies to achieve sustainable development. "The devastating impacts of COVID-19 and the Ukraine (crisis) on production, trade, and its wider economic and social effects have mired progress even further," the statement read. The UNECA, however, said despite the challenges, some African countries have made some progress in various areas of action. It said Botswana, Cabo Verde, and Equatorial Guinea have graduated from the list of LDCs while Comoros, Djibouti, Senegal, and Zambia were determined to have met the graduation standards for the first time. There has equally been considerable progress in science, technology, and innovation, as well as in trade with the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, it said. On renewable energy, the UNECA said the African continent is performing well, and for the first time, it is on the same line with the rest of the world in a race to explore technologies that could impact its energy security. "While this progress is promising, many African countries still face an array of binding constraints," it said. According to the UNECA, a lack of technological capabilities, infrastructure deficiencies, limited government capacity to implement growth-oriented structural policies, and insecurities and instabilities in areas like the Sahel have all combined to impede faster progress. "There is no way trade or development will happen where bullets are flying. We need a nexus between security and development to ensure no one is left behind," the statement quoted Francis Ikome, chief of the Regional Integration Section at the UNECA, as saying. As experts analyzed and sought ideas that translate into action, a set of recommendations presented highlighted the need for the UNECA to continue strengthening support for African LDCs to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the Ukraine crisis. African countries have been urged to expedite the implementation of the AfCFTA, deepen regional integration, and increase connectivity by closing the digital divide, as well as leverage digital technologies to boost trade and grow the capacity of African LDCs to attract productive investment. The UNECA said the recommendations can drive more discernible progress in overcoming the many structural impediments confronting these countries. The 55th Session of CoM2023, which is underway in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on March 15-21, is being held under the theme "Fostering recovery and transformation in Africa to reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities". KIGALI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Suella Braverman, home secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), arrived in Rwanda on Saturday for a two-day visit, the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. Braverman is expected to hold talks with Rwandan government officials on the UK migration deal aimed at sending refugees and asylum seekers to Rwanda. Upon arrival in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, Braverman headed to the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay respects to victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group. She later toured Bwiza Riverside Estate in the capital, one of the residences supposed to provide accommodation for refugees, according to the ministry. The UK reached a deal with Rwanda in April 2022, under which illegal immigrants and asylum seekers are sent to the East African country to have their claims processed there. The British government hoped the deal will help deter migrants from making the risky journey across the English Channel on small boats. The Rwandan government has said the deal, formally called Rwanda-UK Migration and Economic Development Partnership initiative, is in line with Rwanda's "quest to contribute innovative, long-term solutions to the global migration crisis." Last December, judges at the UK's High Court ruled that the government's plan to send asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda is lawful, but they also criticized the government for failing to properly assess the circumstances of the eight individuals it tried to move under the scheme earlier that year. More than 44,000 migrants were reported to have arrived in the UK across the channel last year. YAOUNDE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least two people have been killed after torrential rains triggered flash floods in Buea, the chief town of Cameroon's Southwest region, local authorities said Sunday. According to David Mafani Namange, mayor of Buea council, the flood was triggered by several hours of heavy rain Saturday which carried away cars and debris and inundated the basement and ground floors of some buildings, turning roads into rivers. "Two corpses were recovered on Saturday. The material damage is quite huge. The women in the market have lost all their goods," Namange told Xinhua over the phone early Sunday while evaluating the damage caused by "the unprecedented" flood. At least 10 people were receiving treatment in hospitals in the town after sustaining injuries from the disaster. "The flood caused my store to collapse on me. I was covered in the mud and water and it's only through a miracle that I struggled to come out of there alive," Esther Doru who was receiving treatment in hospital told Xinhua. Namange said the council will take appropriate measures to avoid future flood which is mostly caused by poor construction of houses. "The natural waterway is too small because of haphazard construction. People just build houses on the waterway and this is one of the major causes of the tragedy," Namange said. TOKYO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol here on Thursday. The two leaders agreed to normalize bilateral relations that had been strained over the wartime labor and other historical issues, and resume the shuttle diplomacy of regular leader visits. Yoon's visit came just 10 days after South Korea unveiled a proposal to compensate the victims of Japan's forced wartime labor through a government-backed foundation funded by private-sector donations, which has triggered strong backlash at home. Analysts believe that the Japan-South Korea rapprochement is largely manipulated by the United States to serve its strategic interests, adding that it is difficult to bridge the huge gap between the two countries as there are still many unresolved issues. The relationship between Japan and South Korea in recent years has been considered the worst since the end of World War II, with the biggest thorn being the wartime labor issue. The Yoon government announced its plan on March 6 to compensate the victims, who were forced by the Imperial Japan into heavy labor without pay during World War II, through a foundation funded by voluntary donations from the South Korean private sector, rather than direct payment by Japanese companies held accountable. On March 16, Kishida and Yoon reached consensus on restarting the bilateral summit meeting and the dialogue on security and economy. However, in South Korea anger has flared up over the government's "humiliating" compensation plan. According to a recent poll conducted by Gallup Korea, nearly 60 percent of South Koreans oppose the so-called third-party reimbursement plan as it contains no apology and reparations from Japan. South Korea's opposition political parties and civic groups have raised their voice against the government's solution to Japan's wartime forced labor issue. Lee Jae-myung, chief of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, lambasted Yoon's proposal, calling the deal "secondary harm to the victims" and "a humiliation and stain in diplomatic history". On the day Yoon left for Japan, university students held a rally in front of the presidential office in Seoul, calling the government's proposal "an insult to the youth". Apart from Japan's wartime forced labor issue, there are a series of other pending problems between the two countries such as the issue of "comfort women" and territorial disputes. In December 2015, the South Korean and Japanese governments reached an agreement to settle the issue over Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery under the 1910-45 Japanese colonization of the Korean Peninsula. The Japanese side decided to offer 1 billion yen (8.9 million U.S. dollars) to a foundation to help the former "comfort women" and their families. However, the foundation was dissolved in July 2019 under harsh criticism from the victims and civic activists who demanded sincere apology and legal responsibility of the Japanese government. The then Japanese government under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had refused to do it. Analysts said that the U.S. has played an important role in the process of repairing ties between Japan and South Korea, hoping to draw in its two allies and strengthen trilateral cooperation in military, economy and other fields to serve its "Indo-Pacific Strategy". Japanese scholars pointed out that the "closer ties" between Tokyo and Seoul under the manipulation of the U.S. will not gain public support, and the differences between the two countries can not be bridged easily, noting that the development of bilateral relations is not an easy road. by Martina Fuchs GENEVA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A predicted recovery for the Chinese economy means that the Swiss elevator manufacturer Schindler is cautiously optimistic about its business outlook for 2023, the company's head told Xinhua in an interview recently. "I'm sure the Chinese economy will bounce back," said Silvio Napoli, Schindler's chief executive officer, at the company's headquarters in Ebikon, Switzerland. Referring to China's gross domestic product (GDP) target of around 5 percent for 2023, Napoli said: "I have lived in China long enough to know that the Chinese economy will always surprise everyone." Founded in 1874, Schindler is a multinational company that manufactures elevators, escalators and moving walkways. "Orders take 12 to 18 months before they turn into construction sites. It will take at least until the second half of 2023 to return to growth. We're patient, and we're not here for the short term only," Napoli explained. The company said last month that in 2022 its revenue had increased by 1 percent, to 11.3 billion Swiss francs (12.24 billion U.S. dollars), while order intake decreased by 1.7 percent to nearly 12 billion Swiss francs. The main headwinds this year will come from an ongoing slowdown of the global economy, Napoli told Xinhua, combined with pressure on the real estate and construction sectors. Therefore, in 2023, the company expects single-digit revenue growth in local currencies. "The outlook for the year is one of positive caution," Napoli explained, markets are recovering in some countries, but not others, meaning the company is "cautiously optimistic." China currently accounts for around 17 percent of Schindler's sales. "China is our second-largest R&D center, one that I was very pleased to open and enlarge when I was there before the pandemic. It continues to produce amazing products, components systems, both on the hardware and software side," Napoli said. Napoli, who has served as Schindler's chairman since 2017 and previously spent several years with the company in Shanghai and Hong Kong, said he was looking forward to returning to China for a business trip soon to better understand customers' requirements. (1 Swiss franc = 1.08 U.S. dollar) China is importing more food products such as avocados, cashews, sesame seeds and chilli peppers from Africa, as agriculture emerges as the new focus of Beijing's engagement with the continent. In the first two months of this year, Shanghai ports handled more than 40,000 tonnes of African agricultural products worth more than US$100 million, according to Shanghai Customs. By March 3, a total of 1,845 tonnes of African sesame had been imported through Shanghai's Waigaoqiao Port - 4.3 times more than in the same period last year, official data showed. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Africa produces about 65 per cent of the world's sesame, and Chinese officials say African countries including Mali, Togo, Mozambique, Niger, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Uganda account for 90 per cent of China's imports of the product. African products on display at a trade expo in China in 2021. Photo: Xinhua alt=African products on display at a trade expo in China in 2021. Photo: Xinhua> "The Chinese love sesame and many other imports from Africa," ambassador to Somalia Fei Shengchao said. "With greater peace and stability, I am sure Somali farmers will also have chances to export their cash crops to China and make lives better for themselves and the nation as a whole." A growing number of African products are in high demand in China as part of Beijing's broader strategy to implement President Xi Jinping's promise to increase non-resource imports from Africa. During the 2021 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Dakar, Senegal, Xi promised to open up "green lanes" for African agricultural products, speed up inspection and quarantine, and waive more tariffs so that imports could hit US$300 billion by 2025. The Chinese foreign ministry said last year that since the 2018 FOCAC summit in Beijing, China had given market access to 25 kinds of food and agricultural products from 14 African countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Benin and Egypt. Story continues The ministry said China was the second-largest destination for African agricultural exports, behind the European Union, and Chinese imports from Africa rose 18.2 per cent year on year in 2021. Following accusations that it promoted an unhealthy trade imbalance by mostly importing raw materials such as oil, cobalt and copper from Africa, China has said it is keen to import avocados, soybean, sesame seeds, chilli peppers, cashews and spices. Kenya and Tanzania are now exporting avocados to China and South Africa is selling more fruit to it. Wu Peng, director general of the foreign ministry's African affairs department, said recently that Kenya would ship 20,000 tonnes of avocados to China this year, and the first batch had already arrived. Kenya started exporting fresh avocados to China last year, building on a decision in 2019 that allowed the import of frozen ones. Many Kenyan farmers could not afford freezing equipment. South Africa is now the second-largest exporter of apples to China after New Zealand. South Africa exported 17,200 tonnes of fresh apples to China last year, 40 per cent more than in 2021, according to EastFruit, an information and analytics platform for the horticulture business. Apart from apples, South Africa is also a key source of citrus fruits. Besides allowing the import of certain agricultural products from Africa, Beijing has dropped 98 per cent of tariffs on products from more than a dozen countries across the continent, including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Sao Tome and Principe, and Zambia. Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Centre think tank in Washington, said agriculture had emerged as the new focus of China's engagement in Africa, partly because "the past focus on hard infrastructure is no longer viable". "The Chinese have identified agricultural products from Africa as having significant potential in China," Sun said. "The issue is agricultural trade has its limits in terms of volume. And it also raises the question about Africa's need for industrialisation and where China stands on that from now on." She said more demand for African products was not necessarily a bad thing for Africa. China had been sending more agricultural experts to Africa to help improve crop production and Chinese investors had pumped money into farming. Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, said Africa sat on 60 per cent of the world's arable land - which represented a huge, untapped opportunity. But he said that agricultural potential remained untapped because the continent lacked adequate investment in mechanised agriculture. "China sees this opportunity and has therefore stepped up to provide the needed support," Frimpong said. "This will certainly create food security for China, but also for the continent. "It is the kind of partnership that Africa needs going forward. Getting more from our agricultural potential and creating food security, jobs, increasing export earnings from China by opening its markets to African exports." Lina Benabdallah, a visiting fellow at the Centre for African Studies at Harvard University, said launching agriculture demonstration centres across Africa was seen by Beijing as a way to share Chinese expertise and knowledge about best practices in growing food, maximising yields and responding to climate change challenges. She said there was no evidence China was doing this to produce more food for itself. Rather, it was simply one of its areas of expertise and it was easy to establish cooperation based on that. According to Mandira Bagwandeen, senior researcher at the University of Cape Town's Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, the 2021 FOCAC summit had seen a noticeable shift in China's priorities - from hard infrastructure development to trade and the development of other sectors, including agriculture. She said China was focusing on agriculture because it was a sector with immense development potential that would be profitable for both Chinese and Africans. "Although it is reducing its lending for mega infrastructure projects, diverting financial resources to the agricultural sector is still another way for it to maintain a strategic economic standing in Africa," Bagwandeen said. She said China's relative lack of arable land and massive population made it difficult for the country to be agriculturally self-sufficient, and Africa could fill the gap. "But African governments must ensure that the Chinese do not just come, harvest, and take," Bagwandeen said. "African officials must structure Chinese investments in the agriculture sector to help advance and industrialise the agricultural industry in the region. An emphasis must be placed on ensuring knowledge and skills transfer in agricultural science and practices." This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2023 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2023. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, Asia Pacific held a significant share of up to 42% of the cyclic olefin copolymer market, owing to the rapid growth of end-use industries in the region Farmington, March 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Cyclic Olefin Copolymers Market size was valued at USD 859.96 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1,406.21 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.56% from 2022 to 2030. Cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) are becoming more popular as packing materials because they have good chemical performance. They are resistant to dilute bases, acids, and alcohols, but sensitive to ketones and aromatic solvents. They are also good at keeping moisture out and letting moisture in. because they didn't want to. Because of these qualities, cyclic olefin copolymers are a good choice for a wide range of packing uses. This is likely to boost the growth of cyclic olefin copolymers in the packaging market. Cyclic olefin copolymers are being used in the medical technology business at a rate that is going up by a factor of ten. This is because they are so useful in medical design. Request Sample Copy of Report Cyclic Olefin Copolymers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Opportunities, Future Trends, Covid-19 Impact, SWOT Analysis, Competition and Forecasts 2022 to 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights. This is making the market for cyclic olefin copolymers grow even more quickly. Depending on the structure of the chain, amorphous cyclic olefin copolymers have a high refractive index, low birefringence, low specific gravity, great mechanical strength, and a high temperature at which they bend. It is also easy to carry. This is a good thing about COCs that makes it easier to use them in optics. Cyclic Olefin Copolymers Market Recent Developments: In February 2021, Zeon Corporation commercialized and started production of ZONEX C2420, a new type of cycloolefin polymer (COP) with supplemented crystalline (teoregular) properties. In September 2020, The Polyplastics Group (Tokyo) announced plans to build a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) production facility in Leuna, Germany, to meet the growing global demand for Topas COC polymers. The new plant will be operated by local Polyplastics subsidiary TOPAS Advanced Polymers GmbH and will have a capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year, more than doubling the company's current production capacity. The facility is expected to operate until mid-2023. In November 2020, TOPAS Advanced Polymers, a European subsidiary of Polyplastics, obtained COC (Cyclic Olefin Copolymer) certification as a recycled material. Story continues Cyclic Olefin Copolymers Market Dynamics: Drivers The global cyclic olefin copolymer business is growing because there is more demand from packaging, medical, electronics, and optics, among other end-use markets. It is one of the most sought-after materials in the medical and manufacturing industries because it is resistant to chemicals and clear enough to replace expensive PAN-based polymers. More and more governments around the world are making it illegal to use traditional plastic resins for packaging. This is pushing the industry to use more environmentally friendly options, such as cyclic olefin resins. So, growth in the packaging business is likely to help the cyclic olefin copolymer market over the next few years. Restraints But polypropylene, polyethylene, and other films could slow the growth of cyclic olefin copolymers in the packing market. Regional Outlook: Up to 42% of the cyclic olefin copolymer market was in Asia-Pacific in 2021. This was due to the fast growth of end-use industries in the area. The growth of the market in this area is being driven by the presence of emerging countries like India and China. Local demand is also helped by the abundance of raw materials and workers. Nestle, PepsiCo, Coco-Cola Company, LOreal SA, The Procter & Gamble Company, Beiersdorf AG, and Unilever PLC. The presence of top companies that make food, drinks, and personal care items, such as forecast period. In particular, Samsung, Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp. Ltd., Xiaomi Technology Co. Ltd., and Huawei Technologies Ltd. are all helping the Cyclic Olefin Copolymers market grow. A story from Samsung says that the company made about 300 million phones in 2021 and plans to make 334 million phones in 2022. So, the market for cyclic olefin copolymers is also being driven by the growth of the mobile phone industry. Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com/buy/8378/ Scope of Report: Report Attributes Details Growth Rate 5.56% from 2023 to 2030 Market Size in 2022 USD 859.96 Million Revenue Forecast by 2030 USD 1,406.21 Million By Type Resin Film By Applications Packaging Healthcare Diagnostics Optics Electronics Others By Companies Entec Polymers, Topas Advanced Polymers, SCHOTT North America, Dow, Zeon, Celanese, and Others Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2021 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Cyclic Olefin Copolymers Market Key Segments Covered: Top Market Players: Entec Polymers, Topas Advanced Polymers, SCHOTT North America, Dow, Zeon, Celanese, and Others. By Types: Resin Film By Applications: Packaging Healthcare Diagnostics Optics Electronics Others 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: Mixed-mode Chromatography Resin Market The Mixed-mode Chromatography Resin Market is poised to value at USD 239 Million by 2030 ending at a CAGR of 15.7% during the forecast period 2022 to 2030. North America is expected to remain a key region for the global market, driven primarily by the United States. North America is enjoying strong growth owing to strong government spending on R&D activities. Demand in Asia Pacific is expected to grow exponentially. Polyamide Imide Resin Market - The Global Polyamide-Imide Resin Market size was valued at USD 687.1 Million in 2022 and is growing at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2022 to 2030. Asia Pacific has emerged as the market's most dominant region. In 2021, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for approximately 41% of total revenue earned in the global market. Asia-Pacific countries, including China and India, are comparatively ahead in terms of growth in the aerospace sector. Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (BOPA) Films Market - The Global Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (BOPA) Film Market Is Estimated To Grow At A CAGR Of Around 6% Over The Forecast Period, 2022 To 2030. North America is an important market for BOPA films owing to the booming food packaging industry in the United States. The regional market revenue exceeded USD 120 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 10.5% during the forecast period. Polyvinylidene Fluoride Pvdf Market - The Global Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Market is estimated to reach USD 1,435.5 Million by 2030 and has a CAGR of 6.70% by year end (2022-2030). The growing need for innovation in the industry to harmonize technologies to improve product standards is expected to complement developments over the aforementioned period. There is no doubt that the United States has dominated the North American market with a share of over 80% in 2018 owing to high technology usage in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. 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. About Us: Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is a global delivery partner of market intelligence and consulting services to officials at various sectors such as investment, information technology, telecommunication, consumer technology, and manufacturing markets. CDI assists investment communities, business executives, and IT professionals to undertake statistics-based accurate decisions on technology purchases and advance strong growth tactics to sustain market competitiveness. Comprising of a team size of more than 100 analysts and cumulative market experience of more than 200 years, Contrive Datum Insights guarantees the delivery of industry knowledge combined with global and country-level expertise. Social: Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter Contact Us: Anna B. | Head Of Sales Contrive Datum Insights Phone: +91 9834816757 | +1 2152974078 Email: anna@contrivedatuminsights.com Website: https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com Contrive Datum Insights Press Releases Latest Contrive Datum Insights Latest Reports Contrive Datum Insights Pvt Ltd According to a market research study published by Contrive Datum Insights, North America will account for the highest revenue share Farmington, March 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market is to Grow at a CAGR of 9.2% During the Forecast Period 2022-2030. A lease is a formal contract that lets someone use something in exchange for monthly rent. In return, the person who owns or rents out the item gets payments every month and gets the money back at the end of the lease. Medical equipment leases are one of the many types of leases you can get today. Unlike traditional financial products like loans or mortgages, these leases do not quickly transfer ownership. During recessions and times of austerity, many healthcare organizations put off buying medical devices and tools. In these situations, healthcare groups rent equipment from reputable companies and financial sponsors to meet the needs of patients and staff. Request Sample Copy of Report Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth Opportunities, Future Trends, Covid-19 Impact, SWOT Analysis, Competition and Forecasts 2022 to 2030 , published by Contrive Datum Insights. Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market Recent Developments: In February 2022 , First Horizon and Toronto-Dominion Bank signed an agreement for TD to acquire First Horizon in an all-cash transaction of approximately $13 billion. This strategy has helped the company establish a solid position in the market. In January 2018, Kabbage extended a $250,000 line of credit. This line of credit expansion provides existing and new customers with the funds needed to purchase specialized equipment and site expansion, among other things. This strategy helps the company strengthen its market position. Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market Dynamics: Drivers: The medical equipment rental business is mostly driven by how cheap these services are and how much more people are spending on private health care. At the same time, growth is also being driven by rising demand from new countries. Hospitals prefer to lease expensive assets instead of buying them because the costs of doing so are lower. In the past few years, hospital finances have changed quickly as acute care providers have become more reliant on capital leasing to pay for new buildings and many other projects. As the number of mid-sized clinics and hospitals that offer advanced medical services grows, the business should be able to reach new markets. Story continues Restraints: When you rent medical tools, you have to deal with a number of problems. The problem of who owns something is one of the most usual. Until the end of the lease, the person who rents medical equipment does not own it as much as the person who owns it. Even if the equipment can't be used during the rental time, the renter must pay the full amount. The only bad thing about renting medical tools is this. Regional Outlook: In 2021, most of the money will come from North America. Total healthcare spending continues to increase as healthcare providers meet the growing medical needs of an aging U.S. population; Healthcare equipment will continue to be prone to technological change, spurring demand for Healthcare equipment rental in downstream markets and growth in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are some of the factors that are expected to boost the market during the forecast period. For example, Alliance Funding Group (AFG) helps small, medium, and big businesses pay for equipment. AFG has leased and loaned more than $2 billion worth of tools to more than 25,000 customers all over the United States. Also, renting tools with a shorter product lifecycle is often cheaper. As health care workers move from volume-based care to value-based care and become more well-known, complex medical devices are likely to become more important to them. So, it makes more people want to rent medical tools. From what has been said so far, it seems likely that North America will have the largest market share during the forecast time. Buy this Premium Research Report@ https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com/buy/57716/ Scope of Report: Report Attributes Details Growth Rate 9.2% from 2023 to 2030 By Type Surgical and Therapy Leasing Equipment, Digital and Electronic Equipment, Storage and Transport Leasing Equipment, Personal and Homecare Leasing Equipment, DME, Other By Applications Hospitals, Diagnostic Centers, Others By Companies De Lage Landen International, GE Capital, National Technology Leasing, Oak Leasing, Rotech Healthcare, Siemens Financial Services, and Others Base Year 2022 Historical Year 2017 to 2021 Forecast Year 2023 to 2030 Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market Key Segments Covered: Top Market Players: De Lage Landen International, GE Capital, National Technology Leasing, Oak Leasing, Rotech Healthcare, Siemens Financial Services, and Others. Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market by Types: Surgical and Therapy Leasing Equipment Digital and Electronic Equipment Storage and Transport Leasing Equipment Personal and Homecare Leasing Equipment DME Other Healthcare Equipment Leasing Market by Applications: Hospitals Diagnostic Centers Others 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: Brain Computer Interface Market - The global Brain Computer Interface Market was valued at USD 2.79 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 9.31 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.26% from 2023 to 2030. In 2021, more than 41% of all revenue came from North America. This was mostly because this region spent a lot on research and development and had a lot of clinical trials on brain devices. Also, neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's are becoming more common in this region, which should help the market grow. Medical Equipment Financing Market - The global Medical Equipment Financing Market was valued at USD 161.89 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 277.89 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.99% from 2023 to 2030. North America has become the biggest market for medical equipment financing. In 2021, it was worth $45.93 billion. The main reason for this is that the financing rate for medical equipment is the best in the area. Medical device improvements and spending on medical infrastructure have helped this region become the most powerful in the world. Synthetic Biosensors Market - The global Synthetic Biosensors Market was valued at USD 25.8 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 47.6 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.96% from 2023 to 2030. North America will be the biggest market for synthetic biosensors in 2021 because there are more diseases that can kill people there. One of the main things driving the biosensor market in North America is the improvement and growth of technology in the medical diagnostics field. Market growth in North America is being driven by the fact that there are medical institutes and pharmaceutical research and development organizations there. Population Health Management (PHM) Market - The global Population Health Management (PHM) Market was valued at USD 34.44 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 184.51 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.5% from 2023 to 2030. In 2021, 46.9% of the money made in the population health management market came from North America. Total healthcare spending in the U.S. is expected to reach up to USD 4.8 trillion in 2021, which will make up nearly 20% of GDP. So, the alarming rise in healthcare costs is also driving up the need for a good PHM. 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. About Us: Contrive Datum Insights (CDI) is a global delivery partner of market intelligence and consulting services to officials at various sectors such as investment, information technology, telecommunication, consumer technology, and manufacturing markets. CDI assists investment communities, business executives, and IT professionals to undertake statistics-based accurate decisions on technology purchases and advance strong growth tactics to sustain market competitiveness. Comprising of a team size of more than 100 analysts and cumulative market experience of more than 200 years, Contrive Datum Insights guarantees the delivery of industry knowledge combined with global and country-level expertise. Social: Facebook / LinkedIn / Twitter Contact Us: Anna B. | Head Of Sales Contrive Datum Insights Phone: +91 9834816757 | +1 2152974078 Email: anna@contrivedatuminsights.com Website: https://www.contrivedatuminsights.com Contrive Datum Insights Press Releases Latest Contrive Datum Insights Latest Reports Michael MacDowell Those confused by the arguments surrounding the Biden vs. Nebraska Supreme Court case challenging the authority of the U.S. Department of Education plan to forgive all or part of student loan debts, are not alone. In fact, there are many peculiarities, if not outright ironies, about the student loan forgiveness that were apparent in the arguments presented by the Biden administrations lawyers to the Supreme Court. Historically, those advocating for loan forgiveness often cite their concerns about the maldistribution of income in the U.S. They worry that income and wealth in the country are weighed heavily in favor of higher income citizens. Their concern about income distribution is warranted; however, a key factor in explaining why some people earn more than others is a college education. The average college graduate can expect to earn about $1.2 million more over their lifespan than non-graduates. Why is it then, that the advocates for loan forgiveness want college graduates to have their loans cancelled, especially when the $430 billion forgiveness plan will be paid for by increased taxes on all Americans, poor and rich alike? The fact of the matter is that student loan forgiveness cannot be argued rationally as a policy to adjust income distribution. Nor can it be argued from the standpoint of overall fairness or equity. Why should anyone who did not go to college, and instead worked hard to establish his or her own business, pay the debt of those who did? Should we forgive the loans of those who chose to borrow money to start a business instead of attending college? Should the mortgage payments made by a young non-college graduate family who purchased a home be dismissed? What kind of message are we sending to a generation of college and non-college graduates alike? You need not be responsible for debts you have incurred. Just wait long enough and the government will take care of all or portions of it. Story continues Some of the implicit arguments made by justices questioning lawyers arguing for loan forgiveness seem to reflect the feelings of many Americans. They rightly asked if the Department of Education has the right to single out the debt of college students for special treatment? Unfortunately, the case before the court is not that simple. Instead the question of standing needs to be addressed first. By standing the courts mean who or what specific entity will be harmed if student debts are forgiven? Therefore, what must be proven is not that a $430 billion budget deficit that loan forgiveness will generate is harmful. It certainly will be to taxpayers. Rather the case initially rests upon proving that a single individual or entity will be harmed by debt forgiveness. This is why the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, (MOHELA), which, like its counterparts in many other states acts as a clearinghouse for federal loans, is the plaintiff in the case. The legal argument is that MOHELA will be harmed because it stands to lose fees that it earns by handling student loans if these loans are forgiven. A `more basic question also needs to be addressed. What is the legal basis that allows the secretary of Education to forgive massive amounts of student loan debt? The current administration claims that the 9/11-era bill known as the Higher Education Relief Opportunities Act (Heroes Act), signed in 2003 by President George Bush, provides this authority. The act was passed to ensure that active duty military personnel could pause their student-loan payments while serving their country during the Iraq War. The administration argues that the Heroes Act gives the secretary authority to cancel student debt. To suggest that this legislation, passed to temporarily give assistance to those who were serving in the military, should be the basis for loan forgiveness for 26 million Americans today seems ludicrous. Perhaps most importantly, the entire argument for debt cancellation strikes at the very heart of the separation of powers established in our Constitution. It is Congress which processes the power to spend and tax, not one of the administrative departments within the Executive Branch. Let us hope that the Supreme Court takes all of this into consideration when it rules upon the legal and moral efficacy of student loan forgiveness. Michael A. MacDowell is president emeritus of Misericordia University and a director of the Calvin K. Kazanjian Economics Foundation. He lives in Estero. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: What message is sent by student loan forgiveness? Novartis Pharma AG Children in LT-001 treated after SMA symptom onset maintained or achieved additional milestones up to 7.5 years post one-time intravenous infusion All children (100%) in the presymptomatic intravenous cohort of LT-002 maintained or achieved all assessed motor milestones, including independent walking To date, more than 3,000 children with spinal muscular atrophy have been treated with Zolgensma across clinical trials, managed access programs and in the commercial setting 1 Additionally, children with SMA Type 2 treated with investigational intrathecal OAV101 maintained or achieved new development gains Basel, March 20, 2023 Novartis today presented new data which underscore the transformational and sustained benefit of Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec), an essential one-time gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Latest data from two Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) studies, LT-001 and LT-002, show the continued efficacy and durability of Zolgensma across a range of patient populations, with an overall benefit-risk profile that remains favorable.2,3 These data are among a Zolgensma data set being presented during the 2023 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical and Scientific Conference, which also include, in part, real-world evidence data from the RESTORE registry. Highlighting the remarkable durability of Zolgensma, data from LT-001, an ongoing 15-year LTFU study of patients who completed the Phase 1 START study, showed that up to 7.5 years post-dosing, children who were treated after presenting symptoms of SMA maintained all previously achieved motor milestones.2 During the time of LT-001, three additional patients also achieved the key milestone of standing with assistance.2 I have had the privilege of observing some of the children included in the LTFU studies since they started their Zolgensma clinical trial journey, and the fact that were seeing them maintain and, in some cases, gain motor milestones when they are nearly eight years old is truly transformational, said Dr. Jerry R. Mendell of Nationwide Childrens Hospital. These children now have an improved quality of life, vastly different from what would have been expected for them if they had not received treatment. I am excited to see the new possibilities that open up to the children, their families and others who may now be able to receive this treatment. Story continues Interim results from the 15-year LT-002 study, which includes both presymptomatic and symptomatic patient populations, as well as intravenous (IV) and intrathecal (IT) administration methods were also presented, with all patients (100%) maintaining motor milestones achieved during their respective parent studies in the follow-up period. Results from the IV cohort, which included 63 patients, demonstrated how a single administration of Zolgensma provided consistent, substantial and durable efficacy over time. Notably, in the presymptomatic IV cohort (n=25), all children (100%) either maintained the highest milestone achieved during the parent study (walking alone) or achieved the milestone by the data-cut off.3 In total, six patients treated prior to SMA symptom onset and 16 treated after SMA symptom onset achieved new motor milestones in the follow-up period. All 18 children in LT-002 who were treated with one-time investigational OAV101 IT, were alive, free from permanent ventilation and continued to show incremental gains in motor function as of the May 2022 data cut-off. Five of 16 patients who had a milestone assessment achieved new milestones during the long-term follow-up period, such as crawling, walking or standing with assistance.3 The majority of patients in LT-002 (70.4%, 57/81) never received add-on therapy (76.2% of the IV cohort, 50% of the investigational OAV101 IT cohort). Among patients in the intravenous cohort, 24 of 25 (96%) patients treated before symptom onset achieved the motor milestone of walking alone prior to or without add-on therapy, and 30 of 32 (93.8%) patients treated after SMA symptom onset achieved the milestone of sitting without support prior to or without add-on therapy. Data from the LT-001 and LT-002 studies showed that, regardless of the patients symptomatic status at the time of treatment, Zolgensma IV is an effective and durable treatment option. As the number of patients treated with gene therapy around the world continues to grow, our goal is that more patients, and even new SMA patient populations, will be able to experience the transformative impact of this treatment, said Sitra Tauscher-Wisniewski, MD, Vice President Clinical Development & Analytics, Novartis Gene Therapies. Long-Term Follow-Up (LTFU) Studies LT-001 After the conclusion of the Phase 1 START study, 10 of 12 patients from cohort 2 (therapeutic dose) voluntarily enrolled in a 15-year ongoing observational long-term follow-up study (LT-001).3 The mean age of enrolled patients was 7.1 years, and the mean time since administration of gene therapy treatment was 6.86 years. Findings for the therapeutic dose cohort (n=10) as of May 23, 2022 data cut: All patients (100%) maintained previously achieved milestones. 2 All patients (100%) were alive and free of permanent ventilation. 2 All patients (100%) fed orally, and four (40%) did not require any feeding support. 2 70% of patients did not require regular, daily ventilatory support with BiPAP more than seven years post-dosing, demonstrating a decrease in the overall use of ventilatory support. 2 Three patients (30%) gained the milestone of standing with assistance during the follow-up period. Two patients achieved this additional milestone without add-on therapy, and the remaining patient achieved it after the addition of nusinersen. 2 Four of ten patients (40%) did not receive any add-on therapy in the follow-up period. Of the six patients who did, five did not achieve a new motor milestone following add-on therapy.2 There were no deaths, no serious treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) related to study treatment and no serious TEAEs that resulted in study discontinuation.2 The most frequently reported events were acute respiratory failure, dehydration, and pneumonia (each in five patients, 38.5%).2 No new safety signals were identified.2 LT-002 LT-002 is a voluntary Phase 4 15-year ongoing follow-up safety and efficacy study of Zolgensma IV and investigational OAV101 in patients previously treated in the Phase 3 IV studies (STR1VE-US, STR1VE-EU, STR1VE-AP, SPR1NT) and the Phase 1 IT study (STRONG).3 All patients, across all cohorts and parent studies, maintained previously achieved motor milestones.3 Of the 81 patients enrolled, 77 had at least one milestone assessment.3 In total, 48 out of 77 (62.3%) either achieved a new motor milestone in LT-002 or had already achieved all motor milestones in the parent study.3 IV cohort (n=63) findings as of May 23, 2022 data cut: Twenty-five patients (39.7%) in the IV cohort were treated prior to SMA symptom onset and 38 patients (60.3%) were treated after SMA symptom onset. The mean age of patients was 3.7 years with a mean follow-up of 3.4 years. 3 In the presymptomatic intravenous cohort, all four patients who did not achieve the motor milestone of walks alone in the parent study achieved this milestone during the follow-up period. 3 Additionally, motor milestones such as crawls and pulls to stand were also achieved in the presymptomatic intravenous cohort during the follow-up period, reflecting the sometimes nonlinear nature of development in children with SMA. 3 Thirty-two of 36 (88.9%) symptomatic patients in LT-002 achieved or maintained the milestone of sitting without support. 3 For patients with at least two assessments available, clinically significant improvement of 3 points in HFSME was demonstrated in 13 (81.3%) patients treated prior to SMA symptom onset and 18 (66.7%) patients treated after SMA symptom onset.3 IT cohort (n=18) findings as of May 23, 2022 data cut: The mean patient age was 5.3 years with a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. 3 In the follow-up period, all patients (100%) continued to show incremental gains and stability in motor function with the achievement of new motor milestones and maintenance of previously achieved milestones. 3 For patients with at least two assessments available, six of 12 (50%) demonstrated a clinically significant improvement of 3 points in HFMSE. Three patients (25%) had more than a 10-point improvement. 3 Five of 16 patients (31.3%) with at least one milestone assessment achieved a new motor milestone in LT-002.3 The majority of patients across all cohorts 57 of 81 (76% IV and 50% IT) never received add-on therapy.3 Twenty-four patients received add-on therapy with another disease modifying treatment; of those who received add-on therapy and had at least one motor milestone assessment, half (11 of 22) did not achieve a new milestone after initiation of add-on therapy.3 There were no deaths and no TEAEs that resulted in study discontinuation.3 Of the 63 patients who received OAV101 IV, 20 (31.7%) patients had at least one TEAE.3 The most frequently reported events were gastroenteritis, nasopharyngitis, pneumonia, respiratory distress, viral infection; each reported in two patients (3.2%).3 These events are common in children with SMA due to the underlying disease process.3 For the 18 patients who received OAV101 IT, two (11.1%) patients had at least one TEAE. Finally, no new safety signals were identified.3 RESTORE Real-World Evidence Findings from the RESTORE registry were also presented at the MDA conference, demonstrating that patients with four or more copies of the survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) gene treated with Zolgensma alone attained improvements in survival, motor function and achieved new milestones.4 Adverse events experienced by these patients were also found to be consistent with previously reported safety findings.4 These results continue to highlight the importance of early identification and intervention to optimize outcomes for all SMA patients.4 The RESTORE registry is an ongoing, prospective, multicenter, multinational, observational study of patients with a diagnosis of SMA, including patients from the Zolgensma managed access programs and from partnering clinical sites with a planned follow-up of 15 years.4 The RESTORE registry provides real-world data to enhance the understanding of patients with SMA cared for in routine practice.4 Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as potential, can, will, plan, may, could, would, expect, anticipate, seek, look forward, believe, committed, investigational, pipeline, launch, or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AGs current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Zolgensma Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) is the only approved gene therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and the only SMA treatment designed to directly address the genetic root cause of the disease by replacing the function of the missing or non-working SMN1 gene to halt disease progression through sustained SMN protein expression with a single, one-time IV infusion. Zolgensma is now approved in more than 47 countries and more than 3,000 patients have been treated with Zolgensma globally across clinical trials, managed access programs, and in the commercial setting.1 Novartis Gene Therapies is unwavering in its commitment to reimagine the possibilities for children living with SMA and continues to evaluate Zolgensma across a robust clinical development program, as well as the investigational intrathecal administration of OAV101 in patients with later-onset forms of SMA. Novartis Gene Therapies has an exclusive, worldwide license with Nationwide Children's Hospital to both the intravenous and intrathecal delivery of AAV9 gene therapy for the treatment of all types of SMA; has an exclusive, worldwide license from REGENXBIO for any recombinant AAV vector in its intellectual property portfolio for the in vivo gene therapy treatment of SMA in humans; an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with Genethon for in vivo delivery of AAV9 vector into the central nervous system for the treatment of SMA; and a non-exclusive, worldwide license agreement with AskBio for the use of its self- complementary DNA technology for the treatment of SMA. About Spinal Muscular Atrophy Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, genetic neuromuscular disease and a leading genetic cause of infant death.5,6 Caused by the lack of a functional SMN1 gene, the most severe forms of SMA results in the rapid and irreversible loss of motor neurons, affecting muscle functions including breathing, swallowing and basic movement.7 Severity varies across a spectrum of types corresponding to the number of copies of the back-up SMN2 gene.8 The majority (>70%) of patients with two copies of SMN2 develop Type 1, the most common form accounting for 60% of cases.9,10 Type 1 is severe and, left untreated, leads to death or the need for permanent ventilation by the age of two in more than 90% of cases.5,6 Most patients (>80%) with three copies of SMN2 develop Type 2, accounting for 30% of cases.9 Left untreated, patients with Type 2 are unable to walk and will require a wheelchair, and more than 30% will die by age 25.11 Loss of motor neurons cannot be reversed, so it is imperative to diagnose SMA and begin treatment, including proactive supportive care, as early as possible to halt irreversible motor neuron loss and disease progression.12,13 About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend peoples lives. We deliver high-value medicines that alleviate societys greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in R&D and novel access approaches. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the worlds top companies investing in research and development. About 106,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work together to bring Novartis products to nearly 800 million people around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com References Novartis. 2023. Q4 2022 Results Investor presentation [PowerPoint Presentation]. Available at: https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/q4-2022-investor-presentation.pdf. Accessed February 2023. Mendell J. et al. Long-Term Follow-Up of Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Gene Therapy in Symptomatic Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1. Abstract presented at the 2023 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. 19-22 March 2023. Connolly A. et al. Intravenous and Intrathecal Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Gene Therapy in Symptomatic and Presymptomatic Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Long-Term Follow-Up Study. Abstract presented at the 2023 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. 19-22 March 2023. Finkel R. et al. Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Four or More SMN2 Copies Treated with Onasemnogene Abeparvovec: Findings from RESTORE Registry. Abstract presented at the 2023 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference. 19-22 March 2023. Anderton RS and Mastaglia FL. Expert Rev Neurother. 2015;15(8):895908. Finkel RS, McDermott MP, Kaufmann P. et al. Neurology. 2014;83(9):810-7. Sugarman EA, Nagan N, Zhu H, et al. Eur J Hum Genet. 2012;20(1):27-32. Lorson CL, Rindt H, Shababi M. Hum Mol Genet. 2010;(15):111-8. Verhaart IEC, Robertson A, Wilson IJ, et al. Orphanet J Rre Dis. 2017;4;12(1):124. Feldkotter M, et al. Am J Hum Genet. 2002;70:35868. Darras BT, Finkel RS. Natural history of spinal muscular atrophy. In: Sumner CJ, Paushkin S, Ko CP, eds. Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Disease Mechanisms and Therapy, 2nd ed. London, UK: Academic Press/Elsevier;2017:399421. SolerBotija C, et al. Brain. 2002;125(7):1624-1634. Glascock J, Sampson J, Haidet-Phillips A, et al. J Neuromuscul Dis. 2018;5:145-158. # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Central North America Richard Jarvis +41 79 584 2326 Julie Masow +1 862 579 8456 Anja von Treskow Anna Schafers +41 79 392 9697 +41 79 801 7267 Michael Meo Mary Carmichael +1 862 274 5414 +1 862 200 8344 Switzerland Satoshi Sugimoto +41 79 619 2035 Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Sloan Simpson +1 862 345 4440 Nicole Zinsli-Somm +41 61 324 3809 Parag Mahanti +1 973 876 4912 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Air Products, a world-leading industrial gases company, has announced that one of its key units, Air Products Qudra, has signed an agreement with Enowa, the energy, water and hydrogen subsidiary of Neom, for the construction and operation of the first hydrogen fuelling station within the mega Saudi futuristic city. Air Products Qudra is the regional development and investment joint venture between US-based Air Products and Qudra Energy, a subsidiary of Vision Invest. Enowa produces and delivers clean and sustainable resources for industrial and commercial applications using a smart and connected infrastructure designed to be circular and takes advantage of Neom's optimal solar and wind resources. Announcing the strategic partnership, Air Products said the first hydrogen fuelling station aim to provide critical infrastructure for Neom's sustainability goals. The initiative will help to decarbonise heavy modes of transport in Neom, covering buses and heavy-duty trucks. Groundwork for the fueling station is set to start in the second half of 2023. On the deal, Air Products Qudra's CEO Ebubekir Koyuncu said: "We look forward to contributing our world-leading hydrogen expertise and fueling technology in support of Neom's decarbonisation goals. Producing and distributing clean hydrogen energy solutions for use in heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles, as well as industrial applications and energy storage, is part of our DNA." "Enowa is committed to combating climate change and reducing CO2 emissions through green hydrogen. Therefore, we are delighted to partner with Air Products Qudra in providing hydrogen-powered mobility solutions," remarked its CEO Peter Terium. "Jointly we accelerate innovations in clean technologies fueled by green hydrogen, and we contribute to hydrogen mobility markets and a sustainable future of global decarbonization," he added.-TradeArabia News Service President Carter and Ronald Reagan Shake Hands During Debates - Credit: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Ben Barnes, a former Texas politician, is claiming he witnessed a plot to sabotage the reelection of President Jimmy Carter in 1980 by delaying the release of U.S. hostages in Iran. His stunning admission was reported by The New York Times on Saturday. The hostage crisis in Iran blighted Carters presidency and his reelection campaign, and, with the hostages still unreleased on Election Day 1980, the incumbent lost badly to Ronald Reagan. In the four-plus decades since, many have argued hed have fared far better had he secured the release of the 52 Americans held captive. More from Rolling Stone But Barnes told The Times that his mentor, former Texas governor John B. Connally Jr., was determined to not let that happen and helped prevent the hostages release. Barnes says that summer, Connally brought him to several Middle Eastern capitals to convince the respective regional leaders to tell Iran that they would get a better deal from Republican nominee Ronald Reagan if they held the hostages until after the election. That is precisely what happened. After they returned home from their trip, Barnes said that Connally briefed the chairman of Reagans campaign, William J. Casey, who later became the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. (Barnes account does not include any indication that Reagan knew anything about their trip.) Known as the October surprise, many have suspected that someone close to Reagans camp was working against Carters efforts to free the hostages until after the election, but congressional investigations did not confirm those theories, and Connally was not a subject of those queries. Connally had sought the Republican nomination that Reagan ultimately won. His helping thwart Carters campaign, Barnes said, helped him make a case for becoming secretary of state or defense with a new administration. Story continues Barnes who served as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives and lieutenant governor, and who also helped George W. Bush get into the Texas Air National Guard said he wanted to set the record straight, given that Carter is in hospice care. History needs to know what happened, he said. I think its so significant and I guess knowing that the end is near for President Carter put it on my mind more and more and more. I just feel like weve got to get it down some way. While several of the players who could corroborate Barnes account have died including Connally and Casey Barnes named four people whom he had confided in about the meetings. All four Mark K. Updegrove, president of the L.B.J. Foundation; Tom Johnson, a former aide to Lyndon Johnson (no relation) who later became publisher of the Los Angeles Times and president of CNN; Larry Temple, a former aide to Connally and Lyndon Johnson; and H.W. Brands, a University of Texas historian confirmed with The Times that Barnes had shared his story with them. As far as I know, Ben never has lied to me, Tom Johnson said. Other evidence backing up his account is also out there, including Brands having wrote three paragraphs about Barnes account in a 2015 biography of Reagan, though it didnt receive much attention, and records at Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum show Connally left on a trip from Houston on July 18, 1980 to visit Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel and returned on Aug. 11 Barnes was listed as joining him. Barnes told The Times he was certain the motivation for the trip was to deliver the message to Iran to hold the hostages until after the election. Ill go to my grave believing that it was the purpose of the trip, Barnes said. It wasnt freelancing because Casey was so interested in hearing as soon as we got back to the United States. Casey, he added, wanted to know whether they were going to hold the hostages. Barnes could not confirm whether the messages to the regional leaders were actually delivered to Iran or if they had any influence. Iran held the hostages until after the election. They were released shortly after noon on Jan. 20, 1981, in the opening minutes of Reagans presidency. John B. Connally III, the former governors eldest son, disagreed with Barnes account, telling The Times that he recalled his father taking the Middle Eastern trip, but that he did not know of any messages to Iran and that he had accompanied his father to a meeting with Reagan to discuss the visit. No mention was made in any meeting I was in about any message being sent to the Iranians, said Connally. It doesnt sound like my dad. He added: I cant challenge Bens memory about it, but its not consistent with my memory of the trip. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. At the fundraising event to receive a Courage Award - Axelle/Bauer-Griffin As one of Hollywoods most famous femme fatales, Sharon Stone has regularly played the part of the glamorous and seductive woman who lures unsuspecting men to rack and ruin. But, the Oscar-nominated actress has now claimed to have unwittingly fallen victim to a banking crisis herself, losing half of her considerable fortune. Appearing at a Los Angeles fundraising event to receive a Courage Award, the star of 1990s films such as Basic Instinct and Silver broke down in tears as she explained how that banking thing had affected her. The 65-year-old Oscar nominated actress was speaking at the Womens Cancer Research Fund in Beverly Hills. She was receiving the reward for raising awareness about breast cancer after she had opened up about surgery she underwent following the discovery of a benign tumour in her breast. But she then spoke about mobile phone banking before apparently referring to the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). I know that thing that you have to get on and figure out how to text the money is difficult, she said at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel ballroom. I'm a technical idiot, but I can write a f-----g cheque. And right now, that's courage, too, because I know what's happening. I just lost half my money to this banking thing, and that doesn't mean that I'm not here. Stone, who also appeared in Martin Scorseses Casino, failed to elaborate on exactly how the banking thing cost her so much money. It is thought that she was referring to the turmoil surrounding the collapse of SVB on March 10. All deposits at SVB have been protected after an intervention by Joe Biden, the US president. However, anyone with shares in the bank would have suffered a sizeable loss. High profile investors caught in collapse Stones comments came after a number of high profile investors got caught up in the collapse. Peter Thiel, the German American billionaire venture capitalist, said he had had $50 million (41 million) in SVB when it went under, despite his venture fund warning portfolio companies that the tech lender was at risk. Story continues His venture capital firm Founders Fund was among those that had advised clients to spread their deposits to other lenders as concerns about the bank mounted. Thiel later revealed he maintained a substantial personal account at the bank despite fears it was exposed. Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr Thiel, who co-founded tech companies PayPal and Palantir in addition to Founders Fund, said: I had $50 million of my own money stuck in SVB. Losing that kind of money would not have ruined Thiel, who was the first major investor in Facebook and is now thought worth more than $4 billion. SVBs parent company, on the other hand, filed for bankruptcy. The turmoil sparked by the failure also triggered a plunge in the share price of Credit Suisse, with rival bank UBS lined up to launch a rescue takeover over the weekend. San Francisco-based First Republic was also hit by a share price plunge, suggesting it too could be hit by the panic gripping the industry. Stones comments came after she also revealed that her brother, Patrick Stone, had died in February from heart disease at the age of 57. She told the audience in LA: My brother just died, and that doesn't mean that I'm not here," Stone said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This is not an easy time for any of us. This is a hard time in the world. So stand up. Stand up and say what you're worth. I dare you. That's what courage is." PRAGUE (Reuters) - Czech carmaker Skoda would have to cut 3,000 jobs and axe some models if the European Union's "Euro 7" emissions scheme is implemented in its current form, a Skoda board member warned in a TV debate on Sunday. The proposed Euro 7 law, which EU countries and lawmakers will start negotiating this year, would tighten limits on the emission by cars of health-harming pollutants, including nitrogen oxides. The EU has said the health benefits of the measure would far outweigh the costs, but some car makers have warned it would impose unfeasibly expensive development costs. Daimler Trucks chief Martin Daum for instance said on March 10 it would cost the industry "billions". "If (Euro 7) is approved in this shape, it would mean for Skoda Auto to close one plant, because we would stop producing the smaller models - Fabia, Scala, Kamiq - that means 3,000 jobs (would be) hit at least," Martin Jahn, a board member of Skoda, which is part of Volkswagen, said in a televised debate. Overall, more than 10,000 jobs would be at risk in the Czech Republic, including at Skoda's suppliers, Jahn said. The three smaller models represented nearly a third of Skoda's deliveries to customers in 2022. Transport ministers from the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia met on Monday to discuss their efforts to change the Euro 7 proposal. (Reporting by Robert Muller; Editing by David Holmes) Warren Buffett in discussions with Biden officials on banking crisis-source FILE PHOTO: Warren Buffett, Chairman, CEO and largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway takes part in interviews before a fundraising luncheon for the nonprofit Glide Foundation in New York WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc's Warren Buffett has held discussions with senior Biden adminstration officials about the banking crisis, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Saturday. The White House and U.S. Treasury declined to comment. Bloomberg News reported earlier that Buffett had been in touch with administration officials in recent days about the regional banking crisis, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday. The source declined to elaborate on the details of the discussions. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank this month has shaken confidence in the banking system and prompted a sell-off in banking stocks. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Wilmington, Delaware; additional reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru, editing by Deepa Babington; Editing by Nick Zieminski) (Bloomberg) -- Senator Elizabeth Warren is calling for more US deposits to be covered by federal insurance and demanding government probes into whether lax regulation fueled this months collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Most Read from Bloomberg The comments this weekend from the Massachusetts Democrat, a frequent critic of the finance industry, raise the political pressure in an already tense situation. American officials are racing to calm nerves over the financial health of other US mid-sized banks. I think that lifting the FDIC insurance cap is a good move, Warren, whos a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said in a CBS News interview on Sunday, referring to the deposit insurance administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. A day earlier, she demanded that several inspectors general look into causes of the banks failures and if regulatory missteps played a role. Warren has been at the forefront of blaming the Federal Reserve, financial regulators and former President Donald Trump for laying the groundwork for a crisis that took down Silicon Valley Bank, New Yorks Signature Bank, and led a group of bigger firms to pledge $30 billion to help stabilize First Republic Bank. Regulatory Flamethrower Long a champion of tighter regulation, Warren on Sunday also amplified her criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. She said in several interviews that he took a flamethrower to banking regulations. A representative for the Fed didnt immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the central banks inspector general, whom Warren asked to conduct an investigation into the recent bank collapses. Warren also asked on Saturday that the internal watchdogs of the FDIC and Treasury Department review the matter. Story continues The FDIC declined to comment, while the agencys inspector general said that it had received Warrens letter and is monitoring issues related to recent bank failures and will be reviewing them in coordination with law enforcement and audit partners. A representative for the Treasury declined to comment and its inspector general didnt immediately respond to a query. The banks executives, who took unnecessary risks or failed to hedge against entirely foreseeable threats, must be held accountable for these failures, Warren said in her letter Saturday to the inspectors general. But this mismanagement was allowed to occur because of a series of failures by lawmakers and regulators, she said. $250,000 Cap On Sunday, Warren focused on whether the US should increase its standard $250,000 cap for insuring deposits. A debate over the issue has been raging since US authorities last week said that they would ensure that all Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank depositors including those over that cap would be made whole. Now the question is, where is the right number on lifting it, she said on Face the Nation on Sunday. This is a question weve got to work through. Is it $2 million, is it $5 million, is it $10 million? Meanwhile, other lawmakers voiced caution, reflecting in part the challenge of passing legislation in a divided Congress. Well, its the first time Ive heard a proposal like that, House Financial Services Committee chair Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, told CBS. And I have not had a single conversation with the White House or the administration about deposit insurance, changing the levels. Warren declined to say whether President Joe Bidens administration is actively seeking to build support for raising the FDICs ceiling on deposit insurance. I dont want to talk about private conversations but I will say its got to be one of the options thats on the table right now, Warren told CBS. She also called for accountability for bank executives, including clawbacks from former SVB Chief Executive Officer Gary Becker and lifetime financial industry bans for executives who were in charge at banks that failed. --With assistance from Anna Edgerton, Ian Fisher, Viktoria Dendrinou and Jonnelle Marte. (Updates with Warren letter demanding IG probes throughout) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a strong message of support for Vladimir Putin with his three-day visit to Moscow this week, even as he pitches Beijings proposals for brokering an end to the Russian leaders war in Ukraine. Xis trip marks his most ambitious effort yet to weigh into Europes bloodiest conflict since the Second World War, and will be followed by his first conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy since Putins February 2022 invasion. It comes on the heels of Chinas successful efforts to help Iran and Saudi Arabia patch up years of discord. But while Xis rock solid backing of Putin ensures a warm welcome in Moscow on his first trip abroad since securing a third term as president, it also makes him a harder sell as an honest broker to mediate an end to the war. Kyiv has been cool to Chinas vague peace proposals, which Ukraines allies in the US and Europe dismissed outright. Both sides are in lets give war a chance mode, said Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia-Eurasia Center. Now is not the right time for diplomacy. Putin made a surprise trip to occupied Mariupol, the Ukrainian city largely destroyed by a months-long Russian siege, according to a Kremlin statement Sunday and video released on state television. Ukraine is preparing an offensive with new weapons provided by its allies, while Russia is digging in for a long fight, hoping to outlast Kyiv and its supporters. Each side blames the other for being unwilling to talk. Still, Xis Moscow visit is a chance to tout his image as a global statesman and challenge US global dominance, defying Washingtons efforts to isolate Putin, whos hosted only a few other leaders since the war. The trip comes as tensions between Washington and Beijing have spiked. Story continues The US on Friday again denounced Chinas Ukraine plan as biased toward Russia, calling on Xi to reach out to Zelenskiy directly. For Putin, Xis arrival is an opportunity to tighten whats become his most important international relationship, with one-on-one talks and an informal dinner planned. Ahead of the visit, Putin and Xi published articles in each others state media praising bilateral ties. Xi called his trip a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace while Putin called the Russia-China relationship the cornerstone of regional and global stability. Xi said his position on a settlement of the war in Ukraine reflects the broadest common understanding of the international community on the crisis. Trade between the neighbors has surged amid the unprecedented sanctions the US and its allies imposed on Russia over the invasion. Over that period, China has bought more than $65 billion in Russian energy, providing a key source of cash for the Kremlin, as well as vital supplies of technology and other goods. Russia expects trade volume to jump to $200 billion this year from roughly $185 billion in 2022. Trade with China is now absolutely vital for Russia, said Janis Kluge, an analyst of the Russian economy with the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. Economic relations were always asymmetric, but since the start of the war the asymmetry has turned into a dependency. But while the Kremlin said the two leaders will discuss energy and the arms trade, theres no sign major new deals are in the works. The US has warned China against providing lethal aid to Russia, which has also been a major weapons supplier to Beijing. Henry Huiyao Wang, founder of the Center for China and Globalization, a policy research group in Beijing, said its in Chinas interest to see an end to the war. After three years of Covid, China wants to revive its economy, he said. Thats its number one priority. But a Ukrainian diplomat in Beijing told Bloomberg News theyd seen no evidence of China taking any practical steps to invite parties to talks. Chinas 12-point blueprint has little detail and largely consists of broader foreign policy positions long espoused by Beijing. While its embrace of the principle of territorial integrity won praise in Kyiv, which seeks to drive Russian forces back across the border, a call for freezing forces in current positions is a non-starter. Owing to Russias increasing reliance on China for commodity exports, critical goods and political support, Xi holds all the cards and is the only global player that could get Putin to settle with Ukraine, according to Kate Mallinson, founder of Prism Political Risk Management in London. However, Xi has no immediate incentive to end a conflict which, among other advantages, diminishes resources that the West could give Taiwan. Even if the timing is off, Xis push will give him the chance to portray China as seeking peace while the US and its allies discuss sending more arms to Ukraine. That message is likely to resonate with much of the non-aligned world, which is reeling from the surge in global food costs triggered by the war. I doubt that China believes that the peace plan has any real viability in the near term, said Joseph Torigian, an assistant professor at the American University. They likely hope that the most the Russians will give them is an affirmation of its general principles, which China could then use to claim that it is having a positive effect on the course of the war. --With assistance from Colum Murphy, Rebecca Choong Wilkins, Yujing Liu, Jing Li and Dan Murtaugh. (Updates with Xi and Putin praising ties in 10th paragraph. An earlier version corrected the unit measure in the first chart.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The next installment of Germannas Community Conversation series will feature Moogega Moo Cooper, the planetary protection lead of the NASA 2020 Mars mission, who will discuss what inspired her love of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The virtual event, titled Diversity in S.T.E.A.M. From a Real-Life Guardian of the Galaxy, will take place Monday at 7 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public, but registration is required at Germanna.edu/Conversations. During the discussion, Cooper will share her journey, talk about obstacles she overcame, and offer tales of what its like to be responsible for keeping Mars safe from Earths contaminants, according to a news release from Germanna. Cooper, 27, has become something of a STEM influencer, and is dedicated to sharing her joy of science with children and adults worldwide, the release states. She is involved in various science outreach initiatives mostly with K12 students. She has also appeared on shows such as Because Space, How the Universe Works and Bill Nye Saves the World. Her interests include sample return missions from Mars and developing sterilization capabilities for future mission use, the release states. According to the release, Cooper was born in 1985 in New Jersey to a Korean mother and an African-American, World War II veteran father. She earned a bachelors degree in physics from Hampton University in 2006 and a masters and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 2009, the release states. Upon graduating, Cooper became a Post-Doc at NASA, where she worked on assessing microorganisms found in spacecraft assembly cleanrooms. She also worked on technologies that can search for and monitor the persistence of life in extreme environments, according to the news release. In 2011, she became a full-time employee at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Planetary Protection Group, working on technology development and contamination assessment methodologies to meet planetary protection requirements for the Mars Sample Return Mission. In a talk last fall, Cooper said she hopes to encourage more women to enter STEM fields. She said that when theres a debate in a primarily male scientific community, I have to remember my voice deserves to be here, and Im not just an impostor. She said more women and people of color have entered science fields, but there is still work to be done. She said she wants her example to help students realize they can do whatever they set their minds to. A number of Germanna students have had internships at NASA, including some women and persons of color, the news release states. During his 37-year career at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren or with the full-time farming hes done since retirement, Frank Moore has taken a precise and practical approach to his work, and its paid off in both fields. He recently received the Clean Water Farm Award from Tri-County/City Soil & Water Conservation District for farm practices that keep chemicals out of streams. While hes always believed in the benefits of no-till farming, which involves planting crops without heavy tilling of the soil, he also sees the practical side of the technique. It prevents soil from washing away, especially on the hills behind his King George County home. Its one thing to have chemicals run into the stream, but when its your land Moore said, pausing for effect. Once your land is gone, its gone. He came up with a similarly practical solution for a fundamental issue while working at the Navy base in Dahlgren. His career there started in 1963 as a co-op student who worked a semester at the base, then studied a semester at college. After earning bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees from Virginia Tech, he permanently relocated with his wife, Linda, from southwestern Virginia to the Fredericksburg area. As Dr. Frankie Moore, he was one of only three aerospace engineers at the base in the 1970s. Other engineers regularly asked him to compute the drag of a particular weapon, primarily for unguided projectiles. He would spend about a week on each request, doing the calculations by hand and referring to guides and handbooks. Moore thought there had to be a better way. I said to myself, if I can do this by hand and come out with answers that are pretty good, then why cant I computerize it and make it more accurate? he wondered. The result was the development of the Aeroprediction Code, a set of instructions that eventually could be used with just about any weapons system, he said. He and other team members created a tool that was both beneficial and easy to use unlike more complicated codes of the time. That was the beauty of the code, it was the most generic in terms of Mach numbers, angles of attack, configuration, axisymmetric, non-axisymmetric, he said. You simply input the conditions you want and you can get a set of aerodynamics. It may be hard for todays generation to imagine the supercomputers of old, like the CDC 6600 that Moore and others worked with. The machines filled several rooms, required users to input a lot of information and cranked out solutions that seemed revolutionary at the time, but later paled in comparison to modern capabilities. As technology advanced, so did Moores code. I was able to develop this thing on a personal computer and instead of one minute per case, you could run 100 cases, he recalled, and the cases included objects of all sizes and shapes, not just the old-time cylinders. It could have fins, multiple sets of fins, missile configurations, bomb configurations, all kind of weapon configurations and it was on a PC. Through an agreement with Dahlgren, Moore marketed the code whenever he developed new versions, and there were about a dozen updates over the decades. After he retired in 2000, he started his own consulting firm, Aeroprediction Inc., and did research in the top floor of a spacious barn he designed on his property. I was allowed to sell the code to U.S. government agencies and their contractors and NATO friendly contractors, said Moore, who sold licenses and user support and taught classes on the subject. Initially, Moore was even busier as a consultant than hed been on the base but customers eventually became few and far between. Moore turned all the copyrights back to the base, where engineers are working to make the processing system compatible with Windows 10. But the engineer and husband, father and grandfather, who turns 79 on Wednesday, wasnt about to sit around after retiring a second time in 2016. He turned his full-time focus to farming. Hed been raising crops on his own 250 acres for decades then decided to expand. He bought new equipment and probably has more than a million dollars worth of green and yellow John Deere tractors and tillers in his barn. He soon discovered he had a real passion for working the ground, said Logan Ellis, a district conservation specialist, in a letter about Moore. Neighbors who owned small tracts of land started asking Moore to farm their acreage, and his grain operation, which includes corn, wheat and soybeans, grew to almost 500 acres. In addition to the no-till planting, which we preach to a lot of people, according to conservation specialist Dan Kossler, he timed his treatments of fertilizer and crop practices to reduce erosion. To encourage conservation measures, the state helped Moore pay for some of the cover crops that he planted over the winter to keep the soil intact. Weve never had any issues with Dr. Moore following any of our practices, Kossler told the King George Board of Supervisors last month, before the formal presentation of the Clean Water Award. Richard Granger, chairman of the supervisors, praised Moore. Thank you for the effort you put into being conscientious in your farming activities, he said. Conscientious is a word often used to describe Moore. Cindy Miller of King George was a technical writer at the base and said she saw Moore regularly in the Publications Branch because he was a prolific writer. They both attend Shiloh Baptist Church. He is an honorable person, she said. What I saw of him on base is what I see in him at church, always supportive and conscientious about anything he does. Hes also an encourager. Moore says he enjoys the physical activity of farming, such as climbing the 12 feet or so into the cabin of his combine. He doesnt have to worry about making a living off the land because of his retirement income, but he definitely doesnt want to lose money in the deal. I enjoy watching things grow, he said. I take a lot of pride in it. I try to treat everybodys land just like it was my own in terms of maintaining the fertility of the land, taking soil samples. He doesnt like equipment maintenance and said that if he didnt have the help of long-time employees Dennis Gwynne and Bobby Bowen, he wouldnt farm. Gwynne does preventive mechanical work and Bowen helps with the maintenance and keeps the equipment so clean, it looks polished. Bowen also worked at the base and attends Shiloh Baptist. One Sunday after both men had retired, Bowen mentioned he missed working on heavy equipment as hed done at Dahlgren. Moore figured he had just the job for Bowen, and the two started working together. Were usually on the same page of what needs to be done, Bowen said, adding that each man knows his area of specialty. Frank does the thinking, and I execute it afterwards. Hes a pretty smart fella. Colorado public health officials vaulted to prominence three years ago when residents started to sicken and die of COVID-19, kicking off a pandemic that would spark fierce, even violent political debate and offer clear lessons for the future. At the outset, the outpouring of response was vast and relatively harmonious. Crafters made thousands of masks, local colleges made 3-D printed face shields, pilots flew badly needed personal protective equipment to rural hospitals in dire straits. Residents beat together pots and pans or howled outdoors at 8 p.m. to demonstrate noisy support for health care workers. Moreover, many agencies and hospitals came together to provide testing. Vaccinations came online with incredible speed. But as the pandemic wore on, community resolve started to fracture. For example, the now dissolved Tri-County Health Department became the target of vandalism, death threats and a huge number of angry voicemails, said Dr. John Douglas, the former executive director of the department. The outrage over mask mandates and social distancing rules was directed to Jefferson County Public Health, as well, said former Executive Director Dr. Mark Johnson, who went from hearing the supportive clamor in the evening to getting threatening emails, voicemails and social media messages. "We had to have a police car parked in front of our house because of death threats," said Johnson, who delayed his retirement to help lead his department through the crisis. In El Paso County, some in the community revolted against steps to slow the spread, protesting masks and social distancing. In 2021, signs at an Academy School District 20 protest read "Masks are theatre" and "Fear is being used to control you." Angry residents lined up to speak at El Paso County Board of Health meetings and some insisted to the El Paso County coroner that they did not believe their loved ones had died of COVID. "There were no perfect solutions we were doing too much for some and not enough for others and that is the world we lived in at that time," El Paso County Public Health Director Susan Wheelan said. Nationwide, 46% of public health employees in state and county agencies left their jobs between 2017 and 2021, demonstrating the impact of the burnout and deep political pressure, according to a study in Health Affairs. Across Colorado, numerous public health department directors retired, quit or were fired by unhappy county commissioners. Six county health departments are without directors Jefferson and Gilpin counties share a director and at least two formerly unified departments have split. Tri-County Health Department formerly served Arapahoe, Adams and Douglas counties and is now three separate departments. Douglas County pulled out over a mask mandate in schools and Adams County followed, but didn't give clear reasoning, Douglas, the former director, said. San Juan Basin Health Department, which served La Plata and Archuleta counties in the southwest corner of the state, is also splitting following coronavirus sparked disagreements. Tri-County officials fended off a split over mask mandates for a year, but when the state phased out requirements and debates over local masking took over, Douglas County decided to leave. "In the middle of the pandemic was the worst possible time to break up a health department," Douglas said. But the transition is finalized and it could have gone much worse than it did, he said. Now, public health is facing a new challenge pandemic amnesia and a possible failure to act on lessons learned. Essentially, public health needs rebuilding, said Dr. Jon Samet, dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. Officials need to rebuild public health staffing, better integrate health care and public health systems, stockpile supplies to provide better respiratory protection to workers in high-risk industries in case of future risk and invest in updating public health databases, among other steps, Samet said. Public health was never funded enough, and I think the need to rebuild is pretty well recognized, he said. Whether there will be major initiatives to try and promote rebuilding, I think we will have to wait and see. However, Samet is concerned needed investments will not happen, now that the immediacy of the pandemic has passed. The time to make that investment is now and not to wait to the next pandemic, he said. Douglas would like to see investments in public health workers who would build connections with harder to reach communities, such as rural and Hispanic residents. They could work on ongoing health priorities such as mental health and cardiovascular screening and then transition into trusted messengers during a new pandemic. Colorado saw a large gap between the rates of vaccination among Hispanic and white residents for months. Better coordination between the federal, state and local agencies is also critical in a future pandemic, Johnson said, because the failure to properly distribute medical supplies from the national stockpile turned into a fight among the states for supplies, he said. "The foundation of emergency response for public health has really been called into question by this pandemic," he said. He also does not think the public health workforce is as strong as it was before COVID-19. Despite public health director vacancies, Scott Bookman, the states COVID incident commander, said Colorado is "without a doubt" better prepared for the next pandemic in terms of incident response, referring to a state plan for COVID-19 recovery and future preparedness called Colorados "Roadmap to Moving Forward." The roadmap, announced in February 2022, includes a set of recommendations that could keep the state from being caught flat-footed in the future by a novel coronavirus. Those points include establishing hospital readiness standards, surge planning and normalizing COVID-19 as patient care in regular medical settings, engaging the federal government in pandemic readiness policy and investing in health care workforce stabilization and expansion. Bookman said those rapid-response strategies have already been implemented in the state, like when monkeypox was first detected in El Paso County in July or when Uganda reported an Ebola outbreak in September. In November, the state announced a $10 million "recruitment and re-engagement fund" aimed at encouraging registered nurses, respiratory therapists, certified nurse aides and others with active, inactive or expired licenses to return to the health care industry. Since then, 26 facilities have submitted an Intent to Apply form, which includes proposed spending plans, and one has submitted the Request for Award form as proof of a successful hire, a spokesperson said. Based on those submissions, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said roughly $5.2 million could be dispersed, and an estimated 258 health care workers could return to the industry. "Anything we can do to get experience back into the workforce while we're training up the new workforce concurrently will allow us to stabilize our systems," Bookman said. Samet said it is also possible the U.S. is experiencing a false sense of optimism that we are out of the pandemic." The omicron surge in COVID-19 that swept Colorado in January 2022 and the high rates of vaccination have left the population more protected against severe illness and death, but Samet said that it may not last, if the virus mutates and immunity wanes. In terms of future priorities, public health has lost ground with life expectancy dropping three years in Colorado between 2019 and 2021 because of the coronavirus and illicit drug overdoses. We have gone backwards between COVID-19 and opioids and other mental health issues, Samet said. The coronavirus also exacerbated mental health challenges for many and brought them to the forefront in a way never seen before. But Samet noted that deaths of despair were up before COVID and the drop in life expectancy was happening in certain segments of the population before the pandemic. El Paso County officials are shifting to focus on promoting mental wellness and working to prevent substance abuse, suicide and other issues. A full list of updated community priorities is expected in April, Wheelan said. One of the largest public health challenges is a lack of social connection, which can contribute to depression and mental health challenges, particularly among youth. "That lack of human connectedness I think is underlying a lot of the challenges that we are seeing," Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly said. He is hopeful that a focus on youth wellness will help unite the community. To tackle the challenges, El Paso County Public Health added staff through the pandemic, funded in part through grants and a five-year plan to boost staff. The department had 148 positions in 2018 and now is funded for 200 people, Wheelan said. But the average size of a public health department for a community like El Paso County is 269 full-time positions, spokeswoman Michelle Beyrle said. The department has 16 vacancies and struggled the most with recruitment and retention of nurses, Beyrle said. Through the pandemic, turnover rates declined. In 2019 the turnover rate was 14%, in 2020 it was 11% and in 2021 and 2022 it reached about 8%, data provided by the agency showed. Wheelan said she endeavored to hold the staff together through grueling hours and stay focused on the data and solutions rather than the political aspects of the pandemic. Now, she encourages her staff to take time off to rebuild their resilience. "It was the most difficult part of my career in public health and I hope it stays that way," she said. As the more extreme emotions of the pandemic have passed, some people who disagreed with public health's approach have come to appreciate the impossible situation officials faced in a scary time with limited information, Kelly said. "I have been struck by the overwhelming appreciation," he said. A clash among powerful developers and dark money donors has started to dominate the Colorado Springs mayoral and city council elections, with new mailers and ads over access to city water hitting TV and mailboxes in recent days. For example, a new ad backing mayoral candidate Wayne Williams presents him as a defender of city water, while depicting another mayoral front-runner, Sallie Clark, as "in the pocket of" county land-speculators and opposed to the city's new water rule, which could limit annexation. Another ad attacks Williams for his support of that same rule, which could give Norwood Development Group, the owner of 18,000 acres of Banning Lewis Ranch, more guaranteed access to city water. Both ads were funded through committees with untraceable donations. The controversial rule requires Colorado Springs Utilities to have a 128% buffer of water needed to serve the city and any future land annexations. It has split developers based on whether they will benefit or not and they are now weighing in with campaign dollars. Norwood Development Group, which will benefit heavily from the rule, is backing Williams. Other companies that could see their property blocked from coming into the city are backing Clark. The rule has already blocked the annexation of a large proposed development near Fountain. The company behind the project, La Plata Communities and its executive leaders, have given about $11,000 to Clark since Feb. 1. La Plata Communities and its leaders also gave about $7,500 total to Williams, but those donations came in 2022, before the water rule passed. Norwood and people associated with the company gave Williams $11,000 through Wednesday. Both Clark and Williams are experienced local politicians who have served on City Council and the Board of El Paso County Commissioners, and say that while they are taking campaign money from developers they have stood up to them in the past. A detailed review of campaign donations from the beginning of the race through March 15 shows Williams, Clark, Yemi Mobolade the three top-fundraising mayoral candidates and City Council candidates have all received generous donations from developers, construction companies and real estate agents, as the amount raised by candidates has soared into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Independent committees, with unknown donors, are also funding TV ads and mailers in the election's final weeks with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Such contributions concern Shelley Roehrs, spokeswoman with the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region, because of the potential influence donors could have once candidates take office. "They are going to have the ear of that candidate," she said. Some of the large and notable donors in the campaign so far have come from the Colorado Springs Forward committee, a group affiliated with a civic nonprofit, Norwood Development Group, the O'Neil Group, the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Springs, Schmidt Construction Inc., developer Danny Mientka and several new committees with ties to right-leaning groups that have not been active in previous elections. Williams has seen more than $225,000 come in from developers or those with construction interests during the election, with the largest donations coming from Doug Stimple, CEO of developer Classic Homes, who has donated $52,000 to Williams' campaign; the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Political Action Committee, which has donated $50,000; and Schmidt Construction Inc., a paving and asphalt contractor, has donated $20,000 to Williams. Williams has also received $255,000 so far from Colorado Springs Forward, a group that does not have to disclose its donors. Clark has received more than $240,000 from developers or donors with construction interests. Her largest donors include $100,000 from The O'Neil Group; $110,000 in total from Ron Johnson, CEO of Central Bancorp; $25,000 from Tartan Partners; and $10,000 from La Plata Communities. Mobolade, a political newcomer and one of the top three fundraisers, has also received more than $55,000 from developers this election, receiving donations of $10,000 from High Valley Land Company Inc.; about $21,7000 to date from Susan Pattee, a partner in the redevelopment of the Union Printers Home; and $10,050 total from Kevin Butcher, owner of commercial real estate company Strata Group. Some of Mobolade's funding has also come from large donations from businesses, such as $10,000 from Jaxon Engineering and Maintenance, a military-grade engineering firm; about $15,710 from Vance Brown, the executive director of Exponential Impact, a business development support company; and $10,000 from Anthony Feltman, owner of Rocky Mountain Soap Market. Norwood weighs in Norwood Development Company promoted its preferred slate of selected candidates in an email soliciting donations for Williams and others. "The mayor's race is in a dogfight with three or four of the 12 running. It is absolutely imperative that we support and elect Wayne Williams as our next mayor," Norwood founder David Jenkins wrote in the email. Williams supported the 128% water rule that has already blocked a large property that would compete with Banning Lewis Ranch from annexing, although it is not the rule that Norwood originally told Mayor John Suthers that the company wanted to put on a ballot for voters to approve. Jenkins said he expected the mayor's race to cost between $800,000 to $1 million and council seats to cost between $75,000 and $150,000 each. He encouraged donors to consider $1,000 donations to council candidates and $1,500 in the mayor's race. He also urged $10,000 donations to a nonprofit that would give to an independent expenditure committee. Jenkins also encouraged support for city council candidates Michelle Talarico, Brian Risley, Lynette Crow-Iverson and David Leinweber. In an response to the Gazette, Norwood's Senior Vice President Tim Seibert said he is a member of the Housing and Building Association Political Action Committee and that it offers to meet with all candidates, as do other civic groups in town. "It is through that experience that we evaluate and support the candidates that we believe will keep Colorado Springs a city of opportunity now and into the future. We are steadfast in our commitment to support leaders that move our city forward," Seibert said. Dark money flows Three of those candidates, Risley, Crow-Iverson and Leinweber, were promoted as candidates that will protect the city's water supply by a committee known as Citizens for Responsible Leadership. The flyer featured similar language to an ad backing Williams, saying the candidates would prioritize residents over new developments in the county. That prioritization is inherent in the new water rule. The ads backing Williams and the council candidates were paid for by two different committees, with Citizens for Protecting our Water backing Williams. Cole Communications manages both committees and both received donations from Defend Colorado, a nonprofit that does not have to disclose its donors. Defend Colorado gave $100,000 to Citizens for Responsible Leadership and $200,000 to Citizens for Protecting our Water. A group of the same name, Defend Colorado, has also been active in Denver's spring elections, backing a measure to lower sales and use taxes among other measures in the state capital. The committees cannot coordinate with candidates. Daniel Cole, owner of Cole Communications, said the candidates the committees are backing would stay focused on the core functions of government, such as infrastructure, and would prioritize water for existing residents over county development. He said he does not expect the water rule to hurt county development. Another committee, Colorado Springs for Ethical Government, purchased ads blasting Williams, according to Sixty35 Media. City campaign filings show the committee has received $200,000 from the Stand Against Monopolies LLC, a business with a Denver address. The Gazette requested comment from the registered agent for Stand Against Monopolies, but did not receive a response in time for this story. Mayoral candidates respond Williams said he has stood up to developers in the past and implemented policies in his recent tenure on city council that were not popular with the development community. He helped pass new fees on development to pay for new fire and police services to support growth, as well as a water resource fee on new development. The fee on homes will go up to $5,800 in July to help Colorado Springs Utilities purchase more water rights and build infrastructure to deliver that water to town. On the water rule, Williams noted it is an improvement on previous rules for annexation that said Utilities should have enough water for the foreseeable future. With the ongoing megadrought on the Colorado River, the vague guidelines could block annexations entirely, he said. Clark said she has a long history working to develop future water supplies for the city of Colorado Springs. For example, she worked with Pueblo officials to address their concerns about the water quality in Fountain Creek leading to establishment of the Fountain Creek Watershed, Flood Control and Greenway District that laid a foundation for the new Southern Delivery System Pipeline to bring water up to Colorado Springs from Pueblo Reservoir. The pipeline is a key piece of bringing additional water from the Arkansas Valley that Utilities is currently working to purchase from farmers. "I have always cared about future water resources," she said. The new water rule is a "knee-jerk reaction essentially giving a monopoly to one developer," she said. As mayor she would set up a task force to study the issue more broadly, would involve state and federal partners and would take a close look at the dwindling El Paso County aquifers. When it comes to taking money from developers, Clark noted she has never taken money from unknown sources and she doesn't make promises to those with development interests. "I have never promised them anything except balanced, fair governance," she said. Mobolade said the number and diversity of his donations, which included small monthly gifts, will help ensure he does not act on behalf of a few. According a data base built by Mobolade's campaign, he has received gifts from 681 donors, Clark comes in second with 305 donors and Williams is third with 182. "I am accountable to everyone," Mobolade said. To run a campaign with few large donors goes against the essence of a government for and by the people, he said. As a top fundraiser, he said he could benefit from the conflict between Clark and Williams' backers. "I feel like I am crossing the Red Sea between these two opposing forces and trying to pave a new way," Mobolade said. Colorado Springs City Council races In the City Council races, developers have given generously to candidates Risley, Crow-Iverson, Leinweber and Talarico, campaign finance documents show. Included are donations from the Housing and Building Association of Colorado Political Action Committee, such as the $2,500 the organization gave to Talaricos campaign and the $5,000 each it gave to Leinweber, Crow-Iverson and Risley. Among other developer donations, Crow-Iverson and Talarico both received $1,000 from the Apartment Association of Southern Colorado, while Norwood Limited gave $2,500 each to Leinweber, Crow-Iverson and Risley, documents show. Classic Homes CEO Doug Stimple gave $5,000 to date to Risleys campaign, Platinum Group owner Ed Behr donated $2,500 to Leinweber, The ONeil Group Company gave $10,000 to Crow-Iverson, and Ron Johnson of Central Bancorp gave $2,500 each to Talarico, Risley and Leinweber. Leinweber acknowledged developers including Norwood are among his funders. Norwood also helped fund a group he founded, the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance. When he comes to his role on council, Leinweber said he would "serve neighborhoods to make sure they have what they need." Crow-Iverson promised to "make decisions that best reflect the needs of our community" if elected, including on any future review of the water rule. "I will do my due diligence to understand all of the issues surrounding this ordinance from impacts to the citys water supply, future development and other aspects," she said. "As with any decision that will be made by the council, knowing that housing is one of our citys major challenges, I will work to understand how the councils actions may have an impact on the price and availability of housing." Risley said his nine-year tenure on the El Paso County Planning Commission, including his current role as its chairman, demonstrates his "long and thorough record of making impartial and unbiased land use decisions, regardless of the applicant or circumstance." Risley said he will be impartial if elected. "In this campaign, I have received broad support from many business leaders from many sectors of the economy. None of the contributions matter when it comes to my moral compass and decision-making process," he said. Talarico also acknowledged donations made to her campaign from developers like Norwood, Classic Homes and GE Johnson, among others, but said they would not affect her ability to lead District 3, if elected to that council seat. "Every single dollar Ive taken from any developer has come with the caveat from them, and from me, that I want to make sure you expect nothing in return for this other than my gratitude for your support, because campaigns are expensive to run," Talarico said. "... I have never been asked to do something special for anybody, nor will I do anything special for anybody." AD Ports Group, the leading facilitator of global trade, logistics, and industry, said it has signed a 30-year concession agreement with the Red Sea Ports Authority to develop and operate a multi-purpose port in Safaga in Egypt. As per the deal, the Abu Dhabi group will be responsible for the development and operation of a multi-purpose terminal at Safaga Port, a strategic location on the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Safaga Port will be the first internationally operated port in the Upper Egypt region, bringing significant cost savings to traders, industries and businesses located in this region. The terminal will come up on a 810,000 sq m area and is set to be operational in Q2 2025. It will boast a quay wall of up to 1,000 m and it will have the capacity to handle 5 million tonnes of dry bulk and general cargo, 1 million tonnes of liquid bulk, 450,000 TEUs of containerised cargo, and 50,000 CEUs of RoRo. In addition to this, the Abu Dhabi Group has signed two 15-year agreements - a MoU and three Head of Terms (HoTs) - concerning ports located in Egypts Red Sea region and Mediterranean Sea, enabling a major expansion of the groups activities into Egypt. These agreements allow for expanded access to multipurpose terminals, cruise routes, and logistics capabilities in Safaga, Ain Sokhna, Port Said, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Al Arish, said AD Ports Group in its statement. The agreements were signed in Cairo in the presence of Lieutenant-General Kamel Al Wazir, Minister of Transport of Egypt, Mariam Al Kaabi, Ambassador of UAE to Egypt, Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, Major General Osama Saleh, Vice-Chairman of Red Sea Port Authority, Walid Jamal Eldin, Chairman of General Authority for Suez Canal Economic Zone as well as Saif Al Mazroui and CEO of Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group. AD Ports Group said it will invest a total of $200 million in superstructure and equipment, buildings, and other real estate facilities and utilities network inside the concession area. The majority of this CapEx will be spent in 2024 and 2025. The agreements for the development of two cement terminals in Al Arish Port and West Port Said Port were signed between AD Ports Group and the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone requiring a combined investment of EGP1 billion ($33 million) in both terminals. As per the 15-year agreements, AD Ports Group will construct silos with a storage capacity of up to 60,000 tonnes in Al Arish Port and 30,000 tonnes in West Port Said; each terminal will be able to handle 1.0 1.5 million tonnes annually. Both terminals which will be operational in Q4 2023, are expected to contribute to doubling Egypt's cement exports to global markets.-TradeArabia News Service Six months after the Colorado Supreme Court decided El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder could be sued for intentionally detaining a man for nearly four months after he posted bond, the state's Court of Appeals also sided against Elder on an outstanding minor issue in the lawsuit. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals addressed whether the harm to Saul Cisneros as a pretrial detainee arose from Elder's "operation of a jail." Colorado law provides blanket immunity to government officials in liability lawsuits, but there are exceptions that allow certain claims to proceed. One such exception enables detainees who are awaiting trial to sue for injuries resulting from the operation of a jail. The sheriff claimed his detention authority was the real cause of Cisneros' complaint, and not the operation of the jail itself. But the panel believed otherwise. The "primary purpose of a jail is to confine, safely and effectively, persons charged with crimes and awaiting trial, or serving short sentences," wrote Judge David J. Richman in the panel's Sept. 15 opinion. "And there is no dispute that plaintiff was being held pending trial and had not been convicted." Cisneros sued Elder for false imprisonment after Cisneros' daughter posted his bond, but the jail continued to detain him for nearly four months at the request of federal immigration authorities. Elder lost a motion to dismiss in El Paso County District Court, and he appealed to the Court of Appeals. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. He prevailed there before a panel of appellate judges, who determined the governmental immunity law only permits pretrial detainees to sue for actions "due to negligence." Because Elder intentionally held Cisneros in jail, the appellate panel's two-member majority believed the sheriff's actions made him immune from liability. Richman, who dissented at the time, called that interpretation literal but illogical, and argued in favor of allowing the lawsuit to proceed. Cisneros appealed to the Supreme Court, where the justices in March adopted Richman's conclusions and revived the lawsuit. It returned to the Court of Appeals, where Richman, now writing for a unanimous panel, again rejected the sheriff's remaining argument left unaddressed in the Supreme Court's decision: whether Cisneros' prolonged detention was due to Elder's operation of the jail. "We hold that a sheriffs determination not to release an inmate after the inmate has properly posted bond lies at the heart of the sheriffs duties and is related to the purpose and operation of a jail," Richman wrote. The case now returns to District Court Judge Eric Bentley, whose original ruling from three years ago has now been upheld in its entirety. Since Cisneros' detention, the governor signed a bill in 2019 that now bars state law enforcement officials from detaining people based solely on federal immigration warrants lacking a judge's signature. Police are investigating after two people were shot at a bar in north Colorado Springs early Saturday morning. Shortly after 1 a.m., officers were dispatched to the New Havana Bar and Grill at 2165 Academy Place, where they found two people with gunshot wounds. Both victims were taken to the hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said. During the investigation, police learned that the shooter was a patron at the bar who had been involved in a disturbance with other patrons. The shooter reportedly went to a car in the parking lot and shot multiple rounds toward bar's entrance before leaving. Saturday's double shooting is the fifth shooting at the bar since August. Police did not announce any arrests and say the investigation in on-going. After a three-year hiatus, the Gallery of Living Art at the First Lutheran Church in downtown Colorado Springs returned this weekend, and the hearty community behind the annual event is more excited than ever to deliver the gift of performance to the community. A cast of 60 performers has been working over the past few months to tell the story of Christs Passion and Resurrection through life-sized reproductions of 12 sacred works of art, accompanied by narrative scripture and music from the churchs choir. In the spring of 2020, the cast wrapped up dress rehearsals just before the world was shut down by COVID-19. When COVID hit in 2020, the stage was up, and because we couldnt gather enough people to take it down safely, over the first two months of the pandemic, different family groups came in, and did scenes to match the gospel. So, when we were doing online worship, we could bring the gallery to the people at home in a safe way, said the Rev. Carrie Baylis, associate pastor at First Lutheran Church. It really helped us define what our online worship experiences throughout that time would look like. Three years later, Baylis said that she, along with her congregation is excited to revive the annual event for their congregation and the surrounding community. Weve looked at it as a gift to the community. We do this offering to honor the life of Jesus amid a chaotic world, so to bring that back for our congregation has kind of been a recentering of our faith, Baylis said. Its such a long tradition, we dont know what this Lenten season would look like without it. Baylis said theyre expecting roughly 1,000 attendees throughout the weekend, a number that is consistent in performances of the past. There wasnt really anything we could do in place of it since it is such a community-driven event, Baylis said. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. This year, the Gallery of Living Art involves over 160 members of First Lutherans congregation made up of cast members, musicians, the choir, and technical crew. For many involved, its a family affair. When we started out, my youngest daughter was 4 years old, and now shes doing costumes, and her daughters participating, said Cindy Bower, the original creative director for the Gallery of Living Art, dating back to its start in 1995. Its a spiritual event that just hits your heart. It radiates to everyone in the congregation and everyone that sees it. Its a special feeling, and its our message of Easter. For Katie Ackeramn, Bowers daughter, its the intergenerational "vibe" that keeps her coming back year after year. I grew up doing GOLA, and now my daughter's participating. This is a second family to us. We havent all been together for three years, so its like youre finally back with your family again. Ackerman said. Members of the first Lutheran Congregation and community members filed into the pews of the First Lutheran Churchs Sanctuary, making for a packed event Saturday afternoon. As the lights dimmed, and the choir began to sing, a sense of peace, tranquility, and community filled the space. Baylis opened the performance in prayer. An event seen as a staple in the Colorado Springs community has been resurrected, and within that, a family is reunited. State law provides immunity to the El Paso County sheriff for intentionally detaining an inmate for months upon request from immigration authorities, a Court of Appeals panel decided 2-1 in dismissing the mans wrongful imprisonment lawsuit. We reverse this decision for a simple reason: negligence means negligence; it does not mean intentional conduct. The General Assembly never meant for this statute to apply to intentional conduct, wrote Judge Diana Terry in an opinion issued on Thursday. Sheriff Bill Elder created a policy to comply with requests from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold inmates longer than state law allowed in order to give federal officials time to take the suspected undocumented immigrant into custody. Even if inmates had posted bond or completed their sentences, Elder would honor ICE detainers or administrative warrants which are not signed by judges and therefore not mandates. In 2019, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a prohibition on local law enforcement agencies honoring ICE requests without a judges order. The agency argues that such a refusal undermines ICEs ability to protect public safety and carry out its mission. Saul Cisneros was a detainee at the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center when his daughter posted a $2,000 bond. Nevertheless, Elder continued to detain him on an ICE hold, ultimately keeping him in custody for four more months. Judge Sueanna P. Johnson during oral argument observed that ICE could only request a hold up to 48-hours for an individual. "So, what happened?" she asked. Assistant county attorney Mary Ritchie responded that it was something "we don't know." In September, a separate Court of Appeals panel dismissed a previous lawsuit from Cisneros and another inmate against Elder. An El Paso County District Court judge ruled that Elder violated inmates constitutional protections and moved to provide relief to all inmates subject to ICE detainers, but the appellate panel decided the issue was moot due to the new state law. However, Cisneros also sued Elder for false imprisonment. District Judge Eric Bentley denied Elders assertion of immunity under the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act. The law, which generally shields government entities from liability, provides an exception to immunity for the operation of a jail. Only injuries that result from negligence qualify under the waiver. Terry concluded that because Elder intentionally detained Cisneros, the law shielded Elder from lability. "As originally drafted, [the jail provision] would have reinstated sovereign immunity for all injuries resulting from the operation of a jail, she wrote. However, the General Assembly amended the provision to only refer to negligence. Legislators were specifically concerned about frivolous claims against jails and correctional facilities, and the sponsor, then-Sen. Sen. Dick Mutzebaugh, R-Highlands Ranch, indicated the bill addressed negligence and things like that. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Further, when asked specifically if the jail provision covered intentional actions, Mutzebaugh responded that would constitute a federal civil rights claim. During oral argument, Ritchie claimed Cisneross four-month detention would be applied toward his sentence upon conviction, and therefore was unproblematic. Plaintiffs injury is the detention itself. That is, that he was deprived of personal liberty. Yet shortly after he was released by the court, she said, plaintiff pled guilty and was convicted of three Colorado crimes. So what? interrupted Judge David J. Richman. Whats the difference if he was convicted later on? If hes acquitted, yes, then those four months would be illegal detention, Ritchie replied. But legally they are now considered incarceration for conviction. In an uncommon move, all three members of the appeals panel issued separate opinions. Johnson agreed with Terrys finding of immunity, but disagreed with her method of looking to the legislative history. Saying such an analysis invites confusion, Johnson simply believed the plain wording of the law prohibited liability claims for intentional acts. In his dissent, Richman offered a different interpretation of legislative history, in which Mutzebaugh acknowledged that a mere minimum of negligence was required under the change, but if somebody claims that it was more than that, then that doesnt become a defense for the sovereign immunity to apply. Referring also to the legal definition of negligence, which encompasses conscious behavior, Richman argued that Nothing in this discussion suggests that the legislature intended the waiver of immunity to be limited to cases of negligence. Cisneros's attorney, Peter A. Kurtz, agreed with that interpretation. "We don't believe there is a need to get to the legislative history here," he said at oral argument. "The phrase 'due to negligence,' we read as: 'at least due to negligence." The case is Cisneros v. Elder. Abu Dhabi-based district cooling company Tabreed has announced the appointment of Ali Al Rumaihi as the country manager for the Kingdom of Bahrain. In addition to managing the companys current portfolio of clients, which includes Bahrain World Trade Centre, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Reef Island, and The Avenues Mall, Al Rumaihi will be responsible for expanding Tabreed Bahrains district cooling business opportunities. He brings over 15 years of experience in transactional real estate advisory and investment in Bahrain and the GCC. He has also worked on a range of regional master planned projects, having previously served as Head of Corporate Finance at Bahrain sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakats real estate arm, Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), and as an Executive Consultant at Ernst & Young Real Estate and Hospitality Transaction Advisory Services. Tabreed CEO Khalid Abdullah Al Marzooqi said: Al Rumaihi joins Tabreed at an exciting time as we gear up for further regional expansion. The Government of Bahrain has announced high-density master developments and key infrastructure projects in the kingdom, where district cooling is going to be a likely choice." "I am confident that under Al Rumaihis leadership, Tabreed will continue to provide exceptional services to our customers and contribute to the sustainable development of Bahrain's economy, he added. On his new role, Al Rumaihi said: "Tabreed Bahrain will continue to support sustainable development in Bahrain and will align its business strategy with the kingdom's Economic Vision 2030 and National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP)." "With government vision and support, we believe that Bahrain is perfectly positioned to become a leader in district cooling, significantly reducing carbon footprints in current and future cities within the island, and at the same time, achieving high energy efficiency. I look forward to working with Tabreeds UAE and Bahrain teams to deliver outstanding services to our clients and explore new opportunities for growth. Al Rumaihi holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland and a Bachelor of Science in Business and Management from Brunel University, London, England. He is also a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) by the Institute of Management Accountants, New Jersey, US.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's leading telecom services operator Batelco, a part of the Beyon Group, has launched a new raffle campaign for its home broadband customers, offering them a chance to win a luxurious waterfront villa within the beautiful Diyar Al Muharraq islands, which offer a dream lifestyle. Surrounded by world class facilities including shopping malls, schools, dining venues and leisure amenities, Diyar is the ideal place for any family as everything needed is right around the corner. This comes following the huge success of its last year's campaign Win Your Forever Home. It is open to all Batelco home broadband customers starting from today (March 19) until the end of this year. Under this, anyone who subscribes, renews, or upgrades their packages will be entered in the raffle draw to win the luxurious three-bedroom villa that boasts an outdoor pool and other key amenities. Announcing the campaign at a press conference, Batelco said its wide range of home broadband packages are designed with todays needs for connectivity in mind, whether its someone who heavily uses social media, an avid gamer, someone who works remotely, or a movie lover, there is a package to satisfy everyone. The monthly packages for Mobile Broadband start from BD11 for 300GB, while Fiber Broadband packages start from BD17.600 for 50Mbps with unlimited usage. "We saw the joy that our Win Your Forever Home campaign brought to our customers and the sheer delight of the winner and his family. So, we couldnt resist rolling out a new campaign with an even bigger prize than last year," remarked Batelco General Manager (Consumer) Aseel Mattar. "We are thrilled to launch the Win a Luxurious Waterfront Villa campaign as a huge win like this can set a family up for life," noted Mattar. Batelco, she stated, was rated as the top performing Broadband Network experience in Bahrain, announced in the Bahrain TRA Consumer Experience Report for 2022. "We selected Diyar Al Muharraq again this year, as its a very desirable location, but this time the home is a doorway to a life by the water. The winner can become part of the growing Diyar Al Muharraq community and enjoy an unmatched standard of life," said Mattar. "We look forward to the mounting anticipation over the coming months, leading to the announcement of the winner in January 2024," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Colorado conservatives need to accept this simple fact, Colorado is not just a pro-choice state. We are a pro-abortion state. And were going to be for a long, long time. Senate Bill 189 goes further. It would mandate not only your employers health insurance cover your abortion but that you not be charged a co-pay, deductible or coinsurance for it. In other words, everyone else gets taxed 100% for your abortion. First a word about words. Thanks to constant air-support from the media, progressives have always been magnificent at semantic warfare. They say the opposite of what they mean. Its not racial discrimination; its affirmative action. Its not gun control; its reducing gun violence. Its not a sex change; its gender-affirming. Senate Bill 189 is all about access to reproductive health care services, when, in fact, it has nothing to do with reproduction. It has everything to do with anti-reproduction, what we used to call birth control, stopping reproduction via abortion and sterilization, and getting others to pay for it. Senate Bill 189 does a whole bunch of things, including mandating any employer with more than 100 employees provide health insurance that charges no deductible, copay, or coinsurance for abortions. In other words, a woman can get an abortion and pay absolutely nothing. Everyone else in the insurance pool is forced to absorb the full cost. Im trying to find any logical consistency in this bill. For the sake of argument, lets just use the reasoning a fetus is just a clump of cells in order to lessen the ethical and moral outrage that pollutes any discussion around the issue. If a woman goes in to get her tonsils removed, she must pay a deductible, copay, or coinsurance. But under 189 if she gets her fetus removed, she doesnt. They get yanked for free. What makes this clump of cells special? If she needs her appendix out copay. Wants the fetus out no copay. It seems the pro-abortion folks are saying some clumps of cells are more equal than others. I think I know why. Read on. The bill goes on regarding other areas of reproduction: Under SB 189 if you are getting treated for sexually transmitted infection, what we used to call sexually transmitted disease (before someone felt stigmatized by disease), what we used to call the clap, you also can not be charged a deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. So, herpes virus no copay. Coronavirus copay. So, next time I go in with COVID (again) Ill be screaming, I swear I got it when I was having sex with a stranger! You cant charge me a copay! The bill goes on for more un-reproduction service mandates, particularly sterilization. Men, ready for that vasectomy? Everyone else will pay for your deductible, copay, or coinsurance. Ladies, want your tubes tied? Same thing. Gender doesnt matter! But it does. Its easy on a guy why we call it getting snipped with a simple little office visit. But the womans body is definitely more form over function here, requiring major surgery, two incisions where her appendix removal required only one. Yet still no copay? Senate Bill 189 has nothing to do with reproduction, creating new people. It has everything to do with getting laid and avoiding creating new people by having others pay 100% for the negative externalities of having sex the clap and unwanted children. Life, lifestyles have risk. You ski, bike, hike? You might get hurt from your activity and pay some deductibles for medical attention. We all have. If Senate Bill 189 passes into law, it is not a victory for the special interest called reproductive health enthusiasts. It is a victory for the special interest called we like getting it on enthusiasts. Im not a moralist. The only anger to progressives having reckless sex is Im not getting any. Remove the deductible, copay, coinsurance and mandate insurance coverage on hair transplants and liposuction, maybe Ill become a socialist as well. Then I, too, could find willing mates, contract a sexually transmitted disease, and get treated without a copay. Finally, this legislature would work for me. Its all about getting others to pay for what you want. Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. At six months of age, Elias Armstrongs life was saved by a liver transplant. He survived both the procedure and the post operative recovery. His bodys attempt to reject his new organ was a given, as was a precarious life of a baby with a new liver. We next hear about him when he ran away from home at age 10. Luckily he was soon found in good condition. I write this, not with the news that he won the Spelling Bee or aced the SAT/ACT at age 12. Rather, 12-year-old Elias was mowed down by a volley of bullets by a man whose car Elias and two or three other teenagers had stolen. The cars owner tracked the car using a locator app. And so, in a short paragraph we describe a life medical science triumphed to save as a baby later cut down so easily with a gun. In the media, the event was described quietly, in somber tones; our customary ordinary routine. Just another Black boys life wasted on the streets of America. Im however here to say that many people dropped the ball. Elias needed much more than he received in his short life. As a baby, resources were spent to pinpoint the cause of his liver failure while giving him excellent supportive nursing and medical care. It followed a search for a suitable liver and superior surgical techniques to actually accomplish his transplant. His post-op anti-transplant rejection therapy was a result of tremendous amount of immunological research. Subsequent excellent post-transplant management of the baby went into saving Elias life. I know that if hed been born in Africa, he would never have survived. That, in addition to our societys indifference toward the tragic epidemic of violent Black youth deaths, troubles me. What we lose when an Elias is killed on our streets is incalculable. As an individual with feelings and a human psyche, I can only imagine the baby and later little boy Elias, lived a rough existence. I suspect he suffered from PTSD and deep depression. To live in pain all ones life isnt a recipe for a happy existence. I find that part of his existence puzzling. I do not know but I hope he and his family had psychological support. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. All I know about his family or family life is what I saw when his fathers and older sister were interviewed by local media. Charges should have been filed against the shooter, the father said. Denvers DA determined that she couldnt prove the killers guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Still, I am at a loss to explain why a 12-year-old was joyriding in a stolen car, late at night. Since his birth mother does not appear in the picture, the onus of both discipline and guardianship fell squarely on his father and his much older sister. Since its impossible to tell how each family disciplines and raises children, we evaluate the result of the parenting by looking at how its children behave. For the Armstrong family, the result is, their charge is dead. I have tried to imagine being the 12-year-olds father and cant imagine telling him to stay out all night with his 13-, 14-, or 15-year-old friends. It should not need saying that families should have a curfew, a time beyond which a child cannot be wandering the streets. Parenting requires unwavering attention of the parent on the child in question. It is a difficult job, particularly so in todays America where our attention is distracted. Far too many blinking lights call upon us to respond and engage, making our determination and ability to be good parents and good people a hard enough endeavor. Despite the many hardships, we must try to be better parents. Our social services and psychological community must reach out to vulnerable and at-risk children and their families, which Elias and his family were. I dont know, but I hope he had mental-health care in his short, tragic life. The faith that we so ardently demonstrate in the sanctity of life should extend beyond birth and childhood. Children, no matter what color or background, are not logs of wood that we can throw into the fire of our societal progress. They need care in the way that America needs care, too. Pius Kamau, M.D., a retired general surgeon, is president of the Aurora-based Africa America Higher Education Partnerships (AAHEP); co-founder of the Africa Enterprise Group and an activist for minority students STEM education. He is a National Public Radio commentator, Huffington Post blogger, and past columnist for Denver dailies. He has authored a memoir and a novel recounting Kenyas bloody colonial history. Youd think a legislature so committed to tenants rights wouldnt try so hard to run Colorados landlords out of business. Particularly in a state whose major population centers already face a dire shortage of affordable rental housing. After all, landlords and tenants actually need one another a simple equation policymakers seem to overlook these days in one misguided proposal after another. Whether more radical and economically oblivious, like rent control, or incremental like further restricting landlords ability to evict over unpaid rent the cumulative effect is to make it ever more prohibitive to build, own or manage rental housing. Meaning there will be less and less rental housing to go around, and it will be progressively harder for Colorados growing population to find a place to live. And per another economic reality that often eludes the would-be reformers rents will rise ever higher. The latest example is House Bill 23-1171, passed by ruling Democrats in the state House last week. It slaps assorted new restrictions on landlords ability to move out troublesome tenants. While the bills wording might sound superficially reasonable prohibiting evictions only if they are without just cause testimony against the measure in a committee hearing days earlier made clear its a budget buster especially for small landlords who make up a lot of the market. Among the bills micromanaging provisions is one that would require landlords to give tenants 90 days notice before eviction and pay them two to three months worth of rent in certain circumstances. As reported last week by our news affiliate Colorado Politics, Gary Jones, a 70-year-old landlord of two Greeley houses he converted to multi-unit rentals, told lawmakers during the hearing that he couldnt afford to pay thousands of dollars to tenants to terminate their leases. Jones also said he has chosen in some cases not to renew leases for reasons that were reasonable yet would have been prohibited under the bill. Jones said some tenants have been obnoxious and unsavory yet didnt necessarily violate their lease. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. It puts the burden on people like me, Jones said. Im not rich, Im just a single guy and I cant afford it. ... It feels like youre trying to punish me for being an honest landlord and keep me from making a living. Even with the best intentions, thats precisely what such one-size-fits-all policies will do to landlords. The new rules fail to account for the many real-world details of any given case. Moreover, what the proposal would do to landlords like Jones, it ultimately will do to tenants. Such purported protections for tenants backfire on them each time a landlord is driven out of the rental market by another regulation. An already-thin margin of earnings after the landlord pays mortgage, taxes, insurance and more disappears altogether. The landlord may just shut down a rental and sell it to a remodeler, who fixes and flips it to an upscale new owner who will live in it, taking it off the rental market for good. Then, watch the same lawmakers behind this folly come back to the Legislature next year and introduce without a trace of irony a bill to curb gentrification. Seven House Democrats defected from their increasingly left-leaning caucus and voted with minority Republicans against HB 1171, underscoring just how much of an overreach the legislation presents. The bill now moves to the state Senate, where, we hope, a better understanding of basic economics will prevail. The Gazette editorial board It wasnt that long ago. Many of us who read this paper regularly can remember back to 1973, back when Pat Schroeder took office as the first women to represent Colorado in Congress. Schroeders passing this week at 82 reminds us that weve come a long way. When Schroeder first took office 50 years ago, she was one of only 14 women in a 435-member fraternity. I felt as though I had broken into and entered a private club, she told me once in an interview. Most of my new colleagues considered me a mascot or novelty, as if in Denver voters had mistakenly thought Pat meant Patrick. In the House parking lot when she first arrived, Theyd always say the secretaries cant park here. Or you cant get on the elevator because it was for "members only," she told me. I had to show my ID everywhere Id go, she said. Now there are 125 women in the House, 28.7 percent of the total. Schroeders introduction to the Congressmen she was to serve with was rough. One male colleague remarked, I dont understand why you are here. This place is about Chivas Regal, $1,000 bills, beautiful women, and Lear jets. Why did you come? Another asked how she could be a mother of two small children and a member of Congress at the same time. She replied, I have a brain and a uterus and I use both. Schroeder became the first woman on the House Armed Services Committee. But committee chairman F. Edward Hebert, D-La., didnt think the committee was any place for a woman, or an African American. So Hebert actually forced Schroeder to share a chair with U.S. Rep. Ron Dellums, D-Calif. As she recounted in her memoir, she and Dellums had to sit cheek to cheek because the chairman said that women and blacks were worth only half of one regular member. That wasnt that long ago. It wasnt until 1993 that women were allowed to wear pants on the Senate floor. That was only 30 years ago. The women in Congress had to wage virtually every battle alone," Schroeder wrote in her memoir of those early years, "whether we were fighting for female pages (there were none) or a place where we could pee." Thats right. For many years, women didnt have a bathroom off the House floor like the men did. When Schroeder was there, women were forced to use the restroom inside the women's reading room far off on another floor. Female members of the House didnt get a women's bathroom off the House floor until 2011. That was 12 years ago. Sometimes it takes an agitator like Pat Schroeder with her rapier wit, talent for political theater, and willingness to take on the power structure to move our country along. More than anyone in Congress, she forced the institution to acknowledge that women had a role in government. She was justly lauded Tuesday as a fitting heroine for Colorado, the second state to officially grant women the right to vote and the first to do so through a voter referendum in 1893. Yet during her own time, she was every bit as controversial as some of our current members are. She and Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and New Jersey Congresswoman Marge Roukema were derided and mocked just as much as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex and her Squad of Congresswomen are today. For one thing, Schroeder was renowned for her sharp tongue. It was Schroeder who branded President Ronald Reagan the "Teflon" president for his ability to avoid blame for major policy decisions. She thought of it while scrambling eggs in a Teflon frying pan for her kids . She was an early practitioner of performance politics as well. When House Republicans gathered on the U.S. Capitol steps to celebrate their first 100 days in power in 1994, she and several aides clambered to the building's dome and hung a 15-foot red banner reading, "Sold." But Schroeder also got things done. She and Roukema initiated the Family Leave Act requiring employers to grant up to 12 weeks unpaid leave to a family for the birth of a child. The landmark bill passed in February 1993, but at the presidential bill signing, only male members of Congress shared the stage with President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. At the time, Schroeder observed: Often you see when women start the issue, educate on the issue, fight for the issue, and then when it becomes fashionable, men push us aside. And they get away with it. She also helped pass the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which barred employers from dismissing women because they were pregnant. Schroeder, who was also a pilot who operated her own flying service to pay her way through Harvard Law School, persuaded the Armed Forces committee to recommend that women be allowed to fly combat missions. Defense Secretary Les Aspin ordered it so in 1993, and by 1995 the first female fighter pilot was flying in combat. "Pat Schroeder blazed the trail. Every woman in this house is walking in her footsteps," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y. In this weird period of retrenchment and recrimination were currently in, where some of our country's unfortunate episodes of negative history are being erased left and right, Schroeders passing is a good moment for us to remember where we were not so long ago so we dont forget how far weve come. Revisiting Schroeders many battles tells me we need to hold on tight to our collective memory, even the bad memories; they are mile markers with which we can mark our progress as a nation. And those mile markers need to be tended to with care to keep us from backsliding into places weve fought hard to put into the rearview. Coincidentally, the night after Schroeders death, my wife and I watched Chris Rocks new Netflix standup comedy show, Selective Outrage. During one long sad/hilarious rant, he reminded his audience that when his mom was a little girl, the black kids where she lived werent allowed to go to the white dentist. When no black dentists were available, she was sent to the veterinarian to have her teeth fixed. Just another reminder: It wasnt that long ago. Sixty Years Ago This Week: At a meeting of the Denver Young Democrats, state House Minority Leader Allen Dines, D-Denver, claimed that some splits were developing in the Republican ranks and that large swaths of GOP legislators were even slightly resentful of newly-elected fellow Republican Gov. John Love. In his presentation to the youthful gathering of eager-minded Dems, Dines claimed that GOP leadership felt Love was little more than an upstart who should not have been leading the party. Dines said that internal party problems had resulted from the hard-line stance that some GOP members had taken on the partys proposed 15% income tax reduction across the states progressive tax brackets. There is beginning to be a little speculation as to whether or not theyll be able to do it again on 1963 income, Dines said. Some Republican leaders want to spend money rather badly for other things. It falls on Republican leadership to say no to everything. I think theyll find it quite difficult to hold the line on their budget. House Republicans also clashed with their Senate colleagues over the passing of a school aid bill, which faced fierce opposition from Senate GOP leadership. If this happens, Dines said, Lord knows what Senate Majority Leader Ranger Rogers (R-Littleton) is going to do. But its going to hurt the Republican Party. While the party infighting might have seemed trivial, Dines advocated that Democrats remain clear-headed about the implications of Republican strategy. He argued that Republicans had made a calculated effort to do as little as possible in the legislature in 1963, but were pushing a concerted effort to secure the political machinery of the state and to run it with Republican bias and Republican control. The pro-Republican reapportionment legislation that had been introduced was a clear example, Dines said, as it would greatly hamper any possibility of Democrats regaining control of either chamber of the Legislature in future. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Twenty Years Ago: After Gov. Bill Owens asked legislators to come up with a statewide concealed carry permit bill during his State of the State address before the General Assembly in January, he indicated in mid-March that he would sign Senate Bill 03-24, which would have set statewide regulations for concealed weapons permits. Under the legislation, only eligible citizens, 21 and over, who passed a criminal background check and took a firearms safety course would be granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon. A companion bill, SB 03-25, had been crafted to essentially overpower local laws in favor of a less restrictive statewide law. Owens, widely considered a proponent of gun rights, had not stated specifically whether he would sign SB 25, as it lacked a major premise Republican legislators were keen on, local control. The Colorado Municipal League voiced its strong opposition to SB 25, stating that the bill, flouted local control with impunity and were tired of it. Denver District Attorney Bill Ritter, who was among many mayors and local officials from around the state who gathered at the state Capitol to officially protest, said the new legislation would essentially wipe out Denvers more restrictive gun laws. Denver Mayor Wellington Webb said that he would consider legal action if SB 25 was signed into law since it would preempt home rule in Denver. Tom Mauser, father of Columbine shooting victim Daniel Mauser, said, While sponsors of SB 25 claim it will make gun laws more uniform, in practice it will make them uniformly weaker. This bill takes away the tools that local law enforcement use to fight gun violence. Its a terrible mistake to be making state laws that hinder our local polices ability to keep our citizens safe. Rachael Wright is the author of the Captain Savva Mystery series, with degrees in Political Science and History from Colorado Mesa University, and is a contributing writer to Colorado Politics and The Gazette. The allegations: harassment, stalking, verbal and physical abuse. The scene: the Manitou Incline. It's a case calling the accuser and accused along with other regulars of the iconic trail to an El Paso County courtroom Monday. A scheduled hearing regards a temporary restraining order. The alleged victim says she wants it to be permanent. The accuser: Noelia Sanchez, who in recent months has been among a wave of people pushing numbers on the mountain, racking up laps up and down the brutal, vertical set of stairs. The accused: Chasidey Geissler, who has been building on a record set last month. She became the fifth person credited with 1,000 Incline laps in a calendar year, besting the all-time womens mark set in January by Rachel Jones. For as long as the former railway has been a fitness phenomenon dating back to the railway's closure in 1990 competition has been core to the Incline culture. Regulars have long considered that competition as friendly. They've considered it part of the Incline's special camaraderie, where people have bonded over the burn, where they have tested their limits and found kinship and redemption along the way. The steps gaining 2,000-plus vertical feet in less than a mile have inspired stories of overcoming trauma, loss and addiction. Sanchez says it was that kind of inspiring, encouraging environment that led her to setting a goal of 500 laps in a calendar year, an increasingly popular goal for others. "I had no idea what I was getting into," Sanchez says. "It was supposed to be a fun thing." That was until she says she started feeling uncomfortable and soon "scared" around Geissler. In court filings, Sanchez alleges Geissler early this month "yelled in my face in front of a crowd saying that she wants me to break my f--king neck, and I better watch my back and be careful she doesn't push me down the Incline stairs." Sanchez went on to claim Geissler acted on those alleged threats, saying Geissler "hit me in the back and caused me to lose my balance and nearly fall down the cliff edge of the stairs." Sanchez added that she was being "stalked and followed in Manitou Springs along the local trails." A judge granted Sanchez a temporary restraining order, signed on the basis of Sanchez's claims "constitut(ing) a credible threat, that an imminent danger exists." Geissler denies the claims. On the contrary, she says she's been the victim of a "bizarre" social setting built around the Incline. Geissler expressed a sentiment similar to one of her accuser. "Had I known what I would go through this year, I don't know if I would have done" the 1,000 challenge, Geissler says. "I had no idea. I thought this was a pure, supportive place. And then the better I got at (the Incline), the worse I was treated." Several close to the situation say it is the latest in a series of events that has cracked the foundation of one of this region's most beloved, symbolic attractions. They describe the past year and a half on the Incline as "heartbreaking" and "totally nuts" and "all kinds of ridiculous." "Mind-boggling," says Fred Baxter, one of the Incline's oldest ambassadors going back to the '90s. "I can't believe this is going on." He calls himself a friend of Geissler's, saying he has felt forced to speak out and pick a side in what has been a time of division, dating to before the Sanchez-Geissler dispute. This is not the first restraining order filed in recent months from Incline happenings. "It's tearing people apart," says Roger Austin, a record holder who says he has followed developments from afar from friends more active on the Incline today and from Facebook, where tensions have regularly flared. Austin says he has no loyalties but to the Incline itself. "It's really sad," he says. "The Incline used to be this happy place." Forming the clubs Records show Jill Suarez filed for a restraining order against Greg Cummings on Nov. 7 last year. Suarez has been regarded as the Incline Queen for her decades-long presence, while Cummings was hailed the Incline King in 2020 upon his record 1,825 laps logged in a calendar year. Suarez's request was dismissed. Later, on Jan. 4, records show a temporary restraining order was placed on Suarez by Trevor Becker. An agreement was reached out of court between the two neighbors living near the Incline's base. One dispute between Becker and Suarez was captured in a video in which Becker recorded his neighbor at a doorstep. In what appears to be a boiling point, the two go back and forth with accusations of harassment, including Becker saying Suarez was yelling at people on the Incline. "There's actually a reason behind all that," Suarez counters. "You think everybody needs to fall in line with you guys. No, people don't. They don't." She was referring to a committee that Cummings formed in 2022. The five-person committee which does not include Becker, who is a supporter with the nonprofit Incline Friends was formed to set rules and expectations for people seeking membership in the "500 Club" and "1,000 Club." The decision-making committee and policies, outlined in paperwork to be signed by prospective members, would be housed in a limited-liability company Cummings created called Colorado Incline. To be "officially" recognized in records posted and maintained by Becker at the base, to be listed in record sheets posted on Facebook's extremely popular Official Manitou Incline Page that Becker also maintains, the paperwork must be signed. "That has ticked off a lot of the old-timers," says Ann Labosky, an Incline regular who has counted Cummings a friend for 30-plus years. "They're wondering, like me, 'What in the heck are you trying to do?' You know, I told Greg, People on the Incline are doing it for a good, hard workout. They dont need anybody else to track their numbers.'" It's simple, Cummings says. He says he's trying to uphold the integrity of Incline achievements, to respect the pain and sacrifice those achievements require. He knows the requirement all too well. In his daily and nightly push to 1,825 laps, he told of a strained relationship with family and of near-death experiences on the Incline, passing out on multiple occasions due to complications from Type 1 diabetes. "It's something that I admire in individuals who do it, and I'm proud of it," Cummings says. He has shown that admiration by awarding plaques to new 500 and 1,000 club members what has become something of a celebratory ritual atop the mountain, the king bestowing honor. The paperwork is simple, Cummings says. It details standards not so unlike standards of Fastest Known Time, the online clearinghouse for obscure, outdoor records. For Incline records, one is expected to declare intent, use a tracking app like Strava and, in a wrinkle, take selfies at the top and bottom of each lap, as Cummings did for his records. Another wrinkle in the club contract: a code of conduct section calling for record-goers to "treat others with dignity, respect, empathy, kindness, and be encouraging and polite to all." The contract adds that "public degradation of the club, a member, or a potential member is unacceptable and grounds for dismissal from the club(s)." Respect, empathy, kindness that all might sound good to a pastor like Wade Gardner. But Gardner, a devout Incliner and record holder since 2004, does not like what he sees in Cummings' group. Nor did Gardner agree with Suarez's behavior at the center of past restraining order cases. But he agreed with her concerns about "falling in line." (Suarez could not be reached for this article.) "I grew up in a cult, another part of my story," Gardner says. "And I so see cult behavior in Greg's power plays, rules on silence, search for control and power. I never signed the paper." Role models at odds Cummings denies the label. "This is not some strange, religious cult," he says. "If people don't want to be part of the club, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that." But if they do, they have to be nice. And what's wrong with that? Becker asks. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. "I think the Incline 500 Club and 1,000 Club members are role models of our community," he says. "They're on the Incline more than anybody else, talk to tourists more than anybody else. I think they have an ethical and moral responsibility." That has repeatedly been broken by Geissler, Becker and Cummings say. Rachel Jones, the womens record holder before Geissler, has also rallied around Sanchez. Behind her quiet, humble demeanor, Sanchez is a fierce hiker, Jones says. Jones says that explains why Geissler has targeted her friend. Geissler "seems to be aggressive towards women who may challenge her record," Jones says. Both Geissler and Jones say their own relationship took a turn somewhere along their ways to 1,000 laps on the Incline. Geissler says Jones' push "did speed me up," while Jones says "I made it clear that I was not in competition with her." Geissler says she has observed otherwise from Jones. Geissler says her passing questions to Sanchez about laps and progress common banter among regulars "were somehow taken as harassment." It's gone far beyond those questions, says Jones, who claims she herself has "been slandered, flipped off on the trail multiple times and physically ran into." Gardner, the pastor, says he offered to mediate a conversation between Geissler and Jones, both of whom he considers friends. He says Geissler reluctantly agreed to sit down, while Jones declined. Jones says her attempts to resolve the situation have been through Cummings and the committee. She's one of the five who sits on that committee. Separate from the club's code of conduct form, a document was prepared for Geissler to sign, agreeing to no contact with Sanchez. Jones says Geissler broke the agreement soon after. "We all just want her to leave so things can go back to normal," Jones says. The case of Mr. X That's what some say this is about. "They're just trying to drive (Geissler) away from the Incline," Gardner says. "I'm like, Are you kidding me? You're solving problems by creating more problems." Some see this as mirroring a situation from last year involving a man Cummings has referred to as Mr. X. In a phone call with The Gazette, the man requested continued anonymity, stating fear of retribution and hinting at deeper hostilities. "I'd be scared," Mr. X said. These people are crazy, man. Its sad. Publicly last year, Mr. X had been reticent about what some saw as a bold effort to top Cummings' all-time record on the Incline. That reticence, Cummings later suggested, could be drawn from the man secretly cheating. It was a suggestion from a nearly 5,000-word diatribe Cummings posted to Facebook last October. Cummings wrote of an initial encounter with Mr. X, who expressed interest in the 500 Club but lacked what Cummings said was the necessary evidence of progress. Cummings called himself "overly sympathetic" of the man's situation. Cummings described himself as maintaining sympathy, while rumors flew about him trying to discredit Mr. X. This was while Cummings embarked on a lengthy investigation into Mr. X's record attempt. It included nights of camping on the Incline, "a huge amount of time away from family," Cummings wrote, "lots of inconvenience and a significant amount of money." Baxter, the long-going Incline ambassador, says he asked Cummings to stop the investigation. "All it did was create sides," Baxter says, with some defending Mr. X's record claim and others supporting Cummings. In the end, people were left bitter. In the Facebook post, Cummings wrote of a conversation in which Mr. X asked for forgiveness and Cummings tried consoling him. Mr. X told The Gazette that he felt manipulated. "When I read that (Facebook post) I couldn't finish reading it," he said. "My heart was broken." Also, Cummings wrote of ugly comments made by Suarez and her "coddling" of Mr. X. Clear, too, at the time was Suarez's and Geissler's friendship. Later on Facebook, Suarez praised Geissler's record push on the Incline while Cummings and others criticized her for simultaneously taking shots at Jones. Suarez isn't around much anymore. Neither is Mr. X, Geissler says. "When he is, it's in the middle of the night." 'It breeds itself' Sanchez and Geissler crossed steps amid what could be called a fast and furious couple of years on the Incline. Just look at those record sheets on the Official Manitou Incline page. Of the 26 names listed in the all-time 500 Club Cummings was the first from 2011 half were added between 2021 and 2022. The same time has seen three of the five names added to the 1,000 Club. Other records have been logged in the past year: most climbs in a day; most climbs in a week; most climbs in a month; and the most "Inclinathons," a mark set by Jones, with 13 ascents in a row on 10 separate occasions in 2022. Cummings says his investigation into cheating last year was the catalyst for the committee. These years of ramped-up record chasing required some oversight and regulation, supporters say. Roger Austin disagrees. He's been listed in the 500 Club and 1,000 Club, recalling years he and Cummings traded records before Cummings settled the score with his 1,825 laps. That was the kind of friendly competition that some see as eroding on the Incline. "I messaged Greg," Austin says. "I said, 'I don't want to be in your 500 Club or your 1,000 Club or your Inclinathon Club, none of it. It's causing too many problems." Baxter says he declined Cummings' request to join the committee. "I could see where it was going," Baxter says. Competition can be healthy until it's not. It can be like a "snowball," building and rolling toward unintended consequences, explained a University of Colorado-Colorado Springs specialist last year as he observed the Incline record chasing. Said Dr. Andrew Subudhi, a self-described "recovering addict" of ultra running and chair of the school's Human Physiology and Nutrition Department: "You get involved with a group of people, and they're your friends and family, and your whole life revolves around these types of events. And it breeds itself." Some say Cummings needs to let go. "He has delusions of grandeur at times, and sometimes he thinks things are bigger than what they are," one longtime friend says. Says another, Gardner: "That club is an insiders and outsiders club. And if he tries to keep it running, it's going to continue to create these problems." Austin says he has his doubts. "He wants to be the Incline King." Cummings says nothing could be more foolish," adding: "We love having records broken. When the cheater took my record, I was all about congratulating him. Then I found out it was a bunch of falsehood. Finding things out has been a burden, he says. I have spent literally hundreds, hundreds of hours investigating each of these individuals and having conversations with people and meetings and on and on. And for what? I get headaches and people saying Im not fair and Im being mean and this and that. I am doing my absolute best at trying to keep this club solid and to keep the individuals in it as being the kind of individuals we want to be in it. All Cummings wants, he insists, is for things to go back to normal. He says he wants the Incline to be the happy, supportive place people have known it to be. And that's what it will be, he promises, when this Geissler and Sanchez situation is settled. But no matter what comes from court, the accuser and accused have individually spoken of a similar path forward. Similarly, they say, the Incline was a place of purpose and growth before it was a place of personal ruin. And both say they're thinking of leaving it behind. The Gazette's Zachary Dupont contributed to this report. Leading retail conglomerate Sharaf Group has significantly expanded its presence in the lifestyle market across the Middle East with two new openings of the popular fashion brand, Forever 21, in Muscat, Oman. The new stores are located in Mall of Oman and Oman Avenues Mall, both of which are popular shopping destinations in the city. The new stores are spread across a combined area of 20842.12 sq. ft. of shopping space that mirrors the groups expansion strategy across the region. The group aims to expand worldwide footprint with plans to open 17 new stores in 2023. The opening of these stores of Forever 21 in Muscat is part of Sharaf Retails continued expansion in the Middle East. The company already has a strong presence in the region, with stores in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. "We are thrilled to be opening two new stores in Muscat," said Yasser Sharaf, Vice President Retail, Hospitality, Industry and financial services, Sharaf Group. "Muscat is a vibrant and dynamic city, and we believe our unique blend of fashion and affordability will be a hit with local shoppers," he noted. "These new stores will offer a wide range of trendy and affordable fashion for men and women, including clothing, shoes and accessories. Customers can expect to find the latest styles and fashion trends, as well as classic pieces that are perfect for any occasion," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Pritchard Companies, a national transportation enterprise, recently announced the appointment of Corey Stanley as their new Chief Commercial Officer. The organization is also announced Scott Sasser has joined their team as a Vice President; Commercial & Global Sales. As part of the senior leadership growth strategy, Cory Thorpe has been promoted to Director; Commercial Sales. According to a press release, Stanley brings over 20 years of marketing, sales and operations experience, most recently as Vice President; Regional Engineering at Holman Enterprises. He began his career at Auto Truck Group which acquired Holman in 2010, and held roles as Fleet Sales Manager, Director of Fleet Operations, Senior Sales Director and Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from University of Iowa and received his MBA in Finance at Elmhurst University. With over 20 years of experience, Sasser has held roles in sales and business development with Textron, Crown Equipment Company, Oshkosh Corporation and JCB Ltd. Sasser spent the past 12 years with Palfinger AG, as a leader in the chassis mounted aerial platform business. As Vice President, Sales, he led domestic and international sales in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and MBA in Administration from the University of Redlands. Thorpe joined Pritchard Companies as a Sales Consultant before moving into the National Account Manager role and has been with the company for nine years. He attended the University of Iowa, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness. Stanley, Sasser and Thorpe will be growing the portfolios of Pritchards loyal customer base while also expanding into new and developing business segments. Through automation and digitalization Pritchard Companies will offer services that are scalable and sustainable. Their focus on relationships and innovation is the foundation theyre building for generations to come. We are thrilled to welcome Corey and Scott on board and believe their deep industry experience will provide framework for success, said COO of Pritchard Companies Angela Pritchard Spiteri. As a family enterprise, its essential to have depth in leadership and we couldnt be more excited to have these industry leaders developing the next generation of Pritchard Companies. Marie Wells Coutu has always been a writer. She began by writing neighborhood plays put on for parents and friends She earned a journalism degree and embarked on a newspaper career. Her latest iteration is as an inspirational author of fiction. The idea for her first novel came to her in 2005, when she felt a calling to write a contemporary novel based on the biblical story of Esther. It was a number of years before it reached maturity, although Wells Coutu's writing has been celebrated and honored along the way. "For Such a Moment" is the first book in the "Mended Vessels" series. Wells Coutu's writing background is in nonfiction, including newspapers, magazines, businesses and government, and most recently, for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, where she's worked for more than a decade. "I've always been a reader of historical fiction, and I wanted to try my hand at it also, but I was hesitant at first. I didn't want to make any mistakes," she says. The three books included in "Mended Vessels" are, in a way, parables. The stories of Esther, the Woman at the Well, and David and Bathsheba are familiar to many people of various faiths. Wells Coutu takes the themes and messages from those biblical narratives and modernizes them for the reader's enjoyment and understanding, she said. Wells Coutu explains it this way: "When readers or listeners relate to the characters in a fictional story, they care about what happens to those characters. The lessons the characters learn through experience can touch the hearts of readers and help them to learn the same lessons. The significance of the story moves from the heart to the head, and fiction becomes truth in the heart and mind of the reader. Ive seen it in my own reading experience, and I pray that my books will be compelling stories that reveal truth in that way." With a series of three contemporary novels under her belt, Wells Coutu is ready to tackle the research necessary for her next book, set in her award-winning short story "All That Glistens." The story received an honorable mention in The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest and was published in the 2023 Best Short Stories Anthology. Wells Coutu is pleased at the recognition "All That Glistens" has received. "It's really a prequel to the historical novel that I'm working on next. I grew up in Kentucky near a town that's long-gone called Golden Pond. It was flooded in a dam project and now it's a recreation area. Over 900 families were displaced at the time. I'm interested to tell, not necessarily those families' stories, but stories from the time and the area." Set in 1937 in Wells Coutu's childhood home in Kentucky, "All That Glistens" tells the parable of the prodigal son through the tale of a young woman returning home after leaving for New York to make it big. "I take real-life inspiration, and this is an anecdote I felt really could be encouraging to readers. My books are about discovery and challenges characters face in hopes that readers will find their own path." The "Mended Vessels" series has won numerous awards, and Wells Coutu is excited about branching out. The selection of "All That Glistens" by the Saturday Evening Post has confirmed she's on the right path. The Saturday Evening Post has published short fiction by a whos who of great American authors, including Ray Bradbury, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Louis LAmour, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, Joyce Carol Oates, Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Tyler, and Kurt Vonnegut, among many others. GAFC receives hundreds of entries each year and All That Glistens really stood out, said Patrick Perry, editor of The Saturday Evening Post magazine. Wells Coutu's works can be purchased at booksellers or ordered through her website www.mariewellscoutu.com. Subscribers to the website will receive a free short story, "A Song for Annie," as a thank you. pushpitkc wrote: People of this country have been finding it difficult to buy their own houses. In the last two decades, the percentage of working population possessing their own homes has gone down. The primary reason is that while the average salary of the working population has increased fivefold in the last two decades, the average cost of a house has shot up ten times. Clearly, the government has not done enough to ensure that the citizens' salaries increase as per the increasing costs of houses. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument above? A. In the two decades before the last two, the disparity between salary and housing prices was rising too. B. The trend of rental accommodation has increased drastically in the last two decades, adding to the financial benefits of owning a house and thereby, increasing the cost of owning a house. C. Most immigrants who entered the country in the last two decades have purchased their own houses. D. The percentage of working people owning their own houses has declined more rapidly in the last decade than in the decade preceding this last. E. The number of jobs in the country has gone up by fifty percent while the number of houses has gone up by forty percent in the last two decades. Source: Ans Option E Please let me know if I am going in wrong direction. Thanks in appreciation. Signature Read More Option A,C & D are out of scopeOption B: Rental Accommodation trend upwards ----> increases financial benifit of owning house ---->increase cost of owning house .... but this donot talk about Govt measuresOption E: job increased 50% ( a clear outcome of +ve govt measures) AND housing increase 40%(could be a +ve govt measures) -- thus govt has done something but still the housing price is going up ( may be due to other factors of economics e.g., supply -demand). Hence the claim about the Govt's action in the argument weakens ._________________ JUNEAU, Alaska The Biden administration's approval last week of the largest new oil project in years on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope was immediately met by lawsuits seeking to stop the Willow project. Lawsuits filed by environmental groups and an Alaska Native organization seek to overturn Monday's approval of three drill sites and up to 199 total wells for the ConocoPhillips Alaska project. The lawsuits allege the U.S. government failed to adequately consider alternatives to greenlighting development. WHAT IS THE WILLOW PROJECT? The 30-year project could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day. That is significant because Alaska's economic fortunes are tied to the boom-and-bust cycles of oil. The flow of oil through the trans-Alaska pipeline is a fraction of what it was at its height in the late 1980s. Willow also is currently the largest proposed oil project on federal lands. WHERE IS WILLOW? Willow is on Alaska's remote North Slope, about 600 miles (966 kilometers) north of Anchorage. It is in something called the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which was originally set aside a century ago as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy. The area has been overseen by the U.S. Interior Department since the 1970s, and there has been debate over where development should occur. The Biden administration last year limited oil and gas leasing to just over half of the federal lands in the nearly 23-million-acre reserve. Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has repeatedly argued it should be expected that oil and gas is developed in the reserve, emphasizing the name petroleum reserve. But environmentalists say the vast region is home to an array of wildlife, such as polar bears and brown bears, muskox, caribou and millions of migratory birds. They say the Interior secretary must act to protect and conserve wildlife and other resources in the reserve when oil and gas activities occur. WHY IS WILLOW CONTROVERSIAL? Environmental groups see the approval of the Willow project as a betrayal of President Joe Biden's 2020 campaign promises to end new oil and gas drilling on federal lands. They say it is out of step with Biden's goals to cut carbon emissions and move to clean energy. Using the oil Willow would produce over 30 years would emit roughly as much greenhouse gases as the combined emissions from 1.7 million passenger cars over the same time period. White House officials said the project won't prevent the U.S. from meeting Biden's goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many Alaska Natives say they support the Willow project because it will bring jobs and money to their communities. But some are opposed, concerned about effects on health, the climate and caribou. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland opposed Willow as a New Mexico congresswoman before becoming Interior secretary. She said this week that Willow is a "difficult and complex issue" involving leases issued by prior administrations and that the Biden administration focused on reducing the project's footprint and impacts on people and wildlife. The approval of Willow also called for ConocoPhillips Alaska to relinquish rights to about 68,000 acres of existing leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? ConocoPhillips Alaska has signaled it is ready to move forward. The company says it wants to immediately begin gravel road construction work. However, lawsuits to stop the project are pending in federal court in Alaska and could delay activities. Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre is celebrating 25 years of hospitality and in honour of this anniversary, the hotel is hosting a range of exciting events and activities. Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre has been hospitality landmark in the area, welcoming guests from all over the world, since opening its doors in 1998. Standing over the Dubai Creek and conveniently attached to City Centre Deira shopping mall, the 317-key property has solidified itself as a reliable, welcoming and premium hospitality destination in the Dubai Creek area. Cluster General Manager of Majid Al Futtaim-Accor Properties, Nishan Silva said: We are delighted to be celebrating the 25th year of hospitality for Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre. This is a significant milestone in the propertys history, and our aim is to continue to grow and adapt to the ever-changing hospitality landscape in the region and offer our guests a premium experience over the next 25 years, whilst never settling for the status quo. Biju Prakash, Director Asset Management Business Unit, Majid Al Futtaim Properties, said: This year Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre is celebrating 25 years of tradition, impeccable guest experience, renowned reputation, and breakthrough results. This marks a key milestone in the history of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, being the 1st hotel of the group. Over the past two decades and a half this hotel has established itself as place where tradition, art and culture meets modernity and service excellence attracting guests who wish to experience the cultural and historic hub of Dubai. Throughout 2023, the property will be unveiling a range of specially curated offers, competitions on social media and events on the 25th of each month, in addition to the exclusive gifts, packages and offers available for all guests starting from March 1. - TradeArabia News Service The launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Soviet Union on Oct. 4, 1957, shocked Americans and triggered a debate over the missile gap, a perceived Soviet superiority. One month later, the Soviets launched Sputnik 2 with dog Laika aboard. Shortly after, a special committee reported to President Dwight Eisenhower that the US was falling far behind the Soviets in missile capabilities. Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev chimed in claiming that the Soviet Union had missile superiority and challenging America to a missile "shooting match" to prove his assertion. Eisenhower knew there was no missile gapU-2 photography proved it. Yet, that secret imagery could not be released to the American public. Later, Khrushchevs son Sergei admitted, We threatened with missiles we didnt have. Yet the missile gap became an issue in the 1960 presidential campaign between Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard M. Nixon, with Kennedy arguing that the United States was far behind. When the Kennedy administration took power, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara painfully admitted the myth of the missile gap the US, in fact, had a substantial lead and the solid-fuel Minuteman was just over the horizon. By the fall of 1960, development of the Minuteman missile was well underway. The Air Force Ballistic Missile Committee approved Malmstrom Air Force Base to host the first Minuteman I missile program. Air Force base in Great Falls saved from dead file At the time, Montanans reflected back to Christmas two decades earlier. A little Christmas magic never hurts, and magic is what the delegation from Great Falls needed just after Christmas 1941, as they arrived in wartime Washington, D.C. After a decade of hard work by the chamber of commerce and favorable army surveys, Great Falls expected selection for a coveted army air base in the rapid buildup following Pearl Harbor. Yet the delegation, led by Mayor Ed Shields, touched down in D.C. to receive crushing news that the Great Fall base had been buried in the armys dead filea morgue for plans. Undaunted, Shields sought a touch of magic. Gen. Henry Harley Hap Arnold, chief of Army Air Forces, granted an interview and listened intently to their appeal and in their presence, ordered his staff to reconsider the proposed base, raising it from the grave. Months passed. Wartime secrecy prevailed, until at last, word came, a major air base would be built at Great Falls. If Great Falls Air Base of World War II had not come, would the Minuteman missiles of the Cold War now be on the horizon? Col. Harry Goldsworthy and his Air Force team were given the near-impossible task of building Minuteman missile sites up and running in roughly two years' time. Few thought they could succeed. Murray M. Moler, a reporter with United Press International, visited Malmstrom AFB and filed this report under the dramatic headline that appeared Sept. 22, 1960, in the Great Falls Tribune 'Minuteman Is Greatest Project In Magnitude Ever in Montana' The Minuteman missile program is the (darnedest) thing to hit Montana since they found copper in Butte Hill. Or maybe even in all the history of the Treasure State. The impact, figuratively, of the program on the state will be tremendous, economically, socially and physically. It will be almost as great as the impact the slender, nuclear-headed weapons actually could have on an enemy land, should they ever be fired in anger. The task: To carve out, reinforce and arm 150 underground silos, holding one Minuteman each; then connect them with 15 launch control centers which in turn, will be wired in Strategic Air Commands 22nd air division headquarters here and SACs world control center at Omaha, Neb. The timetable. Two flights, 10 missiles each, to be operationalready to goby mid-1962; all 150 cocked and aimed in their pits by around June 1, 1963. . . Contracts, estimated at around $50 million, for the bulk of the actual site preparation and building will be let in late November. Then the dirt will start to fly, regardless of the weather. In Montanas rugged winters, thats something. When work starts, so will the side effects. Engineers have estimated construction contractors will being at least 3,600 skilled and semi-skilled workmen into the state. Boeing Airplane Co., already holder of the $247 million basic research and development contract on the missile will employ at least 1,000 in putting the birds in their holes and testing them. . . . To farmers selling their land to Uncle Sam for the sites, construction will mean considerable dislocation, but when the work is done, theyll have better roads, 120 miles of improvements are already scheduled in Cascade County alone, that are useable the year-round. When the Minutemen are in place and the reinforced concrete lids to the silos drawn into place, there will be little activityoccasional inspections and, once in a while, replacement of the missile with a fresh bird. Each of the three operational squadrons will have about 500 men, about 100 assigned to each of the 15 flights. All will be based in Great Falls and commute to the sites for shifts. The total result is that Air Force expenditures, $79 million for construction alone in Montana this year plus other millions for salaries, goods and services will continue to be a big factor in the states economy for a long time. The Cuban Missile Crisis: 'How close Montana lives to the firing line' Fortunately, exceptional leadership and hard work kept the near-impossible task on track because a dramatic world event would severely test U.S. national security in October 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought the United States and the Soviet Union closer to a nuclear exchange than any other event throughout the Cold War. From Oct. 16-Nov. 20, the world teetered on the brink of a catastrophic very Hot War u ntil leadership and luck prevailed. As the Crisis unfolded, President Kennedy delivered a dramatic red-line speech, and Montanas military immediately responded with an unprecedented state of activity. Bringing the first Minuteman ICBM on-line Historian Troy Hallsell of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing (SMW) described the environment at Malmstrom AFB with everyone working at a frenetic pace: Typically, 16-hour days were normal, weekends included. The payoff was the Missile Squadrons and Wing reaching operational readiness well ahead of schedule. The unfolding events even took the (ICBM missile) construction crews by surprise. Quality Assurance contractor Jack Gannon heard about the crisis while driving to Lewistown from Eddies Corner. Upon arrival he told his co-workers they Better get them wrapped up, were going to be using them in about 20 minutes. The speed at which the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred made everyone associated with the ICBMs in Montana work to get them operational as soon as possible. ... Following President Kennedys address, SAC Commander-in-Chief Gen Thomas Power instructed Col. Burton C. Andrus Jr., the 341 SMW commander, to determine if the wing could posture all 10 Minuteman ICBMs in its Alpha flight and find a way to launch them. Engineers designed the weapon system to require launch commands from two different Launch Control Centers the problem was that 341 SMW only had one constructed. In order to bypass the weapon systems safety procedures, Andrus had to kluge the system. His Airmen did so by introducing the critical part of a second launch control unit into the circuitry in Alphas Launch Control Center so that a double crew could turn four keys simultaneously and thus launch the birds. SACs first Minuteman went on alert at 3:07 p.m. on Oct. 27, 1962. Andrus reported to SAC that its new weapon system had entered the war plan. Five days later all of Alpha Flight was on alert. The gravity of bringing the first flight of Minuteman ICBMs on alert was not lost on Andrus. Reflecting on the Cuban Missile Crisis, he said If we seemed nervous it was only because we were being not only 99% sure that you cant have an inadvertent launch is not good enough when you are looking at the possibility of starting WW III. How close Montana lives to the firing line One year later in September 1963, just weeks before his assassination, President Kennedy visited Great Falls to pay tribute to his ace in the hole Minuteman ICBMs ranging in every direction around the stadium where he spoke these words: Montana is a long way from Washington, and it is a long way from the Soviet Union ... But this particular State, because it has, among other reasons, concentrated within its borders some of the most powerful nuclear missile systems in the world, must be conscious of every danger and must be conscious of how close Montana lives to the firing line which divides the Communist world. We are many thousands of miles from the Soviet Union, but this state, in a very real sense, is only 30 minutes away. Today, 60 years later, Minuteman III, about to be modernized to the Sentinel missile system, continues to anchor U.S. national defense our mighty ace in the hole lives on close to the firing line. Adapted from Ken Robisons Cold War Montana. Robison, of Great Falls, is a historian, author and trustee of the Montana Historical Society. Billings Police on Sunday identified the woman who allegedly shot a police officer Saturday prompting a standoff that lasted more than 14 hours. The suspect, 57-year-old Mary White Crane, has been jailed in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on three felony counts of criminal endangerment, two counts of criminal mischief and one count of attempted deliberate homicide, according to a press release from police Lt. Matt Lennick. At one point Saturday evening, firefighters helped tactical team members use a fire hose to spray water into the home, which apparently persuaded the suspect to surrender at about 10 p.m. On Sunday morning, detectives remained on the scene of the standoff in a trailer park on the 700 block of Birch Lane in the Billings Heights. The neighborhood and surrounding streets were blocked by police Saturday beginning about 7 a.m. after reports of White Crane firing shots from her home, Lennick said. One of those shots was apparently fired into the home of a next-door neighbor whom she had been feuding with for some time. At about 10:45 a.m., as SWAT team members were attempting to deliver a phone the suspect could use to communicate with them, she fired at officers, injuring one officer, police said in the press release. Officers returned fire but the suspect was able to retreat into the residence unharmed, Lennick said. The injured officer was rushed to a nearby hospital where after surgery his condition was listed as stable, police said. It was the second Montana police officer to be shot in less than two weeks. Earlier this month, Great Falls Police Officer Tanner Lee was shot several times during a traffic stop. During the Heights siege Saturday, the suspect continued to post updates on her Facebook page, ranting about authorities, including the CIA, trying to harm her. She also posted that she was ready to die in Saturdays siege with police. Officers from other agencies including the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office, the Montana Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marshals Office and from Gallatin and Lewis and Clark counties assisted with ending the 14-hour standoff. Members of a police SWAT team surrounded the home and sharp-shooters in combat gear staged on nearby rooftops. Police using an armored truck rammed the front of the suspects mobile home and dismantled her security system so the suspect couldnt watch their preparations. White Crane was suspected of having several weapons inside the trailer, police said. Officers attempted contact with the suspect for approximately two hours with no cooperation from the woman. Numerous attempts were made to convince the suspect to surrender. At one point, a recorded plea from a family member was repeated over a loud speaker. I wish I could be there with you right now, the family member said. Whatever youre going through, you dont have to go through it alone. She promised the suspect that her dogs and family would be taken care of. I need you to think of your grandkids. You need to reach out and talk to someone, let them help you, the message continued. If you agree to give up peacefully, you wont be harmed. I love you, dont do anything. You should give up. We dont want you to be hurt. We love you and miss you. Please surrender. Im begging you. Several neighbors described White Crane as sometimes friendly, but also volatile and paranoid. The clash with the suspect apparently began after she received an eviction notice. Photos: Standoff after officer shot continues The recent bank crisis that saw the collapse of the Silicon Valley and Signature Banks is now being blamed on the deregulation bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in 2018. Just to keep the record straight, the measure was supported by numerous Democrats as well as Republicans, including Montanas Sens. Democrat Jon Tester and Republican Steve Daines. Both claim they voted for the bill that rolled back the Dodd-Frank banking regulation law to protect Montanas small banks. But in fact the small bank cut-off for stricter federal oversight is a whopping $250 billion in assets. Silicon Valley Bank had over $200 billion in assets, but when the word got out that the bank was in trouble, large depositors, like billionaire Peter Thiel who started PayPal, pulled their significant holdings out of the bank and kicked off the run that collapsed the bank in a mere 24 hours. One might well wonder why Tester and Daines thought removing federal oversight would help Montanans. After all, anyone with money in the bank naturally wants confidence that their deposits are fully protected against a crash. Both Daines and Tester have taken significant campaign donations from the banking industry. And Tester sits on the Senate Banking Committee, where he is continually wooed by banking lobbyists. Not that any of that is unusual, as evidenced by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who rushed to return donations received from Silicon Valley Banks operatives, saying they would be donated to charity. Cutting to the chase was Massachusetts Democrat Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and chaired the Congressional Oversight Panel of the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Highly respected for her deep knowledge of the banking industry, Warren laid it out bluntly: Connect the dots. The 2018 rollback permitted the banks to take on more risks in order to boost their profits. So what did they do? They took on more risks, boosted their profits, gave their executives big bonuses and then blew the banks up. Tough to see how rolling back regulatory oversight benefited Montanas small banks or the Montanans who place their money and trust in those institutions. Likewise, its very difficult to see how Testers and Daines votes did anything to stabilize the nations financial situation. As reported, it appears to have achieved exactly the opposite with the heaviest (stock) losses were focused on smaller and mid-size banks, which are seen as more at risk of having customers try to pull their money out en masse. Now legislation has been introduced to restore the former Dodd-Frank regulatory oversight and resurrect the threshold set for stress tests and capital rules that had been eased for small and mid-sized banks in light of the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and other institutions. If it sounds like Congress is on a deregulation merry-go-round, its because thats exactly whats happening ... especially when greed overcomes good management and the bankers cant resist grabbing the gold ring. Of course this is no news to Montanans, who have lived through their own deregulation merry-go-round. First our Legislature deregulated utilities in the '90s, resulting in Montanans going from the lowest electric costs in the region to the highest. So then they re-regulated the utilities and now we have NorthWestern Energys monopoly and ever-rising rates. Some day we may learn, but our current Legislature is again on a deregulation run, this time on local zoning and environmental regulations. And so the merry-go-round continues until of course, it crashes ... which is almost the inescapable result of letting greed run wild while prudence gets the boot. HICKORY The Catawba Valley Community College paramedic program is working with Redhawk Publications and Creative Solutions on a commemorative yearbook celebrating the 35th anniversary of accreditation the first in the NC Community College system and the alumni classes from 1981 through 2022. The CVCC Paramedic Program alumni are asked to visit www.cvcc.edu/ems to submit updated information, photos, memories, career updates and other news to be published in the CVCC Paramedic Program Commemorative Yearbook. Memorial and dedication pages in the yearbook will be available for purchase. The yearbook will be available for pre-order online at redhawkpublications.com and at the CVCC Paramedic Program Alumni Reunion and 35th Anniversary Celebration of Accreditation to be held at the Tarlton Complex on Friday, April 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. The proceeds will benefit the CVCC Paramedic Program. For more information, contact Kendra Lowman at 828-327-7000 ext. 4372 or email klowman216@cvcc.edu or Melanie Zimmermann at 828-327-7000, ext. 4598 or email mzimmermann@cvcc.edu. HICKORY On Sunday, March 19, at 11 a.m., Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church will receive its annual Womens Day message from the Rev. Sharon Gray of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Catawba. She has faithfully provided leadership, love and loyal support at Mt. Sinai for approximately 34 years. A licensed minister, she became an ordained preacher by the Western Ministerial Alliance of North Carolina in November of 2011. A product of the Cabarrus County School System, Gray attended Rowan Community College and New Life Theological Seminary in Concord. The Bible verse, Matthew 9:37, plays a significant role in her life. Married to Dr. Donald Gray for 37 years, they are the parents of three children. Hartzell church is located at 465 South Center St. in Hickory. The Rev. Cassandra Rawls is the pastor. Linda Connor is president of Hartzells United Methodist Women. HICKORY An organized giving circle is being formed in Catawba County. The organization, Catawba County Women Who Care, is seeking interested members who are willing to meet for one hour three times per year to pool their financial resources for the purpose of collective philanthropy that benefits the local community. The group is in search of 100-plus women in the area who are willing to participate so that three qualified, local nonprofits may receive the groups collective gift of $10,000 or more at various times throughout the year. Each meeting of Catawba County Women Who Care lasts for an hour. During that time, members nominate, vote and designate a qualified local nonprofit to receive the organizations collective gift. Catawba County Women Who Care is not a nonprofit 501c3. It is an organization of community members. All contributions to selected nonprofits will be written directly to the award recipient nonprofit organization and is considered a tax-deductible donation for the contributing member. The organization's second informational meeting will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 20, at the Patrick Beaver Memorial Library meeting room. Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to attend. The groups first impact meeting, where members will nominate, select and gift a local nonprofit, will be held on Thursday, March 30, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at St. Albans Episcopal Parish Hall in Hickory. Members unable to attend the impact meeting may vote by proxy or pledge their contribution to the group majority vote. Catawba County Women Who Care is affiliated with the 100 Who Care Alliance, a national resource for over 700 organized giving circle chapters nationally. Its sister chapter is located in the Smith Mountain Lake area of Virginia. The organization has a Facebook and Instagram page, CatawbaCountyWomenWhoCare, and can be reached by email at CatawbaCountyWomenWhoCare@gmail.com. Organizers of Catawba County Women Who Care have a steering committee in place consisting of six members. They are Xan Pilgrim, Fran Paradine, Anna Winger, Michelle Morgan, Krista Burns and Susan Greathouse Jones. This is Peter Hitchens's Mail on Sunday Column How bizarre that the keystone of a supposedly conservative budget is a plan to help women abandon their children and go out to work. Anti-family socialists and dogmatic hard-line feminists - often the same people have long sought to turn women into wage-slaves. The old Communist East Germany managed to cram 90% of its women into factories and offices in the 1980s, and counted it a great triumph. Some modern feminists admire this to this day. For them, the only good life is the life of paid work. The only working women are those who work outside the home. The huge, responsible, future-defining task of raising the next generation as good women and men is dismissed as servitude, and farmed out to paid strangers. Interestingly, big business has felt the same way, seeing the new untapped female workforce as much preferable to the old male working class, most of which was chucked on the national scrapheap during the Thatcher years, along with the blast-furnaces, pithead winding gear, rolling mills and greasy, noisy old-style car production lines where such people used to toil. Yet in those days most families could manage on one wage, whereas now it takes two, plus a lot of tax breaks (and who pays for those in the end?). So what did we gain? The only form of child-care which the state does not help or subsidise is the sort where a mother brings up her own sons and daughters. In our new age of service industries, call centres, light manufacturing and vast hygienic windowless warehouses, and of course the enormous empires of the NHS, care homes and social work, a female workforce suits everyone very well. Except the women. And above all, except their children, who in their hundreds of thousands are denied the presence of a full-time parent No doubt superwomen such as Nicola Horlick and Cherie Blair have always longed to sit on boards or be judges, on giant salaries. Women such as these can afford superb nannies to do the work of a full-time mother. But for most wageslave women, the work is drudgery and the wages are poor, and it takes them away from homes and children. As the American conservative thinker Helen Andrews has said of the post-60s feminist generation Boomers promised that employment was the only way for women to be fulfilled and independent. But she points out that Any socialist could have told them that there is no one more dependent than a wage worker . . . the net effect of boomer feminism has been to restrict the choices of typical women, taking the choice that was making most of them happy and removing it from the set of options. In the new British Democratic Republic, where about three quarters of what normal people used to think has now been ruled unacceptable and evil, Ms Andrews can say this (but only just) because she is a woman and lives in the USA, where speech is still in many ways more free than it is here . I of course have no opinions on this, being male. Soon, especially now all the political parties are in agreement, nobody will be able to dissent. ************ If there were a right-wing Gary Lineker, we wouldnt be having all these problems. Imagine if a figure of similar fame and clout, but in favour of migration controls, could confront Mr Lineker on Twitter or on a public debate programme. Then it wouldnt matter that either of them used their BBC positions to push one side. But only the BBC could create such a figure. The national broadcaster is the only body which can lift people to such prominence. Mr Linekers huge Twitter following which makes his opinions important- is the result of his broadcasting fame. It is true that the BBC occasionally gives modest platforms to a few nominal Tories, or to confused, politically incoherent crowd-pleasers such as Jeremy Clarkson. But the one opinion that it veers violently away from is social, moral and political conservatism. Dominated as it is by urban radicals, it simply cannot bear to have such opinions around, or the people who hold them. This is where BBC impartiality has gone wrong. For decades now, the BBC has recruited from among people who actively like mass immigration because it makes the country more multiculti, and who are embarrassed and baffled by conservative Christianity or by people who believe in the punishment of crime. How would it now redress this balance? Parliament works, or used to work, because it was balanced between two genuinely opposing parties. Fleet Street was the same, with right and left-wing papers competing for audiences, giving rival versions of events and setting out the rival cases of the opposing sides in major public controversies. Our courts are fairer than those of other countries because the defence has a proper chance of winning a reasonably fair battle for the minds of an independent jury. Its a great method just as tough public debate is a good way of getting at the truth. I think the BBCs collapse into one-sided stagnation is a national disaster. If it wont reform, the solution is to close it down and start again. Yes, lets have a national broadcaster, just not this one. When the Charter next comes up, make it plain that it will be awarded only to a body that is ready to allow voices from both sides of our society. ********** For the last week I have been fending off a Twitter mob raging over my point last week that the Nazis were left-wing racists. One moron even claimed (thinking that left-wing means good) that I was excusing the Holocaust. Look, the line between the Nazis and their opponents was not as rigid and uncrossable as the Left like to think. Large numbers of Communists and Social Democrats joined the Nazi Brownshirts after Hitler took power. The German left-wing historian Konrad Heiden noted it in his 1938 biography of Hitler. The Nazis, with their huge social programmes, their tight control over every aspect of society, their loathing of Christianity and private life, have lots in common with the programmes of the Left. Stalin and Hitler, when they formed their alliance against the democracies in 1939, got on surprisingly well. Left-wingers simply dont believe that they and their movement can do or think or say anything bad. Well, theyre wrong. And lets rejoice that the people screaming at me and demanding that I confess my evil deeds, recant or simply shut up, do not (yet) have any political power. ********* Erich Maria Remarques book on World War One All Quiet on the Western Front was hated by Hitler because nobody who read it could ever again be seduced by the supposed glories of war. Remarqe had been a real fighting soldier and so could not be ignored. In fact the Nazis loathed him so much that, unable to get their hands on him, they murdered his sister instead. The book is still powerful (I have been re-reading it this week). But the new film of it, despite its Oscars, tries too hard to be clever and stylish. The raw story of a group of friends, deceived by blowhards and then exposed to the horrible truth of trench warfare, would have been better. Those now demanding war without end in Ukraine need to realise what it is they are asking for. Editor's Note This is the third in a series about the city of Concord and issues facing the city from the perspective of members of city council. Concord is an exceptional city. Two of our states biggest tourism hubs are the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Concord Mills. Our strengths are seen not just in big projects like Eli Lilly or the new parks but in many small businesses opening throughout the City. After the opening of Cabarrus Brewing Company in Gibson Mill, we now have at least five other breweries in town. In the past year, our local Chamber: Leading Business in Cabarrus welcomed 170 new businesses and had over 400 people at its annual banquet. I have attended opening ribbon cuttings at a day spa, fitness center, rehabilitation clinic, pizza place, and health care office. All are important for our common good. Through The Independent Tribune, I am sharing what has happened in our City over the past three years through the lens of serving on the Concord City Council. I am not speaking for the City or the other members of the Council, but offering my own personal perspective. Parks and growth Lets focus on our expanding parks, smart management of growth, and our historic and dramatically changing downtown. Our parks and greenways are expanding. This past year, the Council, after much debate, supported issuing $60 million in bonds for four new parks and five parks major improvements. In response, our citizens approved the bond by two to one. Despite some naysayers, clearly the Council and people were on the same page about parks! At this stage, the Council has approved master plans for all of these parks, purchased land for Jim Ramseur Park in northeast Concord, continued 120+ recreation programs, supported our eight current city parks with thirteen playgrounds and thirty-one playing fields and dog park, and built and opened the Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail. More tourist and more residents Each year, around 5,000 new people move into our community and new businesses open. How does the City manage our growth? Although almost never seen, our City Council continually works to support the basic infrastructure that makes all our lives possible. Concord has 1,400 miles of electrical lines, 700 miles of waterlines, and 370 miles of roads to maintain. The City also owns over 1,000 vehicles and equipment that require a whole Fleet Department for maintenance. To maintain good service, the Council has designated over $100 million in future capital improvement projects for our electrical and water services. The Council also set aside $18 million for waste water connections. Good service requires serious investment and great planning. While the City is growing, our City Council has focused less on an expansion of City limits and more on infill development. We are limiting our geographic footprint and improving how we live closer to one another and services. Zoning and master planning The Council also manages our growth by our zoning decisions. One of the most significant documents in the City, although largely unknown, is our 2030 Land-Use Master Plan. Frequently the Council is asked to sync our Concord Development Ordinances with this plan and respond to zoning changes. We have just been discussing how to include tiny homes and cottage homes into our housing mix. Zoning changes are among the most visible and contentious decisions the Council makes. If you want to see how our City will grow, look at that master plan. The Council has adopted small-area master plans for the Weddington Road corridor and George Liles Boulevard. How we grow along those stretches of road will affect everyone. The Council has authorized beginning work on a McGill Ave. NW reuse plan and a Concord Mills Blvd/Bruton Smith Blvd. area plan. We are not being reactive but proactive. While most of our growth is the western part of the City, the City Council is still committed to the historic downtown. We are now witnessing almost $200 million in private/public investment. The Downtown Streetscape is well underway, for example creating new 22-foot sidewalks on Union Street, smart light poles, better infrastructure, and more accessible parking. The construction is inconvenient and stressful, especially for our downtown businesses. Support them! Good news: the downtown street work will be completed by the summer of 2024! In 2021, the Council updated our Downtown Master Plan. We are welcoming 400+ downtown apartments and new businesses and restaurants. The basement of the repurposed old City Hall Annex is now filled with local non-profits. Close to downtown, the Council strongly supports the Logan Community. Once overlooked, the Council is making major new investments in Caldwell Park, revisioning and expanding public housing, seeking to make Logan a national historic district, replacing the Lincoln Street bridge, and continuing to watch the future of the Barber Scotia property. While some decisions are out of our hands, the Logan community is vital to the health of our City. Similar work is happening in the Gibson Mill area. Parks, smart growth and infrastructure, and the downtown are all part of the continuing responsibility of the Concord City Council. Watch for much more in the coming weeks. Q: Why is the entrance ramp from Salem Parkway eastbound to Interstate 74 north closed? This has been closed for several weeks with no evidence that any work is being done. C.W. Answer: Pat Ivey, the N.C. Department of Transportation division engineer for Forsyth County, said some work is being finished that wasnt completed during the initial construction. Crews are installing a new noise wall on I-74 that was inadvertently left out of the original beltway contract. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of July, and all lanes will be re-opened. Q: Does Forsyth County own the lot and building at the intersection of Sixth and Spruce streets? What is the building used for? D.D. Answer: No, Forsyth County sold the building several years ago. Kirby Robinson, the deputy director of general services for Forsyth County, said that at its July 13, 2017, meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners authorized execution of a purchase and sale contract with Spruce Development, LLC for real property located at 537 N. Spruce Street. Spruce Development, LLC took possession of the building and property on Nov. 30, 2017. According to the Tax Departments website, it is currently owned by Flow 537 North Spruce, LLC, Robinson said. Currently, the building is vacant. Q: Can you find out the details of the development that will be going in on the east side of South Peacehaven Road near West Side Baptist Church. Work is being done to clear the land. D.B. Answer: It is a housing development called South Fork Village. The plan was approved by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Planning Board on Dec. 8. According to the site plan, when it is completed, it will have 220 homes on the east and west sides of South Peacehaven Road. There will be a pickleball court, swimming pool and a clubhouse. Q: I think I remember a place that would take old greeting cards for children to use. Is that place still around? H.D. Answer: St. Judes Ranch for Children in Nevada accepts the fronts of cards for its recycled cards program, though it is unable to accept Hallmark, American Greetings and Disney cards because of copyright laws. The cards help teens learn life and work skills. You can send the cards to St. Judes Ranch for Children, 100 St. Judes St., Boulder City, NV 89005. They also accept new cards (any occasion) with or without the envelopes. They ask that people not send cards promoting other charitable organizations. They do not have any cards available for purchase at this time. For more information, go to stjudesranch.org or call 702-294-7100. Call for volunteers RiverRun International Film Festival is looking for volunteers for the 2023 festival, which will be held April 13-22. Volunteers are needed in such areas as taking tickets, ushering, chauffeuring guests, and providing hospitality at parties. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least two shifts during the festival. You will receive one voucher to a festival film for each shift completed. In addition, youll get a RiverRun volunteer T-shirt and an appreciation party at the end of the festival. To register, go to https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1938759826. After completing the form, you will be contacted about signing up for shifts. For more information, email jane@riverrunfil.com. There are more guns than people in this country 393.3 million by one count. The total of mass shootings surpassed 100 this year faster than any previous year on record. Firearms are the leading cause of death among children ages 19 and younger. Rarely a day passes when someone hasnt shot someone else in local communities, often with deadly consequences. So, naturally, handguns should be even easier to obtain in North Carolina? That seems to be the twisted logic in the legislature, which has passed a bill that eliminates the authority of local sheriffs to deny pistol permits. As current law stands, anyone seeking a pistol permit in North Carolina must undergo a background check by a local sheriffs office that includes such details as pending charges, criminal convictions and involuntary commitments. Not anymore if this new bill becomes law. Passed earlier by the state Senate, Senate Bill 41 passed in the state House last week mostly along partisan lines, and with both a sense of urgency and jubilation among Republicans. Guns for everyone, everywhere, all at once. Or so it seems in the fevered rush to roll back gun existing laws and to resist, tooth and nail, any reasonable new restrictions. This is a great bill, Republican Rep. Jeffrey McNeely of Iredell County said of SB 41. No, this is not. This is an unnecessary, irresponsible and tone-deaf bill that flies on the face of reality and common sense. The best solution for gun violence is not more guns. Notes a 2022 report by the Rockefeller Institute of Government: One of the most fundamental facts is this: where there are more guns, there are more gun deaths. Adding salt to the wound, one argument North Carolina Republicans have raised for the bill is civil rights. The current law, they say, originated in the Jim Crow era to allow racist sheriffs to deny gun permits to Black people. Social justice advocates arent buying that. This act is a disregard to community safety and has nothing to do with racial equity, Chester Williams, of the nonprofit A Better Chance, A Better Community, said during a news conference in February. Added Sharon Robinson, who lost a son in a fatal shooting: He was an innocent bystander in a shooting at a convenience store. The shooter was just 17. Making it easier to buy handguns will only make things worse, she said. According to 2018 statistics from the state Department of Health and Human Services, Black North Carolinians were five times more likely than white North Carolinians to become homicide victims. As for the premise that permitting by sheriffs is unnecessary because a national program already covers the same ground, that system, called NICS, does not include checks for pending convictions or most domestic violence convictions. This means local pistol permits are often the only obstacle standing between a domestic abuser and a gun in North Carolina. Nor is a NICS check required for private purchases not involving a dealer. It would have been some consolation if Republicans had considered four reasonable amendments from Democrats: Enacting a red flag that would empower judges to remove guns from the hands of individuals who are deemed to pose a threat to themselves or others. Requiring universal background checks for gun purchases. Requiring pistol permits for private sales, which the federal check does not include. Making leaving an unlocked gun in an unlocked vehicle a crime. But House Speaker Tim Moore wouldnt even allow a vote on those proposals. Incidentally, the bill also makes it legal to bring guns to worship services on the campuses of private schools after school hours. Finally, it encourages a state-sponsored education campaign about suicide awareness and safe gun storage, both good ideas. But for some reason the bill does not require safe storage. Who could oppose that? Now the fate of the bill rests with Gov. Roy Cooper, who has vetoed similar legislation in the past. But Republicans now hold a veto-proof majority in the Senate and are one seat short of one in the House. This means it takes only one Democrats vote for an override. Three House Democrats voted for SB 41. The math is discouraging. Then again, the mounting numbers of guns and gun deaths are downright horrific. The governor should veto the bill anyway and leave what happens next to the consciences of the legislature. Damac Group, under its property development arm Damac Properties, has awarded the main works contract worth AED 544 million ($148.2 million) to Aima Construction Company Private Limited for 120 villas at its recently announced Mandarin Oriental Bolidhuffaru Reef resort in the Maldives. The 34-hectare luxury resort, scheduled to open in 2025, will be located in the Bolidhuffaru Reef in South Male Atoll. This pristine tropical location is easily accessible through a 30-minute yacht ride from Males Velana international airport or other forms of water transportation. Characterized by its white sand beaches and vibrant coral reefs, the upcoming resort will offer its guests a wealth of recreational activities, water sports, culinary experiences, wellness retreats and more. Commenting on this, Mohammed Tahaineh, General Manager of Projects at Damac Properties, said: "We are fully confident in the capabilities of Aima Construction, whose track-record and enthusiasm for the project exceeded all our expectations during an extensive and highly competitive candidate vetting process." "Damac Properties looks forward to seeing such a high-profile development project, the first of its kind for our group, come to fruition across the beautiful Maldives," he stated. As per the deal, Aima Construction is set to deliver 120 stand-alone villas, 64 of which are overwater and 56 are beachfront villas. These villas, which will be some of the markets largest, will also come with private pools and picturesque ocean views. Resort-goers will also get to choose from eight dining outlets, including three specialty restaurants and an exclusive venue featuring a pool bar. Furthermore, indoor and outdoor event will also be made available to guests for a wide range of uses, it added.-TradeArabia News Service If you're like most people in Lincoln, you've probably seen natural gas bills this winter that are among the highest you've ever encountered. I wrote a story about two months ago that chronicled the sky-high Black Hills Energy bills people received for December and their reaction to them. Shortly after that, I started hearing from customers questioning why Black Hills was reporting continuing increases in the cost of natural gas while sources that track prices were reporting a decline. For example, Black Hills said at the time that what it was charging customers for natural gas in January was 14% higher than what it was in December. However, according to price data published by the Energy Information Administration, daily spot prices for natural gas declined from has high as $7.15 per million British thermal units right before Christmas to less than $3 per BTU by the end of January. The issue is that Black Hills plans its gas costs about a month in advance. So January prices charged to customers were actually reflective of December prices. The good news is that February prices dropped nearly 15% and March prices dropped another 20%. I looked at my own bills for December, January and February and noticed a trend of falling prices. For December, I paid 92 cents per therm, or 100,000 BTUs. That number went up to $1.04 for January but dropped to 90 cents in February and about 72 cents this month. There also are other factors driving the size of your bill. There's the polar vortex charge from the severe cold snap in February 2021, which sent natural gas prices soaring. That cost me $30 for December, $24 for January and nearly $20 for February. You also pay city and state sales taxes on your bill, and those are, of course, higher when your bill is higher. The good news is that if you signed up for Black Hills' Annual Price Option, you've saved a little bit of money over the past few months, since that price was set at about 86 cents. Black Hills, like other gas and electric utilities got burned two years ago during the brutal February cold snap and wound up paying hundreds of millions of dollars extra for gas on the spot market when prices soared. Brandy Johnson, a company spokeswoman, said in an email that it employs a strategy that focuses on "maintaining reliable supply that our customers depend on, price risk mitigation, cost stabilization through a diverse supply portfolio, and maintain(ing) a portfolio that is flexible enough to balance changes in forecasted normal requirements, higher demand (weather) events, warmer-than-typical weather, etc." "For those reasons, our plans cant solely rely on any one approach, like spot prices. Our portfolio includes financial hedging, physical baseload purchases, storage inventory, peaking supply and daily purchases (when needed)." The 'N' stands for 'not so much' Airbnb says its female hosts in Nebraska made $11 million last year. That sounds like a lot of money, although the vacation home rental company did not provide data from previous years to show if that's an increase. What it did provide, though, is the amounts women hosts in all the other states made, and it shows that Nebraska is not a popular state for vacation rentals. That $11 million ranked second to last, better only than North Dakota. Kansas was only slightly better at $12 million, while Iowa women brought in $16.6 million. Among bordering states, Colorado was by far the best, with $275 million earned by female hosts. Missouri was second with $65 million, followed by South Dakota, at $19 million. Surprisingly, at least to me, Wyoming only came in at $12.5 million. California was No. 1, with $1.3 billion earned by women hosts, with Florida coming in second at $1 billion. Listing the lists Regular readers of this column know I like to end it with a rundown of recent rankings of Lincoln and/or Nebraska in national reports. The latest: * Fourth best state to comfortably retire (NetCredit) Age: 34 Occupation: Homemaker, LPS substitute Political party: Republican Address: 1334 Rose St. Why are you running for the Lincoln Board of Education? I am running because our community deserves a choice. No one should win simply because they are unopposed. Competition makes us stronger and causes us to really think about what is best. My opponent is satisfied that our schools are safe and high quality. I think there is always room for improvement. Our students and teachers deserve a change. What experience do you have that relates to the office youre seeking? We have had foster students at LPS. While working as a substitute transportation para, nutrition services worker, paraeducator and teacher, I have been in most buildings and seen what is working and what is not. I have over a decade of experience in education both here and abroad, in public and private schools. I earned a certificate in leadership from my university. With my degree in intercultural studies, I am familiar with current topics like identity, social problems, anthropology etc. What would be your priorities if elected to the Lincoln Board of Education and why? * Safety * Every day we have 100+ staff openings go unfilled. Lets fill them with quality people * Support and better pay for teachers to prevent burnout and attrition * Transparency: in security incidents, building infrastructure, curriculum, test results and quality ratings * Improving districtwide poor test scores (our high schoolers are less than 50% proficient in math and reading) Lincoln Public Schools is in the process of creating a new five-year strategic plan. What long-term goals for the district would you like to see included in this plan? I agree with the current goals pertaining to higher graduation rates, improved proficiency in math and reading, more career and trade courses, renovating some of our older buildings and providing more mental health services for students and staff. Workforce shortages have hit schools hard in a number of positions, including teachers, paras and bus drivers. What should the board do to recruit and retain employees to ensure schools are properly staffed? LPS could pay more. We could meet two goals by offering some sort of work-study program that would encourage teens to stay in school and graduate, while also giving them jobs as support staff like transportation paras, interpreters, janitors, etc. The pandemic had many impacts on student and staff mental health. Teachers are burned out. Behavioral issues among students have increased. What steps should LPS take or continue to take to address this crisis in mental health? More staff like behavior interventionists, paraeducators, therapists and resource officers could help teachers focus on teaching, but unfortunately we are already short-staffed and cant fill the openings we already have. We could consider an alternative school calendar that has breaks spread out through the whole year. This might prove better for retention and refreshing and reenergizing of staff and students. We need to focus on the basics of education, like math and reading and avoid fights over controversial topics and agendas. Students reading and math skills declined during the pandemic according to state test results. The validity of those results, however, have come under question for not adequately gauging academic progress. What should LPS do to assess students academic progress and subsequently help catch up students who do fall behind? Everyone knows that tests aren't the only way to measure progress or ability. To improve proficiency, we can give students and parents more information about how they are doing. Many parents want to help their students do well in school but dont know how. Letting students track their progress and rewarding excellence are options. We think we shouldn't reward kids for good grades, but in the adult world we do it all the time, it is called a paycheck! At the end of the day, why should voters choose you? Because I am not a rich business person who is only interested in their kids and their neighborhood school. I wont play favorites. I have an insider perspective having been a substitute in almost every building in our district. I am not a career politician. I dont have alliances or hidden agendas. Im just a foster mom and substitute who cares about students and staff. Age: 45 Occupation: Senior manager of Special Investigations Unit for a health insurance company Political party: Democrat Address: 5340 Pony Hill Court Website: None Why are you running for Lincoln Airport Authority? I want to help the board continue its ongoing efforts to recruit airlines and engage in strategic partnerships. I want to see our community benefit from the potential revenue, convenience and jobs offered by a strong local airport. I would like to use my unique background and skillset to expand opportunities for Lincoln and surrounding area residents to travel to other parts of the country and world. What experience do you have that relates to the office youre seeking? I have over 20 years of experience in managing teams, strategic planning, establishing partnerships, and figuring out how to make things happen. I have served on the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Nebraska. I coordinated with government, nonprofit, faith-based and private-sector entities to establish youth programs in Southeast Nebraska that received local, state, and federal funding. I previously worked at Lufthansa Airlines and have a strong understanding of the travel and airline industry. What do you think the main issues are for the Lincoln Airport in the next decade? I think that the airline industry as a whole will continue to struggle due to the setbacks caused by the pandemic, staffing shortages, technology issues and rising costs in general. Those struggles are bound to impact airports as well, especially airports like Lincoln. If passengers are unable to find affordable flights out of or into Lincoln, we will continue to see travelers opt for Omaha. As the airport struggles to recover from the loss of passengers and air service during the pandemic, what do you think a reasonable goal is in terms of attracting new and/or expanded service? Adding additional/expanded service is a reasonable goal. One way to do this is by actively pursuing partnerships with local and area businesses. We should assess, research, plan and clearly demonstrate how an added service could directly financially benefit those businesses. We can use modern technology and analytical tools to assist with this process. Do you think the airports industrial park is being utilized to its full potential? If not, what would you change or improve? There is always room for improvement in any scenario. The recent agreements with Burrell and Timpte are certainly very promising. We should explore additional opportunities to converse with more companies to establish long-term partnerships that make the most sense for the space and align with the airports strategic plan. What if any changes would you make in how the airport operates and/or markets itself? There are lots of great things happening for the airport right now with the updated terminal building, new partnerships and possible new airline. The marketing campaigns that remind area residents to choose LNK have been impressive and effective. I think that there could be additional marketing efforts to target local businesses and companies that do business in Lincoln. (Editor's note: This column originally ran March 17, 2013. New Jim McKee columns will return next week.) Elizabeth Dolan, perhaps known by most only for her painting Spirit of the Prairie in the state Capitol and her wall-sized background paintings at the Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall on the University of Nebraska campus, was once considered one of the finest fresco painters in the United States. Elizabeth Honor Dolans childhood is difficult to chronicle, and though her parents, John and Mary Dolan, emigrated from Ireland and she was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, even the year of her birth is difficult to nail down. Various biographical articles have her born in 1871, 1875, 1884 and 1887. The Dolans and their six children were said to have moved to Tecumseh when Elizabeth was a baby. Elizabeth Dolan enrolled at the University of Nebraska in the 1891-92 school year, indicating that the 1871 birth year, as reported by a cousin well after she died, is probably a fairly accurate one. Although Dolan did not register for 1892-93 or the following year, she did pop up again in 1894 when she studied art with Sarah Hayden. Although her father does not ever show up in Lincoln, her mother, Mary, is noted as being a teacher at Park School, the widow of John Dolan, and living at 1320 D St. in 1895. After a considerable unexplained gap, Dolan enrolled at the Chicago Art Institute in October of 1912, then continued as a scholarship student until graduating in 1914. One of her teachers called her the most talented student he had ever had. Dolan then spent three years at the Art Institute League in New York City before attending the Julian Academy in Paris. Another scholarship at the Conservatoire Americain Fontainebleau south of Paris, enabled Dolan to study fresco painting, which, in turn, led to commissions for frescoes in France and Italy. In 1925, while designing windows for Tiffany, she also exhibited at the Paris Salon. In 1926, Dolan received a commission to do a series of murals for the new Elephant Hall and adjacent rooms at Morrill Hall and thus returned to Lincoln, living at 1637 D St. These paintings were applied directly to the plaster walls, some of which were not smooth surfaces, enabling her to match brush strokes and designs so that they appear three-dimensional. It was noted in an article at the that time that she was probably the only woman in the country practicing the once lost art of fresco painting. Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, architect of the state Capitol, amidst an argument as to whether he had to put out for bid artwork for the new building, as you do plumbers, commissioned Augustus Vincent Tack as the first artist. His works were all to be oil on canvas which in turn would be glued to the walls. Elizabeth Dolan then became the second artist to be hired. Her work, Spirit of the Prairie, was, though also oil on canvas, painted on site and literally donated, because she charged the state $85 for paint, $25 for canvas and two months living expenses of $200. The painting, which is above the north door to the state library, depicts a mother with a baby in her arms, a boy and dog at her feet, looking to the east. With no damaging direct sunlight but east and west-facing windows, the large painting, which slightly surrounds the upper portion of the door, is nearly perfectly placed. The year 1930 also saw Dolan selling Miller & Paine department store 10 paintings for its ever-growing collection in honor of the stores 50th anniversary; the most famous of this set was placed in the ladies lounge and visible from the stores interior. When Miller & Paine closed, the painting was placed in an O Street window and offered for sale. Then-Gov. Kay Orr suggested it be purchased by the state, and it then was moved to the south wall of the mall level of the State Office Building. From there it traveled to the conference room of then-State Auditor John Breslow and today is in the Supreme Courts ladies lounge in the southeast quadrant of the Capitol. In 1932, Dolan received a commission to paint a mural for The Age of Man in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. In the early 1930s, she had maintained a studio in Lincoln on the second floor of the Lansing/Oliver Theatre building on the southwest corner of 13th and P Streets and for at least a year said it was her residence as well. Lincolns Masonic Temple purchased 10 6-square-foot murals for its new building, nine of which still adorn the second floor lodge room, the 10th in the main entry hall. During the same period she also completed a number of smaller portraits of Lincolnites and landscapes to order and also finished a number on spec, which she offered for $5 through a local paint store. Today, the once widely renowned, chain-smoking, strikingly red-haired, Elizabeth Honor Dolan, who was said to have stunning large blue eyes and literally was paranoid about people watching her at work, is largely unknown/forgotten outside Lincoln. Top Journal Star photos for March 2023 Emma Hart is a 15-year-old student living in Grand Island. She has dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer and graduating college. For now, though, her day-to-day life consists of an eight-hour school day followed by work to help provide for her family and pay for her schooling. Its taken a toll on the high school sophomore. She said her school performance fluctuates heavily, and shes dealing with anxiety about having enough money saved to accomplish her goals and attend college. Hart said her family lives in poverty, and that she works to help her family out and cover the cost of her extracurricular activities. Doing so could be harder if a bill is passed by the Legislature that would allow youth to be paid less than Nebraskas voter-approved minimum wage, Hart said. Dozens of Nebraskans gathered Saturday at the Belmont Community Center to protest LB327, which was introduced by Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln. The bill would create a youth minimum wage of $10.50 an hour for employees ages 14 through 17, as well as set a training wage starting at $10.50 an hour through 2026, then continuing at 75% of the regular minimum rate. If you pass LB327, it will be like hanging a banner on the interstate saying Nebraska, its honestly not for young people, Hart said said in her statement, which was delivered by another rally goer. Hart was unable to attend Saturday's rally. A handful of people of different generations spoke Saturday. The event was put on by a grassroots equal pay group called Raise the Wage Nebraska, along with Nebraska Appleseed. Vic Klafter, one of the rally organizers, said a living wage is a basic human right. A living wage was a crucial, critical element for me being able to access health care, to have steady meals, Klafter said. I visited the food pantry frequently when I was in college, and so Im grateful to be in a position where I can support organizers and leaders who are directly impacted by this now. Klafter and others who spoke focused on a few major talking points. The main one was that a living wage is absolutely crucial to keeping people alive. Nebraskans did vote to gradually increase the minimum wage in 2022, a measure that bumped it to $10.50 an hour this year and increases it to $15 an hour by 2026. Nebraskans voted largely in favor of the measure 59% of voters favored it which was why Klafter was particularly frustrated by both Raybould and Sen. Tom Briese of Albion. Briese proposed a similar bill that was eventually merged with Rayboulds bill. I was glad to see Nebraska firmly approve (the minimum wage increase) in 2022, Klafter said. I am deeply frustrated with senators efforts, especially Sens. Briese and Raybould, who introduced the original bills, the Business and Labor Committee for advancing it and Sen. Raybould, who has prioritized it. Many grocery store owners support the bill. Rayboulds family owns a chain of grocery stores. Klafter and other organizers are working to ensure that their voices are heard. A journal was passed around Saturday, and attendees were encouraged to share a personal anecdote about what a living wage means to them. He said organizers hope to send one story each day to Raybould for the remainder of the time that the Legislature is in session. And, above all, they want to advocate for a group that cannot advocate for itself through the voting process. Its a long road, but these are really reasonable, moderate steps on that path, Klafter said. We believe that everyone does better when the community has what it needs. The states with the most working teenagers States With the Most Working Teenagers Labor force participation for teens declined a lot since the 1970s Utah, Kansas and Wisconsin have the highest teen labor force participation rates 15. Delaware 14. Oregon 13. North Dakota 12. Colorado 11. Wyoming 10. Montana 9. Ohio 8. Nebraska 7. Idaho 6. New Hampshire 5. Iowa 4. Minnesota 3. Wisconsin 2. Kansas 1. Utah Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard appears willing to upend Nebraskas Legislature in an attempt to preserve outsized rural representation against the reality that half of the states population now resides in Lancaster, Douglas and Sarpy counties. His proposal, contained in LR2CA, would replace the states one-house Legislature with two houses. One of the new bodies would be a House of Representatives, with 63 members elected by districts. The new Senate would divide the state geographically, with its 31 senators appointed by county board members to represent three contiguous counties. In other words, the three eastern Nebraska counties, including the cities of Omaha and Lincoln, could have, at most, three senators, or less than 10% of the body. That fact alone makes Erdmans efforts a non-starter. If somehow the proposed constitutional amendment got on the ballot, it would be roundly rejected by the voters in the three eastern counties, which, as Erdman realizes, make up over half of the electorate. There's been no appetite to increase pay for the state's current 49 senators. Does anyone really think there's an interest in paying for 45 more members of the legislative branch? Even if the proposal could escape a certain filibuster, make its way onto the ballot and receive voter approval, it would likely violate U.S. Supreme Court decisions requiring equal representation for people, not territory. And the appointment of senators would certainly be challenged as eliminating representative democracy, the cornerstone of American government. LR2CA is almost certain to go no further than the hearing it had a couple weeks ago. That said, there is nothing wrong with considering changes to the Legislature 86 years after the unicameral held its first session. Defenders of the unicameral often cite Sen. George Norris, the driving force in convincing voters in 1934 to establish a nonpartisan, one-house Legislature, saying that Norris would be rolling over in his grave at hearing of a reversion to a two-house Legislature. That, frankly, is irrelevant today. What is relevant is the fact that, despite increasing rural-urban polarization and partisanship within our nonpartisan body, the one-house Legislature has served the state well. A second house would only add polarization between the two bodies, especially if they are controlled by opposing parties, and make getting any legislation passed more cumbersome and difficult than in the single house. That is why the Nebraska Legislature has been looked at by other states as a model to reform their systems. Good governance requires representation of people -- even as their demographics change. Our one-house system does that through its redistricting process. LR2CA should be tossed into the ashcan of the Legislatures history. March 13-17 This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts. Ze Harah Adrian, 1600 block of Flett Avenue, Racine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia. Marquon D. Anderson, 1400 block of Cleveland Avenue, Racine, misdemeanor battery (domestic abuse assessments), disorderly conduct (domestic abuse assessments). Amanda J. Bloom, 700 block of Monticello Drive, Racine, felony retail theft (intentionally take between $500-$5,000), felony bail jumping. Allan M. Brown, Countryside, Illinois, battery by prisoners. Ashley R. Chapman, 4400 block of Byrd Avenue, Racine, possession of cocaine, obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Kevin J. Coleman, 4600 block of Charles Street, Racine, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct. Sara R. Domogalla, 1100 block of Oakes Road, Mount Pleasant, criminal damage to property, carrying a concealed knife, disorderly conduct. John W. Evans Jr., 900 block of Walnut Street, Racine, hit and run (attended vehicle), failure to install ignition interlock device, operate motor vehicle while revoked, misdemeanor bail jumping. Mariah L. Gordon, 1500 block of Boyd Avenue, Racine, stalking, criminal damage to property. Steven M. Grant, 1600 block of Rapids Drive, Racine, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence (first offense, with a minor child in the vehicle), possession of drug paraphernalia. Kyle J. Johnson, 29800 block of Meadow Drive, Burlington, capture an intimate representation without consent, exhibit an intimate representation without consent. Darius (aka Antonio Johnson) C. Kelly, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping. Shawn E. Londre, 500 block of Sixth Street, Racine, misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct. Coden J. Morrell, 900 block of Geneva Street, Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of THC, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. Katie Lynn Nuszbaum, 500 block of Shelbourne Court, Racine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia. Katerri S. Oneal, DeKalb, Illinois, operating while intoxicated causing injury (second offense), operating with prohibited alcohol concentration causing injury (second offense), second degree recklessly endangering safety. Donnell L. Pannell, 3300 block of Kentucky Street, Racine, felony theft from person or corpse. Tanya Jo Rentschler, Mukwonago, Wisconsin, possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotic drugs. David Michael Seal, Salem, Wisconsin, attempting to flee or elude an officer, possession of narcotic drugs, possess/illegally obtained prescription, operate motor vehicle while revoked, failure to install ignition interlock device. Devin M. Trice, 2400 block of Northwestern Avenue, Racine, possession of a firearm by a felon, resisting an officer causing a soft tissue injury to officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of THC, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, misdemeanor bail jumping. Remon B. Tyson, 200 block of Wickham Boulevard, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia. Terry J. Visor, 2600 block of Dwight Street, Racine, misdemeanor theft, misdemeanor bail jumping. Michael P. Wade, 5800 block of 13th Avenue, Kenosha, possession of THC, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Jasmine J. Walk, 300 block of Ohio Street, Racine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. Emery L. Walker, 1100 block of 58th Street, Kenosha, misdemeanor theft, criminal damage to property. Quirinius G. Williams, 2200 block of Howe Street, Racine, obstructing an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Rebecca L. Wilson, 3800 block of 16th Street, Racine, possession of a controlled substance, possess/illegally obtained prescription. 1. Yes. Switching back and forth every spring and fall is cumbersome and annoying. 2. Yes. It makes sense, although it would take a bit of getting used to at first. 3. No. The bill isnt enforceable. The federal government would have to approve the switch. 4. No. If other states dont follow suit, it could make long-distance travel problematic. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say without knowing all the impacts of the proposed change. Vote View Results Killeen, TX (76540) Today Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 78F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 58F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. The Internal Audit department of Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) has achieved the top rating for its Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) for conformance with IPPF. The Internal Audit department of Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) has achieved the top rating for its Quality Assurance and Improvement Program (QAIP) for conformance with the International Professional Practices Framework of Internal Auditing (IPPF). The full assessment was carried out during February 2023 by UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE IAA), which is the official IIA (The Institute of Internal Auditors) affiliate in the UAE and is authorised by the Institute of Internal Auditors, USA to conduct Quality Assessments under provisions of Addendum GG, and resulted in a Generally Conforms rating. UAE IAA has been at the forefront and is a torchbearer for the promotion of Internal Audit assurance services in the region, and BAS is one amongst only two companies in Bahrain, and the first in the non-financial sectors, to achieve the top rating from UAE IAA. Mohamed Khalil, the company CEO said: It brings me immense pleasure to note that BAS Internal Audit department has achieved the top rating for its QAIP from UAE IAA, in effect, displaying conformance with the International Professional Practices Framework of Internal Auditing (IPPF). That we are only the second, and the first non-financial Company in Bahrain to achieve the Generally Conforms rating from UAE IAA is a well-deserved validation for all the efforts put in by the Internal Audit department in their endeavour to improve the control environment governing BAS operations. Ali Abdulghaffar, the Company Auditor expressed his gratitude to the Board of Directors at BAS, especially the Audit and Risk Committee, for their steadfast support and ready guidance at all times as well as CEO, Mr. Mohamed Khalil, for facilitating total management support during audits. Abdulghaffar attributed the recent success of the Internal Audit Department to the highly professional and dedicated efforts of its team members. He expressed his appreciation for their hard work and stressed the importance of their ongoing support in maximizing the company's value-adding audit potential. He also emphasized the potential benefits of the company's experience with the full external QAIP assessment by UAE IAA for the local Internal Audit community in Bahrain. He expressed the company's willingness to collaborate with fellow Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) to enhance the value proposition in their assurance services going forward. As the third line of defence, the Internal Audit department provides comfort and confidence to all stakeholders about the effectiveness and efficiency of the Companys operations. The Generally Conforms rating technically reaffirms conformance with the definition of Internal Auditing, the Core Principles, IIA Code of Ethics, and the Standards, while also reaffirming the value addition and high level of quality in assurance services provided by the Internal Audit department to Bahrain Airport Services. TradeArabia News Service KEARNEY To celebrate National Poetry Month, the Prairie Art Brothers and the Kearney Public Library invite residents of Kearney to be involved in the creation of a community poem. Weve been presenting poets who come and read their works for about five or six years, said Mark Foradori, one of the co-founders of the Prairie Art Brothers. I thought it would be a good idea to get the community to participate in creating a poem. I think its good for people to experience that creative process. Its a good exercise for people." The Prairie Art Brothers usually brings poets to Kearney, along with highlighting poets who live in central Nebraska, for readings once every two months. In April the organization, along with Kearney Public Library, will celebrate the entire month with readings, open mic events and workshops. The celebration, How the Light Gets In, also includes several projects, including a community poem celebrating Kearneys 150th founding. Foradori believes that the community poem can help residents better understand their relationship with the city. Its a good exercise for people, he said. We hear from people all the time who say, Oh, we love this about Kearney, or We love that about Kearney. Well, could you actually put it down on paper and give us a little more detail? Go into the subject with a little more depth? The organizers of the festival will accept input from community writers through March 27. At that point, the writings will be turned over to Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason, who will create a community poem from segments of the writings by community authors. Participation in the project is free. I think that once people start to think about it, and once they start to put it down on paper, that will deepen their understanding of the things they value and why do they like it here and what are the good things about Kearney? Foradori said. You can write a poem, if you like, or just write some ideas or even just make a list of the things you love about Kearney. But when you put it into a poetic form, youre really trying to be very precise and get to the real truth of the matter. Channel your inner laureate What: Seeking a community poem as part of How the Light Gets In poetry festival. Deadline: March 27. Where: Submissions can be turned in at Kearney Public Library. Admission: Free. Contact: PrairieArtBrothers.org. How the Light Gets In schedule of events: March 31-April 2 Screening of Dead Poets Society, The World Theatre. April 1 Open Mic Poetry Reading, G.W. Frank Museum. April 3 Celebrating Poetry: More About Poems with Charles Peek, a class offered through Kearney Senior College, Kearney Public Library register at SeniorCollegeNE.org. April 4 Workshop and reading with Bruce Whitacre, Kearney Public Library. April 10 Celebrating Poetry: More About Poems with Charles Peek, a class offered through Kearney Senior College, Kearney Public Library register at SeniorCollegeNE.org. April 11 Workshop and reading with Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason, Kearney Public Library. April 16 Open Mic Poetry Reading, Kitts Kitchen and Coffee. April 21 Reading by cowboy poets R.P. Smith and Jake Riley, The Archway. April 27 Workshop and reading with Lucy Adkins, Amy Plettner and Marjorie Saiser, Kearney Public Library. Writing in a deliberate, fanciful, clever and beautiful way gives residents a chance to engage in the creative process. The writer David McCullough said, In order to write clearly, you need to think clearly, Foradori said. I think its a good exercise for people to think about what they want to write and how can they do it as clearly as possible. That clarity can help the writer better understand what it means to live in a place like Kearney. When youre writing something from your heart, you want it to be a little more precise, Foradori said. Youre not just dealing with a list of cliches. You want to write something thats meaningful to you, something that other people can relate to. In order for that to happen, it needs to be something that you thought through something you can communicate to someone else. Writers can learn more about the project by visiting PrairieArtBrothers.com. They can also drop off submissions at Kearney Public Library. The month-long festival takes its name from lyrics by poet and songwriter Leonard Cohen. His song, Anthem, says: "Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in." Events will include workshops and readings by former Kearney resident Bruce Whitacre, Mason, Lucy Adkins, Amy Plettner and Marjorie Saiser. Other events include a daily video recording of poets reading from their works and a class by former University of Nebraska at Kearney professor Charles Peek through Kearney Senior College. Cowboy poets R.P. Smith and Jake Riley will also read from their works. Peek often says that poets write from a place of seeking truth and beauty. People say, Why poetry? Foradori asked. Well, when a poet writes a poem, theyre really trying to get at the truth of the matter. Here is what I truly believe and think and feel about this. And theyre trying to write it in a beautiful way. I think the world could use a lot more truth and beauty at this point. Those are two things that are lacking. After gathering the community poems, the state poet will look over the material before selecting phrases, words or concepts and creating a new piece of poetry from the parts of the communitys writings. Foradori hopes writers will focus on Kearneys 150th founding as a source of inspiration. This is an opportunity for people to get involved in a situation where they can add a little more truth and beauty to the world, Foradori said. And why wouldnt we want to do that? Using pieces from many different poems allows writers to feel a sense of ownership to the poem. Something that any arts or cultural activity does is that it helps to build community, Foradori said. By having people not only just read somebody elses poem or see somebody elses movie or look at somebody elses artwork, this is a way for the community to actually be involved in creating it. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks to delegates during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council after North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan for the first time in five years, at U.N. headquarters in New York in this Oct. 5, 2022 photo. Reuters-Yonhap North Korea on Sunday criticized the United States and the United Nations for having raised the issue of Pyongyang's human rights problem recently at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the regime's missile provocation, according to the North's state media. On Friday, the U.S. co-hosted an informal meeting highlighting the human rights violations in the reclusive nation at the UNSC. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the North's recent test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile as a violation of UNSC resolutions on the same day. In response to the meeting, the North's mission to the U.N. said in a statement that Pyongyang "will counter the illegal 'human rights' campaign by the U.S. and its followers with the most powerful means," according to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The mission said it defines the "pressure campaign" as a violation of the dignity and sovereignty of the North, and "resolutely denounces and rejects it," according to the KCNA. On Guterres' statement, Pyongyang's foreign ministry accused the secretary-general of "adding fuel to the flames" and "far from helping easing the tension in the Korean Peninsula and the region," according to the KCNA. "I think it is good for defusing tension and for himself that the U.N. secretary-general remains silent rather than meddling in the Korean Peninsula issue as now," Kim Son-gyong, the North's vice foreign minister for international organizations, said in a separate statement. (Yonhap) By Miriam Mutebi NAIROBI Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity, kill 41 million people per year, with 77 percent of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In sub-Saharan Africa, NCDs are now responsible for roughly 37 percent of deaths up from 24 percent in 2000. Cancer is one of the top three diseases driving this increase, accounting for more than a half-million deaths in 2020. And this number is expected to double by 2030 if the current status quo is maintained. As with other NCDs, many cases of cancer could be prevented by addressing behavioral risk factors, such as tobacco and alcohol use and obesity, which contribute to more than 40 percent of all cancer deaths worldwide. Other cost-efficient measures include widespread vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers, and against hepatitis B, which, along with hepatitis C, contributes to liver cancer. In Africa, cancers associated with infections accounted for about 27 percent of all cancers in 2018 the highest of any region monitored by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, many common cancers, such as colorectal, breast, prostate, and cervical cancer, can now be treated successfully if detected early. But they remain among the deadliest in Africa, because patients there are typically diagnosed too late with advanced disease and frequently do not complete their care. There are multiple reasons for this, including a combination of financial (out-of-pocket), health-system, and sociocultural barriers, as well as chronic underfunding that impedes the ability of African public-health agencies to provide timely, value-based quality care. Many African countries also lack the resources, infrastructure, and workforce needed to implement effective vaccination and population screening programs. And, despite improvements over the last few years, many countries do not have access to safe, timely diagnostic and treatment services. Regional disparities are another major concern, as many cancer patients must travel long distances to reach treatment centers, which are generally located in urban areas. The need to find accommodations and manage work or childcare concerns can deter many patients from completing routine screenings or treatment, and out-of-pocket costs for screening services, where available, also tend to limit their routine uptake. Even when care is available, social and cultural norms may prevent people from seeking it. For example, social stigma often discourages many patients suffering from cancers affecting sexual and reproductive organs. Similarly, "cancer fatalism" leads many to believe that the diagnosis is a death sentence and that treatment is futile. "Collectivism," whereby the community decides about a patient's ability to access care, also ultimately results in poorer outcomes. Consequently, cancer survival rates in LMICs are abysmally low compared to high-income countries (HICs). For example, while the five-year survival rate for breast cancer in HICs is above 84 percent, it drops to 40-60 percent in LMICs. Survival rates for colorectal cancer, which can reach 76 percent in high-income settings, are lower than 25 percent in low-income countries. And, owing to low HPV vaccination rates and the lack of effective testing, LMICs account for 90 percent of all cervical cancer deaths, underscoring the need for urgent action. A recent Lancet Oncology Commission report on cancer in sub-Saharan Africa that I co-authored emphasizes the need for African governments to invest in local data collection and research to support and develop resource-efficient cancer detection and treatment programs tailored to their countries' specific needs and funding requirements. We also recommend that governments start to think of innovative ways to expand universal health-care coverage to include cancer services such as early diagnosis, targeted treatments, and supportive care. Kenya, Nigeria, and other African countries are already moving ahead with initiatives to expand access. By mobilizing international support and engaging local stakeholders, these countries could invest in prevention and early detection strategies, including mobile screening units, community outreach programs, self-examination kits, in vitro diagnostics, and telehealth, thus improving prevention and early detection. But diagnosis is not enough. "System preparedness" is essential, and the infrastructure and skilled workforce to provide treatment for detected cancers must be expanded in tandem with any early diagnosis. Moreover, to ensure equal access to health services, African countries should train primary-care physicians to identify early signs of cancer and facilitate timely referrals. A patient in Sub-Saharan Africa sees 4-6 health-care providers, on average, before a cancer diagnosis is made. Governments should also integrate resources meant for COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases toward comprehensive strategies for example, providing cervical cancer screening for patients with HIV. While integrated clinics capable of treating both infectious diseases and NCDs would be ideal, policymakers must be pragmatic and consider the shortage of health-care personnel, particularly in densely populated areas, and develop models and innovations that can help bridge some of these access barriers. Countries such as India, Pakistan, and Jordan have shown that investing in building local capacity makes developing world-class cancer facilities possible, despite limited resources. African policymakers, too, are increasingly aware of the need for local cancer detection and treatment capacity, as evidenced by an increase in the number of countries with national cancer-control programs and the expansion of oncology training centers and infrastructure for care. Rwanda, where a widespread HPV vaccination program and expanded testing could make the country one of the world's first to eliminate cervical cancer, also provides a useful model for improving health outcomes in low-resource settings. Given this continent-wide trend, we have a unique opportunity to enhance our regional collaboration and develop centers of excellence for knowledge-sharing, research, and coordinated, evidence-based treatments for patients. But to realize the promise of recent advances in diagnostics and care, from vaccines and immunotherapy to precision medicine and multi-cancer early detection tests, we must ensure that the basics of cancer care are readily available, and that life-saving treatments are distributed equitably. To paraphrase the activist and U2 co-founder Bono, where you live should not determine whether you get to live. Miriam Mutebi, a breast surgical oncologist and assistant professor of surgery at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, is a board member of the Union for International Cancer Control and president-elect of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer. This article was distributed by Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). PITTSBURGH For the two weeks that the Hackneys' baby girl lay in a Pittsburgh hospital bed weak from dehydration, her parents rarely left her side, sometimes sleeping on the fold-out sofa in the room. They stayed with their daughter around the clock when she was moved to a rehab center to regain her strength. Finally, the 8-month-old stopped batting away her bottles and started putting on weight again. "She was doing well and we started to ask when can she go home," Lauren Hackney said. "And then from that moment on, at the time, they completely stonewalled us." The couple was stunned when child welfare officials showed up, told them they were negligent and took away their daughter. "They had custody papers and they took her right there and then," Lauren Hackney recalled. "And we started crying." More than a year later, their daughter, now 2, remains in foster care and the Hackneys, who have developmental disabilities, struggle to understand how taking their daughter to the hospital when she refused to eat could be seen as so neglectful that she'd need to be taken from her home. They wonder if an artificial intelligence tool that the Allegheny County Department of Human Services uses to predict which children could be at risk of harm singled them out because of their disabilities. The U.S. Justice Department is asking the same question. The agency is investigating the county's child welfare system to determine whether its use of the influential algorithm discriminates against people with disabilities or other protected groups, The Associated Press has learned. Later this month, federal civil rights attorneys will interview the Hackneys and Andrew Hackney's mother, Cynde Hackney-Fierro, the grandmother said. Lauren Hackney has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder that affects her memory, and her husband, Andrew, has a comprehension disorder and nerve damage from a stroke suffered in his 20s. Their baby girl was 7 months old when she began refusing her bottles. Facing a nationwide shortage of formula, they traveled from Pennsylvania to West Virginia looking for some and were forced to change brands. The baby didn't seem to like it. Her pediatrician first reassured them that babies can be fickle with feeding and offered ideas to help her get back her appetite, they said. When she grew lethargic days later, they said, the same doctor told them to take her to the emergency room. The Hackneys believe medical staff alerted child protective services after they showed up with a dehydrated and malnourished baby. That's when they believe their information was fed into the Allegheny Family Screening Tool, which county officials say is standard procedure for neglect allegations. Soon, a social worker appeared to question them, and their daughter was sent to foster care. Over the past six years, Allegheny County has served as a real-world laboratory for testing AI-driven child welfare tools that crunch reams of data about local families to try to predict which children are likely to face danger in their homes. Today, child welfare agencies in at least 26 states and Washington, D.C., have considered using algorithmic tools, and jurisdictions in at least 11 have deployed them, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. The Hackneys' story based on interviews, internal emails and legal documents illustrates the opacity surrounding these algorithms. Even as they fight to regain custody of their daughter, they can't question the "risk score" Allegheny County's tool may have assigned to her case because officials won't disclose it to them. And neither the county nor the people who built the tool have explained which variables may have been used to measure the Hackneys' abilities as parents. "It's like you have an issue with someone who has a disability," Andrew Hackney said. "In that case you probably end up going after everyone who has kids and has a disability." As part of a yearlong investigation, the AP obtained the data points underpinning several algorithms deployed by child welfare agencies, including some marked "CONFIDENTIAL," offering rare insight into the mechanics driving these emerging technologies. Among the factors they have used to calculate a family's risk, whether outright or by proxy: race, poverty rates, disability status and family size. They include whether a mother smoked before she was pregnant and whether a family had previous child abuse or neglect complaints. What they measure matters. A recent analysis by ACLU researchers found that when Allegheny's algorithm flagged people who accessed county services for mental health and other behavioral health programs, that could add up to three points to a child's risk score, a significant increase on a scale of 20. Allegheny County spokesman Mark Bertolet declined to address the Hackney case and did not answer detailed questions about the status of the federal probe or critiques of the data powering the tool, including by the ACLU. "As a matter of policy, we do not comment on lawsuits or legal matters," Bertolet said in an email. Justice Department spokeswoman Aryele Bradford declined to comment. The tool's developers, Rhema Vaithianathan, a professor of health economics at New Zealand's Auckland University of Technology, and Emily Putnam-Hornstein, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's School of Social Work, said that their work is transparent and that they make their models public. "In each jurisdiction in which a model has been fully implemented we have released a description of fields that were used to build the tool," they said by email. The developers have started new projects with child welfare agencies in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and Arapahoe County, Colorado. The states of California and Pennsylvania, as well as New Zealand and Chile, also asked them to do preliminary work. Vaithianathan recently advised researchers in Denmark and officials in the United Arab Emirates on technology in child services. Last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded a national study, co-authored by Vaithianathan and Putnam-Hornstein, that concluded that their overall approach in Allegheny could be a model for other places. HHS' Administration for Children and Families spokeswoman Debra Johnson declined to say if the Justice Department's probe would influence her agency's future support for algorithmic approaches to child welfare. Especially as budgets tighten, cash-strapped agencies are desperate to focus on children who truly need protection. At a 2021 panel, Putnam-Hornstein acknowledged that Allegheny's "overall screen-in rate remained totally flat" since their tool had been implemented. Meanwhile, family separation can have lifelong developmental consequences for children. The Hackneys' daughter already has been placed in two foster homes and spent more than half of her life away from her parents. In February, she was diagnosed with a disorder that can disrupt her sense of taste, according to Andrew Hackney's lawyer, Robin Frank, who added that the girl still struggles to eat, even in foster care. "I really want to get my kid back," Andrew Hackney said. "It hurts a lot. You have no idea how bad." ___ 15 things AI can (and can't) do AI and its limits Can: Be trained and 'learn' Cannot: Get into college Can: Perpetuate bias Can: Identify images and sounds Cannot : Drive a car Cannot: Judge beauty contests Can: Read and classify text and documents Cannot: Watch (and understand) a soccer match Can: Flip burgers Can: Make investments Cannot: Help itself from buying things Can: Raise billions of cockroaches on a farm Cannot: Be creative Can: Clean your teeth Can: Pollinate flowers LODI Jennie Larson was told by her doctors she needed to slow down. She's listening, sort of. Larson has announced that due to serious health concerns, she needs to reduce her stress, stay off her feet more and close her beloved nonprofit, Prairie Valley Resale Store, in this city's downtown. But before she made it public last week, she placed a phone call to Heidi LeHew, executive director of the Lodi & Lake Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce. Larson wanted it known that if LeHew or any other organization in the community was looking for a volunteer that she should be one of the first people to call. The fact that Larson wants to continue her generosity, unselfishness and love surprises no one in this Columbia County community of 3,100. Her doctors will, no doubt, be less enthused. "She just genuinely loves and cares and wants to do good things for people," LeHew said Friday. "She exudes what all of us want to be." Larson opened the store in 2006 and since day one has never taken a paycheck. Same with the roster of volunteers who run the store, housed in a former automotive service station between the Lodi Historical Society and Bushnell Ford. Every item the bins of forks and spoons, baby clothes, lamps, dishes, coffee pots, jewelry, toys, Christmas decorations is donated. The prices are cheap and sometimes, depending on the needs of a customer, are free of charge. This is not your typical retail operation, and Larson is far from your average retailer. She has raised money to cover the cost of eyewear for children and has helped arrange and pay for visits to the dentist. When a Beaver Dam apartment building was destroyed by fire, she opened her shop to let those who had nothing restart their lives at no cost. She has assisted the homeless and in one case is convinced she prevented a suicide when she gave a Bible to a distraught man who had wandered into the shop. She has arranged work training programs for youths with developmental disabilities and has welcomed those sentenced by a judge to community service. There have been donations to schoolteachers, grocery shopping for the elderly, and help for others with snow removal, mowing and raking. The store even takes IOUs and usually makes just enough money each month to cover rent and utilities and to help those in need. And had it not been for health issues, Larson, 67, believes she would probably run the shop for another three decades. "How am I going to walk away from this?" Larson said. "How do you walk away from opening your doors? I don't know how I'm still going to live this dream of still being the helper." Hugs are always plentiful at the store. But when we visited Friday afternoon, those hugs between Larson and her customers and volunteers were a little longer and included moist eyes. Some had a few days to process the news that the store will close its doors on May 1. Others were only just learning of Wednesday's announcement when they visited Friday to pick up a free loaf of artisan bread and to stroll the cramped aisles of the shop where merchandise fills every available nook, cranny, shelf, wall and rack. Larson didn't make the decision until about 10 days ago when, while on vacation with her husband, she received a phone call from one of her doctors who told her she was at a crossroads and need to retire or prepare to die. The store is no longer taking donations and until it closes, everything will be half off. What's left will be donated to other independent resale shops. "It will be sorely missed, and she does so much amazing stuff for this community," said Tammy Wills, who shops each Friday with a friend and had just learned the news. "I love it here. Usually there's something to be discovered and wonderful people to meet. I'm sad." Down the street and on the other side of Spring Creek at Buttercream Bakery, Jyneal Radke, the bakery's manager, says philanthropy is the first thing she thinks of when Larson's name is mentioned. "She donates a lot of her time and money and as many resources as she can think of to help people," said Radke, who noted that Larson recently helped a homeless family find an apartment. "She's very sad because by closing the retail store she feels it won't put her in front of these people any longer." Larson knows what it's like to worry about affording a loaf of bread, replacing a toaster or having enough to cover the rent while also trying to clothe growing children. The Sheboygan native was single, 22 years old and had three young children when she came to Lodi to rent a house and attend UW-Madison. Times were lean, and after graduating with a degree in interior design there were few jobs, so she began working for a travel agency in Madison before opening her own agency in 1994. After travel tanked following the 2001 terrorist attacks, Larson took a job as a copywriter and customer service representative for American Girl in Middleton. Five years later, she opened the resale store, relying solely on her husband's income. At first the store was open just three days a week, but a month later it became a six-day-a-week operation. Three years later, the shop, which had been housed in the service bays, expanded into what had been the office and front lobby. "When you've been at the bottom of the barrel, you know how that feels. You know what the desperation feels like," Larson said. "And when you get a chance where you can turn it around and help other people, you have the humbleness in you that other people may not have or they lack. But when you've been there and you're hurting and you don't have any food to feed your three children, you understand the next person coming in the door and you almost sense what's wrong and that they need some help." Close Lodi welcomes Thai exchange students In a Wednesday afternoon ceremony, Lodi High School welcomed its first group of Thai Exchange students in over three years. The group hails from Sa-nguan Ying School, Lodi's sister school in Bangkok. Over the next few weeks, the students will attend school with their host siblings, go on field trips, and experience life in southern Wisconsin. While most other Minnesota school referendums on the ballot this spring seek money for new construction, Winona Area Public Schools will ask voters to approve $94.2 million to upgrade and improve existing facilities. The task force charged with finding solutions the facilities issues plaguing Winona Area Public Schools decided against building new due to cost and a lack of available land in town for a consolidated elementary school. Jeremy Graves, a member of the community task force that worked to create recommendations for the districts school facilities master plan, said the group immediately ran into limitations with a new school proposal. I came into the task force wanting it. I think a lot of the task force members did as well, Graves said. We were all looking for something better than what we had. One of the proposed ideas to build new was to close the current elementary schools, with possibly the exception of Goodview Elementary, and move the students all into one new up-to-date elementary building. But the task force soon discovered that was not truly an option, Graves said. What we came to find is you need right around 14 acres ... for an elementary school so you can have all the playground, all the different areas for phy ed, all the different things, he said. Thats just a recommendation, but when you start looking at chunks of land in and around that, even less than that, there is none in Winona that is not up on the bluff. A parcel of land near Peerless Chain may have been an option, but it was zoned differently. It would have been a monumental shift, and Im not too sure that people of Winona, including myself, would want a school down in that industrial area that we have, he said. Instead, the task force recommended the district ask the public to support updates and improvements to the existing schools. The referendum, set to be voted on April 11, includes two questions. Question one asks voters to invest $72.5 million into classroom and building improvements, and question two asks for an additional $21.7 million for improvements to extracurricular spaces. Question one must pass in order for question two to pass. Graves said the task force didnt consider putting an elementary school on the bluffs as an option as a vast majority of children would have had to be bused up there. He said a high school in that location may have been viewed differently because at least some students would be able to drive themselves there, unlike elementary-aged children. So it really boiled down to, Where we gonna put it? And then when you look at the price tag, and what it could potentially cost, even without the land being purchased yet, Graves said. I mean, it was well over $100 million, and we just didnt think it was a viable option. Additionally, according to the referendums review and comment submittal presented to the Minnesota Department of Education, (New construction) would also result in an elementary school in excess of 700 students. It was advised that Winona values smaller elementary schools and this would provide yet another hurdle to passing the referendum required for this new school. Graves said referendum was the best option to bring the district up to the same standards as similar districts in the state. Its modernizing. Its updating. Its getting us what we deserve. What our kids deserve, what our community deserves to have is something that is representative of this millennium, not the last millennium, Graves said. Representatives from Visit Lake Geneva are gearing up for their 2023 events. Deanna Goodwin, vice president of marketing, communication and development for Visit Lake Geneva, presented an update on the organizations upcoming events during the Lake Geneva Business Improvement District Board meeting, March 1. Visit Lake Genevas annual Restaurant Week is scheduled to be held April 22 through April 30 at participating restaurants throughout Walworth County. As part of the event, participating restaurants offer special menu items to customers. Restaurant Week also includes the Charity Check program, in which customers of the participating restaurants may vote on which local nonprofit agency they would like to receive a monetary award. The nonprofit organization that obtains the most votes receives $5,000, and the four runners-up receive $1,000 each. Representatives from Titos Handmade Vodka are the Charity Check sponsors for Restaurant Week. "In addition to highlighting our local dining scene and our wonderful restaurants in the Lake Geneva area, the Charity Check is a huge component to that," Goodwin said. "Through the Charity Check donation and the balloting, we award five charities with cash prizes, ranging anywhere from a $1,000 to $5,000." Goodwin said Visit Lake Geneva currently is in the process of contacting restaurants and nonprofit organizations to participate in the event. "We are putting some final details on that, and we will be sending out details to our restaurant partners and our nonprofit partners in Walworth County and in the area," Goodwin said. Representatives from Visit Lake Geneva also are preparing for their Concert in the Park series, which will be held each Thursday for seven weeks during the summer beginning June 29 at Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Drive in Lake Geneva. Goodwin said they are currently contacting bands to participate in this years concert series. She said the concerts also will feature themed food and activities. "Were starting to book bands. We have some ideas for some fun themed nights with the music and the food," Goodwin said. "Every year, we are getting more and more different things to do and different bands. Were looking forward to a fun concert series season again this year." Visit Lake Geneva also will host the annual Electric Christmas Parade, which is scheduled to be held Dec. 7 in Downtown Lake Geneva. For more information about the upcoming events visit www.VisitLakeGeneva.com. This week we have successfully matched The Family Foundation 2023 $40,000 Matching Grant. Thank you to the Family Foundation for providing this generous matching grant opportunity. It has been a whirlwind of activity for all of us at The Time is Now to Help as we are using these funds to bring desperately needed poverty relief to so many suffering in our communities. We are so grateful for your donations that have been matched by the Family Foundation and are at this moment being used to provide food, shelter, utilities, transportation and so much more. Over the past week we have continued our assistance to the elderly woman featured in last weeks column, bringing her and her handicapped adult son compassionate and life-changing repairs to make their home hospitable. We have also provided compassion through the purchase of six new beds for poverty stricken senior citizens and the disabled. They cried tears of relief to once again be able to rest comfortably after living without proper beds for far too long. New tires were purchased for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. This mother with two children in wheelchairs was grateful to be able to safely transport her handicapped little ones to their numerous medical appointments. A husband who is caring for his wife that is going through extensive treatment for cancer reached out to us in desperation as they struggled financially. Cancer takes such a toll on peoples lives, including their ability to support themselves. This loving husband was torn as he was unable to go to work while his wife is so weak, she needs his help for meals and all personal care. He had to take a leave of absence from his employment to care for his wife full-time. We helped this husband and wife get through this difficult period of time by paying three months rent and providing gift cards for gas and food. This will allow them to focus on and stay hopeful for a full recovery without the loss of their home or suffering due to hunger. No one likes when a check engine light appears on their dashboard, especially a single working mother. When that car is what keeps you employed and able to support your children, all on your own, you count on it to get you to all your destinations safely. For one single working mother who recently experienced the check engine light and then car failure last week we were happy we could be there to help. The repair was far more than she could ever afford while supporting two teenage children. Thanks to your donations that will be met by the Family Foundation 2023 $40,000 Matching Grant, she is already back to work without the stress of unsafe and unreliable transportation. One of the saddest stories I have encountered this year to date is a very elderly gentleman who was evicted when his wife was moved to full nursing care. Once she moved out he could no longer afford his rent on his own. He had been his wifes caregiver for several years but at his advanced age he should have been receiving some help himself. Instead, this elderly man found himself living in his car on a cold winter night when he was brought to our attention. We immediately moved this man into a motel room where he could be warm and safe. We worked with him to secure his own room in assisted living after he spent several weeks in the motel. Thanks to our guidance and ability to provide emergency shelter this elderly man is now safely in an assisted living facility, not by his beloved wifes side, but at least he is safe, warm and fed with a room to call home. In the next few weeks, we will share even more of the good works that the Family Foundation 2023 $40,000 Matching Grant, matched by your support, has done for so many senior citizens, single mothers with children, the handicapped, veterans and working poor families in our communities. Thank you and the Family Foundation for your continued support of our mission to remove the pains of poverty for our fellow creations! Health & Happiness, Love & GOD Bless Everyone, Sal Please Help: There are many coming to us in desperation. Our good fellow creations need our compassion. Together we make a big difference. Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 1, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 5013 charitable organization. You will receive a tax deductible, itemized thank you receipt showing how 100% of your donation was used for providing poverty relief. Please visit our website for more information, to read more of our past and current columns and/or to make a donation: www.timeisnowtohelp.org. A Very Special Thank You: Family Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Bartz, Jeffrey Martin, Timothy and Brenda Wegge, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schuberth, Kunes Country Auto Group, Martin Group, John Stensland and family, Paul Ziegler, Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Paper Dolls, Hometown Auto Exchange, Stephen and Lois McPartlin, David and Genevieve Bliss, Kelleher Family, LLC, Carole Disparti, Kathy Papenfus, Pedro Harth, Michael Beesh, Linda Kelly, Sarah Wootton, David Greenawalt, Bart Vittori, Daryl and Geri Braun, William Davit, Gregory Swanson, Thomas Fraser, Kelly Tomaske, Jeanne Allen, Karin Slayton, Amazon Smile Foundation, Tom and Tracie Schirtzinger, Julie Limberg, Andrew Berger, Mary Anne Matula, Daniel and Linda Crego, Abbvie Employment Engagement Fund, Lenovo Employees Care Campaign, AT&T Employee Matching Funds, Thrivent Choice Program, Kenneth Bliss, all of our anonymous donors and ALL of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000. Prayer Chain: The power of prayer and positive thoughts comes from the true healer, our Lord answering our prayers. Please pray for healing for the following people: Brian, Talyn, Mike, Sylvia, Megan, Kayla, Maria C., Deda Lee, Betty, Scott, Annie, Marilyn, Brandon, Helen, Dennis, Mary, Joseph, Jordan, Jean, Tom L., Dr. Peter, Alyce, Matthew, Pam E., Jenene B., John S., Patricia H., Darlene, Ron K., Marian K., Judy, Wendy, Eric, Anthony, Mary, Charlie, Tom P., Christina, Billy, Mike, Cheryl, and Ellie. South Africa: Presidency finalising Electricity Ministers powers President Cyril Ramaphosa is finalising the powers of the newly appointed Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Addressing a media briefing on Sunday, Presidential Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that the newly appointed Minister has hit the ground running. President Ramaphosa announced Ramokgopas appointment during an address to the nation on 6 March 2023. Responding to a question, Magwenya said since his appointment the Minister has been engaging various stakeholders. The powers of the Minister are being finalised, they are awaiting the Presidents signature subject to any further engagements that the President may deem fit, Magwenya said. He added that the Minister will be visiting a number of power stations starting from tomorrow. Still on the energy front, Magwenya said that the President had noted progress in such areas as the opening of a bid window for a 513 megawatts (MW) of battery storage capacity as part of the countrys response to the energy challenge. The President also welcomed a regulatory exemption granted to Eskom by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Barbara Creecy, that will later this year allow Kusile Power Station to resume generation capacity of 2 100 megawatts (MW) which will reduce South Africas exposure to load-shedding by two levels. Magwenya also updated the public on the Presidents public programme for the week as well as on topical issues of public and media interest. On the economic front, the President has praised the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding between the automotive company Stellantis South Africa, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to develop a new vehicle manufacturing facility in South Africa. Stellantis sells Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Citroen, Opel and Peugeot brands in South Africa. An investment of this nature is an acknowledgment of our countrys world-class manufacturing capacity in the automotive sector, it will deepen the industrialisation of our economy, and, most importantly, it will create more jobs. The President was also encouraged by the export numbers from, Minister Ebrahim Patel when he presented the DTICs Quarter 3 report to Parliament. Presidents diary Meanwhile, the President is expected to lead the national Human Rights Day commemoration under the theme Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future, in the Northern Cape. The history of Human Rights Day is grounded in the Sharpeville Massacre that took place on the 21 of March 1960, where apartheid police killed 69 anti-apartheid protesters. On Wednesday, the President will chair a meeting of the National Security Council as part of governments regular cycle of assessing matters of national and international security. These deliberations allow security services to take decisions and act in ways that keep us safe in our homes, streets and workplaces, and that allow our economy to move forward in the way we illustrated earlier, he said. Wednesday will also mark the beginning of an historic State Visit with the arrival of His Majesty King Philippe and Her Majesty Queen Mathilda of The Kingdom of Belgium in South Africa. This will be the first State Visit to South Africa by the Belgian monarchy. President Ramaphosas invitation to His Majesty and Her Majesty underscores the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. In addition, the President will on Tuesday 28 March address the Localisation Dinner function of the Proudly South African Buy Local Summit and Expo. The Buy Local Summit 2023 highlights sectors that impact positively on the economy and job creation, including furniture, agro-processing, fast-moving consumer goods, clothing, textiles, footwear and leather. At the dinner, the President will interact with CEOs and captains of industry who will report on existing localisation activities and pledge further escalation of localisation within their companies procurement choices. On Thursday, 30 March 2023, the President will brief the National Council of Provinces on issues raised by members in questions for oral reply. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-03-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Geology is the study of rocks, soil, and the physical structure of the Earth. The geology of Brazils volcanic Trindade Island, a home for turtles, is causing concern due to the presence of rocks made from leftover plastic. The island is about 1,140 km from the southeastern state of Espirito Santo. Researchers say the discovery of melted plastic mixed with rocks on the island is evidence of humans growing influence over the earths geological movements. "This is new and terrifying at the same time, because pollution has reached geology," said Fernanda Avelar Santos. She is a geologist at the Federal University of Parana. Santos and her team ran chemical tests to find out what kind of plastics are in the rocks called plastiglomerates. They are called plastiglomerates because they are made up of small parts of rock and other materials and it is held together by plastic. Santos said they identified the pollution as mainly coming from fishing gear, which is a very common waste on the coast of Trinidade Island. She said the gear is pulled by sea currents and gathers on the beach. When the temperature rises, the plastic melts and becomes mixed with the beachs natural material. Trindade Island is one of the worlds most important conservation areas for green turtles, or Chelonia mydas. Thousands arrive each year to lay their eggs. The only humans that live on Trindade are members of the Brazilian navy. It keeps a base on the island and protects the turtles. "The place where we found these samples (of plastic) is a permanently preserved area in Brazil, near the place green turtles lay their eggs," Santos said. Santos said the discovery raises questions about the effect humans have had on the earth. "We talk so much about the Anthropocene, and this is it," Santos said. The Anthropocene is a proposed geological period in which human activities have had a very important effect on the earths environment and climate. She said the pollution, the waste in the sea, and plastic incorrectly thrown out in the oceans are becoming geological material preserved in the earths records. Im Gregory Stachel. Sergio Queiroz reported this story for Reuters. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story turtle n. a reptile that lives mostly in water and that has a hard shell which covers its body terrify v. to cause (someone) to be extremely afraid sample n. a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from preserve n. an area where plants, animals, or minerals are protected ________________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. VOA Learning English presents Americas Presidents. James Madison was elected in 1808. He was a capable president who served two terms. But most Americans do not remember Madison for his presidency. They remember him for work he did earlier. After the Revolutionary War, in which the American colonists separated from Britain, Madison proposed that the new United States form a stronger national government. Madisons vision for a three-part government with an executive, a legislature, and an independent Supreme Court became the basis for the Constitution we still use today. Madison went on to persuade voters to accept the proposed Constitution. He explained how a system of checks and balances would prevent any one part of government from becoming too powerful. And, when voters demanded more protection for individual liberties, Madison wrote the amendments that became the Bill of Rights. These actions earned Madison the name Father of the Constitution. Opposites attract Madison did not have the appearance of most politicians. He was a short man with a soft voice who had been sick often as a child. He grew up in a wealthy family in Virginia. He liked to read books, and to study. He went to college at the school that later became Princeton University in New Jersey. When the Revolutionary War started, Madisons intelligence and knowledge as well as family money helped him participate in debates about independence. Madison also held positions in the new American government he helped create, including as secretary of state under President Thomas Jefferson. Madison did not have much of a personal life. Many people were surprised when he married a young widow named Dolley Payne Todd. She was 26; he was 43. The couple did not have children, but they raised Mrs. Madisons surviving son together. Stories suggest the two were very happy, although they had different personalities. Dolley Madison was energetic, warm, and social. She loved to throw parties and her guests loved to attend them. Historian Catherine Allgor notes Dolley Madison often dressed dramatically including wearing turbans covered with peacock feathers. Her weekly gatherings at the presidents house were so crowded that they became known as squeezes. As first lady, Dolley Madison did not follow her husbands idea of a strict separation of powers. She invited officials from all parts of the government to her parties, as well as people from opposing political groups. Allgor says Dolley Madison succeeded in making the presidents house a symbol of unity and glamor. She remains one of the best- known and most-loved first ladies in U.S. history. But his wifes popularity could not prevent Madison from facing a difficult presidency. Conflict abroad and at home During his first term, the U.S. faced increasingly tense relations with Britain. Madison accused the British of interfering with international trade and seizing American sailors. At the same time, European-American settlers blamed the British for helping native tribes fight against them. But, the settlers had violated treaties between the U.S. government and the Native Americans. In 1811, native warriors attacked U.S. soldiers at the Battle of Tippecanoe in todays state of Indiana. A U.S. general named William Henry Harrison led his troops to fight back. The result was not clear, but Harrison declared victory. The following year, Madison proposed war against Britain. Congress approved. The War of 1812 began. War of 1812 For most of the war, American forces failed. But in 1813, they had two notable victories in Canada. They captured and burned the city of York, in Toronto. And General Harrison had another major fight with native warriors at the Battle of the Thames. The Native Americans were defeated. The leader of the tribal alliance, Tecumseh, died from the wounds he received there. That loss ended, for the most part, the efforts of eastern Native American tribes to push back white settlers. In 1814, the war turned again. British soldiers took the U.S. capital of Washington, DC. Madison had already left the presidents house to meet with generals in the field. Dolley Madison remained. But when she learned the British were approaching quickly, she acted. She famously ordered her servants, as well as a 15-year-old house slave named Paul Jennings, to take down a painting of George Washington. The servants, slaves, first lady, and painting all escaped to safety. Commanders of the British force took a group of men to the Capitol building and set it on fire. Then, they went to the presidents house. They found the table set for dinner. The British commanders stopped to toast the president before they burned his home. By the time Washington, D.C. burned, American and British officials were already in peace talks. But in the U.S., one more major battle was being fought. A militia general named Andrew Jackson led a ragtag army against a British attack in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Americans rain of bullets and shells was so deadly that only one British soldier reached the top of the American defenses. When the British finally withdrew, they left behind more than 2,000 dead and wounded. Five hundred other British soldiers had been captured. Thirteen Americans were killed. The Battle of New Orleans was considered a great victory for the U.S; however, it was not necessary. The war had ended, by treaty, two weeks earlier. Legacy The War of 1812 almost bankrupted the U.S. government and cost the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. It was devastating for many Native Americans. It did provide a chance for several thousand slaves to escape to freedom by serving in the British military. But it did nothing to improve the lives of most of 1 million enslaved people in the U.S. at the time. Despite all this, the war united most of the country. Albert Gallatin, Madison's treasury secretary, said people felt "more American" after the war. They acted more like a nation, he said. The song that would become the countrys national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, was written during the War of 1812. Madison benefited from most peoples belief that the war was a success. The end of his second term began what historians call the Era of Good Feelings. Madison left the presidency more popular than when he had started it. After he retired, Madison lived on his Virginia estate for nearly another 20 years. He died in his bed at age 85. A niece was in the room. She says that a strange look passed her uncles face. She asked him what was wrong. Madisons last words were: Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear. I always talk better lying down. I'm Kelly Jean Kelly. Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this report for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. See how well you understand the story of James Madison by taking this listening quiz. Play each video, then choose the best answer. Quiz - American Presidents James Madison Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story capable - adj. skilled at doing something or able to do something well participate - v. to be involved with others in doing something widow - n. a woman whose husband has died dramatic - adj. attracting attention or causing people to carefully listen and look turban - n. a head covering made of a long cloth wrapped around the head feather - n. any one of the light growths that make up the outer covering of the body of a bird squeeze - n. a small or crowded space glamor - n. a very exciting and attractive quality approach - v. to move or become near or nearer to something or someone toast - v. to drink and say or agree to words that honor someone or express good wishes ragtag - adj. made up of different people or things and not organized or put together well devastating - adj. causing great damage or harm Coastal communities around the world are using material from coconuts to reduce beach erosion. Long pieces from the outer shell of the coconut, known as coir, are often used with other materials to build barriers. The barriers are used to protect beaches from getting washed away by the force of waves. The coconut material is widely available and costs a lot less than barriers made of other materials, such as wood, steel or concrete. Coir material is processed and put together to form larger pieces. It is often held together with netting. In developing areas, old fishing nets can also be used. Some projects create living shorelines made from natural elements rather than hard materials. One is being built along part of an eroded riverbank in Neptune, New Jersey. The $1.3 million project is being financed by a mix of federal and local money by the American Littoral Society, a coastal environmental group. The effort has already greatly improved areas that suffered major erosion damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. We're always trying to reduce wave energy while shielding the shoreline, said Tim Dillingham, the group's director. And whenever we can, we like to employ nature-based solutions. The coconut-based material is designed to biodegrade, or break down, over time. But before it does, it is sometimes pre-seeded with shoreline plants and grasses. Those plants can also be placed in holes that can be punched into the coir material. One project is happening in Boston. That is where Julia Hopkins, an assistant professor at Northeastern University, is using coir, wood chips and other material to create floating barriers to slow the force of waves. A test project has four coconut-based barriers in waterways around Boston. Hopkins imagines a network of hundreds or even thousands of mats linked together to protect wider areas. Hopkins is pleased with the results she has seen so far. She said the coconut material is not costly and is actually being recycled rather than being thrown away. Two projects in East Providence, Rhode Island, used coconut material in 2020. The next year, 731 meters of damaged shoreline in New York's Jamaica Bay were treated through a project that also included coconut coir material. Similar projects have been carried out in the states of Delaware and Texas. Indonesia is the world's largest coconut producer, with more than 17 million metric tons in 2021. Scientists from the Oceanography Program of Bandung Institute of Technology used coconut material to help build a sea wall in a village in West Java in 2018. In southern Senegal, people on Diogue Island are using wooden structures and coconut material to reclaim eroded beaches. The method does not always work, however. In 2016, the Felix Neck Wildlife Refuge in Edgartown, Massachusetts, built barriers around a salt marsh that had eroded in the past. While the effort did help reduce erosion for a while, the material did not last long because of strong waves. Suzan Bellincampi is the refuges director. The project was really interesting in terms of what we wanted to do and how we adapted it, she said. It's not for every site; it has to be site-specific. It works in some places; it doesn't work in all places. In a similar way, coconut-based structures were recently used on Chapel Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. But they were damaged by bad weather. Lac des Battures is a lake on Montreals Nuns Island in Canada. People there use coconut material to control the growth of invasive plants along the shoreline. Im Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story erode v. to be gradually removed from a place by water, wind concrete n. a hard substance used in many building projects net n. something made with a piece of net, such as a tool to catch fish shoreline n. the edge of a sea, lake or wide river biodegrade v. to decay naturally and in a way that is not harmful refuge n. a place that provides protection or shelter from harmful things adapt v. to change something to suit different conditions invasive adj. moving into all areas of something and very difficult to stop ______________________________________________________________ What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Three years ago, COVID-19 restrictions caused major changes to the way students experienced college. Instead of learning in classrooms, they took classes online. Instead of living on campus, many students lived at home. The changes made some young people wonder whether a college education was worth it. Today, most college classes are back to normal. Yet, some young people who decided to delay going to college because of the pandemic are still choosing not to go to school. The rising costs of higher education and fears of student debt are among the reasons more young people are choosing not to attend college. Instead, they are working. Many believe it is the right decision for them. The National Student Clearinghouse notes that the number of people going to college in the U.S. dropped by eight percent from 2019 to 2022. Labor experts are concerned that the drop will hurt the U.S. economy in the long term. A drop in college graduates will reduce the number of workers in career areas from health care to information technology. Yet, some people who work in education see recent high school graduates as different. Jamia Stokes works for SCORE, an education group in the state of Tennessee. She said students are more realistic about the way they work, about the way they spend their time and their money. Some young people are choosing work over college because they can find jobs that pay well right after high school. The Associated Press spoke to young people in Tennessee who are of college age, but not in school. Most are working. One is considering going to college. Mia Woodard Mia Woodard lives in Jackson, a small town in Tennessee between Memphis and Nashville. Woodard said she remembers sitting in her bedroom and trying to fill out college applications online. Today, she wonders if she sent them in successfully. She said she never heard back from any of the colleges. She wonders whether her weak Wi-Fi signal caused the applications to not get sent. Or maybe, she said, she simply failed to provide the right information. Woodard said she did not have much support from her school. It might be because they didnt believe in me, she said. Woodard had hoped to be the first in her family to get a college degree. Today, she works at a restaurant and lives with her dad. She is looking for a second job so she can get her own place to live. She said there is still a chance she will continue her education. Her hope is to study culinary arts. Grayson Hart Grayson Hart also lives in Jackson. He said he always imagined going to college. He wanted to be an actor or a teacher. He thought college was the best way to reach his goals. But he changed his mind during the pandemic. One year after finishing high school, he is not in college. He applied to schools but decided not to go. Instead, he is running a theater program for children in Jackson. He said he changed his mind about college because he spent one year doing a lot of learning on his own during the pandemic. He said he felt free without the responsibilities of going to school. Hart said he wondered why he should pay a lot of money to attend college in return for a piece of paper (a diploma) that isnt going to help with what Im doing now? Hart said he is not sure what is next for him. I do worry about the future and what that may look like for me, he said. But right now, Im trying to remind myself that I am good where Im at, and well take it one step at a time. Boone Williams Three years ago, Boone Williams was the kind of student who looked like he was on his way to college. He took difficult classes and got good grades in high school. He was thinking about studying animal science. But when the pandemic closed schools and moved classes online, he said he lost interest. Instead of attending online classes, he went to work at local farms. He worked with horses and cows. I was focusing on making money rather than going to school, he said. Today he is not in college. Instead, he works on plumbing jobs and is taking classes at night to learn from experts in a trade union in Nashville. He does not make much money right now. But he hopes to earn more in the future as he gets more experience. He thinks he will one day earn more than some of his classmates who did go to college. In the long run, Im going to be way more set than any of them, he said. What next? The lack of interest in college is concerning, especially among minority and low-income students. Among students from Tennessee who finished high school in 2021, only 35 percent of Hispanic students and 44 percent of Black students entered college. Over half of white students went to college. But there is some thought that interest in college is going up. There was a small increase in the number of students going to college in 2022 compared to the year before. Still, the total number is far lower than before the pandemic. Tennessee already had a problem getting students to continue their education after high school. In 2014, the state made community college free. More and more students started going to college. But today, the number is at its lowest since at least 2009. Vicki Bunch is the head of workforce development for a business group in Jackson. She said she thinks the number of students will stay low so long as they can get paid well right after high school. Students agreed. They said easy access to jobs and concerns about borrowing money have made college seem less appealing. Im Dan Friedell. And Im Caty Weaver. Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on a report by the Associated Press. Quiz - More Young Americans Choosing to Skip College Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story campus n. the location of a college or school graduate n. a person who has completed a school program and earned a degree culinary adj. having to do with working in kitchens or preparing food focus n. to center ones attention or mind on something plumbing n. the pipes in homes and buildings that carry water in and out union n. a working group of people with similar skills or training that negotiates for jobs together set adj. the state of being comfortable or without major worries income n. the amount of money someone makes in order to live each year _______________________________________________________________ We want to hear from you. Do you think American students will start going back to college? We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: Write your comment in the box. Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter and Google. Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with D on it. It is free. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here. Behind some great men, there is a big brother. Leon Monet, Claude Monets older brother, is central to a new public art show, or exhibition, in Paris. The exhibition explores the part Leon Monet played in the famous impressionist painters life and art. Leon was a color chemist who was four years older than Claude. Historians now understand that Leon helped Claude succeed. He helped in the development of the famous color palette that Claude used to create artworks like the Water Lilies series. Geraldine Lefebvre is in charge of the exhibition at the Musee du Luxembourg. Its never been known before, but without Leon there would not have been a Monet the artist the world knows today, Lefebvre said. She explained, His rich big brother supported him in the first period of his life when he had no money or clients and was starving. Lefebvre said that the colors Claude was famous for came from the synthetic textile dye colors Leon created in the town of Rouen. Rouen was the subject of some of Claudes best-known paintings. The exhibition represents years of investigation by Lefebvre. She visited Monets great-grandchildren, studied family records and brought to light a painting of Leon by Claude. Leon hid the painting in a private collection. The 1874 artwork has never before been seen by the public. It shows Leon with a black suit, serious expression and red face. The exhibit shows that the long-held belief that the Monet brothers did not communicate is incorrect. Historians always thought the two brothers had nothing to do with each other," she said. In reality, they were incredibly close throughout their life, Lefebvre said. The brothers had an argument in the early 1900s and that may explain why no direct signs of the relationship exist. What is now known is that Leon helped his younger brother. He introduced Claude to other artists, gave Claude money, and purchased Claudes art buying it at high prices to improve the painters public image. This exhibit is important as it throws light on Leon Monet, who up until now has been an invisible figure, said Frances Fowle of the National Galleries of Scotland. Leons influence went beyond his brother: He financially supported other artists such as Camille Pissarro, Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley. Claude Monet also worked for his older brother as a color assistant. Leon would dissolve carbon to create a chemical called aniline, which created synthetic colors that natural colors could not compete with. One of the earlier examples of Leons colorful influence on Claudes art is in the exhibition. It is an 1860s picture Monet drew of his future wife Camille. She appears in a dress of a green color that had never been seen before. The French press coined the term Monet green, Lefebvre said, adding that reporters made fun of it at first. At the time, they said he would make a good dye artist. However, both Monets had the last laugh. Claude Monet founded impressionism a term that comes from his 1872 painting Impression, Sunrise to become one of the most famous painters of the last two hundred years. And by the height of the artistic movement at the end of the 19th century, 80 percent of all impressionists work used the synthetic colors borrowed from Leon, Lefebvre says Leon Monet. Brother of the Artist and Collector runs at the Musee du Luxembourg in Paris from March 15 until July 16. Im John Russell. Thomas Adamson reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. ____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story palette -- n. the range of colors used by someone synthetic adj. made by combining different substances : not natural textile n. a fabric that is woven or knit dye n. a substance used for changing the color of something (such as hair or cloth) usually permanently introduce v. to make (someone) known to someone else by name invisible adj. impossible to see : not visible figure n. a person who has a specified status or who is regarded in a specified way dissolve v. to mix with a liquid and become part of the liquid coin a term expression to be the first person to say or develop a term or expression Oscar Balderas had recently moved from one unit into another in his Monona Hills apartment building when he woke up to the smell of smoke early Saturday. With his jacket in his previous apartment, unit 129, Balderas walked down the hall, prepared to go through the motions of a minor accident, as if it were a drill not the deadly blaze it proved to be. Thats when he saw the fire through a window, right above unit 112 the one he had just moved into. I saw that fire, just all over. Oh my God, said Balderas, 68. One person is dead and at least 70 people were evacuated in the fire that broke out in the apartment building at 353 Owen Road in Monona. Authorities had not released the name of the person found dead. Damage to the building, which is not habitable, is expected to exceed $2 million, authorities said. A precise cause was not determined. Firefighters were already on their way for a fire alarm at about 3:45 a.m. when dispatchers received additional calls from residents reporting smoke and flames, Monona Fire Chief Jeremy McMullen said. Initial calls had come in about 3:30 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find heavy fire and smoke, with debris falling from the building at times, McMullen said at a news conference Saturday afternoon. The fire was brought under control by 9 a.m., and one person was found dead, McMullen said. The fire appears to have started in the vicinity of apartment 204 and appears to have been unintentional, he said. Firefighters also rescued six cats, most of which are in the care of Dane County Animal Services. Kisiah Johnson, 52, was also asleep in her apartment when she awoke to the smell of smoke. Once she realized the severity of what was happening, she jumped into action and left as quickly as possible. I was like, Where are my joggers? Johnson said. I grabbed my coat, unplugged my cell phone, grabbed (my bag) and got out the door. I started banging on peoples doors, saying it was a real fire, Balderas said. While Balderas helped a neighbor evacuate through the stairs, Johnson was in the parking lot waiting with others. I had a lady in my car. She just had on a T-shirt and a shawl, Johnson said, remembering how hectic the aftermath was. Once I got her in the car ... I needed to use the bathroom, so I went to the Kwik Trips and then came back and was just driving around to see how it was. All Johnson could say as she saw the burning building was, This is crazy. Crazy. The fire was upstairs, but it spread all the way down through the elevator. So I know my apartment, it ... it burned all the way down, said Balderas. I dont want to go through that ever again, he said. Ever again. The American Red Cross opened a shelter for those displaced by the fire at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona. Food and essentials were being provided in addition to any shelter needs. Many agencies in Dane County and beyond responded and assisted in the evacuation, McMullen said. Even the Red Cross was unaware of how severe the damage would be. We had our disaster action team respond right away to help with immediate needs on the ground, and then as time went on we realized, Oh boy, this is going to be much larger, said Kyle Kriegl, executive director of the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross. There were between 30 and 35 residents at the Red Cross shelter Saturday. It was not known how long a shelter would be needed. Well be working with them and kind of determining that for each on a case by case basis, but that could all depend on what their needs are, Kriegl said. Donations or help can be arranged through the Red Cross at 1-800-236-8680. Remembering the 1996 fire that destroyed Madison's Hotel Washington Hotel Washington before the fire Club de Wash before the fire Hotel Washington fire Hotel Washington fire Hotel Washington fire Hotel Washington fire Hotel Washington in ruins People watch Hotel Washington blaze Hotel Washington fire Hotel Washington fire Fighting the fire Extinguishing hot spot Friends embrace Freezing water Hotel Washington fire Barber's Closet fire damage Hotel Washington flowers Gutted hotel with flag Hotel Washington vigil Hotel Washington service Fire investigators Salvaging what they can Washington Hotel steps State Journal front page Feb. 19, 1996 State Journal coverage Feb. 19, 1996 State Journal coverage Feb. 19, 1996 Trumpf Hotel, 1906 Hotel Washington in 1935 Responses to the Wisconsin State Journals candidate questionnaire. The general election is April 4. Brad Hinkfuss Age: 53 Family: Anne (wife) and Noah (son) Job: Executive director for Housing Initiatives Inc. Prior elected office: None Other public service: President and board member of the Dane County Homeless Services Consortium, 2019 to 2021; Olbrich Botanical Society, 2017 to 2019 Education: Masters degree in political, community and economic development from Illinois State University; bachelors in English and philosophy from Carroll University Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford Age: 52 Family: Not provided Job: Founder of Lady Laughs Comedy Prior elected office: None Other public service: Not provided Education: Studied theatre at Collin College Q&A What experience or insight do you bring to this race that your opponent doesnt have? Hinkfuss: I bring a deep understanding of the history and issues that impact District 15. As a neighborhood organizer in the district for more than 20 years, I have connected neighbors and facilitated decisions informed by community feedback. I bring a commitment to listening, and the patience and humility to truly hear residents concerns. Martinez-Rutherford: Im a small business owner and a creative entrepreneur. Im intimately familiar with bouts of poverty. I know what its like to have to prioritize your bills over your health. Im also a transgender woman. Ive experienced employment discrimination. When talking about issues of housing, its important to have someone at the table who knows what poverty feels like. As a transgender person, its more important than ever that we are present and represented. What is the most important issue in this election and how would you address it? Hinkfuss: The most important issue is the growing sense among many people that they can no longer afford to live here. The cost of housing is ridiculous, tax increases threaten lifelong residents with relocation, and there are additional charges for so many things. Cost of living issues are never addressed with a single silver bullet, but through a sincere commitment to crafting annual budgets that cut costs. Martinez-Rutherford Housing and affordability. The city has worked hard to increase the amount of housing, but rental vacancy rates are still well below a healthy 5%. We need to increase all kinds of housing in Madison: affordable and market rate alike. We need to ensure affordable housing, especially for lower-income levels, is built where we have good transit, access to groceries, childcare and critical services. We also need to support density where we have good transit. List three of your top budget priorities. Hinkfuss: Reducing debt service, reexamining law enforcement through the lens of prevention, and examining the transition from a budget with ARPA funds to one without such funding Fifteen people slept at an American Red Cross Shelter following a deadly fire that ripped through a Monona apartment complex early Saturday. Red Cross staff plan to continue feeding and procuring medication for those displaced by the fire, which numbered in the dozens, said Laura McGuire, a spokesperson for the Red Cross in Wisconsin. Between 30 and 35 residents were at a shelter set up at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Monona as of Saturday afternoon, and the Red Cross and Monona Fire Department is in talks with the apartments property manager to determine if and when residents can return. Most of those displaced by the fire found family and friends to stay with, but the number of people at the shelter continues to fluctuate, McGuire said. Plans are underway to open a Multi-Agency Resource Center through the Red Cross, which will coordinate with local agencies to provide long-term housing and clothes to those displaced by the fire. Were in for a long haul, McGuire said. Monona Fire Chief Jeremy McMullen said there was no new information to release Sunday on the investigation into the fire, which killed one person and caused more than $2 million in damage to the apartment building at 353 Owen Road. The Dane County Medical Examiner had not released the name of the person killed in the fire. Calls to 911 began pouring in from the building around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. The fire, which appeared unintentional, was subdued by firefighters by 9 a.m., McMullen said. Most of those at the shelter were age 50 and older, McGuire said. The Red Cross is also working with volunteers to secure mental health resources for those displaced. Every time theres a fire, its their darkest day, McGuire said of those impacted. Donations or help can be arranged through the Red Cross at 1-800-236-8680. In an editorial Jan. 22 about the race for state Supreme Court, we urged voters to Look for a judge who hasnt made up their mind. Last week, we went looking ourselves for an impartial and independent judge during separate interviews with both candidates. Were not sure we found one, at least when it comes to potential cases about abortion, gerrymandering and other hot-button issues. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Janet Protasiewicz, for example, has made abortion rights the centerpiece of her campaign, clearly implying to voters that she will overturn Wisconsins near-total ban on abortion if given the chance. Former Justice Dan Kelly, backed heavily by pro-life groups, provides little reason to think he wont uphold the states 1849 ban, which has been in dispute since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. To be fair, both candidates told our editorial board its possible theyll disappoint their supporters on this emotional and difficult question. They pledged to review the facts of any case and apply the law as written without consideration to their personal beliefs or political friends. With all due respect, thats hard to believe. Though this race is supposed to be nonpartisan, Protasiewiczs supporters and campaign donors neatly align with Democratic interests, while Kellys are a whos who of GOP backers. Neither has shown much independence. Sadly, thats not unusual in judicial elections these days, and the influence of politics and money only seems to grow worse. More than $27 million already has been spent on this race. So glaring conflicts of interests are sure to arise no matter which candidate wins. Unlike her opponent, Protasiewicz wants the high court to establish stricter recusal standards if elected. Such rules, which are common in other states, could require justices to step away from a case if they appeared to have an obvious and significant conflict, based on specific criteria. Kelly seems much more interested in justices deciding for themselves if they have a conflict, which is the current and troubling practice. Protasiewicz also has promised to recuse herself if any case involving the Democratic Party of Wisconsin comes before her. That is reassuring, given that the party has contributed $2.5 million to her campaign. Protasiewiczs support for more safeguards to judicial integrity is one of the big reasons the State Journal editorial board is endorsing her for this important job. Kelly will not commit to recusing himself from cases involving the Republican Party, even though it has heavily supported his campaign on top of many cozy ties. Kelly stationed his campaign office in the Republican Party headquarters during his failed election campaign in 2020. As an attorney, he has advised the GOP on partisan causes including gerrymandering and the creation of an alternate slate of electors following the last presidential bid. Luckily for our democracy, the attempt to overturn the vote of the people failed. We sure hope Kelly didnt urge that sham to go forward, though he wont say, citing attorney-client privilege. Nor will Kelly necessarily step aside if his biggest campaign donors come before him seeking a decision. He says hell decide that on a case-by-case basis, which is fuzzy. During his interview with our board, he said he sees nothing wrong with sitting on a case in which a participant has donated $20,000 to his campaign. At least Protasiewicz acknowledges and wants to do something about the growing perception that judges play for a partisan team or cater to special interests. Kelly sounds dismissive of such concerns when applied to him. Another reason we recommend Protasiewicz for election April 4, despite some misgivings about her campaign, is her support for open court meetings. Conservative-leaning justices closed the high courts discussions about administrative matters in 2017. These meetings, which had been open for decades, dont deal with specific cases. They are about how the court operates. Kelly is worried that justices will play to the TV cameras. But that concern shouldnt trump the publics right to know what its highest court is doing. Kelly has publicly disparaged Justice Brian Hagedorn, the one justice on Wisconsins seven-member high court who seems to take his independence seriously when applying the law. Kelly called Hagedorn supremely unreliable because Hagedorn has sometimes disappointed his conservative supporters. But good judges are supposed to let you down sometimes if they apply the law fairly. Thats because the law doesnt magically and consistently align with either political partys interests. While Hagedorn has been an impressive swing vote on the court, Kelly routinely sided with conservative interests on high-profile cases after he was appointed to the post by former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. Another plus for Protasiewicz is that she acknowledges nuance in the law, while Kelly seems to pretend that gray areas dont exist. We admire Protasiewiczs involvement as a community volunteer, which suggests some empathy. Thats an important quality for any judge. As for experience, her professional life of public service includes a decade of experience on the bench and time as a prosecutor. She seems more willing to listen and understand peoples thoughts and concerns. Some of Protasiewiczs campaign ads are undignified. Shes wrong to fault Kelly if he helped defend people accused of sex crimes as a private attorney. Every person accused in court deserves representation. Protasiewicz has been targeted by nasty ads, too, and will undoubtedly face more. Judicial elections seem to tar the reputations of both candidates, regardless of who wins. And over time, that has damaged peoples belief in fairness, and undoubtedly deterred many top legal minds from seeking this job. Our badly flawed system of judicial elections isnt the fault of either candidate. We credit both for their knowledge and willingness to run. For 44.7 miles, in far northern Boundary County, Idaho shares a border with Canada. The province of British Columbia sits on the other side of land crossings at Porthill Rykerts, a long haul from anywhere in the Gem State, and at Eastport Kingsgate, about four miles from the incorporated town of Good Grief, which, once upon a time, was made famous by the country music and comedy show Hee Haw. Its another border, though, and one that doesnt physically touch Idaho, that has brought on grief for the states Republican congressional delegation and the Legislature. In the last six weeks alone, U.S. Sen. Jim Risch has played a role in the introduction of five acts by different names but each with the same goal: To secure the United States border with Mexico. The full-blown disaster at the countrys southern border, as Risch called it this month after rolling out his latest effort, titled the Solving the Border Crisis Act, is not only a humanitarian crisis ignored by President Joe Biden but a threat to the American way of life including in Idaho, he told the Times-News. Communities across Idaho have voiced extensive concerns about the growing border crisis at our Southern border, which has become significantly worse since President Biden took office, Risch said in an emailed statement. The influx of fentanyl, in particular, has had a direct and deadly effect on many communities in Idaho. The Solving the Border Crisis Act was created to return the U.S. to reasonable border policies and address the concerns many Idahoans have voiced for the last several years. It is pivotal to the safety of Idahoans, as well as all Americans, for Congress to institute commonsense border security measures. This bill is a step in the right direction. The U.S. Border Patrol in February encountered 128,877 undocumented migrants between ports of entry on the southern border, plus another 26,121 encounters at ports of entry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data released Wednesday. The total of 154,998 was nearly identical to Januarys count and the lowest since 101,099 in February 2021 the first full month of Bidens presidency. The decline in the first two months of 2023, however, followed an historic wave of encounters that included 10 consecutive months over 200,000, beginning in March of last year and concluding with a high of 251,995 in December, CBP data shows. Since Donald Trump left the Oval Office and Biden walked into it, CBP has reported more than 4.85 million encounters with undocumented migrants along the southern border a total Risch pointed out as double the population of Idaho in a news release announcing his Solving the Border Crisis Act. Idahos other U.S. senator, Mike Crapo, joined Risch in introducing the bill and punched at what he described as the presidents inability to enforce the border. How many migrant encounters? The number of southwest land border encounters with migrants from 2020 to 2023, by fiscal year running Oct. 1 through Sept. 30: 2023 (ytd): 1,029,953 2022: 2,378,944 2021: 1,734,686 2020: 450,088 Source: U.S. Customs & Border Protection A record number of illegal border crossings on the Biden Administrations watch has created a humanitarian crisis of staggering proportions and fueled the increased smuggling of deadly drugs such as fentanyl into our country, Crapo said in the release. This ongoing crisis demands a stronger, more effective leadership. Congress must act to secure the border now, as we cannot rely on the Executive Branch to do so. SJM101 sparks emotions in Legislature Its not just Rischs voice from Idaho calling out for border control now though the resolution that bubbled up in the Legislature this week included specific stipulations that further exposed the fracture in the states dominant political party. The national immigration debate spilled out midweek in the Boise statehouse, with the Republican supermajority in the Senate approving a memorial calling for market-driven reform that would create an effective guest worker program that allows for a consistent and legal workforce to help sustain the states agriculture industry, a group of 22 senators and representatives wrote in a guest editorial distributed to multiple newspapers across the state, including the Times-News. We are not going to sit back and let Idaho agriculture be sacrificed to the failure of the Biden administration. If they arent going to lead on immigration reform, then we will. If they are not going to help our farmers, then we will, they wrote. Make no mistake, we are not soft on immigration. We do not support amnesty and neither does Idahos agriculture industry. No reasonable human is suggesting we look the other way while illegal immigrants flood into our nation. We are calling for the same thing that the Trump administration called for; secure the border, have a legal and merit-based immigration system. Senate Joint Memorial 101, which passed the Senate 25-10 on Thursday and will go to the House for consideration, accuses Biden and the U.S. Congress of failing to fulfill their Constitutional responsibility as it pertains to immigration law and policy and calls for action with all deliberate speed to adopt and implement targeted immigration reform that would meet the labor needs and demands of year-round agriculture, construction, hospitality, food processing, manufacturing, technology and other market sectors, and in particular allows cyclical worker visas of adequate length to meet the labor demands of Idaho agriculture and business. Sen. Linda Wright Hartgen, R-Twin Falls, who co-signed the guest editorial along with two other Magic Valley legislators, Sen. Kelly Anthon, R-Burley, and Rep. Chenele Dixon, R-Kimberly, described SJM101 as a sincere effort to help our dairy farmers and all of the employers who hire foreign-born employees. It is my belief that the federal government could fix this if they just would, Hartgen said in an email to the Times-News. We are not asking for a citizen pathway but something to allow them to work. We all believe in the proper way to become a citizen and there can be no exceptions. She added, Its also the right thing to do because these people live in constant fear. The Idaho Dairymens Association was almost immediate in its praise. Senate Joint Memorial 101 is a good first step for Idaho in an effort to make a positive impact on our countrys immigration reform, Rick Naerebout, the associations CEO, said in a statement. Idaho is the third largest producer of milk in the nation, and our year-round business requires a steady and dependable workforce, just like our fellow agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and hospitality employers. I am disappointed in a handful of Senators for misrepresenting the plain language of SJM101 and ignoring the critical need for immigration reform that would benefit all Idahoans and Americans. California solution for an Idaho problem Misrepresenting the plain language? What the majority of Republicans in the Senate viewed as commonsense, Idaho-first reform, a splinter of senators from the states dominant party along with state party chair Dorothy Moon, the Idaho Freedom Foundation and the Idaho Freedom Caucus lashed out at SJM101 as a blatant attempt at amnesty. Sen. Brian Lenney, R-Nampa, labeled the memorial as a California solution for an Idaho problem on Twitter, Moon lamented immigrants overstaying their visas and the subsequent impact on American workers, and the IFF accused the Senate of lurching to the left with a resolution that includes an explicit call for amnesty of illegal aliens currently working in the United States. The IFF singled out Hartgen, Dixon and Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome, and their six co-sponsors of the memorial. Fundamentally, this issue is about what is right and fair for American workers, Moon wrote in her weekly column for the Times-News. Everywhere immigrants are relied upon to fill the workforce, domestic worker labor force participation drops dramatically. Everywhere immigrants are relied upon to fill the workforce, domestic worker compensation including young workers recently graduated from college drops dramatically. Everywhere immigrants are relied upon to fill the workforce, welfare spending increases. In her column, Moon used some numbers on immigration that the Times-News could not independently verify through federal data and that the Idaho Republican Party on Saturday requested to clarify in the online version. The Freedom Caucus, a faction of 12 GOP lawmakers that includes Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, labeled SJM101 as a failure to enforce the literal sovereign integrity of our nation in a tweet after Thursdays vote. Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, pushed the Republican rift to the forefront in a Thursday morning news release to promote SJM101, poking at a fellow Republican who stood in opposition. A California transplant in the Idaho Senate has been quick to say dont change my state, Guthrie said in the release. As a native Idahoan and a farmer, I know that Idaho has been built on the back of our farm workers. That other Republican was Lenney, who has lived in Nampa with his family since 2010, according to his political website. Apparently Senator Guthrie feels like its okay to disparage me in his press release, Lenney wrote in a tweet that included Guthries release with the quote underlined. But wouldnt own up to it when I directly asked him about it TWICE today on the Senate floor. Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, meanwhile, appeared to criticize the IFF, a Boise-based conservative think tank that describes its mission as exposing, defeating, and replacing the states socialist public policies. To continue to misrepresent the clear wording in SJM101 is dishonest, and it appears to be a fundraising opportunity for a particular organization, Boyle said in a statement. The Idaho Republican Party platform states, We believe in a strong and viable agriculture industry we believe Idahos farmers and ranchers should be able to compete freely and trade fairly in foreign markets we believe that securing the national border must be a priority for our country SJM101 does all of this. Border walls work, or do they? SJM101 didnt just put meaningful immigration reform at the feet of Biden. The second-to-last paragraph was clear instruction to Idahos federal delegation Risch, Crapo and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher to do something. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the congressional delegation representing the State of Idaho in the Congress of the United States is requested and called upon to take action with all deliberate speed to advocate for an introduce federal legislation implementing targeted immigration reform in a manner consistent with the principles set forth in this Joint Memorial, it read. Its unlikely Risch needed further motivation. It was a week before SJM101 cleared the Idaho Senate that Risch introduced the Solving the Border Crisis Act, which called on the Biden administration to immediately resume construction of the border wall that Trump made central to his 2016 presidential campaign, for Congress to push Biden to declare a national security emergency at the Mexico border, plus other measures to manage migrants and asylum seekers, and to enforce the rule of the law. Twice in February, Rischs name was on legislation in the same vein: He was a co-sponsor of the Build the Wall Now Act, brought forward by Republican Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee and Ted Budd of North Carolina, calling for the use of $2.1 billion in allocated but unspent funding for the border wall to be used for immediate construction. Two weeks earlier, Risch joined with Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, to introduce four pieces of legislation, including the WALL Act to complete the border wall and a resolution to acknowledge a crisis at the southern border. The two other bills were aimed at asylum abuse through the codification of the Remain in Mexico policy that requires asylum seekers to stay outside the U.S. while their claim is under review, and at ending a federal catch and release policy that allows for the release of illegal immigrants into the U.S. after six months of detention. Border walls work. It successfully deters illegal immigration and helps reduce the flow of deadly illegal drugs, like fentanyl, from flowing freely into the U.S. But that didnt stop President Biden from halting the construction of the southern border wall, Risch said in a Feb. 23 news release for the Build the Wall Now Act. This commonsense measure is a critical step Congress can take to reverse President Bidens disastrous failures to keep our border secure. Fentanyl has become an increasing danger in Idaho, where related overdose deaths doubled from 2020 to 2021, according to state officials, prompting Gov. Brad Little to prioritize the states fight against the synthetic opioid that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more dangerous than morphine. The Idaho State Police told KREM 2 last month that it had responded to over 600 fentanyl overdoses, including 10 fatal incidents, in just the first 46 days of this year. The organized crime in Mexico, theyre controlling the flow of fentanyl and we need to do all we can to stop that, Little said during a January stop at the College of Southern Idaho, where he promoted the states online awareness campaign at FentanylTakesAll.org. But Amy Fischer, advocacy director, Americas, for Amnesty International, cautioned Idaho from conflating the fentanyl epidemic with the countrys illegal immigration challenges while dismissing Rischs notion that a border wall was the answer. In a phone interview with the Times-News, Fischer said the U.S. has the capacity to welcome migrants fleeing from countries such as Venezuela where poverty, crime, violence and political tension make it nearly impossible to survive. A wall isnt going to prevent people from trying to seek safety, said Fischer, describing the world as a global refugee society where people seeking a better life are simply exercising their right to seek asylum. The problem is, people need a safe place to go, and the United States has the opportunity to provide a safe place, she said. That is the reason why people want to come here. We can either be a shining beacon, or a beacon of exclusion. Its not those people, either, who are transporting fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the desert or through rivers, said Fischer, calling Rischs attempt to blame asylum-seeking migrants shameful when he should be addressing the issue at its core. The fentanyl crisis is a crisis. It is ravaging communities but fentanyl is not spreading through communities because women and children are seeking safety by coming to the United States, she said. The blame is being placed at the feet of the wrong people. She added, I would want my senator to be talking about how were going to have additional inspections of vehicles coming across the border. None of the five acts with Rischs name on them have progressed beyond introduction, his office confirmed to the Times-News. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy After emerging from a car that was stuck in a field after a miles-long, high-speed chase through western Twin Falls County, Caleb Tussey made eye contact with a sheriffs deputy that early morning in August. Tussey showed no signs of fear, no remorse and no signs of surrender, the law enforcement officer said. Taking a couple strides in the direction of a house, the 24-year-old Tussey, who had just moments before fired a gun at officers, had a 1,000-yard stare a term describing the blank, unfocused gaze of combatants who have become emotionally detached from the psychological trauma around them the officer said. Fearing for the inhabitants of the house and the welfare of a fellow deputy whom he last saw lying near an irrigation ditch, Twin Falls County Sheriffs Deputy Jeffrey Schamm fired his handgun to stop the threat. The death of Tussey, 24, was the conclusion of a wild series of events, as dramatic as they are tragic, that occurred the early morning hours of Aug. 26 in Twin Falls County, a report by the Critical Incident Task Force said. Events of that morning are detailed in the investigation examining the officer-involved shooting. The lengthy report, in which the Jerome County Sheriffs Office compiled as the lead investigative agency, is filled with results of interviews, forensics evidence and photos, and looks at whether law officers involved in the shooting acted lawfully. Twin Falls County deputies Schramm and Cpl. James Benson fired their weapons at Tussey in a field north of Buhl at the conclusion of a high-speed chase. Gem County Prosecuting Attorney Erick Thomson reviewed the report and concluded that no criminal charges should be filed against the deputies, both of whom are still employed by the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office. The actions of those officers were justifiable under Idaho law, Thomson wrote. Tussey did not have a gun on him when he was mortally wounded, the report says. He did fire a weapon a .40 caliber handgun moments before, however, hitting a deputy patrol vehicles windshield five times. The firearm, devoid of bullets, was found in the back seat of Tusseys car. Benson said that in the low-light situation, he didnt know whether Tussey still had the gun in his possession when he shot. As Benson and Schramm closed in on Tusseys vehicle, Schramm said he saw gunfire coming from the passenger side of the car, and bullet holes appearing and exploding glass coming off Cpl. Bensons windshield. He drew his weapon, and heard Benson, lying near an irrigation ditch outside his vehicle, yell shots fired. Schramm told investigator Lt. Chad Kingsland he didnt hear from his fellow officer for some time after that and worried about whether Benson was wounded or even dead. Benson told investigators he was lucky to survive that night, as he heard bullets fly just as he stepped out of his vehicle. Although he had COVID and his sense of smell wasnt good, he could smell gunpowder. Just as Schramm was worried about Benson, Benson thought Tussey was about to open fire on Schramm. He told an investigator he shot his weapon four or five times. The near-death experience shook Benson, and, after the shooting, he started pacing the ground, in disbelief he was still alive. Tussey was struck by three bullets, one in the thigh, one in the hand and one in the chest, an autopsy concluded. A toxicology report said he had multiple drugs in his system, including THC, amphetamine, methamphetamine, clonazepam and gabapentin. Efforts to revive Tussey were unsuccessful. After the shooting, deputies didnt initially know the identity of Tussey, but an officer saw the numbers 125514 tattooed across his chest. It didnt make sense for that to be a birth date, reasoned the officer. The six-digit number was run through the Idaho Department of Corrections and discovered it was the departments number assigned to Tussey, who had a lengthy criminal record. A high-speed pursuit started at about 3 a.m. Aug. 26 after Tussey brandished a pistol at another motorist on U.S. Highway 30 near Filer. Tussey was a passenger in the car, a gray Hyndai Sonata driven by Sydney Gibson. Gibson, then 18, said she and Tussey had used methamphetamine shortly before the pair started driving to Twin Falls when Tussey began yelling at her. She stopped the car and turned on the cars hazard lights, when a man stopped to check to see if they were OK. Tussey, holding a gun, fought with the man through the car window. After the man got back in his vehicle, Tussey told Gibson to pull alongside it so he could shoot him. Gibson refused. Deputies responded and chased Gibson and Tussey to Twin Falls. Gibson pulled into a gas station at Addison Avenue West and Martin Street with the intent of giving up, but Tussey forced her to keep driving, she said. Gibson said she feared Tussey would use the gun against her. The chase reversed course and went through Filer and Buhl at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Gibson narrowly missed spike strips on two occasions and deputys attempts to perform PIT maneuvers. The chase ended in a field off of 4100 North, when the vehicle hit an embankment and became stuck. Gibson, who awaits sentencing on May 22 after accepting a plea deal for drug possession, told police she saw Tussey fire shots at law enforcement officers. Caleb was shooting at the cop, she said in an interview. I was sitting there freaking out. She said she had been dating Tussey for about a month, and said he had been known to carry a gun, and to sell meth. A fanny pack that Tussey was wearing contained meth and pills, along with an unspent .40 caliber bullet. Laura Steere and her husband Rick Steere took their passions, combined them and created Infinity Acres Ranch. Infinity Acres has around 225 to 250 different animals and 49 different species on site. Some animals they have are tarantulas, snakes, armadillos, wallabies, capybaras, emus, owls, doves, rabbits, camels, zebras, llamas, alpacas, donkeys, horses and miniature horses, sugar gliders, hedgehogs and more. The Steeres moved to Ridgeway in July 2007 from upstate New York where they had a small farm. Laura Steere said after years of harsh weather and a particularly rough final year with over 200 inches of snow, she put her foot down and moved down South to warmer weather. The 10-acre hobby farm had animals such as horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, chickens, parrots, dogs and cats. It was located in the snow belt, Steere said, between Syracuse and Rochester in a town called Cato. We looked like Noahs ark coming down 81, Steere said about the move to Virginia. They already had some of the animals before they made the trip South. Once they arrived they were able to branch out into more exotic animals such as zebras and camels. The couple love to travel to visit family in Maryland, Ohio and Australia. Australia is her favorite place to go because of all the animals she gets to see there. Theyve been to Australia three times. Over the 16 years they have lived in Ridgeway, the couple have expanded their hobby farm in to a 501c3 nonprofit organization. We started inviting some folks to come and enjoy the animals around 2009, Steere said. This began the growth that in 2012 resulted in nonprofit status. Anybody that came to see us kept saying, This is like a park down here; you should share this, and it kind of gave us that initiative to try something really unusual and different, Steere said. Steere is a Registered Nurse by trade, but has always had a passion for animals, she said. She worked as a school nurse and a psychiatric nurse before retiring and now uses her experience with in the ENABLE day program for adults with disabilities at the ranch. ENABLE, which provides animal-based learning experiences, was inspired by her husbands son, who has disabilities. The organization offers guided petting tours, mobile exhibits, Animal Adventure Camp, volunteer opportunities, youth programs, an annual 5k run, llama hiking, fiber arts classes, a spring carnival, a Spring Special Prom Night, the Llama & Livestock 4-H Club, the ENABLE program and is planning to hold a spring and summer music series. Steere said it is important to be well-rounded in her position as it allows her to go from wearing glamorous gowns at the prom event to her farm clothes take care of the animals. Theres a balance. Theres the yin and the yang, she said. Its wonderful to use technology Youve gotta be able to understand nature and not be scared of everything. Be able to be comfortable. I go from the belle of the ball to the barn goddess. At first, she added, she was looking at Infinity Acres as a retirement opportunity but little did I know Id be working longer and harder than Ive ever worked in my whole life. The latest project at the ranch will be a capybara exhibit that will transform an area that used to be an outdoor pool into a habitat and was made possible by contributions from Molina Healthcare, the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia and Jones & DeShon Orthodontics. Meanwhile, the Steeres will celebrate their 29th anniversary this week. From the time that we met our goal has always been to work together and to be together all the time, Steere said. Bassett pastor Susan Spangenberg thought her aid to Ukrainian refugees was just financial but last month, she and her husband were there to help them in person. After the war in Ukraine broke out last year, refugees spilled into border countries such as Bucharest and Romania, Spangenberg said. Almost immediately, our people [Pocahontas Baptist Church congregation] started to talk about what we could do, and of course our first thought was money. Spangenberg has been the pastor of Pocahontas Baptist Church for six years and before that served on staff at Starling Avenue Baptist Church for 15 years, and her husband, Keith Spangenberg, is retired after serving as pastor of Villa Heights Baptist Church for 18 years. He now attends the church his wife pastors. The church took offerings and raised over $9,000 to donate to the cause because there was no way to send food or other material goods, she said. The money was donated towards Ukrainian refugee relief through the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). An anonymous donor from the BGAV then offered to fund a mission trip to Romania for the 10 churches which raised to most money for donation for Ukraine. Each participating church contributed just $500 toward the cost of the trip. We never thought it would result in getting to actually go, Susan Spangenberg said. ... The Lord provided the way, so we were going. The Spangenbergs spent five days in Romania along with BGAV leader Craig Wadell, Skyler Daniel of Lexington, Betsy McGinnis of Rhoadsville Baptist Church, Kevin Meadows of Grandin Court Baptist Church, Sam Maxwell of Manassas, Brian Hoysa of Old Town Baptist Church, Paul Jones of Sandston Baptist Church and Ben Robertson of Bristol. In Bucharest, the Spangenbergs spent three days at The Ruth Project packing food boxes. The Ruth Project is a 30-year-old ministry supported by the BGAV that provides educational opportunities for children of Roma, a minority group in Romania that face discrimination, Spangenberg said. Called 4:7 boxes, those packages of food can feed a family of four for seven days. They contain foods such as rice, pasta, canned meat, coffee, sugar, flour and canned vegetables. This BGAV team filled 253 boxes that were sent to the Ukrainian border to war-torn areas for families in need, she said. The group also visited the Baptist seminary and spoke with Dean Dr. Otniel Bunaciu to hear how they receive and help refugees there and partner with The Ruth Project. In the airport before they left for Bucharest, the Spangenbergs met the Assistant Director of Ukrainian Baptists Igor Bandura who shared that since the war began over 3,000 baptisms have been conducted. They crossed the border into Ukraine to visit a town 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Izmail, Ukraine. While there they visited the future site of a refugee relief center and dormitories that are being renovated, and they met refugees. While there, they stayed in dormitories connected to The Ruth Project school. They had a room with two single beds, a shower and a toilet. The food was not too different from what is served in America, Susan Spangenberg said. The main difference was that instead of items like sandwiches for lunch they had a dinner-esq meal. She added that soup was served as an appetizer to dinner and thinking that was the main dishmany of their group took seconds not knowing that more food was coming next. The human family The bottom line is that were the human family. Just because were halfway across the world, that doesnt let us off the hook from any response we can make, and the Lord enabled us to make this response, Susan Spangenberg said. It gave us the opportunity to have a face-to-face contact, Keith Spangenberg said. Its not just this mass of people but you find out that even if you have to talk through an interpreter that theyre just another one of us. People are people, Susan Spangenberg added. From a church standpoint it gives us the opportunity to see firsthand how we are being the hands and the feet of helping even that far away and seeing how that actually is, Keith Spangenberg said. Though some mission trips involve preaching, the Spangenbergs were there to help pack supplies to send to refugees and along the way got to see where the money they had collected was going. Just to see this ministry of response, that Heres a need, how can we meet it was a powerful realization, Susan Spangenberg said. I was really just ... Moved to see that, to hear that. Keith Spangenberg said seeing how the BGAV use its network of people to order food, pack it up and transport it over the boarders to families with personal vehicles stuck out to him. They met a truck driver who uses his work truck to pick up supplies and bring them to The Ruth Project school to be packed up and sent across the border, he said. And once it arrived at the school, children there would help unpack it. They both said they were impressed with the dedication of the people who help and how the system in Bucharest works. To see how much everybody, in any way they could, tried to help was moving, Keith Spangenberg said. Anyone interested in supporting Ukraine relief efforts of the Baptist church in Bucharest, Romania can donate to the BGAV online at bgav.org/donate. SERVICES Rich Acres Baptist Church, 78 Stuart Ridge Road, Martinsville, has all services back including Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening Bible study is at 7 p.m. MOVIE New Hope Church of the Brethren will host a movie night featuring "War Room" at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 31. Popcorn and water will be provided. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and/or pillows, and other snacks and drinks if desired. Children are invited as well; a Veggie Tale movie will be shown for them in a Sunday school room with adult supervision. The church is at 2007 New Hope Road, Stuart. AED TRAINING Chatham Heights Christian Church will host a training session, offered by the Department of Public Safety, on how to use an automated external defibrillator, or AED. The session will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday. The church is at 4020 Sunset Drive, which is the corner of Sunset and Chatham Heights Road. RALLIES XPerience 2023 Youth Rally will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Patrick County High School. It will feature the PCHS Praise & Worship Team and speaker Corey Ball. The school is at 215 Cougar Lane, Stuart, and the event will be held in the auditorium. After this, Manifest Youth Rally will be held in late fall. Blackberry Baptist Church will host a Resurrection Rally at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 25. WALK THE PRAYER LABYRINTH Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, will have Walk The Prayer Labyrinth Monday-Wednesday, April 3-5 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Come any time during these hours to walk our prayer labyrinth. Instructions for the labyrinth will be on hand, if needed, and the use of meditative music will be available, if desired. MUSIC Greater Love Ministries, 906 E. Church St., will host EnVue's 15th Anniversary Celebration at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25. Jamar Tyree will be the Master of Ceremony. Tickets are $15. To be a vendor or sponsor, contact Lori Lowe-Bonds at 276-806-1141. PRAISE The Patrick County High School Praise & Worship Team will be at Middle Cross Missionary Baptist Church, 59 Wayside Road, Stuart, from 6-7 p.m. Sunday. Praise will be at Buffalo Ridge Pentecostal Holiness Church at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Buffalo Ridge is at 4698 Woolwine Hwy, Stuart. LENT Jones Chapel Church of the Brethren, 2390 Figsboro Road, will host a community Lenten service at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 26. Rick Randall will speak. Finger foods and desserts will be offered after the service. PALM SUNDAY Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road will hold Palm Sunday service, "The Triumphal Entry to the Cross" Sunday, April 2, 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. First United Methodist Church will hold Palm Sunday service, featuring the Children's Music Ministries, at 11 a.m. April 2 in the sanctuary. There will not be an early service. MAUNDY THURSDAY Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, will hold Maundy Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m. in the fellowship hall. We will share in scripture readings from Jesus' last night with his friends - especially his command to love one another. We will wash one another's hands, walk the prayer labyrinth, receive communion, sing and pray. Starling Avenue Baptist Church will hold a Maundy Thursday service at 6 p.m. April 6 and a Good Friday Tenebrae service at 6 p.m. April 7. First United Methodist Church will hold Maundy Thursday service on April 6 at 7 p.m. in sanctuary. Starling Avenue Baptist Church, 932 Starling Ave., will hold Maundy Thursday Service on April 6 at 6 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Patrick Henry Ave., will have a Maundy Thursday potluck supper and Tenebrae service at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 6. The Tenebrae service, with Holy Communion, will be at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, will hold a Good Friday Service, "A Service of the Nails" Friday, April 7th, 6 p.m. in the sanctuary. We reflect on the sufferings of our Lord through the use of dramatic readings from scripture, prayers, singing, and the extinguishing of candles. First United Methodist Church will hold Good Friday service on April 7 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Starling Avenue Baptist Church, 932 Starling Ave., will hold a Good Friday Tenebrae service at 6:00 p.m., on April 7. Freedom Baptist Church, 790 Irisburg Road, Axton, will hold Good Friday service, April 7 at 7 p.m. HOLY SATURDAY On Holy Saturday (April 8), the chapel of First United Methodist Church will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for prayer. PRE-EASTER Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 13602 Martinsville Highway, Cascade, will hold a pre-Easter celebration honoring Rev. Dion Noel on April 8 at 5 p.m. with musical guest The Joybells of Axton. The program is sponsored by Fulton-Walton Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC in Yanceyville, N.C., and Fulton-Walton Memorial Chapel, Eden, N.C. EGG HUNTS Fort Trial Baptist Church will hold a Family Easter Celebration at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1. It will feature games, an Easter egg hunt, crafts, Bible stories, prizes and free lunch. The church is at 170 Oak Level Road, Stanleytown. Eggstravaganza at Freedom Baptist Church, 790 Irisburg Road, Axton, will be held April 8 from 11 a.m. - to 1 p.m. This family event open to the community will feature hot dogs, drinks, bouncy houses, face painting, and an egg hunt, all free. The schedule is: 11 a.m. registration through the front doors; 11:45 a.m., egg hunt for ages 2-3; 12:10 p.m., egg hunt for ages 4-5; 12:35 p.m., egg hunt for ages 6-8; 1 p.m., egg hunt for ages 9-11. EASTER Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, will hold Easter service, Sunday, April 8, 11 a.m. Take in the beautiful sight and scent of our flowering cross covered in live lilies. Freedom Baptist Church, 709 Irisburg, Axton, will hold Easter church service at 10:30 a.m. April 9. Children's Ministries are offered for ages birth through grade 5. First United Methodist Church will hold Easter morning worship at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. The service will feature the Chancel Choir and Brass 5 of Roanoke. The prelude begins at 10:45 a.m. There will not be an early service. MUSIC Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church holds Pickers and Fiddlers on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Breakfast-type refreshments are served, and both the program and refreshments are free. Come to listen or bring your harmonica or stringed instrument and join in. CLOTHES Christ Church Community Clothes Closet is open on the fourth Saturday of each month. MEALS Ridgeway United Methodist Church will host a free community breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday. First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Patrick Henry Ave., Martinsville, will host a free community breakfast from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday. The church serves a community breakfast on the third Saturday of every month. Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, corner of John Redd Boulevard and Daniels Creek Road, Collinsville, serves take-out community meals each month every other Wednesday from 5-6 p.m. Call 647-8150 before 3:30 on Wednesday to reserve meals. The next meal is March 22. Pocahontas Bassett Baptist Church, 120 Old Bassett Heights Road, Bassett, holds its monthly community meals at 6 p.m. each third Thursday of the month, in the fellowship hall. Starling Avenue Baptist Church, 932 Starling Ave., Martinsville, serves meals in the fellowship hall the last Tuesday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. The next meal is March 28. Christ Episcopal Church, 311 E. Church St., Martinsville, will serve free community meals in the Undercroft, from 5-5:45 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month. For anyone who would prefer to take their meals home, carry-out boxes are available. Masks are available for unvaccinated adults and hand sanitizer is available for use. Meals are held the last Wednesday of the month from 5-5:45 p.m. in the Undercroft, with a sit-down community meal (and takeout will be available only at the end of the meal if there are any leftovers). Heres what happened locally on March 19 over the past century, as reported in this newspaper, which went from being called the Henry Bulletin to the Daily Bulletin to the Martinsville Bulletin: 1923: NOTICE: To Superintendent and Town Council, Martinsville, Va., Gentlemen: On behalf of Class No. 19 we wish to thank you and thru you the Town Council for the use of the hall for the past two years for our class room, and assure you gentlemen we appreciate your interest and favor. J.B. Shumate, C.W. Holt, Committee. Also 1923: Bassett, Va., March 10 The fast basket ball team that represents our fast growing little city last night defeated the strong team from Chatham Training School by a score of 23 to 21 in the best game played by the local team this year on their floor. 1948: MAIN DRAG: Uncle Jack Donley stirring around up the street Mrs. W.W. Clingenpeel doing a little shopping accompanied by her mother-in-law Roy I. McGee working on the new store building while Elijah Ramsey and Jack Snead look on Bert Rush eating lunch at a cafe Mrs. Wesley Smith and Mrs. Aaron Hardy shopping together Rev. P.M. Hank patronizing one of the parking meters 1973: STUARTTwo employees of the state-owned ABC Store were injured here today when the building collapsed. The injured were Clinton Howell and Bobby Kodenski. Clayton Hutchens, manager of the store said the buildings walls began to crack about 9:20 a.m. and that Howell, 38, fled to the rear exit and fell into a hole that was being dug for construction of a building adjacent to the liquor store. Kodenski escaped through the front door. 1998: Students are known by their names at Figsboro Elementary School. They are remembered by their teachers, classmates and the community, Figsboro residents told the Henry County School Board Monday night. It is the pulse of the community and doesnt need to close. It just needs more students, they said. Martinsvilles efforts to stop a mothballed wastewater treatment plant in Henry County from reopening hit a snag when a suit by the City challenging the issuance of necessary permits was dismissed. The Henry County Public Service Authority (PSA) has been working toward reopening the lower Smith River wastewater treatment plant that would be made available to serve the growing Commonwealth Business Centre near the VirginiaNorth Carolina line, but the City, which leases its sewer services to the County, filed suit claiming there was already sufficient capacity with the Citys system and the additional plant was not needed. We received the attached opinion and order yesterday afternoon from the Court in the case involving Henry Countys VPDES [Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System] permit, Richmond Attorney Stephen Piepgrass wrote to City Manager Leon Towarnicki and Council Member Kathy Lawson in an email dated March 8 and obtained by the Bulletin. As you will see, the Court unfortunately agreed with the Respondents and granted their demurrers and motions to dismiss. The suit, on file with the Richmond Circuit Court, notes that because both Martinsville and Henry County have relatively low populations, the subdivisions share many resources, including treatment of wastewater in the County and City. Martinsville first opened its regional sewage disposal facility, which treats wastewater, in the 1960s and beginning in 1973, the two localities entered into a cooperative agreement whereby Martinsville would treat all wastewater generated by the City and the County, the suit stated. Henry County had two wastewater plants it constructed in 1979 and 1990, but deactivated both in 2005, leaving Martinsville as the sole regional wastewater treatment facility, treating all the wastewater generated by Martinsville and Henry County residents, the suit stated. After voluntarily surrendering its permit to operate the Lower Smith River Wastewater Treatment Plant in 2008, the PSA applied for a new permit to reactivate the plant in 2016 and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the requested permit in 2017 with an expiration date in 2022. Over that five-year period, Henry County failed to reactivate the plant, the suit stated. Before the permit expired, the County asked for an extension, and even though Martinsville protested, the DEQ granted the request, so Martinsville sued. First, the Court concluded that economic harm Martinsville has pled is not sufficient to establish standing in this case. The Court characterized Martinsvilles argument as an argument that Martinsville is entitled to have Henry County citizens as customers, Piepgrass wrote. Second, the Court found that Martinsvilles appeal failed to state a valid claim for relief that is, that Virginia Code does not apply to the challenged permit. For these reasons, the Court found that it cannot remand the permit to DEQ for reconsideration. Piepgrass noted that Martinsville has until April 6 to appeal the order, should it decide to do so. While we disagree with judges findings and interpretation of the law and think there is a chance of success on appeal, at the end of the day, our substantive arguments are relatively weak (indeed, this likely was one consideration of the judge in issuing her opinion), wrote Piepgrass. So, while we could appeal, and have a chance of winning that appeal, in the long run our chances of success on the merits are not strong. Martinsvilles former local counsel, Eric Monday, had been the driving force behind a broader legal attack against Henry County to have the County pay for part of the cost of maintaining the sewer lines that serve both localities, but Monday requested his contract with the City be terminated and then resigned effective Jan. 2. The City has been operating without the fulltime services of an attorney since that time. As we have discussed, this lawsuit was originally filed as part of a broader effort to deal with Henry County and the costs of pursuing it further at this juncture may outweigh the benefits. This is particularly true, given that Henry County may not actually be interested in taking the other steps necessary to reopen the facilities at issue, Piepgrass wrote. To that point, the permit expires on April 30, 2027, and Henry County is not under the gun to reopen the plant. (The fact that the County applied for a permit before and did not reopen the plant also factored into the Courts decision.) Piepgrass, instead, recommended that the City shift its resources to litigating the breach of contract case, which is much more straightforward and where the City has a good deal of money at stake. Those money woes began when the City discovered a 1,500-foot section of an aging sewer pipe had completely collapsed near Walker Road within sight of the Smith River. That project quickly grew to involve a six-mile run from the Citys waste water treatment plant near Forest Park County Club all the way to Fieldale. In 2016, Martinsville secured a $21.74 million, 30-year, no-interest loan to pay for it, but the sewer pipe repair project kept growing. In July 2020, Towarnicki notified City Council that an interceptor line at Jones Creek a 36-inch line was in a bad state of repair and another $3.7 million would be needed to cover the cost. Director of Water Resources Mike Kahle said the project involved an area that ran from the old Haunted Castle in Koehler, behind Boxley Concrete and Meeks Auto Salvage, paralleled the Dick & Willie Trail from El Parral, then continued up Clearview. As expenses began to mount, City Attorney Eric Monday suggested Henry County and the PSA should be held responsible for a portion of the repair costs. Henry County countered by filing for a permit to reopen the shuttered Lower Smith River Wastewater Treatment Plant in Henry County so it would no longer be dependent upon the City for its sewage treatment. Henry Countys request was granted, and the State Water Control Board awarded the PSA $23.6 million toward the cost of bringing the facility back online. Meanwhile, Andrea Wortzel, a partner with Troutman Pepper, was retained, and a suit was filed on July 1 in Richmond City Circuit Court on Martinsvilles behalf against the Henry County PSA, the Department of Environmental Quality, the State Water Control Board and against Michael Rolband, the DEQ director. Richmond Circuit Court Judge Claire G. Cardwell ended the suit with her signature under a Motion to Dismiss with the order entered into court records in Richmond on March 7. In Old Fort, a new school is providing young students with an environment which will enable them to develop freely. Those words come from a quote by Dr. Maria Montessori, the Italian physician and educator who started a different method of educating students in the early 20th century. She died in 1952. The method that bears her name is a kind of education based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Montessori created child-centered environments that were built upon her careful observations of children. Her innovative practices hold true today and have been backed up by current scientific research on brain development, according to information from Old Forts newest school. Located at 819 Bat Cave Road, Mountain Laurel Montessori Collective is using those practices to equip young minds starting at age 3 and going through age 12. The schools mission is to provide high-quality Montessori education that is supported by scientific research and offered to children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The school is owned by sisters Jen Ames and Ali Ames-Dufault, both of whom are strong advocates for the Montessori method and have years of experience as educators. A need in the community The sisters worked at Black Mountain Montessori School and Ali worked at Asheville Primary School before they opened Mountain Laurel Montessori Collective. Their mother, Cindy Davis, purchased the former Four Oaks Fish Camp building on Bat Cave Road in order for the sisters to own and operate their own school, which opened in September of last year. I think that there was a need in the community, said Ali. We both have a passion for teaching the Montessori method, said Jen. Mountain Laurel Montessori Collective now has 54 students. They come from Marion, Old Fort, Nebo, Black Mountain, Asheville, Morganton and as far away as Clyde. Their parents or guardians are equally passionate about the Montessori method of education. It is a tuition-based school but it is based on a sliding scale and accepts subsidies. Qualified families can also look into the Opportunity Scholarship which provides assistance for tuition, said Jen and Ali. In Montessori classrooms, children make creative choices in their learning, while the classroom and the highly trained teacher offer age-appropriate activities to guide that process. Children work in groups and individually to discover and explore knowledge of the world and to develop their maximum potential, according to online resources provided by Jen Ames. Montessori classrooms are beautifully crafted environments designed to meet the needs of children in a specific age range, reads a website. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered that experiential learning in this type of classroom led to a deeper understanding of language, mathematics, science, music, social interactions and much more. Most Montessori classrooms are secular in nature, although the Montessori educational method can be integrated successfully into a faith-based program. Every material in a Montessori classroom supports an aspect of child development, creating a match between the childs natural interests and the available activities. Children can learn through their own experience and at their own pace, according to Jen Ames. How it works At Mountain Laurel, there are three classrooms for learning. The Childrens House is for students ages 3 to 6 and there are now 21 children at that level. The Lower Elementary level is similar to first through third grades and it now has 18 children. The Upper Elementary is for older students and it is similar to fourth through sixth grades. There are 15 children at that level currently. The McDowell News spoke to a group of three students to find out how they feel about their educational experiences. I really like it, said Upper Elementary student Ellyn, age 10. Its really fun and I have a lot of my friends here. I think its more interesting than it would be in a public school because I can feel it with my hands and its more comfortable. I like to work, said Lower Elementary student Malachi, age 6. I like all the specials. Specials refer to activities that can help a child master a certain skill or subjects. The specials can cover art, music, Spanish, outdoor education, sewing, character development, cursive writing or science. I just really like the school, said Jesse, 5, who is a student in the Childrens House. The younger students like Jesse use bead chains to learn how to count higher numbers. Dr. Maria Montessori also stated, Our care of the child should be governed, not by the desire to make him learn things, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within him that light which is called intelligence. We can tailor the learning to your child individually, said Jen Ames. We are child-centered, based on the childs interest, which creates a lifelong love of learning, said Ali Ames-Dufault. There are also the older students assisting the younger ones at learning a subject. Mountain Laurel Montessori Collective has three lead teachers and three assistants. There are also special teachers who instruct music, art, Spanish and outdoor education. I became a Montessori teacher because of these guys, said instructor Katrina Stoll. I taught public school for nine years. Mountain Laurel is also looking for more teachers. To qualify, you must have an N.C. teaching certificate, but also a certification in Montessori education and a good attitude, said Jen and Ali. Mountain Laurel Montessori Collective is now enrolling for next school year, too. To learn more, you can attend the open house on Saturday, March 25, from 1-3 p.m. At that time, interested families can tour the school and see firsthand this new approach to learning for Old Fort. For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063610052995. You can also email mlmcollective20@gmail.com. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A cancer-causing chemical that is widely used to degrease aviation components and heavy machinery could also be linked to Parkinson's disease, according to a new research paper that recommends increased scrutiny of areas long contaminated by the compound. Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is a colorless liquid that has been used to remove gunk from jet engines, strip paint and remove stains from shirts dropped off at the dry cleaners. Decades of widespread use in the U.S. have left thousands of sites contaminated by the TCE. In a paper published Tuesday in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, authors hypothesize that this pollution may be contributing to the global spread of Parkinson's, a neurological disorder characterized by uncontrollable tremors and slow movement. Although authors were unable to prove a direct connection, they cited a number of other studies that suggest TCE may play a role in the degenerative brain disorder, and urged further research on the matter. "When Dr. Parkinson described the condition in 1817 in London, he reported six individuals with the disease," said Dr. Ray Dorsey, a neurology professor at the University of Rochester and lead author. "Two hundred years later, the global burden of disease is estimated that over 6 million people have the disease worldwide. So how do you go from six to 6 million? The rates are growing far faster than aging could explain alone. It has to be environmental factors. I think TCE and air pollution are important contributors." Although prolonged or repeated exposure to TCE is known to cause kidney cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute, the paper's authors argue that a connection to Parkinson's disease would greatly increase its risk, particularly for contaminated sites that have been converted into housing developments. "When a patient tells me about possible exposure, I Google their location and I almost always find a contaminated site," Dorsey said. The paper draws from more than two dozen research papers documenting apparent neurological effects associated with TCE exposure and highlights a number of Parkinson's cases. In citing the ubiquitous nature of the chemical, the paper references a plume of contamination underlying a portion of Newport Beach, which is considered one of California's largest residential communities affected by chemical vapors from legacy contamination. TCE was first linked to Parkinson's disease symptoms in 1969 in a 59-year-old man who worked with the chemical for more than 30 years, according to the paper. It was largely connected with workplace exposure, including a woman who worked with the chemical while cleaning houses and factory workers who degreased and cleaned metal parts. A 2012 study of twins found that occupational or hobby exposure was associated with a roughly 500% increased likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease. TCE production in the U.S. peaked in the 1970s, surpassing 600 million pounds per year. It was commonly used at military bases and industrial sites, and disposed of at hazardous waste facilities. Today, up to one-third of the drinking water supplies in the U.S. may contain TCE, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But the chemical also threatens indoor air quality, as it can seep from the soil into homes through gaps in the foundation, where it is then inhaled as vapor. In Southern California, a region facing a shortage of housing, redevelopment of lands contaminated by TCE and a host of other chemicals has raised alarms among community groups. The Santa Susana Field Lab, the site where rocket engines were tested in the Simi Hills of Ventura County, was once remote. Today, 700,000 people live within 10 miles of the dormant site, where soil and groundwater are contaminated with more than 300 pollutants, including TCE. Similarly, in Riverside County's Jurupa Valley, development over the years has crept closer to the Stringfellow Acid Pits, a closed hazardous waste site that handled TCE. "The studies have always focused on cancer. And we've always said that there are other ancillary diseases and illnesses that show up with this that they're not picking up on," said Penny Newman, Jurupa Valley resident and founder of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice. "The site itself was isolated in a box canyon above the community, and there hadn't been much development up there," Newman said. "But as the city grew with the freeways, then they start looking for any piece of property that's available. And it's just in the last few years, people have started looking to how they can develop up around the side" of the site. In Orange County's Newport Beach, the chemicals in shallow groundwater were left by a former testing ground for missile systems. From 1957 to 1993, Ford Motor Co. operated a 98-acre aeronautics campus where it developed tactical missile systems. After the facility was demolished, the site underwent some environmental remediation and was subsequently redeveloped into residential properties. Some of these included multimillion-dollar homes. However, some chemical contamination remained and migrated with groundwater into surrounding areas. Groundwater within Newport Beach isn't used for drinking, and TCE vapor levels weren't considered a threat to public health risk at the time. However, in 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 issued a memo about the dangers of breathing TCE vapors. Soon after, California revised its health thresholds for TCE exposure. Since 2018, consultants hired by Ford, under the supervision of the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, have conducted soil vapor monitoring in the area surrounding the former site. "Ford believes that access to a healthy and clean environment is a basic human right, including for the residents of Newport Beach," the company said in a prepared statement. "Since 1996, Ford has been working proactively with the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board to address volatile organic compounds in soil and groundwater. We have regularly provided updates to the community and will continue to do so." So far, more than 350 residential properties and three commercial properties have had their indoor air sampled. Vapor from TCE and a related solventtetrachloroethylene, or PCEhave been detected above screening levels in 129 homes. Air purifiers have been offered to about 30 households where data suggested vapor intrusion was occurring. Outside homes, a network of 424 underground monitors collect measurements of vapors at depth. In some cases, these probes have measured TCE concentrations more than 100 times the California residential limit. In the Bayridge Park and Belcourt Terrace communites, two of the communities with the greatest concentrations, Ford is working toward installing systems of underground pipes designed to treat underground vapors for roughly a year, which is expected to lower indoor TCE levels to state standards, according to Jessica Law, an engineering geologist with the water board. "This is one of the wealthiest parts of the entire United States," said Dorsey, who grew up in Newport Beach. "If this is happening in a resource-rich area, think about what's happening in a resource-poor area." Environmental advocates say exposure to TCE is avoidable. New York and Minnesota have banned its use, and earlier this year, the U.S. EPA determined that TCE presents "an unreasonable risk of injury to human health," a designation that paves the way for potential regulation. In Jurupa Valley, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control continues to grapple with TCE contamination that spilled out of a long-shuttered former hazardous waste site. From 1956 to 1972, about 34 million gallons of liquid industrial waste were discharged into evaporation pools in the Stringfellow Acid Pits in a canyon in the Jurupa Mountains. The pollution escaped when floodwaters carried contaminants off site and into a community below. The state spent millions of dollars installing a network of wells to extract and treat a plume of contaminated water. Despite substantial progress, monitoring in 2018 revealed TCE vapors continued to exceed state health standards. But after years of drought, which allowed for more contaminated water to be treated and removed, locals now worry contamination might spread with rain and snowmelt. "It's all in that soil," said Jurupa Valley's Newman. "So if you activate that again and it becomes mobile through the groundwater, you're gonna have it start coming down [into the community] again." 2023 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 Healthy dogs and cats could be passing on multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs; bacteria that resist treatment with more than one antibiotic) to their hospitalized owners, and likewise humans could be transmitting these dangerous microbes to their pets, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Copenhagen, Denmark (15-18 April). The study of over 2,800 hospital patients and their companion animals is by Dr. Carolin Hackmann from Charite University Hospital Berlin, Germany, and colleagues. "Our findings verify that the sharing of multidrug-resistant organisms between companion animals and their owners is possible," says Dr. Hackmann. "However, we identified only a handful cases suggesting that neither cat nor dog ownership is an important risk factor for multidrug-resistant organism colonization in hospital patients." The role of pets as potential reservoirs of MDROs is a growing concern worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance happens when infection-causing microbes (such as bacteria, viruses or fungi) evolve to become resistant to the drug designed to kill them. Estimates suggest that antimicrobial resistant infections caused almost 1.3 million deaths and were associated with nearly 5 million deaths around the world in 2019. In this case control study, researchers wanted to find out whether pets (ie, cats and dogs) play a role in the infection of hospital patients with MDROs. They focused on the most common superbugs in hospital patientsmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), 3rd generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCRE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), which are resistant to multiple antibiotics including penicillin and cephalosporins. Between June 2019 and September 2022, nasal and rectal swabs were collected from 2,891 patients hospitalized in Charite University Hospital Berlin (1,184 patients with previous colonization or colonization on admission and 1,707 newly admitted patients as controls), and from any dogs and cats that lived in their households. Genetic sequencing was used to identify both the species of bacteria in each sample, and the presence of drug resistance genes. Whole genome sequencing was used to confirm the possible sharing of resistant bacteria. Participants were also asked about well-known risk factors for MDROs (e.g., recent MDRO infections or use of antibiotics, recent hospital stays, presence of urinary or central venous catheters), as well as information about the number of pets in the household, the closeness of contact and pet health. Overall, 30% (871/2,891) of hospital patients tested positive for MDROs, and 70% (2,020/2,891) tested negative. The rate of dog ownership was 11% (93/871) and cat ownership 9% (80/871) in those who tested MDRO-positive, and 13% (267/2,020 and 253/2,020 respectively) in MDRO-negatives. All 626 pet owners were asked to send throat and stool swab samples of their pets. Overall, 300 pet owners sent back samples from 400 pets. Of these samples, 15% (30/203) of dogs and 5% (9/197) of cats tested positive for at least one MDRO. In four cases, MDROs were phenotypically matching (MDROs were the same species and showed the same antibiotic resistance) between pets and their owners. Whole genome sequencing confirmed that only one of the matching pairs were genetically identical in a dog and its owner. The matching pathogen was 3GCR Escherichia coli (common in the intestines of healthy people and animals). "Although the level of sharing between hospital patients and their pets in our study is very low, carriers can shed bacteria into their environment for months, and they can be a source of infection for other more vulnerable people in hospital such as those with a weak immune system and the very young or old," says Dr. Hackmann. This is an observational study and cannot prove that close contact with pets causes colonization with MDROs, but only suggest the possibility of co-carriage, while the direction of transfer is unclear. The authors point to several limitations, including a possible under-reporting of MDRO colonization in pets due to problems in taking swab samples, which was done by the pet owners themselves. Finally, the study results apply to the setting of hospital patients in an urban area and therefore may not be applicable to the general population or MDRO high risk groups like livestock farmers. Provided by European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Not many people have home-packaged, vacuum-sealed jars of wild game meat sitting on their shelves. Justin Townsend would like to change that. On Friday, Townsend gave a demonstration on canning wild game for a crowd at the nonprofit Backcountry Hunters and Anglers annual North American Rendezvous, which was held at the Missoula County Fairgrounds and other locations in town through Saturday. I really love the aspect of being able to help people learn more about preparing wild game food, Townsend explained. Originally from Oklahoma, hes the founder and chief editor of Harvesting Nature, a website dedicated to wild game cooking. Townsend told the crowd, gathered in the Culinary Building, that many people often realize they have too much meat still in their freezer from last hunting season by the time the next season rolls around. Canning, he explained, is a great way to have wild game ready to use for cooking without having to be thawed. Although the process is called canning, glass jars are actually used to store the meat. Townsend said he leaves canning fish to the professionals, but meats like deer or wild pig can easily be canned at home as long as theyre cooked to at least 137 degrees in a pressure canner. Wild game can be canned, he told the crowd. It has its natural nuances but I think its a really good candidate for it because oftentimes it seems like it doesnt go by quick enough, that time from the end of one season to the beginning of the next season, but often you go to look at your freezer at the beginning of August and youve got so much you need to clear it out. Much of his talk was on safety precautions to avoid food poisoning. When canning meat, you should always pressure can, not water bath, he said. Water bath canning is like what youre going to do with jellies and things like that. Pressure canning brings it to that pressure and to the temperature inside of it that it kills bacteria, and with meat thats very important. Two of the inception points for botulism are while curing and canning. There are basically two ways of preparing the meat to be stored. The two types of canning I really recommend within that are you have cold pack and hot pack, Townsend said. Cold pack is when you take the meat and put it in the jars and seal it. Hot pack is when you cook the meat beforehand, then you add stock or liquids and then put it in the jars and then you seal it. He said everyone should carefully read the manual of their pressure canner, because they can be dangerous if not used correctly. For example, the water level must be exact according to the specifications of the machine. He also cautioned against using a pressure cooker or an instant pot because those weren't designed for pressure canning. Townsend demonstrated that he simply puts chunks of raw meat into a jar, adds a little iodized salt and shallot at the top, makes sure there aren't any big air bubbles, and then puts lids on and sets the jars in water and vinegar in the pressure canner so they can boil. Theres a lot more to the process, but essentially the jars will vacuum-seal after they cool down and can be stored for lengthy amounts of time. The North American Rendezvous is the largest gathering for Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, a public-lands advocacy organization headquartered in Missoula. Thousands of people converged for the multi-day event this year, which included educational seminars, a brewfest on Friday in Caras Park and a storytelling session with wildlife and wild game experts on Saturday. Public lands, waters and wildlife belong to us all, explained executive director Land Tawney, describing the purpose of the organizations gathering. None of that happened by accident, and none of it will be carried forward without our collective engagement. This weekend we celebrate opportunities for all, swap stories and skills and plot and scheme the future. The event also included a navigation seminar from Missoula-headquartered tech mapping company onX, talks on climate change and fisheries and speakers on topics like migration corridors and stream access. As a scruffy gray and brown wolf stood in a grassy Idaho clearing, it fixed its gaze straight ahead. Another dark wolf trotted down a muddy dirt road. A third stepped over gravelly terrain, its mouth open as it panted in the sun. Motion-triggered cameras, placed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, snapped photos of the wild animals along trails. Later, the agency would use those photos to help determine the number of wolves residing in Idaho. But the accuracy of that method has been put into question. For the last several years, the agency has used cameras placed throughout the state to record timed and motion-triggered images to count the number of wolves in Idaho. Critics have said its methods in particular the motion-triggered photos are seriously flawed. Scientists, conservationists and even Idaho students have cited a paper written by Montana State University ecology professor Scott Creel that alleged major issues with the wolf population estimate model Idaho implemented in 2019. Critics of the technique told the Idaho Statesman the agency still hasnt addressed their concerns just days before the commission was due to decide on a management plan that could reduce the states wolf population by two-thirds. An incorrect population estimate could eventually put wolves back on the Endangered Species Act list if their numbers are allowed to drop too low. Having an accurate estimate of the wolf population is key to any sort of management policy that Idaho Fish and Game does, Michel Liao, a Timberline High School senior who publicly criticized the method at a Fish and Game Commission meeting, told the Statesman in an interview. Its like running a grocery store without knowing how much supply you have. Fish and Game researchers told the Statesman they stand by their population estimates and are actively fine-tuning them. But skeptics fear a plan that OKs a drastic population cut could have devastating effects like the total eradication of Idaho wolves if the agencys methods are flawed. The count For years after wolves were reintroduced to Idaho in 1995, Fish and Game counted them by using radio collars, observing wolf packs to create an estimate of average pack size and applying that estimate to the total number of known packs in the state. It was expensive and labor intensive, Fish and Game state game manager Jon Rachael told the Statesman. When we were doing that, nobody really thought it was great, Rachael said. We were working harder and harder, and we werent even treading water. Rachael said the agency couldnt say how accurate its estimates were, and providing an annual count became more difficult as wolves spread across the state. Twenty years after wolves were reintroduced, Fish and Game began looking into other counting methods. It worked with researchers at the University of Montana and University of Idaho to develop the model it now uses, which relies on a network of 500 trail cameras that take a photo every 10 minutes as well as when they detect motion a detail researchers are highly skeptical of. Fish and Game then uses artificial intelligence to analyze the resulting millions of photos, finding those that contain wolves and applying a statistical model called a space-to-event model that calculates the average amount of space between wolves. Using that average, researchers create a population estimate. In an interim report published in February 2022, Fish and Game researchers said the method is based on the idea that if there are more wolves in one survey area, you would have to sample less space or look at fewer photographs in that area before finding a wolf. Critics said the agencys camera placement and use of motion-triggered images could lead to an overcount. Idaho would be at risk of federal intervention if its wolf count fell to around 150 animals or fewer. Fish and Game fully switched to the camera estimation method in 2019. That year, it estimated Idaho had 1,545 wolves. In 2020 and 2021, lawmakers made broad expansions of wolf hunting and trapping seasons and removed wolf bag limits. By 2022, Fish and Game wildlife research manager Shane Roberts said, estimates showed a 13% drop to 1,337 wolves. Rachael told the Fish and Game Commission in January that a new management plan proposed whittling the number even further, to an estimated 500 wolves. Officials said they expect to decide on the plan in May. Student's lesson Liao, the Timberline High student, said he didnt know much about Idahos wolves until 2021, when the Idaho Legislature vastly expanded wolf hunting and trapping. He learned his school had adopted a pack near Idaho City in 2003 through the Nez Perce tribe, which had primary responsibility for managing Idahos wolves at the time. Students and teachers tracked the animals for years and made field trips to study them. Later in 2021, Liao found out pups from the schools pack had been killed by Wildlife Services agents in their den. Then he saw Creels comments, which were submitted in 2021 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as it weighs reinstating Endangered Species Act protections for Rocky Mountain wolves. Creel, who studies large carnivore populations, criticized methods used for wolf population estimates in Idaho and Montana. The points Creel made in his paper have become leading arguments for opponents of Idahos wolf policies, including Liao, who has testified in front of the Fish and Game Commission twice. Many of Creels criticisms of Idahos method focus on a paper Roberts co-authored that was published last year. In it, the authors used motion-triggered cameras to gather images for the space-to-event wolf counting method. According to Creel and the researchers who pioneered the method, motion-triggered cameras cant be used with the space-to-event model to accurately count wolves. The model calls for instantaneous photos, while motion-triggered images introduce the need for researchers to calculate how fast an animal is moving. Fish and Games current method is slightly different from the paper Creel criticized. It uses both time-lapse photography and motion-triggered cameras, and a different system for camera placement. Still, Creel told the Statesman in an interview, his initial concerns hold water against the official Fish and Game model. For instance, the agency is still using motion-triggered camera images for part of its analysis. The original model also requires that researchers use randomly placed cameras. Fish and Game instead aims its cameras at trails or roads where wolves are more likely to travel. In an interview, Roberts told the Statesman thats because wolves almost exclusively travel on established roads or game trails. But researchers say the method would skew toward an overestimation. Creel said had the camera placement been random, 99.999% of the agencys photos wouldnt have wolves. So instead of just acknowledging that (the model) didnt work, theyre instead bending the assumptions and hoping that they havent bent them so bad that the method broke, Creel told the Statesman. Im fairly persuaded theyve bent the assumption so badly that the method broke. Creel said the space-to-event method was developed on elk populations, and the researchers who created it said its more useful for common species than for very rare or elusive animals. Creel said wolves are just that a difficult-to-detect species thats a poor fit for the current counting method. Adrian Treves, an environmental studies professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, has also been critical of various states wolf-counting techniques. In a paper critiquing Wisconsins method, Treves and his coauthor, Francisco J. Santiago-Avila, also expressed concerns about methods in Idaho and Montana. Treves told the Statesman that Wisconsin wildlife officials had largely ignored his critiques, and Idaho wildlife officials seemed to be doing the same thing with Creels comments. I feel like the agency just views us as like biting flies: They swat us away with the power of the state government, and they forge ahead with the science that is demonstrably not the best available, Treves said. For their part, Idaho Fish and Game officials said theyve heard few complaints about the model. Roberts and Rachael defended the method despite its inconsistencies with the original space-to-event counting method. There are things we do like pointing (cameras) at trails that are a violation of a random camera placement model assumption, Roberts said. As wildlife biologists using statistic models, there are few natural systems that hit every statistical model assumption. We try to match the best we can. Roberts said when the agency must break a methods rules for example by using motion-sensored cameras it experiments to see how its changes impacted the results. In 2022, for example, agency officials compared its camera wolf count with population estimates from genetic samples they collected from wolf feces. In two of the three years, they closely mirrored one another. Roberts said the agency concluded the camera method was pretty robust despite the inconsistencies with the original model. Political motives? Despite Fish and Games assurances about its technique, critics said they view the agencys motivations as political, not scientific. Dick Jordan, a former Timberline High School science teacher who led the push to adopt the schools pack, said he thinks Fish and Game is using smoke and mirrors to mislead the public to think theyve got a sound estimate on wolves. Were not seeing the best of science being used, and thats what really bothers me, Jordan said. Its sad when the science and the math is not looked at with scrutiny and with a fine-tooth comb. The politics set the stage in a state like Idaho. Jordan and Wood River Wolf Project cofounder Suzanne Asha Stone said Idaho doesnt count any other wildlife species in the same way as wolves or manage any other species as aggressively. Indeed, Fish and Game isnt using the space-to-event model to create official estimates for any other species, though researchers told the Statesman it has been tested on mountain lions. Stone said theres no scientific justification for the agencys proposed wolf management plan, which would reduce wolf numbers from its estimated 1,300 to 500. Whats more, she and other critics said, if Fish and Games population estimate is off, wolf numbers could drop even lower than 500. We could lose most if not all of our wolves, and weve done it before, Stone said. Even though you want to trust the state wildlife agency, its being manipulated both internally and externally by the state Legislature, by people who are very anti-wolf, she added. And its affecting the decisions theyre making and how theyre making them. Fish and Game officials acknowledged emotions run high on all sides of wolf issues. Rachael said trusting a complex method like the camera-counting technique can require people to take a leap of faith. He said some people believe the agency is vastly overcounting the animals, while others are convinced Idahos wolf population is twice the Fish and Game estimate. Theres people that arent really interested in believing anything different than what they already believe, Rachael said. Were not going to satisfy those people. Well continue to do the best we can, implementing the best science we have available, and when we find out there are issues with that, we take steps to make it better. State wildlife officials said theyll forge ahead with camera-based counting methods. Stone and Creel said the agency would be better off with tried-and-true methods that include radio collaring, animal surveys and good, old-fashioned counting. Jordan said hes the first to admit he doesnt know what the best method would be. I can only pray there would be a sensible approach that brings the public in and brings the scientists in, Jordan said. Ive lost all faith in Fish and Game biologists that have to answer to the political powers that be. A standoff with police that lasted more than 14 hours after an officer was shot ended Saturday night with an arrest of the suspect. The incident escalated quickly Saturday morning when the resident of a mobile home park on the 400 block of Birch Lane in the Billings Heights allegedly fired several shots including at least one into a neighbor's home. When police began arriving early Saturday, the woman barricaded herself in her home where for several hours she posted rants on her Facebook page about the authorities being out to get her and being willing to die. The incident began days earlier with the woman apparently being evicted. Several residents described her as friendly but sometimes volatile and she had an ongoing feud with her next door neighbor which she sometimes posted about on social media. The injured officer, a member of the SWAT team, was apparently shot as he was just arriving at the scene. He was taken to a nearby hospital where after surgery his condition was described as stable Saturday afternoon by Billings Police Lt. Matt Lennick. At 10:09 p.m., after hours of negotiations, "officers were able to get the suspect to surrender without further incident," Lennick said in a social media post. The suspect was to be evaluated by medical personnel and then taken to jail when appropriate. Earlier in the evening, police informed residents still on Birch Lane that because of a broken water line near the suspect's residence, the water would be shut off in that area. After 10 p.m., Billings police said that the utilities to that area would be restored as soon as possible. A fleet of marked and unmarked vehicles from several law enforcement agencies filled Bench Boulevard, closed from the roundabout at Hilltop Lane to Dorothy Lane. Ambulances and firefighters were also present in the area. Sharpshooters were staged on two rooftops near the suspect's home. There were bursts of gunfire and flash-bang grenades that exploded several times throughout the day as agents attempted to end the siege. "We are not going away," a BPD negotiator repeated through a megaphone. Along with Billings Police, law enforcement from Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals and Montana Highway Patrol assisted. Going into the eighth hour of the standoff, Lt. Lennick said tactical teams from Gallatin and Lewis and Clark counties were relieving agents who had been at the scene since the start of the standoff. Earlier attempts to negotiate with the woman were met with resistance, Lt. Lennick said. Police repeated over a loud speaker a recorded plea from one of the suspects family members. I wish I could be there with you right now, the family member said. Whatever youre going through, you dont have to go through it alone. She promised the suspect that her dogs and family would be taken care of. I need you to think of your grandkids. You need to reach out and talk to someone, let them help you, the message continued. If you agree to give up peacefully, you wont be harmed. I love you, dont do anything. You should give up. We dont want you to be hurt. We love you and miss you. Please surrender. Im begging you. The gunfire that initiated the standoff was the second time in 12 hours that police responded to the Birch Lane home. At around 1:30 Saturday morning, Lennick said, officers were called to the house due to threats being made on social media. Police checked the trailer home, but left when the woman did not respond to their efforts to speak with her. "She's still shooting at us," Lennick said Saturday afternoon. Police used an armored truck to punch through the suspects front door and disable her security system so she couldnt watch what they were doing. For several hours she continued to post updates on her Facebook page until police disabled her internet. Christopher and Tessa Deickman live three doors down from the standoff. They were awakened early Saturday by the sound of gun shots. They rushed their three daughters to the center of their home where they were safest. We heard bang, bang, bang and could hear a lot going on outside, Christopher Deickman said. Pretty soon, our neighbor said the lady had fired a shot into his house and the cops made him leave. Tessa said the mobile home park filled up fast with police officers and an armored truck. The neighbor whose home was shot went to stay with a family member. Christopher and Tessa livestreamed the standoff for him so he could keep an eye on his house. Another neighbor said he wasnt able to go to work after police blocked the only entrance to his part of the mobile home park. He said the suspect came to greet him when he moved into the neighborhood. Id see her around, but I kind of stayed away from her, she seemed like trouble, he said, declining to give his name. He said he heard shots being fired early in the morning, and figured right away it was probably something to do with her. Everybody else kind of gets along here just fine, its a quiet neighborhood, he said. Richard Martinson, a 57-year-old resident of Bench Boulevard, got a call Saturday morning from his daughter. Members of their family, a woman and five children, were evacuated from their home surrounded by police with armored shields as the standoff continued just two lots away. Its not a white house anymore. Its a blown up house, said Martinson after looking through photos of the damage that his family shared with him. As the sun was setting, tactical units had torn open two ends of the trailer home. Personnel with Lewis and Clark Law enforcement were preparing to rotate with YCSO and Gallatin county units on site. Throughout the day, Lennick said officers had been in contact with mental health professionals for guidance on how to bring the standoff to an end without any more bloodshed. "We are doing everything we can to end things peacefully. It truly falls on her shoulders to come out and cooperate," Lennick said. Photos: Standoff after officer shot continues Montanas Constitution embodies the ideals of a representative democracy. The Constitution establishes the fundamental framework for governance of and by the people. It establishes three independent and co-equal branches of government in the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial. It establishes the Board of Regents as the sole body governing higher education to protect intellectual freedom and prevent political tampering. It establishes an independent Redistricting Commission to counter partisan pressure. As of March 14, there are seven bills that have been introduced and nine more that have been drafted in the 2023 Montana Legislature that propose changes to Montanas Constitution. Many of these bills would alter our fundamental framework of governance. HB 197 and HB 517 would restrict the authority of the Board of Regents, giving the Legislature control over Montanas higher education system. HB 405 and SB 272 would alter the balance of power in the judicial system by giving citizens the authority to call a grand jury and by vesting more authority in elected county sheriffs. Two draft bills would impose additional restrictions on judges and justices. One draft bill calls for eliminating state-wide elections of Supreme Court justices by the voters, instead giving the governor the power to appoint justices with the approval of the Senate. Another draft bill eliminates the Redistricting Commissions authority to approve the final redistricting plan for legislative districts and gives that power to the legislature. What do these bills have in common? They strengthen the authority of the Legislature while weakening the independence of the judiciary and the education system and eliminating the independence of the Redistricting Commission entirely. The process for the Legislature to amend the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of approval for a proposed amendment from the combined membership of the House and Senate. The proposed amendment then becomes a constitutional referendum on the next general election ballot, in this case the general election of 2024. The final step requires that a majority of Montana voters voting on the referendum approve it for the amendment to be adopted. The ultimate power to amend our Constitution rests with the voters. These constitutional amendment bills could fail to get the two-thirds support needed in the Legislature. Already this legislative session, statutory bills have failed that would have weakened the integrity and independence of the Judicial branch. These bills would have: undermined the independence and integrity of the judiciary by normalizing partisanship in elections for judges and justices including the Supreme Court required all elections at every level to be partisan. eliminated election of Supreme Court justices to have them appointed by the Legislature instead. One of the principles of a representative democracy is the checks and balances among the three equal branches of government. Another is a well-informed citizenry with an education system that encourages the free exchange of ideas. Most fundamentally, representative democracy rests on the principle of one-person/one-vote electing representatives from independently drawn districts that reflect the partisan political distribution of voters statewide. Increasing the authority of the Montana Legislature undermines representative democracy at every turn. These proposed changes to our framework of government distort the balance of power by concentrating authority in the Legislative branch. Supporting representative democracy is a nonpartisan cause. The League of Women Voters a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or make contributions to candidates or political parties commends legislators for rejecting these statutory bills thus far and urges legislators and citizens alike to reject constitutional proposals that threaten the strength of our representative democracy. We invite you to demonstrate your support by signing the on-line Declaration of Support for Montanas Constitution: my.lwv.org/montana/show-your-support-our-montana-constitution. " " Women are often discriminated against in coding HowStuffWorks Headlines in recent years asked why the percentage of women majoring in computer science had dropped from 37 percent in 1985 to 18 percent in 2010. Now, new research provides one answer. A study shows that women's peers are less likely to accept their coding even when their work product is just as good as (or better than) a man's. A team from California Polytechnic State University and North Carolina State University took on the behemoth issue of gender bias by way of GitHub, a collaborative software development site with 10 million users, only about 1.4 million profiles of which are identifiable by gender. Users can make software code suggestions, called "pull requests," to projects being managed by other members. Advertisement Data analyzed by the researchers found that pull requests offered by female programmers whose gender was publicly available were only accepted 62.5 percent of the time, as compared with a 71.8 percent acceptance rate from women whose gender was not known. This is in stark contrast with the overall numbers, which suggest higher acceptance of pull requests made by women whose gender was unknown, but who'd already developed a solid reputation on previous projects (78.6 percent accepted), as compared with those made by men in the same boat (74.6 percent accepted). "Surprisingly, our results show that women's contributions tend to be accepted more often than men," the researchers explain in the study, which they say will soon be peer-reviewed. "However, when a woman's gender is identifiable, they are rejected more often. Our results suggest that although women on GitHub may be more competent overall, bias against them exists nonetheless." We spoke with a few women in the field to get their thoughts on the study. As expected, the experiences were varied, though most agreed they had experienced bias. Alexandra Anghel, is CTO and founder of the online platform Appticles, and has more than 10 years' experience as a developer. She's gone gender-neutral on sites like Stack Overflow (a Q&A community for programmers). "I didn't have a profile photo when creating my account, and, after adding it, I saw that people were not accepting my answers anymore and their comments were becoming meaner and meaner," she says in an email. Leslie June, an experienced coder with BitCookie concurs. "I evade a lot of bias as I stay anonymous whenever I can, but I have certainly experienced the bias in person," June says via e-mail. Lookmai Rattana, a developer with two years' experience would agree with that statement. "The only time I have experienced a gender bias was when I used to attend hackathon events. People seemed to always assume I was the designer/creative of the team, rather than being one of the developers," she says via email. "That some people wouldn't even consider that I might be a developer kinda hurts more than assuming that I'm not good at the job." The very nature of coding might be partly to blame for this ladies-second attitude. "Coding itself has a competitive aspect that isn't as present in other industries. While many businesses rely on the communal efforts of a team, coding is very personal, independent, isolating work," June explains. Plus, "the perception that coding is a male-dominated industry is still pervasive, which leads to gender bias in and out of the community." But software engineer Priscilla Rodriguez doubts that the bias issue is as dire as some believe. "In my opinion other industries are way harder on female workers than in coding," she emails. "Other professional industries often give preferential treatment to men over women, but in my experience, coding has [a] pretty even playing field." Interestingly, it's not clear whether men are always the problem portion of the equation. "In the present paper, we haven't looked at the gender of the person responding to the pull request," researcher and North Carolina State associate professor of computer science, Emerson Murphy-Hill, notes. "We've done some preliminary analysis on that, and it looks like women are harder on women, and men are harder on men. But this analysis doesn't take into account whether the genders are visible." Several of the female developers pointed out that the answer to the problem is for more women to enter the field so it won't be so surprising to see a female coder, or accept suggestions from her. "The more women in the field, the less shocking it will be to anyone, and the more normalized it will become. Just like doctors no one is surprised by a female doctor anymore," emails Ann Gaffigan, CTO for National Land Realty. "I do think the answer is for us to be confident in our work, and to not apologize for being female." Now Thats Cool Groups like Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code encourage more women to join the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) work force. Girls Who Code cites a disturbing stat 74 percent of middle school-aged girls are interested in STEM subjects, but a measly 0.4 percent choose computer science majors come college time. Dawn French reunited with Jennifer Saunders for another Comic Relief highlight From the Vicar of Dibley to her endless impressions, Dawn French has been a leading lady in comedy for decades. But thats not to say shes ever resting on her laurels. Not only did she break the internet with her new boyfriend earlier this year and went on a hugely successful tour (with a suitably shocking name), Dawn has delivered what many are calling one of her best performances ever for this years Comic Relief. A post shared by Dawn French (@dawnrfrench) A photo posted by on In the United Kingdom, Comic Relief is an annual fundraiser which unites comedians and other celebrities to raise money for charity. It was founded in 1985 by the comedy scriptwriter Richard Curtis responsible for movies like Love, Actually and Four Weddings and a Funeral - and comedian (and Dawns ex) Lenny Henry in response to the famine in Ethiopia. For this years fundraiser, Dawn turned her comedic talents onto one of the surprise reality hits on both sides of the globe The Traitors. Popular after airing a season of non-famous competitors in the UK and a celebrity edition in the United States, the Traitors involves lots of backstabbing and betrayal. For the skit, Dawn brought together a cast of super famous individuals from different industries. From Ewan McGregor to model David Gandy, Absolutely Fabulous Jennifer Saunders and even Dame Mary Berry, it was a riotous sketch perfectly capped off by Dawns spot on impression of BBC host, Claudia Winkleman. Claudia was such a fan of Dawns portrayal the pair posed together earlier this month giving fans online a case of seeing double! After the sketch aired, fans took to social media to praise Dawn. They say never meet your idols, I say meet them cos @Dawn_French was bloody lovely and really looked out for me and wilf! please donate to comic relief Red Nose Day - link in my bio xxx #faithful #comicrelief pic.twitter.com/euSzOKMjtpMarch 17, 2023 See more Story continues One, a contestant named Maddy who appeared in the UKs season of The Traitors, wrote about meeting the funny lady, They say never meet your idols, I say meet them cos @Dawn_French was bloody lovely and really looked out for me and wilf![sic] Dawn French being Claudia Winkleman is one of the funniest impressions I've ever ever seen. I'm Claudia Winkleman, half woman, half fringe. I can not stop laughing. And the only person who could compete with Dawns hilarious sketch is Dawn herself. Many fans said that this new skit was only surpassed by a now iconic Comic Relief sketch which saw Dawn French put the french into her kiss with Hugh Grant. Dawn puckered up to Notting Hill star Hugh in 1995 wearing a dress held together by safety pins an ode to the Versace look made famous by Hughs then girlfriend Elizabeth Hurley. After playing coy for a while, Dawn and Hugh ended up locking lips for a long, long time to rapturous laughter. After she became famous for the kiss, Dawn followed it up with some seriously admirable smooches, including Johnny Depp, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Here's hoping to many more legendary Dawn French appearances for Comic Relief! Image via YouTube It was an emotional scene on Monday, Sidney Holmes, 57, hugged his mother for the first time in 34 years as a free man. In 1988, he was convicted of armed robbery by a jury. The prosecutor for the case asked the judge for an 825-year sentence. Instead, he was given 400 years. I knew this day was going to come, Holmes said to the press after all charges were dropped on Monday. Sooner or later, he added. Today is the day. Holmes was 24 when he was arrested. The first time he was seen in a lineup, the witness did not identify him. According to a memo from the Convictions Review Unit (CRU), there was reasonable doubt as to Mr. Holmes guilt in this case and that it is highly likely that he is factually innocent. The memo continues, the Broward State Attorneys Office would not have charged Holmes if this case were presented today. Holmes conviction relied heavily on his identification by Vincent Wright, who together with Anissa Johnson, were robbed at gunpoint outside of a convenience store, close to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Johnson said the getaway driver did not get out of the car that pulled up behind them. Wright pulled off with a friend who was later identified as his brother and went on a chase after the vehicle which the two robbers commandeered. His brother, Milton Wright said the same men tried to rob him earlier in the day. Both victims say that two armed Black men approached them from the getaway vehicle and asked for money prior to taking the car. According to Wright, the getaway driver got out of the car, approached both he and Johnson and said, Ill get with you later on, Ill meet you up there, before instructing the two robbers to take the car. Two to three weeks later, Holmes Oldsmobile was spotted by Milton Wright. He wrote down the license plate number, believing it to be the vehicle involved in both robbery attempts, and gave it to the police. When Vincent Wright was first presented a lineup that included Holmes, he did not identify the exonerated. The second time, after being presented with a different picture of Holmes, Wright identified him. There was no physical or scientific evidence, nor any corroborating witnesses, linking Mr. Holmes to the crime, according to the Innocence Project. Holmes filed with CRU in 2020 citing factual innocence as a reason to have his case reviewed. They later brought on the Innocence Project of Florida to assist him. Holmes had two prior robbery convictions in 1984. Experts said that identification of Holmes was flawed and most likely had to do with seeing the picture of him previously. Both victims were shocked at the conviction, and time behind bars that Holmes was given. Johnson said, this happened so long agofeels like he served his time. During the initial trial, Holmes had an alibiwhich several family members corroborated. Hed spent the time during the robbery at a Fathers Day celebration. Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said was quoted in a press release by the Innocence Project as saying, We have one rule here at the Broward State Attorneys Office do the right thing, always. As prosecutors, our only agenda is to promote public safety in our community and to ensure that justice is served, he added. I commend the victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers for their candor and assistance in reinvestigating a crime that occurred more than 34 years ago. To date, the Innocence Project of Florida has aided in the release of seven innocent individuals since 2019 through joint reexaminations with the State Attorneys Offices in wrongful conviction cases. Cleaning up homelessness recently has become one of the main tasks facing the city of Morgantons code enforcement officer. The costs associated with cleaning up the hazardous materials that collect in encampments have cost property owners throughout the city thousands of dollars as officials pivot from a reactive approach to what they say is a preventative one. But a man experiencing homelessness in Morganton says the new approach has painted a target on the backs of unsheltered people. Costly cleanup The citys main concern when dealing with homelessness has been public health. Earlier this month, cleanup crews tackled an encampment under a bridge on West Fleming Drive. During that cleanup, crews collected 1,351 syringes, of which 26 still had suspected controlled substances in them, said Tom Warburton, the city of Morgantons code enforcement officer. Crews also collected multiple baggies that still had a crystal-like substance in them, Warburton said. All of the suspected drugs were handed over to law enforcement, he said. Also collected were six, five-gallon buckets of human waste, Warburton said. This isnt the first time this has been seen in camps where unsheltered people are staying. A March 2, 2022, article in The News Herald said 400 bags of trash and debris had been collected from a homeless encampment on Herron Street. Ron Michaux, whose business was contracted to clean up the property, said last year his crew found a similar scene at that encampment: human waste, drug paraphernalia and all sorts of debris were found there. Situations like those seem to be causing some people to pull away from extending a helping hand to those experiencing homelessness. Morganton Department of Public Safety Chief Jason Whisnant said through the years, there have been several property owners who have allowed unsheltered people to stay on their property. Those homeowners predated the encampment in a couples backyard last year on Dogwood Drive that drew scrutiny from neighbors. In the last three years, though, Whisnant said those people have changed their position. Theyve asked unsheltered people not to stay on their properties and not because of code enforcements involvement, he said. The problem got so bad with these folks trashing private property, that those property owners, their compassion kind of dried up when they become responsible for what those folks were doing to their property, Whisnant said. Beyond public health concerns, cleanup costs have exploded in the last year. From 2018 to 2021, both the city of Morganton and private property owners within the city spent a total of $31,000 cleaning up homeless encampments, Warburton said. That included the cleanup of 16 homeless encampments throughout the city. But in 2022 alone, the cost to cleanup homeless encampments went up to about $137,000, Warburton said. That cost includes the cleanup of 17 encampments. Citys approach City of Morganton officials have been hoping to get ahead of the situation by making people aware of the steps they should take if they start experiencing the public health impacts from homelessness. That approach means Warburton has been focusing on reaching out to property owners, faith groups and local businesses to make sure they take preventative measures to better enable enforcement of property laws and the citys code of ordinances. Some of those measures include ban letters for repeat trespassers, and no trespassing signs being placed in areas where loitering has been noticed, Warburton said. Once those measures have been taken, trespassing charges could be handed down to people who are found on the properties, he said. He said he and law enforcement both have stepped up patrols of areas where there could be the potential of an encampment popping up. If a property owner sees someone on their property when they shouldnt be, Warburton said the property owner should ask the person to move along. If they dont feel it is safe to engage with the person, Warburton said they should call Public Safetys nonemergency line at 828-437-1911. What he doesnt want people to do, Warburton said, is go into homeless encampments themselves and risk injury. Instead, he said property owners should call code enforcement for information on the next steps they should take. Warburton can be reached at 828-438-5269. He said a person talking to code enforcement about an issue on their property doesnt mean theyll face a fine or even a formal notice of violation. He said out of the property owners hes worked with since joining the city last year, none have faced a fine because of a homeless camp on their property. Warburton said the preventative approach the city is taking has been effective. He said hes noticed unsheltered people start to recognize him and his vehicle when hes on patrols and move along if they were somewhere they shouldnt be, and signs have also served as a good deterrent. But for a man currently experiencing homelessness, the citys approach has felt like a target added to the backs of unsheltered people. We didnt land on the signs, they landed on us, the man said, speaking to The News Herald on the condition of anonymity. Theyve dehumanized us and criminalized us to the point weve become second-class citizens. Those arent American values. Hes been living on the street for about two years, after losing a business he built in Marion. He told The News Herald about a spot where he had been staying behind a vacant building in Morganton. He said the original property owner was letting him stay there so long as he kept it clean, but when the property changed hands, he was run off. There arent any shelters in Burke County with barriers low enough to serve those struggling with substance use, Chief Whisnant said. While a person may take steps toward recovery by seeking counseling, it doesnt change the reality of what theyll face every day until theyre housed. This is not to discredit any of the treatment providers that are out there because they are working so hard to help people but lets say youre providing medication assisted therapy and youre giving a person counseling, Whisnant said. Ultimately, when they leave that appointment, theyre going back to a tent in the woods. And living on the street is a hard life, the man experiencing homelessness told The News Herald. He said everyday tasks become complicated because of the lack of resources available to unsheltered people. It takes homeless people longer to do everything, he said. If you want a glass of water, you just go to the sink and get a glass of water. I want a glass of water, Ive got to carry my water container all the way to the pharmacy. Alright, theyve put a lock on the thing. Now Ive got to go back here, sneak and get some water, go back to my place carrying 40 pounds of water and then pour it in a glass. It took me 45 minutes and people wonder why Im late to something. When the man experiencing homelessness first spoke to The News Herald, it was shortly after a meeting of downtown business owners discussing homelessness. One of the suggestions thrown out during that meeting was getting rid of resources for the homeless in an effort to drive the population away. What happened to give us your tired, your poor, your weak, your hungry? the man said. How do you know that homeless guy coming in here isnt going to be the next guy to build a Benjamins five years later? The Quaker Meadows chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored Morganton resident Molly Hemstreet with a DAR Women in American History Award at its March meeting. The award recognizes a woman who has made a contribution or a difference in her community. She is a woman who is or has been an intellectual, educational, social, religious, political, scientific or cultural innovator. Hemstreet is CEO and founder of the Morganton-based company Opportunity Threads, a worker-owned cut-and-sew enterprise, which sews for a variety of clients. It is the largest worker-owned cut-and-sew facility in the U.S. Most of the workers at Opportunity Threads are Mayan immigrants, hired with the expectation that they will become worker-owners. After a vetting period, the members of Opportunity Threads vote on their admission as members. Hemstreet also serves as co-executive director of The Industrial Commons, which she co-founded in 2015 to found and grow interconnected industrial businesses. We dont want to just create jobs we want to create livelihoods, Hemstreet said. I think Im most proud of hearing peoples stories of self-development, because at the end of the day, the leaders should be able to step back, and the work continues, so that this doesnt just become an organization, but that this does become a movement for equity and inclusion and new models of economic organizing. She also was recently named Distinguished Person of the Year for 2020 by the Rotary Club of Morganton. Hemstreet is a Morganton native and a cum laude graduate of Duke University. She learned the value of community service from her father, Don, also a former Rotary Distinguished Person of the Year, and from her mother, Joy, who also is a Quaker Meadows Daughter. It is particularly delightful to be able to honor the accomplishments of one of our Daughters, who is making history right in our own Burke County backyard, said Pat Wells, vice regent of the Quaker Meadows DAR. NSDAR was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the worlds largest and most active service organizations. For information about joining the Quaker Meadows chapter, contact quakermeadowsdar@gmail.com or call Regent Janie Matthews at 828-448-0412. What do you like most about this career? What education or training do I need for this career? What can I do to prepare myself now for this career? These are a few of the questions Burke County seventh graders asked local industry and business leaders Friday at the Burke County Public Schools Middle School Career Fair. Held at the Foothills Higher Education Center in Morganton, the career fair brought every seventh grader in the district together with more than 35 business, industry, government and educational partners to explore local career opportunities and tracks. Vendors represented a variety of entities from large manufacturing plants to small businesses, state government and organizations dedicated to education and workforce development. There was even a local funeral home. Its important for them to know the jobs that are available in the community, said BCPS Career and Technical Education Director Casey Rogers. Weve got everything from our CTE programs here to show potential careers firefighting, agriculture. Weve got Western Piedmont, manufacturing, furniture, James Tool, so theres a lot of diversity amongst the vendors. Each student was given an interview sheet when they walked in the door, a brief set of verbal instructions and then they were turned loose to discover the kinds of opportunities that will soon be available to them in Burke County. For a little more than 45 minutes, students spoke with nurses, manufacturers, college professors, government program directors and business leaders. They saw samples of equipment used in various professions and touched products made in Burke County factories. Students also heard about training opportunities available through WPCC and services provided by NCWorks from paid internships to resume writing help. They even got to drive a robot. On the interview sheets, students found sample questions to ask prospective employers and tips for presenting themselves in an interview. Rogers said soft skills such as how students present themselves and interview skills are important aspects of workforce development that had often been overlooked in the past. Opportunity youth It may seem like seventh grade is a little bit early for students to begin preparing for an adult career, but Lora Melott, program coordinator for NCWorks, said the earlier students start thinking about careers, the lower their chances of becoming opportunity youth. Opportunity youth are defined as 16 to 24 years old who are not in school and not employed. According to statistics provided by Work in Burke, 22.2% of Burke Countys 16 to 24 years old fell into this category in 2021, nearly 10% higher than the North Carolina average. Working with opportunity youth is a big part of what Melott does and preventing students from slipping into this category is a significant reason BCPS holds the career fair. Rogers said the more the district can do to connect future employees with prospective employers the better it is, both for students and for local businesses. We obviously know they arent going to decide what theyre doing in the seventh grade, he said. Part of the CTE curriculum now is to start those students at a younger age. Community connections BCPS Superintendent Mike Swan said its important for students to know the kinds of opportunities available to them right here in Burke County. The career fair is an amazing opportunity to see whats out there within our own community so we can cater our education programs to what they need within the community, he said. Nick Plemmons, talent acquisition specialist for Continental, said making connections is a big reason his company participates in the career fair. We try our best to get out in the community and really inform students, he said. We work closely with our educational partners to make sure that were aligned with what theyre teaching and vice-versa and we offer apprenticeship programs. Rogers said the event would not be possible without the districts local business and industry partners. These great partnerships with the community allow all the seventh graders in the middle schools to get out and see what kind of career and job opportunities are out there, he said. I refer to it as the fall. Stories had been reported for months about this invisible threat upending countries far away and making its way across the globe. There was no doubt it was going to upend us too, but even as the inevitable neared, it still seemed like a dream. In many ways, it still does. There was an ominous feeling building inside me. I wanted it to be a case of hoping for the best but expecting the worst. Sadly, the latter proved true. It was three years ago this month, March 3 to be exact, when the first case of coronavirus was identified in North Carolina. A week later, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 14, Cooper announced the closure of public schools and a ban on mass gatherings of 100 people or more. Three days later, on March 17, restaurants and bars were shuttered. The term essential worker became common, yet essential items became scarce. Life as we knew it was ending. Three days later on March 20, I headed off to a four-day, three-night vacation at a remote Beech Mountain cabin planned several months earlier. Driving up an empty N.C. 181 to a vacation spot that normally wouldve been filled with late-winter skiers, everything was empty, desolate. Other than the general store, businesses and restaurants were closed. It felt like a ghost town. But since the point of the trip was to get away from work and have a relaxing weekend in nature, the quiet was welcome at first. A gentle mist fell as I arrived at the aptly named Treehouse, nestled on the side of the mountain with a 360-degree view of what seemed like endless nature and peace. Thats when it happened. Loaded down with a cooler in my right hand and several bags slung across my left shoulder, I hit a slick spot on the wooden ramp and my feet flew up near head height while the rest of me crashed hard on the deck. The fall took my breath away. For several minutes, I couldnt move. I just laid there trying to evaluate if my physical injuries were as bad as those to my ego. Both were bruised and battered. As much as I wanted to cry from the pain, I instead laid on my back and laughed in disbelief at how fast everything in life can change. In retrospect, that fall feels metaphorical for the one the world was about to experience. The drive home from the mountains was like going into another dimension. Streets and parking lots were devoid of vehicles. No people were walking the sidewalks through Morganton. No breweries or restaurants full of friends and laughter. Everything was eerily quiet. It was a different world. It wasnt long before the fall began to transcend into the loss. Theres no doubt the loss experienced during the pandemic was great. In the U.S. alone, the death toll stands at more than 1 million people and continues to climb. Its doubtful anyone could say they werent heavily impacted by COVID, not just those who contracted the disease, but those who lost jobs or homes or were forced to stand aside and watch as loved ones suffered or died. Everything from before had changed, not only by COVID but by the political climate that became a disease in itself. The social experiment of social media was proving to be an epic failure. The very tools that shouldve helped to keep us connected and engaged, especially during quarantines and lockdowns, turned out to be ripping society apart at the seams. It was the new normal and one that was anything but normal. Instead, it was downright surreal. Here we are three years later and many of us, myself included, are still trying to figure out what our new normal looks like. In many ways it still feels like a dream or nightmare really from which you cant completely awaken. Just recently Ive attended some events that havent been held since before the pandemic hit. And while it was good to be back among friends and family, it again gave me a feeling that I was in a different dimension. All the faces were familiar, albeit most had a few more gray hairs and a few more wrinkles than before whether that was from time or pandemic stress is anyones guess. No matter the cause, we all fell three years ago when the pandemic hit. Some of us fell harder than others. We all felt loss. Some more than others. Some were able to pick themselves up quickly, but others still are trying to rise. Indeed, some of us are still in that time warp trying to wrap our minds around what our new normal is ... yet again. After years of disassociating and disconnecting from so many things, trying to reconnect can be difficult. Of course, some of the things that changed will never be the same again. The impact of the pandemic is a reminder, however, that the saying is true: Its not how many times you fall, its how many times you get back up (even if getting up takes longer than before). No, the world will never be the same after the pandemic. But, hopefully, we learned to never take anything for granted because if the last three years have taught us anything, its how quickly life as we know it can come falling down. One person was injured in an encounter with suspected armed robbers near St. Regis on Saturday. Montana Highway Patrol Sgt. Jay Nelson said officers from Mineral and Sanders county sheriffs' departments and the Montana Highway Patrol were pursuing suspects from an armed robbery in Idaho when the incident occurred Saturday afternoon. In an email, Nelson reported one civilian was injured in the officer-involved shooting. The person was taken to a Missoula hospital for treatment. "All suspects are accounted for and the investigation has been turned over to the Montana Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation," Nelson said. No law officers were injured in the shooting. Witnesses in St. Regis reported hearing shots fired and being advised by sheriff's deputies to lock their doors and shelter in place at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. No community in Montana more scrupulously attends to civil liberties than a Montana University System campus. So I was disturbed by comments last week supporting HB 517, proposing a constitutional referendum to let the legislature, not the regents, set the parameters for campus policies affecting constitutional freedoms. Students told tales of woe ranging from getting poor grades or being ostracized for their views, to having to listen to facultys political rants and not being able to find faculty willing to advise their political club. More chillingly, one student claimed his life had been threatened when he was tabling for a conservative cause on campus. (A shouting match ensued. Police responded, characterized the incident as disorderly conduct on the part of two students, and issued a warning to both.) Listening, I was puzzled. Every Montana campus has well-vetted processes for lodging complaints. When the issue is criminal, police take over. When the complaint involves civil liberties or even just dissatisfaction with a grade, every campus has a venue for hearing the complaint, gathering the facts, applying the appropriate policy, and rendering an impartial decision. That decision can be appealed and re-appealed, often all the way to the Board of Regents. None of the students complaining at the hearing had availed themselves of these processes. Some didnt even know about them. They blamed the university system for that as well. But these were young people, new to the exercise of their civil liberties. The same cannot be said of the bills sponsor. Like the students, without ever bringing his concerns to the government entity responsible for responding to them the Board of Regents he bashed the board for operating as an island of its own constitutional authority. Theyre doing a great job, he conceded, but theyre in no way, shape, or form equipped to be constitutional arbiters of civil rights on our campuses. Hmmm and the legislature is? A constantly changing group of 150 people, few of whom have backgrounds in law or academia, meeting for 90 days every other year? Whats really going on with HB 517 is a tale as old as time: A kid doesnt like the answer he got from Mom so he goes to Dad. Last year, Republican legislators got an answer they didnt like from Montanas Supreme Court when the regents challenged HB 102, a 2021 bill requiring campuses to allow firearms on campus. College campuses are among the settings the United States Supreme Court recognized as sensitive enough to warrant limiting Second Amendment freedoms. After hearing from thousands of Montanans, the regents made that call. Montanas Supreme Court unanimously held that our constitution leaves no doubt it was the regents call to make. So the bill sponsor wants you to overrule the supreme courts of this state and nation, as well as a nonpartisan Board of Regents, and leave all decisions about civil liberties on campus to surprise! legislators. Good ole letat cest moi. If HB 517 dealt only with the Second Amendment on Montana campuses, I wouldnt be as concerned. But HB 517 wants to make the legislature the arbiter of ALL civil rights on campus. The sponsor assures us the bill wont affect academic matters, just civil liberties, but its simply impossible to separate those liberties, especially those enshrined in the First Amendment, from research, teaching and learning. On the pretext of protecting civil liberties, the legislature could prescribe which books can be assigned in classrooms and available in libraries, which instructors to criminalize for their research or advising, which students to restrict from expressing themselves and which programs to discontinue. Youve been following this legislature. Can you doubt that they will? The legislature has a role. The courts have a role. The regents have a role. This legislature wants to assume all of them. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Weve been down this road before. Before the 1972 constitution insulated the university system from legislative shenanigans, higher education in Montana was nationally blacklisted repeatedly! for its abuses of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Today, thanks in large part to the hard work of an unpaid board of public servants, its arguably Montanas greatest government-created asset. If we can keep it. Sen. Shelley Vances bill banning TikTok in Montana is anti-business, and it will potentially shut down thousands of small companies like mine. My business, White Bear Moccasins, is thriving because of TikTok. When the pandemic hit, the platform not only kept me connected with my customers, but it was also how I was able to grow my brand. Small businesses across the country make their livelihoods from TikTok in a way that energizes communities and puts money into local economies. Senate Bill 419 will create an unsettling precedent and will show that Montana does not support entrepreneurs in its own state. It will deprive thousands of growing small businesses currently active on TikTok in Montana of a free tool that helps the companies succeed and ultimately delivers meaningful economic impact to the state. White Bear Moccasins, for example, sees a significant percentage of its business generated on TikTok. Not only has it been great for my company, but it is an amazing tool to help communities grow. Indigenous makers like me thrive on it. This platform has opened up wonderful opportunities for other makers as well as me. People who may not have gotten the same traction on Instagram flourish on TikTok. It has a much larger reach. Someone with 5,000 followers on Instagram may have 100,000 on TikTok. Vances argument that public safety is at risk because people will attempt the viral challenges presented on the platform is flawed. The bill points to challenges such as attempting to climb stacks of milkcrates, and cooking chicken in NyQuil. These challenges are promoted across platforms such as Facebook and Instagram as well. Why should the financial well-being of small businesses be tied to whether someone decides to do something unsafe? These are individual, personal decisions. Shutting down TikTok and putting its makers livelihoods at risk is not going to stop people from making bad choices. Look too, at what TikTok has done to connect Montana to the rest of the world. When we had the flooding of the Yellowstone River in the Gardiner area, the rest of the country was by our side. They knew what was going on because people were right there, streaming live videos and posting TikToks, and getting the information out in real time. Rather than protect people, Vances bill is going to isolate Montanans from the rest of the country. The bill will prevent us from sharing the beauty of our state. It will prevent other women and Indigenous people who have started businesses on the platform from reaching 100 million TikTok users across the country. The bill is putting our personal choices and liberties at risk. The government should not be telling its citizens where they can or cannot get their information in this land of the free. Vance is trying to control the people of this state with Senate Bill 419. It is an infringement on our rights, on our freedom of speech. Doesnt China itself try to control peoples social media? Were supposed to be better than that in the United States. Vance and the rest of the legislators across Montana should be busy passing laws to help promote commerce in the state instead of passing ones that interfere with our personal freedoms. Senate Bill 419 is just bad for business. Vintner Dave DiCesaris has won Napa County permission to plant a smaller version of his proposed Le Colline vineyard, though its still too big for some opponents concerned about an adjacent nature preserve. Le Colline at 300 Cold Springs Road near Angwin is the latest dispute about planting vineyards in local mountains. Some say strict county conservation laws protect the environment. Others deplore the loss of forests and woodlands in the watersheds. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. DiCesaris asked for 25 acres of vineyards with a total disturbed area of 32.7 acres on a 90-acre property. That included 24.5 acres of forest removal. But county Planning, Building and Environmental Services cut back the request by about 5 acres. The recently released tentative decision said this alternative allows for bigger stream setbacks, avoids areas with higher biological value and provides for greater wildlife movement. DiCesaris calculated the alternative comes to 20.6 acres of vineyards and a total disturbed area 26.6 acres. That includes 19.7 acres of forest removal. Asked whether he is satisfied with this tentative county ruling for the required erosion control plan, DiCesaris said he must review the conditions of approval before commenting. The decision is to become final on March 24, which triggers the 10-working-days appeals period. The 2019 draft environmental impact report by Analytical Environmental Services said potential impacts from the project can be rendered "less than significant." Still, the county received about 100 comment letters on the report, most expressing concerns about Le Colline. A reoccurring theme is how the Le Colline project might effect adjacent, 177-acre Linda Falls Preserve, with its forests and a scenic waterfall where Conn Creek tumbles over volcanic rocks. Kellie Anderson of the Linda Falls Alliance wrote one such response in 2019. She called the preserve biologically rich, geologically important, aesthetically valued and hydrologically fragile. She hasn't changed her mind. Our county land use policies lag far behind climate and environment reality and the approval of the Le Colline project above the treasured Linda Falls waterfall constitutes a crime against all Napa County residents, she said in a recent email. Erosion control plan decisions made by county staff can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors, so the Le Colline matter isn't necessarily settled. We won't let the project proceed and (DiCesaris) has only begun to get to know the strength of our community, region-wide recreational users of the preserve, wildlife advocates, watershed conservationists, affiliated agencies and local tribes in protecting the upper Linda Falls watershed resource from deforestation, Anderson said. Aruna Prabhala issued a statement on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity. We are disappointed with Planning Department's tentative decision to still approve the Le Colline vineyard despite its troubling impacts on wildlife, water and the climate," Prabhala said. "Napa does not need more remote vineyards. Instead, we should be safeguarding our fragile ecosystems that have been battered by climate change, wildfire and extreme weather. The project has been a long time coming. One paper filed with the county has a date of 2014. DiCesaris said the county assumed lead status for the environmental impact report from the state in 2017. This, combined with more protective erosion control modeling the county implimented in 2016, effectively restarted the application process. Then came fires and the pandemic. "There is no doubt the 5 1/2 years the county has served as lead agency has felt like a decade, but since becoming lead agency, the county really took a deep dive into applying the new environmental rules to ensure our agricultural project is environmentally friendly," he said. Attorney Tom Adams on behalf of DiCesaris wrote a 2019 letter telling the county that shrinking the project too much would make it financially impractical. This project is not a hobby, Adams wrote. It is a business that requires a significant investment made in reliance on loans and cash flow for it to be viable and to proceed to create jobs and generate tax revenue for the county. The countys tentative decision involves certifying the project environmental impact report, approving an erosion control plan and adopting a mitigation monitoring and reporting program. Decisions on erosion control plans are made by the Planning, Building and Environmental Services director or a designee. In this case, Michael Parker is listed as the designee. Le Colline also requires a timber conversion plan and timber harvest plan from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. That decision is to follow the county's. PHOTOS: Napa County Ag Day 2023 John Tuteur has been a prominent figure on the Napa County political scene over the past half century, and he's ready for more. Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help. Subscribe today! Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Napa Valley Register. He was elected to the Napa County Board of Supervisors in 1972 and served until 1981. Then he was elected assessor in 1986, an office he still holds. The county later added the titles of recorder, county clerk and registrar of voters to his duties. He lives on a ranch in the south county hills. The 81-year-old Tuteur recently sat down with the Napa Valley Register for a wide-ranging talk and made it clear that retirement is not in his near-term plans. He seemed as energetic as ever and mentioned that he rides both a bicycle and a horse. How long do you intend to remain in office, if the voters are willing? Assuming my mental and physical health remain as good as they are now, I want to run at least two more terms after this one. Im trying to catch a guy who was elected assessor in Sierra County in 1907 and was defeated in 1963. He had 56 years as assessor. Im currently only the second longest-serving assessor in California history. I plan to surpass him in 2034, when I'll get my 56 years and be running for re-election. I plan to go out feet-first. I love this job. I have much too much fun every day working with the public and this incredible staff. Id go crazy if I retired. But to reach 56 years in 2034, you'll have to count your eight years as county supervisor. I'm fudging (laughs). How do you stay so energetic? Its just the way Im built, I guess. How did the Tuteurs come to Napa and come to the ranch? Well, my parents and I were born in Cleveland, Ohio. My grandfather settled in the early 1920s. When my grandfather passed away, my dad and mother always loved California. So they had spent their honeymoon in 1939 at the Bel-Air hotel in Beverly Hills. When my grandfather passed away, there was really nothing keeping them in Cleveland, and the big snows in the winter and the humidity in the summer were a good reason to come to California. My parents owned a farm and a home and a business in Cleveland. And they came to San Francisco and bought a home and a farm or a ranch and a business. And weve been here ever since 1951. What do you do on the ranch? It's always been a cattle ranch. It's primarily brush and rocks. But there's enough room for a few cows to walk around and graze. So we've run cattle on the ranch since '51. ... It's mostly that we consider ourselves stewards of the land rather than the owners of the land. We've pretty much kept it in its natural condition over the years. We've added one home in those 70 years and that should satisfy our needs for several generations, we hope. When did you run for the Napa County Board of Supervisors and why? In 1972, I became a little frustrated with the attitude I felt the Board of Supervisors had in the late '60s and early '70s. I felt they werent listening to the public and had an attitude that they were in charge instead of serving the people. So I ran against the chairman of the board in 1972 and beat him in the primary. What were the issues facing Napa County at the time? Well, I think the primary issue was controlled, managed growth. At the time I was elected to the board and took office in January of 1973, the minimum parcel size in all of Napa County (except the agricultural preserve) was one acre. In other words, you could divide any parcel into one-acre parcels, which would be legal parcels. So by February, Ginny Simms and I and other board members passed an emergency ordinance raising the minimum parcel size to 10 acres around the city and 40 acres in the rest of the county. The ag preserve was already there and I believe we raised the minimum parcel size in the ag preserve from 20 to 40 acres, but I cant remember if we did that in the '70s or not (editor's note: it was 1979). But I think that was the issue I ran on, was preserving what is wonderful about the Napa Valley. You know, Robert Mondavi had started the new tradition of Napa Valley wines only six years before, in 1966. So it was just the beginning of the growth and expansion of the Napa wine industry and the grape industry, and we felt that needed protecting from the pressures of urban growth. How is Napa County different today than it was then? Well, lets start with how Napa County is different from the rest of the Bay Area. First of all, were protected by geography. So we had until recently only one four-lane road which was coming up from the south (we now also have Jameson Canyon). We dont have (Interstate) 80 running through us like they do in Solano and we dont have Highway 101 running through us like Marin and Sonoma. So where theyve grown incredibly rapidly, we have managed our growth to about 1% since those 50 years Ive been in active political and government office. And the big change I think from then to now is twofold. I think of course the growth and world renown of the wine industry is a huge change from 1972. I think the other change is the attitude of the public in favor of the protection of what is so special about the Napa Valley. How has the job of a Napa County supervisor changed? Ginny and I were the first full-time supervisors. Neither of us had outside employment. So we really were the first time and I believe this is true in county history that we were spending our 40 hours a week as county supervisors. No reflection on the predecessors or my colleagues in the early '70s, but it had been pretty much the tradition that supervisors would come in on Tuesdays and make whatever actions were needed and leave the rest to the staff. We continued to let the staff do what they needed to so, but we become very involved in the day-to-day operations of the county and also became very involved in regional, state and federal issues that affected Napa County. I became vice chair of the (Association of Bay Area Governments) Regional Planning Committee in the late '70s. The chair at the time was Dianne Feinsteinwe did our best to not only preserve what Napa County needed and deserved, but to lead a role in the region and the state, to use Napa County as an example of what managed growth could do. Why did you run for assessor in 1986? During the eight years I was on the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Supervisors actually served as something called the Board of Equalization, which heard disputes between the assessor and property owners. And I thought that was fascinating. Those were the most intricate and involved assessment issues. My predecessor George Abate and his team did a super job. But that was very interesting. That sort of piqued my fancy. I took six years off; I retired from the board in January in 1981. I took six years off and was involved in the community with the Napa Valley Foundation and other community efforts. And then in 1986, when George Abate announced his retirement, I decided Id run for county assessor. And I did and again won in the primary just barely against a very nice guy from within the office. I won by 373 votes out of 27,000 cast. The day I took office, I appointed the person who had run against me as chief appraiser because he was on the appraisal side. I came in on the technology and management side. He and I worked together for 10 years before he retired. You also run elections as the registrar of voters. How did you become recorder/county clerk/registrar of voters, as well as assessor? So in 1996-97, my predecessor on the recorder/county clerk somehow lost the confidence of the Board of Supervisors. Nothing terrible, I think it was just the attitude about public service and how you deal with your clientele. So in 1997, the board asked me if I would accept becoming recorder/county clerk/registrar of voters. My predecessor became my chief deputy, and then I ran for the combined office in 1998 and won. How hard was it to learn the new skills, to run elections? I took office in January 1998 and my first election was March of 1998, which was the flood control tax issueThe key to any success Ive had is the wonderful people Ive worked with. I stepped into a well-run office and made a few changes over the years, but on the whole, its the day-to-day staff work that keeps the county running. My job I see as being here to both assist the staff and also to look for ways to improve things. You allowed an easement on your ranch property for a hiking trail. How has that worked out? In 1972, I purchased a piece of property from a neighbor. One of the reasons for purchasing it was there had been talk back then including in the Register about trying to put a road through from Napa State Hospital through that backcountry and come out in Green Valley on the Solano County side. Of course, I couldnt have stopped it if there had been eminent domain, but it never happened. But my other reason for buying that property was I had a vision that someday there could be a trail linking Skyline Park which wasnt there at the time, by the way (editors note: it was an idea) linking what is now Skyline Park with the city of Vallejo lands, which is 1,100 acres to the southeast of where Skyline and my property are. I bought the property for that reason. Seventeen years later, in 1989, the Bay Area Ridge Trail was formed, whose goal was to make a trail all around the bay, some 500 miles. By 2005, the Bay Area Ridge Trail was ready to accept a trail easement from our family, which we donated. They built what called the Napa Solano Ridge Trail. Its been a wonderful experience for us. We still graze cattle in that area, but weve had no problem with litter or trespass or fires because of the controlled access through Skyline Park. Just recently, we donated more trail easement to the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District, which now goes up over the ridge to whats called the Suscol Headwaters Park, which is owned by the Regional Park District. What do you like best about your job? Two things. Dealing with the incredible staff Ive just been so fortunate during all these years, whether as supervisor or in my assessor job to have incredible people to work with. And secondly, working with the public. Every day, both as supervisor and now in my other jobs, Im able to help people; Im able to help agencies conduct elections, helping people with the complexities of assessment questions, especially when theres succession planning and peoples estates involved. So every day I get to help somebody. And that makes this job not just enjoyable, but very rewarding. PHOTOS: Justin-Siena defeats Vista del Toro in Girls lacrosse Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 1 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 2 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 3 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 4 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 20 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 6 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 5 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 8 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 9 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 10 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 11 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 12 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 13 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 14 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 15 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 16 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 17 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 18 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 19 Justin-Siena vs. Vista Del Lago Girls Lacrosse 7 A small audience of between 25 and 30 gathered Feb. 27 in the Napa County Library's Community Room to hear a young author talk about his book, The Great Displacement. Jake Bittle is a staff writer for Grist, one of the few journals dedicated to presenting research on climate change, predictions of near and distant future weather patterns, and the inevitable and inescapable consequences of climate change, a massive shift in the atmospheric dynamics of our home world and our only world that has already impacted thousands of people in the United states. Thousands! Already! Bittle's book is a humanistic chronicle of some of those people across the country. He started out the evening by reading a portion of the introduction, which gave the audience a pretty solid glimpse into the contents of the volume. A representative from a co-sponsor of the book-author event, along with the library, from the independent bookstore, Napa Bookmine (three retail stores Pearl Street, Napa; Oxbow, Napa; and a new one in St. Helena), then sat down with Bittle for some Q & A & D(iscussion) derived from her own reading of the book, and from the short reading to the audience. The evening concluded with questions from the attendees, which included several members of the very active Napa Climate Now! I asked a question about his research interviews for the book as a journalist. What were his interviewees responses in the face and fact of disaster, even tragedy at best, a delicate discussion. Mostly, he said, people wanted to talk about their circumstances, their losses, their hopes, stumbling blocks, and frustrations. What disturbed me, however, was that more than just a few people would not accept climate change as having contributed to the advent of record-setting climate disasters around the world or their own local, more personal world. One gets the feeling they wanted someone in the world to know that they were hurting. Bittle indicated there were many types and varieties of stories and impact mechanics that were connected to climate change. But it was apparent they all shared one huge element: they were all hurting, and the hurt was often accelerated by other factors such as fickle insurance companies reneging or under paying on insurance policies. Inadequate compensation from government loans, or difficulties wading through the swamps of red tape. The result being for thousands the necessity to move to another, hopefully less risky area. This book is an excellent primer on global warming and climate change, entering the subject from a different door than the usual discussion. Like Einstein's Theory of Relativity, climate change is beyond the realm of theory. There is too much reliable evidence, too many successful predictions based on careful observed and plotted data. It is affecting people in the United States, even as these fingers hit their keys. The mass result, the theme of the book, is that climate change is increasingly responsible for victims and potential victims in a high-risk area tending to move away from said risk areas to a hopefully safer, more secure area. Like one family did after being burned out in the Camp Fire in Paradise, Northern California. They moved to Greenville, not many miles away, to be burned out again three years later by the Dixie Fire. The future, Bittle says, will be one of spontaneous migrations as climate change disasters continue to happen, continue to intensify in ferocity, frequency, damage and cost, and injury and death. On top of that, Jake Bittle is a comfortable writer. Comfortable in that each paragraph gently demands one read the next paragraph; and the next after that; and on to the next 'graph and chapter. In person, he is articulate, knows his topic and knows climate change from both a science and journalistic point of view. Whatever your thoughts on climate change, to those affected by climate change impacted events such as record-breaking hurricanes, wildfires, drought, floods, tornados or freezing weather, and social and economic paralysis, the reality is immediate, dangerous, often deadly. CO2, methane and other greenhouse gasses are far from the front burners of their thinking and worry. I'm already a third the way through the book and I am getting back to it as soon as I finish this "pre-review." The book is available at presentation co-sponsor, Napa Bookmine at 964 Pearl Street, downtown Napa, and other local bookstores, and stores that sell books as well. Price: $28.99. Support our local businesses. Support our local bookstores. Richard Bruns Napa Iran accuses Israel of deteriorating relations with Azerbaijan Heavy clashes taking place around Armenian church in Sudan (VIDEO) Armenia Security Council chief, US official discuss possible prospects of cooperation in some domains Bayramov informs Bono about occupation of 8 villages by Armenia Israel FM to visit Azerbaijan Istanbul mayor visits Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople, meets with patriarch Tatoyan Foundation: 2,700 hectares are under Azerbaijan occupation in Armenias Kapan community alone Armenia opposition MP Mher Sahakyan charged Armenia government presents details on negotiations with Azerbaijan US deputy assistant secretary of state is in Armenia Aurora 23 military exercise kicking off in Sweden Iran president invites Saudi king to Tehran Armenia MOD: Soldier who shot himself still in stable but severe condition Public criminal prosecution launched against Azerbaijanis who crossed into Armenia, they are arrested MOD: Armenia soldier who was in critical condition due to Azerbaijan provocation is now in severe condition New, smart Yerevan bus stops modern version being developed Armenia cinema celebrating 100th anniversary Armenia Sotk gold mine operations stopped due to Azerbaijan shooting Armenia PM to Syria president: I would like to confirm our readiness to support Syrian reconstruction process Sudan fighting death toll reaches 97 MOD: Azerbaijan fires at Armenia positions in Sotk UK army to be armed with Land Rover Defender electric models Berlusconi transferred from intensive care unit to hospital regular ward Putin receives China defense minister Sudan army agrees to open passage for urgent humanitarian cases New ombudsperson visits Azerbaijan servicemen detained in Armenia Another anti-government rally takes place in Prague 130 Ukrainian servicemen back as part of prisoner exchange Finland launches Europe's most powerful nuclear reactor Over 6,000 British to play role in Charles III and Camilla Coronation 9 patients transported from Artsakh to Armenia thanks to ICRC Washington forces Yerevan to join anti-Russian sanctions Gyumri - Yerevan train crashes into truck and derails Group brawl due to traffic accident SK military prevent North Korean patrol chasing boat Russian peacekeepers celebrate Easter in Artsakh Traffic on Getap-Martuni road one-way due to risk of bridge collapse RA Ministry of Finance delegation visits Washington $230 million damage to Artsakh economy due to blockade The Danish ambassador was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry: Ankara has made a demand Bloomberg: New pandemic possible in coming decade 44-year-old man found hanging from a tree Yerevan Metro Police detain armed young man Poland receives Bayraktar from Turkey 4.2 magnitude earthquake in Turkish Adana Ukraine preparing a counteroffensive Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire at Sotk Gold Mine Sudanese army blocks presidential palace entrances in Khartoum No safety threat to Azerbaijani athletes nor could there ever be Dozens of Tegh families in difficult social situation 12 patients transported from Artsakh to Armenia, 8 back in Artsakh 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 French protest over Macron bypassing vote on pensions French protest over Macron bypassing vote on pensions People took to the streets across France on Saturday after President Emmanuel Macron imposed an unpopular pension overhaul without a parliament vote. Macron's government on Thursday invoked a controversial executive power to force through the bill by decree, which is legal according to the constitution. The move has caused outrage among the political class as well as angry protests in the street, presenting the 45-year-old leader with one of his biggest challenges less than a year into his second and final mandate. The president has made no public comments since the bill to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 was forced through. A source within his circle however said on Saturday evening that he was "following developments." Police on Saturday banned gatherings on a key Paris square opposite parliament after two nights of unrest at the site. But thousands of protesters rallied in another part of the capital, some erecting barricades in the street, setting rubbish bins on fire and smashing advertising boards. Security forces charged at the demonstrators and fired tear gas and water cannon at Place d'Italie. A police source said officers had arrested 76 people at or near the location. There were protests too in other towns and cities around the country on Saturday after regional unions called for a weekend of demonstrations. Ariane Laget, 36, was among some 200 people demonstrating in the small southern town of Lodeve. "We're fed up," she said. "We feel like we're being trampled on, and no one is listening." Thousands took to the streets in the western city of Nantes. "Death to the king," read one placard, in an apparent reference to the president. In Nantes some protesters lobbed bottles at members of the security forces who retaliated with tear gas. In the southwestern city of Bordeaux, rubbish bins were set ablaze. Unions have called for another day of nationwide strikes and rallies on Thursday. Opinion polls suggest around two-thirds of French people oppose the reform, which will also require people to work longer for a full pension. The government has said it is necessary to keep the system from slipping into deficit and to bring France in line with its European neighbours, where the legal retirement age is typically higher. But critics say the changes are unfair for people who start working at a young age in physically challenging jobs, and for women who interrupt their careers to raise children. In parliament, opposition lawmakers have filed two motions of no confidence in the government, which are to be debated on Monday afternoon according to parliamentary sources. They hope to garner enough support to topple the government and repeal the law. But Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne's government is largely expected to survive any no-confidence vote. The motion would need backing from around half the group of opposition right-wing Republicans, a scenario seen as highly improbable. Saturday's protests follow two previous nights of unrest. Thousands of people rallied in Place de la Concorde opposite parliament on Friday evening to vent their frustration. Groups of people threw bottles and fireworks at the security forces, who responded by firing tear gas to try to clear the square. Police said they made 61 arrests. In the eastern city of Lyon, demonstrators tried to break into a town hall and set fire to the building, said police, who reported 36 arrests. Protests since mid-January have garnered some of the largest crowds in decades, but the popular movement seemed to be starting to wane in the days before the government imposed the bill. The capital's municipal rubbish collectors have however kept up a rolling strike, leaving an estimated 10,000 tonnes of trash festering in the streets by Friday. A union representative on Saturday said strikers at three incinerators outside Paris would let some garbage trucks through "to limit the risk of an epidemic". Police said trucks from five depots had resumed work. In the energy sector, the CGT union has said strikers were halting production at two refineries over the weekend. Unions from national train operator SNCF on Friday urged workers to maintain another continuous strike. Macron put the pension reform at the centre of his re-election campaign last year. But the former banker lost his parliamentary majority in June after elections for the National Assembly. (AFP) Iranian president welcomes Saudi invitation "In a letter to President Ebrahim Raisi (pictured), the Saudi King welcomed the deal between the two countries (and) invited him to Riyadh. Photo: AFP Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has favourably received an invitation from Saudi Arabia's King Salman to visit the kingdom following the reconciliation deal between the two countries, an Iranian official said Sunday. "In a letter to President Raisi... the King of Saudi Arabia welcomed the deal between the two brotherly countries (and) invited him to Riyadh," tweeted Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, adding that "Raisi welcomed the invitation". The two regional heavyweights announced on March 10 a Chinese-brokered deal to restore ties seven years after they were severed. Riyadh cut relations after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in 2016 following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr -- just one in a series of flashpoints between the two longstanding regional rivals. The deal is expected to see Shiite-majority Iran and mainly Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia reopen their embassies and missions within two months and implement security and economic cooperation deals signed more than 20 years ago. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told reporters on Sunday that the two countries had agreed to hold a meeting between their top diplomats. He added that three locations for the talks had been suggested, without specifying which. The detente between Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, and Iran, strongly at odds with Western governments over its nuclear activities, has the potential to reshape relations across a region characterised by turbulence for decades. Iran and Saudi Arabia support rival sides in several conflict zones including Yemen, where the Huthi rebels are backed by Tehran, and Riyadh leads a military coalition supporting the government. The two sides also vie for influence in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. A number of Gulf countries followed Riyadh's action in 2016 and scaled back ties with Tehran, though the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait recently restored ties. Iran said last week it would welcome restoring ties with Bahrain following the deal with Saudi Arabia. In the past, Bahrain accused Iran of having trained and backed a Shiite-led uprising in the Sunni-ruled kingdom in order to topple the Manama government. Tehran denies this. In September, Iran welcomed an Emirati ambassador after a six-year absence, and a month earlier it said Kuwait had sent its first ambassador to Tehran since 2016. Iran's top security official Ali Shamkhani also held talks with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Thursday in yet another sign of the shifting relations in the region. (AFP) Willem Dafoe, known for his iconic villain role as Norman Osborne aka Green Goblin, in Sam Raimi's 2000s Spider-Man trilogy and beyond, said in a recent interview, he'd gladly reprise the part in Spider-Man multiverse "if everything was right". "I mean, that's a great role," opined Dafoe. "I liked the fact that it's a double role both times. Twenty years ago, and fairly recently, both times [were] very different experiences, but I had a good time on both," reported Deadline, a US-based media company. Dafoe's Spidey character Osborne is a scientist holding the post of CEO at Oscorp who goes mad in Raimi's 2002 trilogy opener Spider-Man, coming after the web-slinging superhero of the same name played by Tobey Maguire, after an experiment with strength enhancement goes awry, despite the fact that Spidey is, in his day-to-day life, Peter Parker, the best friend of his own son, Harry (James Franco). While the character meets his end in that film after a failed attempt at killing Parker, Dafoe reprised the part with small appearances in the Raimi-directed sequels, Spider-Man 2 and 3. The actor most recently returned to the Spider-verse for the 2021 multiverse pic Spider-Man: No Way Home, which had him reuniting on-screen with Maguire's version of the character, while striking fear into the version played by Tom Holland in the more recent film series. And Dafoe certainly isn't the only legacy star of the franchise to have expressed excitement about further instalments. Maguire himself said in an interview for the book Spider-Man No Way Home: The Official Movie Special, released last month, that when he got the call to come back for No Way Home, he was "like finally! Dafoe's recent interview came in support of his new thriller Inside released on Friday, on the heels of a Berlin world premiere. The first feature from Vasilis Katsoupis has him starring as Nemo, a high-end art thief, who finds himself trapped in a New York penthouse after his heist doesn't go as planned, reported Deadline. Other buzzy upcoming projects for the actor include Wes Anderson's potentially Cannes-premiering 'Asteroid City', Focus' 'Nosferatu' from his The Lighthouse collaborator Robert Eggers, and the Yorgos Lanthimos films 'Poor Things' and 'AND', to name a few. (ANI) "I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved Lance," Berry wrote on Instagram on Saturday. "l'll never forget the huge smile and heartfelt hug Lance gave me as I walked on the set of 'John Wick' for the first time." "His kind, sweet energy lit up every room he was in and his heart was larger than anything in it," she continued. "Heaven has another angel. You will be missed sweet friend!" https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp8OvNJLJXL/ The 'Moonfall' star shared a black and white photo of the late actor that his wife Stephanie Reddick posted on Saturday, reported People, a US-based media company. "My love and prayers are with the family at this very sad time. Lance was one of the most sincere people I'd ever met. Truly one of a kind! RIP sweet king," Berry commented on Stephanie's post. On Friday, Reddick's death was confirmed by his reps in a statement. The actor was found dead in his Los Angeles home. Reddick, 60, began his career in the '90s, with credits in shows like "New York Undercover" and "The West Wing." He began earning roles in regional theatre and at 29, he applied-- and was accepted -- to Yale University to study drama, eventually graduating. In New York, he first auditioned for "The Wire" creator David Simon for his project "The Corner," an HBO miniseries that came two years before Simon's "The Wire." Reddick was also among the SAG-nominated ensemble of Regina King's One Night in Miami and worked on Netflix's Resident Evil series, Comedy Central's Corporate and FX's American Horror Story. (ANI) Mother's day is being celebrated in the UK today. To mark the occasion Anand Ahuja penned a long heartfelt note for his wife Sonam Kapoor. Taking to Instagram, Anand shared an unseen picture of Sonam holding baby Vayu and wrote, "I have to admit, and Sonam can verify, that emotional / social awareness is not really a strength of mine. As a result, it's really taken me seeing what @sonamkapoor has done over the past 17 months (and actually even longer) in ensuring the best emotional and physical health of herself and our baby to really understand the levels of commitment and selflessness it takes to be a full time mom." https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp960p_sPNQ/ He added, "In an age when we all have been accustomed to immediate reward systems, committing to motherhood really does mean giving endlessly over and above that system. It has also re-emphasized her responsibilities as a daughter, sister and wife (and girlfriend :P) as she navigates making sure our son gets all the love, learnings and blessings he can from our big family as he slowly grows into the most unique individual with the assets of our heritage and also without the burdens of any expectations." Sonam and Anand welcomed their first child, a baby boy on August 20, 2022, in Mumbai. "I know all of this is cliche in a sense which is why I started by saying that it's taken me seeing @sonamkapoor do all this to really appreciate the magic of motherhood. To @sonamkapoor and to all the moms (and we all have some degree of motherhood in us even if not everyone is a 'full time mom') Happy Mothers Day!! You are the root all life & love," he concluded. Soon after he shared the post, the 'Neerja' actor replied, "Oh wow.... I love you so much don't know what to say." Anil Kapoor commented, "absolutely Anand." Sonam and Anand got married on May 8, 2018 after dating for several years. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sonam will be next seen in the upcoming film 'Blind' directed by Shome Makhija, starring Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak and Lillete Dubey in prominent roles. (ANI) Taking to Instagram, Manushi shared the video which she captioned, "Some shoot in the middle of shoot." https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp-GOx-J8EJ/ In the video, Manushi and Alaya could be seen dressed up in black outfits and dancing to Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan's super hit track 'It's the time to Disco' from 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' on the streets of the UK along with their team members. Soon after she shared the fun video, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons. "Nice and fantastic dance," a fan commented. Another fan wrote, "So funnnn." 'What a dance," a fan wrote. Earlier in the day, Manushi shared a BTS picture from her shoot which she captioned, "Night shoot in -6 degrees?? Triple check." Meanwhile, Manushi will be next seen in an upcoming action thriller, ' Tehran' opposite actor John Abraham. The action thriller, inspired by true events, marks the feature directorial debut of ad filmmaker Arun Gopalan and is produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films. Apart from that, she also has Varun Tej's upcoming aerial action thriller 'VT13'. Alaya F, on the other hand, will be next seen in Indian industrialist Srikanth Bolla's biopic 'SRI' opposite Rajkummar Rao and in 'U-Turn'. (ANI) Many unique groups of neurons connected inside and across crucial areas of the brain aid in learning, remembering, and retrieving memories. A recent study led by the universities of Bristol and Heidelberg showed that if these neuronal assemblies fail to sync up at the correct time, memories are lost. How do you keep track of what to do next? What happens in the brain when your mind goes blank? Short-term memory relies on two key brain regions: the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. The researchers set out to establish how these brain regions interact with one another as memories are formed, maintained and recalled at the level of specific groups of neurons. The study, published in Currently Biology, also wanted to understand why memory sometimes fails. "Neural assemblies" -- groups of neurons that join forces to process information -- were first proposed over 70 years ago, but have proved difficult to pinpoint. Using brain recordings in rats, the research team has shown that memory encoding, storage and recall are supported by dynamic interactions incorporating multiple neural assemblies formed within and between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. When the coordination of these assemblies fails, the animals made mistakes. Dr Michal Kucewicz, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Gdansk University of Technology, formerly a PhD student at the University of Bristol, and lead author, said: "Our results make potential therapeutic interventions for memory restoration more challenging to target in space and time. On the other hand, our findings have identified critical processes that determine success or failure in remembering. These present viable targets for therapeutic interventions on the level of neural assembly interactions." Matt Jones, Professor of Neuroscience in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Bristol Neuroscience and senior author of the paper, added: "Our findings add to evidence that the neural substrates of memory are more distributed in anatomical space and dynamic across time than previously thought based on the neuropsychological models." The next steps for the research would be to modulate neural assembly interactions, either using drugs or via brain stimulation, which Dr Kucewicz is currently doing in human patients, to test whether disrupting or augmenting them would impair or enhance remembering. The research team presumes the same mechanisms would work in human patients to restore memory functions impaired in a particular brain disorder. (ANI) A study on choice of replacing missing teeth with fixed prosthesis may protect against cognitive decline was presented at the AADOCR's 52nd Annual Conference & Exposition, which was held in conjunction with the CADR's 47th Annual Meeting. The AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition took place at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland on March 15-18. The study by Elizabeth Kaye of Boston University examined 577 men in the VA Normative Aging Study (NAS) and Dental Longitudinal Study. Tooth status and type of replacement, if any, were recorded at triennial dental exams (1969-2001). Masticatory efficiency was assessed with carrot chewing tests. The Spatial Copying Task (SCT) was administered up to four times between 1995 and 2001. The investigators defined poor cognition as any weighted SCT score <13 (lowest tertile of initial SCT scores in all NAS participants). Tooth-level Cox proportional regression, accounting for clustering within individuals, estimated the hazard of poor cognition, adjusted for education, epilepsy medication use, and time-varying values of tooth status (present, absent, fixed bridge/implant, removable replacement), age, cigarette smoking, and coronary heart disease. The mean age at initial cognitive testing was 68+-7 years. Forty-five percent of men had at least one low SCT score. Twenty-nine per cent of participants lost no teeth during follow-up, 34% lost teeth that were not replaced, 13% had missing teeth subsequently replaced with fixed prostheses, and 25% had missing teeth replaced with removable prostheses, the study found. New fixed prostheses were associated with a lower hazard (HR=0.72, 95%CI=0.52-0.99) of poor cognition while new removable prostheses were associated with a higher hazard (HR=1.26, 95% CI=1.01-1.56). Loss of a tooth with no replacement was not associated with a significantly higher hazard (HR=1.05 95% CI=0.91-1.21) of poor cognition. Masticatory ability declined 6% in men with new fixed prostheses compared to 9%, 10%, and 13% in men with no tooth loss, new removable prostheses, and tooth loss but no replacement, respectively. The study found that the replacement of missing teeth with fixed prostheses may protect against cognitive decline, and conservation of masticatory ability may play a role in the protective association. (ANI) The case pertains to March 15. Acting on a tip-off, the air customs at IGI Airport, Terminal-3, intercepted two Indian passengers and recovered over 2 kgs of gold, following a detailed examination of the baggage and personal search of the passengers. The said passengers flew down to the national capital from Dubai. "The officers of Airport Customs, IGI Airport, Terminal-3, New Delhi have booked a case of smuggling of gold on March, 2023 against two Indian National Passengers who arrived at T-3, IGI Airport New Delhi by Flight No. 6E dated March 15. The detailed examination of the baggage and personal search of the Pax(s) resulted in the recovery of gold (total weighting 2076.38 grams) having tariff value Rs 1,01,59,934," Customs (IGI) said in a statement. "The said passengers have been placed under arrest in terms of section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962," it added. Further information is awaited. (ANI) Sparks flew at a Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on India's G20 presidency in the national capital on Saturday. At the meeting, Jaishankar gave a detailed presentation on the G20 presidency to the committee members. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was among the Opposition members present at the meeting. According to sources, a ruling party MP raised the issue of political leaders trying to score brownie points by talking about Indian democracy on foreign land. Further, according to sources, when the reference was made, Rahul Gandhi, who is a member of the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, interjected saying it was an indirect reference to him as there had been a ruckus in Parliament about the comments he made during his recent London visit. The sources said that Gandhi stated further at the meeting that his criticism was against an individual, who was named in a report and not against the government and that an individual industrialist was not the government as was perceived. The Congress MP further said that he did not speak in a manner that the BJP claimed he did, as it called him an "anti-national". Sources said that on this remark by the Congress MP, a BJP MP countered saying that this was not the appropriate platform to speak about this. A few other MPs present at the meeting also supported the argument put forward by the BJP MP while many opposition MPs supported Rahul's right to clarify or defend himself in view of the oblique reference to his remarks made during his London visit. Further, according to reliable sources, the External Affairs Ministers present in the meeting asked the Congress MP to not speak on the issue on this platform. "A good meeting of the ConsultativeCommittee on ExternalAffairs today on India's foreign policy objectives in the G-20 was somewhat marred by some members needlessly politicising the discussion. @RahulGandhi robustly responded to them & it ended with an amicable group photograph," congress MP, Dr Shashi Tharoor tweeted after the meeting. "There is no doubt that Mr Gandhi used this platform because he came under tremendous pressure in the wake of the backlash seen in Parliament and among the public over his remarks in London," a BJP MP present at the meeting told ANI. Sources further told ANI that EAM Jaishankar took offence to Rahul over his statement that Indian democracy was in danger. However, the Congress MP said he stands by what he said about the state of Indian democracy in the present day. After a point, the government representatives asked Rahul to cut down his response and stick to the subject despite being allowed to make his point very briefly. "When Mr Gandhi wanted to comment, he was allowed by the External Affairs Minister to briefly make his remark. But the moment Mr Gandhi started making it into a long speech and give it political overtones, Mr Jaishankar asked him to cut his speech short," another source told ANI. Saturday's meeting was attended by EAM S Jaishankar, MoS MEA V Muraleedharan, Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Dr Shashi Tharoor, TMC was represented by Shatrughan Sinha, BJD by Sujeet Kumar, UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and RJD MP Prem Chandra was also present. BJP MPs GVL Narasimha Rao, Dt Rajdeep Roy, Mahesh Jethmalani and Anil Firojia were among those who attended the meeting. Senior MEA officials were also present at the meeting. The recent remarks made by Rahul Gandhi in London drew sharp criticism from the BJP government at the Centre, with several ministers and senior leaders of the ruling party gunning for him. Leading the charge against him BJP president JP Nadda, Ministers Anurag Thakur, Smriti Irani and Kiren Rijiju, held press conferences demanding an apology from Rahul over his remarks, which they said would be tantamount to maligning the country's image overseas. Last week, both Houses of the Parliament saw a washout, with the opposition reiterating their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the report by US short-seller Hindenburg Research against the Adani Group and the treasury benches raising the pitch, demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his London remarks. Late last week, Rahul met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, requesting time to clarify his position on the floor of the Lower House. (ANI) The cremation took place at his native village Bommalaramaram. Earlier, the mortal remains of Lt Col Reddy were kept at his residence in Malkajgiri, Hyderabad to pay respects. Army chief, General Manoj Pande laid a wreath and paid homage along with his wife Archana Pande, and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family at his residence in the morning. Southern Army Commander Lt Gen AK Singh also paid floral tributes to the braveheart. The mortal remains of Lt Col Reddy arrived Friday night at Air Force Station Begumpet from Arunachal Pradesh by a service aircraft where rich tributes were paid by the Station Commander, Brigadier K Somashankar along with officers of military and civil administration. Lt Col Reddy and Major Jagannath of Army Aviation lost their lives in the line of duty on March 16 in an Army chopper crash in Arunachal Pradesh during an operational sortie. --IANS ms/vd A A ( 196 Words) 2023-03-18-21:38:04 (IANS) A day after the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar allowed Muslim employees to leave early during the month of Ramzan, BJP's state unit president Sanjay Jaiswal on Saturday said "the Bihar government is working on the agenda of the banned organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) to make India a Muslim country till 2047". The General Administration Department of the Bihar government on Friday granted permission to Muslim employees to come one hour before the scheduled office hours and leave one hour early during the month of Ramzan. On this, Jaiswal said: "Ram Navami is coming up and we have demanded leave for Hindu employees as well." "The Bihar government is running on the agenda of PFI. It has been working on the policy of minority appeasement," he said. Criticising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the BJP leader said "he is functioning according to the wishes of RJD". "This is the reason why the Bihar government is running on the policy of Muslim appeasement. The 'Paltimar' (U-turn) records of Nitish Kumar are very impressive. He continues to execute his 'Paltimar' programme in Bihar for which he deserves a Nobel Prize," Jaiswal said. Reacting to the Bihar BJP chief's remarks, JD-U national president Lalan Singh said: "Nitish Kumar has been running the government in Bihar for 17 years... social and communal harmony is well maintained here. He makes decisions according to people's needs and convenience. The BJP is trying to disturb communal and religious harmony." --IANS ajk/pgh ( 258 Words) 2023-03-18-21:44:03 (IANS) In a big jolt to Andhra Pradesh's ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won all three Legislative Council seats from graduates' constituencies which went to polls on March 13. The main opposition party received a big boost with victories in north Andhra, east Rayalaseema, and west Rayalaseema graduates' constituencies. In a neck and neck contest, the TDP bagged West Rayalaseema (Kadapa-Anantapur-Kurnool districts), which is considered a stronghold of the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP. TDP candidate Bhumireddy Ramagopal Reddy defeated his nearest rival V. Ravindra Reddy of YSRCP by 7,543 second preference votes. No candidate secured a majority in first preference votes but in the elimination round, there was a close contest between the TDP and the YSRCP. The opposition party candidate surged ahead in the elimination round to win the seat. Returning officer S. Nagalakshmi announced that TDP's Ramgopal Reddy polled 1,09,781 votes while YSRCP's Ravindra Reddy secured 1,02,238 votes. Counting of votes which began at 8 a.m. on Thursday was completed around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Alleging that there were irregularities in counting of votes, the YSRCP candidate and other leaders demanded re-counting. The returning officer told them to give in writing if they have any objection. Earlier, the TDP won North Andhra and East Rayalaseema seats. TDP candidate Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao won North Andhra (Srikakulam-Vizianagaram-Visakhapatnam) seat by a margin of 34,836 votes over the YSRCP candidate. TDP's Kancharla Srikanth Chowdhary was elected from East Rayalaseema (Prakasam-Nellore-Chittoor) with a margin of 34,110 votes over the YSRCP candidate. The defeat in all three graduates' constituencies is being seen as a major setback for the ruling party as they were spread in 108 of the total 175 Assembly segments. This was also the first big defeat for the YSRCP, which had swept all the elections since 2019. In the MLC polls, the YSRCP won both teachers' constituencies (East Rayalaseema and West Rayalaseema) and four local body segments. Meanwhile, TDP President and former Chief Minister T. Chandrababu Naidu described the victory of his party in three graduates' constituencies a public victory. "A sign of change. The way to good. Auspicious for the state," Naidu tweeted. "Congratulations to the three candidates who won the MLC elections. Thanks to the people who won. Salute to the activists and leaders who stood against YCP irregularities in the elections," added Naidu withA hashtag ByeByeJaganIn2024. --IANS ms/vd ( 411 Words) 2023-03-18-22:16:03 (IANS) A total of 78 persons have been arrested so far, while, several others have been detained. Several, including Amritpal Singh, are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them, the police said in a statement on Twitter. "During the state-wide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver and 373 live cartridges of different caliber have been recovered so far. "'Waris Punjab De' elements are involved in four criminal cases relating to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police persons and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duties of public servants. FIR stands registered for the attack on Ajnala Police Station," it added. --IANS vg/vd ( 155 Words) 2023-03-18-22:52:01 (IANS) According to officials, the bus met with an accident on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway near Bavdhan in Pune. "The injured people were admitted to a hospital," said an official. Pune Fire Brigade officers and police personnel were at the spot at the time of filing this report. Further details are awaited. Earlier, on Saturday, several passengers were injured after a bus met with an accident in the Gori Pora area in J&K's Pulwama district. Speaking to ANI, one of the passengers from Bihar said, "After Awantipura, the driver increased the speed of the bus and lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the accident. The driver ran away from the accident spot." "Around 50-52 people were inside the bus at the time of the accident. Of them, 3-4 persons are critical and several more sustained injuries," he added. Meanwhile, all the injured were admitted to the district hospital in Pampore. In another incident on March 5, at least five people were injured after a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus rolled down a hill in the Idukki district, police said. The incident took place near Neriyamangalam in the Idukki district. The injured were admitted to a hospital in Neriyamangalam in Kerala, they said. According to reports, the KSRTC bus enroute from Thiruvananthapuram and bound for Munnar rolled down a hill in Villanchira village. (ANI) A Delhi court has ordered framing of charges against Rajdhani School owner Faisal Farooq and 18 others for their alleged involvement in arson, attempt to murder, and criminal conspiracy during the 2020 Delhi riots. Additional Sessions Judge, Karkardooma court, Pulastya Pramachala was hearing the case in which a mob, after alleged instigation by Farooq, torched the DRP School and adjoining properties near Shiv Vihar Tiraha on February 24, 2020. The 18 accused persons were reportedly part of the riotous mob. Dayalpur police station had registered an FIR against Farooq, Shahrukh Malik, Shahnawaz, Rashid, Mohd. Faisal, Mohd. Sohaib, Shahrukh, Azad, Ashraf Ali, Parvez, Aarif, Sirajuddin, Faizan, Irshad, Anis Qureshi, Mohd. Parvez, Mohd. Illyas, Mohd. Furkan, and Mohd. Ansar. "Faisal's school was made a base by this mob and Faisal did allow this. Arrangements were also made in his school to throw petrol bombs etc. by catapults. All these acts of accused Faisal show that he had a meeting of mind with other members of this mob (wherein other accused persons were member with other unidentified persons) for facilitating attack against properties of Hindus and DRP School," according to prosecution. He also made allegedly provocative statement against Hindus, which had the effect of encouraging hatred between community of Hindu and Muslim, as per the prosecution. The prosecution has placed on the record a list of articles, as provided by the complainant, which were allegedly damaged in this case. "The statement of witnesses from DRP School do show that articles were damaged and burnt inside the school. Members of the mob were determined to harm Hindus by all means, including to kill them. Accordingly, mob was also determined to cause loss to DRP School by all means," stated the court in its order issued on Friday. "I find that (all) accused persons are liable to be tried for offences punishable under Sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 307 (attempt to murder), 153A (punishment for promoting enmity between different groups on the ground of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.), 395 (dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 427 (punishment for committing mischief and thereby causing loss or damage to the amount of Rs fifty or upwards), 435 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to an amount of 100 rupees or upwards), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house, etc.) and 450 (house-trespass in order to the committing of any offence punishable with imprisonment for life) of the IPC," the judge said. "All accused except for Farooq were also liable to be tried under Sections 147, 148,153 A, 395,427, 435, 436, 450, 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC read with sections 120 B, 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) and 188 ( disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC," the judge added. "Faisal Farooq is also liable to be tried for offence punishable under Sections 147, 148, 307, 395, 427, 435, 436, 450 of the IPC read with 120 B of the IPC, and for the offence punishable under sections 153A and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief) of the IPC and accused Mohd. Ansar is also liable to be tried for offences punishable under section 25 & 27 Arms Act." the judge said. --IANS spr/vd ( 590 Words) 2023-03-18-23:10:04 (IANS) Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday saying that the democratic backbone or structure of India remains intact and will stand the test of time regardless of "illogical opinion" passed freely both within the country and on foreign soil. Borrowing the saying that "Facts are sacred and opinion is free", the Union minister said, "The democratic structure of our great country will always remain what it is. No matter how unsubstantiated and illogical some of the opinions given both within the country and abroad are, our democracy will stand the test of time." On aspersions cast on India's democracy and media freedom by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to the UK, Thakur said, "These days, the word 'democracy' is being thrown around a lot in public discourse. A time-honoured tradition in India and elsewhere in the free world has been reduced to a fashion statement by those who have constantly tried to weaken our democracy and institutions. Violators are now pretending to be the victims." "We must remember that, unlike Western countries, democracy is not an artificial implant in India. It is an integral and indestructible part of our civilisational history," he said. While pointing out that the advent of newer technologies presents a unique opportunity to break barriers, the minister said, "There lurks the danger of 'Digital Colonialism' on platforms run by algorithms coded offshore behind the walls of transparency." "We must remain cautious not to accept anything and everything in the name of innovation and modernity", he said, adding, "Foreign publications, companies and organisations with inherent anti-India bias, and peddling distorted facts, must be identified and called out." "it is here that the Indian media, which understands the ground reality, will have to play a crucial role," Thakur said. The Union minister was addressing a gathering at the Valedictory ceremony of the Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi's centenary celebrations in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other dignitaries. Urging the media to remain cautious, the Union minister said they must desist from giving its space intentionally or unintentionally to such voices and narratives that have the potential to threaten the integrity of India. Referring to the recent attack and ransacking of the offices and studios of a prominent news organisation in Kerala, Thakur said, "Such outrageous assaults weaken democracy and its institutions". (ANI) Tiwari, a former mayor of Asansol, was arrested by officers of the Asansol Durgapur Commissionerate in connection with a stampede during a blanket distribution program in December, which claimed the lives of three people. On December 14, a stampede took place in the Asansol district during a blanket distribution ceremony featuring the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari. Last year, a team from Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate reached Tiwari's residence to investigate the December 14 stampede. Following the incident, Asansol Police said the blanket distribution programme was organised without seeking necessary permission from the police. "A blanket distribution programme was arranged without seeking permission of the police. A stampede took place at the programme, resulting in the death of 3 people and injuries to five more. We'll investigate the matter and take action," Asansol Commissioner of Police (CP) SK Neelakantam had said following the incident. BJP had blamed the stampede on a conspiracy by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Speaking to ANI following the incident, BJP leader and Bishnupur MP Saumitra Khan said the stampede was the fallout of a conspiracy by the TMC to frame Adhikari. "The TMC has repeatedly tried to frame Suvendu Adhikari," the MP had said. He alleged that some criminals visited the spot after the BJP leader left and triggered the stampede. (ANI) "Three persons died, and the family that came to get a blanket suddenly got so rich. They're hiring lawyers in the High Court and Supreme Court. This is a political conspiracy. Mamata Banerjee is scared that she's losing people's support," Majumdar while referring to a stampede, which claimed the lives of three persons during a blanket distribution program in December 2022. He also added that West Bengal police should visit Uttar Pradesh and learn how they work there. "This is a political stunt, Mamata Banerjee's police that sold teachers' jobs and collected crores of rupees couldn't arrest those accused in this scam. Bengal police should go to Uttar Pradesh and see their state", Majumdar said while speaking to ANI. His remarks come a day after West Bengal Police arrested BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari in connection to the stampede incident. Tiwari, former mayor of Asansol, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh's Yamuna Expressway by officials of the Asansol Durgapur Commissionerate on Saturday. On December 14, a stampede had broken out in the Asansol district of West Bengal, during the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari's blanket distribution ceremony. According to the district police, the distribution program was arranged without seeking police permission, during which a stampede situation happened. "Three people died in it and 5 were injured," the police had said. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a caveat application in the Supreme Court on the Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha's plea challenging the summons issued by the probe agency against her in connection to Delhi excise policy case. A Caveat application is filed by a litigant to ensure that no adverse order is passed against them without being heard. Kavitha, who is the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has approached the Supreme court saying that as per norms, a woman cannot be summoned for questioning before ED in office and her questioning should take place at her residence. On March 15, the Supreme Court agreed to hear Kavitha's plea challenging the summons of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 24. ED has asked the MLC to appear again before it on March 16, but she did not appear citing that her plea is pending in SC. The court has agreed to hear her petition on March 24 in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged irregularities in the Delhi excise policy case. The advocate for Kavitha said that a woman is now being summoned by ED for questioning and that it is "completely against the law". Kavitha's lawyer mentioned the plea before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and sought an urgent hearing on her petitions. The court agreed to list it on March 24. The court asked what was the urgency in the matter, and the lawyer replied that Kavitha has been asked to appear before ED tomorrow. In a petition filed through advocate Vandana Sehgal, Kavitha has urged the top court to quash the ED summons dated March 7 and 11, stating that asking her to appear before the agency office instead of her residence is contrary to the settled tenets of criminal jurisprudence and thus, wholly unsustainable in law being violative of the Proviso to Section 160 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973. She has also sought that all procedures carried out by ED, including those in relation to the recording of statements be audio or videographed in the presence of her lawyer at a visible distance inter-alia by way of installation of appropriate CCTV cameras. She has also sought to set aside impounding order dated March 11, 2023, and declare the seizure made thereunder null and void. In the petition, she said, "Despite the petitioner, Kavitha not being named in the FIR, certain members of the incumbent ruling political party at the centre made scandalous statements linking the petitioner to the Delhi Excise Policy and the said FIR." "The political conspiracy against the petitioner (K Kavitha) unfortunately did not end with judicial intervention by way of the Suit. The Enforcement Directorate filed a remand application qua one of the accused on November 30, 2022, before the concerned Court. This remand application contained the personal contact details of the petitioner. There was no rhyme or reason to include the personal contact details of the petitioner in a remand application which did not even concern the petitioner. The act is all the more egregious considering the petitioner is a lady," BRS leader said. "The subsequent events are extremely shameful and in the belief of the petitioner, were orchestrated by the Enforcement Directorate at the behest of the members of the incumbent ruling party at the centre, as part of a larger conspiracy against the petitioner," she said. K Kavitha further added that the said remand application containing the contact details of the Petitioner was leaked to the media and the public. "The remand application was shared extensively over social media. Such an act is petty, illegal, and an unfortunate reflection upon the malicious conduct of the Enforcement Directorate in consonance with the political party in power at centre," Kavitha said. She also said that ED has also denied her request seeking to be examined at her residence, and the probe agency made a categorical statement that "there is no provision under the PMLA for the recording of statements at any persons' residence". "That immediately thereafter on March 8, 2023, at 11:03 pm, the Petitioner sent an email asserting her rights to be examined at her residence. However, the Petitioner after reserving her rights intimated to the Respondent that she will appear before them on March 11, 2023," Kavitha added. (ANI) Refuting claims about filing the nomination for the election to the post of AIADMK's general secretary, O Panneerselvan (OPS) faction on Saturday said that a petition has been filed in the Madras High Court against the poll. The election to the post of general secretary of AIADMK is slated to take place on March 26. In a statement on Saturday, the OPS-faction stated, "Against the AIADMK bylaw, the election to the post of General Secretary was announced which is illegal. We have filed a petition against this in Madras High Court which is to be heard on Sunday." The statement further added, "Meanwhile few people are spreading the news that AIADMK Coordinator O Pannerselvam has also filed nomination for the General Secretary post. This is only to create confusion among the cadres. This is totally false news." Earlier, AIADMK had announced that the polls to elect the Party's General Secretary will be held on March 26. A release signed by the party's election officers, R Vishwanathan and Pollachi Jeyaraman, stated, "(The) General Secretary would be elected by primary members of the party and candidates can file their nominations from. The last day for filing nominations is March 19 and scrutiny of nominations will be held on March 20. Candidates can withdraw their nominations till 3 pm on March 21. The election will be held on March 26 and counting of votes will take place on March 27." "It is also noted that according to the AIADMK Party bylaw 20(A) section 2, the party General Secretary would be elected by the primary members of the party. And also Interested cadres can get the application from the party headquarters in Royapettah on payment of Rs 25,000," the statement read. Earlier in March, the Madras High Court refused to pass an interim order on a plea by former chief minister O Panneerselvam's confidante, Manoj Pandian, seeking an interim stay on the resolutions passed at the AIADMK General Council meeting on July 11 last year. At the meeting, Edapaddi Palaniswami (EPS) was made the interim general secretary of the party. Since the death of former chief minister and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary J Jayalalithaa, the party had a dual leadership, with OPS and EPS leading the AIADMK as coordinator and joint coordinator respectively. However, recently, disputes arose between both leaders, with the EPS group pressing for a single leadership. (ANI) The Assam government suspended IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma, secretary to the Assam government, Agriculture Department in connection with a case of financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds during her tenure as the Executive Chairman cum Director, SCERT, said a notification issued by the Personal (A) Department of Assam government on Saturday. According to the notification, the report received from the Department of School Education vide letter eCF No. 221279/227 dated 18-03-2023, found that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS- 2010), Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Agriculture Department opened 5 (five) Bank Accounts without the approval of the Government of Assam during her tenure as the Executive Chairman cum Director, SCERT. "It has also been reported that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department, the then Executive Chairman cum Director, SCERT was the sole signatory and FRBM rules were not followed in respect of the above mentioned 5 (five) numbers of bank accounts whereas it has also been reported that a report of Enquiry on the functioning of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) under SCERT found financial irregularities and very credible references of misappropriation of fund," said in the notification copy. It also stated that the Governor of Assam is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to place Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Agriculture Department under suspension from service with immediate effect. "Now therefore, pending drawal of Departmental Proceeding Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Agriculture is placed under suspension under rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969 with immediate effect. During the period of suspension, the headquarter of Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010) shall be Guwahati," said in the government notification copy. Earlier in the day, four Assam Civil Service (ACS) officers namely Munindra Bardoloi, Sharmistha Borah, Sukanya Bora and Hemanta Kumar Dutta were also suspended by the Assam government after the Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell found a number of irregularities and anomalies in the execution of works and utilization of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division (MPLAD) fund of Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, said the notification issued by the Personal (A) Department of Assam Government on Saturday. (ANI) "Visiting the iconic Vivekananda Rock memorial is a memorable experience for me. I marvel at the greatness of the late Eknath Ranade Ji who was behind the building of the spiritually charged complex", tweeted the President's official Twitter handle. President Murmu appreciated the devotion of the people who are spreading the message of Swamiji through the activities of Vivekananda Kendra. "I feel blessed to have a feel of the great ennobling mission of Swami Vivekananda in this place," President Murmu said. President Murmu on Friday graced a civic reception hosted in her honour by the Kerala government and released 'Chuvadu', a booklet on 'Kudumbasree', one of the largest women's self-help networks in the world. Addressing the gathering, the President said that Kerala's lush green forests, beautiful beaches and backwaters, fascinating hills, lovely lakes, ambling rivers, swaying coconut trees and rich biodiversity make it 'God's Own Country'. President Murmu has been currently on a week's visit to Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep from March 16 to March 21. (ANI) Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday hit out at Delhi Police after a team led by Special CP (Law and Order) visited Rahul Gandhi's residence to seek information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Talking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh said, "It has been 45 days since Bharat Jodo Yatra ended. They (Delhi police) are going for questioning after 45 days. If they are so much concerned why didn't they go to him in February?" He also added that Rahul Gandhi's legal team will respond to the matter as per law. The Special CP Law and Order Sagar Preet Hooda arrived at the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi early on Sunday in connection to a notice served to him by the police to seek information on the alleged sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Talking to the media, CP Hooda said, "We've come here to talk to him. Rahul Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar on Jan 30 that during the Yatra he met several women and they told him that they had been raped. We're trying to get details from him so that justice can be given to victims". "It is important for us to know whether there was any woman of Delhi who conveyed her message to Rahul Gandhi, this is a serious matter. There might be a possibility of the involvement of minors also," the CP added. Hooda said, "Earlier on March 15 also we had come to meet Rahul Gandhi but were not able to meet him. Then on the 16th we came to Rahul Gandhi's residence and gave notice that we'll come today". "It is important for us to know Rahul Gandhi's side so that the victims can get justice," he added. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made Delhi Police wait for hours when they went to hand over a notice to the Wayand MP seeking information on the sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Kashmir in January. ''On March 15, a team of Delhi Police team waited for three hours to give notice to Rahul Gandhi on his statement made in Srinagar regarding an alleged sexual assault with women. Even after waiting for three hours, Rahul Gandhi did not meet the police team," sources told ANI. "Senior officers of the Delhi Police again visited his residence on March 16 to give notice to him which was personally received by him after one-and-a-half hours," they added. (ANI) As efforts are underway in Punjab to nab the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, four 'suspects' were brought to Dibrugarh on Sunday amid tight security. A 27-member team of Punjab Police, reached the Mohanbari airport in Dibrugarh by a special Air Force aircraft on Sunday. The four accused will be kept in the Dibrugarh Central Jail, the police said. However, the police didn't confirm any connection of the four accused with the Amritpal Singh case. "There are four people, and they will be kept in Dibrugarh Central Jail. We will disclose their names later," SP Ajnala Police, Tejbir Singh Hundal told the media. The development comes, as the Punjab Police has launched a massive crackdown against the 'Waris De Punjab' chief, and is making efforts to nab him. Earlier in the day, the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab, was extended till March 20 (12:00 hours). Previously the central agency sources informed that Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is an alleged advisor and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by the authorities on Sunday. A heavy police force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar. The security has also been enhanced across the state as the Khalistani sympathiser outfit chief is currently on the run, as per the police. Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal, on Saturday late evening, confirmed that the radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal's close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. (ANI) The Union Minister For Culture, Tourism, and Development of North Eastern Region, G Kishan Reddy on Sunday visited Swapnalok Complex in Secunderabad where six people were killed in a massive fire incident on Thursday. He also inspected the scene along with the officials. Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister said, "There has been an increase in fire incidents in the Secunderabad constituency. We have requested the GHMC, local administration, and state government to take special precautions to stop these accidents. This is the 14th such incident. There have been 3 incidents in the area recently and around 29 people have lost their lives in these accidents." With the issues of the rescue team, the Union Minister said that Secunderabad is the first place in the city to get commercial complexes. The buildings have become very old around 30-50 years old. The lifetime of the electrical wirings in these buildings is also over. The illegal constructions here are causing hurdles for relief works during fire accidents. All these things should be noted. "The Indian Government is ready to provide any amount of help to the state government through the Disaster Management Department to prevent these incidents. The Prime Minister upon my request has decided to give financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs each to the 6 families of the deceased in this incident," said the Minister. Earlier, as many as six people were killed, while seven others were rescued after a massive fire broke out at a residential complex in Telangana's Secunderabad on Thursday evening, informed officials on Friday. According to North Zone DCP Chandana Deepthi, four girls and two boys lost their lives in the incident. "Six people, including four girls and two boys, died in the fire. They were inside the complex when the fire broke out. By the time they were taken out, they were critical and were declared dead on being taken to a hospital. We also managed to rescue 7 people," officials said. (ANI) As the influenza H3N2 cases have started to rise rapidly in the country after Covid cases dipped, experts are of the opinion that people need to be careful, but there is no need to panic if precautions are taken on time. Talking about the symptoms of the virus, Dr Anupam Sibal, a senior doctor of Delhi's Apollo Hospital, told ANI that the symptoms are similar to Covid but are staying for longer periods of time. "From time to time, changes are seen in the virus. The symptoms of the influenza virus are appearing after corona, although its symptoms are almost similar to corona. The common symptoms are cough, cold and fever. But in this virus, it is seen that patients are having the symptom for a long time due to which it is spreading rapidly," he said. He added, "In such a situation, it is necessary that the precautions, we were following during Corona, the habits we started, should be followed. Wearing a mask, and keeping hands clean. Along with this, if symptoms like cough, cold, or fever are seen in a person, then it is very important to avoid coming in contact with that person". Pediatrician Dr Sibal, Apollo Hospital has emphasised that children should be taken special care of against the virus. "The parents should keep in mind that if they are sending children to school or for playing outside, they should make sure they are not suffering from cough and cold. There should be no symptoms like fever and if any child has such symptoms, then other children should not come in contact with him. Special focus should be laid towards cleanliness because, through cleanliness and good eating habits, you can stay away from this type of virus. Send children to school only wearing masks, and keep their hands clean," he said. Neurologist Dr Aditya Bhati of Apollo Hospital believes that these types of viruses are also affecting people neurologically. "Although the virus affects all organs of a human being, but more effects are being seen on the brain, in cases like brain stroke, and brain haemorrhage. The virus can vasculate anywhere in the whole body. Because of this, our nerves become thin and then the virus starts building in the brain as well. In the last few years, such cases have come to the fore, although their number is not high". He said that the reason why this type of virus has more effect on people's minds is that today people are under a lot of stress. "We always run, wake up for the office in the morning, then run again, there is a lack of time management, and most of us don't follow healthy lifestyles. We are not able to do this, there is no routine of eating and drinking, and walking exercises have reduced a lot, which affects us both physically and mentally. It is very important to balance everything for a healthy lifestyle so that we can be healthy both physically and mentally," Dr Bhati further said. (ANI) Seven people arrested in connection with an FIR registered related to Ajnala incident, in which Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters, carrying swords and guns, stormed a police station, were remanded to police custody till March 23, the police said on Sunday. Last month, Amritpal Singh and his supporters, carrying swords and guns, stormed a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of the Amritsar city and clashed with police for the release of one of his aides Lovepreet Singh. "Seven people arrested in Ajnala FIR remanded to police custody till March 23," Baes SP Amritsar Rural Jugraj Singh told ANI. All the arrested accused were taken to the court on Sunday morning where they were sent to police custody. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Satinder Singh earlier said that seven of Amritpal's associates have been arrested in connection with the possession of illegal weapons under the provisions of the Arms Act. "We registered a fresh FIR last night under the Arms Act in which Amritpal is the key accused. All seven are also accused in this fresh FIR," Singh informed. He further said that six 12-bore weapons have been recovered from them and all weapons are illegal. However, the hunt is on to catch Amritpal who gave the police a slip when his cavalcade was intercepted in the Jalandhar district on Saturday. Police had earlier registered an FIR against Amritpal and his associates in the February 23 Ajnala incident. However, as a massive search operation continued on the second day on Sunday to nab the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, four 'suspects' were brought to Dibrugarh on Sunday amid tight security. A 27-member team of Punjab Police, reached the Mohanbari airport in Dibrugarh by a special Air Force aircraft on Sunday. Internet services, which were suspended across the state till March 19, has been extended till March 20. Earlier in the day, the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab, was extended till March 20 (12:00 hours). (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his family members offered prayers at the Somnath temple in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district on Sunday. Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat for various public events, visited the Somnath Temple on the second day of his visit. Earlier on Saturday, he attended the 49th dairy industry convention in Gandhinagar and said that after independence India's milk production has increased 10 times. "From 1970 to 2022 India's population has increased 4-fold and our milk production has increased 10 times due to our dairy sector," said Shah. Later in the day, he also attended the convocation ceremony of the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, wherein he emphasised on the importance of the mother tongue and urged people to get out of the "inferiority complex" in using it. The Home Minister also lauded the New Education Policy and said that it incorporates the thoughts of great men like BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and others. "In the New Education Policy, it also includes the thoughts of Sayari Rao regarding accessible education, the thoughts of Sardar Patel on women empowerment, and the thoughts of BR Ambedkar regarding education for knowledge. Do anything in your life, but do not leave your mother tongue. Get out of the inferiority complex that you will not be accepted by your language. Language is an expression," Shah said. "If any person thinks in his own language, he thinks well. If he conducts his research, the capability of his research increases manifold. There can be no bigger medium of personality building than the mother tongue. I urge all of you to come out of the inferiority complex," he added detailing the benefits of using mother tongue. The Home Minister also cited his interactions with the people from foreign countries and said that they do not know which was the native language of their country. "I meet people of foreign countries. When they talk in English with me, I ask them which was the language of your country. They look down a little, we do not even know which was the language of our country. We have the best literature, grammar and poems in our languages. This is why PM Modi has made mother tongue (language) compulsory under the new education policy," he said. Shah recalled Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said that the world remembers him today because of his selflessness. "It is an important day. It is today when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had entered Burma. When he entered Burma, he had said that I am stepping into a free India. It is the history of the world that it remembers only those who succeed. Netaji did not succeed, but the world respects him even today because he never did anything for himself," he had said. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party Tamil Nadu chief K Annamalai on Sunday said on Sunday that he wants to do clean politics and not politics in which there is heavy influence of money. The State BJP chief's statements came during the inauguration of the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam programme, held in Chennai. Union Ministers Anurag Thaukur and Mansukh Mandaviya were also present during the occasion. Taking note of the heavy influence of money in Tamil Nadu during elections, the BJP leader said that he is fed up with such politics. "I have started to make the decision that I should be in good and clean politics. If I need to change myself for present politics I don't wish to be in such politics," he said. Annamalai added that at present no one can contest an election in the State without giving money. "Personally and as a BJP cadre and as a BJP State President I don't have the wish to face such elections," he added. 'The level of influence of money in Tamil Nadu elections is becoming unsustainable, we can't have elections like this. Pampering voters with money and gifts cannot bring clean governance in decades," he told reporters here. He also suggested that politics should be without the influence of money. "After two years, I understood that politics should be without money and in the right way or else in Tamil Nadu, there won't be a change in 1,000 years," he said. Noting the Assembly elections in the Aravakurichi constituency, wherein the BJP leader lost, he said that he lost his savings of nine years [used in poll campaigning]. "I lost my nine years of savings during the Aravakurichi election. After the election, I am in debt," Annamalai said. He also said that to fight the Parliament elections in the State, it takes around Rs 80 crore to Rs 120 crore. "I am not saying that all party is giving money, but this doesn't display clean politics," he added. (ANI) Despite imposition of Section 144 in several districts of Punjab, officials of the Ludhiana Rural Police on Sunday detained 15 persons, accused of agitating in support of the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, who is on the run. "A total of 15 persons have been detained from Boparai Kalan village for violating Section 144. All the people attempted to stage a protest in support of Amritpal Singh," Inspector General (IG), Ludhiana Range, Kastubh Sharma said. He said that a group of religious organizations were denied permission to stage a protest here, but today again they attempted to agitate despite an order regarding the prohibition of assembly, Section 144, having been enforced. Action will be taken further in the matter, the police officer said, adding that the uniformed personnel are staging a flag march in the district. Earlier in the day, the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab, was extended till Monday noon. Punjab Police on Saturday launched an operation against Amritpal Singh and his aides. Police later, while stating that 78 persons were arrested in operation and several were detained for questioning, said that the Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh was still on the run and a massive manhunt was launched to nab him. Previously the central agency sources informed that Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is an alleged advisor and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by the authorities on Sunday. Meanwhile, a heavy police force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's residence in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar. Security has also been enhanced across the state, as per the police. Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal, on Saturday late evening, confirmed that the radical leader had been declared a "fugitive". The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal's close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. (ANI) According to officials, the accused has been identified as Upendra Sahni. Earlier, Tamil Nadu Public Sector Secretary D Jagannathan termed the news of the alleged assault on North Indian migrant labourers in the southern state as "false propaganda" to disrupt the state's relationship with Bihar. Jagannathan also held a consultation meeting with state officials regarding the matter. Tamil Nadu's Cyber Crime Police Station Senior Inspector A Chithradevi along with his team reached Muzaffarpur and arrested the accused on Saturday. This is the second arrest in the fake viral video case. Earlier, Manish Kashyap was arrested by the police. Upendra will be taken to Tamil Nadu on transit remand after being produced in the court, an official statement said. Inspector Manoj Shah from Sadar Police Station said, "A youth named Upendra Sahni has been arrested from the Sadar police station area. He has been arrested in the video viral case of Tamil Nadu." Talking to the media, Jagannathan had said, "Northern state workers are working in Tamil Nadu in a good state. We are providing adequate support to them on behalf of Tamil Nadu. Highlighting the viral video of labourers from Bihar allegedly attacked in Tamil Nadu, Jagannathan said, "This false propaganda is being carried out to disrupt the relationship between the two states without citing the intelligence agency." "Bihar government officials also met Bihar association representatives in person and sought their views. The members of the business associations, hotels and trade unions also participated in this consultation meeting and gave their opinions", he added. Bihar State Rural Development Department Secretary IAS Balamurugan also expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for their cooperation. "We are grateful to the Tamil Nadu government. We also spoke to the workers working in Tamil Nadu from Bihar over the phone. Tamil Nadu government is providing full cooperation to dispel the belief that fake videos are authentic," Balamurgan said. (ANI) A seminar "Nowruz Celebration: The message of Peace and Love" was organised to promote values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighbourliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among peoples and different communities in the Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Sunday, a statement said. Through the Seminar, the statement claimed, "People learnt many new things about the Sufi Saints and became aware how the Shia community who are grossly the followers of Sufism are targeted through sectarian violence in the neighbouring country". In the seminar Molana Mushtaq Ul Haq, a religious scholar deliberated upon the Nowruz celebration and its cultural significance among different communities in the world including India. "He also stressed that Nowruz is considered an important day to do good deeds and speak good words with the family and neighbours". Addressing the gathering in the seminar, Agha Syed Showket Madani, a religious scholar said that the celebration of Nowruz plays a significant role in strengthening the ties among peoples based on mutual respect and the ideals of peace and good neighbourhoods. While as Agha Syed Mubashir, a religious scholar said that the Nowruz celebration is the message of peace and co-existence and should be celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm. "He described Nowruz as the festival of moderation and the most ancient dynamic tradition of our common history and its message is peace, cohabitation and empathy". Aijaz Mustafa Malik, a political activist said that the Nowruz marks the first day of spring and is celebrated on the 21st of March every year. "It is used to celebrate the new beginnings and the return of spring which is of great spiritual significance as it symbolises the triumph of good over evil". Qazi Abdul Rasheed, a political activist, said that the celebration of Nowruz is a perfect example of unity in diversity. "He also said that Nowruz breaks down barriers and builds bonds of trust. Everyone of us can take inspiration from this joyous holiday". Chairman of JKPJF Agha Syed Abbas Rizvi discussed the impact of festivals particularly Nowruz in bringing unity in diversity. "He stressed that the festivals perform an essential role in strengthening community feeling and national unity and it encourages us to keep attached to our origins, our society, our values, our foundation and to conserve it. He also emphasized that in India, festivals like Nowruz are celebrated with a sense of brotherhood among Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and others. It is common to see people exchanging festive foods on these festival days. This signifies communal harmony in India," he said, the statement informed. The International Day of Nowruz is celebrated on March 21 every year. The seminar was organised by Jammu and Kashmir People's Justice Front (JKPJF). A good gathering of people and students from different schools and colleges also participated in the seminar and quiz competition, it informed (ANI) The weather change in Shahjahanpur Neemrana Behrod of Alwar district has increased the problems of local farmers as heavy rain accompanied by strong wind and hail damaged crops in the region. While talking to ANI, a local resident, Mukul Singh Chauhan said, "There has been a loss in millet cultivation earlier also, but till now no compensation has been received from the government, and due to rain once again today, the concern of the farmers has increased. "There is a heavy loss in the cultivation of wheat and mustard due to the change in weather. The crop is ripe and the farmers have just harvested the crop and some crops such as Wheat and Mustard are standing. Now we only request the government to give compensation for this crop," he added. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday said, "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain are also expected in parts of Haryana and Rajasthan. IMD predicted light-intensity rain/drizzle in adjoining isolated places in South Delhi and NCR, and hail storms were predicted in the adjoining areas of Behror in Rajasthan." "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of Farukhnagar, Kosali, Mahendargarh, Rewari, Narnaul, Bawal (Haryana) Khairthal, Kotputli, Alwar, Rajgarh (Rajasthan)," IMD added. Notably, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) issued a wet weather warning of a Thunderstorm with light to moderate intensity rain for various areas of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana on Sunday. "Thunderstorms with light to moderate intensity rain would occur over and adjoining areas of Nuh, Hodal (Haryana) Nandgaon, Barsana, Jalesar, Firozabad, Shikohabad (U.P.)," RWFC, New Delhi said. "Light-intensity rain or drizzle would occur over and adjoining areas of Sahaswan, Atrauli, Badayun, Khair, Aligarh, Kasganj, Iglas, Sikandra Rao, Raya, Hathras, Mathura, Etah, Sadabad, Tundla, Mainpuri, Agra (U.P.) Deeg (Rajasthan) during the next 2 hours," added RWFC. India Meteorological Department (IMD) had on Saturday said that there will be isolated rainfall throughout the country in the next few days while heavy rain is expected in Meghalaya and Assam today. "There will be isolated rainfall throughout India. There is a yellow alert for most states of India. Orange alert for north-eastern conditions. Tomorrow we are expecting heavy rain in Meghalaya and Assam," an IMD scientist Soma Sen Roy said while speaking to ANI. An orange alert asks authorities concerned to "be prepared" to respond to any emergency situation arising out of weather change while the yellow alert signifies that the weather could change, and hence people should be vigilant. "This month we are seeing western disturbances being deep. These deep western disturbances when interacting with Indian regions with the low-level wind that generally comes due to summer heating increase the severity of thunderstorms," she added. "We expect a rising trend for the next 6-7 days, and the weather will be pleasant. There will be rainfall activity and thunderstorms in the country's eastern half. Western disturbances are moving eastwards. Severe weather will increase," she added. (ANI) The police which launched a massive manhunt on Saturday, further confirmed that Amritpal Singh is still absconding. "Punjab Police is acting within the law. Amritpal Singh is still absconding and not yet arrested," IGP Sukhchain Gill said in a video message on Sunday late evening. He also requested all citizens to maintain peace and harmony and not panic. "Don't believe the rumours and false news. Request all citizens to maintain peace and harmony and not panic," he added. Punjab Police on Saturday launched an operation against Amritpal Singh and his aides.As 78 persons were arrested in the operation and several detained for questioning, Punjab Police said that the 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh was still on the run and a massive manhunt was launched to nab him. Earlier in the day, the suspension of mobile internet and SMS services, in the territorial jurisdiction of Punjab, was extended till Monday noon. Previously the central agency sources informed that Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, who is an alleged advisor and financer of Amritpal Singh, was arrested by the authorities on Sunday. The police action came almost over three weeks after Amritpal's supporters clashed with uniformed personnel at the Ajnala police station on the outskirts of Amritsar last month, demanding the release of one of Amritpal's close aides, Lovepreet Toofan. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. Despite the imposition of Section 144 in several districts of Punjab, officials of the Ludhiana Rural Police on Sunday detained 15 persons, accused of agitating in support of Amritpal Singh. "A total of 15 persons have been detained from Boparai Kalan village for violating Section 144. All the people attempted to stage a protest in support of Amritpal Singh," Inspector General (IG), Ludhiana Range, Kastubh Sharma said. (ANI) All India Congress Committee (AICC) spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore on Sunday accused Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) of making an attempt to divert the attention from the Adani issue by sending Delhi Police to Rahul Gandhi's residence. He said, "They are only trying to divert the attention of the public from the Adani issue. He (Rahul Gandhi) has travelled over 4000 km and the people have shared their views with him in different parts of the country. Along the same lines, women shared their problems and issues with him and he shared it later with the country so what is wrong with it?" "They (BJP) just are trying to mislead the people of the country," the AICC spokesperson noted. Pledging not to be cowed down by these tactics of BJP, he said, "He (Rahul Gandhi) did not say anything wrong for the country in the UK. They (BJP) just want to divert and keep Rahul Gandhi on the attack as he gained popularity during Bharat Jodo Yatra." Lauding Rahul Gandhi for the foot march from Kanyakumari to Jammu and Kashmir, he said, "He is the main leader and after the Bharat Jodo yatra he has gained popularity and established himself as a world leader and there is no other leader in the world who has travelled over 4000 kilometres on foot for the public issues." "The Congress will continue to take up this Adani issue inside and outside the parliament. The Union Government and the BJP can adopt whatever strategy to divert this. This is the biggest scam in the country and what is wrong with setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?" questioned Kuldeep Singh Rathore. Notably, Congress leaders on Sunday accused the BJP-led central government of diverting people's attention from the Adani issue after the Special CP (L&O) Sagar Preet Hooda met Rahul Gandhi on Sunday and sought to know the names of sexual harassment victims whom he had mentioned during his Bharat Jodo Yatra. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge said they would not be scared by such actions. "To divert the people from the Adani issue, they (BJP) are asking all these questions by sending the police. Rahul Gandhi & Congress will not get scared," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said. Kharge stressed that no matter how much they (BJP) try to save Adani, they "will continue to question them". Special CP Law and Order Sagar Preet Hooda today met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice served to him by the police to seek information on the alleged sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Police said that Rahul Gandhi said he needs some time and will give the information which they asked for. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh former chief minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday said that the results in the state Legislative Council elections clearly indicate that YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) will not return to power again. "The results in the latest results of the Legislative Council elections clearly indicate that rebellion began among the voters but not a change," Chandrababu Naidu said. Thanking the voters for giving a victory to the TDP in the polling held for the Graduates constituencies in the Upper House, Chandrababu Naidu told media persons here that the results clearly indicate the anti-incumbency among the people. Terming it a people's victory, the TDP supremo said that by electing the party candidates the people have reposed complete faith and confidence in the party. Observing that the people have predicted the future of the state a couple of days before the Ugadi, Chandrababu said that the election results reflect the inconceivable pain of a government employee, the suffering of a farmer, an underprivileged, the common man and a student who are over-burdened with rising prices. "The agony of an average person living in fear under an anarchic regime is completely reflected in these election results," the former chief minister said. He further hit out at the state CM Jagan Mohan Reddy and alleged that the latter believes in "money and muscle power". "The Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, always believes in money and muscle power and in indulging in atrocities. He transformed all the elections in these four years only as selections," Mr Chandrababu said, adding that the YSRCP will soon disappear into oblivion. Terming the latest polls as a war between Jagan and the five crore people of the state, the TDP supremo said that, "The destruction that he caused to the state and the large-scale corruption will certainly teach him a fitting lesson." Chandrababu also claimed that senior IAS and IPS officers are becoming "partners" in the "crimes" being committed by Jagan. "The YSRCP will not be in power again and expressed concern that even senior IAS and IPS officers too are becoming partners in the crimes being committed by Mr Jagan. Though the courts have pulled up this government several times, the ruling party leaders have not learnt any lessons," he remarked. He slammed the YSRCP government for imposing restrictions on the opposition. "Democracy has certain checks and balances and the ruling party should follow them religiously to win the people's confidence. Are the four pillars of democracy functioning in the state now," he further said. Chandrababu also said that the executive system that is to implement the decisions taken by the legislature is totally getting "nullified". "Even the directions of the Election Commission are not being honoured and. The bureaucrats are resorting to atrocities only to win the confidence of Jagan. How dare the officials are, not to hand over the declaration form to the candidate who won the polls," the TDP supremo asked adding that the bureaucrats should be partners in progress but not partners in committing the crime. The Graduates constituencies polls covered 108 Assembly segments and 5,000 to 25,000 voters cast their ballot in each segment, the former chief minister said and stated that money, silver articles and other material were distributed to the voters everywhere. "Even voters were enrolled with fake graduate certificates," he claimed and further added, "How Jagan can dishonour the directions of the poll panel and how Ram Gopal Reddy, who was declared elected in the polls, was illegally arrested after subjecting him to torture." The TDP state unit president Atchen Naidu, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Payyavula Kesav, the party MLA Nimmakayala China Rajappa, the party politburo member Varla Ramaiah, and the former minister Kanna Laxminarayana were present at the media conference. (ANI) Punjab Police conducted a flag march to maintain law and order in the Batala city of Punjab in view of the action taken against Pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh. The public has been urged to avoid rumours on social media as police closed in on the fugitive Amritpal Singh. Earlier in the day, police said two vehicles of the pro-Khalistani leader's convoy have been seized during a hot chase in Jalandhar. SSP District Batala, police officers and BSF Jawans were present in the Flag March, they said. SSP Batala City Ashwani Gotiyal said that any 'mischievous' activity will not be 'tolerated'. Gotiyal said that elaborate security arrangements had been made in the city. "To maintain law and order, he said, BSF jawans are also involved in the flag march along with the police personnel. "Because they are definitely contributing to maintaining security," he said, adding that police are fully committed to the safety of the people. Meanwhile, narrating the hot chase in Jalandhar, during which the chief of 'Waris Punjab De', now declared fugitive Amritpal Singh, escaped, Jalandhar DIG Swapan Sharma on Sunday said that two vehicles of the pro-Khalistan leader's convoy have been seized, adding that he crashed into motorbikes to divert the police. "We were directed to nab him (Amritpal Singh). While chasing, he ended up on a one-lane link road ahead of us. While outrunning us he crashed into several motorbike riders, some were with the motive to divert us from the chase," Deputy Inspector General Swapan Sharma said. The Punjab Police were chasing Amritpal Singh, who has been declared a fugitive by Punjab Police, to nab him and his aides. The senior police officer said, "while interception in Mehatpur, a crowded market, the vehicle in front, somehow managed to flee. (ANI) But we have recovered the other two cars of his convoy."We have recovered seven illegal weapons too," he added. (ANI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday met with the traders of nearly 500 shops that were sealed for non-payment of illegal conversion and parking fees in Local Shopping Centers (LSC). The Local Shopping Center (LSC) Federation President, Rajesh Goyal, and General Secretary, Vishal Ohri, represented 106 market associations and joined the traders in the meeting today with CM Arvind Kejriwal and Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj at the CM's residence in Civil Lines. The traders apprised them of the problem of the sealing of commercial shops. LSC Federation President Rajesh Goyal stated that they had bought commercial space that was many times more expensive to avoid doing business from home. "They were first charged a hefty conversion fee, and even after the BJP promised that the conversion fee would not have to be paid by commercial shops, the battle continued," he said. LSC Federation General Secretary Vishal Ohri mentioned around 500 shops have been sealed for five years. He told CM Arvind Kejriwal that with the cooperation of MCD, their shops can be opened. Due to the previous BJP government in the MCD, traders suffered a loss of Rs 5,000 crore. After hearing the traders' concerns, Arvind Kejriwal assured them that a decision would be taken within a few days. He stated that for several years, over 500 shops belonging to these businessmen had been sealed. He instructed Urban Development Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi to solve the problems of all the traders at the earliest. CM Kejriwal also said that a solution will also be found for the ongoing sealing of markets in due time, and it will be ensured that their shops can obtain legal status by paying reasonable prices. This will prevent them from being exploited in the future, and MCD will not be able to harass them for conversion and parking charges. Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj added that there are big markets in Delhi, including the ones in Greater Kailash, South Ex, Defence Colony, Kirti Nagar, Green Park, Priya Cinema Market, etc. These are called Local Shopping Centers (LSC) in Delhi. A few years back, the MCD started serving notices to the market for conversion and parking charges that ran into lakhs of rupees. It was not easy for any shopkeeper to give such a substantial amount of money. Due to those notices, MCD sealed the operational shops, and many shopkeepers were seen crying in the videos and pictures that surfaced in 2018. MCD illegally sealed the market by bullying the traders. Even today, most of the shops in Defence Colony are sealed. Around 500 shops have been sealed by MCD all over Delhi," he said. "This decision will bring relief to the traders of Local Shopping Centers (LSC) in Delhi, who have suffered a significant financial loss due to the sealing of their shops. The government is committed to resolving this issue at the earliest, and the traders will be notified of the solution soon," Bharadwaj added. Traders informed Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that the MCD and the Delhi government have suffered a loss of about five thousand crores due to the sealing. The MCD did not earn any house tax from the sealed shops. Apart from this, the government did not get Goods and Service Tax (GST) from there. While MCD managed to recover Rs 80 crore out of Rs 120 crore, thousands of crores of revenue have been lost by the civic agency. Sharing details about the meeting, CM Arvind Kejriwal tweeted, "For the last several years, more than 500 shops of all these traders have been sealed; I have instructed UD Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi to solve the problems of all these traders as soon as possible." While, Urban Development Saurabh Bhardwaj in his Twitter post said, "Got directions from CM Arvind Kejriwal to resolve the issue of sealing in Local Shopping Centres like Def Col Mkt, GK1 & 2 Mkt, South Ex, Green Park, Vasant Lok Priya, Kirti Nagar , Meharchand Mkt. Soon we will start working on the de-sealing of 500+ shops in LSCs." (ANI) The Telangana Police have arrested two main accused from Karimnagar in Telangana after they were involved in the kidnapping of two minor girls on March 11 from Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh. According to police, the main accused in the case have been identified as Imtiaz and Chotkau alias Wasim. Both the accused are the residents of Jiganiya Mahipal Singh village, Bahraich. On the evening of March 11, two minor girls were abducted from the Ranipur area, in which a case was filed against four people, the police said, Addressing the press, Superintendent of Police (SP) Prashant Verma said, "As soon as the information about the kidnapping was received, several police teams were formed. The breakthrough came on March 11, when the girls were recovered from Thana Kotha Balli under Karimnagar, Telangana State." "Along with them, the accused Imtiaz and Chotkau, who are residents of Thana Ranipur, were arrested. A reward of Rs 15,000 each was announced for both of them. Further legal action is being taken," he added. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Sunday that the New Education Policy, which is intended to make youth global citizens, will be implemented soon. "The purpose of education is to make someone a complete man, and the new education policy will do so. If I say in simple terms, the purpose of the new education policy is to make the new generation global citizens," Shah said. Shah who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat attended the fourth convocation ceremony of Gujarat Central University here in Gandhinagar. Addressing the students at the convocation ceremony, he said, "Your batch of the Central University of Gujarat will be known as the batch of "Amrit Kaal" and with this comes a responsibility." He said, "children should know about the fight for independence. We have achieved a lot in these last 75 years. You should all know about it. And for the next 25 years, it becomes your responsibility to make India achieve great heights in the 100th year of Independence. The Union Minister also told the students that they are graduating from a land, which has historic importance. "You all should also remember that you are all graduating from the land that has a history of giving a lot to the country - such as Shri Krishna, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Patel," he added. Laying thrust on the NEP 2020, he said, "no one has protested against the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and it has been accepted by all and will be implemented soon." "I would request you all to study the new policy, especially the teachers," he said. Shah also said that the purpose of education is to make someone a complete man, and the new education policy will do so. He also said that a person can think well in the language of his/her mother tongue. Earlier on Saturday also, Shah emphasised on the importance of mother tongue and urged people to get out of the "inferiority complex" in using it adding that the mother tongue is a means of personality development. The Home Minister lauded the New Education Policy and said that it incorporates the thoughts of great men like BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and others. He made these remarks at the convocation ceremony of the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara. "In the New Education Policy, it also includes the thoughts of Sayari Rao regarding accessible education, the thoughts of Sardar Patel on women empowerment, and the thoughts of BR Ambedkar regarding education for knowledge. Do anything in your life, but do not leave your mother tongue. Get out of the inferiority complex that you will not be accepted by your language. Language is an expression," Shah said. "If any person thinks in his own language, he thinks well. If he conducts his research, the capability of his research increases manifold. There can be no bigger medium of personality building than the mother tongue. I urge all of you to come out of the inferiority complex," he added detailing the benefits of using mother tongue. The Home Minister also cited his interactions with the people from foreign countries and said that they do not know which was the native language of their country. "I meet people of foreign countries. When they talk in English with me, I ask them which was the language of your country. They look down a little, we do not even know which was the language of our country. We have the best literature, grammar and poems in our languages. This is why PM Modi has made mother tongue (language) compulsory under the new education policy," he said. Shah recalled Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and said that the world remembers him today because of his selflessness. "It is an important day. It is today when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had entered Burma. When he entered Burma, he had said that I am stepping into a free India. It is the history of the world that it remembers only those who succeed. Netaji did not succeed, but the world respects him even today because he never did anything for himself," he had said. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the first International Veterinary and Ayurveda Seminar organized at the auditorium of Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Rishikul on Sunday. Addressing the program, CM said that India has been a major country since Vedic times to implement traditional knowledge in the field of livestock health through Ayurveda. He said that the fifth Veda that is Ayurveda gives the message of "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (may all be happy and free from illness) which is an integral part of our rich ancient heritage. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his "Panchpraan" development strategy has laid emphasis on saving this rich ancient heritage and traditional knowledge to achieve the country's development goal. The Chief Minister said "Ayurveda is not only a medical method but also a way of leading an ideal life. It does not only cure diseases, but by adopting Ayurveda, we can prevent our bodies from getting sick." He said that livestock is the great strength of our country, saving is our main duty and by using Ayurveda along with human resources, we can keep our livestock free from diseases. He said, "Ayurvedic veterinary medicine is using herbal resources available in the state for disease prevention and disease control of animals." He said that we understood the importance of Ayurveda very well in the Corona period. Expressing concern over the use of antibiotics in animals more than humans at present, the Chief Minister said, "This situation is extremely harmful not only for animals but also for us, which can be controlled only by adopting Ayurveda." He said that due to the abundance of herbs in Uttarakhand, Ayurveda has more importance here. He said that Uttarakhand is blessed by nature. Many rivers flow here for twelve months and 71 per cent of the land is covered with forests and now both mountain water and youth are working in every area. "With the cooperation of the Central Government, we are continuously working in the field of Ayush and Ayurveda and are also trying to take the benefits of Ayurveda to the common people, CM Dhami said. He said that our government is working on priority for the operation of 300 Ayush health and wellness centres and the establishment of 150 Panchkarma centres. We are making efforts for this by giving wide expansion to employment and the economy through the development of Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Naturopathy. He further stated, "Our government has started a State Livestock Mission in the state, under which an investment of 60 crores has been planned. Due to this, seven thousand cattle rearers have got direct employment and ten thousand cattle rearers got indirect employment." He said that the world's richest and most efficient animal health tradition exists in the villages of Uttarakhand. This knowledge can prove to be a revolutionary step in the field of animal health. He said that our government is committed to strengthening veterinary services in Uttarakhand and serious work is being done in this direction to promote Ayurveda, the work of increasing the supply of medicines related to Ayurveda in veterinary hospitals is going on continuously "While on the one hand, we are working continuously for the goal of Antyodaya, on the other hand, with the mantra of "sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas as well as sabka prayas", many initiatives including livestock development and AYUSH are being implemented and moving forward in the areas," Dhami added. Keeping this in mind, we have made a provision of 14.15 crores for the construction of livestock, Gau Sadan in the local bodies in this budget, while a separate provision of 2.79 crores has also been made for the cow-rearing scheme, he said. The Chief Minister said that our government is continuously working under the mantra of simplification, solution, elimination and satisfaction and Uttarakhand is going to play an important role in the nectar of independence. He said that our aim is to make Uttarakhand the best state in the country and we are continuously working to achieve this goal and everyone's cooperation is expected in fulfilling the resolution without option to build the best Uttarakhand. Addressing the program, Cabinet Minister Satpal Maharaj threw detailed light on Ganga, mother cow and tourism. Speaking at the function, Swami Baba Ramdev said that the importance of the mother cow is as much as that of Ayurveda. He said that through Ayurveda it is possible to cure serious diseases and the future of Ayurveda is bright. (ANI) As the crackdown against the "fugitive" pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh continued on Sunday, Punjab Police said that the Waris Punjab De chief is still on the run and efforts to nab him are going on. "During the ongoing operations against the elements of Waris Punjab De and persons attempting to disturb peace and harmony in the state, another 34 arrests were made throughout the state on Sunday. A total of 112 persons have been arrested so far," Punjab Police said. Punjab Police on the second day of the crackdown also made preventive arrests of persons attempting to disturb peace and law and order in the state," a spokesperson of State police said. Official Spokesperson of the Punjab Police said that Amritpal Singh remains a fugitive and efforts are being made to arrest him. "Flag marches by district police and Paramilitary Forces (PMF) companies led personally by Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) have been held all over the state, he said, adding that the Peace Committee Meetings in all districts have also been held and there is complete peace and harmony in the state," the spokesperson added. The Spokesperson said that during the ongoing search operations, an abandoned ISUZU vehicle bearing registration number PB10FW 6797 has been recovered from village Salina, Police Station Mehatpur, district Jalandhar Rural. The said vehicle was used by fugitive Amritpal while police were on chase. A .315 bore rifle along with 57 live cartridges, a sword and a walkie-talkie set has been recovered from the abandoned vehicle, he said, adding that, the vehicle is owned by Manpreet Singh of village Anokharwal, SBS Nagar, who has been arrested. The spokesperson further said that strict action as per law will be taken if anyone is found spreading fake news, rumours and hate speech. All citizens, media persons and social media platform intermediaries are requested to act in a responsible manner and to fact-check the authenticity of the content being shared by them on various social media, electronic media and print media platforms, he added. He also appealed to the citizens not to pay heed to fake news and rumours and to fact-check authenticity from the police. All mischievous elements attempting to disrupt peace and harmony in the state shall be dealt with strictly, he added. Punjab Police is committed to maintaining law & order and rule of law in the state. Earlier in the day, the Punjab government extended the suspension of mobile Internet services in the State until Monday noon. Earlier on Saturday, police arrested, a total of 78 persons and detained several others for questioning. Punjab Police launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and his aides on Saturday, in the wake of a showdown between his followers and uniformed personnel outside Ajnala police station to free a member, who had been arrested in an abduction case. Tarsem Singh, Amritpal's father, said the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal. Police should have arrested him before he left home," said Tarsem Singh in an exclusive interview with ANI on Saturday. On February 23, thousands of his supporters stormed the Ajnala police station, flashing swords and high-calibre firearms and threatening the police with dire consequences if they did not release Lovepreet Toofan, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting and abducting a man. The supporters, brandishing swords and guns, broke through police barricades erected outside the Ajnala police station. The police later said "in the light of the evidence presented", it has been decided that Lovepreet Singh Toofan will be discharged. Lovepreet Singh was released from jail on February 24 following orders of a court in Ajnala on an application by the police. Reacting to the incident, chief minister Bhagwant Mann said that these "1000 people" don't represent Punjab, and alleged that they are "funded by Pakistan" to disrupt peace in the state. (ANI) The Catholic Arch Bishop Mar Joseph Pamplany has said that the migrant farmers of state's church will vote for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the next Lok Sabha elections if the ruling party at the Centre increases the rubber price by Rs 300 per kg. "If the BJP government in the centre increases the price of rubber to 300 per kg, the migrant farmers of their church will vote and make BJP win," he said on Saturday. "In a democracy, there is no place for protests that can't turn into votes. Whichever is the ruling party at the centre, we will vote for you if you increase the rubber price to Rs 300," Kerala Arch Bishop said. Addressing a public meeting, he said, "I don't wish to talk politics standing on this stage. I am not a politician. But for the survival of the migrants, we need to react politically." "It is on the Central government website that the government is going to import rubber at the cost of 2.17 dollars. It comes to around 180 Indian rupees. That means the corporates who collect rubber from farmers for Rs 120 per kg are spending Rs 180 to import rubber to prevent the increasing price of rubber here. The farmers will stand by the party which settles their financial distress," he said. (ANI) The accused persons, Ankit (30) and Sudhir Kumar (45) were arrested based on the complaint filed by Harin Bansal, a resident of Pitampura, Delhi. According to the complaint, registered by Bansa, the duo cheated him of over Rs nine lakh on the pretext of providing him with a job. "The complainant was surfing on social media when he came across a post about 'earning huge money daily working from home'. He clicked on the post and was taken to a Whatsapp number. The number then asked him to register on a website through a link given to him," Delhi Police said. "The website then, as a part of a work-for-home job, asked him to complete the tasks given to him. The website told the complainant to deposit a sum and withdraw it, for which he will be given a commission along with the original amount," police said. The police further said that as the complainant withdrew the money, he was provided with a commission initially, but later when he deposited hefty sums of Rs 9,32,000, he was not able to withdraw the money. A team of Delhi Police was immediately formed after receiving the complaint. The police in this matter arrested Ankit (30) and Sudhir Kumar (45), both residents of Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat. Police's investigation into this matter is underway. Further information is awaited. (ANI) "Total seized 200 KGs Ganja, 03 Cell Phones and 01 Four Wheeler (EICHER DCM) Bearing No. AP 05 TN 1503 from the instance of the accused persons," the police said. The arrested persons are identified as C Srinivas Rao (drug transporter), A Sathi Babu, (drug transporter), and Mohd Habeeb (drug peddler). "The drug transporter C Srinivas Rao hailed from Rajahmundry of East Godavari and worked as a driver, while the co-accused Sathi Babu is cleaner and helpful to him," the police said. The police said, Rao met with two persons, Pandu and Nagesh, natives of Sileru, Andhra Pradesh, wherein they gave him the plan to earn money by transporting Ganja from Rajahmundry to Hyderabad for which they offered to give Rs 1,20,000 for a single trip. "Rao agreed to the deal and Pandu and Nagesh handed over the contraband drugs, weighing 200 Kg, to him. Further, he along with Sathi Babu supplied the contraband drugs to the peddlers, Mohd Habeeb and Parvez, both residents of Hyderabad. On credible information, Hyderabad Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) with the assistance of Langer House Police Station, Hyderabad apprehended the accused persons and seized (200) KGs of Ganja, (03) Cell phones and (01) Eicher DCM Br. No. AP 05 TN 1503 from the instance of the accused persons," police said. The apprehended accused persons along with the seized quantity of drugs and other items were handed over to the SHO of Langer House Police Station for further investigation. (ANI) Punjab Police continued their search for self-styled radical Sikh preacher and head of 'Waris Punjab De', Amritpal Singh, who has been declared a 'fugitive', for the second day on Sunday, with the police registering a fresh FIR against him and his associates in an illegal weapons case. The police have seized a huge cache of arms and ammunition from Amritpal's aides, who were arrested on Saturday. The police had on Saturday launched a major crackdown against Amritpal and arrested 78 members of Waris Punjab De, including six to seven gunmen of the radical outfit. Daljeet Singh Kalsi, who handled the Khalistani ideologue's finance, was arrested from Gurugram. Seven of Amritpal's associates, who were arrested for taking siege of a police station in Amritsar's Ajnala area last month, have been sent to police custody till March 23 by a court in Beas. Four aides of the absconding radical leader were taken to Dibrugarh in Assam for security reasons. According to reports, the arrested persons might undergo interrogation by a joint team of Punjab and Assam Police. "Punjab Police are acting within the law. Amritpal Singh is still absconding. Don't believe in rumours and false news. We request all the citizens to maintain peace and harmony and not to panic," a video statement by IG (Headquarters), Sukhchain Singh Gill, said. To prevent any untoward incident in case of the arrest of Amritpal, the police along with CRPF personnel on Sunday conducted flag marches across Punjab. Punjab Police are planning to book Amritpal Singh under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), sources privy to the development told IANS. In the interest of public safety, the government has extended the suspension of SMS and mobile internet services, except voice call, till Monday noon. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parminder Singh Bhandal, told the media that the police have set up 100 checkpoints in Amritsar and its outskirts to physically check vehicles. CRPF jawans are accompanying the policemen at the checkpoints. Anticipating disturbance of peace, a large contingent of paramilitary force has been deployed outside Amritpal Singh's native village, Jallupur Khaira in Amritsar district. A special team of police, comprising personnel from seven districts, had followed the separatist leader's convoy while he was on his way to Jalandhar's Shahkot tehsil on Saturday. "Amritpal's vehicle was chased for 20-25 km. His vehicle was at the front. However, he managed to escape by changing his vehicle," Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said. Section 144 has been imposed in many districts of the state. The police have also increased security across Punjab. In addition, all vehicles are being checked on the Punjab-Haryana border. Meanwhile, Amritpal's father, Tarsem Singh, has told the media that the police should have arrested him before he left the house. "We don't have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours, but did not find anything illegal," he said. He also termed the police action as "unjustified", claiming that his son was weaning the youth off drugs. "Why are the police not acting against criminals and those involved in drugs trade," he asked. --IANS vg/arm ( 539 Words) 2023-03-19-19:18:02 (IANS) To ensure full-proof security to the Amarnath yatra, drone and mine-proof vehicles will be used, said Jammu and Kashmir Police on Sunday. "Full-proof security will be provided to Amarnath yatra like last year. Drones and mine-proof vehicles will be used. I am confident that by the time of yatra, the number of terrorists here will be reduced. Right now, the number of local terrorists has come down to 28. It will reduce this further," said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar. The pilgrimage to the Amarnath Gupha, a holy place for Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir, is marked by devotion, religious tolerance and brotherhood. Inside the Amarnath Gupha is an old 'Linga' of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims come from all over India to have darshan here. Hindus believe that this was the abode of Lord Shiva, located 168 km from the district headquarters in the Anantnag district. Located 141 km from the capital Srinagar at an altitude of 12,756 feet above sea level, Gupha lies in the Ladar Valley, which is covered by glaciers, and snow-capped mountains for most of the year. Common pilgrims are allowed to come here for darshan only for a limited time in summer. There are two main routes to reach here, one is beyond the town of Pahalgam and the other is the route to Baltal via Sonawar, a popular tourist spot in the Ganderbal district. A 43-km hill trek starts from Chandiwadi and Noonan base camps in Pahalgam. Some people also avail the option to go on horses or palanquins to cover the trek. The shortest route is from Bal Tal which is 16 km but that's more challenging. Prior to 1990, the pilgrimage was very exclusive and available to only sadhus and saints to visit. In 1995, the pilgrimage was held for 20 days. From 2004 to 2009, its duration was increased to two months. The pilgrimage now lasts for 40 to 45 days between July and August. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan on Sunday hit out at the Central government after a team led by Special CP (Law and Order) visited Rahul Gandhi's residence to seek information on the 'sexual harassment' victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Responding to the episode, Congress leader VD Satheesan said that there will be nationwide protests against this. "We strongly oppose the Narendra Modi government's move to humiliate Rahul Gandhi by sending the police to his residence. There will be nationwide protests against this. Rahul Gandhi is the beloved leader of the people of India. Any attempt to threaten and humiliate him by sending the police to his house will be resisted by the people," he said. "The Congress leader also said that sending the police to Rahul Gandhi's residence and staging such a drama is the biggest example of how weak and cowardly the government is. This is the latest illustration of how much the Narendra Modi government fears Rahul Gandhi," he added. Earlier in the day, Special CP Law and Order Sagar Preet Hooda met with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in connection with a notice served to him by the police to seek information on the alleged sexual harassment victims that he mentioned in his speech during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Later, After visiting Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's residence, Special CP (L&O) SP Hooda said "We've come here to talk to him. Rahul Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar on Jan 30 that during Yatra he met several women & who told him that they had been raped. We're trying to get details from him so that justice can be given to victims." Last week, Delhi Police issued a notice to the Congress leader asking him to share details about the victims of sexual harassment whom he mentioned in his speech in January this year in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Delhi Police took cognizance of the social media posts and sent a questionnaire. Referring to his experiences during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and to the problems faced by women, Gandhi had spoken of a girl coming to him and talking about the atrocities faced by her. "In one particular case, I asked a girl, she had been raped, I asked her should we call the police, she said that don't call the police then I will be shamed," Gandhi had said, according to police. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Castes (SC) Morcha National President Lal Singh Arya on Sunday hit out at the K Chandrashekhar Rao government and said they have taken away the money of the poor people. "There is a liquor scandal here and the government has siphoned off the money of poor people," Arya added. "SC certificate is made at the district level and not at any other level. The SC commission has not been formed here yet. The Safai Karamchari Commission has not been formed here," Arya said to ANI. Speaking to ANI, Lal Singh Arya said, "A resolution was taken to protect the Dalits who are being attacked by KCR's government." "He (KCR) talks about changing the constitution, on the one hand, he is also installing the statue of Ambedkar," he said. Speaking to ANI, Arya said, "KCR says that if they come to power in the centre, then they will change the constitution of India. KCR is anti-Dalit, anti-Ambedkar and anti-constitution." On April 14, on the occasion of Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, we will organise big programs at all assembly levels. We will also conduct medical camps for poor people which will end on May 5, he added. "For SC people we will also organize to watch the 100th episode of Mann Ki Baat on April 30," he said. Under the leadership of KCR, Dalit people here are not receiving the benefits they should receive under the schemes brought by PM Narendra Modi, Arya said. He joins hands with Mamata Banerjee under whose government Dalits are being killed and their houses burned, he added. KCR joins hands with the AAP party, whose Deputy CM is involved in the liquor scam and here his (KCR) family is involved in the liquor scam, he added. "This is the government that eats the money of the poor. We are determined to remove this government that talks about changing the Constitution," BJP SC Morcha National President said. Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party SC Morcha State Executive held a meeting which was attended by many prominent leaders including BJP Scheduled Castes (SC) Morcha National President Lal Singh Arya. (ANI) Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said steps will be taken to extend the subsidy to the areca crop. Bommai on Sunday held a mage roadshow of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Vijaya Sankalp Yatra in Hosadurga assembly constituency in Chitradurga. After the roadshow, CM Bommai addressed a public meeting. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development works in Holalkere. "Many schemes are covered under the drip irrigation scheme. SC/ST communities are given a 90 per cent subsidy. The areca is included in horticulture and for the general category, it has been increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent. Steps will be taken for the extension of coverage," Chief Minister Bommai told reporters here when asked about the demand from the areca growers to give the subsidy for drip irrigation. On the strike threat by Neeraganti and the cleaning staff in local bodies seeking the government pay scale, Bommai said it is common to see a more number of strikes during the poll time. But he was aware of the problems of Neeraganti and resolve them by calling them for a meeting. On Union Home Minister Amit Shah's probable visit to Chitradurga, he said, "The visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the Chitradurga district is not fixed. Several proposals have gone but so far there is confirmation from that side. Dates may be decided in the next two or three days." Assembly elections in Karnataka are scheduled to be held in the coming months. (ANI) South Africa: Eskom suspends load shedding until Monday This story has been published on: 2023-03-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor is in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where she is leading a South African delegation to a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers. Taking place under the theme: Promoting industrialization through agro-processing... See more Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday said that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined not only to double the income of the farmers but also to increase its manifold in the next 10 years. Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of District Bank Headquarters and inaugurated Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) 'Kisan Bhavan' at Krishi Shivir in Junagadh, Gujarat today, informed the government through a release. He said that the Union Cabinet under the leadership of PM Modi has recently taken an important decision and established three national level Multi-State Cooperative Societies. "Out of these three societies, two are very useful for the farmers of Gujarat. Under one of these societies, the products of all the farmers doing organic farming will be taken under the patent of Amul and its profit will be directly transferred to the bank account of the farmers," said Shah. According to him, after the full implementation of this system, the farmers will be able to save our land from the use of urea and DAP and our body from diseases like cancer caused by their use. The water level will rise and the environment will also be saved. He urged all the farmers to meet the farmers doing organic farming and adopt it. The Union Minister of Cooperation said that the Central Government has also made provision for a cooperative society for the export of crop production. "The Multi-State Cooperative Export Society will serve as an export house for the export of any farmer's produce in the country and its benefit will reach directly to the bank account of the farmer. With the implementation of this system, the prosperity of the farmers will increase," the Union Home Minister said. He said that it has also been decided that a Cooperative Society will be formed in every Panchayat of the country. He said that arrangements have been made to ensure that Cooperative, Dairy and Fisheries Production Society are registered as one type of society. Shah said that farmers can get many benefits through cooperatives. He said that because of a strong cooperative structure, all the schemes of the Government of India will start reaching all. He said that the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined not only to double the income of the country's farmers but also to increase it manifold in the next 10 years. Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also taken new initiatives in the agriculture sector, such as Kisan Credit Card, FPO, Krishi Sinchai Yojna, maximum purchase on MSP. The government has made the country's farmers prosperous through new Ministry of Cooperation. The Union Minister of Cooperation said that since independence, the demand for a separate Ministry of Cooperation was continuously raised and fulfilling this demand of the people associated with the cooperative sector of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed the Ministry of Cooperation. He added that after the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken many important decisions to take cooperatives forward. According to the Union Minister, natural farming would be the only alternative to serve mother earth in the coming days as the continuous use of DAP and Urea would make earth like concrete in next 25 years. He said that DAP and urea kill positive bacteria like earthworms and having bacteria in the fields will not have any fossil and insects problems and there will be no requirement to spray any kind of insecticide. Further speaking on natural farming and explaining the benefits of it, Shah said, "Our ancestors knew agriculture, but we thought that by adding urea, crops will grow and as result, our land got polluted. Now millions of farmers are adopting natural farming and getting its benefits. By doing natural farming, the yield increases, rainwater gets harvested, pesticides are not used and production also increases, which gets good prices in the market." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the efforts of farmers of Haryana's Sirsa for showcasing the benefits of PM Matasya Sampada Yojana. The Prime Minister also said that this effort is a symbol of women empowerment. The Prime Minister was replying to the tweet thread of Sirsa MP, Ms Sunita Duggal regarding the adoption of PMMSY by the local farmers. The Prime Minister tweeted, "While this effort of our farmer brothers and sisters in Sirsa brings forth the benefits of PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, it is also a symbol of women empowerment." https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1637469672370216963?s=20 The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, and National Fisheries Development Board along with the Department of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, Government of Goa, Indian Coast Guard, Fishery Survey of India, and fishermen representatives is observing the Sagar Parikrama Phase IV which started on 17th March 2023 from Mormugao Port, Goa. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and Dr L. Murugan, Minister of State for Fisheries, AH and Dairying in the presence of Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS, Secretary (Fisheries) launched the Sagar Parikrama Phase-IV Yatra from Mormugao Port, Goa, proceeding along the Uttar Kannada coast, reached Majali from Karwar Port on March 18, followed by journey towards the coastal belt of Uttar Kannada of Karnataka State. Sagar Parikrama Phase IV covered a total of 10 locations in three major coastal districts namely, Majali, Karwar, Belambara, Manki, Murudeshwar, Alvekodi, Malpe, Uchhila, Mangalore and has come to an end on Sunday at Mangalore Townhall, covering other areas such as Malpe Harbour, Uchhila Village and shall continue till Mangalore Townhall. Phase IV program started from Mormugao Port, Goa on March 17 and has come to end on March 19 in Mangalore, informed the government through a release on Sunday. Sagar Parikrama is a program reflecting the far-reaching policy strategy of the government leading to the direct interaction with fishers and fish farmers to understand the issues of coastal areas and problems related to fishermen.It is being welcomed by fishermen and fish farmers and other stakeholders with an open heart and they see this as an instrument of their development in fisheries sector. Today's program of Sagar Parikrama Phase IV was kickstarted by a warm welcome given to Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying at Malpe Harbour with Dhoomanodhi Chende, Kotakori Singarimebam dance of fishermen, added the release. The community interaction program proceeded by interacting with fishermen, fish farmers, beneficiaries, coast guards regarding their livelihood, food security from fisheries. This interactive session helped fishermen to come out with the issues faced by them and it will help in fisheries development. Fishermen and fish farmer raised issues like those related to supply of Diesel and Kerosene for boats, subsidy, or engine boats for fishing related activities, required support for old fishermen who are not fishing and who need social security, support required for developing fisheries industrial zone in coastal areas of Karnataka etc . Further, beneficiaries requested for events like the Sagar Parikrama in the coming time, support required for availability of sea ambulance, issues related to non-availability of identity certificate for fishermen, fish farmers etc., Also, formation of inter-state coordination committee was discussed. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying was very pleased that an interactive session helped fishermen, fish farmers to share their ground realities and experiences and to come out with issues being faced by them. He discussed that the issues will be worked upon for improvement in fisheries sector development and spoke in detail about eliminating the critical gaps in the value chain of fisheries through implementation of schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna and KCC for beneficiaries, fish farmers and fishermen. Approximately, 4000 fishermen, fish farmers and other dignitaries participated in the meeting at Malpe, Harbour Program. Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying addressed the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna (PMMSY) scheme, other multidimensional activities of blue revolution with a major focus on increasing fisheries production and productivity (for both inland and marine) and its associated activities, including infra development, marketing, exports, and institutional arrangements, etc. He thanked fishermen, fish farmers for sharing their experience and suggesting the mechanisms to augment the fisheries sector development and officials from the Government of Karnataka for streamlining the coordination through the Sagar Parikrama Phase IV. He highlighted that introducing the sea ambulance would be a of great help for our fisherfolks and our fisheries sector can be considered as primary sector. Further, he requested people to come forward and use the benefits of KCC for fish farmers and for allied activities. He also requested volunteers to help in creating awareness of the schemes such as PMMSY, KCC so that the beneficiaries can take benefit of the same. (ANI) Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to occupied Crimea on the ninth anniversary of Russia's illegal annexation of the peninsula, just a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant, TASS reported. According to Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, earlier Putin was expected to join the cultural and historical event virtually but he himself arrived at the site and gave a surprise to everyone. On Friday, the president's schedule was also partly devoted to the situation on the peninsula. Putin held a meeting devoted to the socio-economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol, as per the TASS. Putin traditionally participates in festive events on March 18. He repeatedly attended gala concerts dedicated to this date at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium, held special meetings with the public and visited Crimea personally. The last time Putin visited the peninsula was in July 2020. He inspected the Zaliv shipyard in the city of Kerch to take part in a keel-laying ceremony for several naval ships. In December 2022, he visited the Crimean Bridge, which was being repaired after a terrorist attack, according to TASS. Earlier, on Friday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and another Russian official. The warrant is believed to be one of the first charges against Putin for war crimes in Ukraine, part of a global effort to hold the Russian president and the Russian Federation accountable for atrocities beginning with the full-scale February 2022 invasion, reported CNN. The warrant cites Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, commissioner for children's rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation, for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territory to Russia. The Kremlin blasted the allegations, noting it does not cooperate with the ICC. "We consider the very posing of the question outrageous and unacceptable. Russia, like a number of states, does not recognize the jurisdiction of this court and, accordingly, any decisions of this kind are null and void for the Russian Federation from the point of view of the law," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov tweeted. Rejecting the warrant on Friday, Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the ministry of foreign affairs, said, "Russia is not a member of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it. Russia does not cooperate with this body, and possible [pretences] for arrest coming from the International Court of Justice will be legally null and void for us." Meanwhile, former Russian President and deputy chair of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, compared the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin to toilet paper. Taking to Twitter, Medvedev said, "The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin. No need to explain WHERE this paper should be used," with the toilet paper emoji. (ANI) Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, over 50 per cent of journalists lost their jobs and half of the media outlets were closed for many reasons, particularly financial issues, TOLOnews reported citing Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU) report. The report revealed that 53 per cent of journalists lost their employment and 50 per cent of the media outlets were closed for many reasons published on the occasion of National Journalist's Day in Afghanistan. "Most media employees have left Afghanistan. The media community is facing several problems. It faces economic difficulties, and restrictions have been placed on the media's activities in Afghanistan. Besides this, the suspension or closure of the protective laws of the media community is a big challenge," said Masroor Lutfi, a member of (ANJU). Meanwhile, several journalists expressed concerns regarding the lack of information access and economic difficulties on National Journalists' Day, according to TOLOnews. Journalists asked the Islamic Emirate to address their challenges, especially in the area of access to information. "Twenty-seven of Hoot, the Journalist's Day, is celebrated when the lack of information access continues to be considered a difficulty and this community is still dealing with major economic issues," said Raqib Fayaz, a journalist. "We ask government officials and related officials to pay serious attention to the problems of journalists and ensure their safety," said Mustafa Shahriar, a journalist. But, the Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture said that they are committed to upholding journalists' rights and that efforts are being made to increase the facilities available to them, reported TOLOnews. According to the United Nations, in 2022, more than 200 violation cases have been recorded against journalists in Afghanistan which include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, harassment, threats, and intimidation. Media freedom in Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse and journalists are suffering from low morale under the ruling regime. Many reporters have been arrested, persecuted and threatened with death for reporting sensitive issues which are not to the likes of Taliban authorities across the country, reported Khaama Press. Many radio, and TV stations and news agencies have closed their doors, with some estimates indicating that more than 6,000 journalists have lost their jobs. Female Afghan journalists suffer from double pressure for being a journalist and a woman. The latest restrictions imposed by the Taliban restricting women from attending university, working with government or non-governmental aid organizations, and appearing in public places, have also affected female journalists, according to Khaama Press. TOLO News recently reported that as the Taliban's crackdown on journalists and media personnel continues in Afghanistan, numerous journalists in Paktia province on Friday criticized limited access to information and claimed that this has a negative influence on their operations as their basic rights to work are being challenged under the regime of the organization. They claimed that they are not getting timely information from officials. "It is the responsibility of officials and relevant organizations to provide accurate and timely information to the media," said a reporter, Abdul Rahman Wayand. The journalists urged the authorities to fulfil their duty to grant access to information. A number of journalists in the Afghan province also complained that their issues are no longer being addressed in the nation since certain departments refuse to provide the media with any information on certain cases, according to TOLOnews. (ANI) Taliban security forces targeted ISIS hideouts in Mazar-e-Sharif and called it a substantial strike against insurgents, said Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid on Saturday, reported Khaama Press. On Saturday, Mujahid wrote on Twitter that special operations by Taliban security forces against ISIS militants had begun in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital of Balkh. According to Mujahid, the operation went on until late Friday night, and as a consequence, several ISIS militants were killed and one member of the Taliban security force was hurt. Local sources, cited by Khaama Press, also reported a clash between Taliban security troops and rebels in Mazar-e-Sharif's Dashte Shor area. Five Daesh militants killed in Friday night operations in Mazar-i-Sharif were Tajikistan and Uzbekistan nationals, according to an official statement, reported Pajhwok Afghan News. Three Daesh 'Khawarej' hideouts were destroyed on Friday night during intelligence-based operations in Mazar-i-Sharif's 5th, 8th, and 10th Police Districts, Balkh Police Spokesperson Mohammad Asif Wazir told Pajhwok Afghan News. Five "Khawarej," who were nationals of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, he claimed, were killed in the operations. Officials in Balkh recently claimed the assassination of eight rebels and kidnappers, however, the relatives of the deceased stated that the victims were innocent and worked for a construction company. ISIS fighters have stepped up their attacks across Afghanistan with the advent of spring, especially in the northern provinces. Numerous journalists were killed and hurt in the assault on the Tabyan Cultural Center in Mazar-e-Sharif, which was carried out by militants from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K). Only eastern Nangarhar and Khost provinces had ISIS presence before the Taliban seized control of Kabul. Over the past 18 months, the militant group has quickly expanded its operations to other regions of Afghanistan. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), ISIS terrorists have been responsible for a number of deadly attacks in Kabul over the past few months, including those against the Russian Embassy, the Pakistani Embassy, and a hotel that accommodated Chinese nationals, read a report in Khaama Press. "Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, the foreign ministry once again reminds our fellow citizens and institutions in Afghanistan to leave and evacuate the country as soon as possible, report their identity information to the Embassy, and at the same time take extra safety precautions and enhance emergency preparedness," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said during a regular press conference on December 13, 2022. After the attack, China advised its citizens in Afghanistan to leave the country as soon as possible In the meantime, the rebel organisation has carried out vicious attacks on educational facilities and even singled out senior Taliban leaders in Kabul. According to several security and political experts, ISIS is the only active militant group in Afghanistan that poses dangers to the ruling regime because of the country's unstable security environment, Khaama Press reported. (ANI) The US Transportation Department is proposing a ban on Chinese airlines' use of Russian airspace to fly passengers to the US, three officials from the administration of President Joe Biden told New York Times, reported Russia Today. The national security team and others were reportedly given an order last Monday requiring Chinese rivals to adhere to the same restrictions faced by US carriers. The idea is the result of lobbying by US airlines, who lose up to $2 billion in market share yearly to foreign rivals who are not restricted from overflying Russian territory, according to industry trade group Airlines for America. The group has requested that the Biden administration "take action to ensure that international carriers overflying Russia do not depart, land, or transit through US airports," according to a spokeswoman for the organisation. Airlines with home nations that are not involved in the conflict in Ukraine, such as China Eastern, Emirates, and Air India, have seen a spike in revenue because they can fly the shortest route without having to go around Russia's extensive territory. American carriers, on the other hand, have had to conduct long-haul flights with dozens of vacant seats in the aim of making the jet light enough to avoid refuelling on the more circuitous routes required to circumvent no-go zones, according to airline sources quoted by Russia Today. US carriers were forced to abandon plans to provide direct services to more than a dozen hotspots like Tokyo, Seoul, and Mumbai in favour of competitors after being denied access to the most direct routes to Asia. According to Russia Today, Airlines for America has made an effort to persuade passengers who object to forking over the extra cash and time in the air that flying over Russia is genuinely risky. The lobbying group cites the downing of MH17 in Ukraine in 2014 and Brittney Griner's arrest in a Moscow airport last year as examples. Foreigners caught with illegal drugs face significantly harsher penalties in many supposedly "safe" nations, including execution by firing squad. The Dutch team, meanwhile tasked with proving Russia's involvement in the MH17 catastrophe terminated its probe last month after failing to turn up any solid proof. The jet was allegedly shot down by a BUK missile developed in Russia, according to a court in the same nation last year, which said there was "no possibility for reasonable doubt whatsoever." Following Washington's own ban on Russian aircraft flying over American territory, Moscow blocked its airspace to US airlines in March of last year, Russia Today reported. (ANI) According to the MND, 15 of the 26 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft were observed in Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). Four Chengdu J-10 fighters, four Shenyang J-16 fighters, one CH-4 reconnaissance drone, and one Harbin BZK-005 reconnaissance drone crossed the Taiwan Strait median line. Another reconnaissance drone from Harbin flew along the southern edge of Taiwan's ADIZ. The southwest corner of the ADIZ saw the tracking of two Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, one Shaanxi Y-8 anti-submarine warfare aircraft, and one BZK-007 reconnaissance drone. A Harbin Z-9 anti-submarine helicopter also appeared in Taiwan's identification zone's southeast portion, Taiwan News reported. Taiwan retaliated by sending aircraft, naval boats, and land-based missiles to monitor the PLA aircraft and ships. Beijing has sent Taiwan with 67 naval vessels and 266 military aircraft so far this month. China has intensified its use of grey zone strategies since September 2020 by routinely dispatching aircraft inside Taiwan's ADIZ. Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or sequence of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that aims to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and substantial use of force," reported Taiwan News. Chinese military ships, fishing vessels and sand dredgers regularly cross into Taiwan's waters using what military analysts describe as grey-zone tactics -- part intimidation campaign, part resource extraction -- intended to keep Taiwan's people and government on alert. The Chinese Communist Party government shelled Matsu for decades after the nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) government retreated to Taiwan in defeat in 1949, and gained control of some of the outlying islands that are much closer to China than Taiwan. Notably, Japan controls the islands, whereas China continues to claim them. According to history and international law, the islands are inextricably linked to Japan's territory, the Japanese government claims. (ANI) After former Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrived at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) on Saturday afternoon, the area turned into a battlefield as at least 25 people were injured and public properties were set on fire amid clashes, Dawn reported. After hours-long battles in the federal capital between the police and supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), 30 vehicles, including motorbikes, and a police chowki were set on fire. A group of law enforcement officers and PTI supporters engaged in violent altercations that resembled the situation at Zaman Park earlier this week. Both sides used tear gas to drive the other side away, according to Dawn. Together with petrol bombs to set the police's cars on fire, the PTI attacked the police with rocks. In order to tackle the unrest, 4,000 people--including 700 FC members and 1,000 Punjab police officers--were stationed in and around the complex to uphold law and order and prevent the crowd from getting there, reported Dawn. After PTI chief Khan left for Islamabad Judicial Complex to appear before a court, the Punjab Police resumed an operation at the deposed prime minister's residence, broke into his house, and arrested several party workers in the act. In response, the former prime minister said it was "clear" that despite having gotten "bail" in the cases lodged against him, the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government intended to arrest him. "It is now clear that, despite my having gotten bail in all my cases, the PDM govt intends to arrest me. Despite knowing their mala fide intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad & the court bec I believe in rule of law. But ill intent of this cabal of crooks shd be clear to all," tweeted Khan. "The assault on my house today was first of all a contempt of court. We had agreed that an SP with one of our people would implement a search warrant bec we knew otherwise they would plant stuff on their own, which they did. Under what law did they break the gate, pull down trees and barge into the house heavily armed. Worse, they did this after I left to present myself before Islamabad court, & Bushra bibi, a totally private non political person, was alone in house. This is a total violation of the Islamic principle of sanctity of chadar & char diwari," he tweeted. He also lamented over the fact that the raid took place when his wife Bushra Begum was alone at the Zaman Park residence. The former PM also lashed at Pakistan media regulatory body for barring television channels from the live coverage of rallies or public gatherings. "Strongly condemn govt trying, through PEMRA, to muzzle our voice through an illegal ban on us, violative of the court order, on TV channels. Now to pressure the media further, PEMRA has issued another notice accusing TV channels of violating their earlier. notice. Fascism at its worst," he said. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Saturday restricted live coverage of events outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, where PTI chairman Imran Khan will be arriving for a court hearing in the Toshakhana case. The court later suspended Khan's non-bailable warrants in the Toshakhana case after an hours-long drama at the Islamabad Judicial Complex. (ANI) A 27-year-old female student from Afghanistan, a country where women are struggling for human rights, has won a gold medal for her excellent performance in a master's programme in a college in India, VOA reported. She has dedicated this medal to all the Afghan women who were denied higher education. On achieving this feat, her thoughts flashed back to her homeland, which was taken over by the Taliban in 2021 and where it is more than normal for a woman to pursue her dreams. The future was bright when she was growing up in the Afghanistan Bamiyan area. She pursued her bachelor's degree while working during the day and attending classes at night. Life was peaceful and normal, Muradi told VOA. Women had full access to higher education. Girls wanted to learn a lot. Families were encouraging their daughters' pursuit of higher education. She arrived in India two years ago on a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in public administration. She was one of the tens of thousands of Afghans who have attended Indian colleges over the past twenty years since 2001. She wanted to go back and use her degree in policymaking to get a job so she could help Afghanistan modernise, just like many of these young students. When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021, everything dramatically changed. Like many other women, she was paralysed by fear that the nation might slide back into the gloomy times that the elder generation was all too familiar with. This month Muradi received the gold medal for having the highest grade point average in her programme at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in the western Gujarat state. This was a moment of both immense pride and profound anguish for her. She told VOA, "I dedicate this achievement to all the women who do not have the opportunity that I have to study." "And at some point in time, girls like me want to return this chance in some way to them. This medal is an affirmation that women can accomplish anything." Muradi says that she sees herself as representing the Afghan women who lack access to education. The Taliban earlier forbade girls from attending secondary schools, preventing millions of girls from continuing their education through the sixth grade. The Taliban dealt a second blow to female education by banning women from attending universities in December. Ever since the organisation stormed to power, women's rights and liberties have been curtailed by hard-line Islamists. Women are no longer permitted to travel alone, go to parks without a male relative, or work out in public places. Any hopes that the Taliban would uphold their initial pledges of a more liberal regime have been dashed for Afghan women like Muradi. "I feel broken from inside. Everything that happened in the 1990s is repeated. The hope with which I came to India is destroyed," said Muradi, adding, "I cannot see any bright future for myself. I don't know whether I will be able to go back and meet my family. I struggle with these thoughts all the time." It was difficult for her to study for her master's while her country was in upheaval. She expressed concern for her family but claimed to have made an effort to maintain her composure because there wasn't much she could do but be grateful that she was one of the few Afghan women still pursuing education, read a report published in VOA. She also said, "I had to manage my stress. Every time I thought about Afghanistan, I told myself that it is my responsibility to take advantage of this opportunity that other girls in my country can no longer avail. So, I must focus on my studies and build my capacity if I want to bring change in the future." Muradi is currently pursuing her PhD in public administration at the same college. In her message for the Taliban, she said, "I think the Taliban need to rethink about depriving women of education. If they want to rule, they cannot ignore the women. Women will protest, and at some point, they will stand and ask for their rights. Otherwise, half the country's population will be useless," VOA reported. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the party will register cases against police officers involved in the "illegal operation and violence" during a raid to arrest former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in his Zaman Park residence in Lahore, Geo News reported. Former Punjab chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi termed police raid at Zaman Park a grave violation of the Lahore High court orders and said that the police operation in Zaman Park was carried out on the direction of Maryam Nawaz and Rana Sanaullah. The PTI leadership has strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at the residence of party chairman Imran Khan which they said was "part of a London Plan to eliminate him". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Fawad Chaudhry stated, "Today, a meeting of the legal team has been called. The way in which the police defied the Lahore High Court's decision entering Imran Khan's residence has trampled every rule of the home's sanctity. [things were] stolen. [They] also took away juice boxes. Innocent people were subjected to torture." In a tweet, Fawad Chaudhry wrote, "Defying court order is unforgivable. The high court should guard its judgment. Cases are being registered on all police officers who conducted illegal operations and were involved in violence," according to Geo News report. He noted that all the incidents indicate an ongoing constitutional crisis in Pakistan. The statement of the senior PTI leader comes a day after the Punjab Police resumed operation at Imran Khan's residence and arrested several party workers. The action of the police came after PTI Chairman Imran Khan left for the Islamabad Judicial Complex to appear before a court, as per the Geo News report. On March 18, Imran Khan also reacted to the police action at his residence on his official Twitter handle. PTI chairman tweeted, "Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment." On March 18, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Anwar said police had completed the search and cleanup operation in Zaman Park and seized AK-47 assault rifles and a large number of bullets from Imran Khan's residence in Lahore, as per the Geo News report. Furthermore, glass bottles suspected to be used in making Molotov cocktails, and hundreds of marbles for being shot at police with slingshots were also taken from the PTI chairman's house. Usman Anwar said five more Kalashnikovs were also found on Khan's property. In response to a question, he said that the legal status of the guns whether they were licensed or not was being evaluated. More than 60 PTI workers were arrested from Imran Khan's residence and taken to an undisclosed location for further investigation, as per the news report. Usman Anwar alleged that his men came under direct fire from Khan's residence. He said that police demolished several camps built outside Khan's house in Lahore. The Punjab government in Pakistan and the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had consented to let police search the ex-PM's Zaman Park residence here in relation to confrontations that occurred there on March 14 and 15 but the exact date of police operation was not annouced. As soon as Imran Lhan left Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Saturday to appear before a judge in Islamabad, a heavy contingent of police launched a search operation at his house. . On Friday, the details were submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC) during the hearing of a petition filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry who had sought the court's intervention to stop the police action conducted to execute arrest warrants issued against Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. The agreement is related to the security of former Pakistan PM, holding rallies and other legal issues under which, PTI will cooperate in implementing the search and arrest warrants with the provincial administration.(ANI) Authorities have imposed a ban on the assembly of more than five people in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after receiving reports that miscreants can attack crowded places, Dawn reported. Bannu Division is one of seven divisions in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It consists of three districts: Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and North Waziristan. Lakki Marwat deputy commissioner Abdul Hadi and Bannu deputy commissioner Manzoor Afridi on Saturday imposed a ban on the assembly of more than five people in their respective districts for five days, Dawn reported. Officials said that the district administration imposed the restriction after receiving reports that miscreants can attack crowded places. They said that the five-day ban, which would last until March 23 was extendable in the public interest. The officials said that the violators of the ban will face action according to the law, as per the Dawn report. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration on Saturday imposed Section 144 banning all types of public gatherings in the district. The decision of the authorities comes a day before the planned political gathering of Jamaat-i-Islami in Bari on Sunday, as per the news report. The Jamaat had announced holding a public meeting under the banner of Tehreek-i-Haqooq Qabail. The Jamaat-i-Islami had made arrangements for the public meetings by inviting leaders of various political parties from all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with JI emir Sirajul Haq and Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan as the main speakers. In a notification issued from the Khyber House, it was announced that Section 144 was imposed due to the current security situation in Khyber. The restriction will remain in place for six days. : Earlier on March 13, two police officials were killed while five others were injured in terrorist attacks on police personnel deployed on census duty in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Tank and Lakki Marwat districts, Dawn reported citing police and Rescue 1122. The development comes as terrorism rears its ugly head again in the country with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa witnessing a spate of attacks targeting both security forces and citizens. Constable Khan Nawab was killed while police constables Shah Nawaz and Aslam Khan, Levies official Bismillah, Frontier Constabulary official Abdullah and driver Eid Jan were injured in an armed attack from terrorists on a police van deployed for the security of census staff in Tank's Kot Azam area. The injured officials retaliated and forced the attackers to retreat who later escaped from the site. Meanwhile, a fresh contingent of police arrived at the site of the attack, cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation. In another attack, two terrorists targeted Constable Dil Jan deployed on census duty in Lakki Marwat's Parwala village near Sadar police station, as per the Dawn report. Dil Jan died on the spot and terrorists managed to escape after the incident. (ANI) A Lahore court on Sunday directed the police to present 102 detained PTI workers before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) tomorrow, a day after they were arrested during the raid that took place at PTI Chairman Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence when the police forced its way into his house, Dawn reported. Judicial Magistrate Ghulam Rasool of Lahore's Cantt Katcheri court presided over the hearing on Sunday. As Magistrate Ghulam Rasool directed the police to present the suspects before the ATC on Monday because they had been booked on terror charges, he granted the police a one-day remand of the arrested PTI supporters, Dawn reported. Upon the hearing's conclusion, the police took the suspects back amid high security. Separately, unidentified PTI workers were booked on terror charges in a first information report (FIR) filed by a police official at Lahore's Race Course police station. Filed by Lahore Elite Force official Shehzada Ahmed Ali in the early hours of Sunday, the FIR accused PTI workers of stopping his government vehicle and raising slogans against state institutions. It stated that as soon as the Elite Force's car arrived at Canal Road near Zaman Park, "around 100-150 PTI workers armed with fire weapons [and] sticks came in front altogether and forcefully stopped the government vehicle". The FIR alleged that the workers hit the car with sticks and caused great damage. Ali also alleged that one of the party workers stole the valuables the elite force personnel had with them -- including bullet-proof jackets, helmets, wireless sets and mobile phones -- "using weapon's force". The complaint invoked sections 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted committed In consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment) 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 290 (punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for), 291 (continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), and 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) of the Pakistan Penal Code, Dawn reported. It also included Section 7 (punishment for acts of terrorism) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. On Friday, the LHC had allowed Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar to search Imran's Zaman Park residence for an investigation into attacks on police teams when they had gone there to execute warrants issued by an Islamabad court for Imran's arrest in the Toshakhana case. On Saturday, the Punjab police had used heavy machinery to break into Imran's Zaman Park residence -- while his wife and sister were inside, soon after the PTI chairman left for Islamabad to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case. Talking to reporters, Dr Uzma Khanum, sister of the former premier, while complaining about the police's "high-handedness", had said the police carried out the operation without warrants and harassed women and tortured servants, Dawn reported. Dr Khanum had said the policemen "seemed blood-thirsty" as they brutally thrashed unarmed people in the house and alleged that the police also abducted her husband and some servants. The PTI leadership had also strongly condemned the "state terrorism" launched at Imran's house which they said was part of the agenda set by PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz to arrest Imran. Fawad had said the operation was in sheer violation of the LHC's orders as the police did not inform the court's nominated focal person Imran Kishwar before the raid. He had further said the residence's gates were razed with the help of excavators, while police officials scaled walls and tortured people inside the house, Dawn reported. Additionally, a day ago, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar said that "ammunition", including petrol bombs, was recovered from Imran's Zaman Park residence in Lahore during the police raid. He had said the police arrested people who were involved in "firing slingshots and pelting stones" at the police and cases under Section 7 of the ATA were registered against them. Caretaker Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir had also said that cases were registered against the "rioting elements" as they had caused great damage to property. (ANI) Cotton production in Pakistan will be merely 4.78 million bales against the target of nine million bales due to damage by the floods and a decline in the area owing to a slim profit margin in cotton, Business Recorder reported. This was revealed in a summary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFSR) which was presented to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet seeking to fix PKR 8,500 per 40kg cotton intervention price (CIP) for the next crop to increase the cotton production by 10 to 15 per cent. The federal cabinet ratified on Friday the ECC decision of PKR 8,500 per 40kg CIP for the next crop. The Ministry of the NFSR told the meeting that cotton is a key crop for the economy and has been on a decline after achieving the highest production of 14.1 million bales in 2004-05. Additionally, the floods of last year badly damaged the standing cotton crop and consequently, cotton production would be mere 4.78 million bales against the target of nine million bales. It added that farmers in some cotton production have already switched to other crops such as rice, maize, and sugarcane, Business Recorder reported. The Ministry further stated that to meet the demand of the textile industry, Pakistan has the potential to increase cotton production to 15 million bales in a short period of time if the old cotton area is re-gained; farmers are supported with appropriate technology and they receive a fair and stable price. Lower cotton production has hampered the textile industry's growth and increased the import bill of raw cotton, edible oil, and livestock meal, Business Recorder reported. Over the last five years, the import bill of raw cotton has exceeded PKR 56 billion. Cotton is the most valuable crop with the highest multiplier effect both on the rural economy, as well as, the industrial sector. The cotton price intervention policy during 2021-22 resulted in price stability in the domestic market and higher investment in crop management producing 2.0 million additional bales despite a seven per cent decline in the area. Similarly, this policy adopted in 2022-23 also provided price stability in the domestic market but the unprecedented floods of 2022 significantly damaged the standing crop, Business Recorder reported. Ministry NFSR held three rounds of consultations with all stakeholders including provincial governments, growers and cotton--related associations to prepare this year's CIP proposal. However, the growers proposed a CIP of PKR 7,000-8,000/40kg. Since the last consultation on 10-02-2023, the cost of inputs has further increased. The revised estimated average cost of production is now approximately PKR 7,000/40kg. Stakeholders, including the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association, supported the CIP pegged with import parity price in line with the policy of the last two years, Business Recorder reported. In the meeting convened in the Prime Minister's Office on 13-3-2023, it was decided to submit a summary to the ECC for CIP at PKR 8,500/40kg. Announcement of CIP at this time--ahead of the main sowing season, March to May--will help growers decide about the area and investment in crop management. The proposed CIP is expected to enhance yield and area by 10-15 per cent. The meeting was further informed that the Ministry of NFSR has proposed to fix the cotton intervention price at PKR 8,500/40kg to revive cotton production, bring about stability in the domestic cotton market, and assure a fair return to the farmers; constitute a Cotton Price Review Committee (CPRC) with a mandate to review market prices and propose intervention at fortnightly basis, Business Recorder reported. The Ministry also proposed that provinces or Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) procure a million bales of cotton lint from pre-selected ginning factories based, advise TCP or Provinces when to sell procured bales by assessing the local and international markets. Regularly monitor the cotton prices in the main domestic markets of Punjab and Sindh, as well as those in the international markets and issue a brief price report at weekly intervals. When domestic prices of the cotton drop below this threshold of PKR 8,500/40 kg, trigger the intervention price of seed-cotton at a 10 per cent discount of the estimated import parity price; present a monthly report of the activities to ECC within five working days of the end of each calendar month; and this intervention price policy will terminate on 31 December 2023. (ANI) A US B-1B strategic bomber returned to South Korea to participate in the joint military exercise on Sunday, just 16 days after its previous deployment, as Pyongyang fired yet another ballistic missile into the East Sea, Yonhap news agency reported citing the defence ministry. The drills took place in skies over the Korean Peninsula as part of the Freedom Sheild exercise that has been undergoing since March 13. The drills also include F-35A stealth fighter jets of South Korea and US F-16 fighters, according to the ministry. Previously, a B-1B bomber was deployed to the peninsula on March 3, as per the Yonhap news report. The deployment seen as a show of force against North Korea as Pyongyang fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday. North Korea fired the short-range ballistic missile three days after Pyongyang test-fired a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The defence ministry said the joint air drills demonstrated the robust combined defence posture of the South Korean and US air forces and commitment to extended deterrence while enhancing the allies' interoperability and wartime capabilities. "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is maintaining the highest level of combined defence posture against North Korea's consistent threats to regional stability and will achieve 'peace through strength' based on the allies' robust capabilities and posture while enhancing trust in the U.S. extended deterrence," the defence ministry said in a statement as per the news report. On Sunday, North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) towards the East Sea, Yonhap News Agency reported citing the South Korean military. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch from the Tongchang-ri area on the country's west coast at 11:05 am (local time). It said that the missile flew for around 800 kilometres, as per the news report. The JCS condemned North Korea's ballistic missile launches and called it an act of provocation. "We strongly condemn the North's series of ballistic missile launches as an act of significant provocation that harms peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the international community, and a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions," the JCS said in a statement as per the Yonhap news agency report. It further said that allies will conduct their combined military drills in a "high-intensity" and "thorough" manner while vowing to maintain a firm readiness posture based on capabilities to respond to any North Korean provocations. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday said that there are 94 cases against him that reflects that the Pakistan establishment feels threatened by him, adding that a committee has been formed to lead the party if he is arrested. "The establishment right now somehow feels threatened by me. And that is the issue," he claimed. "My life is even more at threat than it was anytime before," he said, adding that he was worried about the reaction to his arrest or any attempt to assassinate him. "I feel that there would be a very strong reaction, and it would be a reaction all over Pakistan," Imran said. "I have made a committee which will obviously take decisions once -- if -- I'm inside" jail, the 70-year-old said in an interview in his Lahore home before heading to Islamabad early on Saturday, The International News.com reported. The News.com reported that Imran Khan told a foreign news agency that there were 94 cases against him. Khan said the threat to his life was greater than before and asserted -- without providing evidence -- that his opponents wanted to block him from standing in elections later this year. Khan said there was no reason he should be arrested now because he had bail in all the cases. If convicted in a case, Khan could face disqualification from contesting the elections scheduled for November. "My life is even more at threat than it was anytime before," he said, adding that he was worried about the reaction to his arrest or any attempt to assassinate him. "I feel that there would be a very strong reaction, and it would be a reaction all over Pakistan," Imran said. "I just think that those who are trying to do this just cannot comprehend the situation. Unfortunately, I don't think they comprehend where Pakistan is situated right now," he added. Khan claimed the military had had a role in pushing him out of power after relations soured with the previous army chief, General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, who retired in November, The News.com reported. On Saturday, when Imran Khan kicked off for the federal capital, the Punjab Police resumed an operation at the PTI chief's residence, broke into his house, and arrested several party workers. In his response, the former prime minister said it was "clear" that despite having gotten "bail" in the cases lodged against him, the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government intended to arrest him. "It is also obvious now that the entire siege of Lahore was not about ensuring I appear before the court in a case, but was intended to take me away to prison so that I am unable to lead our election campaign," he added. In another tweet, he added, "Meanwhile, Punjab Police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this?" "This is a part of the London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment," he added. PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar and Shireen Mazari blasted the government and Punjab Police for attacking Zaman Park residence. Qureshi said the PTI workers were subjected to the worst torture and sanctity of the veil and the four walls was violated. "Does the law not apply to these animals?" Asad Umar, in his reaction, stated that the Zaman Park operation was going on in sheer violation of court orders. He stated that there was only one housewife at home. He said that neither any law was left nor any morality. Flaying the imported government, Shireen Mazari said that the assault on Imran Khan's residence where Bushra Bibi was alone inside the house was pure state terrorism by a corrupt caretaker chief minister and his Gullu Butt police. Mazari said that it seemed that some within the state deliberately wanted to create a widening rift between the people and the state so that Pakistan weakens and accepts subservience to external powers. PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry demanded the government remove roadblocks from the intra-city routes leading to the court in Islamabad immediately to ensure the free flow of traffic. "Let there be some room for Constitution and the law in the country," he said. "The route to the courts has been turned into Gaza," he wrote on Twitter, adding that writ petitions would immediately be filed in the Islamabad High Court. He condemned the restrictive administrative measures as "police terrorism". (ANI) The agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations during the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, according to the statement released by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, on Sunday, lauded the work of WFP in promoting food self-sufficiency and supporting governmental and global efforts to ensure long-term solutions to the challenge of hunger. At the conference, Tomar also thanked the ministers for being a part of the global conference organized by India with the aim of promoting Shree Anna, under the International Year of Millets (IYM), according to the statement. He said that the International Year of Millets is being celebrated so that the Indian Shree Anna, its recipes, and value-added products are accepted globally as a people's movement. He hoped to further strengthen India's agricultural ties with various countries. During the global conference, the MoU between WFP and the Government of India for cooperation between 2023-2027 was signed in the presence of Agriculture Minister Tomar. During this, Manoj Juneja, Deputy Chief Executive Director, Management and Chief Financial Officer of UNWFP, and Elizabeth Faure, WFP Representative and Country Director in India were present, according to the statement. Meanwhile, he held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from various countries participating in the Global Millets Conference. In a meeting with Guyana's Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustafa, Union Minister Tomar recalled the visit of the President of Guyana, Mohammad Irfan Ali, and Vice-President of Guyana Bharat Jagdev, and said that agriculture is a very important area of cooperation between the two countries. Expressing happiness over the steady progress in India-Guyana relations, he hoped for concrete cooperation in Agriculture and allied sectors. Tomar congratulated Guyana for the huge crude oil discovery, saying that this would enable Guyana to establish itself as a major energy exporter, which has the potential to transform the lives of its people. Expressing immense potential for cooperation in Agriculture and Agro-Processing Industries between India and Guyana, he said that the two countries complement each other as Guyana has vast arable land and water availability and India has the technology, expertise, and skilled manpower, which will mutually benefit both the countries. "India is keen to share its expertise and experience in the development of agriculture and allied sectors in Guyana, for which an MoU is under finalization. He assured that Guyana's request for the deputation of two experts to ITEC from India for three years to support the Guyana Sugar Corporation management and revive the sugar estates/plants in Guyana would be considered at the earliest," the statement read. Apart from Guyana, Tomar also held meetings with his counterparts from Zambia, Suriname, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka. (ANI) Within three months of the formation of the government, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is set to take the second round of vote of confidence on Monday, eyeing a comfortable majority. Dahal, also chairman of the third highest seat-holding party- Maoist Center in the parliament, came to power garnering the support of CPN-UML (Communist Party of Nepal- Unified Marxist Leninist) led by KP Sharma Oli along with other small parties. As soon as the coalition crossed two months, the Presidential election mood sore high and Dahal turned out to other parties ditching CPN-UML. Pushpa Kamal Dahal nom de guerre Prachanda meaning fierce turned to the largest party of Nepal- Nepali Congress ahead of the Presidential election and is testing the floor today forming another coalition of 10 parties. Dahal this time has agreed to split the five years tenure on a 2-1-2 years basis with CPN-Unified Socialist (US) and the Nepali Congress. As per the leaders of the parties, Dahal will retire from the post after remaining in post for 2 years paving the way to CPN-US for a year and then the Nepali Congress will lead the government until the nation goes for the poll in 2027. Ahead of Monday's voting, the Nepali Congress, Rastriya Swatantra Party, CPN-US, and Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) have announced to vote for Dahal. The Nepali Congress conveying a party committee meeting on Sunday itself already has issued a whip to its MPs to vote in favour of Prachanda. In the first round of vote of confidence after the commencement of General elections last November, Dahal had secured a whopping over 99 per cent of votes. At that time Dahal set a record by garnering 268 votes out of the 270 existing lawmakers present in the meeting that day. On Sunday, Prime Minister Dahal while exiting the Parliament complex remarked, "Am aiming for 100 per cent support tomorrow (Monday). I already have secured 99 per cent votes in the previous round, now I hope for the cent-per cent." Back then Dahal was able to get the whopping majority only because the Nepali Congress whom Dahal on December end had bigoted to become the next Prime Minister stood on his side. The constitution has mandated a Prime Minister to cross the mark of 138 votes to redeem posts and control the government. As per the parliamentary mathematics, Dahal today will comfortably pass the mark of fifty per cent majority. The parties which have announced to vote in favour; the Nepali Congress has 87, Rastriya Swatantra Party has 19, CPN-US has 10, and LSP has four seats. The Maoist Center led by Prime Minister himself has 32 lawmakers eligible to vote. The 5 parties standing in support of Dahal already cross the required mandate of 138 seats as they already have 152 votes in their favour in case all the lawmakers take part in the proceeding. The five parties pledging alliance with Dahal still cross the required majority mark. Apart from the five parties, the remaining parties on board for Dahal namely Janata Samajbadi has 10, Janamat Party has six, Nagarik Unmukti Party has four and two independent lawmakers are supposed to vote in favour of Dahal. Meanwhile, the CPN-UML which is in the opposition has 79, Nepal Workers Pheasant Party has one seat in the parliament. Another national party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party known for its pro-monarchy stance with 14 seats remains undecided as of past midnight of Sunday. Dahal was appointed as the Prime Minister by then President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on December 25 after he showed the support of 169 lawmakers. As per the constitutional provision, a prime minister appointed under Article 76(2) needs to secure a vote of confidence from the parliament within 30 days of the appointment. Alike before, the Prime Minister who is holding on 16 ministerial portfolios has promised to move ahead with cabinet expansion after passing the floor test. The current cabinet is nine-member strong. The prime minister can now appoint 16 more ministers as the constitution has limited the size of the Cabinet to 25 members. (ANI) China's embassy in the United Kingdom, on Sunday (Local Time), condemned the visit of the British delegation to Taiwan and said that this was a "flagrant violation of the one-China principle" and interference in their country's internal matters. In a statement, Chinese ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang said, "In disregard of China's firm opposition, relevant members of the UK Parliament went ahead to visit the Taiwan region of China. This is a flagrant violation of the one-China principle and blatant interference in China's internal affairs which sends a grossly wrong signal to the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence". China strongly condemns this." He further stated that Taiwan is part of China's territory, and the discussion on Taipei is purely China's internal affair. "The one-China principle is a recognized basic norm of international relations and a universal consensus of the international community. It is also the political foundation for the establishment and development of diplomatic relations between China and the UK," the statement added. The Chinese ambassador urged the UK to abide by the basic norms governing international relations and stop any action that violates the one-China principle and interferes with China's internal affairs. Zheng also stated that he wanted to make this clear to the relevant British politicians: any actions that undermine China's interests will be met with its resolute countermeasures. Meanwhile, Taiwan welcomed the delegations of the British on Sunday. British lawmaker Bob Stewart, who co-chairs the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, is leading the British delegation of cross-party legislators until Friday, the ministry said in a news release. The delegation, which is in Taiwan at the government's invitation, comprises British lawmakers Sarah Atherton, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Afzal Khan, Marie Rimmer, and Rob Butler, the other cochair of the UK-Taiwan parliamentary group, the ministry said, according to Taipei Times. The group is to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Chen Chien-ren, and National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, and attend banquets hosted by Legislative Yuan Speaker You Si-kun and Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu, it said. Stewart, who is on his second trip to Taiwan, has since become the group's cochair in 2021 shown strong support for the nation, including leading discussions about Taiwanese-British friendship and cooperation in February last year, the ministry said. (ANI) In this article, we will discuss the 15 biggest potash companies in the world. If you want to see more companies in this selection, go to the 5 Biggest Potash Companies in the World. According to the United Nations (UN), the global population is projected to reach 8.6 billion by the end of this decade, 9.8 billion by 2050, and 11.2 billion by 2100. With the growing population, there will be an increased demand for agricultural products, which will result in a higher demand for potash, a critical input for producing agricultural goods. Urbanization will also reduce the availability of farmland, making it necessary to enhance crop output. Potash fertilizer is known for providing nutrients to crops, enhancing water retention abilities, and strengthening roots and stems, making it essential for increasing crop productivity. Additionally, potash is crucial in the burgeoning cannabis industry. Currently, 95% of global potash production is used for growing food, and there are no substitutes for potash as an essential crop nutrient. The global potash industry is estimated to have produced around 40 million tonnes of potash in 2022, representing a YoY decline of 13.6%. The onset of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022 has adversely impacted the potash market. The US and EU imposed economic sanctions on Russia and Belarus for their involvement in the conflict, resulting in significant declines in potash production in both countries. Russia, which is the second-largest producer of potash globally, saw its annual production drop from 9.1 million tonnes in 2021 to 5 million tonnes in 2022, while Belarus, the third-largest producer, experienced a drop from 7.6 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes in the same period. Despite these challenges, Brazil remains the biggest export market for Russian potash, although it plans to reduce its reliance on imported fertilizer from 85% to 45% by 2050. Despite the negative impacts of the conflict, the potash industry remains essential to global agriculture and food production. Story continues Commodity Prices Trading Above Average Historical Levels BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM), and Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) are some of the biggest potash companies in the world. Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR), based in Saskatoon, Canada, is the world's largest producer of potash, with an estimated annual capacity of 20 million tonnes. As the largest producer of potash globally, Canada is well-positioned to meet the demand for this essential agricultural input. In response to the economic sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus, Canada has increased its potash production from 14.2 million tonnes in 2021 to 16 million tonnes in 2022 to offset the shortage in the market. In recent years, the potash market has been oversupplied, leading to low prices and pressure on producers. However, according to the World Bank, fertilizer prices increased by 30% in 2022 due to the disruption caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During Nutrien Ltd.'s (NYSE:NTR) Q4 2022 earnings call, CEO Ken Seitz highlighted that the inventory of grains is at its lowest level in 25 years, and it would require multiple crop cycles to restore the inventory to normal levels. He also shared that "crop commodity prices are trading well above historical average levels." He added there is an expected increase in planted acreage and crop input demand in North America and Brazil. Photo by CDC on Unsplash Our Methodology We shortlisted the 15 biggest potash companies in the world by analyzing their market share, production capacity, diversity of product lines, geographical distribution, and other relevant factors of major players in the potash industry. These companies have been ranked in ascending order of their market capitalization as of March 17. We have used a revenue multiple of 1.5x to estimate the market cap of private companies. Biggest Potash Companies in the World 15. Jordan Phosphate Mines Company Ltd. Estimated Market Capitalization: $2.28 billion TTM Revenue: $1.52 billion (JOD 1.08 billion) Jordan Phosphate Mines Company Ltd. is an Amman, Jordan-based company that was founded in 1949. The company, with a headcount of 2,318 employees, is considered an important enterprise in the Jordanian economy. The company is a major producer and exporter of phosphate and potash products in the Middle East region. JPMC operates three mines in Jordan, which produce large quantities of phosphate and potash fertilizers. The firm exports its potash products to different countries in Asia, Europe, and South America. The company also supplies its products to the local market in Jordan and neighboring countries. 14. Arab Potash Company Estimated Market Capitalization: $2.75 billion TTM Revenue: $1.83 billion Arab Potash Company is a Jordan-based mining company. The company ranks eighth in the world in terms of potash production volume. Potash is extracted from the Dead Sea by the Arab Potash Company using a unique solar evaporation method. Evaporating Dead Sea water results in a slurry that is rich in minerals, which is then processed to create several potash products. Arab Potash Company has three factories in Jordan with a combined capacity to produce over 2.5 million tonnes of potash annually. 13. Belaruskali Estimated Market Capitalization: $3.6 billion Revenue 2020: $2.4 billion Belaruskali is a Minsk region, Belarus-based leading potash fertilizer company. As per the International Fertilizer Association, Belaruskali produces one-fifth of the world's potash. The company has made significant investments in updating its mining infrastructure, including using cutting-edge technologies to boost productivity and cut costs. Belaruskali is thought to have among the largest potash reserves in the world and uses traditional underground mining techniques to harvest the potash. Belaruskali's products are renowned for their exceptional quality and have been awarded many international accolades. This has enabled the company to export its products to over 130 countries worldwide. 12. Asia-potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co.,Ltd. (000893.SZ) Market Capitalization: $3.74 billion Asia-potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (000893.SZ) is a Guangzhou, China-based potash-producing and marketing company. The company is already one of the biggest potassium fertilizer producers in Asia. Asia-potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. (000893.SZ) invested $461.5 million (3.2 billion) to construct Laos's potash fertilizer production facility. The facility is set to reach an annual production of 3 million tonnes by 2024 and is considered Asia's biggest single potash-producing resource. The facility will heavily rely on the China-Laos railway network to transport the potash back to China for consumption. 11. K+S Aktiengesellschaft (SDF.DE) Market Capitalization: $4.17 billion K+S Aktiengesellschaft (SDF.DE) is a Kassel, Germany-based chemical company that is the biggest potash supplier in Europe. The company also has production facilities in North and South America and has a workforce of 11,000 employees. The company sells its products under the brand name "K+S KALI." K+S Aktiengesellschaft (SDF.DE)'s exports its potash products to customers in more than 100 countries. Overall, K+S Aktiengesellschaft (SDF.DE) is a major player in the global potash market and is committed to providing innovative and sustainable solutions to support agriculture worldwide. 10. Acron Group Estimated Market Capitalization: $4.8 billion TTM Revenue: $3.2 billion Acron Group is a Veliky Novgorod, Russia-based fertilizer company that is considered among the top 10 producers of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in the world. The company has an aggregate annual capacity of 8 million tonnes. Acron Group has an extensive distribution network in Russia, China, Argentina, Brazil, the USA, and Switzerland. Overall, the company exports its products to 60 countries. Acron Group has a headcount of 11,000 employees spread across eight countries. Acron Group produces several types of potash fertilizers, including Muriate of Potash (MOP) and White Potash (WP). 9. Uralkali Estimated Market Capitalization: $5.22 billion TTM Revenue: $3.48 billion Uralkali is a Berezniki, Russia-based leading vertically-integrated producer and exporter of potash. The company, founded in 1930, has five mines and seven ore-treatment facilities in its portfolio and has a workforce of 12,000 employees. Uralkali controls the complete value chain, from mining potash ore to supplying its end product to customers. Uralkali produces a wide variety of fertilizers containing different concentrations of potassium chloride. 8. ICL Group Ltd (NYSE:ICL) Market Capitalization: $8.83 billion Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL) Group is a Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel-based company. The company employs around 12,000 people and operates 38 production facilities across 13 countries. Additionally, it has 60 logistics and sales service points in 30 countries. ICL Group's potash production comes from its mines in Israel and Spain. The company uses evaporation to extract potash from the Dead Sea at Sodom, Israel. ICL Group Ltd (NYSE:ICL) markets its potash products under various brand names, including "PotashCorp" and "Qrop." In 2022, ICL Group Ltd's (NYSE:ICL) potash production stood at 4.69 million tonnes. Overall, the company's global reach, extensive production facilities, and expertise in potash extraction position it as a major player in the industry. 7. Yara International ASA (YAR.OL) Market Capitalization: $11.03 billion Yara International ASA (YAR.OL) is an Oslo, Norway-based fertilizer company. It manufactures and sells fertilizers with nitrogen, phosphate, and potash as active ingredients. The business dominates the worldwide fertilizer market and is well-established in a number of key regions, including Europe, North America, and Asia. The fertilizers are made by Yara International ASA (YAR.OL) using a range of techniques, such as the extraction of potash through mining and solar evaporation, the manufacturing of nitrogen using natural gas, and the mining of phosphate rocks. The business is also a top producer of urea and ammonia, two industrial goods dependent on nitrogen. 6. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) Market Capitalization: $15.05 billion The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) is a Tampa, Florida-based maker of concentrated potash and phosphate. The company has a headcount of 13,000 employees spread across six countries. In a research note issued to investors on February 27, Steve Byrne at Bank of America raised the price target on The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) from $65 to $69 and maintained a Buy rating on the stock. The analyst termed the management's tone as "quite constructive" during the Q4 2022 earnings call, as the Mosaic Company highlighted that there would be input cost deflation this year that will aid in improving margins for the business. The analyst added that strong demand for potash would support the additional supply due to the restart of the Colonsay mine. In addition to The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS), BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (NYSE:SQM), and Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) are also some of the biggest potash companies in the world. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Biggest Potash Companies in the World. Suggested articles: Disclosure: None. 15 Biggest Potash Companies in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey. "1923" star Sebastian Roche has weighed in on "Yellowstone" and its spinoffs being ignored by the Emmy Awards. Denise Truscello/Getty Images, Paramount Network Sebastian Roche has weighed in on "Yellowstone" and its spinoffs being ignored by the Emmy Awards. The " 1923" actor told Insider that the shows are "great works of art" and deserve recognition. "The fact that Kelly Reilly hasn't been nominated for an Emmy is just staggering to me," he said. Since it launched in 2018, Paramount Network's "Yellowstone" has grown to become one of the most-watched dramas on cable television with a devoted fan base and several successful spinoffs. However, one thing the flagship series co-created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson does not have is recognition from the Emmy Awards, having been shut out of the awards during its first three seasons. Season four earned a single nomination in 2021 for production design, but lost out to "Mare of Easttown." Meanwhile, last year's spinoff, "1883," which starred Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, garnered three nominations, two for cinematography and one for music, but likewise did not win. Speaking to Insider, Sebastian Roche, who stars as Father Renaud in the franchise's most recent spinoff, "1923," said he thinks the shows in the "Yellowstone" universe have "been deserving of all the awards for the past few years" and is hopeful something changes soon. "I've been watching 'Yellowstone' since its inception, and '1883' too, and these are great works of art," he said. "They should have been recompensed, that's my opinion." The cast of "Yellowstone." Paramount Network Roche went on to single out British actor Kelly Reilly's performance as the ferocious but flawed Beth Dutton as one that he thinks really should receive a nod from the awards body. "The fact that Kelly Reilly hasn't been nominated for an Emmy is just staggering to me," he said. The actor added that he is hopeful that when nominations are announced this year, both "Yellowstone" and "1923," which is led by Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren, will get a few nominations. "It's something we haven't seen for so long on television or screen, a sort of epic drama with deep family connections and a deep understanding of history," the actor said of the series, which it has been announced will be returning for a second season. Story continues "While I was reading it, I was thinking of Hemingway," Roche. "I do believe '1923' should be in the conversation. I mean, when I see the work that the crew does in terms of directing, photography, and acting." Sebastian Roche as Father Renaud of the Paramount+ series "1923." Emerson Miller/Paramount+ "I'm blown away by the work that my colleagues are doing on this show and I think it should be recompensed." Roche went on to praise Sheridan who, as actors have previously revealed, is very involved in the casting process for all his shows. "The thing about Taylor Sheridan is he's a masterful casting director, not only a brilliant writer. He knows who to cast and it's as if he writes, and has a very specific idea of who he wants and he always finds the right person," the actor said. "This is a work that I'm extremely proud of and I think that the academy should recognize it for what it is. It's a great work of art." Read the original article on Insider Ohio is no stranger to severe weather, and this week kicks off severe weather awareness week. Two confirmed tornadoes by the National Weather Service have already affected the Miami Valley in late February in Middletown and New Carlisle. >>PHOTOS: Funnel clouds, storm damage, hail across the Miami Valley Emergency Management Agencies have suggested three ways to be prepared for severe weather: Stay Informed: Make sure you have multiple ways to receive alerts, such as an NOAA weather radio, signing up for local/county emergency alerting systems, and tuning in to local media reports. As a reminder, outdoor warning sirens are meant to alert people in open outside areas and should not be relied upon to provide sufficient warning indoors or in noisy areas. Build a Kit: Build an emergency preparedness kit with disaster items like water, nonperishable food, and a flashlight. Make a Plan: Discuss and document what your family would do during a disaster, including how you would communicate and where you would go. When severe weather is imminent, residents should take cover indoors, tune in to local media for information, and take action to stay safe. >>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Storm survey confirms EF1 tornadoes touched down in Clark, Butler Counties Monday A statewide tornado drill be conducted on Wednesday at 9:50 a.m. Several counties will not be activating their outdoor sirens. For more information about your county, visit your local Emergency Management Agency. default default default default default default default Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer/ West Middletown Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Viewers across the Miami Valley share their storm photos Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo from: Mike Campbell/Staff Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Photo by: iWitness 7 Viewer Doctors are fighting for the life of a Kharkiv resident who sustained severe injuries during hostilities in Bakhmut. The man suffered five gunshot wounds and had over 200 pieces of shrapnel stuck in his arms and legs. Source: the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Clinical Hospital Stanislav, 51, who volunteered to join the Ukrainian army, is undergoing treatment at the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Clinical Hospital. Stanislav sustained severe injuries including a penetrating chest wound and a hip torn in a grenade explosion in late January 2023. In early February, he had his leg amputated below the knee at the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Clinical Hospital. Stanislav at the hospital Photo: Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Clinical Hospital During peacetime, Stanislav was a cement mixer driver. It was his second time volunteering to fight in the Ukrainian army to defend the country from Russias aggression. "I ended up in the National Guard, the 4th Battalion named after Colonel Petro Bolbochan. I sustained an injury during a mop-up operation. Our unit was supposed to capture a privately owned building and hold it to prevent the occupiers from bypassing another brigade and approaching us from the rear," Stanislav said. He and his comrades-in-arms were ambushed when they arrived at the designated position. Russian occupation forces deployed howitzers to fire at Stanislav and his comrades for an hour and a half, while taking up their new positions. "By the end, half of our guys had been killed, and I managed to survive till the morning. Bullets spare no one, but I thought they somehow spared me. I managed to [kill] two [Russian soldiers] but the third one outwit me, like we were in a video game: he fell to the ground and shot me in the leg," Stanislav explained. Stanislav and his wife Photo: Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Clinical Hospital Stanislav bleeding and in pain managed to barricade one of the walls in the building, which saved him from being captured. Russian occupation troops threw grenades at him instead, and he fired right back at them. Story continues Stanislav said that he must be "not very sensitive to pain". "I heard a bullet go in and go out. I was glad that my arm was still working," Stanislav said. "But when my leg got shot and I heard my bones break, I thought that would be the end of me." He admitted that he survived because of his fury and his knowledge of survival tactics, which he was taught back in 2015 by Canadian instructors: to curl up and cover his vital organs with his hands. "It worked: I got four wounds in my arms, but I survived," Stanislav said. He added that he didnt want to either freeze or burn to death. He recalled how he used his gun to prop himself up and made his way to another room in the building where he was. He held out for as long as he could, and started thinking about taking his own life, but eventually was able to use his radio to call for help. When asked whether he regrets volunteering to fight again, Stanislav jokes, saying he could have made use of his leg a while longer. "Here in the hospital Im starting to lose it a bit when I cant get up or my wife has to feed me. I dont know what might come next But I would like to live a while longer and help my kids figure their lives out," Stanislav said. His son is 25 and his daughter is 14. Stanislav is currently undergoing treatment. His wife Tetiana is by his side. His doctors say that his condition is stable. Previously: Serhii "Maestro", a medic from Volunteer Mobile Hospital No.1 was killed in Zhytomyr Oblast in December 2022, while rescuing his daughter from a fire. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Copyright 2023, Des Moines Register and Tribune Co. Iowans oppose Gov. Kim Reynolds signature school choice law, which allows families to use taxpayer money to pay for private schools, by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll. More than six in 10 Iowans, 62%, oppose the law. The program will allow every Iowa family to receive about $7,600 annually per student in an education savings account to pay private school costs such as tuition and fees. Just over a third of Iowans favor the policy, at 34%. Another 4% are not sure. The law is also unpopular with a similar majority of parents with children in public schools, the poll found. The poll of 805 Iowa adults was conducted March 5-8 by Selzer & Co. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Reynolds centered her 2022 reelection campaign on the theme of providing more choices in education and giving parents more control over their childrens schooling. She won reelection by 19 percentage points. More:Will Iowa's broad 'school choice' law mean no choice for LGBTQ and special-needs students? She made private school scholarships the centerpiece of her annual Condition of the State address in January. Republican lawmakers swiftly passed the legislation and sent it to the governor for her signature just two weeks after it was introduced. But her plan to use taxpayer money to pay for students' private school faces majority opposition from a host of groups: Democrats and Republicans, men and women, urban and rural dwellers, as well as Iowans with children under 18. Deb Maschke, a poll respondent from Waverly, opposes the law. She said it makes it seem like the state is giving up on its public schools. When states do this, they are hanging up a big sign that says, We have lousy public schools. We know it. Were sorry. Well give you money to send your kid to another school, said Maschke, 70, who is a retired project manager and a Democrat. Story continues Iowans opposed previous private school proposals, but more narrowly This year was Reynolds third attempt to pass some version of school choice legislation, and her most expansive proposal. It also generated the greatest opposition among Iowans compared with previous school choice proposals tested in earlier Iowa Polls. The new law will phase in over three years and eventually allow all Iowa families, regardless of income, to receive about $7,600 per student each year in education savings accounts. Public school districts will also receive about $1,200 for each student within their district's boundaries who receives an education savings account including for children who already attend private school. However, those districts will lose the $7,600 in per pupil funding for every student who leaves to go to a private school. The law is expected to cost the state about $345 million annually once its fully in place. More:Jubilant Kim Reynolds signs Iowa's seismic 'school choice' bill into law. What it means: Reynolds two previous attempts failed to win enough support in the Iowa House, despite their narrower scope. In 2022, Reynolds proposed a program that would have been limited to families making less than 400% of the federal poverty level. That program would have been capped at 10,000 participants statewide. Head of Schools at Pella Christian Schools Dan Zylstra, left, and Executive Director of Hispanics Aligned for Choice in Education Reform Arlene McClintock are introduced by Gov. Kim Reynolds before they gave their testimonies at the signing of Reynolds' "school choice" legislation in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol Building on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023. An Iowa Poll conducted Feb. 28-March 2, 2022, asked about taxpayer funding for private schools but worded the question differently from the language in this years poll. In 2022, Iowans were asked whether they favored or opposed initiatives in the Legislature to use funds for public schools to help parents pay costs of nonpublic schools or homeschooling for grades K through 12. More than half of Iowans opposed such initiatives, with 52% against and 41% in favor. In 2021, Reynolds proposed a much more limited version, which would have given state-funded scholarships to students at just 34 school buildings statewide that were designated as in need of comprehensive support and improvement. A March 2021 Iowa Poll question, worded the same as in 2022, found opposition by 49% of Iowans and support by 44%. Republicans, independents, Democrats, parents all oppose the law The laws passage came over the opposition of a dozen lawmakers from Reynolds own party nine in the House, and three in the Senate. The Iowa Poll found a narrow majority of Republicans (51%) oppose the school choice law, while 44% of Republicans are in favor. Political independents closely mirror the state as a whole, with 63% opposed and 34% in favor. Democrats overwhelmingly oppose the law, with 82% opposed and 12% in favor. More:Who voted for Kim Reynolds' private school scholarships bill? These maps tell the story Dowling Catholic students eat lunch in the cafeteria on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. Iowans who voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020 are evenly split, with 47% in favor and 47% opposed. I dont know why we would pay for kids to go to private school, said Cole Reynolds, a 29-year-old poll respondent and a Republican. Thats something the parents, if they want their kids to go to private school, they should have to pay for that. Thats how its always been. Cole Reynolds, who lives in Alexander and is a truck driver, has three kids who attend public school. He said he doesnt see his opposition as political. To him, it just sounds like people are looking for handouts to send their kids to private school. It doesnt seem like something a Republican would want to vote for, he said. Reynolds is among a majority of Iowa parents who oppose the new law. More:Which Iowa kids could 'school choice' help most? These 3 maps tell the story: More than half of parents with children in public school oppose the policy, 61% to 36%. Similarly, Iowans with children under the age of 18 oppose it, 59% to 38%. Russel Kennedy, a 51-year-old Republican poll respondent from Hawarden, lands in favor of the new education savings accounts. He said families should not be locked into whatever school fits in their district. The parents know where the better schools are in town, said Kennedy, a warehouse worker. Kennedys two grown children attended public school, but he would have considered moving them to a private school if education savings accounts were available at the time. Catholics and Protestants oppose the law; evangelicals narrowly favor it Evangelicals are the only group where a plurality approve of the law, though narrowly, with 49% in favor and 46% opposed. Fifty-seven percent of Catholics oppose the new law, while 39% are in favor. The split was the same for Protestants. All but six of Iowas 183 nonpublic schools have religious or spiritual affiliations, according to an analysis by the Des Moines Register. Maschke, who is Catholic, previously lived in Ohio. She sent her daughter to parochial school there because she felt it was important that the views that I raised her with at home were also part of her education. It was a choice I made, she said. So, if I want to make that choice, then I pay for it. You dont go to the state and say, I dont like the way youre running your public schools, so I want you to give me money to send my kids to someplace else. Maschke said she doesnt believe tax dollars should go to religious schools. Where is the division of church and state? she said. Because thats what we preach. FAQs: How is the Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll conducted? We answer your top questions. Poll respondent Robert Sam Braden, 36, is the pastor of Hope Bible Church and the mayor of Fredonia. He said he favors education savings accounts but believes they should not be funded at the cost of public education. More options for people is better than fewer options, said Braden, an independent. And when I say that I'm in favor of school choice, I don't necessarily think we should be taking money away from the public schools, but, I think, the education budget should be raised across the board. Braden and his wife have already begun talking about how they want to educate their two young children since there are no nearby private schools. Still, he said he believes the education savings accounts program will help families. Just because I can't benefit from something doesnt mean I dont think other people should, Braden said. Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller. Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter. About the Poll The Iowa Poll, conducted March 5-8, 2023, for The Des Moines Register and Mediacom by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines, is based on telephone interviews with 805 Iowans ages 18 or older. Interviewers with Quantel Research contacted households with randomly selected landline and cell phone numbers supplied by Dynata. Interviews were administered in English. Responses were adjusted by age, sex and congressional district to reflect the general population based on recent American Community Survey estimates. Questions based on the sample of 805 Iowa adults have a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. This means that if this survey were repeated using the same questions and the same methodology, 19 times out of 20, the findings would not vary from the true population value by more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Results based on smaller samples of respondents such as by gender or age have a larger margin of error. Republishing the copyright Iowa Poll without credit to The Des Moines Register and Mediacom is prohibited. Iowa Poll methodology This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Poll: Kim Reynolds private school accounts opposed by majority Journey lead singer Arnel Pineda performs during the 35th annual Stadium of Fire at the LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo Saturday, July 4, 2015. Journey returns to headline Stadium of Fire this year. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The rock band Journey hits a major milestone this year, reaching half a century since its formation, though only one original member remains in the group. As part of the 50-year celebration, Journey is bringing its greatest hits to Provos annual Stadium of Fire event. Who is performing at the 2023 Stadium of Fire? Journey returns to LaVell Edwards Stadium on July 1, headlining the annual Independence Day celebration that includes a flyover by F-35 jets from Utahs Hill Air Force Base and a massive display of fireworks. Related The band first headlined the event in 2015. Since its start in 1980, Stadium of Fire has welcomed a wide array of performers, including Huey Lewis and the News, Gladys Knight, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, The Beach Boys, Brad Paisley and Miley Cyrus, the Deseret News reported. Tickets go on sale to the general public March 24 at noon, and can be purchased at freedomfestival.org. Joining the festivals email list will get you early access to tickets, starting at 10 a.m. on March 24. Journey is currently on tour in support of its album, Freedom, which came out last year. Today, Journey members include lead guitarist Neal Schon the one remaining original member; lead vocalist Arnel Pineda and keyboardist Jonathan Cain. Schon recently announced the upcoming release of Journey Through Time, a live concert that was recorded in San Francisco in 2018. The sold-out concert was a benefit show to raise money for victims of fires in the San Francisco area in 2017, according to a news release sent to the Deseret News. The live concert recording comes out May 19. What are Journeys biggest hits? According to Billboard, Journeys highest-charting songs include: Open Arms reached No. 2 on Billboards Hot 100 in 1982. Whos Crying Now reached No. 4 in 1981. Separate Ways reached No. 8 in 1983. Dont Stop Believin reached No. 9 in 1981. Only the Young reached No. 9 in 1985. Faithfully reached No. 12 in 1983. Be Good to Yourself reached No. 9 in 1986. Ill Be Alright Without You reached No. 14 in 1987. Story continues What other big shows are coming up in Utah? Visit the Deseret News for a breakdown, by venue, of some big shows coming up across the Beehive State. The list is updated regularly. Related Secretary of State Colin Powell holds up a vial he said could contain anthrax as he presents evidence of Iraq's alleged weapons programs to the United Nations Security Council in 2003. (Elise Amendola / Associated Press ) Twenty years ago, President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, toppling the despot Saddam Hussein and fomenting a kind of hell that Iraq is still grappling with today. Twenty years ago, this countrys mainstream media with one notable exception bought into phony Bush administration claims about Hussein's stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction, helping cheerlead our nation into a conflict that ended the lives of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. The war along with criminally poor post-war planning on the part of Bush administration officials also unleashed horrible sectarian strife, led to the emergence of ISIS and displaced more than 1 million Iraqis. That sad chapter in American history produced its share of jingoistic buzzwords and phrases: "WMD," the axis of evil, regime change, yellowcake uranium, the coalition of the willing, and a cheesy but terrifying refrain, repeated ad nauseam by Bush administration officials such as then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice: We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud." (The memorable metaphor was dreamed up by the late Michael Gerson, a Bush speechwriter at the time.) Of course, there was never any smoking gun, mushroom-shaped or not. Iraqs stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction had been destroyed in 1991 after Iraq invaded Kuwait and was beaten back by a coalition of 35 countries led by the United States. The United Nations Security Council had also required Iraq to end its biological and nuclear weapons programs. This is not to say that Hussein was a defanged tiger; he was not. But neither was he the threat he was portrayed to be. Misleading a public that had been shaken to its core by the 9/11 terrorist attacks turned out to be a relatively easy task for the warmongering neocons of the Bush administration. They foolishly believed they could impose democracy on a nation with no history of it. Bush officials also manufactured phony links between Iraq and the 9/11 attacks orchestrated by Islamist militant Osama bin Laden and his terrorist group Al Qaeda. To his lasting mortification, the late Secretary of State Colin Powell assured the world in a speech to the United Nations just before the invasion that the war was completely justified by the danger Iraq posed to the world. Story continues My colleagues, every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources, said Powell. These are not assertions. What were giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence. His statements, he later acknowledged, were patently false, many of which were provided to U.S. intelligence by unreliable sources exiles such as Ahmad Chalabi, an Iraqi opposition leader who dreamed of ousting Hussein and taking the reins of power in Iraq. Powells statements are among those documented in 2008 by the Center for Public Integrity, which compiled the hundreds of lies told by Bush and his top officials as part of a campaign aimed at persuading the American public to support the invasion of Iraq under decidedly false pretenses. Most of the media, said the center, was largely complicit in its uncritical coverage of the reasons for going to war. There was a glaring exception to that complicity. Three reporters and an editor in Knight-Ridders Washington bureau were alone among the major news organizations in questioning the administration's narrative about WMD. Jonathan Landay, Warren Strobel and Joe Galloway, with their editor John Walcott, threw water on so much of what the mainstream media was reporting. The drama was captured in "Shock and Awe," a 2017 feature film by Rob Reiner, who plays Walcott. In 2013, on the 10th anniversary of the invasion, Walcott told me his team was driven by skepticism, journalism's most precious resource. Most of the administrations case for that war made absolutely no sense, specifically the notion that Saddam Hussein was allied with Osama bin Laden. A secular Arab dictator allied with a radical Islamist whose goal was to overthrow secular dictators and reestablish his caliphate? The more we examined it, the more it stank. Also, he said, rather than rely on high-ranking administration officials, they sought out lower-level staff who were not political appointees and less apt to parrot the president to stay in his good graces. Knight-Ridder turned out story after story undercutting the administrations (and the New York Times, Washington Posts and Los Angeles Times) version of Hussein's capabilities. Some of Knight-Ridders own newspapers among them, the Philadelphia Inquirer refused to run the stories, for fear of being contradicted, especially by the New York Times, which explained its credulous coverage of the WMD issue about 15 months after the invasion. It is still possible that chemical or biological weapons will be unearthed in Iraq, wrote Times editors, but in this case it looks as if we, along with the administration, were taken in. Of course, there was robust opposition to the invasion of Iraq in the U.S. and around the world, though in the first few months of the conflict, a majority of Americans polled were supportive. It did not take long for disenchantment to set in. After all, where were all those Iraqis that Vice President Cheney had promised would greet American soldiers as liberators"? Cheney has never apologized for his role in the Iraqi blunder (as far as I can tell, he is still defending it). Neither has Bush, although he recently, if accidentally, admitted the truth. In a speech last May at the Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, he said it was the decision of one man to launch a wholly unjustified and brutal invasion of Iraq, I mean, Ukraine. He winced, then almost under his breath, added: Iraq too. @AbcarianLAT This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. For southern Arizonans wanting to get abortion care in Tucson, they will no longer have to wait weeks or a month for an appointment because of an increase in staff, primarily providers working on a contract basis, filling in for those fleeing Arizona's tight abortion restrictions. As of Friday afternoon, the wait time for an appointment was 48 hours. Meanwhile in Phoenix, patients have to wait up to three weeks for an appointment, according to Planned Parenthood. Staffing challenges in abortion clinics have increased as nurses and physicians who provide abortions move out of Arizona because of the lack of clarity around abortion rights, said Brittany Fonteno, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood. The lack of staffing has made it challenging for some clinics to stay open. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that ruled in June to overturn the constitutional right to abortion, and put abortion rights in the hands of the states, created an environment of fear of criminalization making providers feel uncomfortable providing care in Arizona, Fonteno said. Planned Parenthood is one of just two abortion clinics in southern Arizona, but the only one offering a surgical abortion. The other clinic also located in Tucson offers medication abortion services for anyone pregnant up to 10 weeks. These are just two of the states six abortion clinics, the rest of which are in Phoenix. Fonteno said longer wait times for appointments have pushed people to have abortions later than they would have wanted, which has led to a range of impacts: With medication abortions only available up to 11 weeks, some patients have been required to have surgical abortions, which can be costly depending on how far along the patient's pregnancy is. In other situations, people pushed past the 15-week limit have had to travel out of state to areas with later limits on abortions. Longer wait times have forced rural Arizonans to travel out of state for abortion care When wait times in Tucson were long, people who lived too far from Phoenix to get care began traveling out of state, said Eloise Lopez, the executive director of Pro-Choice Arizona and the Abortion Fund of Arizona. The Abortion Fund of Arizona helps pay for transportation, lodging, gas and other needs someone may have when wanting to get an abortion. Story continues Where people went depended on what part of the state they lived in. For southern Arizonans, that meant traveling to El Centro, California, while residents up north near Kingman were more likely to travel to Las Vegas, and those in the northeastern part of Arizona traveled to New Mexico. Although southern Arizonans can also travel to Mexico for abortion services, for many who are undocumented, that journey is not an option, Lopez said. Abortions are becoming more expensive Fonteno said Arizonas 15-week ban is not as good of a compromise as people may think. There actually is no compromise when it comes to peoples ability to access health care and make their own decisions about their bodies and lives, Fonteno said. The 15-week ban for abortions came into effect after former Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law in March 2022 a bill that prohibits abortion after 15 weeks, without exceptions for rape or incest. In addition, Arizonas pre-statehood law that calls for a near-total ban on abortion is still being fought in court. Right to intervene granted:Republican legislators will defend Arizona law banning abortions due to 'genetic abnormalities' As abortion services have become more scarce, the price for the procedure is increasing as clinics increase their prices to stay open, Lopez said. Her organization also has seen traveling expenses increase as people travel farther to get care. The organization spends between $700 and $1,000 for round-trip tickets for at least two people. Even with abortion legal up to 15 weeks, access is severely impacted either way, Lopez said. Reach reporter Sarah Lapidus at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Abortion appointment wait times in Tucson decrease; more staff hired Oklahomas leading anti-abortion group is pushing GOP lawmakers to loosen the states near-total ban. In a recent letter to legislators, Oklahomans for Life Chair Tony Lauinger argued that if they dont amend the states anti-abortion law to add exceptions for rape and incest, there is a real chance a citizen-led ballot initiative to make all abortion legal will eventually succeed. His efforts, which other lawmakers and anti-abortion groups have slammed as immoral and politically naive, are the latest example of the national scramble to prevent voters from restoring abortion access by popular vote. Legislatures in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio and Oklahoma are debating bills this session that would hike the filing fees, raise the number of signatures required to get on the ballot, restrict who can collect signatures, mandate broader geographic distribution of signatures, and raise the vote threshold to pass an amendment from a majority to a supermajority. While the bills vary in wording, they would have the same impact: limiting voters' power to override abortion restrictions that Republicans imposed, which took effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. After watching the pro-abortion rights side win all six ballot initiative fights related to abortion in 2022 including in conservative states such as Kansas and Kentucky conservatives fear, and are mobilizing to avoid, a repeat. It was a wake-up call that taught us we have a ton of work to do, said Kelsey Pritchard, the state public affairs director for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which plans to spend tens of millions of dollars on ballot initiative fights on abortion over the next two years. Were going to be really engaged on these ballot measures that are often very radical and go far beyond what Roe ever did. In Mississippi, where a court order froze all ballot efforts in 2021, GOP lawmakers are advancing legislation that would restore the mechanism but prohibit voters from putting abortion-related measures on the ballot. Story continues I think it just continues the policy of Mississippi and our state leaders that we're going to be a pro-life state, said Mississippi state Rep. Nick Bain, who presented the bill on the House floor. But in most states, the GOP proposals to tighten restrictions on ballot initiatives are not explicitly targeting abortion. The push to change the rules began years before the Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022 spurred by progressive efforts to legalize marijuana, expand Medicaid and raise the minimum wage in several red states though it reached new heights over the past year as voters and elected officials clashed over abortion policies. Still, some anti-abortion activists worry that the trend could backfire, preventing groups from using the tactic to pass their own constitutional amendments via popular vote. In Florida, its a double-edged sword, said Andrew Shirvell, the leader of the group Florida Voice for the Unborn that is supporting efforts to put an anti-abortion measure on the 2024 ballot. So were conflicted about it, because there is a large contingent of pro-life grassroots advocates who feel our governor and legislature have failed us on this issue for far too long and want to take things into our own hands. Interest on the left in using ballot initiatives to protect or expand abortion access exploded in the wake of the 2022 midterm elections. Efforts are already underway in Missouri, Ohio and South Dakota to insert language restoring abortion rights into the states constitutions, while advocates in several other states are mulling their options. The campaign is furthest along in Ohio, where abortion rights advocates began collecting signatures this week. A coalition of anti-abortion groups called Protect Women Ohio formed in response and announced a $5 million ad buy this week to air a 30-second spot suggesting the proposed amendment would take away parents rights to decide whether their children should obtain abortions and other kinds of health care. At the same time, some Ohio lawmakers are pushing for a proposal that would raise the voter approval threshold for constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60 percent. In Missouri, where progressive groups have submitted several versions of an abortion-rights ballot initiative to state authorities for review, lawmakers are similarly weighing proposals to impose a supermajority vote requirement and mandate that the measure pass in more than half of Missouri House districts to take effect. Its about making sure everyone has a voice, and that includes middle Missouri as well, said Missouri Right to Life Executive Director Susan Klein. We have known for some time that the threat to legalize abortion was going around different states and would ultimately come to Missouri. Weve been hard at work preparing for this challenge and were ready. In Idaho, lawmakers are trying to require backers of initiative petitions to gather signatures from 6 percent of registered voters to qualify for the ballot. I call these bills death by a thousand cuts, said Kelly Hall, the executive director of the progressive ballot initiative group The Fairness Project. When you hear about each one in isolation, they seem like not that big a deal. But taken together, they have an exclusionary effect on peoples participation in democracy. Conservative lawmakers and advocates pushing the rule changes say they reflect their beliefs about how laws should be crafted and are not solely about abortion but they are upfront about wanting to make it harder to pass the kind of broad protections voters in California, Michigan and Vermont enacted last year. I did not start this out due to abortion, but Planned Parenthood is actively trying to enshrine a lack of protections for the unborn into constitutions, said North Dakota state Sen. Janne Myrdal, who heads the state legislatures Pro-Life Caucus. You can sit in California or New York or Washington and throw a dart, attach a couple million dollars to it, and you change our constitution. The resolution Myrdal is sponsoring, which passed the Senate last month and is awaiting a vote in the House, would require proposed constitutional amendments to pass twice during the primary and general elections and bump up the signature-gathering requirement from 4 percent to 5 percent of residents. If approved, the proposed changes would appear on the states 2024 ballot. Major national anti-abortion groups say theyre not formally endorsing these efforts, but support the GOP lawmakers behind them. It starts to diminish the importance of a constitution if it can be changed by the whim of the current culture, Carol Tobias, the president of the National Right to Life Committee, said. Even in states that have not yet taken steps to put an abortion-rights measure on the ballot, conservative fears of such a move are driving some surprising legislative action. In Oklahoma, the anti-abortion leader Lauinger is arguing to lawmakers that polling shows overwhelming support for rape and incest exceptions as one lawmaker has proposed in a bill that cleared its first committee last month and overwhelming opposition to leaving the states ban as-is. If the state didnt have a ballot measure process, he said, he wouldnt support exceptions. But since that threat exists, he argued, We must not allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. The abortion industry has the weapon to defeat what we regard as the ideal policy, Lauinger told the lawmakers. The initiative petition is their trump card. Lauinger did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Yet National Right to Life, the parent group of his organization, told POLITICO it backs his argument that its better to make exceptions for rape and incest than risk a sweeping ballot initiative enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution. This isnt a betrayal, insisted Tobias. If you really look at what were facing, we could either save 95 percent of all babies or we could lose everything and all babies could be subject to death. Its kind of hard to not see the reality. Advocates on both sides of the abortion fight stress, however, that a ballot initiative fight in Oklahoma is still possible even likely whether the state approves exceptions for rape and incest or not. "Theyre probably going to try to do one anyway, regardless of what we do," said Oklahoma state Rep. Jim Olsen, a Republican who launched an effort with other conservative lawmakers in the state to defeat the exceptions bill. "The fight hasnt even come and were already backing away. CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to clarify the role Florida Voice for the Unborn is playing in placing an anti-abortion measure on the ballot. The rise of artificial general intelligence -- now seen as inevitable in Silicon Valley -- will bring change that is "orders of magnitude" greater than anything the world has yet seen, observers say. But are we ready? AGI -- defined as artificial intelligence with human cognitive abilities, as opposed to more narrow artificial intelligence, such as the headline-grabbing ChatGPT -- could free people from menial tasks and usher in a new era of creativity. But such a historic paradigm shift could also threaten jobs and raise insurmountable social issues, experts warn. Previous technological advances from electricity to the internet ignited powerful social change, says Siqi Chen, chief executive of San Francisco startup Runway. "But what we're looking at now is intelligence itself... This is the first time we're able to create intelligence itself and increase its amount in the universe," he told AFP. Change, as a result, will be "orders of magnitude greater than every other technological change we've ever had in history." And such an exciting, frightening shift is a "double-edged sword," Chen said, envisioning using AGI to tackle climate change, for example, but also warning that it is a tool that we want to be as "steerable as possible." It was the release of ChatGPT late last year that brought the long dreamt of idea of AGI one giant leap closer to reality. OpenAI, the company behind the generative software that churns out essays, poems and computing code on command, this week released an even more powerful version of the tech that operates it -- GPT-4. It says the technology will not only be able to process text but also images, and produce more complex content such as legal complaints or video games. As such it "exhibits human-level performance" on some benchmarks, the company said. - Goodbye to 'drudgery' - The success of OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has ignited an arms race of sorts in Silicon Valley as tech giants seek to push their generative AI tools to the next level -- though they remain wary of chatbots going off the rails. Story continues Already, AI-infused digital assistants from Microsoft and Google can summarize meetings, draft emails, create websites, craft ad campaigns and more -- giving us a glimpse of what AGI will be capable of in the future. "We spend too much time consumed by the drudgery," said Jared Spataro, Microsoft corporate vice president. With artificial intelligence Spataro wants to "rediscover the soul of work," he said during a Microsoft presentation on Thursday. Artificial intelligence can also cut costs, some suggest. British landscape architect Joe Perkins tweeted that he used GPT-4 for a coding project, which a "very good" developer had told him would cost 5,000 pounds ($6,000) and take two weeks. "GPT-4 delivered the same in 3 hours, for $0.11," he tweeted. "Genuinely mind boggling." But that raises the question of the threat to human jobs, with entrepreneur Chen acknowledging that the technology could one day build a startup like his -- or an even better version. "How am I going to make a living and not be homeless?" he asked, adding that he was counting on solutions to emerge. - Existential questions - Ubiquitous artificial intelligence also puts a question mark over creative authenticity as songs, images, art and more are cranked out by software instead of people. Will humans shun education, relying instead on software to do the thinking for them? And, who is to be trusted to make the AI unbiased, accurate, and adaptable to different countries and cultures? AGI is "probably coming at us faster than we can process," says Sharon Zhou, co-founder of a generative AI company. The technology raises an existential question for humanity, she told AFP. "If there is going to be something more powerful than us and more intelligent than us, what does that mean for us?" Zhou asked. "And do we harness it? Or does it harness us?" OpenAI says it plans to build AGI gradually with the aim of benefitting all of humanity, but it has conceded that the software has safety flaws. Safety is a "process," OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever said in an interview with the MIT Technology Review, adding that it would be "highly desirable" for companies to "come up with some kind of process that allows for slower releases of models with these completely unprecedented capabilities." But for now, says Zhou, slowing down is just not part of the ethos. "The power is concentrated around those who can build this stuff. And they make the decisions around this, and they are inclined to move fast," she says. The international order itself could be at stake, she suggests. "The pressure between US and China has been immense," Zhou says, adding that the artificial intelligence race invokes the Cold War era. "There is definitely the risk with AGI that if one country figures that out faster, will they dominate?" she asks. "And so I think the fear is, don't stop because we can't lose." juj-gc/st/bfm Infowars host Alex Jones has transferred millions of dollars worth of assets to family and friends, potentially shielding his wealth from the nearly $1.5 billion in legal damages he owes to the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims, according to The New York Times. Jones was ordered last fall to pay more than $1.4 billion in damages to the families of eight victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, which left 20 young children and six adults dead. He was also ordered to pay another $50 million to the parents of a Sandy Hook victim in a separate Texas case. The Infowars host was hit with multiple defamation lawsuits after he repeatedly suggested that the school shooting in Newton, Conn., was a false flag operation staged by the U.S. government. The families of the victims, who he accused of being actors, were threatened and harassed by his followers. He filed for both personal and business bankruptcy within the last year as the damages piled up a move that the Sandy Hook families have claimed is an effort to shield his assets from creditors. His company Free Speech Systems, which filed for bankruptcy last July, was reportedly transferring tens of thousands of dollars to PQPR, a company owned by Jones and his parents, according to the Times. Jones has also transferred a $3 million property to his wife and continues to transfer other real estate assets to family members, including an adult son, and has struck up business partnerships with several new companies created by his friends, the Times reported. The Infowars hosts financial affairs largely remain unclear, with his lawyers claiming in a recent court filing that he doesnt remember where he holds bank accounts, how many trusts he has set up or where his 2022 W-2 form is located, per the Times. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. InfoWars founder Alex Jones speaks to the media outside Waterbury Superior Court in in Waterbury, Connecticut, during his trial on September 21, 2022. oe Buglewicz/Getty Images) Alex Jones owes families of Sandy Hook victims close to $1.5 billion. Jones has been transferring his assets to family and friends, The New York Times reported. The transfers appear to be a strategy to avoid paying the victims. Alex Jones is transferring millions of dollars worth of his assets to friends and family and even his personal trainer in a move that appears designed to sidestep a court order requiring the radio host to pay huge sums to the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims, The New York Times reported on Saturday. Jones didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on Sunday. A Connecticut jury last year ordered the InfoWars host to pay close to $1 billion in damages to the families of those killed in the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. A judge also ordered Jones to pay $473 million in punitive damages to the victims. That means that altogether Jones owes close to $1.5 billion to the families. For years after the shooting, Jones promoted a baseless conspiracy theory that the shooting, which caused the death of 20 first-graders and six adults, was a false-flag operation led by the Obama administration to rally public favor for stricter gun laws. As a result, the families said they became targets of harassment by Jones' loyal fans. The Times reported that Jones' company, Free Speech Systems, has already transferred tens of thousands of dollars to another company he owns with his parents. He's also transferred real estate holdings to family members, including a $3 million property to his wife, the New York Post reported last August. And he's started new business partnerships with companies founded and owned by his friends, the Times reported. This all comes after Jones and his company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year another move the families believe Jones made to shield his wealth. Jones is still broadcasting Infowars, and The Times reported his lawyers have said in court that business is "booming." Read the original article on Business Insider Alison Roman won't sugar coat it. She cooked her way through a controversy. Now shes ready to talk about it. She cooked her way through a controversy. Now shes ready to talk about it. Credit - Justin J Wee for TIME Alison Roman is cooking rice, a grain she dismissed as filler in her 2017 cookbook Dining In. But shes preparing a Passover dessert, and leavening agents are verboten. Roman is not a chocolate person, so flourless chocolate cake is out. But in 2015, rabbis declared rice kosher for Passover after an 800-year ban. So rice pudding it is. Its February, over a month before the Jewish holiday, but Roman needs to complete the all-day shoot for her Home Movies YouTube series before she goes on a seven-city tour for her latest cookbook, Sweet Enough, out March 28. Her loft-like Brooklyn apartment with whitewashed brick walls and exposed pipes looks more like a studio than a living space when stuffed with lights and cameras. Pots boil over and dishes pile up, but Roman approaches the chaos with enviable levity, squeezing lemon here and sprinkling red pepper flakes there while declaring to the camera that the word unctuous has been banished from her vocabulary for onomatopoetic reasons. Being invited into Romans kitchen is like snagging a seat at your foodie friends boozy dinner party, a vibe that helped her 2021 Thanksgiving Special rack up over 1 million views. Roman declares that she will diverge from the recipe as written and chill the rice pudding without plastic wrap so it can form a film. She hates food without textureshes anti-avocado and fills her tuna salad with an obscene amount of celeryso she must add crunch to this mushy dessert. Her crew members exchange skeptical looks, but Roman is probably right. She usually is, about food anyway. Her stancesanchovies make everything better; one-use kitchen tools are a waste; crispy potatoes are superior to mashedmight turn off potential fans if her recipes didnt work so well. More from TIME Read More: David Chang and Priya Krishna Want You to Get Over Recipes Story continues But her opinions have also gotten her in trouble. In 2020, Roman was semi-canceled and the New York Times suspended her column after she intimated in an interview that Marie Kondo and Chrissy Teigen, women of color in a traditionally white milieu, had sold out by launching lines of home goodseven though Roman herself was working on a line of spoons. Roman apologized, but she didnt disappear. She never returned to the Times, but just a month after her suspension, she launched her snarkily named A Newsletter. Unlike some public figures felled by scandal in the early days of the pandemic, she couldnt retreat to a compound. I didnt have a choice. Not financially, not emotionally, not intellectually. I have to pay rent. I had no fallback, she says. Steadily, her popularity grew again. Perhaps Roman has endured because while she apologized, she didnt go on an apology tour. She read the comments and engaged in conversations about her privilege, but she doesnt present herself as a new person. I had two choices: I could let it ruin my life or not, she says. Im an authentic person, and what is authentic to me is to cook. So I did. There were a lot of people before who didnt like me. There are a lot of people now who dont like me. If you try to trace a trajectory from pre-that to post-that, its the same person with a wonderful dose of evolution. Her life has changed in the last three years. On top of the pandemic and publicity woes, she went through a break-up, met someone new, moved, and got a new therapist. There are certain things that can only come from failing in a really epic way in a very public forum, she says. You become more nervous and afraid and ashamed. But you also become a little bit more brave. With her new cookbook, 'Sweet Enough,' Roman returns to her roots as a pastry chef. Justin J Wee for TIME Roman, 37, dropped out of college to work as a pastry chef. Her parents werent particularly thrilled and didnt offer her any financial assistance. She baked for six years in her home state, California, and her adopted home, New York, including at Pies & Thighs and Momofuku Milk Bar. After Dining In, her editor urged her to write a book of desserts. Instead she wrote Nothing Fancy, a best-selling cookbook that instructs readers how to stage low-maintenance dinner parties like the ones occasionally featured in Romans videos: think guests arranging cheese plates while sipping three-ingredient spritzes. She just prefers savory food. Even in her new book on sweets, shes included a savory sectionand yes, anchovies make an appearance. Desserts can be intimidating. Its harder to make real-time adjustments. You dont know if a cake tastes terrible until you serve it. But Roman insists many of her dessert recipes are casual. The one on the books cover, Raspberries and Sour Cream, isnt even really a recipe. Its a suggestion that sprinkling sugar on raspberries and layering them with spoonfuls of sour cream will taste delicious. (It does.) Romans recipes are simple: Thanksgiving turkeys are cooked on sheet pans and beans dont need to be pre-soaked. Simplicity may seem like an obvious way to achieve popularity, but its not every cookbook authors goal. Take London restaurateur Yotam Ottolenghi, whose uber-popular cookbooks notoriously contain recipes with dozens of steps. He did so much for cookbook writers because he pushed people to the f-cking limits, says Roman. So anything easier than that people were like, Oh, thank god. When Roman left the restaurant world to work at Bon Appetit, she tried to impress her bosses with complicated dishes. But readers werent making them. She asked herself: Do I want people to know what a badass cook I am and what skills I possess? Or do I want people to feed themselves? Read More: Top Chefs Tom Colicchio Stands by His Decisions Roman also learned at Bon Appetit that she was telegenic. She is the rare influencer who projects the same energy in person as she does on camera. Her wit and candor buoy the cooking video genre from informative to outright entertaining. Some of her fans comment that they tune in every week with no intention of making the recipes, just to watch Roman try to dislodge ingredients from her overstuffed refrigerator. During the Passover shoot, Romans assistant sits curled up on an orange couch, fact-checking the cooks quips. Nothing is pre-rehearsed. It can only appear casual, natural, authentic, and relaxed if it really is, Roman says. That sometimes includes delving into the messy contradictions of her own cooking edicts. Shes moved on from rice pudding to a potato dish shared with her by a friend who used to work under Alice Waters at the famed Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse. Roman didnt want to use a mandolin for the recipe (see: her policy on single-use kitchen tools), but she cooked the dish by cutting the potatoes with a knife and then again using the more precise mandolin. The mandolin potatoes were crispier. You win this time, Alice Waters, Roman says. She assures viewers that they can get the mint green tool shes using online for about $18. Her assistant Googles the particular brand and corrects her: its more like $80, though Amazon has a sale for about half-off at the moment. They dont reshoot the segment; Roman transforms the mistake into an opportunity for banter. When I was a kid, this only cost $18, she gripes. Roman keeps her flaws on-camera. In a recent video she filmed with a friend who never bakes, she repeatedly insists she loves teaching while simultaneously micromanaging the process of making a fruit tart, down to adjusting the cherry her friend had placed on top. Based on the comments, viewers found Romans need for control endearingshe knows her stubborn attitude is her appeal. Roman is a whizz at branding: her signature orangey-red nail and lip color and affinity for vintage speckled bowls scream Brooklyn ramshackle chic. Her life is aspirational yet accessible to the Millennials who follow her: the newsletter reaches tens of thousands of subscribers across all 50 states, and her fans are mostly women ages 24 to 44, according to Romans Instagram data. Yet she takes umbrage at the idea that shes a cool girl, a phrase often lobbed at her, and not always kindly. She thinks people are confusing insecurity for snobbery. When I hear cool girl, I think aloof, cold. But Im pretty warm and friendly, I think? she says. In fact, she started hosting dinner parties to manage her social anxiety. I can recuse myself from the social activity while being social because Im in the kitchen. I have a job to do. But she is undeniably popular. Her recipes often go viral. Her Shallot Pasta, Labneh Dip, and Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies were inescapable at Millennials dinner parties (including my own) for years. Back in 2019, I was in Park City, Utah and stopped by the local Whole Foods to try to buy labneha Middle Eastern cheese with the consistency of yogurtto make her famous dip. Not only was the grocery store sold out, but the cashier informed me multiple customers had specifically asked about Romans recipe. Thats no accident. In her pastry chef days, the description of a dessert on a menu could make the difference between a slow night and a profitable one. You want them to be like, wow, we sold a lot of desserts tonight, she says. So how do I write this so that people are like, F-ck I have to order this? Now sometimes the name for a recipe comes to her before the recipe itself: Dilly Bean sounded whimsical, so she reverse-engineered a recipe for stew with dill and beans. Her viral Shallot Pasta was, at one point, going to be called Anchovy Tomato Pasta, and Roman is convinced the same dish wouldnt have taken off with that moniker. Some recipe names even betray a level of intimacy thats enticing to her fans: in one video, she explains that Goodbye Meatballs were so named after a breakup over dinner. It works. Even Ryan Murphy once reached out to say he is a fan. They went to dinner, and two years later he dropped her name in his hit Netflix series The Watcher. Her YouTube channel saw a flood of new followers unfamiliar with Romanor her baggage. Sweet Enough includes a recipe for bread pudding from Nora Ephrons beloved novel Heartburn. The book chronicles, with thinly disguised pseudonyms, Ephrons divorce from Carl Bernstein after he cheated on her while she was pregnant. Its sprinkled with recipes that often recall a particular memory in the narrators life. Roman admits that the bread pudding wasnt to her taste, but she wanted the excuse to write about one of her idols. Ephron, herself a famous dinner-party host, writes in Heartburn that after a hard day, there is something comforting about the fact that if you melt butter and add flour and then hot stock, it will get thick! Its a sure thing in a world where nothing is sure. Like Ephron, Roman cooked through chaoseven if it was of her own making. When her comments on Teigen and Kondo went viral, Romans food came under scrutiny. People pointed out that her chickpea stew recipe bore similarities to Indian chana masala. I have tried to cook things that feel authentic to me and do a better job of hearing why people were upset and adjusting, she says. But ultimately it wasnt like, I can never use this ingredient again. It was, Heres a better way to handle it. Discussing the criticism over coffee at Brooklyns Ace Hotel, I expect Roman to be evasive, defensive, or even rehearsed. But she is open. She removes her beanie as she sits at a corner table of the hotels ultra-modern restaurant, rain pouring outside the window behind her. In her videos, Roman leans heavily on a self-deprecating joke. But she eschews that crutch in person: she never hesitates in her answers. She speaks in thoughtful paragraphs, leaving her drink untouched for long stretches. Im not ashamed of who I am. I f-cked up, she says, a note of defiance in her voice. But I never wanted to have a comeback. Its like eating sh-t on the sidewalk. If you lay there, people are going to notice. But if you get right back up, you can rebound and keep moving. Keep moving she did, though not without fits and starts. She was set to host a show on CNN+ until the streamer abruptly shut down in 2022. She was in a meeting when it happened. I had a million texts and calls, Are you OK? she says. The last time this happened, my world fell apart. I was so scared. So when I found out, I was like, Thats fine. Ill get through it. CNN picked up the show for its network, and Roman shot two seasons. Each episode focused on a different ingredient, where it came from, and how to cook with it. She was at a promotional shoot when she got a call: CNN was making big cuts to its original programming. Her show was on the chopping block along with another food series, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. At least she was in good company. Roman is shopping it to other distributors. For now, shes filming more Home Movies focused on baking the recipes from Sweet Enough, beginning with a video on the equipment youll need (not much besides a cake pan and a whisk) and ingredients you should have (flour and sugar of any brand, but she insists on Diamond Kosher salt). She has set a policy not to comment on other public figures lives and is happier for itthough its been hard. At one point she mimes her impulse to word vomit. But shes trying to maintain perspective. Im a fallible person who will probably make a mistake again. The goal isnt to be perfect. Its to be a human that can evolve and learn. She pauses. Not to make it an allegory for baking, but every time I f-cked up a recipe, I learned something. It wasnt a waste of time. If you only ever succeed, youre probably pretty boring. Youre probably not that resilient. The Bold Jump to Streaming News - 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals Alison Roman attends the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals on March 12, 2022 in Austin. Credit - Dave PedleyGetty Images for SXSW Alison Romans television show has been canceled once again. A series starring the popular cookbook author and YouTuber was announced in January 2022 and originally set to launch on CNNs ill-fated streaming service CNN+. After CNN abruptly shut down the streamer last year, the network said it would pick up Romans series and set a fall 2022 premiere date for (More Than) A Cooking Show With Alison Roman. But in a recent interview with TIME about her new cookbook, Sweet Enough, Roman revealed that her series fell victim yet again to a slew of CNN cancelations. She is now shopping it to other distributors. Roman says she has filmed two seasons of the series. Each episode centers on a different ingredient, where it comes from, and how to use it. The Instagram-famous cook described the series as fun yet educational with a focus on sustainability. CNN cut the show last year along with several other original series, including Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. Read More: Alison Roman Wont Sugarcoat It Roman had a hectic few years after facing controversy and losing her column at the New York Times early in the pandemic for implying in an interview that Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo sold out by creating home goods lines, even though Roman was working on a line of spoons herself. After apologizing, Roman launched a popular YouTube series called Home Movies and will soon publish a third cookbook. In her interview with TIME, she reflected on how cooking through the chaos helped her become resilient. There are certain things that can only come from failing in a really epic way in a very public forum, she says. You become more nervous and afraid and ashamed. But you also become a little bit more brave. More from TIME Roman had planned to continue writing her weekly newsletter A Newsletter and film Home Movies while starring on her CNN show. She found out that it had been canceled for a second time while on a promotional shoot for the series. Ive had a bit more of a hard time keeping it together this second time around, because we were like a month and a half away from premiering, she says. But me and Stanley TucciIm in good company. Roman believes both seasons of the show could eventually find a home. Hopefully it sees the light of day, she says. Overnight Sunday and into early morning Monday we can expect below-freezing temperatures. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Jennifer Lopez says a Freeze Warning is in effect and will last until 12 p.m. Monday. Lopez is forecasting temperatures in the mid-20s in the metro area. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] In north Georgia, residents of Blairsville and surrounding areas will encounter temperatures as low as 19. All pets should be brought inside and you should continue to take precautions to wrap perennial plants that must remain outside. Warming centers are open and available. Two warming centers will open Sunday night at 8 p.m. in the City of Atlanta due to the below-freezing temperatures. The warming centers will be located at Old Adamsville Recreation Center, 3404 Delmar Ln NW, Atlanta, GA 30331 and Central Park, 400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. TRENDING STORIES: Transportation will be provided to both locations beginning at 8 p.m. from the Gateway Center, located at 275 Pryor St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303, with return transportation when the centers close. The warming centers will be open until 6 a.m. on Monday, March 20. DeKalb County will open the following warming centers for residents to use on Sunday, March 19, and Monday, March 20, beginning at 8 p.m.: Fire Station 3, 100 N. Clarendon Avenue, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Fire Station 4, 4540 Flakes Mill Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294 Fire Station 6, 2342 Flat Shoals Road, Atlanta, GA 30316 North DeKalb Senior Center, 3393 Malone Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341 For more information on DeKalb warming centers, click here. Five warming centers will be available in Gwinnett County between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. Locations include: Story continues Buford Senior Center, 2755 Sawnee Avenue (Bus route 101 I-985, stop 19) Snellvilles Centerville Senior Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road Duluths Shorty Howell Park Activity Building, 2750 Pleasant Hill Road (Bus route 10B, stop 542 and 108) Lawrenceville Senior Center, 225 Benson Street (Bus route 40, stop 836 and 337) Norcross Best Friend Park Gym, 6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard (Bus route 35, stop 407 and 906) Temperatures for the first day of Spring will be almost 20 degrees below average for the morning. However, later on in the week temperatures will begin to warm up. By the end of the week, afternoon highs will be in the 80s. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Another witness remains on the list of those to testify before the grand jury investigation into Donald Trumps hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels concludes, according to an Insider report published on Sunday. The news throws into doubt the former presidents prediction that he will be indicted on Tuesday, though such an act could still occur some time in the coming week. The identity of the district attorneys latest witness is not known, but Insider reports that one souce close to the investigation expects them to testify on Monday afternoon. CNN first reported on the additional witness interview, with the network noting that its unclear whether this will be the final witness to testify before the panel. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg empaneled the grand jury back in January to investigate a $130,000 payment made to Ms Daniels by Mr Trumps then-fixer Michael Cohen in 2016, weeks before the presidential election. Mr Trump himself was invited but declined to speak to the grand jury this month; The New York Times reported last week that sources close to the probe believe that action was taken because an indictment is near. Multiple news reports have indicated that the former president could face criminal charges for the falsification of business records allegedly done as part of the hush payment scheme. Mr Trump has denied the allegations of an affair with Ms Daniels, but now has admitted to reimbursing his lawyer after he paid Ms Daniels to suppress those claims. He angrily took to his Truth Social platform early Saturday morning and wrote that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday; that appears to have been based off his interpretation of news reports and not a reflection of any notice he has received from the Manhattan DAs office. Mr Braggs office is just one of several law enforcement entities looking in to Mr Trumps actions; another district attorney in Georgia is weighing charges against him and his legal team for efforts to overturn the election in that state, while the Department of Justice has appointed a special counsel to deliberate on that decision at the federal level. Story continues Felony counts of falsifying business records in the state of New York carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison. Mr Cohen previously did a stint in prison for charges including campaign finance law violations related to the payment of Ms Daniels. He is one of several witnesses that has already testified before the grand jury. The grand jury is expected to take numerous procedural steps after the testimony of the last witness concludes, and is not set to meet on Tuesday; as a result, the most likely time for a decision related to an indictment of the former president looks as of now to be Wednesday or beyond. Mr Braggs office separately on Saturday warned of threats to law enforcement personnel after Mr Trumps call for his supporters to protest any potential impending indictment; a private message to staff also vowed that his office would not be intimidated by threats. Federal law enforcement agencies did the same last year after Donald Trumps criticism of the Department of Justice was linked to a rise in violent rhetoric expressed in conservative social media circles after the raid at Mar-a-Lago. As the temperature outside warms, spring cleaning and significant home repairs may lead to thoughts of selling your home. For those who cant or dont want to tackle those bigger projects required to sell, Archway Homes, owned by husband and wife team Jon and Stacy Bichelmeyer, provides a convenient alternative to the traditional, lengthy home selling process. They buy houses As Is in any condition: houses needing little to no repair, houses needing everything repaired from leaking roofs to bad foundations, cluttered houses, or those simply in need of cosmetic updating. Archway provides a no-obligation offer within 24 hours, can pay cash and close within three days or on a future date of the sellers choice, and there are no fees or commissions to pay. One of the advantages of working with us is selling as is, said Jon. That means you dont have to do any extensive and expensive renovations to make your home appeal to todays buyers, or have it ready to show at a moments notice, wait for the right buyer, wait for it to close, and then pay a real estate agents commission or sellers closing costs. We personally purchase every house. A third-generation real estate investor with roots in the Kansas City community for over 40 years, Jons extensive experience really makes a difference. The ability to sell a house quickly, in lieu of the traditional, lengthy home selling method, to an established and reputable company has been the perfect solution for numerous homeowners all over the Kansas City area, including Juanita P. who recently sold her home in Shawnee to Archway. We had lived in our home for over 40 years but decided to move for health reasons. I knew we could not have gotten all the work done that would have been necessary to get the house market-ready, she said. I had heard of a few other direct buyer companies from friends, but they did not have good experiences. I wanted a local company, and after a Google search, came upon Archway. They had many positive reviews, and I was familiar with the Bichelmeyer name from the community, so I called. I met with Mike and Jon, both were professional, nice and seemed honest. I think what they offered was a fair price. Everything went very smoothly, even when the home we were moving into changed the availability date, Jon was flexible and easy to work with. I would definitely recommend Archway to others. Archway has purchased homes in all sorts of situations. Sometimes the properties need extensive repairs. Archway Homes will buy the home and make the needed repairs, relieving the sellers of the hassle and expense. Sellers can even leave the unwanted contents, saving time and expense. We are committed to working with sellers, even in difficult situations, to find a solution for all, Stacy said. They strive to make the difficult process of selling a home as stress-free as possible, especially in these challenging times. We even wrote the book on it. Literally! Home to Home Local Edition Kansas City Metro outlines the steps homeowners can take to sell their home and our experiences helping people do just that, Jon said. Weve seen some great times; we lived through the real estate crash in 2008-2010 and have come through the other side. We plan to keep working with sellers no matter what the market is doing, said Jon. I know people are being cautious and careful, so we are using smart technology and every health precaution to make sure our sellers feel comfortable. Archway Homes features a no-obligation offer process. The first step is to call the office at 913-599-5000 to schedule an appointment. Jon will then walk through the home and can provide an offer price within 24 hours. Archway Homes can pay cash and close in as fast as three days. However, some sellers need the opposite approach, needing a delayed closing several months away. They may need time to find their next home, or they are building a home and need time for it to be completed. Coordinating closing schedules in a traditional sale can be challenging. Archway Homes sets a closing date that will meet the sellers needs. Anyone who wants to sell a home quickly for cash should call Jon Bichelmeyer at 913-599-5000 or email him at or jon@archwayhomesinc.com. Or they can visit Archway Homes website at archwaypropertieskc.com to fill out an online form or to get a free copy of our book Home to Home Local Edition Kansas City Metro, Kansas and Missouri, call our office. Archway Homes Location: 15301 W. 87th St. Parkway, Suite B35 in the UMB Bank building. Contact: Jon Bichelmeyer at 913-599-5000 or jon@archwayhomesinc.com. Web: archwaypropertieskc.com The Arkansas House approved a proposed law on Wednesday that would open the door to criminal liability for the distribution of obscene content by school and public libraries, despite bipartisan opposition. Seven Republicans joined the 18 House Democrats in voting against Senate Bill 81, including Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R-Horatio), who called the bill government overreach. I think we might have lost our way down here somewhat, Vaught said in a lengthy speech on the House floor. Republicans are supposed to be about local control, and yet here we are again, taking local control away from our counties and cities because of a few bad actors. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Senate Bill 81 would add the loaning of library materials to the statute governing the possession and distribution of obscene material. Arkansas definition of obscenity is that to the average person, applying contemporary community standards, the dominant theme of the material taken as a whole appeals to prurient interest, with prurient meaning overtly sexual. The bill would remove schools and public libraries from the part of Arkansas law that exempts them from prosecution for disseminating a writing, film, slide, drawing, or other visual reproduction that is claimed to be obscene. The bill is one of several introduced this year by Republicans with the stated intent of protecting children from sexual content. Other such bills include proposed restrictions on drag performances and which bathrooms transgender adults can use, as well as requiring pornography websites to verify users ages. The bills sponsors, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) and Rep. Justin Gonzales (R-Okolona), have repeatedly said the bill is simply a means of allowing parents more control over what their children read and would not result in the banning of books. Vaught agreed that children should be protected from inappropriate material and that parents have the right to restrict what their children read, but she said that control should not extend to other children or be exercised by elected officials. Story continues I actually didnt even let my children read Harry Potter when they were in school, but I would have never gone to the school and challenged that book, even though I didnt believe in it, she said. She also said children might have access to inappropriate content via cell phones rather than library books. I guess the next step is for us to tell parents that they cant buy phones for their children until theyre 18, because just in case you didnt know, they can search anything and everything on those things today, Vaught said. Do I think that is good? No, of course I dont, but we cant regulate everything in the lives of Arkansans. The bill passed with 56 votes from House Republicans, while 11 did not vote and eight voted present. The House Judiciary Committee rejected the bill March 7 with a split voice vote after three hours of discussion and testimony. The committee approved the bill Thursday with another split voice vote after adopting an amendment to the text that replaced the word removal with relocation several times. Senate Bill 81 will return to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which in February approved the version of the bill that the House committee rejected. The full Senate will take up the amended bill if it passes the committee. Proposed challenge policy The proposed law would allow people to challenge the appropriateness of school or public libraries offerings and have them reviewed by a committee of five to seven people selected by school principals or head librarians. The committee would vote on whether to remove the material after hearing the complainants case in a public meeting, and a complainant may appeal the committees decision if the majority votes no. Appeals at school libraries would go to the school board for a final decision, and appeals at public libraries would go to the county judge or the county quorum court. Employees of public or school libraries that knowingly distribute obscene material or inform others of how to obtain it would risk conviction of a Class D felony, the bill states. Knowingly possessing obscene material would risk conviction of a Class A misdemeanor. Gonzales told the House that the bill sets a high bar for potential criminal charges and that people should not worry about local librarians risk of imprisonment. That librarian would have to know the material, know whats in the book, know that it had been declared obscene and in that case, judicially declared to be obscene, so you or I dont get to make that decision, Gonzales said. The librarian would have to know that and then knowingly provide it to a child, and I would say if theyre doing that, then they probably should go to prison. Republicans are supposed to be about local control, and yet here we are again, taking local control away from our counties and cities because of a few bad actors. Rep. DeAnn Vaught (R-Horatio), speaking against Senate Bill 81 House Judiciary Committee members at both meetings last week said that legislative bodies such as school boards and county quorum courts should not be tasked with judicial decisions. Libraries already have processes in place to vet the materials on the shelves and handle challenges to those materials from parents, several witnesses said at the March 7 meeting. Supporters of the bill have said sexual material is too easily accessible in libraries to children as young as 5 years old. However, Brittani Brooks, a librarian at Pulaski Heights Middle School in Little Rock, said on March 7 that librarians know better than to check out a steamy Harlequin romance to a young child. Several House members asked Gonzales why the proposed policy is necessary, given libraries existing policies and the states existing obscenity laws. Gonzales said decisions about whether materials should be allowed in libraries should be made publicly, which the bill would require. He also said he could not name specific cases of Arkansas librarians knowingly distributing harmful material to minors but wanted the policy to be in place proactively. I dont want to wait until harmful material or obscene material is being provided in my district, Gonzales said. Content, choice and control The text of Senate Bill 81 states that library materials shall not be withdrawn solely for the viewpoints expressed within them and that anything challenged under the proposed law shall be reviewed in its entirety and shall not have selected portions taken out of context. Vaught said the bill has several gray areas that could be left up to interpretation and might open the door to books being challenged just because someone disagrees with the content within them, not because they violate obscenity laws. Rep. Ashley Hudson (D-Little Rock), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, made a similar comment March 7. She and several witnesses against the bill said books by non-white and LGBTQ authors could be disproportionately challenged even though the bill itself does not single them out. Senate Minority Whip Linda Chesterfield (D-Little Rock) said on the Senate floor last month that she was concerned about sexual content in the Bible, specifically the Song of Solomon, being challenged. Vaught repeated this concern on the House floor and said the book of Ezekiel is also sexually explicit. If [these scenes] were in any other book, I think it would be challenged, Vaught said. Gonzales said the Bible taken as a whole is not sexually explicit, so it would survive a challenge if there is one. Even so, if a court in one part of Arkansas rules that a book is obscene, it would have to be removed from all of the states libraries, bookstores and homes due to the way obscenity law is written, Vaught said. She referenced the states recent education overhaul law that created a new school voucher program, lauded by Republicans as allowing parents a choice in which schools their children attend. Either we are for parents to have choices and freedoms, and for free speech and dialogue, or we arent, but we cant continue to swing that pendulum week after week on this floor, Vaught said. Some House Republicans spoke for the bill and disagreed with some of Vaughts points. Rep. Stephen Meeks (R-Greenbrier) called Senate Bill 81 the quintessential local control bill. Elected representatives will have the final say, he said. They will be the final judge of the values of that community, not an unelected library board. Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville), a co-sponsor of the bill, said the policy is necessary as part of an ongoing culture war that threatens childrens safety. I wish we didnt have to do this bill, [but] I wish to goodness 5-year-olds werent shown pornography, she said. Bentley has sponsored other bills this year with the stated purpose of protecting childrens innocence, including the bill that initially sought to restrict drag performances and one that allows medical malpractice lawsuits against doctors who provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors. Both bills have been signed into law. School bathroom bill Bentley is also the primary sponsor of House Bill 1156, which the House sent to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders desk Wednesday. The bill would restrict students use of multiple-occupancy bathrooms, locker rooms and sleeping arrangements on overnight trips based on their gender assigned at birth. Bentley has repeatedly said the policy, which is based on one in the Conway School District, should protect all students privacy. House Bill 1156 passed the House Education Committee on Tuesday with no discussion or testimony. The same committee previously heard and passed the bill in January. The Senate approved the bill with a party-line vote on Monday, nearly a month after it was pulled from the floor to be amended on a technicality. The language pertaining to overnight trips originally stated that a student is required to share sleeping quarters with a member of the same sex, and the amendment clarified that students can stay in rooms by themselves. Similarly, the bill requires schools to provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone unwilling or unable to use a multiple occupancy restroom or changing area based on their biological sex, such as a single-occupancy gender-neutral restroom. Sen. Clarke Tucker (D-Little Rock) said Monday that this provision is reminiscent of separate but equal, the language legalizing racial segregation that led to the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education, that began the dismantling of segregated schools and fueled the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Opponents of the proposed policy have said it will make transgender youth more vulnerable to bullying, harassment and violence. They have also said schools might not have the resources to add single-occupancy restrooms to their campuses if they do not already have them. Kaymo Mainard OConnell, a transgender 16-year-old, attends a school in Little Rock that has only one single-occupancy restroom, and it is only accessible with permission from the school nurse. There are too many trans, gender-nonconforming and intersex people at my school to use that one bathroom, Kaymo told the Senate Education Committee last week while testifying against House Bill 1156. One House Democrat, Rep. Milton Nicks Jr. of Marion, voted with 76 House Republicans to send the bill to Sanders desk. Six Republicans and two Democrats did not vote, while the remaining 15 Democrats voted no. Sanders plans to sign the bill, her spokeswoman Alexa Henning said in an email. The Governor believes our schools are no place for the radical lefts woke agenda and would sign a law that focuses on protecting and educating our kids, not indoctrinating them, Henning said. Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter. An Atlanta woman is asking the public for assistance after she and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer. Chasity Nolton said on GoFundMe that she had gained a new outlook on life after learning her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The breast cancer fight is all too familiar as we recently lost a family member less than a year ago to this agonizing disease, she wrote. After learning her mothers diagnosis and knowing that it is a disease that runs in her family, Nolton scheduled a mammogram and was told that she also had breast cancer. TRENDING STORIES: I dreaded telling my mom because she is my priority, and I need to be strong for her, the fundraiser said. Never did I imagine that I would be fighting my own battle. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women after skin cancer. For women in the United States, there is about a 12 percent risk of breast cancer in their lifetime, meaning one in eight women will develop the disease. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] As I embark on this journey with myself and my mother, I realize how important it is to spread awareness as well as seek help from a community that I am well connected with and to, Nolton wrote. The reality is I cannot do this on my own. There is no way I can help support my mom in the way I envisioned when we both will be doing treatment at the same time. IN OTHER NEWS: Undated BAE handout image of a mock up of what an SSN-AUKUS submarine will look like. Issue date: Monday March 13, 2023. PA Photo. Australia will operate a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines based on a British design as both countries modernise their navies. The Aukus deal AAA involving Australia, the UK and US AAA will see the new boats in operation in the late 2030s following a construction phase which will create thousands of jobs in the UK. The new SSN-Aukus submarines will be in operation for the Royal Navy by the late 2030s under the plan, and will also give Australia its first nuclear-powered capability. See PA story POLITICS Aukus . Photo credit should read: BAE/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. - BAE/PA In sunny San Diego last Monday, Anthony Albanese, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden shook hands on the Australia-UK-US (Aukus) deal. Often reported as if it were simply a big industrial deal to equip Australia with nuclear submarines, it is in fact far more strategic. Aukus represents a major step towards limiting Chinas ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region, as Beijing increasingly turns its attention beyond its borders. Why is China looking out to sea? At heart, it is a matter of both strategic importance and national pride. Beijing sees control of the waters around it as crucial to maintaining its sovereignty and economic strength. The West, however, fears that growing naval strength is part of a long term plan for China to invade Taiwan, an ambition that would hand Beijing potentially devastating economic leverage. China's path to global domination To understand Chinas growing focus on the seas that border it to the east, look first at its demographics and economy. China is a gigantic nation with 1.4 billion people, more than any other on Earth, and a likewise gigantic $18 trillion industrial economy which is only outmatched by one other: the USA. However, China does not have anything like sufficient energy supplies to run that economy, nor enough home grown food to feed its people. Vital imports of both come by sea. Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, right, meets with US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, left, at Point Loma naval base in San Diego, US, Monday March 13, 2023, as part of Aukus, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the UK, and the US. (Leon Neal/Pool via AP) - Leon Neal/Pool via AP The Middle Kingdom is powered overwhelmingly by coal (55pc of primary consumption), oil (19pc) and gas (9pc). China has to import half of its gas and more than half of its oil. Even though it is a gigantic coal producer, China also has the largest coal imports in the world. The great bulk of the coal comes from Indonesia and Australia; the oil from many places, but primarily the Middle East. A third of the gas comes by pipeline from elsewhere in Asia, but the rest is in LNG tankers that cross the sea. Even Chinas own production is often offshore: the Bohai oil field, Chinas biggest, is in the Yellow Sea. Some people suggest that oil and gas fields might be a key issue in the South China Sea, where China has been increasingly aggressive, but in truth there arent enough resources there to seriously interest Beijing. Story continues That doesnt mean China is uninterested in the stretch; far from it. Control of the South China Sea is of great strategic importance. Supertankers carrying millions of barrels of crude oil move into the Sea through the Singapore Strait every day, carrying vital supplies not only to China but onwards to the similarly energy-hungry industries of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Its a similar picture with LNG gas tankers and Australian and Indonesian coal shipments. Australia is one of Chinas most important trading partners, not just for fuel but for food too. Despite Chinas vast size and tracts of fertile land, it has one of the lowest amounts of arable land per head of population in the world. Australia, by contrast, has the worlds highest area of arable land per head of population. It produces more than three times as much wheat as it consumes, much of which is exported to China. Demand for meat has also soared in China in recent decades. Australia produces a lot of beef, a fact that has not gone unnoticed. In 2015 and 2016, Chinese firms attempted to buy Australias largest cattle business, Kidman and Co, which owns 2.5 percent of the total Australian land area: about the same area as South Korea. The Australian government nixed those plans, but even so China remains the second-biggest foreign landowner in Australia (the first and third are the UK and US.) China is also heavily dependent on Australian iron ore to supply all its mighty heavy industry and construction. Indeed, iron ore may be an issue on which Australia holds the whip hand. Not only does Australia supply 60pc of Chinas massive iron ore requirement, Australia has the largest global supply of the metal at present. This picture may change for instance a massive China-backed iron ore project in Guinea, on Africas west coast, may now be lumbering forward after many years mired in corruption scandals but this will take time. For now, China relies on Australia but it is a somewhat uneasy trading relationship, one in which the power balance is constantly being measured. War threatens microchip crisis Elsewhere, across the Yellow Sea lies South Korea, another important global manufacturing powerhouse, and beyond that Japan. And of course to the south, the potential flashpoint: the Switzerland-sized island of Taiwan, just 80 miles across the water from the Chinese mainland. Taiwan is where the old Republic of China (ROC) government fled to in 1949 after the rise of the communist Peoples Republic. Beijing refuses to acknowledge Taiwans independence, but it is a practical fact. Taiwan is nowadays a tremendously important place. This is primarily because of its huge semiconductor industry. In money terms only 20pc of the global chipmaking industry is in Taiwan, but this takes no account of the decoupling that has taken place between chip design and manufacture. Taiwan is far and away the world leader in actual fabrication of semiconductors. It makes around 50pc of the global supply, no matter that the lucrative design work may well have been done somewhere else quite likely in the UK, given the popularity of designs from Cambridge-based Arm. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is the worlds biggest player in chip foundries and makes huge numbers of Arm chips, to the great benefit of the UK economy (the other world foundry giant is Samsung of Korea: again, a short sea trip from China.) Taiwan is particularly important to the Peoples Republic. Much as everyone has grown accustomed to seeing made in China stamped on electronic goods, the Peoples Republic cannot make the chips inside the hardware. Its generally estimated that China has to import 80pc of the chips it needs. Even Chinese factories that do make chips import the machinery needed for manufacturing. Some observers have gone so far as to say there is a Silicon Shield in place: China would not dare to invade Taiwan in case the vital chip factories were damaged or destroyed, thus crippling Chinas own lucrative manufacturing. That argument has not been heard so much lately, especially since the US placed a fairly damaging stranglehold on chip supplies to China as part of the ongoing trade war. The US has done this by insisting that anyone using US technologies cannot do business with Chinese firms. The effect is often felt in places like Taiwan and Korea, where a chip factory is prevented from selling US-designed chips, or chips made using US machinery, to China. It would seem that Xi Jinping may be thinking of seizing the means of production intact. Even if an invasion does damage TSMCs output, this would hurt the West at least as much as China. The semiconductor supply crisis we have seen from 2020 onwards would be minor by comparison. A battle for democracy Vladimir Putins aggression in Ukraine has broken the taboo and made it clear that invasion is an option. Fear of economic disruption from any invasion of Taiwan is one reason for the Aukus pact: a good, if selfish, reason. Yet there is also a moral issue: democracy must be defended. Taiwan started out as a one-party totalitarian state like the Peoples Republic, but in the 1980s a transition to democracy began, with elections and opposition parties. In 2016 the opposition finally won control of the legislature from the incumbent KMT party. This, and judicial reform, caused analysts at The Economist to upgrade Taiwan in their grading system from a flawed democracy to a full democracy. FILE - Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other during their meeting in Beijing, China on Feb. 4, 2022. China says President Xi will visit Russia from Monday, March 20, to Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in an apparent show of support for Russian President Putin amid sharpening east-west tensions over the conflict in Ukraine. (Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) - Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, Ironically they dropped the USA from full to flawed the same year. Meanwhile, the UK and Australia are both full democracies like Taiwan. The Peoples Republic is Authoritarian, the lowest possible grade democracy-wise. Two realms - democracy and authoritarianism - are clearly defined. Neither side will tolerate incursion into the other. In simple terms, Taiwan and Aukus are the good guys, if occasionally flawed. Xi Jinpings regime though not the Chinese people themselves are the bad guys. Its worth being clear on that, as there is often a fatal temptation to make friends with the Peoples Republic for the purpose of doing business with China: and not just in Taiwan or Australia either. If China should attempt to invade Taiwan, this would be something every bit as worthy of fighting against as Putins invasion of Ukraine, perhaps even more so given the vital importance to Britain of Taiwanese semiconductors. Aukus should stand ready to repel a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Against todays background of war in Ukraine and sabre rattling in Beijing, the Aukus deal might seem a little slow-moving. The central element of it, the nuclear-powered submarines for the Australian navy, will not even start to arrive until the 2030s. But the truth is that Beijing, despite its posturing, will not be ready to invade Taiwan until then if so soon. Right now, for instance, its hard to imagine any invasion scenario which would not see Australia cut off supplies of iron ore: that on its own would be a body blow for China. It would hurt Australia too, but much of the pain would be passed on to the largely overseas owners of Australian iron mines. In this context its pleasing to note that the largest single shareholder in Rio Tinto, biggest mining operator in Australia, is actually the Chinese government. Are Xi's forces ready for war? Even if Xi doesnt care about Australian ore, or coal or wheat or beef either, China would need to be able to move troops across the Taiwan Strait safely. This would require at least partial control of the sea and the sky above it. This is unlikely to be a matter of warships, at least in the Strait itself, and at first it may not be a matter of aircraft either. Both the Peoples Republic and Taiwan have substantial armouries of long-ranging missiles. In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, center, poses with for photos with Taiwanese navy personnel during inspection of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang exercises in Taiwan on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. The Taiwanese capital Taipei staged a civil defense drill Monday and Tsai on Tuesday attended the annual Han Kuang military exercises, although there was no direct connection with tensions over a possible Pelosi visit. (Shioro Lee/Taiwan Presidential Office via AP) - Shioro Lee/Taiwan Presidential Office To give just one example, as far back as 2008 Taiwan was putting its own Hsiung Feng 2E cruise missiles into sustained production. HF-2Es can strike targets hundreds of miles into mainland China, and Taiwan has at least hundreds possibly more than a thousand of them. The new Yun Feng supersonic cruise missile is probably operational in small numbers by this point: it could hit targets across most of Chinas developed regions, including Beijing. Taiwan also has hundreds of anti-shipping missiles threatening the Strait. Not many countries can produce this kind of high-tech weaponry themselves: but Taiwan, as we have seen, is in some respects more advanced than leading Western nations. Its missiles probably work just as well as theirs. Any invasion campaign would likely commence with a massive missile bombardment, with Beijing seeking to knock out Taiwans missiles and air bases. However, the bulk of Taiwans weapons are mounted on mobile launchers which are kept parked in hardened facilities. This would be no simple matter. Are Xis forces truly ready for this sort of thing? The Peoples Republic has put its armed services through many reorganisations and modernisations over the decades, transforming them from the enormous peasant army of the early days. But it was only in 2015 that the air force and navy stopped being subordinate departments of the army: Western analysts still tend to speak of the Peoples Liberation Army (Navy), Plan, and the Peoples Liberation Army (Air Force), Plaaf. The communist structure has only recently started to seriously get its head around the idea that a huge land war against Russia or Vietnam is not the primary scenario. Shortly after the military shake-up, which acknowledged the importance of sea and air power, a further change saw the Chinese heavy missile force become a branch in its own right, like the new independent navy and air force. This is the PLA Rocket Force, or Plarf. Plarf controls Chinas small force of land-based intercontinental nuclear missiles. More to the point for invading Taiwan, it also has around 2,000 conventionally armed weapons: not so many as to offer a really crushing superiority over the Taiwanese arsenal, especially as many are based on old Soviet technology. It seems fairly unlikely that todays Plarf alone will be able to fully suppress Taiwans mobile ship-killer batteries and make a crossing of the Strait practical. China's air force will need to play its part here. Will it be able to win control of the skies above Taiwan and the Strait, as Russias air force has not been able to above Ukraine? On paper it should be able to, with almost 3,000 combat aircraft against Taiwans 470-odd. A dozen or two of these are the vaunted Chengdu J-20s, claimed to be a genuine fifth-generation stealth fighter like those of America. There are larger numbers of supposedly dangerous fourth-gen Russian Sukhois and Chinese licence- built versions of them. Far too many of Chinas planes, though, are licence-built Mig-21s: 1950s technology. Chinas air force, then, mostly has no better equipment than Russias and often has worse. Aukus could tip the balance of power It seems likely that, as with Russia, Chinas air force is not yet capable of complex combined-air-ops fighting of the sort that has let US-led alliances to dominate the skies above Iraq and Libya. It was only in 2019 that the Plaaf started to get serious about advanced pilot training, setting up dedicated Top Gun-style academy units rather than carrying out all operational training in front line squadrons. The Plaaf itself says its current transformation will not be complete until 2035. Taiwans air force is a lot, lot better than Ukraines. It has a mixed force of decent US-supplied F-16 Falcons and indigenous Ching Kuo jets and proper US-supplied radar planes. It has a force of US-supplied maritime surveillance P-3s, a vital capability for an island nation. Many of these planes are kept in largely invulnerable bases dug into the sides of mountains: it will be very hard to knock them out on the ground. China may well damage air base runways, but runways are easy to repair quickly and all military air bases have specialist teams dedicated to that job. Taiwan also has hundreds of high-end US Patriot surface-to-air missiles, which would take a fearsome toll of Plaaf aircraft and might even knock down inbound Chinese ballistic missiles. Then there are many hundreds more American Sparrows, not as advanced but still very dangerous. If Russia couldnt dominate Ukrainian skies, its very clear that China has little chance of dominating Taiwanese ones: not yet, anyway. Its very unlikely that China would be able to make the Strait safe enough to mount an amphibious crossing today. And this is before we even consider US intervention. Thats why Aukus is all about the future. The day may very well come in the 2030s when Chinas missile and air forces will be strong enough to reach out and dominate Taiwan and the seas around it. China may well establish its own iron mines in Africa and a blue-water navy able not only to take control of the South China Sea but the waters around Korea, Japan and even Australia. But by then, there will be a new base at Perth with Aukus nuclear-propelled submarines operating from it. Nuclear propulsion is critical. Conventionally powered submarines are almost useless if radar-equipped enemies are operating against them. Conventional subs must run on the surface to move at any speed, but this means they are easily detected and sunk. Standard diesel-electric subs must extend snort air-intake masts above the surface to cover any distance while submerged. This slows them down even more and makes them almost as easily detected as if they hadnt bothered to go under. There are various air independent conventional propulsion options which offer some fully submerged range, but they too mean very slow travel and troublesome topping up with exotic fuels after any prolonged use. First-rank navies dont bother with conventional subs: in the age of radar they are of very limited usefulness. Undated BAE handout image of a mock up of what an SSN-AUKUS submarine will look like. Issue date: Monday March 13, 2023. PA Photo. Australia will operate a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines based on a British design as both countries modernise their navies. The Aukus deal AAA involving Australia, the UK and US AAA will see the new boats in operation in the late 2030s following a construction phase which will create thousands of jobs in the UK. The new SSN-Aukus submarines will be in operation for the Royal Navy by the late 2030s under the plan, and will also give Australia its first nuclear-powered capability. See PA story POLITICS Aukus . Photo credit should read: BAE/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. - BAE/PA A nuclear sub is a completely different beast. It can stay fully submerged for months, going as fast as a speedy surface ship the whole time. The Aukus nuclear subs of the future will be a terrible problem for the possible advanced Plan and Plaaf of the future. To be safe from them, any Chinese naval task force will need to move inside an expensive, advanced bubble of anti-submarine escorts and aircraft: even in Chinas own waters, let alone on blue-water operations. Such a bubble would need to be extended over the Strait in the event of any Taiwan invasion: yet another huge, expensive capability for the now-faltering Chinese economy to pay for. Without this support, unseen Aukus subs might suddenly launch weapons from almost any piece of sea at almost any target ashore or afloat, anywhere across the Asia-Pacific region. Aukus doesnt totally transform the picture, but it does tip the balance of power in the region back towards the West and its democratic allies in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. It will let Australia trade with China from a stronger position, reassured that the possible future blue-water Chinese navy will not have things all its own way. And Aukus will push the possibility of a Taiwan invasion even further into the future. At any rate, it will be avoided altogether. SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia "absolutely" did not promise to support the U.S. in any military conflict over Taiwan in return for a deal to acquire U.S. nuclear-powered attack submarines, Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday. Australia, the U.S. and Britain unveiled the multi-decade AUKUS project on Monday. Canberra is to buy the U.S. Virginia-class military submarines, with Britain and Australia eventually producing and operating a new submarine class, SSN-AUKUS. Australia's centre-left Labor government says the A$368 billion ($246 billion) deal is necessary given China's military buildup in the region, which it has labelled the largest since World War Two. Asked whether Australia had given the U.S. any commitment to help during a conflict over Taiwan in return for access to the submarines, Marles told ABC television: "Of course not, and nor was one sought". He said there was "absolutely not" a quid pro quo obligation on Australia from the deal. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the option of force to take the island back. President Joe Biden has said the U.S. would defend Taiwan in the event of "an unprecedented attack" by China. Under the AUKUS deal, which Asian allies welcomed but which Beijing has called an act of nuclear proliferation, the U.S. will sell Australia three subs, built by General Dynamics, in the early 2030s, with an option for Australia to buy two more. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said on Sunday he was confident a scheduled visit to China to meet his counterpart Wang Wentao would go ahead, despite AUKUS. Farrell said last month the meeting was a signal that Australia-China relations were thawing. He expressed hope for a visit to China by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this year, according to a government transcript of his interview with Sky News. The AUKUS programme is to start with a A$6 billion ($4 billion) investment over the next four years to expand a submarine base and the country's submarine shipyards and train skilled workers. Story continues Australia is also set to provide A$3 billion to expand U.S. and British shipbuilding capacity, with most of that to speed up production of U.S. Virginia-class submarines. ($1 = 1.4937 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sam McKeith; Editing by Josie Kao and William Mallard) LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England welcomed moves by the Swiss authorities to broker a take-over by UBS of Credit Suisse on Sunday, indicating it would support approval of the deal, and it said the British banking system was well funded. UBS agreed to buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in stock and assume up to 5 billion francs ($5.4 billion) in losses in a merger engineered by Swiss authorities. "We welcome the comprehensive set of actions set out by the Swiss authorities today in order to support financial stability," the BoE said in a statement, adding it would support international counterparts in implementing the actions. "The UK banking system is well capitalised and funded, and remains safe and sound." London is a major financial centre and both Swiss banks have units based in Britain which are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the BoE's Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA). The FCA said it was "minded to approve the actions announced today in relation to the entities which fall under its regulatory and supervisory remit." The BoE's statement coincided with similar ones from the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve, as well as a statement from Britain's finance ministry. "The UK government welcomes the steps taken today by the Swiss authorities in relation to Credit Suisse to support financial stability, and will continue to engage with the FCA and the Bank of England as is usual," a finance ministry spokesperson said. British officials have sought to reassure investors about the health of the broader banking system since the collapse of U.S. lender Silicon Valley Bank earlier this month. ($1 = 0.9280 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Alistair Smout and Huw Jones; Editing by William Schomberg) Det Insp Charlotte Tuckers two-year investigation into the forced labour of Vietnamese teenagers resulted in the conviction of three people - Jay Williams Barber shops could be used as fronts for criminal gangs to conceal human trafficking, slave labour, and drugs, a security expert has warned. The explosion of barber shops in London and other major cities across the UK has led experts to call for an investigation into the businesses as some could be being used by criminal gangs in the same way that nail bars and car washes have been used in the past. It is feared some are being run by Albanian and Kurdish gangs, who make money by smuggling migrants into the UK. Former Metropolitan Police officer Ali Hassan Ali told The Mail on Sunday there had been a boom in barber shops opening since the pandemic. A lot of these shops have thousands of pounds of equipment but no customers, he said. Links to organised crime While in some cases the shops will be involved in legitimate business, from my own experience, there is strong reason to believe a large number, particularly those owned by Albanians, Turks and Kurds, have links to organised crime. The organised crime could involve people smuggling or drugs, he said, adding: We know the people smuggling gangs in Calais have been traditionally operated by Kurds but they are now working with the Albanians. According to the National Hair and Beauty Federation, there are over 46,000 hair and beauty businesses in the UK, with three-quarters of these employing fewer than five people. It said that while the pandemic caused some shops to close, numbers are increasing quickly, back to pre-pandemic levels. The police officer behind the UKs first child modern slavery prosecution previously warned that traditional Turkish barber shops are using slave labour, urging men who use the services to look out for exploitation. Det Insp Charlotte Tuckers two-year investigation into the forced labour of Vietnamese teenagers at Deluxe Nails in Bath and Gorgeous Nails in Burton-on-Trent resulted in the conviction of three people. The young salon workers had been trafficked into the UK and were forced to work 60-hour weeks for little or no recompense. Story continues Kitemark-style scheme In 2018 a kitemark-style scheme was introduced for car washes, to crack down on modern slavery, where the public would be able to choose a car wash displaying the schemes logo, meaning the site had passed an audit. A National Crime Agency (NCA) spokesperson told The Telegraph: Money laundering is a key factor of serious and organised crime. Businesses who trade in cash can be exploited by those seeking to conceal and legitimise their criminal gains. The NCA and its partners in law enforcement, government and the private sector are committed to disrupting the flow of illicit cash and preventing organised criminals from benefiting from their crimes. Last year, an NCA investigation found an Afghan barber from Cricklewood was using his barbershop in north-west London as a front to commit organised crime. Gul Wali Jabarkhel had been offering lorry drivers thousands of pounds to illegally bring people into the UK from France and Belgium. He was jailed for 10 years alongside three other associates. Residents of an encampment next to LACMA and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures were moved to Hotel Silver Lake last month as part of Mayor Karen Bass' Inside Safe program. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) For the record: 9:19 a.m. March 19, 2023: An earlier version of this article had a photo caption that misidentified Annetta Wells, the Los Angeles mayors director of community engagement, as Anita Wells. Four weeks ago, Mayor Karen Bass' homelessness team found a warm place indoors for Princeton Parker, a 38-year-old living in a tent on L.A.'s Westside. Parker was delighted by his move to the Hotel Silver Lake at the edge of Silver Lake and Historic Filipinotown. The rooms were large, and his friends from the encampment were close by. "It felt like I had a home," he said. Princeton Parker was moved last month from a tent on the Westside to Hotel Silver Lake. Since then, he has been relocated to two other hotels. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) But that arrangement was upended last week when Bass' Inside Safe operation abruptly moved him and about 20 others to a hotel in downtown L.A. When that location didn't work out, Parker was then sent to a third hotel in Hollywood. He has felt lonely and isolated since then. I was extremely excited" to be at the Hotel Silver Lake, the former Pasadena resident said. "And they just took that from me. The comings and goings at Hotel Silver Lake show some of the logistical challenges facing Bass as she seeks to move 1,000 people indoors through her Inside Safe program by Tuesday, her 100th day in office. Bass expects the city will have housed a total of 4,000 people during that span. (Most of the remaining 3,000 are being helped through initiatives put into motion before Bass took office.) So far, at least two of the mayor's 13 Inside Safe operations have resulted in unhoused people being shuffled from one hotel to another, and sometimes a third drawing pointed complaints from homeless advocates. "The goal of Inside Safe is essentially to get people off the street permanently," said Meggie Kelley, who volunteers with Fairfax Mutual Aid, which provides food and other resources to homeless Angelenos. "Moving them around from place to place is not offering them stability. It takes people away from the community they have." The situation has also highlighted the lack of temporary housing available to the mayor in some parts of L.A. Story continues Last month, Bass and her Inside Safe team moved 43 people including Parker out of homeless encampments on or near 6th Street and Fairfax Avenue. The area is represented by Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, who took part in the operation. But because her Westside district doesn't have enough interim housing, those residents were moved into Hotel Silver Lake in the district represented by Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez. Leo Daube, a Yaroslavsky spokesperson, said his boss contacted Soto-Martinez ahead of time about using the hotel. "We did reach out ... to make sure they were OK with that, because it's in their district," he said. "And Hugo graciously agreed." For many, the stay didn't last long. On Monday, Bass' Inside Safe program began transferring about half of the people from 6th and Fairfax out of the Hotel Silver Lake and into other locations the L.A. Grand Hotel in downtown and the West Inn Hotel in Hollywood. Some objected, saying they did not want to be uprooted. The next day, a new group of unhoused people was brought into the Hotel Silver Lake, this time from Soto-Martinez's district. On that day, Inside Safe began targeting several locations near Echo Park Lake. Soto-Martinez promised during last year's campaign that he would take down the fence that surrounds the lake, which went up in 2021 as part of a controversial clearing of a massive homeless encampment. He has assured the park's neighbors that he will work to keep homeless people from moving back into the park. His first town hall on the fence removal took place Thursday, just as the Inside Safe operation in Echo Park was wrapping up. In an interview, Soto-Martinez said there's no connection between the Echo Park operation, which moved 56 people indoors, and his plan to remove the fence from Echo Park Lake. "We have been working on both of those things independently," he said. Soto-Martinez declined to say whether his Echo Park Inside Safe operation wound up pushing other people out of the Hotel Silver Lake. That question, he said, should be handled by the mayor. "Hotels, and where people go into, that is something that the mayor coordinates," he said. Bass aide Zach Seidl disputed the notion that people were moved out of the Hotel Silver Lake to make way for Soto-Martinez's unhoused residents. The relocation effort, he said, was done to "improve the living conditions of the residents of 6th and Fairfax." Seidl did not provide additional details. Meanwhile, Bass sounded dismayed by the treatment of the 6th and Fairfax encampment residents. Bass said encampments are "small communities" that serve as support systems for their inhabitants. Spreading people from the same encampment across three different hotels is "not what I want to see happen," she said. Bass said she has been trying to move with urgency, getting people off the street even though some aspects of Inside Safe are not fully built out. She said she cannot guarantee the same situation won't happen again if, for example, her office discovers problems with a particular hotel. "If we find the need to move people, we will," she said. Seidl, the mayoral aide, said the Hotel Silver Lake was never intended to be a long-term housing option for the residents from 6th and Fairfax. Carolyn Shayne Smith, who has been staying at the Hotel Silver Lake, said she received a different message. Smith, who came from the 6th and Fairfax area last month, said she and other encampment residents were told when they moved that they would be in the hotel for up to a year, or until they were connected with permanent housing. The 53-year-old said that's why she was shocked to hear from an outreach worker that they were being moved to another location after less than a month. Carolyn Shayne Smith was moved last month from a homeless encampment into Hotel Silver Lake. She pushed back against recent efforts to relocate her to a different hotel. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Some residents of the 6th and Fairfax encampment were just getting to know the surrounding neighborhood, and using the Hotel Silver Lake as their return address while ordering IDs, Smith said. Smith, who worked in interior design until suffering a major health crisis, said she demanded an explanation. An outreach worker responded, she said, by telling her that everyone needed to move out to make way for homeless people arriving from Soto-Martinez's district. "They said, 'We have to move you guys to another hotel, we'll be here Monday at 9:30 be packed and ready,'" Smith said. Smith and several others challenged the move, contacting mutual aid workers and Yaroslavsky's staff, who helped advocate on their behalf. Eighteen people from the 6th and Fairfax encampment ultimately stayed, according to the mayor's office. Smith was among them. Others did not challenge the move. Parker, for example, boarded the bus to the L.A. Grand on Monday and immediately had misgivings after learning about some of the rules at the facility. Mayor Karen Bass, left, Councilmember Katy Young Yaroslavsky and Annetta Wells, the mayor's director of community engagement, visit a homeless encampment at 6th and Fairfax on Feb. 16. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Parker said he and the other new arrivals were told that L.A. Grand residents are barred from having guests, visiting others' rooms or congregating in hallways. "You're like a prisoner all the time," he said. Parker said he tried the L.A. Grand for one night and then moved out. He attempted without success to return to the Hotel Silver Lake. He is now at the West Inn Hotel in Hollywood, away from his other friends. Yaroslavsky, asked about the situation at the Hotel Silver Lake, said she is grateful to Bass for her response to the homelessness crisis. She also said her office, the mayor's team and Soto-Martinez's staff worked to address the needs of the unhoused people moved out of her district. "What matters is that every person that previously lived at 6th and Fairfax still has a roof over their heads and did not fall back into homelessness," she said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The BBC urged its staff to delete TikTok from corporate-owned devices on Sunday unless the application is used for business purposes. The United Kingdom banned TikTok on government phones last week due to security concerns, a move that other western countries, like the United States and Canada, have already done. Just days after the government ban of TikTok was announced, the BBC, which is funded by the U.K. government, circulated a memo to their employees telling them to delete the app. The BBC guidance, which was reported by Deadline, said We dont recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason. A BBC spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill that the company will continue to monitor activity on third-party platforms, including TikTok. The BBC takes the safety and security of our systems, data and people incredibly seriously. We constantly review activity on third party platforms including TikTok and will continue to do so, the spokesperson said in a statement. The Hill has reached out to TikTok for comment. The Biden administration demanded last week that the Chinese parent company of TikTok, ByteDance, sell their stakes in the social media platform or risk being possibly banned in the U.S. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that a sale of the companys stake in the app wont resolve perceived security risks of TikTok. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden, in a call with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, backed efforts for comprise over a planned judicial overhaul, the White House said in a readout. "The President... underscored... that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support." "The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles." (Reporting by Costas Pitas in Los Angeles; editing by Diane Craft) WILMINGTON, Del. President Joe Biden spoke Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express concern over his governments planned overhaul of the countrys judicial system that has sparked widespread protests across Israel and to encourage compromise. The White House said Biden reiterated U.S. concerns about the measure to roll back the judiciarys insulation from the countrys political system, in a call a senior administration official described as candid and constructive. There was no immediate indication that Netanyahu was shying away from the action, after rejecting a compromise last week offered by the countrys figurehead president. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the leaders private call, said that Biden spoke to Netanyahu as a friend of Israel in the hopes that there can be a compromise formula found. The White House in statement added that Biden underscored his belief that democratic values have always been, and must remain, a hallmark of the U.S.-Israel relationship, that democratic societies are strengthened by genuine checks and balances, and that fundamental changes should be pursued with the broadest possible base of popular support. The President offered support for efforts underway to forge a compromise on proposed judicial reforms consistent with those core principles, the statement said. Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government the countrys most right-wing ever says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting publics will. Critics say it will upend Israels delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. Opponents of the measure have carried out disruptive protests, and has even embroiled the countrys military, after more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty. Story continues The conversation followed a Sunday meeting in Egypt between Israeli and Palestinian officials in which they pledged to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season. Administration officials praised the outcome of the summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. A joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. Biden in the call reinforced the need for all sides to take urgent, collaborative steps to enhance security coordination, condemn all acts of terrorism, and maintain the viability of a two-state solution, according to the White House. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a yearlong spasm of violence. Nike has named new leaders of several business areas, including its women's business. Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty Images Nike last week announced leaders of several critical business departments. The announcements included one departure and the elevation of two female executives. Nike's fiscal year ends May 31. It reports quarterly earnings next week. Over the past few weeks, Nike announced a string of executive changes, including two resignations and new heads of its women's, Asia, diversity, and technology efforts. The announcements come as the company enters the final stretch of its fiscal year, which ends May 31, and as it adjusts to rapid changes in consumer behavior and works to meet diversity and "digital transformation" goals. The announcements included the elevation of two female executives. In recent years, Nike has been criticized for a lack of women in management, including in a sweeping lawsuit. Nike's worked to address the problem through a series of HR and compensation changes. In its most recent corporate responsibility report, Nike said 43% of its executives, defined as vice president or higher, are women, up from 39% a year ago and on track to hit a 45% goal by 2025. Nike also remains focused on a business plan called the Consumer Direct Acceleration or CDA, which prioritizes direct and digital sales. "These changes will further build on our strengths and underscore our commitment to accelerate our women's business, invest in our geographies, and further grow our top talent," Heidi O'Neill, Nike's president of consumer and marketplace, said in a press release announcing three of the changes. "We remain committed to transforming Nike faster to define the marketplace of the future and unlock the next phase of growth through CDA." Here's a rundown of the changes: Ratnakar Lavu New job: Lavu resigned from Nike in late February. Old job: Global chief digital information officer Lavu, who joined Nike in mid-2019, resigned suddenly in late February. In an internal email announcing his departure and a subsequent meeting with technology employees, the company didn't give a reason for his exit. Story continues Nike is in the middle of a sweeping "digital transformation." Lavu was central to that work. But his tenure also coincided with blistering criticisms from technology employees, including widespread job dissatisfaction, according to a leaked employee survey. Nike and Lavu have not commented on the reasons for Lavu's abrupt exit. Amy Montagne New job: Vice president and general manager of Nike's women's business Old job: Vice president and general manager of Asia and Latin America Montagne is an 18-year Nike veteran who previously worked for nine years for the Gap. In 2022, Footwear News profiled Montagne, noting Nike's recent success in Asia. Cathy Sparks New job: Vice president and general manager of Asia and Latin America (She succeeds Montagne.) Old job: Vice president of Nike Direct in Europe, Middle East, and Africa Sparks joined Nike in 1996 as a visual merchandiser in the company's Portland store, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has worked in a number of retail roles and became a vice president in 2011. In her most recent role, she focused on digital and direct sales. She has "deep experience in marketplace transformation and consumer-led growth through brand, product, and experiences," Nike said in a press release. Whitney Malkiel New job: Malkiel decided to leave the company, Nike said in a press release in early March. Old job: Vice president and general manager of Nike's women's business (Montagne's new job) Malkiel also was among the six female Nike executives profiled last year by Footwear News. The publication described the group as the "women at the center of the company's transformation." "Whitney played a significant role in leading our women's business over the last three years and in her more than 20 years at Nike," O'Neill said in the news release. James Loduca New job: Chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer Old job: Vice president of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, Twitter Nike internally announced Loduca's appointment on Tuesday. He succeeded Jarvis Sam, who left Nike in November. Loduca is the company's fourth head of diversity since 2020. Diversity and inclusion remain top priorities for Nike. Six months after becoming CEO in January 2020, John Donahoe wrote to employees that the company must "get our own house in order" in regards to equity and inclusion. Donahoe's message came two years after a string of critical reports about an alleged "boys' club" culture" at the company. Nike's taken a string of actions to address the problems. "Excited to be joining Nike as its new Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer!," Loduca wrote on his LinkedIn page. "In an increasingly polarized time, sport is one of the few things that still brings us together. Nike believes that if you have a body, you are an athlete and I'm thrilled to be joining the team and help lead efforts to create a level playing field where everyone can win." Deepak Arora New job responsibilities: Interim co-head for global technology, alongside Ryan Fusselman, leading the company's ongoing "digital transformation" Current job: VP of commerce engineering In an internal email sent earlier this month, Nike announced that Arora, a nearly five-year company veteran, would serve as one of two co-heads of global technology. His appointment was announced roughly two weeks after the sudden resignation of Ratnakar Lavu. Arora remains in his current position, which he describes on his LinkedIn page as working with the company's chief marketing officer and co-leading Nike's digital marketing transformation. Ryan Fusselman New job responsibilities: Interim co-head for global technology, alongside Deepak Arora, leading the company's ongoing "digital transformation" Current job: Chief information security officer Fusselman, a 10-year Nike veteran, joins Arora as an interim co-head for global technology, according to an internal email announcing his appointment viewed by Insider. Fusselman previously worked as a vice president of information security engineering for Mastercard, according to his LinkedIn profile. Read the original article on Business Insider Getty Images/Otto Greule Jr A bill that could ban Skittles, among other food, is in motion in the California legislature. The proposed legislation would prohibit foods that officials say include cancer-causing additives. Some of the listed additives, like titanium dioxide, have already been banned in the EU. A proposed bill that would ban beloved candies like Skittles, as well as other foods that officials say contain certain chemical toxins, is making its way through the California legislature. Bill AB418, introduced in February by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, would prohibit the sale, manufacture, and distribution of food containing titanium dioxide, red dye 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and brominated vegetable oil, according to the bill's text. "Californians shouldn't have to worry that the food they buy in their neighborhood grocery store might be full of dangerous additives or toxic chemicals," Gabriel said in a statement last month. "This bill will correct for a concerning lack of federal oversight and help protect our kids, public health, and the safety of our food supply." On its official website, Skittles lists titanium dioxide as one of the ingredients. Per The Daily Mail, the additives titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, and brominated vegetable oil are banned in the EU. Titanium dioxide, for instance, helps give colors a brighter appearance and is commonly used in mineral sunscreen, Insider previously reported, and the ingredient is known to be toxic. The company that manufactures Skittles Mars, Inc. promised in 2016 to stop using it. Last year, a California man filed a lawsuit against Mars, Inc., arguing that its use of titanium dioxide is putting customers' health at risk. Mars Inc. did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. In addition to Skittles, other products at risk include Campbell's soup, Sour Patch Kids, PEZ candy, and Sun Drop Soda, according to The Daily Mail. The outlet reported that if the bill goes into effect the companies will need to change their food formula or the products won't be able to sell in the state. "We know they are harmful and that children are likely eating more of these chemicals than adults," Susan Little of the Environmental Working Group, a public health advocacy group, said in a statement last month. "It makes no sense that the same products food manufacturers sell in California are sold in the EU but without these toxic chemicals." Read the original article on Insider Blac Chyna at an event in Atlanta on Friday. Paras Griffin/Getty Images Blac Chyna shared the results of removing her facial fillers on Instagram. It came after the TV personality decided to get her silicone breast and butt implants reduced. "It's time for a change," Chyna, who joked that she looked like Jigsaw with fillers in, said. Blac Chyna is on a journey to get back to her natural self and she's taking everyone along for the ride. The TV personality, 34, shared her decision to remove her facial fillers and film the procedure in an eight-minute Instagram video on Thursday. The clip, which has amassed nearly 250,000 likes as of Sunday, came just three days after Chyna revealed she'd had a breast and silicon butt implant reduction. Speaking to camera in her latest video, Chyna, whose real name is Angela White, said that she'd heard removing facial fillers could "sting" but she wasn't afraid because of how determined she was to remove them from her jawline and cheeks. "Enough is enough and it all has to come out," she said. The clip goes on to show Chyna, who shares her daughter, Dream Kardashian, with Rob Kardashian, arriving at Allure Laser & Wellness Spa in Los Angeles for the procedure. When her doctor asked why she'd decided to remove the fillers, Chyna said that she wanted to embrace her natural looks. "First of all, I'm tired of the look, and it's just not flattering, it's just not what I look like," she said. "It totally changed my face." She added that she was ready to get back to "Angela," a reference to her real name. "I feel like I've outgrown that, and it's just time for a change," she said. Chyna explained that whenever she would get her makeup done previously, she'd feel like the character Jigsaw from the "Saw" films or like "The Mask" because of how defined her jawline and cheeks looked when contoured. Story continues "I'd be looking like Jigsaw," she joked, adding later in the procedure that the fillers made her face look rectangular. "It was making my face look like a box." Blac Chyna in Pasadena, California in February. Gilbert Flores/Getty Images While the doctor dissolved the filler, Chyna said she felt like she could see an "almost instant" difference in her face after the "easy process." "I'm on my journey right now, and I just want to start fresh, clean," she said. "Shout-out to the girls who want to get fillers. We're not saying, 'Don't do it.' But just for me, I'm just kind of over the whole phase." Her comments reflected the views she shared in a series of videos about her butt and breast reduction. "Honestly, I feel like that I'm past that stage. I've been there, done that," she said, adding that she is "stepping into a different way." Read the original article on Insider (Reuters) - U.S. drone flights over the Black Sea are a sign of direct U.S. involvement in conflict with Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Sunday. Last week, a U.S. drone crashed into the sea after being intercepted by Russian Su-27 fighter planes in the first known direct military encounter between the two sides since Russia launched its war in Ukraine last year. "It is quite obvious what these drones are doing, and their mission is not at all a peaceful mission to ensure the safety of shipping in international waters," Interfax news agency quoted Peskov as saying in a TV interview. "And in fact, we are talking about the direct involvement of the operators of these drones in the conflict, and against us." The United States said the Russian planes harassed the drone in Tuesday's incident and sprayed fuel on it before one of them clipped its propeller and caused it to crash while on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace. Russia said the drone had violated airspace restrictions and lost control after manoeuvring sharply. Russia's defence minister has presented awards to the airmen involved, in a rejoinder to U.S. accusations that the incident showed recklessness and possible incompetence on the part of the pilots. Moscow says the United States and its allies are using Ukraine to wage war on it and inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia. Washington says it is helping Ukraine to defend itself against an unprovoked Russian invasion. (This story has been corrected to say Black Sea from Baltic Sea in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by David Goodman and Peter Graff) Rishi Sunak is confident that the bill will go through - ROGER HARRIS/AFP Downing Street has warned Tory backbenchers and Northern Ireland unionists that they will go ahead with their Brexit deal with or without their support. A Number 10 source said Rishi Sunak was confident the measure was going to get through Parliament as it removes the threat of any ratchet of EU law". MPs will be given the chance to vote on the Windsor Framework, Mr Sunaks agreement with the EU to solve post-Brexit problems in Northern Ireland, on Wednesday. The vote will concern the so-called Stormont brake, which the Government says allows Britain to oppose the imposition of new EU law on Northern Ireland. One source said the Democratic Unionist Party was "hardening" against the agreement although the party is continuing to demand clarifications from Downing Street about aspects of the agreement. The European Research Group of pro-Brexit Tory MPs is also considering the plan. One of its senior members, Sir Bill Cash, has been analysing it for weeks and he will present his findings soon. However, it is understood he has concluded that the deal still gives too much power to the EU as it will make it hard for the UK to diverge from Brussels regulations. A Number 10 spokesman said: "Were confident that this is the best deal for Northern Ireland, which meets the tests we set, and we are confident that MPs will support it, including by voting for the Stormont Brake. "The Stormont Brake is the most significant part of the agreement, putting power back into the hands of Stormont and Westminster, safeguarding Northern Irelands sovereignty and removing the threat of any ratchet of EU law and the ECJ. "This vote enables Parliament to have its say." The source added: "The Framework has been overwhelmingly welcomed and we continue to engage with all of our backbenchers and answer any questions they may have. "We arent working to the timetable of one group or individual, but we have been extensively engaging with the DUP to answer their questions and continue to do so." Story continues How Boris Johnson decides to vote will be watched closely after he said earlier this month he would find it "very difficult" to support the agreement in the Commons, adding: "I believe we should have done something different, no matter how much plaster came off the ceiling in Brussels." However, the former prime minister conceded Mr Sunak had the "momentum" over the new agreement, which most Tory MPs are expected to back. Labour has also confirmed it will back the deal. Conor Burns, the former Northern Ireland minister and an arch-Brexiteer, could not say whether the DUP would come on board with the agreement but struck a cautiously optimistic note. "On balance, its probably about as good as we're going to get," Mr Burns told the Sunday Times. "I think Rishi has done well... Immodestly, I think what we did last summer [the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill] accelerated it." It came as Miguel Berger, Germany's ambassador to the UK, praised Mr Sunak for developing a "relationship of trust" with the European Union after a "very low point [of] no trust" during Mr Johnson's time in office. "I think it's a very good compromise that has been worked out quietly over four months between the European Commission and the British Government," Ms Berger said in an interview with Sky's Sophy Ridge. editor's node column I was one of the 18,000 people to enter the Grand Palais Ephemere, a huge domed exhibition hall facing the Eiffel Tower, for NFT Paris three weeks ago. The event has stuck with me more than most crypto conferences doand I attend a lot of crypto conferences. First off, I was blown away by the energy, positivity, and seriousness of the attendees, panel chats, and art displays. I was struck by how many global consumer and luxury brands were on handAdidas, Salesforce, Volkswagen, Panerai, Warner Bros, LVMH, L'Oreal, and Chanel, to name just a fewand by the fact that these brands were now pointing to actual NFT activations they've launched, rather than speaking in vague platitudes, pretending to be interested in Web3. It was impossible to walk away from the conference believing crypto is dead. But that was in France. Back in the United States, I returned home to more headlines about regulatory crackdowns, lawsuits, and fines against crypto companies. On the first day of NFT Paris, Brigitte Macron, the "premiere dame" of France, showed up for a surprise visit and spent time walking the floor. There was a palpable current of excitement when people started hearing she was there. And she wasn't the only French official to drop by: Minister of Culture Rima Abdul Malak and Minister of Digital Transition Jean-Noel Barrot also made appearances. President Emmanuel Macron said last April that Web3 is an "opportunity not to be missed" for France. Brigitte Macron even took a seat at the Rocket Factory, where attendees could answer a couple fun questions and receive a laminated "planet holder" ID card that could be minted as an NFT later on from home. She went through the steps with the artist Tom Sachs, and later followed through and minted her NFT. (Or someone from her team did.) were thrilled to be powering @tom_sachs rocket factory activation at nft paris, and to have had mme. brigitte macron stop by all aboard for liftoff pic.twitter.com/D9EhwlRCRA IYK (@iyk_app) February 24, 2023 Can you imagine Dr. Jill Biden attending a crypto conference in the U.S. and saying positive things? It wouldn't happennot in the current environment. Story continues Every week, the SEC fines another crypto project that launched a token (many of them years ago in the ICO era), even as SEC Chair Gary Gensler continues to avoid articulating what he believes makes a token a security and why. Instead, he has added staking and lending products to the list of securities. The agency's $30 million fine against Kraken for its staking service is only the latest head-scratching salvoone that had an SEC commissioner publicly questioning Gensler again. Meanwhile, the SEC's refusal to approve a U.S. ETF tied to the price of Bitcoin (even after approving ETFs tied to Bitcoin futures back in October 2021) is so weak that a D.C. appeals judge questioned the SEC's logic, saying it hasn't given enough evidence for its rejection of a Grayscale application and hasn't explained what it sees as the difference between Bitcoin futures and the spot price of Bitcoin. The meltdown of three U.S. banks in the past two weekstwo of which (Silvergate and Signature) were explicitly crypto banks, the other (Silicon Valley Bank) a "tech bank" whose clients included some notable crypto companiesis yet another body blow to the crypto industry. Sure, coins went up after the Feds promised to backstop deposits, but the two crypto-friendly banks just got taken off the board, which is in no way good news. Former Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank said Signature Bank was shut down to send an "anti-crypto message," and Reuters reported that prospective buyers of Signature are being told they must give up the bank's crypto business, all of which sounds plausible given recent history. Regulators have denied the claims. Why Was Signature Bank Really Shut Down? Of course, regulatory agencies don't make the law, just enforce it. U.S. lawmakers are setting the nationwide narrative with their continued severe rhetoric about the risks of crypto investing, meanwhile ignoring the benefits of Web3 technology. (Sam Bankman-Fried made all of this much worse, obviously.) The U.S. is utterly blowing it on crypto. Now the nightmare scenario is playing out: projects are leaving America to focus on Europe and other countries where they are being (comparatively) more warmly welcomed. Coinbase, the largest publicly traded U.S. exchange, sees the writing on the wall: it is speeding up its plans for international expansion. The current regulatory regime has left crypto executives, entrepreneurs, engineers, and investors "pulling threads out of speeches that are made by one or more commissioners, looking to media interviews that one or more commissioners or other SEC officials have given that suggest that all assets are securities," Coinbase chief legal officer Paul Grewal said on our latest gm podcast. Grasping at straws, reading tea leaves, trying to build businesses while fearing a Wells Notice at any moment. As Grewal asks, "Is this the best we can do? BERLIN (Reuters) - Britain is ready to help Poland fill its air defence gaps caused by Warsaw sending some of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine but Poland has not yet made such requests, British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey was quoted as saying on Monday. Poland last week said it would send Ukraine four MiG-29 fighter jets in coming days, making it the first of Kyiv's allies to provide such aircraft and possibly creating a need to ramp up Poland's air defence equipment. Britain would be able to help fill such gaps, as it previously did when Poland sent T-72 main battle tanks to Ukraine, providing Warsaw with Challenger 2 tanks, Heappey told German newspaper Welt. "We will look very positively at a Polish request to fill in the gaps that have arisen," Heappey said. (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Peter Graff) BROCKTON A young teenager is dead and a woman was seriously injured after an overnight shooting on Tribou Street. A 38-year-old Brockton man was arraigned in Brockton District Court Tuesday afternoon on charges he murdered his 14-year-old stepson and seriously injured the boy's mother early Tuesday morning. The prosecution painted a terrifying picture of the events that allegedly unfolded inside the home. Here's what happened in court. Cooking classes, detox drinks, smoothies, an organic salad bar and traditional Haitian and Jamaican food are all available at Top Notch Caribbean Cuisine in Randolph. In East Bridgewater, a parent expressed concerns to Superintendent Elizabeth Legault about a book their child found in the school's library. Legault said that after discussing the issue with the school's librarian and principal, the novel will stay in the high school's library. Find out the name of the book here. In case you missed it, here are five stories of the top stories from the past week throughout the Brockton area. 14-year-old is dead, 39-year-old woman in critical after overnight Brockton shooting A young teenager is dead and a woman is seriously injured after an overnight shooting on Tribou Street, the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office announced. At around 1:55 a.m., Brockton Police officers responded to 93 Tribou St., where there had been a fatality of a 14-year-old boy, and a 39-year-old woman was transported to the hospital in critical condition. 14-year-old is dead:14-year-old is dead, 39-year-old woman in critical after overnight Brockton shooting Photos of investigation:Police investigate shooting that left 14-year-old boy dead, 39-year-old woman injured Brewster Ambulance paramedics transport a person suffering from life-threatening gunshot injuries from 93 Tribou St. to a hospital on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. 'Everyone was sleeping': Brockton man shot 14-year-old stepson in closet, DA says A 38-year-old Brockton man was arraigned in Brockton District Court Tuesday afternoon on charges he murdered his 14-year-old stepson and seriously injured the boy's mother early Tuesday morning. Justelino Resende was charged with one count of murder, two counts of assault and attempt to murder, and one count of possession of an unlicensed firearm and FID card, according to Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Sharon Thibeault. Resende pleaded not guilty. Story continues 'Everyone was sleeping':'Everyone was sleeping': Brockton man shot 14-year-old stepson in closet, DA says Arraignment photos:Emotional scene in court as Brockton man is arraigned in murder of 14-year-old stepson Justelino Resende, 38, of Brockton was arraigned in Brockton District Court on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, in the fatal shooting of his 14-year-old stepson Nehemiah Cepeda earlier this morning. 'A tough week' for Brockton Therapeutic after student stabbed, another murdered The school nurse at Brockton Therapeutic Day School sprang into action this morning after a 17-year-old student was stabbed by another 16-year-old student inside the school, between classes, near the school's gymnasium. During a press conference outside the Brockton Public Schools administration building, Superintendent Mike Thomas commended the nursing staff on their swift response to the assault.The incident comes just two days after Brockton Therapeutic Day School student Nehemiah Cepeda was shot to death in his home. 'A tough week':'A tough week' for Brockton Therapeutic after student stabbed, another murdered Student stabbed:Student stabbed at Brockton Therapeutic Day School, same school slain teen attended Photos at scene of stabbing:Student stabbed at Brockton Therapeutic Day School Brockton Police Chief Brenda Perez speaks at a press conference the stabbing inside the Brockton Therapeutic Day School outside the Brockton Public Schools Crosby Administration Building on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Jerk chicken, sea moss and smoothies Randolph Caribbean Cuisine is one stop shop Cooking classes, detox drinks, smoothies, an organic salad bar and traditional Haitian and Jamaican food is all in one place. Top Notch Caribbean Cuisine, located at 352 North Main St., gives the Randolph community a taste of tropical islands through cuisine, health and wellness. Ian Atkinson, the owner, has been in Randolph serving the community for decades through ministry and educating people on how to live a healthier lifestyle. Randolph Caribbean Cuisine:Jerk chicken, sea moss and smoothies Randolph Caribbean Cuisine is one stop shop Top Notch Caribbean Cuisine photos:Step inside Top Notch Caribbean Cuisine and health foods in Randolph and Stoughton Top Notch Jamaican Haitian Restaurant is located at 352 North Main St. in Randolph, seen here on Friday, March 3, 2023. A parent complained about a library book. E. Bridgewater is going to keep it on the shelf. During her address to the East Bridgewater School Committee at their regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 24, Superintendent Elizabeth Legault said a parent had expressed concerns to her about a book their child found in the school's library. Although the topic wasn't listed on the meeting's agenda, Legault wanted to bring the issue to the committee's attention. She said her team is looking into it and will update the committee at a later meeting. The discussion was brief, and few details were provided at the time. After multiple requests from The Enterprise, Legault said the book was "Red, White & Royal Blue" by Casey McQuiston a young adult romance novel following a gay relationship between the sons of the U.S. president and British royal family. Parent complained about library book:A parent complained about a library book. E. Bridgewater is going to keep it on the shelf. East Bridgewater School Committee Chair Ellen Pennington and Vice Chair Amanda Colligan review the handbook's policies surrounding instructional and library materials during the policy subcommittee meeting on Feb. 27. Staff writer Kathy Bossa can be reached by email at kbossa@enterprisenews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton-area top 5 stories: Brockton teen shot dead, another stabbed Bubs Australia Limited (ASX:BUB) is possibly approaching a major achievement in its business, so we would like to shine some light on the company. Bubs Australia Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of various infant nutrition products in Australia, China, and internationally. The AU$169m market-cap company posted a loss in its most recent financial year of AU$11m and a latest trailing-twelve-month loss of AU$55m leading to an even wider gap between loss and breakeven. The most pressing concern for investors is Bubs Australia's path to profitability when will it breakeven? We've put together a brief outline of industry analyst expectations for the company, its year of breakeven and its implied growth rate. Check out our latest analysis for Bubs Australia Consensus from 5 of the Australian Food analysts is that Bubs Australia is on the verge of breakeven. They anticipate the company to incur a final loss in 2023, before generating positive profits of AU$1.8m in 2024. The company is therefore projected to breakeven just over a year from now. In order to meet this breakeven date, we calculated the rate at which the company must grow year-on-year. It turns out an average annual growth rate of 77% is expected, which signals high confidence from analysts. Should the business grow at a slower rate, it will become profitable at a later date than expected. Given this is a high-level overview, we wont go into details of Bubs Australia's upcoming projects, but, take into account that generally a high growth rate is not out of the ordinary, particularly when a company is in a period of investment. Before we wrap up, theres one aspect worth mentioning. The company has managed its capital prudently, with debt making up 1.9% of equity. This means that it has predominantly funded its operations from equity capital, and its low debt obligation reduces the risk around investing in the loss-making company. Story continues Next Steps: This article is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis on Bubs Australia, so if you are interested in understanding the company at a deeper level, take a look at Bubs Australia's company page on Simply Wall St. We've also compiled a list of essential aspects you should further examine: Valuation: What is Bubs Australia worth today? Has the future growth potential already been factored into the price? The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether Bubs Australia is currently mispriced by the market. Management Team: An experienced management team on the helm increases our confidence in the business take a look at who sits on Bubs Australias board and the CEOs background. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has stepped up its pace of stock buybacks, repurchasing more than $1.8 billion of its own stock this year. In its proxy filing on Friday, Berkshire said that as of March 8 it had the equivalent of 1,455,698 Class A shares outstanding, down 4,035 from year end and 2,537 from Feb. 13, reflecting the repurchases. Berkshire's repurchases have also included Class B shares, which normally cost about 1/1500th as much as Class A shares. The Class A shares closed on Friday at $442,765, their low for the year, while the Class B shares closed at $293.51, near their low. Berkshire's buybacks follow nearly $60 billion between 2020 and 2022. They suggest that Buffett and fellow billionaire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, who handle major capital allocation decisions, still view Berkshire's stock as undervalued, and repurchases as a prudent use of the company's cash. Berkshire ended 2022 with $128.6 billion of cash and equivalents. The Omaha, Nebraska-based conglomerate owns dozens of businesses including Geico car insurance and the BNSF railroad, and stocks such as Apple Inc and Bank of America Corp. Buffett owns 15.6% of Berkshire's stock. In his Feb. 25 annual letter to shareholders, Buffett defended buybacks, calling someone who views all repurchases as harmful "an economic illiterate or a silver-tongued demagogue." The comment appeared to criticize the White House and some Democrats who would prefer that companies use available cash to reinvest in their businesses. Buybacks are subject to a 1% excise tax, which President Joe Biden has proposed quadrupling. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Farm Fresh Berhad fair value estimate is RM1.56 Current share price of RM1.55 suggests Farm Fresh Berhad is potentially trading close to its fair value The RM1.79 analyst price target for FFB is 15% more than our estimate of fair value In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Farm Fresh Berhad (KLSE:FFB) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for Farm Fresh Berhad Step By Step Through The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) -RM80.9m RM12.5m RM46.5m RM81.7m RM125.6m RM174.4m RM223.6m RM270.1m RM312.4m RM350.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 75.43% Est @ 53.87% Est @ 38.78% Est @ 28.22% Est @ 20.82% Est @ 15.65% Est @ 12.02% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10.0% -RM73.6 RM10.3 RM35.0 RM55.8 RM78.1 RM98.5 RM115 RM126 RM133 RM135 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM713m Story continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM350m (1 + 3.6%) (10.0% 3.6%) = RM5.7b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM5.7b ( 1 + 10.0%)10= RM2.2b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM2.9b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.6, the company appears about fair value at a 0.6% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Farm Fresh Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Farm Fresh Berhad Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Farm Fresh Berhad, we've put together three additional elements you should further research: Risks: To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Farm Fresh Berhad . Future Earnings: How does FFB's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Key Insights Significant control over Caledonia Investments by private companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions A total of 4 investors have a majority stake in the company with 51% ownership Institutional ownership in Caledonia Investments is 36% If you want to know who really controls Caledonia Investments plc (LON:CLDN), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 47% stake, private companies possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company. And institutions on the other hand have a 36% ownership in the company. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Caledonia Investments. See our latest analysis for Caledonia Investments What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Caledonia Investments? 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. We can see that Caledonia Investments does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Caledonia Investments' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Caledonia Investments. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Cayzer Trust Company Ltd with 36% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.8% and 3.3%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Story continues Our research also brought to light the fact that roughly 51% of the company is controlled by the top 4 shareholders suggesting that these owners wield significant influence on the business. While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. Our information suggests that there isn't any analyst coverage of the stock, so it is probably little known. Insider Ownership Of Caledonia Investments 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. 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. We can see that insiders own shares in Caledonia Investments plc. The insiders have a meaningful stake worth UK21m. 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, who are usually individual investors, hold a 15% stake in Caledonia Investments. 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 47%, of the Caledonia Investments stock. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. 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 like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can find historic revenue and earnings in this detailed graph. Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free free list of interesting companies. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here SAN DIEGO (AP) California voters would decide whether to fund a major expansion of housing and treatment for residents suffering from mental illness and addiction, under the latest proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom to address the state's homelessness crisis. Newsom announced Sunday that he will ask allies in the Democratic-controlled Legislature for a measure on the 2024 ballot to authorize funding to build residential facilities where up to 12,000 people a year could live and be treated. The plan is the latest by the governor who took office in 2019 vowing to own the issue of homelessness in a state where an estimated 171,000 were unhoused last year. The governor called the plan the next step in how California expands services for unhoused people, especially those with psychological and substance use disorders. We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation. The question is, what can we do more and do better? Newsom said at a news conference. California, home to nearly 40 million people, has nearly one-third of the nations homeless population, and their numbers are growing much faster than in other states, according to an analysis of federal data by the Public Policy Institute of California. Tent encampments have popped up on sidewalks and under freeway overpasses, and people in clear mental health crisis are a common sight on city streets. The initiative would be partially funded by general obligation bonds that would raise between $3 billion and $5 billion to go toward construction of campus-style facilities along with smaller homes and long-term residential settings, Newsom said. In addition, it would overhaul California's Mental Health Services Act, an initiative approved by voters in 2004 that charges a 1% tax on incomes greater than $1 million to fund mental health services. Some lawmakers complained that money from the initiative bypassed those who needed it the most, and Newsom's office said the new version would improve oversight for counties. Story continues "Modernizing it will lead to $1 billion every year for housing, treating substance abuse disorders, and more," said a statement from the governor's office. The California State Association of Counties, representing all 58 counties in California, said in a statement Sunday that it would work with the governor and lawmakers to establish clear responsibilities, accountability and funding for all levels of government to address the homelessness problem. State Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, will introduce the measure, which would also earmark money to house more than 10,000 homeless veterans across the state, according to the statement. Newsom unveiled details of the plan during a stop Sunday afternoon in San Diego. The governor is in the midst of a five-day statewide tour that he's using to highlight his major policy goals. The tour replaced a traditional State of the State address. On Thursday, Newsom announced a plan to spend about $30 million to build 1,200 small homes across the state to help house people living on the streets. The homes can be assembled quickly and cost a fraction of what it takes to build permanent housing. Federal courts have ruled cities cant clear homeless encampments if there are no shelter beds available. Newsom will travel Monday to Imperial County to discuss how California is poised to become a global leader in electric vehicles and clean energy, his office said. The governor's swing through California comes amid challenging times for the state. After several flush years in Sacramento, California has an estimated $22.5 billion deficit, with state revenues falling as the stock market slows. Recent polling shows half of California voters believe the heavily Democratic state is headed in the wrong direction, including a majority of independents. And after years of growth, the states population has been dropping as people look elsewhere for more affordable homes and a better quality of life. SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (AP) About two dozen people forced to flee Southern California apartment buildings endangered by a tumbling oceanside hill may be evacuated indefinitely. Three clifftop apartment buildings and one nearby building in coastal Orange County's San Clemente were red-tagged and evacuated Wednesday when the land began to shift and slide away from their backyards down a hillside following torrential rains. Residents were warned Thursday that they may not be allowed back for a while. Authorities said there was no timetable for declaring the slope stable enough for residents to return. I think everyone should understand we have a dynamic situation here, Mayor Chris Duncan said during a news conference. We have another rainstorm coming, the ground is continuing to move, so these structures are still in peril. The National Weather Service said heavy rain could hit Southern California again early next week. Twenty to 30 residents were evacuated. Some were briefly allowed back home on Thursday to move out their belongings. Orange County was added to a presidential emergency declaration for areas hard-hit by natural disasters. About 35 out of 58 California counties are now covered by the declaration, which authorizes federal assistance to help state and local governments deal with a series of fierce winter storms. California has been hit with 11 atmospheric rivers in a virtually nonstop series that has sparked floods and landslides, toppled trees, stranded mountain dwellers in historically deep snow and downed power lines, leaving thousands without electricity. Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said the county had seen more than $4 million in storm damage, and the figure will escalate. In the city of La Habra, news reports said a sinkhole about 30 foot (9.14 meters) deep opened up Wednesday night next to another sinkhole that opened up in 2019 after heavy rain. Repairs to the earlier hole have yet to be completed. Some Southern California beaches were closed as heavy rain overwhelmed sewage systems and sent thousands of gallons of raw sewage to the sea. Ventura County closed beaches near the Santa Clara River after a collapsed sewer line spewed about 148,000 gallons (560,240 liters) of sewage into the waterway, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. The closures were expected to remain in place through the weekend or until testing shows bacteria levels are safe. DOWNEY, Calif. (AP) The state of California and a generic drug manufacturer announced a 10-year partnership Saturday to produce affordable, state-branded insulin that they hope will rival longtime producers and push down prices for a medication used by millions of Americans. The product is not expected on store shelves until at least next year, and it was difficult to predict what effect it would have on a market already shaken by change. Earlier this week another major insulin maker promised steep price cuts as pressure builds on drugmakers and insurers to slash the cost of the drug. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom said he hoped Californias emergence as an insulin-maker would prompt prices to collapse. Research has shown that prices for the drug have more than tripled in the past couple of decades. We are intent to make this about market disruption, Newsom said at a ceremony announcing the pact at a pharmaceutical warehouse near Los Angeles. He called it a game changer for 8 million Americans who use insulin to treat diabetes. Many questions remain. The state and its partner, the nonprofit Civica, have yet to locate a California-based manufacturing facility. Regulatory approvals will be needed. Newsom said a 10- milliliter vial of the state-branded insulin would sell for $30, but it's possible competitors could slash their prices and undercut the state product. Is this perfect? We don't know yet, Newsom acknowledged at one point. Just days ago, President Joe Biden said his administration is focused intensely on lowering health care costs, including pressuring pharmaceutical companies to lower the costs of insulin. Legislation enacted last year capped copayments for insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. Biden has proposed extending that cap to all Americans. Novo Nordisk said Tuesday that it will slash some of its U.S. insulin prices up to 75% starting next year. The announcement comes less than two weeks after rival Eli Lilly said it will drop some of its prices by 70% or more later this year. Story continues Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California, a statewide consumer health care advocacy group, welcomed Newsom's announcement, saying efforts by California and others to develop a competing generic are likely a factor in getting insulin manufacturers to cut their prices. Still, there are obstacles. The work to develop a generic, get FDA approval and set up manufacturing will take real time, Wright said in an email. There may even be more time in the effort to get doctors to prescribe the drug, insurers and (pharmacy benefit managers) to include it on their formularies and patients and the public to accept and ask for it. There could be other risks. State analysts have warned that California's entry into the market could prompt other manufacturers to reduce the availability of their drugs, a potential unintended consequence. State lawmakers approved $100 million for the project last year, with $50 million dedicated to developing three types of insulin and the rest set aside to invest in a manufacturing facility. Even with the challenges of entering a competitive, established market, Newsom said taxpayers would have very ample protections. If for whatever reason the deal didn't work out to the state's benefit, theres all kinds of provisions that would allow us to ... pull out, he said. According to state documents, the proposed program could save many patients between $2,000 and $4,000 a year. In addition, lower costs could result in substantial savings because the state buys the product every year for the millions of people on its publicly funded health plans. The state also is exploring the possibility of bringing other drugs to market, including the overdose medication Naloxone. The drug, available as a nasal spray and in an injectable form, is considered a key tool in the battle against a nationwide overdose crisis. We are not stopping here, Newsom said. A California man was shot and killed Sunday after calling police officers "pigs" and running towards them with a steel bar. Bodycam footage allegedly shows Adam Barcenas, 60, charging toward officers in Oxnard, California with a five-foot steel bar Sunday at 6 a.m. Oxnard police officers were conducting a DUI investigation when Barcenas who was not involved confronted them. Barcenas can be heard calling the officers "pigs" and yelling "I hate you" in the video. FLORIDA NEWS CREW SHOT WHILE COVERING SHOOTING NEAR ORLANDO, 2 DEAD, INCLUDING 9-YEAR-OLD: POLICE Bodycam footage shows Adam Barcenas approaching officers in Oxnard, California with a five-foot steel bar. Officers asked Barcenas to stand down, but he advanced towards an officer who then fired four shots. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Barcenas ignored the officers commands and continued to advance towards the officers in an aggressive and threatening manner," the Oxnard Police Department said in a press release. Three of the shots struck Barcenas. Another officer fired her taser, which did not penetrate Barcena's skin. REACTION SWIFT AFTER TYRE NICHOLS POLICE FOOTAGE RELEASED; 'THESE MEN WERE STREET FIGHTING,' FORMER COP SAYS Officers asked Barcenas to stand down, but he advanced towards an officer who then fired four shots. Barcenas was taken to Ventura County Medical Center where he died a few hours later. No officers were injured during the confrontation. The officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave, per department protocol. "Whenever there is an officer-involved shooting, or the officers are otherwise involved in a fatal incident, three separate investigations are set into motion," Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites said in a statement. A moonshine operation was inadvertently uncovered when a North Carolina man summoned deputies to report he was being targeted by a gunman, according to the Burke County Sheriffs Office. No shooter was found during a safety sweep of the property, officials said. However, deputies did find an active moonshine still, the sheriffs office said in a news release. It happened Friday, March 10, at a home on Kings Mill Road in Valdese, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte, officials said. Deputies responded to a call where a passerby had been flagged down by (a man) advising he had been shot at and he was being chased, the sheriffs office reported. Deputies arrived on Messer Road and ... escorted him home. At (his) request, deputies checked his residence and in the process of performing a safety sweep of the home located firearms and a barrel of an active manufacturing of non-taxed alcohol, to include raw materials and a fermentation barrel containing materials for brewing called mash. They discovered several holes in the wall that appeared to show the man had discharged his firearm inside the home, officials said. Deputies obtained a search warrant, which revealed two guns at the home, including a shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches, officials said. Deputies also alerted N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, which seized the moonshine still, officials said. The 52-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of weapon by a felon and possession of a weapon of mass destruction, officials said. Bond was set at $30,000. Kidnappers tied victim to chair with barbed wire, carved crosses in face, NC cops say Man missing since Christmas Eve was dismembered, sealed in concrete, NC sheriff says Driver who killed 24-year-old deputy crossing road faces DWI charge, NC sheriff says MONTREAL (Reuters) - Police and fire officials in Canada on Sunday were searching the rubble of a Montreal building for seven missing people believed trapped after flames engulfed the site last week. Flowers were left across a courtyard from the beige stone building in the historic Old Montreal district as workers using a crane tried to secure the badly damaged three-storey structure on Sunday afternoon. It took more than 100 firefighters to contain the fire at the building, which broke out on Thursday morning and left several injured, said Marie-Eve Beausoleil, a spokesperson for the city's fire department, the Service de securite incendie de Montreal. Montreal Police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant said investigators had reason to believe there were victims inside. "These are extremely trying times for the families of the missing and the injured," said Alain Vaillancourt, a Montreal city council executive committee member responsible for public security, in a statement. "The current priority is to secure the scene to allow the search for the victims." Apartments in the building were used both by long-term residents and guests who were staying there short-term after booking lodgings through Airbnb, Beausoleil said on Saturday. City officials said the units in the residential building were not supposed to be rented for purposes such as Airbnb, citing municipal rules that restrict which establishments can be used for tourism. There is no known connection between the units used for short-term rental and the blaze. The fire's cause is unknown. Ben Breit, Airbnbs global head of trust and safety communications, said in a statement, "we are providing our support to those affected, and we are assisting law enforcement as they investigate. (Reporting By Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Chris Reese and Lisa Shumaker) Caroline Ellison. Tyler Le, Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/Insider Caroline Ellison received $6 million by Alameda, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Ellison, who was the only female executive, received about 75% less than her male counterparts. Sam Bankman-Fried transferred himself $2.2 billion, while $587 million went to Nishad Singh. Caroline Ellison, the former Alameda CEO who has pleaded guilty to seven criminal charges, received $6 million from the crypto-trading firm a fraction of the billions paid to Sam Bankman-Fried, court filings reviewed by Insider show. Alameda Research has been accused of using customer deposits from Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange FTX for daily operations, including risky investments. FTX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 11 after it imploded, wiping out billions in customer deposits. Ellison, the company's only female executive, received about 75% less in payments than her male counterparts. Bankman-Fried, who resigned as FTX CEO amid the bankruptcy, transferred a total of $2.2 billion to his personal account, while $587 million went to Nishad Singh, FTX's former director of engineering, and $246 million went to Zixiao "Gary" Wang, Bankman-Fried's cofounder. Ryan Salame, who invested $6 million in restaurants and real estate in a small Massachusetts town sparking concerns among local officials per the Berkshire Eagle, received $87 million, lawyers said. While Bankman-Fried was known for being the Democrats' second-top donor ahead of the 2022 midterms, Salame and Singh also donated millions. But a criminal indictment unsealed last month said that Singh and Salame's donations were actually Bankman-Fried's doing. Bankman-Fried did not want to be known as partisan, so he instructed the two executives instead to donate money to certain candidates and political organizations, prosecutors wrote in the filing. Some $25 million also went to John Samuel Trabucco, Ellison's co-CEO. Before stepping down last August, Trabucco bought property worth $10 million in cash, as well as a 52-foot yacht. Court documents filed Wednesday show he transferred $2.5 million from Alameda to American Yacht Group in March 2022, with the cited reason "for the benefit of John Samuel Trabucco." Story continues Bankman-Fried's dad, Joseph Bankman, also received a little over $1 million in cash payments plus a $41,665 salary from West Realm Shires Services, the company behind FTX US, the documents show. But Ellison's income is more comparable to that of Bankman than to any of her fellow executives' tens or hundreds of millions. Following her guilty plea, Ellison apologized for her role in defrauding customers and investors, telling a judge she "knew it was wrong." Read the original article on Business Insider Food Network star, restaurateur, and cookbook author Jet Tila. Dave Kotinsky/Stringer/Getty Images Jet Tila, a Food Network star and restaurateur, shared the things he looks for in a Thai restaurant. He told Insider he pays attention to everything from what's on the menu to how the tables are set. The chef said chopsticks should only be part of the default table setting if it's a noodle house. Celebrity chef and restaurateur Jet Tila has spent his career, and his life, around people executing various cuisines from all over Asia. In an interview about his appearance at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and his partnership with Pei Wei restaurants, Tila told Insider that as the first-born son to his immigrant parents, he essentially grew up in his family's food business. Tila's family opened the first Thai grocery in Los Angeles in 1972, according to the Los Angeles Times. Tila said that from the time he was 10 years old, he was working in the markets, the restaurants, and on farms that were all a part of the growing business. He said he was essentially raised in the shops as his family couldn't afford another form of daycare. But it wasn't necessarily where he wanted to be as a kid. "I would say the romantic answer is, 'It was amazing and full of adventure,'" Tila said of his upbringing. "But, to be honest, it was the last thing I wanted to do." While he wanted to be out playing with friends, Tila said this unconventional training helped him develop a foundation for what has now become a career of his own. "I do believe in the 10,000-hour rule of becoming an expert," he said. "I clocked probably 20,000 hours by the time I was 22." From his time growing up in the business, studying at various cooking schools, and traveling himself, the Food Network star has found that there are certain benchmarks of Thai restaurants that, to him, indicate whether the people behind the eatery are serving up something delicious. Pay attention to the table setting Tila said the first thing he pays attention to happens before the food even comes out it's how the table is set. Story continues "If a Thai restaurant sets with a spoon and a fork, that's gonna tell me that they're slightly more authentic because the proper way to eat Thai food, you know, with Jasmine rice, is fork and spoon," he said. While the fork and spoon are a giveaway to him that a restaurant is trying to channel a more traditional Thai style of dining, chopsticks do the opposite. "If they set automatically with chopsticks, and they're not a noodle house, that usually tells me they're kind of pandering more to an American-style restaurant," he said. Khao soi from Night + Market Song in Los Angeles, California. The Washington Post/Contributor/Getty Images Notice how they treat the presence of spice "I think the bellwethers are how sweet the food is," Tila said, adding that really good measures of a Thai restaurant would be its curry and whether a server or menu offers different spice levels. Tila said a good curry dish should be "nice and thick" with a substantial amount of heat, and that's it's a good sign if someone asks you how spicy you want a dish. "They usually will say, 'Our hot is really hot,'" he said while explaining what a spice-level ask might look or sound like. Less common, more regional dishes can indicate a good menu If you're studying the menu and see some dishes that aren't commonly found at other Thai restaurants in America he listed Khao soi and mango salad as examples that might be a great sign, Tila said, though it's not a guarantee. "The problem is," he added, "anyone could put a lesser-known dish but still execute it poorly." Similarly, he said, you might see something that's not traditionally Thai at all on the menu and think that means the food is bad. While it certainly can be a marker of a confused chef, it can also be indicative of a creative or well-versed one. "I know some Thai restaurants in LA that make teriyaki, and they're still phenomenal Thai restaurants," he said. Ultimately, this comes down to knowing and trusting your chef. "Pei Wei does serve Korean and Thai and Chinese all at once," Tila said of the restaurant chain he's a partner of. "But I've got the credibility to get you there." Generally, even with all of his tips, the cookbook author recommends giving any restaurant at least two tries before making a decision about it, unless you have a really terrible experience. "And there's no excuse, obviously, for bad service and bad food," he added. But if you're "on the fence" or are unsure about it, he suggests going back a second time. Read the original article on Insider In four short months, the GPT family of artificial intelligence chatbots have upended higher education like nothing since the arrival of Wi-Fi connections in classrooms. ChatGPT and its smarter, younger cousin, GPT-4, can create a realistic facsimile of a college term paper on command, or populate the answers to a midterm. At the start of the 2022-23 academic year, few professors had heard of it. They are learning fast. I think this is the greatest creative disruptor to education and instruction in a generation, said Sarah Eaton, an associate professor of education at the University of Calgary who studies AI. The impact of this quickly developing technology has sparked varying concerns across colleges and fields of study due to its implications for academic honesty and learning. Not everyone sees this technology as an earth-shattering phenomenon, however. Some are excited about the implications it can have on learning. There just hasnt been panic here on campus. In fact, the university is absolutely a wonderful place to consider all the implications both good and bad, and challenges and new questions raised by any kind of new technology, because we have people who are going to think about the problems from so many different angles and orientations, said Jenny Frederick, executive director of the Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning and associate provost for Academic Initiatives. Across universities, professors have been looking into ways to engage students so cheating with ChatGPT is not as attractive, such as making assignments more personalized to students interests and requiring students to complete brainstorming assignments and essay drafts instead of just one final paper. Frederick conceded that at Yale, an Ivy League school with many resources at its disposal, it could be easier for the college to embrace the technology without fear. Story continues At small schools, such as Texas Womans University, ChatGPT has provoked more hesitancy. I think the majority, the sentiment from the majority of my sort of academic network is one of sort of anxiety and fear, said Daniel Ernst, associate professor of English at the school. Texas Womans University held a workshop for faculty at the end of January regarding ChatGPT. Genevieve West, chair of the schools Department of Language, Culture & Gender Studies, said she saw a generational divide at the event: Younger professors were more excited about the technology, while older professors voiced more concerns. Since launching in late November, ChatGPT has already garnered 100 million users. Its use quickly surged on campuses in that time. In an informal and anonymous January poll, 17 percent of Stanford students acknowledged using ChatGPT in their fall finals. Most said they used AI only to brainstorm, outline and spitball. A tiny share said they submitted ChatGPT work as their own. The rapid popularization of the new technology has sent both small and large schools scrambling to develop guidelines on how to approach it. Stephanie Frank, an associate professor of instruction in religion and the humanities at Columbia College in Chicago, spent the last few hectic weeks on a task force to decide how the faculty should handle chatbots. The point of this was to get something out before midterms, which were this week for us, she said. The task force issued a memo to faculty on Wednesday. Columbia organized the work group after a professor caught a student pretty flagrantly using ChatGPT for answers on a quiz, Frank said. The professor canceled the next quiz, asking students instead to submit handwritten class notes. The same student provided handwritten notes that appeared to have been copied from ChatGPT. Rather than set campus-wide rules, the Columbia College task force urged professors to make individual decisions about whether and when students should be allowed or encouraged, or even assigned to use AI. Youngmoo Kim, a computer scientist, sits on a similar committee at Drexel University studying chatbots. The panel aims to issue guidance to the school by the end of March. Were looking to put out guidelines for all of our faculty, he said. Not commandments. Kim expects the guidelines to be loose and broad because AI technology is evolving so quickly. The rules have changed in AI, not just in the past year, but within the past week, he said. If we put out some very strict guidelines right now, it will look silly. It will look silly probably within a few weeks. Not all schools have created official guidelines or even attempted to do so, and some have decided at this point that new rules are not necessary. Justin Shaddock, the chair of the Honor and Discipline Committee and an associate professor of philosophy at Williams College, says his school handles suspected cases of cheating with a student panel and that will not change. We have this committee of students that are supposed to be the ones who sort of act as the judges to decide whether a given you know allegation of cheating really is cheating, Shaddock said. Policing plagiarism before ChatGPT was relatively easy: Plagiarism checkers can match a passage in a student essay to identical wording on Wikipedia, for example, catching the offender red-handed. But ChatGPT doesnt copy old words: It creates new ones. That complicates the task of catching cheats. Its a lot harder with ChatGPT because it produces different answers every time. So there, its sort of more like, the professor has to put their question or prompt or whatever in the ChatGPT, maybe do it a couple times, and then try to show that theres more similarity between the suspected essay and ChatGPT responses than there is between the suspected essay and sort of like a range of other student responses, Shaddock added. Spotting when a student is using AI-generated text in their papers might not be as easy as many professors think, especially in bigger classes. One Canadian study, not yet published, found that two-thirds of professors could not correctly identify texts written by AI, Eaton said. When you get two-thirds of university professors failing a test, she said, were in a bit of a pickle. Professors are more likely to spot a chatbot cheat in a small seminar, a format that allows the instructor to engage with students about their work and grow familiar with each students style. Despite all the concerns, many realize there is no stopping the evolution of technology and are looking at the bright side after the initial shockwave. Laura Dumin, an English professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, administers a Facebook group of 2,000 faculty members to discuss positive uses for AI. I know that we are exhausted from COVID. We had to pivot once, and now were being asked to pivot very quickly again, she said. Especially back in January and February, people were like, Were going to catch all of the cheaters, Dumin said. And my thought was, Youre going to waste all of your time and exhaust yourselves. Instead, Dumin encourages professors to make peace with the technology and to find productive ways to use AI in the classroom. Dumins own students now submit papers for three rounds of review: from their peers, from the professor and from the chatbot. And it will give you feedback, tell you what it thinks about what you have written, she said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UpRising bakery opened in 2021 to serve baked products for anyone, wedding cakes for LGBTQ couples along with gluten-free and vegan options (Screengrab: YouTube/ CBS Chicago) The UpRising bakery and cafe in Chicagos Lake in the Hills will close at the end of March amid rising attacks on the premises for hosting a drag performance, its owner has announced. Closing our doors is the direct result of the horrific attacks, endless harassment, and unrelenting negative misinformation about our establishment in the last eight months, owner Corinna Sac said in the news release on Friday. Her establishment has faced "horrific attacks" and "endless harassment" for its support of the LGBTQ+ community, CBS news quoted Ms Sac as saying. The bakery was opened in 2021 to serve baked products, along with gluten-free and vegan options. They also provided wedding cakes for LGBTQ couples. She added: "From an award-winning bakery that donates to local organisations and supports diversity and inclusion, we have been rebranded by misinformation as gay only and paedophiles. Local customers no longer come here because of the perceived threat that tarnished our good name and the fears of their licence plates are photographed, and they are harassed." Everything I have is in this business our home, cars, retirement, savings, she said, and added that the force behind the bakery has put everything we had on the line and personally secured this location, our equipment, and our dreams. The woman added that she was hoping to make a difference by serving delicious food for all, the report added. "Seeing gluten-free and vegan products sold with 350 per cent markup saddened me. My heart broke reading emails from same-sex couples seeking a bakery for their wedding cake. People in this community need us," she said in the release. The first attack on her establishment was in July last year when Ms Sac organised a family-friendly show at the bakery and featured drag performances. This sparked outrage and the night before the event, attackers smashed the doors and windows of the bakery. Hate messages were also painted on the building. Story continues Ms Sac said her staff and the customers visiting the bakery were also attacked. The protestors were outside UpRising bakery for days, harassing patrons and photographing their licence plates, she added on the release. She and her children also received threats on social media, the owner said. This was almost a year after the space had been utilised for events without comment, Sac said in the release. Ms Sac said that the bakerys sales and patronage have taken a severe hit due to the constant harassment and vandalism, combined with lack of support from the local administration. Without an infusion of more than $30,000, at this time, I cannot keep the doors open to my dream bakery, she said in the release, reported Chicago Sun Times. Fundraisers are planning to stop the bakery from shutting down on 31 March and are looking to provide financial support to Ms Sac and her staff, the report added. Chicagos mayoral race pits a former teacher against a former schools administrator CHICAGO (AP) Before they were rivals to be Chicagos next mayor, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson both worked in education, though their career paths like their views on the citys future were very different. Vallas was CEO of Chicago Public Schools, appointed by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley after Illinois lawmakers in the 1990s gave control of the troubled district to City Hall. Vallas came to be known as a turnaround expert in Chicago and in other U.S. school districts, supporting charter schools and voucher programs. Johnson taught middle and high schoolers before becoming an organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union, mobilizing thousands during a historic 2012 strike and in actions since that focused on strengthening public schools and the communities around them. Chicago mayoral candidates Brandon Johnson, left, and Paul Vallas participate in a public safety forum in Chicago, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford) It is just one example, but a significant one, of the contrasts between the two men now vying to lead the heavily Democratic city. Johnson is a progressive county commissioner who last month advanced to an April 4 runoff thanks to heavy support from the teachers union and who is now endorsed by progressive U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Vallas, who finished first out of nine candidates in the February vote, is a more moderate Democrat who was endorsed by the Chicago police union and has focused strongly on reducing crime. Among his supporters are prominent members of the business community. Both men defeated Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who tried positioning herself between the two as a middle-of-the-road Democrat. She was the first incumbent to lose reelection in roughly 40 years. The April contest reflects a broader tension for Democrats nationwide, pitting the candidates and the people and groups supporting them against each other in an increasingly bitter five-week campaign that already has cost millions of dollars. So far, some of the partys leaders from President Joe Biden to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the states two U.S. senators are opting not to endorse either candidate, possibly seeing political risk in picking a side. Story continues For voters in Chicago, the two candidates offer clear distinctions on issues from education to crime and taxes, as well as very different biographies that have shaped their political lives. Johnson, 46, is Black. The son of a minister, he grew up one of 10 kids in a family he says struggled to pay bills, sometimes having to run a power cord into their home from a neighbors house to have electricity. An older brother died homeless and addicted. Now a married father of three, Johnson lives in one of Chicagos most violent neighborhoods and says he has to drive his children to another part of the city to attend a school that offers orchestra. He speaks of Chicago as a tale of two cities, where some people largely in minority neighborhoods that have seen decades of disinvestment fight to get by, while others have great wealth and live in areas where with grocery stores, libraries and parks. U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, who had strong support from Latino voters as he finished fourth in February, cited Johnsons ability to unite people of color as the congressman announced his former rival last week. Vallas, 69, is white. He was the only non-Black or Hispanic candidate in the first round, when he was the top vote-getter with 33% to Johnsons 22%. Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson participates in a public safety forum in Chicago, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford) The grandson of Greek immigrants, Vallas worked in his family restaurant growing up and later was a state legislator and Chicago budget director. He stresses that he comes from a family of public servants, including veterans, teachers and police officers. Two of Vallas sons were police officers, though one left the force to become a firefighter, he says. Vallas has run for office unsuccessfully several times, including for governor in 2002 and Chicago mayor in 2019, when he finished toward the bottom of the pack. Vallas says he is running to be mayor for all of Chicago, and that the fundamental first step is to make the countrys third-largest city safer including by hiring hundreds more police officers and rebuilding trust between the police department and residents. He has criticized Johnson as supporting a movement to defund the police, which activists across the United States called for after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in 2020. Johnson says he would not cut the number of police officers in the department. But as a county commissioner, he sponsored a symbolic resolution to redirect money from law enforcement to social services, such as mental health care. In a 2020 interview, Johnson said defunding was not just a slogan but an actual political goal. Asked about the comment during a debate this month, Johnson distanced himself, saying, I said it was a political goal, I never said it was mine. Johnson has attacked Vallas as a Republican in disguise, noting that Vallas has made comments about being more of a Republican than a Democrat and accepted the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police. The group recently hosted Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, considered a top GOP candidate for president in 2024, though Vallas issued a statement rebuking the Republican. Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas participates in a public safety forum in Chicago, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford) Vallas support for abortion rights also has been called into question. Illinois is one of the few places in the central U.S. where abortion is legal, which has made the state, and Chicago, a destination for people seeking the procedure. On a conservative talk show in 2009, Vallas said he is opposed to abortion, a comment his campaign says was taken out of context. During a recent debate he said its nonsense that he opposes reproductive rights. Vallas explained he is Greek Orthodox, a religion that opposes abortion, but that he personally does not a stance similar to top Democrats who are Catholic. I have the same position as Nancy Pelosi or Joe Biden, Vallas said. Education policy is another dividing line. Chicago Public Schools canceled classes for five days in January 2022 after union members refused to return to in-person classes due to concerns about COVID-19 safety measures. Vallas said Johnson was partly responsible for that and other closures that shut down one of the poorest school systems in the country, with devastating consequences, including an increase in crime. Johnson has criticized Vallas leadership of schools in Chicago and in subsequent jobs he held in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, in Philadelphia and Connecticut. Vallas administration punished low-performing schools, including by firing staff in Chicago schools with poor test scores, and under his leadership, many New Orleans schools became independently run charter schools. Vallas questioned how Johnson would be able to lead the city independently from the Chicago Teachers Union, which has bankrolled much of his campaign. Johnson said that if he is elected mayor, he will no longer be a member of the union, but he will work collaboratively with them. Vallas endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police has drawn criticism from Johnson, who notes the unions leader voiced support for the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Vallas says he has not taken any money from the union and will not be beholden to the group if elected. TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post In Chicago mayors race, 2 hopefuls reflect Democrats split appeared first on TheGrio. BEIJING (Reuters) - China's embassy in Britain on Sunday condemned a visit this week by British lawmakers to Taiwan, saying they were insisting on visiting the island despite China's strong opposition. Taiwan's Presidential Office said the group of six lawmakers from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group would meet President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei on Monday. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has been ramping up military, political and economic pressure to assert those claims. A statement from China's embassy in London said that the lawmakers have "insisted on visiting the Taiwan region of China despite China's resolute opposition". This is a "gross interference in China's internal affairs and a serious wrong signal to Taiwan independence separatist forces," the embassy said. "We want to tell the relevant British politicians that any act that harms China's interests will definitely be vigorously countered by China," it added, without elaborating. Taiwan regularly hosts visiting foreign lawmakers, which China routinely condemns. Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future. (Reporting by Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by David Goodman) BEIJING (Reuters) - China is launching an annual recruitment of college graduates in large and midsize cities, the official Xinhua news agency said on Sunday, as authorities double down on efforts to meet a more ambitious job creation goal this year. The recruitment drive, hosted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, will last from Sunday to May 26, Xinhua said. China aims to create around 12 million urban jobs this year, up from the 2022 target of at least 11 million. The government aims to keep survey-based jobless rate of around 5.5% this year. The new premier, Li Qiang, said last week that "developing the economy is the fundamental solution for creating jobs," and the government will continue to pursue an "employment-first" strategy. During the first 10 days of the recruitment drive, 19 offline job fairs, eight cross-region job fairs and job fairs featuring sectors such as manufacturing, medicine and health, Internet and electricity and new energy will be hosted, Xinhua said. While number of college graduates in China will reach a record 11.58 million this year, job seekers expect more job opportunities, more reasonable pay and more reliable social security, human resources minister Wang Xiaoping said this month. China's survey-based jobless rate was 5.6% in February, but for 16-24 years old it was 18.1%, National Bureau of Statistics data showed. A rise in the jobless rate in February was due to seasonal factors, the bureau said. (Reporting by Judy Hua and Ryan Woo; Editing by William Mallard) Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow on Monday to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin will be a significant moment, punching a hole in the international isolation that's surrounded Putin since the start of his invasion of Ukraine and signaling China now sees far less need to publicly distance itself from Putin amid the war. The two-day state visit will be Xi's first trip to Russia since the war began and comes as Western countries are increasingly concerned China is moving to more actively support Moscow and play a more assertive role in shaping the conflict, at a moment when Ukraine is readying for a much-anticipated spring counteroffensive. "This state visit in the middle of the war shows that Xi Jinping sees the relationship with Russia as absolutely quintessential, he will not be deterred or embarrassed by the fact that Russia conducts a genocidal war against Ukraine," Alexander Gabuev, an expert on Russia-China relations at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told ABC News. "It's a significant visit." PHOTO: This combination photo shows Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022, and China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Dec. 2, 2019. (Sergei Bobylev; Noel Celis/AP) Three weeks before the invasion Putin travelled to Beijing where he and Xi declared a "partnership with no limits." But during the war, China in practice has observed substantial limits on the level of its support for Russia. It has pursued a difficult line: trying to present itself as neutral, while largely backing Putin's narrative of the war, and quietly helping Russia weather sanctions and prop up its military with technology and parts. But China has never abandoned its partnership with Russia, Gabuev said, and the visit in "a way is a step up" in its support. "Throughout last year China has demonstrated that ties with Russia are absolutely normal and unabated despite Russia's aggression against Ukraine," said Gabuev. He noted joint military exercises, as well as visits by senior Chinese and Russian officials, had taken place as scheduled. MORE: How Chinas Xi Jinping flipped the script on the world during his 10 years in power Story continues A senior Kremlin aide on Friday said Xi and Putin would sign two joint declarations announcing "the deepening of relations of an all-round partnership and strategic cooperation, entering into a new era." China's commitment to Russia will face fresh pressure following the International Criminal Court's announcement Friday of an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges. The announcement casts an uncomfortable shadow over Xi's trip: China is not party to the ICC and does not recognize the warrant, but an enthusiastic public embrace of Putin will again undermine Beijing's efforts to present itself as neutral, just as it is pushing to be seen as a potential peacemaker. The United States last month began warning it believes China is considering providing Russia with lethal aid for the war for the first time. The U.S. and its allies have already accused China of helping Russia source components under Western sanctions, such as computer chips, needed to keep its war machine going. China has denied it is considering sending lethal aid. PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the social and economic development of Crimea and Sevastopol via a video link at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 17, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images) China in recent weeks has mounted a diplomatic offensive seeking to present itself as a potential peacemaker. Last month, China published a so-called "peace proposal" and after meeting Putin, Xi is reportedly expected to speak with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time by video call. WATCH: Biden vows to respond if China offers weapons to Russia But the Chinese proposal in reality was not a plan but largely a vague restatement of principles that support Moscow's framing of the conflict, experts said. Its key point was an immediate ceasefire that experts say would currently favor the Kremlin by locking in its territorial gains seized from Ukraine. "China's vague plan is aimed not at actually ending the war, but at impressing the developing world and rebutting accusations that Beijing has become a silent accomplice to Moscow," Gabuev wrote in an article for Carnegie. Gabuev said the peace proposal in reality was meant to provide "diplomatic cover" for Xi's Moscow trip and support for Russia. The proposal, he said, also was intended to allow China to present itself to countries in the Global South as seeking peace, while in fact continuing to back Putin. It's "really just a fig leaf," he said. Ukrainian officials have said they believe the Chinese proposal follows Kremlin efforts to freeze the conflict as it stands that would leave it control of occupied areas without making concessions. PHOTO: Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin enter a hall for talks in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP) "I believe that all peace plans that provide for an immediate ceasefire and preservation of the current territorial status quo are exclusively a game in favor of the Russian Federation," Mykhailo Podolyak, a top advisor to Zelenskyy told a Ukrainian media outlet in February. "The 12-point 'plan' does not present any actual solutions. In fact, it merely reiterates Beijing's standard talking points on the war in Ukraine which are closely linked to its Russia-friendly perspective and its own strategic interests," Alicja Bachulsk, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote last month. "Beijing is not a neutral actor," she wrote. Western countries have warned China it will face heavy sanctions if it moves to providing Russia with lethal aid. But experts said the economic support China is already providing is important in allowing the Kremlin to continue the war. "For Beijing, the worst-case scenario for the end of the war in Ukraine is Russia's complete failure and subsequent regime change. The Chinese leadership will go to great lengths to prevent this from happening." China's Xi to meet with Putin in Moscow Monday in show of support originally appeared on abcnews.go.com President Xi Jinping heads to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker. Freshly reappointed for a third term in power, Xi is pushing a greater role for China on the global stage, and was crucial in mediating a surprise rapprochement between Middle Eastern rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia this month. Rumours that he may soon hold his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the outbreak of war have raised hopes in Western capitals that Xi may lean on his "old friend" Putin to stop his bloody invasion during the three-day state visit. Announcing the trip Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks". "Stopping the war is everyone's wish, given Europe stands to lose such a lot and the United States may not be able to support Ukraine for as long as it thinks it can," said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Beijing's Renmin University of China. "China can put forth its views on both sides -- it can say it is a trusted friend of both Ukraine and Russia. I think this is very significant." Beijing, a major Russian ally, has long sought to depict itself as a neutral party to the conflict. But it has refused to condemn Russia's invasion and has sharply criticised Washington's support for Kyiv -- leading Western leaders to accuse Beijing of providing diplomatic cover for Russia to bludgeon its European neighbour. "Beijing has done remarkably little so far to encourage peace in Ukraine, since any credible effort would require pressuring Russia or at least calling Russia out directly," said Elizabeth Wishnick, a professor and Chinese foreign policy expert at Montclair State University in the United States. Xi's trip -- which comes after the International Criminal Court on Friday announced an arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes accusations -- aims "to show whatever support for his strategic partner he can provide, short of aid that would result in sanctions", she told AFP. Story continues - Much talk, little substance - Seeking to play the peacemaker, China last month published a 12-point position paper on the war in Ukraine, calling for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty. Beijing has also touted its Global Security Initiative (GSI), a hallmark Xi policy that aims to "promote durable peace and development". Both documents have drawn ire in the West for dwelling on broad principles instead of practical solutions to the crisis. China's recent diplomacy around the war appeared to be "an attempt to highlight" the GSI and "build momentum for its foreign policy and re-engagement with the world", said Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. "Whether (China) is actually stepping up its efforts to play peacemaker in a meaningful way will depend on the substance of what it proposes during meetings with leaders from Ukraine and Russia," said Chong, who specialises in Beijing's international relations. "Their previous peace plan was more about general principles than actionable proposals." - 'Not impartial' - Beijing's efforts to show itself to be an international mediator were front and centre this month when it oversaw a deal that restored diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It later emerged that Xi himself offered for China to serve as a "bridge" between the rivals, challenging Washington's long-standing role as the main external power broker in the Middle East. "Brokering the (Saudi-Iran) deal feeds into the Chinese government's narrative of being a positive-sum global player promoting peace and cooperation that contrasts with Washington's purportedly destabilising actions," said University of Southern California assistant professor Audrye Wong. But stilling the gunfire in Ukraine would be "somewhat harder" than the Saudi-Iran deal, said Wang of Renmin University, citing China's "limited" influence over Moscow and US backing for Kyiv. Beijing, he suggested, could help usher in "an armistice similar to the one formed from the Korean War" that stops the fighting but kicks questions of territorial sovereignty further down the road. But Wishnick, of Montclair State, said Ukraine was "unlikely to accept China as a mediator since it is not viewed as neutral or impartial". "Xi may be eager for diplomatic successes, but I just don't see one on the horizon in Ukraine," she said. "Neither side is willing to give up hope yet for territorial gains on the battlefield." mjw/oho/mtp/ssy Produced by Chris Young Ritzen, George Osterkamp, Mead Stone and Gary Winter In August 2022, after 46 years, the last of three men convicted of kidnapping 26 children and their bus driver was paroled from a prison in California. It was one of the largest kidnappings in U.S. history. A school bus with 26 children was stopped by three armed gunmen as they headed home from the Dairyland Elementary School in the small California town of Chowchilla. The men were wearing pantyhose over their faces. "And then this man came up with a stocking over his head with a gun and said, "Open the door,'" said survivor Jodi Heffington, who was 10 at the time. Heffington relived the ordeal publicly for the first time in an interview with "48 Hours," and shared emotional details of her life after. "Where their eyes were, it was like, it almost looked hollow," recalled survivor Larry Park, just 6 years old at the time. "It was like looking at death." The children and their school bus driver were transferred to vans and were driven for nearly 12 unbearable hours before being buried alive inside a truck trailer underground held hostage in the dark for another 16 hours before they made a harrowing escape. WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN? Just outside Chowchilla on July 15, 1976, the frightening journey began. Jennifer Brown Hyde | Survivor: We start driving down the road Larry Park | Survivor: I'm wondering how it was going to feel to die. Larry Park: I was too scared to move. Twenty-six terrified children some as young as 5 were staring down the barrel of a sawed-off shotgun. Three masked men had hijacked the Dairyland Elementary school bus. One had the shotgun, one drove the bus, and one followed behind in the white van they'd used to block the road. Jodi Heffington | Survivor: It's a hard thing to explain, 'cause I never been around guns. You only seen bad guys in the movies with stockings on, you know, so I knew it wasn't good. Jennifer Brown Hyde: Edward kept telling his kids just be quiet, sit down, do what they say. Edward was speaking in a harsh tone, and that normally was not the Edward that we knew and loved. Story continues Jennifer Brown Hyde: Eventually, the bus went off the road, down into a dry riverbed. Larry Park: Into this big grove of bamboo that were taller, actually, than the bus. The kidnappers drove the hijacked school bus into a dry riverbed and hid it in tree brush. / Credit: Alameda County D.A's Office Jennifer Brown Hyde: And then as I looked out one of the side windows, I saw that there was another van that was parked there AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: They parked the bus. And there was another green there was a green van down there waiting for us. Even at the age of 9, little Jennifer Brown seemed to know the horror that day should be documented. She later made this recording with her mom: AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: And those two guys standing from the bus door to the van door with guns with pantyhose over the head so we wouldn't run out. and then, see, they pulled the van right up to the bus door. The kidnappers herded the stunned children from the bus into those two vans. Jennifer Brown Hyde: We had to jump from the bus to the van. AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: So they wouldn't see any feet prints. Jodi Heffington: When it was my turn to get on the van he stopped me. He held a shotgun to my stomach. And I said, "I was doing what you said." And I had to stand there with this gun in my gut until that one van drove away and they backed the second van up. It felt like forever. I thought he was going to shoot me. I actually did. Jennifer, Larry and the rest of the children followed Jodi into the second van, along with the bus driver, Ed Ray. Then the kidnappers closed the doors. Jennifer Hyde: It was pitch dark. The vans had been converted into makeshift jail cells by installing wood paneling and even painting the windows. No one could see in or out. The kidnappers sped off with the children caged in those mobile prisons. Jennifer Brown Hyde: And I felt like I was an animal going to the slaughterhouse. Around that time, Jennifer's mom, Joan Brown, came home from work and the house was empty. Joan Brown: The children were not there. No peanut butter on the counter, no chairs out there, well ... they just weren't there. As one hour turned to two, worried parents began helping the police retrace the school buses route, crisscrossing dozens of rural roads. Joan Brown: Where were those children? Twenty-six of them and a bus driver? Nowhere. And then, just before sunset, a police pilot spotted the big bus about seven miles outside Chowchilla, hidden in the dry riverbed. Sheriff Ed Bates | Madera County, California: You would only see it from the air. Madera County Sheriff Ed Bates rushed to the scene. His deputies had already found the bus empty. The children and their driver gone. The tire impressions found in the sand led straight to the front door of the bus. Sheriff Ed Bates: Obviously someone had backed their vehicle up to the doors of the bus. Sheriff Bates was convinced the children of Chowchilla had become the victims of a brazen and bizarre, mass kidnapping. Sheriff Ed Bates: I called the governor. I said, "I need some help down here." Sheriff Ed Bates: I had the parents all assembled there in the fire station. Well, you could just look at their faces, and the anxiety and the fear was there. Sheriff Ed Bates: I told them, I called the FBI. And all of a sudden, I have 30 FBI agents there. The stunned children were herded from their bus into two vans. They were forced to jump from the bus to the vans so that they would not leave behind any footprints. / Credit: Alameda County D.A.'s Office As Sheriff Bates continued to widen the investigation, the children continued to suffer inside the sweltering, pitch-black vans. Jodi Heffington: We'd bang on where the drivers panel would be like, "let us out, let us out" and they would just say "shut up". Jennifer Brown Hyde: And we drove what seemed like for hours upon hours upon hours. Larry Park: And I remember that I kept falling asleep and coming back awake. I would dream about being [takes a long pause] I would dream about being up in the forest where my family would go camping. Jennifer Brown Hyde: We all tried to comfort each other. AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: And a few of my little friends that are 5 and 6, they came over and started laying on me and crying. And I told them be brave because it's going to be alright Then, the vans started to slow down. The kids could feel it pulling off the road, lurching from side to side on rough terrain, before coming to a stop after nearly 12 unbearable hours. Larry Park: They opened up the door and they took Ed Ray out first. They shut the doors back. And then there was nothing. There was no sound. Jennifer Brown Hyde: And I remember they would just grab the first kid that was inside the door They opened the door and they grabbed somebody else. Larry Park: And they just kept doing that. They would open up the door Jodi Heffington: They'd take the next kid out. And they would close the doors. But when they opened the doors you don't see them. I thought they were basically killing us each one at a time. Jennifer Brown Hyde and I kept scooting to the back of the van, and I thought maybe if I hide in the corner, they won't come for me. But they did. "THE HOLE" Jennifer Brown Hyde: I didn't know if it was in the desert, at the beach. In the side of a mountain? I had no idea where we were. I didn't even know if we were in California. After almost 12 hours in darkness, 10-year-old Jodi Heffington was the last to be taken out of the first van. Jodi Heffington: Being the last one you don't know what's going to happen because you don't see nobody else. What happened to them? If you didn't kill them, where are they at? They had flashlights kind of like shining in their faces. And then one shining on your face. And they said, "What's your name?" And I actually I have a little bit of a smart-ass in me. And I said, "Puddin Tang ask me again and I'll tell you the same." I was pissed and I was scared at the same time. They said, "if you don't tell us your name, you're never going to see your mom and dad again, do you understand?" And they took all my belongings And then they said, "you're going to go down in this hole right here. The hole led to an old truck trailer buried underground. Ed Ray and the children from the first van were there. Larry Park: There was a table set up in the back. It was surrounded with jugs of drinking water Jodi Heffington: On some of the mattresses, they had some cereal, a loaf of bread and some peanut butter. Jennifer Brown Hyde: in the wheel wells, they had cut holes in 'em for toilets. We could hear fans. So, we knew that there was some sort of ventilation. Bus driver Ed Ray and the children were taken out of the van, one by one, and sent down into a hole inside an old truck trailer buried 12 feet underground. / Credit: James Palmer / AP Michael Marshall, 14, was still in the other van with some of the youngest children. Michael Marshall | Survivor: The kids got a hold of me and were holding onto me. And just scared out of their you know, we were all just scared out of our wits. As they did before, the kidnappers removed the children one by one. Michael and the youngest, 5-year-old Monica Ardery, were the last ones left in the van. Michael Marshall: It was just me and her. Not knowing what had happened to the other children or if they were even alive, Michael says he couldn't bear to hand Monica over to the kidnappers. So, when they opened the doors again, he went first. Michael Marshall: I had to take her hands from mine and rip and tear them apart, say it would be OK. And go with them and leave her. That was hard. Michael Marshall: As soon as I got on that ladder and took a step down and I heard the rest of the kids say, "It's Mike. It's Mikey. Michael." And I realized that everybody was alive. And to his relief, not long after, Monica came climbing down the ladder. They were all together again. Michael Marshall: We're OK. We're OK. We're OK. So right now, so far, we're alright. But the sense of relief was short-lived. Jennifer Brown Hyde: Before I knew it, the ladder was gone. They threw a roll of toilet paper down and said, "We'll be back for you." And that was it. The kidnappers then covered the opening with a manhole cover. Michael Marshall: I remember it just went dark. And then you just hear the material (moves his hands in a digging motion) getting thrown on us we were being buried alive. They were buried 12 feet underground. Jodi Heffington: I just remember looking up at that hole. I wanted to stay close. I wanted to be like right there. Because that was the way out. Larry Park: Ed Ray and Mike Marshall they looked at every corner, every wall for an escape route. They got underneath the manhole cover and pushed up on it. And they couldn't move it. So, Ed Ray determined that it was time for everyone to get some rest. The minutes and hours ticked by. Michael Marshall: It would be silent and then somebody would bust out crying and the hole would just erupt. Everybody's crying. Michael Marshall: The thing that made me cry was not being able to say goodbye to my mom. And I'm remembering the last time that I saw her [gets emotional] and wishing I could have told her goodbye. CBS NEWS REPORT: Throughout much of this day, parents and other family of the missing children came to the command post set up in downtown Chowchilla to try desperately to fathom some reason out of this madness. Carol Marshall's 14-year-old son Mike was another on the bus. REPORTER: Any chance at all this could be a terrible hoax or joke that someone is playing? CAROL MARSHALL: I imagine there is a chance. I hope that's all it is. This was one of the largest kidnappings in U.S. history. CBS NEWS REPORT: So far there's been no word from any abductors Sheriff Ed Bates: Two heavily-laden [sic] vehicles had taken 26 children and their bus driver. That's not easy to do. And how did they control them? And what did they do with them? As investigators intensified their search, Jennifer and Jeff's mom Joan waited by the phone hoping to hear news about her children. Joan Brown: I remember later that day, praying and saying to God that if you bring them back I will promise you that I will and then I stopped because there was nothing I can offer in exchange for my children. They had been in the hole for almost 12 hours and the conditions were deteriorating. Jennifer Brown Hyde was 9 at the time of the kidnapping. Jennifer Brown Hyde: We had eaten the food. The fans on the ventilators stopped. Jennifer Brown Hyde: My little brain started to grasp the concept of we may really not go home. Larry Park: There was this one boy. And he kept kicking blocks out from underneath the 4x4 pillars. And so, the roof of the van was starting to cave in. The seams were breaking. Dust was flowing through. And I remember children just screaming and crying. The sides of the van were bowing in. I knew that I was going to die. I knew it. Jennifer Brown Hyde: We thought, and they said the older kids and Edward if we're going to die, were going to die trying to get out of here. THE ESCAPE Jennifer Brown Hyde | Survivor: As a young kid, you don't have a lot of sense of time. There was no sunlight. So, you couldn't tell if it was day or night. We were out of food, we were out of water, the roof was caving in. It just was a desperate situation. Jodi Heffington | Survivor: Everybody got the mattresses and stacked them up as high as we could go. Larry Park | Survivor: right underneath the manhole cover. Jodi Heffington: People started standing on each other's shoulders. I was a very tall girl and very strong, so they stood on my shoulders when they didn't stand on Edward's. The children tried to stay calm as the minutes and hours ticked by. After being in the hole for almost 12 hours, conditions started to deteriorate. The roof started to cave in, and they were running out of food. / Credit: Alameda County D.A.'s Office They took turns pushing up on the manhole cover. Michael Marshall: And I'm giving it everything I got, and all the kids are cheering me on. You know, "Come on Mike, you can do it. You can do it." And then all of a sudden, they said, "It moved, it moved." But they were far from being free. The kidnappers had put truck batteries and dirt on top of the manhole cover and had constructed a wooden box around it. Once the manhole cover was moved, that box was just big enough for Michael to stand in. AUDIO: MICHAEL MARSHALL, AGE 14: Edward squeezes me through this half-foot hole. Like Jennifer, Michael Marshall made a recording about his experience. AUDIO: MICHAEL MARSHALL, AGE 14: I get on top of it and I start pounding on this box. Start hitting and pounding, hitting and pounding. Larry Park: He dug until he was exhausted and then he kept on digging. There was no quit in him. AUDIO: MICHAEL MARSHALL, AGE 14: None of us knew if when we got out, they were just going to be standing there with shotguns at our head and stuff, so we were kind of pretty scared." Larry Park: Then suddenly this ray of sunlight [cries, then pauses]. This ray of sunlight came down into the opening. And it was catching the dust. And the dust particles looked like a bunch of shooting stars. There was this airflow that came out of the van and I knew we were free. I need a minute. [Gets up from his chair, overcome with emotion.] Michael Marshall, 14 and bus driver Ed Ray piled up mattresses that were left in the hole and after 16 hours in darkness managed to dig their way to safety. / Credit: Michael Marshall Michael Marshall [sighs, then pauses]: The air and the light it was beaming coming through Larry Park: Mike Marshall, actually, brave person that he is, crawled out of the hole first. Michael Marshall: And I stuck my head out and I didn't see anybody. I could see we were in the hills Jodi Heffington: He said "the coast is clear." And so we started taking the little ones and putting them up there. And Mike grabbed them. That part was kind of scary too because we're out now. We don't know who's out here. It was approximately 8 p.m. on July 16. They had been in the hole for nearly 16 hours. Jennifer Brown Hyde: We all just scurried like a bunch of little mice. We saw conveyor belts and excavators It looked like "The Flintstones." And all these men with hard hats on came to us and looked at us like, "who are you?" The kidnappers had buried them in a rock quarry in Livermore, California, 100 miles away from Chowchilla. When police arrived, as evidence, they took photos of every child. Jodi Heffington: An Alameda County jail bus came. (Sarcastically laughs) It was like, "yeah, they put us back on a bus." Then they transported them to the closest place that could hold them the Santa Rita Rehabilitation Center a local jail. Jennifer Brown Hyde: I remember going in in the bus and you could see the prison wire. And you thought well, "they're taking us into jail." Jennifer Brown Hyde: They took us into what looked like classrooms. They brought us apples and soda. At the Santa Rita Rehabilitation Center, the children were given apples and soda, and examined by doctors. Jennifer Brown, 9, is pictured at center. / Credit: Alameda County D.A.'s Office AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: They had these coveralls. And all these little kids go into 'em and we had to roll the pants about 10 feet. And we rolled the arms up and we were all sitting there some of 'em didn't roll our arms up and we sitting there flapping our arms. We said, "Hey we can fly!?" Over the next few hours, Ed Ray and the children were examined by doctors. They were also questioned by police. Jodi Heffington: Each one of us was interrogated by ourselves to tell our story. Jennifer Brown Hyde: How do you describe somebody that has pantyhose over their face? Finally, approximately four hours after escaping, the children boarded yet another bus - this time, to go home. / Credit: Alameda County D.A.'s Office After four hours of questioning, they were finally allowed to go home. Michael Marshall: They put us on a Greyhound escorted us back to Chowchilla. Larry Park: It was time for mom and dad. I just wanted my mom and dad. It had been almost 36 hours since their traumatic ordeal began. Jennifer Brown Hyde: The scene was like a mob scene news cameras and TV lights. AUDIO: JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: Everybody stated saying, "are you all right Jennifer" and all this stuff and I said "Yeah. I'm fine." Then whenever we got into this room, I found my mom and my dad. AUDIO: MICHAEL MARSHALL, AGE 14: We pulled up to Chowchilla and I was asleep. So, when I got off the bus everybody started taking pictures of me saying, "Hi Mike, how you doing? What was the pit like?" Jodi Heffington: They just let us off the bus with all these people And you didn't know where your parents were (emotional). Survivor Larry Park, 6, after being reunited with his parents. Larry Park: This man carried me off the bus. And he put me in my mom's arms, and I said, "Hi mom," and fell asleep on her shoulder. . I felt like I was finally safe [emotional]. Jodi Heffington: Nothing was ever the same. Nothing was ever the same after that. (emotional) Joan Brown: We had no idea what our kids had been through. None whatsoever. HAROLD DOW | CBS NEWS: How does it feel to be a big movie star? JENNIFER BROWN, AGE 9: I don't know. I've never been a movie star before. CBS NEW REPORT: For 9- year-old Jennifer Brown, the experience has allowed her to still see the world with compassion. HAROLD DOW | CBS NEWS: Why do you suppose that they would do something like that? JENNIFER BROWN: I don't know. They didn't have enough love. Joan Brown: She had horrible nightmares. she would run screaming into our bedroom, and she wasn't even awake And she would tell us later that she dreamt that they were lined up and shot. Larry Park: One night I was dreaming that I . was falling down this hole and I was trying to get out. I started screaming for my mom. Mom came in. And all I could do was cry. And all she could do was hold me. There was nothing more that could be done. THE KIDNAPPERS In the days following the kids escape, investigators searched the rock quarry and the van that had been their underground tomb hoping they would find clues that would lead them to the kidnappers. Prosecutor Jill Klinge | Alameda County: They looked to see who would have keys to the quarry. In order to have access to bury this moving container undetected, you would have to have access. Fred Woods had keys to that quarry. Frederick Newhall Woods, 24, the son of the owner of the quarry, immediately became a person of interest. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: Then they looked at the ledger, surveillance tapes and started to put it all together at that point. Security guards told investigators they had seen three young men digging a large hole in the quarry months before the kidnapping. One of them they said was Fred Woods. And Woods had a record. Two years earlier, he had been charged with grand theft auto. Arrested with him were two of his friends James Schoenfeld, Fred's partner in a used car business, and James's younger brother, Richard. All three were from wealthy families who lived in San Francisco's nicest suburbs. They escaped with a fine and probation. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: They're young. ... They're wealthy. I think it added a component of fascination to the story because it was so unlikely that three men such as these would commit such an atrocious crime. Investigators executed a warrant to search Fred Woods' father's estate. RICHARD THRELKELD | CBS NEWS: For the last two days, the Woods estate has looked like an armed camp, dozens of officers looking for anything. What they found there was a treasure trove of evidence. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: We were able to recover one of the guns that was used during this kidnapping. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: This crime was planned out for a year-and-a-half in intricate detail. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: You actually have a document labeled "plan." And it sets out the way they were going to commit the kidnapping and then they on the right-hand side put how they would compensate or deal with what could go wrong. They also recovered a draft of a ransom note. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: The draft of the ransom note says $2.5 million, but in actuality, they were going to ask for $5 million from the State of California. Investigators executed a warrant to search Fred Woods' father's estate and found a treasure trove of evidence including the kjdnappers' detailed plan and this draft of a ransom note. / Credit: Alameda County D.A.'s Office But the kidnappers were never able to deliver their demand. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: They tried to call the Chowchilla Police Department. Because of the number of calls that were coming in worldwide the phone lines were jammed. They couldn't get through. So, they took a nap. And by the time they woke up, they saw on the news that the kids had been found. So, they were never able to request the ransom. RICHARD THRELKELD | CBS NEWS: And so the search is on nationwide for these three men Arrest warrants were issued. Richard Schoenfeld turned himself in. Fred Woods and James Schoenfeld fled California, but not for long. HAROLD DOW | CBS NEWS: James Schoenfeld was captured at dawn today. Police say he ran hard, all over the Western United States, but he did not run well. Frederick Woods was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police this afternoon, just across the Washington State border in Vancouver. Jodi Heffington: I remember being physically ill when I actually saw them. After that you kind of did have a sense of (takes a deep breath) you can breathe. They're behind bars. So, what drove these young men, seemingly well off, to kidnap young children for money? James Schoenfeld eventually told police, despite their parents' wealth, he and Fred Woods were in serious debt. The kidnappers, from left, Fred Woods, James Schoenfeld, center, and his younger brother Richard Schoenfeld / Credit: Alameda County Sheriff's Office He would later tell the parole board: "We needed multiple victims to get multiple millions, and we picked children because children are precious. The state would be willing to pay ransom for them. And they don't fight back." Sheriff Ed Bates: I think that the two Schoenfelds did it just on pure persuasion by Fred Woods. Fred Woods in my own personal opinion, and I have a master's degree, I think he was a sociopath. Some might call him a psychopath. With the overwhelming evidence against them, Woods and the Schoenfelds pleaded guilty to 27 counts of kidnapping for ransom and robbery. But they refused to plead guilty to the eight counts of bodily harm. Those charges would send them to prison for life without the possibility of parole. So, 16 months after their abduction, Jennifer, Michael and some of the other children faced the kidnappers in court. Jodi Heffington: You're in this little box and they're there looking at you, just glaring at you and staring you down. They testified that in addition to the emotional trauma, they had suffered physical wounds like cuts and bruises. Jodi Heffington: And I looked over at them and I just broke down. That was the first time I cried. So, they allowed my father to come sit by me and that made me feel a lot safer. Jennifer Brown Hyde: And the kidnappers were sitting to my left at a table. I remember giving my dad my gum because I told him I was going to spit my gum at 'em. REPORTER AT COURTHOUSE: You say they would give you this funny look. What did that make you feel? JENNIFER BROWN: Scared. Jennifer Brown Hyde: I did my testimony. I answered my questions. And I left that courtroom with my head held high. And there was no way that I was going to let them see me cry. WALTER CRONKITE | CBS EVENING NEWS ANCHOR: A California judge today imposed mandatory life prison sentences without parole on those three young men who kidnapped 26 Chowchilla school children Joan Brown: Life in prison without the possibility of parole. That was all we needed. That's what we needed. Jennifer Brown Hyde: I remember thinking they are going to jail they're not going to do this to anybody else. And that's all that I need to know. With the kidnappers sentenced to prison for the rest of their lives, the survivors thought their nightmare was finally over. But it was just beginning. THE SURVIVORS Just five weeks after being buried alive, the gutsy children of Chowchilla and their bus driver Ed Ray were hailed as heroes. There was even a trip to Disneyland. Larry Park: And everyone thought that was great because the good memories of Disneyland would overshadow the bad memories of the kidnapping. Many of the survivors of the Chowchilla kidnapping gathered for a photo at the Ed Ray Day celebration on August 22, 1976. Ray, the school bus driver, is pictured back row center next to Michael Marshall. / Credit: Jennifer Brown Hyde It wasn't that simple. Jennifer Brown Hyde: In a way you try to be normal. But when you've gone through something that's so traumatic, it's hard to go back and be a normal kid again. Jodi Heffington: Sometimes it's like life is an act. You try to be good for everybody else so they don't worry, but they worry anyway, so I advise everybody else not to do it that way. The survivors struggled to move forward. But just four years after the kidnappings a critical turning point. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: The kidnappers' lawyers appealed the finding of bodily harm. And the appellate court overturned it. And while acknowledging the horrific nature of the crime, stated that the injuries suffered did not rise to the level of bodily harm under the law. So, Fred Woods and the Schoenfeld brothers were resentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: They would get a parole hearing every one or two years. Larry Park: I felt like I had been betrayed by the justice system. Just six years after the kidnappings, the parade of parole hearings began. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: Every time one of the kidnappers came up for parole it triggered all their fears and trauma The hearings took place inside the prison. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: They sit in the same room, and it's not a large room, with the kidnapper. Jodi Heffington: The first time, I was terrified. For all three kidnappers, there have been more than 60 parole hearings to date. Jodi Heffington went to nearly all of them. Jodi Heffington: It just seems like every three years I go. And I go three times, every time. It's excruciating and the aftermath is never good. Jodi and the other survivors watched helplessly as Richard Schoenfeld was the first to be granted parole in June 2012, 36 years after the kidnappings. Three years later, James Schoenfeld was paroled, too. Prosecutor Jill Klinge: As far as I know, they have not been in any kind of trouble. Fred Woods at his 15th parole hearing in 2018. / Credit: CBS News/George Osterkamp The same could not be said for Fred Woods. He repeatedly broke prison rules. He was caught with pornography and cell phones. AUDIO FROM 2018 PAROLE HEARING: Hello. My name is Jodi Medrano. I was Jodi Heffington. Jodi Heffington, right, at a 2018 parole hearing for Fred Woods, went to almost all of the parole hearings for the three convicted kidnappers. / Credit: George Osterkamp In 2018, "48 Hours" was at Fred Woods' 15th parole hearing and recorded audio of Jodi's testimony. AUDIO FROM 2018 PAROLE HEARING | JODI HEFFINGTON MEDRANO: To listen to him talk about his poor childhood (sarcastically laughs) I don't know if I want to laugh, cry, cuss him or what Because where did my childhood go? Jodi Heffington: Like I told him, Mr. Woods you're not a kidnapper, you're a thief. You're a thief of lives. Not just the kids that were in the bus. But they stole our families' lives, and what we all had before that. After that hearing, Woods was again denied parole. It was 28 hours of terror that will always be with Michael, Jennifer, Jodi and Larry all who have managed to find ways to get on with living. Larry Park: Healing continues if you allow it. Larry Park, who spent his 20's and 30's abusing drugs, now owns a handyman business and volunteers as a pastor at a local church. His nightmares have finally stopped. And he is sober. Larry Park: I have nine years sober. His sobriety was motivated by an epiphany about the kidnappers. Larry Park: My resentment for them was killing me. One night I was laying in bed and I said, "God help me to forgive them." After years of anger and resentment, Larry Park. left,made peace, forgiving his kidnappers. Here he is pictured with Richard Schoenfeld, who was granted parole in June 2012, 36 years after the kidnappings. / Credit: Larry Park Larry met the men, shook their hands, and did forgive them. Here he iswith Richard Schoenfeld. Larry Park: It changed my life. Something washed over me. And there was peace like I had never known. And I knew that day that I would be OK. Jennifer Brown Hyde a wife, mother and executive assistant says it took her decades before she could even sleep without a night-light. Jennifer Brown Hyde: I've had family and church family and co-workers that have piece by piece helped put me back together. And I want people to know that that little girl that was kidnapped and buried alive has managed to live a wonderful life. Michael Marshall had lost his way after the kidnapping. Michael Marshall: I went to bed at 18 drunk and hung over and blacked out. And woke up about 48, you know, with a hangover, blurry. He is sober and has found happiness as father and a long-distance trucker. He tries not to think about those kidnappers. Michael Marshall: What they put my mom and dad through is something I cannot forgive. Jodi Heffington never left the Chowchilla area. She opened her own hair salon and raised a son, but she struggled to find peace of mind. Jodi Heffington: How that day affected me, has affected me every day in some way or another. I think it made me not a good daughter, not a good sister, not a good aunt and especially not a good mother. And probably not a good friend. I try to be those things, but it seems like it, um, it just took something from me that I can't ever get back. And I can't tear it down no matter how hard I try and no matter what I do. In January 2021, Jodi Heffington passed away. She was 55 years old. Fourteen months after her death, Fred Woods went before the parole board for the 18th time. This time, he was granted parole. Produced by Chris Young Ritzen and George Osterkamp. Gary Winter and Mead Stone are producer-editors. Jordan Kinsey and Hannah Vair are the associate producers. Joan Adelman is the editor. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. Saturday Sessions: Joshua Ray performs "Flash Paper" Saturday Sessions: Joshua Ray performs "Three Strikes" Saturday Sessions: Joshua Ray performs "Sexy After Dark" Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) on Sunday said the circus continues in response to a question about former President Trump claiming hell be arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged hush-money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels and also urged his supporters to protest. The circus continues. I mean, look, he only profits and does well in chaos and turmoil. And so he wants to create the chaos and turmoil on his terms. He doesnt want anybody elses terms he wants it on his terms, Christie said on ABCs This Week. But look at the end, being indicted, never helps anybody, he said, amid some lawmakers speculating that Trumps legal woes rev up his base. Trump, who is running for president in 2024, said on Saturday that he thinks hell be arrested on Tuesday as a New York grand jury probes the alleged hush-money scheme that came amid his 2016 presidential run. In a Truth Social post on Saturday, Trump indicated that he would be arrested on Tuesday and then urged his supports to protest, take our nation back! Christie on Sunday said he anticipates people will take this investigation less seriously than others into Trump because they know the most about it. I dont think theres many Americans who dont believe that Donald Trump had an affair with Stormy Daniels, and that dont believe that he paid her money at the end of the campaign to keep it quiet. So I dont think that the American people probably see this as a huge crime, Christie said. But the vision of a former president of the United States being processed, fingerprinted, mugshot-ed you know, what else do we expect Trump to say than to say it helps his campaign? But being indicted, I dont think it ever helps anybody. Updated at 11:38 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On Monday the Lakewood City Council is expected to approve two ordinances banning the use and disposal of dangerous drugs in public and overnight camping on public property. Violating either ordinance would result in a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. According to city documents, the council is expected to approve several amendments to the Lakewood Municipal Code that will make it unlawful for any person to intentionally use a dangerous drug in public or dispose of drugs or drug paraphernalia on the ground or into any body of water. A dangerous drug refers to any controlled substance classified as Schedule I, II, III or IV drugs, including methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. The amended ordinance excludes cannabis, although cannabis use is still prohibited in public under Washington law. The ordinance would take effect 30 days after it is approved. On March 13, the Bellingham City Council rejected a similar proposal to ban public drug use after citing a lack of resources to connect offenders with social services. In a letter sent to the Lakewood mayor and city council on March 13, Assistant City Attorney Samantha Johnson said a legislative amendment following the 2021 Washington State Supreme Court decision State v. Blake prohibits law enforcement from arresting or citing someone for unlawful possession of a controlled substance until the offender has twice been diverted to voluntary social services. Practical difficulties, including the lack of any regional or statewide tracking and referral system, has essentially led to the decriminalization of drug possession, Johnson wrote, resulted in people using and possessing illegal drugs openly in public places and exposing the public to the harm associated with the use of illicit drugs. The negative impacts of public drug use plagues business owners, home owners, tax payers, and future business potential for the City of Lakewood, she wrote. In 2022, the Lakewood Police Department received 3,324 calls for service from 100th and South Tacoma Way to Perkins and South Tacoma Way (approximately 0.2 mile distance). This is an increase from the 2,606 calls for service this same area received in 2021. That is a 27.5% increase in calls for service in a 0.2 mile radius. Story continues The intent of amending the ordinance is to reduce the open use of drugs, reduce violent and property crimes, increase public safety, and allow an opportunity for court intervention and treatment, Johnson wrote in the letter to the mayor and city council. Under the amended ordinance, a public place is defined as an area generally visible to public view, including libraries, sidewalks, parking lots and parking garages, parks, playgrounds, restaurants, stores, gas stations and bus stops. If the amended ordinance passes, knowingly disposing of any dangerous drug or drug paraphernalia onto the ground or into any body of water will result in a misdemeanor charge. At the councils study session on March 13, council members expressed support for the ordinance, saying they believed it would help law enforcement address prevalent drug use in public and connect people to addiction treatment. I really appreciate some of the comments weve received tonight about how this is a good step toward turning a bit of positive compassion for the issue. Ill be the first to tell you, I have limited compassion for the issue ... commercial property owners and business owners they are tired of it, said Mayor Jason Whalen at the councils study session on March 13. Theyre losing their businesses. Theyre losing tenants. I am losing compassion. We need to get this on the docket and approve it yesterday. Occupation of public property The council will also be considering another ordinance to the Lakewood Municipal Code regarding the occupation of public property, making it unlawful to occupy and store personal property on public land overnight. The city would suspend enforcement of the ordinance against people experiencing homelessness if overnight shelter is not available, according to city documents. The ordinance would also make it a misdemeanor to discharge garbage, refuse or waste on public property, build a structure or shelter, dig, park or drive a vehicle in a public area abutting protected waters in the city of Lakewood. In a letter sent to the mayor and city council members on March 13, City Attorney Heidi Ann Wachter wrote that the environmental impact of illegal camping can be significant. Wachter said without infrastructure like restrooms and refuse containers, the collective impact of camping on public land can be severe and negatively impact the watershed, habitat for endangered species and Tribal fishing rights. Under the City of Lakewoods Municipal Code, and related court rulings, enforcement of this ordinance would require confirmation that the city has available options for shelter, Wachter wrote. If available overnight shelter is available, the shelter space must be offered to the person(s) experiencing homelessness, along with other available human services. Only if the shelter space is refused can the provisions of Lakewood Municipal Code 9.15.020 and 9.15.025 be enforced against persons experiencing homelessness, according to the draft ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to promote public health, safety and welfare by preserving for public use public spaces, according to city documents. Public property is defined as all parks, streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks and any other property in which a public entity has an interest. The first offense for violating the ordinance will result in a fine of no more than $1,000, imprisonment that will not exceed 90 days, or both. The second offense within a five-year period will result in the same punishment. $100 of the fine and one day of imprisonment will not be suspended or deferred. The third or subsequent offense for violating the ordinance within five years will result in a fine of no more than $1,000, imprisonment that will not exceed 90 days, or both. $500 of the fine and five days of imprisonment shall not be suspended or deferred, according to city documents. If approved Monday, the ordinance would go into effect 30 days later. At the study session on March 13, council members discussed logistics about police enforcement and the number of no-barrier shelter beds available in Pierce County. I think were at the point where we need to do something as opposed to nothing, Whalen said. At most if we felt we needed to have some education and protocol in place [for] the officers on shift or at the end of shift to figure out what beds are available that evening in order to refer folks. You could look at Section 12 and extend the effective date of 30 days to 45 or 60 if the department felt they needed more time for implementation, but I think passing the ordinance is something that is topical and ready. A police officer barricades a crime scene A South African accountant who was investigating high-level corruption cases has been shot dead along with his son. Cloete Murray, 50, was the liquidator for Bosasa, a company implicated in numerous government contract scandals. He also worked as a liquidator for firms linked to the wealthy Gupta brothers, who deny bribery accusations. Police will see if there is a link between Mr Murray's murder and these corruption investigations. Mr Murray was shot by unknown gunmen while driving in Johannesburg with his 28-year-old son Thomas, a legal adviser, on Saturday. His son died at the scene while Mr Murray was taken to hospital and later died of his injuries, local media reported, citing a police spokesperson. The pair were driving their white Toyota Prado towards their home in Pretoria, South African media reported. Mr Murray's job as a court-appointed company liquidator was to look into the accounts of firms that had folded, recover assets, and report any criminality. One of those companies was Bosasa, a government contractor specialising in prison services. The landmark Zondo commission into corruption concluded the company extensively bribed politicians and government officials to get government contracts during the nine-year presidency of Jacob Zuma, from 2009 to 2018. Mr Zuma refused to co-operate with the inquiry but has denied accusations of corruption. In 2018, current South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said he would repay a $35,000 (27,300) donation from Bosasa. An anti-corruption investigator found he had misled parliament over the donation, but that finding was dismissed by the country's High Court. Mr Ramaphosa has also faced other corruption allegations, which he denies. Bosasa went into voluntary liquidation after banks closed its accounts. Mr Murray was also working as a liquidator for firms linked to the Gupta brothers. The Zondo commission found that the brothers - Ajay, Rajesh and Atul - tried to influence political and economic decisions during Mr Zuma's presidency in a process known as "state capture". Story continues The Guptas moved from India to South Africa in 1993 and owned a wide-ranging portfolio of companies that enjoyed lucrative contracts with South African government departments and state-owned companies. The South African authorities are currently working on having the Gupta brothers extradited from the UAE, where they have been arrested, to stand trial. They have denied accusations of paying financial bribes to win contracts. Collaborator Serhiy Hyrenko Before switching to the side of the enemy, he worked in the Berdyansk Executive Committee as a specialist in the department of information and communication resources. Read also: Notorious collaborator Saldo helped manage Russian torture chambers in Kherson According to the information available to us, the consequences of the recent explosion in the Kolonia microdistrict, which Berdyansk heard, was the destruction of the home of one of the local collaborators, the report said. According to the media, the invaders are patrolling the neighborhood where the explosion took place and are trying to hide its consequences. Read also: Russia drafting evacuation plans to take collaborators from Zaporizhzhya to Crimea Following the capture of the city, he was one of the first to go over to the side of the invaders and urged his colleagues to follow suit, while also resorting to threats and betraying his own. It was based on his denunciations that city hall employees were arrested with subsequent inclination to work under the occupation administration. In addition, on behalf of Russia and the new government, he took part in forcing private enterprises of the city to cooperate with the invaders, local mass media wrote. The traitors parents, both teachers the father a chemistry teacher and the mother a biology teacher were also discovered to have collaborated with the enemy. The Department of Education suspended their employment during the summer. Read also: 'Follower' of late collaborator Stremousov detained in Kyiv Oblast, SBU says In the spring of 2022, Hyrenko was charged under Part 5 of Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to treason. The punishment for this offense can range from five to ten years of imprisonment, along with the loss of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of ten to fifteen years, and the possibility of property confiscation. 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 U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks during a visit to Fairfax High School in Los Angeles in 2021. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The Netflix show Emily in Paris portrays a young Midwesterner struggling to adapt to a new culture after a serendipitous promotion sends her to France. She got the job despite not speaking French, a highly unlikely scenario in real life. The plot might have been more believable to me if the character were multilingual because I speak English, Spanish and French. Speaking and writing a second language are skills that U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona frequently touts as a superpower that can beget success in an increasingly global workforce. Encouraging students to become multilingual is one of his six focus areas, and he is pushing an initiative to transform the U.S. education system. Such a national focus on boosting bilingualism is unusual, considering that 78% of U.S. residents speak only English. But it would mean finally encouraging millions of students whose first language is not English to retain their fluency while learning English. It would also emphasize the idea that native English speakers can expand career opportunities by learning a second language. However, it also would require making some radical changes in both attitudes and curriculum if the dream of churning out more bilingual students is to become a reality. "We must evolve our schools," Cardona said during a press call earlier this month, adding that the White House is proposing about $125 million in the upcoming budget to support bilingual programs that include expanding the pipeline for language teachers and grants to states for more foreign language instruction. These funding commitments are a good start for ambitious proposals that are quite a departure from what we've seen from past Education secretaries. Its taken educators far too long to see the benefits of multilingualism when so many U.S. students speak a second language at home that could be formally taught in conjunction with English for full proficiency in both languages. Cardona's tone is also strikingly different from that of educational leaders in the recent past. For decades, students whose first language isnt English have been viewed as a liability, and were discouraged from using any language but English in the classroom. Nativists decried bilingual education as watering down of U.S. culture. Story continues Such sentiments prompted the passage of Proposition 227 in California in 1998, eliminating bilingual education and requiring public schools to teach students whose first language is not English in English. It was repealed in 2016. Now, Cardona is asking that we look at these students who speak multiple languages as gifted with assets." Such a shift in perspective is long overdue and comes at a time of increasing interest in teaching U.S. students to become proficient in a second language, as shown by the popularity of dual language immersion programs. In 2010, there were about 1,000 dual language programs in U.S. public schools, which grew to more than 3,600 by 2021, according to the American Councils Research Center. Thanks in large part to dual immersion programs, California leads other states when it comes to foreign language instruction, with more than 57,500 students considered literate in at least two languages in the 2021-22 school year. The state Department of Education has set a goal of enrolling half of K-12 students in programs to become proficient in two or more languages by 2030 and 75% by 2040. Cardona wants the nation to go much further: to the point where every K-12 student is expected to become literate in a second language. Its not surprising that Cardona, whose first language is Spanish, raves about the benefits of bilingualism. He says it helped propel him to become Connecticuts youngest school principal, and, years later, to his current post overseeing the U.S. education system. It wasn't easy. Cardona's Puerto Rican parents spoke their native language at home and he struggled to learn English as a kindergartner. Undoubtedly, the biggest obstacle in helping more students achieve proficiency in a second language is the lack of bilingual teachers, who are considered foreign language instructors and typically must earn bilingual certification. Forty-four states could not fill all their foreign language teacher vacancies, a 2017 study commissioned by Congress found. Schools nationwide have struggled to fill vacancies in recent years, especially those for foreign language teachers. Under the Global California 2030 initiative, the state has a goal to hire about 2,000 additional credentialed bilingual language teachers by 2029, which would mean about double what it had in 2019. In addition, the state Department of Education is looking at increasing partnerships with programs such as the Migrant Education Mini-Corps Program to expand the pipeline of bilingual teachers. Clearly, it will take years to create and staff bilingual programs in every public school. But multiplying the number of multilingual students as Cardona envisions will take more than just a shift in public view about the benefits of bilingualism. The U.S. is one of the few countries considered monolingual, in comparison with most European countries where students begin learning a second language by the age of 9, according to the Pew Research Center. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Defense sponsored the National K-12 Foreign Language Enrollment Survey to determine the state of foreign language instruction in K-12 public schools. It found that only 11 states required foreign language study to graduate. The fact that most Americans speak only English puts our country at an economic disadvantage and threatens national security if we cannot understand and analyze potential threats such as terrorism or contagions. A lack of multilingual speakers in the U.S. has prompted the Department of Defense to partner with eight states to develop bilingual instruction programs. Certainly, English-only speakers cannot expect to obtain jobs like the one that took Netflix's Emily to Paris if they don't have the necessary language skills. That's a fantasy that exists only in Hollywood. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Motley Fool Macroeconomic headwinds, historically high inflation, and rising interest rates sent many struggling Americans scrambling to file their tax returns as early as possible, in hopes of getting a much-needed refund. Indeed, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reported that by early February it had received nearly 14% more returns than it had compared to the prior year. As a result, the IRS has taken the unusual step of urging millions of early filers -- particularly those who submitted their federal tax return before Feb. 10 -- to consider filing an amended return. Daniel Rossi-Keen Around this time nine years ago, my business partner, John Jordan, and I started a community bookstore called eQuip Books. Located on Franklin Avenue in downtown Aliquippa, eQuip Books is to my knowledge the only independently owned and operated all-purpose bookstore in Beaver County. The idea for eQuip Books was at once quite simple and at least a little bit audacious. It was simple in that we were seeking to create a time-honored business, void of frills, bells and whistles. Like countless bookstores of old, the vision was simply to buy, sell and trade books to the general public. The audacious nature of eQuip Books was the result of three things. First, the store was launched in 2014, at a time when, according to the American Bookseller Association, nearly 1 of every 2 independent bookstores were closing their doors permanently in any given year. Second, more than a few observers presumed that our chosen location was ill-fated, given that we intentionally located our business in the heart of a municipality that had been legally designated as a financially distressed community for multiple decades. And third, many naysayers were convinced that books had to make a bad pun a limited shelf life, that electronic media would soon render physical books obsolete, and that there would no longer be any value in this industry. Our critics assumptions turned out to be mostly false. To be fair, each of these observations does contain some measure of truth. Yes, we have felt the financial strain common to many other independent bookstores. Yes, we could have located ourselves along a more densely vibrant commercial corridor. And, yes, there has been a steady shift away from physical books over the last decade. That being said, and as our growing history shows, none of these challenges have been nearly so insurmountable as many warned. Since we first opened our doors to the public, eQuip Books has sold around 200,000 books (both from our brick-and-mortar store and through our online division). We have written over 3,000 checks into the local economy. We have recycled or upcycled over 1 million books. And we have employed approximately 60 different residents of Beaver County in full or part-time work. While no one is getting filthy rich, we have managed to stay in the black as a business since day one. And all along the way, we have steadily grown our reputation and our customer base as a modern-day business with an old-world sense of community and customer service. Story continues Over nearly a decade, I have learned way more than I ever imagined about community life as a result of owning an independent bookstore in downtown Aliquippa. As we approach the eve of this anniversary, I thought I would take a moment and share a few of the most salient of those lessons here. Lesson One: While many are convinced that there is little to no future in brick-and-mortar commerce, I have come to believe exactly the opposite. To be sure, not just any brick-and-mortar store will do. And, this is also probably an appropriate time to explain that the vast majority of our revenue comes from online sales that are shipped directly to unknown customers. So, the kind of success that our brick-and-mortar store has enjoyed has come alongside significant adaptation. But, through all that, I have learned that many people still value some things more than convenience or price savings. Many of our customers appreciate the homegrown, quirky, and curated experience of coming to our store. They like looking through books that they never knew existed to find something they may not actually need. And they are drawn to the inevitable conversations, diversions, and unanticipated introductions that come along with visiting an independent bookstore. In short, they seem to enjoy the social aspect of the experience as much as the products being sold. This quality of experience has both human and financial value and entrepreneurs who remember this and give it pride of place can benefit significantly from such insights. Lesson Two: Related to point number one, I have learned that there can be a significant financial upside that comes from running toward that which most others are running away from. While it is true that there are far fewer people clamoring for an independent bookstore these days, this also means that there are far fewer independent bookstores for those who are clamoring. Put a bit differently, eQuip Books has learned that there is value in holding firm in a declining market. As I mentioned above, we are the only all-purpose independent bookstore in all of Beaver County. That means that we have no direct competitors for the unique services we provide. This has, in many ways, proved advantageous both to our reputation and our bottom line. Lesson Three: Over the years, I have learned a surprising lesson about the value of having flexible employers in a community. eQuip Books prides itself on treating its employees with dignity and respect. This means that we provide generous flexibility and are willing to work with part-time employees. As a result of this flexibility, we have been able to hire a number of people who relocated to Aliquippa for other reasons. Many of these employees were drawn to Aliquippa to do part-time principle-driven work with a nonprofit, a church, or some other kind of social service organization. eQuip Books often works with such employees, allowing them to supplement part-time income from another job, thereby providing economic stability when it may not have existed otherwise. As a result of this flexibility, there has been a steady influx of young, principle-driven men and women who have decided to call Aliquippa their permanent home. It has been rewarding to see how providing flexible part-time employment can help to accelerate community growth. Lesson Four: Perhaps most of all, I have come to learn that a business can care about things beyond the bottom line. From our earliest days, we aspired to rethink what business can do. Though we have not always risen to this aspiration, we have worked extensively with community partners on a range of different community-making initiatives. We have intentionally hired dozens of employees with some sort of barrier to employment. We have provided meeting space and a community for a growing number of organizations and individuals. And, we have helped to launch other similar initiatives in neighboring communities. Perhaps you too have learned about your community by running a small business. If thats you, I would love to hear from you. Feel free to send me an email. Or, better yet, swing by eQuip Books and lets chat soon! Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., is the co-owner of eQuip Books, a community bookstore in Aliquippa and the executive director of RiverWise, a nonprofit employing sustainable development practices to create a regional identity around the rivers of Beaver County. You can reach Daniel at daniel@getriverwise.com. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Community Matters: Lessons learned as a bookstore owner Potential Artemis Gold Inc. (CVE:ARTG) shareholders may wish to note that the COO & President, Jeremy Langford, recently bought CA$145k worth of stock, paying CA$4.80 for each share. Although the purchase only increased their holding by 7.3%, it is still a solid purchase in our view. See our latest analysis for Artemis Gold The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Artemis Gold In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Non-Independent Director Ryan Beedie bought CA$60m worth of shares at a price of CA$4.50 per share. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of CA$5.04. 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. Over the last year, we can see that insiders have bought 13.67m shares worth CA$62m. But they sold 50.00k shares for CA$276k. Overall, Artemis Gold insiders were net buyers during the last year. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! Artemis Gold is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. It's great to see that Artemis Gold insiders own 33% of the company, worth about CA$324m. Most shareholders would be happy to see this sort of insider ownership, since it suggests that management incentives are well aligned with other shareholders. What Might The Insider Transactions At Artemis Gold Tell Us? The recent insider purchase is heartening. And the longer term insider transactions also give us confidence. However, we note that the company didn't make a profit over the last twelve months, which makes us cautious. When combined with notable insider ownership, these factors suggest Artemis Gold insiders are well aligned, and quite possibly think the share price is too low. That's what I like to see! So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Artemis Gold (1 is a bit concerning) you should be aware of. Story continues Of course Artemis Gold 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here What a difference a day makes. Saturdays front has moved into South Florida so Sunday will be much cooler. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< Sunday afternoon will be cloudy and breezy with highs in the 60s. After a round of morning showers, our rain chance will stay spotty throughout the day. Read: Two BCU students hospitalized after a shooting in Daytona Beach Sunday night will see additional chances for showers returning to the forecast. Meanwhile, temperatures will remain cold, with lows in the 40s and low 50s. Read: Deputies conducting search for 2 adults in Polk County lake A gradual warm-up is in store for the upcoming week. Read: NAACP town hall addresses education changes with DeSantiss new laws Temperatures will reach close to 90 degrees by Friday. 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. More than a dozen miles off Californias Central Coast on a foggy March morning, a federal government research vessel charged through the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Suddenly, one of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists aboard the Shearwater pointed out a fleeting splash of water disturbing the oceans surface. Dolphins! exclaimed Kaitlin Palmer, one of seven members of the all-woman research team. The boats captain slowed the NOAA Research Vessel Shearwater down as the vessel drew closer to the pod. What followed next was a frenzied dash to document the Pacific white-sided and Northern right whale dolphins the scientists had stumbled upon. Soon, two humpback whales were spotted swimming among the large pod of dolphins. After taking time to gawk at the stunning marine mammals, Palmer and another NOAA scientist, Anne Simonis, quickly deployed a sound recorder attached to a floating buoy next to the pod of dolphins and two whales. The underwater sound recorder is part of efforts by the federal government to better understand marine life off San Luis Obispo Countys coast before major floating offshore wind energy development begins there. A humpback whale takes a breath before plunging under water in the Pacific Ocean near the Morro Bay wind energy area on March 12, 2023. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com Concerns about the offshore wind industrys impact on marine life have been recently raised on the East Coast, as companies work to survey the ocean floor there before submitting construction plans. In claims that are now thoroughly debunked, coastal communities in the region blamed the energy companies for the dead whales washing up on their beaches. Similar survey activities have yet to start on the West Coast, where the Humboldt Bay and Morro Bay areas were auctioned off for a collective $757 million to provisional leaseholders in December. Those activities likely wont start for several months after the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issues final leases to the five winning companies. Were trying to do our very best to anticipate the potential impacts, said Desray Reeb, a marine biologist for BOEM. Were trying to put science in place and get the answers that we need as quickly as we can in order to ensure that the impacts that we are introducing (offshore wind) are minimized or avoided at every possible avenue. Story continues NOAA scientists Lindsey Peavey, left, and Lauren Roche, right, deploy a sound recorder into the Pacific Ocean on March 12 in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com How could offshore wind energy impact marine life? Located about 20 miles off the coast of Cambria and San Simeon, the Morro Bay offshore wind energy area covers 376 square miles of the Pacific Ocean. Thats equivalent to more than 10% of the area of San Luis Obispo County, or nearly 14% of the entire Los Padres National Forest. Should it be fully developed with hundreds of 1,100-foot-tall wind turbines, the three companies that won the winning bids estimate they can generate a collective 6 gigawatts of electricity at peak production enough to power more than 2 million homes. In comparison, the largest floating wind farm in the world Equinors Hywind Tampen located off the coast of Norway produces 88 megawatts of electricity. Thats just 1.5% of the Morro Bay wind energy areas potential peak production. Floating wind turbines are expected to be in the ocean off the San Luis Obispo County coast by 2030, according to federal officials. Pacific white-sided and Northern right whale dolphins swim under the bow of a NOAA research boat in the Pacific Ocean near the Morro Bay offshore wind energy area on March 12, 2023. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com Little is known about floating offshore wind energys impact on marine life. NOAA estimates the ocean development could have a number of significant effects on the ocean. Its website lists a few, including increasing ocean noise, which could affect the behaviors of fish, whales and other species, and introducing electromagnetic fields that impact navigation, predator detection, communication and the ability for fish and shellfish to find mates. According to NOAA, offshore wind energy production could also change existing habitats by altering local or regional hydrodynamics; creating a so-called reef effect where marine life cluster around the hard surfaces of wind developments and impact organisms life cycle stages, including spawning. It could also change species composition, abundance, distribution and survival rates, the agency said, in addition to increasing vessel traffic, which could lead to more vessel strikes, and releasing contaminants that can be consumed or absorbed by marine life. Kaitlin Palmer, left, and Anne Simonis, right, watch dolphins jump before they deployed a marine sound recorder in the Pacific Ocean on March 12. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com Acoustic research aims to uncover ocean air According to Lindsey Peavey, one of the NOAA scientists onboard during the early March research mission, the ocean area proposed as a site for the Morro Bay area development is harder to access compared to other areas along Californias coast. That means it is notoriously understudied, she explained. NOAA and BOEM are gathering what the scientists call baseline data to figure out what the ocean in the Morro Bay wind energy area is like before any offshore wind development happens. One important aspect is acoustics research, or essentially listening to the ocean to hear what animals are traveling within its depths. In early March, Simonis and her Adrift team deployed eight floating buoys with attached sound recorders in the northern end of the Morro Bay wind energy area. The team is under the umbrella of NOAAs Southwest Acoustic Ecology Lab. A snapshot of the eight drifting buoys deployed in March by NOAA in the Pacific Ocean in the Morro Bay wind energy area off San Luis Obispo Countys coast. The black and white lines coming from each numbered square shows the floating path of the buoy with the sound recorder attached. The purple outline is the Morro Bay wind energy area. Courtesy of Cory Hom-Weaver/NOAA Those eight buoys send data pings about once every 30 minutes and are tracked by satellite transmitters. Theyll float in the ocean for up to a month before the scientists retrieve them to listen to the sounds recorded. The sounds will tell us what animals are present and where they are, Simonis said. Blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales and sperm whales are a few of the species that are known to travel through the Central Coast area in search of food or toward breeding areas. Each of those whales has distinct calls that they use to communicate with each other and to find food, breed and travel. When the Adrift team encountered dolphins and humpback whales during the March research mission, Simonis and her fellow researchers seized the chance to gather data on the sounds those animals make and deployed one of their seven-pound sound recorders. NOAA scientist Lauren Roche puts the finishing touches of her sound recording equipment that was deployed into the Pacific Ocean in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on March 12, 2023. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com Once set into the water, the buoy drifted away for about 30 minutes before the NOAA research boat navigated back to it and Palmer and Simonis brought it back on board. On the same trip, Lauren Roche, an acoustics researcher with NOAAs Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, deployed a sound recorder within the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and just south of the Morro Bay wind energy area. Her 150-pound sound recorder was attached to a train wheel on a cord to anchor it to the bottom of the 900-meter-deep seafloor. Itll stay in the ocean for about two years, gathering low-frequency sounds of passing marine animals, ships and other underwater noises that may occur in that area. Roches recorder is the 13th NOAA ocean noise reference station to be deployed in the United States. The two closest to it are in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, located offshore from Point Reyes in Marin County, and the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary off the Santa Barbara coast. This is a really exciting location for us, Peavey said of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary site. Were filling a huge data gap and getting baseline data ahead of the potential increase in vessel traffic from offshore wind activities. An albatross flies over the floating top of a NOAA marine sound recorder deployed in the Pacific Ocean in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary on March 12, 2023. The yellow buoy was dragged down by a train tire attached by a cord to the sound recorder to keep it at the ocean floor 900 feet under the surface. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com The Adrift team also deployed drifting buoys in the same Morro Bay wind energy area in June 2022. The team is going back again in July and November to repeat the research mission. Repeating the study during a different time of year provides a clearer picture of which animals are swimming through the wind energy area at certain times, the researchers explained. Aside from the acoustics research, BOEM is actively partnering with NOAA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies in the Pacific Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species, or PacMAPPS. As part of the assessment program, the federal agencies have looked for marine species, taken photographs and collected biopsies to identify which animals are along the California coast, Reeb said. Pacific white-sided and Northern right whale dolphins swim under the bow of a NOAA research boat in the Pacific Ocean near the Morro Bay offshore wind energy area on March 12, 2023. Mackenzie Shuman/mshuman@thetribunenews.com Offshore wind companies must follow safety protocols When the offshore wind energy companies begin their survey work off the Central Coast to inform their construction plans, they must follow rules set forth by BOEM in their lease, Reeb said. BOEM will require the survey boats to have certified protected species observers onboard to monitor for certain animals that may come near. The federal agency could also mandate that the boats avoid certain areas if a high number of protected species appear to congregate there, she added. The end goal is to attempt to minimize the harm caused to marine life by increased vessel traffic and ocean industrialization, Reeb said. People see offshore wind developments as adding to a pristine situation, and thats not really true, she said. The Earth has already changed. The environment is changing, and its changing more rapidly than we can keep up with. With the climate change issue that were facing and our reliance on diversifying our energy resources, offshore wind provides a really interesting opportunity for us, she continued. BOEM is trying to answer that call in an environmentally responsible way. Credit Suisse has faced a string of scandals in recent years, including money laundering charges Switzerland's biggest bank, UBS, is in advanced talks to buy all or part of its troubled rival Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse, the second largest Swiss bank, is facing a crisis of confidence and its shares have fallen sharply in recent days, sending ripples of concern through the markets. According to the Financial Times UBS is offering to pay up to $1bn (820m) for Credit Suisse. Regulators are trying to facilitate a deal before markets reopen on Monday. The trouble at Credit Suisse, combined with the failure of two smaller US banks during the last two weeks, have thrown the health of the global financial system into doubt. Credit Suisse is one of around 30 banks worldwide deemed too big to fail because they are of such importance to the banking system. But the 167-year-old institution is loss-making and has faced a string of problems in recent years, including money laundering charges. An emergency $54bn (44.5bn) lifeline from the Swiss National Bank on Wednesday failed to reassure markets and Credit Suisse shares tumbled 24%, prompting a wider sell-off on European markets. A deal could be signed as soon as Sunday evening, according to the FT, which first reported that regulators and the Swiss National Bank were facilitating talks between the two Swiss banking giants. The deal currently believed to be on the table would value Credit Suisse shares at less than a seventh of the price they were on Friday. However the FT said terms could change and a deal had not yet been reached. Senior figures from UBS were seen heading to the Swiss government's finance department on Sunday UBS shareholders would normally have six weeks to consider a deal on this scale, but the FT says the Swiss authorities are planning to change the country's laws to bypass a shareholder vote on the transaction. Bank of England officials have confirmed they are in close contact with their counterparts at the Swiss National Bank while regulators and management discuss Credit Suisse's future. The UK Treasury is also monitoring the situation. Story continues The deal would amount to a significant intervention from the Swiss authorities, said Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor to German financial services firm Allianz. "This is not a voluntary action, this is a shotgun wedding and it's being done in order to restore financial stability," Mr El-Erian told the BBC. "Without it Credit Suisse may end up in a death spiral, in which it finds it much harder to undertake its banking activities. "That could raise questions about other banks at a time when there are also banking concerns in the United States." Mr El-Erian said the current turmoil could lead to banks becoming more "risk averse", leading to a fall in credit availability. But that amounted to a "headwind" for the global economy, rather than something like the sudden stop experienced during the 2008 financial crisis, which was "in a completely different league" to today's problems, he said. UBS is said to have asked the Swiss government to cover about $6bn (4.9bn) in costs if it were to buy Credit Suisse, according to sources quoted by Reuters. Credit Suisse reported a loss of 7.3bn Swiss francs ($7.9bn; 6.5bn) in 2022 - its worst year since the financial crisis of 2008 - and has warned it does not expect to be profitable until 2024. UBS, however, made a profit of $7.6bn in 2022. Any deal may also result in significant job losses. As well as being a domestic bank with 95 branches, Credit Suisse has a global investment banking operation and manages the assets of rich clients. At the end of last year Credit Suisse had a global staff of 50,480, including 16,700 in Switzerland, though 9,000 jobs were to be axed, the Swiss broadcaster SRF reports. By Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Chiara Elisei and Davide Barbuscia LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Credit Suisse said 16 billion Swiss francs ($17.24 billion) of its Additional Tier 1 debt will be written down to zero on the orders of the Swiss regulator as part of its rescue merger with UBS, angering bondholders on Sunday. FINMA, the Swiss regulator, said the decision would bolster the bank's capital. The move reflects authorities' desire to see private investors share the pain from Credit Suisse's troubles. Chair Marlene Amstad said FINMA had stuck to the country's "too-big-to-fail" banking framework in making the decision. It means AT1 bondholders appear to be left with nothing while shareholders, who sit below bonds in the priority ladder for repayment in a bankruptcy process, will receive $3.23 billion under the UBS deal. Engineered in the wake of the global financial crisis, AT1 bonds are a form of junior debt that counts towards banks' regulatory capital. They were designed as a way to transfer risks to investors and away from taxpayers if a bank gets into trouble. The bonds can be converted into equity or written down when a lender's capital buffers are eroded beyond a certain threshold. "It's stunning and hard to understand how they can reverse the hierarchy between AT1 holders and shareholders," said Jerome Legras, head of research at Axiom Alternative Investments, an investor in Credit Suisse's AT1 debt. Reuters reported earlier on Sunday that Swiss authorities were considering imposing losses on bondholders as part of the rescue deal. UBS' CEO Ralph Hamers told analysts that the decision to write down the AT1 bonds to zero was taken by FINMA, so it would not create a liability for the bank. Credit Suisse's AT1 debt had rallied earlier on Sunday amid reports that shareholders would receive something in a deal with UBS, raising hopes that bondholders would be protected. Story continues The bonds had sunk into distressed territory before the weekend due to mounting concerns over the health of the Swiss lender. The move by the Swiss regulator could make it harder for other lenders to raise new AT1 debt, investors said. "It's going to make the AT1 bonds more expensive for all the other banks going forward, because now everyone else is going to see this extra risk," said Michael Ashley Schulman, partner and chief investment officer at Running Point Capital Advisors. AT1s pay higher interest as they carry more risk for investors than regular debt. Prior to Sunday's news, investors had been apprehensive about the prospect of banks extending outstanding AT1 bonds to avoid refinancing at worse terms because of higher interest rates. ($1 = 0.9280 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro and Chiara Elisei and Davide Barbuscia; Additional reporting by Saeed Azhar in New York and John O'Donnell and Noele Illien in Zurich; Writing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Diane Craft) When Aida Levitan arrived in Miami in 1961 at the age of 13, she was alone and penniless because even the gold earrings she wore for the trip to America were taken away at the Havana airport. She never imagined one day she would be included among the leading women in the U.S. financial sector. In November 2022, Levitan was selected for Forbes magazines 50 Over 50 list, which recognized outstanding women across various business and entertainment fields. The only Cuban American among the honorees, her business accomplishments were noted with female executives from JP Morgan Chase and Charles Schwab, Harvard University economists and the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The national distinction capped Levitans pioneering career, highlighted by her recent work as chair of the board of U.S. Century Bank, one of the biggest community banks in Miami. She joined in 2017, when she was 69. During her long tenure in Miami, Levitan has succeeded in leadership roles in the public and private sectors. In business, shes been a trailblazer, starting with Fausto Sanchez the advertising and public relations company Sanchez & Levitan. It was the first Hispanic agency of its kind in the country. In 2003, Levitan sold the agency to Publicis, one of the oldest and now biggest communications companies in the world by revenue. Levitan, 75, decided in December to pass the baton as chair of U.S. Century, although she remains on the board of directors. Now, shes focused on leading nonprofit ArtesMiami, the brainchild of her son Alex Fumero, a filmmaker. He inspired her to support artists and cultural organizations that receive less support from the cultural establishment. She talked recently with the Miami Herald about her career, the importance of supporting women with leadership potential and her humble early days in Miami. The interview was edited for length and clarity. READ MORE: Miami artist combines creativity and work ethic Story continues As a young female immigrant, did you imagine ever earning national recognition like you received from Forbes magazine? No. I came to the United States and to Miami in particular under Operation Pedro Pan, which brought 14,000 children without their families. We were fleeing communism and dictatorship. The truth is that at that time I did not imagine what I would be able to achieve in the United States. But this is a country that offers many opportunities. When I finished high school at Miami Beach Senior High, a counselor told me you can be a secretary. I said I didnt want to be a secretary. What I want is for you to help me get a scholarship to study at the University of Miami. And four years later, I told the college dean the same thing, and she helped me earn a scholarship to get my Ph.D. Thats how I achieved a doctorate in Spanish literature from Emory University. All of this prepared me with an education that gave me critical judgment and allowed me to start a career, first in public administration and later in public relations and advertising. Then I did realize all the possibilities here in the United States when one has ambition, preparation and work abilities. What was your responsibility at U.S. Century Bank and why is the bank important to the community? As chair, I directed the strategic vision that we created for the management team led by Luis de la Aguilera, the CEO who has 35 years of experience in banking. I am not a banker, but I know this community well. I have a reputation for integrity, and it is always in the best interest of a bank that the reputation for integrity of board members is conveyed in the banks image. Thats especially important for this bank, because during the recession in 2008 and 2009 the bank was in the hands of another administration and another board that had many problems. The federal government had to intervene and give money to the bank. The new directors and investors brought in Aguilera, and that was one of my contributions. I found him. I also found Benigno Pasos, the chief credit officer. Both men have a combined experience of 70 years in banking. U.S. Centurys reputation in the community also has been key to opening doors to new clients, which I have brought to the bank. My experience developing strategic plans, something Ive done since I was owner of the Sanchez & Levitan agency, also helped the bank. Aida Levitan, former chair of U.S. Century Bank in Miami, is shown at her Pinecrest home on Dec. 9, 2022. Levitan was chosen by Forbes magazine as one of the most accomplished females in America over age 50. How have the career prospects of women changed, and reflect on the importance of women helping each other to advance their careers? I have a very interesting historical perspective on Miami, from when I became director of Latino affairs for the county, which back then was called Dade. It was an office with 100 employees in 1977. At that time, women collaborated to a certain extent, but not enough. At the same time, there were women who were jealous of other women, and criticized them, attacked them. I was the target of some of those criticisms and intrigues, and I suffered a lot. In 1978, I told myself what is missing here is a structured way to create that collaboration. It occurred to me to create the Coalition of Hispanic American Women, better known by the acronym CHAW. We showed up at the American Club, where only men went to play dominos and do business. Eighty important women from Miami, all there as Hispanics, as Cuban Americans, to create that mix of collaboration and assistance, and claim our place in the world of power and money. That coalition was very useful for many years. To this day, I feel one of my duties and purposes in the world is to help women. For example, at the bank I always try to support everyone. But when I see a very talented woman with ambition who knows how to attract and take care of clients, I do my best to help her, to advise, to celebrate her in front of the bosses. That helps ensure women are never underestimated and the confidence these women have in themselves is never undermined. What was your life like in Cuba and what did it mean to be part of the Pedro Pan exodus to America? In Cuba, my family lived in Nuevo Vedado, a suburb of the Vedado district that had more modern houses. Im talking about the 1950s and early 1960s. We had a modest house, which my mother and my aunt bought after saving for many years. They were very happy, and we had parties. We would go on excursions, on picnics. We had a very nice life in Phillips, a bilingual school. Suddenly the revolution came, and in 1961, everything is declared communist. We began to feel the persecution. I was the first in my family to receive a passport. My mother told me I had to go alone to America and a friend of hers would be there for me. For me, that was terrible. I was 13 years old, and I cried every day because I was my mothers little girl and we had never been apart. I was very lucky because my life changed for only 30 days. At the end of the first month, my mother arrived with my brother, and we were able to get together in a rundown hotel that was in Little Havana. Then my mother rented an apartment in Little Havana. Could you take any money out of Cuba? No. They even took away my gold earrings in the famous fishbowl, a room surrounded by glass in the Havana airport where Cubans wait for their flights to depart. What were your first jobs in the United States? I worked serving tea at school because we didnt have even a dollar to pay for lunch. All the children saw me, and it was a little humiliating. But my mother used to tell me work is never humiliating. After school, I had to work as a secretary and stenographer in a hotel. My brother would get up at 4 a.m. to deliver newspapers. Everyone contributed to the survival of the household and the family. Another of my first jobs was organizing a street party on Calle Ocho, before the festival even existed. Later I worked at St. Thomas University, where I became well known so that I was eventually appointed director of Latino affairs for the county. What was happening when the city of Miami hired you? More than 130,000 Cubans came via the Mariel-Key West boatlift, and it was a difficult time in Miami. Joseph Grassi, Miami city manager at that time, asked me if I was interested in the position of director of information and visitors for the city. I worked with Mayor Maurice Ferre, who was a visionary. In 1980, he told me we have to promote Miami as an international business center. It was a time when Time magazine called South Florida a lost paradise. The November 1981 article was titled Paradise Lost? In addition to the 130,000 Cuban refugees, there were race riots in Liberty City, drug-related shootings even on Brickell Avenue. It all happened at the same time. We took advantage of that negative publicity to bring newspaper editors to the city. In a 10-year span, we made journalistic tours and talked about the international banks that were in Miami, the airport and the free zone. How did you start as an entrepreneur? I told Miami mayor Ferre that I wanted to leave the city and create a public relations agency. Later with Fausto Sanchez, I created Sanchez & Levitan. Fausto came from the world of television and commercials production and was a friend of actor Andy Garcia. In 1992, we organized a concert with Garcia and one of the masters of Cuban music, Israel Lopez Cachao. And the documentary Cachao como su ritmo no hay dos (Cachao there is no other rhythm like his) was recorded there. I am very proud of what we did for Cachao. Doctors save the life of a soldier The volunteers condition has stabilized, but he remains in a serious condition, the report said. One of our brave medical volunteers was hit by shrapnel in Donbas, the post reads. Read also: Polish aid volunteers wounded by Russian shelling, one in serious condition At the moment his condition has stabilized, but the situation is serious and further developments cannot be predicted. Were doing everything we can so that he can return to the homeland soon. The Czech volunteer was assisting in the evacuation of people wounded during an artillery attack, a Phoenix project spokesman named only as Ondrzej reported. Read also: Two volunteers from Norway injured in Bakhmut He was hit by shrapnel. He was given immediate help, but his injuries are very serious, the spokesman told Czech television. According to Ondrzej, the wounded volunteer is a very respected and important member of the group. He alone saved over 25 people during his last trip, he said. Read also: US volunteer aid worker killed in Bakhmut while helping civilians Since the onset of the conflict, the Phoenix Association has been involved on the front lines in Ukraine, beginning in April 2022. Comprised of volunteers, the group offers material and medical assistance during battles and in areas affected by the hostilities. 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 Less than a month ago, vice president Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys needed to add juice to the passing game. He delivered on his promise Sunday morning, acquiring speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, per sources. The trade for Cooks is sixth months in the making, as the Cowboys trade to acquire him before the trade deadline last October but couldnt come to terms with the Texans, who reportedly wanted a third-round pick for him. Now they get Cooks at an even cheaper rate, giving the Cowboys the speedy receiver they coveted to play opposite No. 1 option CeeDee Lamb. Cooks has two years left on his contract with an $18 million guaranteed base salary in 2023 and $13 million in 2024. The Texans agreed to pay $6 million of the $18 million in 2023 to facilitate the trade. The Cowboys can walk away before the 2024 season by declining to a pay a $3 million roster bonus. Cooks, who turns 30 in September, caught 57 passes for 699 yards and three scores in 13 games for the Texans last season. This is the fourth time he has been traded in his career and the Cowboys will be his fifth team, joining the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams and Texans. But Cooks has always been productive and always provided a deep threat with 630 receptions for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career. Cooks has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Cooks provides a complement to Lamb and Michael Gallup at receiver, while finally giving quarterback Dak Prescott an option who can take the top off the defense. The move comes a year after the Cowboys traded former No.1-receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick. Its the continuation for an off season of change for the Cowboys, who traditionally like to build through the draft. This is second trade for an impact starter to upgrade the roster in the last week. The Cowboys acquired cornerback Stephen Gilmore in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts for a fifth-round pick on Tuesday. The Cowboys paved the way for the acquisition of Cooks with a number cap-saving moves over the last week, led by the release of running back Ezekiel Elliott. The former two-time NFL rushing champion was designated a post-June 1 cut, which means the Cowboys will save nearly $11 million against the 2023 cap. The worst result, after buying shares in a company (assuming no leverage), would be if you lose all the money you put in. But if you buy shares in a really great company, you can more than double your money. For instance the Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) share price is 281% higher than it was three years ago. That sort of return is as solid as granite. We note the stock price is up 3.1% in the last seven days. The past week has proven to be lucrative for Darden Restaurants investors, so let's see if fundamentals drove the company's three-year performance. See our latest analysis for Darden Restaurants In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. During three years of share price growth, Darden Restaurants achieved compound earnings per share growth of 13% per year. This EPS growth is lower than the 56% average annual increase in the share price. This indicates that the market is feeling more optimistic on the stock, after the last few years of progress. That's not necessarily surprising considering the three-year track record of earnings growth. The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). We like that insiders have been buying shares in the last twelve months. Having said that, most people consider earnings and revenue growth trends to be a more meaningful guide to the business. It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Darden Restaurants' earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Darden Restaurants, it has a TSR of 309% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! Story continues A Different Perspective We're pleased to report that Darden Restaurants shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 15% over one year. That's including the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 15%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Darden Restaurants that you should be aware of. Darden Restaurants is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Raccoon dogs are small vulpine animals native to East Asia. Getty Images Newly released genetic data from Wuhan has found raccoon-dog DNA blended with the COVID-19 virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, slammed China for not sharing the data earlier. Since the first COVID-19 death in Wuhan on January 11, 2020, the virus has killed millions globally. Newly released genetic data from the wet market near where scientists discovered the first human cases of COVID-19 has shown raccoon-dog DNA blended with the virus. According to The Atlantic, one of the first outlets to report the findings, the data from the end of 2019 when the first COVID-19 cases started to emerge show that some of the COVID-positive samples collected from a stall known to be involved in the wildlife trade also contained raccoon-dog genes. This suggests that the virus may have infected the animals, according to the scientists. The data has not been formally reviewed nor has it been published in a peer-reviewed journal, and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, has said the data does not provide "a definitive answer to how the pandemic began, but every piece of data is important to moving us closer to that answer." A 61-year-old man was the first person in China to die from what we now know as COVID-19. NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images However, international health experts have said that this finding adds credence to the theory that the COVID-19 virus came from animals instead of a lab leak. The Wuhan Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, which also offered exotic game and wild animals for sale, has been at the center of scientific suspicion as the original source of COVID-19 in humans. The Chinese team collected environmental samples from the Wuhan Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, according to Florence Debarre, a theoretician who specializes in evolutionary biology and works at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, or CNRS, a French national-research agency, unearthed the data, according to Science. Kristian Andersen, an evolutionary biologist with Scripps Research who analyzed the data, said that "the data does point even further to a market origin." Story continues Angela Rasmussen, a virologist involved in the research, told The Atlantic that "this is a really strong indication that animals at the market were infected." "This really strengthens the case for a natural origin," Seema Lakdawala, a virologist at Emory University, said. The DNA is from raccoon dogs, small vulpine animals native to East Asia. This data is not new, but the genetic sequence was recently uploaded to the world's GISAID database by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and later removed, Tedros said. While it was online, scientists downloaded and began analyzing the data. Tedros has slammed China for not sharing the data earlier. "This data could have and should have been shared three years ago," he said. "We continue to call on China to be transparent in sharing data and to conduct the necessary investigations and share the results. Understanding how the pandemic began remains both a moral and scientific imperative," Tedros added. This is just the latest example of the Chinese government refusing to share data with other nations. Since the first COVID-19 death which was recorded in Wuhan, China, on January 11, 2020 the virus has killed 6,873,477 people around the world, according to WHO data. Read the original article on Business Insider A South Side man wanted on two Texas arrest warrants backed his registered BMW sedan into a Chicago police officer in an attempt to flee an investigative stop on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, touching off the first of two dramatic flight attempts, prosecutors said Sunday. The first escape attempt occurred seconds after the 39-year-old officer fell to the ground with a broken left shinbone during the stop at a red light on the southbound outer drive near Roosevelt Road Friday around 8:15 p.m. Advertisement After striking the officer and a police vehicle, the driver, Tajze Mullins, 23, sped into traffic in the BMW 750 containing passenger Shaquille Fisher, 29, weaving between cars toward the Stevenson Expressway feeder ramp, authorities said during a roughly 30-minute bail hearing broadcast on YouTube. Another officer fired a single shot at the fleeing sedan. No one was hit, but the bullet struck a Lyft cars rear passenger side door frame, Assistant States Attorney Jack Ruggiero told the court. Advertisement The car, tailed by a police helicopter, eventually stopped in a lot and both men were arrested after running from the vehicle, authorities said. The second attempt occurred following Mullins arrest, when he attempted to escape a detectives interview room at police Area 3 headquarters through a ceiling grate. Officers found the defendant in the ceiling and placed him into custody, Ruggiero said. Mullins second escape attempt through the stations drop ceiling caused extensive damage to the ceiling, electrical and duct work, Ruggiero added. Fisher, who was arrested with a loaded Glock handgun with a laser sight in his backpack, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > Mullins faces multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault of a police officer and felony escape, according to court records. Officers approached Mullins vehicle because of an alert related to an incident earlier this month where his sedan allegedly struck a Cook County sheriffs deputy, authorities said. A license plate reader captured Mullins vehicle on DuSable at Chicago Avenue minutes before the stop. While in police custody, Mullins gave a fraudulent name and date of birth, until a law enforcement database search revealed his two active Texas warrants for engaging in organized crime and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records Judge Charles S. Beach II ordered Mullins held without bail for the active warrants and the new criminal case, saying Mullins actions toward the officer and high-speed chase from police endangered the public. Advertisement Your selfish acts as the best way to describe them put everyone in danger in the vicinity of your car. Therefore I do believe youre a danger to the community, the judge said. Fisher was given house arrest after he posts $7,500. Both men are scheduled to return to court Tuesday. Wild Isles is being broadcast on BBC Filmed over three years, Sir David Attenborough's new series Wild Isles has been described as unmissable, breathtaking and spectacular. It shines a light on the biodiversity on our doorstep - a biodiversity that wildlife charities have warned could vanish within years. The Open University, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) collaborated on the five-part series which examines the different habitats of the UK. And the hope is it will inspire people to both appreciate and protect what is around them. For Amy Burns, an estate manager for the RSPB in County Fermanagh, it is shining a light on something she sees every day. "We don't have to go to the Serengeti, we don't have to go to the Arctic," she said. "We have some fantastic wildlife here and some fantastic habitat and landscape, right here on our doorstep right now." Amy Burns says the thought of further wildlife loss in County Fermanagh is heartbreaking We are talking on Humphrey's Island, a restored wetland just outside Enniskillen, looking across to Devenish Tower. The chill this morning has kept much of the wildlife it supports less active than usual, but overhead a lapwing is fluttering its way back to its nest and noisy gulls are getting their breakfast in the waters of Lower Lough Erne. "You're just transported to a different place," Ms Burns continued. "You know, when I mind stories that my granny would have told me about corncrake in Fermanagh, not being able to sleep with the sound of corncrake and that's a bird that we've lost. "It's extinct in Fermanagh, but species like curlew, that we still have, that are very evocative for a lot of people - to see that potentially being lost is just heartbreaking." The RSPB use cameras to track wetland wildlife Curlew and skylark can be heard on Humphrey's Island. Work to protect the ground nesters here has included electrified fencing to prevent predators and cameras to observe their behaviours. As well as grassland and wetlands, Wild Isles will also visit woodlands and coasts. Just 0.04% of Northern Ireland's land cover is ancient woodland, and work is continuing to preserve what remains. Story continues Northern Ireland ranks 12th worst in the world for biodiversity loss. Wildlife charities have united for the first time to call for action as Wild Isles hits our screens. And Ms Burns believes everyone can play a part. "What people can really do is get out," she said. "Get out and enjoy nature and get that connection with it so when there is a loss, you really do feel it. "Through Covid and through lockdown people started getting out and they really started connecting with nature again, a sense of the nature in your place and knowing what's local to you. "And once you're really passionate about that you're not going to want to see it lost." The House is losing its top antitrust reform champion later this year when Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) resigns. The congressman announced last month that he will retire from Congress in June to take a role as president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, a community foundation and largest funder of nonprofit organizations in the state, ending his seven-term run in the House. By reaching across the aisle, Cicilline led the House Judiciary Committee, as chair of the antitrust subcommittee, in advancing a series of bipartisan proposals to revamp antitrust laws in a way that targeted the nations largest tech companies. Cicilline and his coalition of antitrust reform supporters said the rules on the books fail to address the modern day industry giants, namely Meta, Amazon, Google and Apple. The proposals sought to address concerns critics said the tech platforms raised, such as boosting their own products and services over rival offerings, and to redefine what firms qualify as dominant companies based on market cap and user base numbers. But his efforts were often met with opposition. The companies have pushed back strongly on that assertion, with tech groups arguing that the proposals would force them to unwind services and features users enjoyed. Cicilline and the bills supporters said the bills would not have the effect, but failed to pass any of them. Despite the rare bipartisan support, most of the proposals failed to make it to President Bidens desk in the last Congress. Lobbying during a House transition The combination of hefty lobbying from tech giants and a flip in House control to GOP leaders means the antitrust proposals are seemingly at a standstill. While a handful of congressional Republicans support taking antitrust action against Big Tech companies, GOP lawmakers as whole have focused their tech agenda on content moderation and censorship. In an interview with The Hill, Cicilline said he is still hopeful there is still a path forward for the agenda he laid the groundwork for in the House. Story continues Theres still really strong bipartisan support for that whole package. We had the votes in the last Congress. My sense is we have the votes in this Congress, too. I think what will make it a little more challenging for the next couple of years is the Republican House leaderships opposition to these bills, Cicilline told The Hill. In another blow to the antitrust reform push, House GOP leaders replaced Cicillines Republican counterpart in the fight, Rep. Ken Buck (Colo.), in the top spot on the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee. When they took control this year, Republicans placed Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a staunch libertarian, as subcommittee chair in yet another sign that they wont take up the bills. Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) gives remarks during an enrollment ceremony for The Respect for Marriage Act at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, December 8, 2022. How Cicilline joined the antitrust fight Cicilline was hesitant at first to take the reins as ranking member of the antitrust subcommittee in 2017. Rich Luchette, a longtime former senior adviser to Cicilline, said he even advised his boss against doing so. I was thinking to myself, Hes in leadership, hes gonna have his hands full with that, he should pick one lane. And what is antitrust anyways? he said, referring to lawmakers role as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee. Fortunately, he did not listen to me, Luchette added. For Cicilline, his reluctance was rooted in the fact that he had little experience with antitrust law. But upon advice from Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, he took the post. He said, Sometimes you should take a new assignment just because youre going to stretch your mind and learn something new,' Cicilline said. And it turned out to be very good advice, because shortly after taking this role, the big Cambridge Analytica breach was revealed, and a lot of information about what was happening online and the focus really became the role of these technology platforms in not only our economy, but in our democracy, he continued. While Democrats were still in the minority, Cicilline started by learning more about the issues. His tutorial on the issues turned into launching the investigation that led to the blockbuster 450-page report on digital marketplace competition a process that included grilling the CEOs of the nations largest companies at committee hearing. The more Ive learned about it over these years, the more urgent I believe action is. The more damaging, I think, allowing these technology companies that have monopoly power to continue to operate unchecked from any regulation and continue to grow their power and their market share is, Cicilline said. How Cicilline built an antitrust reform coalition Although House GOP leaders arent showing interest in bringing the bills forward again, the Judiciary Committees markup in June 2021 brought together unlikely allies in the House. The proposals advanced out of the committee with support and opposition from both sides of the aisle, placing lawmakers like Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) on the same side promoting the bills and Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) together on the opposing side. Buck said that bipartisan nature was a key part of how he led the push. I think that we need more of David Cicillines in Congress people who have strong feelings about their issues, but who are also willing to work across the aisle, Buck told The Hill. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) addresses reporters following the weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Buck was a leading Republican voice advocating for the antitrust reform bills. Along with him, Democrats found unlikely allies in Gaetz and Rep. Lance Gooden (Texas) among the handful of Republicans supportive of the effort. In the Senate, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and other supporters found a GOP ally in Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Luchette said that bipartisan work was a cornerstone of how Cicilline approached his work in the House. I could go on probably for hours telling you about the times that I worked for him and saw him working with people who are seen as right-wing ideologues, people who are on Fox News all the time, people who give no quarter to the Democratic Party, and he would work effectively with them on issues, Luchette said. At the end of the day, thats the way the system should work. Its not supposed to work with people just going to their corners and holding the line. Youre supposed to be able to find common grounds and to the extent that they were able to do that, I think that was in large part because of the energy and effort that he poured into it, Luchette added. The bills were the result of a 16-month investigation into market dominance in the digital sector, which ultimately led to a series of bipartisan proposals aimed at reforming antitrust laws to tackle concerns critics say are posed by Amazon, Meta, Google and Apple. Pushback to proposals was immediate and substantial Because tech giants have denied using anticompetitive practices, the companies and the industry groups that back them pushed back strongly on the proposals, shoveling millions into lobbying and expensive opposition ad campaigns. Much of that opposition was largely from groups like Chamber of Progress, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), which represent companies including Amazon, Google, Meta and Apple. CCIAs Dont Break What Works campaign launched a series of ads targeting the proposals and arguing they would force companies to unwind services users enjoy or make companies charge users for previously free features. California Democrats, especially those who represent tech-heavy Bay Area districts, also pushed back on the proposals, arguing that they didnt address the problems identified by the House investigation into digital marketplace competition in an effective way to serve the public. Republicans fought hard against more antitrust regulation Critical House Republicans, like Jordan, opposed the plans on the basis that the bills would give the Biden administration more money. To get Buck on board, Cicilline held a field hearing on competition issues in Bucks home state of Colorado in 2020. The hearing featured executives from Tile, Sonos, Basecamp and the Boulder-based company PopSockets that testified over how tech giants were impacting their companies. I wanted to demonstrate to him, even though he was the ranking member, that I respected his role in this work, and I also wanted him to hear from Colorado business folks about the impact of these platforms, on their businesses, business people, and, we just developed a very strong working relationship, Cicilline said. Buck said after the hearing he became more interested and involved, and was able to develop a trusting relationship with Cicilline. Which during this time frame is difficult. Obviously, David and I disagreed about the impeachment votes, and we disagreed about a lot of other very contentious issues, Buck said. Cicilline served as an impeachment manager for former President Trumps second impeachment. Buck voted along with the majority of his party against both impeachments of Trump. But when it came to this, we both found common ground. And he was great if I went to my Republican colleagues and discussed a bill and they said, Well, you know, you got to change this and one, two, and three, he said. I would go to David and get those things changed and I would go back and get Republican support. So it really was a process where he was willing to compromise a great deal to get the Republican support that we needed to get the bills passed in the House, Buck said. Cicilline said both lawmakers understood that the tech companies were trying to desperately make this a partisan issue and pit the two against each other. And we resisted that at every turn despite their best efforts, Cicilline said. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) is seen following the sixth ballot for Speaker on the second day of the 118th session of Congress on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. What supporters accomplished and hope to do next Two of the more high profile proposals, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act and the Open App Markets Act, didnt get floor votes in the House or Senate and failed to be added to end of the year omnibus bills despite a push from the bills sponsors and outside supporters. The first bill aimed to limit dominant platforms from creating preferences for their own products and services on their platforms. The second aimed to add regulations for dominant app stores. In the Senate, versions of the bills also advanced out of the Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support. Lawmakers did, however, successfully get a package of less controversial antitrust reform measures, also part of the proposals spawned from the House investigation, passed. The package aimed to boost federal and state antitrust enforcers power to give them a better shot at taking on powerful tech firms. I think for sure when the Democrats take the House back, this will remain a priority and I expect these laws will also make it to the presidents desk, Cicilline said, of the other antitrust proposals. Can Cicillines legacy evolve into policy? Democrats controlled the House, Senate and White House before the 2022 election, but the proposals failed to get floor votes in either chamber. It can often take multiple terms of Congress to build sufficient support to pass legislation. So we look forward to continuing to monitor in the Congress and hope to see concrete changes that come about to check Big Techs power, said Morgan Harper, director of policy and advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project, a nonprofit that supports antitrust and corporate accountability legislation. As Cicilline steps down, it is not clear who will take the reins from him when he leaves. He said Democrats who were sponsors of the proposals that came forward, like Jayapal, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and current House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) are the likely champions of the antitrust push in the next Congress. Harper said the Rhode Island Democrats legacy is going to include educating a generation of Congressional leaders to both understand the dangers of Big Tech and importantly the antitrust tools that Congress has to do something about it. We really see Congressman Cicilline as a once-in-a-generation leader on antitrust, and in many ways the person Congress was waiting for to move this issue forward, she said. As Congress grapples with threats from new emerging technologies, such as the rapid rise of ChatGPT and the wave of rival generative AI products, Cicilline said it is absolutely essential that Congress remain and get current on this technology. I think one of the things that was a tremendous advantage at the big companies was that Congress, sort of let them do what they want to set back and allowed them to continue to grow and be free from any government oversight or regulation, he said. I hope that was a lesson and that everyone will recognize that those around to make the jurisdiction need to really stay current with these developments, so that we wont be a decade behind the decision that needs to be enacted, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Women protested outside the White House in 1917, seeking the right to vote. Harris & Ewing via Library of Congress If Susan B. Anthony had a deaf sister, everyone would know that deaf suffragists fought tirelessly for expanding womens right to vote, right alongside Anthony herself. Everyone would know deaf suffragists contributed to womens emancipation in the United States and Britain and that they lived bold lives. As a researcher of deaf history, including deaf womens history, I work to illuminate the often hidden history of deaf people and their unique contributions to the world. I have unearthed historical information about deaf women suffragists and assembled it into an online collection chronicling what is known so far about these women and their lives. Despite harsh, discriminatory conditions, low pay and lack of recognition, countless deaf women have fought with brilliance and dedication for personal and professional recognition, including for the right to vote. Underpaid and discriminated against Annie Jump Cannon was a pioneering astronomer. Born in 1863, she experienced progressive hearing loss starting at a young age. One of the first women from Delaware to attend college, she was her class valedictorian when she graduated from Wellesley College, where she excelled in the sciences and mathematics. In 1896, she was hired as a woman computer at the Harvard College Observatory, along with another prominent deaf astronomer, Henrietta Swan Leavitt. The work involved looking at photos of stars and calculating their brightness, position and color. The two were paid between 25 and 50 cents an hour half the rate paid to men doing similar work. Nevertheless, Cannon is credited with cataloging 350,000 stars. Building on others work, Cannon revolutionized and refined a system to rank stars from hottest to coolest that is still used today by the International Astronomical Union, though it is named for Harvard, not for her. Cannon was a member of the National Womans Party, formed in 1916 to advocate for passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, allowing women to vote. Cannons suffragist efforts used her profession as a launchpad, as when she declared that if women can organize the sky, we can organize the vote. Story continues She used her prominence to pave the way for women in the sciences, becoming the first woman to receive an honorary degree from Oxford University in 1925, and facing down eugenicists who blocked her from joining the National Academy of Sciences because she was deaf. In 1938, after 40 years of service, her role as the dean of women astronomers finally earned her a permanent faculty position at Harvard, where she worked until her death three years later. A lunar crater, Cannon, and an asteroid, Cannonia, are named for her. Two British women faced prison British deaf suffragist Helen K. Watts, born in 1881, was a militant member of the radical Womens Social and Political Union who demonstrated at Parliament in 1909 for the womens vote. After one protest that year, she was arrested and imprisoned but began a 90-hour hunger strike that resulted in her release. As she left, she declared: The Suffragettes have come out of the drawing-room, the study and the debating hall, and the committee rooms of Members of Parliament, to appeal to the real sovereign power of the country the people. In 1913, she left the more violent group and joined the nonviolent Womens Freedom League, also seeking womens right to vote. British suffragist Kate Harvey did not want to pay taxes unless she was allowed to vote. Ann Donnelly One of her sister leaders in the Womens Freedom League was British deaf suffragist Kate Harvey. Harvey believed in not paying taxes until women were granted the vote which resulted in authorities breaking into her home to arrest and imprison her in 1913. A silent voice in print Laura Redden Searing, born in 1840, was a gifted American poet, newspaper reporter and writer often using the male pseudonym Howard Glyndon so her work would be taken more seriously. Deafened by illness as a child, she entered the Missouri School for the Deaf when she was 15 years old and learned sign language, graduating in 1858, writing an address and farewell poem that was published in the American Annals of the Deaf. When communicating with nonsigners, she wrote with a pencil and pad with which she conducted countless interviews over many years as a reporter and writer. In 1860, Searing became the earliest deaf woman journalist, writing for the St. Louis Republican, whose editors sent her to Washington in September 1861. There, she cultivated friendships with prominent leaders and interviewed Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, soldiers on the battlefield, and President Abraham Lincoln. She also met future Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth, and taught him fingerspelling, a manual alphabet that is used in sign language. When the Civil War ended in 1865, she traveled to Europe and picked up reading and writing in French, German, Spanish and Italian. She continued writing news stories for the St. Louis Republican and The New York Times. Returning to the United States in 1870, Searing wrote on a wide variety of topics for the New York Evening Mail and other newspapers and magazines. Searing had a literary circle of admiring friends who supported her work. She also contributed articles and poems to the popular national Silent Worker newspaper, published by the New Jersey School for the Deaf. [More than 150,000 readers get one of The Conversations informative newsletters. Join the list today.] She was a feminist who wrote about womens issues such as unequal pay and womens sexuality. She also explained her support for an 1872 campaign for womens right to vote with an analogy to the freeing of the slaves after the Civil War: I believe I am called upon to sign this petition in conformation with that clause of our constitution which recognizes the equal rights of all human beings of lawful age and sound mind without regard to sex, color, or social condition. Having decided that black people do not belong to white ones, why not go a step farther and decide that women do not belong to men unless the proprietorship be recognized as mutual? In 1981, Searing was dubbed the first deaf womens libber by Robert F. Panara, the first deaf professor of Deaf Studies at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, because of her pioneering work in the journalism field and her fierce independence as a woman who did not accept restrictions, nor follow expected traditions. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. If you found it interesting, you could subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: Joan Naturale, Rochester Institute of Technology. Read more: Joan Marie Naturale does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Execution is not a deterrent Jason Thornburg was indicted in December for the deaths of three people found burning in a Fort Worth dumpster. (May 17, 3A, Man charged with killing, dismembering 3 faces death penalty) The prosecutor says this is the exact type of case in which we seek the death penalty. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, the accused told police detectives that he had in-depth knowledge of the Bible and believed he was being called to commit sacrifices. Although a judge has ordered a psychological evaluation, this is another case where the death penalty does not serve its intended purpose. If deterrence is our goal, we have failed to achieve it. Putting a murderer in prison or a state hospital for the mentally ill for life removes that person from society. It is morally wrong for anyone an individual or the government to kill under any circumstances. - Wesley Church, Fort Worth Theres no saving daylight here The efforts to make daylight saving time permanent, either just in Texas or throughout the United States, are not well thought out. (March 11, 1A, Bills would allow Texans to vote on daylight saving time) Staying on daylight saving time year-round would leave children awaiting school buses in the cold dark in winter at the start of morning rush hour. Is one hour of sunlight during the evening worth the additional risk? It would also increase confusion for businesses. In the summer, we are three hours ahead of Arizona, which follows standard time. In the winter, we are two hours ahead. Does it really need to be light at 9:30 p.m. in June? The argument that it is good for farmers is specious. Commercial farming doesnt work that late. Permanent daylight saving time is just a bad idea. - Charles Andrews, Fort Worth I paid my loans all by myself I am appalled that forgiveness of some federal student loan debt is even up for debate. (March 14, 4A, States look at student debt programs ahead of court case) Story continues No one forced anyone to take out student loans. The terms of the loans were spelled out when students applied for them, and the definition of a loan is easy to understand. I lived a no-frills life and paid my entire student loan debt back early. If student loans are forgiven, is there any chance that those of us who paid off their student loans would be reimbursed? I highly doubt so, but is that fair to those who did the right thing and paid their loans? - Mark Swanson, Mansfield Gun violence and Americas future How does Canada do it? After a 2020 mass shooting in Nova Scotia that left 22 victims dead, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau banned 1,500 types of military-style weapons and began a program to buy semi-automatic rifles from the public. He then crafted other gun restrictions to send to lawmakers. How does the United States do it? Gun deaths increase, and we send thoughts and prayers. Politicians put more National Rifle Association money in their pockets. We allow untrained people to open carry, and we promote a gross misunderstanding of the Second Amendment. I truly pity the young people entrusted to our care. - Ann J. Clarkson, Wichita Falls Ranked-choice voting a bad pick Bills have been introduced in the Legislature to ban any form of instant runoff also known as ranked-choice voting for nonpartisan local elections. These bills are based on a misrepresentation, intentional or not. Instant runoffs would benefit Republicans. David Perdue in Georgia would have won an instant runoff election in 2020, which would have put the Republicans in the majority in the U.S. Senate. Glenn Youngkin won his election as Virginia governor entirely because of an instant runoff in the GOP primary. - Don Krause, Fort Worth What will Tucker erase next? Fox News host Tucker Carlson has raised the Big Lie to a whole new level by turning 40,000 hours of violent footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection into a five-minute video of a bunch of peaceful tourists just taking a tour of the Capitol. (Letters, March 5, 4C) I imagine that Carlsons next project after banning books about the brutal history of slavery will be to show that slaves were so grateful to plantation owners for giving them food and shelter that they happily cooked, cleaned and labored in the cotton fields from sunrise to sunset. - Sharon Austry, Fort Worth Melitopol The Russian-installed head of the oblast, Yevgeny Balitsky, said that this was a temporary measure until the city of Zaporizhzhya is captured by Russia. Read also: Melitopols liberation may signal new counter-offensive by Ukraine military Zaporizhzhya is one of the four Ukraine oblasts Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed to have annexed to the Russian Federation on Sept. 30, 2022, the UK agency noted. Russia has never occupied the city of Zaporizhzhya, a major industrial center of 700,000 people, which is approximately 35 kilometers from the current front line, the report said. The UK Ministry of Defense added that the quiet declaration of an alternative capital is likely tacit acknowledgement within the Russian system that its forces are highly unlikely to seize previously planned major objectives in the near future. Read also: UK intelligence explains why Russia changing conscription age bracket From Sept. 23 to 27, 2022, the Russian invasion forces staged simulated referendums in the Russian-occupied parts of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts of Ukraine. None of these regions are under the full control of Russia. On Sept. 30, the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin signed agreements with the leaders of the the sham republics the Kremlin set up in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, and with collaborators from the Russian-occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhya oblasts on the annexation of the captured territories of Ukraine. Like the earlier claimed annexation of Ukraines Crimea, only a few rogue and pariah states have accepted the Kremlins annexation claims. In fact, according to international law, the territories Russia falsely claims to have annexed remain Ukrainian territory and have the legal status of being under Russian military occupation. Read also: Annexation of Ukrainian territories illegal under Russian law, says journalist 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 "For the First Time in Forever" OK, maybe not quite that long Natalie Goodin will be back in a familiar place that houses many of her warmest memories: Civic Center Music Hall. "I will catch a younger girl sitting closer to the front of the audience, and I just physically remember that being me. When I was a kid, my parents would bring me to shows primarily at the Civic Center, seeing Broadway tours, shows at Lyric Theatre and I just remember being like, 'This is what I want to do,'" Goodin told The Oklahoman. Born and raised in OKC, Goodin is returning to her hometown as part of the cast of the North American tour of Disney's hit musical "Frozen." The stage version of the Oscar-winning animated blockbuster is playing Oklahoma City for the first time in, well, ever March 22-April 2 at the Civic Center, where it's part of a grand spring finale for OKC Broadway's 2022-2023 season. (The last show of the season will be the return of the smash musical "Hamilton!" May 24-June 4). Caroline Bowman stars as Elsa and Lauren Nicole Chapman as Anna in the North American tour of the Disney musical "Frozen." What can people expect when Disney's 'Frozen' musical comes to OKC? Originally slated to come to OKC during the 2020-2021 season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced audiences to temporarily "Let It Go," Disney's "Frozen" features the film's familiar songs, plus an expanded score with a dozen new numbers by the movie's award-winning songwriters, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. A member of the "Frozen" ensemble, Goodin is returning to OKC on her first national tour of a Broadway musical, after she graduated with her bachelor of fine arts in musical theater performance from the University of Oklahoma. But the 2016 Deer Creek High School valedictorian's musical theater training actually dates back to age 3, when she started lessons at Dance Unlimited/Spotlight Acting Academy in Edmond. Along with performing with her school choirs, she appeared in Lyric Theatre productions of "A Christmas Carol," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Oklahoma!," "Wizard of Oz" and "Mary Poppins" and performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic's "The Christmas Show." Story continues With all those credits, Goodin has spent lots of time on the stage as well as in the seats at the Civic Center, and she gets emotional talking about her return to her hometown theater. "When I booked this job and I saw Oklahoma City was on on the tour roster, I was just thrilled. I can't wait to see the people that helped shape my career. ... I can't wait to be with my friends and family. I can't wait to show my company and my cast members Oklahoma and Oklahoma City," Goodin said by phone from the road. Oklahoma City Natalie Goodin is a member of the ensemble for the North American touring company of the Disney musical "Frozen." Here's what else the OKC native had to say about starring in "Frozen": Pandemic graduate had to be patient Q: Since you graduated from OU in 2020, I guess you were a pandemic graduate? A: I was a pandemic graduate. I graduated online, and I think it was like a PowerPoint presentation. (laughs) But it was interesting, because we're gearing up to move to New York, we're gearing up to start our careers, we've trained for four years, I've trained since I was 3 ... and then to be told "You're not coming back to school, this is it." I know everybody was rocked by the pandemic in so many different ways. And I know for a lot of performers, it was like the industry didn't exist nor did it come back until last year, basically. It was hard. I remember sitting at my parents' house thinking, "What am I going to do now? This is all that I've ever wanted. This is all that I like to do." While I found other things that I'm good at, I just had to be patient. So, instead of moving to New York (in) August of 2020, I waited until January of 2022. So, it definitely took some time. But it's funny how timing works out because I got "Frozen" in June of 2022, and then I was on the road. So, I'm just grateful that the industry is back ... and people want to see theater. Audience participation is high during 'Frozen' Q: The show is such a fan favorite, especially for little girls: Do you hear a lot of singing from the audience when those familiar songs come up? A: Sometimes we do. I vividly remember it was Cleveland, Ohio, it was our very last show: It was a long rehearsal week that week, I remember that people were tired ... and it was the eighth show of the week. Anna and Elsa sing a little bit of a reprise of "Let It Go" at the end leading into the finale. And we just hear, it sounded like a school choir of children singing along to "Let It Go." And it was the most beautiful thing ever. It really just put everyone in the best mood, reminded us all why we do this why we travel, why we leave home to bring this unique joy and escape and inspire young children. Because for most of these kids, it's their first time ever seeing a Broadway show. 'Explosive' moment is a favorite Q: Do you have a favorite moment in the show? A: I do. It's "First Time in Forever." It's the end whenever all the partygoers come out, we're all in our coronation dresses, and we get to run through the gates of the castle. It is the most explosive moment in the show. Also, at the end of that number, that's the first time that the audience really gets to clap, which is interesting, because you're 20, 25 minutes into the show ... by then. And that's when you really see how massive the production is. It's a beautiful moment. Caroline Bowman, center, stars as Elsa in the North American tour of the Disney musical "Frozen." 'Frozen' show has 'secret hidden adult humor' Q: Do you feel like sometimes you guys win over the doubters, the ones who think maybe "Frozen" isn't the show for them or this is just kid material? And is that fun? A: Yeah. Whenever you have all ages come to the show, people walk in really not knowing what to expect originally. Or, they think, "Oh, I'm bringing my kids here; it's gonna be super kid friendly" and it is: it's definitely for kids, and it's the original story that everyone knows and loves but there's this kind of secret hidden adult humor here and there that comes in. ... But I would say the main thing that really amazes people of all ages is the technical element of this show. Seeing Elsa transform the stage into her ice palace is unbelievable. Her transformation in "Let It Go" when her dress changes with a flash in front of your eyes if you blink, you miss it you hear gasps all across the board from all ages. So, I think what really wows people is they don't realize how massive this production is how many people it takes onstage and offstage, backstage especially, to put this together. I think we travel over 20 18-wheeler trucks just for our set. That's how massive this is. ... Sitting in the theater and seeing that come to life on stage, you kind of forget that you're taking your kids to the theater. DISNEY'S 'FROZEN' When : March 22-April 2. Where : Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Tickets: https://www.okcbroadway.com/frozen. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Returning with 'Frozen,' this OKC native isn't letting go of her roots Vladimir Putin driving around Mariupol in a visit to the city at the weekend Ukraine likened Vladimir Putin to a murderer returning to the crime scene after he drove himself around Mariupol in a sign of defiance at his war crimes arrest warrant. It came as Britain pledged 395,000 to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to help convict the Russian leader. London will today host a meeting of ministers and prosecutors from 40 countries helping to bring Mr Putin to justice. Last night the Kremlin published an article written by Mr Putin for a Chinese newspaper praising their relationship and blaming the West for growing global instability. In a sign of Mr Putin's desperation to please China ahead of the summit, he said: "We are grateful for the balanced line that China's has taken regarding events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true cause The meeting in London will coincide with the summit in Moscow between Mr Putin and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, where the Russian leader is expected to request more support for his war in Ukraine. Mr Putins trip to Mariupol, his first to captured territory, capped a weekend of surprise visits to annexed Ukraine, including Crimea, seized in 2014. After flying into Mariupol on an army helicopter, Mr Putin drove himself to meet sobbing residents in a reconstructed apartment block, who thanked him for their new "slice of paradise". An estimated 22,000 people died during Russias bombing of Mariupol last year. Thousands of children were also abducted by the Kremlin's forces and sent to Russia for indoctrination, for which the ICC on Friday placed Mr Putin on its wanted list. The criminal always returns to the crime scene," said Mikhail Podolyak, a top adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky after Mr Putin's visit. "The murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and graves." The meeting will take place as London hosts a meeting of justice ministers and ICC prosecutors from 40 countries to bring Mr Putin to justice. Story continues Dominic Raab, the Deputy Prime Minister, will join justice ministers from around the world at Lancaster House for a war crimes meeting with Karim Khan KC, chief prosecutor of the ICC leading the Putin investigation. Mr Raab writes in today's Daily Telegraph: "We are putting all those who carry out atrocities on notice. One day, you will face justice for the crimes carried out against the Ukrainian people." Mr Raab said attendants at Lancaster House were united by one cause to hold war criminals to account for the atrocities committed in Ukraine. The criminal always returns to the crime scene, said Mikhail Podolyak, a top adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky. The murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and graves. Mr Putin, who makes limited trips outside of Moscow, drove himself around Mariupols memorial sites, concert hall and coastline, according to Russian state media. One resident, filmed sobbing on his arrival, told Mr Putin she now owned a piece of paradise after the leader asked if she liked her new apartment. Wow, we have only ever seen you on television, one man said after shaking Mr Putins hand, in what was likely a carefully choreographed display. Putin meets with residents in Mariupol - POOL Russian TV Plain-clothed Russian security agents wearing microphones hovered around Mr Putin, occasionally whispering into the ear of a resident or guiding them on where to stand. Well have to get to know each other better, Mr Putin told the beaming residents. The trip came ahead of a planned visit to Moscow by Mr Xi this week, expected to provide a major diplomatic boost to Mr Putin in his confrontation with the West. The two leaders are scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting on Monday followed by an informal lunch, with more formal negotiations to take place on Tuesday. Putin waves to residents after visiting their new flat in Mariupol - POOL Russian TV China said on Friday it wants to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks. Beijing, a major Russian ally, has long sought to depict itself as a neutral party to the conflict. The Kremlin also published an article written by Mr Putin for a Chinese newspaper praising their relationship and blaming the West for growing global instability. In a sign of Mr Putin's desperation to please China ahead of the summit, he said: "We are grateful for the balanced line that China has taken regarding events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes." The Russian military flattened Mariupol, previously a bustling port city of 400,000 people, in March and April last year and, in one of its worst crimes of the war, dropped bombs on a theatre where hundreds of women and children were sheltering. Most were killed. Despite the destruction and the thousands of civilians killed, the Kremlin has been eager to project its capture of Mariupol as a success story. It quickly patched up and painted the main streets running through the city and also promised to construct new housing. The Russian president meets residents of a rebuilt apartment block - AP Mr Putin has been criticised for rarely leaving the Kremlin but he appeared determined to change that over the weekend with his series of surprise visits. On Saturday he travelled to occupied Crimea to tour a childrens education centre before flying by helicopter to Mariupol and then to Rostov in Russia, where he received a battlefield briefing from his top military commanders. Russian commentators praised Mr Putins visit to Mariupol as a brave and clever move that gave Western intelligence the slip. Putin drove himself through Mariupol without security in order to deceive Nato intelligence as much as possible, said Sergei Markov, a former Russian presidential adviser. Putin travelled to Mariupol not as a statesman, but as a private individual. Russian military bloggers also said that Mr Putin had driven himself around Mariupol to give Western intelligence the slip. In the car with Mr Putin was Marat Khusnullin, a deputy Russian prime minister, who gave the Russian leader a briefing on reconstruction efforts as he was driving. Putin was briefed by Marat Khusnullin, a deputy Russian prime minister, while he was driving - AP Mr Putin has appeared far more energised in the past few weeks. Commentators linked to the Kremlin have said that he is in a far better mood, cracking jokes and laughing. Six months ago, the Russian army in Ukraine looked on the brink of collapse and Mr Putin was being shunned as a pariah, even by other autocratic leaders. Now, though, the Russian army has stabilised its frontline and he will host Mr Xi on Monday at the start of two days of talks. The Russian media have been bragging about Mr Xis first trip to the Kremlin since 2019. In an article on Sunday, the popular Moskovskaya Komsomolts newspaper described it as a clear gesture of support for Moscow from the Chinese side. Also on Sunday, the British Ministry of Defence said that a decision by Russian forces occupying the Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia this month to redesignate Melitopol as the regional capital suggested that they have given up on trying to capture Zaporizhzhia city. 'We are putting all those who carry out atrocities on notice' By Dominic Raab Twenty years ago, I cut my teeth working as a war crimes lawyer for the UK Government at The Hague. So Ive seen first-hand the impact of the International Criminal Court and ad-hoc war crime tribunals, forcing those who commit the worlds worst atrocities to face justice. Take Radovan Karadicz, the Butcher of Bosnia, and Charles Taylor, the warlord-turned-President of Liberia. Both with innocent blood on their hands, both behind bars in British jails courtesy of the war crimes courts in The Hague. As we move into a second year of President Putins devastating war in Ukraine, the ICC matters more than ever. On Friday, the court issued arrest warrants for President Putin and his Childrens Rights chief over the alleged abduction of hundreds of Ukrainian children taken forcibly from their parents and deported to Russia. This is a significant step forward for accountability and shows that the international justice system is working. The UK has been steadfast in its support for Ukraine from the start. First, through military aid, as the first country to send in battle tanks, and in helping to train Ukraines pilots and marines. Second, through sanctions. Weve frozen more than 18 billion in Russian assets, from over 1,300 individuals and companies - stemming the funds fuelling Putins war machine. Third, through humanitarian support, including taking in over 150,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russian brutality. And fourth, through the accountability strand of our international strategy. Its why we are today hosting a justice ministers summit, bringing together 42 like-minded nations to agree on support for the ICC, and its independent investigation into atrocities in Ukraine. Weve all seen the harrowing events on our television screens. The Bucha massacre, with its mass grave filled with innocent civilians. A Mariupol maternity hospital bombed, newborn babies and their mothers inside. The recent disturbing footage of a Ukrainian prisoner of war being executed. There can be no impunity for such atrocities. Supported by 43 countries, last year the UK spearheaded the largest state referral in the ICCs history. It meant the court could expedite its investigation into the atrocities in Ukraine, bringing justice for the Ukrainian people one step closer. And, along with the European Union and United States, we are supporting Ukraines domestic investigations with funding and expertise, training the prosecutors and judges overseeing war crimes trials. The ICC has asked for our help in other vital areas, including digital forensics and support for child victims and victims of sexual crimes. So, today, we are pledging an additional 395,000 in funding, earmarked for psychological support for vulnerable witnesses. It brings the UKs total support for the ICC this year to 1m. This is on top of our annual contribution, and an extra 1m last year. We are funding two experienced UK investigators to work directly with the ICC for a year, and will share our expertise in open-source investigation, to help the court analyse unprecedented amounts of online evidence. And well offer training for ICC investigators, as well as having a panel of experts - from clinicians to criminal justice specialists - on-hand to strengthen the courts support for victims. But this is a team effort. We cannot do it on our own. Thats why we have convened the 42 nations taking part today - each with their own expertise to share and part to play. This is global Britain in action, as a force for good in the world. Galvanising other nations to act, united behind the ICC and determined to bring war criminals to justice. A year on from Russias illegal invasion, we must remain steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine, and the principles of democracy, and the international rule of law. The efforts of the international community today will strengthen the ICC in its role of independently prosecuting war crimes. So that any aggressor, anywhere in the world, knows there can be no impunity for those who commit such abhorrent acts. We are putting all those who carry out atrocities on notice. One day, you will face justice for the crimes carried out against the Ukrainian people. Democrats are gearing up for another hard-fought Senate race in Nevada next cycle after the state narrowly decided who would control the upper chamber in the midterms. Last year, Democrats were able to retain Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastos (D-Nev.) seat by less than a point but lost the governors mansion after former Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo ousted incumbent Gov. Steve Sisolak (D). Republicans say that the states shifting demographics and electorate are making the state friendlier to the GOP, particularly in the Senate, where incumbent Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) is facing reelection in 2024. Shes extremely vulnerable, said Jeremy Hughes, a GOP strategist who has worked on a number of Nevada races. An incumbent in their first reelection always is. Senate Republicans have already started to target Rosen, along with other vulnerable Democrats, ahead of 2024. The National Republican Senatorial Committee rolled out an ad campaign hitting Rosen along with five other incumbent Democrats over Social Security and Medicare. A poll released last month by the Nevada Independent and OH Predictive Insights showed Rosen with a 37 percent favorability rating and a 40 percent unfavorable rating. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as lean Democratic. Rosen was part of a blue wave of Democrats to win their midterm races in 2018, when the then-congresswoman ousted incumbent Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) by 5 points. And 2018 was a considerably good year for Democrats across the board and somewhat of an outlier in Nevada. In 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton won the state by 2.4 points, while Cortez Masto won her Senate race by the same margin. In recent years, Democrats have had to contend with narrower margins in the state. In 2020, President Biden defeated then-President Trump by roughly 2.4 points. Two years later, Lombardo defeated Sisolak by just over 1.5 points, while Republican Senate candidate and former Attorney General Adam Laxalt lost to Cortez Masto by less than a point. The narrowing margins in Nevada can be attributed to a number of factors, including its changing demographics. Latino voters make up roughly 30 percent of the states population, while Asians make up about 9 percent of the population and Pacific Islanders make up nearly 1 percent, according to the Census Bureau. The data that were seeing on support levels from Latinos is that Catherine Cortez Masto tracked almost exactly on the same support levels from Latinos that President Biden tracked in 2020, said Melissa Morales, the founder and executive director of Somos Votantes, a Democratic-leaning group aimed at engaging Latino voters. While Democrats won these groups in 2022, Republicans are continuing to target these demographics going into 2024. As of September last year, the Republican National Committee had opened nearly 40 community centers in Black, Latino and Asian Pacific Islander communities. The continued strategy from Republicans has Democrats on alert going into the next cycle. Theyre consistently trying to make inroads with those demographics and its a concerted effort year after year, said one Nevada Democratic operative. On top of that, the states transient and growing population is adding to some Democratic anxiety over these groups. Theyre starting to see as those communities get bigger and more engaged in politics, youre going to see less monolithic voting, said David Damore, the chair of the Political Science Department at the University of NevadaLas Vegas. However, Damore cautioned that Republicans have not yet necessarily made enough progress with these groups to swing them in a general election. [Republicans] have done a little better job and moved the needle a little bit here, but not enough to get the margins they need, he said. They need to get those under 60 percent and theyre not there yet. The transient nature of the state could also impact Rosen, who critics say lacks a political brand. However, this could be due in part to the newcomers in the state who are unfamiliar with Nevada politics. It is a state where candidates have to consistently introduce themselves to their own constituents, the Democratic Nevada operative said. Thats part of the challenge of running in Nevada. Republicans are also eager to tie Rosen to President Biden, pointing to his low approval ratings. The same Nevada Independent/OH Predictive Insights poll showed Biden with a 40 percent approval rating and a 55 percent disapproval rating. Biden visited Las Vegas on Tuesday, attending a Democratic National Committee fundraiser and announcing a plan to lower prescription drug prices at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Nevada Democratic operative said kitchen table issues, like lowering prescription drug prices, would play into Rosens messaging. Additionally, the operative said Democrats, like Rosen, will likely go on the offense on abortion access. The threat of a nationwide abortion ban is going to be very real if Republicans sweep in 2024, the operative said, referring to the scenario of the GOP winning the House, Senate and White House. Of course, there is also the effect that former President Trump could have in the race if he wins the GOP nomination next year. The Nevada Independent/OH Predictive Insights poll showed the former president with 42 percent support. If it were Trump to be our nominee, then once again, its going to be a vote to spite Trump. Kind of like the first go around, it wasnt that Joe Biden was this wonderful politician that everyone was excited about. It was in spite of Trump, said Amy Tarkanian, former chair of the Nevada GOP. But the Republican bench to challenge Rosen is still in its formative stages. Various Nevada Republicans have been floated to take on the incumbent Democrat, including Army veteran and former Senate candidate Sam Brown, who lost to Laxalt in 2022. Former congressional candidate April Becker, who lost her challenge against Democratic Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.), has also been floated. Republicans have also pointed to state Sen. Minority Leader Heidi Seevers Gansert (R), along with retired boxer and lawyer Joey Gilbert, who lost in the states GOP gubernatorial primary last year. However, the issue many of these candidates have, with the exception of Gansert, is that they have recently lost statewide. If were going to be looking at some of these other possible candidates who didnt succeed this last election and theyre going to attempt to run for U.S. Senate, I dont see how thats going to be a winning strategy for us, Tarkanian said. The Nevada Independent/OH Predictive Insights survey showed Rosen polling better than many of the floated GOP challengers, including Brown, who came in with a 25 percent favorability rating, and Becker, who has a 26 percent favorability rating. Most Republicans and Democrats acknowledge that its too early to make any specific calls on the race over a year out and without a firm field of GOP candidates. These conversations are already happening, Morales said. But I think the strategy in Nevada has always been not to take anything for granted. Polk County deputies are currently searching for two adults in Winter Haven. According to a news release, the Polk County Sheriffs Office received calls around 5 p.m. Saturday. Deputies and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are conducting a search and rescue mission for the adults. Read: Flagler deputies searching for missing 12-year-old Investigators said they believe the adults drowned. Polk County deputies encourage the public to stay away from the Lake Summit boat ramp, Lake Summit and Lake Eloise. Read: 1 injured, 1 in critical condition after a shooting in Daytona Beach, police say Channel 9 will update this developing story as more information becomes available. See a map of the location below: Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Iryna Vereshchuk Read also: Presidential commissioner reveals how Russia systematically kidnaps Ukrainian children In a Facebook post dated March 18, Vereshchuk said she wanted several details about the abducted Ukrainian children: "I propose (that you) immediately hand over to the Ukrainian side lists of all orphans and children deprived of parental care who: 1) as of Feb. 24, 2022, were citizens of Ukraine, up to the age of 18 inclusive; 2) are now in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine; 3) were taken from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to Russian territory," Vereshchuk wrote. The appeal was published in Russian. Read also: Russians abducted over 13,000 Ukrainian children from occupied territories, reveals Reznikov On March 17, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Russian Children's Ombudsperson Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin. They are accused of illegally deporting children from Ukraine to Russia since Feb. 24, 2022. On March 2, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported that the Russian authorities are holding approximately 6,000 Ukrainian children who were illegally deported to Russia in so-called "re-education camps." Read also: Ukrainian children forcibly abducted and brainwashed by Russia, Ukrainian government reports Some Ukrainian civil organizations have estimated that up to 700,000 Ukrainian children may have been deported to Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Some may have been genuine refugees, but there have also been many reports of children being taken from the parents in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine and sent to re-education camps in 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 PM pledges to further support enterprises at Vietnam Business Forum 2023 The Vietnamese Government commits to creating all possible conditions for businesses to growth further, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the Vietnam Business Forum 2023 (VBF 2023) in Hanoi on March 19. PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the forum (Photo: VNA) Reviewing the countrys socio-economic recovery and development achievements in 2022, the PM said the macro economy remained stable, major economic balances were ensured, and notably the domestic investment and business environment was improved significantly. During the post-COVID-19 period, the foreign investment disbursement went up 13.5% as compared with 2021, which reflected Vietnams attractiveness in the regional and global investment maps, he said. Chinh stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State advocate green growth in order to ensure rapid, effective and sustainable economic development, contributing to implementing the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy. However, green growth needs a suitable roadmap, with conditions and capacity of each region, locality and business taken into consideration, he noted, encouraging the engagement of all, particularly businesses and people, in this regard. The Government will work to consolidate institutions, mechanisms and policies to create a favourable, equal business environment, while raising national competitiveness, he pledged. More attention will be paid to removing difficulties facing enterprises, promoting transparency in resources access, protecting legal rights and interests of businesses, employers, employees and relevant sides, and rolling out concertedly and effectively policies supporting firms in terms of capital, technical transfer, and personnel development, the PM continued. Vietnam will concertedly develop goods and services, financial-monetary, and stock markets, he said, assigning specific tasks to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, ministers and heads of concern agencies. The Government will instruct ministries, agencies and localities to make the strongest determination to reap more achievements this year, recover and spur the national economy, ensure harmony in cultural and social development, maintain national sovereignty and political stability, and ensure peace and happiness for people, he pledged. Lauding the business forums important contributions to national socio-economic development and business environment improvement over the past 25 years, Chinh expressed his hope that it will continue serving as a crucial, effective policy dialogue between the Government and the business community. The annual forum, co-organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the Vietnam Business Forum Alliance, has served as an uninterrupted and close dialogue mechanism between the Government and the domestic and foreign business communities in order to improve business conditions to promote the development of the domestic private sector and facilitate the investment environment, thus contributing to Vietnam's sustainable economic growth. At the event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung reported that Vietnams economic scale exceeded 400 billion USD for the first time last year, with a growth rate of 8.02%. The export-import revenue hit a record of 732 billion USD, making Vietnam enter the list of the top 20 in terms of trade growth worldwide. At the forum, representatives from the WB, international financial organisations and business associations from Europe, the US, the Republic of Korea, the UK and Japan expressed their admiration for socio-economic achievements Vietnam has recorded, especially those made during the pandemic combat, and praised the countrys efforts in improving the domestic investment and business environment. Hailing Vietnams net zero emission commitment by 2050 and the Governments efforts in fulfilling the target, they committed to supporting the Government in promoting green growth. They also suggested Vietnam speeding up energy transition, maximising its potential for digital economy and innovation, perfecting institutions, making procedures transparent, and simplifying immigration procedures, among others. Following the forum, PM Chinh attended a ceremony marking its 25th anniversary. Chicago police responded to a shooting at a South Shore restaurant in the 2400 block of East 72nd Street, where three men and one woman were shot Saturday night. According to the polices preliminary investigation, three armed men exited a vehicle, walked up to the restaurant and opened fire from outside around 9 p.m. Police were seen outside of Kennedy Fish & Chicken at 2425 E. 72nd St. Advertisement A 29-year-old male was shot in the thigh and was sent to the University of Chicago Medical Center. A 32-year-old male was shot in the leg and was sent to Jackson Park Hospital. A 29-year-old male was shot in the leg and was sent to UChicago. A 29-year-old female was grazed at the ear and was sent to UChicago. Police said the victims were listed in good condition, and no one was in custody for the shooting. Advertisement A fatal shooting took place outside of Kennedy Fish & Chicken in March of 2016, when 31-year-old Brian Barlow was shot dead outside of the restaurant. Former president Donald Trump appears to be at the centre of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs grand jury investigation into a hush payment made to a porn star by Mr Trumps attorney Michael Cohen in 2016. The investigation entered a new phase in recent weeks, and now Mr Braggs office has contacted the presidents lawyers to offer an opportunity for voluntary testimony, a sign that multiple sources close to the investigation told The New York Times means that an indictment or multiple indictments are likely in the works. Mr Trump himself predicted on 18 March that he would be arrested the following week. THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK! Mr Trump posted on Truth Social in a furious all-caps message. Should Mr Trump actually be charged with a crime, it would be the first time an investigation into his inner circle (of which there have been several, with the most famous leading to multiple indictments for figures connected to the 2016 campaign) actually drew blood from the president himself. The Justice Departments protocol against charging a sitting president appeared to cool any ability of the agency to do so while he was in office, but the presidents loss in 2020 opened the door to prosecution for both the 2016 Stormy Daniels matter as well as for an investigation into the January 6 attack and Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the election. That second investigation continues, with the distinct possibility of potential charges for both Mr Trump and members of his legal team. And alongside the Bragg investigation, it raises the question: What happens to the 2024 race, and Donald Trumps ability to participate in it, if he comes under criminal indictment? The short answer is, not much. There are no restrictions in the US Constitution preventing anyone indicted or convicted of a crime, or even currently serving time, from running for or winning the presidency. Even if he were tried and convicted in one of the so-called quick trials he has repeatedly cheered Chinas government for operating in the cases of drug offences, Mr Trump could still run the entirety of his presidential campaign from a prison cell. Story continues What is far less clear is what would happen were he to win in that scenario. Just as there are no restrictions in the Constitution for a person to run while under indictment, theres no explanation for what should occur in the event that they win. Theres nothing in the document that would automatically grant Mr Trump a reprieve from prison time, save for the likelihood that any charges brought by federal authorities, were they still being litigated at the point when Mr Trump assumed the presidency for a second time, would be dropped due to the Department of Justices refusal to prosecute a sitting president. State-level charges like the ones being pursued by Mr Bragg are far trickier, and would fall outside of Mr Trumps pardon power were they to conclude in a conviction. Were conviction on state charges to occur alongside a Trump election victory, it would likely lead to a massive legal fight to determine whether there was a way for the former president to worm his way out of serving time. If Mr Trump was unable to avoid that outcome, it would almost certainly lead to his impeachment or removal via the 25th Amendment, which allows the Cabinet to remove a president who is unable to perform their duties. There are many duties and trappings of the presidency that would simply be impossible to be operated or performed from a prison cell, the viewing of classified materials just to name one. Any potential conviction of Mr Trump is still a long way off and little more than a distant possibility. But the conversations he has started with his bid for the presidency despite facing multiple criminal investigations have already pushed parts of theoretical US constitutional law into a much realer place than many experts ever thought it would see. A police force has raised an objection to a jazz festival's application to host its event in Dorset. We Out Here festival has previously been held in Cambridgeshire but organisers have applied to host it at the Wimborne St Giles estate in August. Event organiser Joe Barnett said there was a team of event professionals with a "wealth of experience". But Dorset Police told Dorset Council it was concerned about the proposal meeting conditions ahead of the event. We Out Here, a four-day music festival founded by BBC Radio 6's Gilles Peterson, is expecting up to 25,000 people to attend, subject to Dorset Council licensing committee's decision on the festival's premises application. The application would see it hosted in the ground of the Grade 1 listed St Giles House and said the event would only have two days with a post-midnight finish. A schedule submitted to the council shows live music from 14:00 BST on 9 August with events continuing until the early hours of 13 August, with most people expected to leave the site on, or before the afternoon on 14 August. 'Wealth of experience' In a cover letter for the application, Mr Barnett wrote: "We have been running events in the UK and abroad for 20 years and have brought together a team of event professionals with a wealth of experience across large scale event production to deliver this festival." But Sgt Gareth Gosling, from Dorset Police, said the force objected to the licence as it "will likely undermine the licensing objective to Prevent Crime and Disorder and ensure Public Safety". "Dorset Police acknowledge and appreciate that this proposed event is being planned and delivered by experienced organisers," he said, but added the force was "concerned that the conditions being proposed do not provide the high level of assurance that is necessary for an event of this scale". He continued: "The absence of enforceable conditions in areas of concern and an over-reliance on the Event Management Plan, details of which have yet to be finalised, is something that will need to be overcome before we can withdraw our representation in respect of this application." Story continues Dorset Council environmental protection team has also asked for extra reassurance about noise control at the St Giles Park site. Four residents raised concerns about the disruption likely to be caused by the large event and the effect on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including its Dark Skies status. Four representations, including one from the parish council, supported the event. The issues will be discussed at Dorset Council's licensing sub-committee on 22 March. Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. Tesla's new Superchargers appear to have a longer cord. Courtesy of Esther Kokkelmans, @EstherKokkelman on Twitter Tesla opened its newest version of its Supercharger in Europe this week. The new chargers appear to solve a common Supercharger complaint for non-Tesla EV owners: cable length. The electric-car maker said it plans to open the V4 Supercharger station to non-Tesla's "soon." Tesla opened its newest version of its Superchargers in Europe earlier this week and it looks like they could eliminate a major charging headache for owners of non-Tesla electric vehicles. On Wednesday, the electric-car maker announced it had opened its V4 Superchargers in Harderwijk in the Netherlands. The company gave few details on the new station, but said the chargers are currently only open to Tesla vehicles and will "soon welcome all EVs at this site." It is unclear when the company will begin rolling out the new Superchargers in the US. Last month, Tesla began opening select Supercharger stations to non-Tesla EV drivers in the US, but some of the first non-Tesla owners to use the network were quick to identify paint points with the system. Complaints included that the cords were not long enough to stretch to the charging port location on their vehicles, as well as a charging system that was not optimized for non-Teslas to charge at full speed. Now, Tesla appears to have begun solving for both issues with the V4 Superchargers. Steven Bink, a Model S owner from the Netherlands, said on Twitter that the cables for the new chargers appear to be about 3 meters, or over 9.8 feet long. The V3 Superchargers had a cable length of roughly 6 to 6.5 feet, according to Teslarati. That extra cable length will help accommodate the range of locations for charging ports on non-Tesla vehicles, as some electric vehicle owners previously were parking across multiple spots in order to position their charging port close enough to reach a Supercharger. The company didn't release any information regarding expected charging speeds for the new Superchargers, but V3 Superchargers are currently capped at a 250kW, which equates to a charge rate of about 1,000 miles per hour. According to pictures from Bink, the newer Supercharger has the same output rate of 250 kW, but a higher electrical current. Story continues The higher amperage could allow for the systems to charge non-Tesla EVs, as well as newer Teslas, at a faster rate, per Teslarati. Though, Bink told Insider he wasn't able to experience a faster charge rate because he had a 2018 model. Bink was one of several Tesla owners to take to social media to post pictures and videos of the new charging site. Model S owner, Esther Kokkelmans also shared a video of her charging experience. Read the original article on Business Insider Ecuador Earthquake (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A strong earthquake shook southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, killing at least a dozen people, trapping others under rubble, and sending rescue teams out into streets littered with debris and fallen power lines. At least 15 people died and more than 400 are injured after the temblor struck the southern coast in Ecuador, officials said. The US Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a magnitude of about 6.8 that was centered just off the Pacific Coast, about 50 miles (80km) south of Guayaquil, Ecuadors second-largest city. In a preliminary update, Ecuadorian president Guillermo Lasso in a televised event said the earthquake killed 12 people. In a tweet, he also asked people to remain calm. We will be with the entire Cabinet attending to this emergency immediately. #CruzadaPorElEcuador, he said. Risk Management Secretary Cristian Torres in a radio interview said 11 of the victims died in the coastal state of El Oro and one in the highlands state of Azuay. The victim in Azuays Andean community of Cuenca was a passenger in a vehicle crushed by rubble from a house, according to the Risk Management Secretariat, the South American countrys emergency response agency. In El Oro, the agency also reported that several were trapped under rubble. In the community of Machala, a two-story home collapsed before people could evacuate, a pier gave way and a buildings walls cracked, trapping an unknown number of people. The agency said firefighters worked to rescue people while the National Police assessed damage, their work made more difficult by downed lines that interrupted telephone and electricity service. Machala resident Fabricio Cruz said he was in his third-floor apartment when he felt a strong tremor and saw his television hit the ground. He immediately headed out. I heard how my neighbours were shouting and there was a lot of noise, said Cruz, a 34-year-old photographer. He added that when he looked around, he noticed the collapsed roofs of nearby houses. Story continues In Guayaquil, about 170 miles (270km) southwest of the capital, Quito, authorities reported cracks in buildings and homes, as well as some collapsed walls. Authorities ordered the closure of three vehicular tunnels in Guayaquil, which anchors a metro area of over 3 million people. Videos shared on social media show people gathered on the streets of Guayaquil and nearby communities. People reported objects falling inside their homes. One video posted online showed three anchors of a show dart from their studio desk as the set shook. They initially tried to shake it off as a minor quake but soon fled off-camera. One anchor indicated the show would go on a commercial break, while another repeated, My God, my God. A report from Ecuadors Adverse Events Monitoring Directorate ruled out a tsunami threat. The earthquake was also felt in Peru, from its northern border with Ecuador to the central Pacific coast. No deaths or injuries were immediately reported. In the northern region of Tumbes, the old walls of an Army barracks collapsed, authorities said. Ecuador is particularly prone to earthquakes. In 2016, a quake centered farther north on the Pacific Coast in a more sparsely populated area of the country killed more than 600 people. (Reuters) -Ecuadorian and Peruvian authorities worked on Sunday to address the damage caused by the strong earthquake that shook the region the previous day, leaving at least 15 dead and hundreds injured. The 6.8 magnitude quake struck the Ecuadorian coastal province of Guayas at midday on Saturday, with residents reporting shaking in much of the country as well as in Peru's northern border towns. "Our goal is to take immediate actions that return us to normality," President Guillermo Lasso said in a video Sunday evening. "You have my full support to repair all the damage as soon as possible, for which the Ministry of Finance has already allocated the necessary resources." Lasso reported 14 fatalities, as well as more than 460 people with injuries. He said 89 homes had been destroyed and another 192 affected. Dozens of health centers and educational units also registered impacts, he said. He said the government had created a housing lease voucher and would acquire homes in which families who lost their homes could stay. The Risk Management Secretariat said it sent a team to Puna Island early on Sunday, near the epicenter of the earthquake, to assess needs and deliver humanitarian aid. State-run oil company Petroecuador reported that an electrical failure had affected six oil fields, leading to a drop in production of some 17,400 barrels of oil. Petroecuador said an offshore platform near the epicenter also suffered damage that caused machinery to fail, temporarily reducing production. The firm calculated the loss to production at over 20.5 million cubic feet per day. Peruvian authorities reported one death, four collapsed homes and five more left uninhabitable, while essential services and transportation infrastructure were undamaged. During his Sunday message, Pope Francis sent his condolences for the losses and "all those who suffer" because of the earthquake. Other governments, including Chile's and Cuba's, sent messages of solidarity. Ecuador and Peru are part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an extensive area that surrounds the Pacific Ocean where clashes between the continental plates are frequent. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Ecuador, Fabian Cambero in Santiago and Jackie Botts in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Gerry Doyle) An Edwardsville police officer and a passenger in the officers squad car were injured on Friday night when another vehicle hit the squad car, according to the Illinois State Police. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening. Trooper Melissa Albert-Lopez, an ISP public-information officer, stated in an email Sunday that the crash occurred at 9:13 p.m. Friday in a southbound lane of Illinois 157, near Center Grove Road in Edwardsville. The email provided the following synopsis of the St. Patricks Day incident: ISP Troop 8 responded to a report of a two-unit crash with injuries, involving a fully-marked Edwardsville Police Department (EPD) squad car. Unit 2, the EPD squad, was stopped in the left lane with its emergency lights activated handling a previous incident, when Unit 1 struck Unit 2. The driver and passenger of Unit 2 were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Unit 1 driver had no reported injuries. Albert-Lopez declined to speak with a reporter; identify the police officer, his passenger or the other driver; specify whether charges were filed; or answer other questions about the case. An Edwardsville police spokesman couldnt be reached for comment. The Edwardsville Intelligencer reported that the squad car was rear-ended by a pick-up truck, resulting in significant damage to the squad car, and that both passengers were released from the hospital by Saturday morning. CAIRO, (Reuters) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi held talks with high-ranking Russian officials on Sunday to discuss a Russian-built nuclear plant under construction on Egypt's north coast as well as grains supply and food security, Egypt's presidency said. The meeting with officials including Russia's trade minister and a special envoy of President Vladimir Putin also addressed the establishment of a Russian industrial zone inside the Suez Canal's Economic Zone, among other investments, it added. Construction by Russia's state-owned energy corporation Rosatom of Egypt's first nuclear plant at El Dabaa began in July of last year, and is expected to take until at least 2030. In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Egypt has been trying to balance long-standing ties with both Russia and Western powers. It is a major importer of Russian wheat, and has leaned more heavily on supplies from Russia since the conflict disrupted its grain purchases from Ukraine. (Reporting by Mohamed Hendawy; Writing by Farah Saafan; Editing by Aidan Lewis and Peter Graff) Did you know that the mayor is on TikTok? The Wall Street Journal gave the city of Oneonta, our neighbor, front page status with The mayor of Oneonta, Alabama, draws attention and visitors with TikTok clips. Believe it or not, the continuation on Page A2 has pictures of Mayor Richard Phillips, with one depicting his dance steps with a group of young people on the main drag in Oneonta. This while officials in Washington are expressing fear over the use of the Chinese platform. There are concerns that TikTok gives Chinese officials a means to snoop on Americans, or distribute propaganda. Elaine Harris Spearman In the quest to make City Hall seem more than a place to pay a parking ticket, the mayor has also involved city officials in the Mayor Shenanigans. There are 7,000 views so far, and the mayor takes the position that even if they only get a thousand views, that is a thousand people who know about the community and what they can do here. Well, this is very fine and interesting to those who are interested. There may be a reason why the 41-year-old mayor sees the farcical request of staff and his antics as a good idea. I probably dont. A major like for the Gadsden is Mayor Craig Ford working hard to uplift the image of our city with industry, jobs and trash pick-up, and taking action in regard to vacant and derelict properties. The formation of an inclusive government with a plan for future growth has a far greater impact. All of the committed growth and inclusion will let people know what they can do in Gadsden. The cities of Etowah County and their leaders have greater fish to fry. They could have died in their sleep had not they awakened to the impending doom. The doom and gloom is real, however, if the occupational tax levied by five county municipalities is decimated. Just so those who read this commentary is clear, I was in the cabinet of the first African American mayor of St. Louis. We graduated from law school together. I was the legal advisor and chief of staff to the city's comptroller, and the citys budget was within the comptrollers domain.. Story continues The earnings tax in St. Louis serves the same purpose as the occupational tax. All residents of the city, regardless of the location of their employment, pay this tax. Employees of businesses located or performing work services within the city also pay this tax, no matter where they live. The tax accounts for one-third of the city's revenue. It is 36% of the general revenue that is used for fire, police, paramedics, parks and street repair. It is 1%of earnings and brings in $240 million a year. There is not a need to raise the tax to 2%. Legislators that are intent upon saving Alabama residents money for personal use should take a page from the book of Alabama Arise and stop this from being one of 13 states in the nation that tax food. Stop believing that it is a legislators job to regulate morality, and allow people to game within the state rather than cross two state lines. State Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, seems to possess common sense that is needed to improve the lives of the people of Alabama. Although he was addressing a bill that will affect classroom teaching and curriculum, he called it an example of government overreach, adding, We need to stay in our lane." Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, echoed a similar sentiment when she said, They need to think through whether the legislation would be good policy, five, 10, or 50 years from now. Those attacking the occupational tax should take heed. Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The views reflected are her own. This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman looks at Oneonta's TikTok mayor Let's be honest: electric vehicles can get a bad rap. Maybe it's range anxiety. Or the scarcity -- and uncertainty -- of public charging stations. Both are valid reasons why some Americans are dubious of electric vehicles. More industry watchers are now arguing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) may be the "ideal" powertrain of choice for those wanting to try out EVs. Plug-in hybrids have a gasoline engine, at least one electric motor and a battery pack, which can be charged via regenerative braking or a plug. Some PHEVs can even travel up to 60 miles in electric mode. They were once seen as a temporary solution to EV adoption. Not anymore. "The reality is electric vehicles won't work for everyone -- not now, not in the next five or even 15 years," Robby DeGraff, an analyst at AutoPacific, told ABC News. "There will always be people living in apartments or homes who don't have a place to plug in. We should not be forcing EVs on people." DeGraff said the EV charging infrastructure lags in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he lives. He can count the number of level 3 chargers in the city, adding that many are often broken or offline. He attributes the excitement around EVs to Tesla, the top-selling EV automaker in the U.S., noting that the "Tesla buzz" hasn't stopped even with the increased competition. "If you're a consumer toying with the idea of an EV ... you look at the Tesla charging network, which is fantastic," he said. "Teslas are still very desirable and hot." Last year 186,400 PHEV units were sold in the U.S. versus 774,000 battery electric vehicles (BEV). AutoPacific predicts sales of plug-ins to hit 305,000 this year and 425,900 in 2024. There are currently 51 PHEVs (including cars, SUVs, crossovers and one minivan) on the market and 61 BEVs. DeGraff said consumers would buy more PHEVs if they were aware of the benefits of owning one. "They're more affordable than a common electric vehicle and operate like a traditional hybrid when the electric range is out," he said. "They have more flexibility ... I think they're perfect." Story continues The No. 1 selling PHEV in the U.S. is the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, which launched in 2021. The Wrangler 4xe now accounts for 24% of all Wrangler sales and more than 43,100 units were sold in 2022. (The 4xe is available in Willys, Sahara, High Altitude and Rubicon models.) Jeep then debuted the Grand Cherokee 4xe in late 2022. PHOTO: A Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe and a Wrangler Rubicon 4xe. (Stellantis) The Wrangler 4xe gets 21 miles of electric range; the Grand Cherokee 4xe tops out at 25 miles. Jeep, part of the Stellantis automotive conglomerate, will introduce even more electrified models by 2025. "By 2030, more than 50% of Jeep brand sales in the United States will be fully electric," a spokesperson told ABC News. MORE: Electric vehicle drivers get candid about charging: 'Logistical nightmare' Japanese automaker Toyota will add the latest generation of its Prius Prime this spring following the success of the RAV4 Prime sport utility vehicle, which has an EPA-estimated electric range of 42 miles. "The demand for our Prime vehicles exceeds our ability to manufacture them," a Toyota spokesperson told ABC News. "Almost every RAV4 Prime is pre-sold before they hit the lots. With the design and features of our all-new 2023 Prius Prime, we expect the same customer demand when it goes on sale." PHOTO: The electric driving range on the Toyota RAV4 Prime is 42 miles. (Toyota) Toyota, a pioneer of hybrid technology, recently said it would focus more attention on BEVs, a significant shift for the company. Plug-in hybrids, however, will still be available to drivers who prefer them. "Our strategy will continue to evolve as we work to meet customer demands but PHEVs will continue to be a piece of that strategy," the spokesperson said. Karl Brauer, executive analyst at iSeeCars.com, said plug-in hybrids have "zero downside" for owners, especially since they can be easily charged with a standard, 110v outlet -- no pricey external charger required. "With a PHEV you're not at the mercy of the public charging infrastructure, which is still pretty lacking," he told ABC News. "You will never face lines or deal with non-functioning chargers." Many PHEVs can qualify for state and federal tax credits, too. PHEVs may weigh more than non-hybrids but the instant torque from the electric motor will immediately satisfy drivers, Brauer said. "PHEVs are the most complex type of car and the tech keeps getting better and better," he said. "Battery packs are getting more efficient and lighter. The newest versions won't suffer weight penalties as earlier models did." Mitsubishi Motors has been producing a plug-in version of its Outlander for a decade. The electrified SUV was a hit globally and landed in the U.S. in 2018. The niche automaker recently unveiled an updated Outlander PHEV with boosted electric range (38 miles), a third row and improved styling and handling. "We essentially invented the segment," Cason Grover, Mitsubishi Motors North America director of product planning, told ABC News. "The Outlander was a huge success for us, surprising a lot of people. It set us on a really good path." PHOTO: A Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. (Porsche) Grover touted the "surprising acceleration" of PHEVs, adding that electrification "brings lots of benefits." He agreed that pairing a gasoline engine with an electric motor eliminates the fears drivers share about EVs. "It's nice to have that ability to drive long distances with an internal combustion engine," he said. Luxury automakers like BMW, Porsche and Bentley have also been making PHEVs for years. BMW recently added the XM, a high-performance plug-in hybrid SUV that produces a combined 644 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo V8 engine and electric motor. The modish SUV can travel for 30 miles as EV before the 4.4-liter engine kicks in. Plus, the battery charges from zero to 100% in 3.25 hours, BMW says. Bentley pairs a turbocharged V6 engine with an electric motor in its plug-in hybrid Bentayga and Flying Spur. The vehicles are powered by a 18.0 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in as little as two-and-a-half hours. The electric-only range on the Bentayga hybrid is at least 28 miles; the Flying Spur hybrid gets 25 miles in EV Drive mode. MORE: 1st hybrid Corvette unveiled: What to know about the E-Ray German automaker Porsche sells more plug-ins overseas but the company's all-electric Taycan has actually boosted interest in the company's hybrids in the U.S., according to a spokesperson. Porsche launched the Panamera E-Hybrid in 2013 followed by the Cayenne E-Hybrid a year later. "The Taycan has acted as a lighthouse and drawn the attention of non-traditional Porsche customers to the availability of a PHEV model range," the spokesperson told ABC News. The E-Hybrids have an EPA-tested range of 15 and 14 miles. "In the real world, drivers found they would get 20% more range than listed," the spokesperson said. PHOTO: The seven-passenger 2023 Outlander PHEV offers up to 38 miles of all-electric range. (Mitsubishi Motors) Plug-ins are starting to revolutionize the supercar world as well. Ferrari's SF90 Stradale pairs a twin-turbocharged V8 with three electric motors, giving the car aphrodisiac qualities and mind-blowing acceleration. McLaren's Artura, the British's marque new plug-in hybrid, delivers sleek styling, scintillating performance and insane speeds with minimal to no emissions. Owners can drive in silence for 19 miles before the twin-turbo V6 engine awakens. Nicolas Brown, president of McLaren the Americas, said customers are not demanding a pure EV quite yet. "Our focus is on high-performance hybrids," he told ABC News. "This hybrid ticks all the boxes and the driver experience isn't compromised. The battery technology isn't there yet to have a true, all-electric track car." Brauer expects the electric range of PHEVs to increase in the coming years, with 100 miles a real possibility. Now, automakers have to do more to educate motorists about these vehicles, he argued. "It's unfortunate the average consumer isn't more aware of plug-ins," he said. "If you look at all the pros and cons of drivetrains, PHEVs would be that much more popular." New to electrification? Try a plug-in hybrid first originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The four defendants charged in the ComEd bribery scheme are, from left, consultant Jay Doherty, lobbyist and former ComEd executive John Hooker, retired lobbyist Michael McClain and former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore. (Chicago Tribune photos) Michael Madigan was still the House speaker and most powerful politician in the state in early November 2018 when he called a longtime confidant for a rundown of the latest thorny political issues. After Madigans friend, Michael McClain, remarked todays not a slow day for you, the speaker laughed. Advertisement Oh, its its been crazy around here, Madigan said. It turns out Madigan, the iron-fisted leader often touted for his ability to see three moves ahead, had no idea how crazy things really were. Advertisement Not only was the FBI listening in on that call, within weeks, two agents would knock on the door of a top Commonwealth Edison executive and convince him to cooperate in a burgeoning bribery investigation implicating the speaker. And that spring, investigators executed a series of raids on McClains home in Quincy, the City Club of Chicago, and other locations around Chicago that marked the end-game of a yearslong investigation into Madigan and his vaunted political organization. Prosecutors played the call between Madigan and McClain for the first time last week in the trial of the ComEd Four, charged with funneling at least $1.3 million to his hand-picked Madigan associates in exchange for the powerful speakers influence over legislation the utility giant wanted passed, or blocked, in Springfield. On trial are McClain, 75, an ex-ComEd lobbyist; former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, 64; ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, 73; and Jay Doherty, 69, a lobbyist and consultant who formerly led the City Club of Chicago. [ [Dont miss] ComEd Four bribery trial: What you need to know ] The indictment in the case alleged ComEd poured $1.3 million into payments funneled to ghost subcontractors who were actually Madigans cronies, put a Madigan-backed person on the ComEd board, and gave coveted internships to families in his 13th Ward, all part of an elaborate scheme to keep the speaker happy. The defendants attorneys contend that the so-called scheme was nothing more than legal lobbying, part of the states high-stakes, often-messy politics where myriad interest groups and stakeholders compete for access to lawmakers. Retired lobbyist Michael McClain enters the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on the first day of the ComEd Four bribery conspiracy trial, March 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Madigan and McClain, meanwhile, are facing separate racketeering charges alleging an array of corrupt schemes, including the bribery plot by ComEd. The recordings played for the jury Thursday were the first of whats expected to be more than a hundred wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded meetings that prosecutors have said will lay out the scheme in the defendants own words. Advertisement The tapes have built a foundation on which prosecutors hope to show that when Madigan gave orders, legislators, lobbyists and executives alike snapped into action to please him. More tapes are expected to be played when the trial resumes Monday. Also expected to testify Monday is state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who was a co-sponsor of one of ComEds massive pieces of legislation that passed in 2016. Prosecutors also want Rita to testify about how he was made a sponsor of major gambling legislation after a meeting in Madigans office in 2013. According to prosecution filing last week, Rita would testify that Madigan pointed to McClain and said he will guide you. Defense attorneys want to bar any testimony about the gaming bill, saying its irrelevant and possibly prejudicial given the negative connotations surrounding gambling. Political power move The calls played last week focused on an effort in late 2018 by Madigan and McClain to force then-state Rep. Lou Lang, a longtime Madigan ally, to resign. Word had begun circulating that a woman was threatening to go public with a second potential #MeToo moment for Lang, who had overcome sexual harassment allegations made in May of that same year. Though he called the May accusations absurd, Lang stepped down from the high-ranking position of deputy majority leader in Madigans House Democratic caucus and called for an investigation by the Illinois legislative inspector general. Advertisement Lang, 73, testified in federal court Thursday that hed been cleared of the May allegations by the IG, who wrote a preponderance of the evidence does not support the accusers allegations. But the recorded calls played in court underscored how the speaker was on high alert, still feeling the effects of separate #MeToo scandals involving his own misbehaving aides. [ [Dont miss] Madigans voice heard for first time on recordings played at ComEd Four trial ] Earlier that year, a former campaign aide, Alaina Hampton, had called out one of Madigans top local lieutenants, Kevin Quinn, over allegations of sexual harassment. Madigan ousted Kevin Quinn, the brother of the speakers hand-picked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, in February 2018. Another former staffer-turned-lobbyist, Shaw Decremer, also soon would be cut loose from Madigans political operations after complaints from then-Rep. Deb Conroy, long before she would become the chair of the DuPage County Board. Though she did not accuse Decremer of sexual harassment, she cited his abusive behavior during his assistance on campaigns. Madigan took responsibility for the misbehavior happening around him and repeatedly said he wished hed done more. But the sexual harassment issue raised questions about how the speaker handled inappropriate actions of his staff and lawmakers. In June 2018, the speaker also dumped Timothy Mapes, his longtime chief of staff who now faces unrelated charges of perjury, after a staffer working for him accused him of sexual harassment and fostering a culture of sexism and bullying that creates an extremely difficult working environment. Advertisement Against that backdrop, the recordings in the ComEd probe captured a moment of Madigan and McClain in the process of calculating how to end Langs 32-year legislative career over optics. [ [Dont miss] How ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore went from rising corporate star to defendant in bombshell corruption case ] On Sept. 7, 2018, Madigan called McClain and described how Lang had called the speaker to say the IG had cleared him of the allegations made in May and that he wanted to talk about getting back on Madigans House leadership team. I think the guys gonna be a continuing problem, thats my expectation, Madigan told McClain, referring to Lang. With the November 2018 election only weeks away and Lang running unopposed, McClain told Madigan in late October that he was exploring how to move Lang from the House and into a lobbying job, what McClain jokingly calls the dark side. But as they continued to talk, McClain said hed heard about a different woman prepared to go public with new allegations about Lang if Madigan put him back in a leadership post. And that lady was going to call Lou, McClain said, adding he would put in motion a plan to make sure that woman makes that call. Advertisement Before hanging up, McClain gave Madigan an assurance: I have a phase-in program, and Im on it. [ [Dont miss] A Madigan confidant. A popular executive. An insider lobbyist. A political consultant. Who are the ComEd Four? ] In a Nov. 3 conversation, McClain asked pointedly when Madigan wanted him to lower the boom on Lang, and Madigan said the sooner rather than later. Five days later, Nov. 8, McClain called Lang, who long dreamed of moving up to majority leader and then one day to speaker, about moving along to another career. McClain made clear we know the woman whos threatening that if youre in leadership shes going to go public. McClain left no doubt that he was on a mission for the speaker: This is no longer me talking. Im an agent, somebody that cares deeply about ya, who thinks that you really oughta move on. Lang was clear that the message was from Madigan but asked for a week to think it over. I wouldnt do anything to damage my speaker or my caucus, Lang said. Hes been very good to me. And Im not gonna do anything nasty to him. Advertisement McClain then reported back to Madigan. In five more days, on Nov. 13, 2018, Madigan called McClain to say Lang met with the speaker and agreed to bow out. Good, McClain replied. Perfect. Lang wound up resigning to become a lobbyist in January 2019, just days before he was set to be sworn in for his 17th term. In federal court Thursday, he loudly denounced a defense attorneys question that referenced sexual harassment charges. Lang shot back: I was not facing sexual harassment charges. Ill tell you right here in federal court that I resent the allegation and the inference. FBI at the door In addition to the recorded calls, jurors Thursday learned new details of how Marquez, the ComEd executive in in charge of the utilitys lobbying, came to be a secret government informant. The sun had not yet risen on a frigid Tuesday morning in mid-January 2018 when two FBI agents knocked on the door where Marquez had been staying with a relative, according to testimony by FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald, one of the lead investigators in the sprawling criminal probe. Advertisement Marquez answered the door at 6 a.m. and invited them in, he said. By that time, investigators had been recording Marquezs phone calls for more than nine months, and when they got inside, McDonald and his partner, Special Agent Brian Hanner, got down to brass tacks. [ [Dont miss] ComEd Four bribery trial to put focus on ex-Speaker Madigans power, states blurry line between politics and crime ] We played Marquez a couple of recordings from our wiretaps, McDonald testified Thursday in the ComEd Four trial. One recording was a of a conversation with Doherty about the subcontractor scheme, McDonald said, while another depicted Marquez and Pramaggiore talking about the plan to put Ochoa on ComEds board. McDonald said they asked Marquez if he would cooperate, but before the conversation went much further, relatives began to stir in the home, so they moved to a nearby strip mall parking lot. It was there that Marquez agreed to help the investigation, including wiring up on his colleagues and using a hidden video camera to capture in-person meetings. After about 45 minutes, Marquez told the agents he had to go to work and the meeting ended, McDonald said. Advertisement At the time Marquez was confronted, the FBI had already gotten court approval to execute search warrants in the ComEd case. Instead those searches were delayed by months as Marquez continued to gather evidence for investigators. The raids finally occurred on May 14, 2019, at McClains home, Dohertys offices at the City Club of Chicago, and at the homes of more than half a dozen Madigan associates who were being paid by ComEd. Prosecutors are expected to play some of the recordings Marquez made for the jury as soon as this week. Among them was a lunch meeting with McClain at a Springfield restaurant on Feb. 7, 2019, just three weeks after Marquez had flipped. At that meeting, which was video recorded, Marquez tells McClain hes worried that new ComEd CEO Joseph Dominguez, a former federal prosecutor, might raise alarms when he sees how much money is being paid on a monthly basis. Consultant Jay Doherty, right, enters the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on the first day of the ComEd Four bribery conspiracy trial, March 14, 2023. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) I forget the amount, Mike, but its a monthly amount, Marquez said, according to a transcript in court records. Equal to a yearly amount, and its a pretty hefty amount. Advertisement McClain responded it was 168 grand just for Madigans associates, plus probably 10 grand a month at least for Doherty himself. Later in the conversation, McClain said, If that hour (Dominguez) got his ex-prosecutor hat on, hes gonna say we cant do this, according to the transcript. Its very possible that thats what his reaction is going to be, and then I think you have to have, at least Id ask you to recommend that, Before you do anything, can McClain and you have a sit-down? A week later, Marquez secretly recorded a meeting with Doherty in Marquezs ComEd office, according to court records. After Marquez agains brought up the thorny issue of Dominguezs reaction to the subcontractor payments, Doherty said he would remind the new boss that ComEds money comes from Springfield. And, you know, I would, if it were me, and again, Mike Madigans not my best friend, but if I called him right now, hed call or hed say, Jay, if I want to go see him, Id go see him, Doherty said on the tape, according to court records. But, my bottom line advice would be, if it aint broke, dont fix it with those guys. Marquez also recorded a meeting between him and McClain and Hooker on Feb. 27, 2019, court records show. During this meeting, Marquez asked how our friend, meaning Madigan, would react if the Doherty contract canceled, according to prosecutors. Hooker allegedly said Madigan could tank ComEds legislative agenda, prosecutors said. Advertisement Oh. Okay. Youre not going to do it? Hooker said in describing Madigans possible reaction. Youre not going to do something for me, I dont have to do anything for you. Defense attorneys in their opening statements painted Marquez as an opportunist who was trying to save his own skin and cant be trusted. They also said there are innocent explanations for what is said on the recordings. Dohertys lawyer, Gabrielle Sansonetti, explained that when Doherty suggested if it aint broke dont fix it in his conversation with Marquez, he was simply saying that subcontractors--such as 13th Ward precinct captains Ray Nice and Ed Moody, the former Cook County recorder of deeds, and former 23rd Ward Ald. Mike Zalewski--were important to ComEds overall lobbying effort. Jay doesnt admit to a crime, Sansonetti said. He gives him advice. The speakers agent The recordings also buttressed allegations that McClain acted as an agent for the famously reclusive speaker, delivering messages and completing assignments for his boss even after McClains retirement from lobbying in 2016. Afternoon Briefing Daily Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > In May 2018, for example, McClain called Madigans office in Chicago looking for the speaker, but he was on the other line with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to a transcript of the call played for jurors. Advertisement Madigans secretary told McClain shed have the speaker get back to him when he was through. He can call from this phone, is that OK? she asked. Or the other one? Um, probably ought to call from the other one, McClain said. In December 2018, the feds recorded a call between McClain and an associate where McClain repeatedly referred to Madigan as himself, one of several nicknames that the indictment alleged was coded language to hide the speakers involvement. It always goes back to, youre nothing without (Madigan), yeah right? the associate said. I always told these young pups, when they started lobbying, McClain replied, I said, Hey guys you only have one client. Long as you treat that client well, youll do real well for the people that are paying you. ... Youd be amazed how many drift away because of the almighty buck. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Emily Flinkstrom has been named USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Maine. Emily Flinkstrom is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Long before she made a career of advocating for housing accessibility and affordability in her home state, Emily Flinkstrom, her seven siblings and their parents relied on the social safety net for support. Attending Women, Infants and Children appointments, where she remembers they received free diapers, became the norm for the South Berwick native and her family growing up. Flinkstrom and her family would also receive assistance for purchasing goods at the grocery store via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, more commonly referred to as food stamps. Flinkstrom credits her parents for shielding their children from financial worries. She headed to college determined to avoid stress over income. After earning a business administration degree, Flinkstrom joined the AmeriCorps Vista program, working in Salt Lake City with developmentally and intellectually disabled people. The experience inspired her to pursue a masters degree in social work from Colorado State University, where, in the midst of her studies, she worked at a homeless resource center. The fact that you really cant do anything if you dont have a stable place to live is a big part of what drew me to this work, she said. I think thats really the foundation for anybodys success in life, to be able to focus on anything other than the immediate need of knowing where youre sleeping that night. In 2016, Flinkstrom was named the executive director of Fair Tide, the Kittery-based nonprofit that works to find permanent housing for people and families experiencing homelessness. Since Flinkstrom took over, Fair Tide has secured lasting homes for 31 households. The agency is also presently working on two affordable housing development projects and, in tandem with Footprints Food Pantry, has purchased the former Kittery Family Practice building, where they will create a social services resources hub called Mainspring, expected to open in the summer of 2024. Story continues For her work, Flinkstrom has been selected as the Maine honoree for USA TODAY's Women of the Year. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Who paved the way for you? I think a lot of credit goes to my parents. I was saying earlier that I grew up in a household that didn't have a lot of money. My parents worked really hard and were just trying to make ends meet. There was a specific period of time that was really pretty tough financially, and we had to rely on the social safety net. I remember going to WIC (Women, Infants and Children) appointments with my siblings and getting free diapers, and I remember going to the grocery store and using what at that time were called food stamps. My mom had this little accordion folder where she kept her coupons and food stamps. There is this one instance that has stuck with me for a long time. We were in line at the grocery store and she was opening that little accordion folder, and there was a guy standing behind us who made some horrible comment about how my mom shouldn't procreate if she couldn't support her children. I just vividly remember that anger, and I wasn't old enough to really, truly understand but I remember the feeling of shame and embarrassment. But at the same time, my parents worked their butts off, and they made sure our lives were filled with joy, and I never felt like we were lacking. So all of that is to say, thanks to them and those experiences, I have this lens through which I can approach my work with empathy and with understanding. Emily Flinkstrom and her siblings, minus their brother Ethan. Emily Flinkstrom, right, as a child with her brother Ethan and sister Hilary. Who are you paving the way for? Everybody that's going to come after me that's going to change the world. I hope to serve as a little piece of inspiration for future social workers, future community members who may feel like they don't know how to make a difference or they don't know if they can make a difference. Is there a guiding principle or mantra you tell yourself? One of my favorite professors in my social work program used to say all the time, If you don't do it, no one will. That sounds really simple. When he was saying it, he was mostly referring to the mission and the purpose of the social work profession. Looking at social workers as individuals who are supposed to elevate and advocate for those who are powerless, who have little power, and whose voices are often ignored or silenced, he was saying, If we as social workers don't do it, then who will? What is your definition of courage? I think there can be a lot of definitions of courage but the one that sticks with me and resonates with me the most is the excerpt from Teddy Roosevelts speech that became known as the Man in the Arena. It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who's actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who had the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. I think in general, courage is getting into that arena and staying there for the fight without really knowing what the outcome is going to be. Who did or do you look up to? In one of my internships in my masters of social work program, I worked for this amazing woman, Sister Mary Alice Murphy, and she ran a homeless resource center in Fort Collins, Colorado. She was in her 80s at the time, and she had just been fighting the good fight for her entire career. I look back on that after being fairly young in my career and thinking, Wow, this is exhausting work. You have got to keep going. How do you overcome adversity? By not doing it alone. I think that the ability to tackle problems together is really powerful. The same goes for personal life. Being surrounded by family and friends who know and love me and leaning on them during hard times is the key to getting through hard times. What advice would you give your younger self? I would say, enjoy and appreciate where you are now, no matter what the moment is, or the phase of life. I've always struggled with that. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: USA TODAY honors Maine homelessness and affordable housing advocate Civic Space Park in downtown Phoenix was home to the city's second annual Nowruz festival on Saturday afternoon as the community gathered to celebrate the first day of the Persian New Year, a long-standing multicultural holiday that symbolizes renewal, hope and new beginnings. Phoenix Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari and two refugee-focused nonprofits collaborated to organize the Nowruz festival, though this year the focus was on honoring the global movement for women's rights and standing in solidarity with women and girls in Iran and Afghanistan. The festival, according to Ansari, is a time to celebrate the Persian New Year and a chance to provide a space to honor and represent cultures from around the world that don't get much representation in Arizona. This year, that goal would not have been possible without honoring the women who are fighting for their human rights and freedoms on a global scale. "Given everything that has been going on in Iran and Afghanistan, including the protests in Iran around womens rights and demands for freedom, and Afghanistan's similar crisis following the Taliban taking over the country, we wanted this celebration in particular to honor those women and to stand in solidarity with them," Ansari said. Ansari, who represents Phoenix's seventh district and is the first Iranian American elected to office in the state of Arizona, said it is a somber time for the Iranian and Afghan communities in the United States. Their diasporas have been focused on supporting the uprisings in their countries, she said. "In Iran in particular, hundreds of people have been murdered, tens of thousands have been detained and tortured," Ansari said. "We didnt want to host a celebration without including a really strong focus on the situation. Nowruz, which means new day, aligns with the spring equinox to the exact minute, marking a new year and a sense of rebirth for the 300 million people across the globe who celebrate. The non-religious holiday dates back to ancient Persia, rooted in the belief that spring was a triumph over darkness. Story continues Saturday's festival highlighted community resources by featuring local nonprofit organizations tailored toward the refugee community. Among them was the Arizona Persian Cultural Center, a nonprofit that helped host the Nowruz festival. Afghan dried fruits are displayed in a Rozi Food Market booth at a Nowruz celebration on March 18, 2023, at Civic Space Park in Phoenix. "We are proud of our culture and proud of our history and happy to be in this beautiful country to share it with anybody and everybody who is curious," said Saman Golestan, president of the cultural center. "Everyone is welcome." Golestan said the Arizona Persian Cultural Center promotes the Iranian culture by fostering a sense of community through social, educational and recreational activities. Art is one large way the center celebrates Iranian culture and history, displaying the work of artists Mitra Kamali and Amir Sasan Mostafavi on Saturday. Kamali is an engineer, artist and activist who uses her artwork to provide a window into history. Many of her pieces depict a historical figure named Mandana, a female ruler of Persia's Achaemenid Empire and the mother of Cyrus the Great, a Persian king known for writing the first declaration of human rights. Kamali said Mandana represents the strength and equality women strive for today, while Cyrus represents the global need for empathy and human rights. "Humans are the member of a whole. If somebody gets hurt, we should all feel it. Its about empathy," Kamali said. "No matter how negative life can be, we are going to conquer it. Amir Sasan Mostafavi is a calligraphy artist who creates art based on Old Persian cuneiform and Farsi, the Persian alphabet. Mostafavi teaches calligraphy classes to adults at the Iranian American Society of Arizona. The International Rescue Committee a global humanitarian aid, relief and development agency also helped host the Nowruz festival on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of supporting Phoenix's female refugee community following a tumultuous year. "So many of the families here have family members that are still back in Afghanistan, so its been really tough since they got here for them to know what their female family members are going through back in Afghanistan," said Aaron Rippenkroeger, executive director of Arizona's International Rescue Committee branch. Rippenkroeger said the struggle is particularly hard for refugee women and their families who are experiencing the ripple effects of the women's rights limitations in their home countries. "If there is a woman-headed household who cant work, that family is in immediate crisis in terms of how they are able to support themselves and feed themselves," Rippenkroeger said. "Its a really challenging time for that and a lot of people here are going through that at a distance." Afghans find home in Arizona:She fought the Taliban alongside US troops, but her future in the US remains in limbo That's why celebrating Nowruz as a community is more important this year than ever, according to the executive director. Its a compounding effect when we have a holiday like this for communities to come together to acknowledge that, reflect on that and empower each other because it just cant continue this way," Rippenkroeger said. One booth hosted by Lutheran Social Services focused on empowering refugee women by selling the goods they made in sewing classes and giving 80% of the profits directly back to the women who made them, using the other 20% to buy additional sewing materials. "We provide classes and programs that tailor to the needs of refugee women. Our mission is to empower refugee women through these classes. They are there to educate women, empower them and make them self-sufficient," said Sodaf Hakeem, a representative of Lutheran Social Services. Past the nonprofit booths and food trucks offering traditional middle eastern and Persian fare was a stage that hosted a variety of community speakers from Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to Fahima Sultani, a business administration student at Arizona State University and an Afghanistan refugee. Sultani was evacuated by the U.S. Military in August 2021,13 days after the country fell under Taliban control. She resettled in Arizona in December 2021 and began taking classes at ASU. "I am happy to be studying here at ASU but on the other hand Im so sad for the millions of women that were left back in Afghanistan and dont have the same opportunities, I am so sorry for them," Sultani told the Republic. "For that reason, I want to take a moment here to advocate for womens rights in Afghanistan. It would be wonderful to take action to help them," Sultani said women and girls in Afghanistan have been largely banned from the outside world since the country fell under Taliban control. They can't work or go to school and are prohibited from seeking higher education opportunities. "Its about growth opportunities and education like virtual learning classes, school and university access, and scholarships. Although there is still so much restriction coming from outside the home, they can still continue their education from home," Sultani said. The student said access to growth and education opportunities like scholarships, mentorships and virtual classes is paramount to supporting women and girls in Afghanistan. The 2023 Nowruz festival drew to a close as the sun began to set over the park's 145-foot-tall aerial sculpture. The night ended with a candlelight vigil to honor the women, girls and allies fighting for women's rights in Iran and Afghanistan and across the world. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix vice mayor celebrates Persian New Year with festival (Bloomberg) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used a display of new military jets to drum up support for his election campaign this weekend, a show of force ahead of elections in May that will test his two decades in power. Most Read from Bloomberg Turkey unveiled its first fighter jet, the TF-X, as well as light attack aircraft, which rolled out of their hangars and conducted taxi. Authorities also shared the image of a stealthy combat drone on the tarmac for the first time on Saturday. Turkeys home-grown arms have been important to bolster Erdogans image at home but have also made waves abroad. Ankaras push to improve its arms technology has pitched it into uneasy new alliances and convulsed ties with its traditional NATO partners. Turkish-made drones have been used by Ukraine to repel Russian invading forces. Erdogan Urges NATO Allies to End Arms Embargoes on Turkey The display of military might was aimed at showcasing Erdogans role in building Turkeys defense industry. It took place on the anniversary of a key World War I victory at Gallipoli. Erdogan attended a ceremony to honor the fallen soldiers in that battle that had important symbolic weight in the formation of modern Turkey. Erdogan, who came to power more than 20 years ago, is seeking to extend his rule in elections on May 14 and hopes ambitious arms projects will increase his popularity among nationalist and conservative voters. Hes facing the toughest election of his career against the broadest-ever grouping of opposition parties, which are vying to end to his increasingly authoritarian leadership. Erdogan Kicks Off Toughest Election Campaign of 20-Year Rule Story continues The president on Sunday inaugurated a facility that will produce boron carbide, which is used to make bulletproof armor vests, helicopter seats and armors for tanks. Turkey is striving to develop more of its own military assets, including domestic engines for tanks and warplanes, so it can rely less on foreign manufacturers. Erdogan, Putin Discussed Warplane, Submarine Cooperation With the production of boron carbide, we will have a key defense industry product that is used from planes to tactical vehicles as well as protective vests, Erdogan said at the opening of the facility, which aims to produce 1,000 tons of boron carbide per year in the western Balikesir province. With this project were adding value to our vast boron mineral deposits and becoming the producer and exporter of the worlds third-hardest substance. Erdogan said Turkeys development of its defense sector has been slowed down due to sanctions from NATO allies, adding that it will build another boron carbide facility with an annual capacity of 5,000 tons in the western province of Kutahya. Turkey Urges US to Lift Defense Industry Sanctions, Sell F-16s Washington remains wary about Turkeys possession of an advanced Russian missile-defense system at a time when Ankara is hoping to purchase new F-16 warplanes from the US. Turkey took delivery of the S-400 missile-defense system made by Russia in 2019, two years after Ankara signed an agreement with Moscow to buy the system in the hope that the cooperation could help it develop similar technology. The US sanctioned Turkey and barred it from working on and receiving Lockheed Martin Corp.s F-35 stealth jets in response. Turkey recently test-fired a locally made, short-range ballistic missile. Erdogan has since said the nation is working on increasing the range of its domestically-built Tayfun missiles. (Updates with details and context in first three paragraphs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in solving the Ukraine crisis, in an article released on Sunday, the eve of a visit by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. In what the Kremlin said was an article written for a Chinese newspaper, Putin called Xi his "good old friend" and said Russia had high hopes for his visit, the Chinese leader's first to Russia since Putin launched his "special military operation" last year. "We are grateful for the balanced line of (China) in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes. We welcome China's willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis," Putin said. Xi and Putin signed a "no limits" partnership agreement weeks before the invasion last year. China has publicly remained neutral in the Ukraine conflict, while criticising Western sanctions against Russia and reaffirming its close ties with Moscow. Beijing last month published a 12-point paper calling for dialogue and a settlement in Ukraine, but it contained only general statements and no concrete proposal for how the year-long war might end. Ukraine, which says any settlement would require Russia to withdraw from all the territory it has seized including the Crimean peninsula Russia annexed in 2014, cautiously welcomed the Chinese proposal. The United States has reacted with extreme scepticism, given China's refusal to condemn Russia's invasion, and said a ceasefire now would only lock in Russian territorial gains and give Putin more time for his army to regroup. Washington has said since last month that it was concerned China might provide Russia with weapons, which Beijing has denied. Putin said Russo-Chinese relations were at a historic high and they were coordinating their foreign policy to fight common threats as U.S. attempts to contain both countries took on an "ever sharper and more assertive character". (Reporting by Mark Trevelyan and Ron Popeski; Editing by Peter Graff) Riders pass through a typical Volta a Catalunya town This weeks Volta a Catalunya marks the start of the definitive countdown to the Giro dItalia as Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep), Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) begin their final build-up for the first Grand Tour of the 2023 season. Evenepoel and Roglic are the two stand-out favourites for May, and as the Volta a Catalunya will be their only opportunity for a direct face-off before heading to Italy, the week-long race will be taken as the key reference point to their bigger duel in a little over five weeks. Initially set to act as Roglics debut for 2023 after his operations on his shoulder over the winter, the much-anticipated meeting of the two Giro contenders could have been something of a damp squib if Roglic had headed to Catalunya purely to rub the last of the winter rust off his wheels. But having started racing earlier, in Tirreno-Adriatico, and having won all three of the toughest stages there as well as the overall, Roglic is clearly in flying form. Even if the subsequent speculation that sparked that he could switch to the Tour de France instead was quickly stamped on by his team management, that kind of result bodes well for both Catalunya and the Giro d'Italia. Read more How to watch the Volta a Catalunya live streaming Remco Evenepoel returns to racing from altitude camp at Volta a Catalunya Update: Egan Bernal to make European season debut at Volta a Catalunya Analysis: Remco Evenepoels UAE Tour win matters, but Catalunya is the real Giro test At the same time, Remco Evenepoels better-than-expected performance in the UAE Tour, where he marked a podium as his goal and then ended up taking the overall win, coupled with his recent Strava-record-busting rides while at altitude in the Teide, also indicate that the reigning World Champion is also on excellent climbing form. As if that wasnt reason enough to make the Volta one of the maximum high points of stage racing this season outside the Grand Tours themselves, the presence of Geraint Thomas, a former podium finisher in Catalunya and another major 2023 Giro contender, will considerably add to the interest. Then the sense that the Volta represents a dry run for Italy will be even further boosted by the presence of Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates). The former Giro leaders third place overall in the Volta last year, where Almeida won the toughest mountain stage and briefly held the top spot overall before being caught napping by final winner Sergio Higuita (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Richard Carapaz, raises the chances of the Portuguese racer firing on at least several cylinders in Catalunya this year, too. Story continues Nothing could replicate the Giro in full, of course, and two of the most obvious caveats on drawing too many conclusions from this week in the Pyrenees is that Catalunya is only seven days long, not 21, and its mountain climbs are in no way as hard as the Dolomites or Alps. But the key difference between Catalunya and Italy will be the lack of time trialling, set to play a huge part in the 2023 Giro. Indeed, Evenepoels complete lack of racing against the clock this season other than the team time trial in the UAE Tour (which Soudal-QuickStep won, it should be remembered) is potentially a disadvantage for him come May. Yet Catalunya has plenty of other opportunities for the Belgian star to lay down some markers before the Giro and its mountain-heavy format is undoubtedly the most important of them. Three summit finishes, two of them extremely difficult climbs to the Pyrenean ski station of Port Aine on stage 2 and the much less well-known Mirador del Portell/Lo Port in southern Catalunya on stage 5, will be far greater tests than anything Evenepoel has faced since winning the Vuelta a Espana last year. Furthemore, the climber-heavy Soudal-QuickStep squad the Belgian is bringing to Catalunya to support Evenepoel is strongly indicative of how much of a dress rehearsal for Italy the Volta is considered to be both by him and by his team. For Roglic, too, Catalunya marks another vital staging post en route to the summer. It's also a chance to measure his strength against Evenepoel in a way that failed to materialize fully last September in the Vuelta after his uneven start and third week crash just when he was hitting top form, and which could even contain an element of unfinished business as a result. Catalunya is too tough and too prestigious to be simply considered the first major test run for the Giro dItalia though, and its also got too deep a field of GC contenders for other events for that to be simply the case. Well-known as the only WorldTour stage race which regularly brings together top names for all the Grand Tours, local fans will be lamenting the absence of Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates), whose plan to begin his long build-up for the Vuelta a Espana in the Volta has been scuppered by tendinitis. But the sizable Colombian community in Catalunya will be able to celebrate the late confirmation that Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) will be present in his return to racing after a difficult start to 2023. What will increase the interest in Bernals presence is that he has an excellent track record in Catalunya - in 2018, the Volta was where he had his breakthrough in WorldTour stage racing before an untimely crash on the last day, and he placed third in 2019, the year he won the Tour. and the same is equally true for many other top names aiming to shine in the 2023 Tour de France. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) is a former winner of Catalunya and has taken two mountain stage wins there, Richard Carapaz (EF Education-Easypost) blew the Volta apart in a two-up attack with Higuita last year, and Mikel Landa (Bahrain Victorious) has recently been on fine form in Tirreno-Adriatico. And Andorra-resident Sepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma) is another Tour-bound likely to be aiming to make a mark on home soil in Catalunya, while last year's Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) is hardly a name that can be ignored, either. The Giro stars will not have it their own way by a long shot this week in Catalunya, then. And yet more interesting narratives emerging from the Volta will likely include the ongoing stage racing progress of Luke Plapp (Ineos Grenadiers), second in the UAE Tour, what designs veteran Canadian climber Mike Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) has on roads where he regularly trains as well as races. The most notable late none-starter from the Volta is breakaway specialist Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Dstny), aiming to add another stage win to his already notable Volta total of five this March, but with his plans scuppered by his injury in Paris-Nice. During an exclusive sit-down interview in Iowa with ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl, former Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday the possible arrest of former President Donald Trump would be "a politically charged prosecution." On his social media platform Saturday morning, Trump claimed that he would be arrested Tuesday in connection to the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into alleged hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election -- he also called for his supporters to protest. A Trump spokesperson appeared to walk back his comments in a statement, saying in part there's no notification that the "prosecutor in Manhattan has decided to take his Witch-Hunt to the next level. President Trump is rightfully highlighting his innocence and the weaponization of our injustice system." MORE: Trump claims he will be arrested Tuesday, calls for protests Pence said he found the news indicative of the priorities of the "radical left." "I'm taken aback at the idea of indicting a former President of the United States, at a time when there's a crime wave in New York City, that -- the fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think is, just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country," Pence told Karl. "It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here. And I, for my part, I just feel like it's just not what the American people want to see." PHOTO: ABC News Jon Karl interviews former Vice President Mike Pence on This Week. (ABC News) Pence did not disavow Trump's call for protests, citing that "the American people have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble" though he stressed that any demonstration should occur "peacefully and in a lawful manner." "The frustration the American people feel about what they sense is a two tier justice system in this country, I think -- I think is well founded but -- I -- and -- I believe that people understand that if they give voice to this, if this occurs on Tuesday, that they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner. That the violence that occurred on January 6, the violence that occurred in cities throughout this country in the summer of 2020 was a disgrace. The American people won't tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said Pence. Story continues Top Republicans have joined Trump in outrage. In a tweet, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called the possible arrest "an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump." McCarthy added that he will be directing relevant sub-committees "to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions." MORE: Trump could still be elected president if indicted or convicted, experts say Former Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's call for protest is "reckless" in a tweeted statement. "He cannot hide from his violations of the law, disrespect for our elections and incitements to violence," said Pelosi. The Manhattan district attorney's office has no comment. ABC News has not verified Trump's claims. Pence has been mulling a bid for the White House, though his exact timeline has been unclear. He's said that he and his family hope to come to a decision by the spring. The full interview with Pence will air Sunday morning on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." EXCLUSIVE: Pence says prospect of Trump arrest is 'a politically charged prosecution' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com KYIV (Reuters) - In its arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the International Criminal Court accused the Russian president of the war crime of unlawful deportation of people, in particular children, and their unlawful transfer from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. The ICC issued a separate warrant on the same charge for Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the Russian commissioner for children's rights. Moscow dismissed Friday's move, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the allegations "outrageous". Russia, which has denied targeting civilians since its invasion in February last year, has repeatedly denied its forces have committed atrocities, and has rejected past allegations of illegally moving Ukrainians. Following are some key facts and figures provided by the Ukrainian authorities on the issue: - Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor-Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Childrens Rights and Rehabilitation, described in an interview with Reuters on March 17 five main ways she said Russia has used to illegally transfer Ukrainian children. They include: offering families living in occupied areas to take children for holidays in Russian children's camps and not returning them during an agreed timeframe; taking Ukrainian children away from care institutions in occupied areas; separating children from parents at filtration checkpoints - the places where Ukrainian citizens from regions under Russian occupation are checked and processed before being allowed to enter Russia; taking away parental rights through laws enforced on occupied territories; taking children away in cases where they were staying with other adults after their parents were killed in the war - Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said on March 17 the prosecutors were investigating cases of deportation of over 16,000 children from Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions. "But the real figure can be much higher," Kostin said on his Facebook page. Story continues - Ukraine has so far managed to return 308 children, officials said. - Iryna Vereshchuk, minister for reintegration of temporarily occupied territories, issued a public appeal on Saturday to Russian officials asking for lists of all Ukrainian orphans and all Ukrainian children whose parents were stripped of parental rights who are currently in occupied Ukrainian areas or were illegally transferred to Russia. - A report published in February by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health as part of the Conflict Observatory said Russia has held at least 6,000 Ukrainian children - likely many more - in sites in Russian-held Crimea and Russia whose primary purpose appears to be political re-education. The report said Yale University researchers 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. (Reporting by Anna Dabrowska and Olena Harmash; Editing by Frances Kerry) The term family annihilator was used only twice by South Carolina prosecutors in the six-week trial that resulted in the conviction of former attorney Alex Murdaugh in the murders of his wife and son. But S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson and chief prosecutor Creighton Waters said it perfectly describes a rare kind of killer, like Murdaugh. Obviously, one of the biggest questions somebodys going to ask is how could a father do this to his wife and son, Waters said in a recent sit-down interview with The State Media Co. As we started to look around, we found theres actually a recognized phenomenon in criminology called the family annihilator. We ultimately reached out to a criminologist who put a term to what we had already identified, and it fit him to a T. Both Waters and Wilson sat in separate interviews with a State reporter to talk about what they considered strengths in the states case, whats next as Murdaugh still faces dozens of financial fraud-related charges and what the future holds for both of them after the pair prosecuted one of the nations highest-profile criminal cases in years. On March 2, a Colleton County jury took less than three hours to convict Murdaugh, 54, in the grisly shooting deaths of his wife, Maggie, 52, and youngest son, Paul, 22 on the familys vast rural estate, called Moselle. The trial, which began Jan. 23, was livestreamed daily and watched by millions. Murdaugh, now serving two consecutive life sentences without parole at a South Carolina prison for double murder, contends he is innocent. His attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, are appealing. Prosecutor Creighton Waters speaks with defense attorney Dick Harpootlian before witness testimony continues during Alex Murdaughs trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Friday, January 27, 2023. Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool The murder trial will be talked about for years, as much for the brutality of the crime Maggie was killed with an assault type rifle, Paul, with a shotgun as for other elements of the case. Murdaugh was a fourth-generation member of a powerful Lowcountry legal family regarded as above reproach. Overwhelming evidence was introduced at trial about his masterful ability to steal millions of dollars unnoticed from those closest to him, including lawyers at his law firm. Story continues In the broad spectrum of killers, family annihilator refers to a small bandwidth: a family person, most often a successful man, who is facing the threat of exposure of a hidden life of issues such as drug addiction, debt, criminality. In Murdaughs case, all those factors, which he had covered up by a lifetime of lies, were about to unravel, Waters said. So, in response, he kills family members. Are you a family annihilator? Waters asked Murdaugh during a three-hour cross-examination, without explanation. An annihilator? Do you mean did I shoot my wife and son? No, Murdaugh replied. I would never hurt Paul or Maggie under any circumstances. Wilson, in his fourth term as attorney general he was last reelected in November said he learned about the term family annihilator at the trials start, sharing the newfound phrase with Waters and veteran co-prosecutor, Don Zelenka. He said the term fit Murdaugh like a glove. Its a common sense thing that we had identified before we even knew there was a name for it, Waters said. As chief prosecutor, Waters, 52, spent months preparing for the trial, with its intertwined webs of financial and murder evidence, its 62 prosecution witnesses and 14 defense witnesses, even forgoing playing with longtime friends in his Columbia-area rock band, where he is lead guitar. In preparing to oversee the work of a half-dozen prosecutors and hundreds of witnesses and law enforcement officials, Waters said he read a Stephen Ambrose biography of the late President Dwight Eisenhower, who as a World War II Allied general was in charge of carrying out the complex invasion of France on D-Day in 1944, Waters said. Among his biggest worries, making sure the states dozens of witnesses were ready to testify when called. We never let court break down once, he said. From left, Prosecutor Creighton Waters, attorney general Alan Wilson and defense attorney Dick Harpootlian speak to the judge during the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool Trial evidence There was car and cellphone data. There were spent bullet shells on the estates shooting range that matched shells around Maggies body. There was devastating testimony from Murdaughs friends, sister-in-law and those closest to Paul. But the publication of a 58-second video found on Pauls cellphone that contained the voices of Murdaugh, Paul and Maggie at the site of the killings on the property about the time their deaths occurred likely was the states strongest piece of evidence. The video was only found by law enforcement 10 months after the murders June 7, 2021, when investigators finally were able to unlock Pauls cellphone. It was particularly compelling because it contradicted numerous false statements by Murdaugh to law officers, family members and friends that he was nowhere near the dog kennels when Paul and Maggie were killed. It also added to one of Waters main theories of the case: Murdaugh lived a life of lies. Obviously the kennel video was huge. Its hard to get around being at the scene of the crime with the victims just moments before they die and then lying about it, Waters said. Putting your killer at the scene when the victims die thats pretty good. Alex Murdaugh and his legal team listen to prosecutor Creighton Waters as he makes closing arguments in Alex Murdaughs trial for murder at the Colleton County Courthouse on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool Yet despite such crucial circumstantial evidence, the absence of specific proof such as a fingerprint from a murder weapon that Murdaugh killed Maggie and Paul made introducing evidence showing the financial pressures on Murdaugh even more important, Waters and Wilson said. Moreover, the murder weapons a shotgun and assault-type rifle were never found, allowing Murdaughs attorneys to claim there were possibly two shooters who actually did the killings. With no psychological testimony allowed, Waters and his prosecution team presented approximately 10 witnesses who detailed allegations about Murdaughs debts and numerous embezzlements of more than $10 million from clients, friends, his law firm and even his older brother, Randy. Witnesses told the jury that the day Murdaugh killed his wife and son, Murdaughs crimes and massive debts were all on the verge of being exposed. During the trial, Waters described the threats to Murdaughs image as a family man and successful lawyer as a gathering storm a complex interlocking series of events and investigations converging on Murdaugh right up to the killings and that imminent exposure triggered the murders. I think it was necessary for the jury to understand everything that was going on in this mans life, Waters said. You cant just do part of it. Thats why, Waters said, he introduced evidence about the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach, who died in a 2019 boat crash. Murdaugh owned the boat, which was piloted by an allegedly intoxicated Paul, then 19. After the crash, a tenacious Allendale attorney, Mark Tinsley, sued Murdaugh, seeking tens of millions of dollars, money that Murdaugh didnt have, Tinsley testified. I dont think the jury would have understood what it all meant for Alex without telling the (entire financial) story in its entirety, Waters said. It was an unbroken chain. All that financial data will be grist for Murdaughs attorneys on appeal after they argued unsuccessfully in court that such extensive testimony about financial crimes should not have been allowed because it would prejudice the jury. The next step is prosecuting Murdaugh for those financial crimes, says Wilson, who is often asked why prosecute when Murdaugh is in prison serving two life sentences. Murdaugh faces some 99 separate charges of money laundering, breach of trust, computer crimes, forgery, tax evasion and drug trafficking. The shortest answer is those victims deserve to have their case heard in a court of law, regardless of whats happened to Alex Murdaugh, Wilson said. He needs to be held accountable for those crimes as well. Prosecutor Creighton Waters gives his closing statement during the murder trial of Alex Murdaugh at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post and Courier/Pool What next? Barely a month after the trial, Wilson and Waters have faced questions about their own future: Will Waters run for attorney general once Wilson leaves office, or go into private practice earning far beyond a $130,000 government salary? No, Waters said, he hasnt thought about any of that. Being the chief prosecutor of the state grand jury and the opportunity that post gives him to take on complex cases of high public interest is what matters to him, he said. Its just what I love to do, and Im not ready to hang up the cleats yet, Waters said. Wilson, 48, who sat at the prosecutors table throughout the trial and questioned the states last witness, said the trial had a broader significance than the crime itself. Before the trial, Wilson said people told him that a person from the politically powerful and prominent Murdaugh family would never be convicted of such a crime in South Carolina. But the verdicts dispelled that myth, he said. There are no untouchables, he said. Wilson, who has faced his own rumors about running for higher office he would follow the path of his father, longtime U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-Springdale contends he doesnt know what the future holds. Im staying in the present because thats where my attention needs to be, Wilson said. Theres too much going on here to be thinking about two or three, four, five, six years away. Wilson said he has no regrets about not pursuing the death penalty against Murdaugh. In comments made to Murdaugh right before his sentencing, Judge Clifton Newman noted that Murdaughs father, grandfather and great-grandfather all three Lowcountry prosecutors had sought the death penalty against defendants in the very courtroom in which Murdaugh was tried. Over the past century, your family including you have been prosecuting people here in this courtroom, and many have received the death penalty, probably for lesser conduct, Newman told Murdaugh, a former volunteer prosecutor. Wilson said a death penalty case would have been terrifically expensive, perhaps against the wishes of the Murdaugh family and the states death penalty law is being challenged in court, he added. And such a trial, with all the complexities the death penalty involves, could have gone on far longer than six weeks. Wed still be down in Colleton County, said Wilson, whose office is still tallying the cost of the six-week trial. In any case, Wilson said life without parole for a once-privileged man like Murdaugh is a fate worse than death. The family of a South Carolina teenager found dead near the Murdaugh family estate has called for an independent autopsy to be carried out. There has been renewed scrutiny over the death of Stephen Smith, whose body was found on a rural road in 2015, around 15 miles from the disgraced lawyer Alex Murdaughs Moselle hunting property. It was there that Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife Margaret Murdaugh, 52, and Paul Murdaugh, 22. Stephen Smith was found dead in mysterious circumstances in 2015 (Family handout) The brutal murder at the Colleton County estate in June 2021 has led to reviews of other deaths in the area that have links to the Murdaugh family. A GoFundMe page has now raised more than $56,000 to pay for Smiths body to be exhumed and re-examined. The 19-year-olds mother, Sandy Smith, thanked supporters on the page for not allowing Stephens story to be swept under a rug. Our family is so very grateful to all of you who came together to help us in our fight for justice for Stephen. I could not have imagined when we began this fundraiser that it would take off the way that it did, she wrote. And she added: We will pursue the exhumation immediately and provide updates along the way. Thank you for the kind words, prayers and donations. You have made this possible, and it means the world to us. This is Stephens year. During its probe into the Murdaugh murders, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced an inquiry into Smiths death based upon information gathered during the course of the double murder investigation. In the initial probe, investigators concluded that Smith had been hit by a vehicle while standing near his car on a rural road after it ran out of gas. A report stated that Smith had a defensive wound on his hand, but a medical examiner stated that his death was caused by being hit in the head by a car mirror during an apparent hit-and-run. Smiths death has been featured in a string of documentaries focussing on the Murdaugh murders, as he was reportedly a friend of Alex Murdaughs oldest son, Buster Murdaugh. Story continues No member of the Murdaugh family has ever been publicly linked by authorities to the death. The Hampton County Coroner also asked investigators to re-open the case of Murdaugh housekeeper Gloria Satterfield who died in what was described as an accidental fall at Moselle in 2018. Alex Murdaugh is accused of stealing millions of dollars from the Satterfield that was owed in an insurance settlement to her estate. On the death certificate, the manner of death was ruled natural, which is inconsistent with injuries sustained in a trip and fall accident, the coroner wrote to state investigators. Alex Murdaugh was convicted of murdering his wife and son earlier this month and was sentenced to life in prions without parole. He still faces trial for a string of financial crime charges for allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from clients and the law firm started by his family Cindy Ayers Elliott, the owner and chief farmer at Foot Print Farms, smiles in the middle of her strawberry fields. Jackson's Foot Print Farms is the largest urban farm in the state of Mississippi. Cindy Ayers Elliott is one of USA Todays Women of the Year, a recognition of women across the country who have made a significant impact. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, a 2020 project that commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. The red-bottom shoes are gone. The iconic Christian Louboutin designer heels aren't quite farm-appropriate. The dusty boots with the sunflower print on them are now in place as Cindy Ayers Elliott walks through some of the most fertile soil in the world on 68 acres in Hinds County. Her goal, through Foot Print Farms, is to provide healthy food options and educate Mississippians on how to better feed themselves as well as how to provide for themselves through urban agriculture. There are specialty crops, vegetables, and livestock farm, with a focus on agri-tourism for community development in Jackson. Dedicated to growing an array of fruits and vegetables, raising meat goats and cattle, she believes that planting seeds in the earth will grow fresh vegetables. However, planting a seed in the minds of young people will create new opportunities. With her background in dealing with governmental agencies and finance, Ayers-Elliott has been able to break through mountains of red tape to help make a difference for the disenfranchised of Mississippi. While some consider her a rock star in the world of business and agriculture in Mississippi, she really is a superhero, as Google portrayed her in a recent animated feature as she was honored as one of the women in business in America. From New York investment banker to Mississippi farmer, Ayers-Elliott is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree for Mississippi. This story has been edited for clarity and brevity. Who paved the way for you, or, or who did you pave the way for? My ancestors paved the way; what they did with what they had and still made it work. For me, I never really looked closely at that until it was right in my face. You don't realize it. I think the pandemic showed a lot of people how important it is to be able to grow your own food. I think they realize how important it is and what it takes to grow it. For me, there is a great history of people, the good and the bad, of what can be done to make a difference. And for me, health and how do we do something to help. And that was one of the driving forces for me: We can do something with the problems in front of us. Story continues You see it right now. Now, what are we offering to help? So that way of paving came out of need. I'm trying to pave the way for more people to understand the importance of taking care of the earth, the importance of having access to growing your own food and healthy foods, and also create an economic arm. What is your proudest moment and what was a low point for you? Almost every day for me is a proud moment. When I can go into an area or a store or a farmer's market and I can see food that was grown by farmers that's there, it makes me proud even if it's not my food. What makes me so proud, too, is to be in a place or store and someone who's bought your produce comes, says, I had that kale, and it was some of the best I have had. You don't know them, but they know you. Yeah. And then that smile comes and for me, that's the aha moment to know you are making a difference. Every day I wake up, that is a proud moment because I know that what I'm doing is gonna make a difference in someone's life right then and there. In my lowest points, I'm saying, "OK, I know this is wrong and doesn't work. Who can help change this? Where are the change agents for this?" I have to be that catalyst to help that happen. Dealing with bureaucracy is a low point that brings out that fight of knowing that I got to do something. I can't wait for someone else to do it. I have to do something. Cindy Ayers Elliott, the owner and chief farmer at Foot Print Farms, holds fresh lettuces from inside one of her tunnel gardens. Ayers Elliott went from working on Wall Street back to Mississippi to find her roots. Foot Print Farms in Jackson is the largest urban farm in the state of Mississippi. Cindy Ayers Elliott, the owner and chief farmer at Foot Print Farms, talks outside of one of her tunnel gardens which houses lettuce. Jackson's Foot Print Farms is the largest urban farm in the state of Mississippi. Cindy Ayers Elliott, the owner and chief farmer at Foot Print Farms, hands a fresh lettuce bouquet to a local. Ayers Elliott provides food, nutrition and education to those in the community at Foot Print Farms in Jackson, the largest urban farm in the state of Mississippi. What is your definition of courage? You know what, that's an easy one. It really is. Because my definition of courage is getting up every day and making a difference. My definition of courage is being able to step out, see something around you, and see that it's not right and speak up. So, my definition of courage is not being strong, it's being vocal. It's also being vocal to the right ears. To see the courage piece, to make a difference, means you got to be able to have that stress to say something and do something. But a lot of times, we want to say, but we don't know who to say it to. Every day that we have is a day to change and to make a difference to speak it. I believe in speaking it, but always in the right tone and to the right person. It can be a mantra or a guiding principle that you live your life by. And it can be something that you have been living your life by since the day you were put on this planet, or it could be something you've learned. Who did and do you look up to? So many people. I look back at some great writers that wrote back in the day of things that are still happening. I look up to a lot of people who are still struggling but they never give up, and they find the courage to do it. I think that if they never give up, then why should I? I look up to those ancestors and those history makers, especially women. But you can look at the unsung heroes as well as the heroes that were out there. You know, you always think about people like Fannie Lou Hamer, of course for us in Mississippi. You can look at a certain genre of truth and my gosh, look at what this one woman did to change everything for us all. I also look at the great Maya Angelou and some of the great writers that are out there and just say, wow, now how do you express that? How do you get that out? There are the unsung heroes, those moms that are out there every day trying to work, working for minimum wages, trying to still support their family. What advice would you give to red-bottoms Cindy? Oh, my younger me? Yeah. Oh my gosh. I would tell myself to remember your principles of why you are here. I'm telling my younger self that because of the rearing you have the foundation of those early days. Stand on them. I'm telling my young me to believe in those principles and build on those and then you have a strong foundation. You are going to fall but get back up and keep going. The thing I still tell my younger self, and even my older self, is that you will meet your other self again. Just believe and keep your principles and read. Read great people and read deeply. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Foot Print Farms CEO named USA TODAY Women of the Year honoree State Rep. Anthony DeLuca of Chicago Heights has introduced House Bill 1367, which seeks to amend the Crematory Regulation Act in a way that could have devastating and long-term effects on many people in the state of Illinois. Advertisement I read through the bill as presented, and, as an Illinoisan, I have deep concerns about what this bill is aiming to do and the possible effects it will have on families, funeral homes and hospitals. This act would make it illegal for crematories and funeral homes to give the cremains of loved ones to family members/authorized agents, unless they have a cemetery in which to bury the cremains. Advertisement As a clergy member, I have done services for many families who have chosen to have their loved ones cremated. Some of these families bury the cremains; some take the cremains home and keep the cremains in a place that brings them comfort. Some have scattered the ashes in a place of significant meaning to them and/or their deceased loved one. The bill would allow an authorized agent to receive 8 ounces of cremains. I believe this would cause undue emotional, financial and spiritual harm to family members who are already grieving the loss of a loved one. I am concerned about what this bill will do to funeral home directors and hospitals that would, no doubt, be left with abandoned cremains and bodies because of families that cannot afford to bury their loved ones. I am concerned for those who have already made plans with places like the Cremation Society of Illinois. What happens to these people and their prearranged plans? The cynic in me thinks there is something behind this bill that has to do with money. At the presentation of the bill, there were 21 proponents and 250 opponents. Of the proponents, there are two out-of-state companies that appear to buy up and/or consolidate cemetery properties. Veneration Holdings says it seeks to acquire successful death care businesses across the United States. StoneMor Inc. owns 301 cemeteries and 69 funeral homes in 24 states and Puerto Rico, according to its website. If you believe you and your family should have the right to decide what happens to your body after you die, where your remains will go, contact your Illinois state representative today and make your voice heard! The Rev. Suzanne Anderson-Hurdle, Romeoville, Illinois Questions about batteries A battery pack for an electric vehicle at General Motors Estes Engineering Lab in Warren, Michigan, on May 5, 2022. (Peter Hoffman/The New York Times) Great editorial on the Illinois innovation of developing long-range electric car batteries (Thanks in part to Illinois innovation, range anxiety wont hamper electric cars for long, March 16). But the Tribune Editorial Board fails to address a number of issues that are really important, more so than the feel-good proposition of electric cars, boats and planes. When will these batteries be available? A year? Five or 10? How much will the battery increase the cost of a car? How about the cost of a truck or plane? How long will it take to charge? For instance, every time I gas up on my cross-country trip, it takes about five minutes, and I get about 500 miles. So there is a likelihood that an oasis with snacks, restrooms, reading rooms and motels may have to be built every 1,000 miles or so to accommodate the extended charging times and layovers. Dont worry about truck stops going away. And how much will all this infrastructure cost? Advertisement Finally, and most importantly, how are we going to make all this electricity? Robert Stasch, Chicago Age should be nonissue There is a lot of talk about Joe Biden being too old to be president not based on any cognitive issues but purely based on age and the bias of the observer, especially the media. Having a bias against someone based purely on age is ageism. My hope is that we are able to see this and adjust our thoughts and words to reflect that the judgment we bring upon a president is not based on the age he or she has attained but on the persons ability to carry out the required tasks of the office. In my opinion, Biden is doing a fine job based on this criteria. Just as the media no longer expresses a judgment based on sexual orientation or ethnic background, age should also be a nonissue. Can you imagine the uproar if the media were writing stories about an officeholder being too gay or too Black or too fat? My hope is that in short time, it will be as embarrassing and shameful to judge one as too old just as we once did on other immaterial characteristics. Advertisement William F. DeMarco, Chicago Joys of being a grandparent I really enjoyed Christopher de Vincks op-ed on grandparents (As a first-time grandfather, I give thanks to a gruff military man, March 11). Just like Christopher, I spent many times with my grandchildren eating pretend food they prepared in their make-believe kitchens and restaurants. I watched a small grandson build a complex set of tracks for his Thomas trains. I wouldnt trade a moment of these times. I am blessed with seeing these same grandchildren, who now are adults and teenagers, and I couldnt be prouder of them. Ogden Nash had it right when he wrote, When grandparents enter the door, discipline flies out the window. Thank you to Christopher for bringing back these memories. Ann Meeker, Elk Grove Village Photo of dancers with review Kyle Abraham's "Are You in Your Feelings?" is performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. (Paul Kolnik) Paul Kolniks photo of the Alvin Ailey dancers in midair on the March 10 A&E front page is phenomenal (Timely and timeless). I couldnt take my eyes off it as words rolled through my head: beauty, discipline, grace, energy, harmony, lightness, confidence, joy and more. Advertisement An uplifting photo truly worth a thousand words. Randy Lewis, Deer Park Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Former cashier Peter Judge was often the last face shoppers saw before they left his supermarket in Phoenix. He always wanted to be the reason people came back. He really likes interacting with people, approaching situations with empathy and humility and bringing a smile to people's faces, his only son, Patrick McCarthy, told USA TODAY. When customers return to WinCo Foods, Judge won't be there to greet them. Despite his record as a stellar employee, Judge was fired last month, said McCarthy, who lives in Woodinville, Washington, near Seattle. Judge's job operated on a points system, and he had accrued too many. Judge walked and relied on public transportation to get to work, which sometimes put him behind schedule, McCarthy said. Peter Judge, a father who lives in Phoenix, was fired from his job at WinCo Foods last month after working there for nearly four years, according to his son, Seattle-based Patrick McCarthy. If the lights didn't work in his favor crossing the street, he'd be maybe five or 10 minutes late, he said. Judges days off a few weeks before he was fired had apparently put him over his points level, according to McCarthy. A RENEWED PROPOSAL: Watch how this 85-year-old husband surprises his wife of 60 years The son wanted to help his father out. He turned to his LinkedIn network to let everyone know that Judge, who didnt have a profile at the time, was open to work. Im excited for his next step, McCarthy wrote in his post, which has gone viral with nearly 20,000 reactions. This guy is someone you want on your team. Overwhelming response McCarthy, a husband and father of 3-year-old and 9-month-old sons, can relate to losing his job: The marketing and communications professional was laid off last month from online course provider Coursera. He says hes also aware of the power of LinkedIn when it comes to rallying around others navigating "this very weird time of layoffs at several companies. But McCarthy said he and his family have never been on the receiving end of such an outpouring of support until now. Its a shock, said McCarthy, 31. Hundreds of people replied to his LinkedIn post, in which he described his father as an experienced service industry worker who loved his job. Story continues "He was a cashier at Winco. He loved his job. He loved his customers. Thousands of faces passed through his lane, and he had so many stories about those faces," wrote Patrick McCarthy, a marketing and communications professional living outside of Seattle, about his father in his viral LinkedIn post. He loves seeing customers seek out his lane for check-ins and updates, McCarthy wrote. He said to me, Im good at this stuff. McCarthy shared with his network of more than 500 connections that, as anyone would be, his father was "shocked, overwhelmed (and) emotional" after losing the job he'd enjoyed for almost four years. Replies ranged from advice on where Judge could search for his next role to praise for McCarthys honest and thoughtful post supporting his father. 'A TRUE WARRIOR': When this toddler needed a heart transplant, he got a corridor of support to go with it Even LinkedIn's own LinkedIn page responded to McCarthy's post. "Pete sounds like a top-tier employee! Keep us posted as he progresses on his journey," the company's post read. 'Incalculable amounts of support' The unexpected popularity has blown Judge away. The post itself was incredibly written, and I think that's what touched people, he said. In the two weeks since the post went viral, Judge has spoken with several companies about possible opportunities, according to McCarthy. The abundant replies, views and support (were) a lot to fathom, Judge said. I've never been in any situation before where I lost a job, and within days, had incalculable amounts of support from people I don't even know. "Some people have said I have a superpower simply because I am a people person," said Peter Judge, who was recently let go from his cashier job in Phoenix. "I love and enjoy interacting with people." McCarthys father has since started his own LinkedIn account as he seeks the perfect next opportunity. He's trying to sift through all of this and figure out what his next move is, McCarthy said. The job search hasnt come without its challenges. Judges years-old computer often freezes and barely works, McCarthy said. My biggest hurdle with this job search is transportation, since I rely on my feet and public transportation, Judge said. Still, he continues to look for a job where his people skills will be valued. The most important aspect of my next role is for it to be something that I truly enjoy, Judge said. I think I want to be interacting with people face-to-face, since that is what I love most and where I feel I can have the most impact. More good news to know (and share!) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Son's LinkedIn post about recently fired father goes viral: Good News Dad-of-four Russell Quirk, 55, pictured here with two of his daughters, took action after Wizz Air cancelled their flights just three hours before take-off. (SWNS) A family whose holiday flights were cancelled at the last minute managed to recover their lost money, as well as expenses, after sending bailiffs to Luton Airport. Father-of-four Russell Quirk, 55, was left 3,900 out of pocket after he had to buy last-minute flights to Portugal when Wizz Air cancelled his just as he was about to leave home. He spent more than 2,700 on next-day flights to Portugal - more than four times the original 700 fee - so his family wouldn't miss their summer holiday, meaning he would lose around 6,000 on hotel and other travel costs. Quirk was reimbursed for his initial ticket price two months after the holiday in May 2022 but demanded the airline pay for the excess costs he had incurred for new flights, a night at a hotel and other expenses - mounting to around 3,900. He lodged a claim with the county court but said Wizz Airlines ignored his emails and letters and communication from the county court. Quirk said he repeatedly tried to contact Wizz Air, to no avail. (Stock image: Reuters) As a last resort Quirk applied for bailiffs who visited Wizz Air's desk at Luton Airport - saying they could take goods including chairs, tables, computers or even an aircraft. The airline finally handed over the 4,500, incorporating the 3,900 charges as well as additional fees. Russell, who was travelling with his three daughters and wife to Faro in Portugal, said: "I lodged a claim in the county court with Wizz Air as the respondent. They incredibly ignored the court. I didnt know if they thought it would go away. Read more: 'Greedy' businessman defrauded tax man out of 2m to 'fund lifestyle that was out of his reach' "I thought the only alternative was to send the bailiffs. I filled out a form and paid the fee. "I gave them the address of Luton Airport and said off you go. They banged on the door and said to pay the 4,500. "Their option was to hand over the money or the bailiffs would take it in goods, whether that be chairs, tables, computers or an aircraft. Story continues "Wizz Air have paid the money, a fortune in the costs, its probably cost them a grand in extra costs." Quirk sent bailiffs to the Wizz Air counter at Luton Airport. (Stock image: Getty) Quirk, from Shenfield, Essex, said he had booked his flights in January 2022 for the trip to Faro in May that year. But just three hours before the family were due to leave, he received an email from Wizz Air cancelling the flights. Rather than miss the holiday and risk losing out on 6,000, he decided to book new flights but the only ones he could find were outbound with British Airways, costing roughly 2,700, and return flights with easyJet. But when they returned he said a "saga" started in trying to recoup the money. "I lost a day in Portugal, the hotel which was roughly 1,000, all the cabs to the airport and the lounges. It was 3,900 in total," he said. But despite chasing the airline and even contacting the managing director through LinkedIn, he was unable to recover his out-of-pocket expenses - prompting him to resort to county court action and then the bailiffs who eventually got his money back for him. Quirk had tried repeatedly to get his money back but ended up resorting to county court action and then sending bailiffs. (SWNS) He added: "My message is these big corporate entities that can hide behind being busy, this kind of arrogance and inability to provide customers a service, is just go for it. "Go through the courts, these companies cannot be allowed to get away with it. The service that Britain is receiving is shoddy and shambolic." A spokesperson for Wizz Air told the BBC: "In the summer of 2022, due to unprecedented levels of disruption across Europe and the UK which affected the entire industry, we fell short of our own aspirations and our customers' expectations. "When things went wrong, we did not react quickly enough to manage the high volume of customer claims that resulted from this disruption. "We are sorry about this and we are working to ensure that our customers' experience with Wizz is better this year." "Since December, Wizz has paid all CCJs [county court judgements] where it received the judgment, and is continuing to work to settle all other outstanding claims as quickly as possible." The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward in the kidnapping of a U.S. woman who was living in Mexico and has been missing for more than a month. Maria del Carmen Lopez, 63, was kidnapped Feb. 9 from her home in Pueblo Nuevo, Colima, Mexico, the FBI said in a statement last week. Lopez, a U.S. citizen, split time between Southern California and Mexico. Her family says they were asked to pay a large ransom by her kidnappers, who they believe abducted her from her home while armed and masked. Maria del Carmen Lopez. (FBI) "We were able to hear what sound to us like a recording of her pleading for us to please help her," Lopez's daughter, Zonia, told NBC Nightly News on Friday. The prosecutor's office in Colima said the case was initially kept out of the public spotlight to keep Lopez safe. The Colima authorities, who are working with the FBI, said the case has now been taken over by the specialized prosecutor for organized crime. A spokeswoman told NBC Nightly News the FBI believes Lopez's abduction was a targeted kidnapping. The Los Angeles field office is offering $20,000 for information leading to her location. There has been heightened interest in missing persons cases in Mexico after four Americans were kidnapped this month crossing the border to Matamoros, Mexico, for a medical procedure. Two of them were killed, and the two others were returned safely to U.S. soil. Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones issued an apology over the kidnappings, which a senior law enforcement official said authorities believe to be legitimate. Three women have also been missing for nearly a month after they crossed the border from Mexico to sell clothes at a flea market in Montemorelos, in Nuevo Leon state. The women, two sisters and a friend, have been missing since Feb. 24. Authorities have released few details about their case. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Katilin Stitt Wilbur was promised her fathers murderer would stay behind bars for life. Now shes feeling betrayed. This month the Washington State Clemency and Pardons Board voted 4-1 to recommend clemency for the now 65-year-old David John Lennon. If Gov. Jay Inslee follows the recommendation, it will mean an end to Lennons life sentence without parole for the 1984 murder of Terry L. Stitt. Im feeling devastated, Stitt Wilbur told the told the Herald after the hearing. I feel like my dads life didnt matter. We were given a false sense of security by the original court papers. The decision followed a three-hour online hearing in which Lennon and his attorneys and friends testified that he was a changed man after 38 years behind bars and following the murder of his own brother. They pointed to his time spent working in training programs, mentoring other inmates and educating himself. Lennon also is suffering from an aggressive form of bladder cancer, and he could find better treatment outside of the prison system. But his victims daughter offered her own tear-filled testimony in which Stitt Wilbur talked about the cost of losing her father when she was just 6 1/2 and then attending two clemency hearings. The board rejected giving him clemency in 2018. Katilin Stitt Wilbur holds up a photo of her father, Terry Lynn Stitt, and her grandmother during a state Clemency & Pardons Board hearing for David John Lennon in Olympia in 2018. But this time, board members were swayed to offer Lennon mercy, saying that they hoped he would continue contributing to society if released from prison. I want the family to understand that I am torn between mercy and justice, board member Kazi Joshua. My heart tends to lean toward mercy. Board Member Doug Baldwin added that the decision does not absolve Lennon of the trauma he caused Terry L. Stitts family or the community. Board member Rhonda Salvesen was the only member to vote against clemency, saying she was strongly opposed to allowing Lennon to go free. Killed during a robbery Stitt, 30, was an Yakima Public Works department employee, who had just received his paycheck on July 3, 1984. He was on his way to pick up his 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son from a visit with his ex-wife. Story continues Along the way, Lennon set up a ploy to get him and two teens into Stitts car in Yakima, said Benton County Deputy Prosecutor Kristin McRoberts. He sent a 14-year-old to stand by the side of the road to get Stitt to stop. When he did, Lennon and the other boy got inside as well. Lennon lied to Stitt about having a grandmother in Pasco that he was trying to reach. David John Lennon There are three different points along this drive where Mr. Lennon could have gotten out of the car, she said. Mr. Lennon could have walked away at any point, but he didnt because that wasnt the plan. The plan is to take car. Four hours later, Stitt stopped his car on Interstate 82 about four miles west of Benton City. He was shot several times and dragged about 15 to 20 feet off the road. He was missing for several days while family members searched for him. He was eventually discovered by a teenager picking up litter. Lennon, then 27, was arrested six days later at a roadblock in Missoula, Mont., driving Stitts car. He had been released from an Oregon prison two months earlier, after serving six years of a 12-year term for two convenience store robberies and an escape attempt. He was released to prepare for his parole, but didnt report to his probation officer. His defense attorneys at the time tried to argue that he was not mentally healthy enough to understand what he was doing. A jury found him guilty of aggravated first-degree murder. At the time, the charge only came with two possible sentences life in prison without parole and the death penalty. David John Lennon, shown here in 2018, is serving a life sentence for killing Terry Lynn Stitt in July 1984 along Interstate 82 near Benton City. His brothers murder Lennon and his attorney, Jon Zulauf, the founder of the Seattle Clemency Project, testified this month that he spent a troubled initial stretch in prison, fueled by drug use. Then in 1989, Lennons brother was found shot to death in a Wisconsin field. His car was still running when his body was discovered. No one was arrested. Lennon said he found himself comparing himself to the unknown murderer. I didnt know how I became the type of person who could do that, to take the life of someone, he said. I was meant to be better than that, and I didnt want to be that person. He quit using drugs and became determined to improve himself. He earned three associates degrees, worked doing drafting and calling people to raise money for American Cancer Society and American Red Cross. In his time in prison, he also has worked as a teaching assistant and tutor for Edmonds Community College, became involved in Toastmasters and participates in the Alternatives to Violence Program. Lennon said one program helped him forgive the person who killed his brother. I do know that forgiveness, when I did it, it took a weight off of me, he testified. It took a huge weight off. I wasnt feeling that pain like I did before. He believes he can help people outside of prison by talking to people with similar issues to what he was going through. Several former inmates, a University of Washington professor and other members of the Seattle Clemency Project noted that Lennon has had a positive impact while in prison, and that he was not the same person who killed Stitt. The Washington State Pardons and Clemency Board agreed to recommend clemency for David Lennon, bottom left. He is serving a life sentence for the 1984 murder of a man on the side of Interstate 82. Lifetime of trauma But McRoberts argued that the only difference between this years hearing and the one in 2018 is his cancer diagnosis. While Lennon has accomplished good in the prison system, it doesnt outweigh the seriousness and severity of his crimes. I would hope to continue to do the work that hes doing to try, as hes saying, to make amends for the horrific crimes that were committed, but I dont think because youre doing some good in prison means necessarily that your life sentence should go away, she said. Stitt Wilbur said her fathers sudden death left her, her brother and the rest of their family with a lifetime of trauma. She suffered from depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress. Both of his clemency hearings tore open wounds left by his death. She felt like he has been trying to avoid responsibility ever since he escaped in Oregon. Why does David Lennon think he deserves any better than he already got, she said through tears. He didnt get the death penalty, so he already got a reduced sentence. What makes this man think he deserves more? She remembered her father driving them along different routes as they traveled back home, and her favorite was going through Chinook Pass where they would stop and feed fish or go fishing. When he didnt show up she believed he was lost. When she learned he was dead, she didnt want to believe it. I sat there staring at his closed casket waiting for him to open it and get out, she said. At the time, I didnt understand why they wouldnt let me see him. ... I do remember people trying to hug us. I didnt want them I wanted my dad. Now, her family is pinning their hopes on Inslee. And they have created a Change.org petition with the hopes of pressuring the governor. Its unclear when Inslee will address the recommendation. SmartAsset: What is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)? The federal government passes financial regulations to protect consumers from unfair practices. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) exists to make sure that banks, lenders and other financial institutions follow those regulations. You might not give much thought to the CFPB but it's always operating behind the scenes to make sure that you're treated fairly when it comes to money matters. A financial advisor can help you put a financial plan together for your retirement goals and needs. What Is CFPB? CFPB stands for Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. And it's a U.S. government agency that exists to protect consumers against deceptive, abusive or unfair practices in the financial services market. The CFPB was created in 2011 following the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. That Act was designed to build some safeguards into the financial services industry to prevent a repeat of the 2008 housing crisis and the recession that it triggered. President Obama proposed a central government agency that would provide oversight for the enforcement of financial regulations by focusing exclusively on consumer protection. What Is the Main Purpose of the CFPB? SmartAsset: What is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)? The CFPB exists to ensure that consumers can access financial services without being subjected to abuse or deception at the hands of companies. That includes making sure that financial companies are transparent in how they share information with consumers and that they provide the same quality of services to everyone. Again, that goes back to the reforms that were passed to address the fallout from the housing market crisis. The crisis was in part driven by mortgage lenders issuing subprime loans to borrowers with poor credit, which increased the risk of default. The CFPB works to ensure that consumers know what they're getting-and what they're agreeing to-when borrowing money or using financial services. There are three main areas the CFPB focuses on to further its mission: Story continues Providing consumers with knowledge that empowers them to make informed financial choices. Taking action against companies that engage in predatory or illegal behavior. Educating financial companies about their responsibilities and consumers about financial literacy. What Does the CFPB Do? The CFPB has an extensive reach in terms of what it does to protect consumers. Its activities are centered around different areas that are relevant to its mission. First, the CFPB ensures that financial entities are compliant with federal financial regulations. That's done through the supervision and examination of banks, lenders and other financial institutions that are subject to federal consumer laws. For example, that includes mortgage lenders, debt collectors and credit card companies. Next, the CFPB manages the enforcement of federal consumer financial laws. If a bank, company or other financial institution breaks the law, the CFPB can step in and investigate it. When deemed necessary, the CFPB can initiate a public enforcement action which can include suing the entity in question in civil court. That can lead to civil damages being paid out to harmed consumers and/or an injunction filed against the entity to prevent them from repeating the violation. Consumers can also file complaints about banks, lenders or other entities with the CFPB online. For example, say you open a new bank account, but the bank doesn't provide you with a list of fees you'll pay. That's a violation of the Truth in Savings Act that you could report to the CFPB. The CFPB also works to ensure that consumers are educated about financial products and services. There's an extensive body of information on the CFPB website that covers a variety of topics, including mortgage loans, budgeting, credit cards, payday loans and banking. If you have a money question, chances are you can find an answer to it on the CFPB website. What Laws Does CFPB Regulate? Broadly speaking, the CFPB regulates federal consumer financial laws. Some of the laws the CFPB enforces include: Consumer Financial Protection Act Consumer Leasing Act of 1976 Electronic Fund Transfer Act (except with respect to Section 920) Equal Credit Opportunity Act Fair Credit Reporting Act (except with respect to Sections 615(e) and 628) Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Federal Deposit Insurance Act, Section 43 Fair Credit Billing Act Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 Military Lending Act (10 U.S.C. 1987) Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 Truth in Lending Act Truth in Savings Act So if you have a credit card, a bank account or a mortgage, or you apply for credit or use prepaid debit cards, then the CFPB is there making sure that your rights are protected. How to File a Complaint With the CFPB SmartAsset: What is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)? If you think your rights have been violated when dealing with a financial institution, you can submit a complaint to the CFPB. There's a specific process consumers are encouraged to follow. First, you'll need to figure out if you have a problem that the CFPB can address. You can submit a complaint to the CFPB if you have an issue with any of the following: Checking and savings accounts Credit cards Credit reports and other personal consumer reports Debt collection Credit repair services Debt settlement Money transfers, virtual currency, and money services Mortgages Payday loans Personal loans like installment and title loans Prepaid cards Student loans Vehicle loans or leases When the entity you have an issue with is on the list, the CFPB encourages you to reach out to the company first to see if any resolution can be offered. If not, you can take the next step to file a formal complaint. When submitting a complaint, you'll want to provide as much detail about the company and the issue as possible. If you have supporting documentation, such as contracts, emails or other written communications you can submit those as well. When the CFPB receives the complaint, it's routed to the company for a response. The company has up to 60 days to provide a final response. The CFPB publishes information about your complaint in the Consumer Complaint Database so that other consumers can review it. You'll also have an opportunity to offer feedback on the company's response. The CFBP may take further steps to initiate an enforcement action if your complaint warrants one. The Bottom Line What is CFPB? In simple terms, it's a watchdog for consumers. Though the constitutionality of the CFPB's structure and funding continues to be challenged, the agency remains committed to carrying out its mission of consumer protection. Tips for Your Financial Plan Financial planning is extremely important, but it can be intimidating to do it on your own. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Before even talking to an advisor, you can think about how you want to potentially divvy up your investable assets. Use this free asset allocation calculator to figure out the right balance for you based on your risk tolerance. Photo Credit: iStock/Ahmed Zaggoudi, iStock/simpson33, iStock/Zerbor The post What Is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)? appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. The Florida deputy shot three times by a suspect who "waited" before opening fire on officers last week has been released from the hospital. Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Corporal Matthew Aitken, 40, was shot in the neck, hand and leg while responding to a vehicle burglary report on March 12, FOX 13 Tampa Bay reports. "Hes a tough guy," Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the TV station after the deputy left the hospital Friday afternoon. "But he needs to take it easy. Hes got a bullet in his neck, his leg is OK, hes got problems with his wrist, but I have no doubt that hell come back, and hell come back strong because thats who he is." The man accused of shooting Cpl. Aitken, 23-year-old Zion Bostick, was allegedly trying to break into cars just before 7 p.m. in unincorporated St. Petersburg when deputies were alerted and began to pursue the suspect, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said. FLORIDA SUSPECT KILLED IN SHOOTING WAS WAITING FOR DEPUTIES BEFORE OPENING FIRE, WOUNDING OFFICER: POLICE Cpl. Aitken, 40, and his K-9, Taco, were accompanied by Sgt. Jake Viano, 49, as they tracked Bostick into a fenced backyard, where officials say the suspect was "waiting." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Police said the deputies followed the suspect and spotted him trying to hide behind a corner of a house. Bostick opened fire, striking Aitken three times before shooting at Viano, officials said. Viano dodged the bullets and returned fire, killing the suspect. MIAMI BEACH SPRING BREAK SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, SENDS CROWD SCRAMBLING Zion Bostick, 23, was killed in a police-involved shooting March 12, 2023, after authorities say he shot a deputy three times. Viano and Taco were not injured in the shooting. Bostick had a second gun in his right pocket, according to police, which had been reported stolen out of Manatee County. He had an "extensive criminal history," the St. Petersburg Police Department said. Pinellas County Sheriff's K-9 Cpl. Matt Aitken and his K-9 partner Taco had pursued now deceased suspect Zion Bostick. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Bostick's previous arrests include DUI, vehicle burglaries, drug possession and tampering with evidence, the station reported, citing jail records. Fox News' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report. The Florida House on Friday passed a bill that would lead to eight-year term limits for county school board members. The Republican-controlled House voted 79-29 along almost-straight party lines to approve the bill (HB 477). Rep. Kevin Chambliss, D-Homestead, joined Republicans in voting for the bill, while Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, voted against it. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< Lawmakers last year passed a measure that included 12-year term limits for school board members. But the bill, sponsored by Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, would reduce that to eight years. Read: Cool and rainy skies on Sunday, temps heat up toward end of week The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee is scheduled Tuesday to take up the Senate version of the bill (SB 1110), which also includes eight-year term limits for county commissioners. Read: Motorcyclist killed after crashing into minivan, deputies say 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. Court photos of Mitchell Todd Gardner II, 34, of Seffner, Florida, at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. United States District Court for the District of Columbia A judge sentenced Mitchell Todd Gardner to 55 months in federal prison for his role in January 6. Gardner pepper sprayed Capitol Police and smashed a $2,900 window, according to the DOJ. Before 2020, Gardner was not politically active and voted for Obama twice, his attorneys said. A federal judge sentenced a Florida man who voted for Obama twice and did not vote for Trump in 2016 to 4.5 years in prison for his participation in the January 6 insurrection. Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Mitchell Todd Gardner II, 34, of Seffner, Florida, to 55 months in federal prison on Friday in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, according to a news release from the Department of Justice. Mehta also ordered Gardner to pay $3,500 in restitution and to stay under supervised release for 36 months after he leaves prison. Prosecutors charged Gardner with obstructing an official proceeding, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a dangerous weapon, according to a criminal complaint. Attorneys for Gardner argued in a sentencing memorandum filed on March 3 that he grew up in a red state, which explains the "huge discrepancy between his life and nonviolent choices otherwise, and his behavior the day of January 6." Gardner's attorneys said he voted for Obama "both times" and "did not vote for Donald Trump when he ran for office." It's unclear if Gardner voted for Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Farheena Siddiqui, Gardner's attorney, did not immediately return Insider's request for comment on Sunday. "He believed President Trump's candidacy to be a joke, a publicity event for a celebrity," the sentencing memorandum states. After President Joe Biden was announced as the winner of the 2020 presidential election, Trump's misinformation caused Gardner to believe "that the election had been stolen and the way of life in America was about to change," the document says. Gardner had never been politically active before 2020, but during Trump's presidency he "flourished financially," which led him to believe the misinformation that Trump was spreading, his attorneys said. Story continues According to the DOJ, Gardner sprayed Capitol Police officers with a Metropolitan Police Department pepper spray canister in the Lower West Terrace Tunnel of the Capitol on January 6, 2021. "The contents hit one officer directly in the face shield and splattered onto at least two additional officers," the DOJ said in the release. "This caused the officers to cough for an extended period and also burned their eyes." Gardner also used the pepper spray canister to smash a window into the Senate Terrace Room which cost $2,900 to replace, according to the DOJ. After entering the window, Gardner handed another rioter a wooden table leg that they used to attack police, the release says. On Saturday, Trump called on his supporter to "protest" and "take our nation back" in a post on Truth Social after he predicted his own potential indictment before a New York grand jury. The language was reminiscent of his December 2020 tweet that asked his followers to converge on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. So far, police have charged at least 1,003 people with crimes in connection to the Capitol insurrection. At least 476 Capitol rioters have so far pleaded guilty for their roles. Read the original article on Business Insider Anthony Cole, a former Department of Justice (DOJ) official, said on Sunday that former President Trumps remarks about his possible looming arrest in New York was an attempt to intimidate local prosecutors and would poison the jury pool. What I think is happening here is [Trump] trying to, number one, intimidate local prosecutors and number two, I think it also has the effect of poisoning a jury pool, Cole, who used to head the DOJs Department of Public Affairs, said in an interview with Jonathan Capehart on MSNBC. Trump said on social media over the weekend that he expected to be arrested in connection with a Manhattan district attorneys investigation into hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump blasted the prosecutor as corrupt and called on his supporters to protest. The remarks hearken back to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, when rioting broke out after Trumps calls for protests. Cole said on Sunday that the former presidents incendiary rhetoric troubled him the most. The thing that troubles me the most about what we saw over the last 24 hours is this type of incendiary rhetoric, Cole said. Its something we have of course seen before on Jan. 6 leading into the violent attack on the Capitol. An indictment would make Trump the first sitting or former president to face criminal charges. The former president continued his social media barrage on Sunday, accusing President Biden of having stuffed the Manhattan district attorneys office with political allies. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former US Sen. John Edwards exits the federal court May 31, 2012 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images) Sara D. Davis/Getty Images Former presidential candidate John Edwards was charged with campaign finance violations in 2011. The DOJ accused Edwards of funneling nearly $1 million in donations to his pregnant mistress. Edwards was acquitted of one campaign finance violation charge and the others were dropped. Legal experts are debating what the outcome of a trial might be after a Manhattan grand jury indicted former President Donald Trump on Thursday, likely over a hush-money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Those experts don't have to look far to find precedent: The last time a grand jury criminally charged a presidential candidate for payments made to a mistress, John Edwards faced up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines. That was in 2011. Edwards was John Kerry's vice presidential running mate in 2004 in the pair's losing race against George W. Bush and Dick Cheney prior to launching his own presidential campaign in 2008. The felony charges the former North Carolina Senator faced in 2011 one count of conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws and lie to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), four counts of accepting and receiving illegal campaign contributions, and one count of concealing those illegal donations from the FEC stemmed from his own 2008 campaign. Each carried a maximum five-year term in prison and a $250,000 fine. "Mr. Edwards is alleged to have accepted more than $900,000 in an effort to conceal from the public facts that he believed would harm his candidacy," Assistant Attorney General Breuer said in a June 2011 Department of Justice statement regarding the indictment. A yearlong investigation and trial alleged that Edwards conspired with his campaign staff to hide that in 2007 the candidate had fathered a daughter with his mistress, all while his wife battled breast cancer. Edwards later admitted to the affair, that he was the father of the girl, and was financially supporting the pair. His wife, Elizabeth, filed for separation after Edwards admitted the child was his, but died of her illness before the criminal charges were brought. Story continues In the case against him, DOJ officials argued Edwards orchestrated a series of illegal donations to provide hush-money payments to his mistress, then conspired with his staff to lie about the affair and cover up the illegal donations with check memos like "chairs," "antique table," and "bookcase." Legal experts regarded the case as shaky because the charges were not based on a specific federal statute, but an advisory FEC opinion that argued gifts made to political candidates should be considered campaign contributions, CNN and the Washington Post reported at the time. After nine days of deliberations, a jury acquitted Edwards of one charge of accepting an illegal donation, ABC News reported, but was hopelessly deadlocked on the other five counts, resulting in a mistrial. The Department of Justice chose not to re-try Edwards, Politico reported in 2012. "It's not illegal to be a pig," Brett Kappel, a Washington campaign finance expert, told the Washington Post at the time. "Is what Edwards did slimy? Absolutely. Everyone will agree it was reprehensible. But it's not a crime." Edwards didn't respond to Insider's request for comment, which was sent to his law firm. Trump, meanwhile, is expected to turn himself in to the Manhattan district attorney next week. Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect recent developments. Read the original article on Business Insider Crawford County Sheriff William Rutan, Jasper County Sheriff Brandon Francis and Lawrence County Sheriff Trenton Masterson listen as state Rep. Adam Niemerg announces a lawsuit opposing recent state firearms legislation that bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines at the Crawford County Courthouse, Jan. 26, 2023, in Robinson, Ill. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) When a group of Democratic lawmakers in Illinois a decade ago proposed banning assault weapons with legislation that mirrors the states new gun law, the Illinois Sheriffs Association opposed the bill as it has now but with one major difference. Back then, the sheriffs explicitly said the power to determine a laws constitutionality lies exclusively with the courts, not themselves. The doctrine of judicial review grants to the United States Supreme Court and the lower courts the power to determine the constitutionality of any law and sheriffs do not possess the legal authority to interpret the constitutionality of any law, it said in a February 2013 resolution. Advertisement While supporting Second Amendment rights, the associations resolution added it further recognizes the ultimate authority of the courts in interpreting the scope of those constitutional rights. Fast forward to 2023, when the sheriffs association provided a template for a letter used by an estimated 90 of the states 102 county sheriffs stating they believe that (the new gun law) is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and that they wont enforce it. Advertisement In identical language, the sheriffs say as the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement officer of their county, they will not be arresting or housing law-abiding individuals that have been arrested solely with noncompliance with the states new ban on some military-style weapons and magazines. A display case holds an assortment of rifles that could not be sold to customers because of recent state firearms legislation known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, at Accuracy Firearms, on Jan. 26, 2023, in downstate Effingham. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) The 10-year shift from county sheriffs respecting the courts role of determining a laws constitutionality to now declaring themselves the arbiter of a laws constitutional compliance represents an increasingly rightward tilt among law enforcement nationally toward what is known as the constitutional sheriff movement. The movement, aided by a controversial national group led by a co-founder of the Oath Keepers, wrongly promotes the concept that sheriffs are the ultimate power in their jurisdiction to determine a laws constitutionality. That goes far beyond the power sheriffs have long exercised in which theyve used professional discretion to determine how resources are used and which laws to focus on more than others. The constitutional sheriffs movement has percolated across the nation as some sheriffs have vowed to not enforce laws ranging from gun bans to COVID-19 restrictions. But it garnered new strength in Illinois this year with Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers signing of the Protect Illinois Communities Act. Passed in the months after the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade, the law bans many high-powered weapons and high-capacity magazines, among other changes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker hugs gun control advocate Maria Pike after he signed comprehensive legislation to ban military-style firearms on Jan. 10, 2023, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) As opponents have filed lawsuits in state and federal court to stop the law from being enacted, the roughly 90 Illinois sheriffs have declared their opposition to the law, proclaimed it unconstitutional and said they wont enforce it. As political science professors and law professors will both tell you, theres no basis in fact to this idea that the county sheriff has ultimate authority, said Emily Farris, an associate professor of political science at Texas Christian University, who has conducted extensive research on sheriffs and the constitutional sheriff movement with the Marshall Project. U.S. Supreme Court rulings dating back to the famed 1803 case of Marbury vs. Madison have declared the federal judiciary as the final word in determining a laws constitutionality. The sheriffs ideological shift has been accentuated by the divisive political climate in the last decade, opposition toward the presidency of Barack Obama over gun rights, the belief former President Donald Trump had the backs of law enforcement and pushback against criminal justice reforms. Advertisement A rise in Christian nationalism also has played a role, reflected in comments made by some Illinois county sheriffs who equate their duties as protecting citizens God-given rights through the Constitution. Its a battle in the heavenly places, and its good versus evil and the side that represents freedom, that represents those good principles, and is not confused by the deception that we can provide you peace and security if you give us all your freedom, said Jeff Bullard, sheriff of downstate Jefferson County, who has said he got his masters degree in criminal justice administration from Missouri Baptist University. Its pretty clear which side that I want to be on and thats representing and protecting the God-given freedoms (of) the people of our land. Bullards comments came on a Jan. 24 webcast of a show hosted by the far-right Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association that he posted on Facebook. Bullard also was listed as a host of a March 4 recruitment meeting by the group in Springfield, with a notice emailed to sheriffs throughout the state by the Illinois Sheriffs Association. The Anti-Defamation League has called the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association an anti-government extremist group. The constitutional sheriffs group was founded in 2009, after Obamas inauguration, by Richard Mack, who spent two terms as sheriff of sparsely populated Graham County, Arizona. Mack gained some notoriety for being a plaintiff who sued to stop the 1993 Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Congress overstepped the 10th Amendment by requiring state and local officials to perform background checks on prospective gun buyers while a national background database was created. Richard Mack, a former Graham County sheriff and U.S. Rep. candidate, speaks with a constituent during the meeting of the Arizona Republican Party on Jan. 27, 2018. (Matt York / AP) The constitutional sheriffs event in Springfield earlier this month, prompted by Illinois sheriffs rebelling at the gun law, was promoted as a workshop that should interest anyone who wishes to Restore Constitutional Law in America. The session was closed to the media but listed Mack as a featured speaker. Mack was a co-founder of the Oath Keepers militia group, some of whose members were found guilty of seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Mack left the Oath Keepers as a board member years ago and formed the sheriffs organization. The group opposed efforts by Obama and congressional Democrats who wanted to implement gun owner background checks and ban assault weapons following the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. While the groups primary focus is on gun rights, it has morphed along with far-right Republican interests into other areas opposing immigration and enforcement of COVID-19 mitigation orders while contending sheriffs have a role in investigating the 2020 presidential election and surveillance at local polling places. We need more sheriffs, especially, who are the top constitutional peace officer in each county that they serve, we need more of them to be vocal and to step up and say, You know, when I look through the constitutional lens of this law or this action, that its wrong, and were not going to do it and if it comes to our county, were going to stop that. Were going to do what it takes to stop that in our county, because we have to protect the rights of our people. Weve sworn an oath to do so, Bullard said in the webcast. Whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong. And this (gun) law is 100% wrong and we have to continue to push forward with that and hopefully, more and more officers and law enforcement leaders in our state and across this nation really understand that, he said. If we want to be united behind the badge, that badge has got to be serving the federal Constitution first and foremost. Crawford County Sheriff William Rutan, at podium, introduces state Rep. Adam Niemerg at a news conference to announce a lawsuit opposing recent state firearms legislation that bans the sale and distribution of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, Jan. 26, 2023, in downstate Robinson. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune) At a Jan. 26 news conference with Crawford County Sheriff William Rutan, Sheriff Brandon Francis from Jasper County said he was comfortable not enforcing the new gun law. When I took my oath as sheriff, the second line in my oath was to uphold the Constitution of the United States of America, Francis said. Obviously, theres discretion in which laws that we enforce. But a law that would be a violation of our constitutional rights is something that we would not enforce. Advertisement Among those who issued the letter stating the Illinois law violated the Second Amendment was DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, who faced intense criticism from county Democrats, including County Board Chair Deb Conroy, over the refusal to enforce the law. Mendrick said he would not send law enforcement officers door-to-door to see if lawful gun owners had registered their weapons. The new law doesnt require gun owners to register their so-called assault weapons until October of this year and the outright ban on having an assault weapon for anyone not registered to have one doesnt go into effect until 2024. Mendrick in late January issued a joint statement with Conroy and States Attorney Bob Berlin, a Republican, that acknowledged door-to-door checks were not part of the law and that the sheriff was committed to enforcing all state and local laws. DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick stands for a portrait in his office at the county jail, Feb. 17, 2022, in Wheaton. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) But Mendrick later denied backing down. Speaking at a Wayne Township Republican Organization meeting at a Carol Stream restaurant on Feb. 9, he said language specifically dealing with his enforcement of the law was removed from the statement at his insistence before he agreed to sign it. The gun law verbiage was taken out to satisfy me that I wasnt going to pledge to this gun law, he said, later lashing out at the law as garbage and an example of Democratic ideology and a furtherance of their socialist agenda. This is a pattern, people. This is a pattern of taking away your freedom. Its a pattern toward socialism. Its a pattern of taking away everything that you know. Look at the economy. Look at whats going on in your schools. Look whats going on in law enforcement. I mean, is there a realm I am missing that they didnt touch? Your entire way of life is changing, Mendrick said to an audience of about 35 people. Advertisement I dont care if the Democrats hate me and the media hates me. Do you really think Im gonna get their votes anyway? I mean, really. And this is the Republican problem. A lot will be, Oh, Im so sorry. Let me join with he told the GOP group. No. Absolutely not. Hold firm. Do your job. Be a Republican. And dont waver to these people just because theyre crying and screaming at you. In an interview with the Tribune, Mendrick recounted the slippery slope argument often used by gun rights advocates. Theres millions of guns out there. And, you know, gun owners, lawful gun owners, this makes them feel that their rights are being infringed upon, that this is just the beginning. How much further will it go after this? he asked. If this follows the path of smoking, you know, you could see a law like this in 10 years, nobody is going to be owning any handguns. Asked if he sees himself as being part of a movement like the constitutional sheriffs, Mendrick said, No, I see myself as being a conservative thats trying to safeguard my society. I dont know what ultimately my legal authority is, but I felt that I had to be responsive to the citizens of DuPage County who really feel threatened by this, he said. Like his downstate counterpart in Jefferson County did in the constitutional sheriffs groups webcast, Mendrick frequently referenced God in speaking to the Wayne Township Republicans. Advertisement He said God took care of me by making it impossible for him to staff enough deputies to conduct the registration checks and he condemned Democrats for the way theyve taken God out of society and erasing history. I am going to say it right now. Im a strong believer in God. I believe thats how I get to where I go, he said. Farris, the Texas Christian University professor, noted this larger movement in U.S. politics around Christian nationalism. She said while she has not specifically researched the issue among sheriffs, it makes sense to me that theres kind of overlapping ideas here about America in their minds being a Christian nation that requires some use of force to protect this kind of mythical origin that they talk about. Mendrick said the nonenforcement letter he put out was generated from the Illinois Sheriffs Association, adding, It was them who built that letter to make sure that it didnt violate any laws when it was written. Farris said she was not surprised the sheriffs association took the initiative. Over the last 10 years, I think weve seen state associations grow in power and strength, a recognition of needing to be protecting what they see as sheriffs interests and sheriffs power as well. Advertisement In an interview with the Tribune, Jim Kaitschuk, the executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs Association, said, Police officers and sheriffs certainly have the ability to say, I dont believe this is constitutional. And I think thats what they said, by issuing the nonenforcement letter. There was no push for them to do so. (It) was just making them aware that others (would) probably be doing something that, (if) they want to do something similar, they were welcome to do so, said Kaitschuk, who has headed the association for five years. Asked about the associations 2013 resolution recognizing the courts authority to determine a laws constitutionality and acknowledging sheriffs lack that legal authority, Kaitschuk said he was unaware of the document and couldnt speak to it. But I think sheriffs have a right just like anybody else does to have an opinion on something, right? he said. So, I think they said what their opinion was. Despite individual sheriffs asserting their belief that they can adjudicate the constitutionality of a law, the sheriffs association also has filed a friend of the court brief supporting a federal court challenge to it. A crowd in the overflow auditorium during a DuPage County Board meeting to voice opinion through public comment on the new assault weapons ban on Jan. 24, 2023, in Wheaton. (Mark Black / Chicago Tribune) The association contends the law crosses the bounds of constitutionality and demands that sheriffs enforce a law that deprives the law-abiding citizens they serve of their constitutional right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes, including sport and self-defense. Advertisement Because law enforcement should never be compelled to violate the constitutional rights of Illinois citizens, the ISA supports plaintiffs action to enjoin the implementation of (the law) and to have the statute declared unconstitutional, the sheriffs association court filing says. Citing emails it obtained from several county sheriff offices, the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, a group that tracks white supremacist organizations, said Kaitschuk passed on information to sheriffs about the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association event in Springfield. Kaitschuk said he learned of the Springfield event from Jennifer Martin, a Perry County Board member, and spoke to her at the request of Jefferson County Sheriff Bullard. Martin is facing disorderly conduct charges for an incident last year when she refused to leave a local high school and got into a loud argument with the principal and a police officer while school was in session. Martin was vocal in opposing the masking of schoolchildren in 2020 and 2021 and contended schools received large sums of COVID relief money in exchange for forcing children to wear masks. Kaitschuk said he had no previous knowledge about Martin. As for disseminating information about the sheriffs group, he likened it to an FYI, shorthand of for your information, and said it was not something I was supporting or endorsing. I forward information at the request of sheriffs all the time, he said. I get information that is about something going on or something that they might want to be aware of and I send it out. Advertisement It wasnt, Hey, go, he said. In the end, only about a dozen vehicles were parked outside the Springfield venue for the constitutional sheriffs association event. But Farris said the movement has really expanded to where we find sheriffs who are expressing these views who arent necessarily members of the CSPOA. This whole movement really raises some substantial questions about whats the role of federalism in governing and how do we have this, like rogue group that doesnt subscribe to what have been kind of accepted norms or practices or legal doctrines, Farris said. Farris said the actions of sheriffs and the response from legislators is really setting up a constitutional or governing battle that is really interesting. Largely there hasnt really ended up being some kind of major conflict between higher representatives and sheriffs, she said. But in Illinois, lawmakers have questioned sheriffs about their position, something she said was new in that sheriffs actually have been confronted on their ideas. State Rep. Kelly Cassidy of Chicago was one of the Democrats who sponsored the assault weapons ban legislation a decade ago. She said there has been a notable reversal in terms of the partnership in working with law enforcement groups like the state sheriffs association in the last 10 years. Advertisement Now, she said, the sheriffs have been doing a lot of mental gymnastics to justify violating their oath of office. At the end of the day, thats what it is. And thats by their own words from a few years ago. rap30@aol.com jgorner@chicagotribune.com Gorner reported from Springfield. TAIPEI (Reuters) -Former Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou will visit China this month, his office said on Sunday, the first time a former or current Taiwanese leader has visited since the defeated Republic of China government fled to the island in 1949. The trip will be at a time of heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei as China keeps up its military and political pressure to try and get democratically-elected Taiwan to accept Chinese sovereignty. Ma, who remains a senior member of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party, held a landmark meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Singapore in late 2015, shortly before current Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen was elected. Ma's office said that he would visit China from March 27 to April 7 and go to the cities of Nanjing, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing and Shanghai. He will meet students and visit sites connected to World War Two and China's conflict with Japan as well as those related to the 1911 revolution which overthrew the last Chinese emperor and ushered in the Republic of China, his office said. The Republic of China remains Taiwan's official name. It did not say if he would meet any Chinese officials or leaders, including whether he would meet Xi. The KMT, which traditionally favours close ties with China but strongly denies being pro-Beijing, has been stepping up its engagement with China since both China and Taiwan eased COVID-related travel restrictions. Last month the KMT's deputy chairman Andrew Hsia visited Beijing and met with senior Communist Party leader Wang Huning. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seized on Hsia's China trip to attack the KMT for being too close to Beijing and wanting to sell out Taiwan, and criticised Hsia for going to "pay court to the communists". The KMT says it is important to keep lines of communication open with China, especially given the current tensions. China has rebuffed repeated calls from Tsai for talks, believing her to be a separatist. She says only Taiwan's people can decide their future and rejects China's sovereignty claims. (Reporting by Ben BlanchardEditing by David Goodman and Raissa Kasolowsky) Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Townsquare Media, Inc. (NYSE:TSQ) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next four days. The ex-dividend date is one business day before a company's record date, which is the date on which the company determines which shareholders are entitled to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. In other words, investors can purchase Townsquare Media's shares before the 24th of March in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 1st of May. The company's upcoming dividend is US$0.19 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of US$0.75 per share to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Townsquare Media has a trailing yield of 8.7% on the current share price of $8.63. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing. Check out our latest analysis for Townsquare Media Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? When earnings decline, dividend companies become much harder to analyse and own safely. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. Townsquare Media's earnings per share have fallen at approximately 8.9% a year over the previous five years. When earnings per share fall, the maximum amount of dividends that can be paid also falls. Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Since the start of our data, five years ago, Townsquare Media has lifted its dividend by approximately 20% a year on average. Story continues The Bottom Line Is Townsquare Media an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? Townsquare Media's earnings per share are down over the past five years, although it has the cushion of a low payout ratio, which would suggest a cut to the dividend is relatively unlikely. In summary, Townsquare Media appears to have some promise as a dividend stock, and we'd suggest taking a closer look at it. While it's tempting to invest in Townsquare Media for the dividends alone, you should always be mindful of the risks involved. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Townsquare Media (of which 1 shouldn't be ignored!) you should know about. Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here In Chernihiv Oblast, in the 169th Desna Training Centre named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise, an emergency occurred, as a result of which four soldiers were killed. Source: Desna Training Centre Quote: "Yesterday, on 18 March, an emergency occurred, as a result of which four servicemen were killed. The reasons and circumstances are being investigated. An internal investigation is being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation. On behalf of the command and personnel, we express our sincere condolences to the families and friends of our fallen fellows." Details: The circumstances of the incident are still unknown. Background: The 169th Desna Training Centre named after Prince Yaroslav the Wise is a military unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, focused on training personnel for various branches of the Ground Forces of Ukraine. It is directly subordinated to the command of the Ground Forces. The centre is located in the village of Desna, Chernihiv Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The faithful around the world are celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Lent this weekend on March 19, 2023. This special Lenten season is a time to reflect on how change is only possible with the light of Christ, Dr. Michael Keller, senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Lincoln Square, in New York City, told Fox News Digital. "Many of us spend copious amounts of money trying to change our appearances, our prospects and our character," said Keller. THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT: GOD WILL QUENCH OUR 'SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND THIRST,' SAYS BALTIMORE FAITH LEADER "It is very American to desire change," he said. "It is less obvious how to achieve it." In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, the apostle writes, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light" (Ephesians 5:14). READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP This passage "is often used to encourage waking up and changing," Keller told Fox News Digital in an interview. "We think [change] is a process of the will to try harder and strive." In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he states that "Christ will give you light." Continued Keller, "Imagine a trainer trying to get you out of bed, saying, Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead!" He said, "But that is not what Paul is saying here." In the biblical era, "there were no alarm clocks or electric lights" and a person awoke each morning with the rising sun, said Keller. SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT: GOD'S GREATEST BLESSINGS MAY BE 'UNEXPECTED,' SAYS WASHINGTON PASTOR "In the same way, Paul is saying the way to change, the way to wake up, is not primarily through anything you do, but through Christ shining on you," he continued. "Like waking up to the sunshine, change comes naturally when we allow ourselves to bask in the beauty of Jesus' life and work," he said. To illustrate this point, Keller shared the story of Florence Chadwick, a legendary open-water swimmer. Michael Keller is senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Lincoln Square, in New York City. After Chadwick successfully swam the English Channel multiple times, she attempted to swim the distance between Catalina Island and the coast of California in July 1952. Story continues "The weather was foggy, the water was cold, she couldnt see the land, she couldnt see her progress Defeated, she gave up, completely exhausted," said Keller. FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT: THE TIME IS NOT JUST FOR PENANCE BUT FOR GOD'S 'ABUNDANT' MERCY, SAYS FAITH LEADER When Chadwick made it into the boat, she learned she was not far from her destination. Yet "because she couldnt see the shoreline, she didnt know," Keller said. As a person begins to recognize the beauty of Jesus' life and work, "that vision of beauty and rest moves our imagination" just as Florence Chadwick was able to push through to make it to the shore, said Keller. "Two months later, she tried again in the exact same treacherous conditions thick fog, cold water. But after 14 hours of swimming, she made it to shore," Keller said. "When asked how she did it despite the fog, she said that she kept the mental image of the shoreline in her head." Although the circumstances of her swims had not changed, "what allowed her to continue on to complete her work was that she had a vision of the beauty of the shoreline in her head," said Keller. As a person begins to recognize the beauty of Jesus' life and work, "that vision of beauty and rest moves our imagination" just as Chadwick was able to push through to make it to the shore. "If Chadwick didn't require a change in circumstances to achieve her goal she just needed to see the beauty of the shoreline in her mind imagine how changed we could be if the beauty of Jesus shined on us," he said. At left, New York City pastor Michael Keller. We can find the power to change when we rest in Christ's love, he said. "By reflecting on all that he has done for us, on the rest we find in him, and on the love and service he has shown us, we can awaken from our slumber and be filled with the energy to change," he continued. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul is saying that "when Jesus shines like that, then we can wake up from our sleep," he added. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER "Ironically, it is in resting in his love that we find the power to change," he said. "Just as Chadwick kept her mental image of the shoreline in her mind, we, too, can keep a vision of Jesus' beauty and love." Mike Segar/Reuters Rep. James Comer (R-KY) seems eager to believe a potential decision by the Manhattan District Attorney to indict Donald Trump has something to do with his quest to unearth documents tangentially related to Joe Bidens family. Comer appeared on Maria Baritromos Sunday Morning Futures, where Bartiromo led her one-person crusade on tying a House GOP memo detailing a payment made to Beau Bidens widow Hallie to a potential indictment of Trump next week. She initially tried to play it straight, asking if Comer had a comment on a Trump indictment, before Comer helped launch right into it. Its very odd that this would come out just the very next day after I revealed bank records which showed that the Biden family, the president in particular, hasnt been truthful with respect to his family receiving payments directly from the Chinese communist party, Comer said. So it almost looks like its an effort to detract. James Comer on Fox News suggests the Trump indictment is just a distraction from Hunter Biden pic.twitter.com/98cIxHDcG8 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2023 Republicans on the House Oversight Committee published a memo on Thursday that detailed how a Hunter Biden associate paid a total of $35,000 to Hallie Biden from a $3 million payment made to him by a Chinese-based company. A representative for Hunter Biden told CNN the presidents son entered into a legitimate business dealing and shared some of his cut with his uncle, James, and Hallie, who he was romantically involved with after Beau Bidens death. Comer did not seem eager to acknowledge how the Manhattan DAs investigation has been a months-long effort and was known to be in its final stages for weeks. Bartiromo seemed to try and lay her foundation further in John Ratcliffe, the former Director of National Intelligence under Trump, trying to weave in Bidens decision to wait to shoot down the Chinese spy balloon to deference to the nation entirely. Story continues You're just talking about this soft approach from Joe Biden to China, we're constantly asking: Why? Why not protect America? Bartiromo demanded. Is it a coincidence now that Trump is going to get indicted on Tuesday after these bank records were revealed last week? This is so incredibly disturbing. Do you think there's a coincidence that as soon as Comer comes out and exposes those bank records that suddenly Trump is going be indicted? pic.twitter.com/SH3xwtXL86 Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2023 Donald Trumps team has confirmed that there has been no formal notice of indictment. Ratcliffe, however, would not fully take the bait. I don't really believe much in coincidences. and so I do think that there, you knowI think that it's important what Congressman Comer is doing and it's a way for the American people to really find out what's happening, he said. I hope that that effort continues. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Fox News employees didn't believe 2020 election fraud claims, per texts and emails produced in a lawsuit. Professional journalism groups had harsh words, but Fox News's standing likely won't be affected. The White House Correspondents' Association doesn't police member conduct, a former board member said. In court documents made public in the past month, Fox News hosts are seen saying one thing in private, and another in public. Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham, and Sean Hannity all said in text messages that Sidney Powell's allegations that Dominion Voting Systems manipulated the election results in the 2020 election were absurd. On air, however, they each raised the possibility that the election was stolen. Asked in a deposition whether hosts including Maria Bartiromo and Lou Dobbs lied, Fox Corporation Chair Rupert Murdoch answered in the affirmative. A number of professional organizations told Insider that Fox News fell well short of the standards expected in the profession. "No responsible journalist or news organization would intentionally mislead their audience into believing that something is true when they know it isn't," Claire Regan, the national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, told Insider. "Journalism is about truth-telling, not spreading disinformation. A foundational principle of the SPJ Code of Ethics is to seek the truth and report it." But the revelations likely won't have any impact on Fox's standing in professional groups, many of which are designed for advocacy and professional development rather than being member-based. The court documents were produced in a lawsuit first filed by Dominion in March 2021. The election technology company alleges Fox News defamed it by allowing Sidney Powell and Rudy Giuliani two conspiracy theorist lawyers hired by then-President Donald Trump to spread lies about it on air without being sufficiently challenged. Powell and Giuliani falsely claimed Dominion's technology flipped votes from Trump to now-President Joe Biden, and that Trump was the true victor of the 2020 election. Story continues Fox News and its parent company, Fox Corporation, have denied wrongdoing and say its employees fairly reported on explosive allegations about election fraud made by the sitting president. A Fox News spokesperson told Insider that the company continues to invest in journalism and called Dominion's lawsuit an "unprecedented assault on the First Amendment." "FOX News Media has increased its investment in journalism by more than 50%, further expanding our newsgathering footprint both domestically and abroad while providing state-of-the-art resources to enhance our coverage," the spokesperson said. "We are incredibly proud of our team of journalists who continue to deliver breaking news from around the world." Fox News probably won't be expelled from journalism organizations Bill McCarren, executive director of the National Press Club, called the revelations in the Dominion lawsuit "extremely disappointing." "Journalism receives significant protections from the First Amendment and with those protections come profound responsibilities," McCarren told Insider. "It appears that some at Fox have not lived up to those responsibilities in this case." The strongly worded statements don't affect how Fox News employees are treated within those professional journalism organizations. A representative for the Society of Professional Journalists which welcomed "all journalists" to participate in professional development programs said that Fox News wasn't an organizational member and that people named in the lawsuit weren't individual members. McCarren said people named in Dominion's lawsuit weren't members of the National Press Club, either, and that the disclosures in the litigation "do not affect the standing" of other members who work at Fox News. "It is not our policy to comment on the expulsion of members in general," McCarren wrote in an email. "But, no members have been expelled from the Press Club due to discovery etc. in this suit." Drew Berry, the executive director of the National Association of Black Journalists, told Insider that the vast majority of its members, many of whom work for local Fox affiliate stations, "do excellent journalism." "Our members are not going to be punished by banishment from our organization for the actions of people over which they have no control," Berry told Insider. "We have a great deal of confidence that the overwhelming majority of our members who work for FOX do not cross ethical lines. To expel almost 80 FOX employees and members for the actions of someone at the top brass who is unethical would be a conviction of the wrong group." Bret Baier of "Special Report with Bret Baier" on Fox News. Paul Morigi/Getty Images Tamara Keith, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, declined to comment. Evidence made public in Dominion's lawsuit shows how Fox employees beyond just hosts of opinion shows had priorities other than telling their viewers the truth. In emails, Raj Shah, a Fox Corporation senior vice president, discussed shaping messaging strategies with Trump's team around election results. Fox News chief political correspondent Bret Baier said in an email to Fox News producers and executives that he was "uncomfortable" defending Biden's electoral victory in Arizona. "It's hurting us. The sooner we pull it even if it gives us major egg. And we put it back in his column. The better we are," Baier said in an apparent reference to Trump. A former board member of the WHCA, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the group's inner workings, said the organization doesn't police the conduct of its members. Questions beyond "do you cover the White House?" aren't relevant to determine membership when journalists re-apply every year, the former board member said. "There are left-wing publications, right-wing publications, there are government-owned publications there's Voice of America, foreign news organizations," the former board member said. " It's a pretty broad spectrum." White House correspondent for Fox News Peter Doocy during a news conference. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images The rare exception for deploying consequences against members, the former board member said, is when they affect the safety of other members, such as when a reporter from One America News (which Dominion is also suing over conspiracy theories) was taken out of the WHCA rotation for refusing to abide by distancing measures at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The mission of the WHCA, the former board member said, is to get its members as much access as possible to White House employees and events. Fox News has been helpful in the fight for transparency, they said. "Fox has actually been a constructive member of the WHCA. We've had zero issues. They joined with us on the battles that we had in the Trump era," the former board member said. "When the Trump White House tried to boot Jim Acosta, for example, the WHCA took a united stand on that, and Fox was part of that." Representatives for the Asian American Journalists Association and National Association of Hispanic Journalists didn't respond to Insider's requests for comment. According to a survey conducted by the Maru Group and Variety, a fifth of Fox News viewers have less trust in the network following the disclosure of Murdoch's testimony and its hosts' text messages. 13% of Fox News viewers also no longer hold the false belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump following the disclosures, according to the survey. Viewership levels and advertising on Fox News remain strong, according to Fox News, which ran a story this week bragging about its ratings against CNN's. The trial between Dominion and Fox News is scheduled to begin on April 17. Correction: March 20, 2023 An earlier version of this story misstated Raj Shah's job at Fox Corporation. He's an executive vice president, not a board member. The story also misspelled the name of the National Press club's executive director. It's Bill McCarren. Additionally, the story incorrectly described a feature of the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Press Club. The organizations do have membership programs; representatives said people named in Dominion's lawsuit weren't members. Read the original article on Business Insider Visitors to Fresno Yosemite International Airport will soon be greeted by a new public art piece designed and created by noted Fresno artist Caleb Duarte. Duartes piece, entitled You Have Arrived, is a four-story, vertical mixed-media mural to be installed on the elevator shaft of the airports parking structure, directly across the main driveway from the terminal building. It is expected to be in place this spring. Duarte is an art professor who teaches sculpture at Fresno City College, and in his career has held numerous solo exhibitions and created iconic public art work across the globe, said Lilia Gonzales Chavez, executive director of the Fresno Arts Council. Cities where his work has been shown include Mumbai, India; Chiapas, Mexico; Santiago de Cuba, Cuba; Montreal, Canada; Frankfurt, Germany; and Pienza, Italy, Gonzales Chavez said. Airport officials collaborated with the Fresno Arts Council to coordinate a statewide call for artists and establish a criteria for evaluating proposals. A field of 17 artists submitted proposals; that group was narrowed to three finalists who met with a five-member selection committee. The committee unanimously voted for Duarte last fall. Duartes finalized design for the work was unveiled for the Fresno City Council last week. Caleb Duarte, a professor of sculpture at Fresno City College, is the artist who designed a new public art installation for the parking garage at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The $29 million parking structure opened in the fall of 2021, and represented one of the initial components of an ambitious $236 million airport improvement program that includes improvements to the tarmac adjacent to the terminal and its boarding gates; expansion of the terminal building; the future replacement of existing air traffic control tower; and reconstructing one of the airports two runways. The airport parking garage has a lot of empty space and we wanted to create something iconic and beautiful to welcome travelers and visitors to the airport, said Claudia Arguelles-Miller, the airports marketing manager. We wanted something that would represent our diverse culture of the Central Valley and we wanted to be inclusive. Story continues Using a combination of painted ceramic relief sculpture, mosaic tiles and painted or cemented granite rocks, Duartes design depicts a tall figure with arms representing an abstraction of a tree, along with floating abstract patterns symbolizing flight. The figures hands visually state, I have arrived; I am from here, Duarte wrote in his proposal. It is a great honor to be selected for the creation of Fresno Yosemite International Airports public mural that will represent the cultural vibrancy and resilience of our community, Duarte said after his selection was announced. I believe that public art serves us by establishing a collective memory while creating new sites of shared experiences. The design of Duartes piece is reminiscent of the mural it faces on the exterior of the terminal building, Raymond Rices 1962 work entitled Sky and Ground. That piece, crafted from Venetian glass, is a 128-foot mural The Fresno Bee once described as an abstract approach to the aeronautical theme. It was very important that it was compatible with the existing mosaic that it will be facing on the front of the terminal, Arguelles-Miller said. A pair of outgoing travelers walk past the large mural outside the terminal building at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport on their way to catch a flight. Fresnos airports director, Henry Thompson, said Duartes experience, vision and artistic interpretations that combined Fresnos culture and history, play to the architectural elements of the garage, and compliment the existing mosaic on the face of the terminal building made him the best choice to create our signature public art piece. The original budget for the piece was $35,000, but Thompson said various factors have combined to drive the actual cost to closer to $50,000. Mitrovic was sent off after pushing referee Christopher Kavanagh (Getty Images) As Manchester United moved a step nearer a cup treble, Fulham mustered a less welcome hat-trick of their own. At a ground with a statue of Uniteds holy trinity, Fulham instead had their own unholy trinity. On a day when they excelled for 70 minutes, they instead exited the FA Cup in disgrace. The rarity of three red cards in between the ball being kicked, and at a time when Fulham were still leading, irrevocably altered a quarter-final and enabled United to turn the tie around. Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabtizer struck in swift succession with the Portuguese adding an injury-time third as Fulham, like Barcelona and Manchester City before them, led at Old Trafford and then lost. But not in such extraordinary circumstances. Because if Fulham lost a chance to close in on a first major trophy in their 144-year history, they also lost their heads. Only Willian of the expelled trio could merit any sympathy: he had blocked Jadon Sanchos shot on the line with his hand in what was almost a brilliant bit of defending. But manager Marco Silva and top scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic saw red for their confrontations with referee Christopher Kavanagh. Until then, Silvas gameplan had been terrific and executed wonderfully and Mitrovic had produced a superb display. Now fines and bans beckon after each let his side down. As Fulham finished with nine men and no manager, this became a formality. United, mediocre against 11 men, cruised into a semi-final with Brighton. Their season could yet end with a Manchester derby at Wembley. As it is, their unbeaten run at Old Trafford extends to 23 games but, while this was a 20th win in that time, it long looked one of the poorest performances since Real Sociedads September triumph. Then Fulham were caught on the counter-attack. Antony released Sancho, who rounded Bernd Leno and shot. The indefatigable Willian had sprinted back from the United half, somehow got back to the goal-line and contrived to deflect the shot wide. He pointed to his chest; in the age of VAR, it mattered not. Story continues Referee Kavanagh was sent to the monitor. Before he could even view the replay, Silva had given him enough invective to bring his dismissal. When he did see it, the uncomplaining Willian was duly given the same punishment. Mitrovic barged into the official, either his deeds or his words earned him a third sending off in as many minutes. At the end of it, Fernandes coolly tucked the resulting penalty away. (Getty Images) Fulham had flourished playing 4-2-3-1. Reduced to a 4-3-1 formation, they barely held out for a minute. Luke Shaw crossed, Sabitzer met it with a backheel flick to score his first United goal. Old Trafford was euphoric, Fulham left to lament what might have been. They had looked the more energetic, perhaps unsurprisingly as it was their third game of March and Uniteds sixth. In a bright start, Issa Diop had a header tipped over and Willian fizzed a shot wide. As they began the second half at similar speed, David de Gea turned Antonee Robinsons rising shot over and Willians drive just past the post. This time the reward came. While Wout Weghorst laboured ineffectually, the performance of a high-class, old-fashioned No. 9 came in a white shirt. Mitrovic had not scored since 3 January but a powerful, purposeful performance produced a first goal in 10 matches. He converted from close range after a well-worked corner routine. Andreas Pereira, playing better than he often did in a United shirt, took it, Diop met it with a flick and Mitrovic supplied the finish. (Getty Images) Uniteds inability to cope with Mitrovic had been signalled earlier. Harry Maguire, starting consecutive matches for the first time since August, was booked for wrestling him to the ground: it ruled the centre-back out of the semi-final long before there were more memorable displays of a lack of discipline. After he scored, Mitrovic met another Pereira corner with a header that De Gea clawed away wonderfully and then, seconds later, headed just wide. At that stage, it seemed as though a second goal may not be needed. United had scarcely threatened, with Leno only repelling the sort of shots he should save. The costly sending off seemed to be that of Casemiro against Southampton last week as Harrison Reed and Joao Palhinha, back from a ban himself, dominated in midfield. But Ten Hag has made a series of telling substitutions this season and while he seemed short of options on the bench, he conjured another. On came Antony for Scott McTominay, with Sancho moving to the left flank in the subsequent reshuffle. The turnaround could be attributed to a tactical change. But the emotional element probably played a greater part. The needless actions of Silva and Mitrovic left Fulham more depleted than they would have been, in disarray as Sabitzer scored. Fernandes drilled in a 96th-minute third. And so both clubs will play in London in five weeks time but whereas United head for Wembley, Fulham will be stuck at Craven Cottage. SEOUL (Reuters) - Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations said on Sunday they regret the inaction by the U.N. Security Council over N.Korea's missile tests. In a statement, they noted "obstruction" by some members of the UNSC. Though they did not name them, China and Russia have blocked recent attempts to do more in response to N.Korea. The group condemned North Korea's March 16 launch of an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) as "undermining regional and international peace and security." (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Jacqueline Wong) Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents asked the public for more information regarding a murder that took place several years ago. On March 18, 2014, Montevious Flentall was found shot to death in his Pageland Drive home in Toccoa. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to investigators, several individuals were seen quickly leaving the area of the home in a gray Ford Edge and driving to Seneca, South Carolina. Descriptions of the individuals were not provided. TRENDING STORIES: Saturday marked the ninth anniversary of Flentalls murder, and his family is still working to bring those responsible to justice. The communitys involvement is so important in the successful outcome of this and other cases, officials said in a statement Saturday. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the GBI Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson greets his supporters during his election victory celebration at the Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel on April 4, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune) Brandon Johnson wants voters to know about his time on the front lines of Chicago Public Schools. The mayoral candidate and longtime Chicago Teachers Union organizer often revisits his role in the 2015 hunger strike over reopening Dyett High School on the South Side. He recalls his view from Jenner Academy of the Arts, where he taught while the citys infamous Cabrini-Green public housing towers were felled nearby. And he shares memories of his past students. Advertisement One of my students looked me in the face and said, Mr. Johnson, you should not be teaching here. ... You should be teaching at a good school, Johnson recalled during his victory speech Feb. 28, when he placed second among nine candidates to advance to the runoff. It broke my heart then. It breaks my heart today. I wanted to change the system. But while Johnson tends to lead with emotion when talking about CPS, his rival, Paul Vallas, prefers to speak in statistics. Advertisement Vallas regularly cites its per-pupil spending though using a figure thats nearly double the official state number and whose accuracy has been questioned. A big proponent of school choice, hes often noted that 97% of local charter school students are Black or Latino. To underscore the problem of underused schools and dropping enrollment, he points to Manley Career Academy High School, which has fewer than 70 students. Hes also sought to spotlight the impact he had when he ran CPS from 1995 to 2001. You know, (Johnson) talks about being an elementary school teacher. Did he ever mention that the school that he taught in was the Jenner School that I built right in the heart of Cabrini-Green? Vallas said. Next to the (Walter Payton College Prep), which I also built when Cabrini was still standing, and we had basically guaranteed slots for the (Cabrini) kids? Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson speaks after receiving the endorsement of the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in the Kenwood neighborhood on March 17, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Whomever voters choose as Chicagos next mayor on April 4 will not just run City Hall but also oversee Illinois largest school district. That will include entering into contract negotiations with the teachers union, whose current deal expires in 2024; coping with enrollment loss as a moratorium on school closings ends; and preparing for the transition to an elected school board before the next term is up. And while both men have deep roots in Chicagos education landscape, they have sharply contrasting views on issues including student testing, COVID-19 mitigations and charter schools. Chicago residents will be selecting between two radically different trajectories for hundreds of thousands of students and their families, said CPS parent Cassie Creswell, director of the nonprofit Illinois Families for Public Schools. It feels very historic and significant to have two people who have absolutely diametrically opposed careers and policy positions, said Creswell, who plans to vote for Johnson. Its like being on the precipice of possibly good change or possibly a continuation of the last 30 years of school reform in Chicago. The next mayor will be the last to appoint their own school board, a power city leaders have enjoyed since the late 1990s when reforms granted full control to then-Mayor Richard M. Daley. Theres so many basic experiences of school that are affected by bigger policies, Creswell said. How much pressure and focus there is on standardized test scores, how much time you get to do art or music to play as a child. If theres a kid whos upset, is there another adult in the building besides your classroom teacher who can sit down with them and calm them down? Do you have a social worker or a nurse if someone cuts themselves on the playground. All of that is ultimately decided by education policy. Joyce Kenner, principal of CPS Whitney Young Magnet High School for 27 years before her recent retirement, said she sees the potential continuation of Vallas management approach as a benefit. Advertisement Former Principal and CEO of Whitney Young Magnet High School Joyce Kenner endorses mayoral candidate Paul Vallas during a news conference at the Vallas campaign headquarters on March 7, 2023, in the West Loop. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune) He understands what the issues are within our school system and he has some recommendations on how to fix those. I just think that our city cannot afford to have a long learning curve. Kenner began her tenure at Whitney Young the same school year Vallas became district CEO. His leadership was strong. People were more accountable to some degree people were afraid of him. A little bit is good because it makes people do their jobs, do them well and then go home at the end of the day. Traditional schools v. more charters A decade after former Mayor Rahm Emanuel closed 50 schools despite community and CTU outcry, both Johnson and Vallas say they aim to turn around the districts yearslong enrollment decline by changing how CPS roughly 600 schools are funded and programmed. Vallas has said programs for adult students can boost underused schools and that vacant school buildings should be rented to charter schools in need of more space. Vallas said at a recent forum he believes the number of charters operating within CPS is sufficient, though as recently as 2022 he was advocating for more. His education plan also includes lifting the enrollment cap at high-performing charters and he has repeatedly expressed that school choice is the civil rights issue for our generation. On potential future CPS school closures, Vallas usually hedges his answer, though he told Block Club Chicago in a recent podcast: I dont think were really going to have to close schools. Although Vallas pledged in an interview with Block Club Chicago his overwhelming focus is on traditional public schools, that leaves room for him to continue supporting controversial voucher programs and charters. Advertisement Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas talks to reporters following a debate with opponent Brandon Johnson at WLS- Ch. 7 studios in Chicago on March 16, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Since 2018, Illinois Invest in Kids voucher program has directed up to $75 million in tax revenue per year to cover tuition at private, mostly religion-based schools including for around 4,000 Chicago students in 2022, according to the most recent Illinois Department of Revenue report. The program, which is being considered for reauthorization, is due to end in January 2025. Joshua Cowen, education policy professor and research director of the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice, said school choice programs often come with low test scores and high exit rates. Cowen has evaluated a series of private school voucher programs across the country, including the system launched in New Orleans when Vallas was chief of schools. We saw some of the largest negative impacts on student achievement we have ever seen, on anything, in any sort of area really catastrophically large for kids who use (voucher programs), Cowen said. Vallas, however, has defended school choice by arguing students should be allowed to go to better schools than whats available in their neighborhoods. Johnson has pledged to fight to increase state funding to CPS and to shift from an enrollment-based to a needs-based model for determining how much each school gets. Advertisement Hes also promised to fully staff bilingual and special education programs; to house the districts nearly 4,000 homeless students in partnership with the Department of Family and Support Services; to provide more mental health professionals in schools; and to make buildings environmentally sustainable and accessible to students with disabilities. Johnsons plans have been criticized, however, as financially unrealistic in aiming to procure additional state funds for the cash-strapped district. Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson takes questions from reporters following a debate with opponent Paul Vallas at WLS-Ch. 7 studios in Chicago on March 16, 2023. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune) Vallas vision for education includes identifying and supporting at-risk youth but does not directly address the requests for more social workers and staffing in programs for diverse learners, as teachers have sought. Both candidates have called for the creation of work-study programs and community schools that provide services to families beyond the traditional school day child care and health services in Johnsons vision, and academic support and recreational opportunities in Vallas. Regarding underutilized schools across the district, Johnson said a process that identifies and addresses root causes can provide schools an opportunity to grow their enrollment, while Vallas plan promises to systematically convert failing or under-enrolled schools into open-enrollment magnet schools. Advertisement Johnson has said he believes better program design can also prevent enrollment decreases. And Vallas often cites high enrollment during his tenure as CPS CEO two decades ago as a harbinger of his leadership as mayor. But population trends, rather than political will, largely drives the districts declining enrollment, said Forest Gregg, a partner with the Chicago-based consulting firm DataMade. Its research attributes the decreasing numbers of CPS students in part to the loss of population, particularly among Black families, and a trend of immigrant families having fewer children. Both the candidates seem to think that enrollment is declining because Chicago families are choosing to not send their children to Chicago Public Schools. Its not. Enrollment is declining because there are many fewer children being born in Chicago, Gregg said. CPS cant change these bigger trends by itself. Its a city issue. Mayoral Candidate Paul Vallas talks to community members at the Pullman Community Center on March 18, 2023 in Woodlawn. (Shanna Madison / Chicago Tribune) According to Gregg, the remedy lies with broader, family-friendly policies that help particularly Black and Latino Chicagoans be secure enough that they feel like they can have and take care of as many children as they want. Among family-friendly policies the candidates have promised on the campaign trail: Vallas has said hell increase the supply of affordable housing. Child care for all is among the key points of Johnsons platform. A new teacher contract this time without a strike? How the candidates deal with the teachers contract is another potential flashpoint. The CTUs demand for increased parental leave for CPS employees is among the points of contention between the union and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, which the next mayor could inherit. CTUs current contract finalized only after a two-week strike by CTU in 2019 will expire in June 2024. Union members continue to advocate for more nurses, social workers and special education classroom assistants, as well as more funding to meet the needs of an influx of migrant students, to make schools cleaner and safer and generally to alleviate the strain inside schools. Advertisement While the CTU has derided Vallas leadership, for ushering charter schools into the district and forgoing contributions to the teachers pension fund, he presided over a period of peace with the union a point he often highlights on the campaign trail. But the teachers union has significantly changed since he was CEO, and is now far more focused on broader social issues. For Johnson, who is a Cook County commissioner, criticism has come from the opposite end of relations with CTU. Currently on leave in his role as a paid CTU organizer, Johnson has had to address criticism that hes too close to the union to fairly represent the interests of the district at large, and of taxpayers, in contract talks. Initially, Johnson brushed off such questions, but he recently sought to assuage those concerns. Sherry Cameron, from left, Lance Anderson, H. Lee Cook and Patricia Roberson show their support for Chicago mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson at the Chicago Teachers Union on Jan. 16, 2023. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune) I have a fiduciary responsibility to the people of the city of Chicago, and once Im mayor of the city of Chicago, I will no longer be a member of the Chicago Teachers Union, Johnson said. The candidates have also differed on test scores. In New Orleans and Chicago, the city saw improvements, which Vallas often highlights, despite critics saying he is overstating or simplifying those gains. For his part, Johnson has been critical of testing. This narrative that our children are not proficient, keep in mind that its based on the standardized test that has history in eugenics that was trying to prove that Black people were inferior, Johnson said at a mayoral forum. Under my administration, were going to invest in people, Johnson continued. How about we actually do something better than a standardized test? Advertisement Johnson has not elaborated on what he would do about the various tests that CPS students are subject to, whether annual state-mandated tests or entrance exams for the districts magnet high schools. But as recently as Thursday, he reiterated a blanket disapproval for standardized testing when asked about the grade hed give current CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. The candidate did not indicate whether or not he would keep Lightfoots appointed schools chief on beyond saying a discussion would be had after the election. Vallas also did not commit to a grade for Martinez but praised him for his reform approach when previously leading San Antonios school district. As for Martinezs tenure in Chicago, Vallas said any blemishes on his record are due to Lightfoots control. Im not ready to give him a grade, Vallas said, because the mayor really has control over the schools. smacaraeg@chicagotribune.com ayin@chicagotribune.com Advertisement gpratt@chicagotribune.com Last week, you might have seen that Gem Diamonds Limited (LON:GEMD) released its full-year result to the market. The early response was not positive, with shares down 7.6% to UK0.27 in the past week. It looks like a credible result overall - although revenues of US$189m were what the analysts expected, Gem Diamonds surprised by delivering a (statutory) profit of US$0.072 per share, an impressive 30% above what was forecast. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. With this in mind, we've gathered the latest statutory forecasts to see what the analysts are expecting for next year. View our latest analysis for Gem Diamonds Taking into account the latest results, the current consensus, from the dual analysts covering Gem Diamonds, is for revenues of US$182.2m in 2023, which would reflect a noticeable 3.6% reduction in Gem Diamonds' sales over the past 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to jump 105% to US$0.15. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$188.9m and earnings per share (EPS) of US$0.12 in 2023. While revenue forecasts have been revised downwards, the analysts look to have become more optimistic on the company's cost base, given the great increase in to the earnings per share numbers. There's been no real change to the average price target of UK0.57, with the lower revenue and higher earnings forecasts not expected to meaningfully impact the company's valuation over a longer timeframe. Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. One thing that stands out from these estimates is that shrinking revenues are expected to moderate over the period ending 2023 compared to the historical decline of 5.7% per annum over the past five years. Compare this against analyst estimates for companies in the broader industry, which suggest that revenues (in aggregate) are expected to decline 0.5% annually. While this is interesting, Gem Diamonds', revenues are still expected to shrink next year, and at a faster rate than the wider industry. Story continues The Bottom Line The biggest takeaway for us is the consensus earnings per share upgrade, which suggests a clear improvement in sentiment around Gem Diamonds' earnings potential next year. Unfortunately they also downgraded their revenue estimates, and our analysts estimates suggest that Gem Diamonds is still expected to perform worse than the wider industry. Still, earnings are more important to the intrinsic value of the business. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates. With that said, the long-term trajectory of the company's earnings is a lot more important than next year. At least one analyst has provided forecasts out to 2025, which can be seen for free on our platform here. You still need to take note of risks, for example - Gem Diamonds has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Protesters lay on the ground holding cardboard signs shaped like tombstones in front of the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport as the Florida Board of Medicine met inside on Aug 5, 2022. Jose A. Iglesias/El Nuevo Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images A Georgia county was accused of refusing to include gender-affirming care as part of their health coverage. An employee sued them for discrimination in 2019, ProPublica reported. The county spent $1.2 million fighting it, ProPublica found significantly more than the cost to cover care. A Georgia county was accused of denying expanding their medical care coverage to include gender-affirming care for an employee and instead spent $1.2 million fighting the effort. Sgt. Anna Lange, a sheriff's deputy in Georgia's Houston County requested her county expand its healthcare coverage to cover her gender-affirming care, according to court documents reviewed by Insider. The county refused, citing the cost as a primary reason, ProPublica reported. Lange sued the county for discrimination, alleging that while the county provides necessary healthcare to employees, she was "being denied medically-necessary care under the plan because Houston County (the "County") has expressly and deliberately excluded the care she needs," per the court documents. Houston County did not respond to Insider's request for comment at the time of publication. Lange had worked for the Houston County Sheriff's Office for more than a decade before she came out as transgender to her co-workers in 2017 after a therapist diagnosed her with gender dysphoria. Her boss thought she was joking at first and later told her he didn't "believe in" being transgender, according to deposition notes obtained by ProPublica. Soon, Lange realized that her county-issued health insurance would not cover much of the transitional care, and all her efforts to have it included were of no avail, ProPublica reported. "You knew right then and there that no matter what I said, that it wouldn't matter," she told ProPublica. "It's a really helpless feeling." Despite the concern over costs, ProPublica estimated that the legal fees to fight Lange's case were three times the county's budget for physical and mental health in a year. Story continues After racking up medical debt with bills going to collectors and using up her savings and retirement funds, Lange told ProPublica she decided to sue the county in 2019 for employment discrimination. The county then hired a private law firm to fight against Lange in federal court, and paid them close to $1.2 million, ProPublica reported. ProPublica estimated the cost by adding the total direct payments to private law firms from the date the lawsuit was filed through Dec. 31, 2022. "It was a slap in the face, really, to find out how much they had spent," Lange told ProPublica."They're treating it like a political issue, obviously, when it's a medical issue." According to the Human Rights Campaign, including gender-affirming care as part of insurance plans especially for large companies usually only adds "a very small additional cost." One expert cited by ProPublica estimated that including transition-related care in the health plan would add just 0.1% to the cost of all claims. However, Houston County claimed that even if the costs are minimal now, they'll eventually add up, and that including gender-affirming care on their health plans will make way for demands to include coverage for abortion or weight loss surgeries, ProPublica reported. The Human Rights Campaign reported that the total cost for gender-affirming care for one person is estimated to be between $25,000 to $75,000, which is minimal compared to the cost of other procedures or drugs. Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign said that transgender people typically deal with other medical conditions as a result of not being able to transition. Read the original article on Business Insider A highly invasive species with destructive potential was found in a travelers suitcase at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, federal officials said. Six Giant African Snails were uncovered inside the luggage of someone flying into the U.S. from the African nation of Ghana on March 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a March 17 news release. On average, Giant African Snails grow to the size of an average adult fist, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are eaten in some countries as was the intention with the six seized in Michigan but are illegal to bring into the United States for many reasons, Customs and Border Protection officials said. They sometimes carry parasites that sicken humans, and they can and do eat 500 kinds of plants and materials, including stucco and plaster often used in houses and other buildings, officials said. The giant African snail threatens our plants, our homes and our health, the USDA says, adding that it is one of the most damaging snails in the world. The snail has tried to stage an invasion before, according to the USDA. The pest started appearing in southern Florida in the 1960s and it took a decade to eradicate them. However, the snails have established footholds in the state several times since and officials are currently battling populations in Florida, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Officials confiscated the snails found at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport for further analysis, the CBP release said. Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to target, detect, and intercept potential threats before they have a chance to do harm to U.S. interests, said Port Director Robert Larkin. Mysterious ball seen beside road was 14-foot invasive snake, New York officials say Hitchhiking invasive critter crept into Oregon on plant. It might harm other species Weird creature seen wallowing on Florida doorbell camera. Scared the heck out of me Wildlife officials want you to catch and cook fat and juicy invasive species in Utah A 16-year-old Texas girl died of fentanyl poisoning after taking just one pill laced with the opioid, her parents and the teen's school district announced Wednesday - the latest in a wave of teen overdoses in the state sparking lawmakers to call for schools to increase education surrounding the drug. Sienna Vaughn, a junior at Plano High School in Plano, Tex., took a pill Feb. 19 that she got from a friend that she thought was Percocet, a prescription painkiller she believed could help her relax, the girl's family wrote on a memorial website for her. But when Stephanie Vaughn, her mother, went to go check on Sienna and her friend, she found her daughter pale and the friend gurgling on the bed, she told KDFW. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Medics rushed the two to a hospital. The friend survived, but Sienna was pronounced dead of what was confirmed to be fentanyl poisoning. "They didn't know what they had," Sienna's mother told the TV station. "They didn't know it was fentanyl." In a letter sent to parents Wednesday evening, Plano Independent School District Superintendent Theresa Williams confirmed that an unidentified student had recently died of a fentanyl overdose. "We recently experienced the tragic loss of one of our beloved Plano ISD students to a deadly fentanyl poisoning," Williams said in the letter, according to WFAA. "I cannot express the sadness and grief that we are all feeling." The Vaughn family told The Washington Post that they have been "crushed by the sudden loss of our wonderful daughter and sister." "She meant everything to us and we'll never fully recover," the family said in a statement. "Our goal in going public with her story is to honor her memory by trying to save the lives of other children." Sienna's death is the latest fatal teen fentanyl overdose to rock Texas in recent months, as parents, lawmakers and authorities respond via interviews, proposed bills and even billboards featuring the faces of young people who have died. Story continues In North Texas, there have been nearly a dozen cases of students in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District overdosing on fentanyl between September and early March, NBC News reported. The cases, which include three deaths, brought about charges against three people for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to a federal complaint last month. Billboards went up this week near Austin showing Cameron Stewart, a 19-year-old from Cedar Park, Tex., who died after taking a laced Valium in 2021. The billboard, which features a photo of a smiling Stewart, reads, "Fentanyl kills . . . just ask my mom!" Texas Republicans have responded to the fentanyl deaths by calling for more education in schools and harsher punishments for those convicted of selling the opioid. State Rep. Terry Wilson (R) proposed a bill this month that calls for school districts to give at least 10 hours of instruction related to "fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness" for students in grades six through 12. The bill is called "Tucker's Law" for Tucker Roe, a 19-year-old from Leander, Tex., who, like Vaughn, died after he bought and took what he thought was a Percocet in 2021. The Texas Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that would allow prosecutors to charge fentanyl distributors with murder. The bill sponsored by state Sen. Joan Huffman (R), which would classify fentanyl overdoses as "poisonings," has found support from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and is expected to be signed into law. The state GOP's approach of increasing criminal penalties has been criticized by experts, who accuse the lawmakers of not doing enough to help with addiction. What's unfolding in Texas reflects the nationwide uptick in fentanyl overdoses among young people. Depending on a person's body size, tolerance and past usage, a fentanyl dose of as little as 2 milligrams can be lethal, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. A December report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the median monthly overdose deaths related to fentanyl for people ages 10 to 19 increased by 182 percent from July to December 2019 compared with the same period in 2021. Between July 2019 and December 2021, more than 2,200 teens fatally overdosed in the United States, according to the report - and fentanyl was involved in 84 percent of those deaths. Sienna's family said their daughter was involved in cheerleading and Girl Scouts, and she loved thrift shopping, going to concerts and playing with the family's cats. "She was just living her 16-year-old life," mother Stephanie Vaughn said to KDFW. On Feb. 19, Sienna was eating snacks and goofing off with her friend on what appeared to be a regular Sunday, her mom told local media. But the mother realized something was wrong when her daughter didn't respond after she knocked on the door. Vaughn opened the door and understood there was danger, she said. "Her friend was making this weird gurgling noise and I saw Sienna and she was just so pale," the mother recalled to the station, saying she started performing CPR. "I immediately said, 'Call 911, call 911.' " The family wrote on their memorial page that even though they found her only about an hour after she had taken the fentanyl, it was too late. "Taking a prescription pill that someone gave her was a mistake, but this should NOT have been a fatal error," they wrote. "With Fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills in circulation, people are not getting a second chance." In the Wednesday letter to Plano ISD parents, Williams urged families to talk to their kids about the threats of drug use, specifically fentanyl. "It is crucial that students and those of us who care for them understand the risks involved and the devastating consequences that can come from experimenting with this and other drugs, which come in various forms - from pills to vape solutions," Williams wrote. Since Sienna's death, her family has raised more than $31,000 on GoFundMe to help raise awareness around getting the overdose-reversal drug Narcan into schools and work with organizations focused on the fentanyl crisis. The Vaughn family stressed to The Post that Sienna's story, along with so many of the other examples of young people dying of fentanyl overdoses, is important to share - no matter how painful it is for them. "No family should go through this pain and no child should lose their future due to the trap that is fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl," the family said. "Please talk to your kids and spread the world about this poison." Related Content Senior care is crushingly expensive. Boomers aren't ready. A railroad fan photographed Putin's armored train. Now he lives in exile. She goes on awkward 'dates' with celebs. Now she's flirting with fame. When Google began rolling out Androids March security patch earlier this week , the company addressed a High severity vulnerability involving the Pixels Markup screenshot tool. Over the weekend, Simon Aarons and David Buchanan , the reverse engineers who discovered CVE-2023-21036, shared more information about the security flaw, revealing Pixel users are still at risk of their older images being compromised due to the nature of Googles oversight. In short, the aCropalypse flaw allowed someone to take a PNG screenshot cropped in Markup and undo at least some of the edits in the image. Its easy to imagine scenarios where a bad actor could abuse that capability. For instance, if a Pixel owner used Markup to redact an image that included sensitive information about themselves, someone could exploit the flaw to reveal that information. You can find the technical details on Buchanans blog . Introducing acropalypse: a serious privacy vulnerability in the Google Pixel's inbuilt screenshot editing tool, Markup, enabling partial recovery of the original, unedited image data of a cropped and/or redacted screenshot. Huge thanks to @David3141593 for his help throughout! pic.twitter.com/BXNQomnHbr Simon Aarons (@ItsSimonTime) March 17, 2023 According to Buchanan, the flaw has existed for about five years, coinciding with the release of Markup alongside Android 9 Pie in 2018 . And therein lies the problem. While Marchs security patch will prevent Markup from compromising future images, some screenshots Pixel users may have shared in the past are still at risk. Its hard to say how concerned Pixel users should be about the flaw. According to a forthcoming FAQ page Aarons and Buchanan shared with 9to5Google and The Verge , some websites, including Twitter, process images in such a way that someone could not exploit the vulnerability to reverse edit a screenshot or image. Users on other platforms arent so lucky. Aarons and Buchanan specifically identify Discord, noting the chat app did not patch out the exploit until its recent January 17th update. At the moment, its unclear if images shared on other social media and chat apps were left similarly vulnerable. Google did not immediately respond to Engadgets request for comment and more information. The March security update is currently available on the Pixel 4a, 5a, 7 and 7 Pro, meaning Markup can still produce vulnerable images on some Pixel devices. Its unclear when Google will push the patch to other Pixel devices. If you own a Pixel phone without the patch, avoid using Markup to share sensitive images. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A formerly well-connected Republican donor, accused of plying petite, vulnerable teenage girls with cash, liquor and gifts, goes on trial Tuesday on federal charges of sex trafficking minors. Anton Tony Lazzaro is charged with seven counts involving commercial sex acts" with five minors ages 15 and 16 in 2020, when he was 30 years old. His indictment touched off a political firestorm that led to the downfall of Jennifer Carnahan as chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota. His co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, who formerly led the College Republicans chapter at the University of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty to two counts last year. She is cooperating with prosecutors and will testify against him. She faces sentencing in August. Lazzaro denies the sex-trafficking allegations. He says the government targeted him for political reasons and because of his wealth. Prosecutors say it's simply a sex-trafficking case. They have not signaled any intent to call political figures as witnesses, nor has the defense. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz has already rejected Lazzaro's claims of selective prosecution. But Lazzaro insists he's innocent and that the charges are politically motivated. Mr. Lazzaro believes he is being targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice for his political activities," spokeswoman Stacy Bettison said in a statement to The Associated Press. "The unusual application of the federal sex trafficking statute to the facts in Mr. Lazzaros case supports his beliefs. He is not alone in his view that the U.S. Department of Justice is politicizing prosecutions. Many other individuals, including many members of Congress and most recently the Senate Judiciary Committee, have recently raised legitimate and credible concerns that Attorney General (Merrick) Garland is politicizing the department by aggressively investigating Republicans and conservative activists, like Mr. Lazzaro. Story continues Carnahan is the widow of U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, who died of kidney cancer in February 2022. She denied knowing of any wrongdoing by Lazzaro before the charges were unsealed in August 2021, and she condemned his alleged crimes. But his arrest fueled outrage among party activists. Allegations surfaced that she created a toxic work environment and abused nondisclosure agreements to silence her critics. She resigned a week later. Carnahan and Lazzaro became friends when she ran unsuccessfully for a legislative seat in 2016. He backed her bid to become party chair in 2017 and attended her 2018 wedding to Hagedorn. They hosted a podcast together for a few months. Lazzaro also helped run the campaign of Republican Lacy Johnson, who failed to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota, in 2020. Pictures on Lazzaro's social media accounts showed him with prominent Republicans, including former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence. He founded a political action committee called Big Tent Republicans, which advocated for a more inclusive party. Lazzaro gave more than $270,000 to Republican campaigns and political committees over the years, including $42,000 to the state party organization and $31,000 to Hagedorn's campaign. Several recipients quickly donated those contributions to charity after the charges became public, including U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, of Minnesota, who received $15,600 but suffered no repercussions. Emmer became majority whip in January. Prosecutors alleged in their trial brief earlier this month that Lazzaro conspired with Castro Medina and others to recruit 15- and 16-year-old girls to have sex with him in exchange for cash and valuable items. They met in May 2020 on a sugar daddy website when she was 18 years old and finishing high school, prosecutors wrote. According to the brief, Lazzaro had a stated sexual preference for young, tiny girls and liked them "broken and vulnerable but without tattoos. Prosecutors say he paid Castro Medina well over $50,000, including money for her tuition, her off-campus apartment and her Mini Cooper. He often sent cars to take the girls to his luxury penthouse condo at the Hotel Ivy in downtown Minneapolis, prosecutors said. Once the girls Castro Medina recruited arrived at Lazzaros apartment, a similar pattern ensued," the brief alleges. "Lazzaro would brag about his wealth and connections. He would give the girls small and young hard liquor. Lazzaro would take out stacks of cash and offer the girls precise sums of money to perform certain sex acts with him, and with each other. $100 to kiss. $400 for sex. And so forth. He would send them home with cash, vapes, alcohol, Plan B, cell phones, and other items of value. Plan B is a form of emergency birth control. Lazzaro is also the target of a lawsuit by one alleged victim who claims he offered $1,000 in hush money to her and her parents and asked them to sign a nondisclosure agreement. The charges against Lazzaro, who has been jailed since his arrest and has been denied bail, carry mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years with a maximum potential of life in prison. The sources of Lazzaro's wealth are murky. Defense filings have called him an up-and-coming real estate owner and entrepreneur." Items seized from him included a 2010 Ferrari and more than $371,000 in cash. The government put his net worth in a bond report at more than $2 million but said its calculations didn't include his extensive but hard-to-trace cryptocurrency holdings. It noted that the search yielded multiple types of foreign currency, plus precious metals worth more than $500,000. A GOP-backed push to lay out a plan for the government to prioritize certain payments if the Treasury runs out of emergency measures to prevent a default is picking up some traction as both parties dig in their heels on the debt ceiling battle. But while the idea of so-called debt prioritization is gaining legs among some Republicans in both chambers, its getting a lukewarm reception from others and has some experts scratching their heads. A bill recently passed out of the GOP-led House Ways and Means Committee would require the Treasury Department to prioritize payments for principal and interest on debt held by the public, as well as benefits for Social Security and Medicare, among a few other obligations, if the debt limit is breached. Some House Republicans are urging swift passage in the House for the bill, known as the Default Prevention Act, as the party draws red lines around working with Democrats to raise the ceiling without steep cuts or significant fiscal reforms. Our house is burning down. I think were waiting too long to call the fire department, Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), who serves on the Houses chief tax-writing committee, told The Hill last week. He said the House should absolutely move quickly on the measure. A group of Republican senators also revived a legislative effort earlier this year outlining obligations for the Treasury to prioritize the national debt in a similar scenario, though the bill faces tougher odds getting past the Democratic-led Senate. But that doesnt mean all Republicans are thrilled about the prospect. Pressed about the concept on Thursday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said she understood the need to have things in your back pocket to understand that, if in the event we had to, we were in this situation, how would you proceed in a manner that, perhaps, least disruptive. But again, I dont think we should be planning for defeat, or planning for default, she added. Lets plan for success. Lets address this, while theres still time on the clock. Story continues While Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said he hadnt seen the House bill, he told The Hill on Thursday that he didnt see the advantage of a debt prioritization plan. I need to just study it some, but were gonna raise the debt limit or were not, he said, and can prioritize your debt in a way that delays the decision, but sooner or later, you have to make it. Backers of the House bill argue the idea could remove the threat of a national default an outcome experts say would be catastrophic for the country by seeking to require the government to stay on top of principal and interest payments, while also prioritizing payments on entitlements, defense and veterans programs. But Democrats and some experts have panned the approach as dangerous, saying such a move would put at risk other important programs not mentioned in the text. We are saying here China, which has about 1 trillion of Americas debt, will be paid first, Rep. Richard Neal (Mass.), top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee, said during a markup hearing on the bill last week. Neal is referring to the multitiered system for payment outlined in the bill. The first tier outlined refers to payments on principal and interest on debt held by the public, in addition to trusts funds for Social Security and Medicare. The second tier applies to obligations for the Department of Defense and benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Programs that fit outside the classification would fall into subsequent tiers, including pay for members of Congress, the president and the vice president, which is ranked in the last two tiers. That means that the nursing homes will go under in your respective congressional districts, while this legislation pays China first. That issue is not in dispute, Neal said during the hearing, while taking issue with where programs like Medicaid would fall on the list. The pitch for debt prioritization has also been met with pushback from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who cast the effort to senators on Thursday as an exceptionally risky, untested, and radical departure from normal payment practices of agencies across the federal government. Prioritization is effectively a default by just another name, she argued. She also doubted the plans feasibility, noting the government makes millions of payments daily and the agencies systems are built to pay all of our bills on time and not to pick and choose which ones to pay. The secretarys assessment has drawn mixed opinions from experts. Some say the agency could have the capacity to make applicable changes to its systems, if need be. But there is agreement among experts that such a path could pose dangerous risks. Instead of defaulting on the bondholders youre defaulting on SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] recipients, George Hall, economics professor at Brandeis University, said Friday. The government has lots and lots of contracts out there, lots of employees and things like that. Pick any department. Bill Gale, a senior economic studies fellow at Brookings Institution, also argued the bill cant prevent a default, saying. If the government promises you money, and doesnt pay it, in economic terms, its a default, whether youre a bond holder, or a Social Security beneficiary, or a Medicaid beneficiary or TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] beneficiary, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. United States President Ronald W. Reagan in the Oval Office in 1985. Diana Walker/Getty Images GOP politician Ben Barnes said his mentor worked to influence the 1980 election in favor of Reagan. Former Texas Gov. John Connally asked Middle East leaders to delay the release of Iranian hostages. "History needs to know that this happened," Barnes told The New York Times. A former GOP Texas politician came forward after four decades to say he witnessed his mentor, former Texas Governor John B. Connally Jr., meeting with Middle Eastern leaders to deliver a message: Don't let the Iranian hostages free until after the 1980 election between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Ben Barnes, speaking with The New York Times, said he accompanied Connally on a 1980 trip through six countries in the Middle East Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel and watched as his mentor asked various leaders to relay the message to Iran. Barnes told the Times that Connally, who lost the Republican nomination to Reagan that year, was hoping to help him win in order to secure a position with the administration. Connally briefed William J. Casey, then-campaign director for Reagan, about the trip afterward, according to Barnes. Casey asked Connally whether "they were going to hold the hostages," referring to Iran led at the time by Ayatollah Khomeini Barnes told the Times. The Times noted there is no confirmation beyond Barnes's anecdote, but four people Barnes confided in over the years said the story he shared with the paper is consistent with what he told them. Both Connally and Casey died before Barnes came forward with his account Connally in 1993 and Casey in 1987 and did not publicly discuss the events he disclosed while they were alive. In 1979, Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and took dozens of Americans captive over what they believed was undue US influence on their country's politics. The kidnappings resulted in over a year of attempted negotiations and a failed rescue mission greenlit by the Carter administration. Story continues During the 1980 election, Carter's failure to get the hostages released before the general election, and the news surrounding it, is where the term "October surprise" originated. Casey, who came up with the term, told outlets they feared Carter planned to ensure the hostages were released just before voters went to the polls to help sway their decision in his favor. However, this did not happen. The captives were freed by the Iranian government minutes after Reagan was inaugurated as president. Barnes told the Times the purpose of the mission to the Middle East was to inquire about the Iranian hostages, and Casey's eagerness to collect details about the trip was evidence of this to him. "I'll go to my grave believing that it was the purpose of the trip," Barnes told the Times. "It wasn't freelancing because Casey was so interested in hearing as soon as we got back to the United States." The Times notes, however, that there is no evidence Connally's demand to delay the release of hostages ever got back to Iranians or if it influenced their decision to release the hostages after the election. There is also no evidence whether or not Reagan was aware of the meetings, but he did contact Connally at least once during the trip, according to historical documents reviewed by the Times. Prior to Barnes's interview with the Times, rumors previously swirled that actors associated with Reagan may have tried to influence the election using the Iran hostage crisis, but House and Senate panels concluded there was no evidence anyone associated with Reagan's presidential campaign attempted to delay the release of the hostages. During his second term, Reagan became embroiled in scandal after selling arms to Iran despite a US trade embargo in order to release 7 American hostages in 1985. Barnes told the Times he finally decided to share the details of the trip following the news that Carter admitted himself to hospice care. "History needs to know that this happened," Barnes, now 85, told the Times. "I think it's so significant and I guess knowing that the end is near for President Carter put it on my mind more and more and more. I just feel like we've got to get it down some way." Barnes and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider EXCLUSIVE: Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was "taking the Chinese position" on Russias invasion of Ukraine when the potential Republican 2024 contender called the war a "territorial dispute." During an interview with Fox News Digital on Friday, the South Carolina lawmaker and military veteran was asked whether he was concerned about the current front-runners for the GOP presidential nomination DeSantis, who is expected to announce a White House bid, and former President Donald Trump, who already has both having a more skeptical position of the current level of U.S. aid to Ukraine than more establishment members of their party. "Governor DeSantis, who I respect, is basically taking the Chinese position when it comes to Russia's invasion," Graham said. "China calls this a territorial dispute. This is not a territorial dispute. This is an invasion of a sovereign democracy by [Vladimir Putin's] Russia, barbaric in nature." DESANTIS RATTLES ESTABLISHMENT GOP AFTER SAYING US INTEREST IN UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR IS NOT 'VITAL' He added that DeSantis "has got much to be proud of as governor," but said, "I think any Republican that goes down the Biden road of trying to, you know, go weak in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is inviting more aggression." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Graham said of Trump, who hes already endorsed for 2024, "If he got to be president again I really do believe Putin wouldn't have invaded on his watch but I've told President Trump that if you don't see a nexus between China going after Taiwan, and Russia going into Ukraine, you're not watching very closely." DeSantis had said that "becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia" was not "vital" to U.S. interests in a response to a questionnaire by Tucker Carlson. He argued, "The Biden administrations virtual blank check funding of this conflict for as long as it takes, without any defined objectives or accountability, distracts from our countrys most pressing challenges." Story continues He also accused President Joe Biden of having "driven Russia into a de facto alliance with China" and bolstering "Putin's war machine" with his renewable energy policies. Fox News Digital has reached out to DeSantis' office for comment. TRUMP SAYS BIGGEST THREAT TO AMERICA IS NOT RUSSIA BUT 'USA-HATING PEOPLE,' INCLUDING 'GODLESS' MARXISTS Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the current level of U.S. support for Ukraine was not "vital" to American interests Beijing has not taken an overt public stance against Ukraine. But Chinese President Xi Jinpings upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid concerns that China could begin arming Russia, has raised alarms within the global community. In the U.S., there is a growing rift within the GOP between those who are increasingly tired of watching the federal government send billions in foreign aid, and more establishment members of the party who argue that helping Ukraine stave off Russias illegal invasion is vital to upholding international stability. Graham, one of the loudest voices in Congress in favor of more aid to Kyiv, said it was the U.S.s duty to "expose" Xi and Putin ahead of their upcoming meeting. PENCE SPOTLIGHTS CHASM WITH TRUMP, DESANTIS, ON SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE, AS FORMER VP VISITS KEY PRIMARY STATE "China is a communist dictatorship. Putin is one of the most notorious foreign criminals of the 21st century," Graham said. "Its an axis of evil in its own way, when you throw Iran in there." "But what I would do is just really put pressure on China to not help Russia militarily, because that extends to war. And I would label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism that makes it more difficult for China to help Russia." Graham went a step further earlier in the interview, now pledging to "stop business as usual" until Russia was named a terrorist state, in light of Putins recent war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court. "I am going to go all in, stop business as usual on the Senate floor, to make the point that we need to label Russia state a sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law," the senator said. "It would make Putins Russian state radioactive more than it is today. It would put him in the category of Iran, Syria, North Korea." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., spoke out Saturday against a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump from the Manhattan District Attorney's office, urging the 2024 GOP presidential candidate to fight back and "take this all the way to the damn Supreme Court." "The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected president than any single person in America today," said Graham, speaking from Charleston, South Carolina, at the Palmetto Family Council's Vision '24 Forum, a prominent conservative Christian event. In New York City, "you're lucky if you don't get mugged on the way to where you're going. Is this really the most important thing going on in Manhattan?" Graham questioned. "I think this is an effort that's ongoing, never ending to destroy Donald Trump, everything around Donald Trump." MCCARTHY DIRECTS COMMITTEES TO PROBE WHETHER FEDERAL FUNDS WERE USED IN POTENTIAL TRUMP INDICTMENT Graham also questioned the legal reasoning behind the potential indictment, quoting a New York Times report that said the possible charges rested on an "untested and therefore risky legal theory." GOP South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, right, spoke Saturday about the potential indictment of former President Donald Trump by the office Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, left. "They're making stuff up that they've never used against anybody because they hate Trump. That's what this is. They're brewing a legal cocktail, to try to come up with some bizarre theory," Graham said. "The law never used by anybody in New York, just because they hate Trump. You know why they're doing this? Because they're afraid of Trump. That's why they're doing it." READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Graham referred to the targeting of Trump as "selective prosecution" and said that if he were Trump, he would "take this all the way to the damn Supreme Court." The comments from Graham, who has endorsed Trump in the 2024 race for president, follow reports that the Manhattan District Attorney's office may be preparing to issue an indictment for alleged hush money payments Trump made as a presidential candidate in 2016. A court source told Fox News Digital that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office will meet with law enforcement to "discuss logistics for some time next week, which would mean that they are anticipating an indictment next week." Story continues The potential indictment would likely stem from the years-long investigation surrounding Trump's alleged hush money scandal involving porn actress Stormy Daniels . Towards the end of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen sent $130,000 to Daniels to prevent her from disclosing her 2006 affair with Trump. Trump reimbursed Cohen through installments. TRUMP GEARS UP FOR 2024 RALLY IN WACO, TEXAS AMID ONGOING FEDERAL INVESTIGATION, POSSIBLE NY INDICTMENT Like Graham, other Republican lawmakers are also pushing back against the possible Trump indictment, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who said Saturday he is directing House committees to investigate whether federal funds are being used for "politically motivated prosecutions" like that of Trump. "Here we go again an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump," McCarthy wrote in a tweet . Bragg has been criticized for downgrading half of all felony charges in Manhattan last year, including armed robberies of commercial businesses, and for other progressive crime policies. Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., said Bragg "allows violent criminals to walk the streets, yet abuses the rule of law & powers of his office to target political opponents in partisan witchhunts. Hes unfit for office." Reached for comment Friday , the Manhattan District Attorney's office would neither "confirm or comment" on the impending indictment. PELOSI, DEMS CALLS TRUMP'S ARREST WARNING 'RECKLESS,' ACCUSE HIM OF FOMENTING 'UNREST' South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks as former President Donald Trump, left, and Henry McMaster, South Carolina's governor, listen during a campaign event in Columbia, South Carolina, on Jan. 28, 2023. Trump lashed out at the reports , saying they indicate he would be arrested next week on his Truth Social app Saturday morning, telling his supporters to "PROTEST, TAKE BACK OUR NATION." "NOW ILLEGAL LEAKS FROM A CORRUPT & HIGHLY POLITICAL MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED NEW RECORDS TO BE SET IN VIOLENT CRIME & WHOSE LEADER IS FUNDED BY GEORGE SOROS, INDICATE THAT, WITH NO CRIME BEING ABLE TO BE PROVEN, & BASED ON AN OLD & FULLY DEBUNKED (BY NUMEROUS OTHER PROSECUTORS!) FAIRYTALE, THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!," Trump wrote. Amid a possible indictment, Trump is planning to travel to Waco, Texas, next weekend for what will be the first major rally of his 2024 presidential campaign. Fox News' Adam Shaw, Marta Dhanis, Adam Sabes, and Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report. In a particularly heated forum, Chicago mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson repeatedly clashed over economic policy, school closings and street violence. Vallas, a former Chicago Public Schools CEO, repeatedly raised his voice and told Johnson, a Cook County commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union organizer, not to lecture him in a Saturday debate hosted at Kenwood Academy High School by the Coalition of African American Leaders. Advertisement One flare-up occurred when Johnson attacked Vallas for past remarks in which Vallas insinuated that critical race theory in schools was harming families and taking emphasis off more important subjects. Look, I dont know whats in Pauls heart, I dont, Johnson said. Its not up to me to judge him. What Im saying though, is when you talk about critical race theory as if theres a problem, thats a problem. Advertisement In one of his most forceful retorts to Johnson since the runoff period began, Vallas responded by saying that he expanded Black history teaching in schools as the head of CPS, then pivoted to criticizing the CTU for labor actions that kept schools shut, which he said harmed Black and brown students. He listed the loss of student enrollment and truancy rates. Dont tell me that youre concerned about the community, Vallas said, his voice ringing. The devastation that has been brought on the school district the last 10 years (is) in large part because of the leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union that has been destructive, and theres been generations of damage. Vallas then defended his tenure in leading troubled school districts like in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti. Dont lecture me about going into the toughest situations like a city like New Orleans, where public schools have been destroyed, and lecture me about going into the community to try to make a difference, Vallas said. You spend four-and-a-half years working in Haiti on a disaster and lecture me. Before moving on, the moderator remarked at how far the two candidates had strayed from the initial topic: The question was about Black history and Chicago Public Schools. In a separate exchange spurred by a question about prioritizing city contracts for minority-owned businesses, Johnson launched a blistering attack on Vallas record leading school districts across four cities and cast doubt on the sincerity of Vallas pledge to create an office dedicated to Black people. Now, I appreciate Pauls desire and commitment for an office for Black people. I wish he had that same perspective when he was privatizing public schools, Johnson said before lamenting an exodus of Black female teachers under Vallas. Johnson continued: You build economies off of sand, and then as soon as they crumble, you run away. I am sickened by this idea that somehow you believe in economic justice for Black people, but you actually dont want to see Black people learn Black history. Advertisement Vallas grew animated as he took the microphone and launched into his opponent for the extension of COVID-19-related school closures during CTUs opposition to returning to in-person learning. CTU has the richest contract in history, but it didnt add a minute to the school day, Vallas said. He added the union is still striking and that it celebrates teacher walkouts with some of your other brethren in other cities who are striking and putting literally hundreds of thousands of kids out of the schools. Vallas then emphasized his argument that many young people who have been killed were not enrolled in school, pausing between each word for effect. The murder rate committed by students, school-aged students has skyrocketed, Vallas said, repeating that nearly all of those youth were not in school. Youve got to answer for yourself. Johnson widened his eyes and turned toward the moderators, and then the debate moved on. Advertisement Both candidates were asked to name a specific disagreement they have with their big labor supporters in the Chicago Teachers Union or Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which have respectively endorsed Johnson and Vallas. Vallas said he disagrees with rhetoric from the police union, which is led by conservative firebrand John Catanzara, and that he supports the consent decree governing the Chicago police despite resistance from the FOP. Are we talking about rank-and-file or FOP? Vallas began. I think rhetoric, just the rhetoric coming out that has been communicated by the FOP. I think theres obviously a lot of opposition for certain enhanced accountability provisions, which need to be implemented. Johnson said he would be mayor of the city for everyone and if the school district cant afford all the unions demands, hell be best positioned to deliver the news. There might be a point, which within negotiations, that the Chicago Teachers Unions quest and fight for more resources we may not be able to do it, Johnson said. So who better to deliver bad news to a friend than a friend? Vallas also shot back at Johnson for saying it takes two years to hire a cop and put them on the streets, when it takes up to six months to graduate from the police academy after passing a series of tests, the timing of which varies on department leadership and budgetary constraints. Advertisement Please, dont speak about something you have no knowledge about, Vallas said. I have four police officers in my family. I know how long it takes to get a police officer deployed. Johnson sought his own fact-check of Vallas following an accusation that Johnson wants to implement a city income tax, which Johnson denied. However, he said in the same debate that the state of Illinois should try again to enact a progressive income tax. The commissioner said the news outlet that reported he would attempt to pass a 3.5% levy on people earning $100,000 or up has since retracted its headline. He then faced Vallas and demanded: When Black men tell you the truth, believe us. Dont shake your head, Paul, I want you to say yes, Johnson added. Johnson deflected a question about aldermanic prerogative the tradition that members of City Council hold near total sway over their wards by talking about the need to collaborate. Vallas, meanwhile, said he believes in aldermanic input but would reserve the right to overrule council members. He also spoke of the need to give City Council more independence before making a tongue-in-cheek comparison between past mayors and Roman emperors with varying leadership styles. Advertisement Sometimes you have Caesar Augustus, sometimes you have Tiberius or Caligula, Vallas said. Jon Pointing in his local cafe in Lewisham (The Independent) Jon Pointing is used to strangers making assumptions about him. A lot of people presume Im a bit of a lad, says the actor, whose portrayal of a sensitive but boisterous geezer in Big Boys has just earned him a Best Comedy Performance nod from the Royal Television Society. I can see that theyre thinking, You look like you might have bullied me at school. And then they realise Im actually sort of not that person. Ive experienced it a lot, especially with my gay male friends. Theres this moment when theyre like, Oh, youre not a c***. The 36-year-old actor is grinning at me across a table, in an Irish caff in Lewisham thats within bacon-sniffing distance of his flat. He does look like a lad, it must be said. His haircut is a short back and sides, long on top; hes wearing an oversized vintage Reebok jacket. Theres a builders tea in front of him. Where I grew up in Epsom, compared to the people I hung around with, I was actually the slightly odd, arty one, he says. The one who was slightly too thoughtful. But as Ive started hanging around with actors and artists and dancers more, I now look like this I dont know, he lets out an incredulous laugh uber male. Its this dichotomy that got him a role in Big Boys, Jack Rookes brilliant Channel 4 sadcom based on the writers own life. In the show, which came out last spring, Pointing plays Danny, a Red-Stripe-chugging Brent University student who just wants to have sex with fit birds but whose antidepressants are stopping him from getting, as he calls it, a Jehovas stiffness. At a low point in his depression, he mournfully tells his gay best friend, Dylan Llewellyns Jack, I just wanted to be this normal guy at uni who got drunk and high and got massive f***ing hard-ons. Hes cracking jokes, but deep down, hes crushingly sad and doesnt have the vocabulary to talk about it. Big Boys was a critical hit. The Independents Adam White wrote in his four-star review that it would be viewers next coming-of-age obsession, while The Guardian ranked it sixth on its list of the best shows of 2022, with Hollie Richardson writing of its approach to male mental health: I truly believe it might change, maybe even save, some mens lives. Its returning for a second series, with rehearsals starting in the coming weeks. Season two will see the best pals reunite and go on the hunt for a second-year house. Fans can expect it to be packed with just as many references to daytime TV and hun culture as the first Rylan got a shoutout in season one and Pointing tells me the presenter is now angling for a cameo. Pointing was a shoo-in for the role of Danny not just because of his alpha exterior and soft interior, but because he and Rooke connected instantly over their experiences of grief. Rooke lost his father to cancer and his best friend to suicide; both heartbreaks are explored in the show. I also lost a friend when I was in my twenties, says Pointing. Its a strange thing to bond over, grief, but there is something comfortable about meeting someone you can connect with over that, because he made something out of that feeling. I think its a really delicate thing to do, because youve got to protect yourself, and I know Jack struggled with that and still does, because its complicated and theres risk involved. He talks thoughtfully about the intensity of losing someone in your teens or twenties. When youre young and something like that happens, he says, you get sort of petrified in that moment, in that time, because everything is really important to hold onto. Pointings late friend, Ads, has been on his mind a lot recently. It was the anniversary of him passing away the other week and, you know, sometimes anniversaries slip by and you almost dont feel it sometimes you dont want to feel it. A mate will text me and be like, Oh, its the anniversary, and Im like, Yeah, I know, but for whatever reason Im not in that headspace, or I feel like thats in the box that Ive kept it in for now and I dont need to open that today. But this time, his brother actually left me a voicemail about Big Boys, saying, Ads would be so proud of you, and it sort of like, really hit me, because I was thinking about him a lot while filming it and had photos of him in my trailer. It hurts that his friend isnt here to share in the joys of life with him. Im missing someone who would be part of this journey with me, Pointing says. Its like, Im doing a job and Im loving it, and I think Im doing a good job as well, and while youre always a bit embarrassed to be proud of what youre doing, there are certain people in your life where all that stuff goes out the window. You dont have to be humble. And you can be like, Im f***ing killing it, this is brilliant. Pointing was born in Carshalton, south London, but grew up in Epsom, Surrey, in a slightly nicer housing estate, but still a housing estate. He lived with his sister and his mother, who was into arts and culture, and who Pointing says his mates would have described as a bit of a hippy. She stood out where we lived, he says. We had very little money but Mum would spend what we did have on getting the train into London and going to see free shows. His parents are separated, and rather than taking him to art galleries, his father was more likely to put me in the back of a van and take me to work too young, and pubs too young. He says he essentially grew up in two very different families in two worlds I love and have a real affection for. Hes currently writing a sitcom about them. Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Pointing as unlikely pals in Big Boys (Channel 4) After school, Pointing studied drama at Winchester University, an experience he describes as quite vanilla. I was a bit naive when it came to applying to unis, he says, laughing. I was under the impression that they were all good, right? Like, its uni! We had teachers who were like, his voice shifts into a bored monotone Look. its Monday. I dont wanna be here, you dont wanna be here. And Id be like, Im f***ing paying to be here! He shakes his head. I should have done more research. He finished university and moved straight back to his mothers. I was like, I cant believe this, its like nothings happened. No agent, no idea how to get one, no connections, nothing. I was on Gumtree looking for jobs. But he was determined to go into comedy, so for years he took his sketches and small plays to Edinburgh, which led to him getting a part in an advert, before he landed himself an agent and eventually roles in British TV comedies such as Plebs, Pls Like and Starstruck. His latest gig was on Jamie Demetrious Netflix sketch show A Whole Lifetime, in which he plays the hyperactive presenter of a Love Island-like series called Kiss Villa. His character is one of those people who abbreviates everything: the barrel hes inexplicably standing on becomes a baz and, before long, is whittled down to a b. People who go on Love Island are insane Pointing is now married, but would he ever have gone on Love Island when he was single? No, he replies, bluntly. Why? Id be miserable. Too self-conscious, too embarrassed. Wait, sorry, do I have to come up with reasons to not go on that show? People who go on that show are insane. To want to do that is quite insane. Thats whats so weird about Love Island. Theyre supposed to be normal people. But it takes a certain type of person to want to do that. By contrast, he loved his experience on A Whole Lifetime, and is optimistic about the future of British comedy. Hes not at all worried about perceived cancel culture stifling good work. All of these people who are saying, You cant say anything these days! are saying it to millions of people, he says, leaning forward over his tea. Therell be comedians saying, Its ridiculous! I cant even get gigs, to a gig, to a whole room of people. Its like, he holds his hands up in exasperation youre fine. There have always been comedians who have been racist and sexist and homophobic and there will always be people who will come and see you. Does he fret about where to draw the line with his own comedy? It doesnt worry me personally, he says. It all depends on what your palate is. What is your frame of reference? Whats in your bucket of thoughts and ideas and names and places? If youve got some racist, awful, terrible thoughts in that bucket, then youre gonna be told to piss off or whatever, and rightly so. Pointing is a lad, theres no doubt about it, but one with a heart of gold. Big Boys is available to stream in full on All4. A Whole Lifetime is out now on Netflix An off-duty sheriffs deputy accused of drunken driving tried to crash a gate at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California officials say Guards at the gate opened fire on the vehicle but no one was hurt in the Friday, March 17, incident, the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a news release. The base went into lockdown following the incident, KSWB reported. They had to be going decently fast, got airborne, sirens and then all of a sudden you hear small arms, neighbor Jeremy Braud told the station, estimating he heard about 10 gunshots. Sgt. Michael Cruz was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, sheriffs officials said. He has been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, the release said. A 16-year veteran, Cruz served in the emergency planning detail. The Sheriffs Department will not tolerate criminal behavior in its ranks and will hold employees accountable for their actions, the release said. Laser strikes on California Highway Patrol helicopter lead to arrest, cops say Identity theft lab found inside trailer lands Washington man behind bars, feds say Man found crushed by car was trying to steal catalytic converter, California cops say If there is one thing the pandemic taught us, it is that families can quickly find themselves in crisis. Supply chain failures, inflation and illness can wreak havoc on a familys ability to consistently provide sufficient food for their children the definition of food insecurity. Underemployment caused by reduced hours, shuttered businesses and a shifting economy adds to this crisis, but more frustrating is when members of the workforce are forced into underemployment to put food on the table. We consistently hear from workers who fear small raises or increases in work hours because a miniscule change in income means that they will sacrifice needed support like school meals for their children. While they are making the right choice for their families, their careers and Oklahomas economy suffer. As a result, more than one in five Oklahoma children do not have access to the food they need. They are our neighbors; they are our childrens classmates they are our future. And they need our help. First day of school lunch period at Roosevelt Middle School and for all of Oklahoma City Public Schools ,Thursday, August 11 2022 Oklahoma lawmakers can help close the hunger gap for approximately 151,000 additional Oklahoma children with pending legislation to increase access to no-cost school meals. Authored by Rep. Jeff Boatman and Sen. Jessica Garvin, House Bill 1376 would increase the income eligibility threshold for families to qualify for no-cost school meals. Rep. Boatmans colleagues expressed bipartisan support for the bill when it unanimously passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee on March 1. Many children struggle with food insecurity although their family income may not qualify for other types of assistance. This creates a major financial cliff for many families who are striving to increase their earnings. Once household income increases even one dollar over the threshold, a family loses a myriad of social supports, including no-cost school meals. While working to increase their long-term earning potential, families are often financially worse off in the short term since their income is offset by the loss of vital benefits. HB 1376 helps ensure that as Oklahoma families work to get ahead, their children are not suffering. Story continues This important policy change comes at a dire time for Oklahoma families. In June 2022, the federal government stopped providing no-cost meals to all students regardless of income. As thousands of Oklahoma students were left without access to adequate nutrition, student meal debt unfortunately returned. A student gets veggies for his spicy chicken sandwich during lunch at Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck on April 7, 2022. Coupled with the recent expiration of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for low-income families and the rising cost of groceries, Oklahomans are facing a hunger crisis. By giving students access to the nourishment they need, lawmakers will improve the lives of Oklahoma children and provide greater educational opportunities. Just ask any Oklahoma schoolteacher, when students are hungry, they are unable to focus on learning. Children who are hungry are more likely to score lower in reading and math, have more significant behavior and social problems, and are less likely to graduate high school, according to Hunger Free Oklahoma. Beyond education, food insecurity has far-reaching impacts on our economy. According to Bread for the World, nationally, hunger and food insecurity escalate healthcare costs by at least $160 billion every year through issues like increased illness and decreased productivity. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, a childs chances of thriving depend not only on their individual and family circumstances, but also on the state in which they live. Through no fault of their own, Oklahoma children live in one of the five hungriest states in the nation. From education to health, Oklahoma ranks among the lowest states for child well-being. The time to act is now. Providing our students with nutritional meals should be as essential as providing textbooks. House Bill 1376 is a critical step toward better policy and meaningful investments in the health, education and success of Oklahoma children. Teresa Rose is executive director of the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma students need our help accessing school meals New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman on Sunday said former President Trump is very anxious about possibly being indicted as part of a New York probe into an alleged hush-money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels. Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday to say he thinks hell be arrested on Tuesday as the Manhattan district attorneys office pursues the payment that came amid his 2016 presidential run. Protest, take our nation back! Trump wrote. Hes very anxious about the prospect of being indicted for a couple of reasons, Haberman, a CNN political analyst, said of the former president on the networks State of the Union. Haberman, who has covered Trump extensively, said Trump is aware that the situation could give him a political boost, but was still not excited about facing a possible indictment and arrest. Yes, two things can be true at once. He is aware that there are reasons to believe this could help him politically But he does not want to face getting arrested, which is what happens when you get indicted. You get fingerprinted. You get brought in. You have to ask for bail. None of that is something that he is excited about, Haberman said. Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen said on Sunday the ex-president would absolutely go through the formalities of being fingerprinted and photographed if he is arrested in the hush-money case. Haberman said Trump and his political team are preparing for a huge blitz politically to push back on the Manhattan district attorney, though she added she doesnt think Trumps recent posts on Truth Social calling for his supporters to protest was part of a grand plan. He did it, and a bunch of his aides were surprised by it, Haberman said of Trumps post. But I do think that that is separate from what youre going to see legally. And while I know that his folks are suggesting this as a weak case, they dont actually know what the evidence is. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Harry Styles. Handout/Helene Marie Pambrun via Getty Images Harry Styles is popular with young women but also big with people like me moms in their 40s. I lost myself in motherhood, and Styles' music helped me find myself again. I went alone to two of his concerts, and it was the best self-care I could've imagined. Harry Styles is beloved by young women who grew up listening to One Direction, but he's also popular among women in their 40s, moms, and even grandmas. With the release of "Harry's House" in spring last year, which recently snagged the Grammy for album of the year, I joined the legions of women obsessed with the fast-dancing, endlessly charming bloke. I've loved One Direction and Styles' music for years, but before I became a serious fan early last year, I was in a bad place. I'd been mentally, professionally, and emotionally stuck since the start of the pandemic, when I lost access to childcare and added another child to my home. Then I bought "Harry's House" after enjoying the radio singles, and something in me shifted for the better. I became more playful with my kids, started writing more, and initiated social outings with friends. My newfound love for Styles led me to impulsively buy tickets to two of his recent shows near Los Angeles the closest ones to my home in Portland, Oregon both times without first consulting my family. For a stay-at-home mom who hadn't had a kid-free night in more than three years, it was a long-overdue act of self-care, and I credit Styles with emboldening me to do it. I lost myself in motherhood I lost a strong sense of self after having kids. My days are spent driving my sons to and from autism and speech therapy, and in the car, I've gotten to know Harry. His songs have brightened up my worst and most stressful days as a mom. "Music for a Sushi Restaurant" and "As It Was" induce such euphoria in me that I can't possibly be in a bad mood when they're playing. When traffic jams hit, my kids wail in the backseat before succumbing to naps, or I'm faced with stormy weather, Styles puts me at ease. I'm often shuttling my sons around in a severely sleep-deprived state, and to keep from feeling drowsy, I sing along to Styles' upbeat lyrics. Story continues Portland, Oregon, is known for its dreary weather, so the cheeriness of Styles' songs, including the booming, musical-influenced "Treat People With Kindness" and the largely overlooked "Sunflower, Vol. 6" on "Fine Line," have helped thwart my seasonal blues. In a time when everyone seems to be reliving the '80s in music, Styles' psychedelic, funky '70s feel in "Fine Line" and parts of "Harry's House" are so refreshing. I bought tickets to see him In fall, I casually browsed seats for Styles' "Love on Tour" stop near Los Angeles, and within minutes, I had a single ticket for his November 9 performance. Some people thought it was weird that I went to the show without a gaggle of friends, but I'm never alone, so it was the best trip I could have asked for. For once, I had to pack a bag for only myself and didn't have to worry about including snacks, wipes, diapers, trash bags for wet pants, or spare toddler clothes. I even had lunch with my childhood best friend, who just so happened to be at Los Angeles International Airport at the same time as I was. It was so pleasant having a fully engaged conversation with another adult without constantly looking over at my kids. I read my book uninterrupted on the plane, took two showers in one day, and ate sushi for the first time in years at the venue, Kia Forum, which sold the dish in honor of Styles' hit song. I hopped in Ubers without taking car-seat installation into consideration and had long conversations with many other concert attendees. I'm not used to being unencumbered, but it felt so good within the context of my Harry Styles adventures. I spoke with several women in their 60s who had traveled across the country to see him and a girl who was turning 18 at midnight and shared a birthday with Styles. After a scan of the room, I noticed there didn't seem to be a lot of women my age at the show. I thought maybe most of them had kids around the ages of mine and chose to sit this one out, and I felt a tingle of pride that, for once, I put myself first. My husband wasn't exactly thrilled about my spontaneous purchase, but because he knew how much Styles had enriched my life over the past year, he understood it was important for me to take this solo trip. I joked it was my version of Cheryl Strayed's "Wild," a memoir about the author's journey hiking alone to deal with her demons and buried grief. Styles tells people at every concert that they can be whomever they want for the night, and I'm so thankful he gave me permission to do that not only in his presence but also in my everyday life. At "Harry's House," I'm not just a mother of boys. Read the original article on Insider (Bloomberg) -- Nikki Haley and Tim Scott made competing pitches to a conservative Christian group in their home state of South Carolina, pitting a declared 2024 Republican presidential candidate against a potential primary rival. Most Read from Bloomberg Their speeches at the Palmetto Family Councils Vision 24 forum in North Charleston signaled the importance of South Carolina, the third early-voting GOP primary state behind Iowa and New Hampshire. Haley is the states former governor, ex-ambassador to the United Nations and one of four Republicans to have announced a presidential bid, while Scott, the states junior senator, has signaled hes weighing a candidacy. With plenty of empty seats in the convention center ballroom on Saturday, there was little mention of the partys leading candidate former President Donald Trump whom organizers had invited along with his closest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and Trumps former vice president, Mike Pence. Haley and Scott spoke the same day that Trump roiled the political landscape by saying he expects to be arrested next week on New York charges and calling for protesters to take our nation back. We dont want to ruin America, said Scott. We want to restore faith in America. Having faith in America doesnt mean we always get it right. He shared an often-told anecdote about his grandfather: The man who had to stop school to pick cotton lived long enough to watch his grandson pick out a seat in Congress. While Scott hasnt formally announced a presidential bid, he launched a nationwide listening tour with a stop in Iowa after Haleys Feb. 15 rollout of her presidential campaign. Story continues Haley evoked her decision to call a state Day of Prayer shortly before the 2015 Mother Emanuel church shooting in Charleston during her governorship. I know God protected us, Haley said. That was God getting us prepared for what was going to be a horrific tragedy. God got us through it. A Quinnipiac University Poll released March 15 showed Trump with 49% support among Republican voters, DeSantis at 31%, Haley at 5% and Scott at 1%. Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur who has also officially declared, didnt reach 1% in the poll. What I can tell you as a fact, the poll numbers youve seen today are not going to be the poll numbers you see a year from now, Haley said on stage at the forum. Trump has maintained a grip on roughly a third of Republican voters, though polls have shown DeSantis within striking distance. But Haley and Scott occupy similar spaces within the GOP and a large 2024 primary field could make it easier for Trump to win the nomination. Donald Trumps got a good base vote in his pocket right now, said Katon Dawson, a former state Republican Party chairman. And I dont think theyre going anywhere. I dont know if they can chip away. If there are three people in that primary, theres not any chipping away there. Some attendees said theyd like to see the two Republicans from the Palmetto State Republicans on a presidential ticket together. Both of them together would be an amazing team, said Jennifer Prill of Bluffton, South Carolina. Haley and Scott have a long history in South Carolina politics. While serving as governor, Haley appointed Scott to replace retiring US Senator Jim DeMint in 2012. Governor Haley and Tim Scott are friends, theyre not adversaries, said Dawson. I dont think youll find those two going at each other in South Carolina. I think if anything, youll find themselves complementing each other. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Gov. Sununu in a Washington Post op-ed criticized some in the GOP over their foreign policy stances. Sununu wrote forcefully about the need to continue aiding Ukraine in their fight against Russia. Opposing Ukraine aid "because President Biden supports it is not a viable foreign policy," he wrote. New Hampshire GOP Gov. Chris Sununu heaped criticism on some of his fellow Republicans regarding foreign affairs, pushing back against Republicans who have questioned the need to continue aiding Ukraine in their fight against Russia and arguing that the United States "has a duty to limit authoritarian and tyrannical aggression." Sununu, a potential 2024 presidential contender who was reelected to a fourth term last November, wrote an opinion article for The Washington Post where he articulated that the non-interventionist "America First" policy pushed by former President Donald Trump did not mean "America Only." The governor argued that the interests of the United States were best served by robustly opposing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, directly calling out remarks made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that the conflict was a "territorial dispute." "Russia is engaged in a war against an innocent people, and it must be condemned," Sununu wrote. "The United States of America is the greatest country on Earth, and we must stand with our allies around the globe to fight aggressive and dangerous regimes that threaten freedom wherever they are." "Simply opposing aid to Ukraine because President Biden supports it is not a viable foreign policy," he continued to say. "To abandon Ukraine would set off a negative chain of events for US interests domestically and abroad. Vladimir Putin is knocking at NATO's doorstep, and without our support and the support of our European allies Ukraine will fall, resulting in far graver problems for the United States: conflict across Europe." Sununu proceeded to take another swipe at Trump in seeking to shift the party's foreign policy in a more Reaganesque direction. Story continues "Some in the Republican Party have lost their moral compass on foreign policy, as evidenced by former president Donald Trump, who once called Putin's invasion 'genius' and 'savvy,'" the governor wrote. "As Republicans, we should support freedom, not abandon it. We must not equivocate, but rather lead with strength and courage in the mold of Ronald Reagan," he added. Some Republicans have pointed to the rising cost of the conflict in voicing their frustrations with aiding Ukraine, as Congress last year appropriated over $113 billion in aid and military equipment for the country and allied nations last year. Sununu emphasized that accountability in government spending was always necessary, but said there would be dire consequences for not adequately assisting in Ukraine's efforts against Moscow. "There should never be blank checks when it comes to government funding, and all tax dollars must be spent and accounted for wisely," he wrote. "Yet the price the United States is paying in Ukraine today is far less than the price we will face if Putin continues his westward march, threatening the sovereignty and security of NATO." Read the original article on Business Insider A shark thought to be rare in the UK has had its head and tail cut off after it was found dead on a beach. On Saturday, locals walking on Lepe beach in Hampshire discovered a dead shark which was later spotted without its head, tail and fin. Broadcaster and historian Dan Snow saw the shark and tweeted that a biologist he knew said it was an "exceptionally rare visitor to these shores". He asked for the head to be returned so scientists could study it. Shark update. Biologist friends like @Ben_garrod identified it as an exceptionally rare visitor to these shores and asked me secure it. I failed. The head, tail and fin were grabbed before I get assemble a big enough team to drag it off the beach to the nearest road. pic.twitter.com/XinSiwrusU Dan Snow (@thehistoryguy) March 19, 2023 Mr Snow tweeted a video at 01.00 GMT from a road near the beach where he and a group of local people had dragged the 8ft-long (2.4m) shark to try to safeguard it . "We have recovered a good chunk of it but some trophy-hunters got there just before us and they took the head and the dorsal fin on the tail," he said. This was "really disappointing", he added, since he and the group had been asked by scientists "to secure this carcass of this once-in-a-lifetime find in British waters". Mr Snow put out a plea on Twitter for whoever had the head to bring it back temporarily so the scientists could examine it, adding that the individual could then keep the head. He told the BBC that researchers were hoping to see the teeth and head as they believed the animal could be a smalltooth sandtiger shark, usually found in warmer waters. He said it was a rare opportunity to have access to the shark and that scientists who contacted him wanted to study it to "help us learn about our oceans and the ocean health and climate change". Story continues Dr Ben Garrod, a professor in evolutionary biology at University of East Anglia, said it was important for scientists to see the shark as it offered a "snapshot" of animals living in international waters. "The oceans cover 71 or 72% of our planet, however it's still incredibly mysterious," he told the BBC. "Every time we see a whale breaching or a shark washing up, this is like finding a Roman hoard or Viking daggers." He said this species was not typically seen on UK shores and studying it could offer insight into feeding patterns and water temperatures, depending on how healthy the shark was prior to death. "These are active predators that are taking out fish; however, they are not dangerous to people in any way," he said. "We should be celebrating that we're getting some incredible, iconic animals like this, including predators, rather than be fearful of them; it shows that potentially we've got a lot more out in our marine environment." The Zoological Society of London will be collecting the remains of the shark on Tuesday to study it. Banner saying 'Get in touch' Did you see the shark? You can share your pictures using the form below or by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. At 1:47 p.m. on March 15, 2018, the 950-ton bridge conceived by Florida International University to cross eight lanes of Southwest Eighth Street in front of its flagship campus collapsed. Here are some key markers leading up to that catastrophe, which caused the deaths of six people, and what has happened since: READ MORE: Cautious new bridge design almost ready READ MORE: Repercussions on key players in failed bridge that fell in 2018 March 10, 2018 After assembling the bridges main 174-foot, steel-and-concrete span by the side of Southwest Eighth Street and 109th Avenue while support towers were built at either end, construction crews hoist the span and lower it into place by special gantry cranes at about 2 a.m. An early morning view of the main span of the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge as it was hoisted from its temporary supports, rotated 90 degrees and placed across Southwest Eighth Street at 109th Avenue, Saturday, March 10, 2018. Five days later, on March 15, 2018, the 174-foot, 950-ton bridge span collapsed, killing six people. March 15, 2018 The bridges 950-ton span abruptly collapses, crushing cars stopped at a red light on Tamiami Trail and 109th Avenue at 1:47 p.m. that Thursday. Six people die: Alberto Arias, 53; Brandon Brownfield, 39; FIU student Alexa Duran, 18; Rolando Fraga, 60, and his partner Oswaldo Gonzalez, 57; and construction worker Navaro Brown, 37. Ten others are injured. Six people died when the pedestrian bridge under construction connecting Florida International University and Sweetwater, across Southwest Eighth Street at 109th Avenue, collapsed on March 15, 2018. READ MORE: Who are the victims of the FIU bridge collapse now honored on campus? Sept. 18, 2018 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency in charge of workers safety, cites five companies involved in the bridge: FIGG Bridge Engineers, Network Engineering Services, Structural Technologies, Munilla Construction Management and the Structural Group of South Florida. OSHA levied seven violations and said the companies failed to protect workers, did not provide them with a proper safety line and did not remove them from the area despite the bridge developing cracks of significant width, depth and length at critical locations. The agency proposes $86,658 in penalties. Two days before the bridge collapsed on March 15, 2018, this photo showed a crack along the bottom of diagonal support No. 11. Nov. 15, 2018 Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board issue a two-page report that concludes design flaws led to cracking in the southern portion in the bridge before it collapsed. Story continues On March 16, 2018, National Transportation Safety Board inspectors stand along a section of the FIU bridge at Southwest Eighth Street and 109th Avenue. The bridge collapsed the day before, on March 15, killing six people. March 1, 2019 MCM, the contractor behind the collapsed bridge, files for bankruptcy protection. June 3, 2019 Florida Department of Transportation releases documents showing that on the morning of the collapse, the firm that designed the span, FIGG, assured a meeting of state highway officials, university administrators, contractors and others that the bridge was safe. June 11, 2019 OSHA investigators issue a 115-page report that faulted all parties involved with the bridge, including FIU, state transportation officials and private contractors. This OSHA report is the first time federal investigators state unequivocally that Southwest Eighth Street should have been closed in response to the cracking on the bridge. July 30, 2019 The victims and their survivors reach a $102.7 million settlement, which a judge affirms on Dec. 12, 2019. Sept. 20, 2019 Will Watts, the chief engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, sends a letter to the NTSB saying that FIU and its contractor were responsible for asking the state to close Tamiami Trail but never did. Nov. 13, 2019 The NTSB issues its final report, citing failures in design, lack of adequate oversight and systematic negligence as reasons for the fatal collapse. All parties involved in the ... project to build the pedestrian bridge were aware of the cracks and their progression, including FDOT, FIU, FIGG (FIGG Bridge Engineers, who designed it), MCM (the bridge contractor, Munilla Construction Management), and Bolton, Perez (Bolton Perez and Associates, consulting firm that was supposed to act as a backstop on design and construction), NTSB said in its 152-page report. Feb. 26, 2021 Nearly three years after the bridge collapse, FIU transfers $9.1 million to FDOT to build a new pedestrian bridge. March 15, 2022 FIU unveils a memorial on campus honoring Alexa Duran, the FIU student killed in the collapse: a 7-foot bronze sculpture of her, with five lamp posts surrounding it, to represent the other victims. Alexa Duran, the 18-year-old Florida International University student killed in the collapse of the Florida International University bridge, on March 15, 2018. She was in a car sitting at a red light. Gina and Orlando Duran, the parents of Alexa Duran, embrace during the unveiling of a memorial at Florida International University in Miami on the fourth anniversary of the FIU bridge collapse on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The bronze sculpture of her is surrounded by five lamp posts to represent the five other people who died in the bridge collapse. May 4, 2022 FDOT engineers hold the first of two community town hall meetings in Sweetwater to share the new bridge design, a standard steel structure without the novel design of the first bridge. May 2023 FDOT expects to start the construction bidding for the new bridge. 2025 New pedestrian bridge expected to be finished. School boards, borough councils, township supervisors and planning commissions are scheduled to meet across Centre County this week, where officials will discuss and take action on items that could have a direct impact on residents. It can be hard to know when certain boards meet and to understand what action the members may or may not take. The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act requires local governments to post an agenda, which should include a list of each item of business that will be or may be the subject of deliberation or action during the meeting, at the location of the meeting and at the office of the agency. If they have a publicly accessible website, the agenda also has to be posted there, 24 hours ahead of the meeting. Heres a look at which local government entities and school boards will meet between March 20-23 based on information available via legal advertisements and on the respective municipalitys or schools website. This list may be updated as more meeting agendas and schedules become available. Monday, March 20, third Monday The Bellefonte Borough Council typically meets on the first and third Monday of the month and will meet for a work session at 6:30 p.m., followed by a voting meeting. The meetings will be livestreamed on C-NETs YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@CNetCentreCounty. A recording of the meeting will be available on C-NETs website, www.cnet1.org. Agendas are posted online at www.bellefonte.net/government/mayor-borough-council/borough-council/. The council members are Randy Brachbill, Doug Johnson, Kent Bernier, Deborah Cleeton, Joanne Tosti-Vasey, Johanna Sedgwick, Shawna McKean, Rita Purnell and Barbara Dann. The mayor is Gene Buddy Johnson. Residents can contact the borough at 814-355-1501 or the mayor at 814-355-1501 ext. 218, or bjohnson@bellefontepa.gov. Emails for individual board members can be found on the boroughs website. The Harris Township Planning Commission typically meets the third Monday of every month and will meet at 7 p.m. in the township meeting room, 224 East Main Street, Boalsburg. Story continues Agendas are posted on the townships website, www.harristownship.org. The commission will discuss and potentially make recommendations on a zoning ordinance amendment request, landscape buffering regulations and a sign ordinance rewrite. Commission members, which are appointed by the township supervisors, are Chris Gamble, Kent Baker, Amy Lorek, Robert Igo, Jeff Duerr, Jackie Sheader, Richard Manning, and alternates Phill Becker, Charles Risio and Cidalia Cornelio. Residents can contact the township at 814-466-6228 or manager@harristownship.org. The Philipsburg Borough Council typically meets the third Monday of each month and will meet at 7 p.m. at the borough building, 4 N. Centre St., Philipsburg. It does not appear that agendas are posted to the website. Council members are Sam Womer, Kathy Kalinosky, Harry Wood, Jerry Lese, Faith Maguire, Harry Wood, Sharon Goss and James Stiver. The mayor is John Streno. The borough can be contacted at 814-342-3440. The Potter Township Supervisors typically meet the first and third Mondays of each month, with some exceptions, and will meet at 7 p.m. at the township building, 124 Short Road, Spring Mills. Meeting agendas are available online, pottertownship.org/2023-township-supervisors. The supervisors are Dick Decke, Jake Tanis, Melvin Dutrow, Dennis Foust and Glenn Roth. Residents can contact the township at 814-364-9176 or secretary@pottertownship.org. Emails and phone numbers for individual supervisors are available online. The State College Borough Council typically meets the first and third Mondays of the month and will meet at 7 p.m. in room 304 of the State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen Street, State College. Agendas are available online, www.statecollegepa.us/606/Borough-Council-Agendas-Minutes. The borough council is Jesse L. Barlow, Deanna M. Behring, Janet P. Engeman, Gopal Balachandran, Peter S. Marshall, Nalini Krishnankutty and Divine Lipscomb, and the mayor is Ezra Nanes. Residents can contact the borough at 814-234-7100, the council at boro@statecollegepa.us or the mayor at mayor@statecollegepa.us. The Spring Township Planning Commission typically meets the third Monday of the month and will meet at 7 p.m. March 20 at the township building, 1309 Blanchard St., Bellefonte. Commission members are Jeff Kranch, Mary DeArmitt, Timothy Maloy, Alice Hinton, Gary Royer, Timothy Schreffler and Michael Williams. Residents can contact the township at 814-355-7543. The State College Area School District board will meet at 7 p.m. in the Panorama Village Administration Building, 240 Villa Crest Drive, State College. Agendas are online, go.boarddocs.com/pa/stco/Board.nsf/Public. The board will discuss a number of items, including 2023-24 budget development, and potentially take action on others. Board members are Peter Buck, Carline Crevecoeur, Dan Duffy, Gretchen Brandt, Deborah Anderson, Laurel Zydney, Amy Bader and Jacqueline Huff. The superintendent is Curtis Johnson. Residents can contact the board at all-board@scasd.org. Tuesday, March 21, third Tuesday The executive committee of the Centre Region Council of Governments typically meets the third Tuesday of each month (or the Tuesday preceding the General Forum meeting) at 12:15 p.m. in the COG general forum room, 2643 Gateway Drive, State College and via Zoom. Agendas are posted online and the public can register to attend by emailing sbinkley@crcog.net no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting, according to the website. Residents can also send written comments on agenda items to sbinkley@crcog.net in advance of the meeting. The committee will discuss and potentially vote on a number of items, including the recommended percentage of the total COG facilities electricity demand be considered for the Solar Power Purchasing Agreement. Theyll also discuss 2024 budget priorities and will receive a presentation on the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center boardwalk feasibility study phase 2. Executive committee members are Carla Stilson (College Township), Lisa Strickland (Ferguson Township), Ron Servello (Halfmoon Township), Frank Harden (Harris Township), Elliot Abrams (Patton Township) and Jesse Barlow (State College Borough). The Centre County Planning Commission typically meets the third Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise advertised, and will meet at 6 p.m. in room 146 of the Willowbank Building, 420 Holmes St., Bellefonte. Agendas are posted online,centrecountypa.gov/AgendaCenter. The Planning Commission is comprised of members representing the following seven planning regions: Centre Region, Lower Bald Eagle Valley, Moshannon Valley, Mountaintop, Nittany Valley, Penns Valley and Upper Bald Eagle Valley. The members, appointed by the board of commissioners, are Robert Dannaker, Dennis Hameister, Christopher Kunes, Deborah Simoncek, Andrea Pandolfi, Jenn Shufran, Michele L. Barbin and D. Richard Francke. Residents can contact the Centre County Planning and Community Development Department by contacting Raymond Stolinas, 814-355-6791 or rjstolinas@centrecountypa.gov, or the commission at ccpc@centrecountypa.gov. The College Township Planning Commission typically meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month and will meet at 7 p.m. at the township building, 1481 E. College Ave., State College, or via Zoom. The Zoom link can be found on the agenda. The meetings are recorded by C-NET. Agendas are typically posted online, www.collegetownship.org/AgendaCenter/Planning-Commission-4. The commission will review and potentially make recommendations on plans for the Mount Nittany Medical Center bed tower project and the State College Area Food Bank building addition. The commission members, which are appointed by the township council, are Ray Forziat, Ed Darrah, Peggy Ekdahl, Robert Hoffman, William McKibbin, Bill Sharp, Matthew Fenton and Noreen Khoury (alternate). Residents can contact the township at 814-231-3021. The Ferguson Township Supervisors typically meet for their regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of the month, with some exceptions, and will meet at 7 p.m. at the township building, 3147 Research Drive, State College, and on Zoom. Agendas are typically posted online, www.twp.ferguson.pa.us/node/39/agenda/2023. The township supervisors are Lisa Strickland, Patricia Stephens, Laura Dininni, Jeremie Thompson and Corey Gracie-Griffin. Residents can contact the township at 814-238-4651. The Port Matilda Borough Council typically meets the third Tuesday of the month and will meet at 7 p.m. at 400 S. High St. The borough does not currently have a website but the agenda is posted on the building at least 24 hours before the meeting. Council members are Mark Lively, Mark Belinda, John Fogleman, Sandra Neal, Bernard Kalt, Joe Bloom and William Hamer, and the mayor is Ida Lively. Residents can contact the borough at 814-692-0092 or portmatildaborough@windstream.net. The Bellefonte Area School District board will meet at 7 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria, 100 N. School St., Bellefonte. A recording will be available on CNET. Agendas are available online, www.basd.net/Page/174. School board members are Jon Guizar, Jeff Steiner, Andrea Royer, Jack Bechdel, Marie Perini, Nate Campbell, Donna Smith, Julie Fitzgerald and Kimberly Weaver. The superintendent is Tammie Burnaford. Residents can contact the board at boarddl@basd.net or the district at 814-355-4814. Wednesday, March 22, fourth Wednesday The Patton Township Supervisors typically meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month (with some exceptions during summer months) and will meet at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 in the township building, 100 Patton Plaza, State College. Agendas are available online, twp.patton.pa.us/AgendaCenter. Supervisors are Pam Robb, Elliot Abrams, Sultan Magruder, Dan Trevino and Betsy Whitman. Residents can contact the township at 814-234-0271 or patton@twp.patton.pa.us. The Spring Township Water Authority typically meets on the fourth Wednesday and will meet at 7 p.m. March 22 at the township building, 1309 Blanchard St., Bellefonte. Authority members are Doug Weikel, Vaughn Zimmerman, Frank S. Miceli, Henry Haranin, William Weaver and David Engle. Residents can contact the township at 814-355-7543. The Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District board typically meets on the second and fourth Wednesday and will meet at 7 p.m. March 22 at the middle school, 200 Short St., Philipsburg, for a voting meeting. Agendas are available online, www.pomounties.org/board. Board members are Timothy Bainey, Estelle Bowman, Todd Jeffries, Shawnna Baney-Shaw, Richard Wood, Dustin Minarchick, Nancy Lamb, Linda Bush and Tiffany Warlow. The superintendent is Gregg Paladina. Residents can contact the district at 814-342-1050. Thursday, March 23, fourth Thursday The Benner Township Planning Commission typically meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month and will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the township building, Agendas are typically posted online, www.bennertownship.org. Commission members are Randy Moyer, Lee Copper, Lynn Chaplin, Willis Houser, Judson Mantz, Rick Weaver and Jim Lanning. Residents can contact the township at 814-355-1419 or BENNERTWP@aol.com. The Halfmoon Township Supervisors typically meet the second and fourth Thursday of each month and will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at Halfmoon Township Municipal Building, 100 Municipal Lane, Port Matilda. Agendas are available online, halfmoontwp.us/all-board-of-supervisors-meeting-agendas. Supervisors are David Piper, Ron Servello, Rose Ann Hoover, Patti Hartle and Chuck Beck. Residents can contact the township at 814-692-9800 or townshipclerk@halfmoontwp.us, and the board at supervisors@halfmoontwp.us. The Patton Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold an organizational meeting for 2023 and hear a variance request at 2 p.m. March 23 at the township building, 100 Patton Plaza, State College, and via Zoom. The Zoom link is available on the agenda. The agenda is available online, twp.patton.pa.us/agendacenter. Residents can contact the township at 814-234-0271 or the planning department at epz@twp.patton.pa.us. Justina and Miles Burdsall and their son Colton, 2, make their way to the St. Patrick's parade in Yorkville Saturday. (David Sharos / The Beacon-News) For Yorkville parents Justina and Miles Burdsall, theres nothing they wouldnt do for their son Colton, 2, including celebrating St. Patricks on Saturday in their hometown with the temperature in the teens. We didnt celebrate yet. Were here for him. Its all for him, Justina Burdsall said Saturday as she and her husband made their way along Hydraulic Drive in Yorkville just before 11 a.m. Advertisement We had the corned beef and cabbage thing last night and now were here for this, Miles Burdsall said. When it comes to St. Patricks Day, theres no such thing as too much, not when it comes to Yorkville. Throughout the day, residents and visitors to Yorkville enjoyed a full slate of activities as Yorkville Parks and Recreation and downtown businesses hosted the citys seventh annual St. Patricks Celebration. Advertisement The full-day program kicked off at 9 a.m. with a Lucky Leprechaun Hunt followed by the traditional Irish parade that began at 11 a.m. at Riverfront Park. Music followed downtown at the Law Office Pub and Music Hall where the Gleeson Irish Trio who have appeared all seven years of the celebration - began performing at 1 p.m. Food and drink specials were available at participating bars and restaurants throughout the day. Finally, a fireworks show was offered at 6:30 p.m. at Route 47 and Countryside Parkway in Yorkville. Yorkville resident Boyd Ingemunson, a local attorney who also owns the Law Office Pub and Music Hall and helps coordinate a number of Yorkville festivals, spoke before Saturdays event and said the parade and the rest of the festivities represent business as usual. Its kind of like most of the stuff we do in Yorkville, we kind of dont fix whats not broken, he said. Bars and restaurants will have live music, we have the parade, a shamrock hunt and great cooperation between the city and the businesses and just getting a lot of folks out downtown and hitting the streets. Yorkville held a modified St. Patricks celebration a week ago and, according to Ingemunson, organizers decided there was enough interest and activities offered to hold events on back-to-back weekends. With St. Patricks Day on Friday the thought was do you celebrate on the 11th or this week on the 18th and we decided to do two weekends, he said. Ultimately, if it gets people downtown to visit businesses two weeks in a row great. The city and businesses felt there was enough excitement about St. Patricks Day we could spread it out over two weekends. Advertisement Yorkville resident Tim Gleason, who works as one of the citys festival organizers, noted that the St. Patricks fun continues to expand. St. Patricks Day is now more than one day, its an entire season filled with celebration and were happy to have enough people around town excited about it that we can fill up two weekends this year, he said. Well probably go back to one next year but for now its twice the fun. Shay Remus, superintendent of recreation for Yorkville Parks and Recreation, was dressed in glowing green colors and welcoming guests to the Lucky Leprechaun Hunt near the parade area Saturday along Hydraulic Drive. She admitted it is extremely cold out here, but we hope the crowds will start trickling in. We did have several families complete the Lucky Leprechaun Hunt earlier this morning and a lot of floats are coming in so thats been nice to see, Remus said Saturday morning. Last year was extremely cold as well and we had a great crowd although today is slightly colder. Jason Demas of Yorkville was sporting a green sweatshirt and a green coffee tumbler and said despite the cold, Saturdays turnout at the parade shows the support the community has and how deep it runs in Yorkville. Advertisement This is a wonderful place to live and raise a family, Demas said. Weve had back-to-back celebrations here and we like to say We are Yorkville. It includes everybody. Gary Thompson of Yorkville stood next to a tree along the route and said this was his first time coming to the parade. I figured Id better get out and try and enjoy it, he said. Ive been living here for a few years and I just wanted to do it something different and enjoy being with other people. David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News. Bob Baffert-trained Hard To figure was named the 2-1 morning-line favorite for Sunday's 1 1/18th miles Sunland Derby at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. Hard To Figure will face six rivals in the race worth $600,000 and which also has 85 qualifying points for this year's Kentucky Derby, 50 of which go to the winner. The Kentucky Derby is held the first Saturday in May. Baffert's horse, though, cannot earn points qualifying for the Kentucky Derby since he's in the second year of a two-year suspension by Churchill Downs Inc., after a failed postrace drug test by now-deceased colt Medina Spirit, who crossed the finish line first in the 2021 Derby. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ultimately disqualified the colt in February 2022. While Baffert is banned from the first of the Triple Crown races, he's eligible to run horses in Maryland at the Preakness and in New York at the Belmont Stakes. He has transferred other horses under his name to a different barn. Hard To Figure has finished in the top five in four of five starts, including a win and a second. Baffert has won the Sunland Derby three times and in 2016, he won the Sunland Park Festival of Racing Stakes when the Sunland Derby was canceled due to the EHV-1 virus outbreak. Hard To Figure will start in the No. 6 post and will be ridden by Flavien Prat. Henry Q won the Mine That Bird Derby on Tuesday at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino. The second favorite is Henry Q who is trained by Sunland Park's top trainer, Todd Fincher and will be ridden by Edwin Maldonado. Henry Q won the Mine That Bird Derby by nearly 15 lengths last month at Sunland Park in his first start in New Mexico. Henry Q has won two straight races, is 3-1 in the morning-line and will start from the No. 4 post. "Henry Q worked great (Sunday)," Fincher said. "He's a good, strong horse and we're excited for the race." El Paso owners Judy and Kirk Robison look to earn a bit to the Kentucky Derby with their horse How Did He Do That, who is 9-2 in the morning-line. How Did He Do That ran second in the Riley Allison Derby on Jan. 29. Steve Asmussen trains the horse and will be ridden by Alfredo Juarez. How Did He Do That is listed at 9-2 morning-line and will start out of the No. 1 post. Story continues "Steve knows how to pick the right spots," Kirk Robison said. "Our horse ran a good second in the Riley Allison and has been resting up. He gets a little more distance in this race and that helps." The rest of the field includes Low Expectations (No. 2 post), Fort Bragg (No. 3 post, scratched from the race), One In Vermillion (No. 5 post) and Wild On Ice (No. 7 post). One In Vermillion won the Riley Allison Derby and Wild On Ice is trained by Sunland Park trainer Joel Marr. The Sunland Derby will be race No. 10 on Sunday and the scheduled post time is 4:50 p.m. There will be a total of 11 races with the first post at 12:25 p.m. The $300,000 Sunland Oaks will also take place, will be race No. 8 and is a prep race for the Kentucky Oaks. The seven-horse field includes the Fincher-trained Flying Connection, who won the Island Fashion Stakes at Sunland Park last month and the Baffert-trained Doinitthehardway. The race will be contested at 1 1/16th miles. The last three races of the card, including the Sunland Derby and Sunland Oaks will be covered nationally on television by FS1, which has a weekly program dedicated to horse racing. Advance wagering at the racetrack will be begin on Saturday. More: Senor Buscador prevails Senor Buscador wins Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on Twitter This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Hard To Figure is 2-1 morning-line favorite for Sunland Derby An entire village is switching to dark skies-friendly lighting in a bid to cut light pollution. Lighting in Hawnby is being swapped as part of a scheme involving Mexborough Estates and North York Moors National Park officials. It is claimed it will become the first village in England to have every exterior property and street light switched, along with all public spaces. The Station Inn, in the Yorkshire Dales, has already made the switch. In total more than 100 lights on 30 properties in Hawnby will be converted, including the village hall and pub. Alongside the Hawnby project, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is also working to safeguard its night sky, with four Dales businesses being awarded grants to make the changes. These include The Station Inn, close to Ribblehead Viaduct, and The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes. Both national parks achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status in December 2020. The special status was awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association which said the parks were "global leaders in dark-sky conservation". Mike Hawtin, dark skies officer for the North York Moors National Park, said: "We're aiming to show how relatively easy it can be for communities to take a similar approach to the one at Hawnby and help us protect the pristine qualities of our dark skies. "There are a few other places in Wales and Scotland which have converted street lights to become dark sky friendly towns or villages, but we think Hawnby will be the first village to go even further by converting both street and external building lighting when the project completes later this year." In the Yorkshire Dales, staff at The Station Inn said they were already running stargazing evenings, which had proved incredibly popular with people. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. Driving on Highway 400, no matter what time of the day, can be a hassle. Whether it is at night or during the day, you add construction to that mix, and it is just difficult. In the mornings, it is jammed pack. In the evenings, it is jammed pack. It is a headache, said Benjamin Ready. Ready knows all about maneuvering through the 400/I-285 Interchange. I live in the Alpharetta area. I drive it every day, said Ready. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] But now, for Ready and hundreds of thousands of drivers, there is another layer to this traffic maze. Starting on Saturday night, the flexible shoulder lanes, or FLEX lanes to many, will close for good. It is the worst headache. They are working and just shut down the lanes, said Ready. We initially went into this weekend anticipating the formal closure of those FLEX lanes on Northbound and Southbound from about Pitts Road to Holcomb Bridge, said Georgia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Natalie Dale. Dale said it is a part of a massive project. TRENDING STORIES: Because we are rebuilding these three bridges, which are all fifty plus years old, new designs, multi-use paths, pedestrian, and bike capabilities, these three bridges sort of in a row, are being rebuilt over the next year or year in a half. A lot of that lane and shoulder is needed for construction. Dale is asking drivers to find an alternative route during the construction project and pack a lot of patience. Meanwhile, Ready said that is a lesson he is learning the hard way. Like off my exit, exit 10 off 400, if you got somewhere to be like at 8 oclock in the morning, you need to leave like 5 oclock, because the traffic is going to have you jammed up. Story continues [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Dale said once the bridges are completed, they will work on the GA-400 express lanes. According to GDOT, drivers should expect a permanent closure of shoulder lanes with speed limits reduced to 55 mph from Spalding Drive to Holcomb Bridge Road. The closure will be from GA-400 southbound from Holcomb Bridge to Pitts Road overpass and GA-400 northbound from just south of Pitts Road overpass to Northridge Road until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Drivers are asked to be aware of the speed limit and to seek alternate routes if possible. IN OTHER NEWS: A Henry County man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was found trying to flush a large amount of marijuana down a hotel toilet. Josef Lee Elgers, 28, of McDonough was convicted Tuesday of one count each of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and tampering with evidence, as well as two counts of violation of the street gang terrorism and prevention act. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Elgers was arrested on Oct. 29, 2020 at Americas Best Value Inn on Highway 155 in McDonough after a Henry County police gang unit smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from a room. The deputies got a search warrant and as they approached the door, they heard flushing coming from the room. When deputies entered the hotel room, where they found more than a pound of marijuana. TRENDING STORIES: Elgers was the only person in the hotel room and Elgers drivers license was in the backpack with the marijuana. Law enforcement also found drug packaging materials and a large amount of cash in the room. At trial, evidence showed Elgers social media accounts identified him as a member of the Bloods gang, as well as showed him selling marijuana. Elgers was ordered not to have contact with any gang members. In total, Elgers was sentenced to 25 years with the first 15 years to be spent in prison. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Wilhelmina Yazzie poses for a portrait in front of the McKinley County-Gallup Courthouse, the courthouse that first heard her case, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Gallup. Wilhelmina Yazzie is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Wilhelmina Yazzie is a mother who saw her child struggling in school and took action. She had no idea her efforts would impact the entire state of New Mexico just a few years later. Yazzie is one party to the Yazzie-Martinez lawsuit against the State of New Mexico the lawsuit that found the States Public Education Department was gravely lacking in support for students who come from low-income families, who are Native American, English Language Learners and students with disabilities. This landmark case originated in McKinley County in 2014 where the public school population consisted largely of Native American students from the nearby Navajo Nation, Hopi and Zuni tribes. The case wound its way through the court system, joining with a similar case filed in Santa Fe County. All the while, Yazzie was pushing for equitable opportunities for her son, Xavier Nez. For her work, she has been named USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from New Mexico. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Wilhelmina Yazzie with her son, Xavier, at his graduation. How do you feel about the role of women today, especially in taking on these leadership roles in state or government or local communities? That is really needed, is to have female leaders. Like I said, within our Dine ways, we're a matrilineal society and traditionally, the cultural way of my teaching is that even though I'm a female, half of me is still male, and I am female on one side. So, in order for things to work out, we need a male and a female. And of course, that's the same way because that's how a child is made, right? So, in leadership roles, I feel like if there's a male and a female, everything is equal. And that's the teaching ... I had growing up. Story continues I really feel that this is a new era to have those changes because in the past, I feel like women were never heard. We were not heard it was just more of a your place is at home, your place is for you to cook, to clean, to take care of the children kind of thing. But that's not the history of our creation story. We pray to Changing Woman, White Shell Woman who had the twins that fought against the monsters, that creation story. So we hold that significance of our holy deities (who are) female. That's how I feel that it's important that females also have these leadership roles. Even though me as a mother, even with the school (lawsuit), there's times where I was told you're a leader now, and you have this role. And I just go back and think of my upbringing and just how the values that I was taught is what I think keeps me grounded, and to remind me. Do you think its getting easier for women to step into these roles and have these roles available to them? It's inspiring and motivating to see ourselves in those positions, but it's not going to be easy. And that's where I feel like we're going to have to work twice as hard to be heard and to be seen, until we start to turn this curriculum for our children to learn from early age that men and women are equal. And even not just with men and women, but different races that we're all equal, no matter where we come from who we are. I feel like it's not going to be easy, but it's good that they see themselves. Especially with Deb Haaland as well, as Secretary of the Interior. Gosh, she's inspired me way more, even with the school suit. At the beginning I was kind of like, I don't know, like, kind of doubting myself, but when I saw her get sworn in and she was so proud wearing her traditional attire and her family being there and just, yeah, we can be in that position, those roles. We can be leaders. Along with the (female) vice president with our Navajo Nation. With our Navajo Nation Council, theres nine women now out of 21. Before, I think there was only two or three. Wilhelmina Yazzie poses for a portrait in front of the McKinley County-Gallup Courthouse, the courthouse that first heard her case, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Gallup. How do you feel about being one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year? I was thinking, gosh, this is my mom, like, my mom is the woman of the year, not me. This is my mom's legacy everything that I do and remember, and who she was and who she stood for, is all because of her. So, it's just, I'm still trying to take it in. Again, I feel that it's very important for women to fill these roles as well to represent. For me, representing our children and that's very important. It's just, I always think back because growing up in a small rural community and going to school with all these adversities, going through all this, graduating, going on to college, working as hard just to be in this space and to have these interviews and to go to these events, it's so humbling, because I never seen myself in these spaces. And it was because of the way I think our history is, of what we're taught what places women should be, but like I said, that's all changing now. Wilhelmina Yazzie with her mother, Annie B. Yazzie. Wilhelmina Yazzie and her daughter Kimimila Black Moon, 7, snuggle on the couch on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in their home in Gallup. It's just me, it's just Wilhelmina, you know I had said that to my friend one time, a close friend of mine. She said, No, you're not just Wilhelmina now, no you're not. You got to know who you are and you got to be proud and accept that. You're not just Wilhelmina that grew up on the rez, had a hard time Dont think of yourself that way now. Be proud. And she reminded me Mom is proud of you. You got to realize that and quit thinking of yourself as just that Wil, now youre different. Youre Wilhelmina and youre in this setting now. I hope I do the best that I can to continue what I do, advocating for our children, the best way that I can and know how. You know, I'm not a Ph.D. person or I don't have all kinds of licenses or, you know. No, I'm doing this from what I know as my role as a mother, and what I was taught. Wilhelmina Yazzie speaks at the Roundhouse at the start of the 2019 legislative session in New Mexico. Wilhelmina Yazzie, second from right, with her husband and three kids. Who do you lean on? Unfortunately, my moms passed on. But from our teaching, everything, we know that she's still around and she's still teaching us. She's still there for us. Now who I lean on the most is my siblings. All three of them. Were there for each other all the time, we make sure that we're doing OK. I feel like if it wasnt for our mothers teaching and how she raised us, we wouldn't be the way we are now. Because of her, we're still together. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Yazzie, Martinez lawsuit plaintiff honored by USA TODAY for activism One man is facing charges after leading troopers on a high-speed chase Sunday. At 4:26 a.m., an Ohio State Highway Patrol tried to stop a Mazada after it was clocked, going over 100 mph. The driver did not stop when the troopers tried to pull them over; an Ohio State Patrol spokesperson told News Center 7. >> Plumbing work causes apartment fire in Huber Heights Calviontay D. Ivory, 20, Dayton, led troopers on a chase from 1-75 northbound near Turtlecreek Township in Warren County. He led troopers roughly 27 miles and crashed while trying to exit the highway at Edwin C Moses Boulevard. Ivory and another passenger were transported by emergency medical services to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A third passenger was not injured and was treated on the scene. >> Nightly highway lane closures expected this week; I-75 reconstruction project set to begin next week Troopers later learned the car was reported stolen from Kettering. Ivory faces felony charges of fleeing/eluding, receiving stolen property, and aggravated vehicular assault. He is also facing additional charges for operating a vehicle without a valid drivers license, OVI, and fictitious plates, an Ohio State Patrol spokesperson said. Cacique Foods will open a dairy processing facility in Amarillo in 2023. People looking for a new career in a new to Amarillo business will have an opportunity on Thursday to learn more about the remaining job openings with Cacique Foods. From 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 23, people can attend a walk-in hiring event for Cacique Foods positions. Potential employees will meet one-on-one with a member of the company's HR team at the Hodgetown Ballpark, Club Level, at 715 S. Buchanan St. Related:Cacique Foods CEO details new dairy facility coming to Amarillo in 2023; hiring now Open positions, as of March 15, include: Production Operators Parts Clerk Maintenance Tech Level 1 Maintenance Planner Shift Supervisor Warehouse Jobs Material Handlers Shipping and Receiving Clerks Quality Lab Techs People who cannot attend this event can apply online at caciquefoods.com/careers. The 200,000 sq. ft. facility is expected to open around April, and will handle dairy processing. It will use locally sourced dairy to make the Mexican-style cheeses and creams that Cacique is known for. Gil de Cardenas, Chief Executive Officer of Cacique Foods, mentioned that the company chose Amarillo for several reasons, but the biggest draw was the community. "Its a vibrant, thriving and diverse melting pot of cultures, and thanks to the hospitality, work and support of everyone from the Governors office, Randall County, the city of Amarillo and the Amarillo Economic Development Council, Amarillo was an easy choice," de Cardenas said in a January 2023 article. "We cannot wait to work alongside so many of you as we form an excellent team at our new facility." This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Cacique Foods in Amarillo hosts walk-in event to fill 75+ positions The Tulare County Sheriffs Office issued an evacuation order for all homes and businesses in Alpaugh and Allensworth on Sunday morning due to recent flooding and the possibility that residents could become isolated or trapped due to impassable roadways in the area. The order includes all roads, avenues and access roads within Alpaugh and Allensworth, a historic community founded by African-Americans in southwest Tulare County. On Saturday, the area was threatened after a breach in a nearby creek bank. An evacuation route in Alpaugh is along Avenue 54 westbound to Virginia Avenue to 6th Avenue, then 6th Avenue to Utica Avenue westbound to Interstate 5. For Allensworth, the evacuation route is Palmer Avenue eastbound to Highway 43, Highway 43 to Garces Highway and Garces Highway eastbound to Highway 99. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux also is urging people to stay away from waterways due to increased river flows. A flash flood watch was issued for the Sierra Nevada foothills as well as Fresno and Tulare counties from 11 a.m. Sunday to 5 a.m. Monday. Areas in the San Joaquin Valley could see up to an inch of rain, and the Sierra could see from 1 to 3 inches of rain and 6 to 12 inches of snow in some places, according to the National Weather Service. Alpaugh and Allensworth were among areas in Tulare County under evacuation warning on Thursday, asking residents to prepare in case they are asked to leave due to flooding. Crews were working Saturday to stop flooding from Deer Creek near Road 88 just north of Allensworth in southwestern Tulare County, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Jazz Shaw. Col. Allensworth State Historic Park was not flooded, Gloria Sandoval, deputy director of public affairs for California state parks, said in a 5 p.m. Saturday email, and the park is open to day use and camping. The rural state park in the South Valley celebrates the success of the only California town founded, financed, built and governed by African Americans. A new effort launched last year to restore the park, which is named after Lt. Col. Allen Allensworth, the founder and a retired Buffalo Soldier in the Army. Key Insights Significant control over Horizonte Minerals by private equity firms implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions 52% of the business is held by the top 3 shareholders Insiders have been buying lately If you want to know who really controls Horizonte Minerals Plc (LON:HZM), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. We can see that private equity firms own the lion's share in the company with 34% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Institutions, on the other hand, account for 29% of the company's stockholders. Institutions will often hold stock in bigger companies, and we expect to see insiders owning a noticeable percentage of the smaller ones. Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Horizonte Minerals. Check out our latest analysis for Horizonte Minerals What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Horizonte Minerals? 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. We can see that Horizonte Minerals does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. 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. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Horizonte Minerals' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Horizonte Minerals. Our data shows that La Mancha Holding S.a R.L. is the largest shareholder with 23% of shares outstanding. With 18% and 11% of the shares outstanding respectively, Glencore plc and Orion Resource Partners are the second and third largest shareholders. Story continues To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 3 shareholders have a majority ownership in the company, meaning that they are powerful enough to influence the decisions of the company. 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 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 Horizonte Minerals 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. 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. 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. We can see that insiders own shares in Horizonte Minerals Plc. In their own names, insiders own UK6.5m worth of stock in the UK378m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 17% 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. Private Equity Ownership Private equity firms hold a 34% stake in Horizonte Minerals. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Some investors might be encouraged by this, since private equity are sometimes able to encourage strategies that help the market see the value in the company. Alternatively, those holders might be exiting the investment after taking it public. Public Company Ownership Public companies currently own 18% of Horizonte Minerals stock. We can't be certain but it is quite possible this is a strategic stake. The businesses may be similar, or work together. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Take risks for example - Horizonte Minerals has 2 warning signs (and 1 which can't be ignored) we think you should know about. 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A group of Israelis describing themselves as reservists in elite military and intelligence units said they would not turn up for some duties from Sunday, escalating protests at the hard-right government's planned judicial overhaul. Members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition, which wields a Knesset majority, say they want bills that would limit the authority of the Supreme Court to be written into law by April 2. The plan has stirred concern for Israel's democratic health at home and abroad. As ratification nears, demonstrations have spiralled, the shekel has slipped and fears have been voiced by national security veterans who usually shy from public exposure. In a letter circulated to the Israeli media, 450 protesters describing themselves as volunteer reservists from military special forces and another 200 as volunteer reservist offensive cyber operators, including from the Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, said they were now refusing call-ups. Reuters could not verify the signatories' identities and the secrecy around the units they said they belong to also made it difficult to assess the protest's potential impact. "We have no contract with a dictator. We would be happy to volunteer when the democracy is safeguarded," the letter said. The military declined comment. Representatives for Mossad and Shin Bet did not immediately respond to queries by Reuters. Netanyahu calls the judicial overhaul a restoration of balance between the branches of government. Critics see a gambit by the prime minister - who is under trial on corruption charges that he denies - to subordinate the courts to the executive. On Sunday, a Knesset review committee was due to discuss, before final voting sessions in the plenum, a bill that would give the coalition more control over appointments to the bench. That, critics say, could foster corruption and imperil judicial independence key to Israel's economic strength and defences against attempts to isolate it internationally. Story continues Netanyahu has condemned the protests' reach into the military ranks as an attempt to subvert an institution meant to be above politics. Such misgivings have been voiced by some opposition leaders, while others say an authoritarian tilt in government would throw the idea of national duty into question. "When a country stands on the threshold of dictatorship, we are likely to see a break-down of the security agencies," former Shin Bet director Nadav Argaman told Channel 12 TV. "It is extraordinarily terrifying." A man describing himself as a military intelligence captain taking part in Sunday's reservist protest told Kan radio that he and other signatories were deemed volunteers in part because their time commitments exceeded normal quotas for reservists. Signalling that the protest would be suspended in the event of a compulsory wartime call-up, he said: "We are not calling for refusing orders. We calling for a halt to the volunteering." Most Israelis are conscripted into the military for between two and three years. Some continue to do reserve duties into middle-age. While reservists have helped Israel prevail in previous wars, more recently it has relied on regular forces. But some units consider reservists especially valuable given their maturity and accrued skills. An air force pilot taking part in the protests told Channel 12 TV that as many as 60% of crews sent on bombing sorties in Syria are volunteer reservists. (This story has been refiled to add dropped words in paragraph 2) (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) The pandemic forced individuals and the world at large to reevaluate facets of everyday life that had become status quo. Higher education was no exception to this personal and systemic scrutiny. Many traditional-age college students those between the ages of 18 and 22 began opting for alternative pathways, such as trade programs or the freedom from student loan debt provided by joining the workforce right away. For other groups, particularly nontraditional-age students, the pandemic catalyzed important changes in the world of higher education. (Canva) Whats Quickly? Its where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com. Republicans are continuing to push that we dont need our children to go to college. They say we need them to go to trade schools. They say we need plumbers and carpenters. We also need scientists, doctors, engineers and teachers. So stop with this nonsense that students dont need higher education. Stop taking funds from public schools and giving them to for profit charters. Stop degrading the dream of the best and brightest. Anyone can be taught to be a plumber. Not everyone can be a heart surgeon. Advertisement The cantankerous Quickly commenter always like to say that some people dont add value to society. I wonder what his thoughts are about the Insurrectionists that stormed the Capitol on January 6th, 2021? How much value do they add to society? Do you think instead of building a branch on every corner, maybe these regional banks could keep some cash on hand in case a depositor wants to make a withdrawal? Advertisement Turns out the anti-cancel Republicans are trying to cancel damn near everything. Everyone knows that it was not President Bidens stopping the Keystone XL pipeline that caused the collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank. Everyone knows, especially Marjorie Taylor Greene, that it was the result of Hunters laptop being taken over by Jewish space lasers and being controlled by alien lizard people! Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy > The Trump Troll is worried about getting stuck with a slug for president. Newsflash. We got stuck with a major slug in 2016, and hes still leaving his slimy path all across the country. In 2017, the Republicans cut taxes on corporations and the wealthy. They said this tax cut would pay for itself. It hasnt, it is costing the government trillions of dollars. They said the cuts would trickle down to the middle class, they didnt, and the middle class tax cuts will soon expire. They said it would keep prices low because businesses would not being paying higher taxes. It didnt. These are just a few examples, but how can you trust anything that Republicans say? You cant. Will Trump finally go to jail? Our Thoughts and Prayers are for him to be behind bars as soon as possible. Some are wondering why do potential candidates for the presidency tease the voters by campaigning but not officially announcing their candidacy? Some possible candidates like former VP Mike Pence and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are doing all of the traveling, speech making and fundraising necessary to be viable candidates, yet they have not officially announced their candidacy. One of the main reasons is clear. They are receiving a tremendous amount of publicity, and they dont have to pay for it! Additionally, they can test the waters with little if any heavy repercussions for mistakes. Also, if things arent going well, they can bow out with little fanfare or damage done for a future run. The approach is clever. The risks are small. There is no such thing as right to work. Its really right to scab. Car manufacturers think we are all ignorant folks that just cannot wait to buy an electric-powered car, so they inflated the price well above the price of a gasoline-powered car because the high technology required for these ultra high-tech cars. There are so many fewer parts required to make an electric car that it would require a complete page to list. There is not much high tech about an electric motor. They have been around over 100 years as well as electric powered cars. So if the industry was really interested in helping to reduce our carbon footprint they would price their cars based on the actual cost. But that is not the American way. Profit is! Advertisement Read more at www.post-trib.com/opinion. A longtime manufacturing facility in Bessemer City will wind down operations this summer, with more than 100 workers losing their jobs. The Hunter Douglas Window Designs facility at 201 Southridge Parkway is expected to close by June 30, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification received by the N.C. Department of Commerce on March 13. The closure will result in job cuts for 135 employees. ALSO READ: Bessemer City window covering company to lay off 135 people The first layoffs are expected to take place on June 1, with a small group of about 39 critical employees likely to remain until the third quarter. Read more here. (WATCH BELOW: Krispy Kreme to lay off 102 workers from Concord facility) The accelerating probe into former President Trumps involvement in a hush-money scandal has a new face, one eager to hit the airwaves ahead of any potential criminal charges. Joe Tacopina made the rounds on TV this week, enthusiastically defending the former president in the court of public opinion as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg appears to be wrapping up his presentation to a grand jury reviewing a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump himself on Saturday said his arrest could come Tuesday, lashing out at New York authorities. Protest, take our nation back! Trump said in a post on Truth Social, calling on supporters to protest his potential arrest. Tacopinas style has drawn comparison to that of his client, dismissing the probe as one that should prompt a healthy dose of disgust from the bar, the legal community, prosecutors, defense lawyers alike. Hes defended Trump for falsely saying he was unaware of the payment Of course its not the truth, he said on MSNBC this week and claimed that the exchange in no way violated campaign finance laws, the very charge former Trump fixer Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to. Tacopinas flashy entrance comes amid a flurry of activity in the probe. The grand jury this week heard from Cohen, while Daniels met with prosecutors in what she said was part of her continuing fight for truth and justice. Trump has denied having a relationship with Daniels, but a potential case would largely center on the former presidents role in directing the payment and whether doing so just days before the 2016 election violated campaign finance laws. Trumps company labeled Cohens reimbursement of the payment as a legal expense and did not disclose them in campaign finance reports. Tacopina, a former Brooklyn prosecutor, has made national television appearances that stretch back decades as he racked up a client list including celebrities such as Michael Jackson, A-Rod, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky and Don Imus. Story continues The guy is just made for television, Phil Griffin, MSNBCs former president, told Westport Magazine in 2002. Hes got the looks, hes got the voice, that all plays into it, but its really his authority and his honesty that are so refreshing. There are guests who fill the time with banter, and theres Joe, whos like, Youre wrong!' Tacopina did not respond to questions from The Hill. He has also represented Trump allies in the past, including Bernard Kerik, a former New York police commissioner who also aided Rudy Giulianis team in investigating purported voter fraud in the 2020 election. Tacopina served as Keriks attorney in a case where he ultimately pleaded guilty to tax fraud and other charges in 2007, later being pardoned by Trump. But Keriks relationship with Tacopina soured. The former police commissioner tapped Tim Parlatore, now an attorney representing Trump in matters before special counsel Jack Smith, to launch a suit alleging malpractice after Tacopina spoke to federal authorities about the case. The suit, however, was later dismissed. Beyond the hush-money probe, Tacopina has also represented the former president in a civil sexual battery lawsuit from author E. Jean Carroll, whose claims Trump also denies. Tacopina told CNN in 2018 that he briefly consulted with Daniels on the hush-money agreement, a detail that could become an issue if prosecutors file charges against Trump. Tacopina largely declined to discuss the matter at the time, saying there is an attorney-client privilege that attaches even to a consultation. Although he has represented many celebrities and politicians, he is now adding Trump ahead of what could be the first criminal indictment of a former U.S. president. After Manhattan prosecutors invited Trump to testify before the grand jury hearing evidence in the probe, usually a signal that charges are likely, Tacopina reportedly huddled last weekend at Mar-a-Lago with other Trump aides to discuss their next steps. By Monday morning, Tacopina began taking to the airwaves to vociferously defend his client, making appearances on ABC, Fox News and MSNBC. It began with an interview on Good Morning America, where he described Trump as a victim of extortion and rejected the notion that the hush money could be caught up in campaign finance violations. I dont know since when weve decided to start prosecuting extortion victims, Tacopina told host George Stephanopoulos. Hes vehemently denied this affair, but he had to pay money because there was going to be an allegation that was going to be publicly embarrassing to him regardless of the campaign. But Andrew Weissmann, a former prosecutor who served as one of the lead attorneys on the Mueller investigation, said the claim is itself problematic. That is an admission he paid $ (which he had been denying) and the $ was not for legal fees (the cover story). Because the NY criminal case reportedly focuses on the crime of making false business records his defense is an confession, Weissmann wrote on Twitter. Things got heated the following day, when Tacopina sat down with MSNBC host Ari Melber, who played a 2018 clip of Trump indicating he had no knowledge of the Daniels payment, calling that a lie. Tacopina acknowledged it wasnt true, but pushed back, saying Trump couldnt violate the terms of the confidential settlement. He grabbed a paper in Melbers hand that seemed to contain notes about the statement, saying, Put the paper down. Put the paper down, let me answer. We dont need that. During prime time on Wednesday, Tacopina joined Foxs Sean Hannity for a more friendly interview. Tacopina said the legal system had become completely weaponized. Tacopinas rounds both in affect and in substance prompted other criticism as well, with late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel joking that Tacopina seems to have been born in the ashtray of Rudy Giulianis Lincoln Continental. Cohen, who spent a little over a year in prison as well as another year and a half in home confinement due to his connection with the Daniels payoff, also made comparisons to Giuliani, saying Tacopina was following in Rudy Colludys steps. To be honest, I was embarrassed for him. I was actually embarrassed for our profession, Cohen said during an appearance on MSNBC. He added that journalists challenged Tacopinas arguments in real time, making it difficult for the attorney. Youre not playing to a party of one when youre sitting across the desk from Ari Melber. And he wasnt going to just accept whatever answer that Joe Tacopina decided to put out there. He was going to challenge him. And sadly, its not the first time. George Stephanopoulos did the exact same thing and schooled him. Hes making Trump look even worse, if thats possible. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As a culinary judge, I pick up Garofalo pasta and Starbucks coffee blends at Costco. Meredith Ochs As a culinary judge, I look for nutritious, adaptable meal components and peak-season produce. I stock up on specialty foods like Garofalo organic dried pasta and Starbucks coffee blends. I also make sure my husband and I have plenty of fruit, like grapefruit and medjool dates. Red grapefruit from Florida is in peak season now. Red grapefruit is great on its own or in salads. Meredith Ochs From January through springtime, grapefruit develops a perfect sweet-tart balance. A 5-pound bag of grapefruit may seem like a lot for two people, but we go through it easily. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I bought a citrus juicer and started making fresh juices every week. Grapefruit juice adds a nice twist to homemade vinaigrette and sections of the fruit perk up salads. Occasionally, I'll brulee sliced grapefruit sprinkled with sugar with a kitchen torch or in the broiler to eat straight or float in a cocktail. You can grab a bag of grapefruit at Costco for $6. Costco has the best price on high-quality Garofalo organic pasta. I love the quality of Garofalo pasta. Meredith Ochs Made in Italy for more than two centuries, Garofalo pasta includes spiral-cut gemelli from Puglia; the tubular, ridged penne ziti rigate; and the curled, Sicilian casarecce, a champion sauce-holder. I like that Garofalo is an old-school brand with a modern take on sustainability and transparency, and how I can trace the origins of ingredients on each package. You can pick up a nearly 18-ounce six-pack of organic semolina pasta for $10. The Starbucks Winter Blend is a seasonal exclusive at Costco. The largest bag of coffee I'll buy is a 40-ounce pack. Meredith Ochs Medium-roast, organic whole beans are my home-brewing coffee choice these days, so I'm always delighted to spot seasonal Starbucks blends. The Starbucks Winter Blend lists notes of candied nuts and warm spices on its packaging. We go through about a pound of beans each week so the size is perfect since I won't have an open bag around for too long, as the beans start to lose their flavor. You can pick up 40-ounce bags of Starbucks Coffee blends for $15. Earth Greens baby spinach works in both hot and cold dishes. Story continues The Earth Greens baby spinach can be wilted or used fresh. Meredith Ochs I love to buy prewashed mesclun greens. But because a 16-ounce box tends to spoil before the two of us can finish it, I grab Earth Greens baby spinach. Baby spinach is tender enough to eat as a salad and or add to smoothies, and it can be gently cooked. I'll wilt a generous handful in a bowl of hot lentil soup, add it to omelets and quiches, and saute it with fresh garlic. Costco sells Earth Greens baby spinach for $4.50 a pound. It's the same price as the salad greens but its flexibility means virtually no waste for us. The Kirkland Signature organic ground beef is an economical protein choice at Costco. The Kirkland Signature organic ground beef can be frozen. Meredith Ochs Parceled into three separate packages, the Kirkland Signature 85% lean ground beef is a bulk buy that makes sense for smaller households. I can cook with one pack and freeze the other two. Costco also carries the slightly more expensive American-raised Wagyu, packaged the same way as the Kirkland Signature organic ground beef. Kirkland Signature organic ground beef costs $20 for four pounds, a good deal at $5 a pound. Costco's rotisserie chicken is an excellent budget pick. The Kirkland Signature rotisserie chicken is seasoned, cooked in-store, and may be eaten as is. Meredith Ochs At just $5, the Kirkland Signature 3-pound rotisserie chicken is too budget-friendly not to buy. It requires no preparation and is a simple go-to for a satisfying dinner. For us, the bird makes approximately four meals. It can be taken off the bone and chopped; shredded to make chicken salad; or added to stews, pot pies, and other dishes. Add another colorful vegetable to your plate with Del Monte butternut squash. The Del Monte butternut-squash pieces take out all of the prep work. Meredith Ochs I don't usually buy precut vegetables, but a box of Del Monte organic butternut-squash pieces is so convenient because there's no peeling, chopping, or seed removal. Butternut squash has a rich texture and nutty flavor that's enhanced by a touch of butter and brown sugar. It can be cooked in almost any way, but I like to steam pieces and use them in a vegetable lasagna. At 2 pounds for $6, a package is a little more expensive and doesn't stay fresh as long as a whole squash. But it's not a budget buster. Costco carries "US #1 fancy" Kirkland Signature pecan halves. The Kirkland Signature pecans are good quality. Meredith Ochs Heart-healthy nuts are a regular part of my Costco shopping, and this time, I grabbed the Kirkland Signature pecans. I add pecans to whole-grain cereals, salads, cheese boards, baked goods, and basically anything that blends well with their buttery, earthy taste. Pecans are densely caloric so I eat only a few at a time and store the rest in the refrigerator to extend their shelf life. I think the Kirkland Signature pecans are well-priced at $13 for a 2-pound bag. It's easy to make 4Earth Farms Brussels sprouts taste good. The little nutritional powerhouses are surprisingly delicious. Meredith Ochs My mom used to boil Brussels sprouts, so I disliked them until I discovered how to crisp them by roasting them in a very hot oven with plenty of olive oil, salt, and pepper. The 4Earth Farms Brussels sprouts are delicious raw as a crunchy slaw or thinly sliced and tossed with balsamic glaze, pomegranate molasses and arils, goat cheese, and pine nuts. Costco sells 2-pound sacks of trimmed 4Earth Farms sprouts for $4. Kirkland Signature baguettes are baked on the premises. The Kirkland Signature baguettes freeze well, too. Meredith Ochs I think I'm genetically incapable of leaving Costco without some fresh-baked goods. The classic, crusty Kirkland Signature baguettes had just been put on the shelf when I arrived, and they were still warm from the oven. I'll admit to nibbling on one on the way home, and making sandwiches with the rest. I try to budget at least $6 for good bread, and the 24-ounce baguettes fit the bill at exactly that price. Natural Delights organic fresh medjool dates are an on-trend sweet treat. Natural Delights medjool dates are a versatile fruit. Meredith Ochs At $12, a 2-pound box of Natural Delights medjool dates is practically a splurge on a $100 budget. But I think their versatility and nutritional qualities make them worthwhile. Dates are considered to be the oldest cultivated fruit on earth and are currently trending among specialty-food epicures. They go well with the butternut squash and pecans, atop crostini, or in a baked side dish. They also serve as a perfect accompaniment to different kinds of cheese. They're useful in easy, no-bake desserts, too. Blend them with a little hot water to make a sweet, caramel-y paste. Click to keep reading Costco diaries like this one. Read the original article on Insider The 23-year-old student once spent about $1,000 on findom in a single day. The 23-year-old student admits 'findom' can be 'quite addictive.'Getty Images A college student spent about $1,800 from his student loan to fund his "paypig" fetish. He enjoys "doms" he finds on Twitter financially dominating him and pays them to humiliate him. The business student pays for Skype sessions with some doms and met one in real life to pay them. This as-told-to article is based on a conversation with a 23-year-old college student in the UK who used money from his student loan to fund his financial-domination fetish. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect his privacy. Insider has verified that he spent a portion of his loan on "findom" with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I'm a 23-year-old college student in the UK who's also a "paypig" someone who enjoys being financially dominated and sending people money for the sheer sake of being humiliated. I got into "findom," or financial domination, about two years ago during the pandemic. I discovered it through Twitter after I saw some models post their wish lists on the platform. That was my first step into the world of findom. I had just received my student-maintenance loan a loan to help with my living expenses and that gave me a bit of spare cash. At first it involved just chatting to "doms," or dominant people, via Twitter direct messages and sending them money using Cash App. After a few weeks, I booked a Skype session with a dom who asked me how much I had, and that's how I got into spending my student loan. She was a self-described feminist dom who I thought was attractive. The power exchange appealed to me. We exchanged messages on Twitter after I sent her money through Cash App. A few days later we set up a Skype session During the session, she called me demeaning and humiliating names, including "pathetic loser," and did a "wallet drain," which is when a dom empties your bank account. I spent about 800, or almost $1,000, in that 30-minute session, and she called me a "good boy" after I sent her money. The next day, she sent me a video of her counting the cash I'd sent. Story continues I felt a bit down after she drained my account, but at the same time, I enjoyed it because it excited and aroused me. I took a break from it after that because of how much I spent, but I ended up getting back into it like a lot of paypigs seem to do. I find doms, or "goddesses" as some like to call themselves, via Twitter hashtags including "#findom" and "#paypig." Along with the hashtags, they post pictures of themselves with captions detailing how they enjoy using men. Most of them have their Cash App usernames in their Twitter profiles so that a paypig can send them a "tribute fee" before they answer any direct messages. What appeals to me most is when a dom posts something that plays into that power dynamic, such as how they get men to send them money. Another aspect of findom I've tried out is 'cash meets' "Cash meets" are when subs meet up with doms in real life to withdraw money from an ATM and give it to them. Doms will post on Twitter when they're available for cash meets in certain areas and subs can message them to arrange a time. I had a cash meet with the dom I had a Skype session with, and met her in a busy area where I live. I let her take my bank card and gave her the PIN so she could withdraw the cash. Initially we agreed she could take 200, but she told me she was taking 350, and I let her. I have kissed their boots She punched in the digits, took the money from my account, and made me count it before she patted me on my head in a degrading way and walked off. I enjoyed it, and did another cash meet in a less-public place where I bowed down and kissed her knee-high boots. I participate in findom every few months. The last Skype session I had with a dom was about a week ago, and over the past few months, I've sent money to different doms. It's quite addictive, and I've definitely spent money when I shouldn't have. I've deleted Twitter a few times, but I've kept going back because of the thrill of it. I've kept it a secret from friends and family because it's not something I want them to know about. I'm a little worried about getting into debt, but when you're in the moment, sending them money, especially on a Skype session, you're under a dom's spell. I've stopped doing Skype sessions for the time being so I can spend money on other things, but I struggle to see myself getting completely out of it. In total I've spent almost 1,500, or about $1,800, from my student loan to fund my fetish, and I don't regret it. Read the original article on Business Insider SmartAsset: 401(k) plans for small business owners Small business owners can boost employee recruitment and retention and help themselves and their workers save for retirement by establishing a 401(k) plan. These plans can only be set up by employers, and offer valuable tax benefits including tax-free growth of investments and, depending on the type of plan, tax-deductible contributions or tax-free withdrawals. A financial advisor can help you evaluate retirement savings options for you and your employees. 401(k) Basics A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan that provides tax advantages. Only employers can set up 401(k) plans but both employers and employees can contribute. Plans are funded with money participants voluntarily defer from their earnings. Employers can, at their option, match employee contributions. Employers can also save for their own retirements through company-sponsored 401(k) plans. Contributions to most types of 401(k) plans are made pre-tax. That is, federal income taxes are not withheld or required to be paid. Employees and employers can deduct these contributions form current income. When contributions and earnings are withdrawn, they will be taxed as current income. Withdrawals before age 59.5, in most cases, will owe an additional penalty. Roth 401(k) plans are funded with after-tax contributions. These contributions are not deductible but can be withdrawn at any time without penalty or tax. Earnings on accounts that are part of Roth 401(k) plans can be withdrawn after age 59.5 without owing penalties or taxes, as long as the account has been set up for at least five years. There are also limits on annual 401(k) contributions. These adjust annually. For 2023, employees can contribute a maximum of $22,500. Employees over 50 can contribute an extra 7,500 for 2023. There are also limits on how much employers can contribute through matching. For 2023, the employer contribution limit is $40,500. In order to make sure plans are fair, most 401(k) plans are subject to nondiscrimination testing. These tests ensure that owns and managers don't receive benefits that are excessive compared to those available to rank-and-file employees. Story continues Funds in any type of 401(k) plan can be invested to grow the size of the account. Investments may include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, savings accounts, money market funds and other types. 401(k) Benefits SmartAsset: 401(k) plans for small business owners Employees are drawn to 401(k) plans and not all employers offer them. As a result, having a 401(k) can be a way to attract and keep talented workers. Offering a generous match, for instance, can be seen as giving employees free money for retirement. Specific plan features can be designed to encourage employees to continue working for a company. For example, employers can within boundaries determine vesting rules, which decide how quickly employer-matching contributions become the property of the employees. Employees may be motivated to stay until employer matches are vested. When employers use 401(k) plans to save for their own retirement, they get the same benefits as employees, including the deferred tax on regular 401(k) contributions and tax-free withdrawals on Roth 401(k) withdrawals. Employer contributions to the plan also are deductible on the business's tax return. However, employers have many legal requirements to meet, including obligations to meet non-discrimination standards. Other 401(k) Plan Types In addition to Roth 401(k) plans and traditional 401(k) plans, there are some other options for employers to consider. These include SIMPLE 401(k) plans and safe harbor 401(k) plans. Safe Harbor 401(k) Safe Harbor 401(k) plans have fewer nondiscrimination requirements than other plans. Employers have to match employer contributions to these plans, and employer contributions must vest immediately. SIMPLE 401(k) SIMPLE 401(k) plans are intended for businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Employer contributions are mandatory. Solo 401(k) Solo 401(k) plans are for individual self-employed people and sole proprietors who have no employees other than their spouses. Business owners can make contributions as employees and as employers. Setting up A Small Business 401(k) SmartAsset: 401(k) plans for small business owners Business owners who decide to offer 401(k) plans face a process involving a number of steps. They include: Decide whether to set up the plan yourself or get professional assistance from a financial advisor or financial institution that offers plans. Select the type of plan that will be offered. Adopt a written document that describes the plan. Set up a trust for the plan's assets. Create a recordkeeping system to track contributions, vesting, investments, withdrawals and account balances and other information. Provide eligible employees with information about the plan. Make any required employer-matching contributions. Report to government agencies that oversee plans. Distribute benefits to participants. Bottom Line A 401(k) plan allows a small business owner and their employees to defer earnings for retirement while providing tax benefits to employees, employer and the business. There are several 401(k) plan types, including ones for businesses with fewer than 100 employees and self-employed individuals. Traditional 401(k) plans are funded with pre-tax contributions, while Roth 401(k) plans are funded with after-tax salary deferrals. Financial Planning Tips Consider talking to a financial advisor about your business's options for setting up retirement savings plans. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. SmartAsset's 401k Calculator helps you see how your 401(k) account will grow as time goes by. Using your personal details including your location, income, age, planned retirement date, marital status, expected retirement expenses and projected rate of return, you can find out how well your 401(k) plan will meet your financial needs in retirement. Photo credit: iStock.com/JLco Julia Amaral, iStock.com/svetikd, iStock.com/staticnak1983 The post 401(k) Plans for Small Business Owners appeared first on SmartAsset Blog. We need to keep backing HSR I am writing in response to the recent article in The Bee titled California should stop high-speed rail work now, cut the losses and move on. First, it is important to recognize that the high-speed rail project is a long-term investment in Californias future. The project will create jobs, reduce congestion on highways, and decrease carbon emissions. Second, the high-speed rail project has already made significant progress. To stop the project now would mean wasting the money that has already been invested and missing out on the potential benefits of the project. Finally, it is worth noting that many other countries have successfully implemented high-speed rail systems. Japan, France, and China are just a few examples of countries that have reaped the benefits of high-speed rail. All in all, while the high-speed rail project in California may face challenges, it is important to keep in mind the long-term benefits it will bring to the state and I urge stakeholders to continue supporting this project and to ensure its success. Sam Hall, Fresno Rogan brought needed light The Bee published a report on Fresno being mentioned in Joe Rogans podcast on March 4. This article could be used to be a cry for help to the mayor of Fresno. According AOL, there is an estimated 4,216 homeless people in Fresno and Madera county, with 80% of them living in Fresno. Fresno is known for drug abuse and the many recent overdoses, including fentanyl. I think its important that the homeless problem in Fresno was brought to light, and I hope this will push not only the mayor and residents of Fresno to work together to provide mental health care and more AA meetings for those who are struggling to combat the root cause of those living on the streets, but California as a whole to fight the drug and homelessness problems throughout the many beloved cities in CA. I appreciate the fact that there was also a report written about it, keeping this problem in headlines! I will suggest that we can add ways the community can help assist in this problem would be beneficial for readers. Story continues Nicole Nevins, Clovis Absurd rule on election money In absurd fashion, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors has voted to initiate declaratory action against two election challengers who wish to finance their campaigns by transferring money from their Fresno City Council campaign committees. The board seems to believe that the transfer of money violates a county ordinance. The absurdity is twofold. First, the declaratory action does not seek to vindicate the rights of any board member or resident of the county. The action only seeks to restrict the rights of election challengers. Since the action aims broadly at restricting the rights of election challengers, the entire board should have recused itself from voting on the matter. Second, the board is presenting the declaratory action to the California Fair Political Practices Commission, which has already said that it does not decide questions of local law, including county ordinances. All the commission can say is that if the local law does apply, then the state law does not apply. The commission cannot say whether the county ordinance in this case is constitutional and whether the ordinance properly applies to any particular election challenger. Accordingly, the board's declaratory action will accomplish nothing, going down as another amateur-hour political stunt. Richard Oberto, Fresno Trying to live courageously Andrew Fialas article, Academic freedom means courageous thinking, not conformity to political whims, is fascinating. I agree with Fiala that academic freedom should be about courageous thinking. First, as a college student, my experience has helped me develop a willingness to venture out more of my opinions on various topics while also gaining knowledge of them. For example, I am in a political science course and developing more opinions on such topics while learning throughout the course. Secondly, many college students change their majors throughout college, most likely due to thinking of what interests them. Academic freedom allows college students to explore what they wish to have as a career. It gives the freedom to change, like how personality changes and develops as someone ages and gains more experience in life. Chloe Palmer-Barreto, Coarsegold Tobacco regulation protects youth In response to the Feb. 28 editorial, Californias nanny state comes in two proposed laws. One makes sense: Assembly Bill 935 prohibits the sale of any tobacco products to anyone born on or after Jan 1, 2007. I believe this ban will be instrumental in providing a deterrent from these unnecessary additions and cancers we all know tobacco causes. Also, youth are and will continue to be the biggest target for the tobacco industry. With tobacco products specifically marketed for our youth with kid-friendly candy flavors like cotton candy, Sour Patch kids, and Captain Crunch cereal vaping pens and e-cigarettes. I respectively disagree with you that a 16-year-old, has a sacred right to choose. Unfortunately so does our U.S. Supreme Court. Kristie Papaleo, Fresno Challenges to going all EV Regarding the article Can red states overcome their hatred of California and embrace electric cars? by Noah Bierman, I disagree with his claim. The reasons for not liking EVs go beyond being red or blue, such as our infrastructure, power grid, lithium mining, convenience, etc. Using information found on Californias energy website, you can find the average power usage of EVs with a little research and quick math. As of 2021, electric cars took up only 1% of all the energy produced in California. If all about 26 million licensed drivers in California drove their EVs the average of 14,000 miles per year, it would take up about 45% of the total power generated in CA in 2021. That is only one reason why such a goal as the ban of new gas-powered vehicles in 2035 will be difficult to reach, let alone the others mentioned above. There is a lot of progress to be made in a short time, and whether someone is red or blue, the facts and problems can still be seen. Corey Bradley, Fresno Solution for special needs busing First, I feel extremely fortunate I did not experience the plight parents of special needs children go through. I cant imagine having a student with special needs, then having to face difficulties. Now facts. I work for CUSD.Every morning we receive an email, Bus # ** is running late. Please do not mark students tardy. Minutes later Sorry, bus # ** is also running late. Why? The lack of drivers. Currently, qualified office staff is pulled to fulfill constant bus requests. If teachers want to take students on an educational field trip, they cant leave before 9 a.m. and if out of town (Madera) they must be picked up by 1:00 p.m.. Again, the lack of drivers to take kiddos home after school. When boundaries changed, parents in a certain neighborhood didnt want their students walking to school. Their solution? They gathered and decided students safety was more important, so they made the decision to pay for a bus to transport their students. Here is my suggestion to Little Miracles. First, this is not 2010. Hire a qualified driver and purchase a van to transport your students. Your eight students do not supersede the rights of hundreds of others. Cynthia M. Woods, Clovis Potential Eurocell plc (LON:ECEL) shareholders may wish to note that the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, Derek Mapp, recently bought UK97k worth of stock, paying UK1.42 for each share. That certainly has us anticipating the best, especially since they thusly increased their own holding by 75%, potentially signalling some real optimism. Check out our latest analysis for Eurocell The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Eurocell In fact, the recent purchase by Derek Mapp was the biggest purchase of Eurocell shares made by an insider individual in the last twelve months, according to our records. That means that an insider was happy to buy shares at above the current price of UK1.41. It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. We always take careful note of the price insiders pay when purchasing shares. It is generally more encouraging if they paid above the current price, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. In the last twelve months Eurocell insiders were buying shares, but not selling. They paid about UK1.61 on average. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Does Eurocell Boast High Insider Ownership? Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our information indicates that Eurocell insiders own about UK653k worth of shares. We might be missing something but that seems like very low insider ownership. Story continues So What Do The Eurocell Insider Transactions Indicate? The recent insider purchases are heartening. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. While the overall levels of insider ownership are below what we'd like to see, the history of transactions imply that Eurocell insiders are reasonably well aligned, and optimistic for the future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. For instance, we've identified 2 warning signs for Eurocell (1 is concerning) you should be aware of. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Police in India are demanding information from opposition politician Rahul Gandhi over claims he made about sexual assault victims in Kashmir. Officers delivered a legal notice to his home and stayed for two hours. They said they wanted information about victims he had spoken to in the Indian-administered area of the disputed region, so they could provide justice. Mr Gandhi described the action as unprecedented, but said he would give a detailed response within 10 days. The visit by police follows a separate political controversy over warnings Mr Gandhi issued about the erosion of Indian democracy during a recent visit to the UK. The MP from India's main opposition Congress Party said he hoped the legal notice and visit by the police had nothing to do with his stance on various issues, including recent criticism of connections between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a business tycoon accused of financial fraud. India's Supreme Court is currently investigating allegations of fraud against billionaire Gautam Adani's business empire. The group has denied the allegations. Mr Modi's BJP party has attacked Mr Gandhi for claiming their government is threatening democracy. After the police visit, the Congress Party said the BJP was "deploying every dirty trick in the book", including sending officers to "harass our leaders and spokespeople". "All to silence us from exposing the Adani scam. But we will not back down until we get the answer!" the party said. Officers remained for two hours at Mr Gandhi's house in the capital New Delhi, after delivering the notice demanding information on claims he had made about women being sexually assaulted in Indian-administered Kashmir in January. They said the information was required to prosecute the cases of the victims he mentioned. Kashmir is a disputed region in the Himalayas, claimed by both India and Pakistan - who have clashed over control of the territory for more than 70 years. An Ohio woman is accused of impersonating a Child Protective Services worker in order to kidnap a newborn from her familys Canton home, police told news outlets. The woman entered the familys home on Thursday, March 16, wearing a name tag and wielding paperwork, the babys parents told the Canton Police Department, The Repository reported. She picked up the 3-week-old girl and left. In shock and suspicious that the woman wasnt who she claimed to be, the family called 911, the newspaper reported. The mother also reached out to CPS and learned the agency had no records of her daughter. Somebody came by, left me with all three of my three sons, took my daughter, didnt give me a phone number, the mother told police, WBNS reported. Its been almost 16 hours. Detectives began searching for the fake CPS worker on Friday, March 17, WJW reported. Investigators found the suspects license plate number and a deputy later spotted the vehicle and pulled it over, the TV station reported. The woman and a male accomplice were inside along with the kidnapped infant, who was unharmed. Police arrested a 31-year-old woman and 21-year-old man, WBNS reported. Investigators learned the woman accused of the kidnapping lives down the street from the victims house, according to the TV station. She faces kidnapping charges and the man is charged with being an accomplice to the kidnapping. An investigation into the case is still underway. Man kidnaps, assaults 3 women in a week, Ohio cops say. Every womans worst nightmare Emaciated woman found hiding under house was locked in closet for months, TN cops say Teen missing from Texas found locked in building over 1,000 miles away, NC cops say Mom abandons Texas kids, 12 and 3, for months and is captured in Alabama, police say Inspired by their mother, Afghan sisters Sadaf and Zolheja dream of becoming businesswomen. But for now, only Sadaf appears poised to fulfill that ambition, while Zolheja has been thwarted by the Talibans ban on women attending universities. It seems that I have to bury all my goals, Zolheja, 19, said by WhatsApp from her home in Afghanistans capital, Kabul, earlier this year, adding that she has been forced to give up her business management course after the ban took effect last year. (NBC News has verified the sisters identities but agreed not to use their last name because they fear reprisals from the Taliban.) She said she now spends her days thinking, crying, searching and trying to apply for scholarships so that I can get the chance to go somewhere else to study. I will go anywhere, she said. Her older sister, Sadaf, 21, said that she was evacuated from Afghanistan in August 2021, shortly after the Taliban seized power. She added that she was eligible to immigrate to the United States because of her work at a nongovernmental organization that focused on education, and is now studying business management on a scholarship at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. I had to do this, I had to come here to support my family, she said. Though the Taliban initially promised a more moderate rule and pledged to respect the rights of women and minorities, it has implemented its strict interpretation of Islamic law, Shariah, since it took control. As a result, the country has become the most repressive in the world for women and girls, deprived of many of their basic rights, the United Nations said earlier this month. Women have been barred from most fields of employment, ordered to wear head-to-toe clothing in public and prevented from using parks and gyms. After banning girls from middle school and high school last spring, the Taliban began enforcing a higher education ban on women in December by blocking their access to universities. Story continues Zolheja said she found out about the ban when she arrived at her university and was blocked from entering, along with many other female students. The day that they announced the ban, I felt like they killed us, she said. We are humans, we need to live the way we want to, not the way that Taliban wants us to live. Her mother was particularly sad for her, because her own dreams had been crushed after the Taliban instituted a ban on female education after it first came to power in 1996, she said. She had this experience before and knows how much it hurts, Zolheja said. Afghan women protest against a new Taliban ban on women accessing university education (Getty Images) Sadaf added that their mom had wanted to resume her studies after the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, prompted by the Talibans refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda leader and mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. At the time, education became available for women across the country, but, Sadaf said, she could not obtain documents proving that she had already completed the majority of her studies and did not want to start over again. Instead, Sadaf said, their mom stayed home and shouldered the chores just so we could focus on our studies. Their father also supported their educational endeavors, she said, adding that he didnt want them to be women who are just inside the house, cooking and cleaning. Im so grateful that I have parents like them, she said. That support didnt waver after the Taliban took over, and after some emotional conversations as a family, they all decided it was best for Sadaf to leave the country with the help of her NGO. I was just trying to escape Afghanistan, she said, adding that their goodbye was rushed as she embarked on what would be her first trip outside the country from Kabul International Airport. Through tears, her mother told her to stay safe, Sadaf said, weeping as she recalled their parting. She added that she called her mother from the plane and told her, Im flying. TOPSHOT-AFGHANISTAN-CONFLICT (Wakil Kohsar / AFP via Getty Images) After touching down in Qatar, she flew to Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany before making her way to Washington, D.C. From there, she went to Texas and then to a camp in New Mexico, where she stayed for nearly two months. Finally, she said, she headed to her new home in Tulsa, where she knew people affiliated with the NGO she worked with in Afghanistan. (A U.S. official with knowledge of Sadafs journey confirmed it to NBC News.) Her first real home in the U.S. was a dorm at the University of Tulsa, which had started a support program for those fleeing Afghanistan. A job as a case manager and interpreter at a resettlement agency soon followed, before she was accepted to the university on a full scholarship. AFGHANISTAN-EDUCATION-WOMEN-RIGHTS (Wakil Kohsar / AFP via Getty Images) Sadaf said she missed everything about her homeland, especially her family, and the adjustment to life in Oklahoma had been difficult. But while also studying English, she earned a 4.0 GPA her first semester. Currently in the U.S. on a humanitarian parole status, she said she was applying for asylum and hopes to apply for a green card. Eventually, she said, she hopes to bring her family to the U.S. and there are several ways she could do this, including through the new Welcome Corps program, launched by the State Department in January, which allows private U.S. citizens to sponsor refugees. Back in Afghanistan, the ban on female education remains in place despite international condemnation from Western countries, as well as more hard-line Muslim majority nations. Along with Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan, Saudi Arabia which until 2019 enforced sweeping restrictions on womens travel, employment and other crucial aspects of their daily life, including driving urged the Taliban to change course. The ban also triggered several protests inside Afghanistan, where just over 100,000 of the countrys 20 million women were enrolled in higher education in 2021, according to data collected by the countrys Education Ministry and published by its National Statistics and Information Authority in May. So far, the Taliban has shown little sign of reversing the policy, along with a separate ban on Afghan women from working at nongovernmental organizations that it also introduced in December. The group claimed female workers were not wearing the Islamic headscarf correctly. Several senior members of the Taliban declined to comment when asked about whether they would restore education for women and girls. They also declined to comment on whether women and girls would be allowed to work for NGOs. While some Western institutions are running virtual courses for Afghan students, in 2020 only 18% of Afghans had internet access, according to the latest available data from the World Bank. As a result, Zolheja said she felt like a bird inside a cage who wants to fly but cant, adding, I feel like I dont have any reason to live and any good future to be waiting for. While Sadafs future seems a lot brighter, she remains saddened by her sisters plight and that of other women in her homeland. The sisters chat via text when they can but Sadaf said that when she is alone, thoughts flood her mind about her familys future, Zolhejas especially. Just staying at home and not doing anything, it bothers me and my sister a lot, she said. I cant do anything for her, thats what saddens me. CORRECTION (March 19, 2023, 11 a.m. ET) A previous version of this article misstated when the Taliban banned women from attending university and from working at nongovernmental organizations. It was in December, not last month. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The amendment to the charter of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the amended charter were released Saturday via Xinhua News Agency. The amendment was approved at the first session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC, which was held from March 4 to 11. The charter comprises six chapters with around 10,000 Chinese characters. A comparison table of the original and amended versions of the charter was also released. Historical experience has proven that only by adapting to new circumstances, enriching its content and setting new standards, can the CPPCC charter better play its role and advance the development of the cause of the CPPCC, said an official with the National Committee of the CPPCC on Saturday. Since its general framework and main content were nailed down in 1982, the CPPCC charter has undergone five amendments in 1994, 2000, 2004, 2018 and 2023, respectively. Key Insights The projected fair value for Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad is RM2.73 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad's RM1.45 share price signals that it might be 47% undervalued Analyst price target for MATRIX is RM1.82 which is 33% below our fair value estimate Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MATRIX) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad Is Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad Fairly Valued? We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM195.0m RM237.3m RM276.0m RM310.4m RM340.8m RM367.9m RM392.2m RM414.6m RM435.6m RM455.7m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ 29.52% Est @ 21.74% Est @ 16.29% Est @ 12.47% Est @ 9.80% Est @ 7.93% Est @ 6.62% Est @ 5.71% Est @ 5.07% Est @ 4.62% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 12% RM173 RM188 RM194 RM194 RM190 RM182 RM173 RM163 RM152 RM142 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM1.8b After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 12%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032 (1 + g) (r g) = RM456m (1 + 3.6%) (12% 3.6%) = RM5.3b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM5.3b ( 1 + 12%)10= RM1.7b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM3.4b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.5, the company appears quite good value at a 47% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.103. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad, there are three pertinent elements you should explore: Risks: Take risks, for example - Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does MATRIX's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here DUBAI (Reuters) -The Iranian government has proposed to Saudi Arabia three locations for a meeting at foreign minister level, Iran's foreign minister said on Sunday, citing the latest messages with Riyadh since the countries agreed to re-establish ties. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a news conference in Tehran his country had agreed to such a meeting, although he did not list the three locations or say when such a meeting might take place. Separately, an aide to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said that Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz had invited Raisi to visit Riyadh in a letter welcoming the deal agreed on March 10 to restore ties within two months, after years of hostility. Raisi "welcomed the invitation," Mohammad Jamshidi, political deputy at the president's office, said on Twitter without mentioning a timeframe. The Saudi government's communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Saudi state media has not reported on the letter. The deal between the region's Sunni Muslim and Shi'ite powers, brokered by China, was announced after four days of previously undisclosed talks in Beijing between top security officials from the two rival Middle Eastern powers. Amirabdollahian also said Tehran was ready for the mutual reopening of embassies. Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in 2016 after its embassy in Tehran was stormed during a dispute between the two countries over Riyadh's execution of a Shi'ite Muslim cleric. Amirabdollahian said Iran also hoped steps would be made to normalise its ties with Bahrain, a close Saudi ally that followed Riyadh in severing diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016. Bahrain, a Sunni Muslim-ruled monarchy with a majority Shi'ite population, has repeatedly accused Iran of fomenting unrest in the island state, which Tehran denies. "An agreement was reached two months ago for Iranian and Bahraini technical delegations to visit the embassies of the two countries. We hope that some obstacles between Iran and Bahrain will be removed and we will take basic steps to reopen the embassies," Amirabdollahian said. Story continues Bahrain's government communications office did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment. Bahrain, together with other Gulf Arab states, welcomed the agreement between Riyadh and Tehran to restore relations. (Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Tom Perry, Barbara Lewis and Raissa Kasolowsky) By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq and Iran signed a border security agreement on Sunday, a move Iraqi officials said aimed primarily at tightening the frontier with Iraq's Kurdish region, where Tehran says armed Kurdish dissidents pose a threat to its security. The joint security agreement includes coordination in "protecting the common borders between the two countries and consolidating cooperation in several security fields", a statement from the Iraqi prime minister's office said. Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Shamkhani signed the deal with Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, in the presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, the prime minister office said. "Under the signed security deal, Iraq pledges it would not allow armed groups to use its territory in the Iraqi Kurdish region to launch any border-crossing attacks on neighbour Iran," said an Iraqi security official who attended the signing. The frontier came into renewed focus last year when Iran's Revolutionary Guards launched missile and drone attacks against Iranian Kurdish groups based in northern Iraq, accusing them of fomenting protests that were sparked by the death of a Iranian Kurdish woman while she was being held in police custody. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, speaking in Tehran, said "Shamkhani's current trip to Iraq has been planned since four months and is focused on issues related to the armed groups in northern Iraq". The Islamic republic of Iran will in no way accept threats from Iraqi territories, he added. Iran has also accused Kurdish militants of working with its arch-enemy Israel and has often voices concern over the alleged presence of the Israeli spy agency Mossad in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region. Last year, Iran's Intelligence Ministry said a sabotage team detained by its security forces were Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a "sensitive" defence industry centre in the city of Isfahan. (Reporting By Ahmed Rasheed and Dubai newsroom; Writing by Ahmed Rasheed, Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Tom Perry, David Goodman and Raissa Kasolowsky) CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel and the Palestinian Authority agreed on Sunday to establish a mechanism to curb violence during a meeting aimed at preventing already surging violence from escalating further when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins later this week. In a statement issued at the end of a meeting in Egypt that was also attended by U.S., Egyptian and Jordanian officials, the parties also emphasized the necessity of both Israelis and Palestinians preventing any actions that would disrupt the sanctity of Holy Sites in Jerusalem during Ramadan. The parties reaffirmed the necessity of de-escalation, and reconfirmed commitments made at a previous meeting in Aqaba last month. These included an Israeli commitment to stop discussion of any new settlement units for four months, and to stop authorisation of any outposts for six months. (Reporting by Aidan Lewis; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Frances Kerry) CAIRO (AP) Israel and the Palestinians pledged Sunday at a meeting in Egypt to take steps to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday season including a partial freeze on Israeli settlement activity and an agreement to work together to curb and counter violence. But a Palestinian shooting attack that wounded two Israelis in the occupied West Bank underscored the tough work that lies ahead as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches this week. The Israeli and Palestinian delegations met for the second time in less than a month, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan, as well as the United States, to end a year-long spasm of violence. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners have been killed in Palestinian attacks during that time. Following Sunday's summit in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, a joint communique said the sides had reaffirmed a commitment to de-escalate and prevent further violence. These include pledges to stop unilateral actions, it said. Israel pledged to stop discussion of new settlement construction for four months, and to stop plans to legalize unauthorized settlement outposts for six months. The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism to curb and counter violence, incitement and inflammatory states and actions, the communique said. The sides would report on progress at a follow-up meeting in Egypt next month, it added. There were no additional comments from Israel or the Palestinians. The agreement marked a breakthrough, in words at least, but implementing the pledges could be a challenge. A similar meeting in Jordan late last month ended with pledges to de-escalate tensions. But the meeting was quickly derailed when a new burst of violence erupted on the same day. A Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Jewish settlers in response rampaged in the Palestinian town of Hawara, destroying property and leading to the death of one Palestinian. Story continues As Sunday's talks were going on, a Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli vehicle in Hawara again, seriously wounding an Israeli man, medics said. The man's wife was treated for shock. The Israeli military released a photo of the car showing the windshield riddled with bullet holes. The Israeli military said the wounded man and Israeli troops opened fire and hit the assailant. The man was later arrested, the army said. His condition was not immediately known. Hawara lies on a busy road in the northern part of the West Bank that is used by Israeli residents of nearby Jewish settlements. Many settlers carry guns. The Israeli pledges were largely symbolic. Israel recently approved the construction of thousands of new settlement homes, and there were no immediate plans to approve additional construction. Still, mere talk of slowing settlement activity could risk a backlash in Israel's new coalition government, which is dominated by settler leaders and supporters. Bloodshed has been surging since the meeting in Jordan. Sunday's shooting, along with the killing of an Islamic Jihad militant in neighboring Syria, added to the tensions. The militant group, which is active in the northern West Bank, accused Israel of assassinating the commander. Israel had no comment. In Gaza, the Hamas militant group, which opposes Israel's existence, praised Sunday's shooting as a natural response to Israeli military raids and said the meeting in Egypt would not stop it. But it did not claim responsibility for the attack. Mediators want to ease tensions ahead of Ramadan, which start this week and which will coincide next month with the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of Sunday's summit in his weekly Cabinet meeting. Later, he called the Israeli man who was shot a wounded hero. Anyone trying to harm the citizens of Israel will pay the price, Netanyahu said. Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh tweeted that the meeting in Egypt was meant to demand an end to this continuous Israeli aggression against us. The upcoming period is sensitive because large numbers of Jewish and Muslim faithful pour into Jerusalem's Old City, the emotional heart of the conflict and a flashpoint for violence, increasing friction points. Large numbers of Jews are also expected to visit a key Jerusalem holy site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount an act the Palestinians view as a provocation. Under longstanding arrangements, Jews are allowed to visit the site but not pray there. But in recent years, the number of visitors has grown, with some quietly praying. Such scenes have raised fears among Palestinians that Israel is trying to alter the status quo. Clashes at the site in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Israeli police said it was wrapping up preparations in Jerusalem to enable the freedom of worship for all faiths during Ramadan and Passover while maintaining security, law and public order. It said hundreds of police offices were being deployed, with a focus on Jerusalem's Old City. While the latest violence began under the previous Israeli government, it has intensified in the first two months of the new government, headed by Netanyahu and his coalition the country's most right-wing administration ever. The government is dominated by hard-line settlement supporters. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the minister who oversees the police, was once relegated to the fringes of Israeli politics, with past convictions for incitement to violence and support of a Jewish terror group. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for Hawara to be erased after last month's settler rampage, apologizing after an international outcry. The violence is one of the worst rounds between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank and east Jerusalem in years. Following a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis last spring, Israel launched near-nightly raids in the West Bank against what it says are militant networks. But the raids have not slowed the violence. So far this year, 85 Palestinians have been killed, according to a tally by The Associated Press. Fourteen people in Israel, all but one of them civilians, have been killed in Palestinian attacks. Israel says most of those killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their future independent state. ___ Federman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Fares Akram in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, contributed to this report. James W. Pfister China has come out of its COVID-19 period with international energy, having recently brokered an accord between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the Middle East and with Chinese President Xi Jinping planning to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On Feb. 21, China released a Concept Paper regarding its Global Security Initiative (herein GSI). It is a security plan for the world based on the Charter of the United Nations. My purpose here is to describe the highlights of this plan and to see how it relates to United States foreign policy. It begins: The issue of security bears on the well-being of people of all countries, the lofty cause of world peace and development, and the future of humanity and the world is once again at a crossroads in history. Regarding basic principles, it emphasizes common security, respecting and safeguarding of every country. One should take the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously. The GSI is also committed to respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. (Of course, they do not consider Taiwan to be a country). Each country should be able to choose its own social system and development path. There should not be external interference in the internal affairs of countries; there should be sovereignty and equality, regardless of the power of the country. The UN Charter should be the main platform for global security governance. The Cold War mentality, unilateralism, bloc confrontation and hegemonism contradict the spirit of the UN Charter and must be resisted and rejected. (This latter is a criticism of the United States). China has a veto in the Security Council which, I think, the GSI means by the spirit of the Charter, whereas the U.S. has used Article 51 individual and collective self-defense for its unilateral actions, escaping the veto. Regarding disputes, only dialogue and consultation are effective in resolving differences. Communication should be strengthened on an equal footing, facilitated by good offices and mediation. Probably referring to the United States, the GSI states: Abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction does not solve a problem, but only creates more difficulties and complications. Non-traditional security concerns are also addressed: terrorism, climate change, cybersecurity and biosecurity. Story continues Regarding priorities, the GSI includes a bigger UN role in global security affairs and coordination and sound interaction among major countries complying with the UN Charter and international law. On nuclear war, the GSI states that it firmly upholds the consensus that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought. Hotspot issues, like Ukraine, should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, addressing both symptoms and root causes. In Asia, the GSI points to ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), founded by Western-oriented states in 1967, now expanded, as a focus to be utilized for a regional security mechanism and architecture. Regarding the Palestinian question, to advance a two-state solution, an authoritative and influential international peace conference should be convened. Commenting on the GSI, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that the Concept Paper supports a UN-centered governance structure and balanced relations between major countries. He called for all countries to practice true multilateralism, that external suppression and containment of China (poses) a serious threat to Chinas sovereignty and security. GSI seems to be consistent with major-country balance of power, UN Security Council multilateral collective security, respect for the permanent-member veto, and not consistent with American unilateralism and intrusion into the internal affairs of countries, say in the human rights or democracy areas. (For example, the United States is constantly complaining about Chinas civil rights). The GSI seems to say the UN, with the veto, not the United States, should be the worlds policeman. Negotiation and dialogue should be the basis of resolving disputes. There is no attempt in the GSI to push Chinas socioeconomic system on others. The GSI concludes: China stands ready to work with all countries and peoples to jointly create a better future for mankind, so that the torch of peace will be passed on from generation to generation and shine across the world. American unipolar thinking is inconsistent with GSI and will be a source of friction. It is useful to put ourselves in Chinas shoes as they view the United States. Empathy may be a channel to peace for both countries in the unknown, and dangerous, future. James W. Pfister, J.D. University of Toledo, Ph.D. University of Michigan (political science), retired after 46 years in the Political Science Department at Eastern Michigan University. He lives at Devils Lake and can be reached at jpfister@emich.edu. This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: James Pfister: Chinas global security initiative TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi discussed global security and China's presence in the Pacific with the leader of the Solomon Islands on Sunday, in what was the first visit by a Japanese foreign minister to the island state. Hayashi said Japan was "watching the developments" of a security pact the Solomon Islands signed with China last year, and discussed the current global security environment with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, according to a statement by Japan's foreign ministry. The visit took place a year after the security pact between China and the Solomon Islands prompted concern from the United States and Australia as China seeks to extend its influence in the region. Japan said it was ready to provide assistance in maritime security, as it seeks partnerships in Pacific Island countries in promoting regional peace and stability through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy, according to Japan's foreign ministry. Hayashi also sought understanding for Japan's plan to release 1 million tonnes of treated water from the wrecked Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean and handed Sogavare a letter from Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the matter. Sogavare said he hoped Japan will ensure the safety of the release and be open about the process, according to the statement. (Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) Chancellor Jeremy Hunt - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Having listened to Jeremys Hunts spring Budget last Wednesday, I jumped on a train and left London. Keen to know how the Chancellors statement had gone down outside the metropolitan media bubble, I headed for South Yorkshire a region whose coal, iron and steel powered Britain and the world towards the first industrial revolution. My plan was destination Doncaster, where three out of four Parliamentary seats have remained Labour strongholds for decades. But in 2019, the former coal-mining district of Don Valley voted Tory for the first time after an unbroken run of Labour MPs stretching back to 1922. The Governments majority is of course built on such Red Wall seats across the North of England and the Midlands. Millions of traditional Labour voters switched to the Conservatives just over three years ago, backing the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to get Brexit done. Now, unless Rishi Sunaks Tories can hold on to seats like Don Valley at the next election, expected in mid-to-late-2024, were in for a change of government. And the impression I got, after countless conversations in Don Valley and the surrounding area, is that Hunts Budget statement singularly failed to impress. Mark Chadwick runs Stadium Garage, a car- and van-repair service just outside Doncaster city centre. As a business owner, employing a team of mechanics, he perhaps should be a natural Conservative voter. Yet Mark says the Budget was very disappointing, with the Tories coming across as tone deaf, given the increase in the annual tax-free pension contribution from 40,000 to 60,000 while abolishing the one-million-plus lifetime tax allowance completely. There was nothing in this Budget for the working man and woman, says Mark. Who can afford to put tens of thousands of pounds each year into a private pension worth more than a million quid? No-one I know. While frustrated with Labours long-standing stranglehold on local politics in the city of his birth, Mark says Sir Keir Starmers party was dead right to reject the Governments move to help already very well-off pensioners. Story continues Rich people have got plenty of money already why should they get more tax breaks? asks Mark. Its working people who keep the economy going around here, while the wealthy just go out shopping. Local businesswoman Paula Goldthorpe, area manager across South Yorkshire and Humber for the Federation of Small Businesses, was similarly underwhelmed. Small-and-medium-sized firms account for around half of economic growth in the UK and two-thirds of all employment. As such, Paulas organisation speaks for tens of thousands of businesses, often family-owned, many of them run by and employing pragmatists who switch between parties depending on what they are offering. Were feeling gloomy after this Budget, which contains very little for small firms, she says. We are particularly concerned about companies across the country facing elevated energy bills, including countless manufacturers across this region. Over the last six months, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme has given companies financial support with their utility bills, similar to that extended to households. But while Hunt confirmed last week that domestic energy users will keep getting help, with the cap on average annual bills staying at 2,500 for the next three months, support for companies is being curtailed. From April, only the most energy-intensive businesses, such as steelmakers, will receive assistance. But there are numerous manufacturers across the North and Midlands that still use a great deal of energy but will not qualify for help. Theyll now feel the full weight of costs, which remain sky-high despite falling wholesale energy prices. Many such businesses may now struggle to survive, having been kept alive by state-support during lockdown. Companies like these are often important local employers. This rise in corporation tax is also going to hurt our members holding back growth and investment, Paula says. What the Government has done makes no sense. The Budget confirmed corporation tax will rise from 19pc to 25pc, the first increase in this profits tax since the early 1970s. Hunt has presented this move as fiscally responsible, given the need to strengthen the public finances. But countless economists disagree, arguing that this hefty six-percentage-point-rise in the tax rate will result in less overall revenues, given the impact on incentives. Yes, the Chancellor introduced full expensing, allowing companies to offset investment costs against their corporation tax bill. But this replaced a more generous 130pc super-deduction and while the corporation tax rise is permanent, full expensing only lasts three years. Its also likely large companies those with deeper pockets, and more able to raise investment finance will benefit most from the tax breaks, while countless smaller firms will inevitably be hit by the higher headline rate. Doncaster was within one of twelve investment zones announced last Wednesday. These zones aim to create business clusters, focused around universities and research institutions in digital and tech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, green and creative industries and other priority sectors. Tax incentives will include stamp duty land tax relief, full business rates and first-year capital allowance relief, plus incentives related to structures and buildings allowances and employer national insurance contributions. But Hunts investment zones are a significantly scaled-back version of those announced last year by former Prime Minister Liz Truss which included planning freedoms and some environmental exemptions. And Hunts twelve zones will receive a paltry 80 million of flexible government support over five years, part of which will be tax breaks rather than cash. The new investment zones are of course welcome, says Paula. But, again, theyre more likely to help big businesses, particularly those being incentivised to move into an area, rather than existing small firms. Along with business leaders, I met countless ordinary voters during my visit to Doncaster. During an evening at the Parklands Social Club, across dozens of conversations, I heard a lot of praise for Boris, but found few willing to back the Tories again. Time and again, the subject of Doncaster airport came up, which was closed last November. Having chalked up almost a million and a half passengers during 2019, with countless direct daily flights to the Americas and mainland Europe, the airport wasnt only a major employer, but a symbol of economic regeneration and hope. Ministers could do a lot worse than making sure Doncaster airport is reopened, demonstrating the Governments commitment to levelling up and showing Red Wall voters in areas like this why they deserve another chance. Washington Donald Trump's attorney must testify before a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., investigating the former president's retention of documents with classified markings, a federal judge secretly ruled on Friday, according to two sources familiar with the proceedings. The attorney, Evan Corcoran, previously refused to answer questions from investigators about his conversations with Trump over attorney-client privilege concerns. Prosecutors in special counsel Jack Smith's office wanted to ask Corcoran about an alleged call he had with Trump on June 24, 2022, around the time investigators were seeking to secure documents at Trump's home and video surveillance tapes of Mar-a-Lago, a source previously told CBS news last week. Smith's team asked Chief Judge Beryl Howell to reject Corcoran's claims of privilege and force him to testify against his client, Trump, on the basis that the attorney-client communications in question could have furthered criminal activity. Howell's secret order only partially granted that request and ruled that the so-called "crime-fraud exception" be applied to Corcoran's testimony on a specific set of questions, the sources said. Howell's ruling indicates she accepted the Justice Department's request that the so-called "crime-fraud exception" be applied to Corcoran's testimony and will force him to comply with a subpoena. CNN first reported that Corcoran would be compelled to testify. Trump is likely to appeal the ruling to a federal appeals court and to ask the lower court to pause the order while the issue is further litigated. It is not yet known when Corcoran would be required to testify. Corcoran who appeared before a D.C. grand jury once before in the probe has come under scrutiny for his role in Trump's response to federal investigators as they sought to obtain records with classified markings allegedly taken from the White House to the former president's Florida residence after he left office. In June 2022, as Justice Department officials were working to collect the missing records, prosecutors alleged in court documents that when they met with attorneys and representatives of the former president, they were given "a single Redweld envelope, double-wrapped in tape, containing the documents," and were handed a signed declaration from a Trump representative declaring all known sensitive documents had been turned over. Story continues The execution of a search warrant in August revealed more documents with classified markings were still located in Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence. Prosecutors have said they have reason to believe efforts were made to "obstruct" their investigation into how those sensitive records were able to leave White House grounds without permission from the National Archives. The alleged interference is also part of Smith's investigation. Howell's decision to deny Corcoran's attorney-client privilege claims on Friday was likely her last as top judge and supervisor of all grand jury matters in Washington, D.C.'s federal courthouse. The 2016 Obama appointee's term expired on Friday and she was replaced by another Obama-era judge, Judge James Boasberg. Boasberg, as the incoming chief judge, will have politically-charged legal issues of his own to decide, which likely include whether former Vice President Mike Pence must appear before another Smith grand jury investigation, this one focused on the events of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Trump has claimed executive privilege over Pence's testimony, arguing conversations between a sitting president at the time and his vice president should be shielded from scrutiny. Pence, too, has opposed the subpoena and said he plans to take a different legal tactic in an attempt to block his testimony, claiming instead that his role on Jan. 6 as president of the Senate in Congress would prevent him from having to comply with a subpoena under the Constitution's Speech and Debate clause. Trump has lambasted the dual federal probes into his conduct at the end of his presidency, taking to his Truth Social account to criticize Smith and the Justice Department to proclaim his innocence. No one has been criminally charged in either of the special counsel probes. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith in November to oversee the Trump investigations after the former president announced his 2024 presidential candidacy. Another special counsel, former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, was appointed earlier this year to investigate President Joe Biden's own handling of sensitive records after documents with Obama-era classified markings were found in his D.C. office. On Thursday, another Trump ally, former White House communications aide Margo Martin, testified before a Washington, D.C. grand jury in the classified documents probe, according to sources familiar with the matter. Other former White House officials and Mar-a-Lago employees, including a one-time culinary employee allegedly seen on security camera video appearing to move boxes of records within the Florida resort, have complied with subpoenas in recent months. Walt Nauta, the culinary employee, told investigators that the former president had directed him to move the boxes to a different location as the federal investigation was underway, an individual familiar with the investigation told CBS News. Howell has rejected many Trump-world claims of privilege in the ongoing special counsel probe, multiple sources tell CBS News, denying the former president's legal strategy of working to prevent testimony on the grounds that he was president at the time in question. A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment. Trump arrives in New York ahead of expected Tuesday arraignment Oil prices soar after OPEC+ announces output cut Trump boards flight for New York to face indictment The Junction City Police Department is investigating after a man and woman were found dead inside a home Saturday night. Junction City officers conducted a welfare check call around 8:20 p.m. at a home in the 700 block of W. 1st St., a social media post from the department read. Officers found a 75-year-old woman and 80-year-old man, both from Junction City, dead inside the home, police said. The deaths are being are investigated as homicides and the names of the two are being withheld until family is notified, the post read. Junction City police says there is no ongoing threat to the public and it is unknown if police are looking for suspect at this time. Anyone with information on the incident is encouraged to contact the Junction City Police Department at 785-762-5912, or submit a tip to the Junction City/ Geary County Crime stoppers. Those leaving tips are advised to reference JCPD case number 2023-05269. China plans to launch a new X-ray astronomical satellite, Einstein Probe (EP), at the end of this year, said Yuan Weimin, principal investigator of the satellite project. Yuan, who is also a researcher at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC), revealed the latest progress of the EP project at the recent 35th National Symposium on Space Exploration. "The satellite has entered the final stage of development," he said. According to the scientist, the probe is expected to capture the first light from supernova explosions, help search for and pinpoint gravitational wave sources, and observe the mysterious transient phenomena in the universe. Scientists have found that there are many transient and explosive sources in the universe, most of which can radiate huge amounts of energy in a very short period of time and show complex brightness variations in the X-ray band, such as black holes that are devouring stars. "These fast transient sources are crucial to cosmology and galaxy studies, but are currently poorly understood by scientists," said Yuan. Further research requires a new generation of detection equipment with extremely large fields of view, high sensitivity, high resolution, and fast response capabilities, he added. But the important question in this regard is how to make such equipment. Biologists discovered early on that the lobster's eye is different from other animals. Lobster eyes are made up of numerous tiny square tubes, pointing to the same spherical center. This structure allows light from all directions to reflect in the tubes and converge on the retina, which gives the lobster a large field of view. Scientists then simulated the lobster eye to create a telescope to detect X-rays in space. Through cooperation with other organizations, the X-ray Imaging Laboratory of NAOC began the research and development work on lobster-eye X-ray imaging technology in 2010 and finally made a breakthrough. The team carried out the test validation of the technology on the telescope Lobster Eye Imager for Astronomy (LEIA) -- a pathfinder of the EP instrument -- which was launched in July 2022, and revealed the world's first batch of large-field X-ray snapshots of the sky captured by the LEIA. "Thanks to the lobster-eye telescope technology, the Einstein Probe will be able to monitor the currently poorly known soft X-ray band with a large field of view and high sensitivity," Yuan said. "This technology will revolutionize monitoring of the X-ray sky, and the test module shows the strong scientific potential of the Einstein Probe mission," said Paul O'Brien, head of Astrophysics, School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester. According to Yuan, the EP will carry out systematic sky surveys to monitor high-energy transient objects in the universe. The mission is expected to discover cloaked black holes and map the distribution of black holes in the universe, and help us to study their formation and evolution. The probe will also be used to search for X-ray signals accompanying gravitational wave events and pinpoint them, Yuan said. The satellite program, part of a space science project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has attracted extensive attention worldwide, with the European Space Agency, the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Germany and the French space agency participating in it. Police were asking for help finding a missing woman last seen Sunday morning in Kansas City. Monica Alberty, 32, was last seen around 8:30 a.m. in the area of Bannister Road and Blue Ridge Boulevard. She is 5 feet and 4 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds. Alberty was last seen wearing a gray robe with white on the sleeves and house slippers. Her family is worried for her safety and well-being. She was safely located by authorities on Sunday afternoon, according to Officer Donna Drake, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department. Kansas lawmakers are among the lowest paid in the nation. Lawmakers earn $88.66 per session day in Topeka. Current members of the Kansas Legislature spoke with The Star about sacrifices theyve made in their own lives to afford to serve their constituents. The pay, they say is a major burden on their personal and professional lives. Changed pay rates, many believe, would allow a broader range of Kansans to seek public office. ASTANA, Kazakhstan (AP) Voters in Kazakhstan on Sunday went to the polls to choose lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, which is being reconfigured in the wake of deadly unrest that gripped the resource-rich Central Asian nation a year ago. Although the electoral field was unusually large with two newly registered parties and hundreds of individual candidates joining the race, turnout appeared relatively unenthusiastic about 54% of eligible voter cast ballots, according the national elections commission. The early election came on the fourth anniversary of the resignation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who had led Kazakhstan since independence following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 and who had established immense influence. His successor, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was widely expected to continue Nazarbayevs authoritarian course and even renamed the capital as Nur-Sultan in his predecessors honor. But the countrys political landscape changed markedly after a wave of violence in January 2022, when provincial protests initially sparked by a fuel price hike engulfed other cities, notably the commercial capital, Almaty, and became overtly political as demonstrators shouted Old man out! in reference to the now 82-year-old Nazarbayev. More than 220 people, mostly protesters, died as police harshly put down the unrest. Amid the violence, Tokayev removed Nazarbayev from his powerful post as head of the national security council. He restored the capitals previous name of Astana, and the parliament repealed a law granting Nazarbayev and his family immunity from prosecution. Tokayev also initiated reforms to strengthen the parliament, reduce presidential powers and limit the presidency to a single seven-year term. Under the reforms, a third of the lower house of parliaments 98 seats will be chosen in single-mandate races rather than by party list. The ruling Amanat party holds the overwhelming majority of seats in the current parliament and the rest belongs to parties that are largely loyal to Amanat. Although opinion surveys indicate that Amanat will remain the largest party in the new parliament, the likely final balance is unclear. More than 400 candidates, most of them self-nominated, competed in the single-mandate races, and the national elections commission authorized two additional parties to enter the proportional contest. We can only hope that these elections will contribute to the further consolidation of society, of democracy, and that the idea of a new and fair Kazakhstan will develop with the population really participating in this, Austrian Martin Sajdik, a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's elections observation mission, said Sunday. Khong Guan (SGX:K03) First Half 2023 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: S$37.8m (up 15% from 1H 2022). Net income: S$399.0k (up from S$267.0k loss in 1H 2022). Profit margin: 1.1% (up from net loss in 1H 2022). The move to profitability was driven by higher revenue. EPS: S$0.015 (up from S$0.01 loss in 1H 2022). All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Khong Guan's share price is broadly unchanged from a week ago. Risk Analysis You should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with Khong Guan (including 2 which shouldn't be ignored). Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Kuwait's constitutional court on Sunday nullified last year's legislative elections and ruled in favour of reinstating the previous parliament, state media said, as a political crisis roils the oil-rich Gulf state. The September polls -- the most inclusive in a decade -- had seen opposition members clinch 28 out of 50 seats, giving them a parliamentary majority. The vote marked a victory for opposition figures, many of whom had stayed out of elections in the past decade over what they saw as alleged meddling by the executive authorities over parliament. "The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a verdit on Sunday annulling the results of the 2022 National Assembly elections," due to discrepencies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, the official KUNA news agency said. It also ruled to reinstate the parliament that was elected in 2020 but dissolved following orders by the crown prince in June, KUNA said. Lawyer Nawaf Al-Yassin said the ruling followed several electoral appeals. "The appeals relate to the invalidity of the electoral process, the decrees calling for elections, and the decree dissolving the previous National Assembly," he told AFP. Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab state with a fully elected parliament. One of the world's biggest oil exporters, it adopted a parliamentary system in 1962. But repeated political crises have led to state paralysis and regular disputes with cabinet. In January, Kuwait's government resigned only three months after it was sworn in due to disputes with lawmakers, the sixth government in just three years. sl/ho/pjm By Ahmed Hagagy KUWAIT (Reuters) - Kuwait's Constitutional Court on Sunday ruled that last September's parliamentary election, in which the opposition made gains, was void and that the previous assembly must be reinstated. The move comes at a time of renewed friction between the elected parliament and government and follows the reappointment this month of the country's prime minister, whose government had resigned in the stand-off with parliament. Kuwait's crown prince last year dissolved parliament and called early polls in an effort to end prolonged domestic political feuding that has hindered fiscal reform. However, Justice Mohammad bin Naji on Sunday said the court had declared that dissolution of parliament as void and had annulled the early elections held in September. "The constitutional authority of the dissolved parliament shall be restored as of the date of this ruling," he told the court session attended by reporters. Kuwait, an OPEC oil producer, bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies. Frequent political bickering has often led to cabinet reshuffles and dissolutions of parliament, hampering investment and reforms aimed at reducing the country's heavy reliance on oil revenue. "Kuwait does not deserve such farces," MP Saleh Ashour said on Twitter after the court ruling. A lawmaker from the dissolved assembly, Abdullah Al-Turaiji, welcomed the move as "correcting the government's mistake in dealing with parliament". Political stability in Kuwait has traditionally depended on cooperation between government and parliament. While Kuwait's leadership has responded to some opposition demands, including the pardoning of political dissidents, key reform proposals such as a public debt law continue to face legislative gridlock. (Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy in Kuwait and Hatem Maher and Ahmed Tolba in Cairo; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by David Goodman) Kuwait's constitutional court on Sunday nullified last year's legislative elections and ruled to reinstate the previous parliament, state media said, as a political crisis roils the oil-rich Gulf state. The ruling was made due to discrepancies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, the official KUNA news agency said. The September polls were the most inclusive in a decade, and saw opposition members take a parliamentary majority with 28 out of 50 seats. Many in the opposition had stayed out of elections in the past decade, over what they saw as alleged meddling in parliament by the executive authorities. "The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a verdict on Sunday annulling the results of the 2022 National Assembly elections," KUNA said. It also ruled to reinstate the parliament that was elected in 2020 but dissolved following orders by the crown prince in June, KUNA said. "The dissolved council, from the date of issuance of this ruling... will regain its constitutional authority, as though it was never dissolved," president of the Constitutional Court Mohammad bin Naji told lawyers and journalists. Marzouq al-Ghanim returns as parliament speaker, a position he had held since 2013 but lost in last year's poll. He replaces Ahmed al-Saadoun. Lawyer Nawaf al-Yassin said Sunday's ruling followed several electoral appeals. "The appeals relate to the invalidity of the electoral process, the decrees calling for elections, and the decree dissolving the previous National Assembly," he told AFP. - 'Incorrect' - Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab state with a fully elected parliament. One of the world's biggest oil exporters, it adopted a parliamentary system in 1962. But repeated political crises have led to state paralysis and regular disputes with cabinet. In January, Kuwait's government resigned three months after it was sworn in due to disputes with lawmakers. It was the sixth government in just three years. Sunday's ruling by the constitutional court was welcomed by lawmakers who will now return to their posts, including Saadoun Hammad al-Otaibi. Story continues "The ruling indicates that the Kuwaiti judiciary is impartial, despite attempts by some to cast doubt on it," said Otaibi, who filed an appeal after losing his parliamentary seat. "I expected the elections to be invalidated". But lawmakers ousted from their posts by the latest decision were critical. "The dissolution of parliament is an incorrect move," said Walid al-Tabtabai, arguing that the constitutional court does not have the prerogative to undertake such a move. "Lawmakers should not give in to this decision and the 2022 parliament should resume its work," he said in a video posted on Twitter. "The return of parliament is inevitable." sl/ho/pjm Gregory Gibson spends a warm moment with his dog Popcorn in front of his tent in skid row in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. "I want housing, I need housing. I don't want to die on the street," Gibson said about living on the street since 2015. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) On the eve of her 100th day in office, Mayor Karen Bass enjoys strong approval ratings among Angelenos a reservoir of goodwill that will be crucial for the new mayor during uphill battles ahead. Half of Angelenos approve of the job Bass is doing so far, while just 14% say they disapprove, according to a Suffolk University/Los Angeles Times poll conducted March 9-12. A little more than a third remain undecided. Bass took office as the first woman and second Black Angeleno to lead Los Angeles in mid-December weeks after defeating businessman Rick Caruso and just two months after a leaked audio tape revealing racist remarks by council members upended City Hall. Mayor Karen Bass attends the opening of Hope on Broadway, a newly built four-story permanent supportive housing project with a total of 48 apartment units for chronically homeless individuals, along the 5100 block of South Broadway on March 9 in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) With tens of thousands of people sleeping on the streets every night and her predecessors legacy tarnished by his failure to stem the humanitarian crisis, Bass is keenly aware that her success as mayor will be inextricably entwined with progress on homelessness. Her administration has been focused on the issue since assuming office, at times to the exclusion of other areas. She has been far slower than her predecessors to fill high-profile roles in her office and name city commissioners. City residents, however, don't yet see much visible progress on homelessness and are only guardedly optimistic about the future. A little more than half of respondents to the poll didnt think the state of emergency on homelessness, which Bass declared on her first day in office, had yet had any impact on the crisis; just under 3 in 10 said it had improved the situation. A homeless person sleeps in a tent on the sidewalk inside the 2nd Street Tunnel on Thursday in downtown Los Angeles. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) Bass, who reaches her 100th day in office Tuesday, vanquished Caruso, her Republican-turned-Democrat opponent, by consolidating Democratic support in an overwhelmingly Democratic city, and shes held tight to that support since taking office. Two-thirds of Democrats said they approved of her work thus far, with the rest largely undecided. The numbers were far more negative among the city's Republican minority, with just 15% saying they approved of her job performance, while 58% disapproved. Story continues The fact that the ratio between Bass' approval and disapproval runs nearly 4 to 1 in her favor puts the mayor in a politically advantageous position as she pursues difficult goals, said David Paleologos, the director of the Political Research Center at Suffolk University in Boston, who oversaw the poll. Even on a good day, disapproval for most politicians is in the 20s or 30s, Paleologos said, compared with 14% for Bass thus far. So she has a slate that she can kind of begin to etch her priorities on. On the top priority, homelessness, Angelenos have limited expectations. Just 17% think the city will make a lot of progress on reducing homelessness over the next four years, while 45% say a little progress would be more likely. Republicans were far more pessimistic than Democrats. Its the kind of problem where it is going to take time in order to see a real difference. And 100 days is really not very much time at all, said Councilmember Nithya Raman, a former urban planner and chair of the councils homelessness and housing committee. Raman lauded the new focus and urgency that Bass has brought, saying, I've had more conversations with her and her team on the issue of homelessness, including specifics on how we address issues in my district and citywide policy issues, than I did with the previous mayor during the two years that we overlapped. Bass said Wednesday that she expects the city will have housed more than 4,000 homeless Angelenos by her 100th day in office. Mayor Karen Bass, center, chats with homeless people living under tents behind the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Feb. 16 in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) A homeless man is passed out in front of the Midnight Mission in skid row in downtown L.A. City residents don't yet see much visible progress on homelessness and are only guardedly optimistic about the future. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) Views about whether Los Angeles can make progress on homelessness are a significant factor shaping whether people view the city as a good place to live, the poll found. Overall, about half described L.A. as an excellent or good place to live, and the other half marked it fair or poor. But the crucible of experience produces vastly different versions of the city, and that rough split diverged sharply along lines of race and class. Higher-income Angelenos were significantly more likely than low-income residents to say L.A. is a good or excellent place to live. More than 6 in 10 white residents gave the citys livability high marks, compared to just over 4 in 10 Asian and Black residents, and just under 4 in 10 Latino residents. A man walks past an illuminated tent used by a homeless couple in skid row in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) Black residents had a more positive view of what Bass has done on homelessness than did other Angelenos. More than 4 in 10 said the emergency declaration had already improved the situation. Black Angelenos were also far more likely to say that they or someone they knew had personally experienced homelessness or housing insecurity within the last year roughly half said so, compared to about 3 in 10 Angelenos overall. Bass approval rating also differed along racial lines. White and Black residents gave Bass slightly higher marks than Latino residents, though all three groups hovered near the 50% average. The poll suggested Bass' support may be weaker among Asian residents, but the small size of the sample doesn't allow a definite answer. Perceptions of crime have a strong correlation with Bass approval rating, with Angelenos who say they feel safe in their neighborhoods, 78%, generally approving of Bass, while the minority who feel unsafe give her far lower approval. An elderly homeless man sits in his wheelchair next to his belongings Friday in skid row in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) That gap, however, is only partially about people's experience with crime. Perceptions of crime have become highly politicized, both in the city and nationwide, with dramatic partisan gaps: Three-quarters of Republicans in L.A. say crime is up, while just 37% of Democrats agree. (LAPD statistics show that violent crime and property crime have decreased this year, compared to the same period of time last year.) The poll does not show evidence that the mayor has suffered any major loss of support on her left. Her decision to support a second term for Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore spurred sharp outcry from local Black Lives Matter leaders and others in the citys leftmost flank, but it was met with something of a shrug from the public. A plurality of Angelenos, 42%, did not have an opinion on the decision, while 38% thought it was a good decision and 18% disapproved. Respondents who think the LAPD is doing an excellent or good job were more likely to approve of the decision to keep Moore than those who rated the departments performance as fair or poor. Cowboy, 72, rests inside his tent with his few belongings Friday in skid row in downtown Los Angeles. He has been homeless since 2018. He's hoping to find an apartment, but lacks the funds. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) The maneuvering around the Moore decision was illustrative of the new mayors pragmatic style. Firing Moore would have required Bass to expend political capital at a time when she remains near-singularly focused on homelessness and had yet to appoint any of her own police commissioners, to say nothing of the time and resources that a high-profile chief search would have required. Allowing Moore to stay on with the understanding that it would be for less than a full four-year term, and with some demands made for a middle-ground decision that didnt pull the new administrations attention too far from its immediate priorities. No one in the City Councils progressive bloc publicly criticized the decision, even self-described police abolitionist Hugo Soto-Martinez and Eunisses Hernandez. The lack of council backlash surprised many political observers. It could speak to Bass' strong relationships or simply the benefits of a honeymoon period. But its hard to imagine that either council member would have stayed mum had former Mayor Eric Garcetti who preceded Bass made the same decision. Felicidad DeVera Cacho, 68, rests Friday on a sliver of cardboard that she uses to sleep on in skid row in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) Its equally hard to imagine that Garcetti would have done what Bass did and call Melina Abdullah, the leader of Black Lives Matter-LA, to alert her to the decision before it went public, and then hold a private meeting with the group days after it held a news conference denouncing the decision. As a lifelong coalition builder and former community organizer, Bass is a very different kind of leader. Abdullah praised the mayor's accessibility, saying "she isn't running from conversations that she knows are going to be tough conversations." Shes definitely a bridge-builder, said Stuart Waldman, president of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn., a prominent business group that endorsed Caruso prior to the election. Waldman, who praised Bass early performance and focus on homelessness, cited her decision to bring a diverse group of business leaders to City Hall for a meeting early in her transition. A man sits on a sidewalk Friday as dusk settles over skid row in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) I figured because we all supported Caruso, we'd be a first-month meeting, not a first-week meeting. I think that says a lot about her, Waldman said. The Suffolk University/Los Angeles Times poll, conducted March 9-12, interviewed 500 adult residents of the city of Los Angeles, using live telephone calls to cellphones and landlines. Quota and demographic information including region, race, and age were determined from census and American Community Survey data. Surveys were administered in English and Spanish. The margin of sampling error for the total sample is 4.4 percentage points in either direction. Error margins increase for smaller subgroups. All surveys may be subject to other sources of error, including but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By MacDonald Dzirutwe LAGOS (Reuters) - The governor of Lagos easily won re-election in low turn-out local voting, figures showed on Sunday, a victory for Nigeria's ruling party just weeks after the commercial capital backed the opposition in a disputed presidential election. With votes tallied in districts representing 95% of voters, incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the ruling All Progressive Congress had more than 736,000 votes, compared to just 292,000 for his closest rival, the Labour Party's Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission. The turnout was just a small fraction of the 7 million registered voters in Africa's largest megacity, which has a population of more than 20 million people. The Lagos election was the highest profile among races for powerful governorships in 28 of Nigeria's 36 states, as well as for state assemblies across the country. The race in Lagos had been expected to be close after opposition Labour candidate Peter Obi received the most votes in the state during last month's disputed presidential election, which was won overall by Bola Tinubu of the APC. Tinubu himself is a former Lagos governor, who ran the state from 1999-2007 and has since been seen as instrumental in picking his successors there including Sanwo-Olu. Obi has said he was robbed of victory by rampant fraud, and political analysts said the handling of last month's presidential election could have discouraged some voters from participating in Saturday's regional polls. Some officials from the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) who presented results in Lagos on Sunday reported some ballot boxes had been snatched by thugs, but said this was not widespread enough to affect the outcome of the vote. Voting was postponed to Sunday at 10 polling stations in a Lagos neighbourhood following disagreements between INEC officials and voters over the location of polling units. Final results were expected after 1600 GMT. Story continues Governors wield wide influence in Africa's most populous nation and their support can help decide who becomes president. Some governors preside over states whose annual budgets are bigger than those of some small African countries. Lagos has an annual budget of $4 billion. In northeastern Adamawa, a conservative and largely Muslim state, electoral officials were collating results after a race that could produce Nigeria's first elected female governor. Voters were still casting ballots in two districts of oil-producing Rivers state where the INEC failed to deliver voting materials. (Reporting by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Peter Graff) Damage following an earthquake in Ecuador. GLEEN SUAREZ/AFP via Getty Images At least 15 people are dead after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rattled the coast of southern Ecuador on Saturday, causing widespread destruction. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the tremor struck around noon local time, with the epicenter occurring in the city of Balao more than 41 miles under the Earth's surface. The USGS gave the earthquake an "orange alert," saying that "significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread." Eyewitness Exon Tobar told BBC News that the earthquake felt like "a very powerful explosion it made it shake and it made the electric cables, the windows, and everything move. People were in the streets praying because it didn't stop." The province of El Oro was the most badly damaged area, but swaths of destruction were seen across the country. The damage included 44 destroyed homes, 50 damaged schools, 31 damaged medical centers, and more, Ecuadorian newspaper El Comercio reported and this was just the initial tally. The earthquake was felt as far away as northern Peru, but the country's authorities said "there were no immediate reports of harm to people or structures," per Reuters. However, Ecuador was dealing with a decisively different outcome, as hundreds of people were reportedly injured. In a statement on Twitter, the office of Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said that the situation would continue to be monitored, and urged for calm as the recovery efforts got underway. Ecuador is in a very seismically active part of the world, with tectonic activity often causing small shakes. However, massive seismic events such as this one do not happen all that often. The last major earthquake in the country occurred in 2016 and left nearly 700 people dead and more than 6,000 injured. You may also like The truth about alcohol North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S. Is it time to stop dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day? Flash A Chinese envoy to the United Nations (UN) on Friday called on relevant parties to do their utmost to mitigate the humanitarian consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. All relevant parties must also step up efforts to de-escalate the situation and cease hostilities as quickly as possible, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told a Security Council open briefing on the situation in Ukraine. The international community should scale up relief for all affected people, speed up the repair and restoration of civilian infrastructure, and do its utmost to mitigate the impact of the conflict on people's lives, Geng said, noting that China has provided multiple batches of emergency humanitarian aid to Ukraine and developing countries affected by the spillovers of the crisis. "Basic norms of international humanitarian law must be earnestly observed," he said. "Under any circumstances, the protection of civilians must come first." All parties to the conflict should stay rational and exercise maximum restraint and avoid actions that endanger the safety and security of nuclear facilities to minimize the risk of accidents, Geng added. He said China supports the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in fulfilling its safeguard functions and playing an active role in promoting the safety and security of nuclear facilities. The Chinese envoy stressed that spillovers of the conflict must be managed, urging relevant countries to stop abusing unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" to eliminate the disruption of international economic and trade cooperation caused by those measures. China hopes that the Black Sea Grain Initiative will be implemented fully and effectively in a balanced manner, and the memorandum of understanding signed between Russia and the United Nations can also be implemented, Geng said. "Diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution must be relentlessly advanced," he said. "The international community must promote talks for peace with utmost urgency, create conditions for the resumption of negotiations, and facilitate the parties concerned to do so without preconditions at an early date to give peace a chance." Facts have shown that the continuous supply of offensive weapons, resorting to bloc confrontation and political isolation are not helpful for resolving the crisis, he said. On the Ukraine issue, China always stands on the side of peace, dialogue and humanity. China has issued a paper stating its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and will continue to work with the international community to play an active role, Geng said. The Chinese envoy reiterated that China's position on the Ukraine issue remains unchanged. A red tide sign alerts beachgoers at Lynn Hall Park on Fort Myers Beach on March 6. Red tide continues to batter Southwest Florida. Fort Myers Beach recently hauled off 13 tons of dead fish fish that littered the shoreline. Fish killed by the latest bout of red tide lie along Bluebill Beach in Naples on March 6. Julie Wraithmell While coastal wildlife and residents gasp under the burden of Southwest Floridas red tide, development interests are quietly blocking attempts in Tallahassee to address the nutrient sources fueling these tragedies. One such action: the Florida Engineering Society is vocally opposing the passage of a modest reform of Floridas stormwater rules, brought forward by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, loves warm water temperatures and water rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, nutrients that wash into the nearshore from sources including stormwater runoff, fertilizer, agricultural runoff, wastewater, septic tanks, and more. One significant source stormwater is governed by state rules in an attempt to hold and clean water from developed areas before it reaches the coasts. Unfortunately, these rules were written before we knew as much about the function of these systems and now that the science is better understood, they desperately need to be updated. For the last year, DEP has been working with stakeholders ranging from local governments to homebuilders to environmental groups like Audubon to negotiate improvements to these rules. What has emerged are modest but important updates to the rule that will help ensure that the more than 14,000 new development permits anticipated in the next five years will not contribute as many nutrients to Floridas waters as they would have previously. Now the rule must be ratified by the Florida Legislature. Unfortunately, despite participating in the stakeholder process, developers and the industries that support them are sharing late-breaking objections to the rule, mostly on the grounds that it costs more to develop land with these increased water protections. These increased costs can come at the expense of their profit margin or be passed on to consumers either of which they argue is too burdensome. And in the wake of these complaints, the ratification of this rule seems to be languishing it has not been scheduled for hearing. Story continues What is really burdensome are the impacts of harmful algal blooms like red tide on the entire state, whether it is Southwest Floridas beaches, the Indian River Lagoon, the meandering St. Johns River, Tampa Bay, or the Panhandles St. Joseph Bay. Fishing guides and beach tourism businesses suffer, real estate stagnates, and coastal property values atrophy. Redfish and sea turtles gasp on the beaches of Sanibel and tourists eating on the patios of Naples bistros find their eyes watering and noses and throats burning when the wind blows from the west. These costs are real and dire. Floridians are desperate for relief. And our appetite for complaints over the cost of not polluting our water is nil. In Tallahassee, far from the horrors of red tide, legislators have the development community, engineers, consultants, and other associated industries complaining that the cost of fixing this problem is too great. Legislators also need to hear from you those affected personally and professionally by the effects of poor water quality that the cost of inaction is even greater. Investments in restoration are essential, but so too are changing the rules that created this problem in the first place, lest we continue to make the same mistakes. This session, legislators have the ability to pass improvements to stormwater rules, septic tank regulations, and more. If you are frustrated with this tragedy of the commons, make sure your voice is heard. Floridians are desperate for action and shame on those who would preserve the status quo at the expense of us all. Julie Wraithmell is executive director of Audubon Florida. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Legislative action needed to blunt red tide UTLA and SEIU Local 99 members hold a joint rally in downtown L.A. on March 15 ahead of a possible strike that would shut down schools for three days. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) To the editor: I wholeheartedly think a major strike that closes schools would be good for the Los Angeles Unified School District. I am a retired high school English teacher with 41 years of experience in LAUSD. I support everything the union representing non-teaching employees, Service Employees International, is asking for. Teachers would not be able to function without its members. The teachers' union, United Teachers Los Angeles, has always wanted what is good for students. Continuing to teach in schools where fights break out because not enough campus security aides are available, where bathrooms do not have hot water and where air conditioners and heaters break is not good for students. How does LAUSD Supt. Alberto M. Carvalho expect to hire and retain competent teachers unless he is willing to raise salaries significantly for everyone who interacts with students and parents? How does the district expect teachers to get the job done without the appropriate learning environment? Teachers sweep our own classrooms and wash our own desks to supplement the reduced custodial staffs. So yes, shut down the schools for three days. Remind parents of how difficult it was for them to do child care and educate their children during remote learning. Johanna Bernstein, Los Angeles .. To the editor: As the LAUSD faces a three-day shutdown of its schools, two points need to be made. First, it's true that the employees represented by SEIU Local 99 are low-wage workers who deserve better pay. However, these employees, spouses and dependent children receive full health benefits at no cost to the employee. These benefits are worth more than $10,000 per calendar year. Second, a three-day strike would have met students' needs better if it were scheduled for Monday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Friday. Sandwiching the three days in the middle of the week essentially disrupts the entire week of March 20. Attendance is typically the lightest on Mondays and Fridays. Story continues I taught in LAUSD for 30 years. Ed Kaz, Oak Park .. To the editor: There is a great deal more to consider in understanding the dispute between L.A. Unified and the unions representing non-teaching employees. UTLA has shown its support in stating its members would join a strike. It is a known fact that three of the most important careers in our lives are teachers, police and firefighters, yet our elected officials give massive tax breaks to those who already have become wealthy at the expense of those who are the backbone of our lives. If we as a society cannot see that our tax dollars should recognize the contribution our teachers give to the future of our country, we are failing our youth and our future. A reasonable agreement will eventually be reached, but the problem in understanding what is most important in our lives should be there for all of us to see. Edward A. Sussman, Fountain Valley This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speak at an event in Des Moines on March 10. Gov. Ron DeSantis claim that he is making Florida the freest state is an example of Newspeak from George Orwells novel 1984, in which words mean just the opposite of what they normally do. DeSantis and the Republican rubber-stamp Legislature are taking away freedoms one after another. Heres a short list: the right to an abortion beyond six weeks; the right to teach American history as it happened, for students to learn how it has affected all cultures and races; the right to teach and for students to learn about different lifestyles and cultural norms; the right to expose students and employees to the importance of diversity and inclusion; and the right for Floridas colleges to make their own decisions on hiring and curriculum. Unbelievably, in the 21st century the DeSantis administration has even returned to the medieval and discredited practice of banning books. On the other hand, they want to allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon, spend our tax money to send legitimate asylum seekers to other states and hire a police force to find voter fraud, which is virtually non-existent. Meanwhile we continue to deny 700,000 Floridians the right to health care by expanding Medicaid, and we pay the third lowest unemployment benefits in the country. A totalitarian state restricts freedoms and social benefits, not a free state (and here I thought that conservatives valued individual choice). Floridians need to reject DeSantis agenda. Hopefully most citizens in the rest of the country are sufficiently alarmed by DeSantis agenda, so if its enacted here, he will have no chance to win a national election where true freedom is valued. Roy Goldman, Jacksonville Beach Sammie Fowler holds a sign at a Feb. 21 rally at the University of North Florida to urge protection of UNF's diversity efforts, which some view as under attack by Gov. Ron DeSantis' policies. Sacrifice of diversity initiatives Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential ambition wont be impeded, even as his attack on diversity initiatives contradicts Florida law and injures Floridians. Hypocritically, he seeks support from this group, yet has no qualms sacrificing them. Story continues There are several legislatively created diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) programs promoted by DeSantis in the fairly recent past. Yet he has now sharply pivoted against those programs, apparently motivated by a need to engage the culture warriors of his GOP base. Perhaps even more embarrassing is past Gov. Jeb Bush, who touted himself as an innovative, inclusive education promoter and author of several DEI initiatives but who now enthusiastically blesses DeSantis attacks on his own programs. These programs provided far-reaching benefits to many Floridians beyond the expedient "anti-woke label claimed by DeSantis. Even Christopher Rufo, DeSantis appointed tip of the spear trustee to the New College of Florida (victim of a hostile takeover), was sobered to discover the broad beneficial reach of the schools DEI programs that he ceremoniously gloated he would cancel. Warning to Floridians (and Americans outside the Free State of Florida) that they and programs that benefit them will be sacrificed at the altar of DeSantian ambition. Michael Miller, Ponte Vedra Beach The staff at Queen of Angels bookstore often prays with customers and accepts prayer requests on their behalf. Bookstore lawsuit unnecessary With regard to the March 4 column by Rachel Csutoros, legal counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, she is jumping the gun. Its my understanding that the lawsuit by Queen of Angels bookstore, which her organization is funding, has been filed before any issue has actually been raised. The bookstore owner plans to publish a policy on employees not using a customers preferred pronoun that does not match their apparent biological sex. She also plans to publish it on her blog. The bookstore calls itself Catholic but is not directly affiliated with a Catholic parish or diocese. My puzzlement comes from two things. First, if someone says their preferred pronouns are they and them, for example, when would an employee be forced to address them that way? Im thinking: May I help you? would suffice. If the gender-neutral you is unacceptable, then there is much more involved here. Second, why does that policy have to be publicly posted? While the multiplicity of genders and pronouns is confusing and tending toward incomprehension, why pick a fight? Im guessing in the bookstore, as a publicly licensed accommodation, the citys civil rights ordinance should be displayed. Or is that part of this unnecessary lawsuit? Dennis Egan, Jacksonville Most dont support gun law change I was not surprised to read on March 11 that 77% of Floridians according to a poll from the University of North Florida are opposed to the gun bills currently in the state Legislature. The citizens of the state do not feel the need to prop up the presidential dreams of the governor and they realize the danger such a law can inflict on the public. If anything will reflect poorly on our state representatives and senators, it is a law being enacted that an overwhelming majority thinks is inappropriate. When the next election comes around, the incidents of armed road rage, fatal shootings in bar fights, family members killing each other over silly arguments and children being accidentally injured and killed by guns become unbearable, these politicians will be sent home for good. News of Floridas outrageous gun laws will proceed Gov. Ron DeSantis in his bid to become president, and reasonable voters will not support him. How ridiculous to put guns in the hands of people with no training, no background checks and no permitting. Jim Kavanagh, Jacksonville The downtown Jacksonville skyline. Develop more than one downtown' Cities that spread out with largely uncontrolled growth like Jacksonville typically develop not one, but multiple downtowns. We should recognize the inevitable and work with it, instead of against it. Our historic downtown is our political and cultural hub. Its business life is no longer retail, but corporate, with headquarters of banking, communications and a few other service industries. We don't have to force it to become a lifestyle neighborhood of some kind, spending buckets of tax money on what it doesn't need to be. Our retail downtown is now St. Johns Town Center. We should recognize it as such and make it a policy to enhance that aspect and not insist it become also several other things. The Baymeadows area could well be our culinary downtown and the burgeoning Mayo Clinic area our medical downtown. It would be to our advantage to look at our city areas realistically, see what they have become, how they are functioning and just go with it. Sharon Scholl, Atlantic Beach Jacksonville City Hall. Kids on the playground This is a call-out to the candidates for the mayoral election: If you are dumb enough to throw hateful negative ads against your opponents, thinking it makes me vote for you, that scratches you off my list of voting choices. These ads are akin to the political robo-calls. I want to hear what good you will do for the city and what changes you will bring. If all you can do is throw dirt, then you are just a kid on the playground. A kid throwing dirt on the playground is not ready to hold office. Jack Ferguson, Jacksonville This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Shades of '1984' in DeSantis' so-called 'Free State of Florida' When they enlisted to serve in Vietnam, the danger, protests and acrimonious debates that convulsed the country had no effect on best friends Dave Ortals and Rick Homa. Didnt bother us. No qualms, Homa said. Best friends since the first grade, both young men figured they would serve, and return home to Levittown, to continue their lives. It wouldnt be a storybook ending, though. On May 22, 1970, Marine Cpl. David John Ortals, 22, was killed in Quang Nam, a central Vietnam province where some of the heaviest fighting of the war happened. On Saturday, 53 years later, Rick Homa gathered with friends, veterans and the three county commissioners to dedicate a bridge in Ortals honor not far from where both grew up in the Upper Orchard section of Levittown. County Bridge 15, which carries traffic over Mill Creek on Frosty Hollow Road is now marked Cpl. David John Ortals USMC Memorial Bridge. As long as his name is spoken, hell never be forgotten, said Ed Preston, who leads the state Vietnam Veterans Memorial, who organized the bridge-naming. We grew up right over there, said Homa. Dave was on Umber Road, and I was on Upper Orchard Drive. We lived maybe a 100 yards apart. They were six years old, students at Queen of the Universe school, when they became fast friends. He was exactly 364 days older than me, Homa said. They were inseparable. Among those gathered at the dedication of county Bridge15 to the memory of Cpl. David Ortals are Rick Homa (standing) and Dennis Best, best friends with Cpl. Ortals. We could talk each other into doing things we probably shouldnt have done, Homa recalled. Once, while playing catch, their ball went over a neighbors fence and into the yard where an Irish setter with bad disposition lived. It was a mean dog, Homa said. Dave said, you go over and get the ball. I said, Im not going over, you go over. Dave finally prevailed on Rick to hop the fence and retrieve their ball. The dog got me, Homa recalled, smiling. The bridge has an especially sentimental childhood memory. We used to play on this bridge, Homa said. When this (creek) would get high in a storm, and it would overflow this bridge, we had an old teeter-totter. And hed say Lets go. So wed come down here with it and try to ride the rapids. Story continues He looked toward the bridge rail, now adorned with a fresh green and white sign bearing his friends name. Below, the creek was calm. It flowed clear and cool. "You know, Dave was the brother I never had. We were so close, it was unreal," Homa said. Cpl. Dave Ortals, smiles in this undated photo taken while he was in Vietnam. He was killed May 22, 1970. David John Ortals was born in February 1948, the second of four children to Roman and Muriel Ortals, original Levittowners who purchased their Jubilee-style house at 7 Umber Road in 1955. Dave attended Queen of the Universe, spent two years at Bishop Egan, then transferred to Neshaminy. He was a 6 4 an athlete who played high school basketball. His father was a World War II veteran. When he enlisted, his parents worried, though silently. Oh, absolutely. I think we all were worried something would happen. It was a devastating war, and a lot of lives lost, said John Ortals, Daves younger brother, who lives in southern Indiana. Prior to shipping out for Vietnam, Dave met and married Donna Mae Awaa, from Hawaii. It would be a good life after he returned from the war. May 22, 1970 was a warm, dry Friday in Levittown. John Ortals was working a summer job at U.S. Steels Fairless Works in Falls Township, second shift, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. He finished work and arrived home. His parents had kept the news from him. They didnt want to call him at work and tell him on the phone. When I got home, I knew something was wrong because our parish priest, Father Coyle, from Queen of the Universe, was at our house. He was the one who informed our family. One thing I remember was that when Dave was brought home, he was accompanied by a Marine. He stayed with us for the weekend. And I remember he had a great sense of humor, and he made us laugh, and it was much appreciated. Neighbors and church parishioners gathered with the family. There was an outpouring of love and concern, and a lot of people at the house all the time. Just a ton of support," John said. "No, Im not surprised that Levittown, that Bucks County, didnt forget David. Its been so long, but still we miss him very much, every day. I really would have loved to have known him as an adult. He would have been a fine young man. And that was really something my parents instilled in all of us, in their words and by their actions -- be something good in the world." The bridge-naming was timed to coincide with Muriel Ortals' 100th birthday on March 18. From her home in Arizona, where she has lived since 1978, she, John, and daughter, Marilyn, watched it as it was livestreamed online. Muriel Ortals, seated, with her daughter Marilyn and son John, on March 18, 2023 in Arizona. They listened to the bridge dedication for David, a Marine corporal who died serving in Vietnam in 1970. Two members of the Marine Corps League were with them during the ceremony, as about 70 people in Levittown attended the dedication of county bridge 15 in Cpl. Ortals' memory. The bridge dedication is the second the county commissioners have approved. More dedications are coming, said Preston, of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The aim is to name monuments for all 136 Bucks County men killed or missing in Vietnam. Saturdays ceremony was transmitted online to Arizona, where Ortals family, including his mother, Winifred, celebrating her 100th birthday, watched and listened. John Ortals found Rick Homa, now living in Atlanta, Georgia, through Facebook. John knows how close we were, and he contacted me and asked if I would be here. Of course. Theres no question I would, Homa said. Hes 73, but drove 10 hours from to be in Levittown for the unveiling. LevittownHalf a century later, remembering a brother killed in Vietnam Final resting place"We, veterans, still have a mission:" Retired navy commander honors unclaimed veterans He recalled how both started high school at Bishop Egan (now Conwell-Egan Catholic) but left before graduating. Neither one of us were great students, so we decided to go to Neshaminy, he said. In their senior year, they enlisted three months before they graduated in 1967. They went in on the buddy program. We graduated, I think it was June the 11th, and we were on Parris Island June 12th, he said. At first, their plan was to join the Navy Seabees, but a Marine officer at the Trenton recruiting station, where they went to enlist, talked them into joining the Marines. We went to boot camp together, Lejeune, and ace school together. Then I decided to volunteer for the grunts (infantry) and Dave stayed with the air wing, he said. Even all these years later, he remembers their serial numbers. His was 2347507, and Daves was 2347508. He always wanted my number because 7 was lucky, he said. Rick Homa, stands on the newly named bridge for his best friend, Dave Ortals, who was killed in Vietnam May 22, 1970. "I had to be here today because I felt like it was my fault, in a way. Because I talked him into going. Homa served a tour and returned home. Dave stayed. He was home in Levittown when one of Daves parents, he cant recall who, called to say his best friend had been killed. When I heard, I felt like I needed a drink. And I remember I felt He paused, and glanced to the ground, over to the creek. Well, its like my wife said, I had to be here today because I felt like it was my fault, in a way. Because I talked him into going, he said. He was silent. The creek glistened in the sunshine. Ive never stopped thinking about him, Homa said. Hes always there, never far. Just me and him, as kids. JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com. This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County bridge is dedicated to Levittown Marine killed in Vietnam Shop owner Katherine Caldwell said the flowers were "symbolic of solidarity with Ukraine and love for our mums" More than 1,800 daffodils, one for every mile from Ukraine to Liverpool, are to be given out in the city to mark "the road to Eurovision" and "show solidarity" with the war-torn country. Liverpool is hosting the song contest in May on behalf of Ukraine. In a gesture to mark that move, 1,859 daffodils will be handed out at the Royal Albert Dock on Mothering Sunday, near to where the event will be held. A Royal Albert Dock representative said it was a "special year" for the site. They said the flowers would be given out as part of the Thanks a Bunch campaign, which aims to show appreciation to mothers and maternal figures visiting the dock. Katherine Caldwell, who runs a gift shop on the dock, told BBC Radio Merseyside she hoped it would "put smiles on people's faces". "It is symbolic of solidarity with Ukraine and love for our mums," she said. "The road distance from Liverpool to Ukraine is 1,859 miles, so this symbolises the road to Eurovision." The flowers will be given away outside the Beatles Story at the Britannia Courtyard and in front of the Martin Luther King Junior building next to The Pumphouse. The song contest will take place at the M&S Bank Arena, which stands on the neighbouring King's Dock. Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk A local group of bikers plans to come together to donate many suitcases to comfort foster children. The Ohio State Coalition of Clubs plans to donate 100 suitcases to Montgomery County Children Services. >> High-speed pursuit ends in crash on I-75 in Dayton, injuring, hospitalizing 3 people The bikers will come together to donate the suitcases to foster children, who sometimes are left to pack their belongings in plastic bags. This is not the first time this group has come together to help out kids that Childrens Services caseworkers serve. For more than five years, the group has come together to help families in need with school supplies and backpacks. >> Nightly highway lane closures expected this week; I-75 reconstruction project set to begin next week We want to bring unity between motorcycle clubs and show the American public that we are not bad people. We are everyday people, and we love helping the communities, Tom Gauden, of Chosen Tribes Motorcycle Club previously told NewsCenter 7. At Christmas time, the group comes together for a toy drive, where last year, they donated more than $10,000 worth of toys to Childrens Services. A crash just after midnight left one person dead Sunday west of Mountain Home. At 12:03 a.m., a 34-year-old woman from Mountain Home was driving her Hyundai Sonata west on Interstate 84 when the vehicle went off the road and overturned, according to an Idaho State Police news release. The driver succumbed to her injuries at the crash scene in Elmore County. Her name had not been released as state police continued their investigation. Laura Anderson has a message for the people she has named the bump police. The Love Island star, who confirmed last month that she is expecting her first child with soap actor ex-boyfriend Gary Lucy, shared a post on Instagram describing the disturbing trolling of pregnant women online. On Saturday (18 March), Anderson shared a photograph of herself wearing an orange slip dress, cradling her baby bump, standing in front of an infinity pool in the Maldives, backdropped by a sunset. In the caption, it seems Anderson was anticipating negative comments about her pose in the photograph as she wrote to her 1.5 million followers: Cue the bump police. She continued: To the people that have some weirdly negative connotation with woman cradling their baby bump I unfortunately will be growing a human inside of me for the next 5 months and will more than likely not know where else to put my hands in a photo. If this causes anyone severe distress or discomfort, please seek professional help or just get a bloody life, she joked. On a more serious note, Anderson said that she finds it worrying to see how pregnant women are criticised on social media. It is quite disturbing the amount of trolling a pregnant woman receives just by breathing these days, she wrote. Im not sure if people realise the stress they can cause BOTH parties. Anderson then turned her attention to her split from EastEnders actor Lucy. When Anderson announced her pregnancy in February, she shared a video montage of herself and the Hollyoaks star, showing the pair overcome with happiness at their pregnancy scans. Hours later, Lucy confirmed the couple were no longer together. Then, a week later, Anderson appeared to have removed Lucys name from her post announcing the pregnancy news. The pair met on E4s TV series Celebs Go Dating in 2021. I know Ive felt [the stress], especially while going through a distressing break up which nobody actually knows the truth about, Anderson continued in the Instagram caption. Story continues So lets back off and give mothers the peace and respect they deserve to focus on the physical and mental well-being of themselves and their unborn bundle of joy. The reality TV star received comments from well-wishers offering supportive words. You look beautiful Laura put your hands wherever you want to, enjoy this special time, wrote one person, as another added: You cradle that bump!!! Well said lovely you look beautiful and your bump deserves to be cradled, commented someone else. (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) An influencer has opened up about her decision to take herself on a solo honeymoon" and why she is no longer depending on a man to enjoy her life. As she entered her 30s, Brittany Allyn found herself longing for adventure and feeling fed up of waiting for a partner to join her for them, from travelling to having a family. Taking matters into her own hands, the 37-year-old, who lives between London and New York, flew to the British capital in September 2022 to freeze her eggs and then booked the trip of her dreams to the South of France and Venice. The influencer, who has over 150,000 followers (@thirtywaves) is now using social media to share her experiences and encourage more women to stop putting their lives on hold while waiting for the one. In a YouTube video published on Shera (@shera_oficl), a digital platform dedicated to empowering women, she talks about her commitment to celebrating love and friendship rather than pursuing a romantic connection. "I think everyone has days where theyre like, I want that, the deep romance but mostly I dont feel pressure to get married," she tells Shera. "I heard this quote once that if you got married at 50, to the love of your life, you could be with this person for 30 years. "My longest relationship was around five years and that felt like forever, so 30 years to be with the love of your life makes me so happy, Im not in a rush." Brittany attributes her positive outlook on life to her parents. She said: "I had really supportive parents, realists and theyre just like, Britt, we want you to experience everything in life to have so much fun. (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) [They told her]: "Marriage is amazing. Kids are amazing, but its not this perfect solution and its really hard, not everyone gets a perfect marriage or, you know, perfect children. "So they said, hopefully that happens, but in the meantime, go live your life ever since I was a young kid, they instil that into me." Despite her rosy perspective on life now, Brittany, who is originally from Seattle, Washington, hasnt always felt as free from societal pressures. Story continues During her 20s, she admits that thinking about timelines would cause her stress. She said "My 20-year-old self was completely different, I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. "I was in love with a guy that I knew from high school and I thought that we are going to live in the same town and get married and have kids by 27 or 30, and I would have some passion projects on the side. (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) "But I was just going to be a mom and never leave Seattle but at 25, we broke up and I have gone in a completely different direction. "I think she would be in awe and also think its quite cool that what she thought was true in life was actually the opposite anything that you think is going to happen probably wont really happen." Since taking her life into her own hands and shunning the shackles of societys expectations, Brittany realised a honeymoon shouldnt just be limited to newlyweds. Coining the term "me-moon", she shares her travels on social media with her fans. She said: "There are so many places I wanted to go, but I was waiting for that perfect partner, the perfect relationship. "South of France, was one of them, and Venice, Italy, going on a gondola ride, going on an African safari, now that I am in my mid to late thirties, Im like, wait, why am I waiting? (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) "People really loved that content, I think Ive probably had a thousand messages of women planning their own me-moons, its been really cool to know thats inspired women to solo travel, and I would say youre not going to regret it. "Its such an empowering feeling to know I was brave, I did this when Im doing something for myself, you know, Im an interesting person that wants to explore the world. "When youre on its less scary Ive made some videos to hopefully help women go through all the nuances of solo travel, like dining alone." However, she has received backlash from trolls online but insists she doesnt let it faze her. Brittany said: "Its always just random men that are trolls and Im like, if its not clear, like this page is not for you so please leave. "I am not asking you to be part of this conversation, but its always misogynistic, insecure men that make comments. "For the most part, though, my page is quite positive. (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) For now, Brittany is focusing on the journey of freezing her eggs for future use when shes ready. However, with prices in the US far above those in the UK she made the decision to cross the pond. She said: "If that was not a biological thing for women, I would not be worried if I was a guy, I would go until 50 and live this full life, but I dont think that we can pretend its not there. "Egg freezing in America is insanely expensive and only really big tech companies or big corporations usually cover it, otherwise it can be around $18,000 and so I couldnt afford that. "[Talking about the first try], my body just wasnt picking up the medicine correctly, my follicles were not growing, so after eight days, I had to stop. "Hopefully this spring and probably next fall too Ill try freezing again and so once I do that, I think Im really going to have a lot of peace of mind." (Jam Press/@thirtywaves) Although Brittany is content with the path shes chosen, she knows its not a one-size-fits-all approach, and encourages women to discover what works for them. She said: "Now that Im 37, Ive seen a lot of women go on different paths and one is not better than the other, youre not instantly happy if youre married, youre not instantly happy if youre a mother. "In some ways, I think being more independent and single is easier. I can just scroll in bed in the morning, I can look up flights next week if I want to go somewhere, the world is my oyster right now. "I definitely have real pressures but one life is not better than another, I think you just have to realise that your life is unique and you have to accept that. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg President Emmanuel Macrons popularity has sunk to the lowest level since the days of the Yellow Vest protests in early 2019, a poll showed, amid mounting opposition to his effort to raise the retirement age. The survey by Ifop for Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper shows that 28% of those polled are satisfied with Macrons performance, down 4 points from a month ago, JDD reported Sunday. Prime Minister Elisabeth Bornes approval rating was unchanged at 29%. Borne pushed through a retirement reform proposal on Thursday without a vote of Parliament after it became clear the government couldnt muster enough support from legislators. She now faces no-confidence votes in Parliament on Monday; if theyre successful, the pension law will be nullified and Borne will have to resign. Unions have promised to continue striking in opposition to the law, while protesters plan a nationwide action on Thursday. Smaller marches are taking place throughout the country this weekend. Since December, Macrons popularity has dropped 8 points, JDD reported. Ifop surveyed 1,928 people online and by phone from March 9 through March 16, the day that the government pushed through the retirement proposal. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A man and a teenage boy were found shot to death next to this swimming pool in Santa Clarita. (KTLA) A man and a 16-year-old boy were found shot to death next to a swimming pool in Santa Clarita on Saturday morning, authorities said. When Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene in the 23700 block of Silverado Street around 11 a.m., they found the victims, who both had been shot in the chest, the Sheriff's Department said in a news release. The names of the victims have not been released. A witness told deputies that a man ran from the scene and got into a white car, which sped off. Minutes later, deputies stopped a car that matched the witness' description and detained two males as "persons of interest," according to the news release. Detectives believed the shooting was gang-related, the release said. Anyone with knowledge of the shooting is asked to contact homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Trent only noticed the phone wasn't his after he left the bar, when he asked staff at a pizza shop if he could charge it there. Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images A thief stole a man's iPhone in a Manhattan bar by replacing it with a fake. He thought the battery had died, and only realized it wasn't his phone when he tried to charge it. He said Apple was "incredibly unhelpful" when he sought assistance to regain access to his account. Trent was out with friends one night in Manhattan in February 2021 when he realized that an audacious thief had swapped out his iPhone with a fake. Trent, who requested to only go by his first name but whose identity is known to Insider, went out with friends for dinner and drinks. At one point, the 28-year-old checked his phone on the table and assumed the battery had died because it wouldn't turn on. On his way home, he stopped for pizza and asked the shop's staff if he could charge his device there. "That's when I noticed it wasn't my phone," Trent told Insider. "I originally thought the pizza spot swapped my phone out, but according to the police, they were pretty familiar with the spot," Trent said, adding that the police told him the owners "wouldn't do something like that." Trent filed a police report, seen by Insider, thinking it was a simple theft. "It was much worse. They had my passcode to get into my phone, which then gave them access to my password manager, and then access to all my credit cards and banking info," he said. Trent suspects the thief watched him until they could copy his passcode before replacing his iPhone with a fake so quickly that he didn't notice. Trent Trent told Insider that he suspects the thief got into his iPhone by observing him until seeing him enter his passcode. He suspects the thief then somehow took his iPhone XS out of its case without Trent noticing and replaced it with a fake. He suspected that when his phone, which he had placed on the table, wasn't within eyesight, the thief grabbed and swapped it within seconds. He wasn't able to access his Apple account after realizing what had happened. "They changed my passwords I couldn't access anything anymore," Trent said. "They opened a credit card in my name, bought an iPad, drained my Venmo." The thief repeatedly tried to purchase iPads from Target stores in New York City. Story continues Bank statements Insider reviewed showed a charge of $1,633 for an iPad and $229.68 taken from Trent's Venmo account. Another charge showed the thief attempted to withdraw another $980. Trent contacted Apple, hoping the company would help him change his password. The tech giant told him he had to wait until a day had passed since the thief requested a password reset, telling him the automated system only allowed one request every 24 hours. If Trent couldn't change it the next day, Apple said he would have to wait another 27 days. Despite being able to prove his identity to speed up the process, Trent said that Apple told him he "could be anyone" and therefore wouldn't take any action. "It was incredibly frustrating, especially because the thieves had access to everything and I could see them opening up my messages before I even could," he told Insider. Almost two weeks after the theft, Trent finally regained access to his Apple account, but then realized that he needed to change all of his documents including his passport and driver's license because the thief now had copies. Earlier this year Insider, reported on Reyhan Ayas, whose iPhone was stolen in November and who also found Apple unhelpful in regaining access to her account. By the time her ordeal was over, whoever had stolen her phone had managed to take $10,000 out of her bank account. Apple didn't respond to a request for comment by Insider. Have you been the victim of theft or have insight to share? Contact this reporter at stabahriti@insider.com or on Twitter at @samtabahriti Read the original article on Business Insider Fulhams Aleksandar Mitrovic (centre) is sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh during the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Sunday March 19, 2023. (PA Wire) Manchester United punished five minutes of madness from Fulham to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals as they came from behind to win 3-1 at Old Trafford. Fulham were full value for the lead that Aleksandr Mitrovic gave them five minutes into the second half, but the wheels came off with around 20 minutes left as manager Marco Silva, Willian and Mitrovic were all sent off. It came after a Fulham corner became a United attack, with substitute Antony racing down the right and squaring for Jadon Sancho. He rounded Bernd Leno but saw his shot blocked on the line by Willians hand. Chris Kavanagh signalled for a corner but was sent to the monitor by VAR Neil Swarbrick, and paused to send off Silva for dissent before he had even reached the screen. The inevitable penalty decision and a red for Willian then came, but Fulhams total loss of discipline was seen as Mitrovic raged at Kavanagh to earn his own early shower. Bruno Fernandes sent Leno the wrong way from the penalty spot and two minutes later United led as Marcel Sabitzer flicked home Luke Shaws low cross for his first United goal. A glorious touch Marcel Sabitzer provides the magic for @ManUtd#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/I8NXdjsdCj Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 19, 2023 Fernandes then lashed in Uniteds third in stoppage time as nine-man Fulham were overrun. Twelve-time Cup winners United advance to face Brighton at Wembley while Fulham will count the cost of a day that will surely hurt their push for Europe via the Premier League with suspensions to follow. It was a dramatic turnaround in a game in which Fulham had been the better team for most of the afternoon. Story continues The absence of the suspended Casemiro and Fred among the substitutes as Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer started told, as perhaps did Uniteds relentless schedule across four fronts this season as the hosts laboured against a Fulham side showing plenty of bite with Joao Palhinha back from a ban. Early pressure saw David De Gea push Issa Diops looping header over, while Mitrovic wanted a penalty and United defenders a yellow for diving when he tangled with Lisandro Martinez in the box. In between Willian fired narrowly wide and Tim Ream sent in a cross which would have only needed a slight touch to find the net. United did not come to life until the final 15 minutes of the half after Marcus Rashford switched to the left and Sancho the right, but Leno foiled both Rashford and Sabitzer, while Wout Weghorsts shot was deflected wide by Ream in first-half stoppage time. The second half saw Fulham retake the initiative. Antonee Robinsons curling shot was tipped over by De Gea, forcing the first of three corners which culminated in Mitrovic firing home after Diop flicked on Andreas Pereiras delivery. Fernandes fired wide from a Rashford cross before Ten Hag sent on Antony for McTominay, and the Brazilian was key to the Fulham meltdown that followed. Antony almost added a third as he danced his way towards goal three minutes from time, but although he got around the keeper he was off balance before the ball was whipped away. But Fernandes added the final flourish in stoppage time, lashing home a powerful strike to send United into the semi-finals for the first time since 2020. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has warned employees not to give in to intimidation and threats in the wake of former President Donald Trumps Truth Social rant that called for protests if he is arrested on Tuesday. Bragg, in an email to his employees obtained by Politico and NBC News, referred to ongoing press attention and public comments about an investigation by the office and reminded employees that their safety is a top priority. The DAs message comes as his office investigates hush money payments to Stormy Daniels during Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. Bragg did not refer to the former president by name in his email. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in an email to employees obtained by Politico, warned employees not to give in to intimidation in regard to their work. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in an email to employees obtained by Politico, warned employees not to give in to intimidation in regard to their work. We do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York, Bragg wrote. Our law enforcement partners will ensure that any specific or credible threats against the office will be fully investigated and that the proper safeguards are in place so all 1,600 of us have a secure work environment. Bragg added that hes committed to maintaining a safe work environment for employees. In the meantime, as with all our investigations, we will continue to apply the law evenly and fairly, and speak publicly only when appropriate, he wrote. A spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorneys office confirmed Braggs message. Here is the full email from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to his employees, saying he will not tolerate intimidation after Trump called for protest. Story here: https://t.co/e6fuuYAKpVpic.twitter.com/8X3thHpwmy erica orden (@eorden) March 19, 2023 The email arrived after the former president, in an all-caps rant to his supporters, called for PROTEST [to] TAKE OUR NATION BACK in posts referencing the DAs office. Story continues The rant followed a report that law enforcement in New York are gearing up for the possibility of an indictment. Several Republicans have since spoken out in support of Trump, including his former vice president, Mike Pence, who told reporters the idea of indicting a former president is deeply troubling to him. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also referred to Bragg as a radical DA and claimed he lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against the former president. Related... An image of the TikTok logo behind a red fence. The Biden administration is demanding Chinese stakeholders divest their ownership in the app. Although it might seem like the U.S. is the only country worried over Chinese ownership of TikTok, concerns about the ByteDance-owned app have quickly spread across the world. In just a few months, more than half a dozen countries have adopted full or partial bans of TikTok on government devices, putting even more pressure on the popular app to completely cut ties with its parent company in China. The string of new bans began in December when Taiwan, ever on alert about Chinas intentions, blocked government employees from using the app on official devices. That same month, the U.S. House of Representatives banned TikTok on devices used by members and staffers. Read more This year, TikTok bans in the halls of government have started popping up all over Europe, with the European Commission, the executive branch of the 27-country European Union, blocking its approximately 32,000 employees from using it. Ever the contrarian, the U.K. initially said it was leaving the choice up to individuals, but then changed its mind and banned TikTok, too. Click through to see which countries have banned TikTok so far. Dec. 8, 2022: Taiwan Bans TikTok Photo: Annabelle Chih (Getty Images) Taiwan bans government and public employees on from installing and using official devices. Dec. 27, 2022: TikTok Banned on Official Devices in the House of Representatives Photo: Sarah Silbiger (Getty Images) The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer emails all members of the House of Representatives and their staffers to inform them that TikTok is not allowed on U.S. government devices. Feb. 23, 2023: European Commission Bans TikTok on Government Devices Photo: Carl Court (Getty Images) The European Commission, the executive arm of the 27 countries in the European Union, banned its roughly 32,000 employees from using TikTok on government devices as well as on personal devices that use government apps and email. Story continues Feb. 27, 2023: Canada Bans TikTok on Government Devices Photo: Dave Chan (Getty Images) Canada banned TikTok from all government devices and did not rule out further action against the Chinese-owned app. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians would likely reflect on what the government ban means for the security of their own data and perhaps make choices. March 1, 2023: The Latvian Foreign Ministry Bans TikTok Photo: Brian Bahr (Getty Images) In a Twitter post, Latvian Foreign Minister said that he had deleted TikTok on his phone and announced that the foreign ministry was now prohibited from using the app. March 6, 2023: Denmark Defense Ministry Bans TikTok Photo: Andrew Redington (Getty Images) After the Danish Center for Cyber Security determined that TikTok posed a risk a espionage, the countrys defense ministry banned the use of the app on its employees devices. Days later on March 10, Denmarks public broadcaster, DR, also blocked TikTok on its workers phones. March 10, 2023: Belgium Bans TikTok on Government Phones Photo: Ronald Martinez (Getty Images) Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo bans TikTok on government devices, citing warnings from the countrys security service and cybersecurity center. In a statement, De Croo stated that Belgium could not be naive and pointed out that TikTok is obligated to cooperate with Chinese intelligence services. March 16, 2023: UK Bans TikTok After Initially Holding Off Photo: Jack Taylor (Getty Images) The UK banned TikTok on government devices effective immediately after initially stating it wouldnt follow other governments and leave the decision up to individual officials. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said the move was proportionate based on the specific risk with government devices. March 17, 2023: New Zealand Bans TikTok on Parliamentary Devices Photo: Hagen Hopkins (Getty Images) The Parliament of New Zealand informed its members that TikTok would be banned on parliamentary devicesat the end of the month, stating that the risks are not acceptable in the current New Zealand parliament environment. March 31, 2023: NATO bans TikTok on employee devices This is NATO headquarters, where you cannot use TikTok The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the transatlantic military alliance of 30 nations, including the U.S., barred its staffers from downloading TikTok on their work devices in late March. The app was already nearly unusable on NATO devices because of cybersecurity restrictions placed on employees of the coalition, but that prohibition became official policy with an email sent to all staffers on March 31. Cybersecurity is a top priority for NATO. NATO has robust requirements for determining applications for official business use. TikTok is not accessible on NATO devices, a senior NATO official told CNN. The ban came a week after TikToks CEO testified before in hopes of convincing lawmakers not to ban the app. It did not go well. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. GAELEN MORSE Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) cautioned MAGA-diehards who plan to protest against Donald Trumps possible indictment after the former president repeatedly called on his supporters to take to the streets. In a rare move, the MAGA-loving congresswomen split from Trumps call for nationwide protests, worried that such events could be hijacked and turn violent. There are a lot of concerns about protests because of people like Ray Epps and Scaffold Commander, Greene told The Daily Beast on Sunday afternoon, expressing worry about a repeat of a Jan. 6which the Georgia congresswoman remains adamant was infiltrated by federal agents. There are a lot of reasons to believe there were feds or fed assets instigating the riot at the Capitol on January 6th. At the same time, Greene told The Daily Beast that she firmly believes Trump supporters have the right to peacefully protest while making clear her objection to Trump protest's lie with federal agents [who] infiltrate political movements and attempt to incite political violence. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy similarly called for Americans to refrain from protesting, telling reporters during a House Republicans retreat on Sunday, I dont think people should protest this, no. Still, he was quick to defend the former president, adding immediately, And I think President Trump, if you talk to him, he doesnt believe that either. Mike Pence Calls Out Potential Trump Indictment as Radical Left Act Previously, following multiple Trump Truth Social posts on Saturday, Greene called on her supporters to avoid protesting. We dont need to protest about the Communists Democrats planning to arrest President Trump and the political weaponization of our government and election interference, Greene tweeted, following Trump demanding protests occur in his name. Since, Greene has echoed a growing sentiment that has begun to gain traction on the political right, which revolves around the theory that Trump indictment protests might be infiltrated with bad-faith actors. Story continues This could be a massive, nationwide setup to get more Patriots into prison, one user on the pro-Trump, The Donald forum said Saturday. Similarly, right-wing pundit Jesse Kelly wrote on Twitter: The last time Trumps biggest fans protested on his behalf, he left them all to rot in jail without so much as a penny from him in legal fees. Additionally, on Sunday, the congresswomen doubled down on the idea that protesting on Trumps behalf was something not in his supporters best interest. How many Feds/Fed assets are in place to turn protest against the political arrest of Pres Trump into violence? she asked on Twitter. The Bathroom Fight Fueling Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boeberts Break-Up The Georgia congresswoman later referred to the likely charges behind the possible Trump indictmentwhich reportedly revolves around alleged payments to pornstar Stormy Danielsas that of stupid fake charges. So far, there are only a handful of pro-Trump protests on the books, including one being promoted by failed Republican congressional hopeful Mike Crispi and another led by The New York Young Republican's chapter, which is slated to occur in lower Manhattan. Earlier this year, The Daily Beast reported that Greene is on the shortlist of potential vice presidential Trump picks for 2024. Trumps Shortlist of VP Picks All Have One Thing in Common Shes been characterized as Trump in heels, a Trumpworld source previously told The Daily Beast, adding that Greene and Trump speak all the time. Despite being wary of protests, Greene does hope that Trump supporters show up in one place in large numbers: The former presidents upcoming rally. Trumpworld Attacks DeSantis Over Not Condemning Looming Trump Indictment Where I think everyone should show up is in Waco, Texas, on Saturday, she told The Daily Beast. President Trump is holding a huge rally to Save America. We need to send a loud and clear message: Donald Trump is OUR PRESIDENT! Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. A massive fire at a multi-family in Medford forced two families out of their homes late Saturday night. Two families, at least six residents, were living in the multi-family on George Street when flames began to erupt, according to Medford Fire Chief John Freedman. The fire engulfed a significant portion of the home, prompting crews to raise a fourth alarm to call more manpower to the scene. Even after the bulk of the fire had been extinguished, a small armys worth of firefighters still lingered at the scene after midnight, monitoring hotspots. None of the residents or any of the responding firefighters were injured. #Breaking The scene right now in #Medford. Multiple alarm fire at the intersection George Street and College Ave. The whole area is shut down. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/hVhQHMiLKu James Cullity (@JCullityNews) March 19, 2023 The fire was difficult to fight due to the high amount of small spaces in the home, said Freedman. The Fire Department is actively investigating a cause. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. A massive buildup of seaweed that scientists have tracked for months has started to wash ashore the Sunshine State, with experts warning that the worst could still be ahead. Reports from Key West, Fort Lauderdale and other South Florida communities show clumps of brown seaweed piled up along what are usually white, sandy beaches. Experts from the University of South Florida and other institutions have tracked the sargassum with the help of satellites and believe the amount of seaweed in the Atlantic basin was around 6.1 million tons, the second-highest amount ever recorded during February. Dr. Brian Barnes, an assistant research professor at the University of South Floridas College of Marine Science, is monitoring the seaweed and believes larger amounts should be offshore during the late spring and early summer. "Larger amounts should be offshore Florida starting in April through July or so. Most of this, however, will stay offshore. If the currents and winds dictate, a patch may be pushed ashore to impact beaches on a local scale," Barnes stated. RED TIDE TRACKER: FLORIDA BEACHES FACE RED TIDE THREAT AS TRAVELERS HEAD SOUTH FOR SPRING BREAK According to the Florida Health Department, the seaweed is not harmful to humans, but it can still lead to impacts. Aside from an unpleasant odor, similar to that of rotten eggs, tiny creatures living in the sargassum can produce rashes and blisters. Health experts advise people never to eat seaweed because it also may contain large amounts of heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium. For many species of marine life, the brown algae is actually considered to be helpful, and biologists believe that the buildup provides food and refuge for fish, crabs, shrimp and other smaller organisms. SEE THE MASSIVE ALLIGATOR FOUND LURKING IN A SOUTH FLORIDA SWAMP The sargassum is quite different from the red tide event that is simultaneously impacting Florida beaches, mainly along the Gulf Coast. Story continues Red tide is a harmful algal bloom and was spotted in the days after Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida and expanded during early 2023. The ongoing toxic event caused hundreds of fish to wash ashore, and biologists believe that even manatees have been impacted by high levels of the organism known as Karenia brevis. Specialists havent nailed down what causes some years to have a more extensive algae production than others but point to a combination of variable factors, including runoff from major waterways. "Its hard to know causation, but, in general, blooms will occur when you have the right suite of conditions: temperature, light, a seed and nutrients," Barnes stated. FROM SEAWEED TO SOIL: SOUTH FLORIDA BEACH TOWN FINDS A SOLUTION TO A STINKY PROBLEM Asides from being unpleasant to see and smell, algae plumes can cost coastal communities big money for clean up, and the events can even drive tourists away. An effort in 2018 to clean up beaches in the Caribbean from a massive bloom was estimated by the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre to be more than $120 million, and a study found that a severe sargassum year in South Florida would yield similar impacts. According to a study conducted for the Florida Keys and Monroe County, a significant sargassum event could cost the heavy tourism-reliant region at least $20 million in economic losses and hundreds of local jobs. MBA Salaries Grew 5.6% In 2022 At This No. 1 European B-School IESE Business School has released its MBA and MiM Class of 2022 employment reports They started their business school journeys in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. By the time the IESE MBA and MiM Classes of 2022 graduated last year, the employment landscape had changed dramatically for the better. IESE reported Friday (March 17) that 95% of graduates of the MBA Class of 2022 secured a job offer within three months of graduation, up from 94% for the Class of 2021. Just 87% of the Class of 2020, graduating in the teeth of coronavirus, had secured jobs after 90 days. Once again in 2022, consulting was IESE MBAs most popular destination, attracting 33% of the class of 376, down slightly from 34%, followed by diversified industries (28%, up from 24%), finance (21%, down from 25%), and technology (18%, up from 17%). Within industries, the most popular sectors are health care (11%, up from 10%), energy & manufacturing (8%, up from 6%) and retail (7%, same as last year). Overall base salaries grew 5.6% to 92,500, or just over $99,000, for graduates of the MBA ranked No. 1 in Europe by Poets&Quants. Base salaries averaged 87,613 for the Class of 2021, up from 85,046 in 2019. The lower end of the salary range dropped to 30,000 from 46,162, but the upper end climbed to 181,000 (nearly $194K) from 168,652, an increase of 7.3%. Average other compensation exploded, however, to 72,900 ($78K) from 50,480; and one lucky grad reported a high bonus of 286,600 about $307K. Impressive but not as much as the high bonus reported in 2021 of nearly $400,000. IESE also released its Master in Management jobs report last week, showing that 96% of graduates were employed within three months of graduation. MBA Salaries Grew 5.6% In 2022 At This No. 1 European B-School Source: IESE FAR FEWER MAKE THE MBA TRIPLE JUMP Twenty-two percent of IESEs latest MBA class leveraged their experience to make the challenging career triple jump a simultaneous change in industry, job function, and location. That may seem like a big number but its down one third from last year, when fully one-third of IESEs 2021 MBA class (33%) made the triple jump, about the same proportion of the 2020 MBA class; both were up from 21% of the class in 2019. The return to a pre-pandemic rate of triple-jumping seems to be happening elsewhere, too: In the 2020 class of HEC Paris MBAs, 45% made the triple jump; in 2021, that number had shrunk to 40%. Story continues The region most IESE MBAs work in does not involve a literal jump: Europe (excluding Spain) was the most sought-after region to work in, with 37% of graduates accepting jobs there, followed by Spain itself (23%). One-fifth of the class relocates to Latin America for work. Amazon, Bain & Company, Citi, Mastercard, McKinsey & Company, Pepsico and Uber were among the top recruiters. The class of 2022 initiated the MBA program in the middle of the global Covid-19 pandemic and graduated into a world and job market very different to the one they knew before this, says Patrik Wallen, director of IESEs Career Development Center, in an introduction to the new employment report. However, our graduates have explored an increasingly broad range of career paths and 95% of them found employment within three months of graduation. The consulting sector remains the most popular destination for IESE MBA students, followed by diversified industries, which has increased from previous years. MBA Salaries Grew 5.6% In 2022 At This No. 1 European B-School Source: IESE A CHALLENGING & REWARDING MBA Founded in 1958, IESE in 1963 formed an alliance with Harvard Business School and launched the first two-year MBA program in Europe. It remains one of the few two-year programs taught almost entirely by case study. As Poets&Quants Editor-in-Chief John Byrne wrote in February in announcing our 2023 international MBA ranking, which IESE topped for the first time by unseating long-time No. 1 INSEAD: To this day, the first-year workload (at IESE) in particular is highly challenging. Students are expected to essentially read and absorb three cases a day, five days a week. It adds up to about 4,000 pages of reading, says Marc-Olivier Granger, a 2021 IESE grad who now works for the Boston Consulting Group. Add on top of the academics the time spent on recruiting and extracurricular activities and you get very busy very fast. However, after having been through that first year and reflecting back, I can definitely say that all that effort pays off. Coming from a non-business background, my learning curve was steep and the academic rigor of IESE allowed me to become a full 360-degree manager now. When we started the MBA, we were told by faculty and students, to trust the process and Im glad I did.' IESES MiM GRADS: POISED TO HAVE A DEEP, POSITIVE & LASTING IMPACT Of the 96% of IESE 2022 Master in Management graduates, 40% chose consulting roles, while 21% chose finance, 14% either consumer goods or technology, 8% industry, and 3% retail. Forty-six percent stayed in Spain for work, while 38% moved elsewhere in Europe. The IESE MiM was launched in 2019 and is taught from the B-schools Madrid campus and attracts younger students with college degrees but less professional experience than their MBA counterparts. Talented individuals from every corner of the globe came to IESE with unique characteristics and diverse backgrounds, Wallen says of the MiM Class of 2022. They completed the IESE program, working together with their peers on myriad business cases and assignments, building the necessary skills for tomorrows business leaders, and being influenced by the pillars of the schools mission: professional excellence, integrity and spirit of service. We strongly believe that they are in a unique position to have a deep, positive and lasting impact on people, companies and society. DONT MISS MEET IESES MBA CLASS OF 2023 and IESES MBA CLASS OF 2021 EMPLOYMENT REPORT The post MBA Salaries Grew 5.6% In 2022 At This No. 1 European B-School appeared first on Poets&Quants. Washington Rep. Patrick McHenry, the chair of the House Financial Services Committee, said Sunday that he believes "all options should be on the table" to prevent further crisis in the banking sector following the abrupt collapses of two banks this month, including allowing a large, too-big-to-fail institution to buy a smaller, troubled one. In an interview with "Face the Nation," McHenry said Congress must explore the circumstances that led to the closures of Silicon Valley Bank on March 10 and Signature Bank of New York two days later, as well as the Biden administration's response, including whether there was the opportunity for a larger bank to step in and rescue the two failing institutions. The North Carolina Republican that "what I need to get to the bottom of investigatively, in Congress, is the who, what, when, where, why, and how of these bank failures and the decision over" last weekend by the Biden administration to deploy emergency measures to shore up the banking system and backstop deposits at those banks. "We saw a private sector response to help support a bank," he said. "Was that a viable option last weekend? Or was there an ideological lens that prevented them from taking these institutions and making it less turbulent for America?" Transcript: Rep. Patrick McHenry on "Face the Nation" McHenry said while lawmakers do not know whether the Biden administration had a viable buyer for Silicon Valley Bank last weekend, Congress has received comments from bankers saying they were prevented from bidding to acquire the failed lender. Rep. Patrick McHenry on "I think we know we had a very rough week for American banking, and we lost confidence," he said. "And I think that raises the questions of what happened last weekend." Asked whether a systemically large bank should be able to buy a troubled bank like First Republic, a regional lender battered by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, McHenry said "all options should be on the table." Story continues The rapid failure of Silicon Valley Bank has renewed scrutiny on federal banking regulators and prompted discussions on Capitol Hill of whether Congress should tighten rules on mid-sized banks. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, told "Face the Nation" on Sunday that she favors a plan to lift the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's (FDIC) insurance cap above $250,000, though McHenry said he has not had "a single conversation" with the White House or Biden administration about changing the deposit insurance levels. "What I will do though, legislatively, and in an oversight function is to determine whether or not we need to address the FDIC deposit level," he said. "We did it after the last financial crisis, raising from $100,000 to $250,000." But McHenry said "all options are on the table" for responding to the banking crisis. "If we do this, we have to understand their trade-offs," he said. "It is not a pure play of allowing a larger set of insurance coverage. It costs the financial system significantly, and especially community banks. We need to look very carefully at this." McHenry has already scheduled a hearing of his Financial Services Committee with the head of the FDIC and Federal Reserve's vice chair for supervision. But he did not say whether he plans to call on Mary Daly, head of the San Francisco Fed, to answer questions from Congress. "We need to understand the decisions that were made last weekend, from Thursday until Sunday night on whether or not there's a viable private sector solution. We also need to understand the underlying causes of the collapse of these banks, and we're going to get to that," he said. "The question of the San Francisco Fed is a question of supervision. We need to get to the bottom of whether or not this is a supervisory problem, regulatory problem, a bank mismanagement problem, perhaps all three in all frankness." Cohn says there's a "contagion effect" if people lose confidence in banks Full interview: Rep. Patrick McHenry McHenry: "All options should be on the table" in allowing large banks to buy troubled smaller ones Former national security adviser H.R. McMaster predicted in an interview on Sunday that more evidence of China assisting Russia in its invasion in Ukraine will be revealed in the coming days and weeks. I think what youre going to see in the coming days and weeks is more and more evidence of Chinese support, he told CBSs Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. China doesnt want to get caught doing this, right, because at the same time, as theyre helping the Russians murder Ukrainians, theyre also saying, Hey, China is open for business, he said. And theyre trying to appeal to American and other investors to continue to prop up their status mercantilist model, even as they commit genocide. McMaster, a longtime Army general, served as national security adviser under former President Trump. Trumps last secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, determined in his final day in office that Chinas communist government was committing crimes against humanity against the ethnic Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. U.S. officials said last month that China has provided nonlethal aid to Russia, and was considering sending lethal aid to the country to help in its war against Ukraine. The Pentagon warned that China will face consequences if it sends the lethal aid to Russia. The warnings over Ukraine come as the U.S. says China intends in the coming years to assert control over independent Taiwan, potentially through military force. China has denied any plans to arm Russias war in Ukraine, or claims of genocide in Xinjiang. Beijing considers Taiwan part of China, however, the island has long governed itself. McMaster said that Chinese President Xi Jinpings speeches to the Peoples Congress last week was essentially preparing the Chinese people for war. Xi told the Congress, upon securing his third term in power, that the communist party must build Chinas army into a great wall of steel that effectively safeguards national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Story continues McMaster added that the United States has given China coercive power over Americas economy, and that it was time to rethink those economic ties. And so I think its time for us really to assess the degree to which we have been over many years underwriting in many ways, our own demise, with investments in China and really not doing more to shore-up, shore-up fragile supply chains, weve essentially given an authoritarian regime coercive power over our economy, he said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In the Sawtooth mountains of Idaho, it took just moments for Steve Rinella and his bow-hunting buddy, Dan, to spot some pronghorn antelope in the distant brush. Cowan tagged along with perhaps one of the most recognizable hunters in all America, though he'd never hunted a day in his life. "I do what I was born to do, which is what I like," Rinella said. He's the creator and host of the popular TV and web series, "MeatEater," now in its 11th season. It's hunting the way a hunter sees it up close and personal and for Rinella, hunting is personal. He said, "At my core, I like nature, I like hunting, I like fishing, I like eating the stuff that I hunt and fish for. And I turned that into the work I do." He came to hunting the way most people do; his father hunted. Back then he saw it largely just as a sport. "When I was 18, I was obsessed with hunting and fishing. I did not know nor use the word conservation. In my mind, all the resources we enjoyed, they fell from the sky they were there for the taking." "And they would always be there for the taking?' asked Cowan. "Get yours while the getting's good." Hunter Steve Rinella, the creator and host of the popular series, But today, conservation is at the heart of almost everything "MeatEater" does. The quality of the hunting, he says, is only as good as the health of the population being hunted, be it deer, fish, or anything else. His point is that loving the wild, while still taking a wild animal's life, are not mutually exclusive. "I've never encountered in my life a person who holds wild game in high regard who doesn't hold wildlife in high regard," Rinella said. "And they understand that there's a limit on how much we can pull from it, or you end up dismantling and destroying the whole thing." Whether you agree with that or not, it's nothing new. Charles Darwin, Ernest Hemingway, and John James Audubon all loved nature and hunting. And then there's Theodore Roosevelt, who especially loved the land. Rinella said, "He saved about 50,000 acres of mountains, plains, woodlands in this country for every day he was in office. Why? He was inspired to do that through a relationship with hunting." Story continues That same idea respecting the resource is what he's trying to teach his own children, and in part he's doing it through food. At his home in Bozeman, Montana, Rinella's refrigerator is stocked with the frozen spoils of his adventures in the wild: Elk meat, ducks, wild turkey. Everything in here, he says, has a story that brings with it a discussion. "Every night that we eat, we eat something that we grew, that we hunted, that we found out in the woods, that we found in our backyard," he said. "And there's not a night goes by, I'm not kidding, there's not a night goes by that we don't talk about it." His cooking has attracted non-hunting viewers as well. Rinella has become the "Julia Child of the campfire." The last third of almost every "MeatEater" episode is cooking the day's catch or kill, in ways that make the woods look like a 3-star Michelin restaurant, like the time he stirred up a stag and pumpkin stew. / Credit: Random House Rinella said, "I've read this story dozens of times, there'd be, like, shock: 'Wow, this chef, this famous chef' whatever, name your famous chef! 'has become interested in hunting.' Of course he is. 'Cause he's interested in food!" Rinella's not trying to convince animal rights advocates to suddenly become hunters themselves. But what he hopes anyone who is interested in the show will come away with is the notion that hunters aren't always the enemies of animal welfare. "I'm talking to my kind; by that, I mean I'm talking to other, like, outdoorsmen and outdoors women," he said. "I'm also talking to people who are, like, kicking the tires on this world, who are curious about it. They weren't curious, they wouldn't be watching." "MeatEater" has now grown into having a lifestyle brand clothes and products for hunting. He's written a number of bestselling books, including cookbooks. And he has a top-rated podcast as well. His brand is based on his singular philosophy: that none of us live on the land, we live with it. For more info: themeateater.comMeatEater recipes Story produced by David Rothman. Editor: Emanuele Secci. See also: Baghdad on the 20th anniversary of "shock and awe" McMaster says there will soon be "more and more evidence" that China is supporting Russia Podcast co-hosts Swisher and Galloway on the "two Americas in Silicon Valley" Doug Sibila is the CEO of logistics company Peoples Services Inc. in Stark County the parent company of Total Distribution Inc. and Peoples Cartage, Inc. Doug Sibila is the CEO of Peoples Services Inc. the parent company of Total Distribution Inc. and Peoples Cartage Inc. He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1983 and the University of Notre Dame in 1987 with a bachelors degree and a double major in business administration and accounting and finance. Today, he and his wife Carrie Strayer live in Plain Township. The couple have two daughters, Helen and Kathryn, and a cat named Goldie. (See correction at bottom of story.) They just lost their 14-year-old dog, Maggie. Sibila started his career with People Services by spending summers and breaks through college moving furniture, working in the warehouse and when old enough, he drove a truck. More Chad Smith:School resource officer at Plain Local After I graduated college, I worked three years with Andersen Consulting (now known as Accenture) as a staff and senior analyst and during my last year there, I worked with the Strategic Services Logistics practice in New York City, he said. Upon returning to Peoples Services in 1990, I spent time in West Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia, running our moving operations before returning to Canton in 1992. I took over sales and marketing and then took over as CEO in 2000 when Max Blair retired. We now have a professional management team, which I lead. The company is a regional asset-based third-party logistics company with over 650 employees operating 8 million square feet over 45 locations in seven states Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. We act as the distribution center for our customers. We handle a variety of products including ketchup, ice cream, aluminum truck wheels, construction materials, plastics, chemicals, pet products, aluminum cans, cigars and consumer products," Sibila said. "We operate 80 tractors and over 300 trailers and are in the top 30 warehouse companies in the United States according to Transport Topics." Story continues Doug Sibila is the CEO of logistics company Peoples Services Inc. in Stark County the parent company of Total Distribution Inc. and Peoples Cartage, Inc. You recently were one of the Ohio executives to receive the 2022 Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award recognizing you and your company as one of the 50 smartest companies in Northeast Ohio. Would you share what that means to you and your family? It means more to the company and employees in recognition of the growth and success we have had in the last 12 years. How does it feel to be able to successfully carry forward your family business as a third-generation member? It is an honor and an obligation to the legacy of my grandfather and grandmother who started a moving company in 1936 and that my uncle and father continued. I am very fortunate to have the example and foundation that my father left for us to build upon when I became CEO. Which family member started TDI and what other family members have been at the helm? My grandfather Ray Sibila started Sibila Trucking in 1936 with one truck, after losing his garage repair business during the Depression. He moved in with his uncle Adam and aunt Marie along with his three kids, Jean, Don and Ron. He purchased Peoples Cartage Inc. in 1946 from the Schrader family, who had started Peoples in 1914. After Ray retired in the 1970s, his oldest son, Don Sibila became president. In 1986, my father, Ron Sibila bought out his brother. It was in 1986 we started the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Currently, the employees own 20% of the company. Max Blair was CEO from 1992 until he retired in 2000 when I was named CEO. Ron Sibila is still chairman of the board. You were also recognized with a specialty award for TDIs sustainability in business. Why is it important to you to be committed to growth and sustainability in the communities where your company operates? It has always been part of our DNA to be involved in the communities where we operate. We live and play where we work, and we have a moral obligation to leave our community better than we found it. We need to grow or risk not being around for long. What stands out to you about how businesses operate in Stark County? We have great people in Stark County with solid integrity and a strong work ethic. I am proud of this area and what it has to offer. We have a tradition of helping each other, not for recognition but because it is the right thing to do. People do not put on airs or are too flashy, they treat other people the way they want to be treated, regardless of where they come from or what they can do for someone. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story omitted the first name of Doug Sibila's wife. Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Five questions with Doug Sibila, of logistics company Peoples Services Angela Tatum Malloy, Momma's Village founder, Black maternal health professional. Angela Tatum Malloy is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Angela Tatum Malloy is working to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for Black families in the Sandhills region of Eastern North Carolina through breastfeeding education and doula care. Black women are between three and four times as likely to die in pregnancy or postpartum as white women in the U.S., according to a study from the American Journal of Public Health. In a failing system, Black women have it three times worse, she said. Its something that needs to be addressed. Tatum Malloy, 55, founded Momma's Village, a nonprofit clinic that offers African-centered birth and breastfeeding support, postpartum care, parenting education and mental health resources for Black families in the Fayetteville, North Carolina, area. Her clinic is one of two in North Carolina leading a $10-million, five-year statewide study that measures the impact of doula support and a system that alerts medical staff to warning signs like missed appointments and high blood pressure on health outcomes for Black mothers. Infant birthweight, emergency department visits, hospitalizations and self-reported incidents of racism will be measured to determine the effectiveness of the interventions. Tatum Malloy oversees 40 clinics in the study. An internationally certified lactation consultant and trained African-centered community doula, Tatum Malloy provides training for other Black women who enter the field of birth support. Black doulas play an effective role in saving the lives of Black women from preventable conditions, she said. "We're able to be that bridge between the mother and the provider so that there's better communication." Story continues Tatum Malloy has also strengthened support and social acceptance of breastfeeding in the Black community by helping Fayetteville and Cumberland County meet World Health Organization guidelines for the Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community Designation. The designation sends the message that the community respects a familys desires and appreciates the benefits of breastfeeding to the health of the child, the mother, the family and the community, according to the Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute website. Breastfeeding can lessen the likelihood of life-threatening conditions like cancer and diabetes, which are among the leading causes of maternal deaths in Black women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bringing visibility to Black breastfeeding mothers helps undo racist stigma toward the practice, which stems from wet-nursing, when enslaved Black women were forced to breastfeed slaveowners' children, and later, marketing campaigns for brands like Pet Milk that cast Black breastmilk as inferior to infant formula, Tatum Malloy said. While her research and advocacy are centered on Black maternal and infant health, she said that undoing racism will improve outcomes for all women. For her work, Tatum Malloy has been named USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from North Carolina. When we address systemic racism, everybody improves, Tatum Malloy said. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Who paved the way for you? There are so many strong Black women that have come before me, women like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, my grandma, my mom, my mother-in-law. My mom was one of the first three Black women to be in the Miss Fayetteville Terry Sanford beauty pageant. Who have you paved the way for? Im still paving the way; Im not done. Im paving the way for my five kids, eight grandchildren and many young people in the community who are looking for a life that allows them to dream and be successful and not have systemic racism be a barrier. Is there a mantra that you live by? Persistence and determination. That two-word mantra allows me to accomplish anything that I seek out to do, like get police oversight or address issues with our unhoused, or even get all of my children to come home at the same time for our feast days. I like that I have persistence and determination tattooed on my forearms. Its a reminder to myself and a reminder to others that I'm not leaving until I do what I set out to do. Angela Tatum Malloy, Momma's Village founder, Black maternal health professional. What is your definition of courage? It's being comfortable with being uncomfortable, whether youre making change in systems or just within a relationship, friendship or marriage. Its allowing oneself to sit in that discomfort and having the fortitude to push through, despite that urge to flee. As we know with children, they go through growth spurts. Growth spurts are painful, but we know that they cant get to the next level of maturity if they dont go through that. We must have that level of courage to experience discomfort so that we can grow and change in our own personal lives and as a country. How do you overcome adversity? I believe we have what we speak. If you speak strength, power and solutions, thats what you'll have. Every situation I am faced with, thats how I approach it. Who do you look up to? Three women have been most instrumental in allowing me to be who I am. My mother-in-law, my mother and my grandmother. I have never known a woman who has wholeheartedly sacrificed her life to her children and her grandchildren like my mother-in-law from the age of 19 to now. She might be exhausted, but if she sees that we have a need, she fills it. My mother went through the loss of two daughters and her mother and went on to have a 30-year career of teaching other people's children. The strength and passion that she poured into children encourages me. I can never get down on myself because I look at the strength she displayed. My grandmother lost her mother at 8 years old and went on to become a matriarch in our family. It was amazing what she was able to do with an eighth-grade education. Their love has allowed me to be the woman that I have. It's the reason that I have the strength to do the things I set out to accomplish. What advice would you give your younger self? Sit down at your grandmother's feet, ask all the questions and listen. Write those recipes down! If I could go back in time, I would get her banana nut bread recipe, watch her bake everything from scratch, can all the vegetables she grew, learn to treat different ailments with things she would find in the yard. And, dont quit playing the violin because you will regret it! This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: How Fayetteville doula fights to improve Black maternal, infant health CEO Ralph Hamers of Swiss bank UBS addresses the Annual Meeting of Swiss Financial Institute (SFI) in Zurich, Switzerland November 10, 2022. Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters UBS CEO Ralph Hamers is a key figure in negotiations to buy Credit Suisse and prevent its collapse. The 56-year-old exec has worked in Swiss banking for more than three decades and is a proponent of digital innovation. Here's a look at the life of Hamers. In tense, down-to-the-wire negotiations, UBS is working to eke out a deal to buy Credit Suisse and prevent a bank collapse before international markets open Monday, led in part by the Swiss bank giant's CEO, Ralph Hamers. The 56-year-old Dutch businessman has been at the helm of UBS since November 2020, joining the bank after more than 30 years at ING Group. Beyond his financial acumen, Hamers has become known for his quirks, including often appearing sans tie and with his shirt collar open, according to Barron's, a rarity in the buttoned-up world of finance. Hamers is known for appearing without a tie and with his shirt collar open. Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters Considered a digital innovator at ING and UBS, he told CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2022 that he said he wanted to make the bank the "Netflix of wealth." "When we started to develop our new strategy around how we can become the wealth ecosystem, how can we become the Netflix of wealth, of banking, it was about how do we get out content ... in a more digital way," he said. "How do we make it so they consume the content in the way they consume media, like a Netflix, where they watch a trailer and think, 'I like this, I want to see more of this'?" Despite leading ING through turbulent times including course-correcting the bank as it struggled to repay a bailout of 10 billion he also was involved in a 2018 probe into the company's failure to adhere to anti-money laundering regulations. ING ultimately was slapped with a nearly $900 million fine for not adequately preventing financial crime, according to BBC News. At the time, he said the bank took "full responsibility" and its failure to follow policy was "unacceptable," BBC News reported. Hamers has been married to Patricia van Nimwegen since 1997, and the couple have twins. Read the original article on Business Insider Three men were arrested in West Palm Beach Friday night during St. Patrick's Day festivities. WEST PALM BEACH Two Miami-Dade County men accused of stealing wallets and phones from five St. Patrick's Day partiers and a bartender in downtown West Palm Beach on Friday night were arrested and charged, but not before they and a third accomplice paid for $75 worth of shots with stolen credit cards, city police said Sunday. Jose Gonzalez Rodriguez, 45, of Hialeah, and Orlando Milan, 54, of Miami, were arrested Friday night. Gonzalez Rodriguez was charged with credit card theft and credit card fraud, while Milan was charged with possession of a stolen credit card, the release said. A third Miami-Dade County man was arrested but police have not yet charged him, and did not disclose his name. Most of downtown West Palm Beach's Clematis Street had been blocked off Friday night for a massive St. Patrick's Day party that spanned several blocks. Hundreds of people enjoyed live music, St. Patrick's Day drink specials and a packed bar scene that centered around Roxy's Pub to the east and O'Shea's Pub to the west. Around 11 p.m. Friday, five women from Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Pennsylvania were at Roxy's Pub when they realized some of their cellphones and wallets had been stolen from their purses. West Palm Beach Police confirmed that the womens' credit cards had already been used in the same area at Grease Burger Bar on Clematis Street and 123 Datura, a bar and club east of the St. Patrick's Day scene. Three men using the cards had rung up hundreds in charges, including a $75 round of shots, the news release said. Police arrested the men, and charged Gonzalez Rodriguez and Milan in connection with the stolen credit cards. After their arrest, a bartender at 123 Datura discovered her cellphone was missing. Police found the phone in the Nissan Rogue the three men were driving, which was impounded when they were arrested. As of Sunday morning, Gonzalez Rodriguez had been released from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office main detention center on a personal recognizance bond. Milan remained detained on $4,500 bail. Story continues 11 charged with DUI on Friday night, Saturday morning There was a heavy police presence in downtown West Palm Beach on St. Patrick's Day, a popular day for partying and consuming alcohol. Detention center records show that 11 people were arrested and charged with driving under the influence across Palm Beach County between noon on Friday and noon on Saturday. One person was arrested and charged with public disorderly intoxication. Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work, subscribe today! This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Men arrested for stealing cards at West Palm Beach St. Patrick's Day Surveillance image showing two individuals illegally crossing the US/Canada border in January 2023 at the Vermont, New Hampshire and New York enforcement sector. Federal authorities have added 25 border patrol agents at a section of the northeastern U.S. border with Quebec in response to a spike in illegal crossings. United States Border Patrol Swanton sector photo via AP Local authorities call for more support on the US-Canada border, according to a new report by NBC News. There has been a spike in illegal border crossing from Canada into the northeastern US in recent months. The snowy cross-border journey is perilous, as people are in danger of freezing to death. Local authorities on the northern US border are calling for more support after an influx of migrant crossings from Canada into remote parts of upstate New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Earlier this month, federal border officials added 25 patrol agents to the snowy border region to "help to deter and disrupt human smuggling activities in the sector," a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. In order to surpass the busy and dangerous journey north from the Mexican border, Mexican officials said migrants and asylum-seekers would fly to Mexico to Canada and head south, according to CNN. While migrants risk their lives in the parched, arid region of the Mexico-US border, the journey south from Quebec to the northeastern US is similarly dangerous, however, as people are in danger of freezing to death in the bitter climate. A sheriff in Clinton County, New York, told NBC News that his team assisted Border Patrol in rescuing 39 migrants last week, some of whose clothes had frozen to their bodies. "We are seeing more and more people, and it can be a deadly terrain if you're not familiar with it," Sheriff David Favro said in an exclusive report published by NBC News on Friday. Favro said the 25 federal agents added to the area, known as the Swanton Sector, is not sufficient given the icy, wild conditions and the amount of ground that has to be covered. This Feb. 10, 2020 photo shows the headquarters of the U.S. Border Patrol's Swanton Sector in Swanton, Vt. Law enforcement officials say a Mexican immigrant who just entered the United States illegally from Canada collapsed and later died after being confronted by Border Patrol agents on a remote section of the US-Canadian border in northern Vermont. Wilson Ring/ Associated Press Other local officials told the news outlet they recently helped rescue a Mexican woman who was later treated for frostbite and hypothermia. Last month, in the depths of winter, a man from Mexico died after making the freezing journey from Quebec to Vermont. Story continues Agents have apprehended more people crossing into the US from Canada in the last five months than the last three fiscal years combined, according to a statement by US Border Patrol Swanton Sector. The total number of people apprehended along the entire northern border this fiscal year is 2,227 a small fraction of those apprehended along the US-Mexico border 762,383 people during that same period, per the Associated Press. The increase in unlawful border crossings between Quebec and parts of New England has prompted calls for talks between President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make changes to immigration policy. In recent years, migrants and asylum seekers have also tried to make the opposite journey. Thousands have tried to leave the United States for Canada in the same rural region, particularly under the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies, Insider previously reported. The Safe Third Country Agreement is a legal pact between the US and Canada, where those seeking refugee status must apply for it in the first country they arrive in. Trudeau recently called for a renegotiation of the agreement as the number of migrants at the US-Canada border increases. Read the original article on Insider The City of Miami Beach has introduced a midnight curfew after two fatal shootings and excessively large and unruly crowds, said officials. One person was killed and another injured when violence broke out on Friday night in the South Beach area amid spring break and St Patricks Day celebrations, according to police. Miami Beach police said one person was shot and killed and another person was injured in the early hours of Sunday morning. A state of emergency was put in place on Sunday night, with a curfew in place from 11.59pm until 6am on Monday morning. In response to the two shootings and the excessively large and unruly crowds, and to mitigate dangerous and illegal conduct, the City of Miami Beach has ordered a state of emergency and a 11.59pm curfew to take effect on Sunday, March 19, 2023 through 6am Monday, March 20, 2023, the city said in a statement. The city will hold a special commission meeting on Monday afternoon to discuss potential restrictions beyond Monday. City manager Alina Hudak wants to impose a similar curfew beginning on Thursday and continuing through the weekend, until Monday, 27 March, reported WPLG. Hotels in the city are allowed to continue normal business operations past the curfew but only for guests. The city of Miami Beach declared a state of emergency and announced a midnight curfew Sunday after two deadly shootings rocked Ocean Drive this weekend amid huge spring break crowds. City Manager Alina Hudak issued the order after a fatal shooting around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on Ocean Drive near 11th Street. City officials initially declined to impose a curfew after one person was killed and another wounded in a shooting Friday night around 10:30 p.m. on Ocean Drive but changed course after the second shooting Sunday. The curfew will take effect Sunday night into Monday and apply to all of South Beach, an area bounded by 23rd Street and Dade Boulevard on the north, Government Cut on the south, Biscayne Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The area includes Ocean Drive and other party strips in the citys entertainment district. People wont be allowed out in those areas from midnight to 6 a.m. Violators could be arrested, the city said. READ MORE: Declaration of state of emergency and midnight curfew In a press release, the city said the decision was in response to the two shootings and the excessively large and unruly crowds, and to mitigate dangerous and illegal conduct. It is the necessary and the most narrowly-tailored approach to include the entire South Beach area ... in the emergency curfew area in order to prevent the migration of massive crowds from the Ocean Drive area into the surrounding residential areas, Hudak wrote in the emergency order. A map shows where a midnight curfew will be in effect in South Beach on Sunday night into Monday. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber released a video message shortly after the curfew was announced. As is the case with most serious crime in our city, both shootings were between visitors to Miami Beach and did not involve residents. In both cases, police were literally seconds away from the incidents, and arrests were made within minutes, Gelber said. That said, it is clear that even an unprecedented police presence could not prevent these incidents from occurring. Story continues This state of emergency and curfew is only in effect until Monday. Because Hudak can only issue emergency orders over 72-hour periods, the Miami Beach City Commission will meet Monday to possibly impose another curfew next weekend, from March 23 to 27. Under the curfew, people must leave commercial businesses before midnight, the city said. Hotels can operate past midnight but only service their own guests. Restaurants can operate after curfew for delivery only, according to the order, with takeout prohibited. The curfew wont apply to emergency services, people going to and from work, and residents and hotel guests requiring access to their homes and hotels. Residents are advised to return to the City prior to 11:59 p.m., in order to avoid any potential traffic delays once the curfew has taken effect, the city said in its press release. The citys programming aimed at calming the spring break atmosphere, including an Art on the Drive event that has Ocean Drive shut down to cars this weekend from Fifth to 13th streets, is expected to conclude around 6 p.m. Sunday to allow police and city officials to prepare for the curfew. The sale of alcohol for off-premises consumption will also be banned after 6 p.m. Gelber said in his video message that he believes the citys daytime programming has helped with crowd control and that daytime incidents and arrests are down from last year. Still, he said, the volume of people in our city, the unruly nature of too many, and the presence of guns has created a peril that cannot go unchecked, especially in the evenings. READ MORE: One dead in another fatal spring break shooting on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach The decision mirrors what happened during spring break last year, when Miami Beach declared a midnight curfew in South Beach after two shooting incidents on Ocean Drive injured five people over the third weekend in March. People walk down Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. In 2021, the city declared an 8 p.m. curfew during spring break and also shut down major causeways to prevent people from crossing Biscayne Bay and entering Miami Beach. The city did not shut its causeways last year and will not do so this year, officials said, citing concerns about the legality of the move. The citys curfews and police responses have been controversial in the past. In 2021, police used SWAT teams and pepper-spray bullets to try to clear Ocean Drive and control crowds after curfew, prompting criticism and allegations of racism. In 2020, the Miami-Dade chapter of the NAACP called on the citys police chief to resign after videos showed police officers roughing up Black spring breakers. As I have said many times, we dont ask for spring break in our city. We dont want spring break in our city. Its too rowdy, brings too much disorder, and is simply too difficult to police, Gelber said. While most come here to enjoy the amenities of Miami Beach ... the few that come with bad intentions and the presence of guns creates a wholly intolerable situation. Notwithstanding an enormous deployment of police, at times it remains a tinder. Gelber said police had seized more than 70 guns over the past three weeks. Bobby Hernandez, the president of the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police, said the union supports the curfew but wishes it had been imposed before this weekend began. This happens every spring break and we were expecting it, he said. Hernandez said he doesnt believe police could have stopped the two recent shootings, both of which happened in crowded areas with many officers nearby. Everyone wants a simple solution for a complicated issue, Hernandez said. You could put 50,000 of us out there. Thats not going to stop it. This weekends shootings shattered what had been a relatively peaceful and calm spring break in South Beach this month. Crowds grew starting Thursday, gathering on the sand during the day before moving to Ocean Drive. Multiple stampede-like incidents took place on Ocean Drive near Eighth Street on Friday and Saturday, though it wasnt clear what caused them and they didnt appear to result in significant injuries. Videos of several fights on and near Ocean Drive were also circulating on social media. City officials had hoped a heavy police presence and new programming, including concerts, fitness-related events and a volleyball tournament, would lead to fewer problems in the area this year. The State of Florida Board of Medicine rejected the agreed upon punishment for Dr. Oliver Simmons in the 2022 death of Brazilian butt lift patient Tanisha Walker before giving the OK to harsher consequences slightly harsher. Whats in the boards final order, which was finished March 1 and posted March 6, still boils down to a fine and a one-hour speech when it concerns Simmons time and money. READ MORE: A fine and a speech for a Miami doctor after a Brazilian butt lift patients death? The original Settlement Agreement reached between the Florida Department of Health and Simmons representatives and presented to the board on Feb. 3 included a letter of concern; a $10,000 fine; reimbursement of investigative costs between $7,588.76 and $9.588.76; requirement that Simmons give a one-hour lecture/seminar on safety and possible complications of BBL surgeries to the staff at an approved medical facility; and Simmons must use ultrasound guidance during his BBLs for at least six months after the final order. That Williams death would cost Smith merely a fine and a speech made it into the local South Florida media and soon ricocheted around the internet before the boards Feb. 3 meeting. Whether or not that played into the Board of Medicines actions, the body slapped down the Settlement Agreement and offered a Counter Settlement Agreement, which Simmons accepted. Instead of a letter of concern, the board officially reprimanded Simmons. The investigative cost reimbursement was set at the maximum, $9,588.76. Everything else in the agreement remains the same. Simmons remains on staff at New Life Plastic Surgery, 8400 SW Eighth St. Simmons board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is on probation. His board certification by the American Board of Otolalyngology isnt affected. READ MORE: I was getting sick of reading about women dying. Brazilian butt lifts worry some doctors Tanisha Walkers last surgery The testimony for the Department of Health by Miami by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Pat Pazmino noted that Walker first tried to have breast reduction surgery at Westons Bright Plastic Surgery. But after an April 18, 2022 evaluation, Dr. Paul Goldberg refused to do it because he found Walkers body mass index and medication list too high, history of high blood pressure too long and she was pre-diabetic. Story continues Pazmino wrote that Goldberg noted that she was not a candidate for office surgery, but maybe she would be a candidate for surgery in a hospital. New Life is not a hospital, but thats where Simmons approved Walker for the form of liposuction known as a Brazilian butt lift on April 20, 2022. During the operation, the Department of Health says Simmons injected fat into Williams gluteal muscles in violation of Florida statutes. That, the department charged, led to Williams death by what Miami-Dade Chief Medical Examiner Kenneth D. Hutchins determined was pulmonary embolism. She was 47. READ MORE: Heres how to check out your plastic surgery or Brazilian butt lift doctor in Florida Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to former President Trump, said on Sunday that he was asked to appear as a rebuttal witness at the Manhattan District Attorneys office on Monday but added he did not know any other details on the matter. MSNBCs Alex Witt asked Cohen if he expected any other witnesses to be at the office, citing multiple reports. Cohen said he was asked to go to the DAs office as a rebuttal witness but was not aware of whether that would be before the grand jury or just a meeting. He indicated the DAs office was bringing another witness in on Monday but did not know who that individual was. I was asked to make myself available and to be at the DAs office tomorrow as a rebuttal witness, Cohen said. When Witt asked if it was a rebuttal to whom or what Cohen said that had not been clarified. I dont know who the person is. Obviously once I find out who the person is Ill know what the issue is because I was personally involved, he said. Again, I dont know. Its a little premature for me to be answering any questions on a topic that I, again, I dont know who the person is and whether or not that person is or is not going to tell the truth. Anticipation is building this week over a possible indictment of Trump in connection to the hush-money payment, which Cohen admitted he made during the fall of Trumps 2016 campaign to prevent Daniels from exposing an affair she said she had with the former president. Trump has denied the affair. Prosecutors are building a case that centers on the payment violating campaign finance laws in part due to the amount and how it was reported but it is likely to only result in a misdemeanor charge. The case had been closed before it was reopened by District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for arranging the payment to conceal the alleged affairs of Trump. He was also ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution and forfeited $500,000. His prison sentence ended in 2021. Cohen has firmly broken with Trump. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America represents more than 100 lenders. Getty Images A coalition of more than 100 mid-sized banks is calling for deposits to be insured for two years. The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America asked regulators to extend protection, Bloomberg reported. It said action was needed to "restore confidence among depositors before another bank fails." Federal regulators have been urged to protect all deposits for the next two years to prevent a wider run on banks following recent collapses, Bloomberg reported. The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America, which represents more than 100 lenders, called on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to put backstops in place and broaden its protection for smaller banks. "It is imperative we restore confidence among depositors before another bank fails, avoiding panic and a further crisis," the MBCA wrote in a letter to regulators, per Bloomberg. The group said the FDIC should extend its cover to "reduce chances of more bank failures," according to the outlet, which obtained a copy of the letter that was also sent to the Comptroller of the Currency, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Federal Reserve. Only the first $250,000 in accounts are protected by the FDIC under existing rules. The MBCA said the increased protection would stop the "exodus" of deposits from smaller banks and help "stabilize" the financial sector. If the FDIC did extend its insurance to all deposits for two years, banks could pay for it themselves by expanding the deposit-insurance risk assessment on lenders that chose to opt in, the MBCA suggested. The coalition also said that confidence has "eroded" in smaller banks and that more cash could be taken out of regional lenders if more banks failed, per the report. Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed this month following a run by depositors, while First Republic Bank was bolstered by deposits to the tune of $30 billion from a number of bigger lenders. After taking control of SVB, regulators said they would "fully protect" all of its deposits in the bank. The FDIC, OCC, Treasury and Federal Reserve all declined to comment to Bloomberg. Read the original article on Business Insider Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Former Vice President Mike Pence stuck by his former employer on Sunday, arguing a potential prosecution of Donald Trump would amount to a political hit job. Pence appeared on ABCs This Week, where he told host Jonathan Karl that a Trump indictment by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would simply indulge the radical left. It follows similar language from Pence in recent weeks as he considers a 2024 presidential run. Im taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, at a time when theres a crime wave in New York City, Pence told Karl. The fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country. Trump Believes Arrest Is Imminent, Demands MAGA Protests to Take Our Nation Back Pence has not shied away from criticizing his former running mate in recent months, though he has consistently been less eager to urge his prosecution. He let out a snark Here we go again to reporters in Iowa on Saturday, calling an indictment (which Trump claimed would come Tuesday, despite no notice from the Manhattan DA) politically motivated. Another politically charged prosecution against the former president of the United States, Pence said, according to the Des Moines Register. I think many Americans are taken aback at the unprecedented indictment of a former president, but also the fact that the Manhattan D.A., in the midst of a crime wave in New York City, then says that indicting the former president is his highest priority. Pences comments followed what he told reporters in New Hampshire on Thursday, where he left the decision to drop out of the race following an indictment up to Trump. Look, its a free country, he said, according to Politico. Everybody can make their own decisions. Elon Musk Claims Trump Will Win Landslide Victory if Arrested Pence did seem more willing, however, to aid an investigation into Trump than he has in the past. Karl asked if Pence would consider speaking to special counsel Jack Smith on issues unrelated to Pences role as president of the Senate, a defense he has pledged to use in court to try and skirt speaking before the special counsel. Smith is investigating Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents after he left office. Story continues Pence noted his narrow defense, though he would not confirm directly whether he would appear before Smith on other matters. Ive directed my attorneys to make make a strong case in defense of my role as president of the Senate, presiding over a joint session of Congress on that day and in the preparation for that, and well let the courts sorted out, he said. But Ive actually never asserted that other matters unrelated to January 6 would otherwise be protected by speech and debate. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Former Vice President Mike Pence downplayed concerns of potential protests this week encouraged by former President Donald Trump, who incited the 2021 attacks at the U.S. Capitol, saying people have a right to peaceably assemble. The American people have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble, he said in a sit-down interview with ABC News on Saturday. Anyone wanting to protest Trumps self-predicted indictment for allegedly covering up hush money payments during his 2016 presidential campaign would know that they must do so peacefully and in a lawful manner, Pence said. Pence downplays Trump calling for protest even after January 6: "The American people have a constitutional right to peaceably assemble." pic.twitter.com/aeUBDG0pXs Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 19, 2023 The violence that occurred on Jan. 6, the violence that occurred in cities throughout this country in the summer of 2020, was a disgrace, he said, appearing to reference both the Capitol attack and unrelated protests over the murder of George Floyd by police. The American people wont tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Pence further dismissed the integrity of any charges filed against Trump, calling it a politically charged prosecution. He accused the Manhattan district attorney of making Trump his top priority and said that just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left. Earlier on Saturday, Trump urged his supporters, in an all-caps social media post, to PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST and TAKE OUR NATION BACK while announcing his expected arrest on Tuesday amid a criminal investigation into $130,000 in alleged hush money that was paid to adult actor Stormy Daniels. His message, which stated that EVIL & SINISTER PEOPLE were DESTROYING the military and country, was similar to the call to action he made while inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol after losing his reelection bid in 2020. A violent mob went on to ransack the Capitol, resulting in several deaths. Story continues Pence, in a speech earlier this month, directly blamed Trumps reckless words for fueling the insurrection. President Trump was wrong. I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable, he told politicians and journalists at the annual Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington. Law enforcement officials in New York City are planning extra security measures ahead of a potential Trump indictment, several officials told The Associated Press on Friday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg also told his employees in an email on Saturday not to give in to any intimidation or threats in the wake of Trumps call for protests. Related... Lack of humanity toward homeless Re Its high time to end Modestos intractable homelessness problem (Page 1C, March 12): Modestos homeless are, once again, the subject of a seemingly well-intentioned opinion piece in The Bee. The author writes of the impact that the homeless have on our parks, our waterways and our sidewalks. What struck me as most odd is the use of the word our. It seems that the author, whether intentionally or through lack of knowledge, does not recognize that the parks, waterways, sidewalks, etc. belong also to the homeless. As citizens of Modesto, they, too have the right to those areas. Additionally, this column failed to consider that the homeless are human beings. The lack of empathy in this piece is jarring. Through hardships that many of us cannot even fathom, these human beings have ended up without the security of a home, nourishing food, the warmth of a comfortable bed. When our humanity is replaced by a single-minded vision of what is normal, correct and proper, we tend to lose sight of a viewpoint that encompasses the variety and diversity of our human family. Carole Swan, Turlock Dreams dont end with disability Re California law could backfire, hurting disabled workers (Front Page, March 5): I would like to thank Garth Stapley for the well-researched and thorough commentary on Senate Bill 639, which is set to be implemented in 2025. As stated in the commentary, SB 693 is detrimental to many adults with intellectual disabilities. As a parent of a daughter with intellectual disabilities who hopes to be employed one day, I see this bill as an end to her dream. This bill will cause numerous worksites to be shuttered, leaving little hope for my daughter and others like her. The desire to make one size fit all is unpractical, and many times harmful. I pray people in Sacramento are taking notice. Cathy Walke, Hickman Vote third party It was not so long ago that one could claim an adherence to fiscal responsibility and a commitment to social justice. The two are not mutually exclusive. One can support the family as the foundation of society and vow to uphold the civil rights of all who live in the United States. Religious liberty, freedom of speech, access to anyone willing to work hard and sacrifice to achieve a level of security for themselves and their family all these things are and always have been values upheld by Americans regardless of political affiliation. Story continues Because we are so divided today, I had to find a political party outside of the main stream of the duopoly. I registered American Solidarity Party because I do not support the platforms of either the GOP or the DNC. I urge all of voting age to think carefully before they register. Look and see if there is another group that more closely aligns with your personal values. Do not get sucked into the group-think of todays politicos. Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto Need a new plan for cans Re Cans, cans, and more cans (Letters, March 12): I would add my vote against the terrible decision of the city to pick up green cans every other week. I am swamped with yard waste while the big blue can has a small bucket of items. We need a new plan that works based on the amount of types of refuse that are to be picked up. Ronald E. Oswald, Modesto MAGA saga Re Not a MAGA fan (Letters, March 12): I served for almost four years of my youth in the Army so that we can all have freedom of speech, but I am in complete disagreement with the regular contributor from Turlocks point of view. Sir, you have every right to express your views, but in my opinion they are un-American. Your plan would violate several amendments of our Constitution. However I think you should be grateful that your last words, pray for America and God willing, were printed. So while we disagree with almost everything you say, I agree that we should pray for America. Gene Dias, Modesto Junk math If you add up the IQs of Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene, youd be lucky to reach 100. Alan Seliger, Turlock Moldova is preparing personal sanctions against several individuals in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine. The first decisions may be announced in a few weeks. Source: Nicu Popescu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Moldova Popescu said that Moldova has begun to join European sanctions against Russia gradually, in connection with its aggressive war against Ukraine, and will announce sanctions against a number of individuals in a few weeks. "This is mainly a ban on entry to Moldova, freezing bank accounts or assets of those persons who are somehow involved in the aggression against Ukraine," Popescu said. Popescu says the decision has already been made, but work on legal details continues. Popescu did not name the individuals who may be included in the sanctions list, noting only that it is about "circa 25 persons", and about half of them are citizens of the Russian Federation. According to him, at the beginning of March, the EU called on Chisinau to join the personal sanctions applied by the European Union in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine and violation of human rights. Popescu added that Moldova "will also join other sanctions regimes" of the European Union later. At the beginning of March, the Moldovan Foreign Minister announced that Moldova would soon review the list of European Union sanctions against Russia, which it can join. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By Aleksandar Vasovic PODGORICA (Reuters) -Montenegrins voted on Sunday in a presidential election that will influence the outcome of a parliamentary vote in June as well as the small Adriatic country's stance toward the West and its ties with neighbouring Serbia. Polling stations in Montenegro, which is a NATO member and a candidate to join the European Union, opened at 7 a.m. (0600 GMT) and will close at 8 p.m. (1900 GMT). First unofficial results by pollsters, based on a sample of the electorate, are expected about two hours later. If no candidate secures more than 50% of votes, a second round of voting between the top two is scheduled for April 2. Milo Djukanovic, the incumbent pro-Western president, has held top political posts in the country for 33 years and is seeking another five-year term. "This (election) is a chance for Montenegro to confirm it can live in political and social stability, ... and continue (on a path)... to be a part of united countries of Europe," Djukanovic told reporters after voting. His main opponents are Andrija Mandic, the head of the Democratic Front which favours closer ties with Serbia and Russia, and Jakov Milatovic, a pro-Western economist and the deputy head of the Europe Now movement. After casting his ballot Mandic told reporters that if he won, his presidency would create "a policy of reconciliation focused on all citizens and which will be waging a strong fight against corruption and organised crime". Opponents accuse Djukanovic and his left-centrist Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) of corruption, links to organized crime, and of running the country of some 620,000 people as their personal fiefdom - charges Djukanovic and his party deny. "I am sure,the people have decided to vote for a richer, more just and more beautiful Montenegro," Milatovic said after voting. Sunday's vote comes amid a year-long political crisis marked by no-confidence votes in two separate governments and a row between lawmakers and Djukanovic over the president's refusal to name a new prime minister. Story continues On Thursday Djukanovic dissolved the parliament and scheduled snap elections for June 11. A victory in the presidential election would bolster the chances of the winner's party in the parliamentary vote. "I am expecting people .... we will start to go forward for a better life," said Mirjana Aleksic, 53, from Podgorica after casting her ballot at a polling station in a local school. Over the years, Montenegro has been divided between those who identify as Montenegrins and those who see themselves as Serbs and opposed the country's 2006 independence from a former union with neighbouring and much larger Serbia. The country, which mainly relies on revenues from its Adriatic tourism, joined NATO in 2017, following a botched coup attempt a year earlier that the government blamed on Russian agents and Serbian nationalists. Moscow dismissed such claims as absurd. Following the invasion of Ukraine last year, Montenegro joined EU sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin has placed Montenegro on its list of unfriendly states. (Reporting by Aleksandar VasovicEditing by Frances Kerry) QUITO, Ecuador A magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rattled portions of southern Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday afternoon has led to at least 15 deaths, 445 injuries and caused buildings to collapse in the South American countries. According to the Associated Press, one of those deaths was a 4-year-old girl in Peru who was killed when her home collapsed in the Tubmes region, which is on the border with Ecuador. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake was centered near the town Balao and was likely the result of interference between the Nazca and South American plates. Video from Cuenca in Ecuador showed debris falling from buildings onto streets and damaging vehicles while first responders sifted through rubble. Magnitude, location and time of the Ecuador earthquake on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso said government agencies had been activated to support the victims and asked for calm during the emergency. Seismologists were closely monitoring the southeastern Pacific after the earthquake for a potential tsunami but said the quake did not trigger a wide event. Shake maps indicated the strong earthquake was also felt in northern Peru, and buildings there were also damaged or destroyed. 7 FACTS ABOUT EARTHQUAKES The USGS says large earthquakes are common in the South American country due to the movement of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate. Over the past 100 years, 32 significant earthquakes have occurred within about a 150-mile radius of the most recent event. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked nearly the same region back on April 16, 2016. The quake was blamed for more than 700 deaths and over 27,000 injuries. NEW MOAI STATUE FOUND AMID ONGOING DROUGHT ON HISTORIC EASTER ISLAND The sentencing of a Capitol rioter was interrupted when his mother pleaded for leniency to the judge. US District Judge Reggie Walton sentenced 21-year-old Aiden Bilyard to 40 months in prison on Friday. Bilyard, who was 18 on January 6 2021, travelled to Washington DC from North Carolina along with two other friends, according to The Charlotte Observer. Bilyard entered a plea agreement with the prosecution after he admitted in October to assaulting police with a deadly or dangerous weapon when he sprayed Capitol officers with a pepper gel. He faced 46 to 57 months in prison. His mother Amy Bilyard told the judge thats not right as he handed down the sentence, according to Politico reporter Kyle Cheney. Judge Waltons answer to Ms Bilyard, who was in tears, was: You make your bed, youve got to lie in it. Hes lied in it, Ms Bilyard reportedly said. Bilyard was captured on surveillance video spraying law enforcement officers with home defence pepper gel on the lower west terrace, according to documents by the Department of Justice. He left the Capitol when he heard mention of assault rifles by other rioters. He then drove back to his hometown in North Carolina that night. Aiden Bilyard (DoJ) The FBI interviewed Bilyard in 2021 but he denied taking part in the insurrection, despite being confronted with video evidence, according to the Observer. He was arrested later that year while he received basic training in Texas, and was later dismissed from the Air Force. Bilyards attorneys had asked the judge for home detention and five years of probation. They argued that Bilyard was young and impressionable when he took part in the January 6 riots. Eighteen is old enough to know right from wrong, the judge said before the sentencing on Friday, per the Observer. ... (T)o see this kind of violence, police fighting for their lives ... yet you dont get to the mindset at some point that This is wrong, and Ive got to stop? It is just something that is chilling and beyond the pale. Story continues Bilyard was captured on surveillance video (DoJ) The defence also requested an evaluation by a forensic psychiatrist who found that Bilyard, who reportedly never met his father, saw in Donald Trump a strong masculine figure. They argued that the validation Bilyard received from older rioters motivated him to join them in the insurrection. In a letter to Judge Walton, Ms Bilyard said his son was an intelligent, warm and kind boy whose role in the riot was an exception to the way he had been raised. Hed never been violent. Hed never NOT considered other human beings. He has ... always had a reverence for police and their difficult jobs, she wrote. Sheila Bellush and Jamie Bellush hold their quadruplets at their home in San Antonio, Texas in 1996. On Nov. 7, 1997, a 13-year-old girl arrived home after school to find her mother with a gunshot to the head, her throat slit and two of her mother's 2-year-old quadruplets crawling in her blood. The CNBC show Blood & Money is featuring an episode on the Sarasota murder of 35-year-old Sheila Bellush. The episode, produced by Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, aired on Tuesday and is available to watch on CNBC, CNBC Prime or Peacock. More:The players in the Bellush case In case you missed it:Man who plotted ex-wife's Sarasota murder dies in prison Bellush divorced from her ex-husband, San Antonio millionaire Allen Blackthorne, in 1989 and had a messy custody dispute over their two daughters (She had her quadruplets in her subsequent marriage to Jamie Bellush). In 1997, Bellush moved to Florida, where she was killed six weeks later. She was last seen alive by her husband, James Bellush, who was at work during the murder, and her daughter, who was at school. Four days after her murder, the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office announced that Jose Luis Del Toro, a 21-year-old Texas man, was wanted for first-degree murder. Officials said he stayed at a Sarasota hotel the night before her murder, and his fingerprint was found on her clothes dryer. What is the timeline of the Sheila Bellush case? Although Del Toro had fled to Mexico, on November 17, 1997, authorities were able to arrest two San Antonio men, Daniel Alex Rocha, 29, and Samuel Gonzales, 27, for helping plan Sheila Bellushs murder. By Dec. 16, 1997, a Texas grand jury indicted Gonzalez and Rocha on one count of solicitation to commit capital murder, accusing them of hiring Del Toro to kill Sheila Bellush. Dec. 17, 1997: Sarasota prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty against Del Toro, opening the door for his extradition from Mexico. Aug. 23, 1998: Rocha accused Blackthorne of initiating the plot to harm Sheila Bellush. He said that the plan was to scare her, not to kill her. Story continues Nov. 6, 1998: Jamie Bellush filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Blackthorne, accusing him of initiating the plot to kill Sheila Bellush. Previously: Anderson: The heroic death of Sheila Bellush's dad July 6, 1998: A 12-member jury found Blackthorne guilty of murder-for-hire and domestic violence charges, and in 2000, he was convicted. Blackthorne died in prison in 2014. Del Toro, Gonzales and Rocha were all sentenced to life in prison. Following the murder of his wife, Jamie Bellush moved to New Jersey with his quadruplets and one of Sheila's daughters from her marriage to Blackthorne. A second daughter lives with a relative in Oregon. This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sheila Bellush's murder to be featured on CNBC series, 'Blood & Money' Mysterious streaks of light have been spotted burning in the night skies above California and Oregon. Videos of the surprising sight were posted to social media by witnesses on Friday night, including from revellers at the King Kong Brewing Company in Sacramento. Mainly, we were in shock, but amazed that we got to witness it, Jaime Hernandez told the Associated Press. None of us had ever seen anything like it. The lights were also seen as far north as Oregon before fizzling out. Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, explained that the lights were in fact space junk burning up as it reentered the Earths atmosphere. Mr McDowell took to Twitter to explain that the debris was in fact an ICS-EF, or an Inter-orbit Communications System - Exposed Facility, Japanese communications package. It had been used to send data between the ISS Kibo module and Mission Control Tsukuba via the Kodama data relay satellite. Mr McDowell tweeted that the equipment was launched to the International Space Station by Space Shuttle in 2009. And it became space junk in 2020, orbiting the Earth for three years before reentering the Earths atmosphere over California at 9.30pm on Friday. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, its neighbors said, ramping up testing activities in response to ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. The Norths continuing missile tests showed its determination not to back down despite the U.S.-South Korea exercises, the biggest of their kind in years. But many experts say the missile tests are also part of North Korea's bigger objective to expand its weapons arsenal, win global recognition as a nuclear state and get international sanctions lifted. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency open meeting Monday morning at the request of the United States, United Kingdon, Albania, Ecuador, France and Malta in response to North Korea's previous ICBM launch March 16. The missile launched Sunday from the Norths northwestern Tongchangri area flew across the country before landing in waters off its east coast, according to South Korean and Japanese assessments. They said the missile traveled about 800 kilometers (500 miles), a range suggesting the weapon could target South Korea. The chief nuclear envoys from South Korea, Japan and the U.S. discussed the launch by phone and strongly condemned it as a provocation and threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. They agreed to strengthen coordination and issue a firm international response, according to Seouls Foreign Ministry. The launch was the Norths third round of weapons tests since the U.S. and South Korean militaries began joint military drills last Monday. The drills, which include computer simulations and field exercises, are to continue until Thursday. South Koreas military said it will continue joint drills with the U.S. and maintain a readiness to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation. As part of the drills, the U.S. on Sunday flew long-range B-1B bombers for joint training with South Korean warplanes, according to South Koreas Defense Ministry. Story continues North Korea is highly sensitive to the deployment of B-1Bs, which can carry a huge conventional weapons payload. It responded to the February flights of B-1Bs by test-launching missiles that demonstrated potential ranges to strike some air bases in South Korea. Japanese Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino said the most recent missile landed outside Japans exclusive economic zone and there were no reports of damage to vessels or aircraft. He said the missile likely had an irregular trajectory, a possible reference to North Koreas highly maneuverable, nuclear-capable KN-23 missile. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the latest launch doesnt pose any immediate threat to the U.S. territory or its allies. But it said the North's recent launches highlight the destabilizing impact of its unlawful weapons programs and that the U.S. security commitment to South Korea and Japan remains ironclad. The weapons North Korea recently tested include its longest-range Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile designed to strike the U.S. mainland. The Norths state media quoted leader Kim Jong Un as saying that launch was meant to strike fear into the enemies. Thursdays launch, the Norths first ICBM firing in a month, drew strong protests from Seoul, Tokyo and Washington. It came hours before South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol flew to Tokyo for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. At the summit, Yoon and Kishida agreed to resume their defense dialogue and further strengthen security cooperation with the U.S. to counter North Korea and address other challenges. Ties between Seoul and Tokyo suffered a major setback in recent years over issues stemming from Japans 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. But North Koreas record run of missile tests last year it launched more than 70 missiles in 2022 alone pushed Seoul and Tokyo to seek stronger trilateral security partnerships involving Washington, which also wants to reinforce its alliances in Asia to better deal with Chinas rise and North Korean nuclear threats. North Korea has missiles that place Japan within striking distance. Last October, North Korea fired an intermediate-range missile over northern Japan, forcing communities there to issue evacuation alerts and halt trains. After Sundays launch, Kishida ordered a prompt response, including working closely with South Korea and the U.S., according to Ino, the Japanese vice defense minister. A day before the start of the drills, North Korea also fired cruise missiles from a submarine. The Norths state media said the submarine-launched missile showed the country's resolve to respond with overwhelming powerful force to the intensifying military maneuvers by the U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces. According to South Korean media reports, the U.S. and South Korea plan more training involving a U.S. aircraft carrier later this month after their current exercises end. The U.N. Security Council held an informal meeting Friday where the U.S., its allies and human rights experts shone a spotlight on the dire rights situation and increasing repression in North Korea. China and Russia denounced the meeting as a politicized move likely to further escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea's U.N. Mission issued a statement Sunday calling the meeting about our non-existent `human rights issue'" unlawful. It denounced the United States for waging a pressure campaign against human rights in the country as a flagrant violation of its dignity and sovereignty and accused Washington of being the world's worst human rights violator. The North's U.N. Mission said the U.S. held Friday's meeting while staging the aggressive joint military exercise which poses a grave threat to our national security." __ Associated Press writers Yuri Kageyama in Tokyo and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and teachers are pushing back against new education laws in Florida classrooms. Dozens of young and older adults marched together to let others know they refused to accept the recent changes to Florida education. The American Federation of Teachers joined the NAACPs Florida State Conference for a town hall on Saturday. This action is in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing bills into law for what he calls an effort to protect students from woke indoctrination. As opposed to being a state where wokeness went to die, it turned into the state where common sense went to die, said Leon Russell, NAACP National Board of Directors Chair. Read: NAACP responds to DeSantis banning AP African American Studies course The group passed out thousands of books to students who do not have access in classrooms. The restrictions have been a controversial topic since Florida lawmakers passed the legislation. Some teachers who were at the town hall said it was unfair. Read: Osceola County DOH celebrates National Minority Health Month with a free community event Its quite disturbing, said Harold Ford, an elementary school teacher. Slaves werent allowed to read, and now children arent allowed to read about slaves. DeSantis said that while critical race theory is banned, many other things concerning the bans are untrue. He held a meeting earlier this month to set the record straight. Read: State of State: DeSantis highlights hurricane, pandemic responses ahead of expected presidential bid DeSantis said students learn about the 1920 Ocoee election day riots, slavery, the Civil War and Jim Crow laws. But the NAACP said they believe the bills that have passed are done out of malice, and they plan to keep pushing back until they can stop it. This is not the time to agonize but organize, Russell said. The NAACP donated 2,500 books as part of a partnership with the AFT to give out 10,000 books, many banned, to black communities across the state. 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. In the coming months, NATO will intensify its efforts to concentrate weapons along the eastern border of the alliance and to allocate tens of thousands of soldiers who can go to help allies at a moment's notice. Source: European Pravda, citing Politico Details: For this to happen, however, NATO must convince individual countries to provide various elements: soldiers, training, infrastructure improvements, and, most importantly, large quantities of expensive weapons, equipment, and ammunition. With countries already worried about their ammunition stockpiles and Ukraine in dire need of additional shells and weapons from its allies, there is a risk that not all NATO allies will fulfil their promises to contribute to the alliance's new plans. According to the news outlet, military leaders will present updated regional defence plans designed to help redefine how the alliance protects its 1 billion citizens this spring. Troop levels will be significant: officials say up to 300,000 NATO troops will be needed to implement the new model. According to Heinrich Brauss, a former NATO assistant secretary general for defence policy and force planning, the first echelon, which could consist of about 100,000 soldiers ready to deploy within 10 days, could be formed from Poland, Norway and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). It could also include multinational battle groups that the Alliance has already established on its eastern flank. A second echelon of troops would support these soldiers, ready to deploy from countries like Germany within 10 to 30 days. But the process could prove difficult because such a rapid deployment, even within a month, requires a lot of people, equipment, training, and lots of money. When NATO's military plans are ready, capitals will be asked to weigh in, and ultimately provide troops, planes, ships and tanks for different parts of the plan. "We are asking the nations based on the findings we have out of our three regional plans what we need to make these plans executable," said the senior NATO military official. Some Allies have already recognised that much more investment will be needed to meet NATO's needs. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! NATO is discussing the need to strengthen the eastern borders with Russia by concentrating equipment and a military contingent of up to 300,000 soldiers, which should prevent Russia from expanding the war beyond Ukraine. Source: Politico Details: Politico writes that NATO intends to stop Russia if it decides to expand the war beyond Ukraine. Because of this, the Alliance is talking about strengthening its eastern borders and the need to send up to 300,000 troops to the border. Such actions will require coordination and great efforts from the 30 NATO members to provide soldiers, training facilities, large quantities of weapons, equipment and ammunition. However, the news outlet emphasises that coordination may be challenging, as many allies are already concerned about their own insufficient ammunition stocks, which take time and money to replenish. Politico writes that NATO military leaders are to submit updated regional defence plans. Alliance officials are putting forward the idea that its borders with Russia should be guarded by up to 300,000 troops, the news outlet reports. It is noted that the first echelon of NATO troops may consist of about 100,000 soldiers, ready to deploy within 10 days. It may include troops from Poland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The second echelon of troops, Politico writes, will support these soldiers, ready to be deployed within 10-30 days from countries such as Germany. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! NAVAJO NATION, N.M. Her hands gripping the steering wheel, Marilyn Help-Hood gingerly drove her rugged Ford pickup truck along rutted unpaved roads, occasionally sliding in the mud, in search of one thing: water. After a bumpy 4-mile drive in the eastern reaches of the Navajo Nation reservation in Twin Lakes, New Mexico, she arrived at her local well. Helped by her son Shane, 31, Help-Hood attached a hose to a tap at the base of the well and began filling a plastic barrel in the back of her truck with the untreated water. Help-Hood, 66, has no running water at her small one-story home and needs to regularly replenish her supplies for drinking, cooking, washing dishes and feeding her small collection of sheep, horses and dogs. Even cleaning dishes is a complicated procedure without the benefit of turning on the tap, involving two different basins of water, one for washing and one for rinsing. Trips like the one she made one day last week are a feature of life on the reservation, where thousands of the roughly 170,000 people who live there do not have running water. Help-Hood with her horse in Tohlakai, N.M. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) Its just something that has to be done, Help-Hood said. Its just part of life. Its how we are dealing with our water situation. As part of the tribes efforts to assert control over its long-term future, it filed a long-shot lawsuit in 2003 arguing that the U.S. government has a duty to assess the nations water needs and ensure it has enough. After lengthy litigation, that case is now before the Supreme Court, which hears oral arguments on Monday. For the tribe, the case is about more than what rivers it can draw water from the Navajo say it's about ending nearly two centuries of injustice perpetuated by the federal government, which has failed to keep promises and left them to suffer on the arid lands where their ancestors settled. In raising her five children, Help-Hood, who is a schoolteacher, said she cited the importance of the four elements of earth, wind, water and light in Navajo tradition. Story continues I want my children to value water. Now they have grown, they know that water has to be appreciated, she said. The lack of water and the infrastructure needed to pipe it across the vast reaches of the more than 17 million acre reservation larger than the state of West Virginia which straddles parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, remains one of the biggest challenges facing Navajo leaders. After a bumpy 4-mile drive in the eastern reaches of the Navajo Nation reservation in New Mexico, Help-Hood arrives at her local well. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) As Help-Hood and others see it, the tribe has been relegated to secondary status in the fight over water rights in the Southwest, where states have long fought for their own pieces of the pie through complex negotiations and litigation. The scramble for water is only becoming more intense, with a decades-long drought leading to depleted supplies in the major reservoirs in the Colorado River basin, with the growing threat of climate change looming in the future. The Colorado River, which supplies water as far afield as Southern California as well as to the surrounding states, meanders directly along the reservations northwestern border on its 1,400 mile route from Colorado to Mexico. And yet, the tribe has no right to draw water from the Lower Colorado River, the section starting just south of the Glen Canyon Dam in northern Arizona that then runs through the Grand Canyon. Glen Canyon Dam on March 14, 2023. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) For Crystal Tulley-Cordova, a hydrologist in the tribes department of water resources, water is essential to the tribe moving from survival mode to thriving mode. On an exclusive tour last week of Navajo sites, Tulley-Cordova gave examples of the ways water permeates so many elements of tribal life. She cited a new housing project on the reservation in Rock Springs, New Mexico; the construction of a pipeline taking water from the San Juan River deeper into the Navajo territory; and the growing campus at Dine College, the tribes own institution of higher education. On water rights, its important to consider a permanent homeland. What is needed for that is resources. Not just for todays Navajo but for future generations, Tulley-Cordova said. Crystal Tulley-Cordova (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) At another stop on the tour, about an hour north of Help-Hoods home, the Litson family talked about its struggles in getting water for its cattle ranch spread out over a hillside dotted with sagebrush. Dorthea Litson, whose family has farmed there for generations, bemoaned a storm that had knocked out a windmill that powers a water well. It actually is a hard life, she said. A lot of people dont realize how much goes into it. Dorthea Litson next to a broken windmill on March 14, 2023. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) 'Broken promises' The Navajo lawsuit now before the Supreme Court rests heavily on history, going right back to 1849 when the tribe signed its first treaty with the United States at a time when European settlers were rapidly moving westward. Soon after that agreement, the federal government forced the Navajo away from their ancestral lands, moving them more than 300 miles eastward to Bosque Redondo, where they lived in wretched conditions. It was just the first of what the tribes lawyers refer to in court papers as a series of broken promises. Eventually, the government agreed to allow the Navajo to return to their own lands, traditionally denoted by four mountain peaks the tribe consider sacred. In an 1868 treaty, federal officials said they would provide resources needed for agriculture, a pledge that lawyers for the tribe say implicitly included a right to sufficient water. A sheep walks to the sheep corral in Tohlakai, N.M., on March 13, 2023. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) But in the intervening years, water rights to the Colorado River were divvied up between states and the federal government, with the latter tasked with representing tribal interests. Historically, its fair to say that tribes have not been at the table when these big river management decisions were being made, said Anne Castle, a western water rights expert who serves as the federal representative on the Upper Colorado River Commission. A 1922 compact divided the Colorado River into its upper and lower sections, and water allocation in the lower basin was addressed six years later by an act of Congress that also led to the construction of the Hoover Dam farther downstream on the Arizona-Nevada border. Later, the issue ended up at the Supreme Court in Arizona v. California, a case concerning how water would be allocated among the states. In some form that litigation ran for decades from 1952 to 2006, leading to a series of rulings. During the course of that case, the federal government, on behalf of Navajo Nation, asserted rights to tributaries of the Colorado River, including the Little Colorado River, which runs across the southwestern part of the reservation, but not the main channel of the Lower Colorado River. Navajo access to the Little Colorado River is still being adjudicated in state court. With the help of the federal government, the tribe previously settled claims to water from the San Juan River, another Colorado River tributary that runs through Navajo territory in the Four Corners region, where the borders of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet. The tribe can also draw some water from the Upper Colorado River basin. A previous attempt to settle Navajo claims to the Lower Colorado River failed about a decade ago. In the current Supreme Court case, the federal government says the tribe is seeking to reopen already decided cases that determine how water in the Lower Colorado River is allocated. The tribe counters that it is not seeking a decision on those rights specifically. Instead, the tribe says that the federal governments oversight of the entire Colorado River, as well as its duties to the tribe, mean that it is required to do a full assessment of Navajo Nations water rights, which may affect how water is allocated. Marilyn Help-Hood,66, holds a bucket to pour her dirty water into on March 13, 2023. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) The tribes lawsuit alleged that the federal government had breached its duty to address the extent to which the Navajo Nation needs water from the Colorado River to make its Arizona lands productive. Arizona-based U.S. District Court Judge Murray Snow in 2019 rejected the claim, saying the tribe had not shown that any duty of trust had been violated. He also raised questions about whether a ruling for the tribe would infringe on the Supreme Courts findings in the long-running Arizona v. California litigation. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2021 revived the tribes lawsuit, concluding that the tribe was not seeking direct access to waters of the Colorado River and the lawsuit therefore did not implicate the various Arizona v. California decisions. The Nations claim, properly understood, is an action for breach of trust not a claim seeking judicial quantification of its water rights, the court concluded. The appeals court went on to find that that the tribe could pursue its breach of trust claim. The federal government and states then appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed in November to take up the case. 'Cloud of uncertainty' Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the federal government, argues in court papers that the tribe has failed to point to any duty of trust that the federal government has to the tribe when it comes to providing access to water from a specific source. The United States has a general trust relationship with Indian tribes. But the existence of that general relationship does not itself establish any judicially enforceable duties against the United States, she wrote. She said that if the Supreme Court were to rule in favor of the tribe, it would force the government to violate a 1964 decision that was part of the Arizona v. California litigation. That ruling limited the circumstances in which the federal government could divert water from the Lower Colorado River. Federal officials declined to comment on the litigation. States involved in the case Colorado, Arizona and Nevada also reject the tribes arguments. Colorados lawyers said in that states brief that a ruling for the tribe would cause immediate and long-term disruptions to the coordinated management of the Colorado River." States point out they are already implementing a 2007 agreement on water shortages as well as a drought contingency plan adopted in 2019. The states, the federal government and three water districts in California involved in the litigation all argue that a win for the tribe would implicate rights to the main channel of the Colorado River. Rita Maguire, the lawyer arguing at the Supreme Court on behalf of the states and the California water districts in the case, said in an interview that although the tribe is now focusing on the governments general obligation to ensure water access, it is clear the Navajo are seeking a water right to the Lower Colorado River. Any change to how water is allocated could lead to harms to other states, she said. A ruling for the tribe would give it priority over others, and that creates a cloud of uncertainty, she added. Tribal officials are aware they likely face an uphill battle at the Supreme Court, which is historically not friendly to Native Americans. Just last year the court ruled 5-4 against tribes in Oklahoma in a decision that expanded state authority over their territory. We honored our end of the deal, and they just need to honor their end of the deal, said Navajo President Buu Nygren. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) Buu Nygren, the tribes president, said in an interview that he is hopeful, viewing the case as a chance for the United States to hold up its side of the bargain as negotiated back in 1868. Keeping a group of people that have just been in tough, tough, tough, situations for decades, to continue to hold them down and keep their hands tied and one foot tied and expecting us to thrive in those scenarios is not feasible he said. They should cut the ropes, untie our other foot and let us run and develop. We honored our end of the deal, and they just need to honor their end of the deal, he added. Marilyn Help-Hood washes her hands with a bucket after feeding her livestock in Tohlakai, N.M., on March 13, 2023. (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) Marilyn Help-Hood,66, washes her hands with a bucket after feeding her livestock in Tohlakai, N.M., on on March 13, (Sharon Chischilly for NBC News) Back at the water well in Twin Lakes, Help-Hood expressed no concern about drinking untreated water, saying she has never gotten sick from it. She pledged that she would use water conservatively even if it was piped in, having grown to appreciate its scarcity. I cant have fancy things like dishwashers, she said. But in reflecting on the tribes quest for better water access, Help-Hood echoed Nygren in placing that struggle firmly within the context of its torrid history with the federal government. We were here first, but we are still put on the back burner, she said. In reality, we are not really being treated fairly. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com In February, Republicans in the North Carolina State House filed House bill 187. Bill sponsors call it the Equality in Education billand say it would protect our children from Critical Race Theory. But this bill is a covert way to flatten our states history into a one-dimensional, easy-to-swallow pill, leaving no room for the triumphs and victories of people who fought hardest for the democracy and society we have today. Around the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh are photos of our states previous classes of lawmakers and legislative leaders. Through the years, you can see a visual representation of progress in our society portraits of white men slowly bring in women and people of color as time goes on. But none of the people in any leadership position, through all the years were Black. Until me. Dan Blue When I was elected to serve as the first Black Speaker of the House in 1991 and my picture went up on those marble walls, children who toured the legislative building shared their joy at seeing someone like me in those pictures. Not just Black children, but children of every racial background. Somehow, they all seemed to know that, although this was an achievement for one community, this portrait told the full story of North Carolinas history. Now, Republican lawmakers are trying to erase parts of our states history through HB 187. Under the guise of creating equal education for our children and attacking Critical Race Theory, theyre trying to sweep vital parts of our states story under the rug. My Republican counterparts will say they must censor parts of our history because it could make people uncomfortable. But there is a difference between discomfort and pain. History should never be used to create pain or to assign blame for things no one today had any power over. But learning someones story, seeing life from another point of view that will always be uncomfortable. And by going through that discomfort, we can learn how to become better people and contribute to a better society. Story continues I grew up in Robeson County. At that time, the area was racially diverse, but certain parts of Black history were simply not talked about. Still, our teachers made it a point to paint the whole picture of our history for all students not to blame the white students for their ancestors role in oppression or to make the Black students feel like they had a chip on their shoulder but to show us all what we as a nation had overcome. To show us what was possible. Now in Robeson County, where the student population is close to 90% students of color, community members are trying to ban books that show students the struggles of women in Afghanistan and LGBTQ people during the AIDS pandemic. Thankfully, the school board is fighting to make sure everyones history is honored and taught to our students in an age-appropriate and equitable way, but I cant help but feel this is what happens when we allow culture wars to divide us. If HB 187 becomes law, it will remove important parts of our nations history from the classroom, but that doesnt mean it will remove it from our students grasp. Now more than ever, the internet and social media allow children unfiltered access to information from unverified and sometimes dubious sources. Republicans like to say teaching Black history is indoctrination, but in the past few months, weve seen what true indoctrination looks like: mass shootings and violent hate crimes. If we try to cover up our history, were doomed to repeat this endless cycle of hate. HB 187 isnt about equal education. It is about erasing the parts of our states history that makes some people uncomfortable. It is about over-policing an already underfunded education system that is facing attacks on all sides. It is about scoring political points at the cost of our childrens education and their understanding of the world. North Carolinians must stand strong and fight this war against our own history. I urge my fellow lawmakers to vote against this bill, and I urge all residents to call their representatives to tell them that our history the good and the bad, the victories and the defeats deserves to be told. Dan Blue is Senate Minority Leader of the North Carolina General Assembly and was the first Black Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives. TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the military's chief of staff on Sunday to contain a wave of protest from within the ranks over a contentious government plan to overhaul the judiciary. Netanyahu's remarks come as Israel is embroiled in a major crisis that has sent tens of thousands of people into the streets protesting every week for the last two months. The divide over Netanyahu's plans to change the legal system has not spared the country's military, its most trusted institution, where many reservists have pledged not to show up for duty under what they see as impending regime change. Starting Sunday, more than 700 elite officers from the Air Force, special forces, and Mossad said they would stop volunteering for duty. The typically taboo talk of refusal to serve in a military that is compulsory for most Jews and is highly respected by the Jewish majority underlines how deeply the overhaul plan has divided Israel. Netanyahu has rejected a compromise plan proposed by the country's ceremonial president meant to defuse the crisis. He made no mention of reaching an agreement with opponents during the remarks to his Cabinet, instead saying he would not accept anarchy, listing off demands that his security chiefs rein in road blockages by protesters, incitement against him and his ministers and the refusal to serve by a growing number of reservists. I expect from the military chief of staff and the heads of the branches of the security services to aggressively combat the refusal to serve. Theres no place for refusal to serve in the public discourse, he said. A state that wishes to exist cant tolerate such phenomena and we will not tolerate it as well. The military had no immediate comment about Netanyahus remarks. The militarys chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, has reportedly warned Netanyahu that the reservists protest risks harming the militarys capabilities. He has pledged to make sure it doesnt and keep the military outside of the public debate on the overhaul. Story continues Opposition leader Yair Lapid tweeted in response that if Netanyahu suspended the overhaul, reservists would stop refusing to serve. The protest from within the military comes as Israel is mired in a year-long round of fighting with the Palestinians, and as Israel's archenemy Iran races ahead with its nuclear program. Israel says Iran is developing a nuclear bomb a charge that Tehran denies. Netanyahu said Sunday the legal changes would be carried out responsibly while protecting the basic rights of all Israelis. His government the country's most right-wing ever says the overhaul is meant to correct an imbalance that has given the courts too much power and prevented lawmakers from carrying out the voting public's will. Critics say it will upend Israel's delicate system of checks and balances and slide the country toward authoritarianism. They also say it could give Netanyahu a chance to evade conviction in his corruption trial. In his latest move to roll back Californias homeless crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a new plan Sunday to dramatically expand the number of treatment beds available for those living on the streets while suffering from mental illness or substance abuse. Newsom said he is pursuing a multi-pronged statewide initiative that would go before voters in 2024 to modernize how California treats mental illness, substance use disorder and homelessness. Part of the initiative would be funded by general obligation bonds to finance the construction of new community mental health facilities around California. Newsom said the measure would be for $3-to-5 billion with hopes of helping serve an additional 10,000 Californians with mental illness and substance use disorders each year. Secondly, the ballot measure would reform the states Mental Health Services Act passed by voters as Proposition 63 nearly 20 years ago and used by counties to fund programs and services for residents with serious mental health issues. MHSA levies a 1% tax on personal incomes above $1 million and generates enough dollars each year to fund nearly a third of the states mental health system. Newsom wants to amend the legislation so that it also covers the treatment of those with substance abuse disorders. It would also require at least $1 billion to be set aside annually for housing and residential services for people suffering from mental illness or substance abuse. Its unacceptable what were dealing with, Newsom said Sunday at a press briefing in San Diego. We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation. As part of the governors plan, counties would also be subject to new accountability and oversight measures, though details were not available. The initiative would need to be approved by the legislature and passed by voters. Newsoms plan builds off of CARE Court Sundays announcement marks Newsoms second major effort in the past year to reduce encampments by treating and housing people dealing with a combination of homelessness, substance abuse or severe mental illness. Story continues Last year, Newsom signed legislation to create a new civil court system the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Court, or CARE Court to compel residents struggling with mental health and addiction into court-ordered treatment. Opponents of CARE Court faulted the law for failing to guarantee housing for everyone who needs it. Newsoms plan for a 2024 ballot measure seems intended to address those criticisms. Senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, D-Stockton, who co-authored CARE Court, said the new ballot initiative would work in tandem with the new program. This change doesnt come in isolation, Eggman said. What we see on our streets those who are the most ill should not be at the back of the line, she added. We know theyre the most difficult to treat but they should be at the front of the line and these types of innovations that were doing now does just that. Concerns about Californias Mental Health Services Act Passed by voters in 2004, MHSA was hailed as a landmark measure to drastically reduce homelessness and improve services offered to hundreds of thousands of Californians diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. But some lawmakers and mental health advocates have argued that it has not lived up to its original promise. Despite the additional dollars, Californias homeless crisis has only worsened. Part of the issue is that the funds havent always been used as they were intended. MSHA was initially meant to help counties expand or offer new services they didnt have the funding for previously. But during the Great Recession, many counties were forced to use MHSA dollars to merely maintain services because of severe local budget cuts. And in 2011, state lawmakers shifted nearly $900 million of Prop 63 dollars to temporarily cover mental health programs typically paid for by the general fund. Since then, theres been tension between state and local officials over the use of MHSA dollars. State officials have accused counties of stockpiling money that should be spent to address immediate needs. In February 2018, the state auditor criticized the California Department of Health Care Services for its minimal oversight, saying that the agency had allowed local mental health agencies to amass hundreds of millions in unspent MHSA funds. Health Care Services poor oversight of the MHSA program is troubling given the importance of providing mental health services to Californians, Former state auditor Elaine Howle wrote in a letter to the agency at that time. Counties, however, argue all of their dollars are allocated, although some fund programs over multiple years. This year, MHSA was expected to bring in $3.8 billion, which counties use to pay for community outreach, workforce training, prevention efforts and facilities. Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California, said shes concerned that the governors plan to earmark $1 billion of that for housing could cause deep cuts to current services and jeopardize critical matching dollars from the federal government. California cant choose between funding mental health services in a time of critical need and addressing homelessness, Doty Cabrera said. We have to do both. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who co-authored the legislation as an assemblyman, disagrees. He supports the governors plan to revamp the law and redirect the funds to serve the sickest of the sick, those living in squalor on the streets and sidewalks of California. What Ive been saying for many years and what the governor is now saying is that the Act needs to be more intensively focused on the most serious consequences of untreated mental illness, namely tent encampment homelessness, he said. Its been a lifesaver, he added. We just want to save more lives. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks Thursday in Sacramento on his plans to build 1,200 small homes across the state to reduce homelessness. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press) Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking lawmakers and voters to approve sweeping mental health reforms that would commit billions of dollars in state funding for behavioral health-based housing and treatment facilities throughout California. The Democratic governor's proposal, unveiled Sunday in San Diego, would raise at least $3 billion through a bond measure to fund the construction of new mental health campuses, residential settings and permanent supportive housing. Newsom wants to redirect another $1 billion in funds annually from an existing income tax on top earners to operate the facilities, his office said. "It's unacceptable what we're dealing with, at scale now, in the state of California," Newsom said during an event at Alvarado Hospital Medical Center to announce his plan. "We have to address and come to grips with the reality of mental health in this state and our nation." The governor's call for a 2024 ballot measure to modernize the state's behavioral health system is the capstone of his State of the State tour. Instead of delivering a traditional speech to lawmakers at the Capitol this year, Newsom traveled around California to launch his political agenda for his second term in office. The governor unveiled an ambitious goal in Sacramento to reduce homelessness statewide, traveled to San Quentin to announce the transformation of the maximum-security prison into a rehabilitation center and touted a new contract in Downey to produce low-cost insulin under a state label. The governor's aides billed his effort to rework the state's mental health system as an opportunity to turn the page on decades of failure to build an effective community-based system in California. Newsom often points to efforts under former Gov. Ronald Reagan to end involuntary commitment and close state-run psychiatric hospitals in the late 1960s as a primary driver for why so many people live on the streets or behind bars today. A stronger mental health system is imperative to Newsom's agenda to reduce homelessness and fix the criminal justice system. At a time when violent crime is rising and voters remain frustrated with the lack of progress on the unhoused crisis, it's also critical to the Democratic governor's legacy. Story continues "He's committed to it," said Sean Clegg, one of Newsoms senior political strategists. "He's going to lead, and he's going to spend his political capital." A key component of Newsom's plan is to reform the Mental Health Services Act of 2004, which was approved by voters under Proposition 63 to establish a 1% income tax on millionaires in California as a way to shore up funding for county-run services. Funding has fluctuated over the years, but equaled about $3.3 billion in the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office. Proposition 63 funding now accounts for roughly 30% of the states public mental health system, the governor's office said. Newsoms announcement would overhaul the funding structure to redirect 30% in Proposition 63 funds each year, or about $1 billion, toward operating community housing for those at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness and people who have severe mental illnesses and substance-use disorders. Some of the housing created would be set aside for veterans in California. The proposal also includes changes to Proposition 63 that would allow money to be spent solely on substance use treatment for qualifying people, which is not currently allowed, according to the governor's office. The governor's office said the bond measure he proposed for the 2024 ballot would pay for enough new beds for mental health care to serve more than 10,000 additional people every year. The state faces a shortage of 6,000 behavior health beds, his aides said. Newsom said the goal is to raise between $3 billion and $5 billion with the bond measure. "This is a big idea. It's half a century overdue in the state of California," Newsom said. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who helped write Proposition 63 when he was a state lawmaker, said he supported Newsoms changes. Were coming on 20 years, and after nearly two decades, its always time to update and modernize a good law and to make it more focused on the most serious consequences of untreated mental illness, Steinberg said. Steinberg said Proposition 63 has helped hundreds of thousands of people, but that the need now is for greater focus on people living in homeless encampments with severe mental illness and those coming out of the criminal justice system. There already is focus. There just needs to be more focus, he said. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Newsom's plan will free up more bed space for those in need. "These reforms will help us tackle the crisis on our streets and bring more Angelenos indoors with the support they need," Bass said in a statement. "I support these efforts and look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to ensure their success on the ballot." State Sen. Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) said shell unveil legislation to implement Newsoms plan and put it on the ballot. Proposition 63 was a strong start to addressing Californias mental health crisis, Eggman said, but she agrees that it's time for a remodel." The changes will ramp up construction of and sustainable funding for the kind of housing that heals, but is in such short supply, she added. That might include new cottage communities or adult residential housing that is less restrictive and more neighborhood oriented, rather than locked facilities that keep people separated from the general population. Sundays announcement would add to a series of recent changes made by lawmakers to retool Californias mental and behavioral health system since its last major overhaul six decades ago. That includes Medi-Cal expansion and permitting some benefits to incarcerated people before theyre released from prison. Eggman was one of two lawmakers last year who helped pass Newsoms new program to treat those with severe mental illness, known as CARE Court (for Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment). The plan set up a new court system that would compel treatment for those suffering from severe mental illness, a population the state estimates to be between 7,000 and 12,000 people. Eight counties, including Los Angeles, are expected to roll out CARE Courts this year, and the rest of the state will join in 2024. CARE Court will allow family members, first responders and health professionals, among others, to petition a judge to order an evaluation of an adult with a diagnosed psychotic disorder to determine what services that individual needs. Organizations representing families of affected loved ones strongly supported Newsoms ambitious new program, but the proposal ignited intense opposition from disability and civil rights advocates, who spent much of the year raising serious concerns that CARE Courts would remove personal freedoms and funnel at-risk individuals into the legal system. In January, many of the same groups that had lobbied against CARE Court filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to block the rollout of the new law, which Newsom signed in September as Senate Bill 1338. This year, Eggman introduced a bill to expand the definition of gravely disabled, used to determine if someone qualifies for a conservatorship. The change could mean that more people might qualify for a conservatorship if their mental or physical health poses a substantial risk of serious harm" due to their conditions. I think all of these pieces that we put together, and this redo of [the Mental Health Services Act], is going to be the last big transformational piece, Eggman said. Andy Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights California, said more money for mental health housing is a good thing and that Newsoms announcement seemed to largely bring welcome news. While an integral part of Newsom's reform effort would be to strengthen accountability and transparency around access, quality and spending of county behavioral health and Medi-Cal plans, Imparato said concerns remained over how some counties spend Proposition 63 funding. He wants to make sure that the money for new housing isnt pulled from other treatment services. Michelle Doty Cabrera, executive director of the County Behavioral Health Directors Assn., agreed. "We want to thank the governor for hearing our pleas to address the shortage of housing options for clients," Cabrera said. "However, we need these investments to be additive rather than shifting resources away from upstream prevention and treatment. Theres no way we will end this crisis without both: housing and treatment services." Imparato also said that Disability Rights California and other organizations that fiercely opposed CARE Court might still feel hesitant to work with Newsom on yet another mental health initiative. It will be critical, Imparato said, that peer supporters and those with lived experience with mental illness and substance use disorder have a seat at the table in this year's proposal. My hope is that we are going to see more of a collaborative approach, he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. HELSINKI (AP) Sweden won't be in a vulnerable security situation even if Finland joins NATO first, the Finnish president said Sunday, as both Nordic membership candidates negotiate bilateral military pacts with the United States. "It is possible that Finland joins NATO before Sweden, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in interview published by the Swedish public broadcaster SVT on Sunday. Should we have refused Turkeys offer to ratify? That sounds a bit crazy. It would have been a terribly difficult situation if we had said no to Ankara. Niinisto referred to his Friday visit to Ankara where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his government would move forward with ratifying Finlands NATO application, paving the way for the country to join the military bloc, but wouldn't ratify Sweden's bid before disputes between Ankara and Stockholm are solved. Both Finland and Sweden applied to become NATO members 10 months ago in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, abandoning decades of nonalignment. NATO requires the unanimous approval of its 30 existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that haven't yet ratified the Nordic duos bids. Should Swedens NATO membership talks with Turkey drag on for a long time, many Swedish security policy experts agree it would put Stockholm in a vulnerable military position in the Baltic Sea region. Niinisto said that Finland, Sweden and Denmark are currently in separate talks with the United States on security matters in an attempt to reach a bilateral military pact similar to what Norway has concluded with Washington before. I think that is a big change, almost bigger than NATO membership, Niinisto said of the ongoing talks with the U.S. when asked what happens to Sweden's security if talks to join NATO drag on. It means a lot if we (Nordic countries) all have a direct and a quite similar (military) agreement with the United States. Since announcing their intention to join NATO in May 2022, Finland and Sweden pledged to enter the Western military alliance jointly at the same time. Niinisto told SVT that the Nordic neighbors were determined to enter NATO hand in hand as long as it is in our hands, but the ratification of Finnish NATO membership is in the hands of Turkey and Hungary. Celebrities from across the world of culture have reacted to the latest news concerning former US president Donald Trump. On Saturday (18 March), Trump claimed on his Truth Social page that he will be arrested on Tuesday. In an incendiary all-caps post, Trump took aim at a corrupt & highly political Manhattan district attorneys office, and called for protests to take our nation back. Charges are expected to be brought against Trump over a hush money payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels before his election to office in 2016. You can keep up to date with the latest developments on the story here. Among those to react to the news were novelist Stephen King, and filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner. Donald Trump is a sociopath and a criminal, wrote King. To let him near the nuclear codes again would be insane. When Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president in 2016, I joined Twitter. I wanted to speak out against a man I knew to be a Pathologically Lying Misogynistic Racist who was and is an existential danger to our Democracy, wrote Reiner. The elimination of this scourge is upon US. Donald Trump is a sociopath and a criminal. To let him near the nuclear codes again would be insane. Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 18, 2023 Star Trek star George Takei wrote: Seeking justice for crimes that Trump committed is not political vengeance. No one is above the law. If powerful people committed criminal acts, they should answer for them like anyone else. Do you disagree? Twitter CEO Elon Musk has claimed that Trump will win in a landslide if he is indicted. A spokesperson for Mr Trump, meanwhile, stated: There has been no notification, other than illegal leaks from the Justice Dept. and the DAs office, to NBC and other fake news carriers, that the George Soros-funded Radical Left Democrat prosecutor in Manhattan has decided to take his Witch-Hunt to the next level. President Trump is rightfully highlighting his innocence and the weaponisation of our injustice system. He will be in Texas next weekend for a giant rally. Make America Great Again! North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile on Sunday, Seoul's military said, the fourth show of force in a week as South Korea and the United States stage major military drills. Seoul and Washington have ramped up defence cooperation in the face of growing military and nuclear threats from the North, which has conducted a series of increasingly provocative banned weapons tests in recent months. South Korea and the United States are in the middle of 11 days of joint drills known as Freedom Shield, their largest in five years. North Korea views all such exercises as rehearsals for invasion and has repeatedly warned it would take "overwhelming" action in response. "Our military detected one short-range ballistic missile fired from around the Tongchang-ri area in North Pyongan province at 11:05 am (0205 GMT) towards the East Sea," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan. The missile flew 800 kilometres (500 miles) and was under analysis by US and South Korean intelligence, the JCS said in a statement, calling the launch "a serious provocation" that violated UN sanctions. "Our military will maintain a solid readiness posture based on its ability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocation by North Korea, while carrying out intensive and thorough combined exercises and drills," it said. Tokyo also confirmed the launch, with deputy defence minister Toshiro Ino telling reporters Japan had "lodged a vehement protest to and strongly condemned (North Korea) through our embassy in Beijing". The US military's Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch, saying it highlighted "the destabilising impact" of North Korea's banned weapons programmes. South Korea's defence ministry said hours after the launch it had staged joint air drills with the United States featuring at least one US B-1B long-range bomber. The drills also involved South Korean F-35A stealth fighter jets and US F-16 fighters and took place as part of the Freedom Shield exercise. The exercise had "greatly enhanced the allies' interoperability... and wartime capabilities", the ministry said in a statement. Story continues - 'War maniacs' - The latest launch came a day after North Korean state media reported that more than 800,000 young North Koreans had volunteered to join the army to fight "US imperialists". The young volunteers were determined to "mercilessly wipe out the war maniacs" and joined the army to "defend the country", the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. On Thursday, Pyongyang test-fired its largest and most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-17, its second ICBM test this year. It described the launch as a response to the "frantic" US-South Korea drills. That launch drew condemnation from G7 foreign ministers Sunday, saying "North Korea's reckless behaviour demands a swift and unified response by the international community, including further significant measures by the UNSC". The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting Monday over the ICBM launch at the request of the United States and Japan, Yonhap news agency reported. In a statement carried by KCNA on Sunday, the North's foreign ministry "strongly" warned the US and other countries about including "legitimate self-defensive countermeasures of the DPRK for the discussion of the UNSC." DPRK is the acronym of North Korea's official name. In a separate statement, the foreign ministry also slammed the US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield over a recent UN meeting over the North's human rights abuses. "If the US is so worried about the 'human rights situation' in the DPRK, it should explain why it is so obsessed with the implementation of the most unethical sanctions," the statement said, warning the moves will result in "irreversible security instability" for the United States. - More missiles - Analysts previously said North Korea would likely use the drills as an excuse to carry out more missile launches and perhaps even a nuclear test. The ICBM launch followed two short-range ballistic missiles on Tuesday and two strategic cruise missiles fired from a submarine last Sunday. The recent flurry of aggression by Pyongyang has pushed Seoul and Tokyo to mend fences over historical disputes and try to boost security cooperation. Just hours after the ICBM was fired Thursday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in Japan for the first full-scale leaders' summit between the countries in 12 years. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said the recent missile launches had several purposes, including protesting against the joint drills as well as testing trilateral responses from South Korea, the United States and Japan. North Korea declared itself last year an "irreversible" nuclear power and leader Kim Jong Un recently called for an "exponential" increase in weapons production, including tactical nuclear weapons. Kim also ordered the North Korean military this month to intensify drills to prepare for a "real war". sh/mca By Hyonhee Shin SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen drills simulating a nuclear counterattack against the U.S. and South Korea in a warning to the allies who are scaling up their joint military exercises, state media KCNA said on Monday. The North's drills involved a short-range missile launch but - unusually - the missile flew from a buried silo, which analysts say would help improve speed and stability in future tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). KCNA said the exercises on Saturday and Sunday were designed to boost the country's "war deterrence and nuclear counterattack capability," accusing Washington and Seoul of making an "explicit attempt to unleash a war" against it. "The drill also aimed to demonstrate our tougher will to make an actual war response and send a stronger warning to the enemy who expand their war drills for aggression," KCNA said. In the exercises, a ballistic missile equipped with a mock nuclear warhead flew 800 km (497 miles) before hitting a target under the scenario of a tactical nuclear attack, KCNA said. KCNA photos showed Kim attended the test, again with his young daughter, as flames roared from the soaring missile before it hit the target. Analysts said the photos suggested the launch involved a KN-23 short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), but unlike past tests, the engine exhaust appeared to be vented either side at the moment of liftoff, which could mean that a silo was used. "Until now, North Korea has preferred mobile launchers for everything from SRBMs to even huge ICBMs, but given its poor road and system conditions, it was difficult to guarantee the stability of the missile during actual operations," said Yang Uk, a fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul. "The latest launch might possibly serve as a test for future launches of larger missiles like the Hwasong-17 ICBM in a silo." Story continues South Korea's defence ministry spokesman said the North is making significant technological advances in its nuclear programme but did not elaborate. 'NUCLEAR WAR DETERRENCE' Kim said the exercises improved the military's war capability and urged the military to stand ready for any "immediate and overwhelming nuclear counterattack anytime." "The present situation, in which the enemies are getting ever more pronounced in their moves for aggression against the DPRK, urgently requires the DPRK to bolster up its nuclear war deterrence exponentially," KCNA quoted him as saying. Kim was using the acronym of his country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The nuclear force of the DPRK will strongly deter, control and manage the enemy's reckless moves and provocations with its high war readiness, and carry out its important mission without hesitation in case of any unwanted situation," he added. South Korea and Japan reported a launch of a North Korean short-range ballistic missile off the east coast on Sunday, the latest in a series of missile tests in recent weeks. North Korea has reacted furiously to South Korea-U.S. combined military drills, calling them a rehearsal for invasion against it. The allies have been carrying out exercises this month, including air and sea drills on Sunday involving U.S. B-1B bombers. The U.S. and South Korea navies and marine corps are set to kick off their first large-scale Ssangyong amphibious landing exercises in five years on Monday for a two-week run until April 3. Last month, the two countries staged tabletop exercises simulating North Korea's nuclear attack amid South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's push for more confidence in U.S. extended deterrence - its military capability, especially nuclear forces, to deter attacks on its allies. In another dispatch, KCNA said more than 1.4 million North Koreans have volunteered to join or re-enlist in the military to fight against Seoul and Washington, up from about 800,000 reported by a state newspaper just two days before. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin in Seoul; Additional reporting by Josh Smith in Seoul; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Chris Reese. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Former President Donald Trump, left. adult film star Stormy Daniels, center. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, right. Alex Brandon/AP, left. Markus Schreiber/AP, center. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP, right. A Manhattan grand jury will continue hearing evidence Monday in the Trump hush-money investigation. At least one more witness must testify before the panel can deliberate and vote on a possible indictment. Monday is now the earliest Trump could be indicted, though the charges would immediately be sealed. A possible Donald Trump "hush-money" indictment is on hold until a final witness testifies before a Manhattan grand jury on Monday afternoon. "There is one more witness," a source with knowledge of the investigation told Insider on Saturday night. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to divulge details of the grand jury proceedings. The source declined to identify the witness, whose testimony will cap a two-month grand jury presentation by prosecutors under District Attorney Alvin Bragg. A separate source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, told Insider that the witness is not Allen Weisselberg, Trump's former CFO, who is serving a five-month sentence for admittedly masterminding a payroll tax-dodge scheme at the Trump Organization. News of a Monday grand jury witness was first reported by CNN. Former Trump attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen the prosecution's star witness for his admitted role in wiring the illegal $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, days before the 2016 election has told reporters he expected to be the grand jury's final witness when he testified last Monday and Wednesday. The surprise final witness provides an updated clue to the timing of a possible indictment of Trump and of any co-defendants. The grand jury, which meets in secret in a lower Manhattan office building, only gathers to hear testimony during three-hour afternoon sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Its members anywhere from 16 to 23 in number could conceivably reach a vote by the end of Monday's three-hour session. But that would be unlikely. Experts who have described the Manhattan grand jury process to Insider say there are several steps between the final testimony and the vote. Story continues Once testimony concludes, prosecutors will "charge" the jury, meaning go through the potential counts on a charge sheet one by one, explaining each count in the potential indictment. Sources have told Insider they expect the top count to be falsifying business records in the first degree, a low-level felony that would allege that Trump and any other co-defendant falsified documents in order to conceal another crime, such as omitting the $130,000 from campaign financial statements. Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing or having an affair with Daniels, and has called the prosecution a "Scam, Injustice, Mockery, and a Complete and Total Weaponization of Law Enforcement in order to affect a Presidential Election!" Once the charge has ended, the prosecutor, court officer, and stenographer leave the room, and the grand jurors begin deliberating. If 12 or more reach a vote to indict, the foreperson would be given the hard-copy indictment to sign, at which point the former president would officially, though secretly, be under indictment. That hard-copy indictment would then be walked over to a nearby clerk's office, where it is filed under seal. It would be unsealed at Trump's arraignment, though Bragg could ask a judge to unseal it early, given the great public interest. It's a lot of activity to fit into three hours; if the process is incomplete, the grand jurors could return on Wednesday afternoon to keep working. Trump had "Truthed" earlier Saturday that he "will be arrested on Tuesday of next week," telling supporters "Protest, take our nation back!" But that timing, already disputed by his attorney, could never have worked given the new final witness. The panel has so far heard from a steady stream of witnesses, including Cohen. Former Trump advisors Hope Hicks and Kellyanne Conway have also appeared. Read the original article on Business Insider For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. Sometimes these stories can cloud the minds of investors, leading them to invest with their emotions rather than on the merit of good company fundamentals. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away. Despite being in the age of tech-stock blue-sky investing, many investors still adopt a more traditional strategy; buying shares in profitable companies like Airtel Africa (LON:AAF). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing. See our latest analysis for Airtel Africa How Quickly Is Airtel Africa Increasing Earnings Per Share? If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Impressively, Airtel Africa has grown EPS by 20% per year, compound, in the last three years. If growth like this continues on into the future, then shareholders will have plenty to smile about. Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Airtel Africa maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 13% to US$5.1b. That's progress. In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Airtel Africa's future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting. Story continues Are Airtel Africa Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Investors are always searching for a vote of confidence in the companies they hold and insider buying is one of the key indicators for optimism on the market. Because often, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions. The first bit of good news is that no Airtel Africa insiders reported share sales in the last twelve months. Even better, though, is that the Independent Non-Executive Director, John Danilovich, bought a whopping US$198k worth of shares, paying about US$1.32 per share, on average. It seems at least one insider thinks that the company is doing well - and they are backing that view with cash. It's commendable to see that insiders have been buying shares in Airtel Africa, but there is more evidence of shareholder friendly management. Specifically, the CEO is paid quite reasonably for a company of this size. The median total compensation for CEOs of companies similar in size to Airtel Africa, with market caps between US$4.0b and US$12b, is around US$3.2m. Airtel Africa's CEO took home a total compensation package worth US$1.9m in the year leading up to March 2022. That comes in below the average for similar sized companies and seems pretty reasonable. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. It can also be a sign of good governance, more generally. Does Airtel Africa Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? For growth investors, Airtel Africa's raw rate of earnings growth is a beacon in the night. But wait, it gets better. We have seen insider buying and the executive pay seems on the modest side of things. The overriding message from this quick rundown is yes, this stock is worth investigating further. Still, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Airtel Africa. There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of Airtel Africa, you'll probably love this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here (Bloomberg) -- Australias government is confident that plans to acquire a fleet of nuclear submarines under the Aukus agreement wont derail progress in restoring its relations with China. Most Read from Bloomberg Trade Minister Don Farrell said talks on reviving frozen ties were progressing well at an official level, and that an invitation for him to visit Beijing still stood. Thats despite the overarching aim of the security deal finalized with the US and UK last week being to counter Chinas military ambitions in the Pacific. Everything is pointing in the right direction for a stabilization of the relationship and Id be very confident that process will continue, Farrell told Sky News on Sunday. Of course, at the same time, we want to make sure that everything we do is in our national interest and dealing with the issues of our national security. After 18 months of negotiations, US and UK leaders last week announced details of their plan to provide a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia over 30 years. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded by saying the deal would exacerbate a regional arms race, and that the Aukus partners had totally disregarded the concerns of the international community and gone further down the wrong and dangerous path. Canberras ties with Beijing unraveled in early 2020 after then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison called for a global investigation into the origins of Covid-19, which China viewed as part of a US-led effort to blame it for the pandemic. Beijing undertook a series of punitive trade actions on Australian products including barley, coal and wine, although it denied the moves were retaliatory. Story continues Hostilities have gradually eased since the Labor government won power last year. China last week said it will allow all domestic companies to import Australian coal. Lobster exporters arent seeing the same obstacles that were previously in place, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said this month, and there were early signs that curbs on beef and dairy were also beginning to ease. While Australia is pursuing a much better relationship with its key trading partner, the Aukus accord will help ensure the maintenance of a rules-based global order as China ramps up its military presence in the South China Sea, Defence Minister Richard Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Sunday. Marles also said that Australia had absolutely not provided the US with any commitment of military support in the event of a Chinese conflict over Taiwan, as part of the submarine deal. We want the best relationship with China that we can have and we are working very hard to stabilize that relationship, said Marles, who is also deputy prime minister. But those hard power equation facts exist, and we need to be thinking about that when were determining our own hard power equation. (Updates with ministers Taiwan comment in penultimate paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Donald Trump is "very anxious about the prospect of being indicted," the New York Times's Maggie Haberman said. Trump isn't "excited" about being arrested, fingerprinted, or asking for bail, Haberman said. He said on Truth Social that he expects to be "arrested" next week in the Manhattan DA's investigation. Former President Donald Trump is "very anxious" about a potential indictment in one of several investigations against him, New York Times correspondent Maggie Haberman said. Speaking to Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday, Haberman said Trump remains unnerved by the potential indictment, even as he begins fundraising off of it. "He's very anxious about the prospect of being indicted for a couple of reasons," Haberman said after Tapper asked about what's happening the behind scenes in Trump's world. "He is aware that there are reasons to believe this could help him politically. We have heard a lot about this morning already. But he does not want to face getting arrested, which is what happens when you get indicted. You get fingerprinted. You get brought in. You have to ask for bail. None of that is something that he is excited about." Trump predicted on Saturday that he would be "arrested" on Tuesday in the Manhattan district attorney's investigation into the $130,000 hush payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Trump's attorneys said they had not received information from the district attorney confirming Trump's claims and that he was basing them "on press reports," Insider previously reported. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called for his followers to "protest" and "take our nation back," referring to himself as the "LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE" in the 2024 presidential race. On the offensive, Trump and his staff have also launched a number of attacks on Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, a Democrat. "He and his folks, his political folks, are preparing for a huge blitz politically to push back on the Manhattan district attorney," Haberman said of Trump. "You saw that start yesterday, although I don't think that his Truth Social posts yesterday morning calling for protests was part of a grand plan. He did it, and a bunch of his aides were surprised by it." Story continues Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social on Sunday that the "Biden Administration, the Democrats, and the Fake News Media began pushing" Bragg on the case. According to Haberman's reporting, Trump's team is attempting to tie Biden to the Manhattan case, alleging a cloud of political corruption over the investigation. Trump also faces investigations in Georgia and two from the federal government. On CNN on Sunday, Haberman said there may be "potentially multiple indictments" as Trump makes his 2024 presidential bid. "We are talking about an indictment in Georgia possibly happening in the coming months. We are talking about indictments from the federal government happening in the coming months," Haberman said. "That becomes a lot of freight to carry in a presidential race." Read the original article on Business Insider Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters With former President Donald Trump insisting hes going to be arrested as early as Tuesday, meetings have reportedly been held between city, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to prepare for mass protests or riots. The talks come as far-right forums have overflowed with ideas on how to keep Trump out of the clinkwith one person suggesting Trump supporters should create a Patriot moat around the former presidents estate at Mar-a-Lago in South Florida so law enforcement cant enter. Police in Palm Beach, Florida, did not respond to questions from The Daily Beast about the threats. But New York City Police Department sources told The Daily Beast that their officers will be closely monitoring social media as well as intelligence from federal authorities and other police departments to assess the size of any protests. If a significant demonstration materializes in the next week, NYPD sources said the force may deploy the Strategic Response Group, a roughly 700-hundred-member unit trained in disorder control. The department, if necessary, could escalate that response by deploying a Level 4 alertwhich would put eight cops and one sergeant on alert in every precinct. Trump Believes Arrest Is Imminent, Demands MAGA Protests to Take Our Nation Back While the online threats remained just that as of Saturday evening, law enforcement at all levels appear to be preparing to prevent mass violence from breaking out like it did at the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, CNN reported. This prep has reportedly led to meetings between senior staff members from the Manhattan District Attorneys Officewhich could potentially indict Trump as early as next week for alleged hush-money payments to Stormy Danielsofficers who provide security at the state Supreme Court building in lower Manhattan, and the New York City Police Department. Following Trumps Saturday barrage of messages on Truth Socialincluding calling for nationwide protestssome of his most hardcore supporters online began tossing around ideas. On the pro-Trump and far-right internet forum The Donald, violent protest ideas began to gain widespread support. Story continues Surround Mar-a-Lago or wherever he currently is and prevent law enforcement from entering, one commenter wrote, receiving hundreds of positive votes. Another user responded, What if they use choppers to circumvent the Patriot moat? The idea of creating a protective barrier around Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate led to chatter about what type of rifle ammunition could take down low-flying aircraft sent to take the former president into custody. Earlier on Saturday morning, Stop the Steal leader Ali Alexander suggested 100,000 patriots should shut down all routes to Mar-a-Lago. Despite publicly calling for action to take place, Alexander said he wouldnt be participating in such an event. Likewise, Alexander claimed on Telegram to have spoken to far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Joneswho also expressed zero interest in organizing another protest in the name of Trump. Hes not protesting either, he added of Jones. Weve both got enough going on fighting the government. No billionaire is covering our bills. During an emergency Saturday broadcast, Jones carefully attempted to thread the needle between supporting Trumps calls for protests over a possible indictmentand warning his own followers of potential fallout from such events turning violent. Do not be provocateured [sic] into violence, Jones said, while warning his followers of dubious agents attempting to hijack pro-Trump rallies. Neither Alexander nor Jones immediately returned The Daily Beasts requests for comment. But it isnt just Jones and Alexander, many in Trumpworld havent heard of concrete plans for protests. Negative, Jan. 6 lawyer and pro-Trump pundit Joseph McBride told The Daily Beast. Only a bunch of prayer vigils, he added. Other ultra-MAGA personalities took swings at Trump for even suggesting protests after the events of Jan 6. The last time Trumps biggest fans protested on his behalf, he left them all to rot in jail without so much as a penny from him in legal fees, right-wing pundit Jesse Kelly wrote. Not a penny. Shame on him for this. Do NOT go to a blue area and protest for this man. Ignore this. Similarly, Steve Bannon ally Grace Chong discouraged Trump supporters from attending protests while declaring: Dont be stupid. If Trump were to be indicted, authorities would set a date and time for his surrender, at which point hed be formally arraigned and taken in for fingerprinting and a mugshot. That might cause both pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters to convene at Manhattan Criminal Courta coming together that officials fear could cause a violent clash, CNN reported. New York City police and the FBI have also coordinated a contingency plan to deal with an increase in threats to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his staff if Trumps extremist supporterslike the Proud Boyswere to target them, CNN reported, citing a source. Also part of those discussions is how to physically transport Trump. Secret Service agents in charge of Trumps detail in South Florida and those in New York are reportedly coordinating how theyll get Trump into the district attorneys office through crowds of protesters and media. Part of that discussion has also included the need to secure an area for a possible press conference outside the courthouse or at Trump Tower. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. This time of year can be difficult for anglers who have to account for the fact that bodies of water can throw off frigid air even when temperatures a short distance inland are warmer. Winter, no bully this year, has proved reluctant to let go. Spring, however, arrives Monday with a just-in-time forecast of warming temperatures. Water, to be sure, has remained cold enough in most of the state to be considered dangerous should an outdoor dunking occur. The temperature of the Maumee River, where walleye famously run to spawn this time of year and hopeful fishermen cast for them, stood at 39 degrees last week. Coincidentally, 39 was the temperature reading of Lake Erie off Toledo. Such a chill might be OK for fish, who, after all, have little choice, but humans adrift in such water will be too numb to swim in about seven minutes and deceased in 30 to 90. But cautious anglers who know how to dress for frigid water, including choice of waders, mostly do fine. The popularity of kayak fishing, on the other hand, puts people at increased risk when they decide to challenge conditions that allow no mistakes. For that matter, large bodies of water, such as Lake Erie, can throw off frigid air even when temperatures a short distance inland call for shirtsleeves. Dress for the temperatures of water and air, but remember that air temperatures can be misleading if youre driving from, say, Columbus for a fishing trip out of Sandusky. Early in the spring, air temperature on Lake Erie can bring a lot of shivering misery to anyone not prepared for the miniclimate. While the Maumee River temperature can fluctuate somewhat from day to day, the streams generally stay frigid to cool during early spring, making way toward temperatures that trigger a white bass run in April after the walleyes finish their business. Lake Erie, on the other hand, can stay cool enough well into May to require jackets or other additional clothing to fend off a chill. Most central Ohio anglers by mid-spring will be done with the cold unless a snowstorm sneaks through town. Rivers run The walleye run that occurs a short distance upriver from the settlements of Maumee and Perrysburg apparently has started in earnest, evidenced by photos posted on the Maumee River Report during the past week. Shots of anglers holding up lines of walleyes were numerous, some of the fish large, and some of the anglers with hauls of six walleye the current daily limit. Story continues The report, updated daily at the website, maumeetackle.net, offers information on water temperature, water level, clarity, where to fish, frequency of the bite and suggested bait. Depending on precipitation, the rivers water level can move up and down, and the flow occasionally can turn swift and treacherous. At times, some areas become inaccessible to waders. During the runs peak, fishermen sometimes are lined up shoulder-to-shoulder along areas where the fish are known to be particularly abundant because of confined holes or bottlenecks of some sort. It's important to keep in mind that more fish are hooked than can be kept legally. The keeping of snagged fish is illegal, so any fish snared anywhere other than in the mouth must be released. Cheaters sometimes get caught. About 20 miles east, near downtown Fremont, a lesser though still worthy run of walleyes takes place on the Sandusky River. The removal of a dam a few years ago just above the primary fishing area was completed with the hope of giving a boost to the rivers walleye by adding to the spawning area. Its still too early to measure the impact, said Travis Hartman, Lake Erie program administrator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. outdoors@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Lake Erie, Maumee River fishers need to pay attention to the weather NEW CASTLE, Ind. An Ohio man charged with robbery in Oklahoma was arrested Sunday after he was stopped for speeding in Henry County. Wilmer M. Guerrero, 22, Columbus, was being held Sunday in the Henry County jail, preliminarily charged with driving without a license. He is expected to be extradited to Oklahoma to face the robbery charge. According to a release issued by Indiana State Police, Guerrero was arrested about 9 a.m. Sunday by a state trooper who had pulled over the Ohio man's Subaru for speeding near the Knightstown exit on Interstate 70. A records check revealed the pending arrest warrant issued in Oklahoma, the release said. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Ohio man charged with robbery arrested in Henry County One person is dead after a late-night shooting Sunday in South Beach, according to Miami Beach police, marking the second fatal shooting on Ocean Drive this weekend during spring break. Police said a male was shot around 3:30 a.m. near 11th Street and Ocean Drive and was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospitals Ryder Trauma Unit, where he died. A second victim was injured and treated and released at the scene, police said. Officers chased a subject on foot and arrested him near 12th Street and Washington Avenue, police said. The police department said in a statement Sunday that it was a targeted and isolated incident. Shooting Investigation: On Sunday, March 19 at 3:29 a.m. Miami Beach Police officers heard gunshots near 11 Street and Ocean Drive and found one male with gunshot wounds along the 1000 block of Ocean Drive. 1/4 Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) March 19, 2023 On Sunday evening, Miami Beach police released an arrest report saying Dontavious Polk, a 24-year-old Fort Lauderdale man, was facing first-degree murder charges for the shooting. Surveillance footage captured from a nearby business showed people walking along a crowded sidewalk when a man pulled out a gun and fired numerous shots at close range at another man walking in the opposite direction with a woman. The gunman ran north on Ocean Drive as people scampered away. The incident came one night after another shooting on Ocean Drive near Seventh Street about 10:40 p.m. Friday left one person dead and another wounded amid large spring break crowds. READ MORE: See what the South Beach spring break scene looked like one night after a deadly shooting Miami Beach city officials said Saturday that they would not declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew, as they did after two deadly shootings during spring break last year. But after Sundays shooting, City Manager Alina Hudak announced a midnight curfew in South Beach on Sunday night into Monday. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Miami Herald staff writer David J. Neal contributed to this report. A deputy of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office stands at the corner of Ellis Road and Richland Valley Drive, about a quarter mile from the scene were a deputy shot and killed a woman Saturday afternoon. A deputy from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office shot and killed a woman who authorities believed to be a suspect in a Fayette County domestic violence incident. The shooting happened at around 2:40 p.m. Saturday in Bartlett, near Ellis Road and Golden Valley Lane. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was called in by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy to investigate the circumstances of the shooting. Keli McAlister, a public information officer with TBI, said the bureau did not know what prompted the shots to be fired by the deputy and did not say whether the woman, who has not been identified, was armed at the time. "[Deputies] spotted the vehicle earlier and followed or pursued the vehicle to this location," McAlister told reporters Saturday evening. "As officers approached the vehicle, shots were fired, and the driver was struck. The female driver, who was the only individual in the vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene." The woman was the only person in the vehicle, according to McAlister. It is not clear how many deputies were involved in the shooting, but McAlister and SCSO confirmed none were injured. John Morris, a public information officer with SCSO, deferred any additional comment to TBI. McAlister said deputies were able to identify the vehicle the woman was driving from the description and tag number. The domestic violence incident, McAlister said, took place earlier Saturday. 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: Woman shot, killed by SCSO deputy; TBI investigating A 19-year-old man is dead and two others are in custody after a shooting Friday afternoon in Dallas, according to police. Officers were called to the 7400 block of South Westmoreland Road around 3:45 p.m. Saturday where they found Donavon Jones, 19, and Jacory Simpson, 23, shot inside a business, according to police. Both were taken to the hospital in critical condition where Jones died. Police said Taquan Cook, 20, was arguing with Simpson outside the business when he shot and wounded Simpson. Simpson then tried to leave the area but ran into the building where he encountered Jones, who he shot and killed. Jones died Saturday in the hospital. Simpson is still in the hospital and an arrest warrant has been issued for murder and unlawful carrying of a weapon, according to police. Cook is charged with assault causing serious bodily injury and was taken to the Dallas County Jail. Another shooting on Saturday around 9 p.m. at the same location sent four people attending a vigil to the hospital, the Dallas Morning News reported. A passenger in a car driving by the vigil fired a gun out of a car, and attendees returned fire. Police have not announced any arrests in the Saturday shooting. Vicki Davidson is the program director for the Greentree-Teutonia Learning Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Davidson is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Wisconsin for her tireless work teaching children and adults in the center that's located in a low-income housing complex. Vicki Davidson is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Vicki Davidson found her village, and now she gives back to it. For 24 years, shes helped hundreds of kids finish their homework, practice their reading and prepare for life. Shes worked with their parents and other adults to complete their high school education and find jobs. Shes coordinated with local colleges to build a strong roster of tutors. Davidson, 65, serves as the program director for the Greentree-Teutonia Apartments Community Learning Center, a welcoming space within a low-income apartment complex in Milwaukee. Shes been described as the pulse of the complexs rigorous summer enrichment and after-school programs. Her influence has rippled beyond Greentree and spread across Milwaukee, a city known for stark racial disparities in educational outcomes, employment, income and home ownership. Davidson works on the ground level, moving child by child, with her influence spanning generations. "It is my prayer that every child I poured into reaches back and does the same for others coming up with them and after them," she said. The apartment complex is one of six in the state overseen by Housing Ministries of American Baptists in Wisconsin. Residents receive housing vouchers, and the waiting list for a one-bedroom apartment is three to four years. Davidson knows the struggles residents face, because she once was one. Greentree, a nine-acre complex with more than 700 residents, is where she raised her son as a single mother, where she found a community of other mothers, and where she found her calling. This has been my mantra: I understand. I know, she said. And I've had them come through here and now I raise their children that are coming to the program, and that gives me joy. Story continues Vicki Davidson poses outside the Greentree-Teutonia Learning Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Davidson, who is the center's program director, is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Wisconsin for her tireless work teaching children and adults in the center that's located in a low-income housing complex. Its not unusual for Davidson to get texts from her students: Hey Miss Vicki, things arent going well at home. Can you pick me up? She always replies. She always helps. Davidsons passion for education came from her mother, a teacher who filled her childhood home with books and magazines, like Ebony and Jet. Her parents married in 1950 in Alabama, where her father had been prevented from voting because of his race. The day after the wedding, the couple moved to Milwaukee, where her father had a job secured at a factory and later opened a grocery store. He designed and built their house, brick by brick. Our education came through books, she said. You may not love reading, but you can love where it can take you. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Who paved the way for you? My mother, Marie Davidson, her being a teacher and her being a Christian, her just being a hard-working woman. I have not had it as hard as my mother had. But I appreciate everything she and my dad did. We're sitting at the kitchen table doing the homework, we're going over our factors, we're going over our multiplication, we're doing our spelling, while she's cooking cornbread and my dad is working second shift. You have to look at that kind of work ethic and say, how do I do that? And then you just find a way to do what you can do, because she and my father found a way to do that. What is your proudest moment? The birth of my son. Being a single mother was not easy. (My son) has been my pride and joy ever since. I'm sure most mothers would say that but it kind of ties into what I do and why children are so important to me. I know how important it is to have your mom, how important it is to have your dad. If you don't have the dad, then you have to have someone that's going to stand for you. What is your definition of courage? To take on whatever comes to you, however the chips may fall. You don't back off of it. You give it the prayer that it needs. And then you just do what you have to do, because God has got you. And even in the worst circumstances, he will give you the courage because that's why we do what we do for his glory. Vicki Davidson poses inside the Greentree-Teutonia Learning Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Davidson, who is the center's program director, is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Wisconsin for her tireless work teaching children and adults in the center that's located in a low-income housing complex. Is there a guiding principle or mantra that you tell yourself? Just to give it to God. And I mean, have the faith to know that however it turns out, he is in control and his will is going to be done. How do you overcome adversity? I really do rely on my faith, because I'm not perfect. I don't get it right all the time. If you were to ask my son, and several of the children that I work with, Ms. Vicki is not perfect, and I've made a mistake or two and I do know that you have to humble yourself. I've gotten better about that over the years. What advice would you give your younger self? Stay the course. Listen to the people who know more than you do. Because now the same things that I wasn't listening to when my mother and elders were telling me, I'm saying those same things to my son and the same things to the children. And if I knew then what I know now, and if I had someone that would have sat down and talked to me, like I'm able to talk to my son and able to talk to the students here, who knows the possibilities? Vicki Davidson exits the Greentree-Teutonia Learning Center in Milwaukee, Wis. Davidson, who is the center's program director, is USA TODAY's Women of the Year honoree from Wisconsin for her tireless work teaching children and adults in the center that's located in a low-income housing complex. Youve worked at the Learning Center for 24 years. Why have you done it for so long? I have had other offers and other opportunities over the years, but the truth is, I love the people I serve and I truly enjoy my job. If I can help or encourage a child, a young mother, a single father, our seniors, then that is what Im here for. I find the encouragement to keep going when Paige, who is 20 now but has been with me since she was a baby, comes from Arizona, where she now lives, to show her boyfriend Greentree because it was so important to me. It was my second home. And when Sariyah tells me she is going to the Navy when she turned 18 and she wanted me to meet her recruiter, so I would be at ease with her choice. She is now a standout in the Navy, got her associate's degree and has been serving our country for eight years. ... And when Raphiell, who came to us when he was 8 from Chicago's Cabrini-Green Housing Project, graduated from the Milwaukee High School of the Arts. He is a rap artist, musician and now a drummer on several drumlines, including the Milwaukee Bucks, and is in college at Milwaukee Area Technical College and a member of a fraternity. What makes you hopeful about Milwaukees future? Im optimistic because it is my prayer that every child I poured into reaches back and does the same for others coming up with them, and after them. They know my expectation of them is to do great work and be great! Im counting on the Greentree students, past and present, to pick up the baton and cross the finish line in victory. That will be a huge win for Milwaukee. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Greentree community learning center director honored by USA TODAY A man who was struck in a hit-and-run collision Sunday morning on a busy Sacramento street has died from his injuries. The Sacramento County Coroners Office identified the victim as Richard Cortez, 52, of Glendale. Cortez died he was struck by a vehicle on Franklin Boulevard between 26th and 27th avenues in Sacramentos North City Farms neighborhood around 6 a.m. Sacramento police closed the stretch of Franklin to traffic in both directions for several hours to investigate and offered few details, but said the driver had fled the scene. The Police Department encourages any witnesses to the crash to contact the dispatch center at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP (4357). Callers may remain anonymous and can be eligible to a reward of up to $1,000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the P3 Tips cell phone app. Peter Thomson Robertson I just read the terrible news in The Mountaineer about the Canton paper mill closing in June. This is a devastating blow for the people in the area, who are still recovering from yet another flood last year. This mill has been the lifeblood of Canton and the region since it began operations 115 years ago. The Canton mill and Western North Carolina have been important parts of my familys history and lives since before the mill opened. My great-grandfather Peter G. Thomson, for whom I am named, founded Champion Papers with the building of a paper mill in a city near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1894. By the turn of the century, his business had become enormously successful, and he decided he needed a steady source of pulp for the Ohio mill. He began scouting Western North Carolina and decided to build a pulp mill in Canton. Peter also began buying up large tracts of timberlands in the mountains to supply the pulp mill with the necessary lumber. More:Canton paper mill closing a 'regional crisis,' mayor says; Buncombe also affected When there were problems in getting the mill finished and obtaining titles to properties, Peter asked his son-in-law Reuben B. Robertson Sr. (my grandfather), a Cincinnati lawyer practicing in his fathers law firm, to head to the region for what may grandfather used to say was for 60 days, but turned into 60 years (actually 65). He brought his wife and 1-year-old daughter and settled in what for them was a very rustic area. My grandfather never left and ended up working for his father-in-laws company the rest of his professional life, into his 80s (he died in 1972 at age 93). My grandfather ran the Canton mill until the 1940s when he was made a senior officer of the entire Champion enterprise. In 1946, he became president of what had become a very large Ohio-based papermaking concern, with very large plants in three states. Even with his new position, my grandfather never left WNC and became an almost revered figure among the employees. At one point, the Canton mill which had rapidly grown from a pulp mill into a large, integrated paper making mill was the largest of its kind in the country. Story continues My father Reuben Robertson Jr., grew up in the area and spent his youth roaming the mountains, enjoying hiking, hunting and fishing. He started working in the mill as a teenager during school breaks and vacations. His ambition from boyhood was to work for Champion and he did that for his entire professional career, except for three years in the Army during World War II and an almost two-year stint as Deputy Secretary of Defense under President Eisenhower in the 1950s. More:Canton mill closing: officials express hope, warn of environmental, mental health risks Reuben Jr. began working on the ground floor right after graduating from college in 1930. Not only did he become familiar with all aspects of the business, he also got to know almost all the employees by first name. My father was promoted to Champion headquarters in Ohio in 1938 and moved up in management ranks until he succeeded his father as president in 1950. My father loved the area and returned frequently for company meetings and events, to show senior Time magazine executives around, and for employee get-togethers at Champions Lake Logan retreat. He also brought our family for vacations at Lake Logan and the area became important to us all. After my father was killed by a drunk driver in 1960, Champion passed out of control by the Thomson-Robertson family. However, my family maintained its ties, returning periodically for reunions at Lake Logan. We also supported the recovery efforts after the devastating 2021 Canton flooding. The closure of the Canton mill will be the end of the last vestige of what once had been the large and thriving industrial enterprise that was Champion. The Canton mill is the last surviving one of the four large mills the company built and operated. It has been such a vital part of the regions history and economy (and the states) that it has spawned one book (Thomsons Pulp Mill by Carroll Jones), a Ph.D and a master thesis, and regular visits by North Carolinas governors (one, Dan Moore, had been a Champion employee before his election). Our hearts go out to the Canton mill workers, their families, and the region all of whom will face difficult, uncertain futures due to the mill closure. Our family is deeply saddened by this terrible event. Peter Robertson is an attorney in Massachusetts and is part of the Canton paper mill family, beginning with his great-grandfather Peter G. Thomson who founded Champion Papers. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Closure of Canton paper mill is devastating blow for region Mike McCarter, the leader of the OGreater IdahoO movement, at the Morrow County Rodeo and Fair in Heppner, Ore. on Aug. 19, 2022. (Hilary Swift/The New York Times) COVE, Ore. Corey Cook still holds a fondness for her days living in Portland, Oregon, where the downtown pubs and riverfront cherry blossoms made her proud to call the Rose City home during her 20s. But as she started growing wary of the metro areas congestion and liberal politics, she moved to the suburbs, then the exurbs, before heading east, eventually escaping Portlands sphere of influence on the other side of the Cascade Mountains in 2017. But even here, where she now runs a Christian camp amid the foothill pines overlooking the Grande Ronde Valley, she cannot help but notice how the values of western Oregon are held over the eastern part of the state by way of laws making guns less accessible and abortions more accessible. Unwilling to move east into Idaho, farther from her family, Cook, 52, now wonders if redrawing the state maps could instead bring Idahos values to her. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times Oregon is not a unified state to me anymore, she said. To say that Im an Oregonian is a geographic truth, but it doesnt really have meaning to me the way that it did before I lived in eastern Oregon. The broad sense of estrangement felt across rural Oregon has led conservatives in recent years to pursue a scrupulous strategy to open a theoretical escape hatch, gathering thousands of signatures for a series of ballot measures that have now passed in 11 counties. Those measures require regular meetings to discuss the idea of secession. In those places, including Union County, Cooks new home, county commissioners in rooms adorned by Oregon flags and maps are now obligated to talk about whether it would one day make sense to be part of Idaho. The Greater Idaho movement joins a long history of U.S. defection struggles. In California, for example, there have been more than 200 attempts over the years to break up the state. Greater Idaho sees its solution as simpler: a shift in an existing border that would claim the entire eastern half of Oregon without creating an entirely new state. Despite being a political long shot, the sustained and growing interest from residents in the area and attention from politicians in Idaho have illustrated how much the state is already divided in spirit. Story continues Its got worse over the years, said John Lively, a Democratic state representative who grew up in one of the counties considering the secession plan. Its really reflective of the divide we have in our country. Lively has met with Greater Idaho leaders, saying that while he does not support their effort, the movement has followed the appropriate channels and opened up an opportunity for western Oregonians to take notice of why people on the other side of the state have grown so disaffected. Last month, taking notice of the percolating chatter on the other side of the border, Idahos state representatives approved a measure to initiate formal discussions with Oregon over whether and how to redraw a state boundary that spans some 300 miles. Oregon lawmakers have so far not answered the call. To some residents in eastern Oregon, the secession movement has been cathartic, a sort of relief valve for decades of boiling frustrations with government in a region that has in the distant and not-too-distant past hosted its share of anti-government violence. To others, the secession effort has felt quixotic, or even idiotic. Success would require passage through the state legislatures in both states and in Congress, requiring the Democrats who currently control broad political power at the Capitol in Salem, Oregon, to get onboard with the idea of giving up half the state to a neighbor that does not share their values. Such a shift would leave others in the region more vulnerable, including the Klamath Tribes, where there are fears that a switch to Idaho would undermine efforts to fight for environmental protections on their ancestral lands. A Marine Corps veteran who helps develop products for the hunting industry, James Nash makes visits to the grocery store that can mean hours of serendipitous conversation with every person he sees. Nash, 36, has watched eastern Oregons growing frustration with government policies that alter the regions way of life. Limits on logging contributed to a steep decline in the sprawling timber industry, leading to mill closures and mass layoffs. Eastern Oregon largely gets treated as western Oregons playground, he said. Nash plans to vote to advance the secession debate, though he does not support actual implementation. He fears that a switch to Idaho would bring its own set of complications. I dont think there is a historical precedent to say, This is going to work, Nash said. Id just rather we figure out how to restore Oregon to a better place. Redrawing the map would require much more than fresh cartography. Logistical challenges grow more thorny with each new question: Would people in eastern Oregon be ready to embrace a sales tax? How would Idaho, which bans legal marijuana, manage eastern Oregons thriving weed industry? How would the states transition eastern Oregons state employees, with some benefits already earned, to a new retirement system with different rules and compensation? Barbara Dee Ehardt, an Idaho Republican state representative who sponsored a resolution to invite cross-state talks, said she saw benefits for conservatives in Idaho. Among them, she said, a border shifting westward would move legal marijuana and legal abortions farther from the reach of people in her state. Leading the Greater Idaho movement is Mike McCarter, 75, a resident of La Pine, Oregon, who worked for 30 years in the states nursery industry and currently teaches classes on concealed handguns and shooting, and recently acquired an Idaho flag for his home. McCarter said in an interview that in the process of spreading his message, he has spoken with the Peoples Rights group, which is led by Ammon Bundy. In 2016, Bundy started an armed takeover of a wildlife refuge in Harney County, which has voted to join the Oregon secession movement. But McCarter said that he does not align with the groups tactics, adding that he wants his effort to provide an outlet for people to express their frustrations through peaceful means. We are not looking at the civil disobedience way, he said. State boundaries, he argued, were set with the idea of organizing like-minded people and can be adjusted to conform with evolving communities, as when divisions between the eastern and western parts of Virginia led to the creation of West Virginia. Even though people can say the odds are still way against it and they probably are its still bringing the issue to the surface, McCarter said. On their own, the county commissioners have little power to alter Oregons state lines, but supporters of the Greater Idaho movement have continued to put pressure on them, in hopes they will put pressure on state lawmakers. At the meeting last month, the activists urged the commissioners to formally notify their state lawmakers that local citizens had voted to engage in the idea. The commissioners agreed, approving the message unanimously. I do share the frustrations of the people that are wanting to do it, Donna Beverage, one of the commissioners, said after the meeting. I just dont know how difficult it is going to be. But at the same time, when people are frustrated, we can fight for change. c.2023 The New York Times Company Paris Hilton said that she was "in the throes of PTSD" when she made racist and homophobic comments in early 2000s. Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for MTV Paris Hilton has addressed her history of making offensive remarks about minorities. In her memoir, she wrote that after her time at abusive schools, she had a "severely damaged filter." "I don't remember half the stuff people say I said," she wrote. "But I'm not denying it." Paris Hilton has addressed her history of making racist, homophobic, and antisemitic remarks in her autobiography, "Paris: The Memoir." Since she became a public figure 20 years ago with the release of the reality show, "The Simple Life," in 2003, Hilton has been repeatedly called out for making offensive remarks against minorities. As recently as 2012, RadarOnline obtained an audio recording of the hotel heiress making anti-gay comments during a taxi ride, for which she later apologized. In her memoir, released on Tuesday, the 42-year-old businesswoman wrote that after spending some of her teenage years in a series of residential treatment centers, where she said she was physically, mentally, and sexually abused, she had "a severely damaged filter." Hilton said that while at Provo Canyon School and other schools, she was forced to take part in attack therapy sessions known as "raps" where "people went for the most obvious target in the ugliest possible language." "The N-word. The C-word. The F-word. (Not that F-word, the worse one.) I look back on some of the things I said in the years after I left Provo, in the throes of PTSD, and I'm mortified," she wrote. "Horrified." "I'm grossed out, because that means those creepy people got inside my head. I never really left them behind," Hilton continued, adding that while she "tried hard to drown it out," the "roar of the Rap was never far away." Paris Hilton with her friend and "The Simple Life" costar, Nicole Richie. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images "I couldn't party hard enough, couldn't drive fast enough, couldn't crank my music loud enough or vacuum up enough love to make it go away," she wrote. "Sometimes I fell back on that slay-or-be-slain mentality, and I'm not proud of that. I was fucked up, okay? And I drank a lot. Like, a lot." Story continues However, the mom-of-one acknowledged: "Saying I drank to dull the pain that's an explanation, not an excuse." "Sometimes I was just wasted and being a fucking moron," Hilton wrote. "I don't remember half the stuff people say I said when I was being a blacked-out idiot, but I'm not denying it." "I had a severely damaged filter except when I was buzzed and had no filter at all." Hilton wrote that the 11 months she spent at residential treatment centers "systematically destroyed" her ability to trust people, meaning that "getting close to anyone made me feel vulnerable and raw." "As a result, I said the worst things to and about the people I love most." "I'm a genuinely nice person," she added. "I try to help people whenever I can. I love to lift up my friends and fellow creatives." "Paris: The Memoir" by Paris Hilton is out now. Read the original article on Insider Former vice president Mike Pence said in an interview aired Sunday that the impending indictment of former president Trump by progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg smells of a politically charged prosecution. Trump said Saturday on social media that he expects to be arrested next week, urging followers to protest in response. The development comes amid New York prosecutors investigation into Trumps connection to a hush-money payment made to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who sent the money on Trumps behalf, testified to the grand jury Monday. Im taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, at a time when theres a crime wave in New York City, Pence said on ABCs This Week. The fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country. Pence added that the probe is motivated by political animus, making it unpopular among the public and generally bad optics. It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here. And I, for my part, I just feel like its just not what the American people want to see, Pence said. Last week, the former vice president publicly blasted Trumps involvement in the January 6 Capitol Riot. He criticized the media pundits who tried to excuse the demonstrators storming the federal buildings. Tourists dont injure 140 police officers by sightseeing, Pence said at the annual Gridiron Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. Tourists dont break down doors to get to the Speaker of the House or voice threats against public officials. Lawyers for Pence last week filed a motion to reject the federal grand jurys subpoena for his testimony on January 6. Pence said in the interview Sunday that any protesting of Trumps treatment must remain civil and not spiral into political unrest like January 6 or the riots that wrecked cities across the country during the summer of 2020. Story continues I believe that people understand that if they give voice to this, if this occurs on Tuesday, that they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner, Pence said. That the violence that occurred on January 6, the violence that occurred in cities throughout this country in the summer of 2020 was a disgrace. The American people wont tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. More from National Review Former Vice President Mike Pence argued in an interview broadcast Sunday that the possible looming arrest of former President Trump in a case by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office would be a politically charged prosecution. Trump claimed on social media earlier this weekend that he would be arrested in the investigation into alleged payments to Stormy Daniels to buy her silence ahead of the 2016 presidential election. The former president also called for protests from supporters. Pence, who has increasingly split from Trump in recent weeks, attacked the prosecutor who is overseeing the hush money investigation as part of the radical left. Im taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, at a time when theres a crime wave in New York City, Pence said on ABCs This Week. The fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority, I think just tells you everything you need to know about the radical left in this country. And Pence said a possible Trump arrest resulting from the Manhattan investigation, which the former president has said is corrupt and highly political, would be purely for political reasons. It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here. And I, for my part, I just feel like its just not what the American people want to see, Pence said. The comments from Pence come after he seemingly criticized Trump over the weekend for calling on the former presidents supporters to protest, with the former vice president telling reporters in Iowa that violence will not be tolerated. He said in the interview with ABC that if Trumps supporters were to demonstrate against a potential arrest, they should do so peacefully. I believe that people understand that if they give voice to this, if this occurs on Tuesday, that they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner, Pence said. That the violence that occurred on Jan. 6, the violence that occurred in cities throughout this country in the summer of 2020 was a disgrace. The American people wont tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Story continues Pence, who is refusing to testify in the federal investigation into Trump surrounding the Jan. 6 insurrection, has spent much of the last few months in early primary states as he mulls a 2024 presidential bid. Updated at 9:01 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday decried the possibility of the arrest of his former boss, Donald Trump, saying that it would be a politically charged prosecution. In posts to his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump predicted that he would be arrested on Tuesday, citing "illegal leaks" which his spokesperson later clarified meant media reports by NBC News and other outlets. In an interview on ABC News This Week, Pence said he viewed the possible criminal charges facing the former president as a priority of the radical left." It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here. And I, for my part, I just feel like its just not what the American people want to see, he said. "Im taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States, at a time when theres a crime wave in New York City, that the fact that the Manhattan DA thinks that indicting President Trump is his top priority," he added. Without any notification of an indictment, the former president, in his Truth Social posts, referred to reports that he could soon face charges in New York relating to a hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, and called on supporters to protest. Hours later, he ramped up his calls for demonstrations in another post, writing: WE MUST SAVE AMERICA! PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!! Despite his recent strong remarks condemning Trump over Jan. 6, Pence did not push back on his latest call for people to protest. He did, however, say that he thinks demonstrators understand "they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner." He called the violence during the Capitol riot and protests against police brutality in the wake of George Floyds death a disgrace, adding: The American people wont tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Story continues Some Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, swiftly rallied to Trumps defense on Saturday but stopped short of echoing his calls for protests. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., tweeted we dont need to protest and "these idiots are sealing their own fate in 2024." Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., did not criticize Trumps call for protests Sunday when pressed by host Chuck Todd on NBC News' "Meet the Press" on whether he considers it "appropriate behavior" from a former president. Let me make it clear theres a difference between the former president and what he did on January 6th as the president of the United States and his call for support at the Capitol, versus an individual person, today, asking people to show up to protest if he is indicted, Rounds responded. Asked if he's concerned that Trump's call for protests foments distrust, Rounds said, Look, I dont know if hes fomenting distrust or not." "But clearly we dont know whether or not this is actually going to happen, he said. We dont know whether or not theres actually going to be an indictment. More Republicans came to Trumps defense on Sunday programs. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, suggested the timing of Trumps potential indictment was suspicious. Its very odd that this would come out just the very next day after I revealed bank records, which showed that the Biden family, the president in particular, hasnt been truthful with respect to his family receiving payments directly from the Chinese Communist Party, Comer said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." So it almost looks like its an effort to detract but at the very least, its another example of a two-tier system of justice. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said all Republicans should get behind Trump. All the Democrats hate Trump, theres some Republicans who hate Trump. So guess what? Theres a double standard. You can do anything you want to Trump. Everybodys OK with that. But you cant do it to Biden. Theres a completely double standard, Scott said on "Sunday Morning Futures." While Democratic leaders have called Trump's posts to Truth Social demanding protests "reckless" and "inflammatory," Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said Sunday that Trump's supporters should be able to protest "peacefully" if the former president is arrested. Kelly said on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump supporters "have First Amendment rights, and they should be able to exercise those peacefully. He added that law enforcement must be prepared to ensure such protests don't "rise to the level of violence. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com If former President Donald Trump is indicted this week, any protests that take place should be peaceful and lawful, former Vice President Mike Pence said Sunday. Trump took to social media over the weekend to call on his supporters take our nation back should he face criminal charges. I believe that people understand that if they give voice to this, if this occurs on Tuesday, that they need to do so peacefully and in a lawful manner, Pence told ABCs Jonathan Karl during an interview that aired on This Week. The violence that occurred on January 6, the violence that occurred in cities throughout this country in the summer of 2020, was a disgrace. The American people wont tolerate it and those that engage in that kind of violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, he said. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu echoed Pence's call Sunday. Look, if someone's calling for protests, you always want to make sure that they're peaceful," Sununu said during an interview on CNN's "State of the Union." "In long history, in recent history in America, folks always are out there protesting what they see as an unjustified arrest or an unjustified indictment. But you want to make sure it's peaceful. We don't want history to repeat itself in overly negative ways." The former vice president declined to say whether Trumps call for protests on social media was irresponsible, instead calling the investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg politicized. It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here, Pence said, later adding that he supports efforts in Congress, led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, to investigate Trumps potential prosecution. Nobody's above the law. But nobody's beneath the law either, Pence said. And the American people are troubled after four years of our administration, seeing the politicization of the Justice Department, I strongly support the efforts in Congress to investigate the role that politics is playing in our justice system today. Story continues Sununu, who is seen as a potential 2024 presidential candidate like Pence, also criticized the investigation into Trump, calling it a "political circus." There's much more pressing issues of the day. It's just unfortunate this has taken the headline," Sununu said. Though criminal charges appear imminent in the case over Trump's handling of a hush money payment made during his 2016 presidential campaign, there is no clear basis for the former president's claim that he expects to be arrested Tuesday. A Pennsylvania woman was mauled to death by her neighbor's two Great Danes as she fed them while their owner was away, according to police. Kristin Potter, 38, of Centre Township in Perry County, died Thursday despite the efforts of emergency responders and police officers, who were unable to reach her until animal control arrived and tranquilized the dogs, according to local NBC affiliate WGAL. Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler told the outlet that Potter had fed the dogs before and that she had gone to the house with her young son, who eventually ran to get help after the dogs attacked his mother. TEXAS MAN MAULED BY NEIGHBOR'S DOGS, OWNER ARRESTED Kristin Potter, 38, of Centre Township in Perry County, died after being attacked by her neighbor's dogs. "He was present at the scene, but I don't think he was there for much of it," Ressler said of Potter's son. "As soon as he saw the dogs starting to attack his mother, he ran across the road to have his brother call 911." Another Great Dane and a French bulldog were also in the home but didn't attack. The two Great Danes that mauled Potter were subsequently euthanized by a veterinarian, and state police continue to investigate the incident. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Brandon Zeiders, who is engaged to Potters sister, told Penn Live that state police believe the Great Danes might have been fighting with each other and then turned on Potter when she tried to intervene. GEORGIA BOY, 11, PULLED FROM BIKE AND ATTACKED BY 'LOOSE' PIT BULLS LOSES PART OF EAR, MOST OF HIS SCALP Sabathne's Great Danes had reportedly bitten Potter before they fatally attacked her last week. "Im heartbroken," the dogs' owner Wendy Sabathne told the outlet, which noted she was speaking from the hospital where her mother was in intensive care. "Im in shock. Im in disbelief and I just want to die. I cant believe this happened." Multiple people claimed that Sabathne's dogs had shown aggression before. Bill Keefer, Potter's father, claimed the dogs had bitten his daughter two or three years ago. State police Trooper Kelly Abati told the outlet there has not yet been a decision on whether Sabathne will face charges. Story continues Great Danes tower over other dog breeds and can measure 32 inches at the shoulder. Potter had endured multiple tragedies in recent years, having lost both her husband and 11-year-old son, according to Penn Live. Great Danes, which can measure 32 inches tall at the shoulder, are generally considered to have a gentle temperament but have historically been used as guard dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. Rory McGrath has spoken of the 'pure hell' of being extradited to the UK from the US to stand trial for a crime that happened 40 years ago. (GoFundMe) A pensioner extradited to the UK over the alleged assault of a police officer in 1980 and held in prison for seven months before being cleared has spoken of the "pure hell" of his experience. Rory McGrath, who holds dual Irish-British citizenship, has lived in New York state since the last 1980s but in 2021 was arrested and brought back to the UK to stand trial for a 41-year-old crime. The retired construction worker was held under house arrest for 15 months in New York before being flown to the UK in July last year, where he then spent seven months on remand awaiting trial. In February, he was found not guilty, with the judge reportedly telling jurors that he did not know why the case had been brought after so many years, saying: "We have worse things to deal with, if I can put it that way." McGrath has now told the BBC of the "devastating" impact the case had had on his wife and sons, while his lawyer said he had "never seen such a flagrant waste of taxpayer resources as in this case". McGrath was found not guilty at Leeds Crown Court in February. (Stock image: Getty) McGrath told the BBC: "There are multiple victims here. It's been very stressful for everybody." He said he was trying to put the "pure hell" of the experience behind him but added: "It's like Ground Zero - I don't care to think about it, but it's always going to be there." The 64-year-old, who was born in Leeds, was involved in a fight in the city in 1980, when he was 21. Read more: Girl, 16, faces deportation to Sudan where she lived in fear Prosecutors alleged he was part of a group that assaulted a police officer and he was one of five men charged. McGrath fled to Ireland, claiming he feared he was being "set up" amid what he described as an environment of "constant harassment" for an Irish national living in England in the 1970s and 1980s. He spent several years living in Dublin then moved to the United States, where he met and married his wife. Story continues Retired construction worker McGrath spent seven months on remand in prison in the UK. (GoFundMe) Since then, McGrath had returned to Ireland to successfully apply for US citizenship, as well as travelling to the UK on several occasions using his own name and passport. The pensioner accepted he had absconded in 1980 but said he believed the matter was closed as he did not experience any trouble while travelling and was never contacted by authorities. But it emerged that in 2015 a local neighbourhood police officer in West Yorkshire became aware of an outstanding warrant for McGrath and referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which began extradition proceedings in 2016. The first McGrath said he knew was when US Marshals raided his home in 2021, ordering his wife and 18-year-old twin sons out of bed at gunpoint and arresting him. He was granted bail by a US judge and held on house arrest before he was brought back to the UK where he was jailed pending his trial. McGrath was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a trial at Leeds Crown Court and has since returned to the US. His lawyer Daniel Martin has since questioned the "sudden need" to bring him back to the UK to face trial. He told the BBC he wanted to know why prosecutors chose to "spend so much money and time and effort bringing back Mr McGrath for an allegation, which by any standards was low on the Richter scale of assaults". Martin said the prosecution case was flawed because it relied partly on the victim identifying McGrath after a description had been circulated and he was in custody, which is no longer allowed. But the BBC reported that the CPS maintained that assaults on police officers were a serious matter regardless of when they happened, and it was right to put all the evidence before a jury, while West Yorkshire Police said its pursuit of McGrath was "appropriate". National Public Defense Day is commemorated every year on March 18. On that day in 1963, the United States Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Gideon v. Wainwright, establishing the right to counsel in criminal cases for people who could not afford to hire a lawyer. The Supreme Court based its ruling on the case of Clarence Earl Gideon, a poor man with an eighth-grade education arrested for a pool hall burglary in which about $5 and a few drinks were stolen. Mr. Gideon proclaimed his innocence and asked for a lawyer. The judge told him that anyone too poor to hire a lawyer had to represent himself. Mr. Gideon tried his best, but the jury convicted him, and he was sentenced to five years in state prison. From his Florida prison cell, Mr. Gideon submitted a handwritten petition to a higher court, arguing the US Constitution does not allow people to be convicted and sent to prison without legal representation. The court found that reason and reflection require us to recognize that in our adversary system of criminal justice, any person haled into court, who is too poor to hire a lawyer, cannot be assured a fair trial unless counsel is provided for him. The US Supreme Court reversed Mr. Gideons conviction and granted him a new trial, ordering that he be provided a lawyer. With the assistance of counsel, Mr. Gideon was acquitted. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright. This day highlights the important, dedicated, excellent and diligent work that everyone in the indigent defense community does on behalf of their clients. Public defense attorneys, paralegals, investigators, legal support staff and client support specialists provide zealous, client-centered representation to indigent individuals accused of crime. The public defense communitys role is to advocate for ordinary citizens, reaffirm their human dignity and protect their constitutional rights. Stanislaus County has a long-standing tradition of equal justice regardless of income, having established the office of the Stanislaus County Public Defender in 1955. During its first nine months, the Public Defenders Office handled the cases of 157 individuals. During that period, three jury trials were conducted resulting in one acquittal, one hung jury and one conviction. Two court trials were conducted on questions of sanity. Both individuals were found not guilty by reason of insanity. Story continues Today the Stanislaus County public defender handles 13,000 cases a year and represents the vast majority of all persons arrested in Stanislaus County. In addition to traditional legal representation, the public defenders Client Support Program expands representation by focusing on the non-legal needs of each individual client to address root causes of system involvement. Through collaboration with their clients, justice partners and community, they are able to connect clients to services such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment, employment and housing services, education and post-conviction relief. This holistic representation provides a path to future success while reducing recidivism and creating a healthier, safer community. On this 60th anniversary of the Gideon decision, I am reminded of all the injustices that were avoided by the Supreme Courts ruling and the untold number of individuals whose lives have been transformed by our criminal legal system. I am grateful for the public defense community and those who work tirelessly to serve their clients and our community while defending the Constitution and ensuring justice for all. Jennifer Jennison, who has represented people in Stanislaus County since 1998, became Public Defender in October 2021. Mykhailo Podolyak, Adviser to the Head of the Office of President of Ukraine, has stated that China's so-called "peace plan" lacks balanced logic and contains contradictions. Source: Podolyak in the interview with Corriere della Sera, the Italian outlet. Quote: "There are no details in it [China's plan ed.], there is no balanced logic. One of the points says about the inviolability of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the other about the need for an immediate ceasefire, which means the transfer of the occupied territories to Russia: but this is an absolute contradiction. The peace plan cannot be based on satisfying the interests of the aggressor, it must begin with the forced withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine." Details: At the same time, Podolyak believes China will not supply Russia with weapons. "I do not see the point. It would immediately become a known fact, and China would jeopardise its trade and technological relations with other countries. And secondly, why help Russia, which is suffering from the collapse of its own civilization? Soon Russia will cease to exist; it would be a hopeless investment, and China is too pragmatic to make such mistakes. Thirdly, Chinese law prohibits the transfer of weapons to a state at war," said the adviser to the head of the presidential office. At the same time, he believes that China "can take advantage of the state of a greatly weakened and discredited Russia". Asked how Ukraine would react to China's possible offer to Russia to retreat to its borders before a full-scale invasion, Podolyak said: "After tens of thousands of deaths and the effective defence of our territories, what is the point of returning to the status quo that forced Russia to attack us a year ago? This is impossible, any such compromise will not lead to peace, but to an aggravation of the situation, and then to a conflict." Background: On 24 February, the Chinese Foreign Ministry published a so-called "peace plan" with its ideas for the settlement of Russia's war against Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy immediately stated that there are points in China's so-called "peace plan" that can be worked with, even if he disagrees with "some of the thoughts". Western politicians criticised the Chinese initiative. In particular, US President Joe Biden suggested that Chinas proposed peace plan would only benefit Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A 19-year-old turned himself in Thursday morning after police alleged he set fire to one of his mothers homes on Ladys Island earlier this month, according to the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office. Christian Alexander Randall, of McConnells, a town in York County, South Carolina, was charged Thursday with second-degree arson, jail records show. At about 6:45 p.m. on March 4, a neighbor called in to report a fire at a home on West River Drive within the Red Bluff neighborhood on Ladys Island, said Maj. Angela Viens, a Beaufort County Sheriffs Office spokesperson. Additional details, including how the fire was started, were not immediately available. The home is a second residence belonging to Randalls mother and no one was there at the time of the fire, Viens said. No injuries were reported. Scott Harris, a spokesperson with the Ladys Island-St. Helena Fire District would not say how the fire was started because it is a criminal issue. But he said the damage to the home was extensive. Most of the fire was on the second floor of the home and, when firefighters arrived, smoke and flames could be seen showing through the roof. The house is not habitable at this time, Harris said. A spokesperson from the S.C. Law Enforcement Division could not immediately be reached for comment. Randall is awaiting trial after being charged in September 2022 for another fire at one of his mothers properties. In that instance, Randall was charged with third-degree arson after being accused of setting a fire that burned a barn on the property. When reached Sunday, Christopher A. Wellborn, Randalls attorney in the York County case, said he is giving Randall legal advice in the Beaufort County case and had no other comment other than to say his client is not guilty. Further charges for the March 4 fire are not expected at this time though the investigation is ongoing, Viens said. Randall remained in custody at the Beaufort County Detention Center Sunday. Pittsburgh police are investigating after a person said he was shot in Homewood overnight. According to police, an unknown age male arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the left leg at around 4:15 a.m. The victim told police he was shot near the intersection of Frankstown and N. Homewood avenues. The victim is in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 3 local US Postal Service workers charged with theft Pittsburgh bridge that abruptly shut down for emergency repairs will now be closed for 3 years At least 1 person injured after shooting in Aliquippa VIDEO:Hundreds working to raise money for families of 2 Washington County teens who died in a car crash DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office reported a woman shot in the head during a relationship dispute in the Duclay Forest area at 6900 Ortega Woods Dr. JSO reported that at around 6:00 p.m., Officers responded to the scene about a person shot. The victim, an adult female, was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot in the head. The shooting was reportedly due to a domestic dispute between two women who lived in the same residence over a man who they were both in a relationship with. According to JSO, the dispute escalated and led to the victim being shot. The suspect is now in police custody. Anyone with information related to this incident please contact the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office at 904-630-0500 or via email at JSOCRIMETIPS@JAXSHERIFF.ORG or call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-866-845-TIPS. This is an ongoing investigation and will be updated when details arrive. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A police officer collaborating with the Russian occupation regime in Kherson Oblast has been killed after his car exploded. He served as the commander of the so-called Patrol and Checkpoint Service of the Nova Kakhovka City Police Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. Source: Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on Telegram Quote: "The information obtained by the investigation indicates that on 17 March 2023 an unidentified person rigged the left side of a VAZ-2121 vehicle with an [explosive] device. The vehicle belonged to a platoon commander from the Patrol and Checkpoint Service of the Nova Kakhovka City Police Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kherson Oblast. An explosion occurred when the aforementioned commander was driving with his family through the village of Yuvileine in the Oleshky district of Kherson Oblast; the police officer was killed on the spot, and his wife and daughter sustained injuries." Details: The Russian Investigative Committee added that the wife of the officer was the Chief of Staff of the Nova Kakhovka City Police Department of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kherson Oblast. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Destroyed car in Donetsk Oblast One of the Poles is in a serious condition. The Polish news outlet notes that a total of six people were wounded in the attack. "They both live in Poznan," the statement said. Read also: How LGBTQ soldiers, doctors, and volunteers protect Ukraine One of them is in a stable but serious condition. The other is in a less serious condition. We are in contact with both their families and the Polish Embassy in Kyiv. According to the news agency, the wounded volunteers were immediately evacuated from the shelling zone, accompanied by a Polish paramedic. People involved in this initiative have been delivering aid to Ukraine since May 2022. "This was our 22nd trip," the representative added. It was not the first time they were there either. One of them has been there since 2014, he is a very experienced person. The information about the wounding of the Polish volunteer aid workers was also confirmed by Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki. Read also: Two volunteers from Norway injured in Bakhmut Earlier, on Jan. 11, two Polish volunteers were reported injured near Bakhmut. They were hospitalized in the Polish city of Lublin. 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 Polands Ambassador to France Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski said in an interview that a situation could arise in which Poland would have to enter the war. The embassy urged audiences to refrain from sensationalising his words. Source: Rosciszewski in an interview with LCI, a French TV channel; Rzeczpospolita, a Polish media outlet, citing Polands Embassy in France Quote from Rosciszewski: "It is not NATO, Poland or Slovakia that are mounting ever more pressure, but Russia, which has invaded Ukraine. Russia, which is seizing its territories. Russia, which is killing its people. And Russia, which is abducting Ukrainian children. Therefore, either Ukraine will defend its independence today, or we will have to enter this conflict. Because our main values, which were the basis of our civilization and our culture will be threatened. Therefore, we will have no choice but to enter the conflict." Details: Following the ambassadors remark, Polands Embassy in France issued a statement saying that it has been interpreted by some media "out of context". Quote from Polands Embassy in France: "During a thirty-minute conversation with the editor, Ambassador Rosciszewski argued for the need for allies to support Ukraine. He also spoke about the threat that Russia poses to Europe and European values [...] A careful listening to the entire conversation makes it clear that there was no announcement of Polands direct involvement in the conflict, only a warning of the consequences that a Ukrainian defeat could have: the possibility of a Russian attack, or the involvement of more Central European countries the Baltic States and Poland." Story continues More details: The embassy stressed that Ambassador Rosciszewski made it clear in his interview with LCI that Poland is not currently at war, but is "doing everything it can to help Ukraine and protect itself" in Russias war against Ukraine. "Searching for a sensationalist claim that goes against Poland's consistent efforts over the past year to help Ukraine win in this conflict and so keep it out of Europe and Poland should be seen as a sign of ill will," the embassy said in a statement. Background: Jan Emeryk Rosciszewski has been Polands Ambassador to France for almost a year. Before that he was the Chairman of the Board of PKO Bank Polski, Polands largest bank. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis offered prayers Sunday for the victims of an earthquake that shook vast swaths of territory in Ecuador and parts of Peru. During his weekly Sunday noon blessing, Francis recalled that the 6.8-magnitude temblor caused death, injuries and heavy damage. Im close to the Ecuadorean people and assure them of my prayers for the dead and suffering, Francis said. Saturdays quake killed at least 15 people, injured hundreds and brought down homes and buildings in vastly different communities, from coastal areas to the highlands. At least one of the deaths was in Peru. LISBON (Reuters) - Rui Nabeiro, the founder of Portugal's largest roasted coffee retailer Delta Cafes and one of the country's top entrepreneurs, has died at the age of 91, the company said on Sunday. Nabeiro, who died in a hospital in Lisbon "due to breathing problems", founded Delta Cafes in his home town of Campo Maior, Alentejo, in 1961, starting with a small warehouse that roasted only 30 kilos of coffee per day. He always reinvested the profits in innovation to grow his family business and the Delta Cafe now roasts 100 tonnes daily. The company's sales, through both retail and foodservice channels, rose 12% to 460 million euros in 2022, with more than 25% exported to around 40 countries. Nabeiro, a self-made man from a humble background, was a socialist and implemented what he called "solidarity capitalism" in his companies, helping his employees, their families and the community when they were in need. Economy Minister Antonio Costa Silva, in a statement, said that Nabeiro was a businessman "with a very advanced strategic vision, combining the ability to create wealth with the assumption of social responsibility towards employees and the surrounding community". (Reporting by Sergio Goncalves; editing by Barbara Lewis) Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police is investigating an early Sunday morning homicide involving a fatal stabbing at a west Charlotte apartment complex. A man died from his wounds at the scene in the 100 block of Kingsford Drive in the Steele Creek Division, according to Medic. The call came in around 5:30 a.m., a spokesperson with Medic told the Charlotte Observer. According to media reports, the incident stemmed from a fight, and the victim and suspect knew each other. The suspect remains at-large. CMPDs homicide unit detectives responded and conducting an investigation with assists from Representatives the Charlotte Fire Department and Mecklenburg County District Attorneys Homicide Prosecution Team. The investigation is active and ongoing, according to CMPD. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or http://charlottecrimestoppers.com/. This is a developing story. Check back to charlotteobserver.com for more updates Prince Harry was told to give 28 days notice of his planned trips to the UK, it has emerged. The Duke of Sussex was told that the time would allow for security requests to be processed and that it would be a matter for the Home Office to consider whether the requested security arrangements were necessary. According to The Telegraph, Harry pushed back on the decision, asking the Home Office committee responsible for royal security to give him an example of a person with the same threat assessment as him who had received no security after stepping back from public duty. The Independent has contacted representatives of the Duke of Sussex and the Home Office for comment. Details of Harrys security arrangements have been disclosed in papers as part of his attempt to rule that the publishers of the Mail on Sunday libelled him with an article about his request for police protection when he and his family visit the UK. The prince is suing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over the story, which was published in February 2022 under the headline: Exclusive: How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal fight with the government over police bodyguards a secret then just minutes after the story broke his PR machine tried to put a positive spin on the dispute. The court heard that in an April 2020 email to Sir Edward Young, the Queens private secretary, Harry made it clear we couldnt afford private security until we were able to earn. Harrys lead attorney asked Judge Matthew Nickin either to strike out the publishers defence or to deliver a summary judgment, which would be a ruling in the princes favour without going to trial. The royal was told by a Home Office committee to give 28 days notice of his planned trips to the UK, it has emerged (Reuters) ANL is contesting the claim, arguing the article expressed an honest opinion and did not cause serious harm to his reputation. The dukes challenge against the Home Office came about after he was told he would no longer be given the same degree of personal protective security when visiting. Harrys legal team argued the security arrangements were invalid due to procedural unfairness because he was not given an opportunity to make informed representations beforehand. Story continues The court heard that in the public statement, Harry and his family were described as unable to return to his home due to the lack of police protection needed in the UK. The statement continued: The duke first offered to pay personally for UK police protection for himself and his family in January of 2020 at Sandringham. That offer was dismissed. He remains willing to cover the cost of security, as not to impose on the British taxpayer. Read more about Prince Harrys libel claim here. Bob Vander Plaats. AP Photo/Paul Sancya Bob Vander Plaats told the NYT that evangelicals took note of Trump's remarks on the 2022 midterms. The conservative leader said Trump "cast the blame on the pro-life movement" for the party's losses. Trump will need to secure robust support from social conservatives to win the Iowa caucuses in 2024. Former President Donald Trump easily won Iowa a pivotal swing state in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. And he retains considerable support among Republicans in the Hawkeye State headed into 2024. But as prominent conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats recently told The New York Times, Trump's "character" was on display after the former president suggested that Republicans underperformed nationally in the 2022 midterms because they championed far-reaching abortion restrictions. "It wasn't my fault that the Republicans didn't live up to expectations," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account in January. "I was 233-20! It was the 'abortion issue,' poorly handled by many Republicans, especially those that firmly insisted on No Exceptions, even in the case of Rape, Incest, or Life of the Mother, that lost large numbers of Voters." Vander Plaats, the president and chief executive of The Family Leader, a conservative nonprofit organization that strongly opposes abortion and same-sex marriage, told The Times that the state's influential evangelical bloc had not forgotten about the former president's comments. "It showed a character thing with Trump that he cast the blame on the pro-life movement," Vander Plaats told the newspaper. "If you're trying to win the Iowa caucuses, I would not put that base under the bus." Vander Plaats, who backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz over Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries and in a 2022 interview with Semafor said the former president's electability was his "highest hurdle" in the 2024 race, also told The Times that many conservatives were open to other candidates. "My fear, along with a lot of other people's fears, is we're concerned about how America has largely made up its mind about Donald Trump," he told the newspaper. "I think it's time to get behind the next leader who can win in 2024." Story continues Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. AP Photo/Ron Johnson Trump, who announced his 2024 campaign shortly after the 2022 midterms, had the Republican presidential field largely to himself until recent weeks. But that dynamic has changed. Last month, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy entered the 2024 Republican primary contest. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is also a potential 2024 candidate and could pose the biggest threat to Trump securing the GOP nomination. DeSantis visited Iowa earlier this month as part of his book tour. And former Vice President Mike Pence, an ex-congressman and former Indiana governor whose political rise has been rooted in support from social conservatives, may enter the GOP primary as well, which could very well siphon support from Trump among this critical group. With Iowa retaining its first-in-the-nation status in the Republican nomination contest, the importance of the caucuses isn't lost among any of the major players set to compete in the state. Trump, who came in second place to Cruz in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, is making a sustained effort to make sure he comes out on top in the GOP contest next year. "For the former president, winning the Iowa caucuses is everything," Vander Plaats told The Times. "If he loses, it's 'game on' to the nomination for everyone else. If he wins the Iowa caucuses, there's nobody stopping him." Read the original article on Business Insider Russian propagandists claim that the dictator Vladimir Putin held a meeting at a military "command post" in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, after visiting occupied Crimea and Mariupol. Source: Russia 24, a Russian state-owned propaganda channel Details: The footage shows that Putin entered the meeting accompanied by Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation. They entered the room together where they were met by Sergei Surovikin, Deputy Commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, and other supposedly military personnel. Putin greeted them and sat down. It is not known where this footage was recorded. Background: Russian propagandists claim that Vladimir Putun, President of the Russian Federation, came to the peninsula on the ninth anniversary of the occupation of Crimea; his trip took place immediately after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest. Later, the Russian propagandists, citing the Kremlin, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin had allegedly paid a working visit to occupied Mariupol. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian dictator Vladimir Putin said that he had decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 rather than earlier because of economic and military factors. Speaking on Russian state television on March 19, Putin laid out the reasons why, according to him, Russia didn't go for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2014, when it invaded Crimea and started a war in the eastern Donbas region. Putin claimed that Russia wasn't ready militarily in 2014 for a full-scale war, primarily because it didn't have "hypersonic weapons." Russia's hypersonic missile Kinzhal entered service in 2014. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, both Russia and Ukraine have said that Russia had launched Kinzhal missiles at targets in Ukraine. The missiles are considered impossible to intercept. Speaking on March 19, Putin also said that Russia had been preparing economically to withstand the cost of the war. He cited good harvests, import substitution policies, and improving the countrys financial system as the factors that allowed him to start the invasion. Putins visit to Crimea came a day after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin for overseeing the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine. More than 16,000 children have been forcibly removed from Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine said that its only the beginning of a long road ahead to punish Russia for its war crimes committed in Ukraine. Moscow dismissed the ICCs decision, with the Foreign Ministry claiming that decisions of the International Criminal Court have no meaning for our country, including from a legal standpoint. The ICCs arrest warrant enables countries that have adopted the Rome Statute to arrest Putin. Ukraine signed the statute in 2000 but has not ratified it to date. By Lidia Kelly and Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -A day after being accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, scene of some of the worst devastation of his year-old invasion. State television showed extended footage of Putin being shown around the city on Saturday night, meeting rehoused residents and being briefed on reconstruction efforts by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. The port city of Mariupol became known around the world as a byword for death and destruction as much of it was reduced to ruins in the first months of the war, eventually falling to Russian forces in May. Hundreds were killed in the bombing of a theatre where families with children were sheltering. The Organization for Security and Cooperation and Europe (OSCE) said Russia's early bombing of a maternity hospital there was a war crime. Moscow denied that and has said since it invaded on Feb. 24 last year that it does not target civilians. Putin's visit had the air of a gesture of defiance after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on Friday, accusing him of the war crime of deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. He has not publicly commented on the move, but his spokesman said it was legally "null and void" and that Russia found the very questions raised by the ICC to be "outrageous and unacceptable". An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the visit to the devastated city was tantamount to a perpetrator returning to the scene of the crime. "The criminal always returns to the crime scene," Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter. "As the civilized world announces the arrest of the 'war director' (VV Putin) in case of crossing its borders, the murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city & graves. Cynicism & lack of remorse." The visit to Mariupol was the first that Putin has made to the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine's Donbas region since the war started, and the closest he has come to the front lines. Story continues While Zelenskiy has made a number of trips to the battlefield to boost the morale of his troops and talk strategy, Putin has largely remained inside the Kremlin while running what Russia calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Kyiv and its allies say the invasion is an imperialistic land grab that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people in Ukraine. 'PIECE OF HEAVEN' Putin's trip to Mariupol took place in darkness. State TV showed him at the wheel of a car, driving through the city in the company of his deputy prime minister, Khusnullin, and being briefed in detail on the rebuilding of housing, bridges, hospitals, transport routes and a concert hall. State media said he visited a new residential neighbourhood that had been built by Russian military with the first people moving in last September. "Do you live here? Do you like it?" Putin was shown asking residents. "Very much. It's a little piece of heaven that we have here now," a woman replied, clasping her hands and thanking Putin for "the victory." Residents have been "actively" returning, Khusnullin told Putin. Mariupol had a population of half a million people before the war and was home to the Azovstal steel plant, one of Europe's largest, where Ukrainian fighters held out for weeks in underground tunnels and bunkers before being forced to surrender. "The downtown has been badly damaged," Khusnullin said. "We want to finish (reconstruction) of the centre by the end of the year, at least the facade part. The centre is very beautiful." Mariupol is in the Donetsk region, one of four largely Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine that Putin in September moved to annex in an action rejected as illegal by most countries at the United Nations General Assembly. Putin travelled there by helicopter after a visit to Crimea on the ninth anniversary of its annexation by Russia from Ukraine. From Mariupol, he went to Rostov in southern Russia, where state TV on Sunday showed him meeting Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, commander of Russia's war effort in Ukraine. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne and Mark Trevelyan in London; Editing by Frances Kerry, Ron Popeski and Mark Porter) Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, answered the question why he did not launch a full-scale war in Ukraine during the occupation of Donbas in 2014. Source: Putin on the air of the Russian state-owned propaganda TV channel Rossiya 1 Putin Quote: "We assumed that we would be able to solve all issues by absolutely peaceful means... ... Secondly, this also applies to our readiness for some more serious actions than actions within the framework of the so-called Crimean Spring." Details: Putin emphasised several factors that helped him decide to launch a full-scale invasion in 2022 rather than earlier, including "record harvests, hard work on import substitution and improving the financial system," and the fact that Russia in 2014 "had not had a hypersonic weapon". Background: On 17 March, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin in view of the situation in Ukraine. All member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are now legally bound to detain Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, now deemed a suspect, and hand him over to the court. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the historic decision to issue the arrest warrant on Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, must be followed by historical responsibility. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Sunday, following a trip over the weekend to Crimea that marked the nine-year anniversary of Moscows illegal annexation of the peninsula. Putins surprise visit to Mariupol, which was reported by Russian state news, was his first to the territory, which his military has occupied since September. The visit also marked a show of defiance from Putin, whose visits to Crimea and Mariupol come after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him on war crime charges. A United Nations report released last week concluded that the Russian military had likely committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during its war in Ukraine. The ICC warrant accused Putin of a war crime for the deportation of hundreds of children from Ukraine. While Putin has not commented on the charges, the Kremlin has said it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the court, meaning the accusations are null and void. Mariupol fell violently to Russian forces at the beginning of the war, after Ukrainian troops fought back advances. A bombing of a theater in the city, which was housing displaced families, killed hundreds. Russian news said on Sunday that Putin arrived in the city by helicopter and then drove himself around some memorial sites. Putins trip also comes before a planned visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, expected to boost Russias diplomatic standing. The Chinese leaders move has raised concerns in the west about the tightening of relationships between Moscow and Beijing. U.S. officials in the past month have warned China against providing Russia with lethal aid to help in its war in Ukraine, after reports surfaced that Xi was considering the move. So far, China has refused to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine but has criticized western sanctions. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Handout photograph taken and released by the Russian government shows Putin (right), with Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev at the Chersonesos Taurica historical and archeological park in Sevastopol (Russian Presidential Press Office/AFP/Getty) Vladimir Putin visited the Russia-occupied city of Mariupol in Ukraine on Sunday, reported news agency TASS. Mariupol in Donetsk region was captured by Russian forces after a bloody battle in May last year and has remained under the control of Moscows fighters since. The Russian president was seen driving a car around the city as he visited several districts. He also made stops along the way and spoke to the residents, reported TASS news agency. Mr Putin also met with the top brass leading his military operation in Ukraine, state media said today. The leader, facing an arrest warrant for war crimes, also met with chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov who is in charge of Moscows war in Ukraine. The meeting took place at the Rostov-on-Don command post in southern Russia, reported TASS news agency. This is the first such visit made by the Russian president, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, to the country after the conflict erupted in Europe and led to displacement of millions, thousands of civilian deaths and several thousands being injured. A day earlier, Mr Putin made a surprise visit to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine. His trip to the war-hit nation came a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on charges of war crimes, alleging he is personally responsible for the abduction of children from Ukraine following Russias invasion. In Sevastopol, Crimeas largest city, Mr Putin met Moscow-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhaev, with whom he visited an art school and a childrens centre that are part of a project to develop a historical park on the site of an ancient Greek colony, Russian state news agencies said. Our president knows how to surprise. In a good sense. Today we were supposed to inaugurate a childrens art school. Everything was ready for a video conference and a report to the president via a special communication link. In the end, the president came personally. By car. He was at the wheel himself. On such a historic day, the president is always with Sevastopol and the people of Sevastopol. Our country has an incredible leader," governor Razvozhayev wrote on Telegram. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a move most of the world denounced as illegal and which soured relations between Moscow and the West. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said any peace settlement would involve Russia withdrawing from the peninsula as well as the regions it has occupied since last year. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called the International Criminal Court's issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin a turning point. Source: evening address of the President Quote from Zelenskyy: "This outgoing week has finally brought a truly significant international legal result for Ukraine, for justice. There is a warrant from the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the head of Russia, and this is a turning point. The moment after which it becomes indisputable that the end of this aggression for Russia will be the full range of its responsibility. Responsibility for every strike on Ukraine, for every destroyed life, for every deported Ukrainian child And, of course, for every manifestation of the destabilisation of the world caused by Russian aggression". Background: Earlier, Zelenskyy called a warrant for Putin's arrest a historic decision that must be followed by historic responsibility. Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Affairs, on 17 March 2023. All member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are now legally bound to detain Vladimir Putin and hand him over to the court. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks on the phone in his office in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on December 15, 2018. Aleksey Nikolsky/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images A defiant Putin has begun a tour of occupied areas of Ukraine, stopping in Crimea and Mariupol. The Russian leader visited besieged areas that have faced widespread casualties since the invasion began. The trip comes after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes. Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun a macabre tour of occupied Ukraine, two days after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest for war crimes related to Russia's invasion of the country. Putin stopped first in Crimea on Saturday, The New York Times reported, with the visit timed to align with the 9th anniversary of Russia's annexation of the region in 2014. According to Russian state-sponsored media outlet Tass, Putin then visited Mariupol early Sunday in his first-ever visit to the Donbas region. Mass graves have been discovered in the besieged Ukrainian city, after Russian forces leveled the region and bombed a steel plant where civilians and Ukrainian defenders were hiding. During Putin's visit to the region, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin began creating a report about reconstruction efforts in the city and its outskirts, Tass reported. "In particular, the report concerned the construction of new residential districts, social and educational facilities, utility infrastructure and medical centers," Tass reported the Kremlin press service said. The Russian leader's visit to occupied Ukraine comes on the heels of the International Criminal Court, a tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands, issuing an international arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin on Friday. The ICC accused Putin of being responsible for war crimes committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is calling for him to stand trial though it is unlikely he will do so, as Russia, like the US, does not recognize the authority of the ICC. Representatives for the ICC declined to answer Insider's questions regarding the likelihood Putin will face a trial for the war crimes he is accused of. Story continues Chinese leader Xi Jinping is set to meet with Putin during a visit to Russia beginning Monday, according to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Xi and Putin plan to discuss "deepening Russian-Chinese cooperation" between their nations, the Kremlin said in a Friday statement. Ukrainian military leaders have hinted at the possibility of a springtime counteroffensive, though an anonymous official told The Washington Post that all hope for a counterattack will rely on Western military aid and trained troops arriving in the region. The United States has provided billions of dollars of aid to Ukraine as it faces the Russian invasion, with President Joe Biden promising to continue sending military and humanitarian aid. Read the original article on Business Insider Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who heads construction and regional development, as he visits Mariupol, Russian-controlled Ukraine What was going through the mind of Vladimir Putin as he travelled through the devastated streets of Mariupol on his first visit to occupied Ukraine since the invasion last February? Was he proud of the handiwork of his armed forces in destroying or damaging some 2,500 buildings and almost razing to the ground the vast Azovstal steelworks, scene of a heroic last-ditch resistance by defending troops? The Russians are using Mariupol to consolidate their hold in the Donbas, bulldozing the wrecked buildings and constructing a new town with flats, schools, hospitals and even a concert hall. The ruined metallurgical plant, one of Europes biggest, has been turned into a tech and eco park. They are trying to erase its Ukrainian past, seeing Mariupol as a strategically important link to Crimea, annexed in 2014. But no amount of reinvention can disguise the fact that Mariupol represents not a triumph for Russia but an emblem of its failure. It was not this city that President Putin wanted to be driving around when he ordered his troops to cross the border, but Kyiv. Yet that prospect is as far away as ever. His surprise visit on Saturday came just 24 hours after being accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Perhaps this was a gesture of defiance, a demonstration by Putin that he was not afraid to leave his country despite the warrant, though he now regards the Donbas as part of Russia. He may also have wanted to show President Xi Jinping of China, who is due in Moscow for talks this week, that he can leave the Kremlin. The ICC has cited the forced removal of Ukrainian children in the arraignment though countless other crimes could be laid at the Kremlins door. However, the chances of ever bringing Putin to justice must be slim. Russia is far more powerful than the countries whose leaders have ended up at The Hague and it is hard to imagine any political or military development that would see him handed over or arrested. Nonetheless, as Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, writes in the Telegraph, the warrant is a significant step forward for accountability and shows that the international justice system is working. But that is true only up to a point. Among those welcoming the ICC move was Joe Biden and yet the United States does not recognise the court. Isnt it time it did. Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson clapped back at a woman who tried to come for her on Twitter. The drama started when Jeanne Allen, CEO of the Center for Education Reform, took shots at Brunson with incorrect statements. The post Quinta Brunson Claps Back At Woman Who Made Assumptions About Her Academic History appeared first on Blavity. Allen went to social media to bash Brunsons role in Abbott Elementary, saying she isnt fit to play as a Philadelphia public school teacher because she only attended charter schools for her entire education. Ill share it again. The creator, lead writer and co-producer of @AbbottElemABC @quintabrunson is from West Philly and attended charter schools her entire education, Allen wrote on Twitter. She reportedly loved it at the time, heaped praise on it. Once upon a time. Guess money talks. I'll share it again. The creator, lead writer and co-producer of @AbbottElemABC @quintabrunson is from West Philly and attended charter schools her entire education. She reportedly loved it at the time, heaped praise on it. Once upon a time. Guess money talks. Jeanne Allen (@JeanneAllen) March 16, 2023 Brunson didnt let the comment slide quietly. Youre wrong and bad at research. I only attended a charter for high school. My public elementary school was transitioned to charter over a decade after I left, she wrote. I did love my high school. That school is now defunct- which happens to charters often. youre wrong and bad at research. I only attended a charter for high school. My public elementary school was transitioned to charter over a decade after I left. I did love my high school. That school is now defunct- which happens to charters often. quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) March 16, 2023 Brunson also showed a sarcastic gratitude to her hater. Story continues Loving something doesnt mean it cant be critiqued. Thanks for watching the show, she wrote. Loving something doesnt mean it cant be critiqued. Thanks for watching the show quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) March 16, 2023 Brunsons supporters joined her in silencing the critic. lol this is so funny tho bc the whole show criticizes parts about the American education system in general imagine being like Quinta Brunson has an education so she cant criticize schools c-u-n-T. (@m00nslinger) March 16, 2023 you are a class act! love your show and wish you continued success with literally everything you do! hkay (@hkaaayyyy) March 16, 2023 look at how you ate that! MOTHER !! pic.twitter.com/x3pkrTbyig adrian (@groovypothead) March 16, 2023 It's a great show, but also a fictional comedy. I think someone's anger with education is misdirected Cory Hann (@CHWorldTour) March 16, 2023 Abbott Elementary is currently airing the final episodes of Season 2. The Emmy Award-winning show has been renewed for a third season. Jess Nwokike announced Thursday that her sister Ivana left the duo about eight months ago. R&B sister-duo VanJess is no longer releasing music together following an announcement on social media Thursday which revealed one of the sisters decision to step away. Jess Nwokike, who first gained a following with her sister Ivana Nwokike by uploading a capella covers to YouTube in the early 2010s, shared in an Instagram post that Ivana will no longer move forward with the pair. Jessica Nwokike (L) and Ivana Nwokike of the musical group VanJess perform on stage during BET music showcase Grammy Awards weekend at NeueHouse Hollywood on February 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for BET Networks) I see you and know how much youve been wanting to hear new music and see more from the both of us, Jess began. The truth is, about eight months ago my sister decided to step away from VanJess. I fully support and respect my sister in pursuing what makes her happiest, she added, thanking fans for their love and support throughout the years. The first-generation Nigerian-American sisters burst onto the scene in 2013 after self-releasing their debut EP, 00 Till Escape, which rose to a top-ten spot on iTunes after the duo re-released it in 2015, according to UPROXX. 2018 marked the release of VanJess debut album Silk Canvas, which featured collaborations with Little Simz, Masego and GoldLink. They followed it up in 2021 with their RCA debut EP Homegrown, featuring contributions from KAYTRANADA, Phony Ppl and Devin Morrison. The sisters have not released new music since. Jess announcement Thursday hinted at a potential solo career under a different moniker. All that being said, this has given me the opportunity to start creating music of my own, she wrote. Ive spent the last few months finishing a project Im beyond excited for you to hear. With my sisters blessing, I will continue to post here and hope you all stay for the ride: Tomorrow is the start of something new, she added, signing off the message: With all of my love, -AMAKA. The following day, three photos of Jess were uploaded to the groups Instagram page, appearing to re-introduce the artist as AMAKA and teasing a new single to be released on March 21. Story continues Further confirming Jess new solo moniker, on Sunday she linked fans on Instagram to a song by Nigerian artist SPINALL where she is credited with the name AMAKA as the featured artist. theGrios Matthew Allen contributed to this report. TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post R&B Duo VanJess has broken up appeared first on TheGrio. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg Laura Nuttall was a few weeks into her first year studying at Kings College London when she was diagnosed with brain cancer and UK doctors gave her about 12 months to live. More than four years later, Nuttall has defied expectations and completed her bachelors degree after her family searched for alternative treatments and used crowdfunding to pay for therapy outside the National Health Services remit, both at home and abroad. The Nuttalls broadened their quest when they bumped against the constrains of a UK health system choked by lengthy waiting lists, overwhelmed medical staff and a lack of funding. The reason that shes still here is because weve looked outside of the box, Nicola Nuttall, Lauras mother, said in an interview. The NHSs woes dont just affect patients who cant find drugs or clinical trials to help boost their survival chances. Millions of people are in limbo, waiting to get treated. Doctors and nurses frustration has escalated into a series of strikes, and scientists are looking for jobs with better research opportunities elsewhere. Even some pharma companies now admit theyre opting to conduct clinical research a crucial juncture for science and for patients, who can gain access to promising medicines before theyre approved in other countries. The clinical-trial environment in the UK is at risk of becoming irreversibly damaged and harming patient access to innovation, said Laura Steele, one of US drugmaker Eli Lilly & Co.s top executives in Europe. Frances Sanofi recently chose another destination for a study that required quick patient recruitment. The plan was to conduct the early-stage trial in the UK, but delays in that process prompted a shift to another European country, Jessamy Baird, who heads Sanofi in the UK and Ireland, said in an interview. Story continues Sanofi estimates it has about 64 studies in the UK that are active or are in planning so far this year, noting a drop of about 26% since 2020. Lilly, known for its cancer and diabetes blockbusters, figures that when it comes to setting up clinical trials, the UK now ranks second from the bottom among the 18 European countries it serves. Right to Try Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government underscored the emergency last month by announcing a swift review of the landscape for such tests. For Laura Nuttalls aggressive form of brain cancer, known as glioblastoma, the UK offers surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy with an older drug, temozolomide. The standard protocol is similar elsewhere, but the main difference is the flexibility that patients have to try experimental treatments when their life is at risk. In the US, eligible patients have a right to try, meaning they can request to use medicines that arent yet approved under certain conditions. Theres a similar initiative in Germany. Nuttall didnt immediately consider going abroad after scans revealed brain tumors following bouts of headaches. She underwent surgery at a hospital near Manchester operated by the NHS, Salford Royal. After the operation, she got radiotherapy and chemotherapy and her family started researching other options to complement the UK protocol. Crowdfunding Effort They first found a US company with a London presence that made a form of personalized vaccine out of patients own cells but required crowdfunding, because it wasnt available through the NHS. In the end, Nuttall didnt have enough tumor tissue stored to continue down that path, but her family found another treatment avenue: a clinic in Germany offering a mix of immunotherapy that included electro-hyperthermia a way of heating body tissue to damage cancer cells. Obviously we have no guarantees but were optimistic that this is the best course of action for her, Nicola Nuttall wrote on the GoFundMe crowdfunding page. Laura started going to Cologne for treatment over the summer of 2019, and kept it up through the pandemic. Its exciting in a way, because you get to be on the frontier of brain cancer solutions hopefully, she said by phone. And obviously its helped as well. After a second brain surgery in 2021, the family launched another fundraising appeal to help pay for treatments like Merck & Co.s Keytruda, which isnt available via the NHS for glioblastoma or covered by their private health insurance. In total, they raised more than 250,000 ($304,325) so far. The Nuttalls also paid for DNA and RNA analysis of the tumor in Germany. The information was sent to a doctor in Los Angeles who used artificial intelligence to match the tumors specific mutations with drugs that might help. But the family got frustrated at how difficult those medicines were to access in the UK. You have the information, you have the raw data, but it still can get you absolutely nowhere, Nicola Nuttall said. One of the medicines was AstraZeneca Plcs Lynparza, which the NHS only uses to treat ovarian cancer. The drug is currently being tested for glioblastoma in the UK, but Nuttall cant join the clinical trials which combine the pill with radiotherapy for various reasons, including the requirement for patients to be newly diagnosed with the cancer. The Nuttalls have yet to find a clinical trial thats suitable for Laura. The crunch at the NHS is narrowing options since such tests rely on medical staff to refer patients to studies. Sometimes front-line care and research compete for the same resources, according to Jennifer Harris, director of research policy at the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Protecting time for research is increasingly difficult, Ian Walker, executive director of policy, information and communications at Cancer Research UK, said by email. If this pattern continues, it means slower progress toward brand new treatments for cancer. The number of clinical trials initiated in the UK fell by 41% between 2017 and 2021, according to the ABPI, which found studies are also slower to get started. The UK has shown its able to act swiftly to bring potentially life-saving medical products to the public. Thousands of Brits took an experimental Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford over the summer of 2020 as part of a large-scale study, and the country was one of the fastest in clearing new vaccines during the pandemic. Always Growing More than four years after her diagnosis, Nuttall is still persevering. Shes had four tumor-removal surgeries, several rounds of radiotherapy and almost two years of chemotherapy. Lately her familys private health insurance has helped her access medicines that arent covered by the NHS for brain cancer, such as Roche Holding AGs Avastin a drug approved for glioblastoma in countries including the US and Switzerland but not licensed in the UK. Nuttall takes multiple tablets and supplements every day and is now trying a new form of treatment in Germany, which involves a harmless virus being injected directly into the tumor site via a very long, thin needle. Its a little bit scary because its quite an innovative treatment, but unfortunately brain tumors like Lauras always grow back, her mother said. So you have to be one step ahead at all times. --With assistance from Tim Loh. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Rain drizzled throughout the Sacramento region on Sunday. And more is on the horizon after a brief respite, experts say. Monday should be dry before another weather system brings more showers Tuesday, National Weather Service meteorologist Robert Baruffaldi said. While that small storm will mostly affect Southern California, Lake Tahoe ski resorts such as Palisades Tahoe could see another foot of snow on top of their gargantuan snowpacks. More years than not, were drier than normal. But every now and then, every third or fourth year, we get a nice, decent year (of rain), and this is one of them, Baruffaldi said. Were having a very nice year when it was needed. Thatll be followed by a likely dry spell in the Sacramento Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, though the Sierra Nevada mountains may see some snow. Another weather system is expected to move in Friday and Saturday; its projected to result in mild precipitation, with maybe eight inches of snow around ski resorts, Baruffaldi said. It looks like a weaker system at this point. But its hard to plan the dry periods right now, other than most of (Monday). That should be dry ... for the Valley, at least, Baruffaldi said. Sacramento Valley high temperatures will hover between 55 and 60 degrees this week, about 10 degrees lower than the average. A rally was held at Jerusalem Church on Saturday to try and prevent violence in the city. The message from the event emphasized giving people hope. Speakers tried to encourage people to jump in and help in any way that they can. We want to let the community know that there is yet hope, said Charles Robinson Jr., Chairman of Auxilary Ministries. Auxiliary Ministries is working to keep kids safe by implementing different programs to help kids and teens in their communities. As auxiliary ministries, as the church, we do care. People have always put a wall up to the church but look at us today. Were dressed down, its not about what you wear, its about whats in your heart, said Robinson. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: 3 local US Postal Service workers charged with theft Pittsburgh bridge that abruptly shut down for emergency repairs will now be closed for 3 years Former President Donald Trump says he expects to be arrested Tuesday VIDEO: State to seek death penalty against man accused of killing McKeesport officer, injuring another DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Looking to kill time while flying, I watched an inflight movie titled "LightYear," aprequel to "Toy Story," featuring Buzz LightYear, a cartoon astronaut. I dont typically watch such movies, but when held captive at 30,000 feet, why not? Buzz, in repeated attempts to save his marooned comrades, travels near light speed and experiences time dilation, a mind-warping condition of our universe. For every four minutes Buzz ages, his colleagues age four years. One of those colleagues is his female commander. Ray Buursma After his first failed attempt, Buzz meets his commanders new fiancee. After his second failed attempt, he learns his commander has married. After his third, Buzz meets the child of his commander and the commander's wife. If you didnt catch the subtle connection above, Buzzs commander, a female, has a same-gender spouse. In one scene, the two hold hands. In a second, the commander kisses her wife on the cheek. In a third, the couple play with their toddler. I am certain some viewers objected to these scenes. How dare Disney show a loving, responsible, successful, happily married same-sex couple to children? I dont intend to create another ruckus for Patmos Library, but if the library carries this movie, some Jamestown, Michigan, community members might call for its removal. If so, I apologize to the board and staff, but I must make a point. Untruthful zealots, some of them national politicians, claim LGBTQ adults are grooming youngsters to become victims for LGBTQ pedophiles. They also claim LGBTQ adults are encouraging youngsters to practice LGBTQ lifestyles. How? By making LGBTQ media available in libraries. (Have you noticed these same people seldom, if ever, claim heterosexual predators, much more prevalent than LGBTQ predators, are grooming youngsters?) Lets investigate the accuracy of their claims. If the scenes in "LightYear" mentioned above changed your sexual or gender orientation and you now identify as LGBTQ, contact me. Detail how the movie changed you. Story continues If the scenes mentioned above changed your childs or family members sexual or gender orientation, please do likewise. Describe to me that loved ones transformation. If the movie scenes mentioned above pressure you to change orientation, but you fought bravely and did not succumb to that pressure, do likewise. Share how you battled the urge to cross over but prevailed and maintained your heterosexual mindset. Lets go one step further. If ANY LGBTQ-themed media EVER altered your or a loved ones sexual or gender orientation, contact me and describe the transformation. Tell how you or they converted. Frankly, such transformations do not happen because thats not how sexual or gender orientation works. Those claiming LGBTQ media alter orientation are grossly inaccurate. They reverse cause and effect. They hope the effect is perceived as the cause and the cause is perceived as the effect. Again, exposure to LGBTQ media does not create LGBTQ orientation. Rather, LGBTQ orientation leads to reading and watching LGBTQ media. Why? Because such media offer understanding, acceptance and empathy for LGBTQ community members. How often must LGBTQ people tell us they were born that way before we believe them? Why do we not accept their orientation is innate, not selected? The claims that media change sexual/gender orientation are meritless. If meritless, those who advance such claims must retract them and apologize for the harm they caused. That is the ethical and moral thing to do. Will that happen? Not likely at all. Humans generally yield to the teachings of their chosen authority, even when that authority is erroneous. Humans also conform to their groups beliefs and norms rather than accept logic, reason, science, and personal testimony to the contrary. LGBTQ people have been with us since mankind first walked the Earth. They will always be with us. Some societies kill and persecute them. Others push them underground or employ a Dont ask. Dont Tell approach. A few tolerate them, and some, thank God, accept and welcome them as equals. After decades of LGBTQ advancement, some Americans are attempting to push that community back underground. We examined LGBTQ foes primary method of attack, but they are using a secondary approach as well. Homophobes now label LGBTQ supporters as woke. Woke actually means becoming concerned about truth, injustice and inequality, but today, a political segment uses the term as a negative label. In reality, wokeism is a virtue. Its a developing awareness that discrimination, oppression and prejudice are immoral. Please examine these new attacks on LGBTQ folk. Allow logic and reason, rather than misguided conformity to authority and normative groups, guide your beliefs. Buzz LightYear would be proud of you. Community Columnist Ray Buursma is a resident of Holland. Contact him at writetoraybuursma@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ray Buursma: Why cant we understand orientation is innate? Jimmy Carter (left) and Ronald Reagan at a 1980 television debate - AP A Texas politician has claimed that he worked with a senior member of Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign to convince Iran to delay releasing its hostages during the crisis of 1979 in a bid to derail Jimmy Carter's re-election bid. Ben Barnes, Texas's former lieutenant governor, has claimed in an interview with The New York Times that John Connally Jr once a governor of the same state and a high-ranking member of Reagan's election team took him on a secret diplomatic tour of the Middle East as part of a scheme to damage Carter by convincing Iran to hold on to its American hostages until after the election. Mr Carter was the US president when 52 diplomats and US citizens were taken hostage at the American embassy in Tehran by college students who supported the Iranian revolution. Despite diplomatic efforts from the White House, the hostages were held for 444 days and the political crisis significantly damaged the Democratic president's attempt to be re-elected. Mr Carter was heavily defeated by his Republican rival in the election of 1980. The hostages were released minutes after Reagan was sworn in as US president on Jan 20, 1981. Reagan with wife Nancy at the inauguration parade in 1981. The hostages were released minutes after his speech - EPA According to Mr Barnes, Connally brought him to several Middle Eastern capitals to lobby regional leaders to convince Tehran that they would receive a better deal from Republican nominee Reagan if they kept hold of the hostages until after the election. Mr Barnes told the newspaper that he was persuaded to come forward with his account by the news last month that Mr Carter is receiving home hospice care. History needs to know what happened, Mr Barnes told the newspaper. I think its so significant and I guess knowing that the end is near for President Carter put it on my mind more and more and more. I just feel like weve got to get it down some way. According to the newspaper, records at Lyndon Baines Johnson Library show that Connally and Mr Barnes left on a trip from Houston on July 18, 1980 to visit Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Israel, and returned to the US on Aug 11. Story continues Mr Barnes said he was certain that the reason for the trip was to deliver the message to Iran to hold the hostages until after the election. He claimed that when the pair met the first of a number of Middle Eastern leaders, Connally told them: Look, Ronald Reagans going to be elected president and you need to get the word to Iran that theyre going to make a better deal with Reagan than they are Carter. Mr Barnes added: He [Connally] said, It would be very smart for you to pass the word to the Iranians to wait until after this general election is over. And boy, I tell you, Im sitting there and I heard it and so now it dawns on me, I realise why were there. Ill go to my grave believing that it was the purpose of the trip. Mr Barnes does not suggest that Reagan, who won two terms as US president, knew anything about the trip, but Mr Barnes told The New York Times that Connally briefed the chairman of Reagan's campaign, William Casey, when they returned to the US. Carter is the oldest living former US president - AP Mr Barnes claimed that Casey, who went on to be director of the CIA under Reagan, wanted to know whether they were going to hold the hostages. It wasnt freelancing because Casey was so interested in hearing as soon as we got back to the United States. In 1992 and again in 1993, Congress held separate inquiries that investigated alleged collusion between the Reagan campaign and Tehran and found no evidence of wrongdoing. The timing of the release of the hostages has over the years given rise to conspiracy theories and allegations that Reagan's team conspired with Iran in a bid to prevent the release and stop Mr Carter pulling off an October surprise a news event shortly before a presidential election that could swing the vote in one candidate's favour. The Reagan administration was accused by some namely former Iranian president Abolhassan Banisadr of rewarding Tehran by supplying the regime with weapons and releasing Iranian assets held in US banks. Connally died in 1993. His eldest son, John Connally III, told The New York Times that he remembered his father taking the trip but that he did not know of any communication with Iran. He said: No mention was made in any meeting I was in about any message being sent to the Iranians. It doesnt sound like my dad. Casey died in 1987, while Reagan passed away in 2004. Mr Barnes, a Democrat, was a fundraiser for John Kerry's failed bid for president in 2004 and was Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Gladys Burns spent 40 years in this community, and was the consummate citizen activist, combating poverty, discrimination, mental illness, child abuse and neglect. She and her mountaineering husband also were key founders, financiers and lifetime members of Olympias Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Burns was a legendary figure in Thurston County at the time of her death in 1994, but far too many of her accomplishments are unrecorded and available only in the fading memories of those who knew and remember her. For a time, there were scholarships and awards named for her, but today even those have disappeared. This is one of many reasons why we need Womens History Month. The first recorded impact of Gladys Burns (1907-1994) in Thurston County was in the 1940s, when she helped establish a local Mental Health Association. She wrote of that work from 1940 to 1970, and notes that when they began, Mental health services were practically nonexistent. There was no psychiatrist in either Thurston or Mason counties. There were no programs to serve patients returning from Western State Hospital, and no services for children. None. She and the people she recruited to the cause toiled for six years to create a mental health center. They held fundraisers, put on plays, and solicited donations from local businesses. After several more years of relentless advocacy, federal and state funding finally became available. That was just the beginning. Today, no one can remember how many nonprofits Burns founded or inspired others to found. There were many. But those who knew her clearly recall that she was a prime mover in the establishment of the local United Way she served as its first paid staff and in the creation of the areas first child care center and early learning program, the Family Support Center, as well as the Crisis Clinic. She also took her work home. Her granddaughter remembers Burns taking calls from parents in distress when it was her turn to staff the all-volunteer precursor of todays Crisis Clinic. Story continues Burns responded to specific problems like the need for a crisis nursery, and for laws and programs to combat all forms of child abuse. But she also pushed people to see the big picture of how organizations both nonprofit and governmental could work together to create a tightly knit safety net that could help people rise out of intergenerational poverty, and keep people from falling into it. She set the tone, the philosophy, says Shelly Willis, executive director of the Family Education and Support Services. And she was the first person who showed me that women had a voice and can make a difference. When she was in the room, I sat up straight. Maureen Fitzgerald, a former social services agency director, says, She scoped out everybody, and would say Youre the person who needs to do this. She wasnt tolerant of the word cant. She was always inspiring and pushing from the back at a time when most agency directors were men. She could shift peoples thinking about what was possible. She had a clear vision, and invited people into that vision. This was at a time when there were very few local nonprofits and an empty playing field for social services. Burns also became a skilled lobbyist. In addition to nudging forward the states progress in social and health services and anti-poverty programs, she championed state measures to lighten the disproportionate tax burden on low-income people. Around 1980, she helped found and run People for Fair Taxes. She was also the only woman who testified before Congress on federal tax reform in 1984. Gladys Burns was the visionary architect of our local human services system. Her living legacy is immense. Thousands of people in poverty or crisis past, present and future benefit from her work. She also inspired many women to think bigger about how capable they were, and what they could achieve. She deserves to be remembered. Alan Guebert writes "Farm and Food" Before a January memorandum of understanding, or MOU, on a farmers right to repair his farm machinery, U.S. equipment makers and their farm and ranch customers were locked in a legal and legislative fight over who could fix todays complex ag machinery the customer who owned or leased it, or the maker that designed, built and held its warranty. But, agricultural law experts say, the trumpeted MOU between Deere & Co., the worlds largest farm machinery manufacturer, and the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nations biggest farm group, is unenforceable. Farm and Food:It takes guts to fix our abusive illegal ag labor system In fact, they explain, the understanding offers no binding legal rights to either farmers or manufacturers and doesnt stop any farmer or farm group from continuing their court and legislative fights for their right to repair. This battle and its hollow truce is a fight few foresaw a generation ago. Back then, farmers and ranchers routinely tackled equipment repairs as simple as changing their tractors oil or as complicated as rebuilding its engine. Todays farm machinery, especially tractors and combines, are driven more by software than diesel and their day-in, day-out performance swings as much on electrons and algorithms as cylinder compression and hydraulic hook-ups. Farmers quickly learned to both love and loathe this complexity. At peak performance, the machinery is a highly productive, almost-alive partner that eats acres and performs tasks no machine could have even attempted 20 years ago. Tax Talk:Seniors and sometimes their children face special income tax concerns At its worst, however, its a silent heap of costly steel and cold cast iron until some fuzzy-cheeked dealer technician shows up to reset an inaccessible switch or override some mysterious, proprietary computer code. Thus the repair fight: Farmers and ranchers want machinery makers like Deere and CNH Industrial, the owners of Case IH and New Holland, to give them access to the information and tools they need to do what theyve been doing since the dawn of farming: repair their tools without additional cost or delay. Story continues When private pressure failed to deliver that access, farmers began to lobby both state legislatures and Congress for the right. Civil lawsuits 16 in total, now consolidated into a federal class action soon followed. AFBF claims it worked to secure its Deere agreement and, on March 9, a similar MOU with Case IH because its members wanted to dampen the escalating fight while gaining a clear understanding of what they can and cannot repair. The six-page, January memorandum does clarify some sticking points between farmers and manufacturers. But, critics and attorneys say, most of its language is too broad and too vague to be legally meaningful. In fact, the memo, says Anthony Schutz, the associate dean of the University of Nebraska College of Law, is a press release at best. It creates no rights by any party and none of it is enforceable by any entity. So why secure a toothless, non-binding agreement that doesnt give farmers any new right to repair? It and the subsequent AFBF/Case IH deal reduces the political pressure (machinery makers) were getting at the state level from farmers and farm groups on repair issues, offers Schutz. At the same time, the Farm Bureau knew it couldn't keep pushing state legislators against farmers rights to repair without causing problems for itself. Market Basket:Owners of the Carnegie Library in Niles aim to carve out a unique niche with laughs, drinks Proof of that analysis came the month after the Deere/AFBF deal. On Feb. 20, the Colorado House of Representatives approved a state right-to-repair ag law over objections from machinery makers and a noticeably quiet state Farm Bureau affiliate. Moreover, predicts Kevin OReilly, the Right-to-Repair campaign director for the Public Interest Research Groups, the House-passed Colorado resolution will pass the state senate and be signed into law by the end of March. The reason is simple, he says: The MOUs between Farm Bureau and the machinery companies badly misunderstand the depth of anger among farmers over this issue. When enough states pass enough of their own repair laws, Congress will act. If the federal courts, that is, dont rule against the machinery makers first. Either way, the MOUs were more memos of understatement than memos of understanding because this fight is just getting started. Alan Guebert is an agricultural journalist. See past columns at farmandfoodfile.com. 2022 ag comm This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: 'Right to repair' fight just getting started On the morning of March 15, 2018, a dozen engineers and contractors involved in the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge for Florida International Universitys main campus met in a trailer at the site to discuss what to do about deep cracks that had spread along one end of the unfinished concrete span. Virtually everyone there, investigators would later conclude, made the wrong and fatal call. The renowned engineer who came up with the bridges unorthodox, but dazzling design played down the significance of the cracks. Even while admitting he didnt know the cause, W. Denney Pate insisted the bridge was safe and dismissed a suggestion from an inspecting engineer that it be shored up as a precaution, records show. Pate who investigators later determined had overlooked a critical error hed made in the bridges design then ordered what turned out to be an ill-considered attempt to close up the cracks. Shortly after the meeting ended, the repair work caused the 950-ton span to collapse, crushing several cars waiting at a red light below it on Southwest Eighth Street, killing six people and injuring 10 others. READ MORE: Cautious new bridge design almost ready READ MORE: Timeline of whats occurred since bridge fell in 2018 The unusually expansive cracks should have been an alarming sign to the experienced builders in the trailer that the bridge was in severe structural distress, exhaustive and sharply critical federal investigations found. A measuring stick shows the depth of a crack in the deck of the doomed FIU bridge. This photo was dated March 13, 2018, two days before the bridge collapsed, killing six. But no one at the meeting not Pate, not an FIU representative, not state transportation officials or contractors raised the possibility of closing the street while the repair work was undertaken, according to the reports. That simple measure, federal and state investigators said, would have saved lives and limbs. Five years later, the repercussions of the FIU bridges shocking failure are still being felt, though some appear to remain unresolved. Federal highway officials laid out new requirements for design reviews and road closures when cracking is found on overhead structures. The Florida Department of Transportation took over control of the bridge project from FIU, and on Feb. 28 unveiled plans for a new footbridge that adopts a highly conservative approach to design and construction, including frequent road and lane closures at night on Southwest Eighth during overhead work. Story continues Project contractors created a $103 million pool from insurance proceeds to compensate victims of the collapse, and numerous suits and counterclaims among consultants have been settled. The engineers involved in the project have largely avoided formal professional sanctions. Records show that two FDOT engineers involved in oversight of the project, Robert Robertson and Tom Andres, acting as private individuals, filed complaints with the state board of engineers against at least three of the project engineers, including Pate. Last year, Pate surrendered his Florida engineering license and said hes retired for good after engineering board reviewers concluded he had been negligent. Yet, he has steadfastly continued to deny culpability. The board dismissed complaints against two other engineers on the project. The result of a fourth complaint cant be determined because of confidentiality rules. The construction and engineering firms involved, meanwhile, all appear to be in business and even thriving. The sole exception may be the company where Pate was lead design engineer, FIGG Bridge Group of Tallahassee, which was subsequently fired from two major bridge projects in Texas after the collapse and barred for 10 years from federally funded projects, its main source of income. On Sunday, March 18, 2018, inspectors huddle around the northern end of the Florida International University Pedestrian Bridge, where cracks were found before the bridge collapsed. The section remains the focus of closer inspection. On the right, the last remaining vehicle is still under the rubble of concrete. The collapse on March 15 killed six people. Theres only one further potential shoe to drop, however: A criminal investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office remains open, though no details have emerged and its unclear how active it is. A spokesman for State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle called the offices investigation completely thorough but declined to elaborate. After sitting down with the SAO attorneys involved with the intensely detailed examination of the collapse of the FIU bridge, I have been made acutely aware that this criminal investigation is still ongoing, office spokesman Ed Griffith said in an emailed statement to the Miami Herald. The State Attorney understands that the anniversary of a tragedy such as the FIU bridge collapse is significant to victims, their families, and the public. However, the anniversary of a tragic event is not a factor in our offices decision-making process on whether or not criminal charges should be filed. As you know, felonies that result in death have no statute of limitations. This important fact gives us the needed time to conduct a completely thorough investigation of this incredibly complex and complicated case. Since this matter is still the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation, it would not be appropriate for us to comment on it further. One critical factor leading to the tragedy, a trove of investigative documents released following the collapse conclude, was a complicated and unwieldy contracting structure with no clear lines of authority when it came time to address the cracks. Everyone on the team yielded to Pates judgment, and no one seemed ready or able to overrule him or challenge his view. Under the scheme approved by FDOT, the agency delegated oversight and contracting for the project to FIU under the rules of the states Local Agency Program. To build and design the bridge, FIU hired politically plugged-in Miami contractor Munilla Construction Management, or MCM (now known as Magnum Construction Management). MCM in turn hired renowned Tallahassee-based FIGG Bridge Group to design the bridge. To review its design, FIGG contracted with Louis Berger, a national engineering firm based in New Jersey. FDOT hired yet another consultant to help coordinate the project, but said that under the LAP rules the agency adopted a mostly hands-off approach. Records released after the collapse, though, suggest the agency had a more active role than it acknowledged, with FDOT engineers often looking closely over the shoulder of project contractors. Here is whats happened with some of those key players in the failed project: W. Denney Pate. Following an investigation by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers, Pate, the bridges lead designer and lead design engineer for FIGG, was allowed to give up his state license on condition that he pledge not to seek reinstatement. Pate has not admitted culpability in the deadly bridge collapse, blaming instead a construction error by MCM and its subcontractors a contention that federal and state investigators explicitly rejected. Records indicate Pate may have licenses in other states, but where or whether theyre active could not be determined. W. Denney Pate, former lead design engineer for FIGG FIGG Bridge Group: Federal highway officials barred the designers of the failed FIU bridge from any federally funded projects until 2029. Because most bridge projects have some federal financing, that could effectively end FIGGs main business. The firm contested the suspension, but the outcome could not be determined. An engineer familiar with FIGG says the firm is not getting any new major projects, though it may be working in minor roles reviewing plans and performing construction inspections. Since the collapse, FIGG was fired by the Texas Department of Transportation from major bridge projects in Corpus Christi and Houston after issues with Pates designs for the spans emerged. Construction on FIGG-designed Houston Ship Channel Bridge was halted after a review uncovered 21 significant concerns. Portions of the bridge structure had to be demolished, setting back the project two years and adding nearly $300 million to its cost. A FIGG spokesman listed on the firms website, Bill Pettus, did not return messages seeking comment. Dwight Dempsey, a 16-year FIGG engineer who worked under Pate as field coordinator on the FIU bridge, was also the subject of complaints to the engineering board that claimed he was negligent in failing to recognize the gravity of the cracking and responding to it. But board reviewers concluded there was no evidence that he violated any engineering norms or rules. Their report said Dempsey had no apparent involvement in design or in interpreting data about the bridge, both of which were Pates responsibility. Since 2019, Dempsey has worked as bridge practice group leader in the Tallahassee office of Kimley-Horn, a major engineering and design consulting firm. MCM, the general contractor, sued FIGG and went through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization after the collapse. As part of the bankruptcy, MCM renamed Magnum Construction Management set aside $42 million from its insurance coverage to compensate victims. Subsequently, MCM secured approval from Miami-Dade commissioners to extend a longstanding contract for work at Miami International Airport. MCM remains on that airport job and has several other county construction contracts. Louis Berger International, which conducted a review of Pates design plans that federal investigators said was inadequate, was acquired in 2018 following the FIU catastrophe by WSP, a Canadian conglomerate, and continues to operate under its own name. The NTSB faulted the firm for agreeing to a curtailed review in its contract with FIGG in order to save the bridge designers money. Louis Berger assigned a single engineer to the task who missed Pates design error because of the contracts limited scope. Ayman Shama, the engineer who conducted the design review for Louis Berger, was also the subject of a complaint to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers. The agency said it could not discuss the case, suggesting the case was dismissed at an early stage or is still pending. Bolton Perez and Associates, the Miami engineering firm that acted as construction inspector on the bridge project, was faulted by federal investigators for insufficiently raising alarm over the cracks or exercising independent judgment to challenge Pates conclusions. Bolton Perez was acquired in 2021 by Colliers Engineering and Design, a national firm based in New Jersey, and now operates under that corporate name. Jose Morales, the Bolton Perez engineer assigned the FIU bridge inspection job, was also the subject of a complaint to the Florida engineering board. The complaint alleged Morales failed to question Pates conclusions and should have sought a second opinion from seasoned structural engineers at Bolton Perez. But board reviewers cleared Morales, noting he had diligently fulfilled his job duties by photographing and documenting the cracks and sending reports to FIGG and MCM, requesting an independent analysis and suggesting the bridge be shored up as a precaution. Morales was atop the bridge deck observing the repair job when it came apart and collapsed in a heap. He fractured his hip and jaw in the fall. Editors note: An earlier version of this story stated that FIU contributed to the $103 million insurance victims compensation pool . FIU did not participate in the fund because it had no legal liability in the collapse. Russias war in Ukraine is no mere territorial dispute, several Republicans said Sunday, in response to a statement Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made last week, claiming the war was not a vital U.S. interest. This is a clear its not even a questionable a clear vital national interest, to support what is going on in Ukraine, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. DeSantis made his statement in answers to a Fox News questionnaire that were made public Monday. If you let Russia start to come in," Sununu said, "and walk over Ukraine, you put all of Eastern Europe at risk. You put all of our NATO allies there at risk. And then when a NATO ally is now at risk, now you really risk having to put potential American troops on the ground, which nobody wants to see and shouldn't happen." Sending $50 billion in aid to Ukraine, Sununu said, is a deal, if it means not having to send troops to fight a war in Europe. There are voices in our party that don't see a vital American interest in Ukraine. But I see it differently, former Vice President Mike Pence said on ABCs This Week. Pence called DeSantiss description of the war as a territorial dispute wrong and said the U.S. ought to provide the tanks, the missiles and the aircraft that the Ukrainian military can use to take the fight to the Russians. We have Russian aggression on the move, again, just as they did under [President Barack] Obama and Crimea, as they did under President [George W.] Bush in Georgia. And we have to meet this moment with American strength, Pence said. Taking a stand against Russia in Ukraine also sends a message to China, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said. While there is territory being taken by Russia, this is bigger than that for us. Chinese President Xi Jinping is watching, Rounds said, and should the U.S. fail to assist Ukraine, Xi may see it as a sign that China can make similar moves in Taiwan without facing American interference. Story continues [Xi] wants to see how we respond and whether or not we can keep our allies together, whether or not. NATO stays together or whether or not it strengthens NATO. So, this is a bigger picture than just territory, Rounds said. The war in Ukraine has divided the Republican Party in recent months, with some viewing it through a Cold War lens and others suggesting the conflict is not as important to Americans as other issues. With his statement last week, DeSantis joined with Republicans such as Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the latter camp. While the U.S. has many vital national interests securing our borders, addressing the crisis of readiness within our military, achieving energy security and independence, and checking the economic, cultural, and military power of the Chinese Communist Party becoming further entangled in a territorial dispute between Ukraine and Russia is not one of them, he said in his statement to Fox News. Attorney Robert "Bob" Costello, once a legal adviser to Michael Cohen, has told NBC News that he will testify Monday before the New York grand jury considering former President Donald Trump's case Monday. Trumps attorneys asked the district attorney in Manhattan for Costello to testify in the case involving a hush money payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. The fact that Costello will be appearing at the request of Trump's team indicates he may contradict Cohen, who has been a key witness in the case. Cohen, Trumps former lawyer who pleaded guilty in federal court in 2018 to making the illegal payment to Daniels, testified before the grand jury last week. He has also met with prosecutors more than 20 times. Cohen alleged that Trump directed him to pay the hush money for the principal purpose of influencing the 2016 presidential election. He said he will return to the district attorneys office Monday to stand by as a rebuttal witness. Costello said Sunday that he never signed a retainer agreement. He also said Cohen waived the attorney-client privilege in 2019 a move that shocked attorneys who became aware of it. Cohen, meanwhile, said Costello never represented him. The news was first reported by The New York Times. A spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorneys office declined to comment. The district attorneys office convened the grand jury to look into the payment to Daniels, who alleges she slept with Trump before he became president. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and said he didn't have an affair with Daniel. But he did acknowledge that he repaid Cohen the $130,000, a payment he claims was legal. Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said this month that Trumps attorneys have no plans to meet with the district attorneys office. And last week, Tacopina said the Trump wont appear before the grand jury. Story continues NBC News reported Friday that law enforcement agencies are gearing up for a possible indictment as early as next week. Following the report, Trump predicted Saturday on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be arrested Tuesday and called on supporters to protest. Two senior law enforcement said an interagency policy meeting is planned for Monday about security in case Trump is indicted this week. New York police also met Sunday to discuss possible security plans. The Manhattan investigation is separate from the Justice Department's probe into Trump's role Jan. 6 Capitol attack and his handling of classified documents, which special counsel Jack Smith is overseeing. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com ALMATY (Reuters) -Kazakhstan voted in a snap parliamentary election on Sunday widely expected to cement President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's grip on power and complete a reshuffle of the ruling elite that began after he fully assumed leadership last year. Exits polls showed the ruling Amanat party winning 53-54% of the vote, enough to retain a comfortable majority. Voter turnout stood at 54.2%, the Central Election Commission said. A stronger mandate will help Tokayev navigate through regional turmoil caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent damage to trade, investment and supply chains throughout the former Soviet Union. Although he formally became president in 2019, Tokayev, 69, had remained in the shadow of his predecessor and former patron Nursultan Nazarbayev until January 2022, when the two fell out amid an attempted coup and violent unrest. Tokayev sidelined Nazarbayev, after suppressing political unrest in the oil-rich Central Asian country, and had a number of his associates removed from senior positions in the public sector, some of whom later faced corruption charges. While Tokayev has reshuffled the government, the lower house of parliament - elected when Nazarbayev still had sweeping powers and led the ruling Nur Otan party - was not due for election until 2026, and the president called a snap vote. RULING PARTY Unlike Nazarbayev, Tokayev has chosen not to lead the ruling party, rebranded Amanat, but it is certain to form the core of his support base in the legislature. Five other parties set to win seats also support Tokayev. However, for the first time in almost two decades, several opposition figures were running as independents, a move which may allow some government critics to win a limited number of seats. Still, in Almaty, Kazakhstan's biggest city which usually shows most support for the opposition, voting appeared slow on Sunday amid a heavy police presence on the streets. "We keep complaining that nothing changes in our country and we ourselves take no part in our country's political life," said Yevgeniya, a 36-year-old marketing executive who declined to give her last name or say for whom she voted. "Going out and voting is the least we can do to bring about change." Story continues Tokayev, who cast his ballot in Astana early in the morning without talking to the press, has said the vote would allow him to start implementing his plan to reform the country and ensure a fairer distribution of its oil wealth. The completion of political transition is also likely to strengthen Tokayev's hand in foreign policy. Despite receiving Moscow's backing during the 2022 unrest, he has refused to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine or recognise its annexation of some Ukrainian territories. Astana is trying to maintain good relationships with both Moscow, its neighbour and major trading partner, and the West, which seeks to isolate Russia. (Reporting by Olzhas Auyezov and Mariya Gordeyeva; Additional reporting by Tamara Vaal in Astana; Editing by William Mallard and David Holmes) Bakhmut Read also: Top Ukrainian official explains why defending Bakhmut is important Active fighting continues around the Ukrainian town, but the invading troops continue to conduct attacks mechanically, Cherevatyi said. He also said the actions of the Russian army in the area of Bakhmut could hardly be described as a "major strategic offensive operation." "Right now, they are actually tactically unable to complete the operation to capture the Ukrainian district center of Bakhmut," Cherevatyi said. Indeed, there are very active battles there, they still continue to carry out several dozen attacks by inertia, but they suffer huge losses. Read also: Ukrainian troops preparing for future actions in Bakhmut, military spokesperson says He added that the Ukrainian command and staff offices are planning their defense correctly. The Ukrainian military continues to bleed the enemy dry, reduce its combat capabilities and break its morale, Cherevatyi said. The spokesman also stressed that the statements of the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, about the lack of ammunition are an "SOS signal" to the Russian leadership. He believes that the statements of Prigozhin and convicted MH17 murderer and military blogger Igor Girkin are the best de-motivator for Russias troops. Read also: Russia loses up to 1,500 troops every day fighting in Bakhmut, NATO assesses According to the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War, Prigozhin is trying to create talking points to explain why his mercenaries cannot capture Bakhmut. 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 smashed portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin lies outside a police prison used to hold and torture Ukrainian prisoners by Russian forces in Kherson, Ukraine on Nov. 17, 2022. (Lynsey Addario/The New York Times) KYIV, Ukraine Russias abduction and deportation of Ukraines children since its invasion of the country was so well-documented and terrifying that when Russian forces prepared to withdraw from the southern city of Kherson last fall, doctors at a hospital there hurriedly hid babies and falsified their records. When Russian soldiers arrived, the staff at Kherson Regional Hospital said the infants were too critically ill to move, Olha Pilyarska, head of its neonatal anesthesiology department, recalled in an interview Saturday. They put lung ventilation devices near all the children, she said. Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times The efforts saved 14 babies from being swept up in a campaign that has systematically transferred thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia to be resettled in foster families and put on track to become Russian citizens. When the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Friday over the forcible deportation of children, it was a powerful recognition of actions that have not only been carried out in full public view, but continue today. The arrest warrant adds Putins name to a notorious list of despots and dictators accused of humanitys worst atrocities. But this case is unusual in that the charges were announced not years after the abuses began, but effectively in real time. The judges at The Hague cited the need for urgent action because the deportations are allegedly ongoing. Although the court has issued arrest warrants quickly before against Moammar Gadhafi of Libya, for example war crimes investigations often take years, meaning that charges are not announced until long after atrocities occur. President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan was charged in 2009 with war crimes that began in 2003. But the Russian authorities, far from disguising the deportations, have put the children on display in Red Square photo-ops and at lavish concerts celebrating the war. They have also signaled that more deportations are on the way. Story continues Across southern Ukraine, local Russian proxy leaders are issuing new evacuation orders before an expected Ukrainian military offensive this spring. Such orders have often been a prelude to stepped-up deportations. And about a month ago, Russian forces closed all roads leading from occupied areas into the rest of Ukraine, making it much harder for people to escape. Now, the only open roads head deeper into occupied territory or into Russia. Russians are deporting more and more people from the temporarily occupied districts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, the Ukrainian National Resistance Center, the government agency that monitors events in occupied Ukraine, said Friday, noting public statements by the local Russian authorities. More than a year into a war that has turned into a bloody endurance contest, Ukrainian and allied leaders are contending with wavering though still strong support for continuing to supply Ukraine with military equipment. Ukrainian officials said the arrest warrant highlighted the moral imperative of the conflict. World leaders will think twice before shaking his hand or sitting with Putin at the negotiating table, Andriy Kostin, Ukraines chief prosecutor, said of the arrest warrant. Its another clear signal to the world that the Russian regime is criminal. Russia, which like the United States is not a party to the international court, dismissed the warrant as meaningless. Its leaders have made clear that they intend to continue deporting children to Russia in what they have billed as an act of humanitarian compassion. The court in The Hague also issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, the Kremlins commissioner for childrens rights, who is the public face of the deportation program. She has spoken proudly about organizing a large-scale system for shuttling children out of Ukraine. After the arrest warrant, she vowed to continue to work. Putin, in a televised meeting with Lvova-Belova last month, noted the work approvingly. The number of applications from our citizens regarding the adoption of children from the Donetsk and Luhansk republics, from the Kherson and Zaporizhia regions is also growing, he said. The scale of the deportations in Ukraine over the past year is something not witnessed in Europe in generations. The United Nations estimates that 2.9 million Ukrainians have moved to Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion, but it is impossible to quantify how many might have gone willingly and how many were forced. That number includes about 700,000 children, according to both Russians and Ukrainians, and most are believed to be with their families. The exact number of children separated from their parents or orphaned is not known. Russia has acknowledged transferring 2,000 children without guardians; Ukrainian officials say they have confirmed 16,000 cases, although some of them might be with a relative. The real, full number of deportees may be much higher, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said in a statement Friday after the announcement by The Hague. The court has identified at least hundreds of children taken from orphanages and childrens care homes, said Karim Khan, the courts chief prosecutor. He said these deportations, done with the intention to permanently remove the children from their own country, were a violation of the Geneva Convention and amounted to war crimes. The court in The Hague acted unusually fast in the case. It has been under intense scrutiny since Russias invasion of Ukraine, when 43 countries a third of the courts members almost immediately demanded that it intervene. Key donors, including the European Union, sent money and dozens of prosecutors to speed up what is often seen as a plodding bureaucracy. And the courts investigators, who often are thwarted by hostile governments, received total cooperation from the Ukrainian authorities. Forcibly transferring children from one national group to another with the intention to destroy the group can also amount to genocide, a charge that Kateryna Rashevska, a lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights, a Ukrainian organization that investigates the abduction of children, said she hoped would be the next step. Russia has carried out the deportations under the guise of rescues, medical rehabilitation initiatives and adoption programs. But the facts have been brought to light by witness accounts, reports by The New York Times and other Western outlets, the Ukrainian news media, independent investigators, the United Nations, and a host of government and rights organizations. They committed the crime in plain sight and expressed pride in doing it, Stephen Rapp, a former ambassador-at-large who headed the Office of Global Criminal Justice in the State Department, said in an email. The Kremlin has repeatedly used Ukrainian children as part of its campaign to bolster support for the war. When children from a group home fled the Russian bombing of Mariupol early in the war, for example, they were stopped at a Russian checkpoint. Pro-Russian news media crews rushed to the scene, witnesses said, and cameras followed the children as they were whisked deeper into Russia-held territory. It was portrayed as a rescue operation. All the Russian channels showed that Ukrainians are bad, said Oleksandr Yaroshenko, a volunteer who witnessed the incident at the checkpoint. In Kherson, local officials and witnesses described an orchestrated nature to the Russian abductions. Soon after Russian forces seized the city, they worked with local collaborators to compile lists of children in hospitals, orphanages and schools, according to Ukrainian prosecutors and witnesses. Security camera footage showed armed Russian soldiers entering an orphanage in October, and local officials said that 50 children were taken from the facility. Some of them, according to residents of Kherson, were later paraded before the cameras on Russias state news media. The deportations have echoes of one of the more sinister chapters of Russian history, when Stalin used deportations to solidify the Kremlins control. From 1936 to 1952, at least 3 million people were rounded up from their homes along the Soviet Unions western borders and other regions, and dumped thousands of miles away in Siberia and Central Asia, according to estimates by the United Nations refugee agency. The Kremlin referred to these people euphemistically as special settlers. At the neonatal hospital in Kherson, the staff managed to save most of the children, but two were taken, said Inna Kholodnyak, the hospitals director. Some of children from Kherson are still in Crimea. We can sometimes see them in Russian media, she said by telephone from the hospital, which had come under shelling in recent days. The others just disappeared, and we dont know anything about them. c.2023 The New York Times Company Russian invaders He said Russia deploying the last of its reserves on the Avdiyivka and Maryinka axes. Read also: Russia strikes Avdiyivka with cluster munitions, missiles: one casualty, school destroyed "Yesterday and the day before yesterday, units of the 98th Airborne Division were deployed it was the special forces of this unit," said Dmytrashkivskyi. And last night we learned about the deployment of two additional tank companies. This is due to the fact that they are losing equipment." Ukraines General Staff on the morning of March 19 reported that Ukrainian forces had destroyed 21 Russian tanks in the previous 24 hours. Read also: Russian offensive in Donetsk area culminating, invaders suffering heavy losses, lack ammunition Meanwhile, a calm period is expected on the Vuhledar axis at this stage, Dmytrashkivskyi said. "But the enemy continues to shell with cannon artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and (conduct) air strikes," said the Defense Forces representative, adding that the Ukrainian military sees troops massing and moving there. This is happening constantly and (the Russians) are carrying out quite powerful attacks." Dmytrashkivskyi said there is currently a slight lull on the Zaporizhzhya section of the front, but positional fighting continues. "Our soldiers are trying to take slightly different positions to have better opportunities for a counter-offensive in the future," Dmytrashkivskyi said. Read also: Russias mechanical tactics making it impossible for it to capture Bakhmut, Ukrainian military says "Attacks continue on the Donetsk section of the front. There were 317 attacks over the last day." According to the Ukrainian militarys General Staff, Ukrainian troops repelled 83 enemy attacks on March 18. The invading forces are continuing their offensive on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka, Maryinka and Shakhtarsk sections of the front. 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 President Vladimir Putin has visited the occupied port city of Mariupol, his first trip to the Ukrainian territory that Moscow illegally annexed in September. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin arrived in Mariupol late Saturday after visiting Crimea, a short distance southwest of Mariupol, to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine. Mariupol became a worldwide symbol of defiance after outgunned and outmanned Ukrainian forces held out in a steel mill there for nearly three months before Moscow finally took control of it in May. The visits, during which Putin was shown chatting with local residents in Mariupol and visiting an art school and a childrens center in Crimea, were a show of defiance by the Russian leader two days after a court issued a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges. Putin has not commented on the arrest warrant, which deepened his international isolation despite the unlikelihood of him facing trial anytime soon. The Kremlin has rejected the move by the International Criminal Court as legally null and void. The trip also came ahead of a planned visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, expected to provide a major diplomatic boost to Putin in his confrontation with the West. Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the citys memorial sites, concert hall, and coastline, Russian news reports said. The state Rossiya 24 channel on Sunday showed Putin chatting with locals outside what looked like a newly built residential complex, and being shown around one of the apartments. Following his trip to Mariupol, Putin met with Russian military leaders and troops at a command post in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city some 180 kilometers further east, and conferred with Gen. Valery Gerasimov who is in charge of the Russian military operations in Ukraine. Peskov said. Peskov told reporters that the trip had been unannounced and that Putin intended to inspect the work of the (command) post in its ordinary mode of operation. Story continues Speaking to the state RIA agency Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin made clear that Russia was in Mariupol to stay. He said the government hoped to finish the reconstruction of its blasted downtown by the end of the year. People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is underway, people started actively returning, Khusnullin told RIA. When Moscow fully captured the city in May, an estimated 100,000 people remained, out of a prewar population of 450,000. Many were trapped without food, water, heat or electricity. Relentless bombardment left rows upon rows of shattered or hollowed-out buildings. Mariupols plight first came into international focus with a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital on March 9 last year, less than two weeks after Russian troops moved into Ukraine. A week later, about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theater that was serving as the citys largest bomb shelter. Evidence obtained by the AP last spring suggested that the real death toll could be closer to 600. A small group of Ukrainian fighters held out for 83 days in the sprawling Azovstal steelworks in eastern Mariupol before surrendering, their dogged defense tying down Russian forces and coming to symbolize Ukrainian tenacity in the face of Moscows aggression. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world denounced as illegal, and moved on last September to officially claim four regions in Ukraines south and east as Russian territory, following referendums that Kyiv and the West described as a sham. The ICC on Friday accused Putin of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. U.N. investigators also said there was evidence for the forced transfer of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia. According to Ukrainian government figures, over 16,000 children have been deported to Russian-controlled territories or Russia itself, many of them from Mariupol. Peskov reaffirmed on Sunday that Moscow considers any decisions by the International Criminal Court legally null and void. While the move by the ICC Friday was welcomed by Kyiv, the chances of Putin facing trial are slim because Moscow does not recognize the courts jurisdiction or extradite its nationals. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Vladimir Putin A video of his nighttime trip has emerged and was released by the Russian propaganda news agency, RIA Novosti, on Telegram on March 19. Read also: Occupiers transform Mariupol into military base, set up helicopter pad at Azovstal Putin reportedly arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove through the city by car to inspect various facilities and talk to local residents. According to the videos that have surfaced, Putin is seen purportedly driving through the city at night and visiting the Mariupol Philharmonic, where cages previously installed for the trial of captured fighters were seen to have been removed. Putin was accompanied during his visit by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Husnullin, who reported to the president about the construction work in the captured city and its surroundings, according to Russian media. Read also: Russia deploys Buk air defense system in civilian area of Mariupol video In another video, Putin is seen apparently talking to residents of the Nevsky residential complex a showpiece Russian housing development supposedly built for people who lost their homes during the Russian capture of the city. Another video shows Putin inspecting the interior of one of the apartments. The dictators visit to Mariupol took place a few days after the anniversary of the Russian air strike on the Mariupol drama theater. Read also: Satellite imagery shows word 'children' painted outside Mariupol theater hit by Russian airstrike Read also: Russia destroying war crime evidence in Mariupol Theater attack on anniversary, Zelenskyy says Russian dictator Putin arrived in Crimea on March 18, marking his first visit since the start of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation, and notably on the same day nine years previously that the Kremlin falsely claimed it had annexed the Ukrainian peninsula. A treaty was signed between Russia and puppet entities from Crimea after an illegal referendum on March 18, 2014. Story continues Russias claimed annexation has never been generally recognized only a handful of rogue and pariah states accept Russias claim. For the majority of the worlds states, Crimea is Ukrainian territory currently under Russian military occupation. Read also: War crimes tribunal to limit geography of Putins trips abroad, says Presidents Office Meanwhile, arrest warrants were issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on March 17 for Putin and Russia's children's ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova. The charges against them relate to the alleged unlawful transfers of children from Ukraine to the Russian Federation during the period starting from Feb. 24, 2022. The 123 countries that have ratified the Rome Statute founding the ICC are now obliged to arrest the head of the Kremlin regime should he appear on their territory, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin clarified. Read also: South Africa would have to arrest Putin if he attends BRICS summit Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for the Kremlin, both argue that the arrest warrant is "legally null and void" since the accused country is not a signatory to the Rome Statute and therefore not subject to its jurisdiction. 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 MQ-9 Reaper drone A curtailment of the search operation is being observed, where the air incident took place and where they were looking for something, Humeniuk said. Read also: Russia wants to retrieve wreckage of downed US drone The weather and (water) depths do not contribute to the continuation of this work. Humeniuk said a group of Russian warships is still actively maneuvering in the Black Sea. They are keeping a safe distance of over 100 nautical miles from Ukraines weapons to avoid being targeted. The European Command of the U.S. Armed Forces reported that on the morning of March 14, two Russian Su-27 aircraft dangerously intercepted an MQ-9 Reaper drone while it was carrying out routine operations in international airspace over the Black Sea. During the interception, one of the Su-27s hit the propeller of the MQ-9, which resulted in the drone being forced to land in the sea by the U.S. military. Read also: US MQ-9 drone crashes over Black Sea after collision with Russian aircraft The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the drone crashed due to sharp maneuvering, after which it went into an uncontrolled dive and crashed into the sea. By publishing a video on March 16, the United States proved that this was not the case. The United States summoned the Russian ambassador following the incident. The Pentagon stated that the Su-27 fighter may have been damaged during the attack on the drone. In response, the U.S. took measures to prevent the MQ-9 Reaper from falling into the wrong hands and to reduce its intelligence value. However, the White House is uncertain if the wreckage of the drone will be recovered. As per a report by U.S. television news channel CNN, sensitive data was remotely wiped from the MQ-9 Reaper by its U.S. operators before the drone crashed into the water and before the Russians arrived at the crash site. 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 soldiers who are being prepared for replenishing the units after their losses near Vuhledar, Donetsk Oblast, are looking for opportunities to avoid going to the combat action zone. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 19 March Quote: "Considering the situation near Vuhledar, the Russian military leadership is hurrying to send reinforcements. They have conducted operational coordination in the Storm unit, which is part of the 37th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade of the 36th Army of the Eastern Military District. This unit is being prepared for deployment to Ukraine on 24 March. The brigade has a significant shortage of personnel; therefore, commanders of the units are calling up their subordinates who are in the treatment or rehabilitation process right now. Soldiers complain that the level of provision is low. There is a very low level of personnel motivation and a large number of attempts to avoid being sent to the combat action zone." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russia is planning to send 250 medics to the occupied territories of four Russian-occupied Ukrainian oblasts due to the lack of a labour force. Source: National Resistance Center Quote: "The occupiers are planning to bring a new group of doctors to the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. There are about 250 guest workers, 125 doctors and 125 nurses." Details: The National Resistance Center reported that the Russian forces are planning to bring a new group of teachers to Kherson Oblast. According to the National Resistance Center, local Russian-appointed puppet leaders complained about the shortage of teaching staff in educational institutions. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! As a result of Russian shelling of a residential building in the village of Kamianske, Vasylivka district, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, three people were killed and two more were wounded. Source: Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Today, the enemy carried out a cynical attack on a residential building in the Vasylivka district. A Russian Grad took the lives of three people in Kamianske. Two more were injured. They are getting assistance." Details: The Oblast Military Administration urged the residents to leave dangerous areas. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! In Strilkove village, occupied part of Kherson Oblast, orders are being drawn up to hand over the houses of residents who were forced to leave the settlement to the Russian soldiers. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 19 March Quote: "The Russian occupiers continue looting, taking away houses from peaceful citizens of Ukraine. In particular, the village council in Strilkove, temporarily occupied territory of Kherson Oblast, is drafting an order on the forced illegal seize of the houses of Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave the settlement, due to the lobbying of the village head and on the basis of forcibly collected signatures of local deputies. They want to hand over the housing to servicemen of the Russian occupation army." Details: The General Staff also reported that the Russian occupiers continue to exert psychological pressure on the local population in order to force them to obtain Russian citizenship. "Yes, the counterintelligence regime has been strengthened in the settlement of Azovske, temporarily occupied territory of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The local population is actively checked for the presence of a Russian passport during it [counterintelligence regime ed.]. Citizens who do not have one are forced to put up with additional checks, followed by detention," the report said. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A bicyclist died Saturday night in what police are calling a hit-and-run crash in Sacramentos Fruitridge Pocket neighborhood. Police responded to a call reporting a collision between a car and a bicyclist at Stockton Boulevard and 20th Avenue. When they arrived at 7:02 p.m., they found a man with serious injuries lying in the roadway, according to a Sacramento Police Department media release. Sacramento Fire Department personnel pronounced the victim dead at the scene. His identity has yet to be released. The car that allegedly struck him fled the scene. SPDs Major Collision Investigations Unit has taken over the case and is canvassing the area, but no suspect description had been released as of Sunday morning. The investigation is still in its early stages, according to the media release. The Sacramento Police Department encourages any witnesses to the crash to contact the dispatch center at 916-808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-HELP (4357). Callers may remain anonymous and can be eligible to a reward of up to $1,000. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the P3 Tips cell phone app. Sam Neill gave fans a health update on social media after he recently said in an interview that he had been diagnosed with cancer last year. My news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and its sort of Cancer! Cancer! Cancer! he said in the video posted March 18, adding, Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am alive and well and I have been in remission for eight months, which feels really good. In an interview with the BBC published March 17, Neill shared that he had been diagnosed with stage three non-Hodgkin lymphoma while promoting Jurassic World Dominion" this time last year. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymph system, part of the immune system. In his video, Neill shared that at the moment he is alive and kicking and getting ready to go back to work on a project with Annette Bening called Apples Never Fall. I just wish the headline wasnt that thing so much because the main thing is that I have written this book, its called Did I Ever Tell You This? and it does mention cancer because thats the sort of context in which I wrote it, he explained in the video. Neill said he didn't set out to write a book, explaining that he "needed something to do while I was undergoing treatment" and was accustomed to going to work, which was off the table at that time. Neill told the BBC that while on tour promoting the most recent film in the Jurassic Park franchise, he had noticed lumpy glands in his neck. After the diagnosis he thought, Im crook, Im dying," he told the outlet. His reaction to the diagnosis was "pretty phlegmatic," he said, but ultimately made him take stock of things. Now eight months in remission, Neills book looks back on his life from his illness to his illustrious career. Neill said in his video that the response to the memoir has been great and that people seem to love it," despite the actor being very nervous as a first-time author. Story continues The book earned its subtitle Movies, Life, Love and Other Catastrophes to give an idea of all the crazy things that have happened to me. The tone of the book is one of surprise, he said. I never thought that I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor on screen, but thats kind of what happened and I am full of gratitude looking back on this life, and thats what the book is about. Neill said that while reading the audiobook at the studio recently, he found it more entertaining than he expected, adding, So I hope you enjoy it and lets not worry too much about all that because Im fine, okay! This article was originally published on TODAY.com Sam Neill attends the 2019 premiere of "Blackbird" at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. (Evan Agostini / Invision / AP) Sam Neill has reassured fans that he is "alive and well" and cancer-free after his recent Stage 3 lymphoma diagnosis caused a panic on social media. In an Instagram post, the "Jurassic Park" star clarified that his cancer has "been in remission for eight months, which feels really good." Though the Guardian reported that key detail on Friday, headlines about Neill's cancer battle sparked widespread concern for the 75-year-old actor nonetheless. "My news seems to be all over the news at the moment, and its sort of Cancer! Cancer! Cancer! Which is slightly tiresome because as you see, I am ... alive and kicking," Neill wrote Saturday on Instagram. "Lets not worry too much about all that because Im fine. Okay!" Neill also shared a video expressing the same sentiment for good measure. On Friday, the two-time Emmy nominee revealed in an interview with the Guardian that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma a blood cancer shortly after he experienced swollen glands while promoting the 2022 film Jurassic World Dominion. Neill is able to manage the disease thanks to a chemotherapy drug he will continue taking every month for the rest of his life, according to the Guardian. Those dark moments throw the light into sharp relief, you know, and have made me grateful for every day and immensely grateful for all my friends," he told the Guardian. "Just pleased to be alive." Im not afraid to die, he added, but it would annoy me. Because Id really like another decade or two. ... Ive got my lovely little grandchildren. I want to see them get big." A day after the Guardian story came out, Neill lamented that the resulting news cycle focused so much on his health scare when "the main thing" he wanted to announce was his forthcoming memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This? Though he maintains that it is not a "cancer book," the "Peaky Blinders" actor did pen the memoir while he was undergoing treatment and "suddenly couldn't go to work." Story continues "I was very nervous, obviously as a first time author," Neill said Saturday on Instagram. "The tone of the book is one of surprise. I never thought that I would have a career as an actor, let alone an actor on screen. But thats kind of what happened and I am full of gratitude looking back on this life, and thats what the book is about. I hope you enjoy it." Neill's "Did I Ever Tell You This?" is scheduled for release Thursday. The performer also plugged the upcoming limited series "Apples Never Fall," starring him and Annette Bening, which starts shooting in a week. "Im very happy to be going back to work," Neill said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Joel Coplin unlocks a gate on the fence surrounding the building where he lives and operates an art gallery, four blocks from the location where Joe Faillace operates The Olde Station Subway Shop, in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 11, 2023. (Todd Heisler/The New York Times) PHOENIX He had been coming into work at the same sandwich shop every weekday morning for the past four decades, but now Joe Faillace, 69, pulled up to Old Station Subs with no idea what to expect. He parked on a street lined with three dozen tents, grabbed his Mace and unlocked the door to his restaurant. He picked up the phone and dialed his wife and business partner, Debbie Faillace, 60. All clear, he said. Everything looks good. Youre sure? No issues? she asked. Whats going on with the neighbors? Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times He looked out the window toward Madison Street, which had become the center of one of the largest homeless encampments in the country, with as many as 1,100 people sleeping outdoors. On this February morning, he could see a half-dozen men pressed around a roaring fire. A young woman was lying in the street. A man was weaving down the sidewalk in the direction of Joes restaurant with a saw, muttering to himself and then stopping to urinate. Its the usual chaos and suffering, he told Debbie. But the restaurants still standing. That had seemed to them like an open question each morning for the past three years, as an epidemic of unsheltered homelessness began to overwhelm Phoenix and many other major American downtowns. Cities across the West had been transformed by a housing crisis, a mental health crisis and an opioid epidemic, all of which landed at the doorsteps of small businesses already reaching a breaking point because of the pandemic. In Phoenix, where the number of people living on the streets had more than tripled since 2016, businesses had begun hiring private security firms to guard their property and lawyers to file a lawsuit against the city for failing to manage a great humanitarian crisis. The Faillaces had signed onto the lawsuit as plaintiffs along with about a dozen other nearby property owners. They also bought an extra mop to clean up the daily flow of human waste, replaced eight shattered windows with plexiglass, installed a wrought-iron fence around their property and continued opening their doors at exactly 8 each morning to greet the first customer of the day. Story continues Debbie arrived to help with the lunch rush, and she greeted customers at the register while Joe prepared tomato sauce and weighed out turkey for chefs salads. Their margins had always been tight, but they saved on labor costs by both going into work every day. They remodeled the kitchen to make room for a nursery when their children were born and then expanded into catering to help those children pay for college. They kept making sandwiches for a loyal group of regulars even as the city transformed around them its population growing by about 25,000 each year, housing costs soaring at a record pace, until it seemed that there was nowhere left for people to go except onto sidewalks, into tents, into broken-down cars, and increasingly into the air-conditioned relief of Old Station Subs. Their restaurant was located in an industrial neighborhood that had always attracted a small number of transients. Over the years, Joe and Debbie came to know many by name and listened to their stories of eviction, medical debt, mental illness and addiction, and together they agreed that it was their job to offer not only compassion but help. They had given out water, opened their bathroom to the public and cashed unemployment and disability checks at no extra cost. They hired a sandwich maker who was homeless and had lost his teeth after years of addiction; a dishwasher who lived in the womens shelter and first came to the restaurant for lunch with her parole officer; a cleaner who slept a few blocks away on a wooden pallet and washed up in the bathroom before her shift. But the homeless population in Phoenix continued to grow. Soon there were hundreds of people sleeping within a few blocks of Old Station, most of them with mental illness or substance abuse issues. They slept on Joe and Debbies outdoor tables, defecated behind their back porch, smoked methamphetamine in their parking lot, washed clothes in their bathroom sink, pilfered bread from their delivery trucks, had sex on their patio, masturbated within view of their employees and lit fires that burned down trees and scared away customers. Finally, Joe and Debbie could think of nothing else to do but to start calling police. Within a half-mile of their restaurant, police had been called to an average of eight incidents a day in 2022. There were at least 1,097 calls for emergency medical help, 573 fights or assaults, 236 incidents of trespassing, 185 fires, 140 thefts, 125 armed robberies, 13 sexual assaults and four homicides. The remains of a 20- to 24-week-old fetus were burned and left next to a dumpster in November. Two people were stabbed to death in their tents. Sixteen others were found dead from overdoses, suicides, hypothermia or excessive heat. The city had tried to begin more extensive cleaning of the encampment, but advocates for people without housing protested that it was inhumane and in December the American Civil Liberties Union successfully filed a federal lawsuit to keep people on the street from being terrorized and displaced. Shina Sepulveda had been living in the encampment for a few weeks or maybe for a few months. It was hard to know for sure, she said, because she had been experiencing delusions. What she remembered was escaping from a cult in Mesa, Arizona, building the first internet search engine, losing billions of dollars to a government conspiracy, cutting wiretaps out of her brain, retaking her dynastic name of Espy Rockefeller and then moving onto a sidewalk across the street from Old Station Subs. For as long as she had been homeless, she tried to nap during the relative safety of the day and stay up late at night to help look over her small corner of the encampment. She put on makeup and sat down at a plywood desk, where a handwritten nameplate introduced her as Doctor, Poet, Psychologist, Partner at Law, and where in reality she was now the 47-year-old caretaker of a half-dozen people because, even if many of her stories were fantastical, she had earned a reputation for being generous and kind and for knowing a bit about everything. Hey, Espy, can you help me? Brandon Mack said as he walked over from his nearby tent. He lifted his shirt to reveal two stab wounds from a few days earlier. He had fought with a neighbor over a coveted corner spot on the sidewalk, walked to the emergency room, gotten 18 stitches and then returned to recover on a molding mattress in a partly burned tent. Espy took out a pair of scissors, scrubbed them with hand sanitizer and started to cut away a few of his stitches. She wiped away the pus and blood with napkins, tossing them into the street. Then she turned her attention to the next person in need of help. Cecilia wanted soap, so Espy handed her a bar she had scavenged from the nearby shelter. C.J. was drunk and needed help getting into the street to go to the bathroom. A man known as K.D. was moving his tent down the sidewalk because hed gotten into an argument with a neighbor who insulted his pit bull. Nobody talks down to Dots, K.D. said. Im ready to go off. Im armed and dangerous. I was a police officer, Espy told him. If you really have to shoot, dont aim to kill. Just fire a warning shot. Joe came into work the next morning and saw a bag of drugs in the road, human waste on the sidewalk, a pit bull wandering the street and blood-soaked napkins blowing toward his restaurant patio, where he and Debbie were scheduled to meet with a real estate agent about the future of Old Station. Debbie still insisted that she was ready to be done with the restaurant. Joe didnt want to run it without her, but he also didnt want to walk away with nothing. They had spent the past several months exploring a compromise, seeing if they could sell the business and retire together. Are we getting any bites? Joe asked the agent, Mike Gaida. Oh, yeah. I get calls every week, Mike said, and he explained that at least 25 potential buyers had looked over the financials and recognized a strong family business for the reasonable price of $165,000. Several bailed once Mike mentioned the encampment, but at least a dozen potential buyers secretly came to check out the property. Most of the time, they dont call back, Mike said. If I track them down, its like, God bless those people for staying in business, because I couldnt do it. Its taken years off my life, Debbie said. For her its, Get me out. Weve got to sell, sell, sell, Joe said. But we refused an offer for $250,000 eight years ago, and it keeps dropping. I dont want to give this place away. I get it, Mike said. If you were a half-mile in another direction, youd be sitting on a million bucks. Instead, its, How can you dispose of it? A few days later, Joe arrived for work to the sound of a gunshot coming from across the street and a bullet pinging off a nearby fence. He hurried inside and called police. Yeah, its Joe again, over at Old Station, he said, and a few minutes later two police officers were walking the perimeter of his restaurant, searching for the bullet. Soon Debbie would be waking up and getting ready for work. What the heck am I going to tell her to keep her from losing it? Joe wondered, and he began to rehearse the possibilities in his head. It was only one bullet. Nobody had gotten hurt. Police had come right away. The shooter wasnt targeting the restaurant. The gunshot was random. It could have happened anywhere. Joe went outside to get some air. K.D. was ranting on the sidewalk, banging his hand against a fence, contorting his fingers into the shape of a gun and then firing it off at the sky. This could be the last straw for her, Joe said, and then he saw Debbie driving toward the parking lot, steering around K.D. and hurrying through the gate. Wow. Tough morning? she asked. He took her inside the restaurant while he tried to come up with the right words. It was only one shot. The restaurant was still standing. Theyd run Old Station together for 37 years, and maybe they could hang on for a while longer. But instead Joe told her the only thing that felt true. The whole things a disaster, he said. I get it. Its OK. I understand why youre done. c.2023 The New York Times Company March is Womens History Month, which began in 1983 after Congress passed a joint resolution designating a span of days to focus on forgotten women and their contributions to the common good. In Fort Worth, the focus on forgotten females began decades earlier, in 1917, when five well-to-do married women volunteered for the Girls Protective Bureau, which rescued young women at risk. They found their clientele among girls stranded at the train station, alone with no ticket, no money and no place to go. They rescued other young women as they were released from jail with no change of clothes and no clue as to what to do. Throughout World War I and the opening of Camp Bowie, the Army training base in Arlington Heights, swarms of girls arrived in Fort Worth searching for romance, adventure and work. Many were runaways, escaping the farm. Some were single and pregnant. Many could not read much more than their ABCs. They had high hopes in the big city. The Womens Protective Bureau, working with the U.S. War Department, met with these desperate girls and helped change the direction of their lives. Postwar, the bureau evolved into the Girls Protective Association, which sent caseworkers and volunteers into poverty-stricken neighborhoods. With an assist from the courts and the schools, they organized classes and arranged for medical care. With a $2,000 donation, the protective association bought a house, called Worth Cottage, at 917 Henderson St. The dwelling became an emergency shelter and a cozy home where a fire blazed on the hearth, a girl with an ear for music played the piano, and everyone pitched in to make meals and focus on a better future. An employment service that started in the cottage grew into an agency with a downtown office. It found positions for 1,500 to 2,000 girls a year as waitresses, clerks, house cleaners, companions for the elderly and babysitters. (It continued until 1935, when the Texas Employment Commission replaced it.) Story continues From 1927 to 1930, the Womens Protective Bureau served as part of the citys welfare department until it received a new state charter and changed its name to Girls Service League, Inc., the name it retains to this day. Throughout the Great Depression, safe and affordable housing was problematic for single women. A $20,000 gift from the Lassiter family served as down payment on Lassiter Lodge, a $50,000 house at 1008 Penn St. During the 1936 Texas Centennial, the Girls Service League opened a profitable tea room nearby to serve home-cooked meals to out-of-town visitors. By 1939, the need had shifted from housing working women into finding safe havens for teenage girls from broken homes and abusive parents. The Scott Mansion, then a rundown cattle-baron estate at 1509 Pennsylvania Ave., was for sale at the bargain price of $17,500. Today, the 18-room, three-story mansion, also known as Thistle Hill, is a restored treasure owned by Cook Childrens Health Care System, which uses it for meeting space. However, from 1941 until 1968, the Girls Service League turned it into a wholesome residence for up to 30 teenage girls. Among those who lived there in 1950 was Jeanette Jan Keen King Simcox, a 15-year-old with an alcoholic father and a mother who took off to California with a sailor. Its hurtful to talk about it, said Simcox, who today at the age of 88 is a retired registered nurse and great-great-grandmother. At the Scott Mansion, she roomed with four girls in a bedroom facing Pennsylvania Avenue. I made new friends, learned from them what to do with your hair, your face, how to wash and iron your clothes. Before then, I had no home life. I did not have that kind of communication with peers. It was a huge turning point in my life. You get out of a destructive environment, and you see what life can be. That changes you. The Girls Service League helped save Thistle Hill by holding onto the 11,000-square-foot mansion during an era when historic dwellings elsewhere faced the wrecking ball. In 1976, a grassroots preservation group bought the mansion for $350,000, which the Girls Service League placed into an endowment. At that juncture, the league had 350 members who dressed up for semi-annual fundraising luncheons. As the womens movement came to the fore in Fort Worth, membership dwindled. Times were changing, observed Dr. Claudia Coggin, the leagues current president and archivist. Women-member organizations were on the decline. There are not that many women who get hatted and gloved and go out to lunch, she said. They go to work. In 2020, the Girls Service League voted to transition from a nonprofit membership organization into an institution run by a nine-member board. The board awards scholarships of up to $2,000 per semester to college students from Tarrant, Parker and Johnson counties attending Texas colleges and universities. Presently, the board is monitoring the progress of 16 students who must take 12 credits and maintain a 3.0 average. The leagues website, girlsserviceleague.org, gives guidelines and deadlines for scholarship applications. There is no age limit. One successful college grad matriculated in her 60s. Since 1978, the league has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships. The core mission of the Girls Service League remains what it was a century ago. How we carry out that mission has changed, said Coggin. We stand on the shoulders of the women of the past who foresaw these needs. We honor that legacy. Hollace Ava Weiner, author of Jewish Junior League: The Rise and Demise of the Fort Worth Council of Jewish Women, is a historian and archivist. Summvervilles Don Corinna had a choice to consider Saturday at the Charleston Area Convention Center. The 62-year-old software salesman, who moved from Boston to South Carolina in October, said he likes former Gov. Nikki Haley as a 2024 Republican presidential contender, but he also likes U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. I dont care what your gender is, what your age (is). I really dont care, Corinna told The State Media Co. What I want is somebody that has strong conservative values that protects the security of the nation, i.e. the border, (and) smaller government, some of the common themes of right-leaning conservatives. Of the roughly 450 people who attended the conservative Palmetto Family Councils inaugural conference Saturday to hear two presidential contenders and a handful of possible hopefuls speak, more than a dozen voters echoed similar sentiments to Corrina. Many said they like Haley and Scott, hoping Republican voters can move on from Donald Trump. Others said they prefer DeSantis, who, like Scott, has not yet declared his candidacy, while a few said they plan to stick with the former president. Trump did a fantastic job for the four years he was in, and hes the only one that can get this country back to the way it was, said Anna Ducker, 71, of Charleston, who said she agrees with Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. It was wonderful when he was here. The messaging test and practice for Republican candidates on Saturday came 11 months before the first-in-the-South Carolina presidential primary, key, party leaders say, to winning the White House. Since 1980, the winner of the S.C. Republican presidential primary has gone on to win the GOP nomination, with the exception of Newt Gingrich in 2012 who won the primary, but lost the nomination to Mitt Romney. Speakers Saturday included Haley, Scott, declared presidential candidate and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who said hell announce in April whether he plans to run. Another possible 2024 hopeful, former Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers, said he plans to make his decision whether to enter the race by the summer. Story continues Corrina, who supported Trump in 2016 and 2020, said Saturday while hes leaning toward Haley he plans to wait it out. Between Haley, DeSantis and Tim Scott, I think the fundamentals of conservatism, those ideals that I think Trump really espoused, are alive and good, Corinna said. I think Trump did a heck of a lot of things for us. My only problem is hes divisive. I certainly want to see someone act presidential. I like people who think, who think long-term. About 450 people attended the Vision 24 conference hosted by the Palmetto Family Council. The forum featured declared candidates for president and potential candidates. Republicans flex conservative credentials At the forum Saturday, Republicans showcased their conservative credentials. Haley, who said no one thought she would win her S.C. House seat in 2004 or the governors race in 2010, told voters she isnt worried about currently polls showing her in single digits. The poll numbers you see today are not going to be the poll numbers you see a year from now, Haley said. Haley also used the forum to talk about education, government spending, faith and abortion. As governor, Haley signed South Carolinas 20-week abortion ban, currently still in place. Im pro-life because my husband was adopted. Im pro-life because we had trouble having both of our children, Haley said. Every pre-born child is a blessing from God. Scott, who hasnt announced whether hell run but has made a handful of trips to early voting states, reiterated his support for law enforcement and school choice, while also criticizing Democrats. U.S. Senator Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, speaks during the Vision 24 National Conservative Forum on March 18, 2023. The radical left is trying to get folks hooked on the drug of victimhood and the narcotic of despair. Its ruining America, Scott said. We dont want to ruin America. We want to restore faith in America. Ramaswamy used the speaking event to blast an expected indictment of Trump in New York over hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to speak out against the indictments, as U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., did at the forum. Businessman and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy speaks during the Vision 24 National Conservative Forum in North Charleston on March, 18, 2023. We cannot have politically empowered prosecutors eliminating the opposition of a ruling party using arrest power, Ramaswamy said. Either youre on that side of actually avoiding that political persecution as prosecution, or youre not. And if youre not, thats fine. You better explain why. In his remarks, Hutchinson, noting recent Republican election losses, said its time for the party to turn the page, avoiding Trumps name altogether. We need to make sure they could win, Hutchinson said. We need to make sure they are not someone who tears our country apart, looks to the worst of America, as opposed to the best of America. On Friday, S.C. Democratic Party Trav Robertson, sought to attach the Republican speakers to the Trump-wing of the GOP. Nikki Haley. Tim Scott. Vivek Ramaswamy. Asa Hutchinson. Theyre all going to try to out-MAGA (Make American Great Again) one another in order to throw red meat to an extreme base of their party Robertson said. This messy primary is going to be a quick race to the bottom. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson speaks to attendees at the Vision 24 Conference in North Charleston on Saturday, March 18, 2023. Forum attracts voters from all over SC, even Michigan As South Carolina Republican voters mulled their preferred candidate, so did voters from other important voting states. Marty Griffin Sr., 58 and his son, Marty Griffin Jr., 15, traveled from Dearborn, Michigan, a swing state, to attend Saturdays forum because the younger Griffin wanted an opportunity to see the candidates up close, even though he wont be able to vote in 2024. I think (the major issues) are the economy, abortion rights and LGBTQ policies, the 15-year-old said sitting next to his father, who said he plans to back Ramaswamy over Scott or Haley, praising his success in business. I think that experience will carry over in helping to restore our economy, Marty Griffin Sr. said. And hes young, with (a) fresh take on politics. For South Carolina voters, several said theyre looking for a candidate who can cut through politically divisive times. We need to come together as a country in order to repair ourselves as a nation, said Latrecia Pond, 66, who serves as director of outreach for the Charleston County GOP. Pond said it was too early for her to know who shell support in 2024, saying I need a bit more information before I decide. Some have made up their minds. Horry Countys Gerri McDaniel said shed ideally like to see a Trump-Scott ticket, but if Trump isnt the nominee, she would support Scott at the top of the ticket. My first loyalty is to President Trump, said McDaniel, who previously worked on Trumps South Carolina campaign. I love Tim Scott, but he just doesnt have the recognition yet. North Charlestons Steven Snow, 64 and his wife, Barbara, 58, said theyre rooting for Scott, mainly because hes personable and hasnt forgotten where he came from. If you saw him at the gym or at the store, hed stop to talk to you, said Barbara, who, like most voters Saturday, said the economy was the most pressing issue for them. Others said theyre ready to move on from Trump. We have a whole slate of people that are capable of taking over, said Susan Scouten, 74, of North Charleston. And when I look on the other side of the aisle, its scary to think who the Democrats might have for president, including (President Joe) Biden. Scouten said she plans to support Haley for president because she is sharp and a quick learner. So does Chris Mora, the Pickens, Georgia, Republican Party chairman. We have got to get spending under control, and start acting like conservatives and not just say we are, Mora, 49, said. LONDON (AP) The Scottish National Party is finding Nicola Sturgeon a hard act to follow. Scotlands governing party is holding an acrimonious contest to replace Sturgeon, a leader who came to dominate Scottish politics, but hit an impasse in her fight for independence from the United Kingdom, and divided the party with a transgender rights law. Sturgeon, 52, announced her resignation in February after eight years as party leader and first minster of Scotlands semi-autonomous government. Three members of the Scottish parliament are running to replace her: Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, 32; Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, 37; and 49-year-old lawmaker Ash Regan. The winner of a vote by SNP members will be announced on March 27. The campaign has cracked open fissures within the party over political strategy, social issues and Sturgeons legacy. Critics say a clique around the former first minister wields too much power in the SNP. Those rivals scored a victory when party chief executive Peter Murrell Sturgeons 58-year-old husband resigned on Saturday over a kerfuffle about the partys declining membership. The SNP had publicly denied a newspaper report that its membership had fallen from more than 100,000 to just over 70,000 in the past year, before admitting it was true. Murrell accepted responsibility and quit, saying that while there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. Regan welcomed Murrells departure, saying it was unacceptable to have the husband of the party leader as the CEO. Forbes said that the party grassroots felt disempowered because decisions within the SNP have been taken by too few people. Sturgeons resignation has unleashed a battle for the direction of the SNP, which currently holds 64 of the 129 seats in the Scottish parliament and governs in coalition with the much smaller Greens. In bad-tempered television debates, Regan and Forbes have attacked Yousaf a Sturgeon ally widely regarded as the front-runner as a continuity candidate in a party that badly needs change. Story continues Right now, we are at a crossroads, Forbes told the BBC in an interview broadcast Sunday, arguing that the Scottish government needs to do more to bolster an economy weakened by Russia's war in Ukraine, COVID-19 and Brexit. We need to get serious about whats worked and whats not worked. Forbes' message appeals to some party members, who think that the SNP under Sturgeon spent too much time focusing on divisive social issues rather that the economy and independence. Sturgeons departure was hastened by a backlash over legislation she championed to make it easier for people in Scotland to legally change their gender. The gender recognition bill has been hailed as a landmark piece of legislation by transgender rights activists, but faced opposition from some SNP members who said it ignored the need to protect single-sex spaces for women, such as domestic violence shelters and rape crisis centers. Forbes and Regan both oppose the legislation, which has been passed by the Scottish parliament but blocked by the U.K. government. Yousaf supports it, and warns the party could swing to the right if led by Forbes, a socially conservative Christian who is considered his main rival. Forbes, who belongs to the evangelical Free Church of Scotland, has been criticized for saying that her faith would have prevented her from voting in favor of allowing same-sex couples to wed. She wasn't yet a lawmaker when the Scottish Parliament legalized gay marriage in 2014. The leadership contest has sent the SNPs poll ratings plunging to the delight of the Labour Party and the Conservatives, which hope to gain seats in Scotland during the next U.K.-wide election, due by the end of 2024. The testy race also reflects frustrations within a party that, after 16 years in power in Edinburgh, has yet to achieve its main ambition: independence. Scottish people voted to remain in the U.K. in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a once-in-a-generation decision. The SNP wants a new vote, but the central government has refused to authorize one, and the U.K. Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland cant hold one without Londons consent. Regan wants to sweep those obstacles aside by treating the next election in Scotland as a trigger point for independence, effectively daring the U.K. government not to recognize Scotlands democratic choice to secede. Forbes and Yousaf are more cautious. Forbes called for more effort to win over voters who back remaining in the U.K., while Yousaf says he wants to build a settled, sustained majority for independence. Polls currently suggest Scottish voters are split about evenly on the issue. Leading Scottish historian Tom Devine said that with independence receding as an immediate prospect, many voters had more urgent concerns and that poses a risk for the SNP. The perception is that the mainstream of Scottish public opinion is concerned chiefly with the problems of the (health system), educational standards, transport infrastructure and the wider economy, he told Scotlands Herald newspaper. "Are parts of the electorate now beginning to feel sidelined and concluding that the SNP government has failed to deliver on these vital matters? "This AUKUS is again, a major blow to the NPT-based nuclear non-proliferation regime." A Pakistani expert has warned that the AUKUS military pact between the U.S., Britain, and Australia poses a significant challenge to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Produced by Xinhua Global Service SEABROOK On March 18, at approximately 4 p.m. officers from the Seabrook Police Department located and arrested a person of interest for allegedly making false reports of explosives at Walmart earlier in the day that resulted in a shut down of that store and others in the vicinity. The suspect was located on the property of the Best Western, located at 20 Spur Road and was taken into custody without incident. She is identified as Meghan Leavitt, age 38, of Alfred, ME, according to a press release issued by the department. On March 18, at approximately 4 p.m. officers from the Seabrook Police Department located and arrested a person of interest for allegedly making false reports of explosives at Walmart earlier in the day. Leavitt was charged with false reports as to explosives (felony); false reports to law enforcement (misdemeanor); false public alarm (misdemeanor); criminal threatening (felony); possession of controlled drug (felony). Leavitt's arrest stems from an incident that began at approximately 11 a.m., when the Seabrook Police Department responded to Walmart, located at 700 Lafayette Road, for a report of a possible explosive device in the store. As officers responded, a second call was made directly to the police department stating a man was in Walmart with a firearm. Upon arrival, responding officers took steps to ensure the publics safety and began an investigation related to the threats. Officers quickly determined that there was no one in the store posing a threat with a firearm. Walmart and adjoining stores were evacuated. The NH State Police Bomb Squad was called in to sweep the building for any explosive devices. Nothing was found. Police determined there was no threat to the public and the stores were re-opened for business at approximately 1 p.m. At this time the Seabrook Police have determined both threats were hoaxes. Seabrook police do not believe today's threats are related to a series of similar calls that have been made across New England in recent months. Deputy Chief Kevin Gelineau stated The quick response of our patrol officers to secure the scene and begin investigation has led to a person of interest who we believe to be responsible for todays events and charges will be forthcoming. We would also like to thank our law enforcement partners, the New Hampshire State Police, the Kensington Police Department and the Hampton Falls Police Department, who assisted us today. With their help and the terrific work by our own officers, we were able to safely investigate the threats and reopen area businesses. Story continues Leavitt is held at the Rockingham County House of Corrections in Brentwood pending arraignment in the Rockingham County Superior Court on Monday March 20 at 11 a.m. The investigation continues and more charges may be forthcoming. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seabrook, NH police make arrest following bomb threats at Walmart In the depths of Morocco's Akka oasis, two archaeologists pore over the floor of a synagogue searching for the minutest of fragments testifying to the country's ancient Jewish history. They are from a team of six researchers from Morocco, Israel and France, part of a project to revive the North African country's Jewish heritage after it was all but lost following the minority's exodus. The discovery of a fragment of a Hebrew religious manuscript is "a sign from above", jokes Israeli archaeologist Yuval Yekutieli, from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Efforts to uncover Jewish historical treasures scattered across the kingdom's oases are one of the outcomes of warming ties since Morocco and Israel normalised relations in 2020. Akka, a lush green valley of date palms surrounded by desert hills some 525 kilometres (325 miles) south of the capital Rabat, was once a crossroads for trans-Saharan trade. Within the oasis, tucked away in the middle of the "mellah" or Jewish quarter of the village of Tagadirt, lie the ruins of the synagogue -- built from earth in the architectural tradition of the area. While the site has yet to be dated, experts say it is crucial to understanding the Judaeo-Moroccan history of the region. "It's urgent to work on these types of vulnerable spaces that are at risk of disappearing," said Saghir Mabrouk, an archaeologist from Morocco's National Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage (INSAP). - Looting - Dating back to antiquity, the Jewish community in Morocco reached its peak in the 15th century, following the brutal expulsion of Sephardic Jews from Spain. By the early 20th century, there were about 250,000 Jews in Morocco. But after waves of departures with the creation of Israel in 1948, including following the 1967 ArabIsraeli War, the number was slashed to just 2,000 today. Little documentation remains of the rich legacy that the community left behind. "This project aims to study this community as an integral part of Moroccan society, and not from a Judaeo-centric perspective," said Israeli anthropologist Orit Ouaknine, herself of Moroccan roots. Story continues As the day progresses, the archaeologists amass a small trove of manuscript fragments, amulets and other objects discovered under the "bimah", a raised platform in the centre of the synagogue where the Torah was once read. Yekutieli, the Israeli archaeologist, said the "most surprising thing" was that no one had written about the buried objects, and that it was only when excavations began that they were discovered. While Jewish tradition dictates that such texts are never destroyed, it is unusual to find them buried at such sites. Among the artefacts unearthed and meticulously catalogued by the team are commercial contracts and marriage certificates, everyday utensils and coins. The synagogue had already begun to fall into disrepair when looters attempted to raid the buried cache. "The good news is that one of the beams collapsed, making access difficult," said Yekutieli. A similar looting attempt was recorded at the ruined synagogue of Aguerd Tamanart, sited in another oasis some 70 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Akka, where excavations began in 2021. In this case, the artefacts were not buried but rather hidden in a secret compartment behind a collapsed wall. The team was able to save the majority of the objects, some 100,000 pieces including fragments of manuscripts and amulets. - 'Precious testimonies' - At both sites, architect Salima Naji has led efforts to restore the earthen monuments, being careful to remain faithful to the traditions of the desert region. "More than 10 years ago, I began by recreating the typology of all the synagogues of the region," she said. "My experience in rehabilitating mosques and ksour (fortified villages) helped me to better understand that of the synagogues." Restoration is still underway in the Tagadirt synagogue, where Naji's team is hard at work to reconstruct the skylight that illuminates the building. Today, the Muslim inhabitants of the former Jewish quarter welcome the restoration. "It's a good thing not to leave the synagogue abandoned," says craftswoman Mahjouba Oubaha. The excavation has just begun to scratch the surface of knowledge about Morocco's Jews, shedding light on their daily objects and way of life. Orit Ouaknine said she conducted interviews with the former Jewish residents of the two villages, now living in Israel, the United States and France. "It's a race against time to collect these precious testimonies," the Israeli anthropologist said. kao-agr/fka/jsa/pjm Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nunez announced the launch of the second annual Spring 2023 Florida Art Contest. March is Youth Art Month and last week, Nunez was at Dante B. Fascell Elementary in Miami to make the announcement. This years theme: Time Travel to 2123: Floridas Future as the Space Capital. Students in grades K-5 are encouraged to create an art piece inspired by this years theme. >>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<< I am proud to launch the 2nd Annual Lieutenant Governors Space Art Contest. Last year, we had a tremendous response, with over 2,500 original art submissions from K-5 students, said Nunez. Imagining what the space industry in Florida will look like in 100 years through art allows students to explore the seemingly impossible and tap into their creativity. I look forward to seeing what this years students dream up. Space Florida, a sponsor of the art contest, believes supporting STEAM education initiatives is an integral part of its mission. Both space and art are about exploration, imagination, and pushing forward to whats next for humanity, said Space Florida CEO Frank DiBello. The future is right here in the minds of our children and expressed through colors and paper. We are proud to work with Lt. Governor Nunez on this important initiative. Miami-made artist Romero Britto was announced as this years featured artist for the contest. Read: Osceola County DOH celebrates National Minority Health Month with a free community event Sharing the creative process with children is one way we can inspire the next generation of creators, said Romero Britto, this years featured artist. The partnership between art and space creates new realities that captivate in unexpected ways. Im proud to work with Lieutenant Governor Nunez and Space Florida this year and look forward to helping propel these children forward. Floridas historic space achievements would not have been possible without harnessing the power of science and math, said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. It was great to join Lt. Governor Nunez today as we launched an exciting space art contest and announced new professional development opportunities for Florida educators. Story continues The contest is open to all Florida students from K through 5th grade. Each participating student will submit an original, two-dimensional artwork based on this years theme. Read: Disney Cruise Line announces new island destination for next summer Submissions will be broken down into two categories: K-2 and 3-5. Six art pieces from each group will be selected as finalists. Finalists will win two tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and also have the opportunity to work alongside our featured artist to paint a custom-created piece of art imagined and sketched by the artist. Two lucky grand prize winners, one selected from each group, will have their artwork launched into space on an upcoming SpaceX mission! To find out more info on the Florida Space Art Contest, CLICK HERE. Read: NAACP town hall addresses education changes with DeSantiss new laws 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. (PSP) A mall security guard got dragged by a fleeing truck as he tried to apprehend the alleged thief of a giant foam carrot. Police in Pennsylvania say that the suspect ran after pinching the carrot from the Easter display at the Clearview Mall in the city of Butler. Pennsylvania State Police troopers responded to the mall after the giant carrot was reported stolen and the security guard stated that he had chased the suspect in a dark red Chevy truck into the parking lot. Police say that when the security guard tried to open the door of the truck he was dragged for around a quarter of a mile at speeds of up to 35mph. The guard was not injured in the incident. Luckily, he is OK and has no injuries, Clearview General Manager Mandy DeSantis told WPXI. After an anonymous tip, police eventually tracked down the stolen item at a home in Chicora, Pennsylvania. Officials say that two males, aged 20 and 18, confessed to taking the carrot. Neither man was taken into custody but state police say that charges will be filed against them, reported The Butler Eagle. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., waits to speak during a news conference at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, on Nov. 7, 2022. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File A US drone crashed after a Russian fighter jet clipped its propeller over the Black Sea last week. A think tank suggested the move was "aggressive messaging" by Russia. Sen. Mark Kelly, a former Navy combat pilot, said it was an example of Russia's incompetence. Sen. Mark Kelly flew with Russian pilots as a US Navy combat pilot and as a NASA astronaut. He said the incident last week where a Russian fighter jet dumped fuel on and then clipped the propeller of a US military drone shows how "reckless" and "incompetent" they are. "I'm not surprised by this. I mean, I flew with Russian pilots, fighter pilots who couldn't fly formation. And I watched this video, and it's pretty obvious what happened. He lost sight of it, and he crashed into it," Kelly told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" Sunday. On Tuesday, two Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercepted a US military MQ-9 Reaper drone that was flying over international waters above the Black Sea. The jets dumped fuel on the drone, and one jet eventually clipped the drone's propeller. The drone eventually crashed into the water. Watch: How a Russian warplane hit an unarmed US drone Insider previously reported that while one think tank analysis suggested this was aggressive messaging by Russia, US officials have said the incident was most likely due to Russians not knowing how to fly. The incident further soured the tense relationship between Washington and the Kremlin since Russia invaded Ukraine last February. Kelly compared the fighter jet incident to the "incompetence that we see on the battle field every day in Ukraine." "That's why the losses that the Russians are suffering right now are really high. At this point I mean, the best choice for Vladimir Putin would be to say: 'Hey, this isn't working,' and he's got to stop this illegal invasion," Kelly said. Read the original article on Business Insider Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, who chairs the Senates Aviation Subcommittee, said she spoke with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Friday about the necessity to extend MetroLink to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. Metro-east leaders for years have touted this proposed MetroLink expansion as a vital link to help travelers by connecting MidAmerica with St. Louis Lambert International Airport. I actually talked to Secretary Buttigieg yesterday about that MetroLink expansion, Duckworth said Saturday. I mentioned to him how important that was. The state has already awarded a $96 million grant toward the extension of MetroLinks mainline about 5.5 miles to a new passenger station at the airport. Duckworth also met with MetroLink officials and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, in Washington, D.C., in the past week to discuss federal funding for MetroLink and safety on the system. As leader of the Senates Aviation Subcommittee, Duckworth said she is working on a proposed five-year reauthorization bill for the Federal Aviation Administration, and she met with regional airport officials on Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel in Collinsville about the issue. Duckworth said this plan for the FAA is one of the top priorities that the U.S. Congress needs to handle this year. The previous plan was approved in 2018, and at that time it had up to $96.7 billion in funding for the FAA, according to a report by Aviation International News. Duckworth said the proposed budget for the FAA has not been set. Were in the process of getting things put forward right now, she said. Along with funding, the proposed bill also will include the language that tells the FAA how to do things, Duckworth said. For instance, Duckworth said she wants the FAA to use its civil prosecution authority and added that the agency did not pursue civil penalties against Boeing after two Boeing 737 Max planes crashed. One crash was in Ethiopia in 2019 when 157 people died, and the other was in Indonesia in 2018 when 189 people were killed. Story continues Duckworth also said she wants the reauthorization bill to triple the amount of grants for workforce development. We need more mechanics, we need more pilots, we need more people in aviation in general, she said. Serving as chair of the Aviation Subcommittee fits into Duckworths experience as a pilot. She was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army in Iraq, where she lost both of legs when an RPG hit her helicopter on Nov. 12., 2004. Regional airports It was really important to sit down with my aviation leaders here in this part of the state, Duckworth said. Duckworth met with officials from MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport and St. Louis Regional Airport. Other airports included Quad Cities International Airport, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, Mount Vernon Outland Airport, Decatur Airport and Central Illinois Regional Airport. The senator said she gets lots of feedback from larger airports such as Chicago Midway International Airport, OHare International Airport and others across the country. But its really important to remember that we have so many other airports around the country and in particular Illinois that are major engines for the economy that are vitally important for economic growth, she said. Really in many ways, in a very exciting way, its where the growth is happening, where businesses are expanding. (Bloomberg) -- Serbia and Kosovo agreed on steps to implement a European Union plan aimed at defusing disputes that have threatened stability in the Balkans, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said as he mediated the latest round of talks between the wartime foes. Most Read from Bloomberg Kosovo will immediately begin by allowing self-management for local minority Serbs, Borrell said late Saturday at a press conference in Ohrid, North Macedonia, after a 12-hour-long negotiation. The issue of giving Serbs living in Kosovo a degree of autonomy was a major hurdle for the government in Pristina during past talks. Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on the implementation Annex of the agreement on the path to normalization of relations between them, Borrell said. This is not just about Kosovo and Serbia, its about the stability, the security, the prosperity of the whole region. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti have been under pressure from Washington and Brussels to end recurring tensions at a time when Russias invasion of Ukraine continues into a second year. Normalizing their relations is a condition for Serbia to progress with EU entry negotiations, and for Kosovo to become an EU candidate country. Borrell said there is still a lot of work that both parties need to do, adding the agreement reached on Saturday fell short of the EUs original proposal for Annex, a kind of road map on how to implement the agreement. The parties were not able to find a mutually acceptable solution as ambitious as we were proposing, he said. We will forcefully demand the parties to fulfill their obligations. Both parties will be bound by their agreement, which will be part of their European Union path. Story continues Last month, Western mediators secured their tentative consent to the 11-point plan drawn up by the bloc and backed by US. Calls for Respect The EU plan calls on both sides to respect each others territorial integrity, even as Serbia refuses to accept Kosovos unilateral declaration of independence, made in 2008 almost a decade after a war over the territory. For its part, Kosovo should allow a degree of autonomy for the Serb minority that remained in the ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo after the secession. While the new plan doesnt call for Serbias recognition of Kosovos sovereignty, its seen as a stepping stone toward the normalization of ties. It may also help Kosovo join the United Nations, which Serbia has been preventing with support from China and Russia. Belgrade considers Kosovo, a mostly ethnic Albanian state of 1.8 million people, part of its territory and the religious and cultural heartland of the Serb nation. The acrimony has prevented either side from progressing toward EU membership. Last year, Kosovan Serbs blocked roads in northern Kosovo, protesting the governments efforts to make them accept documents and license plates issued in Pristina rather than Belgrade. Scattered violence ensued as Kurti sent elite police units to tighten control of the area. Kurti has criticized the concept of autonomy for local Serbs, already envisioned under earlier, EU-brokered deals, as a risk to Kosovos integrity. Hes also faced backlash at home over making concessions, as did Vucic in Serbia where hardline nationalists accuse him of betraying national interests. Thousands rallied in Belgrade on the eve of the talks, chanting treason and accusing Vucic of yielding to Western pressure. The Serbian leader has said that EU and US demands for a Kosovo deal have intensified as his country hasnt joined sanctions imposed on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia wants normal relations with Kosovo but still won't sign any agreement with it, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday, a day after he verbally agreed to implement a Western-backed plan for the normalisation of ties. Serbia wants to join the European Union, and a condition of membership is that it normalise relations with ethnic Albanian-majority Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008 but which Belgrade still considers a Serbian province. Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti agreed to implement normalisation steps at a meeting with EU officials in a North Macedonian lake resort on Saturday, although no document was signed and the EU said it had wanted to go further. "Serbia wants to have normal relations with Kosovo. We want to travel, we want to do business, you cannot live isolated behind 100 metres walls," Vucic told reporters on Sunday. "I didn't want to sign the agreement on the implementing annex last night nor the EU-backed agreement (in Brussels last month)," Vucic told reporters. "I don't want to sign any international legally binding documents with Kosovo because Serbia does not recognise its independence." Late on Saturday evening Kurti said that the agreement represented "de facto recognition". Under their verbal agreement, Kosovo committed to giving greater autonomy to Serb majority areas, while Serbia agreed not to block Kosovo's membership in international organisations. The EU pledged to organise a donor conference for both countries, with disbursement of financial aid dependent on steps to improve ties. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Saturday after the 12-hour meeting that the agreement reached had fallen short of a "more ambitious and detailed" EU proposal that the parties were unable to agree on. He said Kosovo had lacked flexibility on the substance of the proposals, while Serbia had refused to sign the document although Belgrade was "fully ready to implement" it. (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Peter Graff) The NAGA Group AG (ETR:N4G) shareholders should be happy to see the share price up 28% in the last quarter. But that isn't much consolation to those who have suffered through the declines of the last year. Specifically, the stock price slipped by 70% in that time. So the bounce should be viewed in that context. You could argue that the sell-off was too severe. With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies. View our latest analysis for NAGA Group NAGA Group isn't currently profitable, so most analysts would look to revenue growth to get an idea of how fast the underlying business is growing. Shareholders of unprofitable companies usually expect strong revenue growth. That's because fast revenue growth can be easily extrapolated to forecast profits, often of considerable size. In the last year NAGA Group saw its revenue grow by 87%. That's a strong result which is better than most other loss making companies. Meanwhile, the share price slid 70%. This could mean hype has come out of the stock because the bottom line is concerning investors. Generally speaking investors would consider a stock like this less risky once it turns a profit. But when do you think that will happen? The company's revenue and earnings (over time) are depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers). It's probably worth noting that the CEO is paid less than the median at similar sized companies. It's always worth keeping an eye on CEO pay, but a more important question is whether the company will grow earnings throughout the years. You can see what analysts are predicting for NAGA Group in this interactive graph of future profit estimates. A Different Perspective While the broader market lost about 10% in the twelve months, NAGA Group shareholders did even worse, losing 70%. Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 11% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. To that end, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with NAGA Group (including 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) . Story continues We will like NAGA Group better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on German exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Sadiqa Reynolds at the Norton Health and Learning Center that she helped to create in West Louisville. Sadiqa Reynolds is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Sadiqa Reynolds isn't done learning. As an outspoken advocate for racial justice, the former Louisville Urban League president has become someone people often turn to with a problem they need solved. But as Louisville continues to heal from the coronavirus pandemic and historic protests over the police killing of Breonna Taylor, Reynolds has realized she doesn't have all the answers at least not to the questions she holds most dear. How to be a good mother for her two daughters. How to make the best decisions for herself and her community. How to have faith in her faith. Now, as Reynolds embarks on a new phase of her career as CEO of the Perception Institute, which designs strategies for reducing bias and discrimination across sectors, she's been named the Kentucky honoree for USA TODAY's Women of the Year. In an interview with the Courier Journal, she reflected on the lessons she's learned and the experiences that have driven her to move forward. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. What is your proudest accomplishment? To be really honest with you, to raise healthy children in this moment in time is a hell of an accomplishment. It is hard. The world is heavy. ... The levels of anxiety and depression are so severe in our country among young people. To have two functioning children is my proudest accomplishment. Youve spoken of criticisms and adversities you've faced. How do you stay true to yourself and your community? There are always going to be people who think you should have done something else, something different or nothing at all. And for me, Ive stayed true to myself by just doing the gut check. You know, if it feels right, even if its hard, even if its not in my interest. ... And there have been times, Ill tell you, when Ive really wanted to not get into the fight. Ive really wanted to just say, you know what, let it go. Thats not my battle. Or even if it is, I cant take another one right now. ... (But) not doing anything has been wrong for me, and it doesnt give me peace. Story continues Sadiqa Reynolds at the Norton Health and Learning Center that she helped to create in West Louisville. What is the biggest lesson youve learned over the past year? The biggest lesson Ive learned over the past year is, really, probably more about me. I dont always understand what I do. I really dont always understand why I do certain things. When people say why did you leave? Why did you stay? Well, I was compelled by a higher power, and I cant explain it. And this past year really has been that, like, the ultimate faith walk and so much confirmation. So what Ive learned about myself, I guess my biggest lesson is that I probably have more faith than I even realized. Youve played a prominent role in the fight for racial justice. What does justice mean to you, and how can Kentucky reach it? First of all, justice means to me that we would all have access to everything the Constitution guarantees. And we would have that access regardless of race, regardless of ZIP code, regardless of socioeconomic status. The first thing to get justice, you have to have the truth. And when you know what has been done has been done wrong, there has to be some repair for that. So if you think about the education system that isnt working for many children and certainly isnt working for a lot of Black and brown children, what extremes do we have to go to, what amount of money do we need to spend to really create access in a way that fixes 400 years of what was wrong? I think we need to spend the money. I think we have to do it. We have to make sure that you understand that your justice, the outcomes for your life, the success of your life is tied up in the success of my life and justice for me and my family. So if we could explain that to one another, I think Kentucky could be so much better. What impacts have Breonna Taylor and protests over her death had on your life? Breonna Taylor and protests over the way she was killed and the fact that she was killed and the way they handled it really did change my life because I didnt imagine that I would be a person who would be out protesting in the street. I really didnt. I had access to have conversations with government officials. I had access to go into almost any boardroom, have conversations with CEOs, and I had been doing that. And when I heard Kenny (Walker, Taylor's boyfriend) on that 911 tape, I mean, in my soul, I wanted to start a fire. I could have just combusted myself, to burn. That is how bad it felt. The level of dishonesty and ... understanding the people who had access to that tape and who had heard that tape and did nothing made me sick. I lost respect for people I had professional respect for for years. All I was in the moments around Breonna Taylor was just another Black mother who wanted something better for my kids. And the only thing I could do was get in the streets. Sadiqa Reynolds, president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, leads chants from a convertible during a march for Breonna Taylor. Oct. 10, 2020 I was inspired in many ways because people did come together across lines of race. And I was exhausted simultaneously because people didnt come together in the way that they needed to fast enough because I wanted the mayor to act quickly. I wanted him to fire the officers. ... I knew that just firing them would have changed everything that happened that summer and beyond. I knew that it would. So Breonna Taylor absolutely changed my life in ways that I dont even yet recognize or understand. I think I hit an emotional wall. I just needed a break. Like I needed a break from all of the everyday service and everyday needing to be fully present. I needed my life to be just a little bit different for a little while. And I loved the Urban League so much and Louisville so much, there was no way for me to work here in this moment and not be daily pulled to some fire. And for a little while, I needed something that wasnt firefighting. Youve made a big change, youre on to a new position. What is next for you? Im really excited about whats next in my life. And I know that for me, right now, its about how do you work to change systems? Its about being able to do the research and also to advise on the action that needs to go along with the research. So my goal is to get into the rooms with some big, powerful people and to help advise them on how to change our country. So lets see what happens. Well see what happens. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Former Louisville Urban League president honored by USA TODAY TEHRAN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian political official said on Sunday that Saudi Arabia's king has invited Iran's president to visit Riyadh. Mohammad Jamshidi, deputy chief of staff for political affairs to the Iranian president, made the remarks in a post on his Twitter page, saying the invitation was extended to Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in a letter. He added the Saudi king said in the letter that he welcomed the recent deal between the two "brotherly countries" on the normalization of bilateral ties and called for strong economic and regional cooperation between Riyadh and Tehran. Raisi welcomed the invitation and stressed Iran's readiness to expand cooperation, noted Jamshidi. China, Saudi Arabia and Iran on March 10 announced that the latter two had reached a deal that included the agreement to resume diplomatic relations and reopen embassies and missions within two months. Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw in Terrebonne Parish, LA. Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. Shirell Parfait-Dardar is one of USA TODAYs Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. The program launched in 2022 as a continuation of Women of the Century, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Meet this years honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com. Shirell Parfait-Dardar is an Elder Chief of the Grand Caillou-Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw. Her Native American name, Traitor' de Terre, means Healer of the Earth and its a task that shes taken to heart. Her tribe's historical land encompasses the southern Louisiana communities of Grand Caillou, Dulac, Petit Caillou, parts of Bourg and Houma along with Chauvin, where category 4 Hurricane Ida came ashore in 2021. Parfait-Dardar has led efforts to help her community recover from the impact, mitigate the continuing impacts of climate change, and gain federal recognition for her tribe so it is better able to access resources like grants, healthcare and education. Climate change and the effects of a warming planet are directly felt along Louisiana's southern coast, where tribal residents are being forced to relocate. The island was vanishing beneath its residents feet. State, local, and federal governments partnered with local organizations to relocate residents to Schriever, in Terrebonne Parish. Some of the first residents moved into their new homes in August, but Parfait-Dardar said she is unhappy with how aspects of the process were carried out. For the past 26 years, her tribe has pushed for official recognition from the U.S. government. About 900 members of the Grand Caillou-Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe reside in Terrebonne Parish, where external factors like storms erode not only the landscape but also the population. Before Hurricane Ida, about 200 more members of the tribe lived there. Recognition would make the many other causes she has championed much easier. Parfait-Dardar has traveled to Washington, D.C., and testified before Congress on behalf of her people. Story continues This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. During the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, you helped organize groups to help people recover. What was that like? It was a blur, in a sense. I do remember some things. We had just lost our own home. And we were fortunate to be able to stay with my mom in Thibodaux for a little bit. But I mean, that's two hours every day, traveling back and forth. And that cuts time out. Plus, you know, you need to be home where you can start the work that you have to do to try to start picking up the pieces. And then on top of that, I needed to be with our people. Because that's what we do. We had people sleeping in cars, and children, and they didn't have anywhere to go. I just wanted to do what I could to help. Most of the time, we had no cell phone service. Electricity was out, and people were without water. Thankfully, we were able to set up a location here in Chauvin at the American Legion, to start bringing in some supplies and things like that, you know, for people that were in need. We were able to assist 64 families in getting back into their homes on our own, and we're still working with families today. What are some of the hurdles that you've encountered? In this entire process, I definitely realized that my education is nowhere near the education of today. OK? It's just not. And you have to understand, my parents were not allowed to go past the eighth grade. They had to go through all of the segregation and things like that. So they weren't allowed to have a full 12th-grade education. And we're still dealing with a lot of challenges from that. It's been a learning process ever since. We actually had to go and take courses to know how to be case managers to help people that have to navigate these different application processes. Everything's digital today, and we still have many people that are not familiar with those types of technology especially our elders so a lot of the problems that we found were, we have all of these different systems that you need to go through to be able to access the resources you need; however, nobody was afforded the education to know how to access them. And there were lots of limitations. They didn't have access to the internet, or electricity, I mean, they didn't even have a home. Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw in Terrebonne Parish, LA. Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. Where are you in the process of federal recognition of your tribe? We've been in the federal acknowledgment process for over 26 years now. And we've had to do so much extensive research for that, because you have to trace every single person back to their historical tribe with documentation. And not just any documentation. They want hard evidence like certificates, birth records, court records, you know, anything, that would be considered hard evidence, which we have, right? Well, back in 1996, a lot of those things were submitted. And we receive what's known as a proposed finding, based on the evidence, however, we didn't meet all of the criteria at that moment. Nobody ever does. Well, we got that, that finding came back in 2008. It took them that long to go through the evidence that we submitted. And basically, what came back was that we met four out of the seven criteria. The one thing that we had not fully proven, was our connection to the historical tribes that we were claiming, however, we were able to prove one of our ancestors in his family's historical tribe, which was the Biloxi. So now we have the evidence that also proves that he was also a Choctaw. Why is this recognition so important? Unfortunately, for Indigenous peoples, unless we go through the recognition process and gain federal acknowledgment, we cannot directly access federal resources, or even manage those resources on our own. And we need access to so many resources, from education to health care, to economic development and infrastructure. You know, we need to be able to protect and preserve our lands and our waters and our sacred spaces. How does it protect your lands? We would be able to sit at the table with them when the Army Corps of Engineers is making decisions about what's going to happen when they want to do things like create levees. Are you happy with how the resettlement away from hurricane-vulnerable areas is going? Absolutely not. Community resettlement needs to be community-led and community-driven. They were labeled as stakeholders, not community residents, which is what they were. And the fact that they were not federally acknowledged, was used against them. Which made it easy for different departments and agencies to say, 'Oh, well, you can't manage this, because you're not federal.' Elder Chief Shirell Parfait-Dardar of the Grand Caillou/Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw in Terrebonne Parish, LA. Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. What projects are you working on now? So we've been actively working for several years now for canal backfilling: basically filling in the abandoned canals that have been left behind. Quite frankly, we don't have time to wait. We are losing land, way too quickly along with it. We're losing our lifeways, our estuaries and everything. So we took it upon ourselves to do what we could to try to heal as much of the land as we could. And it's been slow. We have to rely on grant proposals. Fortunately, we were able to get two that allowed us to do a lot of the planning and going out and mapping and choosing which canals were, you know, looked like they would be potentially successful. Now we're pursuing the funding to actually be able to implement and fill those canals in. It was a slow process because I mean, look, this is new for us. It's not that it's a new concept. It's been done before in the Louisiana area, highly successful. But for us trying to tackle this and pushing forward on our own, it was challenging because we're limited by which types of funding we can access and how we can access those funds. What have you learned from your time as chief? I think what I've learned the most out of all of it, is that we haven't been very good ancestors. Most of us are here, living our experience, doing our day-to-day. And we've gotten into this habit of consuming, like this idea that everything is just available when there's no responsibility there. We've been descendants with no problem moving forward, but we haven't really taken on the responsibility of becoming good ancestors, by protecting and preserving. Our resources are finite, and unless we protect and preserve our future generations won't have a future. This article originally appeared on The Courier: Louisiana Native American chief honored by USA TODAY Women of the Year Senate candidate Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) conducts a roundtable discussion in Monterey Park with local leaders and activists to discuss the city's environmental and social justice issues. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) For the record: 10:26 a.m. March 19, 2023: An earlier version of this story misquoted Rep. Adam Schiff saying, The economic issues and the democracy issues are really part of the same pole. Schiff said the same whole. With a mirror slightly askew in the background, Rep. Katie Porter sat in her Irvine bedroom and flipped on Instagram live as several regional banks teetered on collapse, with depositors frantically seeking to pull money from their accounts. Porter walked her followers through the basics of how banks hold customers' money, why Silicon Valley Bank was closing and how as a kid the local bank in her Iowa farm town experienced a similar form of instability. She also castigated Republicans and some of her fellow Democrats for voting in 2018 to rescind certain regulations and oversight under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which Congress passed in the wake of the financial crisis more than a decade ago. "Lo and behold, Republicans didn't listen and a lot of Democrats didn't listen," Porter said in a video that attracted about 26,000 views. "That's bonkers." The second largest bank closure in U.S. history has been a told-you-so moment for Porter, whose campaign to succeed Sen. Dianne Feinstein has so far been infused with themes of economic fairness and how these downturns disproportionately hurt people with low incomes. Still, it's doubtful that last week's events will become a defining issue in California's 2024 U.S. Senate race. Both of her major opponents, Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee of Oakland and Adam Schiff of Burbank, voted against the 2018 rollbacks. Porter wasn't yet in the House of Representatives but vocally opposed them during her first congressional campaign that same year. For his part, Schiff supported the original passage of Dodd-Frank and in 2014 told The Times it would be a mistake to repeal that oversight of banks. This week he introduced a bill with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) that, if passed, would strive to claw back the bonuses and stock sales of bank executives in the two months before a bank's collapse. It would also levy a 90% tax on the bonuses of bank executives who earned $250,000 or more the year their bank was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Story continues In addition, Schiff's office sent a letter to several regulatory agencies and the Justice Department asking them to examine Goldman Sachs' role in Silicon Valley Bank's demise. It was signed by 19 other members of the state's delegation including Lee but not Porter. "This combination of poor oversight and greedy management of the bank proved catastrophic," Schiff said in a fundraising pitch emailed Wednesday. In the aftermath of the Northern California bank's collapse, Lee connected this bank run with her personal story of having been on public assistance and her support for anti-poverty programs. She said the decisive action of by the Biden administration to rescue the bank's depositors averted catastrophe, adding that moments of economic uncertainty like this reverberate with voters. "Their jobs could have been on the line," Lee said of the employees of the bank and startups whose assets it held. "It's a very important issue for voters. We know that it's the shareholders and CEOs who mismanaged these banks that need to be held accountable." Rep. Barbara Lee speaks in Washington. (Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images) Still, the SVB collapse and the rescue of First Republic highlighted how the financially precarious state of American life will be a pivotal theme in the Senate race with each candidate striving to convey to voters how they'd be a forceful watchdog of the financial sector. "Politicians are more aware that people at all ends of the political spectrum are living a life of economic scarcity and unfairness," said entrepreneur and anti-poverty activist Joe Sanberg, who is backing a 2024 ballot measure to increase the minimum wage in California. "What's common in America is living paycheck to paycheck. What's uncommon is having financial security." The bank's recent failure was followed by the Biden administration saying it would ensure depositors get all of their money, even amounts above the normal Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. limit of $250,000. Signature Bank failed as well, and several others revealed they were in trouble. The candidates and people watching the race said the economic straits of the middle class will be a potent issue among voters across the state. "I think that Katie Porter has very strong messaging related to the recklessness of financial institutions and the power being distributed totally unevenly," said former Obama communication adviser Bill Burton. "To the extent it's an issue this campaign cycle, I think it's too soon to say honestly. And even though Adam Schiff hasn't made a name for himself on these issues, I don't think that's beyond him to find a path to credibility." On Tuesday, Porter introduced a bill alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren who recently endorsed her that would repeal a central part of the 2018 rollback of the Dodd-Frank banking laws. If passed, banks with $50 billion in assets or more would be required to assess more regularly if they have sufficient cash on hand to pay down losses during downturns in the market and meet more stringent requirements for the amount of capital they hold. That threshold is currently $250 billion; Silicon Valley Bank's assets under management totaled $213 billion. Porter, a UC Irvine law professor before being elected to Congress, in an interview with The Times took a not-so-subtle dig at Schiff, suggesting that his opposition to the 2018 legislation had more to do with his battles with Trump than a deeply held belief the rollback was wrong. "He wanted to be the Trump antagonist and was in many ways," she said, showing her willingness to attack a rival early in the campaign. "It was a vote against Trump. When you look at who else voted for it ... it's a lot of folks that were in his kind of circle of policy influence." Rep. Adam Schiff speaks with a reporter as he walks down the steps of the U.S. Capitol. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) A campaign spokesperson for Schiff said Porter's "false negative attacks on Adam are only going to increase the support for him among voters who are interested in progress on homelessness, public safety and the economy, not mudslinging." The longtime Burbank congressman is best known for his recent work on the intelligence committee and his central role in the impeachments of former President Trump. The former prosecutor appears aware that he must go beyond his opposition to Trump and speak to the rising cost of living in a state where home ownership is increasingly inaccessible and homelessness is rampant. A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll found that 55% of respondents were worried they'd be unable to pay rent or their mortgage next month. To Schiff, the SVB failure tied into an inherent unfairness in the economy, which "works for bank executives who take excessive risks with other people's money." "So much of my focus has been on democracy lately," Schiff said in an interview this week after participating in homelessness outreach in his district. "The economic issues and the democracy issues are really part of the same whole . When things aren't working, when people see their quality of life slipping below their parents' or their kids' futures even more in doubt, they start to be open to a demagogue who comes along and says he alone can fix things." Recent polling from The Times found that Schiff has the support of 22% of registered voters, with 20% backing Porter and 6% for Lee. The remainder chose other candidates or were undecided. No well-known Republican has entered the race thus far. On the campus of UC Davis this week, Porter stood before a whiteboard her signature prop during congressional hearings in a crammed classroom before about 75 eager college students. There was little mention of the bank collapse, with questions more focused on women's reproductive rights, environmental issues and the labor movement. Still, Porter was quick to return to her experience in Congress and her love of oversight hearings where she has peppered bank and pharmaceutical executives with tough questions. Freshman Jack Jacobs listened attentively, trying to decide whom he'd like to work for this election season. He had also attended the Schiff event at the university, which he said had a larger turnout and was held in an auditorium. Environmental issues were a priority for him but seeking to make the economy more equitable through improved housing policies was also important. "I'm looking for someone who is going to be more liberal. I definitely don't want a person who is like moderate, who is going to be another [Sen.] Kirsten Sinema or [Sen.] Joe Manchin," he said, referring to two Democratic senators who have opposed their party on voting rights and environmental legislation recently. In Arizona, Sinema, newly an Independent, is now being challenged from the left by Rep. Ruben Gallego, who this week criticized her for undoing regulations, saying: "When bank lobbyists asked me to weaken bank regulations, I said no. When they asked Sen. Sinema, she asked how much and voted yes. Now we are all going to pay for her mistake. Like Gallego, Porter has highlighted how her opponents have taken money from corporate political action committees and sees focusing on the haves and have nots of capitalism as a potent issue. "It's all connected to people feeling like there's two sets of rules on the economy," she said. "The rules for the people who are at the very top, and then the rest of us." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Trade port of Odesa The bulk carriers Negmar Cicek, ASL Ileana, Rizabey, and SSI Pride are expected to dock at the port of Chornomorsk, while BC Callisto and Deniz M are scheduled to dock at the port of Odesa. Ships near the coast of Odesa Screenshot/Dumska In the morning of March 19, the dry cargo vessel DS Sofie Bulker departed from the port of Pivdennyy with Ukrainian products en route to the UKs Port of Immingham. Meanwhile, the publication adds that Russian inspectors continue to sabotage the inspection of ships entering the Bosphorus in the Sea of Marmara. Currently, there are roughly 80 dry cargo vessels and tankers waiting at anchor to be checked. On July 22, 2022, a grain agreement was established in Istanbul involving Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, and the UN. Two agreements were signed, one creating a corridor for exporting grain from three Ukrainian ports (Chornomorsk, Odesa, and Pivdennyy) and another removing export barriers for Russian food and fertilizers. Read also: Ukraine to deliver 25,000 tons of grain to Nigeria The agreement was extended for 120 days in November, pushing the expiration date to March 18, 2023. On March 18, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov announced the extension of the agreement for the same period. Russia stated that the extension of the grain agreement is possible only for 60 days, and the further position will be determined depending on progress in the normalization of Russian agricultural exports. The press service of the United Nations confirmed the extension of the agreement, but did not name the term that was agreed upon. 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 Rainfall in Bellingham and snowpack in the North Cascades are both below average this rainy season, but climate scientists arent yet worried about a drought. Nick Bond, a University of Washington professor of atmospheric sciences and the state climatologist, told The Bellingham Herald that those who depend on water in the Nooksack River basin shouldnt worry. I think the Nooksack and the Skagit rivers should be fine, Bond told The Herald in a telephone interview Friday, March 17. Theres a wild card, however, in spring weather especially if we get a warm and dry one like 2021. If we have a spring like we did in 2021, by the time we get into the summer, we could be having some trouble, Bond said. Heres hoping that things play out as they usually do, he said. At this point, however, drought development is unlikely in Western Washington, according to the U.S. Drought Monitors monthly outlook released Feb. 28. Spring in Northwest Washington will have normal temperatures and below-normal rainfall, according to the Climate Prediction Centers forecast for April-May-June, issued Thursday, March 16. Whatcom County is already unusually dry, according to snowfall and rainfall data: Rain for the 2022-2023 water year was 14.84 inches from Oct. 1 through Feb. 28, as measured at Bellingham International Airport. Normal for that period is 20.72 inches. Halfway through March, the Whatcom County lowlands have received .55 inches of rain. Normal for the month is 3.36 inches. Snow water equivalent of the snowpack in the North Cascades was 88% of normal, according to a report issued Friday from the National Water and Climate Center. Mt. Baker Ski Area, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, measured 503 inches of snow through March 14 in the 2022-2023 season. Thats compared to 648 inches in 2021-2022 and 704 inches in 2020-2021. La Nina conditions were present in 2021, 2022 and 2023, leading to a rare third straight La Nina, which usually gives the Northwest colder and wetter winters. WASHINGTON (AP) A lawyer who previously advised Michael Cohen, the key government witness in the hush money payment investigation into Donald Trump, has been invited to appear Monday before a Manhattan grand jury that is considering potential charges against the former president, according to a person familiar with the matter. Robert Costello had advised Cohen before the two had a falling out, and is prepared to offer testimony to the grand jury attacking the credibility of Cohen's statements, according to the person, who insisted on anonymity to discuss secret legal proceedings. Costello had contacted a lawyer for Trump saying that he had information that contradicted Cohens current statements and that could be exculpatory for Trump, the person said. The lawyer brought it to the attention of the district attorneys office, which last week subpoenaed Costellos law firm for records and invited him to provide testimony on Monday afternoon. The Manhattan district attorneys office declined to comment on Sunday. Prosecutors have not said when they expect to conclude their work or when or if Trump might be charged. The former president claimed in a post on Saturday that he would be arrested on Tuesday, though people close to him later said that he had been given no updates from prosecutors. The New York Times first reported on Costello's expected appearance before the grand jury. Cohen is a former lawyer and fixer for Trump who has been a key witness in District Attorney Alvin Bragg's investigation, meeting regularly with prosecutors and appearing before the grand jury earlier this month. Cohen served prison time after pleading guilty in 2018 to federal charges, including campaign finance violations, for arranging the payouts to porn actor Stormy Daniels and model Karen McDougal to keep them from going public. Trump has denied the affairs. Costello is a veteran New York lawyer who has represented Trump allies including his adviser Steve Bannon and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Costello's connection to Cohen was highlighted in the report of special counsel Robert Mueller, who investigated links between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign as well as efforts to obstruct the probe. Story continues According to the Mueller report, Cohen began speaking with Costello in April 2018, days after the FBI raided Cohen's home, hotel room and office. Amid public speculation about whether Cohen would begin cooperating with investigators, Costello emailed Cohen to reassure him that he had had a Very Very Positive conversation with Giuliani and that you have friends in high places. Cohen has waived his attorney-client privilege with Costello, which would allow Costello to describe their conversations, the person said. ___ Follow Eric Tucker on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/etuckerAP JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa is aware of its legal obligation, a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday, referring to a proposed visit by Vladimir Putin after an international court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader. Russian President Putin was expected to visit South Africa in August to attend a BRICS summit. "We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders," spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said. While there has been no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he has been expected to attend the 15th BRICS summit, as he did in 2013. But such a visit would place Ramaphosa's government, which has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a precarious position after the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday. "We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued," Magwenya said. "It remains South Africa's commitment and very strong desire that the conflict in Ukraine is resolved peacefully through negotiations." (Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Editing by David Goodman) South Africa is aware of its legal obligations and takes into account the International Criminal Court's warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Source: Reuters citing Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa Details: Reuters said that while there has been no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he is expected to attend the 15th BRICS summit in South Africa, as he did in 2013. But such a visit would place Ramaphosa's government, which has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in a precarious position after the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday. Quote from Magwenya: "We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders. "We note the report on the warrant of arrest that the ICC has issued." Details: At the same time, the president's spokesman stated that "South Africa remains committed and very strongly desires that the conflict in Ukraine would be resolved peacefully through negotiations". Background: On 17 March, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russias President Vladimir Putin and Maria Olekseevna Lvova-Belova, Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Affairs. All member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are now legally bound to detain Vladimir Putin and hand him over to the court. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has said the historic decision to issue the arrest warrant on Vladimir Putin must be followed by historical responsibility. Marco Buschmann, the German Justice Minister, has announced that he will execute an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin if he sets foot on German soil. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! New Zealand maintained their dominance over Sri Lanka in the second Test on Sunday, enforcing a follow-on and setting up the likelihood of a series clean sweep with two days to play. The tourists reached 113-2 in their second innings at stumps on day three but still trailed by 303 runs at Wellington's Basin Reserve. They need a massive turnaround to avoid defeat after being skittled out for 164 in their first innings in response to the Black Caps' 580-4 declared. Starting off with a deficit of 416 runs, they showed more fight in their second turn at bat. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne posted his second half-century of the day before being dismissed by counterpart Tim Southee for 51, caught in the deep after fellow-opener Oshada Fernando had been removed cheaply. Kusal Mendis was at the crease on 50 and Angelo Mathews unbeaten on one off 40 balls, with the pair seeing off the last 11.5 overs in stoic fashion. Sri Lanka's best hopes of saving the Test could rest with the weather. Rain is forecast for the final day, meaning they could force a stalemate if they can successfully bat through Monday, when cold, blustery conditions are expected and may make life uncomfortable for New Zealand in the field. The tourists' slim hope of winning to square the two-match series was effectively ended by a slew of rash shots which derailed their first innings. The tail succumbed rapidly during a chaotic second session, with the last six wickets tumbling for 50 runs in the space of 15.1 overs despite the wicket playing relatively true. Only three batters reached double figures in the first innings, including Karunaratne, who was the ninth man out for 89. The gritty opener had looked to be digging the visitors out of a deep hole when he and Dinesh Chandimal put on 80 for the fifth wicket after the loss of two wickets in the day's opening half-hour reduced them to 34-4. However, Chandimal was stumped for 34 off Michael Bracewell after charging down the track soon after tea, sparking the slump. Story continues Offspinner Bracewell then removed Dhananjaya de Silva in his next over and later dismissed Karunaratne when he hit out, to finish with 3-50. - 'Nice surprise' - Playing his eighth Test, Bracewell was surprised at the drift and turn he could generate on a third-day track, with New Zealand pitches renowned for offering little assistance for slower bowlers. "To take three wickets in the first innings is a nice surprise and to have it happen on day three is pretty exciting for a spinner," he said. "But we've still got a big job. The two guys at the crease are obviously very experienced and have scored a lot of Test runs." Victory would complete a memorable week for allrounder Bracewell, who signed up to a maiden Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for injured Englishman Will Jacks. "It's one of those things that's a little bit strange happening in the middle of a game," he said. "So I haven't afforded myself too much time to get too excited because obviously there's a big game in front of me but I'm excited for getting over there." Bracewell said he supported the decision by Black Caps captain Southee to enforce the follow-on, with the home side's bowling attack still fresh when Sri Lanka padded up for a second time. New Zealand are chasing their third Test victory in a row, following their dramatic two-wicket defeat of Sri Lanka in the first Test at Christchurch, which was sealed on the final ball. dgi/sft/ssy A man in St. Louis was shot after confronting two men attempting to carjack his vehicle. According to the St. Louis Police, on Saturday, March 18, the 20-year-old male victim was approached by two Black males while at the parking lot of a gas station in the 4700 block of S. Spring in south St. Louis and demanded his car keys. The victim allegedly refused to hand over his car keys, prompting one of the perpetrators to take out a gun and shoot him once in his left leg. A customer holds a Glock 17 pistol for sale at Redstone Firearms, in Burbank, California, US, on Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. While White men still represent the largest group of gun owners in the US, women, and specifically Black women, represent a growing share of the market. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images BAMBOOZLED CARJACKERS END UP EMPTY-HANDED AFTER TRYING TO TAKE HOUSTON MAN'S CAR AT GUNPOINT Following the attack, the two offenders "fled on foot," according to the St. Louis Police Department. Authorities shared that the two men did not steal the victim's vehicle following the attack. A witness, who was with the victim at the time of the incident, drove the victim to a local hospital for treatment. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The St. Louis Police Department noted that officers received the call following the incident, at approximately 2:15 a.m. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department said that the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information relevant to the case, contact the department at (314)-444-0100. Men in wetsuits and with car tire inner tubes tried to swim across the border To do so, they "armed themselves" with wetsuits and car tire inner tubes, a statement from the border guards said. Read also: Ukraine cancels exemption for male students registered with non-Ukrainian universities "Some of them were going to conquer the mountains, while others were going to swim," the statement reads. Wetsuits and car tire inner tubes were supposed to help them overcome the cold flow of the Tisza River. Read also: Three men detained near border in western Ukraine while attempting to leave country illegally According to the border agency, the cases of the detained men have been referred to the courts. General mobilization has been underway in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022 when Russia invaded, and draft slips can be issued to persons liable for military service in any public place. Roman Horbach, a representative of the leadership of the Ground Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that there are several types of penalties for evading military service, from administrative fines to imprisonment. 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 LAGOS, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian police rescued 17 staff members of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) who were kidnapped by gunmen in the southern state of Imo, an official said on Saturday. Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, a spokesperson for the electoral body in the state, confirmed the development to reporters, saying they were rescued after a distress call, and information about the incident was disclosed to the security operatives who swung into action immediately in the early hours of Saturday. The INEC officials were on their way to seven different polling units in the state where they were kidnapped. The INEC is the electoral body that oversees elections in Nigeria, which is having governorship and state house of assembly elections in 28 out of the 36 states. Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu said Sunday that the impending indictment of former president Trump could backfire on Democrats and upset the 2024 political stage. I think its building a lot of sympathy for the former president, Sununu, an expected 2024 GOP presidential contender who has not yet declared his bid, said on CNNs State of the Union. I just think that not just the media, but really, a lot of the Democrats have misplayed this in terms of building sympathy for the former president and it does drastically change the paradigm as we go into the 2024 election. Even many moderate Republicans have found progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs investigation into Trumps connection to the scandal invasive and unprecedented, Sununu said. Some conservatives hes spoken with have worried Trump is being attacked, he said. Former vice president Pence, who has condemned Trumps narrative of January 6 and the 2020 election, on ABCs This Week on Sunday said it appeared to be a politically charged prosecution. Trump said Saturday on social media that he expects to be arrested next week, urging followers to protest in response. Trumps former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who allegedly sent the money to porn star Stormy Daniels on Trumps behalf, testified to the grand jury Monday. Sununu suggested that Braggs investigation into Trump is odd timing considering the incident happened many years ago. Pence complained that Bragg is wrong to prioritize indicting Trump when crime is still at very high levels in New York City. Theres a question about why theyre doing it, something seven years ago. Its not a nothing, but its moving money and how he claimed money being moved between him and his lawyer, Sununu said. You know, there are other issues that really take precedence in terms of where this country needs to go, what we need to do to get stuff done, how we manage our budget, how we secure the border. Story continues As for the 2024 race, which has been heating up with Trump lodging preemptive attacks at Ron DeSantis, Sununu said in early March that the Florida governor would win his home state of New Hampshire if the presidential election were held today. DeSantis is the effective, electorally competitive alternative to Trump that the GOP has been seeking to lead the party, he added. More from National Review Gov. Chris Sununu (R-N.H.) on Sunday said former President Trumps call for his supporters to protest what Trump said is his imminent arrest will result in a political circus. It is going to be a circus, right? It is going to be a bit of a political circus. Theres going to be a lot of unknowns, Sununu said on CNNs State of the Union when asked if Trump has a responsibility to make sure that his supporters protest peacefully after the rioting at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. If someones calling for protests, you always want to make sure that theyre peaceful, Sununu added. We dont want history to repeat itself in an overly negative way. Trump said on Saturday that he anticipates being arrested on Tuesday in connection with alleged hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. The former president also called for his supporters to protest and take our nation back. The New Hampshire governor also said on CNN you cant just put it on the former president to ensure protests are peaceful and that that responsibility falls to our society and our communities. Sununu also said the probe at hand is not nothing, but that its unfortunate this has taken the headlines. Trump announced after last years midterms that hes running for president in 2024. Sununu has said hes considering a White House bid, though he hasnt made a formal decision. Updated at 12:21 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Entrance to the Navajo Nation. Tony Savino/Corbis via Getty Images The Supreme Court on Monday will hear oral arguments by the Navajo Nation in a lawsuit claiming that the U.S. government is not holding up its end of a federal agreement to supply the nation with water. Lawyers for the Navajo Nation, which occupies portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, will argue that the Native Americans that live on the lands are not being given enough water from the over-tapped Colorado River. The lawsuit stems from an 1868 treaty signed by the Navajo, in which The Associated Press noted that the federal government "promised the tribe a 'permanent home' a promise the Navajo Nation says includes a sufficient supply of water." The government is not allowing adequate water to be routed to the nation from the river, lawyers claim, and the Navajo are suffering as a result. About one-third of the residents of the Navajo Nation don't have running water in their homes, AP reported. "How did we get here, in this country, in the 21st century?" the Navajo Nation asked in a court filing. "Broken promises." However, the federal government disputes that it has done anything wrong, and western states such as Arizona and California have argued that providing more resources to the Navajo Nation would cut into the already dwindling water supply from the Colorado River. This likely comes as no reprieve, though, to the Navajo who struggle to find water. The case was first filed by the Navajo Nation in 2003, and has finally come up to the Supreme Court after 20 years. Marilyn Help-Hood, who must regularly drive four miles to obtain untreated water from a local well, told NBC News, "I want my children to value water. Now they have grown, they know that water has to be appreciated." You may also like The truth about alcohol North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S. Russia's spring Ukraine offensive may be winding down amid heavy troop losses, munitions shortages A council-run hedge-planting scheme has been modified after the discovery of a colony of glow-worms in Surrey. The species was found living within a small hedgerow in Norbury Park, near Dorking. Surrey County Council modified a proposed planting initiative on site after the find. It said the changes were to benefit the species and enhance the declining habitat to provide a better chance of survival. More than 3,800 native broadleaf trees were planted to provide a habitat corridor to allow the glow-worms to travel more freely in search of their food and encourage other wildlife species. Glow-worms, a declining species with no legal protection, thrive in a mosaic of habitats, including a combination of earth, tall grasses and scrub. To support this, gaps were left within the newly-planted hedgerows to encourage the growth of grasses and wildflowers, helping to attract snails which are the preferred food source of glow-worms. Marisa Heath, cabinet member for environment, said the council wanted to do all it could to grow the colony of the "rare" invertebrate. "By adapting our hedge-planting plans we are not only supporting Surrey County Council's target to facilitate the planting of 1.2 million new trees by 2030, but also playing our part in helping to reverse the national decline of this rare species right here in Surrey," she said. "It is important that we work to have a rich variety of wildlife species in the county and we must do our utmost to protect them when we are told that the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world." A flock of sheep grazing close to the glow-worms were also moved to a nearby field to minimise disturbance. Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly struck a deal with Buckingham Palace to pay no further rent on Frogmore Cottage after refunding the 2.4 million of taxpayers money used for its refurbishment. The royal home became the centre of a new row at the beginning of March, after it was reported that King Charles III had evicted Harry and Meghan from the residence and offered the keys to the Duke of York instead. It was previously reported that the Sussexes would pay a commercial rate for the Grade II-listed 10-bedroom mansion on the Windsor estate. Palace officials have now confirmed (according to Mail On Sunday) that the couples lump-sum payment fulfilled any further rental obligations. The increased value of the property following the renovation work was apparently taken as rent in lieu. A palace spokesperson told the publication: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a contribution of 2.4 million to the Sovereign Grant which covered the refurbishment of Frogmore Cottage. The statement continued: They have fulfilled their financial obligations in relation to the property. The Independent has contacted Buckingham Palace and representatives of the Sussexes for comment. Since 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have used Frogmore Cottage as their official home base while in the UK. It was gifted to them by the late Queen Elizabeth after they married in 2018. Following Harry and Meghans major renovation of the house, it became a five-bedroom property but now includes two orangeries, a vegetable garden and a yoga studio, per House & Garden. Prince Andrew is claimed to be resisting calls for him to move into Frogmore Cottage (Alamy Stock Photo) Since King Charles reportedly asked the pair to vacate the home, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are apparently preparing to ship their remaining belongings to their home in the US. Their representative declined to comment on the matter. However, the couple are said to be stunned by the decision to move Prince Andrew into the property. It is still unknown whether Prince Andrew will accept the offer to move out of his current residence at the Royal Lodge into Frogmore Cottage. The couple most recently spent time at the cottage in 2022, when they came to the UK to attend the late Queens platinum jubilee celebrations. They also hosted their daughter Lilibets first birthday there. BEIRUT (AP) Syrian President Bashar Assad arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, his first visit to the wealthy Gulf country since the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria last month. Assad, who arrived with his wife, Asma, and a delegation of Syrian officials, was received by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to a statement from Assads office. Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement on Twitter that the two held constructive talks aimed at developing relations between our two countries. The visit marks a continuation in the ongoing thaw of relations between Syria and other Arab countries, more than a decade after the 22-member Arab League suspended Damascus' membership over Assads brutal crackdown on protesters and later on civilians during the war. International sympathy following the quake appears to have sped up the regional rapprochement that had been brewing for years. Before the tragedy, the UAE had already reestablished ties with Damascus. Assads first visit to the UAE since the 2011 outbreak of the Syrian civil war was last year, followed by another visit in January of this year. After the earthquake, the UAEs foreign minister visited Damascus, and the Gulf country sent dozens of aid shipments to Syria. Damascus hopes that the regional reconciliation will unlock long-awaited funds to rebuild the battered country. However, analysts said it is unlikely to happen on any large scale for now. One key barrier: Syria has not implemented U.N. Security Council resolution 2254 adopted in December 2015 as a road map to peace in Syria. Acceptance of the road map is a key demand of the U.S and the European Union for normalizing relations with Damascus. The World Bank said Sunday that Syrias real gross domestic product is expected to contract by 5.5% in 2023 following the earthquake, with physical damages estimated at $3.7 billion and economic losses at $1.5 billion, bringing the total estimated impact to $5.2 billion. That's on top of the preexisting damages from 12 years of war. Economic growth may contract further if reconstruction progress is slower than expected, given limited public resources, weak private investment, and limited humanitarian assistance reaching the affected areas, the Bank said in a statement. Recess has a lot of benefits for kids. Here's why experts warn against taking it away as a consequence for misbehavior. (Photo: Getty) My 7-year-old son headed inside from the bus, only to stop abruptly, pivoting right back out. Going to play outside. We didnt get recess today, he shouted back at me. After a bit of digging, I later determined that one of his teachers had taken away recess for the whole class after they were being too noisy. My mama bear blood got a little hot hearing this. As a former teacher myself, I know that our young kids only have 20 minutes of their eight-hour days to spend at recess to begin with, so when its occasionally taken away as a consequence for behavior, it stings. The American Academy of Pediatrics points to the necessity of recess, similar to eating lunch or taking bathroom and water breaks, as a must for kids mental health, which is at peak levels of concern. Research has found that more than one in five children between the ages of 3 to 17 has a mental, emotional or behavioral health disorder. Programs such as Texas Christian University's Liink Project, meanwhile, have found that getting one hour of recess reduced chronic stress and anxiety by 70%, increased positive emotions by 17% and has even had physical impacts such as healthier body fat percentages in kids. Some districts and states have even mandated consequences other than restricting recess for kids. The D.C. Healthy Schools Act, for example, insists that recess not be taken away for behavioral reasons, and mandates that students receive at least 20 minutes of recess time, though it recommends giving them a full hour. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also notes that 60 minutes or more of "moderate to vigorous physical activity daily" is recommended for young people aged 6 to 17, per The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Heres whats really going on when a student is watching recess from a wall rather than participating. Missing out on an essential reset for regulation Lara Goodrich, a psychologist who works with school-aged children in Madison, Conn., says recess is important in terms of regulation, which refers to command over ones emotions and behaviors conducting ourselves in a way thats appropriate to our environment. Kids who are unregulated meaning they are unable to control their body, mouth, impulses, attention span and more are not in the ideal headspace to learn. The D.C. Healthy Schools Act, for instance, explains that recess offsets that with a cognitive reset, which helps children not only regulate themselves, but also learn more efficiently, as breaks are essential for retention. Story continues Goodrich agrees. For kids, in a structured school environment, hitting all of their academic milestones, having that release where they dont have to be attentive to one thing, and they can shape what theyre choosing to be attentive to is essential, she says. There's also power in "physically being able to burn off angst or stress [and] getting fresh air and vitamin D," she adds. Stephanie Krauss, a St. Louis-area mom of two boys, former fifth grade teacher and principal and author of Whole Child, Whole Life: 10 Ways to Help Kids Live, Learn and Thrive, says taking away recess is typically "harmful" to kids. If they had a behavior issue that had anything to do with executive functioning or behaviors that could relate to anxiety or tension issues, then you are taking away the ... opportunity for them to organically reset and regulate, Krauss says. So they go back into the classroom and the likelihood that it happens again [increases]. Shaming sensitive kids Like me, Cincinnati mom Tiffany Alston has two kids at a school that frequently cuts recess as a consequence, a strategy she calls counterproductive." While she supports imposing consistent consequences for behavior issues, taking recess off the table means a child misses out on that much-needed reset and social opportunities. Being left out can feel shaming. "Its humiliating to have all of your classmates watch you sit while they have fun, Alston says. My 5-year-old son loses recess at least once a week for things like accidentally pushing in line (no one was hurt); rolling around at circle time; play fighting; getting out of his seat during table time twice and accidentally ripping a friend's paper." Krauss adds that for sensitive or socially aware kids, being left out can exacerbate the problem. When theyre removed front their peers, and they have to sit out," they may encounter a "social stigma" that can weigh heavily. Goodrich says that it also creates unpredictability in a child's day to have a constant possibility of losing recess. Theyre distinctly seeing that I am different from other children, and it adds the implicit message of youre bad, youre wrong and everyone else can succeed, she says. If a child gets that message too much, its just a really sad, unwanted belief. Having time to engage in outdoor play is important for helping kids regulate and learn, research shows. (Photo: Getty) The end of standing on the wall watching recess According to Michael Amick, principal of Bellevue Elementary School in Pittsburgh, Pa., there's been a slow movement away from punitive past consequences in favor of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This is a framework some districts have started to use, which offers more incentives and rewards positive behaviors, he says. While "there is still a part of that where you have to have clearly outlined rules and systems, and part of that is a consequence for an infraction, Amick notes, taking away recess isn't recommended as a consequence. If teachers are going to deny or take something, it has to be intentional, and shouldnt be an assembly or an entire recess period. It should only be five or ten minutes, and that should be purposeful, not just sitting on the bench somewhere [the time-out] should be to talk to the teacher" or another similar meaningful learning opportunity. Amick says he wanted to "eliminate the practice" of denying kids recess because "it led to more issues all day, whether it was a direct result of students not getting to run around, or they are just angry all day because they lost recess and thats their favorite part of the day, he says, adding, "one thing I disliked is that a student infraction doesnt have anything to do with recess. As an educator, Amick doesnt want kids to feel they have to walk on eggshells all day, wondering what will lead to them losing recess. It actually heightens the anxiety and importance of recess," he explains. "Like, I was good and now all of a sudden Im bad because I lost recess. How to talk to your childs school about recess as a consequence Amick says if parents are concerned with any consequence their child receives at school, it's best to first talk to the teacher directly. Clearly articulate that, and the rationale, and that you want to support the teacher too," he suggests. "[Try saying] 'Hey, I want to make sure my child is following the rules also, but Id like to talk to you about what a different consequence or approach would be. He adds that teachers need more support as well, as expectations change, so they feel able to provide alternative consequences that are more appropriate for kids. Goodrich hopes more schools will implement built-in ways in the school environment for children who are becoming dysregulated or having behavior problems to self-soothe, along with teacher support. This might look like a corner with sensory objects to calm students, or simply a swing, bouncy chair or another object that helps them reset themselves in a way where this is not an automatic connotation of being bad or getting punished independently, she adds. This is something parents can advocate for their child's school to consider as a potential step before giving a consequence. Krauss also recommends visiting the teacher in person, for that human-to-human interaction, and assuming good on the teachers part from the beginning. The recess issue is one that's worth addressing, she adds. "This is one to speak up on." Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here. Taliban watch newly recruited personnel during a February graduation ceremony The leader of the Taliban has ordered Afghan officials to sack relatives they have hired to government positions. Hibatullah Akhundzada's decree says officials should replace appointed sons or other family members - and refrain from hiring relatives in future. The Taliban dismissed some senior staff when they took power in 2021, while others fled. There have been allegations that inexperienced staff have been hired based on their personal connections. The Afghan Islamic Press, based in Peshawar, Pakistan, reported that the decree followed allegations that several senior Taliban officials had appointed their sons to roles within the government. A photo of the decree was posted on the Office of Administrative Affairs' Twitter page on Saturday. Afghanistan has faced a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis since the Taliban swept into Kabul and regained control of the country. Foreign military forces had been in the country for two decades, fighting a war that killed tens of thousands and displaced millions more. Since then, sanctions have been placed on members of the Taliban government, the central bank's overseas assets have been frozen, and most foreign funding has been suspended - cutting off an economic lifeline. Afghanistan is estimated to be sitting on natural resources - including natural gas, copper and rare earths - worth more than $1tn (831.5bn), but those reserves remain untapped due to decades of turmoil in the country. The Taliban government's treatment of women has outraged the international community and increased its isolation while its economy collapses. Education of women and girls has been particularly contentious. Currently girls and women are barred from secondary schools and universities in most of Afghanistan. Taron Egerton at the 13th Governor Awards in November 2022. Emma McIntyre/Getty Images Taron Egerton told The Telegraph he doesn't believe he's the right actor to portray James Bond. Egerton said he doesn't have Bond's "statuesque" physique and struggles with his weight. Egerton is currently promoting "Tetris," his new Apple TV+ film about the popular video game. Despite being rumored to potentially play James Bond, Taron Egerton doesn't think he's physically right for the iconic part. "I don't think I'm the right choice for it," Egerton said in an interview with The Telegraph published Saturday. "You have to be consistently statuesque to be that guy. And that's something that I am still striving for. I've always struggled with my weight." In the interview, Egerton said that portraying Bond "is a bit like being a brand ambassador as well as being an actor. And that could be really fun in microcosm, but I'm sure I read that Barbara Broccoli said that it's a 15-year commitment." Barbara Broccoli, along with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson, produce the Bond franchise. Broccoli has been outspoken in the past about casting choices for the Bond film series, and once said she doesn't foresee a woman playing James Bond in the future. "He can be of any color, but he is male," Broccoli told Variety in 2020. "I believe we should be creating new characters for women strong female characters. I'm not particularly interested in taking a male character and having a woman play it. I think women are far more interesting than that." Barbara Broccoli and half-brother Michael G. Wilson in 2012. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images "It's sort of irrelevant how I feel about it, anyway, because I can tell you there have been zero phone calls," Egerton said. This is not the first time Egerton has shot down rumors he would take on the part of 007. Earlier this month, Egerton told Total Film magazine that although he was never involved in conversations about portraying Bond, he would "be a very willing audience member." Story continues Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig (left to right) have all played James Bond. Bettmann/Getty Images; Michael Ochs Archives/ Getty Images; David M. Benett/Getty Images The next actor who plays Bond will take over from Daniel Craig who exited the franchise after 2021's "No Time to Die." Fans of the franchise have suggested that actor Idris Elba take over the role, but Elba isn't as keen. "I don't think that playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals," Elba said on a September 2022 episode of HBO's "The Shop." "It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation, I'm not going to lie. Every corner of the world I go...they always go, 'Bond.' And I feel it is beyond me at this juncture." Egerton is currently promoting his new Apple TV+ film "Tetris." The film, set in the 1980s and based on a true story, follows businessman Henk Rogers (Egerton) as he travels to the Soviet Union to work with the creator of Tetris, Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov), to make the video game a worldwide sensation. "Tetris" will be released on Apple TV+ on March 31. Read the original article on Insider KAMPALA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military said Sunday that its joint military operations with the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels are yielding great results. Col. Deo Akiiki, Uganda's deputy military spokesperson, told Xinhua over the telephone that several rebel group bases in eastern DRC have been destroyed and the terrorists are running in disarray in smaller groups. "The results are self-evident. Many of the ADF camps, which were scattered all over eastern DRC, are now destroyed and they (rebels) are in the run-in small groups which we are decimating every day," said Akiiki. "Many of the top (ADF) commanders are being killed. We have been picking them one by one since the operation began." Ugandan troops, together with their DRC counterparts, launched joint attacks on the rebel group in November 2022. The Uganda People's Defense Forces troops on Thursday ambushed and killed five ADF rebels, and recovered four submachine guns, several rounds of ammunition, improvised explosive devices and communication equipment in Ituri province, eastern DRC. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Uganda's minister of State for Defense, told parliament in January that 424 ADF terrorists were killed, 81 captured, 115 abductees rescued, 118 firearms with assorted ammunition and 10 improvised explosive devices recovered from the rebel group between November 2022 and January 2023. The ADF, also a branch of the Islamic State in central Africa, has been holed up in the jungles of eastern DRC. The rebel group is blamed for causing havoc and mounting attacks in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in eastern DRC. Hi, I'm Matt Turner, the editor in chief of business at Insider. Welcome back to Insider Today: Sunday Edition, a roundup of some of our top stories. On the agenda today: But first: Insider's Madeline Renbarger shares what happened at the SXSW Festival in Texas as tech founders and entrepreneurs learned about the implosion of Silicon Valley Bank. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. This week's dispatch A man stands outside Silicon Valley Bank Silicon Valley Bank employees react to the bank's collapseGetty Images South by Southwest kicked off last Friday in Austin, but for attendees from the startup and venture-capital world, the mood was anything but celebratory, Insider's Madeline Renbarger writes. The festival began just as the FDIC announced it was taking control of Silicon Valley Bank to stop the catastrophic, social media-instigated bank run that was in full swing. Without any knowledge of what would happen next, startup employees hit the open bars at the events their colleagues had prepaid for, and it felt a bit like a party at the end of the world. But by Sunday evening, after regulators announced they were covering both SVB and the crypto-friendly bank Signature's depositors, the mood shifted to elation and relief. And founders still on the ground at the festival were more upbeat: A founder who banked with Signature told Insider that while he "partied a little bit harder than expected" over the weekend, he was in much better spirits come Tuesday. Read more. Silicon Valley's blame game A computer with the SVB logo exploding. iStock; Rebecca Zisser/Insider In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, there's been plenty of finger-pointing but little self-reflection on the part of Silicon Valley, writes Insider's Linette Lopez. Story continues SVB's growth was supercharged by tech's clubby, insular nature, and its operation depended on a rising tide that was always sure to go out. And in the midst of these immature excuses from VCs and shallow recriminations from billionaire investors, the seeds of the next bubble are being planted. Why SVB's collapse foreshadows a bigger reckoning. Also read: Blackface, booze, and blurred lines Dark red office with a photo of a white employee in blackface on a computer screen, on top of the photo a pixelated version of the ROKT logo flashes Insider Source; Alyssa Powell/Insider Recently valued at $2.4 billion by investors, Rokt which sells e-commerce tools to the likes of Disney and Domino's holds itself up as an oasis among tech startups. From 2020 to 2022, it was included in Built in NYC's list of Best Places to Work. Some ex-employees paint a different picture. Insider interviewed over 30 current and former employees who painted a picture of a "family business" that's been slow to mature as it moves toward an IPO. Lawsuits brought against Rokt by former employees allege sexist behavior and a toxic work culture. The company denies these allegations. Inside Rokt's rocky workplace. Save the middle manager! A drawing of a business man is shown, being erased in the middle by a large hand holding an eraser. iStock; Robyn Phelps/Insider Few positions in corporate America are more thankless or more ridiculed than that of middle manager. But in recent weeks, as companies like Meta and Twitter braced for tougher times ahead, the assault on middle managers has picked up new steam. CEOs say they're slashing managers in the name of efficiency. But middle managers move the needle on a company's overall performance far more than senior executives do and make a bigger difference to the bottom line. Read the full story. Also read: Big Oil's last surge renewable illustration Arif Qazi / Insider President Joe Biden can't quit fossil fuels even though he knows he needs to. He broke a key campaign promise this week by green-lighting one of the largest-ever oil-drilling projects on federal land in an untouched area of Alaska known as North Slope. This raises a pair of trillion-dollar questions: How swift will the transition to clean energy be, and when will the era of Big Oil come to a close? Half a dozen analysts said it might come sooner than today's massive fossil-fuel profits suggest. We're in a slow-moving transition to clean energy. Also read: This week's quote: "Some come in, see a lot of naked bodies and think about it. When they're there with their partner and have maybe drunk a few glasses of wine, it's so much easier to get closer to each other." Felix Kuhn, a 29-year-old sauna manager who works in a naked spa in Berlin. More of this week's top reads: Curated by Matt Turner. Edited by Dave Smith and Lisa Ryan. Sign up for more Insider newsletters here. Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trump long predicted that his MAGA followers would rush to his defense if an indictment against him materialized. What became clear over the weekend was how quickly the rest of the Republican Party might follow. After the former president broadcast his prediction that he would be arrested Tuesday and called for his base to protest, former Vice President Mike Pence said the case reeks of political prosecution. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy called it an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said a Manhattan district attorneys expected effort to bring a criminal charge over Trumps handling of a hush money payment during his 2016 campaign was only evidence of how afraid Democrats are of the former president. By late Saturday, Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur and longshot presidential contender, was injecting the issue directly into the campaign, calling on the rest of the Republican field to join him in demanding that prosecutors abandon the political persecution through prosecution of Trump. Sensing an opening, Trumps campaign began to turn the impending indictment into a litmus test for the rest of the field: either defend the ex-president, they warned, or be labeled a leftist sympathizer. Even Trumps GOP detractors began to see the writing on the wall. Hes become the new Teflon president, said Michael Brodkorb, a former deputy chair of the Minnesota Republican Party and a longtime critic of Trump. He is someone who has built his entire political empire on being the victim all the time, and being the martyr, and this is just another example. For the duration of the Trump era, Trump has sought to turn one seemingly disqualifying scandal after another into his benefit. Sometimes hes succeeded (the Access Hollywood tape was not the dagger everyone expected it to be), sometimes hes struggled (the aftermath of the riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 remains largely unkind). In each case, hes survived. Story continues The expected, coming indictment will test that once more; though, so far, the timing could hardly be better for him. If he is arrested this week, it will once more frame the early stages of the presidential primary around him, just as Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and several other high-profile Republicans consider launching their own campaigns. It seems very evident that the left is trying everything they can to discredit former President Donald Trump, said Bruce Cherry, chair of Seminole County Republican executive committee in Florida, who said the best possible ticket this country could have would be Trump as the presidential nominee alongside DeSantis, as his running mate. The indictment, I feel, doesnt mean anything. If anything, Republicans say, Trump will benefit from a short-term rush of support, much as he did following the FBIs seizure of documents from his Mar-a-Lago estate last year. It may not manifest itself in national polls where independent and Democratic voters will be reminded of the drama and scandals that seem to perpetually follow Trump. But one national GOP strategist, granted anonymity to discuss the political fallout, said the ex-president would likely enjoy an immediate fundraising boost in an otherwise unfriendly political environment. Small-dollar donors are down, this person said. Its going to motivate them. It proves there is a witch hunt. On right-wing social media channels over the weekend, some Trump supporters were debating the merits of violent versus nonviolent protest, loosely contemplating a trucker strike or a bank run while others warned of a deep state trap. Unlike legal challenges Trump faces in Fulton County, Ga., and in a special counsel probe around Jan. 6, the case in New York is coming from a district attorney in Manhattan, viewed by many Republicans as an epicenter of the excesses of the left. In this case, I think Republicans will rally around Trump initially, said Whit Ayres, a longtime Republican pollster. Long-term, it depends on what happens with this case, as well as the other criminal investigations. If Trump ends up facing multiple indictments, Ayres said, its possible that primary voters who are at least open to other Republican presidential candidates will see him as having too much baggage. But, he cautioned, no one fully can understand how it will all play out. After all, its never happened before. I have never studied the indictment of a former president and leading presidential candidate, Ayres said, and Ive never done any polling on the indictment of a former president and leading presidential candidate. One nagging fear of some Trump critics is that the case against him may prove to be weak, and that beating it could further embolden him. Former Rep. Peter Meijer, the Michigan Republican who lost his primary last year after voting to impeach Trump over his role in the Jan. 6 riot, said bullshit Dem crusades help Trump in his primary, which, if he wins, helps Dems by getting the weakest GOP candidate to the general. Trumps highest profile 2024 GOP critic of late, Pence, declined to twist the knife on Saturday. Campaigning in Iowa at foreign policy forum hosted by the Bastion Institute, he told reporters: No one is above the law. Im confident President Trump can take care of himself. But privately, Pences allies have made the case that Trump is likely to face more indictments related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Hes trying to walk a pretty narrow fence line, Mike Murphy, a former Indiana Republican state lawmaker who is close to Pence, said of the former vice presidents comments. Hes trying to keep Trump at arms length. But at the same time he knows the Republican base is going to go nuts if this happens on Tuesday. He has to come off as empathetic to their concerns, without being empathetic to Trump. The more serious potential indictment is in Atlanta. Hes going to be clear on that one that right is right and wrong is wrong. Its possible that Trump is overplaying his hand, with his call to Protest, take our nation back! and with a rally on Saturday in Waco, Texas, the first of his 2024 campaign. If protests do not materialize or if crowd sizes are paltry itll show that the Trump movement is sputtering, said one longtime Republican strategist who was granted anonymity to discuss the dynamics of the 2024 campaign. Its also possible that Republicans fixated on electability will, after Trumps loss in 2020 and a disappointing midterm, see Trumps indictment as untenable in a general election. At some point, some of his supporters will see that the pile-on effect of these legal actions directly affects his ability to win a general election, said Dick Wadhams, a former Colorado Republican Party chair and longtime party strategist. There is a reality that could start sinking in that hes going to be diverted by these legal actions through the entire campaign, probably. The biggest fear for some Republicans, however, is that an indictment may truly hurt Trump and the GOP just when the party needs to win back independents and moderate Republicans who ran away from them in 2020. Images of an indicted former president or of the protests it sparks could be painful reminders of his time in office. It helps him in the Republican primary, but he was going to win the Republican primary, anyway, said Mike Madrid, the Republican strategist who was a co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. The problem for the GOP, he said, is that even if an indictment further intensifies Trumps base, it will do nothing for the party in the general election. The intensity of a shrinking base is not the sign of a growing movement, Madrid said. Its the sign of a dwarf star imploding. Natalie Allison contributed to this report. BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai authorities on Sunday told the public to beware of falling debris or branches after hail storms hit the northern part of the country and hundreds of homes were damaged. Footage on social media showed the impact of severe wind and hail in the northern province of Chiang Mai. "Heavy rains and hail fell for nearly 20 minutes," said Chaichai Wongkam, whose home was damaged. (Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar, writing by Chayut Setboonsarng; editing by Barbara Lewis) Russian shelling killed three people in Kamianske, Zaporizhzhya Oblast (ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO) Two more people were wounded in the Russian attack, and are being treated. The oblast administration once again called on the residents of the frontline areas to evacuate for their own safety. "The enemy is not successful on the battlefield with the Armed Forces, so it is deliberately killing Ukrainian civilians," the administration said. Read also: Russian air strikes rock Avdiivka as battle for city rages Russian invasion troops regularly shell civilian residential areas in Ukrainian oblasts close to Russian territory or Russian-occupied territory, including Chernihiv, Sumy Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson and Mykolaiv. The International Criminal Court recently announced that it was opening two war crimes cases against Russia, one of which concerns illegal attacks on civilian infrastructure. Russia claims to have annexed Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya and Kherson oblasts, but it does not have complete control over any of them. It lost control of the city of Kherson the only major Ukrainian regional center it managed to capture in its full-scale invasion in early November last year, and has so far been forced to retreat from small parts of Zhytomyr Oblast, and parts of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy Kharkiv, Luhansk and Kherson oblasts. Read also: Russians place artillery between residential buildings on Kinburn Spit South Command About 18% of Ukraines internationally recognized territory remains under Russian occupation including Ukraines Crimea and the parts of the Donbas that were invaded by Russia in 2014. The Kremlin falsely declared it had annexed Ukraines Crimean Peninsula in 2014 but this claim has only been recognized by a handful of the worlds rogue and pariah states. 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 Zarah Sultana told BBC Politics Midlands it was a good way of getting out political messages to younger people An MP who has more than 400,000 TikTok followers said she would continue using the platform to reach younger people. Zarah Sultana, 29, Labour MP for Coventry South, said she would use the platform on personal devices, which was allowed under new rules. Ms Sultana, one of the most followed MPs on TikTok, said it was a "very effective" way of reaching people. British government ministers have been banned from using the Chinese-owned social media app on security grounds. The MP has over 400,000 followers on TikTok Ms Sultana told BBC Politics Midlands cabinet minister Grant Shapps had said he would also continue using the platform. Mr Shapps, a keen TikTokker, has said he had never used the platform on a government device. "I've seen the advice for official phones and laptops to not have TikTok on them but Grant Shapps himself has said that he will continue to use TikTok on his personal device," Ms Sultana said. "As a backbencher, it's also on my personal device so I'll continue to use the platform because I think it's really effective in reaching out to newer audiences, younger audiences and getting out political messages." The government banned its use on work devices over fears sensitive data held on official phones could be accessed by the Chinese government. However, the Chinese embassy in London said the move was motivated by politics "rather than facts" and would "undermine the confidence of the international community in the UK's business environment". Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk The following is a transcript of an interview with Rep. Patrick McHenry, Republican of North Carolina, that aired on "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 19, 2023. MARGARET BRENNAN: We are joined now by the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry. Good morning. Good to have you here in person. REP. PATRICK MCHENRY: Great to be here. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to go into the banking crisis, but I first want to ask you about a bit- bit of business in regard to what Speaker McCarthy has said. He's directing Congress to investigate, he tweeted, whether federal funds are being used by the state of New York where a grand jury may soon indict the 45th President. Why is he issuing this threat? And it isn't this kind of congressional investigation just using federal funds from U.S. taxpayers on a political errand? REP. MCHENRY: Well, I haven't had an opportunity to talk to Speaker McCarthy overnight since that tweet, nor Chairman Comer of the Oversight Investigations Committee, nor Chairman Jordan of the Judiciary Committee. I'm chair of the House Financial Services Committee, I've been caught up in a bit of the turbulence in the banking sector-- MARGARET BRENNAN: But you're one of the top leading Republicans, I mean, do you agree with federal money being used on a state investigation or casting doubt? I mean, what is it about? REP. MCHENRY: The question here- the question here and I think the viable question for the American people is whether or not you have a progressive prosecutor using the justice system to go after political enemies for political splash. And that seems to be the case here with the Manhattan D.A. But as I said, I've spent most of my time focused on what's at hand-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you think it's a good use of taxpayer money? REP. MCHENRY: Well I think it's a questionable use of taxpayer money to allow a prosecutor to use the justice system to go after somebody-- Story continues MARGARET BRENNAN: That's a problem for New Yorkers, isn't it? REP. MCHENRY: Right, but it's becoming- it's becoming a problem for Americans when you see people targeted in the- and that's the reason why Speaker McCarthy set up the Weaponization of Government committee for- the within the Judiciary Committee. And that's the reason why Jim Jordan is leading that- that effort. MARGARET BRENNAN: But you're trying now to focus on things of substance that are at crisis level, in the banking sector. Should one of the 'too big to fail' banks, the large systemically important banks, be able to step in here and buy up a troubled bank like First Republic? REP. MCHENRY: I think all options should be on the table. That's what I'm considering legislatively, that's what I would encourage the administration to consider as well. There are a lot of things-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Is there anything that would block that kind of white knight rescue? REP. MCHENRY: Well, that's what we have to get to the bottom of. At the moment I think it's important the American people have confidence in the financial system and their bank, and I think that is the imperative right now. That's the reason why I supported the FDIC and feds- Treasury's decision last Sunday night. I thought it was an imperative for the country. Now, what I need to get to the bottom of investigatively, in Congress, is the who, what, when, where, why, and how of these bank failures and the decision over-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Signature and Silicon Valley? REP. MCHENRY: That's right. And then, over the- and the decision made over the weekend. We saw a private sector response to help support a bank. Was that a viable option last weekend? Or was there an ideological lens that prevented them from taking these institutions and making it less turbulent for America? MARGARET BRENNAN: That's why I was asking the question I asked you, because what you're suggesting there is that the Biden administration didn't want a big bank to come to the rescue here-- REP. MCHENRY: We don't know that. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we're now in a continued crisis. You don't have an answer to-- REP. MCHENRY: I don't have the facts on whether or not the FDIC had a viable buyer last weekend. We have press reports of two- two banks that were at the table. We have comments from other bankers, they were prevented from bidding. I don't have the facts, and until I have the facts, I'm not going to draw a conclusion, especially in a moment like this-- MARGARET BRENNAN: But you're suggesting it could have made things worse. REP. MCHENRY: Well, I think we know we had a very rough week for American banking, and we lost- lost confidence. And- and I think that is- that raises the questions of what happened last weekend. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, in terms of what happens right now, should a 'too big to fail' bank be able to buy up one of these banks like First Republic to- to stop the bleeding? REP. MCHENRY: All options should be on the table. MARGARET BRENNAN: You did hear Senator Elizabeth Warren suggest that she would favor a congressional initiative to lift the insurance on currently uninsured deposits, those above $250,000. She put a cap of two to 10 million dollars. For how long? How big? Who does that apply to? How would you craft that? Do you see a chance to work here? REP. MCHENRY: Well, it's the first time I've heard a proposal like that. And I have not had a single conversation with the White House or the administration about deposit insurance, changing the levels. What I will do though, legislatively, and in an oversight function is to determine whether or not we need to address the FDIC deposit level. We did it after the last financial crisis raising from $100,000 to $250,000. We had a temporary program, post-financial crisis to support deposits, to ensure that folks had confidence in their local bank. What I want to know is the trade off though, the moral hazard of having more risk taking in the financial sector, and also the impact it would have on community banks. We have far fewer community banks now than we've had in generations. That's a significant problem for competition in the financial services arena. MARGARET BRENNAN: That area we're seeing the pressure right now is that mid-size, though, not the community banks. REP. MCHENRY: Yes, and those mid-sized banks have regulatory capital requirements, significant capital requirements, that put them in similar positions with their peers. We have to look at that as well. MARGARET BRENNAN: In this divided Washington, is there anything that could actually pass besides the clawbacks, which I assume is very popular on both sides of the aisle? REP. MCHENRY: Well, look, what we do know is depositors are made whole in America in a bank failure, that bondholders are wiped out, those stockholders are wiped out, and the executives get wiped out, so, stepping back-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, no one wants to use the term government bailout, I get that. REP. MCHENRY: Well-- MARGARET BRENNAN: But we're in the midst of an ongoing, potentially rolling crisis. Could something like FDIC insurance actually pass right now, lifting that cap, REP. MCHENRY: It's- all options should be on the table, and that's how I'm approaching it. But if we do this, we have to understand their trade-offs. It is not a pure play of allowing a larger set of insurance coverage. It costs the financial system significantly, and especially community banks. We need to look very carefully at this. But stepping back, the question of what the FDIC did to backstop deposits of these two institutions, is in the nature of the law we created 90 years ago to create the FDIC fund. It is a mutual insurance fund, and the industry pays for that, not the taxpayers, and I think they acted appropriately. MARGARET BRENNAN: You're calling in the head of the FDIC and the Vice Chair for Supervision from the Fed's Board of Governors. What is your intent? And will you call up Mary Daly, the head of the San Francisco Federal Reserve? REP. MCHENRY: Well, first things first, the heads of these agencies, the Vice Chair for Supervision at the Fed, and the Chair of the FDIC, we need to understand the decisions that were made last weekend, on- from Thursday until Sunday night on whether or not there's a viable private sector solution. We also need to understand the underlying causes of the collapse of these banks, and we're going to get to that. The question of the San Francisco Fed is a question of supervision. We need to get to the bottom of whether or not this is a supervisory problem, regulatory problem, a bank mismanagement problem, perhaps all three in all- in all frankness. MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about some of the things being said, populist politics around banking everyone engages in-- REP. MCHENRY: It never ends. MARGARET BRENNAN: It never ends. But the two banks that did fail, they were in New York, and they were in California. Conservatives like Mike Pence, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump, your colleague James Comer, they're throwing around terms like 'woke banks advancing the liberal agenda.' They're blaming diversity and environmental initiatives. Isn't there a danger in casting a very substantive, active crisis, in terms of a culture war? REP. MCHENRY: I think everyone's preaching their book. And that's what we heard in your first segment-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, but, you agree that's not helpful. REP. MCHENRY: Preaching their book. And their book is, well, if they thought it was a problem a month ago, they apply it to this circumstance. That's happening on both sides of the aisle. But when it comes to the question of ESG, and these initiatives, my fellow-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Environmental initiatives-- REP. MCHENRY: Social and governance-- MARGARET BRENNAN: Right, and the encouragement of companies to take that into consideration with their investment. REP. MCHENRY: Yes. So there is- there has been a lot of political debate about that. There is substance here. And if the management of these institutions was much more concerned about politics, or the environmental or social goods, rather than the governance regulations, ensuring you had a capable board, you had proper oversight of people's deposits, then this shows they had mismanagement. So, I think there there are natural questions that we have-- MARGARET BRENNAN: But, do you have evidence of that, that the- I mean, there wasn't a risk officer fully at Silicon Valley Bank for an extended period of time. REP. MCHENRY: Yes and you had very few people that had banking expertise on the board of the bank. So there are some questions, natural questions we should raise-- MARGARET BRENNAN: But, that's bad- that's bad management, that's not 'woke banking,' whatever that means. REP. MCHENRY: But as I said, whatever your book of business was, as a politician a month ago, a year ago, is applied to this general circumstance. What I'm trying to do is get to the details of what happened and have whether- well, and then determine whether or not there's a proper legislative response. But when- when you have a hammer, you look at the world as a nail, and that's what we see out of politicians. I'm trying to be of substance and focus on the issues at hand and make sure that we fix the problems. MARGARET BRENNAN: Yes. So, President Biden has asked Congress so far, maybe he asked for other things. The only thing he's asked for, so far, is to be able to claw back salaries of those, or pay to executives of failed banks, and then to ban them from working in the financial industry. This already exists for the great big banks. Senator Warren supports that. Does that pass Congress? REP. MCHENRY: Well, it's something I'm going to look at- look at and consider. MARGARET BRENNAN: But it doesn't have to do the active crisis. REP. MCHENRY: No, it does- it doesn't. But in response to these things, we know that they are known failures of this. We saw, for instance, deposits perform in a different way than regulators assumed, that uninsured deposits left at a more rapid rate than the insured deposits. That's a new phenomenon. When we have the speed of Twitter and a bank run, and the speed of electronic banking, those things are things that we need to look at legislatively and regulatorily. The question of performance of bank executives, we certainly need to look at that and make sure that they are aligned with consumer protection and depositor interest. MARGARET BRENNAN: Congressman, we will be watching your upcoming hearing. Thank you. Face the Nation will be back in a minute. Stay with us. Sen. Elizabeth Warren says proposal to lift FDIC insurance cap has "got to be on the table right now" Open: This is "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," March 19 Nature: Galapagos Tortoises Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Ken Crawford/Wikimedia Commons Theres a theory thats in vogue in astrochemistry called Assembly Theory. It posits that highly complex moleculesmany acids, for examplecould only come from living beings. The molecules are either part of living beings, or theyre things that intelligent living beings manufacture. If Assembly Theory holds up, we could use it to search for aliensby scanning distant planets and moons for complex molecules that should be evidence of living beings. Thats the latest idea from Assembly Theorys originator, University of Glasgow chemist Leroy Cronin. This is a radical new approach, Cronin told The Daily Beast. But not every expert agrees it would workat least not anytime soon. To take chemical readings of faraway planets, scientists rely on spectroscopy. This is the process of interpreting a planets color palette to assess the possible mix of molecules in its atmosphere, land, and oceans. Spectroscopy isnt an exact science. That could leave alien-hunting astrochemists and astrobiologists guessing, for now. There are a lot of uncertainties, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, an astronomer at Technical University Berlin, told The Daily Beast. Our Best Tool to Find ET May Have Finally Arrived Scientists have been actively searching for signs of alien life for at least a century. The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) accelerated in the 1950s and 60s, with the advent of radio-based SETI. In radio SETI, scientists point sensitive radio receivers into the sky and listen for faint signals that might have originated with some alien civilization. In the decades after radio SETI caught on, astronomers expanded their search. Increasingly powerful telescopes allowed them to capture colorful spectroscopic images of planets and moons, and then interpret those colors to make educated guesses at the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Certain elements could be prerequisites for life. Many astrobiologists agree that a planet should have carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus just to have a chance of supporting biological evolution. Story continues Once life has evolved on some faraway exo-planet, it might paint the planet in complex molecules mixing these and other elements. There could be chlorophyll, the substance that allows plants to absorb energy from light. Its made up of a family of molecules combining carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and magnesium that, altogether, gives it a molecular mass of nearly 900. But chlorophyll isnt the only complex molecule that could be a marker of life. According to a new peer-reviewed study from Cronin and his British and Spanish colleagues, most molecules with a molecular mass of at least 300 could be evidence of extraterrestrial microbes, or even intelligent aliens. Cronin and his team arrived at this conclusion after analyzing 10,000 chemicals that are present here on Earth. Most molecules greater than [a] molecular weight [or mass] of 300 [are] connected to the existence of life on Earth, they wrote. These complex molecules make up our bodies, our bodies waste products, and even the chemicals we manufacture. Pharmaceuticals, for instance. This is because complex molecules are too complex to form by chance in any detectable abundance, and therefore can only be made by the complex biochemical pathways found in biological cells, Cronin and his co-authors wrote. In other words, if you find complex molecules on some distant planet or moon, then youve probably found life, Cronin and company asserted. Thats an exciting prospect for scientists, but theres a hitch: Not everyone agrees what complex means. Yes, a molecular mass of at least 300 roughly correlates with Cronins notion of complexity. But there are too many possible exceptions, including forms of chlorophyll, for mass alone to be the standard. There are many competing notions of chemical complexity, Cronin and his team conceded. Cronins Assembly Theory addresses this problem. The theory estimates the complexity of a molecule by quantifying the minimum constraints required to construct an object from the building blocks. In plain English, the theory asks how many times, at a minimum, a simple molecule would need to add an element or copy part of itself in order to achieve a given structure. Any molecule that needs 15 steps should achieve a molecular mass of 300 or greater and qualify as complex, according to Cronin. And if Earth chemicals are any guide, the widespread presence of such a complex molecule on an alien planet or moon is a strong sign of nearby living things. Our Efforts to Find Alien Life Have Gone Nowhere. This New Strategy Could Change That. Niels Ligterink, a physicist at the University of Bern in Switzerland, told The Daily Beast he agrees with Cronins thinking. In general, I would say that chemical complexity, in this case determined with Assembly Theory, is a good additional tool to search for life. Assembly Theory helps to sidestep a big question in astrobiology, Ligterink added. Life on Earth has DNA or RNA, the nucleic acids that carry genes. Its not safe to assume alien life would share this basic structure, Ligterink said. But we can be fairly certain that extraterrestrial life is also chemically complex. But applying Cronins theory to the day-to-day search for alien life is easier said than done. How can a scientist sample molecules on an exoplanet thats light-years away? They simply cannotnot with todays technology, anyway. The best they can do is survey an exoplanet with a powerful telescopethe new James Webb Space Telescope or the Vera Rubin telescope in Chile, to name twoand analyze the color palette through spectroscopy. See, every element absorbs certain wavelengths of light and reflects others. Carbon absorbs a bit of violet and blue and a lot of orange, leaving behind a whole bunch of greens, reds and yellows. Nitrogen has practically the opposite light-absorption pattern. Spectroscopy observes those wavelengths and helps to pinpoint what kind of chemistry they correspond to. Certain color mixes could point to complex molecules combining various elements in intricate ways. The Plot to Build the Worlds Most Ambitious Alien Detector The challenge with spectroscopy is precision. Imagine each elements light pattern as a fingerprint. Now imagine a million fingerprints smudged one on top of the other. Spectral signature rarely can be uniquely attributed to one specific molecule, Schulze-Makuch said. We might need much better telescopes or probes to make Cronins Assembly Theory work as an alien-hunting strategy among faraway exoplanets and their moons. That could take a while. But its possible that the same theory could help scientists find evidence of extraterrestrial life in existing data from closer planets and moons. There are reams of data from various missions to Mars since NASAs Viking probes first landed on the Red Planet back in 1976. The two Viking probes scooped up soil samples, boiled them and analyzed the gasses that bubbled out. The probes beamed the data back to NASA. Crunching the numbers, agency scientists Gil Levin concluded the probes had found the first-ever chemical evidence of alien microbes. How We Can Find a Galactic Club of Alien Life Levin was ready to announce to the whole world that wed make first contact with microbial E.T. But his NASA colleagues insisted hed misread the dataa position the space agency has maintained for 47 years. Levin didnt respond to a request for comment. Its worth reconsidering the Viking data as well as data from other past space missions, Cronin said. If theres evidence of complex molecules, maybe there are signs of life that scientists have overlooked. It is possible, Cronin said. In that way, Assembly Theory might help us make sense of past searches for alien life long before it helps with future searches. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy criticized rumors of President Trump's possible looming indictment on Saturday, calling it "un-American" to prosecute the former president. "It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals," the entrepreneur said on Twitter. "If a Republican prosecutor in 2004 had used a campaign finance technicality to arrest then-candidate John Kerry while Bush & Cheney were in power, liberals would have cried foul - and rightly so." "This will mark a dark moment in American history and will undermine public trust in our electoral system itself," Ramaswamy continued. "I call on the Manhattan District Attorney to reconsider this action and to put aside partisan politics in service of preserving our Constitutional republic. The Manhattan district attorneys office is reportedly planning to indict the former president regarding his alleged hush money scandal with porn star Stormy Daniels. MCCARTHY DIRECTS COMMITTEES TO PROBE WHETHER FEDERAL FUNDS WERE USED IN POTENTIAL TRUMP INDICTMENT During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly sent $130,000 to Daniels to prevent her from publicizing her 2006 affair with Trump. Cohen was allegedly reimbursed by Trump through installments. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Prosecutors will likely argue that the $130,000 payment to Daniels was an improper donation to the Trump campaign, as Daniels' NDA helped his candidacy. A court source informed Fox News Digital that members of Alvin Bragg's office will meet with law enforcement to "discuss logistics for some time next week, which would mean that they are anticipating an indictment next week." TRUMP TARGETED: A LOOK AT PROBES INVOLVING THE FORMER PRESIDENT; FROM STORMY DANIELS TO RUSSIA TO MAR-A-LAGO Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump at a rally in Arizona. President Trump has lashed out at the reports on Saturday morning, encouraging his followers to protest. "NOW ILLEGAL LEAKS FROM A CORRUPT & HIGHLY POLITICAL MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, WHICH HAS ALLOWED NEW RECORDS TO BE SET IN VIOLENT CRIME & WHOSE LEADER IS FUNDED BY GEORGE SOROS, INDICATE THAT, WITH NO CRIME BEING ABLE TO BE PROVEN, & BASED ON AN OLD & FULLY DEBUNKED (BY NUMEROUS OTHER PROSECUTORS!) FAIRYTALE, THE FAR & AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE & FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK. PROTEST, TAKE OUR NATION BACK!," Trump wrote on Truth Social. Fox News' Kyle Morris contributed to this report. (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps claim of an imminent arrest jolted the 2024 Republican primary field, with party leaders rallying to his side while forcing his potential challengers to choose between publicly supporting the former president or backing the moves of a Democratic prosecutor. Most Read from Bloomberg House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republicans quickly coalesced around Trump, suggesting that his arrest would be overreach and politically motivated. Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc. and Twitter Inc., and off-hours US political prognosticator, mused on his social media platform that if Trump is arrested and placed in handcuffs he will be reelected in a landslide victory. In a post on his Truth Social media platform early Saturday morning, Trump said he expects to be arrested Tuesday as part of the Manhattan District Attorneys investigation into hush-money payments to an adult film star. He urged his supporters to protest in echoes of his public statements ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol to overturn his electoral loss to President Joe Biden. Polls show Trump as the clear front-runner for the Republican nomination, likely in a rematch with Biden in less than 20 months. His potential arrest injects a note of chaos early in the presidential primary cycle against the particularly tumultuous backdrop of three regional US bank failings as the country continues to find its footing after the Covid-19 pandemic. The investigations gaining steam coincided with Trumps intensifying efforts to retake the White House. Last week, he campaigned in Iowa, an early Republican voting state. On Friday, he posted a message on Meta Platform Inc.s Facebook for the first time since 2021, a megaphone hes used as a powerful clarion for supporters and a prod for wavering allies. He had been banned from Facebook for the rhetoric he used around the Jan. 6 attack. Story continues In a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday, Trump widened his lead in the 2024 GOP primary race among 15 Republicans who have declared they are running or are considered potential candidates. Trump led Florida Governor Ron DeSantis 46% to 32%, up from 42%-36% in February. His grip over the GOP was on display Saturday as his allies like McCarthy piped up, while potential rivals, like his former vice president Mike Pence issued support and others, like DeSantis, were silent. In an interview airing Sunday on ABCs This Week, Pence said hes taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States and that it would be a politically charged prosecution. He also declined to disavow Trumps call for protests, saying they should be peaceful but that Americans have a constitutional right to assemble. Just a week ago, Pence called Trumps language during the Jan. 6 insurrection reckless and predicted that history would hold him accountable. Ohio businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, one of the first three candidates to formally challenge Trump, also criticized the investigation. A Trump-aligned super-PAC issued a statement listing the potential GOP presidential aspirants who came out in support of the former president. That included the lack of response from DeSantis, who Trump has called his strongest potential challenger. There were calls Saturday by conservatives on social media for DeSantis to step in and prevent an arrest in Florida, where Trump lives. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been conducting a probe into a hush-money payment Trump allegedly made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her from going public before the 2016 election about an alleged decade-old sexual encounter. Charges in the case are widely expected, but no indictment has been announced. Despite Trump saying he will be arrested on Tuesday, he has not received any official notification of charges or arrest plans by Braggs office and will be campaigning in Texas next weekend, a spokesman for the former president said in a statement issued later on Saturday. A spokeswoman for the district attorney declined to comment. Trump chose Texas as a show of force because of the warm spring weather, its dense population and enthusiastic Republican base that could serve as a powerful political backdrop. The former president announced his third White House bid last Nov. 15, despite facing multiple investigations including the Manhattan case as well as probes into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents. Asked whether hed stay in the race if indicted, Trump told reporters before a March 4 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Absolutely. I wouldnt even think about leaving. Republican analysts said an indictment could bolster support among Trumps hard-core backers. Trump supporters point to some polls that showed the former presidents support among Republicans increased after the Justice Department executed a search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago resort last August in an investigation of his handling of classified documents. The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected, Trump ally and South Carolina US Senator Lindsey Graham said at a conservative forum in North Charleston on Saturday, according to The Associated Press. Theyre doing this because theyre afraid of Donald Trump. I think its building a lot of sympathy for the former president, said New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican who has called on his party to move on from Trump. Democrats have misplayed this and it does drastically change the paradigm as we go into the 24 election, he said on CNNs State of the Union. But analysts said itll also add to Republicans sense that its time to move on from Trump because he has too much political baggage and cant win in 2024. This is uncharted territory for the US political system. Not since Bill Clinton or Richard Nixon has a president faced such a flurry of investigations, and neither of them were charged with a crime by a local prosecutor. (Updates with Sununu comments in 18th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Former President Trumps call on Saturday encouraging protests in light of a possible arrest has sparked concerns about political violence should his base respond to the call. Trump on Truth Social said he expects to be arrested on Tuesday as the Manhattan District Attorney investigates a hush-money payment made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels during Trumps 2016 campaign. Protest, take our nation back! the former president wrote. Figures on both sides of the aisle were asked for their take on the Sunday political news shows, with some saying it reminded them of calls to supporters by Trump after the 2020 election that culminated into the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said theres no reason to protest a potential Trump arrest. No one is above the law. Not even the former president of the United States. And if there has been an investigation, and that investigation should be allowed to go forward appropriately, if its time to bring indictments, then theyll bring indictments. Thats how our legal system works, Warren said on ABCs This Week. Protests are just theres no reason to protest this. This is the law operating as it should, without fear or favor for anyone, Warren said. Anticipation is building this week over a possible indictment of Trump in connection to the hush-money payment being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorneys office. Prosecutors allege the payment violated campaign finance laws and reports have suggested Trump may be indicted over the matter, but that timing is unknown. A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorneys office on Sunday declined to comment on Trumps claims that hell be arrested Tuesday. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) warned of a political circus and stressed of the potential protests that you want to make sure its peaceful. You cant just put it on the former president. Its our responsibility, right, in society, in our communities, to make sure that, if we have something to say, were doing it in the right way, and making sure were making a positive effect going forward. But it is going to be a circus, right? It is going to be a bit of a political circus. Theres going to be a lot of unknowns, Sununu said on CNNs State of the Union. Story continues The Republican governor said, though, that he wishes the matter wasnt pulling in so much focus. Theres much more pressing issues of the day. Its just unfortunate this has taken the headlines, Sununu said. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) also invoked the idea of a circus when talking about Trumps call for protest. The circus continues. I mean, look, he only profits and does well in chaos and turmoil. And so he wants to create the chaos and turmoil on his terms. He doesnt want anybody elses terms He wants it on his terms, Christie, an ABC News contributor, said on the networks This Week. Gary Cohn, Trumps onetime economic adviser, said he hoped for a very peaceful set of events. Im anti-protest, so I dont think we should be protesting anything. I- I hope that America has learned from what has happened in the past, and I hope whatever happens next week, we just have a very peaceful set of events, Cohn said on CBSs Face the Nation. You know, when it comes to this, no one is above the law. But there are also maybe some politics involved. So both of these things may be true, Cohn said. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) drew a distinction between Trumps call for support at the Capitol on Jan. 6, when he was president, and his recent call as an individual person to protest. Theres a difference between the former president and what he did on Jan. 6 as the president of the United States and his call for support at the Capitol, versus an individual person, today, asking people to show up to protest if he is indicted, Rounds said on NBC Newss Meet the Press. The senator underscored that its still not certain whether Trump will face an indictment, but said you dont want to have any threats towards the implementation or the attempt to implement justice. And thats something that you always have to take seriously, whether its from an individual person or a former president of the United States, Rounds said. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.) on Friday wrote on Twitter to argue theres a big difference between Team America and Team Extreme when it comes to matters involving book bans, reproductive rights and voting rights. We fight for American values like freedom of thought, reproductive freedom and the freedom to vote. Right-wing extremists are canceling books, pushing a nationwide abortion ban and suppressing the vote. Big difference between Team America and Team Extreme, Jeffries wrote. Asked about the comment on MSNBC on Sunday, Jeffries confirmed it was a reference to Trump and all those who continue to bend the knee to the insurrectionist in chief. They clearly have not learned their lesson and they are doubling and tripling down on their extremism even when that extremist could have potentially violent and deadly consequences as it did during the insurrection, Jeffries said. Updated: 5:15 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JOHANNESBURG, March 19 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed 3,474 soldiers from March 17 to April 17 to maintain peace, the country's Parliament said Sunday. The Parliament said in a statement that they have been informed by the president of the employment of the South African National Defense Force for service, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, for the prevention and combating of crime as well as peace maintenance. The country's opposition political party Economic Freedom Fighters has called for a national shutdown on March 20 to force President Ramaphosa to resign. The employment of the soldiers is in line with the Constitution of South Africa, and an amount of more than 166 million rands (about 8.99 million U.S. dollars) is expected to be incurred for this deployment, the Parliament said. Senior Republicans Sunday echoed Donald Trump's claim that a looming indictment in a hush-money case would amount to political "persecution," while Democrats warned his call for protests could trigger a repeat of chaos his supporters unleashed at the US Capitol. In an explosive announcement Saturday, the former president said he expected to be "arrested" Tuesday in connection with a grand jury inquiry into a 2016 payment to a porn star, allegedly to keep her from revealing a past affair with Trump. Even potential Republican rivals in the still-evolving 2024 presidential race reacted sharply. "I'm taken aback at the idea of indicting a former president of the United States at a time when there's a crime wave in New York City," Trump's former vice president Mike Pence said on ABC's "This Week." "It just feels like a politically charged prosecution here," said Pence. "I just feel like it's just not what the American people want to see." The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has not confirmed any plans for an indictment, though multiple signs -- including the recent appearances before the grand jury of Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen and the porn star known as Stormy Daniels -- point to a quick conclusion. Trump has denied any untoward involvement with Daniels. But law enforcement agencies are preparing for a possible indictment, with chaotic scenes outside the Manhattan Criminal Court a near-certainty if it does happen. - Building 'sympathy' for Trump? - The stunning possibility of a former president being arrested -- a historic first -- has fanned passions and injected considerable uncertainty into the 2024 campaign. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal supporter of the former president, called a possible indictment "an effort that's ongoing, never-ending to destroy Donald Trump, everything around Donald Trump." Even Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, an outspoken Trump critic and a potential rival for the 2024 nomination, suggested an indictment could generate a powerful backlash. Story continues "I think it's building a lot of sympathy for the former president," he told CNN Sunday talk show "State of the Union." "It does drastically change the paradigm, as we go into the '24 election," he said, adding of a possible indictment: "It's going to be a circus." Trump's call on his Truth Social platform for his backers to "Protest! Protest! Protest!" and "Take our nation back!" was seen by Democrats as a worrying echo of his language ahead of the January 6, 2021 rioting by his supporters at the US Capitol. Pence, Sununu and other Republicans defended the right to protest any legal action against Trump, so long as people do so peacefully. But Pence's former chief of staff, Marc Short, told CNN that "trying to encourage protests in the shadow of January 6th is reckless." - Fear of 'violence' - Democrats said they feared Trump's call could provoke violence. Nancy Pelosi, the former House of Representatives speaker, on Saturday called Trump's announcement "reckless," saying he was trying to "foment unrest among his supporters." Democrat Mark Kelly recalled being in the Senate chamber when the January 6 riots forced him and other lawmakers to seek shelter, and expressed concern that Trump urging protests could spark a repeat of life-threatening unrest. "I think it's going to be important for law enforcement to pay attention to protests and make sure it doesn't rise to the level of violence" seen at the Capitol two years ago, Kelly said on CNN. Short suggested Trump might be drawing attention to the Manhattan case to plant the notion that other state and federal inquiries into his past actions, seen as legally more serious, are "all politically based." The current House speaker, Republican Kevin McCarthy, on Saturday said Trump's arrest would be "an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA," adding he would direct congressional committees to investigate whether federal funds are "being used to subvert our democracy." Some saw that as a thinly veiled threat to the office of Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who is leading the hush-money inquiry. As security agencies prepared for possible protests outside his courthouse, Bragg told staff Saturday in an internal message that intimidation or threats against them would not be tolerated, NBC reported. bbk/mlm (Getty) Former president Donald Trump has roundly rejected any investigations involving him, his campaign or business empire as a hoax, a fraud or a politically motivated hit job against him or his agenda. In January, his company was fined $1.6m after two of its entities were convicted of 17 felonies, marking the first time that the former president and his empire bolstered by a culture of fraud and deception, according to prosecutors faced criminal consequences after he spent decades trying to avoid them. Now at the centre of separate investigations from the US Department of Justice and from prosecutors in his hometown of New York and in Georgia, a state he lost to Joe Biden but where he pressed election officials to overturn the results, the leading 2024 Republican candidate for president has suggested that his supporters could respond to his election loss or potentially imminent indictments with violence. On 18 March, he demanded that his supporters protest his imminent arrest in New York in a furious all-caps social media post typical of his violent visions of America in chaos: a dying and third world country where leftist thugs are killing and burning with no retribution. His recent remarks echo his calls to supporters that fuelled the attack on the US Capitol and his apocalyptic visions of America from his time in office and on the campaign trail, depicting his us-versus-them political stakes and a brewing civil war with grim conclusions rhetoric that has gripped the GOP in the wake of Mr Trumps candidacy. Its authoritarian purity, according to Joe Trippi, a Democratic strategist and adviser to anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project, speaking to The Washington Post. Its what happens when you have to intensify the rhetoric to get the same response, and so its a downward spiral. Mr Trump has called other Americans our enemies (who are lunatics and maniacs, he told this years Conservative Political Action Conference) and repeatedly suggested that the country is on the brink of World War III without his leadership. Story continues In August, the former president told right-wing radio host Hugh Hewitt that a criminal indictment would not stop him from seeking office and that Americans would not stand for his prosecution. If a thing like that happened, I would have no prohibition against running, he said. I think if it happened, I think youd have problems in this country the likes of which perhaps weve never seen before. I dont think the people of the United States would stand for it. Asked what he meant by problems, the former president said: I think theyd have big problems. Big problems. I just dont think theyd stand for it. They will not sit still and stand for this ultimate of hoaxes. Thats not inciting. Im just saying what my opinion is, he said. I dont think the people of this country would stand for it. One month earlier, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina told Fox News that if Mr Trump is prosecuted for mishandling classified documents at his Florida compound, therell be riot in the streets. Mr Trump shared a clip of that interview on his Truth Social profile. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, without naming the senator, said such comments from extreme Republicans were dangerous. Mr Trumps comments follow a legacy of statements that have fanned the flames of outrage among his supporters, from his depiction of American carnage in his 2017 inaugural address to months of baseless claims alleging a stolen 2020 presidential election before he called on supporters to fight like hell on 6 January, 2021 before a mob stormed the US Capitol. Within a 25-hour period in 2020, he wrote of protests against police violence when the looting starts, the shooting starts and promoted a video from an ally claiming that the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat. In a dark speech at the foot of Mount Rushmore on the Fourth of July that year, he declared that his political opponents want to end America. In campaign speeches, to applause from his supporters, he has repeatedly threatened to imprison journalists and endorsed executing people convicted of drug crimes. Following a federal law enforcement search of his Mar-a-Lago property in August of 2022, Mr Trumps enraged response and criticisms of the FBI and US Department of Justice echoed among his supporters and in threats that resulted in real-world violence. People are so angry at what is taking place, Mr Trump told Fox News at the time. Whatever we can do to help because the temperature has to be brought down in the country. If it isnt, terrible things are going to happen. Mr Trumps business was convicted of criminal charges less than three weeks after the November announcement of his 2024 campaign, fuelled by grievances and his failure to overturn the election he lost just two years ago, and seen by his opponents as an attempt to shield himself from looming criminal prosecutions. In the weeks that followed, Mr Trump has repeatedly invoked a darkly pessimistic view of America, warning his followers that the country will enter World War III if he is not elected, and vowing retribution against their political opponents if he is. In February, he shared a post on his Truth Social to his millions of followers from a supporter who pledged to physically fight for the former presidents election. What we got to lose? Ill donate the rest of my time here on this planet to do it. And I know many many others who feel the same. They got my 6 and we Are Locked and LOADED, the user wrote. During his headlining appearance at CPAC, Mr Trump pledged to be your warrior and your justice, vowing to his supporters: And to those who have been wronged and betrayed, I am your retribution. Youre going to have World War III, if something doesnt happen fast, he said during his speech on 5 March. This is the final battle. They know it. I know it. You know it. Everybody knows that this is it Either they win or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country. In a statement on his Truth Social and a video from his campaign, he said this is the most dangerous time in the history of our country and that World War III is looming like never before in the very dark and murky background. Hopeless Joe Biden is leading us into oblivion, he added. We cannot let it happen. We have to take back the White House, or our country is doomed. Within the last week, with looming potential indictments in New York and Georgia, he said in posts on his Truth Social that our country is in big trouble and, in an all-caps rejection of the investigations, called them nothing other than election interference into the politics of a failing nation. This story was first published on 16 March and has been updated with developments The Supreme Court is poised to decide if it will take up a case on whether Democratic lawmakers should be able to obtain documents related to former President Trumps former D.C. hotel a popular meeting place for GOP power-players during his administration that was a few blocks from the White House. The Democratic lawmakers filed the lawsuit in 2017 after asking the General Services Administration (GSA) to produce various financial records related to Trumps hotel in the Old Post Office Pavilion, which is owned by the federal government. The lawmakers have accused the former president of hiding a significant amount of debt during the GSAs initial bidding process for the hotel. They have also raised concerns about how Trump managed potential conflicts of interest while he served as president, including doing business with foreign governments who stayed at the hotel at the same time they were seeking to influence U.S. foreign policy. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. Supreme Court justices discussed the request at a closed-door conference on Friday. If the court makes a decision about whether it will take up the case, it will be announced Monday, but it wouldnt be heard until next term. Four of the nine justices must agree to take up the case. Three of the majority-conservative justices now sitting on the bench are Trump nominees. At stake is whether the case could open presidential administrations up to more scrutiny by Congress, even by a political party that is not in power. Several lawmakers who kicked off the lawsuit have since left Congress or died and the Trump Organization eventually sold the lease following his presidency. While the case has made its way through lower courts the last of which decided the case could move forward and Democrats could continue to seek their GSA records it is an appeal by the Biden administrations Department of Justice that has brought it before the Supreme Court. Bidens DOJ has asserted the lower courts ruling should be reviewed because it would otherwise open up the executive branch to a flood of lawsuits from a small number of lawmakers. Story continues In essence, the case could create a precedent in which an administration could face much greater scrutiny from a political party in Congress whether or not that party controls the chamber. The lawsuit was filed by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee when they served in the minority during the first year of the Trump administration. That decision conflicts with this Courts precedents and contradicts historical practice stretching to the beginning of the Republic, DOJ wrote in court filings. The decision also resolves exceptionally important questions of constitutional law and threatens serious harm to all three branches of the federal government. DOJ cites, among other precedents, a 1997 Supreme Court case that found lawmakers generally cannot claim harm suffered solely in their official capacities as legislators. The House Democrats attorneys responded by arguing the facts of those cases differ from the hotel document dispute, and Congress has authority to provide lawmakers an enforceable right to information. This case is a legal unicorn. There is no conflict among the circuits over standing under Section 2954. Indeed, only three times over the course of nearly a century have Members sued to enforce Section 2954, and neither of the earlier cases resulted in an appellate ruling on standing (or anything else), they wrote in court filings. The Biden administration has since drawn rare opposition from Democratic lawmakers, who want the justices to leave the ruling in place so their suit can proceed. The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions each year and rejects the vast majority of them. As one factor in their deliberations, the justices look for cases that present important questions of federal law. Monday also marks the first day of the high courts March argument session, which kicks off with an oral argument over whether the federal government has a duty to address the Navajo Nation Reservations water needs under two 19th-century treaties. In the two-week session, the justices will also hear arguments on cases about patents, immigration, criminal defense and two trademark disputes. One of those disputes is a case that is likely to bring a lighter atmosphere to the courtroom. The justices on Wednesday will consider whether a company violated trademarks owned by Jack Daniels by spoofing their whisky bottles in a poop-themed dog toy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Alcohol being poured into a rocks glass. gjohnstonphoto/Getty Images The emerging medical consensus around alcohol is likely to come as a downer for drinkers. Here's everything you need to know: Is moderate drinking harmless? For decades, doctors advised that consuming a daily alcoholic beverage or two is fine for one's health, or perhaps even beneficial. A growing body of research, however, indicates that toasting "To your health!" is an oxymoron. Studies have found that even modest drinking can have negative consequences, including raising the risk of cancer and heart attacks. "Risk starts to go up well below levels where people would think, 'Oh, that person has an alcohol problem,'" said Dr. Tim Naimi, director of the University of Victoria's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. This emerging consensus comes amid a rise in alcohol consumption during the pandemic, as Americans sought an escape from despair and boredom. Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Stanley Hazen said that, in light of new research, he will advise his patients that even the current U.S. guidelines for moderation two drinks a night for men and one a night for women might be risky. "I am going to be recommending cutting back on alcohol," Hazen said. How high is the risk of cancer? Alcohol contributes to more than 75,000 new cancer cases per year in the U.S. and nearly 19,000 annual cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. When humans consume alcohol, they metabolize it into acetaldehyde. This toxic chemical can damage DNA, enabling the out-of-control cell growth that creates cancerous tumors. Alcohol is known to be a direct cause of seven types of cancer: oral cavity, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), liver, breast, and colorectal. According to the National Cancer Institute, moderate drinkers are 1.8 times more at risk of oral cavity and pharynx cancers, while heavy drinkers are five times more at risk. For liver cancer, increased risk comes only from excessive drinking. Studies indicate that for postmenopausal women, just one drink a day raises their risk of breast cancer by up to 9 percent compared with nondrinkers. Story continues What are the other dangers? Alcohol is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and alcoholic liver disease kills 22,000 Americans every year. Risk of liver disease is greatest among heavy drinkers, but one report found that drinking just two alcoholic beverages a day for five years can damage the liver. One drink per day, Hazen said, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke by 10 to 20 percent. Research suggests that alcohol may accelerate genetic aging and exacerbate dementia, and a study published last year found that drinking just a pint of beer or glass of wine a day can kill neurons and shrink the brain. Doesn't wine help your heart? For years, researchers believed that moderate amounts of red wine can be healthy, raising the "good" cholesterol HDL and protecting the heart. This was based on the presence of antioxidants found in grapes, such as resveratrol, which is thought to protect blood vessels and slow aging. But a 2016 study found that a person would have to drink at least 500 liters of red wine every day to consume enough resveratrol to get significant benefits. Some specialists maintain that alcohol can improve glucose control, but even low levels of drinking can also increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and an abnormal heart rhythm. "Contrary to popular opinion," the World Heart Federation declared last year, "alcohol is not good for the heart." Why were experts so wrong? Alcohol studies are largely observational or based on self-reports; it would be unethical to instruct a random group of study volunteers to drink in excess. That means researchers can't control other variables that might influence health. Older studies that found that moderate drinking is beneficial relied on comparisons of light drinkers with people who don't drink at all. Researchers have since realized that people might abstain from drinking altogether because of underlying ailments, so if light drinkers appear healthier, it's not the alcohol creating the difference. A study published last year based on medical data from nearly 400,000 people in the UK Biobank appeared to confirm this, finding that light drinkers tend to have healthier habits such as exercising and eating well compared with people who don't drink at all. How much do Americans drink? About 60 percent of Americans told Gallup in 2021 that they drink, and estimated they had on average 3.6 drinks per week. But nearly half of Americans reported bingeing in the past months defined as consuming more than four drinks in a sitting for men and more than three for women. In light of new research, some researchers recommend completely abstaining, but most doctors and experts suggest cutting back instead. "I'm not going to advocate that people completely stop drinking," said George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "We did Prohibition. It didn't work." Why people react differently Alcohol has a greater impact on women's health than men's. Women tend to be lighter than men and have lower lean body mass, which determines alcohol's concentration in the brain. Women also produce less of the alcohol-metabolizing enzyme known as alcohol dehydrogenase. Race can also be a factor: Between 15 and 25 percent of white people carry a genetic risk for alcohol abuse, compared with less than 5 percent of Black Americans, according to Dr. David Streem, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic's Alcohol and Drug Recovery Center. People of East Asian descent often carry two genetic variants that affect how alcohol is metabolized. One variant causes alcohol to break down faster into the toxin acetaldehyde. The other variant slows metabolism of that compound, causing it to linger in the body longer. People with this genetic variant tend to look flushed or feel sick after just a few sips of alcohol. For most people, harm from drinking "really accelerates once you're over a couple of drinks a day," Dr. Naimi said. "So people who are drinking five or six drinks a day, if they can cut back to three or four, they're going to do themselves a lot of good." This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here. You may also like The truth about alcohol North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S. Is it time to stop dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day? Two people were killed Friday after their car reversed on a Kansas City-area interstate and crashed into another vehicle, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Officials responded to the crash around 5 p.m. on southbound Interstate 435 in Platte County, according to a highway patrol crash report. An investigation said that a 57-year-old Kansas City woman was driving her Mazda Protege on the highway when the car began traveling in reverse. Then, a 22-year-old Lenexa woman struck the Mazda. Officials pronounced the Mazdas driver and passenger, a 46-year-old man from Manhattan, Kansas, dead at the scene. The other driver had minor injuries and was transported to a hospital. By David Lawder WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Four prominent U.S. lawmakers on banking matters said on Sunday they would consider whether a higher federal insurance limit on bank deposits was needed to stem a financial crisis marked by a drain of large, uninsured deposits away from smaller and regional banks. "I think that lifting the FDIC insurance cap is a good move," Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, said on CBS's "Face The Nation" program, referring to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's current $250,000 limit per depositor. Asked what the new, higher level should be, Warren, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said: "This is a question we've got to work through. Is it $2 million, is it $5 million? Is it $10 million? Small businesses need to be able to count on getting their money to make payroll, to pay the utility bills." Warren declined to discuss conversations she has held with the Biden administration about such a move, but said an insurance limit hike "is one of the options that's got to be on the table right now." Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican on the Senate Banking Committee, also questioned whether the $250,000 limit, which was increased from $100,000 during the 2008 financial crisis, was still appropriate. "Perhaps that's not enough," Rounds told NBC's "Meet the Press." FILE PHOTO: FDIC Insured sign is displayed at a First Republic Bank in Boston He added that regional and smaller banks would want some "reassurances" that they can compete with larger banks and "it's going to take a couple of months for consumers outside to recognize that all these banks are stable." Republican Representative Patrick McHenry, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said he would work to address the adequacy of FDIC deposit insurance, but added that he has not had any conversations with Biden administration officials on raising the limit. "What I will do though, legislatively, and in an oversight function, is to determine whether or not we need to address the FDIC deposit level," McHenry told the same CBS program. Story continues During the financial crisis that erupted in 2008, the FDIC temporarily backstopped all deposits to safeguard smaller banks. Pressure on midsized and smaller banks from deposit outflows continued on Friday despite a move by several large banks to deposit $30 billion into First Republic Bank, an institution rocked by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. FILE PHOTO: Illustration shows destroyed SVB (Silicon Valley Bank) logo Some former officials, including former FDIC chief Sheila Bair, have said regulators may need to repeat a temporary blanket guarantee on all U.S. deposits. Under the Dodd-Frank financial reform law, such a move requires Congress to pass a resolution of approval on an expedited schedule. McHenry said he wanted to examine the trade-offs of higher deposit insurance limits, "the moral hazard of having more risk taking in the financial sector, and also the impact it would have on community banks." A U.S. Treasury spokesperson declined comment. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Senators last week that further guarantees of uninsured bank deposits beyond those in SVB and Signature Bank would require systemic risk determinations by her, President Joe Biden and "supermajorities" of the Federal Reserve and FDIC boards. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, also told Fox News Sunday that Congress and regulators need to address the $250,000 limit, but not every bank should be "bailed out." "There will be a question going forward as to how we deal with deposits over $250,000 as being covered here. But what the mechanism would be if we do that at all, is something very much up to debate," Van Hollen said. (Reporting by David Lawder in WashingtonEditing by Nick Zieminski and Matthew Lewis) By Kanishka Singh and Rishabh Jaiswal WASHINGTON (Reuters) U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren on Sunday called for an independent probe into the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and took specific aim at the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco responsible for oversight of SVB. Democrat Warren, who is pushing for tighter banking regulations, sent a letter to the inspectors general of the U.S. Treasury Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) and the Federal Reserve on Sunday, urging regulators to examine the recent management and oversight of the banks which collapsed earlier this month. California regulators shuttered Silicon Valley Bank on March 10 and appointed FDIC as receiver. It was the largest U.S. bank collapse since Washington Mutual went bust during the financial crisis of 2008. On Friday, the bank's parent, SVB Financial Group, said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. U.S. prosecutors are investigating the SVB collapse, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters last week. SVB (Silicon Valley Bank) logo is seen in this illustration taken March 19, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Warren also said on Sunday she does not have faith in San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly in the wake of SVB's collapse. "No, I do not," Warren said on CBS's "Face the Nation" when asked if she has faith in Daly. Financial stocks lost billions of dollars in value since Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed this month. President Joe Biden said on Friday the banking crisis has calmed down. He also promised Americans that their deposits are safe. The inspectors general for the Treasury, Fed, and FDIC should deliver a preliminary report to Congress in 30 days, Warren said in her letter. "The bank's executives, who took unnecessary risks or failed to hedge against entirely foreseeable threats, must be held accountable for these failures. But this mismanagement was allowed to occur because of a series of failures by lawmakers and regulators," she wrote in the letter. Story continues She also criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in her CBS interview. "Remember the Federal Reserve Bank and Jerome Powell are ultimately responsible for the oversight and supervision of these banks. And they have made clear that they think their job is to lighten regulations on these banks. We've now seen the consequences," Warren said. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Rishabh Jaiswal in BengaluruEditing by Frances Kerry and Matthew Lewis) By Kanishka Singh and Rishabh Jaiswal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren on Sunday called for an independent probe into the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and took specific aim at the head of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco responsible for oversight of SVB. Democrat Warren, who is pushing for tighter banking regulations, sent a letter to the inspectors general of the U.S. Treasury Department, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) and the Federal Reserve on Sunday, urging regulators to examine the recent management and oversight of the banks which collapsed earlier this month. California regulators shuttered Silicon Valley Bank on March 10 and appointed FDIC as receiver. It was the largest U.S. bank collapse since Washington Mutual went bust during the financial crisis of 2008. On Friday, the bank's parent, SVB Financial Group, said it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. U.S. prosecutors are investigating the SVB collapse, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters last week. Warren also said on Sunday she does not have faith in San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly in the wake of SVB's collapse. "No, I do not," Warren said on CBS's "Face the Nation" when asked if she has faith in Daly. Financial stocks lost billions of dollars in value since Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapsed this month. President Joe Biden said on Friday the banking crisis has calmed down. He also promised Americans that their deposits are safe. The inspectors general for the Treasury, Fed, and FDIC should deliver a preliminary report to Congress in 30 days, Warren said in her letter. "The bank's executives, who took unnecessary risks or failed to hedge against entirely foreseeable threats, must be held accountable for these failures. But this mismanagement was allowed to occur because of a series of failures by lawmakers and regulators," she wrote in the letter. Story continues She also criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in her CBS interview. "Remember the Federal Reserve Bank and Jerome Powell are ultimately responsible for the oversight and supervision of these banks. And they have made clear that they think their job is to lighten regulations on these banks. We've now seen the consequences," Warren said. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Rishabh Jaiswal in BengaluruEditing by Frances Kerry and Matthew Lewis) (Reuters) -UBS has agreed to buy Credit Suisse after increasing its offer to more than $2 billion, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. UBS will pay more than 0.50 francs ($0.5401) a share in its own stock, far below Credit Suisses closing price of 1.86 francs on Friday, FT reported, citing sources. The Swiss National Bank has agreed to offer a $100 billion liquidity line to Credit Suisse as part of the deal, the FT added, citing two people familiar with the matter. According to the report, UBS has agreed to a softening of a material adverse change clause that would void the deal if its credit default spreads jump. Credit Suisse and UBS declined to comment. ($1 = 0.9258 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Shubham Kalia in BengaluruEditing by Frances Kerry and Barbara Lewis) Banking giant UBS will buy its ailing rival Credit Suisse, in a deal accommodated by the Swiss government to avoid further chaos in markets after a series of high-profile financial failures. Credit Suisse got a 45bn emergency loan from Switzerlands central bank earlier this week after its shares plummeted amid investor fears. Swiss market watchdog Finma approved the takeover, which came after crunch talks between ministers and bank bosses who wanted assurances from the government. Sources familiar with the negotiations told FT that there was limited contact between the two banks, with the terms heavily influenced by the Swiss National Bank and Finma. Credit Suisse is one of 30 so-called systemic global banks considered important to the global finance structure. Its troubles are expected by industry experts to have a knock-on effect for world banking. At least two major banks in Europe are examining scenarios of contagion in the continents banking sector and are looking to the Federal Reserve and the ECB for stronger signals of support, two senior executives close to the discussions told Reuters. The fallout from the crisis of confidence in Credit Suisse Group AG and the failure of two US banks could ripple through the financial system next week, the two executives separately told Reuters on Sunday. More follows... DHAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people were killed and more than 26 others injured when a passenger bus veered off the road and fell into a ditch in Bangladesh's central Madaripur district, some 63 km south of the capital Dhaka on Sunday. Abdullahel Baki, a local Shibchar Highway Police official, told reporters that "the passenger bus felt into a roadside ditch, leaving 14 passengers dead on the spot and about 25-26 were injured." He said three of the injured died on the way to local hospitals. The accident occurred as its driver lost control over the vehicle and plunged the bus into a ditch on an expressway at about 7:30 a.m. local time. Bangladesh has one of the highest fatality rates for road accidents in the world mainly due to shoddy highways, poorly maintained vehicles, violation of traffic rules by inept drivers and lack of monitoring of the traffic department. UBS is reportedly nearing a deal to take over its rival Credit Suisse in an effort to stop the imperiled financial institution from complete collapse. The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that a deal for UBS to acquire Credit Suisse could come Sunday or earlier and regulators have offered to waive a customary shareholder vote requirement but one of the sticking points is who will own Credit Suisses retail arm. Credit Suisse, which has been in business for 167 years, announced earlier in the week it was accepting a lifeline of over $50 billion from the Swiss National Bank in a move the company said is a "decisive action" to boost its liquidity amid a global banking crisis following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and concerns about Credit Suisses future outlook. "Credit Suisse is taking decisive action to pre-emptively strengthen its liquidity by intending to exercise its option to borrow from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) up to CHF 50 billion under a Covered Loan Facility as well as a short-term liquidity facility, which are fully collateralized by high quality assets," Credit Suisse said in a statement. CREDIT SUISSE FACES LAWSUITS FROM US SHAREHOLDERS FOR ALLEGEDLY CONCEALING FINANCIAL WOES UBS building in Troy, Michigan. Reuters reported on Saturday that UBS is asking the Swiss government to cover about $6 billion in costs if it goes forward with the purchase. READ ON THE FOX BUSINESS APP The frenzied weekend negotiations come after a brutal week for banking stocks and efforts in Europe and the United States to shore up the sector which was rocked by the recent implosion of Silicon Valley Bank which represented the second-largest bank collapse in U.S. history. Swiss regulators are racing to present a solution for Credit Suisse before markets reopen on Monday, but the complexities of combining two behemoths raises the prospect that talks will last well into Sunday, said the person, who asked to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the situation. Story continues CREDIT SUISSE: IMPERILED GLOBAL INVESTMENT BANK HAS CCP-TIED OFFICIAL ON RISK COMMITTEE The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen at its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland UBS, which boasts over $1.1 trillion in assets, was under pressure from the Swiss authorities to carry out a takeover of its local rival to get the crisis under control, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The plan could see Credit Suisse's Swiss business spun off. Switzerland is preparing to use emergency measures to fast-track the deal, the Financial Times reported, citing two people familiar with the situation. SILICON VALLEY BANK HAD NO OFFICIAL CHIEF RISK OFFICER AHEAD OF COLLAPSE BUT EMPLOYED DEI EXECUTIVE People queue up outside the headquarters of Silicon Valley Bank to withdraw their funds on March 13, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. U.S. authorities are involved in the situation, working with their Swiss counterparts to help broker a deal, Bloomberg News reported, also citing those familiar with the matter. Credit Suisse shares lost a quarter of their value in the last week and is trying to recover from a string of scandals that have undermined the confidence of investors and clients. The company ranks among the world's largest wealth managers and is considered one of 30 global, systemically important banks whose failure would ripple throughout the entire financial system. Credit Suisse and UBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox Business. Reuters contributed to this report A sign of Credit Suisse is seen behind a clock at the headquarters of Switzerland's second-biggest bank in Zurich on March 18, 2023. - Switzerland's largest bank, UBS, is in talks to buy all or part of Credit Suisse, according to a report by the Financial Times. Credit Suisse came under pressure this week as the failure of two US regional lenders rocked the sector. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images) - FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images Credit Suisse has been sold in a cut-price deal aimed at staving off a new financial crisis. The 167-year-old lender, which was valued at more than 65bn at its peak, has been taken over by arch-rival UBS in a 2.6bn deal just hours before financial markets opened, amid fears of panic if the bank's value slid further when trading began. Rival lenders were wargaming possible contagion across the European banking sector over the weekend, despite reassurances from officials that the sector was safe. The merger of Credit Suisse and UBS is likely to lead to thousands of job losses in the City of London. The two banks currently employ around 11,000 people between them in the UK. Credit Suisse's banking operations appeared to be running business as usual at its major offices in Asia on Monday. Fears that Credit Suisse could collapse within days prompted frantic talks over the weekend that had echoes of the 2008 financial crisis. Credit Suisse was considered one of a clutch of global banks so important its failure would trigger a financial crash. The Bank of England and Treasury both welcomed the banks sale, saying it would "support financial stability". UBS CEO Ralph Hamers said there were still many details to be worked through. "I know that there must be still questions that we have not been able to answer," he said. "And I understand that and I even want to apologise for it." Credit Suisses rescue will put pressure on the Bank of England not to raise interest rates at its next policy meeting on Thursday, with higher rates likely to put more pressure on weaker lenders. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Credit Suisse, Axel Lehmann, Chairman of the Board of Directors of UBS, Colm Kelleher and Federal Councillor and chief of the finance federal department Karin Keller-Sutter attend a news conference on Credit Suisse after UBS takeover offer, in Bern, Switzerland, March 19, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse - REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Traders last night cut back bets on a 0.25 percentage point increase this week in the wake of the news. At a hastily organised press conference on Sunday evening, Alain Berset, president of Switzerland, said the rescue was needed to avoid unthinkable consequences for the countrys economy and global markets. Karin Keller-Sutter, Swiss finance minister, said the failure of Credit Suisse risked irreparable economic turmoil in Switzerland and throughout the world. Story continues Swiss officials held talks with Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, and Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary, over the weekend about the rescue efforts. Credit Suisse found itself in crisis amid a growing panic over the health of global banks. The failure of a US lender, Silicon Valley Bank, ten days ago has prompted a slew of withdrawals from troubled or smaller banks amid concerns the rot could spread. A mass sell-off in stock markets over the last two weeks has wiped almost $500bn from the value of global banks. A $54bn loan from the Swiss National Bank last week failed to stop withdrawals at Credit Suisse, with $10bn said to have been pulled on Friday alone. There are fears that a regional banking crisis in America could drag on, with President Joe Biden reportedly calling on Wall Street tycoon Warren Buffett for advice. Mr Bidens conversations with Mr Buffett, the chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, covered the possibility of him making further investments in the US banking sector, according to Bloomberg. He previously stepped in to help finance both Goldman Sachs and Bank of America in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, helping to shore-up confidence at critical junctures. Credit Suisse, a once venerable Swiss bank to the privately wealthy that has more than 470bn in assets, has been beset by scandal in recent years. It has lost billions through a series of missteps and fines. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, attends the 2019 annual shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, May 3, 2019. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images) - JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images It came under pressure after a major shareholder said it would put no more money into the business, prompting a flood of clients to pull their money. The Swiss Government had considered nationalising the bank if talks with UBS had failed. Swiss politicians rapidly rewrote the countrys laws over the weekend to ensure the deal could be confirmed, bypassing shareholders. Officials had raced to negotiate the shotgun merger of the two national banks before the opening of stock markets in Asia on Sunday evening, fearing a market meltdown if a solution had not been reached. The Bank of England was reported by Sky News to have waived through the deal. Threadneedle Street last week held talks with British lenders, asking them to explain their current risk profiles on bond markets amid the turmoil at international rivals, The Telegraph reported. A Bank of England spokesman said: We welcome the comprehensive set of actions set out by the Swiss authorities today in order to support financial stability. We have been engaging closely with international counterparts throughout the preparations for todays announcements and will continue to support their implementation. The UK banking system is well capitalised and funded, and remains safe and sound. A Government spokesman said: The UK Government welcomes the steps taken today by the Swiss authorities in relation to Credit Suisse to support financial stability, and will continue to engage with the FCA and the Bank of England as is usual. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said the deal would secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation. Central banks take emergency measures after Credit Suisse rescue deal By Matthew Field and Matt Oliver The Federal Reserve last night agreed to increase the supply of US dollars to central banks around the world in a bid to stop a cash crunch in markets. Late last night six of the worlds biggest central banks agreed to ramp-up swap lines, agreements to exchange currencies between each other, as officials and investors braced for another week of intense market volatility. The Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank, the Federal Reserve, and the Swiss National Bank will increase currency trading between each other from weekly to daily to ensure there are enough dollars following throughout the global system to keep financial markets operating. Swap lines were a key tool used during the 2008 financial crisis to stop markets seizing up. The Bank of England said the latest action would ease strains in global funding markets, thereby helping to mitigate the effects of such strains on the supply of credit to households and businesses. Daily trading will commence from today and last until at least April. Banks were bracing for more volatility in markets tomorrow after Swiss officials forced through a hastily arranged $3.2bn (2.3bn) rescue deal for troubled Credit Suisse. The 167-year-old bank was tonight sold to arch-rival UBS in a cut price deal intended to stabilise the Swiss financial system and stop the emergency escalating into a full-blown European banking crisis. The Swiss National Bank has agreed to lend UBS up to 100 billion Swiss franc (88bn) in emergency liquidity in an effort to shore up confidence. The state also agreed to cover up to 9 billion Swiss francs in losses from certain parts of Credit Suisse, which is facing multiple legal battles. However, observers warned that efforts to shore up confidence could fall short. Mohamed El-Erian, chief economic advisor to Allianz, warned that UBS stock may well come under pressure on Monday morning as details of the deal emerged. The cost of insuring UBSs debt climbed in trading on Sunday. The banks credit default swaps, used to gauge its credit risk, widened by 40 basis points 215 bps on five-year contracts, Bloomberg reported. Credit Suisse was forced into the arms of UBS after a run on the bank this week. FINMA, Switzerlands financial regulator, said tonight: The Credit Suisse Group is experiencing a crisis of confidence, which has manifested in considerable outflows of client funds. This was intensified by the upheavals in the US banking market in March 2023. There was a risk of the bank becoming illiquid, even if it remained solvent, and it was necessary for the authorities to take action in order to prevent serious damage to the Swiss and international financial markets. Marc Rubinstein, a banking analyst who writes the Net Interest financial newsletter, said: Its distressed, clearly. It puts it alongside [the mergers of] Lloyds and HBOS, and JPMorgan and Bear Stearns. The combination was rushed through in a little over 48-hours of negotiations. Shareholders in Credit Suisse, who include the Saudi National Bank, the Qatar Investment Authority and Blackrock, are facing huge losses on their investments. Under the terms of the deal, Credit Suisse investors will receive just 1 share in the combined entity for every 22.48 shares they hold. The deal values Credit Suisse at less than half what it was worth at close of trade on Friday. Legal & General, Schroders and HSBC all rank among Credit Suisses top 50 shareholders, though each own less than 1pc of the bank. Holders of $17bn in Credit Suisse additional tier 1 bonds saw their holdings wiped out as their value was written off to zero. The deal is likely to provoke frustration from UBS shareholders, who will not get a vote on the transaction, after Swiss regulators and politicians issued an emergency directive to override market rules. UBS said: Pursuant to the emergency ordinance, which is being issued by the Swiss Federal Council, the merger can be implemented without the approval of shareholders. Credit Suisse was rated as one of 30 global systemically important banks viewed as too big to fail in the wake of the last financial crisis. The crisis at Credit Suisse follows wider concerns about the global banking sector. Earlier this month Silicon Valley Bank, the Californian lender, collapsed after suffering billions of dollars in losses on wayward interest rate bets. A coalition of Wall Street's biggest banks were this week forced to inject $30bn into struggling regional lender First Republic as the crisis continued. Credit Suisse has struggled with a series of scandals and mishaps in recent years but saw its share price plunge after its biggest shareholder, the Saudi National Bank, said it would not stump up any more funding. Despite agreeing to a $54bn liquidity line with the Swiss central bank in the middle of this week, a flood of withdrawals continued and its shares fell by 10pc on Friday alone. On Sunday, Colm Kelleher, UBS chairman, said the deal to combine with its rival was in the best interest of Switzerland and protects our shareholders. He said UBS planned to downsize Credit Suisses investment banking arm and would cut its risk taking, a move likely to lead to large job cuts in London. Alex Lehmann, Credit Suisse chairman, said it was a historic, sad and very challenging day for the bank. The Swiss National Bank said: With the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, a solution has been found to secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation. BERN (Reuters) - UBS agreed to buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse for 3 billion Swiss francs ($3.23 billion) in stock and agreed to assume up to 5 billion francs ($5.4 billion) in losses, in a shotgun merger engineered by Swiss authorities to avoid more market-shaking turmoil in global banking. The deal includes 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity assistance for UBS and Credit Suisse from the Swiss central bank. To enable UBS to take over Credit Suisse, the federal government is providing a loss guarantee of a maximum of 9 billion Swiss francs for a clearly defined part of the portfolio, the government said. This will be activated if losses are actually incurred on this portfolio. In that eventuality, UBS would assume the first 5 billion francs, the federal government the next 9 billion francs, and UBS would assume any further losses, the government said. Switzerland's regulator FINMA said that there was a risk that Credit Suisse could have become "illiquid, even if it remained solvent, and it was necessary for the authorities to take action". Credit Suisse Additional Tier 1 shares with a nominal value of around 16 billion francs ($17.2 billion) will be written down completely after the Swiss government provided support for UBS' takeover of Credit Suisse, FINMA said. The 167-year-old Credit Suisse has been the biggest name ensnared in market turmoil unleashed by the recent collapse of U.S. lenders Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, forcing it to tap $54 billion in central bank funding last week. "With the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, a solution has been found to secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation," the Swiss central bank said. Authorities had been scrambling to rescue Credit Suisse, among the world's largest wealth managers, before financial markets reopened on Monday. UBS and Credit Suisse are both in a group of the 30 global systemically important banks watched closely by regulators, and Credit Suisse's failure would ripple throughout the entire financial system. Story continues The announcement came in a make-or-break weekend after some rivals grew cautious in their dealings with the struggling Swiss lender, and its regulators urged it to pursue a deal with UBS. FINMA, which said it had approved the takeover, said recent measures to stabilize itself were "not enough to restore confidence in the bank, however, and more far-reaching options were also examined." The two banks' fortunes have diverged sharply over the past year. UBS earned $7.6 billion in profit in 2022, while Credit Suisse lost $7.9 billion. Credit Suisse's shares are down 74% from a year ago, while UBS's are relatively flat. The Swiss government said that it was also giving UBS a guarantee of 9 billion Swiss francs "assume potential losses" from assets as part of the transaction. UBS's chief executive officer Ralph Hamers and Chairman Colm Kelleher will remain at the helm of the combined bank. "The transaction reinforces UBS's position as the leading universal bank in Switzerland," UBS said. Executives foreshadowed structural changes in the offing. Kelleher said it would wrap up running Credit Suisse's investment bank, but added that it was too early to say anything about potential job cuts. Kelleher also said they would keep Credit Suisse's domestic business, despite speculation that it could be spun off amid competition concerns. Credit Suisse's Chairman Axel Lehmann called the merger the "best available outcome". ($1 = 0.9280 Swiss francs) (Reporting by John Revill, Noele Illien, John O'Donnell, Oliver Hirt and Tom Sims; Editing by Riham Alkousaa, Paul Carrel and Hugh Lawson) LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -UBS sealed a deal to buy rival Swiss bank Credit Suisse in an effort to avoid further market-shaking turmoil in global banking, Swiss authorities said on Sunday. Meanwhile, global central banks said they would open daily dollar taps to their banks. Here are comments from market analysts: CITI FOREIGN EXCHANGE STRATEGISTS: "To rectify banking stress, the best bet is to address undercapitalised institutions, provide transparency about asset quality and ample liquidity alongside. U.S. and Swiss authorities have provided timely access to ample liquidity (including the new Fed BTFP facility and Swiss emergency liquidity), three U.S. regional banks were closed and Credit Suisse taken over, plus increasing the availability of central bank USD swap lines. These measures are important, but additional ones are likely required to stabilise confidence in regional U.S. banks in particular. Raising the FDIC cap on insured deposits (potentially uncapping it) would be helpful, but capital injections are likely to be more effective, and probably necessary. Encouragingly, discovery of new asset quality weaknesses in this crisis so far has been limited, outside of regional U.S. banks. If that continues, we are hopeful that policymakers and private entities will address the remaining gaps fairly promptly, and we therefore do not see a spiraling (global) financial crisis, even if some stresses are unavoidable." JEFFERIES' EUROPEAN ANALYSTS: "It's positive news that a deal could be found as there were not many alternatives, and a nationalisation or unwinding of CS would likely have increased sector risks. "However, in terms of sector ramifications, while this deal significantly reduces the immediate systemic risk from CS' weaknesses, we think two key negatives elements will also catch the eye: (1) that CS' AT1 holders are wiped out whereas shareholders are not entirely, though normally more junior in creditworthiness, and (2) that shareholder approval was not asked on UBS' side for this deal. We think the objective of this transaction, while solving CS' situation & associated risks for the system, is to reach a win/win, where UBS shareholders also get value out of this deal over time. Story continues "The low price paid (3 billion Swiss francs) and significant safety net provided to UBS (with government guarantee) are positive, while UBS' strategy is unchanged. However, UBS embarks significant execution risk, litigation risk, the buyback is temporarily suspended (unclear how long), UBS' capital requirement is likely to be revised up, and management focus will be captured by this deal for many quarters, maybe years." BRIAN MARTIN, ANZ HEAD OF G3 ECONOMICS, LONDON: "Policy makers will be hoping that the weekend's UBS buyout of troubled Credit Suisse will draw a line under recent market stresses. Central banks were already facing the conundrum of "how much is enough?" in the face of resilient labour markets, given the lags with which their policy decisions affect economies. They now have a new conundrum: "how much is too much?" for financial stability? It's one thing to ask economies to take their medicine in terms of a near-term growth vs inflation trade-off, but financial instability isn't medicine; it's toxic. "Central banks are trying to separate monetary policy and financial stability concerns, but that's easier in theory than in practice. Nonetheless, inflation remains a major problem for the Fed, and as such a 25 basis points hike in the fed funds rate this week looks favoured in our view." MARK CHANDLER, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST, BANNOCKBURN GLOBAL FOREX, NEW YORK: "People have known about Credit Suisse for a while, but it came to a head. The U.S. regional banking stress that we have is a different problem. The regional banks have come under pressure because they are less equipped to handle a withdrawal of deposits the way the big banks are. They are more susceptible to the leaving of deposits and when the Federal Reserve reduces reserves, it hits them disproportionately." JAMES BIANCO, PRESIDENT, BIANCO RESEARCH, CHICAGO: "(The central bank action is) a form of QE right out of the COVID/2008 playbook. Couple that with the record discount window borrowing and the expansion of the balance sheet, and the tide is turning to an easier Fed. "One of two things happens, they move too slowly and the financial crisis worsens. They move fast enough to stem the crisis, and the massive amount of stimulus means an even bigger inflation problem in 2H 2023 and into 2024. "Only one good option, everyone decides on their own to transfer hundreds of billions of deposits back in regional banks. The point is there are only bad options and worse options as long as money is leaving regional banks." MICHAEL PURVES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF TALLBACKEN CAPITAL ADVISORS, NEW YORK: "In March 2020, amid COVID, the Fed saw a surge in the dollar... So (the) Fed aggressively put in lines to every major central bank. Today, the Fed is pulling out the same playbook. Now you have a small country with two giant banks, one of them was obviously under a huge pressure. So this is sort of a tool the Fed has to alleviate this type of shock stress and it doesn't necessarily cost them that much to do it. "The Fed wants to make sure the Swiss Central Bank isn't going to have any problems. "The line doesn't really necessarily cost the Fed that much and it's not necessarily not overtly inflationary anyway. "Whatever global macro crisis you want to look at, people rush to buy dollars - that can be very destabilising to some of international economies." EDWARD MOYA, SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, OANDA, NEW YORK: "The global financial system is still at great risk, and central bankers are showing they learned lessons from GFC and are trying to get in front of this. More banks are at danger and coordinated action might buy some banks some time." JEFF GITTERMAN, CEO OF ESG-FOCUSED GITTERMAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, NEW JERSEY: "(It) feels like '08 again a bit. "I think the rating agencies will have to keep up with more downgrades than this past week which will pressure the banks even more. This will most likely spook investors and more selling of regionals to continue. I don't see how we don't enter a recession, as most failures of banks or financial institutions immediately preceded a recession. So a 10% to 15% market drop (is) likely especially if the Fed still goes 25 which I think they probably will, although I would not bet on it." MARSHALL FRONT, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, FRONT BARNETT ASSOCIATES, CHICAGO: "This (central bank action) is no surprise. They have done this on other occasions when there was a liquidity risk. Some on Wall Street also see the possibility (of) further Fed actions to shore up confidence in the US banking system to stem additional runs. For example, there is an explicit guarantee for depositors' balances above $250,000 at certain institutions. Some expect those guarantees to be broadened, increasing and possibly extending the amount to other institutions. "Given the fragility of the current situation, banking regulators will certainly have given these options consideration. Whether they act to do so is an open question." MIKE O'ROURKE, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST, JONES TRADING: "It should be clear that after more than a week into the banking panic, and two interventions organised by the authorities, this problem is not going away. Quite the contrary, it has gone global. The reports that UBS is acquiring Credit Suisse will likely magnify Credit Suisse's problems by moving them to UBS. "The prime concern of every bank for the immediate future is preventing deposit flight. It should be clear that the most expedient and effective solution to this crisis is an expansion and modernisation of the FDIC deposit insurance regime. It has become vastly apparent that the banking industry and its regulators were not prepared for a banking crisis in the instantaneous information era." CHRIS MARINAC, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH, JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT: "This (CS/UBS deal) is a transaction designed to clear the market so European credit access can move forward. The Credit Suisse issues are not new and needed to be resolved years ago. Thank goodness something finally happened." JOHANN SCHOLTZ, EQUITY ANALYST AT MORNINGSTAR, COVERING EUROPEAN BANKS, AMSTERDAM: "Under normal circumstances, I would say it is an absolutely fantastic deal for UBS, but in the current environment it is a bit more complicated as there is a lot of uncertainty generally in the markets. One big fear would be that some of the concerns about Credit Suisse just spill to UBS. "Some area of concern, which we need more clarity, is the extent of the outflows from Credit Suisse and also the restructuring costs that UBS will incur. I think they will be able to offset restructuring costs against large negative goodwill that they created through this deal. "The franchise of Credit Suisse is worth much more than the price UBS is paying for it, so I think Credit Suisse shareholders will actually feel a little bit of grief. "In the past, when a deal between Credit Suisse and UBS was discussed, a sticking point would be concentration, especially in the domestic market. An IPO of the domestic unit now is obviously an option for UBS, but it is also the most stable part of the business that generates quite a lot of cash. If UBS is not required to do an IPO of it, it could make sense for them to keep it. There are lots of synergies." JONATHAN MACEY, PROFESSOR OF CORPORATE LAW, CORPORATE FINANCE AND SECURITIES LAW, YALE UNIVERSITY: "The lack of (a) shareholder vote reflects the dire condition of Credit Suisse and indicates how much time pressure the banks and the regulators were under to get this deal done in light of the huge outflows of funds from Credit Suisse since late 2022. About $17 billion of a bonds known as AT1s will be written off in this deal, which reflects a significant haircut for non-depositor creditors. "Under Swiss law, UBS would have had to give shareholders six weeks to consider the acquisition, which was far too much time under the circumstances. Also, given the discount in the merger price to the market price of Credit Suisse's stock, there was a real chance that shareholders would not have approved the transaction." BRIAN JACOBSEN, SENIOR INVESTMENT STRATEGIST AT ALLSPRING GLOBAL INVESTMENTS, U.S.: "It seems like a very large and decisive intervention. Provided markets don't sniff out other lingering problems, I'd think this should be pretty positive. Governments are intent on snuffing out the spark of contagion before the flames get out of control. "The CS/UBS deal should be good enough to improve sentiment, but there will still be lingering questions about regional banks in the U.S. and whether there are hidden risks in European banks. There is always something to worry about." MICHAEL ROSEN, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, ANGELES INVESTMENTS, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: "The UBS-CS deal is the best solution the market could have hoped for. CS shareholders are essentially wiped out, and some (AT1) bondholders will be wiped out, but the basic functioning of the banking system was protected. "Bank stocks should rally on the news, but it is premature to signal all-clear. Monetary tightening has eviscerated bank margins, and a reversal of tight monetary policy is not possible with inflation significantly, and stubbornly, higher than target. More broadly, and more importantly, tight monetary policy and a fragility in the banking system raise the risks of recession, thus contributing to more fragility in the banking sector. "Markets may celebrate the rescue of CS, but it will be a short celebration." OCTAVIO MARENZI, CEO, OPIMAS, VIENNA: "Switzerland's standing as a financial centre is shattered the country will now be viewed as a financial banana republic. "The Credit Suisse debacle will have serious ramifications for other Swiss financial institutions. A country-wide reputation with prudent financial management, sound regulatory oversight, and, frankly, for being somewhat dour and boring regarding investments, has been wiped away. "This deal is bound to generate legal and political resistance. First, the Federal Council has made use of emergency powers to force this merger through. A legal challenge by Credit Suisse shareholders, who will claim that their property has been illegally confiscated, is guaranteed. "UBS shareholders, for their part, could well revolt against this deal, seeing a risk that Credit Suisse could prove to be a millstone around UBS' neck that will drag both banks under. Secondly, the guarantees are bound to be challenged politically through Switzerland's system of direct democracy getting the necessary 100,000 signatures to put this deal to a vote of the people will happen in a matter of days." MARCHEL ALEXANDROVICH, EUROPEAN ECONOMIST, SALTMARSH ECONOMICS, LONDON: "Central banks are stepping in and the SNB (Swiss National Bank) is offering to provide liquidity if needed. There's also fiscal policy, so policymakers are doing their bit. "The ECB will be hoping that this draws a line under the events of the last 10 days and concern about financing conditions start to stabilise and ease. "If you come in and see markets have taken this well, we should see a pricing in of further rate increases. "If they don't take it well, then the views on the ECB will not shift and potentially if the crisis continues focus, will be on what the ECB can to alleviate this." HOLGER SCHMIEDING, CHIEF ECONOMIST, BERENBERG, LONDON: "They've (Swiss authorities) seen a problem, are dealing with it and that's a very positive sign for markets. "That doesn't meant that it's all over but there's no need to panic. The relief for market is that systemic risk is contained." (Reporting by the finance and markets team, Carolina Mandl in New York, Ross Kerber in Boston; Compiled by Dhara Ranasinghe, Megan Davies and Anshuman Daga; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Jamie Freed and Jacqueline Wong) (Reuters) - Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter was determined to present the deal for UBS to buy Credit Suisse as no bailout but the best possible solution to a difficult situation. Keller-Sutter, who said she held a Credit Suisse bank account, said the worst case had been avoided. "This is no bailout. This is a commercial solution because UBS is taking over Credit Suisse," she told a press conference in Bern. "The bankruptcy of Credit Suisse would have had a huge collateral damage - on the Swiss financial market also internationally," she said. She said she had been in contact with "colleagues from the UK and USA" who were "very grateful for this solution because they really feared that there could be a bankruptcy of Credit Suisse with all the losses." Swiss National Bank Chairman Thomas Jordan said it was vital that a solution had been found quickly. The central bank helped by providing 100 billion Swiss francs ($108 billion) in liquidity assistance. "Credit Suisse is classified as a global systemically important bank due to its size and global network," he told reporters. "The solution we have now ensures that the systemically important function remains secure." UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher, who will lead the combined entity as chairman, described the deal as a great opportunity, although there was lots of work to do. "We will be de-risking a lot of those tricky businesses that we are inheriting from Credit Suisse," he told reporters. He said it was far too early to discuss job cuts at Credit Suisse, but he was very positive about Credit Suisse's Swiss business. "It is a fine asset that we are very determined to keep," Kelleher said. His upbeat tone contrasted with Credit Suisse Chairman Axel Lehmann, who was emotional when he spoke about the demise of 167-year-old Credit Suisse as an independent bank. "Today is a historic, sad and very challenging day," he said. Story continues The bank had been caught by old burdens which had materialised, he said. "It's an accumulation of things that have built up over many, many years, and, in total, the barrel has burst," Lehmann said. (Reporting by Paul Carrel and Kirsti Knolle, writing by John Revill, editing by Chris Reese) LONDON (AP) Leon Edwards retained his welterweight title Saturday, beating challenger Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 by majority decision. Judges scored the trilogy fight at the O2 Arena in London 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 in favor of the Jamaican-born Brit, who landed the cleaner blows as their third fight went the distance. Edwards made an encouraging start, connecting with two heavy body kicks in the opening round. The 31-year-old Edwards greater speed unsettled Usman, but the challenger took Edwards down briefly in round two before both fighters traded some heavy blows. Usman grappled Edwards to the floor again early in the third and the latter was docked a point for grabbing the fence. A similar pattern unfolded in the fourth, which was just as tight, with Edwards looking to keep his distance as Usman tried to get in close. Edwards evaded two more takedown attempts in the final round and caught Usman with an uppercut, but took a hit to the body as his title defense went down to the wire. Edwards had ended Usmans long reign as champion with a kick to the Nigerian's head and neck in the fifth round in Salt Lake City in August in UFC 278. This was their third meeting, more than seven years after the first fight won by Usman. I think I did enough to win the fight, the 35-year-old Usman told BT Sport after Saturday's defeat. Im not done. Usman called Edwards a great champion. American Justin Gaethje beat Rafael Fiziev in the lightweight category by majority decision, 29-28, 29-28, 28-28. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports The drama was high on the Tulare Lake bed Saturday as flood waters pushed some landowners to resort to heavy-handed and, in one instance, illegal tactics to try and keep their farm ground dry even at the expense of other farmers and some small communities. Someone illegally cut the banks of Deer Creek in the middle of the night, causing water to rush toward the tiny town of Allensworth. The levee protecting Corcoran had its own protection as an armed guard patrolled the structure to keep it safe. At the south end of the old lake bed, the J.G. Boswell Company had workers drag a piece of heavy equipment onto the banks of its Homeland Canal to prevent any cuts that would drain Poso Creek water onto Boswell land. And a tense political battle ended Saturday afternoon with the Kings County Board of Supervisors voting to cut a levee on Boswells land to relieve building pressure from the Tule River. A call to a Boswell representative on Saturday wasnt returned in time for this story. Its just the beginning. This is just a baby flood compared to what well see later this spring, predicted Jack Mitchell, head of the Deer Creek Flood Control District. Thats when the states historic snowpack will run off the mountains and barrel into the valley like a freight train. Rush to the lake bottom While residents of small towns east of Highway 99 endured damage from ferocious flooding that began March 10 under the regions first of several atmospheric river storms, flood waters wreak a slightly different kind of havoc the further west they go. Thats because of the old Tulare Lake, once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and the San Joaquin Valleys low spot. It was drained more than 100 years ago by what has become the powerful Boswell farming empire. And rivers that fed the lake were mostly tamed by dams, including Pine Flat Dam on the Kings River, Terminus Dam, which holds back the Kaweah River, and Schafer Dam on the Tule River. Story continues A swollen Deer Creek, foreground, has washed out a bridge along Road 88, at the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge seen northeast of Allensworth State Park Saturday afternoon, March 18, 2023. In historically wet years like 2023 has turned out to be, the dams cant hold back those rivers entirely. And uncontrolled streams, meaning they arent dammed, pile on to the action. Those include the Poso Creek out of Kern County, White River and Deer Creek in Tulare County and Mill Creek in Fresno County, which dumps into the Kings River. They all have the same destination the Tulare Lake bed. Over the decades, farmers, including Boswell, have erected a complex system of levees and canals to try and stem the flows and redirect them to flood cells or channel them north, eventually to the ocean. But when the water is ripping, as it is now, theres no way to build a moat around the lake bed to save cropland, as one observer said. That reality hasnt stopped some folks from trying. A dastardly cut The day started early for Deer Creeks Jack Mitchell, who headed out to check the creeks flow at 2:30 a.m. When hed left it Friday, the creek was flowing well and keeping in its banks, at least through his district. But Mitchell found a sheet of water where it shouldnt be. He immediately phoned Kayode Kadara, a community leader in the small town of Allensworth, to let him know water was headed toward town. His second call was to farmer Chad Gorzeman who rushed out, his bulldozer in tow, and found the breach. After a full day of work and getting a dozer stuck, the hole was mostly closed using a combination of lots and lots of dirt and several wrecked cars. An excavator drops rock and dirt to stop the breach in the levee along Deer Creek Saturday afternoon, March 18, 2023. Dushan Duke Puharich, senior safety officer with Siller Helicopters Incorporated, walks away as a helicopter prepares to lift a large bag of sand, gravel and aggregate to drop on the levee break along Deer Creek Saturday afternoon, March 18, 2023. Gorzeman discovered that someone had purposely cut the banks at the Road 88 crossing. He found muddy tracks from heavy equipment leading away from the hole and toward an equipment yard in Earlimart. Sum bitch, said a clearly stunned Mitchell. Aint that somethin? Law enforcement was called, but Mitchell had other disasters waiting. Flood control whack-a-mole He was dismayed to find a massive land plane, heavy equipment used to scrape the earth, had been placed by Boswell workers on the banks of the Homeland Canal, where it meets a channel that funnels Poso Creek waters into the southern portion of Tulare Lake bed. If the equipment stays, the Deer Creek Flood district, which also maintains portions of Poso Creek and White River, cant cut the Homeland to let Poso water flood north. Instead, that water will overtop the channel and spread out west and east eventually swamping Allensworth and Alpaugh. You cant hardly believe it sometimes, he said of the canal bank antics. Unsuccessful at getting anyone from Boswell Company to meet with him or even answer his calls, Mitchell opted to cut the Poso channel as it approaches the lake bed onto pasture land in order to break the pressure and buy some time. Thisll give us maybe a few days, he told Kadara, who stood with a small crowd of townspeople eager for information about what was coming their way. But I need help, the 83-year-old Mitchell said, sounding worn and frazzled. The ugly and the kind Kadara and his wife, Denise Kadara, who sits on the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, started working their phones trying for state senators, assistants to Gov. Gavin Newsom, anyone they could find at a high level to try and get that land plane moved off the canal. Its justI cant understand it. Its just so ugly to do this to people, to a whole community, Denise Kadara said. A few minutes later, Kayode Kadara got a call and announced to the crowd that the farmer across Highway 43 from Allensworth had said if they had the machinery, the townspeople were welcome to divert the White River onto his land. Several men immediately took off on ATVs to assess the situation and start work on the diversion. Kayode Kadara was grateful for the kind gesture and hopeful the townspeople could make it work. This is a very tight community, he said. Water will find its way Other parts of Kings County could see relief from backed-up flood waters as the Kings County Board of Supervisors voted during another special meeting on Saturday to cut a levee on Boswell land where the Tule and South Fork of the Kings rivers meet. Boswell representatives had argued to fill the fringes of the lake first, where Boswell has built massive flood cells over the years. But other farmers and residents disagreed, arguing to fill the lake from the bottom up, said Supervisor Doug Verboon. Let the water run downhill was a common refrain from numerous residents at special Board of Supervisors meetings over the past week, according to meeting minutes. Orchards are seen flooded near the levee break along Deer Creek, Saturday afternoon, March 18, 2023. Ultimately, the board agreed issuing a proclamation that Levee 749 on Boswells land would be cut at its highest point, though it wasnt stated when that would happen. Meanwhile, in Corcoran, the towns western levee was under armed patrol, according to Joe Faulkner, the citys Public Works director, who told the Board of Supervisors at a March 15 special meeting on the floods that the guard was there to keep it from being touched. Dustin Fuller, head of the Cross Creek Flood Control District, which owns the levee, said the guard is mostly just another pair of eyes to make sure everything is operating as it should. Though the floods have been hectic, Fuller said water is being managed well. Theres just an astounding amount of water, he said. And another storm is expected to hit later this week. SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site dedicated to covering water in the San Joaquin Valley. KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) Britains government said Sunday that it could start deporting asylum-seekers to Rwanda in the next few months but only if U.K. courts rule that the controversial policy is legal. The Home Office said it was aiming to start flights before the summer, as Home Secretary Suella Braverman visited the east African country to reinforce the Conservative governments commitment to the plan. In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, she met with President Paul Kagame and Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, visited accommodation intended to house deportees from the U.K. and laid a brick at another housing development for migrants. "I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing firsthand the rich opportunities this country can provide to relocated people through our partnership, Braverman said. Biruta said Rwanda would offer migrants the opportunity to build new lives in a safe, secure place through accommodation, education and vocational training. The U.K. and Rwanda struck a deal almost a year ago under which some migrants who arrive in the U.K. in small boats would be flown to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would be processed. Those granted asylum would stay in Rwanda rather than return to Britain. The U.K. government argues the policy will smash the business model of people-smuggling gangs and deter migrants from taking risky journeys across the English Channel. More than 45,000 people arrived in Britain by boat in 2022, compared with 8,500 in 2020. But the 140 million-pound ($170 million) plan is mired in legal challenges, and no one has yet been sent to Rwanda. In December, the High Court ruled the policy was legal, but a group of asylum-seekers from countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria has been granted permission to appeal. Human rights groups cite Rwandas poor human rights record, and argue it's inhumane to send people more than 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) to a country they dont want to live in. The government also has drafted legislation barring anyone who arrives in the U.K. in small boats or by other unauthorized means from applying for asylum. If passed by Parliament, the Illegal Migration Bill would compel the government to detain all such arrivals and deport them to their homeland or a "safe third country such as Rwanda. Story continues The U.N. refugee agency says the law breaches U.K. commitments under the international refugee convention. Braverman faces criticism for inviting only selected media on her taxpayer-funded trip to Rwanda. Journalists from right-leaning outlets including The Times and The Telegraph newspapers and television channel GB News were invited, while the BBC and the left-leaning Guardian newspaper werent. ___ Follow APs coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration DHAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh has launched a project for talent development, donating the first smart classroom with the latest smart education solution from Huawei to a Bangladeshi college. Chandpur Government Technical School and College in Chandpur district, about 115 km southeast of the capital Dhaka, received the classroom. Addressing the inaugural ceremony Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that the Chinese government has regarded education as one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation, and the embassy will work to provide more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to study in China. Commending the initiative, Bangladeshi Education Minister Dipu Moni said the smart classroom will enable enhanced learning experience for students, equipping them with crucial information and communication technology skills. (Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg President Vladimir Putin flew into the occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol in Donetsk. The unannounced trip, which wasnt planned in advance, came hours after he visited Crimea for reunification events marking the 9th anniversary of Russias annexation of the peninsula. The Russian leaders first visit to an area newly occupied by Russia during its year-long war and the site of one of the deadliest battles came after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on Friday, citing his alleged role in unlawfully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. Kids from Mariupol are believed to be among those transported to Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping will start a three-day state visit to Russia on Monday. The grain export deal thats allowed Ukraine to ship from key Black Sea ports was renewed on Saturday, hours before it was due to expire. (See RSAN on the Bloomberg Terminal for the Russian Sanctions Dashboard.) Key Developments EU Seeks to Send Ukraine 1 Million Artillery Shells Over a Year Putin Makes Surprise Visit to Occupied City of Mariupol Xis Embrace of Putin Dents His Chances as Peacemaker on Ukraine Ukraine Grain Deal Renewed, Clearing Way for Continued Exports (All times CET) EU Plan Seeks 1 Million Artillery Rounds for Ukraine (1:35 a.m.) European Union countries are poised to agree on providing Ukraine with 1 million artillery rounds over the next year. Foreign and defense ministers are expected on Monday to back spending 1 billion ($1.1 billion) from its European Peace Facility for EU countries to jointly buy ammunition, according to people familiar with the matter. Story continues Putin Praises Xi Ahead of Meeting (10:04 p.m.) Vladimir Putin praised Xi Jinpings approach to resolving the war in Ukraine as well-balanced ahead of the Chinese presidents visit to Russia this week. In an article published on the Kremlin website, Putin reiterated that he blames the West for provoking his invasion of Ukraine and said Russia remains open to a political and diplomatic resolution. In return, Russian state media published an article by Xi in which he said China had been constructive in mitigating spillover of the war and facilitating a political settlement and that there is no simple solution to a complex issue. Xi called his visit to Russia a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace. Votes Being Counted in Kazakh Election (6 p.m.) Kazakhs voted in early parliamentary elections on Sunday in what President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called the final stage of a government reset in response to deadly riots last year. Although Tokayev asked President Vladimir Putin for help to crush those protests, he hasnt backed Russia in its war with Ukraine in return looking instead to strengthen ties to the European Union. Read more: Kazakh Polls Close as President Awaits a Loyal Parliament Serbias Leader Questions Wisdom of Arrest Warrant for Putin (2:52 p.m.) Accusing Vladimir Putin of war crimes and issuing an International Criminal Court arrest warrant risks further escalating the war in Ukraine and reducing chances for a peace deal, said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Who are you going to talk to then? after a move that further isolates Putin, said Vucic whose government has condemned the invasion of Ukraine but declined to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin. Saving lives and achieving piece is much more important, he told reporters in Belgrade. Vucic also said Russia cant be defeated in a few months or a year. Zelenskiy Congratulates Xi on Reelection (12:58 p.m.) Volodymyr Zelenskiy sent a congratulatory message to Xi Jinping after he secured a third term as Chinese president earlier this month, Chinas state broadcaster reported. Kyiv attaches great importance to friendly relations with China, the Ukrainian president was cited as saying by China Central Television. Chinas leader is headed to Russia for a three-day state visit that starts Monday, and is widely expected to hold a phone conversation with Zelenskiy after that. Kremlin Releases 40-Minute Video of Putin in Mariupol (11 a.m.) The Kremlin released a 40-minute video of Russian President Vladimir Putin driving around Mariupol in an SUV at night in a highly-classified trip that wasnt planned in advance. Putin was shown visiting a new apartment block, where he stood in a playground surrounded by bodyguards while an official showed him photographs of reconstruction works. Later, Putin was shown meeting with local people in the Nevsky district, who told him how grateful they were for Russias victory. One man invited Putin to his apartment and the Russian president made a brief visit. The Kremlin said Putin inspected the coastline in the area of the yacht club, although no footage was provided. Xi Heads to Russia, His Chances of Peacemaker Dented by Putin Embrace (7 a.m.) Xi Jinping will deliver a strong message of support for Vladimir Putin with his three-day visit to Moscow this week, even as he pitches Beijings proposals for brokering an end to the Russian leaders war in Ukraine. The trip marks Xis most ambitious effort yet to weigh into Europes bloodiest conflict since the Second World War, and will be followed by his first conversation with Ukraines president since Putins invasion. Read more: Xis Embrace of Putin Dents His Chances as Peacemaker on Ukraine Putin Makes Surprise Visit to Occupied Ukrainian City (6 a.m.) Putin traveled by helicopter into Mariupol on the Sea of Azov in southern Donetsk province, the Kremlin said. The Russian leaders unannounced visit - his first since Russia invaded Ukraine a year ago and later claimed to have annexed four provinces - followed his appearance in Crimea. Putin reviewed construction and restoration work in Mariupol, Tass said. An official video showed Putin driving a car through streets at night. The location cant be verified. Much of the city, which had a pre-war population of about 450,000, was laid to waste in one of the bloodiest battles of Russias war. The visit comes almost exactly a year after a Russian missile strike on the Mariupol Drama Theater on March 16, 2022, killed hundreds of people sheltering inside. Amnesty International has labeled the theater strike a clear war crime. Ukraine estimates that 20,000 civilians died during Russias months-long siege. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Vladimir Putin's trip to Mariupol in Ukraine was "spontaneous", the Kremlin has insisted, after the Russian leader drove himself through the city in a suprise visit. "It was all very spontaneous," Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, told reporters, referring to Putin's first trip to the annexed territory since the conflict began last year. "Movements around the city were not planned either," nor was his meeting with local residents, he added. Mr Putin met residents who praised the rebuilding of the city in what appeared to be carefully choreographed meet-and-greet. The Russian president arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the city's memorial sites, concert hall and coastline, according to Russian state media. Mykhaylo Podolyak, the Ukrainian presidential aide, said: "The criminal always returns to the crime scene... the murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city and (its) graves. Cynicism and lack of remorse." 05:03 PM And that's all for today... Here is a summary of today's top stories. Vladimir Putin drove himself through Mariupol, the city he bombed into the ground, in a show of strength as he prepared to meet Xi Jinping in Moscow with a war crimes arrest warrant hanging over him. Mykhaylo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said Putin's visit to the devastated city was tantamount to a perpetrator returning to the scene of the crime. Three civilians were killed and two wounded in Russian shelling of a residential building in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday, regional officials said. Thank you for following today's liveblog. Please follow along tomorrow for all the latest updates on Ukraine. 04:40 PM Three civilians killed in Russian shelling of Zaporizhzhia region Three civilians were killed and two wounded in Russian shelling of a residential building in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia on Sunday, regional officials said. Story continues The region's military administration said Russian troops fired grad rockets at the small village of Kamyanske which had a pre-war population of some 2,600 people. The authorities warned residents in the region that the danger of shelling was constant near the front lines and urged them to evacuate. 04:33 PM Russia tries to boost its flagging army by changing conscription age range The Kremlin wants to shift the age of army conscripts to boost the number of combat personnel under its command to 1.5 million. The age bracket for conscription will be moved from 17-27 to 21-30 in order to close a loophole used by students to avoid conscription, according to the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). Many 18 to 21-year-old men currently claim exemption from the draft due to being in higher education, it said. Read the full story from James Kilner here 04:12 PM Pictured: Emergency service workers extinguish a fire in a house after a Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka Emergency service workers extinguish a fire in a house after a Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine - Anadolu Agency/Anadolu 03:28 PM Is this the man in America turning the Ukraine war for Vladimir Putin? "Ukraine is not a democracy," Tucker Carlson told viewers tuning into his Fox News show in late February, 2022 as Russian tanks rolled towards the Ukrainian border. "Its a colony with a puppet regime essentially managed by the US State Department." It is not clear if the popular television host had tuned into President Vladimir Putins national address a day earlier, but the talking points were near-identical. Since Russia's invasion, Mr Carlson has advocated forcefully for the dismantling of Nato and repeatedly amplified Kremlin messaging to his some three million viewers, earning him the nickname Putins parrot. Read more from Josie Ensor here 03:04 PM Defiant Vladimir Putin drives himself around the Mariupol streets he bombed to the ground Vladimir Putin drove himself through Mariupol, the city he bombed into the ground, in a show of strength as he prepared to meet Xi Jinping in Moscow with a war crimes arrest warrant hanging over him. The Russian leader capped a weekend of surprise visits to occupied territory by visiting the only major city captured from Ukraine in a snub to the West ahead of a two-day summit with the Chinese president starting on Monday. On his first visit to territory captured by his army last year, the Russian president met residents of a rebuilt apartment block and toured a reconstructed orchestra hall. Read the full story from James Kilner here 02:39 PM South Africa aware of legal obligations regarding Putin visit South Africa is aware of its legal obligation, a spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday, referring to a proposed visit by Vladimir Putin after an international court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader. Russian President Putin was expected to visit South Africa in August to attend a BRICS summit. "We are, as the government, cognisant of our legal obligation. However, between now and the summit we will remain engaged with various relevant stakeholders," spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said. While there has been no official confirmation of Putin's visit, he has been expected to attend the 15th BRICS summit, as he did in 2013. 02:13 PM Pictured: A dog sits while children receive support kits from 'The NGO Day in Action' at the village of Krushivka A dog sits while children receive support kits from 'The NGO Day in Action' at the village of Krushivka in Kharkiv, Ukraine - Anadolu/Anadolu 01:45 PM Serbian president criticizes ICC arrest warrant for Putin Issuing an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin will have negative consequences and will only prolong the war in Ukraine, Serbias president said Sunday. The International Criminal Court issued the warrant for the Russian leader on Friday, accusing him of war crimes. The ICC accused him of bearing personal responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine during Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbor that started almost 13 months ago. But Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic, who had in the past boasted about his personal relation with the Russian leader, criticized the courts decision. I think issuing an arrest warrant for Putin, not to go into legal matters, will have bad political consequences and it says that there is a great reluctance to talk about peace (and) about truce in Ukraine, Vucic told reporters in Belgrade. 12:55 PM 'The criminal always returns to the crime scene' The criminal always returns to the crime scene. As the civilized world announces the arrest of the "war director" (VV Putin) in case of crossing its borders, the murderer of thousands of Mariupol families came to admire the ruins of the city & graves. Cynicism & lack of remorse. (@Podolyak_M) March 19, 2023 12:35 PM Putin visited Mariupol at night 'as befits a thief' President Vladimir Putin's surprise visit to the port city of Mariupol, which fell under Russian control last year, took place during the night "as befits a thief", Ukraine's defence ministry has said. "As befits a thief, Putin visited Ukrainian Mariupol, under the cover of night. First, it is safer. Also, darkness allows him to highlight what he wants to show, and keeps the city his army completely destroyed and its few surviving inhabitants away from prying eyes," the ministry said on Twitter. 12:02 PM Pictured: The destroyed dome of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow The dome of the Orthodox Church of the Holy Mother of God Joy of All Who Sorrow lies next to its building, destroyed as a result of shelling in the village of Bohorodychne - VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA/VSM/ 11:42 AM Kremlin says Putin visit to Mariupol was 'spontaneous' The Kremlin said Sunday that President Vladimir Putin's trip to Mariupol in Ukraine was "spontaneous" after the surprise visit to the embattled port city over the weekend. "It was all very spontaneous," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, referring to Putin's first trip to the city since the conflict began last year. "Movements around the city were not planned either," nor was his meeting with local residents, he added. 11:24 AM Xi heads to Russia on Monday President Xi Jinping will head to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker. Announcing the trip Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks". "Stopping the war is everyone's wish, given Europe stands to lose such a lot and the United States may not be able to support Ukraine for as long as it thinks it can," said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Beijing's Renmin University of China. "China can put forth its views on both sides - it can say it is a trusted friend of both Ukraine and Russia. I think this is very significant." 11:04 AM Mariupol's exiled city council blasts visit by 'international criminal' Putin The exiled city council of Ukraine's Mariupol on Sunday blasted the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the embattled port city that fell under Moscow's control last year after a long siege. "The international criminal Putin visited occupied Mariupol. He watched the 'rebuilding of the city'... at night. Probably in order not to see the city, killed by his 'liberation', in the light of day," the city council said on its Telegram account. 10:53 AM Trip to Mariupol in darkness Putin's trip to Mariupol took place in darkness. State TV showed him at the wheel of a car, driving through the city in the company of his deputy prime minister, Khusnullin, and being briefed in detail on the rebuilding of housing, bridges, hospitals, transport routes and a concert hall. State media said he visited a new residential neighbourhood that had been built by Russian military with the first people moving in last September. "Do you live here? Do you like it?" Putin was shown asking residents. "Very much. It's a little piece of heaven that we have here now," a woman replied, clasping her hands and thanking Putin for "the victory". Residents have been "actively" returning, Khusnullin told Putin. 10:27 AM Pictured: Putin in Mariupol On a visit to Mariupol, Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, left, at the Mariupol theatre - POOL Russian TV/POOL Russian TV Vladimir Putin, escorted by Marat Khusnullin, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, visits the theatre in Mariupol - POOL Russian TV/POOL Russian TV On a surprise visit to Mariupol, Russian President Vladimir Putin talks with local residents during his trip - POOL Russian TV/POOL Russian TV 10:14 AM Putin in Mariupol Putin arrived in Mariupol by helicopter and then drove himself around the citys memorial sites, concert hall and coastline, Russian news reports said, without specifying exactly when the visit took place. They said Putin also met with local residents in the citys Nevskyi district. Speaking to the state RIA agency Sunday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnulin made clear that Russia was in Mariupol to stay. He said the government hoped to finish the reconstruction of its blasted downtown by the end of the year. People have started to return. When they saw that reconstruction is under way, people started actively returning, Khusnulin told RIA. 09:58 AM Latest MoD update General Colonel Mikhail Teplinsky has likely been dismissed as one of Russia's top commanders in Ukraine, the MoD has said. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 19 March 2023. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/6px8VoJGNP #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/QlZt6nxLdx Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) March 19, 2023 09:39 AM Pictured: Emergency service workers extinguish a fire in a house after a Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka Emergency service workers extinguish a fire in a house after a Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine - Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency 09:20 AM Russian teachers and parents resisting Kremlin's attempts to brainwash children When Maria, an English teacher at a prestigious private school outside Moscow, first heard that the Education Ministry was introducing a new weekly class to promote the Kremlins world view, she was appalled. The Talking about Whats Important sessions were initially intended to extol the virtues of Russias invasion of Ukraine among other things when they were launched last year. However, they have since been watered down to revolve around more innocuous subjects such as Russias greatest scientists or national holidays, according to lesson plans seen by The Telegraph. Read the full story from Nataliya Vasilyeva here 09:18 AM Two killed and 10 wounded in eastern Ukraine Russian strikes killed two people and wounded 10 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Saturday, a regional governor said, accusing Moscow of using cluster bombs in the attack. Pavlo Kyrylenko, governor of Donetsk region - where Kramatorsk is located - said on his official Telegram channel that Russian forces had targeted a park and damaged "a dozen residential buildings", and fired "cluster munitions". "They purposefully hit the city, trying to kill as many of its civilians as possible," Kyrylenko said. 09:16 AM Good morning Good morning and welcome to today's Ukraine liveblog. We will be guiding you through all the latest developments on Ukraine. On Sunday, Ukrainian border guards repelled 4 Russian assaults in Bakhmut, killing five occupiers and injuring nine. Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Quote: "The enemy forces tried to attack the strongholds of the border guards in Bakhmut four times. The Wagnerites tried to approach the positions inconspicuously. But our defenders met them with fire because all the manoeuvres of the attack aircraft were monitored from a drone. The border guards cleared the front edge of the defence from grenade launchers and small arms. Losses of the occupiers [totaled] five killed and nine injured." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! TETIANA DENYSENKO SUNDAY, 19 MARCH 2023 The National Guard of Ukraine has shared the story of the rescue of service dogs evacuated from Luhansk Oblast by border guard cynology experts from the temporarily occupied city of Rubizhne. Vadym, Head of the dog training service, has been training service dogs since 2005. He has served in the 15th Sloviansk Regiment of the National Guard since 2020. He has been through fierce combat in the battles for Rubizhne, Kreminna, Sievierodonetsk, Lyman and other settlements. Vadym was in Rubizhne at the beginning of the full-scale invasion by Russia. The National Guard also posted a photo of one of the rescued dogs. Vadym, the head of the dog training service, with his rescued dog. Photo by the National Guard "From the very first day, we started acting as part of the reconnaissance and fought against enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups that tried to operate in our rear," the guardsman recalls. As he states, it was difficult because he was responsible for the lives of his personnel and the service dogs, which remained in their cages at that time. The soldiers lost two service dogs in an artillery shelling. The operational situation in Luhansk Oblast was deteriorating every day. A National Guard member with his four-legged friend. Photo by the National Guard "We decided to evacuate all of our four-legged companions to a safe place as such intense fighting and bombardments did not make it possible to use them effectively," Vadym said. The service dogs have been brought back to Sloviansk to restore their combat capability. They are now being used again in stabilisation efforts, searching for people who were injured or trapped under the rubble, as well as explosives and weapons. Soldier Vadym and a service dog who was rescued from the fighting in Luhansk Oblast. Photo by the National Guard The National Guard member also resumed working with service dogs. He takes part in special professional training for dog cynology experts. Vadym is also involved in selecting service dogs for the 15th Sloviansk Regiment's dog training service, which takes place in several stages and includes an assessment of the animals' qualities and abilities to work in canine units. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! NEAR BAKHMUT, UKRAINE Russian forces spearheaded by the infamous Wagner private military group are steadily wearing down the last holdouts in the city of Bakhmut, with the nearly encircled Ukrainians taking heavy casualties and running out of firepower, after a monthslong fight. British and American legionnaires with Ukraines International Legion who just left Bakhmut tell Military Times that Ukrainian forces lack the basics mechanized vehicles and artillery ammunition to keep up the fight, with the Russians slowly squeezing the city in a north-south pincer movement. But Ukraines high command refuses to abandon the city, counting on the grinding warfare to bleed Russian manpower and materiel, kneecapping any wider Russian spring offensive. Indeed, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reports that Russian forces havent even managed to cross the river that partitions Bakhmut, and nor do Russians appear to have the combat power to expand further westward beyond the besieged city. Bakhmut must stand said Sam, a 37-year-old former U.S. Marine gunner with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, echoing determined Ukrainian officials. Speaking to Military Times near Konstantinovka, outside of Bakhmut, the veteran acknowledged heavy losses defending the city, including his units translator and senior officer, but said it has symbolic significance. To keep holding Bakhmut, the Ukrainian troops need to be resupplied, fast. Troops complain that they have so little ammunition that artillery units are forced to pick and choose which fellow troops under fire to help. The soldiers said Ukraines military leadership may be hoarding shells for the upcoming larger offensive, griping that shows plummeting morale. That frustration is what drove troops to speak out, most only giving first names or asking to remain anonymous, for fear their commanders would censure them for their criticism. Ukrainian defense officials did not respond to requests for comment, as their troops fight on, staving off a rout of Bakhmut, for now. Story continues Ukrainian servicemen who recently returned from the trenches of Bakhmut walk on a street in Chasiv Yar March 8. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Six miles from the front Chasiv Yar, a small town about six miles west of the besieged city, hosts an unknown number of Ukrainian artillery pieces hidden throughout the town, their blasts of fire reverberating through the nearly empty streets, in support of Ukrainian forces miles away. Sergey Chaus, the head of Chasiv Yars civilian and military administration, bluntly described the situation in the town as stably fucked. Speaking frankly about the military situation, he reflected on the towns importance to the operation around Bakhmut. The town is essential because its practically the only road into Bakhmut and would be an important lifeline to safety should Ukrainian forces pull back westward. With Russians focusing on Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar is spared from the volume of shelling that Bakhmut withstands, though the city is far from safe. Russian incoming happens all the time, Chaus said, adding that a volley from a Russian Grad multiple rocket launcher pummeled apartments throughout the town earlier last week. Alexsandr, a Ukrainian combat medic near Konstantinovka, said the fighting around Bakhmut is like 2014. A tattoo on his hand includes a drawing of a syringe and the word HOPE. (Caleb Larson/Special to Military Times) In Konstantinovka to the southwest, a Ukrainian combat medic named Alexsander said hes treating trauma caused by bullets and shrapnel, and a high number of concussions, the kind of wounds caused by nearby explosions that are invisible but nonetheless debilitating. The fighting around Bakhmut is like 2014, Alexsander said, a reference to this conflicts early years in the east after the Russians seized Crimea and kept marching toward the Donbas. Front lines froze into a World War I-style battle of attrition fought from static, dug-in positions. Besides basic emergency first-aid like applying tourniquets, blood transfusions and stitches, there is little more he can do in the field to save Ukraines wounded. On his hand, a tattoo of a syringe reads HOPE in bold lettering. He wishes he had more advanced medical treatment options to give the injured more than hope. Russian manpower reserves are, if not of a high caliber, deep. Armed with little more than assault rifles and ammunition, waves of recently mobilized Russians bellycrawl from their lines through crater-pocked no-mans land toward Ukrainian forces arrayed in and around the beleaguered city. Alexsander added that Russian and Ukrainian forces sometimes fire at each other at point-blank range, directly shooting from trenches, which is a very different battle than during last summer, when troops often fought each other from a greater distance. Firing that close produces even more brutal injuries. Sergey Chaus heads the civilian and military administration in Chasiv Yar, a town in eastern Ukraine. It is essential, he said, because it's on the only direct road into Bakhmut and would be an important lifeline should Ukrainian forces pull back westward. (Caleb Larson/Special to Military Times) Green troops on all sides That close fight also means both sides are losing senior officers and troops with advanced training and expertise. Though Russias Wagner group was once a powerful presence on the battlefield, the recent injection of new conscripts and convicts from prisons across Russia has diluted the fighting forces potency. Russians sent to the front are often poorly trained and often must buy their own equipment. And the Ukrainians sent to replace their fallen and injured often have just two weeks basic training, a lack of preparation that partly helps to explain Ukraines heavy losses in Donbas. NATO-led training initiatives in Germany, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere across Europe, aim to raise multiple brigades of trained Ukrainian soldiers, but could take until mid to late summer to yield results. The British Defence Ministrys program will take roughly four months to turn out 10,000 soldiers. A Ukrainian soldier carries a portable anti-aircraft missile system in the area of the heaviest battles with the Russian invaders in Bakhmut, within the country's Donetsk region, March 15. (Roman Chop/AP) But even with that pipeline ramping up, Ukrainian officials worry that the longer the war goes on, they may be forced to throw increasingly untrained troops into the breach, arrayed against a country with a significantly larger population than Ukraine. Moscows ability to rapidly conscript and ship hundreds of thousands of men dwarfs Ukraines manpower reserves. High-tech equipment to help make up for that personnel disparity is pouring into Ukraine at a clip not seen since the start of the full-scale invasion. Speaking to reporters March 15, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated that NATO must supply Ukraine with the training, spare parts and maintenance support that Ukrainian soldiers need to use these new systems as soon as possible. That will help, but Marine Corps veteran Sam says the incoming Western tanks and other advanced equipment, arent a silver bullet. He and the other expats said Ukrainian forces also need just about everything, from specialized equipment like mine clearing hardware to more armored trucks, instead of the soft-skinned jeeps and passenger vans theyve scrounged into service after losing so many armored vehicles to Russian assault. Case in point: Eugene, a tall Virginian, spends his days working to keep a Nissan SUV running in a war zone. On Konstantinovkas outskirts, he pulls on a Marlboro and scratches at some dried blood caked on his face as he checks the fluid levels, lamenting that Something is rubbing one of the tires. Sam tried to end on a high note, insisting that Ukraine is slowly but surely transforming into a professionalized force equipped with NATO-standard weaponry, given sufficient time to integrate those weapons, expand training and leverage spare parts for NATO systems. But to hold the Russians off in the close, grinding fight of Bakhmut, they need the basics: ammunition, artillery shells and armored vehicles to fight on, or get out. In Donbas, Sam explained, every trench is its own battle. Ukrainian servicemen are seen along the frontline south of Bakhmut in the town of Toretsk, Ukraine on March 17, 2023. Anadolu Agency/GettyImages A Ukrainian soldier said troops from Russia's Wagner Group in Bakhmut seem like they are on drugs. No evidence has emerged to show that Russia or the Wagner Group provide their troops with drugs. Ukrainian soldiers have previously claimed that Russian troops seemed like "zombies." A Ukrainian soldier fighting in Bakhmut told The New York Times that his unit has sometimes wondered if fighters belonging to Russia's infamous Wagner Group are on drugs. While there's no evidence of that, it's not the first time Ukrainians have wondered aloud that the behavior of some Russian soldiers could be medically induced. The Wagner Group is a powerful Russian paramilitary unit that has emerged as a key ally in Russia's advance inside Ukraine. The group once sparked controversy when it offered convicted Russian prisoners freedom in return for fighting. Fighters from the Wagner group are notorious for storming frontline positions and enduring severe casualties. A retired US Marine estimated that the average life expectancy of a Wagner soldier on the frontlines in eastern Ukraine is just four hours. And a 48-year-old prison inmate who exchanged his freedom to serve in Russia's Wagner Group told the Wall Street Journal earlier this month that the group only trained him for three weeks and that he expected to die on his first mission. It's the kind of behavior that soldiers from Ukraine's Third Assault Brigade, which is now fighting the Wagner Group in the key eastern city of Bakhmut, believe could be the result of taking drugs. The unit's media officer told The New York Times that 10 to 15 Wagner fighters were advancing on their position, to their almost certain deaths, every day during the first month of fighting. "They are killed and they come again," he told The Times. "Our guys are wondering if they are on drugs. Otherwise, how can they go to certain death, stepping over the rotting corpses of their colleagues? You can go mad a bit." Story continues Ukrainians earlier speculated that Russian soldiers were taking drugs in November as winter began to make the fighting ever more miserable, telling AFP that Russian soldiers seemed like "zombies." "You shoot them and more come constantly," one soldier said, according to AFP. Another Ukrainian soldier told CNN in February that advancing Russian forces looked like a "zombie movie" as they climbed over "the corpses of their friends." "It looks like it's very, very likely that they are getting some drugs before attack," the soldier told CNN. While there's no evidence that fighters from the Wagner Group are taking drugs, there is a long history of drug-taking in conflict. During World War II, Nazi Germany administered amphetamines, which were touted as a "miracle product," according to TIME. Nazi soldiers took the drugs to increase their alertness and vigilance, according to the outlet. Also during World War II, Russia's Ministry of Defense gave every Russian soldier on the frontline a 100-gram ration of vodka called the commissar's ration, according to a report from Macalester College. And in World War 1, according to the BBC, cocaine and heroin use was common among soldiers. Department stores even sold kits for taking the drugs, which were marketed as a nice present for those fighting on the frontline. Read the original article on Insider Unidentified drone crashes in Russias Tula Oblast The regional authorities said the UAV without identification marks and departmental affiliation was found in a field, far from residential buildings. The committee said that security services are working on the spot, there is no threat to the safety of the population and infrastructure. The distance between these settlements and Moscow is about 250 kilometers. This is not the first case of detection of drones of unknown origin near Moscow and St. Petersburg. Read also: Presidents Office denies Ukraine involved in recent drone attacks, explosions across Russia An explosion took place in the Kireyev district of Tula Oblast on March 2, and one of the theories being considered is that it was caused by a drone crash. However, this has not been officially verified yet. Russia was hit by multiple drone attacks on Feb. 28, and one of the drones crashed near the Gazprom gas compressor station in the Moscow suburbs, approximately 100 kilometers away from the city. On the same day, 200 square kilometers of airspace over St. Petersburg and its surrounding region were closed for several hours because of an unknown flying object. 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 University officials need to reprimand students and administrators who violate free speech policies and stop caving to the "woke mob," a former law professor told Fox News. "University officials are spineless cowards unwilling to enforce their own rules when they're violated by students, much less administrators," Ilya Shapiro, a former Georgetown University law professor, told Fox News. WATCH MORE FOX NEWS DIGITAL ORIGINALS HERE Stanford University's Federalist Society chapter invited Judge Kyle Duncan of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to speak at the college's law school on March 9. An associate dean, along with a handful of students, heckled the judge during his remarks. He was unable to finish his lecture, and federal marshals escorted him off campus. "People should be allowed to protest but hecklers shutting down events, that does not counter free speech," Shapiro, who is now the director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, said. "That imposes on others free speech." FORMER GEORGETOWN LAW PROFESSOR CALLED RACIST BY STUDENTS AS HE DELIVERS LECTURE ON FREE SPEECH READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Tirien Steinbach, the Stanford University Law School associate dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, criticizes U.S. Circuit Court Judge Kyle Duncan during his presentation at the school as an invited guest on March 9, 2023. Stanford DEI Associate Dean Tirien Steinbach joined student protesters in arguing that Duncan's rulings caused harm. They said the judge's rulings caused harm and pointed, for example, to his refusal to use a transgender offender's preferred pronouns in a 2020 opinion. Steinbach also questioned the school's free speech policies and whether Duncan's remarks were worth the "pain and division" his presence caused. "It's appalling," Shapiro told Fox News. "Steinbach should be fired." STANFORD LAW DEAN'S SHAMEFUL ATTACK ON FREE SPEECH MEANS THIS FOR THE EDUCATION MOB "She did not enforce the school's policy," Shapiro said. "It's for the dereliction of duty that she should be fired, not her speech." Stanford's campus disruption policies state that the university supports students' right to protest against viewpoints they disagree with so long as it doesn't "prevent or disrupt the effective carrying out of a University function." Shapiro said the dean encouraged students to disrupt and end the judge's remarks rather than protest against his perspective. Story continues Shapiro is familiar with cancel culture himself. Last year, Georgetown placed Shapiro on leave after he criticized President Biden's pledge to choose a Black woman for the Supreme Court. The former law professor clarified he didn't want candidates to be restricted by race and gender, but Shapiro ultimately resigned after students pleaded for his termination and said his remarks were racist. At Stanford, meanwhile, a student could be heard shouting "your racism is showing" at Duncan during his remarks. University President Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Stanford Law School Dean Jenny Martinez apologized to the judge after the incident, prompting hundreds of students to line the hall outside Martinez' classroom on Monday wearing masks that read "counter-speech is free speech." "It does give me pause about our future leaders," Shapiro said. "It's not even a matter of disagreeing ideologically or a matter of constitutional interpretation. It's as seeing their political enemies as not just wrong, but evil." If students are not being taught the values of upholding policies, free speech "and how to understand the perspectives of different sides, then we're in a lot more trouble than speakers getting shut down on campus," Shapiro said. Former law professor Ilya Shapiro says the incident at Stanford Law School him fearful about the future of America's legal leaders. The university's administration failed to "get across the values of free inquiry, free speech, civil discourse, due process," Shapiro said. These values "should be as central or more to a law school's mission." "There needs to be consequences," Shapiro said. "Otherwise this thing spreads." Stanford did not respond to a request for comment. To watch Shapiro's full interview, click here. With its brilliant sun, white sand and turquoise water, Lido Key Beach would make for a perfect postcard of Florida beaches if it weren't for the dozens of dead fish lying on the shore, killed by a toxic algae bloom known as red tide. The bloom usually hits Florida's Gulf Coast in the summer, but this year it has come during spring, a time when thousands of American families flock to the Sunshine State during school break, and the outbreak bodes ill for its tourism sector. On the terrace of the Lido Beach Resort, Jeff Napier, a 62-year-old employee, laments the effect red tide has had on business. "We had a lot of cancellations. People get sick," Napier told AFP. "Why would you want to spend that kind of money and stay here?" High amounts of the harmful algae, known as Karenia brevis, can kill marine life and cause respiratory complications in some people. It also has a sulfurous, decaying smell. Dick Bowser experienced that firsthand a few days ago. The 80-year-old tourist walks along the shoreline with a cane in each hand, happy that the ocean currents have turned the tide away from Sarasota, at least for now. "It smelled horrible. I couldn't stand to be near the beach," Bowser said. "It bothered me in the form of coughing, continuous coughing. I got a sore throat every day, having trouble with my eyes or sinuses." In Napier's case, the toxic algae gave him five days of migraines, something he doesn't want to experience again. "They just got to fix that red tide. They got to fix it," he says. "But I don't know what they're going to do about it." - 'Kill the algae' - Fifty kilometers (30 miles) from Lido Key Beach, scientists from the Mote Marine Laboratory have been working since 2020 to lessen the impact of red tide, a phenomenon first reported by Spanish explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries, based on accounts of the native populations in the area. The goal of the research is to "kill the algae, denature the toxin and not have significant impacts on the nontarget species," explains Dr. Michael Crosby, president and CEO of the laboratory. Story continues To achieve this, researchers cultivate specimens of Karenia brevis in huge tanks of seawater that imitate the ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico and test various substances against it. So far they have identified a dozen methods that work, and over the next two years they plan to test them in the ocean, Crosby says. - 'You would still have red tides' - But Crosby cautions that it is impossible to eradicate red tide completely, because unlike other harmful algae that are often the result of human activity on land, such as from agriculture runoff, Karenia brevis occurs naturally. "We'll never get rid of red tide entirely," he says. Florida's red tide begins about 65 kilometers off the state's west coast and may approach the coastline following ocean currents. The current outbreak was triggered by Hurricane Ian, which hit Florida in September, pushing existing red tide to the surface, explains Crosby. Once on the coast, microalgae proliferate when they come into contact with water rich in nutrients, both naturally or through agricultural activity. "We are examining the degree to which it may be possible that humans, especially land-based inputs of nutrients, may exacerbate a red tide in terms of its intensity, or its duration." "But even if you took all of the humans out of the state of Florida, you would still have red tides," he adds. Facing the Lido Beach Resort, Napier seems resigned to living with the toxic bloom. "You need to be aware that there is red tide in Florida. It has been here for hundreds of years." gma/md/tjj/bbk Scott Peterson/Getty Images Twenty years ago, the Iraq War was starting, and I was protesting it. I joined tens of millions of people the world over in that opposition. Iraq dominated my political life in my early and mid twenties, and the invasion was the worst of George W. Bushs many terrible acts, in a presidency that must rank as one of the very worst in American history. For years I labored in the antiwar movement, attending and organizing protests. The anti-imperialist values I had been raised with had suddenly become decidedly non-theoretical. By the late 2000s, when I had given up on antiwar activism due to burnout and the obvious futility of our movement, it left a hole in my schedule and in my sense of self. The war was, in some ways, the organizing principle of my young adulthood. And now, 20 years later, few people remember itor want to. The conditions that led to the war are gone, though the military industrial complex it activated lies in wait. The country has moved on from Iraq to the point of erasing it almost completely from our political debates. Twitter Became Way Too Important to Journalists. Let It Die. Gore Vidal, a voluble critic of the war who died in 2012, called our country the United States of Amnesia, and its hard not to disagree. Neoconservatism isnt dead, but its far from the white-hot center of culture war that now animates right-wing politics. The identity fixation that has overtaken the American left leaves little concern for foreign policy; the Trumpian incoherence that defines contemporary conservatism extends to issues of war and peace. New York City police prepare to arrest a small group of anti-war protesters in front of the New York Stock Exchange, March 19, 2007, in New York City. Michael Nagle/Getty Images The war cost us at least $3 trillion, ruined Americas credibility for a generation in much of the world, andat a conservatively estimatekilled 600,000 people. Yet these days you could argue about politics every day for months without ever once bringing it up. Its politically inert. In many ways, the war is just gone. Perhaps its worth remembering the context in which the war was born. The past is always a different country, but the difference between the immediate post-9/11 world and today is particularly extreme. Story continues I find it hard to make young adults understand just what the atmosphere was like after the attacksthe mandatory patriotism, the unquestioned militarism, the sense of ambient fear as everyone kept expecting the next big attack. That next big attack never came, which was the proximate cause for why we eventually moved on. But for years, it was a matter of when, not if; that we were certain to be hit again was assumed by all serious people, the lack of evidence for that belief being seen as an irrelevance. The question was not whether we had to harden our defenses and ourselves, but how to do it. Democratic Socialism Isnt Soviet Communism, You Idiots Counterterrorism was an essential part of national political elections for a decade and a half. The first question of the 2004 presidential debates was about 9/11. Despite being a combat veteran of the Vietnam War who as a senator voted to authorize military action in Iraq, John Kerrys campaign in that contest struggled mightily to match George W. Bushs public credibility on the issue. John McCain, Barack Obamas opponent in the 2008 presidential election, made the war on terror central to his sales pitch, harping on his military career and foreign policy experience. In 2012, Mitt Romney bragged that as president he would double Guantanamo, whatever that meant. Concern for terrorism would evaporate from politics both gradually and suddenlyin 2020 there were no questions on the topic in any presidential debatebut for a long while, the immediate defense of the country from terrorism was a national obsession. Of course, there was another national obsession: revenge. If we wanted to be particularly naive, we could ask why the reaction to 9/11 influenced the run-up to the Iraq War, given that none of the hijackers was Iraqi and that no connection between Saddam and Al Qaeda had been found. (Because there was no connection to find.) But, of course, the national mood that not only permitted the Iraq invasion but made it popular was a post-9/11 mood, a consequence of an attack that had been unthinkable to many Americans. Most people had been used to walking around with an unexamined sense that the United States just didnt get attacked, and not for no reason; since the War of 1812 ended there had not been an attack on the mainland of the country of much significance. The two world wars had taken place far from American shores, leaving our country as the only major belligerent in either conflict that did not see significant destruction within its borders. Conflicts like Vietnam brought unpleasant memories, and a bit of shame, but were easily compartmentalized. The various minor skirmishes the country got into in the 1980s and 90s were barely followed by most of the citizenry, and the first war in Iraq had ended in a swift American victory. With the Cold War over, the threat of Russian nukes had been dramatically lowered. Who would dream of an attack on American soil? The carnage on 9/11 pierced that feeling of invulnerability. And while we rightfully mourned the dead, the country also mourned the vision of America as an impregnable fortress that so many saw as a birthright. National support for invading Iraq, if were being honest, had everything to do with that anger. The war in Afghanistan initially appeared successful; we had no way to know that it would drag on for 20 years at the time. But it had provided little catharsis. The Taliban had mostly dissolved into the mountains and the borderlands, and the fighting was largely anticlimactic, at least compared to the war fervor that was consuming the country. There were no triumphant infantry battles that ended with Americans planting a flag on the corpses of their enemies. Osama bin Laden had inconveniently escaped. Al Qaeda was dealt many blows in those first few years, but they were a small shadowy force that, it turned out, had exploited a particular vulnerability and otherwise had no ability to cause real damage to the American way of life. We needed a target for a more camera-ready war. Luckily for corporate military behemoths like Raytheon, and unluckily for the people of the Middle East, the neoconservatives Bush had packed into his administration already had a designated enemy in mind: Iraq. A picture released Nov. 23, 2004, by the Multi National Force-Iraq shows members of the Iraqi Special Force (ISF) patrolling along with Marines in the devastated city of Fallujah. MNF-I/AFP via Getty Images If youre a proponent of the idea that American foreign policy is primarily driven by the need to maintain access to strategic resources, then Iraqs large oil reserves (some of the largest in the world) will likely be explanation enough for why we invaded. The fact that the United States had intervened in Kuwait, another country with huge reserves, speaks to that theory. Jacques Chirac Stood Up to George W. Bush on Iraq, and Made Paris Shine Some believed that the war was essentially a familial drama, as Bushs father George H. W. Bush had battled with Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War and Hussein had returned the favor by hiring assassins to kill him. Theres also always the ready-made argument that any given conflict perpetuates the military industrial complex and justifies the defense budget, creating inherent internal pressure for the U.S. military to get into conflict at fairly regular intervals. All of those theories are correct. But theres no question that the war was also motivated by a simple, unadulterated desire for revenge. Iraq had not done 9/11, but it didnt matter much; they were Arabs, and Muslims, and a group of Arab Muslims had humiliated the United States. They were foreign people in a distant culture who practiced an alien religion. It was time for payback. Thomas Friedman, the longtime New York Times columnist and a prominent supporter of the invasion, infamously said to Charlie Rose that we needed to go over there, basically, and take out a very big stick right in the heart of that world and burst that bubble suck on this! That, Charlie, is what this war was about. Sometimes, they just come out and say the quiet part out loud. Iraq did indeed suck on it; in addition to the hundreds of thousands dead, millions fled as refugees and Iraqi civil society was essentially destroyed. But the United States ended up sucking on it too. The trillions of dollars, thousands of lives, and immense amounts of public good will that we burned over there were gone forever. The war dogged the Bush administration in its later years, and was largely responsible for broad Republican losses in the 2006 midterm elections. Our imperial hubris, dashed by the continuing anti-American insurgency in the country, looked more and more like a distraction from the countrys internal problems. This feeling was crystallized in the Hurricane Katrina tragedy, where Bush dithered while thousands died in the streets of a major American city. In time, ISIS would rise in the Iraq-Syria borderlands, which could be used in dictionaries to define the kinds of unintended consequences that the use of military force makes inevitable. The Iraqi government that the United States spent so much blood and treasure establishing persists; its undergone years of upheaval, but has now settled into an inoffensive state of massive corruption and petty authoritarianism. (Another unintended consequence of Bushs war is that it made allies out of longtime blood rivals, Iraq and Iran.) The countrys sectarian conflicts persist. Most of the refugees never came back. The dead are still dead. In time, the war would come to be seen as a terrible mistake, and by many, a crime. The Obama years, famous for establishing a sense of normalcy, helped soothe the national conscience. Donald Trumps incoherent foreign policy views could not be said to amount to a repudiation of neoconservatismthey could not be said to represent a comprehensible philosophy at allbut his nomination to the Republican ticket in 2016 helped establish that whatever remained of the neoconservative movement that had once dominated the party had entered a period of torpor. Roger Waters Is Not Helping to Bring Peace to Ukraine Biden withdrew what remained of American forces from Afghanistan in 2020, after which the Taliban retook the country with almost comical speed. There was a lot of rending of garments over that decision, but the fact that the government collapsed after 20 years of America propping it up made clear that to stay longer would only be to delay the inevitable. We continue to support the brutal theocratic regime in Saudi Arabia as it terrorizes Yemen, but we mostly sate our blood lust vicariously through the war in Ukraine. It sometimes occurs to me that I should, perhaps, feel a little pride at opposing an evil war that so many other people had supported. We were right, after all, and today very few dispute that. But we were powerless to stop the war, or even to shorten it, in the face of a national demand for revenge and an administration that fused evangelical Christianity and its apocalyptic undertones to the banal academic evil of the neocons. Iraq started out as a winning issue for the Republicans and became a boon for the Democrats; it strengthened the antiwar perspective and undermined the logic of intervention. Mostly, though, people seem merely to want to move on. Im certain that there will be other wars to oppose in my lifetime, and the neocons will rise again, but for now the American military machine slumbers. Somewhere, George W. Bush is painting, and Im willing to bet his heart is untroubled. I only hope that, when the next war rolls around, Iraq will not be just another part of Americas ancient history. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of demonstrators called over the weekend for France's withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and an immediate halt to arms deliveries to Ukraine. According to RIA Novosti, the "March for Peace" kicked off near the site of the French Senate. The demonstrators waved banners "Stop the war provoked by the United States and NATO" and "Freedom, Truth, Resistance." Many French Internet users have posted photos and videos of this march on social media. "Thousands of people are asking for (France's) withdrawal from NATO, the EU, and all the organizations that deprive us of our national sovereignty!" said one of the social media users. An independent Lebanese geopolitical commentator Sarah Abdallah asked on her social media: "why is Western media ignoring the anti-NATO protests happening today in Paris, France?" This is the second march organized in 2023 in Paris demanding France to withdraw from NATO, according to a report published by the website Solidarity and Progress. According to the website, nearly 1,000 people demonstrated on Feb. 26 for the dissolution of NATO. Some US government agencies believe Covid originated from a lab leak in China (Getty/iStock) In late February, The Wall Street Journal published a shocking report. Investigators at the US Energy Department had concluded with low confidence that the Covid-19 pandemic most likely originated from a laboratory leak in Wuhan, China. The finding seemed to fly in the face of measured assurances from scientists and government officials who insisted the disease, like all other pandemics before it, originated when an animal virus crossed over into humans sometime in the fall of 2019 in China. The conclusion, in a space of days, seemed to validate claims from Republican politicos and China hawks alike, which had previously been dismissed as conspiracy theories and over-heated partisan attacks. The FBI has also concluded, with moderate confidence, that a Covid lab leak was the most likely origin, while the National Intelligence Council and four other other top government agencies retain a low confidence assessment that the disease began zoonotically. So, has the world of Covid knowledge really been flipped upside down? Not quite, according to coronavirus experts. According to environmental and occupational health sciences professor Gerard Cangelosi, associate dean for research at the University of Washington School of Public Health, the DOEs findings, which the agency acknowledged it only held with low confidence, represent a conclusion slightly better than a coin flip. We know nothing for sure, he told The Independent, noting that the DOEs evidence for its findings havent been made public for review. Anyone who claims to know how it arose is fooling themselves. That should always be established. It really really takes a long time to figure these things out. We still dont know exactly where HIV came from. We dont know exactly where 1918 flu came from. Its a very difficult thing to pin down. Instead, he prefers to start from what we do know. Every single infectious disease that weve ever known arose naturally, he continued. In most cases, zoonotically, meaning it started in an animal species and made a jump to humans. That alone makes it seem most plausible thats how SARS-CoV-2 started. Story continues The early cluster of cases that began in the fall of 2019 around Wuhan, China, couldve still infected workers studying coronaviruses at nearby labs a lab leak and natural origins are not mutually exclusive, Professor Cangelosi noted but the public health expert said there is no evidence that concretely suggests Covid began as an experiment in a Chinese lab and spread across the world after an accident, as many on the right would have you believe. The evidence Ive seen is largely circumstantial that the Chinese are hiding something, he said. Thats not evidence. Other experts agree. All the evidence available for scrutiny points to the pandemic originating from transmission from live animals to humans, Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan who co-authored one of the major 2022 studies on Covids origins, wrote this month in The Washington Post. One thing everyone involved in studying the origins of SARS-CoV-2 seems to agree on FBI and Energy Department included: No laboratory modification of a virus was involved, she added. Indeed, there has never been an infection reported as a result of a pathogen generated through gain-of-function research. Instead, were left with a mix of uncertainty and educated guesses, a reality when studying pandemics, where the exact contours of a diseases journey around the world are often calculated probabilistically rather than with exact, crime-scene precision. A Republican-led committee in the House of Representatives held a contentious public hearing on the origins of Covid recently, the first in a planned series and a sign that the debate over the early days of the pandemic isnt going away any time soon. We may never know the precise moment the coronavirus jumped into humans, but the long-running fight over its origins has revealed not only lapses in global pandemic preparedness, but the long shadow of partisanship that might hamstring our response to the next infectious disease that inevitably crosses over. The first cluster of Covid cases can be traced back to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, according to researchers, where vendors sold animals like raccoon dogs and red foxes in late 2019 that can both get and shed the disease which causes Covid. The creatures were photographed near stalls where scientists later found Covid on surfaces like cages, carts, and machines that process slaughtered animals. The earliest known patient at the market, later the site of an early cluster, had symptoms as of 10 December 2019, when between 10 and 70 people had Covid worldwide, according to genetic analysis. Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who extensively studied the early days of the disease, told NPR in February that theres an absurd level of evidence tying the early outbreak of the disease to the area around the market We do have one analysis where we show essentially that the chance of having this pattern of cases [clustered around the market] is 1 in 10 million [if the market isnt a source of the virus]. We consider that strong evidence in science, he told the broadcaster. The analyses that weve done are telling a very strong story. The evidence is amongst the best we have for any emerging virus. Professor Worobeys findings were published in an extensive, peer-reviewed paper in Science last summer, but there hasnt always been such concrete evidence to work with. With so much unknown about Covids origins, especially during its early days, scientists quickly had to start fending off conspiracy theories as they raced to analyse the rapidly spreading disease. In a February 2020 letter in The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, a group of top scientists condemn those arguing Covid had an unnatural origin somewhere in a lab in China. We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin, the letter reads. Scientists from multiple countries have published and analysed genomes of the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and they overwhelmingly conclude that this coronavirus originated in wildlife, as have so many other emerging pathogens. That didnt stop partisan actors from jumping into the fray, such as White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who speculated wildly that the Chinese wanted to weaponise Covid and sent hundreds of thousands of Chinese nationals over here to seed and spread the virus. Donald Trump, meanwhile, had taken to describing the pandemic with the racist epithet kung flu. Eventually, though, questions about the origins of Covid and a possible lab leak entered more scientific quarters. In May of 2021, another group of prominent scientists called for investigating both the natural spillover and lab leak theory of Covid, writing in Science knowing how COVID-19 emerged is critical for informing global strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2 could have spent some time in a laboratory before encountering humans, one of the letters authors, Stanford University professor of microbiology and immunology David Relman, explained in 2021. We know that some of the largest collections of bat coronaviruses in the world and a vigorous research program involving the creation of chimeric bat coronaviruses by integrating unfamiliar coronavirus genomic sequences into other, known coronaviruses are located in downtown Wuhan. And we know that laboratory accidents happen everywhere there are laboratories. That year, following a joint investigation with China, the World Health Organization concluded it was extremely unlikely Covid leaked from a lab, though criticisms from both within and without acknowledge that Chinese officials werent fully forthcoming during the process, blocking access to some forms of patient data. Plans for a second phase of investigation, including potentially auditing individual labs, have been quietly shelved. They have not been transparent, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki said of China after the release of the WHOs initial report. They have not provided underlying data. That certainly doesnt qualify as cooperation." She said the report "doesnt lead us to any closer of an understanding or greater knowledge than we had six to nine months ago about the origin" of the virus. Chinese officials have continued to stand behind the WHO finding. Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu told ProPublica last year the allegation of lab leaking is extremely unlikely. The conclusion should be respected. From the very beginning, China has taken a scientific, professional, serious and responsible attitude in origins tracing. The official said some in the American political and media sphere distort facts and truth and should stop using the epidemic for political manipulation and blame games. As the pandemic deepend, the blame games ratcheted up in intensity, as Republican officials continued to insist there was a shadowy truth behind the origins of Covid. In an infamous July 2021 exchange, Senator Rand Paul, alleged that Dr Anthony Fauci lied about the federal government funding research so-called gain of function research on novel coronaviruses in Wuhan that couldve made them more contagious, alleging the long-time health leader was trying to obscure responsibility for 4 million dying around the world from a pandemic. Senator Paul, you do not know what youre talking about, quite frankly, and I want to say that officially, Dr Fauci said. You do not know what youre talking about. You are implying that what we did was responsible for the deaths of individuals. I totally resent that, he continued. If anybodys lying here, senator, it is you. That fall, The Intercept reported on documents showing that the National Institute of Healths National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, headed by Dr Fauci at the time, had in fact funded a nonprofit called the EcoHealth Alliance, which partnered with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in the past, complicating Dr Faucis testimony in May of 2021 that the NIH doesnt and hadnt funded such work. Its unclear whether Dr Fauci was aware of the EcoHealth Alliance work. A 2014 award to the Chinese research institute explicitly stated the money couldnt be used for gain-of-function work, and none of the viruses listed in write-ups of the experiments performed under the grants are closely related enough to Covid-19 to spark an accidental evolution into the disease, according to The Intercept. The NIH told the news site it reviewed the nonprofits work and concluded that it didnt qualify as gain-of-function research, an analysis some scientists have questioned. Other Republican-led efforts yielded more pointed questions about Covids origins. In the Senate, the committee on health, education, labour and pensions, led by then-senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, who has been recognised for his work on biodefence issues, concluded in an October 2022 report that Covid was more likely than not, the result of a research-related incident. Investigators poring over opaque Chinese government reports about the lab work underway in Wuhan described a culture of intense pressure to produce prestigious scientific discoveries, mixed with worrying safety lapses and an effort to scale up the countrys bio-research apparatus before it had capacity to oversee it properly. Ambiguous archived reports from the WIV spoke ominously of seeming references to past lab safety and biosecurity problems, describing a swift response every time this has happened and an urgent set of visits and communications from top Chinese government officials in the fall of 2019 surrounding some unnamed matter. Past inspections of the facility in 2011 and 2018 found issues with viral sample storage, and the Senate committee concluded that the WIV struggled to maintain key biosafety capabilities at its high-containment BSL3 and BSL4 laboratories, referring to a classification of labs conducting the most sensitive levels of viral research. Whats more, a declassified US State Department fact sheet noted that the US government has reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses. This raises questions about the credibility of WIV senior researcher Shi Zhenglis public claim that there was zero infection among the WIVs staff and students of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-related viruses, according to the document. Even ostensibly neutral attempts at finding information around Covids origins quickly descended into acrimony and accusations of cover-ups. In 2022, the eminent economist Jeffrey Sachs disbanded a high-profile Lancet commission working on the origins of Covid, arguing the scientists hed helped select for the project had conflicts of interest, accusing them of hiding their past work with the WIV and EcoHealth Alliance. (Those involved with the panel have argued they had completely normal contacts with the institute, a center of international viral research that regularly works with outside researchers, contacts that made them a better fit to serve on the investigative commission.) Mr Sachs, meanwhile, has attracted criticism for attempting to sit in on commission-members sometimes sensitive interviews with Chinese researchers, and for doing a podcast interview in August of 2022 with Robert F Kennedy Jr, a leading anti-vaxxer. Seemingly wherever any group of experts and officials got together, acrimony, doubt, and politics tended to overshadow the scientific discussion. Its a legacy that can be felt even in the comparatively dry confines of academic journals. In October of 2022, another group of experts published their findings on the origins of Covid in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Considerable scientific peer-reviewed evidence supports COVID-19s origin as a zoonotic infection within the wildlife trade, as in many prior outbreaks, they wrote. While a laboratory leak cannot be ruled out, no verifiable evidence or scientific data are available to support this interpretation. However, laboratory accidents do happen, and no independent formal audit of the Wuhan laboratory facilities has been possible in the wake of geopolitical conflicts, they added. In the face of such dispute and unceratiny, University of Washingtons Professor Cangelosi understands, in a certain way, the appeal of the lab leak theory, that a phenomenon as complex and far-reaching as the Covid pandemic could have one culprit who made a mistake in one moment. However, he cautions against using inquiries into the diseases origins as a weapon of political blame. Instead, he said, they should be about helping us prevent future outbreaks. It might steer people, even people who are not politically inclined and have no ill will, it might steer them towards what they think will be a simple solution, which is shut down the labs in china, he said. Actually that will do nothing at all. Humans and animals will continue living side-by-side. Humans will continue doing research about viruses. Laboratories will continue to have issues. The key point, he said, is to take the lessons learned in this pandemic about the effectiveness of mRNA vaccines, the need for rapid and widespread viral surveillance, the crucialness of mass stockpiles of personal protective equipment, and make sure were ready for the next pandemic. We may never know where this infectious disease first began, but we know for a fact it wont be the last of its kind. (Bloomberg) -- Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged banks to provide cheaper loans with longer terms to attract foreign investors to develop green power projects in the country. Most Read from Bloomberg Vietnamese ministries also need to sit down with wind and solar energy investors to understand their difficulties and losses in order to find a harmonious pricing mechanism for both buyers and sellers, Chinh said at a Hanoi conference Sunday. Renewable energy companies on Mar. 14 sent a petition to the PM and other officials, calling on the Vietnamese government to change price policies in order to avert bankruptcy for generators and better attract investors. Those energy-pricing policies have deeply unnerved investors, according to the petition, seen by Bloomberg. Vietnam will need $368 billion through 2040 or about 6.8% of GDP per year for a resilient and net zero energy development path, with half of that funding coming from the private sector, according to Thomas Jacobs, IFC Country Manager in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Foreign companies urged the government to soon approve its Power Development Plan #8 to facilitate energy transition amid risks of electricity shortage, especially at some industrial parks in the north. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Handout photograph taken and released by the Russian government shows Putin (right), with Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev at the Chersonesos Taurica historical and archeological park in Sevastopol (Russian Presidential Press Office/AFP/Getty) Vladimir Putin reportedly visited the Russia-occupied city of Mariupol in Ukraine on Sunday. Mariupol in Donetsk region was captured by Russian forces after a bloody battle in May last year and has remained under the control of Moscows fighters since. The Russian president was seen driving a car around the city as he visited several districts, according to news agency TASS. He is also said to have made stops along the way, speaking to residents. Mr Putin also met with the top brass leading his military operation in Ukraine, state media said today. The leader, facing an arrest warrant for war crimes, also met with chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov who is in charge of Moscows war in Ukraine. The meeting took place at the Rostov-on-Don command post in southern Russia, reported TASS news agency. This is the first such visit made by the Russian president, who launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year, to the country after the conflict erupted in Europe and led to displacement of millions, thousands of civilian deaths and several thousands being injured. A day earlier, Mr Putin made a surprise visit to Crimea to mark the ninth anniversary of the Black Sea peninsulas annexation from Ukraine. His trip to the war-hit nation came a day after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant on charges of war crimes, alleging he is personally responsible for the abduction of children from Ukraine following Russias invasion. In Sevastopol, Crimeas largest city, Mr Putin met Moscow-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhaev, with whom he visited an art school and a childrens centre that are part of a project to develop a historical park on the site of an ancient Greek colony, Russian state news agencies said. Our president knows how to surprise. In a good sense. Today we were supposed to inaugurate a childrens art school. Everything was ready for a video conference and a report to the president via a special communication link. In the end, the president came personally. By car. He was at the wheel himself. On such a historic day, the president is always with Sevastopol and the people of Sevastopol. Our country has an incredible leader," governor Razvozhayev wrote on Telegram. Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a move most of the world denounced as illegal and which soured relations between Moscow and the West. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said any peace settlement would involve Russia withdrawing from the peninsula as well as the regions it has occupied since last year. Inside the Conservative Party, outside the gung-ho brigade, there was real uncertainty (AP) Iain Duncan Smith was no match for Tony Blair who proceeded to flatter him by including him in what was carefully presented as a privileged secret briefing. He left No 10 as the cheerleader for war. The public was told that ministers knew much more than could be revealed but lives would be put at risk if they said too much. Together, government and opposition told us that we had to trust those in the know. The Conservatives imposed a three-line whip to support the invasion. Not that parliament technically had a say. Trade deals and declaring war are the prerogative of the Crown and therefore executive actions of the government, not subject to a parliamentary vote. However, Tony Blair was forced to announce that Britain would not join with the US if parliament did not agree. At the same time, he reminded MPs that our brave forces would be best served if they had substantial backing in that vote. Inside the Conservative Party, outside the gung-ho brigade, there was real uncertainty. This was not a left-right issue. Andrew Turner and Edward Lee from the right were aligned with One Nation Tories like Ken Clarke, Peter Ainsworth, and Tony Baldry. What united us was simply that we didnt believe the story that Britain was threatened by Saddams missiles. We doubted he had weapons of mass destruction or the means of delivering them. If we werent threatened, then why were we going to war? There was significant input from those with a service background. Andrew Murrison, the newly elected MP for Westbury, was an active Territorial Army officer and shared with us the scepticism of many of his fellow soldiers. As it turned out, he voted against the war in March and by September had been called up and was patrolling the streets of Basra. John Baron, another ex-soldier, simply said: I know what a disaster war is. It should always be the measure of last resort. We are nowhere near that situation now. That was also the view of John Horam, with strong family ties to the military. His scepticism was fuelled by a belief that the documents presented to us bore all the marks of tweaking by Alastair Campbell, Blairs PR man. Story continues The issue was how we could vote against the war in concert with the Labour rebels without looking like unilateralists. We had to have an amendment that made clear the reasons for our refusal. We were of course helped by the fact that by now it was clear that the Labour opponents were a broader church, having been joined by unexpected supporters notably Robin Cook, who resigned from the government as leader of the House. Thats where Douglas Hogg, now Lord Hailsham, came in. He drafted the suggested amendment and worked with Labour to get something which we all could support. When it came to it, the Liberal Democrats voted with us but they declined to be involved in the preparations. By now we knew that there would be a dozen or more who would defy a three-line whip and others who hadnt quite the stomach but might abstain. Four of our number had resigned their shadow jobs John Randall, John Baron, Jonathan Sayeed, and Humfrey Malins. It was particularly hard for the new members to withstand the dire warnings of the whips and our physical voting system serves the whips purpose. Richard Bacon well remembers the unexpected shock which came from having to walk across the chamber against the press of MPs on his own side instead of being caught up in the usual gang marching into the Tory lobby. Still we stuck together this unlikely rebel troop. We didnt trust Tony Blair on other things so why on this? President Bush was talking about the importance of regime change, yet there were no plans for the establishment of this new regime. And why just Saddam? There were plenty of other nasty regimes were we going to set out to topple them all? Britain was not threatened so this couldnt morally be a Just War. However, there would be a price to pay for rebellion and, as Ken Clarke was still the alternative leader, I tried to get him to plead another engagement and not vote, as I thought the Tory Party wouldnt forgive him. He was adamant. This war is wrong and foolish. Im voting against it. In any case, my judgement of the party was wrong. I went to my own constituency that weekend expecting real trouble, only to find that the right-wing stalwarts who opposed my pro-European views, were the very people who sidled up to me to say: On this issue, John, youre entirely right. In the end it was 16 of us who voted against the invasion, and 10 years later we held a dinner to remind ourselves that history had proved this heterogeneous set of Tory MPs right. Those still alive will meet again this year and celebrate our differences and the justice of our cause. The year 2003 was not a good time for the Tories. A second crushing electoral defeat had been followed by the rump of Conservative Party members defeating the MPs choice as leader Ken Clarke and picking Iain Duncan Smith. By early 2003, Smiths lacklustre performance was becoming an embarrassment. We were making no headway and were without any compelling alternative message. That left Tony Blair in a commanding position, able to face down his only real opposition on the benches behind him. Blair had become the natural ally of President George W Bush. Like Margaret Thatcher before him, Tony Blair was much influenced by his red-carpet treatment in the United States. Indeed, his backing for the US was already unconditional as I had found when he banned my asking further written questions about US planes bombing targets in Iraq from their bases in Suffolk. The Rt Hon John Selwyn Gummer, Lord Deben, was one of a number of Tory MPs to rebel against the party leadership which backed the governments decision to go to war in 2003 (Bloomberg) -- The seizure of a US companys marine terminal in Mexico has drawn criticism from a US senator and risks sparking more tension between the two nations amid spats over energy and security. Most Read from Bloomberg US construction firm Vulcan Materials alleges that armed forces, including from the Mexican government, launched a takeover of its facility in the countrys southeast on Tuesday. The company says a federal judge in Mexico has ordered a stay on any government effort to confiscate the property. That order could not be independently verified. The White House said it was aware of the reports and always concerned about the fair treatment of US companies, according an official with the National Security Council who requested anonymity to discuss the matter. US officials have told their Mexican counterparts that a failure to abide by trade obligations had the potential to impact efforts to attract future investments, the spokesperson said. Republican Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee said reports of a takeover of Alabama-based Vulcan Materials terminal add to the trend of misguided and counterproductive behavior by Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. In a statement on Saturday, he urged the Biden administration to engage immediately over the incident. The Vulcan terminals operations have been shut down since last year in a feud with Lopez Obrador, who accused the company of extracting materials without the proper permits. What exactly happened last week remains murky. The Mexican government has made no statement about the seizure. Vulcan has said it is shocked that Mexican forces and personnel from the cement giant Cemex took over the facility. On Sunday, Reforma newspaper published video footage showing police cars and vehicles branded with Cemexs logo entering the plant. Story continues The Mexican government and Cemex didnt immediately respond to requests for comment on Sunday. Vulcan shares rose 1.3% to $163.17 at 10:27 a.m. in New York. Earlier this month, Lopez Obrador decried the arrogance of Republican lawmakers calling for US troops to bring security to Mexico after a cartel kidnapped four Americans, killing two of them. The two countries are also embroiled in a trade dispute over Lopez Obradors nationalist energy policy, with US businesses pushing President Joe Biden to use every tool to win the case. --With assistance from Eric Martin. (Updates with White House comment in third paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zahraa Frelund first encountered American troops when she was escaping Iraqi soldiers who had assaulted her in Baghdad, having left her hometown of Babylon as a 19-year-old in 2009 seeking a job as an interpreter with the occupying U.S. force. Running barefoot as the soldiers fired their AK-47s in her direction, troops from the same army in which her father had been an officer during the Saddam years, she bumped into a group of Americans dressed in civilian clothing. They scooped her up into a car and took her to safety just outside of Camp Liberty, a sprawling headquarters for American forces in the country. The next day, Frelund found herself in the highest risk of job interviews. She begged an American Army captain from the 1st Cavalry Division to give her a job and not force her to go back out to town, where she was sure she would be killed or sold into the sex trafficking underworld where so many Iraqi women had disappeared. Read Next: Army Private's Death and Claims of Harassment Again Shine Spotlight on Fort Hood "You send me outside the base. No shoes, no clothes, no cover. I'm screwed. I'm definitely getting killed," Frelund said. "He took me to the PX barefoot ... people looking. He bought me shoes and hygiene things. He got me a room; I remember I felt safe. And at that moment with a cold shower, it hit me. ... That's one of these moments I reflect on feeling so good. I felt safe. Now, I feel no one can touch me. No one's gonna kill me." She was hired and would eventually find her way from Baghdad to Utah, where she studied material design and worked as a project manager in Salt Lake City before wanting something more adventurous. Ten years after making it to America, she would join the service she credits with saving her life. Now, stationed in South Korea as a cavalry scout, she is in an extreme minority of women serving in combat arms in the U.S. military, a specialty made available to women less than a decade ago. In total, some 2,200 active-duty women out of roughly 40,000 are serving in infantry, cavalry, armor and field artillery roles, according to data provided by the service. Only 114 women have graduated Ranger School, largely seen as a critical school for ground combat leaders. Story continues Frelund is a model soldier, especially excelling in physical fitness. She won a deadlift competition in January, wrangling 320 pounds despite her slight frame. She was also a top competitor in last year's Soldier of the Year competition. The very same war that would spur decades of chaos in the country of her birth also radically changed the American military to which she would one day pledge her life. It would create more educational and career opportunities for Iraqi women, while forcing others to flee for safety. But it also left its imprint on the occupying force. The trail Frelund now blazes was mapped by women who fought in Iraq at a time when American policymakers were still queasy about the prospect of women in combat. More than 100 American women would die as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the largest loss of uniformed women since World War II, a campaign that began 20 years ago this week with air operations commencing March 20, 2003. Those casualties happened despite the fact that women were still excluded from combat jobs until after the U.S. withdrawal in 2011. A Reagan-era requirement, known as the "Risk Rule," had kept women from jobs where it was thought they were more likely to be killed. That policy was eliminated by President Bill Clinton in 1994 and, while women were still precluded from directly serving in ground combat units, the dividing lines intended to keep women from harm's way, and from a range of careers, got blurred in the mayhem of the Iraq campaign. "Visibility-wise, apparently, the higher-ranking men didn't know what was going on," Lt. Col. Denise Little, recalling her service as a platoon leader from 2004 to 2005 in Iraq, told the West Point Center for Oral History a decade ago. The group records extensive interviews with graduates detailing their military careers and war stories. Little had been leading a convoy in 2004 when she spotted a car with its trunk ajar speeding toward her troops. It pulled up short and fired off a mortar. She jumped from her vehicle and, with gear weighing as much as a small child on her back, sprinted toward the attackers. "Vengeance is mine, so sayeth the Lord, but subcontract it to me," she recalled thinking. She paused to take a three-point stance before firing two rounds into the kneecaps of one of the assailants as three men attempted to flee. The man dropped to the ground, and the other two stopped and put their hands up. Like many women, she encountered an environment with few others of her sex around and commanders who seemed to be unaware of the changing face of the force. She was called in after a commander heard a tale of a woman taking command during a night patrol that was apt to turn hairy. "He knew he had females, but he thought they were medics or manning the radio," Little said. "He didn't realize we were doing the same ambushes and route security and quick reaction force." The broader realization that women were already facing the dangers of war spurred by the mounting casualty counts helped drive a new policy discussion that led to the removal of barriers announced by then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in 2013 and taking effect in the following years. America had been waging two wars, but more than twice as many women died in the Iraq campaign as in Afghanistan, partly a reflection of the different styles of combat. The policy, which would take effect over the next couple of years across the military services, meant that the artificial distinction between combat and non-combat jobs would no longer hinder women. And soldiers like Frelund would have new opportunities. But women are still not fully accepted into combat arms as the culture of ground combat units has been slow to evolve, multiple women in those fields have told Military.com. The issues mostly stem from skepticism that women can do the physically demanding work, while some men seek to preserve long-cherished boys' clubs. Some men described perceiving the need to walk on eggshells, afraid of basking in the gallows humor that is a staple of front-line unit banter. Commanders are at times still unsure of whether they should have men and women share tents during field training. Progress has come nonetheless, with women taking up a growing number of positions in a growing number of fields and positions of authority. And even before the combat job barrier was removed, their very presence in Iraq served as a model for the women of the country. Little, a West Point graduate who is now a student at the U.S. Naval War College, described her favorite day during her tour as occurring in early 2005 when Iraqi women went to the polls for the first time. She was approached by women who ran up to her, recognizing that she was a rare woman in uniform. They would wave their ink-stained fingers, a rudimentary tracking system to prevent Iraqis from voting twice, in her face celebrating their opportunity to participate in their own government. Although troops like Little did model a different societal role, Iraqi women have faced extreme violence in wake of the U.S. invasion and remain bound by deeply ingrained cultural views about the role of women. Frelund left home because of frequent beatings from her parents tied to cultural constraints in the religiously conservative country. After her mother slapped her in public over a disagreement over what shoes would best match Frelund's traditional Muslim garb that covered virtually all of her body, she left her family and college, hoping to work for Americans. While most Iraqi refugees fled as families, conflict inside households is all too common, said Merissa Khurma, the director of the Middle East Program at the Wilson Center think tank in Washington, D.C. "You're not supposed to talk about what happens in the home," Khurma said. "If you break that barrier, it says a lot about the wills not just to survive, but to do more than that." With the U.S. military invaders seen as an external threat, Iraqis turned insular and more patriarchal, which in turn led to more violence against women, she said. It's a problem with which the country continues to struggle, with the United Nations estimating last year that nearly a million Iraqi women and girls were at risk for gender-based violence. Violence outside of the home during the instability brought on by the U.S. invasion has also claimed many lives. While the exact number of civilian casualties is not known, Brown University's Cost of War Project estimates up to 210,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since March 2003. "In most war scenarios, women are usually the ones that pay the price for what is happening around them, and that is something that absolutely happened in Iraq," Khurma said. "And of course, since the Iraq War in 2003, Iraq has been through so many iterations of violent cycles, including ISIS. And with that, we've also seen a whole other dimension of subjugation of women, of violence, rape. And these communities are still suffering the consequences." In public life, Iraqi women have made some progress since the invasion, such as provisions in the constitution adopted following the 2005 election that bar discrimination based on gender and set a quota of 25% for women in parliament. But for every step forward Iraqi women take, they face resistance, Khurma said. "Implementation requires changes in mindsets and social and cultural norms," she said. "I was just in Iraq and had an opportunity to chat with a few women rights activists. And they said that there's a lot of pushback. Every time they take a few steps forward, there is pushback. And a lot of the times, it comes from the more sort of traditional old guard groups or from Islamist groups." For Frelund, life in the United States, and in the Army, has provided new opportunities she's seizing. When she showed up to basic training, she saw one of her drill sergeants wearing a 1st Cavalry Division patch, the same worn by the captain whom she credits with saving her life a decade ago when she was fleeing Iraqi soldiers who had assaulted her. "I'm like, 'holy s--t.' It was the 1st Cavalry, who literally saved me in Iraq. Because all I remember, all I remember is the horse [on the patch]." She was in one of the first basic training classes for scouts with women in the ranks in 2019. Out of 24 of them, only 12 graduated, according to Frelund -- and even fewer eventually become noncommissioned officers. "It's hard for a female to be a scout. You hear all the comments, all negative, and I do my best to be positive. All I can do to earn that respect is perform, so for PT, I kill it. If there's a competition I'm first to volunteer." Editor's note: After her interview with Military.com, Frelund was promoted to staff sergeant. This story has been updated to reflect her new rank. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. Related: The First Casualty of War Is Truth: Iraq 20 Years Later (Bloomberg) -- Berkshire Hathaway Inc.s Warren Buffett has been in touch with senior officials in President Joe Bidens administration in recent days as the regional banking crisis unfolds. Most Read from Bloomberg There have been multiple conversations between Bidens team and Buffett in the past week, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The calls have centered around Buffett possibly investing in the US regional banking sector in some way, but the billionaire has also given advice and guidance more broadly about the current turmoil. Buffett has a long history of stepping in to aid banks in crisis, leveraging his cult investing status and financial heft to restore confidence in ailing firms. Bank of America Corp. won a capital injection from Buffett in 2011 after its stock plunged amid losses tied to subprime mortgages. Buffett also tossed a $5 billion lifeline to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in 2008 to shore up the bank following Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.s collapse. Representatives for Berkshire Hathaway and the White House didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Officials at the US Treasury Department declined to comment. US regulators unveiled extraordinary measures to assuage customers last weekend, promising to fully pay out uninsured deposits in the failed banks. Shares in regional banks continued to fall this week on fears the pain would spread. Bidens team, wary of political blowback, has moved to orchestrate backstops that dont require direct government spending from taxpayers, including the Federal Reserves actions. Big US banks voluntarily deposited $30 billion to stabilize First Republic Bank this week, a move regulators described as most welcome. Any investment or intervention from Buffett or other figures would continue that playbook, looking to stem the crisis without direct bailouts. Story continues --With assistance from Max Reyes and Katherine Doherty. (Updates with details of conversations in second paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Clockwise from top left: Guys and Dolls, Further Than the Furthest Thing, Marjorie Prime (The Independent) This week, the Bridge Theatre transforms into 1920s New York, Anne Reid stars in a Black Mirror-esque drama, and a new play at the Young Vic stages a revival of Scottish playwright Zinnie Harriss second play. Guys and Dolls Bridge Theatre a a a a a In Nicholas Hytners production of Guys and Dolls, nothing stays still for long: not the cast, not the audience, not even the stage. After acclaimed immersive productions of Julius Caesar and A Midsummer Nights Dream, the Bridge Theatre boss turns the auditorium into Depression-era New York, a place that exists in a constant state of flux. Hanging above the auditorium, bright neon signs point to the seedy underbelly of the city; a world of late nights and men who will gamble over just about anything. Nathan Detroit (Daniel Mays) is desperately trying to find a home for his next illegal crap game, while promising his fiancee of 14 years (girl, run) Adelaide (Marisha Wallace) that theyll get married any day now. Nathan needs an impossible-to-lose wager and reckons hes found one when he bets playboy Sky Masterson (Andrew Richardson) that he cant take a doll to Havana, the doll in question being local preacher Sarah Brown (Celinde Schoenmaker). The cast of Guys and Dolls' (Manuel Harlan) Watching the swirling ensemble, youll find it hard to know where to look, but our leads confidently steer the show. Mays is slightly lacking in energy when he arrives on stage, but he swiftly picks up pace. Wallace, meanwhile, who recently picked up an Olivier nomination for her role in Oklahoma!, continues to dominate every musical shes in. She doesnt overdo this easy-to-overdo role, making the often twee A Bushel and a Peck genuinely sexy. The shows highlight comes from Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Cedric Neal), who gets those not already standing out of their seats with a showstopping rendition of Sit Down, Youre Rockin The Boat. In these big, powerful group songs, the ensemble comes together. There are no distractions, and the audience regains any lost focus. Were reminded why were here: to see musical theatre titans at the top of their game, singing their hearts out. As classy revivals of major musicals go, youll struggle to find better. Isobel Lewis Story continues Full review here Marjorie Prime Menier Chocolate Factory a a a aa Anyone currently trembling in fear that their job will imminently be replaced by artificial intelligence will be soothed by the gentle vision of an android-filled future presented in Marjorie Prime. Brooklyn-based playwright Jordan Harrison wrote this lightly dystopian play nine years ago, before Chat GPTs terrifyingly good AI software was successfully deployed to generate everything from movie posters to sonnets to wedding vows. Accordingly, he imagines a world where androids are flawed helpmeets to humans, rather than sinister overlords. Last Tango in Halifax star Anne Reid is the warm beating heart of this show as 85-year-old Marjorie: shes wonderfully ribald, full of life, and anything but pitiable as she lives with dementia. But then, shes got lots to be cheerful about. Shes got Walter (Richard Fleeshman) to nudge her memory. Hes a Prime, or an accurate android facsimile of her late husband, forever aged 30 (its amusingly insinuated that she wanted him at his very hottest). Nancy Carroll (left) and Anne Reid in Marjorie Prime' (Manuel Harlan) This play is set 40 years in the future, but AI could already easily create something with a Primes conversational skills now. And as AI throws up so many ethical talking points, its somewhat disappointing that Harrisons hints at some of the darker possible uses of the Prime dont come to much: this plays tone is as even as a grey painted wall. Scenes move at a ponderous pace, static and talky, and bound by the limits of designer Jonathan Femsons beautifully mellow wood-lined living room. Still, its a satisfying 80 minutes at the theatre with a more abstract final scene that gestures to a more chilling potential vision of the future, one where humans could be squeezed of their stories and then discarded, like used tubes of toothpaste. Its a welcome note of terror in a play that often feels too cosy. Alice Saville Full review here Further Than the Furthest Thing Young Vic a a a aa Zinnie Harriss 1999 play follows the inhabitants of a small, remote island who are forced to relocate to England when a natural disaster hits. In a week of nationwide protests against the governments illegal migration bill, the Young Vics revival could hardly be more relevant. But as the play progresses, the topic begins to get lost among ever more outlandish and confusing storylines, muddling the focus. The play begins on the unnamed island (based on Tristan da Cunha, where Harris lived for a few years as a child) to which the newly confident Francis (Archie Madekwe) is returning after spending a year in Cape Town. We meet his sweet aunt Mill (a mesmerising Jenna Russell) and fiery uncle Bill (Cyril Nri), who have little, yet appear happy. But Francis hasnt come back alone; with him is Mr Hansen (Gerald Kyd), a textbook colonialist bad guy who schmoozes the family with magic tricks, before sharing his proposal to build a factory on the island. But then, a natural disaster strikes, and the residents flee to damp, smoggy England a land of work, the Queen and puddings, as Mill laments. Jenna Russell in Further Than the Furthest Thing' (Marc Brenner) Its hard not to be enraptured by the islands timeless world, where peoples lives are connected to the earth. They wear simple navy smocks and flat, split-toe shoes mimicking hooves. Around them, nature shimmers hypnotically, with neon waves and glistening stars projected on the slowly rotating stage. England is presented in sharp, clinical contrast in act two. The circular light and curved benches on stage may be reminiscent of an extra-terrestrial and crop circles, but the islanders are the aliens here. When Russell who brings both depth and rare moments of comic relief to the show recalls being mocked for always saying is instead of am or are, you can see the utter pain in her eyes. Midway through the second half, Further Than the Furthest Thing goes off the rails. Mr Hansen, a cartoon villain with his cream jacket and slicked-back hair, has a random moment of honesty and delivers a lengthy monologue that takes the show into whole new territory. Its a good twist, but one that doesnt feel earned by the play. A later, equally lengthy, speech from Mill delivers another huge revelation. In the end, it all feels too frantic, too confused. Harriss message that nobody leaves home unless they have to remains, but sometimes its hard to see it through the smog. IL Rebecca Turlay grew up in Meridian and found yoga after being injured while serving in the U.S. Navy. In March 2021, as the pandemic took a heavy toll on small businesses, she spent a chunk of her savings to share her passion and open a yoga studio in Kuna. Past studios had come and gone in the area, but Turlay was determined to make hers a success. Turlay, a part-time college student, hit a snag when she noticed her studios floors were bubbling from the hot yoga classes she teaches, where temperatures can reach 108 degrees. She settled on upgrading her floors and eventually landed on a local contractor she found through Facebook. He told Turlay an epoxy coating would be the ideal solution and he could do it for cheap, she said. I thought it was the answer to all my prayers, Turlay told the Idaho Statesman inside her brightly lit Kuna yoga studio. He guaranteed it for life, said that epoxy floors would be perfect and that it would withstand everything that I needed. Turlay, 28, handed Michael F. Rose, owner and operator of M Rose Restoration, a $1,500 check as a deposit. She also agreed to provide a membership credit valued at $1,100 for his son, she said. Rose told her the job, quoted at $5,000 in an invoice dated September 2021 that she provided to the Statesman, would take just a few days. But delays, and excuses, began to pile up, Turlay said. Turlay would later find out that when he provided her an invoice, his contractor license had been invalid for seven months. Rose lost his license as part of a state disciplinary action against him. And shed come to learn she is far from the only one to fall victim to Roses business practices, including his signed admission he violated rules governing his license. Rebecca Turlay, founder of Oasis Yoga Studio in Kuna, says she was ripped off for thousands of dollars by a local contractor who did not complete agreed upon epoxy floor work she sought to withstand 100-degree temperatures. She later won a $3,150 default judgment in small claims court. Initially, before I knew about his history, I just thought he was just a bad contract worker, thought he kind of took some shortcuts and was being lazy, Turlay said. Now that I know more about Michael, Im sure he did it maliciously. Story continues Dispute, default judgment In the days after Turlay paid the deposit, she said, Rose told her he would need to postpone because of supply issues, and asked for another $1,000 to buy more materials, which, she said, she gave him. After what grew into a six-week delay, Turlay said, Rose began work on the project. When he reached out again to tell her it was finished, she said, Rose said the death of a relative forced him to head out of state unexpectedly, and requested to be paid the remaining balance. And instead of the membership credit, Rose asked Turlay for another $2,500 in its place, she said. When Turlay got back into the studio and saw the work, she said, it wasnt at all what theyd discussed and only partially complete. The studio was unusable, Turlay said, unsafe to her teachers and clients. The subfloor was left exposed, uneven, with nails and shards of metal sticking out from the wood, which the Statesman observed during a visit to her studio. The issues created potential liabilities for Turlay and her business, she said. Rebecca Turlay, founder of Oasis Yoga Studio in Kuna, lifts up foam flooring she installed to cover up a local contractors unfinished job installing an epoxy floor intended to withstand 100-degree temperatures. Reached by phone, Rose acknowledged giving up his contractors license, which state records showed was pulled in February 2021. But he disputed Turlays assertions about the work he did on her yoga studio floor. We did exactly what we had told her we would do, Rose told the Statesman. When it came time to get paid the balance, she refused to pay it. But the project was completed. When Rose again asked for the remaining money, Turlay said, she repeated that she was dissatisfied with his work and it would need to be redone. Thats when Rose became verbally abusive and threatened to sue her and place a lien on her business, Turlay said. Rose rejected the allegation to the Statesman, calling it absolute nonsense. Fearing for her employees and workers, Turlay said she spent more money to have the locks changed, after Rose left without returning a key she loaned him for the job. Based on her total financial losses, Turlay took Rose to small claims court, where an Ada County judge awarded her $3,150. She said she has yet to see a dime of that money. Stated victims coming out of the woodwork The Meridian Police Department maintains a stack of complaints filed against Rose, 56, accusing him of felony grand theft for allegedly defrauding area homeowners out of tens of thousands of dollars. At least nine of his former customers later won small claims judgments against him, mostly on default after Rose either submitted excuses for why he couldnt attend, or just didnt bother to show up, court records showed. The Statesman spoke with six of those former customers. The jobs Rose allegedly walked away from, with thousands in deposits and fees for materials, included interior and exterior house painting, kitchen remodels and more recently his stated specialty: epoxy floors. Like Turlay, Stephanie Nichols, 34, said she found Rose through Facebook in April 2020 when she went looking for a company to lay down an epoxy coating on the floor of her three-car garage. Her family had recently moved into their Meridian home, and Nichols said she wanted to surprise her husband with the upgrade. But by June, Nichols, a Treasure Valley real estate agent, reported Rose to police for allegedly following her and posting online threats of violence against her and her family after she left a negative review about his company, according to a police report reviewed by the Statesman. When the harassment didnt stop, police arrested Rose in July 2020 on suspicion of violating a protection order issued by a court. Rose pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disturbing the peace, served five days in jail and received two years of probation that lapsed earlier this month. He told the Statesman he agreed to the charge because of a persistent heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, or AFib, that he said is worsened by stress. Rose provided the Statesman with a picture of himself laying in a hospital bed hooked up to an IV and with several monitors on his bare chest. I already served my time and my probation for that, Rose told the Statesman, denying he ever threatened Nichols. I paid for an ankle bracelet to stay away from a woman that I didnt know other than there was a client who was attacking my business constantly. Nichols recalled it differently. It was weeks of absolute hell, she told the Statesman by phone. Ive never been through anything like that in my life. Earlier that year, in January 2020, Rose also was involved in a fight at a bar in Meridian, a police report obtained by the Statesman through a public records request showed. The police report from the alleged bar fight noted that the officers check also revealed Michael possibly goes by the name Michael Fredrick Crump. Rose wasnt arrested or charged in the case. Nichols story about Rose is similar to several others. After she initially messaged him, Rose showed up and estimated the garage floor project at $1,750, according to an invoice she provided to police and that Rose provided to the Statesman. Rose asked for a $600 deposit up front, which she said she paid him with a credit card, according to the police report. To prepare for the day he was scheduled to come back for the job, Nichols cleared the garage, Nichols told the Statesman, including dragging heavy outdoor freezers out to the side yard. That day, she said, Rose postponed. The same ordeal happened several times, she said. First it was that Rose hurt his knee, Nichols said. Then he said one of his parents died and he had to leave town. Then he said he ran into supply issues at the store, she said. It was excuse, after excuse, after excuse why he couldnt come, Nichols said. And it was like, If he cant get it done, we just want our money back. I tried addressing it with him, and he got super kind of snappy and aggressive. When Rose finally got around to the job, the work was subpar and not the agreed upon color, Nichols said. Rose lied about the quality of the materials he used, she said. The epoxy never dried, and epoxy splotches were left on the recently painted baseboards and walls of the garage, she said. Rose blamed the damage on Nichols, he told the Statesman, because he said she drove on the garage early before the three- to five-day window needed to allow the epoxy to fully cure. Nichols said Rose told them it would dry within a day, and even when they pulled their cars in for the first time after a week, the surface peeled off like nail polish and stuck to their vehicle tires. Through her tears, Nichols said, Rose assured her the floor would look as they discussed once it dried. The Nicholses basically paid Rose the other $1,150 just to get him to leave, she said. After Rose initially agreed to come back and fix the project, Nichols said, he backed out and told her that he didnt care, to go ahead and sue him. She did, and the Nicholses were awarded about $4,700, court records showed, which included the costs to hire another company to repair the damage Rose caused and redo the floor, Nichols said. Rose has never paid any of it, she said, which Rose acknowledged. I dont know what they want, Rose said, suggesting he just planned to file bankruptcy. If its money, they should have thought about that before they shut down my business. Nichols filed reports with Meridian police and the Idaho attorney generals office. But it was after she posted her review for Roses business Koating Kings Epoxy Floors & Painting Co., she said, that he became irate and the threats began. Thats also, she said, when dozens of people started contacting her to say they went through similar experiences as her after they hired Rose to do improvement work at their homes, too. People were coming out of the woodwork, Nichols said. There were so many people on there, and whats sad is some people messaged me that: Im not going to comment on your post, because Im afraid of him. But I went through the same thing. Six businesses, same results Bidal Moreno said he also ended up a target of Roses demeaning behavior and repeated threats. In February 2019, Moreno said, he accepted a job he saw on Facebook to paint houses for Rose with his company Eagle Mountain Painting Co. Moreno told the Statesman he had a little bit of experience but never worked as a professional house painter, and Rose didnt offer any training or much in the way of direction at the worksites. Moreno, 57, who is deaf, said Rose initially paid him his hourly wage in cash. But over the course of his one month working on four different Treasure Valley homes, Moreno noticed that Rose rarely appeared at the job site, and he became suspicious. When Rose did show up, Moreno said, he wore a holster with a handgun on his hip, which Rose confirmed to the Statesman. Not long after, Moreno said, Rose continued to put him off about pay, and he said he was eventually owed more than $1,000. After Roses recurring promises of pay went unfulfilled, Moreno said, he walked off the job and Rose dared him to sue. Moreno did, and won a default judgment for nearly $1,200 that May. Rose said he didnt show up for court because of his recurring heart issues, which by then started to present as anxiety. As soon as my adrenaline would flow, my AFib would go crazy, Rose said. I didnt go to the hearing, intending on just filing bankruptcy on all of it. Moreno said hes still owed the money, and has frequently traded barbs online with Rose, who has responded in posts that Moreno is merely a disgruntled former employee, according to social media posts. In text messages that Moreno provided to police as part of their report, Rose sent insults about Morenos disability along with repeated threats, including that he knows where Moreno lives and to watch your 6 a military phrase meaning watch your back. You made the list, gimp, Rose messaged Moreno, according to the texts reviewed by police and included in their report reviewed by the Statesman. Wait til we cross paths, a---hole. Im going to give you a f----ing nap. Moreno said he thinks Rose, who also takes gigs locally playing in a rock band under the name M Rose & The Weary, still deserves to face consequences for his actions. I do think he should be punished for it, Moreno said by phone, through an interpreter. Because hes still doing the dirty business. There were several people filing complaints against him, so hes not learned his lesson. Rose and his wife, Nariah Siba Rose, previously lived in Riverside County, California, with their children, according to court and other public records. At the time, their names were Michael Fredrick Crump and Siba Talal Crump before changing their names to Michael Fredrich Rose and Siba Talal Rose in February 2010, as well as changing the names of their children, Riverside County Superior Court records showed. In March 2017, Roses wife changed her name again to her current name, according to the records. Since arriving in Idaho, Rose has operated under at least six business names, including M Rose Restoration, Eagle Mountain Painting and Koating Kings, rotating through them per job. A review by the Statesman of his company Facebook pages showed Rose most recently conducted business under the names American Epoxy Pros and Gem State Epoxy Pros after customers posted negative reviews for some of the prior companies. All the while, a growing number of residents said that Rose either performed shoddy work often doing thousands of dollars in damage to their homes in the process or just never showed back up again after they paid him a deposit, which he just pocketed, the residents told the Statesman. Several of Roses customers filed complaints with the attorney generals office, as well as Meridian police. After the police departments investigation, in which officers noted every time that the report related to a string of similar suspected fraud cases, they turned it over to the Ada County Prosecuting Attorneys Office in fall 2020. But the case didnt lead to criminal charges. The reports were submitted for our review for grand theft. However, the conduct did not meet the criminal standard for theft while he was licensed, Emily Lowe, spokesperson for the prosecutors office, told the Statesman by email, declining to say why. Were not comfortable making more specific comments about the facts. Civil judgments go unpaid When the repeat small claims judgments and Meridian police investigation led to limited consequences for Rose, six alleged victims filed complaints with the consumer protection division of the attorney generals office. Those complaints against Rose were forwarded onto the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses, which opened an investigation. Sebastian Ziegler, 38, of Meridian, filed one of the complaints. He hired Rose in January 2020 to install an epoxy floor in his garage for $1,800. He wound up paying another company $2,800 to fix the damage he said Rose created, and to complete the work correctly. Ziegler later won a $4,700 judgment against Rose in small claims court, and also has yet to see any of that money, he said. Rose said once Ziegler joined a group of his former customers after him for refunds, he cut ties and declined to address problems they raised with his work. Rose committed to providing the Statesman with the names and contacts of other customers with whom he resolved issues on their epoxy floors, but did not do so. Once they started attacking me with (Nichols), there wasnt any communication anymore, Rose said. I couldnt remedy the situations, as I have with so many other clients. After winning his case, Ziegler told the Statesman he spoke with a lawyer about getting paid. The lawyer, Ziegler said, told him the judgment was worth about as much as the paper it was printed on, because of the inherent challenges to forcing those found responsible to pay. He told me I can take this judgment and hang it on the wall, Ziegler recalled in an interview, because Id spend more money paying the lawyer than the money I would get out of it. Lisa Frederick, previously of Star, is another former Rose customer who said she never recovered money from him either. Frederick, 59, filed a small claims lawsuit in February 2020 seeking her $950 deposit back on a small kitchen remodel she hired Rose the prior March to complete. After five months of delays, she told police that he only did the job halfway, according to a police report. During her legal process, Frederick told the Statesman, she heard from the Judge Judy show about resolving the situation on TV. I agreed to go on the show, but they couldnt find him to see if he wanted to appear so that was dropped as well, Frederick said. To collect on his judgment, Ziegler said, he went to the Canyon County Sheriffs Office, because Rose was living in Nampa at the time. A deputy tried to collect from the last bank where Rose previously wrote a check, but a teller reported no current accounts existed under Roses name, Ziegler said. Ziegler said hes committed to ensuring others dont become Roses next victims. Its my goal to stop this, his business practices, Ziegler said. Because I know that hes continuing to install epoxy garage floors and doing remodel jobs in the valley here. Im sure people hire him because people dont have a lot of money and want to save money and hire him, and its a total loss. In January 2021, the states professional licenses division took action against Rose, based on its investigation. Rose agreed to give up his individual contractors license, and also pay more than $4,200 in fines within two years. Those fines would be turned over to collections if they went unpaid, an agency spokesperson told the Statesman by email. But he said he is not permitted to say whether Rose has paid those fines, because the information is exempt from disclosure and could be part of a future investigation if one takes place. Rose told the Statesman he didnt pay the fine by the required Jan. 8 deadline. I havent been able to, he said. Thats just going to be in my bankruptcy. Social media posts detail work Idaho law requires all contractors be licensed to perform work valued at more than $2,000. As part of Roses agreement with the states licensing board, he signed off that the discipline applied to him, all of his assumed business names and anyone holding an interest in (the) respondent shall be ineligible to obtain any registration as a contractor until his fines are paid. On May 5, 2022, Nariah Rose was granted an individual contractors license by the state professional licenses division, agency records showed. The Facebook pages for American Epoxy Pros and Gem State Epoxy Pros each at one time included the phone number listed on her license. Michael Rose told the Statesman he transferred his Gem State Epoxy Pros business over to the couples 20-year-old son. An amended certificate of assumed business name filed April 28 of last year with the secretary of state lists the Roses son under Nariah Roses ownership of the business, before she held a contractors license. On each companys Facebook page, the Roses promoted their work with purported before-and-after photos and videos of residential garage floors and commercial spaces. In a video posted to the American Epoxy Pros page on April 4, Michael Rose is seen performing work on an epoxy floor. In another from April 19, Michael Rose introduces two of the couples children in the video as the bosses on a different garage epoxy floor job site. Nariah Rose does not appear in either of the videos. Check this out guys, I wanted to show you what the A-team does, Michael Rose said, narrating the Facebook video reviewed by the Statesman. Weve seen the competition, across the street. That was not good. A since removed May 7 Facebook post advertised Best Floors @ the Best Price! and Guaranteed 4 Life! Call Now, listing Micheal Roses phone number. In a May 13 post on the Gem State Epoxy Pros Facebook page also removed since the Statesman contacted Michael Rose he appeared in a photo with a shop vacuum working in a residential garage. Another post from May 29 showed a finished epoxy garage floor, advertising its cost as $3,000. Dont hire an unlicensed fly by night company, the May 29 post read. We are license(d), bonded and insured. Operating without a contractors license is a misdemeanor, and complaints must be filed with a different enforcement agency, said Lowe with the Ada County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. Cases in Meridian are handled by the Boise City Attorneys Office. A Boise city spokesperson told the Statesman by email that no such complaints have been filed. No additional complaints since those original six in 2020 have been filed with the attorney generals consumer protection division, an office spokesperson told the Statesman. The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses spokesperson told the Statesman that he cannot say whether Rose is under additional investigation, as all complaints, investigations, informal actions or possible violations of an existing disciplinary action are exempt from disclosure under Idahos public records law. This guy should be in jail The Roses Facebook videos and posts continue to infuriate past customers, including Ziegler and Nichols, as well as Cody Usabel. Usabel said he and his wife refinanced to take out $30,000 in home equity to complete some improvements on their three-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-family house in Meridian. They hired Rose to paint the interior and exterior of their house. In total, the Usabels said, they paid him $6,850 over about two months in spring 2019. The Usabels also paid to rent a mobile storage unit that sat outside the residence to store their furniture and other items, and spent money for several nights at a hotel while painters worked, Cody Usabel said. Rose ended up delaying the project for months with repeated excuses, Cody Usabel said, including the death of a family member eating further into the Usabels home improvement budget. A separate contractor the Usabels hired to lay down a new interior floor also was held up for weeks waiting on Rose to complete his portion of the work, he said. It was a disaster, Cody Usabel, 38, told the Statesman by phone. We had all these things timed out, and he wouldnt show up. Desperate, the Usabels gave Rose more money to entice him back to do the work, and Rose finally showed up. But when he did, he failed to tape off fixtures as he sprayed paint around the interior of the home, Usabel said. Excess spray also hit windows and ruined baseboards that wound up having to be replaced, he said. To this day, the exterior painting Rose completed just peels off because he didnt first powerwash the house, Usabel said, providing the Statesman with several close-up photos of the interior and exterior of his home. Cody and Savannah Usabel hired local contractor Michael F. Rose in spring 2019 to paint the interior and exterior of their three-bedroom, two-bathroom Meridian home. The paint chipped off the exterior after they allege Rose did the work improperly, and the Usabels won a $6,850 civil judgment against him, of which Rose has paid none. Rose denied Usabels accusations. He provided the Statesman with two wide-shot exterior photos of the Usabels home that showed it had been newly painted. Thats an absolute lie, Rose said. I had his house almost done, and the guy calls and says hes not going to pay me. By the end, Usabel said, they basically felt like they paid Rose to come wreck their house. Since he did the work, theyve had to look in numerous areas at their old beige interior peeking through the neutral gray paint that Rose sprayed everywhere, including on several of their overhead light fixtures, Usabel said. Its not just one bad spot, he said. Its bad spots on every wall of the home. Other damage remains, Usabel said, and theyll eventually have to pay someone to redo much of the work money they dont have at the moment. For now, they just have to live in the mess they say Rose left behind. Usabel is angry at what he called a system that cant seem to stop people like Rose, who he said scammed him and his wife, from defrauding others. Thats in spite of the couples various efforts to keep Rose from continuing to do contract work, including filing a police report and winning nearly $7,500 in a default small claims judgment thats never been paid, Cody Usabel said. I dont owe them any money, Rose said. That house was all but done. The Usabels hired a local attorney during the process. Through the attorneys research, she found that Rose keeps his limited assets in his childrens names to avoid collections, according to an email that Usabel provided to the Statesman. Rose denied the premise. Cody Usabel remains incensed by what he characterized as the lack of any level of enforcement to prevent Rose from continuing to defraud the next customer who falls into the same trap. Theres nothing legally you can do to go after this guy, which blows my mind, he said. This guy should be in jail. Hes defrauding person after person, and should be arrested. Turlay, the Kuna yoga studio owner, said her experience has been the same, so she felt compelled to get the word out about Rose and the prolonged ordeal she went through with him that could have sunk her new business. To stay open, Turlay found a custom-padded floor that holds up well to her hot yoga classes, but at a cost of more than $5,000 meaning an initial expense nearly double what she budgeted to get her first attempt as a small business owner back on track. Rebecca Turlay, owner of Oasis Yoga Studio in Kuna, says she was ripped off for thousands of dollars by a local contractor who did not complete agreed upon epoxy floor work she sought to withstand 100-degree temperatures. She later won a default judgment in small claims court, and found out that she was just one of many victims of the same man, who has also been operating without a contractors license. But Turlay hasnt forgotten the trauma she said Michael Rose caused her, and seeks to help others avoid going through it next. It made me really determined to stop him, she said. This isnt just, Michaels a bad contractor. This is, Michaels a questionable human. Hes quite charming at first, so when people meet him it just worries me that theyre going to (fall) victim to some other scam, because he is a scam artist. He is a con man through and through. How to verify a contractors license Contractors in Idaho must list their license number on written estimates. To verify if an independent contractor is actively licensed, visit the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses search page and click Contractors in the drop-down menu and then choose the license type: https://apps.dopl.idaho.gov/DOPLPublic/LPRBrowser.aspx The Wellesley teachers union passed a vote of no-confidence in the school systems superintendent and school committee Saturday. Over 700 members of the Wellesley Educators Association passed the motion Saturday, citing a period of 260 days without a contract resolution. The union states they lack the adequate and necessary staffing of specialist teachers and professionals to help students. The needs of our students in Wellesley Public Schools have been greater than ever amidst historic increases in the emotional and behavioral needs of students nationwide during these times of unprecedented change and uncertainty, wrote the union in a statement. The Wellesley teachers union also states low starting pay and a lack of parental leave as barriers to hiring the necessary staff. The Wellesley Educators Association asks Superintendent David Lussier and the town school committee for a new contract that includes parental leave possibilities, competitive compensation and values the important work that all educators do. Boston 25 News received the following statement from Wellesley School Committee member Catherine Mirick: The School Committee has been bargaining in good faith for more than a year with the Wellesley Educators Association. We have agreed to 34 of the proposals that the WEA brought forward and, in the month of February, we offered more concessions. Despite all of this movement, including an unprecedented financial package, the Committee has seen no similar movement from the WEA. Negotiations require both parties to find common ground and compromise and, thus far, the WEA has been unwilling to do this. On Friday, we began mediation which is the next step in the bargaining process when negotiations reach impasse. Our hope is that by working closely with the state-assigned mediator, who will act as a third-party neutral, we can reach resolution in a timely manner. None of us want to see these negotiations extended any further. Story continues The School Committee remains committed to reaching an agreement that is fair and equitable to Wellesley educators and that fulfills our responsibility of providing the best education to Wellesley students, while also working within the budget parameters set by the Town. Wellesley Educators Association announcing No Confidence in superintendent & School Committee due to their inability over 260+ days to settle a FAIR CONTRACT that provides FAIR pay for all educators FAIR parental leave FAIR staffing for specialists FAIR due process for all FAIR amount of prep time. Posted by Massachusetts Teachers Association on Saturday, March 18, 2023 This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW (CNN) Leonardo da Vinci's mother was a slave trafficked into Italy, an expert on the Renaissance artist has claimed. In a new novel, a dramatized account of her life, Renaissance scholar Carlo Vecce writes that Leonardo's mother, Caterina, was originally from the Caucasus but was sold into slavery in Italy. Entitled "The Smile of Caterina, the mother of Leonardo," the book was inspired by a discovery that Vecce a professor at the University of Naples and an expert on the Old Master made at the State Archives in Florence in 2019 when working on the 500-year anniversary celebration of the great polymath's death. There, he stumbled across a previously unknown document he says is dated the fall fo 1452 and signed by the man known to be the master's father, which, he says, frees a slave called Caterina from her mistress, Monna Ginevra. The date, which was a few months after Leonardo was born, and fact that Leonardo's father signed it struck Vacce as proof that this woman was Leonardo's mother. Two years earlier, according to the same document, Ginevra had hired Caterina out as a wet nurse to a Florentine knight. "I discovered the document about a slave named Caterina five years ago and it became an obsession for me," Vecce, professor of Italian literature at the University of Naples "L'Orientale," told CNN. "I then searched and found the supporting documents. In the end, I was able to find evidence for the most probabable hypotheses. We can't say it is certain, we don't look for the absolute truth, we look for the highest degree of truth, and this is the most obvious hypothesis." The document describes the freed slave as having been born in the Caucsus area of central Asia and trafficked to Italy. Vecce planned to continue his research in Moscow, where he felt sure he could find even more documentation about the slave trade in Italy and Caterina's life. But the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to his travel plans, and instead, he said, he became "obsessed" with the story. "The more I went forward, the more the story made sense. The story of a slave who was kidnapped at 13 and liberated at 25, the year after Leonardo was born. What should have been the most beautiful years of her life were spent as a slave," he said. "A woman who lost her freedom" Leonardo was born on April 15, 1452, in Anchiano, a hamlet near the Tuscan town of Vinci, about 25 miles west of Florence. His full birth name was Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, which means "Leonardo, son of Piero, from Vinci." It had been thought that his mother was a local peasant named Caterina and his father a wealthy notary, according to official biographies of his life that were published at the 500-year-anniversary of his death in 2019. Leonardo was born out of wedlock, and both parents married other people after his birth, but he spent his childhood on his father's estate, where he was educated and treated like a legitimate son. There had been some suggestion within academic circles that Caterina had in fact been a slave, but there had never been any documentary evidence to support this theory until now. Vecce said the slave trade in Italy is rarely talked about, which may have led to the delay in this discovery. "Here in Europe we know almost nothing about slavery in the Mediterranean. It was born in the Mediterranean at an extraordinary time, during the Renaissance," he said. Vecce said he wrote his book about Caterina as a historical novel because so little is known about her whole life that he could not write an academic account. "I could only fill 20 pages if (I wrote) an academic book, so I wrote a historical novel. I was drawn to this form of writing. I felt liberated to recount the story this way," he said. Theory divides experts Paolo Galluzzi, a historian of Leonardo's scientific work and member of the Lincei science academy in Rome, told CNN that Vecce's theory is "extremely plausible." "It's based on documents and it isn't just fantasy," he said. Though written as a novel, the story is inspired by "scholarly research," said Galluzzi, and is "by far the most convincing version up to now" of Caterina's back story. "We have not the DNA of Leonardo or his mother or father, which would obviously provide the only scientific evidence," he said. "We rely on documents, and the documents that he (Vecce) has relied on are pretty convincing." Not everyone agrees, however. Martin Kemp, a leading Leonardo scholar and emeritus professor of art history at the University of Oxford, expressed more caution about Vecce's theory. In a statement emailed to CNN, he described Vecce as a "fine scholar," but added: "It is a surprise that he has published his documents in the context of a 'fictionalised' account." He said: "There have been a number of claims that Leonardo's mother was a slave. This fits the need to find something exceptional and exotic in Leonardo's background, and a link to slavery fits with current concerns." Kemp explained that Caterina was a common name for slaves who had converted to Christianity. He pointed out that Francesco del Giocondo, the man believed to have commissioned the Mona Lisa as a portrait of his wife, traded slaves and, according to historical records, traded two "Caterinas" in one year. Kemp, who in 2017 published "Mona Lisa: The People and the Painting" with co-author Giuseppe Pallanti, presented an alternative view of Caterina. "I still favour a 'rural mother' Caterina di Meo a more or less destitute orphan in Vinci, but this is not as big a story if he had a 'slave mother,"" he said in his statement. Whatever the truth about her identity, Vecce believes Leonardo's life work reflects his rapport with his mother. He said Leonardo's depictions of the Madonna figure have always been based on a real woman, not religious iconography, and he believes Caterina's influence inspired his great success. "The idea of the mother remained in his heart all his life. Caterina was the only woman in his life all his life, and he loved the smile of Caterina," he said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Was Leonardo da Vinci's mother a slave? An Italian professor believes so." CAIRO A Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli vehicle in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, wounding two people, Israeli officials said. The attack cast a shadow over Egyptian-mediated efforts to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday period beginning this week. The shooting came as Israeli and Palestinian officials were meeting in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh in a bid to rein in a spiral of violence as the Muslim holy of month of Ramadan begins this week. The shooting immediately raised questions about the prospects for the new talks. The meeting was the second attempt by the sides, shepherded by regional allies Egypt and Jordan as well as the United States, to end a year-long spasm of violence that has seen more than 200 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and more than 40 Israelis or foreigners killed in Palestinian attacks. Whatever progress emerged out of the previous meeting in Jordan late last month, which ended with pledges to de-escalate tensions, was quickly derailed when a new burst of violence erupted on the same day. A Palestinian gunman shot and killed two Israelis in the occupied West Bank and Jewish settlers in response rampaged in a Palestinian town, destroying property and leading to the death of one Palestinian. As Sundays talks were underway, a Palestinian gunman opened fire on an Israeli car in the same town Hawara as last months violence, the Israeli military said. Israeli medics said a man was shot in the upper body and was seriously wounded while his wife was lightly hurt. The Israeli army said the suspect was shot either by the wounded man or by soldiers and arrested. His condition was not immediately known. Hawara lies on a busy road in the northern part of the West Bank that is used by Israeli residents of nearby Jewish settlements. Many settlers carry guns. Bloodshed has been surging since last months meeting in Jordan, making expectations for Sundays second installment low. Story continues The killing of an Islamic Jihad militant in neighboring Syria added to the tensions Sunday. The militant group, which is active in the northern West Bank, accused Israel of assassinating the commander. Israel had no comment. Still, mediators want to ease tensions ahead of Ramadan, which start this week and which will coincide next month with the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover. Ahmed Abu Zaid, a spokesperson for the Egyptian foreign ministry, said Sundays meeting would be attended by high-level political and security officials from each side, as well as from Egypt, Jordan and the U.S. He wrote on Twitter that the talks are part of efforts to achieve and support calm between Israel and the Palestinians. Abu Zaid said regional and international participation in the meeting aims at establishing mechanisms to follow and activate what the parties agree on, but provided no additional details. The talks are part of efforts to support dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to work towards ceasing unilateral measures and escalation, and to break the existing cycle of violence and achieve calm, he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of the summit in his weekly Cabinet meeting. Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh tweeted that the meeting was meant to demand an end to this continuous Israeli aggression against us. Israeli media said senior security officials were set to attend. The upcoming period is sensitive because large numbers of Jewish and Muslim faithful pour into Jerusalems Old City, the emotional heart of the conflict and a flashpoint for violence, increasing friction points. Large numbers of Jews are also expected to visit a key Jerusalem holy site, known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount, which the Palestinians view as a provocation. Clashes at the site in 2021 helped trigger an 11-day war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war from Jordan and Egypt. The Palestinians seek those territories for their future independent state. WESTFIELD The One Westfield Place project, the largest development in the town's history, took another step forward with the Town Council's approval of financial agreements with the developer and bonds to fund public improvements. The approvals solidify the "long-term binding commitment" to the public-private partnership between the town and Streetworks, the real estate development arm of the Hudson's Bay Company, the owner of the vacant Lord & Taylor property. The Town Council also approved a $57 million bond, which will not be issued until 2026, for public improvements, including $31 million for the construction of two parking garages and other projects including sidewalks, landscaping, two town greens and traffic mitigation. All the agreements include conditions on Streetworks' performance and actions if those conditions are not met. Mayor Shelley Brindle said the bonds will be paid for by Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) funds the developer will pay over three decades. A PILOT is a common property tax abatement used by New Jersey municipalities to encourage redevelopment. The PILOT agreement reached with Streetworks is projected by the town's financial consultants to yield $213 million to Westfield over the next 30 years. A unique aspect of the proposed PILOT financial pact is eight separate agreements for each part of the project. That will allow Westfield to start collecting the PILOT money as each segment is completed, rather than waiting for the entire project to be completed. The PILOT tax abatements cover only the assessment of the improvements, not the assessed value of the land which will still be subject to property taxes. The PILOT payments are based on an escalating percentage of the project's gross revenue starting at 13% in years 1-5 then ending at 15% in years 16-30. After 30 years, the developer will pay "conventional" property taxes. Also see:Westfield bakery run by French pastry chef serves pastries, pies and Jeff's Cookies Story continues The Council voted to approve the financial arrangements despite continuing criticism of the project at the public hearing on the ordinances. Residents said the financial analysis supporting the PILOT was flawed and that the process should be delayed until an independent analysis is conducted. Others questioned why a "corporate giant" should get a tax break that residents are not going to get. But Council member Linda Habgood said officials rechecked the numbers after objections were raised and confirmed the projections were valid. "We wanted to make sure this deal works for Westfield," she said. Brindle again reaffirmed support of the project, which she called "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a vibrant downtown" and to continue Westfield's status as "one of the premier places to live in the state." Brindle said the financial agreements needed to be put in place so Streetworks could obtain financing and equity partners. We are extremely pleased to see our vision for One Westfield Place continue to move through the approvals process, Ken Narva, Streetworks development chairman and chief development officer, said in a news release. As the largest landowner in Westfield, we are committed to working with the Town to ensure a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable future for Westfield. The next step in the project, in the works for four years, is to obtain a site plan agreement from the Planning Board under the terms of the redevelopment agreement approved by both the Town Council and Planning Board. "This agreement is a culmination of years of engagement and active listening that allowed us to work collaboratively with public officials, residents and community members to better understand the needs of the community, said Carolina Simon, vice president of development of Streetworks. We look forward to the next steps in this approval process and want to thank Mayor Shelley Brindle and the Town Council for their continued support and collaboration to ensure a strong future for Westfield. One Westfield Place What's planned: 310,000 square feet of office space, 205 total residential units (154 of which are 55-plus age restricted), two public spaces, 27,000 square feet of street-level retail, two commuter garages, improved streetscapes. Estimated value: $440 million. When: Construction expected to begin in 2024. Completion: Estimated 2030. Preview Center: 76 Elm St. 2,000 visitors since October 2022. Open through the end of the year. Staff will oversee self-guided tours during regularly scheduled hours of operation. Website: onewestfieldplace.com. Hudson's Bay Company: A holding company of technology, retail operations and real estate businesses, including majority ownership Saks and Saks Off Fifth. Former owner of Lord & Taylor. It is North Americas longest continually operating company and headquartered in New York and Toronto. Streetworks Development: The real estate development division of Hudsons Bay Company. Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account. This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Westfield finalizes tax agreements for $440M redevelopment Ke Huy Quan and Brendan Fraser Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association It was a night for comeback kids at the 2023 Oscars. This year's Academy Awards included not one, but two wins for actors who are in the middle of major resurgences in their careers: Ke Huy Quan, a former child star who quit acting for 20 years because he couldn't land roles, and Brendan Fraser, who was also largely out of the spotlight in recent years after being a major star in the 1990s. So now that they're both Oscars winners, what's next for Quan and Fraser? Here's what we know: Killers of the Flower Moon Starting with Brendan Fraser, the actor's follow-up to The Whale could be another Oscar contender: Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Fraser has a supporting role in the upcoming Scorsese film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and centers on an investigation into the murders of members of the Osage tribe in the 1920s. It's based on the non-fiction book of the same name. Fraser booked a role in the film in 2021, and he's reportedly playing W.S. Hamilton, a defense lawyer. Fraser noted to GQ this reunited him with DiCaprio after they ran into each other in the 1990s, while they were both up-and-coming actors. In fact, Fraser recalled that all these years later, DiCaprio remembered an interaction they had in the '90s while on the Killers of the Flower Moon set. "I think I had just been in School Ties or something then, and I was, like, flummoxed but I just wanted to tell him, Hear, hear. That was incredible," Fraser told GQ. "And he repeated that to me. He remembered me. He said: You were the only guy who didn't treat me like a little kid. He volunteered that to me. That was meaningful." Brothers Also in 2021, Fraser was confirmed to have joined the cast of Brothers, a comedy that will pair him with Josh Brolin, Peter Dinklage, and Glenn Close, with Brolin and Dinklage playing siblings. Max Barbakow, the filmmaker behind Hulu's Palm Springs, is directing, with Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) working on the script. Not much is known about the film's plot, though Fraser revealed to Variety it's a heist movie. Story continues "There are jewels at stake, which have been mysteriously buried, possibly inside a cadaver," he teased. "And fraternal twins Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage who are very funny together, let me tell you are harangued by yours truly, a renegade jailer." These are the only two upcoming Fraser projects we know about (other than one called Behind the Curtain of Night, a version of which appears to have already been released without fanfare under the title The Secret Of Karma in 2020). But there was supposed to be one more major Fraser role in the pipeline: Batgirl. Fraser played the villain, Firefly, in the DC film starring Leslie Grace, but it was canceled in 2022 despite being fully shot. "It's tragic," Fraser told Variety of the film's cancellation. "It doesn't engender trust among filmmakers and the studio." Batgirl is unlikely to ever be publicly seen, though Grace has shared some behind-the-scenes footage showing her working with Fraser. American Born Chinese Moving on to Ke Huy Quan, the Best Supporting Actor winner's next project after his Oscar victory is expected to be the Disney+ show American Born Chinese, which reunites him with several of his co-stars from Everything Everywhere All at Once. Based on the graphic novel, the action comedy "tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his high school social life with his home life," per Disney. "When he meets a new student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle of Chinese mythological gods." The show not only stars Quan, but also Everything Everywhere's Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and James Hong. The Hollywood Reporter described it as "wildly entertaining" and "occasionally touching." The show premieres on Disney+ on May 24. Loki season 2 Quan will continue his relationship with Disney+ by joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in his biggest post-Oscar role. The actor has joined the cast of the second season of the Marvel series Loki, and based on footage shown at the D23 expo, he appears to be playing an archivist for the Time Variance Authority, the group that controls the flow of time in the show. On the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Quan said that after Everything Everywhere All at Once was released, the first phone call he received was from Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige offering him a role in the MCU. The offer came after Quan failed to book a single job in 2021, after shooting Everything Everywhere but before the film was released, leading him to lose his health insurance. "I was so touched, and I was like, 'All that time when nobody wanted me, and here is one of the most powerful producers on the planet,'" he told SiriusXM's Jess Cagle. Loki's second season is expected to premiere in mid-2023. The Electric State Quan's other big project on the horizon is The Electric State, a new Netflix movie directed by Avengers: Endgame filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo. The Russos previously worked with Quan, as they produced Everything Everywhere All at Once. "Set in a retro-futuristic past," The Electric State follows an "orphaned teenager who traverses the American West in search of her younger brother," and "joining her on the journey is a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter," per Netflix. Millie Bobby Brown plays the lead teenager, and the film also stars Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Brian Cox, and Billy Bob Thornton. It's based on the graphic novel of the same name. Quan said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast he had an "incredible" experience being directed by the Russos, adding that he was excited to work with Chris Pratt, "who I love dearly." He also said he filmed for about a month but that movie was still being shot at the time of this January 2023 interview. Because Quan has already completed his work on all of these projects, after his Oscar win, he told Variety, "Right now, I don't have a job. I don't have anything planned." He continued that he's concerned that he'll continue struggling to land roles, just like he did before stepping away from acting, despite now being an Oscar winner. "Moving forward, I'm still really scared, even though I just won an Oscar," he said. "But I'm still very fearful of what tomorrow brings. I had a conversation with my agent, and I said, 'I'm so worried that this is only a one-time thing. I've been down this road before, and I'm so afraid that history is going to repeat itself." Quan added that he conveyed this fear to Cate Blanchett, telling her, "I'm afraid that I'm going to do maybe one more [project], and then I'll be gone again." You may also like The truth about alcohol North Korea claims 800,000 people volunteered to fight against the U.S. Is it time to stop dyeing the Chicago River green for St. Patrick's Day? I wish I could say every day started like this, but today was special. I was on the hunt for mac and cheese. It all started when my editor mentioned a viral tweet of a photo of a barbecue plate. A quick glance didnt reveal much. But a closer inspection showed what all the hullabaloo was about. Beside the brisket, ribs, green beans and toast, a bowl of mac and cheese sat next to a small dish of... shredded cheese? My curiosity piqued, I thought, Could that just be more cheese for the macaroni? Turns out the twitterverse was asking the same question. Nobody make BBQ like in Virginia Im in heaven rn pic.twitter.com/yXSqtEKMzZ (@eagIesbetter) March 11, 2023 As a Houstonian, who now lives in Virginia, I am always wanting good barbecue. While Virginia barbecue don't hit like Houston BBQ, it don't look nothing like this mess. https://t.co/ESGiAKIgAl Maco L. Faniel (@macofaniel) March 12, 2023 A poster on Twitter claimed the plate of barbecue was from Virginia, much to the chagrin of many native Virginians. In total, the tweet garnered over 32 million views even catching the eye of Virginia state senator, L. Louise Lucas. Lucas debunked the claim on Instagram arguing that the plate could not possibly be from a restaurant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. After some investigation we learned this picture was taken in Texas so I refer all questions to them, Lucas wrote. I am aware of this fake photo circulating on the internet of Virginia BBQ. Nothing like this has ever been served in our Commonwealth. After some investigation we learned this picture was actually taken in Texas so I refer all questions to them. pic.twitter.com/5MuTnfSuY9 L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) March 13, 2023 A Twitter mac and cheese debate: Wheres the cheese? The plot, or should I say the cheese in this case, thickens. I scoured the comments and found someone linked the photo to a Yelp page for the Decatur barbecue restaurant, Ritzy Bs Smokehouse and Grill. Story continues Digging deeper, I discovered that the photo was originally posted on Twitter almost a year ago by someone who said they did stop by Ritzy Bs but without the false claim that the plate of barbecue came from Virginia. Instead, the tweet simply read, Lets see whats up with Texas BBQ. The one thing that had offended the barbecue sensibilities of so many was the container of yellow shredded cheese sitting next to a bowl of macaroni so pale many opined it had no cheese. I had to know the truth. "Sure hon, we've got Mac. But the cheese is extra." Mike Slichenmyer (@mikeslich) March 12, 2023 So, I hopped in my car and drove the 56 miles to Decatur to find out for myself what was up with the cheese. Or, lack thereof. As I approached the front door of Ritzy Bs, a cool breeze brushed the back of my neck, setting off my Spidey senses like I was about to face a foe. The restaurant was modestly busy for lunch for a Friday. As I stepped up to order, I found myself anxious about what I was going to find out. The man cutting the meat asked what I wanted, I told him, The brisket plate please. A few quick and careful knife cuts later, slivers of sliced brisket lay on my tray. Next were the sides, which were self-serve, so I scooped up a serving of beans, and of course, a bowl of mac and cheese. For the record, a cup of shredded yellow cheese did NOT come with my mac and cheese. I pondered if maybe the snarky poster simply misspoke about where they ate. Then, like an M. Night Shyamalan movie plot twist, my jaw hit the floor when I saw it. There on one corner of the restaurant was a cubby full of small containers of shredded yellow cheese next to pickles and other barbecue condiments. The self-serve barbecue fixings station at Ritzy Bs Smokehouse and Grill in Decatur, Texas on March 17, 2023. This wasnt Ritzy Bs flouting a sacred rule of barbecue Then it hit me. The shredded cheese wasnt for the mac and cheese. No. Its for the baked potato. This wasnt Ritzy Bs flouting a sacred rule of barbecue. For whatever reason when the original Twitter poster sent their photo into the twitterverse, the cup of shredded cheese was in it. As sharp as the mockery was about the mac and cheese, I found it to be full of savory heat. Its a jalapeno mac with chopped bacon. And it was plenty cheesy. There was no need for a side of shredded help. A brisket plate with beans and mac and cheese at Ritzy Bs Smokehouse and Grill in Decatur, Texas, on March 17, 2023. Ritzy Bs owner Brandi Davis laughed off the digital kerfuffle telling me she had no idea it was even making the rounds. Its great news that people are out there talking about my food, I mean Im honored, Davis said. Im glad that it got posted, even though they thought the cheese was missing from the mac and cheese. Davis, who also owns both Brandis Country Kitchen locations in Decatur and Bridgeport, opened the barbecue joint two years ago. She used to work at the steakhouse that was in Ritzy Bs current location, so when the venue went up for sale, she cashed in to buy the business. Barbecue is different from what Davis is used to, but she said the last two years have been successful. Now that the cheesy controversy is behind us, Davis recommends the smoked turkey breast. Another favorite of hers is the Texas twinkie, which is a jalapeno stuffed with brisket and cheese. As for the digital debate over Virginia and Texas barbecue, Davis is taking it all in stride. Nothing like free publicity, Davis joked. A raccoon dog in its enclosure. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) A new report suggesting that the coronavirus may have originated in raccoon dogs has energized scientists who have long argued that the pandemic began at a wildlife market in Wuhan, where the pathogen jumped from animals to humans. But to the smaller faction of researchers who maintain that the coronavirus was the result of a laboratory accident, the raccoon dog findings described in an Atlantic article published on Thursday failed to produce convincing evidence of a natural origin that rules out human involvement. It speaks volumes that this weak and missing data is considered the strongest evidence for a market origin, molecular biologist Alina Chan of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard told Yahoo News. A leading proponent of the lab origin hypothesis, Chan noted that even the natural origin proponents analyzing this data have said it is not definitive and not direct evidence of infected raccoon dogs at the market. Anna Bross, a vice president for communications at The Atlantic, defended the much-discussed article. The Atlantic's report is careful to state what is now known and what isn't," she wrote to Yahoo News in an email. We have reached out to many experts and are eager for the data to be made public; we will be continuing to report on this story as it develops. Recent disease outbreaks including of HIV, Ebola and the bird flu are believed to have had zoonotic origins, and most scientists still believe that the coronavirus began in a similar manner. But they have lacked definitive evidence to prove their case. So, for that matter, have proponents of the lab leak theory of origin. Security personnel gather near the entrance of the Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by the World Health Organization in 2021. (Ng Han Guan/AP) The furious disagreement over how the coronavirus began is only likely to intensify as Congress continues to investigate the pandemics origins. Both of its chambers recently passed a bill demanding that President Biden declassify intelligence collected by U.S. agencies investigating the question. The White House has not yet said whether he will sign the measure. Story continues I'm optimistic that more evidence will be made public, Chan said, and proponents of either hypothesis can reevaluate their confidence at that time. For supporters of the market origin theory, however, the research described in the Atlantic is the most persuasive to date of a zoonotic, or animal, model to describe how the coronavirus entered the human population. Nearly 7 million people have died from COVID-19 since late 2019, when the first cases were reported. According to the researchers, swabs taken at the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhanlong suspected as the pandemics epicenter show evidence of genetic material from raccoon dogs (animals that look like raccoons but are actually genetically closer to foxes) mixed with markers of SARS-CoV-2, as the coronavirus was initially known. Now we have definite proof that animals were there that could carry coronaviruses at the time of the outbreak," said Peter Daszak, president of EcoHealth Alliance, a New York-based nonprofit that supported controversial virus research in Wuhan before the 2019 outbreak. Daszak has backed the zoonotic hypothesis from the start of the pandemic. To me, Daszak said in a telephone interview, its another piece of evidence that the market was where it began, not the lab. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market sits closed in January of 2020. (Dake Kang/AP) Still, mysteries abound. And given the uncertainties about the underlying data and research neither of which has yet been made public detractors of the market origin hypothesis charged that the raccoon dog evidence is an attempt to shift the narrative back to a once-prevalent hypothesis that has lost ground in recent months, as evidence (mostly circumstantial) pointed ever more strongly to human involvement. At least so far, I see this entire story as a media creation, former National Security Council official Jamie Metzl told Yahoo News on Friday. He recently testified before Congress in favor of the lab leak hypothesis. I have yet to see any evidence or the suggestion of any evidence that would or could prove that the virus passed from a raccoon dog, or any animal, to a human." With a headline billing the Strongest Evidence Yet That an Animal Started the Pandemic, the Atlantic article describes research being conducted by Kristian Andersen of Scripps Research Translational Institute, Michael Worobey of the University of Arizona and Edward Holmes of the University of Sydney. Although as the article acknowledges no conclusions have been published by the researchers or scrutinized by the scientific community at large, social media was rife with celebrations that the question of how the pandemic began had finally been put to rest. The new findings should settle the question of how the pandemic started, Pulitzer Prize winning science writer Laurie Garrett wrote on Twitter. But the lab leak proponents will never yield. Indeed, for some lab leak supporters, the raccoon dog revelations were little more than a sign of scientific desperation. If this is the Strongest Evidence Yet, then the lab leak hypothesis wins hands down, said microbiologist Pat Fidopiastis of the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Andersen, Worobey and Holmes have not made their work available to the public. None of them responded to Yahoo News requests for comment. A 2020 electron microscope image of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles. (Hannah A. Bullock, Azaibi Tamin/CDC via AP) According to the Atlantic, the trio studied genetic material collected from market stalls by Chinese investigators in February 2020, weeks before the World Health Organization declared a pandemic. Earlier this month, a trove of previously unavailable data from those swabs was uploaded to an international database, GISAID, where it was promptly discovered by French evolutionary biologist Florence Debarre, who alerted colleagues around the world. The data from the Huanan Seafood Market swabs apparently turned out to show DNA from raccoon dogs mixed with RNA from SARS-CoV-2. Several species had been previously suspected, including bats and pangolins, as the intermediaries responsible for infecting humans. The raccoon dog is now the prime animal suspect. Its exactly what youd expect if the virus was emerging from an intermediate or multiple intermediate hosts in the market. I think ecologically, this is close to a closed case, University of Chicago computational epidemiologist Sarah Cobey told the New York Times. What the years-old swabs cannot reveal, though, is the sequence of events that created the genetic mashup that is now riveting and dividing scientists. Raccoon dogs were already known to be susceptible to coronavirus. The far more difficult question is whether raccoon dogs could have served as the inadvertent vehicle for an entirely new pathogen. For that to be the case, a raccoon dog would have to have been infected with the new coronavirus before passing it on to an initial human host, thus establishing itself as the missing link in the chain of transmission. So far, conclusive evidence for that two-step process simply does not exist. The viruses sampled at the market were the human outbreak virus, Chan of the Broad Institute pointed out. Workers produce N95 respirators in Paterson, N.J. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters) To make matters more complicated, the data in question disappeared from the GISAID database after it was accessed by Andersen and his colleagues. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on China to release the data pertaining to coronavirus origins. Beijing has been highly reluctant to do so, denying altogether that the virus originated in China, whether in a market or a lab. Even if the missing GISAID information is made public again, it will be impossible to say, in 2023, how the genetic data from raccoon dogs and the coronavirus came to share a sample from 2020. The data uploaded to GISAID doesn't distinguish whether the virus in the wildlife stall was brought there by a raccoon dog or by a person infected due to the superspreading in the market, Chan said. It doesn't even tell us if the raccoon dog was infected or if a surface contaminated by a sick person and the raccoon dog had been swabbed. Thousands of people moved through the market daily; by February 2020, at least some of them were shedding viral particles as they went from stall to stall. That some viral particles ended up in a cage where a raccoon dog was housed may be the expected outcome. The P4 lab inside the Wuhan Institute of Virology. (Ng Han Guan/AP) The claim is that genetic data indicate that raccoon dogs may have been present at Huanan Seafood Market at some point prior to January 2020. The claim, even if taken at face value, adds little to the discussion, Rutgers microbiologist Richard H. Ebright told Yahoo News in an email. The data do not indicate that a raccoon dog was infected with SARS-CoV-2, much less that a raccoon dog was infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to a human. Metzl was even more blunt. There is a zero percent chance that the evidence released so far constitutes a smoking gun proving a market origin of the pandemic. Anyone suggesting that this is the case is engaging in fraud, he told Yahoo News. Animal intermediaries for human viruses can take years to find, and some believe that looking for the origins of the coronavirus is a fruitless exercise that does nothing to prepare the world for the next disease outbreak. Still, a recent poll found that 7 in 10 Americans want to know where and how the pandemic originated. Once regarded as a conspiracy theory, the notion of a laboratory accident the Wuhan Institute of Virology is the main suspect has entered the mainstream. President Biden ordered American U.S. intelligence agencies to produce their own estimates of how the pandemic began. American intelligence agencies remain divided, and largely uncertain, but evidence appears to have been building in favor of human involvement. Last month, the Wall Street Journal revealed that researchers with the Department of Energys high-level Z Division had grown more confident about a lab leak. A raccoon dog foraging in a forest. (ARTERRA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) If the coronavirus did originate with raccoon dogs, there would likely be infected members of the species in the wild, since it is not plausible for a virus of such high transmissibility to have arisen at a single stall in Wuhan without leaving a trace of its origins. These researchers will need to go out into the wild and find a raccoon-dog specific CoV that has close enough overall genetic relatedness to SARS-CoV-2 to be a reasonable proximal ancestor, Fidopiastis of Cal Poly told Yahoo News. Chinese authorities have denied a market origin as steadfastly as they have a lab leak. Last year, researchers with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other institutions, ruled out the possibility that the coronavirus jumped from raccoon dogs or 17 other species sold in Wuhan. Using data from the swabs conducted in 2020 the same data that appeared briefly on GISAID earlier this month and caught Debarres attention the Chinese group asserted that no animal host of SARS-CoV-2 can be deduced and that the Huanan market was an amplifier, but not the origin, of the coronavirus. The lead author of that paper was George Gao, the former head of the Chinese CDC. Gao told the publication Science that the findings touted in the Atlantic represented nothing new. Still others believe that the research is a valuable step, even if definitive assertions are premature. These data do not provide a definitive answer to how the pandemic began, Tedros of the WHO said on Friday. But every piece of data is important to moving us closer to that answer. Kevin Bacon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell, and Matt Dillon photographed for the 1998 film "Wild Things." Columbia Pictures/Getty Images The 1998 film "Wild Things" nearly featured a sex scene between Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon. According to director John McNaughton, it never happened because one actor refused to film it. "You win some, you lose some," McNaughton said about the scrapped scene. "Wild Things" nearly featured a sex scene between Kevin Bacon and Matt Dillon, but the moment was scrapped when one of them refused to film it, the director said. Speaking to Ethan Alters for Yahoo News on the 25th anniversary of the 1998 cult classic, director John McNaughton recalled one of the more surprising moments in the original script that never got shot. "Wild Things," which also starred Neve Campbell and Denise Richards, follows a police detective uncovering a conspiracy in a case involving a high-school guidance counselor accused of rape by two female students. The film features several twists and turns. However, one of the most shocking moments scriptwriter Stephen Peters originally included was a sex scene between Dillon's and Bacon's characters after it is revealed the pair are conspiring together against the two young women. "In the original version of the scene, Matt walks into his bathroom to take a shower and there's Kevin," McNaughton said. "They were supposed to look each other up and down and then wham go at it." Matt Dillon and Kevin Bacon during the "City of Ghosts" premiere in New York City on April 21, 2003. Jim Spellman/WireImage But it never happened, because one of the two refused to film the scene as it was originally portrayed in the script. According to Alters, McNaughton refused to say who. Representatives for Dillon and Bacon did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. "I love surprise, and I love stuff that I don't see coming," he said. "But in that moment it was like 'You win some, you lose some; we're moving on.'" Dillon told Total Film in 2005 that he was "relieved" when the scene was cut, while Bacon told the publication that the twist would've been "great," ultimately blaming the film's financiers for taking it out as he believed they "didn't like the idea of men making out." Story continues McNaughton made several other revelations elsewhere in the Yahoo interview, including that Marvel star Robert Downey Jr. was initially slated to play Dillon's character. According to the director, they ended up going with Dillon over Downey Jr. partly because his substance-abuse issues at the time made him a liability for the studio production and partly because they were unable to finalize a deal with his representatives. Looking back, McNaughton said he believes the right actor got the role. "As my dear mother used to say, 'Everything happens for a reason,'" he said. Read the original article on Insider (Donna Hicks / SWNS) A blood cancer patient who had holes in her spine was initially misdiagnosed due to being a busy mum. Mum-of-three Donna Hicks, 49, went to her GP complaining of constant fatigue and back pain when her youngest child was one. She was eventually diagnosed with myeloma - an incurable form of blood cancer - aged 41, in September 2014. Donna, from Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, had two sons aged nine and seven as well as her toddler daughter, and had just lost her mum when she was diagnosed. She had to give up her job as a social work manager, a decision she found devastating. Donna said: I had this chronic fatigue that I couldnt shake. It wouldnt lift and I had really bad back pain that had constantly been put down to having babies. I eventually went to the GP because it was getting me down and the fatigue was really impacting my life. The GP was very dismissive. He looked at his watch a couple of times and eventually said, Youre over 40, you work full-time, youve got three children including a baby and youre wondering why youre tired?, and basically sent me packing. I sat in the car in the car park crying for ages because I knew something was not right. I didnt feel like myself and it was getting worse. It was awful. (Donna Hicks / SWNS) Myeloma is the third most common form of blood cancer - affecting around 2000 Scots - but more than half of patients wait over five months for a diagnosis and around a third of cases are only picked up at a late stage in A&E. Common symptoms including back pain, easily broken bones, fatigue and recurring infections are often mistaken for ageing or other minor conditions. While incurable, most myeloma patients can respond to treatment to extend their life if the disease is picked up in time. Donna saw another GP who suspected something was seriously wrong and ordered a blood test. The myeloma diagnosis came a fortnight after Donnas mum discovered she had lung cancer, and died 10 weeks later. Donna said: I was stuck in this situation of having a really young family and having lost my mum. Story continues I just felt really desperate. It was really difficult to see beyond that place of darkness to begin with because I was so frightened. I just felt that life as I knew it had stopped. My job was really important to me. It was much more than a just a job to me. Its the loss of identity. I just felt that life as I knew it had stopped Donna was referred by her consultant at the Vale of Leven hospital for what was initially expected to be a one-off appointment with Dr Richard Soutar, an expert in myeloma based at the Beatson in Glasgow. She has remained under his care ever since. She said: I remember that first night after seeing Dr Soutar, saying to my husband, Im absolutely going to be here in 10 years. Donna underwent radiotherapy to heal the fractures in her spine, followed by chemotherapy and two life-saving stem cell transplants in 2020 and 2021. She is now in what is known as a good partial remission from the disease, and has nothing but praise for her treatment at the Beatson. She said: I have a lot of respect for Dr Soutar. Hes very upfront and hes also extremely caring. Its so lovely to feel like youve got a relationship like that with your doctor. I feel very fortunate that at the Beatson there is a team that knows everything there is to know about myeloma. I know that there are lots of patients with myeloma who dont ever really see anybody who is a specialist in that area. The reality is that some people arent lucky with myeloma and its very unpredictable and despite best efforts and the best mentality you have around it, it may still never be enough, but Im still here eight years later. Life is never going to be the same again, theres no doubt about that. The way I see it is theres a volcano inside me. At the moment its dormant but at some point in the future its probably going to erupt again. But while its dormant Im going to get on with things and do as much as I possibly can. Donna is sharing her own experience as charity Myeloma UK prepares to the present the Beatson team with its Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award for a second time tomorrow. The accolade recognises hospitals that go above and beyond to provide compassionate care. Monica Morris, of Myeloma UK, said: We were extremely impressed by the Beatsons willingness to adapt to patients needs. The team truly goes the extra mile to understand patients and support them when theyre at their most vulnerable. For example, when needed, patients can see a specialist pharmacist for pain management as part of their regular appointment, saving them from exhausting and, in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, potentially expensive back and forth trips to a separate pain clinic. A 22-year-old woman sustained a gunshot wound to the sternum in an incident in the 1500 block of East Reynolds Street around 9 p.m. Saturday. Detectives with the Springfield Police Criminal Investigations Division arrested Daevon J.C. Jackson, 23, of Springfield for reckless conduct. SPD Commander Sara Pickford said the shooting happened inside the residence, where the woman was found by officers. More:Springfield Police investigating death of 72-year-old woman as homicide Pickford, reached Sunday, did not identify the woman. The victim was reported to have life threatening injuries Saturday when she was taken to HSHS St. John's Hospital, but her condition was upgraded Sunday to "stable," according to Pickford. Jackson and the woman had an "on and off domestic relationship," Pickford said. It was not immediately clear if the couple was living together. Pickford said detectives were continuing to work on a motive. Two other adults and two children were inside the residence at the time of the incident. The adults were interviewed, Pickford said. She didn't immediately know the relationship between the two adults and two children to Jackson or the woman. Pickford said neighbors talked to by officers said they did not hear a disturbance in the residence before the shot. The call to SPD came in as a 911 from someone inside the residence, Pickford said. Evidence from the scene was recovered, she added. Jackson is in the Sangamon County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Contact Steven Spearie: (217) 622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: A woman sustained life threatening injuries in a shooting in Springfield IL A Pennsylvania mother was mauled to death by her neighbors dogs when she tried to feed them, authorities told news outlets. The 38-year-old Centre Township woman went to her neighbors house on Thursday, March 16, to take care of their three Great Danes while they were away, TV station WGAL reported. It was a favor she had done for her neighbor before, authorities told the outlet. The womans young son went to the house with her and when the dogs attacked, he ran to get help, the Associated Press reported. Police arrived at the scene but could not get to the woman until animal control officers tranquilized the dogs, the outlet reported. Two of the Great Danes were euthanized but a third, which did not attack the woman, was left at the home, WHTM reported. The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating, according to the station. Centre Township is roughly 70 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. Dont let me die. Teen mauled by dog is hospitalized after attack, Virginia cops say Pet zebra bites mans arm off, then is shot and killed by deputies, Ohio sheriff says Monkey appears on womans porch and rips her ear in half in Oklahoma attack, she says Four dogs maul worker to death as 911 caller reports screams, California officials say There was a collision on Rainier Avenue South at South Weller Street that was blocking all northbound lanes, the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted Saturday night. WSDOT says the crash is now cleared. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) Marine experts have urged authorities to contain the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro before the amihan season ends as the northeast monsoon has helped control the slick. "The amihan winds, which contained most of the oil to the coasts of Nauhan and Pola in the previous weeks, are now more variable, allowing the oil to spread northwards," the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) explained in a bulletin released Saturday. "It is critical to stop the seepage before the end of the amihan season, otherwise more critical biodiversity areas along the Verde Island Passage may be affected," it added. RELATED: Over 36,000 hectares of marine habitats potentially affected after oil spill experts The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration noted in its advisories that the amihan season is expected to end in mid-March. MT Princess Empress was carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil when it capsized and sank in waters off Balingawan Point in Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro on Feb. 28. The UPMSI said oil spill trajectories showed a northward shift, warning that more slick will reach the shores of Calapan City on March 22. "Westward currents along the coast of northern Mindoro towards the Verde Island Passage are forecasted to be more pronounced for this period," it added. The Philippine Coast Guard and local disaster management personnel on Thursday confirmed the sighting of slicks along Calapan shores. But local authorities decided not to implement a fishing ban in the city as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said there was no indication that the fish in the area were affected by the oil spill. Latest data from disaster management officials showed 32,269 families, or 149,503 individuals, in Mimaropa and Western Visayas have been affected by the oil spill. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday said 189 residents got sick because of the oil spill. They experienced dizziness, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping (pictured together last year) will meet for talks in Moscow this week Chinese President Xi Jinping is embarking on his first trip to Russia since the country invaded Ukraine last year, and is set to sit down for talks with President Vladimir Putin. Our Russia editor Steve Rosenberg and China correspondent Stephen McDonell have been considering what each side seeks to gain from the talks, and what we know about the relationship between the two countries. Putin looking for help from a friend Analysis box by Steve Rosenberg, Russia editor Imagine you're Vladimir Putin. You've started a war that hasn't gone to plan; you're up to your eyeballs in sanctions; and now the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for war crimes with your name on it. It's at times like these you need a friend. Enter Xi Jinping. President Xi once called President Putin his "best friend". The two have much in common: they are both authoritarian leaders, and both embrace the idea of a "multi-polar world" devoid of US domination. In Moscow they're expected to sign an agreement on "deepening the comprehensive partnership" between their two countries. The Chinese president's state visit is a clear sign of support for Russia - and its president - at a time when the Kremlin is under intense international pressure. And Russia's relationship with China is fundamental to withstanding that. "Putin is building his own bloc. He doesn't trust the West anymore - and he never will again," believes journalist Dmitry Muratov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. "So, Putin's looking for allies and trying to make Russia part of a common fortress with China, as well as with India, some parts of Latin America and Africa. Putin is building his anti-Western world." In this "anti-Western world", Moscow is heavily reliant on Beijing - now more than ever, as the war rages in Ukraine. "War has become the organising principle of Russian domestic politics, foreign policy and economic policy. There is an obsession with destroying Ukraine," concludes Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Story continues "For that you need arms, money and an economic lifeline. China provides Russia with, at least, components for arms, and civilian technology that can be used for military purposes. It definitely provides money." To counter Western sanctions, and to shore up the Russian economy, Russia has been boosting trade with China, primarily in the energy sector. Expect oil, gas and energy pipelines to be on the agenda at the Putin-Xi talks. But, once again, imagine you're Putin. One year ago you and Xi proclaimed that your partnership has "no limits". If that's really the case, might you expect China now to help you out in Ukraine, by supplying Russia with lethal aid and facilitating a military victory for Moscow? The US claims that China is considering doing just that. Beijing denies it. As they say in Russia, "there's no harm wishing for something" - but it doesn't mean it's going to happen. If there's one thing the last year has shown it is that the "no-limits partnership" does have limits. Up to this point Beijing has apparently been reluctant to provide direct military assistance to Moscow, for fear of triggering secondary sanctions in the West against Chinese companies. As far as Beijing is concerned: sorry Russia it's China first. That very point was made very bluntly recently on a Russian state TV talk show. "Ahead of President Xi's visit to Moscow, some experts here have been overexcited, elated even," noted military pundit Mikhail Khodarenok. "But China can have only one ally: China itself. China can only have one set of interests: pro-Chinese ones. Chinese foreign policy is utterly devoid of altruism." Xi's signals to Putin can only go three ways Analysis box by Stephen McDonell, China correspondent Officially Xi Jinping's visit to Russia is to promote bilateral ties between two neighbours and certainly these governments say they are becoming ever closer. There are agreements to be signed, meals to be had, photo opportunities to be staged. All governments have such visits, so why all the attention on this one? Well, for one, this is the leader of one of the world's two great superpowers visiting an ally - who happens to be the person who has unleashed a bloody invasion of another country in Europe - in 2023. Many analysts have pondered what China might do if it looks like Russia is facing a clear, humiliating defeat on the battlefield. The Chinese government says it is neutral. Would it just step back and let that happen, or start pumping in weapons to give the Russian army a better edge? After Xi arrives in Moscow, he and his Russian counterpart may speak about other things, but all the attention will be on the Ukraine crisis. His signals to Vladimir Putin can only go three ways: 1. Time to consider pulling back with some face-saving compromise 2. Green light to keep going or even go in harder 3. Nothing either way from China's leader China is coming off the back of brokering a deal in which Iran and Saudi Arabia have re-established diplomatic relations. It is becoming ever more prepared to inject itself into matters way beyond its shores. This would seem to make option three unlikely. With option one, if it involves Beijing again being able to claim the mantle of global peacemaker following the Iran-Saudi deal, this would be quite a neat feather in Xi's cap. The main problem with that option is the extent to which it would also benefit China. The bleakest of options is number two, but there is a reading whereby Russia's war with Ukraine plays into Beijing's geopolitical strategy. The Kremlin is taking on the West, eating up Nato resources and, the longer the war goes on, the more it tests the appetite of the Western public for yet more conflict if the People's Liberation Army should move to take Taiwan by force. The calculation from Beijing could be that, the longer the war continues, the fewer people are going to want to get involved in another one. The Chinese government's claim to neutrality also does not match the state-controlled news reporting here. The evening TV bulletins run the Kremlin line and devote a huge proportion of their coverage to blaming the "the West" for the "conflict". It doesn't speak about a "war" and would never dream of referring to an "invasion" of Ukraine. Publicly, China says the sovereignty of all nations should be respected (ie Ukraine's), but so should the "legitimate security concerns" of other countries (ie Russia). Yet it is not Kyiv where Xi Jinping is visiting. It's Moscow. So, when Xi leaves Moscow in a few days, Putin will either be worried about wavering Chinese support or buoyed by the backing of one of the two most powerful people on the planet. The smart money seems to be on the latter. Two suspects in New York were arrested this week after crashing a Jeep they allegedly stole at knife point into a school bus full of children while being chased by police. Police in Rochester, New York say two suspects stole a red jeep at knife point from a 51-year-old female before being spotted by officers who tried to make a traffic stop, Fox 5 New York reported this week . During the stop, police told the suspects to exit the vehicle but the driver instead put the vehicle in reverse, slammed into one of the police cars, and took off. Bystander Raymond Gonzalez heard the sirens and pulled out his phone in time to record the Jeep flying the wrong way down a street before crashing into the school bus that was carrying 17 children. VIDEO SHOWS 'GOOD SAMARITAN' HELPING NYPD TAKE DOWN ARMED SUSPECT Raymond Gonzalez captured video of two carjacking suspects crashing into a bus while fleeing from police The two suspects then jumped out of the car and fled on foot. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Officers can be seen on the video chasing one of the suspects and yelling at him to "get on the ground" before eventually apprehending him. NEW YORK MAN WHO SUPPORTED ISIS ARRESTED IN ALLEGED PLOT TO KILL COPS, MAYOR DURING ST. PATRICKS DAY PARADE Maliq McCullough, 20, and Adeosun Hughes, 23, were arrested and charged "Thankfully, the driver and every student was uninjured as a result of the crash," the Rochester Police Department said in a statement. "The city school district was advised of the accident and made arrangements to have each student transported home." The suspects were identified as Maliq McCullough, 20, and Adeosun Hughes, 23, and both were charged for the involvement in the incident. City skyline and the Genesee River in Rochester. McCullough is facing charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and both third and fourth-degree larceny while Hughes has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. It may seem unusual to some people to use oysters or oyster shells to create a new beer, but that's exactly what one New York City brewery did, and it's helping the environment. Earlier this year, TALEA Beer Co. teamed up with the Billion Oyster Project to create the beer She Sells Seashells to support the organization's mission to restore oyster reefs in New York Harbor. HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER Founded in 2014, the Billion Oyster Project has restored 100 million oysters to New York Harbor and has a larger goal of restoring 1 billion oysters to the harbor by 2035. In addition, 2 million pounds of oyster shells have been collected and prepared for reuse so far. After a year of preparation, the shells are seeded with oyster larvae that settle onto the shells. According to NOAA's National Ocean Service, once the larvae permanently attach to a surface, they are known as spat. According to the Billion Oyster Project, the spat-on-shell oysters and cured shells are then placed in reef sites in New York Harbor to become self-sustaining oyster populations. TALEA Beer Co. was founded in April 2019 by Tara Hankinson and LeAnn Darland, who met while working at a beer e-commerce startup. "They quickly bonded over the realization that, although women are the fastest-growing subset of craft beer consumers, beers are rarely made or marketed with women in mind," said TALEA Beer Co's. Noelle Witt. "They out to make easy-to-love, approachable beers that appeal to a broader audience." CHARLESTON BREWERY CREATES BEER TO HELP PEOPLE PREPARE FOR HURRICANES TALEA currently has two Brooklyn, New York, locations and is preparing to open its first Manhattan location later in 2023. Witt said it's always been a pleasure to brew beer that people enjoy while giving back to the community. That's where She Sells Seashells comes in. "We've always been inspired by Billion Oyster Project and are thrilled to partner with their team," Witt said. "We both share a strong connection to our NYC community and have a love for the seas, so we hope to bring awareness to Billion Oyster Project's important work." Story continues Among other ingredients, the She Sells Seashells beer is brewed with you guessed it oyster shells. "Our team visited the Billion Oyster Project's headquarters on Governors Island, where we collected about 100lbs of shells from their oyster piles for the beer," said TALEA Beer Co's. Noelle Witt. Witt added that TALEA brewed a 20-barrel batch of She Sells Seashells. CONCERN BREWING OVER CRAFT BEER SHORTAGE DUE TO CARBON DIOXIDE FIZZLE "The toasty flavors of oyster stouts are a perfect match for winter weather, so we likely won't brew the beer again this year," Witt said. "But it's been a huge hit in our taprooms and with retailers, which has been exciting to see." Witt added that while TALEA has had the opportunity to collaborate on other beers with partners like Levain Bakery, Bowery Farming and Dogfish Head Brewery in the past, the She Sells Seashells oyster beer has a partnership donation element. TEXAS OYSTER SEASON SEES CHALLENGES DUE TO STORM SURGES, RAINFALL Some of the proceeds from the sale of She Sells Seashells were donated to Billion Oyster Project's efforts. "She Sells Seashells oyster stout supports BOP's mission to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives," Witt said. "It's always a pleasure to be able to brew beer people enjoy while giving back to our local community." Witt said that in April, TALEA would release a collaboration beer with Tony's Chocolonely, whose mission is to make 100% exploitation-free chocolate worldwide. The Rock Island Police Department announced Sunday that wanted fugitive Jacob Martin was taken into custody Saturday by the East Moline Police Department. The announcement was made in a Rock Island Police Department Facebook post, containing no further details about the arrest. Rock Island police initially sent out a news release seeking Martin on Friday, March 17. Police reported seeing Martin, 20, driving a stolen Honda CRV around the 800 block of 11th Ave. in Rock Island at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 16. The news release stated that Martin began "recklessly" following the officer's marked squad car in attempt to intentionally cause an accident and provoke a vehicle pursuit. As previously reported, despite the officer's attempt to avoid the situation, Martin continued engaging into the 110 block of 13th Ave. and intentionally struck the driver's side of the vehicle. The collision caused "significant damage" to the squad car and endangered the officer's life. Officers began an authorized pursuit onto the Rock Island-Milan Parkway, where speeds exceeded 100 mph, according to the news release. Officers reduced their speed to avoid risk of serious injury due to the inclement weather, causing them to lose sight of the vehicle. According to the news release and prior reporting of the incident, Martin had a history of attempting to provoke officers into pursuits over the past seven months. He is also reported to have an "extensive" criminal history and several additional warrants for his arrest, including: Aggravated unlawful use of weapons - motor vehicle theft. Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer - unlawful possession of vehicle part knowing it to be stolen. Burglary to motor vehicle. Aggravated assault - use of motor vehicle - theft of motor vehicle parts or accessories Unlawful possession of vehicle parts known to be stolen. Photos: Rock Island police respond to shots fired and vehicle crash We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Germanys plan to establish migrant centers in five African countries to offer a select category of Africans the possibility of settling on its soil is likely to encourage brain drain, which will occur due to the exit of skilled people from the continent, experts have warned. The new fast-track procedure proposed for skilled labor essentially simplifies the recruitment of qualified foreign workers. While the new migration policy, which was recently announced by the German government, is welcomed by some, others warn of the risk that it will likely take away vital talent from several African countries. According to Aly Tandian, a sociologist of Gaston Berger University in Senegal, the policy can lead to a loss of skills, ideas, and innovation. He argues that it can lead to a loss of investment in education, tax revenue, and crucial services in the health and education sectors. Ghana is one of the African countries Germany is targeting, but it is in dire need of a skilled workforce. Therefore, Tandian appeals to Berlin to rethink this form of skilled labor migration and consider putting a supervision of the policy on both sides. The policy of bringing skilled labor into Germany has grown in recent years through a welcoming culture. With this policy, Germany has been able to integrate many migrants, especially refugees. The proposed centers would ease rules for skilled foreign workers even further. Germany hopes to balance its aging population and finance the pension system by bringing in skilled workers. The policy of skilled recruitment in Africa by wealthy Western countries creates a situation where countries of origin are incubators where experts are born, educated, and trained before they leave for other destinations. The European Union is eyeing the potential of Africas yet-to-be-developed green hydrogen industry, deepening climate and energy partnerships in the process, as evidenced by the recently inked $34 billion deal for a giant green hydrogen project in Mauritania. After a recent rush on Africas natural gas resources following the Russia-Ukraine war flare up in March 2022, Europe also picked the continent as an alternative supply market for natural gas. As part of a charm offensive, the European energy ministers and other political leaders toured North African countries and gas initiatives in both East and West Africa received renewed support. Now, Europe is increasingly focusing on what appears to be an early race to build up clean energy resources, part of a major, continued transition away from fossil fuels. The EU and its individual member countries and companies have begun making massive commitments to green hydrogen and other forms of green energy in Africa, including provisions for exports from the continent to serve Europes domestic needs. For example, earlier this month, an international consortium made up of German project developer Conjuncta, the UAE renewable energy giant MASDAR, and Egyptian technology provider Infinity, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mauritanian Ministry of Petroleum, Mines and Energy in a deal to produce up to 8 million tons of green hydrogen annually for the international market. The European Union Commission and European Investment Bank (EIB) have also signed strategic partnerships with Kenya and Morocco for multi-million-dollar green hydrogen investments. These and other looming partnerships are increasingly being documented in different reports, including Africas Extraordinary Green Hydrogen Potential report published by the EIB in 2022, which shows massive potential for green gas in Mauritania, Morocco, Southern Africa, and Egypt, highlighting the EUs confidence in Africas green energy resources. The study, confirming 1 trillion Africa extraordinary green hydrogen potential, says harnessing Africas solar energy to produce 50 million tons of green hydrogen a year by 2035 can help secure global energy supply, create jobs, decarbonize heavy industry, enhance global competitiveness and transform access to clean water and sustainable energy. Here's how to follow the Unicameral from afar Heres how to watch the Legislatures activities and follow bills by using the Unicamerals website at nebraskalegislature.org: Click on the Nebraska Public Media logo and look under Streaming Now or Coming Soon for the schedule of livestreamed floor debates and public hearings by committees. Floor debate also is telecast live by Nebraska Public Media on NE-W, formerly known as NET2 (Allo Communications Channel 11 or Spectrum Channel 190 in North Platte). If you know the number of a legislative bill or constitutional amendment, type it under Search Current Bills to call up the measures text and related votes and documents. (For the language of current state laws, type their number or keywords under Search Laws.) Computer users can leave comments of up to 500 words on individual bills by clicking the appropriate spot on the main page for that bill. If the bill hasnt yet had its public hearing, users may ask their comments to be included in the bills official hearing record. Such requests must be made by noon CT (11 a.m. MT) on the last work day before the hearing. Nebraskans with disabilities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act can do likewise but also can attach PDF files or supporting documents. Click on Hearing schedules on the main Unicameral webpage, choose the appropriate week and click either Submit Comment Online or ADA Accommodation Testimony, depending on whether you qualify for the latter. The Unicameral website offers many other documents for understanding and following the Legislature, including its online Unicameral Update newsletter. Todd von Kampen Your article is being updated or not found. Please refresh after a moment Leaders arent born, theyre grown. Through the guidance of caring adults, and led by her own courage and strong will, Delaney Rogers has grown and blossomed in her leadership capabilities. At 17 years old, this motivated youth has already founded a community-wide club for teenagers, led a fundraiser with profits over $500 for a cause she is passionate about and testified at a legislative hearing. All while still doing normal teenager activities as a junior student at Arnold Public School, such as playing multiple sports, cheerleading, competing in speech and being a member of National Honor Society. She is also active in the Custer County 4-H program and the junior Arnold Chamber of Commerce. To say Delaney was familiar with the Nebraska State 4-H Camp is an understatement. Her earliest memories center on 4-H camp at Halsey. During her eight years as a 4-H member, she has attended quite a few camps there. When her family moved from Stapleton to Arnold, one of her first experiences with her new class at Arnold Public School was a fieldtrip to the Nebraska State 4-H Camp. Moreover, her home is about 10 miles south of the 4-H campsite. The summer of 2022, Delaney spent 10 consecutive days at the 4-H campgrounds, split between the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp and the Nebraska Rural Electric Association Youth Energy Leadership Camp. At the leadership camp last year, I met some of the people I know will be in my life forever, Delaney said. Little did any of them know that would be the last summer of camping at Halsey before the Bovee Fire engulfed the camp in October 2022. When we heard the camp had burned down, it was a total heartbreak for all of us, Delaney said. She and her camp friends offered each other support via snapchats and texts. Amidst her own personal heartache, Delaney was starting a positive movement in her community for other teenagers who were also seeking to make a difference. With the help of her English teacher, Nicole Badgley, Delaney founded an Interact Club, a youth division of Rotary International. The club officially formed October 2022, and a formal induction ceremony was conducted in November. She was the driving force behind forming a group like this after she attended RYLA camp at Halsey this summer, said Badgley. Currently, the Interact Club has 22 high school members, with four more to be inducted soon. They plan to open the club to junior high students in the future, as well. Youth come from Arnold, Broken Bow, Callaway, Dunning, Merna, Stapleton and Thedford. Five of the original members of the Interact Cub had attended RYLA camp at Halsey last summer. Delaney said they knew that they had to do something, and the idea to sell t-shirts as a fundraiser began to materialize. We were one of the first groups to kick it into gear to do something because Delaney was so passionate, said Badgley. Tamara Barth is the grandmother of one of the Interact Club members and also owns Moonlight Custom Screenprinting and Embroidery in Kearney. She gave all profits from the t-shirts sold to the rebuilding efforts. A total of $563 was donated. On the front of the T-shirtright over the heartis a Nebraska logo incorporating the words Halsey Strong. The back of the T-shirt reads Leaders arent born, theyre grown. Delaney didnt stop there. She also testified at the legislative hearing for LB 281 on Feb. 15. To prepare for her first legislative testimony, she called two senators and asked if she could testify as a teenager and what it would be like. After writing quite a bit, she bounced ideas off of Mrs. Badgley. Her history teacher, Jason Wehnes, explained the legislative process and offered additional suggestions. With only three minutes allowed during a testimonial, each word had to be precise to convey her message. Delaneys parents, T.K. and Christie Rogers, drove her to Lincoln three days later to testify at the Nebraska State Capital. The senators had many questions for her both immediately after her testimony and following the committee hearing. Badgley said that many classrooms in Arnold tuned in to the PBS broadcast and listened to Delaney speak. Delaney is an example of how youth can grow into powerful leaders. Teenagers are sometimes treated as if they dont have a voice, and Delaney is definitely proving that teens voices can make differences, not just in their home towns but on a bigger scale, Badgley said. She is hoping that other youth will be motivated by seeing Delaneys courage and become leaders in their communities, as well. We are trying to make sure that all kids know you do have a voice, Badgley said. You just have to find a way to make someone listen. I just need another creepy grin from him Reply Thread Link Does anyone else find him weirdly hot Like he isnt good looking but I bet he fucks like an animal Reply Thread Link I look at him and see a vivid, diverse sexual history. Reply Parent Thread Link I like him! I like men with interesting facial characteristics that work well together. Also he seems nice. Reply Parent Thread Link Very much so, this man was my sexual awakening. I've masturbated to him on that Madonna film countless times. COUNTLESS. Reply Parent Thread Link Me! Sometimes man, from the right angle... Also his dong is apparently like....COMICALLY huge. Reply Parent Thread Link Him and like Steve Buscemi Reply Parent Thread Link YES THANK YOU! 2 sides of the same weird ugly hot coin Reply Parent Thread Link His recent Wired interview was amazing, so much chaotic energy Reply Thread Link no but what is that accent because I only just found out a week ago that he's from Wisconsin and feel conned I thought he was a New Yorker or something Reply Parent Thread Link WHAT Reply Parent Thread Link he's from the same place as Jen from Appleton! Edited at 2023-03-19 05:21 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link What He screams Brooklyn Reply Parent Thread Link he's from the same place as Jen from Appleton! Edited at 2023-03-19 05:22 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link lol @ its the creams. Reply Parent Thread Link No thank you. Unpopular opinion apparently, but Spider-Man: No Way Home was BAD. It turned all of the villains into dumb, quippy, useless little MCU baddies. It ruined their characters and it didn't deserve all the love it got. Reply Thread Link This! I loved all the interactions between the three Spideys, but the rest felt like a huge step backwards. The plot was so stupid and it felt like an early Bryan Singer X-Men movie. Just dated and bad. I love Willem Defoe, but no more, please Reply Parent Thread Link I thought No Way Home was baaaaaad. People got way too blinded by the member berries to see there was next to nothing of substance to it. It could have been pretty good, but Jon Watts is a complete hack and bungled it. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh, it was awful. The storyline really made no sense and people were out here trying to say it deserved Oscar buzz when it didn't at all. However, I do not love MCU Spidey as it is, but I am a sucker for the Raimi films and have been caping for them for years when everyone else started saying they sucked, so I was not totally unaffected by the nostalgia factor. Reply Parent Thread Link Give me an Old Man Wayne movie with King Keaton and Willem as Joker kplzthx Reply Thread Link omg YES can you imagine how sexual the batjokes tension would be with them?! Reply Parent Thread Link I wasn't even thinking about that lol. I'm just in love with both their intensities. Idk if it's because of Pacific Heights or Blindsided but Keaton's Batman is the only one I can see going from savior to vigilante serial killer in a second. Pair that with Willem's ability to play balls to the wall nutcases and I'm sold Reply Parent Thread Link yes. he was the only good actor in the last movie Reply Thread Link I thought it was really good casting with him playing James Franco's father in the movies, they didn't exactly look a like but they had a similar facial structure. You could buy they were related. Reply Thread Link okay he looks really hot there Reply Thread Link Marvel media is just fan service memes at this point, so why the fuck not? Plus. it's always entertaining to watch him chew the fuck out of the scenery. Reply Thread Link I'd watch this man read the phone book tbh. Guaranteed to be fascinating. Reply Thread Link How to make me give a shit about the MCU again in one character or less Reply Thread Link We know that the transition will not be a straight line. Different countries and industries will move at different speeds, and oil and gas will play a vital role in meeting global energy demands through that journey. This is what BlackRocks chief executive, Larry Fink, wrote in this years annual letter to shareholders. For such a fervent supporter of the energy transition, Finks admission of the vital role that oil and gas would continue to play in the worlds functioning may have been surprising at any other time. Yet it came amid a wave of changing sentiment in the investment world. And this change is seeing investors rush back from ESG stocks to oil and gas. Last year, BlackRocks peer Vanguard quit a net-zero banking alliancethe Net Zero Asset Managers initiativeclaiming it needed more clarity and independence concerning its environmental, social, and governance commitments to clients. Also last year, global lenders including JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley warned they would leave a UN-backed net-zero initiative for the financial sectorthe Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zerobecause their membership in it could end up violating U.S. antitrust legislation. In fairness, the latter warning came as a result of a political pushback against ESG investing in the US. Conservative states targeted asset managers and banks that were making loud proclamations about their ESG plans that, by definition, would include reducing their exposure to oil and gas. Since for many of these states oil and gas are vital revenue contributors, the idea of such reduced exposure did not sit well. Yet its not just a political pushback. Investors themselves are beginning to be in two minds about their dedication to ESG investments. Because while Larry Fink and his peers continue to reiterate their commitment to net zero and the transition, they are seeing very well where oil and gas stocks have moved over the past two years. Energy stocks gained a total of 135 percent over 2021 and 2022 and are on track to add another 22 percent this year, according to analysts cited by Bloomberg. This surge compares with a not-so-impressive 5-percent gain for the S&P 500 over the two-year period. With such a gap between energy stock performance and the broader market, it is not really surprising that investors previously committed exclusively to what is being advertised pretty much as the only ethical, responsible form of investment are now changing their attitudes. Rockefeller Capital Management, Bloomberg reported this week, has a 6-percent energy weighting despite its dedication to ESG investing. The firms energy weighting is larger than the S&P 500s, where energy stocks represent 4.8 percent of the total, the report notes. Clients at Rockefellers wealth management unit, meanwhile, have boosted their combined holdings in the oil and gas industry, buying stocks in Exxon, Chevron, Petrobras, Diamond Energy, and all other public oil and gas companies regardless of size. Its self-evident that the excellent performance of oil and gas stocks during the last two years was one big reason why investors are once again paying attention to them. Another reason is the emergence of doubts and misgivings about the profitability of ESG investments. Returns have been called into question, as have the green credentials of companies advertising as ESG-friendly. Not everyone is convinced that ESG investing is the only true path to the future world of profits. Not everyone appears to even be sure what ESG actually is amid the heated debate about ESG investing in the U.S. And this may lead to lawsuits. According to this report in Responsible Investor, the debate could unleash a wave of litigation as investors seek clarity about the nature of ESG or seek to get compensation for unprofitable decisions made by their financial advisers on ESG grounds. Such a development would likely compromise ESG as a concept furtherfinancial advisers are not fans of litigation and might begin to think twice before advertising this or that investment as both ESG and profitable when it isnt, as pointed out by critics. I think that our industry is going through a time where the consumers of these products could benefit from additional clarification, the chief marketing officer of Parnassus Investments told Bloomberg. The firm has no oil and gas holdings, but pressure on the industry to reconsider has been growing. ADVERTISEMENT ESG funds pay a higher expense ratio. If you start showing a negative tracking error because you dont hold energy, youre going to close down the fund at some point, accounting and auditing professor Shivaram Rajgopal from the Columbia Business School told Bloomberg. In other words, if youre only delivering on half of the promisesustainable investmentbut not on the other halfprofitsthe most natural thing for investors would be to insist on changes that rectify the situation. Because investing is not charity. It is an activity seeking a profit. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The energy sector has emerged as the worst performer among all 11 sectors of the U.S. market in the current week, with energy prices dropping sharply as a spate of bank failures reignited a wave of risk-off selling. Oil prices have crashed spectacularly, with WTI crude falling from $80.46 per barrel just 10 days ago to the $67 range, while Brent has declined from $86.18 per barrel to the $73 range, levels they last touched in December 2021. On Friday, things improved slightly, with Brent moving into the $75 range and WTI testing $69. Commodity analysts at Standard Chartered warn that the oil price crash has been exacerbated by hedging activityspecifically, due to gamma hedging effects, with banks selling oil to manage their side of options as prices fall through the strike prices of oil producer put options and volatility increases. The negative price effect has been exacerbated because the main cliff-face of producer puts currently occupies a narrow price range. While gamma hedging effects did not cause the initial price fall, they have caused a short-term undershoot, further magnified by the closing out of associated less committed speculative longs. StanChart has worked out the distribution of producer puts based on a survey of 46 U.S. independent producers. On a brighter note, StanCharts proprietary bull-bear index rose 32.2 w/w to a mildly bullish +20.1, buoyed by declines in crude inventories (both nationally and at Cushing) relative to the five-year average as well as improvement in demand. The analysts have predicted that oil prices will recover as the global oil surplus dissipates. Related: U.S. Drilling Makes Gains As Gas Rig Count Jumps Source: Standard Chartered Selloff Overdone A cross-section of commodity experts are saying that the oil price crash is an overreaction to the banking crisis and that the selloff is overdone. Michael Tran, managing director of global energy strategy at RBC Capital Markets, has told Bloomberg that the oil markets are reacting as if the economy is in a full-blown recession, This is a (oil) market effectively trading as if the economy is already in a full blown recession. Everybody knows why oil prices are coming off. Its not an oil market specific issue, its a broad macro issue, he has stated. Tran sees oil prices climbing in the second half of this year amid China's economic reopening, and heightened demand coming from India. He also anticipates that oil prices will climb in the coming weeks and months once the panic settles within the markets. The good news at this juncture is that most experts believe that the banking crisis is not systemic nor indicative of a looming financial crisis. Whereas the U.S. government has ruled out a bailout for SVB, its Swiss peer has been more lucky after the troubled lender was offered a lifeline after the Swiss National Bank agreed to loan the struggling lender up to 50B francs ($54B). The bank also announced public tender offers by Credit Suisse International to repurchase certain OpCo senior debt securities for cash of up to ~3B francs. Previously, the Saudi National Bank, which owns almost 10% of Credit Suisse, declared that it would not provide further support to the group, days after the bank disclosed material weakness in its financial statements just weeks after reporting a net loss of 6.6 billion for FY 2022. As a Global Systemically Important Bank, the plight of Credit Suisse has been a much bigger concern for the global markets due to the sheer scale of its balance sheet and much bigger potential for contagion from the banks global reach. But the fact that shares of Credit Suisse and those of European banks have recovered swiftly suggests that the markets do not view the banking crisis as being systemic or likely to unravel on a wider scale. As UBS Wealth chief investment officer Mark Haefele has said, the swift action by the FDIC to guarantee deposits and by the Fed to lend to banks that require funds will solve liquidity-related risks for U.S. banks and also for the U.S. branches of foreign banks. The broader market is also in a bullish mood. ADVERTISEMENT For the third straight week, investors have been net buyers of fund assets including exchange traded funds (ETFs) and traditional funds. For the seven-day period ending March 15, market participants pumped $88.4B of net capital into the fund market with money market funds taking in $108B. Interestingly, the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (NYSEARCA:KRE) attracted the most significant cash at $1.4B, while SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEARCA:GLD) came in second after pulling in $501M. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Western arms control experts are asking whether old taboos on the use of nuclear weapons are still valid in an age of ascendant illiberalism, underscored by Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. During the Cold War, it was generally assumed that reason would prevail, thus preventing either the Soviet Union or the United States from going nuclear. But many specialists and scholars these days believe the only certainty concerning the potential future use of weapons of mass destruction is uncertainty. Nuclear weapons are back once again central to international politics, along with renewed Great Power competition, said Cynthia Roberts, a professor at Hunter College in New York and a leading expert on international security. She added that Russian aggression in Ukraine has brought the prospect of nuclear war back into the realm of possibility. Roberts moderated a recent panel discussion, organized by Columbia Universitys Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies, that surveyed the shifting WMD landscape. She cited the Biden administrations recent nuclear posture review, which cautioned that the United States is entering an unprecedented era when it faces two potential [nuclear] adversaries Russia and China as opposed to the Cold War, during which Washington just had to contend with the Soviet Union. Chinas rise is just one factor altering the nuclear-weapons-use calculus. Some panelists also pointed to 21st century technological innovations especially the advent of social media and rapid advances in artificial intelligence as potential enablers of illiberalism. The ebb of rationality, they add, heightens the risk of a nuclear button being pressed, or some other weapon of mass destruction being used. The liars are taking over the world, said one panelist, Stephen Van Evera, a political scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Enlightenment is in danger because of the new media and the fact that we no longer have vetted information that controls how the public sees things.' Related: Iraq And UAE Spearhead Downstream Expansion Russian leader Vladimir Putins nuclear saber-rattling, combined with Russias withdrawal in early 2023 from the New START Treaty, has raised fears that Russia could resort to using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. What Putin and his generals had expected to be a walkover has turned into a quagmire, exposing the Russian military as poorly led and ineffectual. While experts at the Saltzman Institute event considered the possibility to be slim at present, no one dismissed as impossible the idea of a nuclear device being detonated. Scott Sagan, a Stanford political scientist, said he believes Putin is keeping his options open. What we know about leaders in crises, what we know about leaders who sometimes try to gamble for resurrection, suggests when youre losing, you might take very rash decisions, he said. Sagan added that the Soviet-era constraint of collective decision-making seems to have eroded in Putins Russia. Dictators surround themselves with yes-men, he noted. If you dont have a rational actor at the top, you need checks and balances down below. Charles Glaser, a professor at The George Washington University, said a variety of scenarios could result in the use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. We need to keep in mind that there could also be rational uses of nuclear weapons. They would be very dangerous, but very dangerous isnt necessarily irrational, Glaser said. For example, he continued, if Putin feels that Russia is on the verge of experiencing a major setback, such as the loss of Crimea, he might be tempted to employ tactical nuclear weapons as a bargaining chip to force a peace settlement that forestalls a disaster that might threaten his grip on power. Van Evera voiced fear about the potential for nuclear escalation in Ukraine, saying the balance of resolve there is tilting against the United States. This is the first time the U.S. has gotten itself into a conflict with another nuclear power that believes it cares more about the stakes at issue than the U.S. does, he said. One of the sort of rules of nuclear statecraft, in my view, is dont get into a face-to-face confrontation on issues where the other side cares as much as you do, or cares more. Such a showdown will be decided by the balance of resolve. The panelists wrestled with the vexing question of what the United States should do if Russia uses a nuclear weapon. The expert consensus appeared to lean toward massive U.S. conventional retaliation because such a response would minimize the risk of escalation. Glaser noted that although Russia has experienced lots of battlefield reverses, Putin hasnt lost badly yet, and thus hasnt really faced a situation in which he would be tempted to order a nuclear strike. If he uses nuclear weapons, we dont quite know what happens next, he added. His limited use could lead to a really bigger nuclear war. Any forceful U.S. response to the potential Russian use of a nuclear weapon in Ukraine would certainly entail risks, but inaction could be even riskier, one panelist asserted. We dont have the luxury or doing nothing in the face of aggression, said Etel Solingen, a political scientist at the University of California, Irvine. Doing nothing is sometimes equivalent to raising the risk of catastrophe. This is the lesson of 2014. ADVERTISEMENT Solingen was referring to the tepid U.S. and European Union response to Russias armed takeover of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, as well as Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraines eastern Donbas Region who invaded shortly after Crimeas occupation. It was Putins perception of [Western] inaction [in 2014] that could have well led to [Russias attack on Ukraine in] 2022, Solingen said. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Meet the new Scrooge, same as the old Scrooge. Longtime Omaha actor Cork Ramer has never been the lead character in the Omaha Community Playhouses 48-year-old production of A Christmas Carol, but that doesnt mean hes never had the role. He played the crotchety and ultimately lovable Ebenezer Scrooge for 18 years in the Nebraska Theater Caravan, an arm of the Playhouse that was disbanded a few years ago. So when it came time this year to replace Jerry Longe, who spent 17 years as Scrooge on the Playhouse stage, it seemed natural for theater leaders to think of Ramer and forego auditions effectively replacing one Scrooge with another. They just called me and offered me the role, Ramer said in a recent interview, and before they even got the question out, I said yes. Ramers wife, Judy, points out that he had an 18-year audition, along with serving as an understudy to Longe for the 2022 production. Ramer ended up stepping in for Longe at several Sunday matinees. And hes also been in numerous shows at local theaters. Notable roles in recent years include turns as Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and the title character in The Giver, both at the Playhouse. He has also been in five specials for the Public Broadcasting System, had a featured role in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie O Pioneers! and was the voice of George Washington in the animated series Libertys Kids, according to his bio on the Nebraska Arts Council website. In short, he has crafted a career as a professional actor, something he didnt think was possible. And its going strong as he approaches age 70. It was a dream for me but one I didnt think I could achieve and live in Nebraska, he said. A native of Stella, Nebraska, he got his start at age 12 as Joe the newspaper boy in a grade school production of Thornton Wilders Our Town. From that point on, he said, he was hooked. Later, he performed in plays at the Lincoln Community Playhouse and was an English major for a year in college. Acting on a push from fellow performer and Omaha native Jill Anderson, Ramer then auditioned for the second season of Shakespeare on the Green, even though he had never done a Shakespeare play. That started a long relationship with its producer, Nebraska Shakespeare. When he became Ebenezer Scrooge for the Caravan, he traveled across the country for a couple of months each fall. That became taxing after a while, but not because he was bored with the classic Charles Dickens story or his role as its cranky protagonist. When I left, people asked me if I was tired of doing it. I said No, I dont think I could ever get tired of doing that show. I was tired of living on the bus and in hotel rooms, he said. He carries his affection for the play you may even call it a passion with him to this day, and is thrilled to be picking up the role once again. I have a lot of characters running around inside me, but theres something about A Christmas Carol, he said. I dont know if its magic or the writing or the premise of the story, but once you go into that world, you never actually leave it. Youre there for the rest of your life. And its a wonderful place to be, not like a burden you carry. That doesnt mean that his portrayal of Scrooge will become static, however. He says he can always find something new, some way to take him where hes never been before. Hes a very nuanced and very deep character, Ramer said. He enjoys working with, learning from and encouraging younger people, both onstage and in workshops with aspiring actors. His message in his talks is to never give up. I tell students to do it, just do it. If theres a community theater in your town, audition. If there are roles you think would be good for you, just do it. Just keep going. Just do plays, he said. And if you have the opportunity to go to college and study, it will give you a deeper understanding of the working of actors and the different types of theater. He cited his own mentors: Michael Mitchell, a director at the Lincoln Community Playhouse, who cast me in a role no one else would cast me in. He said you can do this, worked with me and got it out of me. And former Playhouse assistant director Susan Baer Collins. We have been friends since the ice age. I couldnt ask for a better friend and compatriot and mentor in the arts. He also said he admires the work of actors Robert Duvall and Ian McKellan. Ramer is delighted at the prospect of introducing Scrooge to his familys younger generation. His wife, Judy, had four children when they married 38 years ago, and I became a stepdad and grandpa to a lovely army of people, he said. Those stepchildren have given the couple 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, some of whom have never seen their grandpa in A Christmas Carol. He plans to portray Scrooge for the foreseeable future. As long as I can physically and mentally do the role and as long as they want me Im in, dude, he said. I wake up almost every morning going This is gonna be a real treat. Omaha Community Playhouse through the years Omaha Public Library wants to help readers find new books or at least books new to them. Every month in this space, employees recommend reading based on different writing genres, themes or styles. This months suggestions recognize Womens History Month with titles written by or about remarkable women. Find these books and more at your local branch or omahalibrary.org. The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad. This is a gut-wrenching, eye-opening, and suspenseful read about a woman who endures captivity in our contemporary world. Nadias simple, peaceful life in her Iraqi farming village ended in 2014 when the Islamic State trapped and captured everyone in the village. The story is uncomfortable, but helps the reader admire the human spirit and this womans strength. Sheila Bolmeier, library specialist at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Library A Midwifes Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. The author transcribes and analyzes the rare and remarkable diary of a Maine midwife named Martha Ballard an ordinary housewife, who, beginning in 1785 at age 55 until her death in 1812, recorded her own life and the happenings of her community. Ballards writing and Ulrichs meticulous research give the reader fascinating insights into womens status, and the medical, social, economic and religious life of the time as well as the personality of Ballard herself. This highly engaging and readable social history deservedly won the Pulitzer Prize. Martha Grenzeback, genealogy and local history librarian at the Genealogy and Local History Room Before the Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe and What Lies Beyond by Laura Mersini-Houghton. Despite multiple roadblocks, an Albanian theoretical physicist made predictions of anomalies that, if observed, would strengthen the case for the multiverse. The Planck satellite experiment confirmed her trailblazing ideas, giving new clues to the origin of everything that exists. Tammy Hansen Snell, library specialist at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Library Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Part memoir, part Indigenous history lesson, and part plant science... All three weave together beautifully and honor Mother Earth in all her glory. Braiding Sweetgrass will give you a newfound appreciation and respect for the planet. Nicole Hilder, library specialist at Florence Library The Foundling by Ann Leary. Mary Engle cant believe her luck when she lands a secretarial job at the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age in 1927. Although awed and impressed by Dr. Agnes Vogel, the institutions leader, Mary is shocked to discover that a girl she grew up with is working in the villages dairy barn. Leary explores eugenics, womens place in society, and corruption by the powerful in this fast-moving novel based on her grandmothers life. Theresa Jehlik, strategy and business intelligence manager for Omaha Public Library Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini. This novel is about the Womens Signal Corp in World War I France. When bilingual telephone operators are recruited to support the troops overseas, many are eager to join to show their patriotism. Well-researched with an extensive historical note at the end, Chiaverini sheds light on a lesser-known part of American history. Jehlik Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel. This is one of my favorite graphic novels. It is an autobiographical comic about Bechdels coming-of-age and her relationship with her closeted-but-queer father after his tragic passing. Fun Home is full of dense but beautiful text and literary allusions. Isabella Janssen, youth services specialist at Millard Library Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. Kya Clark is abandoned by her mother and siblings, mistreated by her alcoholic father, and mocked by the townspeople. Despite these difficult circumstances, she manages to educate herself and earn a living as an environmental scientist and author. Her story also raises questions about how far a woman will go to protect herself. Sarah Lewald, pop culture librarian at Sorensen Library An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten. A lone retiree is just trying to live her life in peace and quiet, by any means necessary. Sarah Myers, library specialist at Downtown Branch Tanqueray by Brandon Stanton & Stephanie Johnson. This is a very racy but raw autobiography of a woman ingrained in New York Citys sexual culture dominating it while never letting it dominate her. Johnson was featured in Humans of New York. I recommend listening to the audiobook read by the author. Myers Monstress: Book One by Marjorie Liu. The top tag for this series should be strong female leads that, in a beautifully built and illustrated world, fight demons in front of them and those within. Myers The Women Who Built Omaha: A Bold and Remarkable History by Eileen Wirth. This book discusses how local women influenced Omaha government and numerous philanthropic causes. Martha Grenzeback and I helped with the research. Lynn Sullivan, library specialist a Genealogy and Local History Room Millard Public Schools teachers who commit to staying in the district next year will receive a $1,200 stipend. The extra money is an attempt to keep teachers from leaving Millard during an ongoing staffing shortage in the metro area and across Nebraska. Millard school board members will be voting on the proposal at their Monday meeting. Every employee excluding seasonal, temporary and top-level administrative staff will receive the $1,200 if they agree to work full time during the 2023-24 school year. Anyone who resigns before the end of the next school year will have to pay back the full stipend. The money will be split into two payments and distributed on May 5 and Aug. 4. The funds will come from the districts unused budget money stemming from vacant positions throughout the school year. Millard isnt the only district paying its teachers extra to avoid resignations or retirements. The Papillion La Vista school board approved $3,000 stipends for staff in January. And the Omaha Public Schools will be issuing stipends for a second consecutive year in 2023-24. Full-time staff will receive $4,500 per year while part-time staff will receive $2,250 per year. Schools in the metro area are nearing the time of year when resignation letters and retirement notices start flooding in. Last year, metro-area schools experienced an exodus of teachers. The majority of the 11 Omaha-area districts lost anywhere from 30% to 70% more educators than in the 2020-21 school year. Official numbers of teacher losses throughout Omaha wont be available until later this spring. In addition to the stipends, the Millard school district also has multiple programs to retain both teachers and administrators. During a presentation to the school board last Monday, district officials explained several strategies used to retain staff. Now more than ever before, we are being intentional and planful on how to attract, retain and develop our staff, said Kim Saum-Mills, assistant superintendent for leadership, planning and evaluation. Millard offers new teachers a three-year induction program and pairs each person with a mentor to help them acclimate. Todd Tripple, director of professional learning, said the first year is dedicated to orientation and creating the right learning environment. The next two years focus on curriculum, digital learning, relationships and more. The district also has an intern program and two-year induction program for new administrators, Saum-Mills said. We have 15 elementary administration staff on a teacher contract who serve in a support role to administrators, Saum-Mills said. We are filling the principal ranks across the metro area and within our own district, which is great. Mondays school board meeting starts at 6 p.m. in the Don Stroh Administration Center at 5606 S. 147th St. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of March 2023 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) House Speaker Martin Romualdez warned resource persons attending the probe into hoarding of agricultural products: lie and you will be sent to jail. "I cannot stress enough for these resource persons the importance of cooperating with the committee: lie to lawmakers and you will all find yourselves in jail," said Romualdez in a statement on Sunday, stressing that the committee's mission is to reduce the prices of onions and dismantle the vegetable cartel. The House inquiry on hoarding and skyrocketing prices of produce will resume on Tuesday. RELATED: Onion probe: House cites 3 officials of cold storage facility in contempt RELATED : House detains 2 individuals tagged in onion price manipulation "We need to lower the prices of onions and decimate the cartel the soonest possible time. And I guarantee the imprisonment of those exploitative and abusive individuals and business owners behind the cartel. Our constituents need an immediate reprieve from the high prices of agricultural goods," Romualdez said. He added those who help these "unscrupulous individuals" would likewise not be spared as they are considered equally guilty. For half-a-century, The Blackstone Hotel, 302 S. 36th St., was the grande dame of Omaha hotels. The Blackstone opened in 1916 and exuded Midwestern luxury and hospitality. As such, it was an elegant hot spot for celebrities and pro athletes. It was also popular with future presidents. Austrian immigrant Charles Schimmel bought the Blackstone in 1920. Schimmel and his four sons operated the hotel until 1968, when they sold it to the Radisson Management Corp. of Minneapolis. The Schimmels rented rooms mostly by the day while continuing the Blackstones reputation for luxury. Guests including John and Jackie Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Marlon Brando and Gale Sayers rode in the hotels private car, a Pierce Arrow, and read its private magazine, the Blackstonian. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, in part because of the architecture. Its style, popular between 1890 and 1920, emphasizes simplicity and strength. The hotels dark red brick is trimmed only in light-colored terra cotta, detailed with design only along its seventh-story cornice. Lets reminisce on a hotel that was an epicenter of social life for the Gold Coast elite. Photos: The Blackstone Hotel through the years November 1927 August 1929 January 1941 August 1950 October 1953 September 1958 December 1961 April 1965 December 1967 December 1982 December 1982 December 1983 February 1984 February 1984 March 1985 October 1993 October 1993 The January 2023 active shooter incident at a west Omaha Target store prompted todays column. According to news reports, the shooter had been repeatedly sent for psychiatric care and law enforcement had been called a number of times to intervene in the mans previous mental health crises. This incident highlights serious issues faced by many communities specifically, the lack of mental health treatment facilities, the fact that police are typically the first responders to mental health emergencies, and the cumbersome process for obtaining mandatory psychiatric treatment. While these challenges exist in the Omaha-area, we are fortunate to have some innovative programs in place, and proposed legislation to help mitigate them. The lack of mental health treatment facilities is a widespread problem. The non-profit Treatment Advocacy Center recommends a minimum of 50 beds per 100,000 people to provide minimally adequate treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. According to the Center, every state in the country including Nebraska fails to meet this minimum standard. 2016 data on its website reflects Nebraska had only 15.2 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Roster of Hospitals reflects a total of 277 licensed psychiatric beds in the state as of Feb. 15, 2023. Nebraskas 2022 population was 1,966,441 which results in approximately 14.1 beds per 100,000 people, a decrease from 2016! While there is a dire need for more mental health treatment facilities, Omaha has the benefit of Nebraska Medicines Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) Unit. The PES was opened in late 2020 to help alleviate extremely long wait-times for people suffering mental health crises to receive care. It is essentially a psychiatric emergency room, staffed by psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers, physician assistants and certified peer support specialists. Potential patients must first be seen in the emergency room at Nebraska Medical Center to ensure there are no physical issues or injuries needing treatment and to assess the need for psychiatric care before they are transferred to the PES. The PES is nothing like a traditional emergency room. It is a warm, comforting and calm environment featuring comfortable couches, chairs and recliners. There are individual consultation rooms for privacy, and the lighting and design are intended to create a sense of calm. Patients are surrounded by soothing colors and artwork inspired by nature. They are seen by a therapist or psychiatrist to receive immediate care and develop a plan for appropriate treatment, which could include intensive outpatient care or some degree of hospitalization for inpatient treatment. Unfortunately, capacity is extremely limited. The PES can accommodate up to 12 patients who are not in danger of hurting themselves or others. These patients receive treatment such as crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and safety and discharge planning. There is a secure care area that can treat six patients requiring specialized care while reducing the potential for harm to themselves or others. The PES accepts patients with mental health needs regardless of insurance, prior history of admissions, or a history of violence. Patients are often brought to the PES by law enforcement or other first responders, but care is provided regardless of how patients arrive. People typically stay for less than 24 hours before they are sent to other treatment settings. The PES helps people get immediate psychiatric care; however, it does not solve the overall problem of insufficient mental health treatment facilities. In many communities in the U.S. and Nebraska, police officers are typically the first responders to mental health emergency calls, and thus the de facto first-line providers of mental health services. It is unreasonable to expect police to fulfill this role and most police departments are ill-equipped to do so. When it comes to mental health emergencies, there is a disconnect between police training and what officers must do to deal with people in psychiatric crisis. Police are trained to gain control of a situation efficiently and quickly. If a suspect does not comply, officers escalate the intensity of their verbal commands as well as a physical continuum of force until compliance is obtained. When dealing with the mentally ill, police performing as they have been trained can quickly turn tragic. Fortunately, the Omaha Police Department has a cadre of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers and a Co-Responder Squad staffed by mental health professionals embedded in police precincts. Crisis Intervention Team officers staff the Collaborative Outreach, Response and Engagement (CORE) Squad, which responds to mental health related calls. These crisis-trained officers provide mental health assistance and referrals to community agencies. CORE Squad officers wear low-profile uniforms, respond in unmarked cars, and pair CIT trained officers with Co-Responder mental health professionals to help people suffering from a psychiatric crisis. Finally, like most states, Nebraska has civil commitment laws with criteria for determining when involuntary treatment is appropriate for individuals with severe mental illness. The Treatment Advocacy Center referred to earlier examined the laws that provide for involuntary treatment for psychiatric illness in each state. Their evaluation focused on whether state laws allow an individual in need of involuntary evaluation or treatment to receive timely care, of sufficient duration, in a manner that enables and promotes long-term stabilization. Their conclusion was that Nebraskas laws have shortcomings in the process for petitioning the court for involuntary psychiatric evaluations or treatment, a lack of criteria for psychiatric deterioration, and several other concerns. Overall, Nebraska scored 63 points on a 100-point scale for a grade of D. Legislative Bill 668, which was recently introduced in the Nebraska Unicameral by Sen. Raymond Aguilar, could help improve the states ability to address people in severe mental health crisis by giving mental health professionals a more prominent role in determining when emergency protective custody is warranted. While this bill needs to be thoroughly evaluated, debated and refined, it is a good first step toward improving Nebraskas laws to facilitate getting effective treatment for people suffering from psychiatric crises. Nebraska has taken another step towards effectively banning abortion and criminalizing the practice of medicine. I want to try to make it clear that this bill is not supported by the medical community. It does not seek to improve the lives of Nebraskans. In truth, this bill is not what it seems, and I hope you will take a minute with me to turn down the emotional noise from both sides and look at what this bill means if we allow it to become law. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Nebraska Heartbeat Act. Starting in section 1 of the act, we have already flooded emotion into what needs to be a level-headed space. I am a mother of two daughters who also had the experience of finding no heartbeat, when once there was one. The silence was deafening. I want you to know that you are not alone in the deep emotions and memories a heartbeat stirs. As physicians, we listen for them every day, and each one matters both professionally and personally. In fact, women physicians are more likely to struggle with miscarriages and need fertility treatments than other women because medical training adds 11- to 13-plus years of school after completion of high school. These are important years for fertility. Its a loss we are only starting to talk about to each other. Experiences we hide away to focus on the care of our patients. But I want you to know, we feel this too, and calling this the Heartbeat Act was an intentional ploy to use our pain to pass a bill. Turning down the emotion on this benchmark of a heartbeat, we can see that it was chosen, not for the good of the mother, not for the good of the embryo, not for any medical reason, but just for the emotional impact. Yes, we see electrical conduction through groups of cells beginning to form a embryonic heart. It is not a heart as we know it. It could not be transplanted. We cant even tell if it will develop into a working heart. A heartbeat is just a sign that these cells are functioning at this time and, unfortunately as many of us know, it does not mean that a healthy baby is assured. Next, the bill hides discriminatory healthcare practices amongst the emotional triggers of sexual assault, rape and incest. The bill completely disregards mental health parity and specifies that mental health diagnoses and emergencies cannot be considered medical emergencies. This dismissal of those with mental illness and/or addiction is more than callous. It is wrong in every way, and we have established time and again, that mental health is medical health. Our brain does not float around separate from our body. No, we are whole humans. And whole humans struggle and suffer. In fact, according to the CDC, mental health conditions, including suicide and substance use disorders, are the leading underlying causes of pregnancy-related deaths (23%). This rate is higher than bleeding complications (14%), infections (9%), cardiac conditions (13%), blood clots (9%), and other, traditionally more well recognized, causes of death during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. This is no small issue. Women, especially women of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged women, are struggling and dying from mental health conditions and emergencies and this is not a point that can be disregarded when we look at serious medical exclusions. The bill returns to the emotional distractor of rape and incest, ensuring that there would be provisions for such occurrences. But in testimony we learned that woman must disclose the rape or conception involving incest and that information would need to be documented in her permanent medical record. There is nothing about how the rape will be investigated and what invasive examinations would need to be performed. What if she is a minor? What if the perpetrator is her father who has access to her medical records? In Nebraska, if she reports and the case is investigated, but there is no conviction, the biological father/rapist would have parental rights. Every step of this proposed exclusion to protect victims in turn revictimizes women and no clarity from Sen. Joni Albrecht has been provided when asked about these critical issues. Finally, the bill kindly ensures that no woman upon whom an abortion is attempted, induced, or performed shall be liable for a violation of the Nebraska Heartbeat Act. What at first seems like a caring stance, in reality is just the state saying, not in our state. Nebraska would see their pregnant women travel under significant burdens to other states to get life-saving medical care. Nebraska would rather risk increased complications from traveling and no continuity of care than take care of their pregnant women. Nebraska is already failing its families, especially those of lower income, those without white skin, and those without good social supports. Nebraska is failing women with mental illness. They do not see you. They do not put themselves in your shoes. They cant feel how desperate life can be without help. That help, that we as their doctors learned to provide based on years of studies, ethical debate, education, practice, and standards of care, would no longer be legal. This bill doesnt end in a picture of happy, growing families. No, it ends with me facing the decision to either lose my license by referring a patient to a place for family planning and potential termination or possibly involuntary hospitalization of desperate women who do not feel they can ensure their own safety, and if we are past six weeks, the forced continuation of pregnancy. It is easy to say yes to a heartbeat, it resonates with our emotions and values. However, this isnt a bill to ensure medical care for Nebraskans. It is a bill which forces doctors out of the exam room, patients out of the state, and lets legislators who know nothing of what happens in those rooms make decisions about our bodies, our families, our community and our lives. 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 March 19, 1923: The Rev. Rupert Holloway addressed his Unitarian church congregation on the subject, "Is Prohibition a Success?" He concluded that it is both a success and a failure: a success because of the decrease in crimes and deaths due to alcohol and increases in savings accounts, but a failure because nothing has been offered to take its place. 75 years ago March 19, 1948: Nine months late, and stalked by practically every type of calamity, the Illinois State Normal University 1947 yearbook has reached the student body. The yearbook was first delayed by development of a new type of makeup in which all the students were pictured in candid shots rather than conventional photographs. After the book was sent to the printers, identifications for all pictures were lost and a depleted staff worked through the summer to identify the students. 50 years ago March 19, 1973: Davis Merwin, 73, former publisher of The Daily Pantagraph and father of the present publisher, died in Florida after a lingering illness. He served as publisher from 1925 to 1935, and his "retirement" at age 38 was only the signal for an expanded career as an engineer, aviator, world traveler and soldier. A Marine private in WWI, Merwin was commissioned a Marine captain in December 1942 and was a colonel by the end of WWII. 25 years ago March 19, 1998: Fifth graders at Oakland Elementary School in Bloomington have established a program to exchange letters, videotapes and gifts with Beer Al-Ameer School in Nazareth, Israel. A fifth grade class at Eugene Field Elementary School in Normal is doing a similar exchange with children at the Lutheran School in Ramallah on the Palestinian-controlled West Bank. The idea was conceived by Joe Crabill, an Illinois State University history professor, and his colleague Deborah Oberg. 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' Normal Rotary Club donates $1,000 to relief effort NORMAL The Normal Rotary Club donated $1,000 to Midwest Mission, which is providing disaster relief to Turkey and Ukraine. Midwest Mission provides personal hygiene items, blankets and tents to the earthquake-stricken in Turkey and Ukraine. On March 1, Katherine Turner, director of Baja Bridges, came to the Normal Rotary Club meeting to discuss the work of the Midwest Mission. Monetary donations will allow the group to quickly buy supplies in bulk. The Springfield Rotary Foundation is spearheading this effort. To donate, go to midwestmission.org/donation. Checks can also be sent to the foundation at P.O. Box 615, Springfield, IL 62705, with "Disaster Relief Fund" in the memo line. Michael Madigan was still the House speaker and most powerful politician in the state in early November 2018 when he called a longtime confidant for a rundown of the latest thorny political issues. After Madigans friend, Michael McClain, remarked todays not a slow day for you, the speaker laughed. Oh, its its been crazy around here, Madigan said. It turns out Madigan, the iron-fisted leader often touted for his ability to see three moves ahead, had no idea how crazy things really were. Not only was the FBI listening in on that call, within weeks, two agents would knock on the door of a top Commonwealth Edison executive and convince him to cooperate in a burgeoning bribery investigation implicating the speaker. And that spring, investigators executed a series of raids on McClains home in Quincy, the City Club of Chicago, and other locations around Chicago that marked the end-game of a yearslong investigation into Madigan and his vaunted political organization. Prosecutors played the call between Madigan and McClain for the first time last week in the trial of the ComEd Four, charged with funneling at least $1.3 million to his hand-picked Madigan associates in exchange for the powerful speakers influence over legislation the utility giant wanted passed, or blocked, in Springfield. On trial are McClain, 75, an ex-ComEd lobbyist; former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, 64; ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, 73; and Jay Doherty, 69, a lobbyist and consultant who formerly led the City Club of Chicago. The indictment in the case alleged ComEd poured $1.3 million into payments funneled to ghost subcontractors who were actually Madigans cronies, put a Madigan-backed person on the ComEd board, and gave coveted internships to families in his 13th Ward, all part of an elaborate scheme to keep the speaker happy. The defendants attorneys contend that the so-called scheme was nothing more than legal lobbying, part of the states high-stakes, often-messy politics where myriad interest groups and stakeholders compete for access to lawmakers. Madigan and McClain, meanwhile, are facing separate racketeering charges alleging an array of corrupt schemes, including the bribery plot by ComEd. The recordings played for the jury Thursday were the first of whats expected to be more than a hundred wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded meetings that prosecutors have said will lay out the scheme in the defendants own words. The tapes have built a foundation on which prosecutors hope to show that when Madigan gave orders, legislators, lobbyists and executives alike snapped into action to please him. More tapes are expected to be played when the trial resumes Monday. Also expected to testify Monday is state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who was a co-sponsor of one of ComEds massive pieces of legislation that passed in 2016. Prosecutors also want Rita to testify about how he was made a sponsor of major gambling legislation after a meeting in Madigans office in 2013. According to prosecution filing last week, Rita would testify that Madigan pointed to McClain and said he will guide you. Defense attorneys wants to bar any testimony about the gaming bill, saying its irrelevant and possibly prejudicial given the negative connotations surrounding gambling. *** The calls played last week focused on an effort in late 2018 by Madigan and McClain to force then-state Rep. Lou Lang, a longtime Madigan ally, to resign. Word had begun circulating that a woman was threatening to go public with a second potential #MeToo moment for Lang, who had overcome sexual harassment allegations made in May of that same year. Though he called the May accusations absurd, Lang stepped down from the high-ranking position of deputy majority leader in Madigans House Democratic caucus and called for an investigation by the Illinois legislative inspector general. Lang, 73, testified in federal court Thursday that hed been cleared of the May allegations by the IG, who wrote a preponderance of the evidence does not support the accusers allegations. But the recorded calls played in court underscored how the speaker was on high alert, still feeling the effects of separate #MeToo scandals involving his own misbehaving aides. Earlier that year, a former campaign aide, Alaina Hampton, had called out one of Madigans top local lieutenants, Kevin Quinn, over allegations of sexual harassment. Madigan ousted Kevin Quinn, the brother of the speakers hand-picked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, in February 2018. Another former staffer-turned lobbyist, Shaw Decremer, also soon would be cut loose from Madigans political operations after complaints from then-Rep. Deb Conroy, long before she would become the chair of the DuPage County Board. Though she did not accuse Decremer of sexual harassment, she cited his abusive behavior during his assistance on campaigns. Madigan took responsibility for the misbehavior happening around him and repeatedly said he wished hed done more. But the sexual harassment issue raised questions about how the speaker handled inappropriate actions of his staff and lawmakers. In June 2018, the speaker also dumped Timothy Mapes, his longtime chief of staff who now faces unrelated charges of perjury, after a staffer working for him accused him of sexual harassment and fostering a culture of sexism and bullying that creates an extremely difficult working environment. Against that backdrop, the recordings in the ComEd probe captured a moment of Madigan and McClain in the process of calculating how to end Langs 32-year legislative career over optics. On Sept. 7, 2018, Madigan called McClain and described how Lang had called the speaker to say the IG had cleared him of the allegations made in May and that he wanted to talk about getting back on Madigans House leadership team. I think the guys gonna be a continuing problem, thats my expectation, Madigan told McClain, referring to Lang. With the November 2018 election only weeks away and Lang running unopposed, McClain told Madigan in late October that he was exploring how to move Lang from the House and into lobbying job, what McClain jokingly calls the dark side. But as they continued to talk, McClain said hed heard about a different woman prepared to go public with new allegations about Lang if Madigan put him back in a leadership post. And that lady was going to call Lou, McClain said, adding he would put in motion a plan to make sure that woman makes that call. Before hanging up, McClain gave Madigan an assurance: I have a phase-in program, and Im on it. In a Nov. 3 conversation, McClain asked pointedly when Madigan wanted him to lower the boom on Lang, and Madigan said the sooner rather than later. Five days later, Nov. 8, McClain called Lang, who long dreamed of moving up to majority leader and then one day to speaker, about moving along to another career. McClain made clear we know the woman whos threatening that if youre in leadership shes going to go public. McClain left no doubt that he was on a mission for the speaker: This is no longer me talking. Im an agent, somebody that cares deeply about ya, who thinks that you really oughta move on. Lang was clear that the message from Madigan but asked for a week to think it over. I wouldnt do anything to damage my speaker or my caucus, Lang said. Hes been very good to me. And Im not gonna do anything nasty to him. McClain then reported back to Madigan. In five more days, on Nov. 13, 2018, Madigan called McClain to say Lang met with the speaker and agreed to bow out. Good, McClain replied. Perfect. Lang wound up resigning to become a lobbyist in January 2019, just days before he was set to be sworn in for his 17th term. In federal court Thursday, he loudly denounced a defense attorneys question that referenced sexual harassment charges. Lang shot back: I was not facing sexual harassment charges. Ill tell you right here in federal court that I resent the allegation and the inference. *** In addition to the recorded calls, jurors Thursday learned new details of how Marquez, the ComEd executive in in charge of the utilitys lobbying, came to be a secret government informant. The sun had not yet risen on a frigid Tuesday morning in mid-January 2018 when two FBI agents knocked on the door where Marquez had been staying with a relative, according to testimony by FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald, one of the lead investigators in the sprawling criminal probe. Marquez answered the door at 6 a.m. and invited them in, he said. By that time, investigators had been recording Marquezs phone calls for more than nine months, and when they got inside, McDonald and his partner, Special Agent Brian Hanner, got down to brass tacks. We played Marquez a couple of recordings from our wiretaps, McDonald testified Thursday in the ComEd Four trial. One recording was of a conversation with Doherty about the subcontractor scheme, McDonald said, while another depicted Marquez and Pramaggiore talking about the plan to put Ochoa on ComEds board. McDonald said they asked Marquez if he would cooperate, but before the conversation went much further, relatives began to stir in the home, so they moved to a nearby strip mall parking lot. It was there that Marquez agreed to help the investigation, including wiring up on his colleagues and using a hidden video camera to capture in-person meetings. After about 45 minutes, Marquez told the agents he had to go to work and the meeting ended, McDonald said. At the time Marquez was confronted, the FBI had already gotten court approval to execute search warrants in the ComEd case. Instead those searches were delayed by months as Marquez continued to gather evidence for investigators. The raids finally occurred on May 14, 2019, at McClains home, Dohertys offices at the City Club of Chicago, and at the homes of more than half a dozen Madigan associates who were being paid by ComEd. Prosecutors are expected to play some of the recordings Marquez made for the jury as soon as this week. Among them was a lunch meeting with McClain at a Springfield restaurant on Feb. 7, 2019, just three weeks after Marquez had flipped. At that meeting, which was video recorded, Marquez tells McClain hes worried that new ComEd CEO Joseph Dominguez, a former federal prosecutor, might raise alarms when he sees how much money is being paid on a monthly basis. I forget the amount, Mike, but its a monthly amount, Marquez said, according to a transcript in court records. Equal to a yearly amount, and its a pretty hefty amount. McClain responded it was 168 grand just for Madigans associates, plus probably 10 grand a month at least for Doherty himself. Later in the conversation, McClain said, If that hour (Dominguez) got his ex-prosecutor hat on, hes gonna say we cant do this, according to the transcript. Its very possible that thats what his reaction is going to be, and then I think you have to have, at least Id ask you to recommend that, Before you do anything, can McClain and you have a sit-down? A week later, Marquez secretly recorded a meeting with Doherty in Marquezs ComEd office, according to court records. After Marquez against brought up the thorny issue of Dominguezs reaction to the subcontractor payments, Doherty said he would remind the new boss that ComEds money comes from Springfield. And, you know, I would, if it were me, and again, Mike Madigans not my best friend, but if I called him right now, hed call or hed say, Jay, if I want to go see him, Id go see him, Doherty said on the tape, according to court records. But, my bottom line advice would be, if it aint broke, dont fix it with those guys. Marquez also recorded a meeting between him and McClain and Hooker on Feb. 27, 2019, court records show. During this meeting, Marquez asked how our friend, meaning Madigan, would react if the Doherty contract was canceled, according to prosecutors. Hooker allegedly said Madigan could tank ComEds legislative agenda, prosecutors said. Oh. Okay. Youre not going to do it? Hooker said in describing Madigans possible reaction. Youre not going to do something for me, I dont have to do anything for you. Defense attorneys in their opening statements painted Marquez as an opportunist who was trying to save his own skin and cant be trusted. They also said there are innocent explanations for what is said on the recordings. Dohertys lawyer, Gabrielle Sansonetti, explained that when Doherty suggested if it aint broke dont fix it in his conversation with Marquez, he was simply saying that subcontractors like Moody, Nice, and Zalewski were important to ComEds overall lobbying effort. Jay doesnt admit to a crime, Sansonetti said. He gives him advice. *** The recordings also buttressed allegations that McClain acted as an agent for the famously reclusive speaker, delivering messages and completing assignments for his boss even after McClains retirement from lobbying in 2016. In May 2018, for example, McClain called Madigans office in Chicago looking for the speaker, but he was on the other line with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to a transcript of the call played for jurors. Madigans secretary told McClain shed have the speaker get back to him when he was through. He can call from this phone, is that OK? she asked. Or the other one? Um, probably ought to call from the other one, McClain said. In December 2018, the feds recorded a call between McClain and an associate where McClain repeatedly referred to Madigan as himself, one of several nicknames that the indictment alleged was coded language to hide the speakers involvement. It always goes back to, youre nothing without (Madigan), yeah right? the associate said. I always told these young pups, when they started lobbying, McClain replied, I said, Hey guys, you only have one client. Long as you treat that client well, youll do real well for the people that are paying you. ... Youd be amazed how many drift away because of the almighty buck. Photos: Chicago mayoral candidates in the 2023 election Bill Flick Follow Bill Flick 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 Off the bucket list now is Hawaii. With a fun group of Central Illinoisans, we were there last week, landing in Honolulu and its celebrated Waikiki Beach, then catching a cruise ship to take us to the other islands. Hawaii? Yes gorgeous, beautiful, mostly sunny, a near-perfect 78 degrees in March and much of the rest of the year, too. You also could spot us Midwesterners. You needed sunglasses just to look at our snow-white legs. What else? THINGS LEARNED IN HAWAII: Someone lost the letter D there it's shave ice, not shaved; smoke fish, not smoked; close Sunday, not closed. Instead of just white sand, it also has black-sanded beaches, thanks to all that lava that created the Hawaiian Islands. If you somehow can affix the proper postage, you can send a coconut through the U.S. Mail. Youd also better save up. The average house price in Hawaii is (not a typo) $826,750. In Honolulu, its tough to find anything cheaper than (still not a typo) $1.2 million. Natives pronounce it Ha-vie-ee. Potato chips are $10 for a 6-ounce bag. Maui Jim sunglasses are not made in Maui. Instead, they are manufactured in Peoria, Ill. Out of environmental concerns, they use only one-ply toilet paper (which, as our group dutifully decided, only really means you then use twice as much). Without vowels, there would be no Hawaiian words ... aloha luau maholo. Even the eight-letter word Hawaiian has only two non-members of the consonant family. Hawaii has everything, but one thing gambling. Of any kind. Even poker over the kitchen table on a Tuesday afternoon is an arrest-able offense. A true way to tell residents from tourists: residents avoid the sun, cover their heads, carry sun-hiding umbrellas, seek shade, wear long pants. Tourists lie out in it, lather up the tanning oils, shift around on a beach chair, moan when its partly-to-mostly cloudy. Heres your Jeopardy answer Hawaii has three interstate highways, even if its obviously impossible to travel to any inter-state. If on a cruise ship, at sea you not only get to whale-watch, but from the endless food bars, you can become a whale yourself. Even if an ocean paradise, there are no seagulls in Hawaii. Out wandering the streets, yards and parking lots, there are nonetheless more roosters, chickens and chicks, per capita, than human beings. Even if the alleged land of endless sun, it isnt. The sun leaves early. In fact, on June 21 the longest day of the year everywhere else sunset in Hawaii is 7:17 p.m. On July 4, theyre setting off the fireworks just after Wheel of Fortune. Instead of smog, in Hawaii they have vog. Its a volcanic haze. A large part of the population on the Hawaiian Islands is Japanese and has been since the mid-1800s. Thus, the Japanese also bombed themselves on Dec. 7, 1941. No one says hi. Its always only aloha! Its weird to be in a state where you NEVER SEE an out-of-state license plate. In Central Illinois, you look twice when at the beach or pool you see some thankfully younger person in a thong bathing suit. Along Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, you look twice if you see someone who ISNT wearing one. The warmth and sun of Hawaii is wonderful especially in late winter but its the lush greenery and lava-turned-into-mountains that makes it truly gorgeous. And my gosh nowhere to be found anywhere, at least in our own search, was a mainland childhood favorite Hawaiian Punch fruit drink. How about a nice Hawaiian Punch? Not in Hawaii! Its just everything else that makes such a trip most worthwhile. As they eternally say aloha! Seeds of transformational tourism found on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii The backstory A perfect storm Baby steps towards change Planting the seed through connection Transformational tourism enhances life for all Michael Madigan was still the House speaker and most powerful politician in the state in early November 2018 when he called a longtime confidant for a rundown of the latest thorny political issues. After Madigans friend, Michael McClain, remarked todays not a slow day for you, the speaker laughed. Oh, its its been crazy around here, Madigan said. It turns out Madigan, the iron-fisted leader often touted for his ability to see three moves ahead, had no idea how crazy things really were. Not only was the FBI listening in on that call, within weeks, two agents would knock on the door of a top Commonwealth Edison executive and convince him to cooperate in a burgeoning bribery investigation implicating the speaker. And that spring, investigators executed a series of raids on McClains home in Quincy, the City Club of Chicago, and other locations around Chicago that marked the end-game of a yearslong investigation into Madigan and his vaunted political organization. Prosecutors played the call between Madigan and McClain for the first time last week in the trial of the ComEd Four, charged with funneling at least $1.3 million to his hand-picked Madigan associates in exchange for the powerful speakers influence over legislation the utility giant wanted passed, or blocked, in Springfield. On trial are McClain, 75, an ex-ComEd lobbyist; former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, 64; ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, 73; and Jay Doherty, 69, a lobbyist and consultant who formerly led the City Club of Chicago. The indictment in the case alleged ComEd poured $1.3 million into payments funneled to ghost subcontractors who were actually Madigans cronies, put a Madigan-backed person on the ComEd board, and gave coveted internships to families in his 13th Ward, all part of an elaborate scheme to keep the speaker happy. The defendants attorneys contend that the so-called scheme was nothing more than legal lobbying, part of the states high-stakes, often-messy politics where myriad interest groups and stakeholders compete for access to lawmakers. Madigan and McClain, meanwhile, are facing separate racketeering charges alleging an array of corrupt schemes, including the bribery plot by ComEd. The recordings played for the jury Thursday were the first of whats expected to be more than a hundred wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded meetings that prosecutors have said will lay out the scheme in the defendants own words. The tapes have built a foundation on which prosecutors hope to show that when Madigan gave orders, legislators, lobbyists and executives alike snapped into action to please him. More tapes are expected to be played when the trial resumes Monday. Also expected to testify Monday is state Rep. Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, who was a co-sponsor of one of ComEds massive pieces of legislation that passed in 2016. *** The calls played last week focused on an effort in late 2018 by Madigan and McClain to force then-state Rep. Lou Lang, a longtime Madigan ally, to resign. Word had begun circulating that a woman was threatening to go public with a second potential #MeToo moment for Lang, who had overcome sexual harassment allegations made in May of that same year. Though he called the May accusations absurd, Lang stepped down from the high-ranking position of deputy majority leader in Madigans House Democratic caucus and called for an investigation by the Illinois legislative inspector general. Lang, 73, testified in federal court Thursday that hed been cleared of the May allegations by the IG, who wrote a preponderance of the evidence does not support the accusers allegations. But the recorded calls played in court underscored how the speaker was on high alert, still feeling the effects of separate #MeToo scandals involving his own misbehaving aides. Earlier that year, a former campaign aide, Alaina Hampton, had called out one of Madigans top local lieutenants, Kevin Quinn, over allegations of sexual harassment. Madigan ousted Kevin Quinn, the brother of the speakers hand-picked 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, in February 2018. Another former staffer-turned lobbyist, Shaw Decremer, also soon would be cut loose from Madigans political operations after complaints from then-Rep. Deb Conroy, long before she would become the chair of the DuPage County Board. Though she did not accuse Decremer of sexual harassment, she cited his abusive behavior during his assistance on campaigns. Madigan took responsibility for the misbehavior happening around him and repeatedly said he wished hed done more. But the sexual harassment issue raised questions about how the speaker handled inappropriate actions of his staff and lawmakers. In June 2018, the speaker also dumped Timothy Mapes, his longtime chief of staff who now faces unrelated charges of perjury, after a staffer working for him accused him of sexual harassment and fostering a culture of sexism and bullying that creates an extremely difficult working environment. Against that backdrop, the recordings in the ComEd probe captured a moment of Madigan and McClain in the process of calculating how to end Langs 32-year legislative career over optics. On Sept. 7, 2018, Madigan called McClain and described how Lang had called the speaker to say the IG had cleared him of the allegations made in May and that he wanted to talk about getting back on Madigans House leadership team. I think the guys gonna be a continuing problem, thats my expectation, Madigan told McClain, referring to Lang. With the November 2018 election only weeks away and Lang running unopposed, McClain told Madigan in late October that he was exploring how to move Lang from the House and into lobbying job, what McClain jokingly calls the dark side. But as they continued to talk, McClain said hed heard about a different woman prepared to go public with new allegations about Lang if Madigan put him back in a leadership post. And that lady was going to call Lou, McClain said, adding he would put in motion a plan to make sure that woman makes that call. In a Nov. 3 conversation, McClain asked pointedly when Madigan wanted him to lower the boom on Lang, and Madigan said the sooner rather than later. Five days later, Nov. 8, McClain called Lang, who long dreamed of moving up to majority leader and then one day to speaker, about moving along to another career. McClain made clear we know the woman whos threatening that if youre in leadership shes going to go public. McClain left no doubt that he was on a mission for the speaker: This is no longer me talking. Im an agent, somebody that cares deeply about ya, who thinks that you really oughta move on. Lang was clear that the message from Madigan but asked for a week to think it over. I wouldnt do anything to damage my speaker or my caucus, Lang said. Hes been very good to me. And Im not gonna do anything nasty to him. In five more days, on Nov. 13, 2018, Madigan called McClain to say Lang met with the speaker and agreed to bow out. Lang wound up resigning to become a lobbyist in January 2019, just days before he was set to be sworn in for his 17th term. In federal court Thursday, he loudly denounced a defense attorneys question that referenced sexual harassment charges. Lang shot back: I was not facing sexual harassment charges. Ill tell you right here in federal court that I resent the allegation and the inference. *** In addition to the recorded calls, jurors Thursday learned new details of how Marquez, the ComEd executive in in charge of the utilitys lobbying, came to be a secret government informant. The sun had not yet risen on a frigid Tuesday morning in mid-January 2018 when two FBI agents knocked on the door where Marquez had been staying with a relative, according to testimony by FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald. Marquez answered the door at 6 a.m. and invited them in, he said. By that time, investigators had been recording Marquezs phone calls for more than nine months, and when they got inside, McDonald and his partner, Special Agent Brian Hanner, got down to brass tacks. We played Marquez a couple of recordings from our wiretaps, McDonald testified Thursday in the ComEd Four trial. McDonald said they asked Marquez if he would cooperate, but before the conversation went much further, relatives began to stir in the home, so they moved to a nearby strip mall parking lot. It was there that Marquez agreed to help the investigation, including wiring up on his colleagues and using a hidden video camera to capture in-person meetings. At the time Marquez was confronted, the FBI had already gotten court approval to execute search warrants in the ComEd case. Instead those searches were delayed by months as Marquez continued to gather evidence for investigators. The raids finally occurred on May 14, 2019, at McClains home, Dohertys offices at the City Club of Chicago, and at the homes of more than half a dozen Madigan associates who were being paid by ComEd. Prosecutors are expected to play some of the recordings Marquez made for the jury as soon as this week. Among them was a lunch meeting with McClain at a Springfield restaurant on Feb. 7, 2019, just three weeks after Marquez had flipped. At that meeting, which was video recorded, Marquez tells McClain hes worried that new ComEd CEO Joseph Dominguez, a former federal prosecutor, might raise alarms when he sees how much money is being paid on a monthly basis. I forget the amount, Mike, but its a monthly amount, Marquez said, according to a transcript in court records. Equal to a yearly amount, and its a pretty hefty amount. McClain responded it was 168 grand just for Madigans associates, plus probably 10 grand a month at least for Doherty himself. Later in the conversation, McClain said, If that hour (Dominguez) got his ex-prosecutor hat on, hes gonna say we cant do this, according to the transcript. Its very possible that thats what his reaction is going to be, and then I think you have to have, at least Id ask you to recommend that, Before you do anything, can McClain and you have a sit-down? A week later, Marquez secretly recorded a meeting with Doherty in Marquezs ComEd office, according to court records. After Marquez against brought up the thorny issue of Dominguezs reaction to the subcontractor payments, Doherty said he would remind the new boss that ComEds money comes from Springfield. Defense attorneys in their opening statements painted Marquez as an opportunist who was trying to save his own skin and cant be trusted. They also said there are innocent explanations for what is said on the recordings. Renowned broadcaster and host of Ghanas leading morning show Kokrokoo at Peace FM, Kwami Sefa Kayi has spurred the youth in Ghana to strive for excellence in life. Mr. Sefa Kayi advised the youth to "make lemonade out of the lemons life throws at them" in life. Giving a speech at a joint induction/graduation of Kufour Scholars held at R.S Amegashie Hall, University of Ghana Business School, Kwami Sefa Kayi shared some nuggets of wisdom with the gathering. He said; Leadership is everywhere around usLeadership with integrity is necessary. If we are to see the Ghana and Africa we so desire and love, everything we know starts and ends with leadership. He encouraged them to become great achievers and transform the future of Africa stressing redefining Africas future with integritywill come with pragmatism and hard work. He also seized the moment to enlighten the audience about the success journey of former President John Agyekum Kufour, on whom the Kufour Scholars is founded. The ace broadcaster outlined how Mr. Kufour lived through two coup d'etats and his loss of elections to become President of Ghana to when he finally made it to the Presidency, stating Kufours success didnt come on a silver platter. Take your opportunity today. Dont procrastinate, he urged the youth. in spite of your privilege of being a Kufour scholar, success doesnt come overnight. It never has and it never will. There are times when the pitfalls along the way may force you to give up or despair but remember to keep your eyes on the ball. Persevere; eventually, you will get there. My young friends, be deliberate about life, he added. Mr. Sefa Kayi, in his concluding remarks, appealed to the youth to become better versions of themselves. Embrace what you have and strive for excellence in every task that you are given, he emphasized. Source: 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. Featured Video Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19) A day after the oil spill reached Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, the local government said residents can still head out to the sea to fish. Maaari pang pumalaot at mangisda ang ating mga kababayang mangingisda sa municipal waters ng Calapan City, Calapan City Mayor Malou Morillo said on Friday. [Translation: Our fishermen can still fish in the municipal waters of Calapan City.] Morillo said the decision not to impose a fishing ban was reached after the meeting with local disaster management officials and upon the recommendation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). According to Calapan City Administrator Raymund Ussam, experts from the BFAR reported that theres still no indication that the fish in the area were affected by the slick. Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor said on CNN Philippines' Newsroom Weekend on Sunday that the temporary fishing ban he earlier imposed only covered the waters off Barangay Navotas in Calapan, which may be lifted when BFAR's test results show that the fish in the area have not been affected by the spillage. Nag-announce ang city mayor na meron silang coordination with BFAR to determine (if there is contamination), I would respect that but as far as I am concerned, yun pong Navotas pababa ay pinagbabawal pa rin namin ang pangingisda hanggat walang result ang BFAR test, Dolor said. [Translation: The city mayor announced that they have coordinated with BFAR to determine (if there is contamination), I would respect that. But as far as I am concerned, we will still prohibit fishing in Navotas until the BFAR comes up with the test results.] However, in a message to CNN Philippines after Dolors interview, Morillo explained that BFAR said fishermen can proceed with their livelihood in Navotas. What they have seen are only traces of oil and it is only in Brgy Navotas and the team of coast guard had already done their clean up operation, Morillo wrote. Hence BFAR told us that [they] can continue their fishing activities but we have our people monitoring all the [fish that] they have caught. CNN Philippines has sought clarification from the mayor on which directive will be followed. Morillo earlier said that to ensure marine products are safe for human consumption, sensory inspection teams from Calapan Fisheries Management Office and the BFAR will constantly monitor markets and fish landing areas. Hinihikayat din po ang mga taumbayan na maging mapanuri sa mga palatandaan ng kontaminasyon ng mga isda at ibang lamang-dagat na ibinebenta sa ating mga pamilihan, she added. [Translation: Citizens are also encouraged to be critical of signs of contamination in fish and other seafood sold in our markets.] On March 12, the Department of Social Welfare and Development said 137,230 individuals from 121 barangays in MIMAROPA and Region 6 were affected by the slick. READ: Over 137,000 people affected by Mindoro oil spill DSWD Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has denied an allegation that it took off broadcaster; KKD as a panelist on GTV. KKD, who first made the allegation reportedly said that the government instructed the GBC to take him off the morning show. He made this known on Onua TV in an interview with Captain Smart. They have asked them not to allow me there and that is why I have not been thereIf they deny saying this, let them ask the Director-General of GTV, and the producers at GTV about what they told me that has made me not go there again, he alleged. But GBC in a statement said the government doesnt determine who is invited to their programmes. If this statement is truly coming from Kwasi Kyei Darkwa,(KKD) it would be unfortunate. The claim is not true and can only be a product of his imagination, it said. It will be unlawful for Government to determine who comes on our platforms, it indicated, explaining that action can be taken against a panelist who goes against their rules. We also retire panelists who over time change their style of discourse into a form that is unbefitting of GBCs editorial guidelines, it added. Below is the full statement: The Management of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, operators of TV, has taken note of a news item purported to be caused by Kwasi Kyei Darkwa alleging that the Government instructed GBC not to allow him to appear on TV. If this statement is truly coming from Kwasi Kyei Darkwa, it would be unfortunate. The claim is not true and can only be a product of his imagination. Management of GBC wishes to put it on record that the Corporation does not take instructions from the Government when it comes to content production. Management is fully aware that it will be unlawful for Government to determine who comes on our platforms. GBC is guided by the ethics of public service broadcasting journalism. We do not allow our guests to make allegations against other persons who are not present or do not have the immediate opportunity to respond. We are also not into adversarial journalism, and panellists who adopt a combative style of discourse are not accommodated on GBCs network. GBC provides opportunities to panellists of all political persuasions to speak on our platforms and may retire them when there is a change in our content plan. We also retire panellists who over time change their style of discourse into a form that is unbefitting of GBCs editorial guidelines. We wish to remind all Ghanaians that GBC requires the support of all as it is being transformed into a public service broadcasting service as anticipated by the 1992 Constitution and subsequent Supreme Court decisions. Source: dailyguidenetwork.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. Featured Video United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Detroit Metropolitan Airport intercepted six Giant African Land Snails in a passenger's luggage on March 9, 2023. The U.S. CBP in a press release said the passenger, a Ghanaian national, claimed the snails were for consumption. The molluscs were immediately seized by CBP agents as they pose a significant risk to public health and the environment. Giant African Land Snails are known to eat over 500 different types of plants, including plaster and stucco, and can grow up to eight inches in length. The snails also carry a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans and produce up to 1,200 eggs annually. Although the passenger was released without further action, the incident highlighted the importance of strict inspection processes for goods arriving at US ports of entry. It is not uncommon for travellers to bring food items from their native countries, which underscores the importance of the inspection process upon arrival to U.S. ports of entry, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Steven Bansbach said. This allows CBP officers and agriculture specialists the opportunity to determine whether these goods are permissible or not while mitigating the potential for public health or environmental issues. CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to detect potential threats and prevent harm to US interests, as highlighted by Port Director Robert Larkin. Giant African Land Snails are prohibited in Michigan and the rest of the United States. Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists work diligently to target, detect, and intercept potential threats before they have a chance to do harm to U.S. interests, Port Director Robert Larkin said. Source: graphic.com.gh Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Rev. Dr. Grace Sintim Adasi, Principal of the Presbyterian Women College of Education at Agogo in the Ashanti Region, has expressed worry over the behavior of the youth in Ghana today. The Principal of the College, addressing the character of today's youth, stated that young people have thrown away etiquette, the need for delayed gratification and encouraging entitlements. She prayed that the youth would appreciate the need to live a holistic life. She also used the occasion to draw the attention of the government to some challenges facing the College such as the lack of a generator, paving of the College premises, fencing among others. She made this appeal to government during the maiden Homecoming and Founder's Day celebration of the Agogo Presbyterian Women's College of Education(APWCE) over the weekend under the theme; "Enhancing The Presbyterian Values Through The Provision of Quality Female Teacher Education". Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of AAL Global Consultants,an international agency providing technology-mediated decisions and practices in education, Dr. Mrs. Josephine Larbi-Apau admonished the government to give more opportunities to female science teachers to boost science and technology education in the country. Realizing that the attrition rates of female science teachers were lower than males though did not give figures, Dr. Mrs. Josephine Larbi-Apau was hopeful that with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) project, there should be lot of female science teachers in the country. Dr. Larbi-Apau however praised the government for the STEM project and stressed the importance to encourage more girls to participate in it which could give birth to more science teachers. She mentioned the importance of holistic education by being educated in the head, heart and hands as a Presbyterian and was sure the students would live to be shining examples. As an Alumni of the College, she said "we would do all in our power to remain relevant to the College and Ghana as a whole". Rt.Rev. Prof.Joseph Obiri Yeboah Mante, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, Ghana, added his voice to the holistic education needed for all and sundry in the country, particularly, Presbyterians. "We want anyone who passes through Presbyterian schools to be educated highly intellectually...you can get all the best classes,for us, you are not educated, if you are not educated holistically in your head for knowledge, in your heart for issues of morality and your hands for work", he emphasized. He mentioned that the values of Presbyterians such as quality leadership, discipleship, sound moral principles, integrity should never be compromised but be maintained and enhanced by all. Source: 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. Featured Video The Ministry of Energy has noted reports that it had suffered a disconnection exercise last Tuesday from its agency, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), over unpaid electricity bills. The Ministry describes the report as false disclosing that the Energy Ministry facility runs on prepaid meters. Clarifying the matter, Communications Specialist at the Ministry, Kofi Abrefa Afena said at no point has the Ministry been disconnected from the grid. The Ministry only had prepaid payment challenges and therefore called the ECG to intervene", he asserted. He continued; The Ministry of Energy as the supervising agency of the ECG will support ECG in recovering all its monies accruing from energy sold to consumers. The Ministry will lead by example in paying for its energy consumed." The Ministry, according to Mr. Afena, is urging energy users to pay their bills to enable ECG and NEDCo provide essential services to consumers. Source: 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. Featured Video The government in the 2022 budget abolished road tolls after it announced the introduction of the electronic transaction levy (E-Levy). A year down the line government has proposed the reintroduction of the road toll with new charges. The Finance Ministry per a memo titled: Reintroduction of Road Tolls - Amendment of the Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022, (Act 1080) says it is provided under Section 6 of Act 1080 for the Minister to amend the schedules of the Act to include or exclude MDAs and/or adjust the fees and charges collected by MDAs for their services through a Legislative Instrument, when necessary. Accordingly, this Ministry has initiated steps to provide for foundational rates for tolling of roads and highways as part of the amendments of the Act, pending completion of the process to identify the roads and highways to be affected by the reintroduction of the road tolls as stated in the Budget". This u-turn has however generated criticisms against the ruling government. Political analyst, Yaw Asani Tanoh says the government should've listened to earlier calls from Ghanaians not to scrap the collection of the tolls. According to him, the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta "who rushed" in suspending the toll should be charged with causing financial loss to the state. However, Kwaku Atta Sarpong, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has clapped back insisting government should be commended and not criticised for reversing its decision. "You chastised us for suspending it and you are again criticizing us for bringing it back; so what do you want us to do? I dont understand...You criticized us for suspending it (tolls); now that its back, we should be commended. This is common sense" he fired. 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. Featured Video Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has hailed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region for their show of love to him. He described the gesture not only as surprising but also tremendous, urging the rank and file of the party in the Region to continue to forge ahead in unity. Speaking at a brief event ahead of the second Akwasidae in Kumasi, Dr. Bawumia entreated them to work in unison ahead of the 2024 polls. "I am humbled by the surprising and amazing support. It is a big statement you have made. Let me commend Constituency Chairmen and other executives in the Ashanti Region for this support", he said following a massive show of love. According to him, he exists because of them lauding them, particularly those who contested elections but united thereafter. "I exist because of you. The organization of this welcome was done in unity between Chairman Wontumi and Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, and that is very commendable. It is only the NPP that can beat itself and therefore unity in Ashanti is important ahead of 2024 polls", he emphasized. He further appealed to the NPP faithful in the Ashanti Region, a stronghold of the party, to continue to continue in the spirit of unity and ensure the NPP retains power in 2024. "NPP will win 2024 if we are united. Let us unite among ourselves", he advised. 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. Featured Video Assin Central Member of Parliament and flag bearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party, NPP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has mentioned that even members of the biggest opposition party in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), are in solidarity with him and want to vote for him to become President of Ghana. The outspoken Member of Parliament in his bid to become flagbearer for the NPP, took his tour to the Amasaman Constituency to meet electorates and delegates. In an address, Mr. Agyapong touted his contributions to the Partys development since he joined in 1991. He mentioned that out of his honest and unbiased principles, even members of the National Democratic Congress has vouched to vote for him because he criticizes both his government and the opposition. Mr. Agyapong further added that his main priority should he become President of the country is to promote Tourism and Agro processing. He added that he will utilize the vast lands in the five northern regions of the country to feed Africa. He also asked members of the party to vote for him for he will create jobs for the youth. He stressed that he has the track record of single-handedly employing over 7,000 people across the length of the country. Source: GBC 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. Featured Video " " Gay marriage and parenting are still socially contentious issues. Craig Mitchelldyer/ Getty Images Opponents of gay marriage and adoption often frame their criticisms in terms of what's best for children. Allowing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) couples to raise boys and girls, they may attest, endangers healthy child development in myriad ways. In 1998, for instance, the Alabama Supreme Court transferred child custody from a lesbian mother to the child's heterosexual father, on the grounds that her sexual orientation morally jeopardized her ability to parent [source: Doe v. Pryor]. In that way, negative views on same-sex parenting tend to liken a couple's sexual orientation to a bacterial contagion that's passed along from adults to kids, thus altering the younger generation's self-perceptions of gender and setting them up for social and psychological problems along the way. Certainly, since that 1998 decision, homosexuality has become increasingly accepted, and courts are less likely to rule against plaintiffs solely on the basis of their sexual orientations [source: Stacey and Biblarz]. Nonetheless, social resistance to gay parenting still simmers, often hinging on bygone stereotypes. In August 2010, for instance, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council that promotes heterosexual marriage, told CBS' "Face the Nation" that "no evidence" existed that children raised by gay parents fare as well as those raised by straight ones [source: Media Matters]. But when it comes to the following five myths about same-sex parents and their families, scientific evidence actually has told a different story. To kick things off, let's go ahead and fact-check Perkins' televised claims. " " Cyclists ride past a sign from law enforcement agencies seeking information on the Oct. 31, 2017 terror attack in New York City. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images When the news of another public or mass murder in the U.S. breaks an almost daily occurrence it seems people are forced to stumble their way through a series of inescapable emotions. The psychological stages go something like this: Shock, revulsion, fear, curiosity, anxiety, anger, numbness. and, finally (much like the well-known stages of grief), depression and perhaps acceptance. Advertisement Somewhere along that arc, too increasingly more toward the beginning, it seems comes an inevitable question: Was it terrorism? In an era of crazed gunmen, suicide bombers and madmen behind the wheel, that question is way more easily asked than answered. That's partly because the legal definition of the word terrorism is as murky and toxic as the minds of the people who carry it out. "Every terrorism textbook and every terrorism class begins with the definition problem," says Jane Cramer, Ph.D. a professor of political science at the University of Oregon. Cramer holds a doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Most people have to be satisfied with no definition." The Merriam-Webster-izing of the term terrorism has become so tricky in fact, so fraught with politics and legal pitfalls that, even after decades of trying, the United Nations can't come to an agreement on what constitutes terrorism or what a terrorist looks like. That's not all that surprising, maybe, considering that what one nation calls a cowardly and despicable act, another might term a patriotic or holy duty. At least within the borders of the United States, the definition seems a little less troublesome. Several federal laws and regulations list some variation of the terms, but the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines it as "the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives." Still, even among Americans, it's not that easy. When 21-year-old Dylann Roof killed nine members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015 it was immediately considered by most as a hate crime and a terroristic act. (Roof is an avowed white supremacist; his victims all were black.) Then-FBI director James Comey, though, would not use the T-word. "Terrorism is violence done or threatened," Comey said in a press conference three days after the shooting, "in order to try to influence a public body or citizen, so it's more of a political act ... again, based on what I know ... I don't see it as a political act." That failure to immediately flag people like Roof (or even Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock who killed 58 and wounded another 500-plus Oct. 1, 2017) as terrorists rankles those who see the issue often falling along racial and religious lines. When Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a 29-year-old native of Uzbekistan, for one example, killed eight people in New York City this past October 31, 2017, by plowing a rented truck into pedestrians and bikers on a bike path, the FBI slapped federal terrorism charges on him less than two days later. President Donald Trump didn't wait nearly as long. He labeled it a terrorist attack that day, tweeting: "My thoughts, condolences and prayers to the victims and families of the New York City terrorist attack. God and your country are with you!" " " People gather in front of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina to attend the first service after a white supremacist shot and killed nine on June 21, 2015. The incident was not considered terrorism. Cem Ozdel/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images Officially tagging acts like these as terrorism (or not) is rarely done without thought toward the legal and moral implications. No terrorism charges were filed against Army Maj. Nidal Hasan, who killed 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009, even though Hasan told investigators he shot the soldiers because they were "going against the Islamic Empire," according to the New York Times. The reasoning: The Army could more easily and swiftly try him on charges of murder and attempted murder without the hassle of proving he was a terrorist. Hassan is now in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, awaiting execution after being convicted of 13 counts of murder and 32 counts of attempted murder. Without designating Hassan a terrorist, though, his victims can't get combat-related benefits or receive Purple Hearts because the attack was considered workplace violence and not combat, the Times says. The labeling of terrorists (or not labeling them) isn't a particularly new phenomenon. More than 30 years ago, then-president Ronald Reagan pushed a foreign policy that included financial backing for "freedom fighters" in Nicaragua, the so-called "Contras;" others accused the U.S. of state-backed terrorism. Many other presidents and heads of state all over the world have taken similar steps in the name of national interest. The objection to calling someone a terrorist lies largely with the word itself terrorism. It is a term reserved for the worst of the worst. For many Americans, it seems to be saved for those from outside our borders who aim to kill innocent Americans. "It's a loaded term. It's meant to make somebody evil," Cramer says. "When everybody, after this last incident, notices that Trump wouldn't use 'terrorism' after Charlottesville [where a white supremacist killed counter-protester Heather Heyer Aug. 12, 2017] and uses it immediately after New York ... It was like, 'Wow, we only use it for Muslim or dark-skinned people.' That's why this is coming up all the time. It's loaded." It's probably not surprising that many politicians not just the president use "terror" as a way to influence minds and gain votes. The defeat of the terrorist Islamic State was a big issue in the 2016 election. Immigration reform has also been tied to keeping terrorists from our shores. "That's why politicians use [the word] but academics try not to. They're trying to win supporters and make sides," Cramer says. "Academics are trying to analyze things. That's the difference." Whatever the perils or problems in defining the term, whatever the way it's used by various groups, however the legal system decides to employ it, the threat of terrorism is something we encounter every day. In our schools. In our airports. In almost every aspect of our lives. All that's proof of one enduring, unfortunate fact: Even if we disagree on what terrorism is, we know it's out there. Now That's Interesting Terrorism on American soil, whether defined as domestic (the Oklahoma City bombing, say) or international (the 9/11 attacks), has been going on for decades, if not centuries. Native Americans were wiped out in large numbers by European settlers. Africans brought to America in slavery were routinely killed with no repercussions for the murderers. And in the 1830s, the governor of Missouri enacted the Mormon Extinction Order, which called for exactly what the name implies. 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: The symbol of the United Nations is displayed outside the Secretariat Building, Feb. 28, 2022, at United Nations Headquarters. On Saturday, March 18, 2023, the U.N.s premiere global body fighting for gender equality called for wide-ranging efforts to close the gap between men and women in todays technology-driven world and urged zero tolerance for gender-based violence and harassment online. Credit: AP Photo/John Minchillo, File The U.N.'s premiere global body fighting for gender equality on Saturday called for wide-ranging efforts to close the gap between men and women in today's technology-driven world and urged zero tolerance for gender-based violence and harassment online. In a document approved by consensus after all-night negotiations at the end of a two-week meeting, the Commission on the Status of Women expressed grave concern at the interrelation between offline and online violence, harassment and discrimination against women and girlsand it condemned the increase in these acts. It called for a significant increase in investments by the public and private sector to bridge the gender digital divide. It also called for the removal of barriers to equal access to digital technology for all women and girls, and new policies and programs to achieve gender parity in emerging scientific and technological fields. Sima Bahous, executive director of UN Women, an entity of the United Nations focusing on gender equality and the empowerment, called the document "game-changing" in promoting a blueprint for a more equal and connected world for women and girls. The challenge now, she said, is for governments, the private sector, civil society and young people to turn the blueprint "into reality for all women and girls." At the start of the commission's two-week meeting, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said its focus was very timely because women and girls are being left behind as technology races ahead. "Three billion people are still unconnected to the internet, the majority of them women and girls in developing countries, (and) in least developed countries just 19% of women are online," Guterres said. "Globally, girls and women make up just one-third of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics" and men outnumber women two to one in the tech industry. Bahous told the opening meeting that "the digital divide has become the new face of gender inequality," with 259 million more men than women online last year. She also cited a survey of female journalists from 125 countries that found three-quarters had experienced online harassment in the course of their work and a third had engaged in self-censorship in response. The "agreed conclusions" document adopted Saturday by the 45-member commission calls for equal quality education for women and girls in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, information and communications technology, and digital literacy so they can thrive in the rapidly changing world. During lengthy negotiations on the document, which has 93 paragraphs, U.N. diplomats said language on women's rights was challenged by Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Holy See and human rights language was also challenged by those countries as well as Cuba and China. There were also intense debates over language on gender-based violence facilitated by technology, they said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were closed. The final document reaffirms the 1995 Beijing platform adopted by 189 countries which said for the first time in a U.N. document, that women's human rights include the right to control and decide "on matters relating to their sexuality, including their sexual and reproductive health, free of discrimination, coercion and violence." The final issue blocking consensus was Pakistan's insistence on adding a reference to "foreign occupation" to the document, and Israel's strong opposition, diplomats said. The reference was not included and before the document's adoption Pakistan's representative expressed regret that the needs and priorities of women belonging to developing countries and facing humanitarian crisis including foreign occupation were not included. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. (CNN) With its balmy beaches, laid back lifestyles and holiday vibe, the tropical paradise of Bali has much to offer any world weary traveler let alone those fleeing a war zone. So perhaps it should be no surprise that since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Indonesia's most famous holiday island has once again become a magnet for thousands of Russians and Ukrainians seeking to escape the horrors of war. Some 58,000 Russians visited this Southeast Asian idyll in 2022 following its post-Covid reopening, and a further 22,500 arrived in January 2023 alone, according to the Indonesian government, making them the second biggest group of visitors after Australians. Adding to their number are the more than 7,000 Ukrainians who arrived in 2022, and some 2,500 in the first month of this year. But for those fleeing the violence or the draft there's trouble in paradise. Balinese authorities this week called for the end to Indonesia's visa-on-arrival policy for citizens of Russia and Ukraine, citing a spate of alleged incidents involving misbehavior and various examples of visitors overstaying their visas and working illegally as hairdressers, unauthorized tour guides and taxi drivers. The move has been met with dismay by many Ukrainians on the island, who say that most of the incidents involve Russians and that they are being unfairly tarred with the same brush. "Whenever we get reports about a foreigner behaving badly, it's almost always Russian," a local police officer in the town of Kuta told CNN, declining to be identified due to sensitivities surrounding the issue. "Foreigners come to Bali but they behave like they are above the law. This has always been the case and it has to finally stop," he said. Badly behaved tourists can be a touchy subject in Bali, where foreigners of various nationalities regularly make headlines for drunk and inappropriate behavior, public nudity and disrespecting sacred sites. But the Balinese authorities appear ready to make an example of Russians and Ukrainians amid rising public debate over perceptions of their conduct. "Why these two countries? Because they are at war so they flock here," Bali governor Wayan Koster told a news conference this week. The influx of Russians and Ukrainians into Bali comes despite Ukraine having banned all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. Russia has no official blanket ban, but has mobilized 300,000 reservists to join the fighting, prompting many young men to flee abroad rather than be drafted. CNN reached out to the Russian embassy in Indonesia and Ukrainian consulate in Bali. Russian embassy officials did not immediately respond; Ukraine's Honorary Consulate in Bali said Ukrainians in the country were mostly females there for family unification reasons rather than tourism and that they did "not want to violate the rules and regulations." 'We all get along' While Bali was a favorite with Russian tourists even before the war, its attractions have become only more appealing in the wake of Putin's grinding invasion and subsequent mobilization. And it is far from the only refuge in Southeast Asia. The island of Phuket in southern Thailand, often lauded as among the world's best beach destinations, has seen a sudden influx of Russian arrivals many of whom have invested in property to ensure they can enjoy long-term stays. "Life in Russia is very different now," a former investment banker from St. Petersburg who bought an apartment near Phuket's Old Town district told CNN. He declined to disclose his identity for fear of retaliation from Russian authorities. "No one wants to stay and live in the middle of war," he said. "It is stressful thinking about the possibility of returning to Russia and being punished... (so) it makes sense to invest in a place which costs less than Moscow and is safer." In Bali, part of the attraction has been down to Indonesia's policy that allows nationals of more than 80 countries including, at least for now, Russia and Ukraine to apply for visas upon arrival. The visa is valid for 30 days but can be extended once to a total of 60 days. That might be plenty of time for those planning lengthy vacations, but those seeking a more prolonged stay are not allowed to work. Indonesian authorities said several Russian tourists had been deported in recent months for overstaying their visas, among them a 28-year-old from Moscow who was arrested and deported after he was found to be working as a photographer. Others who arrived hoping to find work have since returned home, risking Moscow's wrath if they are suspected of fleeing the draft. Among the wave of Russians to have traveled to Bali was Sergei Ovseikin, a street artist who created an anti-war mural in the middle of a rice paddy field -- a "mural" that reflected his stance on military conscription and the war. "Like many others forced to leave our native country, I came to Bali as a tourist," Ovseikin said. "Russia remains in a difficult political situation. I am against wars, no matter where they take place," he said. "A lot of people who disagreed with the war flew to Bali Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and others," he added. "We all get along well with each other... and understand that ordinary people did not start this war." 'It's beautiful ... no Russian soldiers' News of the possible change to the visa rules has rattled some of the Ukrainians on the island, many of whom left their homeland when war broke out and have been living on savings ever since, leaving and reentering every 60 days to avoid flouting the rules. "Bali is a good place," said one Ukrainian named Dmytro. "It is beautiful, the weather is great and it's a safe place for Ukrainians there may be big groups of Russians, but there are no Russian soldiers." Ukrainians on the island were a tightly knit community that largely kept away from Russians and had been surprised by the possible move, he added. "Ukrainians respect Balinese law and culture. We do a lot for our local communities and don't represent any risk for people in Bali," Dmytro said. "Many back in Ukraine have questions about Bali and would also love to come." "It's very sad that Ukrainians are being put in the same (category) as Russians. Russians are the second largest tourist group in Bali and if you read the news, you'll see how often it is Russians breaking local laws and disrespecting Balinese culture and traditions," he added. "So why do Ukrainians have to suffer when it isn't us causing problems in Bali?" Ukraine's Honorary Consulate in Bali said in a statement to CNN that there were around 8,500 Ukrainian citizens on the island as of February 2023, holding various temporary and permanent visa permits. "Ukrainians do not come for holiday to Bali at this current moment as our country is being invaded. The Ukrainians coming to Bali now are for family unification (reasons) and are mostly female," said spokesperson Nyoman Astama. "We reaffirm that Ukrainians in Bali do not want to violate the rules and regulations," Astama added. "It is imperative to enforce the law and implement the consequences for any breach of the law as voiced now by the people in Bali." Still, for now at least, anyone from either country still hoping for a visa on arrival can take some comfort in the fact that the central government is yet to decide on whether to grant the request by the Balinese authorities. "We will discuss it in detail with other stakeholders," Indonesian Minister of Tourism Sandiaga Uno told local reporters on Monday. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Trouble in paradise as Bali loses patience with Russians, Ukrainians fleeing war." 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: In this image from video, dead fish float on the surface of the lower Darling-Baaka River near the New South Wales state far west town of Menindee, Australia, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP Millions of fish have washed up dead in southeastern Australia in a die-off that authorities and scientists say is caused by depleted oxygen levels in the river after recent floods and hot weather. Residents of the Outback town of Menindee in New South Wales state complained of a terrible smell from the dead fish. "The stink was terrible. I nearly had to put a mask on," said local nature photographer Geoff Looney. "I was worried about my own health. That water right in the top comes down to our pumping station for the town. People north of Menindee say there's cod and perch floating down the river everywhere," he said. The Department of Primary Industries said the fish deaths were likely caused by low oxygen levels as floods recede, a situation made worse by fish needing more oxygen because of the warmer weather. Police have established an emergency operations center in Menindee to coordinate a massive cleanup this week. State Emergency Operations Controller Peter Thurtell said the immediate focus was to provide a clean water supply to residents. "There is no need for community concern as the initial assessment has determined multiple viable solutions to maintain water supply to the Menindee township and surrounds," he said. In this image from video, dead fish float on the surface of the lower Darling-Baaka River near the New South Wales state far west town of Menindee, Australia, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP In this image from video, dead fish float on the surface of the lower Darling-Baaka River near the New South Wales state far west town of Menindee, Australia, on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The Department of Primary Industries in New South Wales state said the fish deaths coincided with a heat wave that put stress on a system that has experienced extreme conditions from wide-scale flooding. Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP State agencies also started to release higher-quality water where possible to boost dissolved oxygen levels in the area. "We've just sort of started to clean up, and then this has happened, and that's sort of you're walking around in a dried-up mess and then you're smelling this putrid smell. It's a terrible smell and horrible to see all those dead fish," said Jan Dening, a Menindee resident. Mass fish kills have been reported on the Darling-Baaka River in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of fish were found at the same spot in late February, while there have been several reports of dead fish downstream toward Pooncarie, near the borders of South Australia and Victoria states. Enormous fish kills occurred on the river at Menindee during severe drought conditions in late 2018 and early 2019, with locals estimating millions of deaths. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Destroyed buildings are seen after an earthquake in the city of Machala, Ecuador on March 18, 2023. At least 14 people were killed, several were wounded and buildings were damaged in a powerful earthquake that shook Peru and Ecuador Saturday, authorities said. Destroyed buildings, crushed vehicles and debris could be seen in cities such as Machala and Cuenca in Ecuador, as rescue officials rushed to lend aid and panicked residents ran into the streets. The quake, which the United States Geological Survey (USGS) put at a magnitude of 6.8 and a depth of nearly 41 miles (66 kilometers), struck at 12:12 local time (1712 GMT). Its epicenter was in the Ecuadoran municipality of Balao, near the border with Peru, authorities said. "I went out into the street because I saw people starting to run in panic, getting out of their cars," Magaly Escandon, a sewing supplies saleswoman in Cuenca, told AFP. Ecuador's presidency reported 13 dead11 in the province of El Oro and two in the province of Azuay. In the Peruvian city of Tumbes on the border with Ecuador, a four-year-old girl died after a brick hit her on the head, according to an official report. "There where the pool of blood is, I was playing with my... niece and a brick fell on her," her uncle David Alvarado told AFP. The tremor was also strongly felt in other cities including Guayaquil, Quito, Manabi and Manta, social media reports said. Ecuador's presidency reported that "there are injured people who are being treated promptly in hospitals," but did not provide any figures. Residents cry after an earthquake destroyed buildings in the city of Machala, Ecuador on March 18, 2023. Remain 'calm' President Guillermo Lasso traveled to El Oro, where he visited the wounded in a hospital, and will next head to Azuay. "I have just finished visiting the city of Machala... I have ratified government support, the availability of resources," he said in a video posted on Twitter. Earlier in the day he urged people to remain "calm and to be informed through official channels" about damage to buildings. According to Quito's Risk Management Office, the facade of a house collapsed on a vehicle and left "a deceased person" in Cuenca. AFP journalists in the city also reported that old houses in the historic center had been damaged. Roads near Cuenca were additionally blocked by landsides. Nearby, in the province of El Oro, three people were reported dead when a tower toppled and fatally crushed them. Debris can be seen after an earthquake in the city of Machala, Ecuador on March 18, 2023. A car smashed by a piece of a building is seen in the Ecuadoran city of Cuenca's historic center on March 18, 2023. The earthquake shook the north and central coasts of Peru with less intensity. In Tumbes, it damaged 12 homes, according to an official report. "It is a relatively high magnitude for what we have in the country," said Mario Ruiz, director of the Ecuadorian Geophysical Institute in an interview with FM Mundo radio. Peruvian seismological authorities initially reported a magnitude of 7.0, but hours later downgraded the magnitude to 6.7. A first aftershock of magnitude 4.8 was recorded in Balao, Ecuador. The Ecuadoran navy said there was no tsunami threat. In 2016, a quake with a magnitude of 7.8 hit Ecuador's western provinces of Manabi and Esmeraldas, killing 673 people and causing an estimated $3 billion in damage. 2023 AFP The company behind one of the regions most controversial proposed projects in 2022, a carbon fertilizer plant in the town of Moreau, will hold in-person public sessions to answer questions this month. On March 28 and March 29, representatives from Saratoga Biochar Solutions will be in Hudson Falls for two public information meetings, a requirement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to complete their applications for air and solid-waste permits for the facility. The two meetings are being hosted at 214 Main St. in Hudson Falls, next to The Strand Theatre. The meeting on March 28 runs 6 to 9 p.m. To join virtually via ZOOM visit: https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 865 4825 1024 Passcode: 343339. The March 29 meeting goes from 2 to 5 p.m. and available remotely via ZOOM at: https://zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 853 5681 2801 Passcode: 201279 A representative from the DEC provided background on the public communication process for this project via email on Thursday in response to The Post-Stars questions. The Public Participation Plan must be implemented, including conducting the remaining public information meetings, before the application may be deemed complete. DEC staff continue to review submissions by Saratoga Biochar Solutions for other completeness requirements, according to the email. DEC will provide notice to the public and an opportunity for comment on any complete permit application for this project. In December, Biochar held the first of the three public information meetings, but residents were only able to join the two-hour meeting via Microsoft Teams, with no in-person option. This format troubled many concerned citizens, especially those who were not called on or those unable to unmute their microphones when called on to speak. Saratoga Biochar Solutions leaders host virtual public meeting Saratoga Biochar Solutions CEO, chief operations officer and president answered questions from the public on Monday night after a short presentation on the project they proposed in the Moreau Industrial Park. The public urged both the company and the DEC to allow the public to participate at a local venue in future meetings. Environmental activist and Clean Air Action Network board member Tracy Frisch said the community residents are very pleased about the new option. The meetings will also still be accessible remotely, online or via telephone. Well, people are coming. I think people are very pleased that its going to be in-person. Given the problems at the last meeting with people unmuting themselves or getting called on, there was enormous frustration with that, Frisch said over the phone on Friday. She said her hand was raised online for like 45 minutes, but she was never called on. I think people will be a little agitated if certain people arent called on, she said of the upcoming meeting. Frisch fears the applications for the permits will be approved in April shortly after the public participation plan is completed. She shared that Clean Air Action Network has signed a retainer with Earth Justice, a legal firm that represents environmental groups, to help draft comments to the DEC in the comment period that follows the release of the permit applications to the public. We cant draft any comments or give people any guidance on comments until the draft permits are released because we dont know what the conditions are or what DEC has decided, Frisch said. She did say when a DEC representative was asked if they plan to test the waste at the proposed facility for PFAS, he responded that they would follow DEC framework for testing, which Frisch said does not include PFAS testing. When the DEC was asked in February about the beneficial use permit Saratoga Biochar Solutions also applied for, the representative said it was still under review. DEC subjects all applications for environmental permits to a rigorous review process to protect public health and the environment. DEC received Saratoga Biochar Solutions Beneficial Use Determination (BUD) petition for its biosolids-derived biochar product which is currently under review, an email response on Feb. 3 read. When Frisch reached out to the Deputy Regional Permit Administrator Beth Magee, who was previously handling the permit application in early February, she was directed to the Regional Permit Administrator, who would be handling the review from now on. Frisch was not given a reason for the change. Saratoga Biochar Solutions CEO Raymond Apy did not respond to The Post-Stars request for comment about the upcoming public information meetings. Ongoing litigation In September, Clean Air Action Network filed an Article 78 petition, which is a lawsuit against a political body, naming the Moreau Planning Board, Apy and Saratoga Biochar Solutions as defendants. The lawsuit, filed on Sept. 26 in the state Supreme Court in Saratoga County, was delayed waiting for a response from the defendants. Frisch shared that the oral arguments in the case on both sides should be heard by a judge before the end of March, and though the residents who signed onto the lawsuit plan to attend, they are not publicizing the day and time of the court date. The lawsuit claims that the towns planning board did not follow the legal process necessary to approve the site plans submitted by the company and that the board failed to follow the recommendations of the State Environmental Quality Review process, commonly referred to a SEQR, when making their decisions. Apy previously stated he is confident the board and his company will easily defeat the petition. On Aug. 25, the Moreau Planning Board voted 4-2 to approve the carbon fertilizer factory proposed for the towns industrial park. The proposed plant, which opponents refer to as a sewage sludge factory, would have trucks transporting sewage waste to the plant multiple times a day, taking in 15% of New York states waste, and use an advanced scientific process to turn material into a fertilizer pellet that the company says can safely be applied to land. The product is initially intended to be given back to the waste provider, Casella Organics, to be used on land, with plans to market and sell the fertilizer to municipalities in the future. The project was opposed by many residents in the town of Moreau and the surrounding communities. Though the company is confident their process and product will benefit the environment and help solve a big problem, president of the company Bryce Meeker and chief operating officer Lee Wulfekuhle both have experience in failed environmental projects, which resulted in illness or litigation. Apy, the only one of the three living in Saratoga County, owned a tech company, which he sold before investing in Northeastern Biochar Solutions, the parent company of Saratoga Biochar. SALEM The breakfast line at Dry Brook Sugar House stretched out the door Saturday morning as clouds of sweet-smelling steam billowed out the vents on the sugar houses roof. The sugar house was serving its annual pancake breakfast on the first day of the Upper Hudson Maple Producers two annual open house weekends. Kevin Keyes, who owns Dry Brook with his uncle Bob Chambers, said they expect to serve 400 pancake, sausage, and real maple syrup breakfasts each of the four days, with about 100 diners each day coming back for seconds. A display case stocked with Dry Brooks maple syrup, cream, and candy gives visitors the chance to take some sweetness home with them. Its a good crowd, Keyes said late Saturday morning. There are lots of happy people. Many are repeat customers, coming year after year, he said. One couple he recalled started visiting the sugar house while they were dating. By the time they moved out of the area, they were returning with five children, Keyes said. Another longtime customer had to move to an assisted living facility, but she didnt let that stop her from making her annual visit. She arranged with the home to bring a busload of her new friends. Fortunately, production has been good this year, Keyes said. The quality is unbelievable, with an abundance of fancy-grade, light amber syrup. About a dozen staff, family, friends and volunteers come over the two weekends to run the equipment, make and serve breakfast, sell maple goods, give tours, and answer questions. Members of the Washington County Draft Animal Association were on hand with two horse-drawn wagons, giving rides to the nearby Vermont state line. Well be here all four days from 10 to 2, said Mike Fields, who had come with his draft horses George and Sawyer. The wagon rides, a longstanding tradition at Dry Brook, keep people coming back year after year, he said. Keyes said hes hoping for about 4,000 gallons of syrup this year, most of which hell sell wholesale. Even if the weather turns warmer over the next week, the 12,500 taps that he and his uncle tap are mostly in a high, cool hollow sheltered from the sun. That will extend the run, he said. Chris Keyes, Kevins son, took visitors to the collection tanks a short distance up a dirt road. Miles of plastic tubing connect the trees to a vacuum pump that keeps the sap flowing into the tanks. Some of the trees are a mile and a half away, but the pump is powerful enough to create suction even that far, Keyes said. When the sap is flowing, the 1,000 to 1,500 gallons tanks may need to be checked and emptied several times during the day and night. Chambers may come out at 2 a.m. with a tractor and tank to haul sap back to the sugarhouse. Hes a dairy farmer, Chris Keyes said. He just keeps going and going. He doesnt know when to stop. The Chambers family started making syrup 60 or 70 years ago, Chris Keyes said. Kevin Keyes made his first batch on the stove in the family kitchen, leaving the walls coated with sticky residue. At his mothers urging, he moved outside to a wood stove and evaporator, then joined with his uncle to set up the sugar house on the Chambers dairy farm. They started with 10,000 taps and have been increasing over the last five years, Chris Keyes said. Maple sap is 98% water and 39 gallons of water have to be removed or boiled off to make one gallon of syrup. Dry Brook uses reverse osmosis to separate the sugar from the water, increasing the sugar concentration to 23% before it goes to the evaporator, Kevin Keyes said. That saves time and fuel as the evaporator reduces the sap to syrup. The osmosis by-product is thousands of gallons of clean water, saved for washing the bulk tanks and equipment. Its a labor-intensive, energy-intensive process, but the product is a cherished sign of spring in the North Country. Despite the labor, Chris Keyes said he looks forward to sugaring season. My favorite part about this place is seeing all the people, he said. #MUMBAI The Congress Maharashtra unit on Friday demanded that the government should take action against the army of trolls who have targeted Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud. MPCC chief Nana Patole said that there is no limit to the appetite of the power-hungry Bharatiya Janata Party and to what lengths they went from Maharashtra to Gujarat to Guwahati -- and how the former Governor misused his position -- to overthrow the Maha Vikas Aghadi government last year. Based on certain observations of the CJI hearing plea on Sena split, some people are apprehending that the decision could go against them. So they are trolling even the CJI, Patole said. IANS #MUMBAI Two days after the Maharashtra government conceded most of the demands of the agitating farmers, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Saturday called off the 175-km long march. The decision was taken after a meeting of the top AIKS leaders this afternoon at Vasind, Thane, where the long march had halted since Thursday, said spokesperson PS Prasad AIKS leaders announced before the huge gathering that the long march and agitation has been called off with immediate effect and now all the matters would be discussed with the state government panel. On Friday, after chief minister Eknath Shindes statement in the assembly, the administration issued the necessary orders and sent them to all departments and district authorities. From today morning (March 18), the order copies and the implementation schedules have been handed over to us and the long march has been called off, said Prasad. IANS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protester dies #THANE A 58-year-old farmer from Nashik, who was a part of the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS)-led long march that halted here, has passed away. The march had halted here on Thursday (March 16), and the farmer passed away here late on Friday, leaders said. The deceased, identified as Pundalik Ambadas Jadhav, was resting at his camp here and had his dinner and medicines. Thereafter, he suddenly fell ill, complained of giddiness, vomiting and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead later. IANS A Davenport man on parole out of the Illinois Department of Corrections and who is wanted on charges in two states was arrested Friday by Davenport Police for allegedly peddling ecstasy and marijuana. Michael Lashawn Robinson, 43, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count of possession with the intent to deliver more than 5 grams of a substance containing methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA, commonly referred to as ecstasy. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 25 years. Robinson also is charged with possession with the intent to deliver marijuana and with two counts of violating Iowas drug tax stamp law. Each charge is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years. According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police Officer Emily Rasche, at 6:04 a.m. Friday, the Davenport Police Departments narcotics unit served a search warrant at 1601 W. 4th St. in connection with an ongoing drug investigation involving Robinson. During the search, officers seized 4.70 pounds of marijuana, 113 ecstasy pills a digital scale and packaging materials. A follow-up search was done at an apartment at 1825 Grand Ave., where Robinson was taken into custody. During a first appearance on the charges Saturday in District Court, Magistrate Cynthia Taylor scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 28. Robinson is currently on parole out of the Illinois Department of Corrections Lincoln Correctional Center. He was sentenced to three years in prison on charge of possession of more than 5 grams but less than 15 grams of methamphetamine. That conviction and sentence was out of Bureau County. In that case, Robinson had been arrested on Dec. 7, 2020. He was admitted to the Illinois DOC on June 29, 2021, and was paroled April 12, 2022. He is scheduled to be discharged from parole in that case on April 12, 2024. Robinson is wanted in both Illinois and Indiana. In Rock Island County, Robinson is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of improper use of registration or title. In Lake County, Indiana, Robinson is wanted on a charge of failure to return to lawful detention and for sentencing in a burglary case. According to Lake Superior Court electronic records, Robinson was charged on May 18, 2020, with felony counts of burglary, theft and criminal mischief damage. He was under the supervision of Lake County Community Corrections. A plea agreement in that case was filed on Dec. 6, 2022, and Robinson was to be sentenced Feb. 7. He failed to appear for sentencing and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Lake Superior Court records show that on March 17 Robinson was in custody in Scott County, Iowa. Robinson was being held Sunday night in the Scott County Jail on a $20,000 cash-only bond for the new drug charges, and a $1,000 cash-only bond for failure to appear on a Scott County charge of interference. He also was being held on a $3,000, 10%, bond for the charge out of Rock Island County, and without bond on the Indiana charges. CAMBRIDGE, Ill. A Kewanee man was arraigned Thursday in Henry County Circuit Court on sex-related charges. Christopher J. Woodruff, 45, was charged March 2 with three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault for the assault of a female minor under the age of 13. The penalty for the Class X felonies is 6-30 years in prison. They are not probationable. According to the charges, Woodruff allegedly committed an act of sexual contact or penetration with a female under 13 between Nov. 1, 2019, and Feb. 7, 2023. Judge James Cosby set bond at $250,000 on March 2. Woodruff was arrested March 16. At his arraignment Thursday, Judge Jennifer Kelly set a preliminary hearing for March 20 and appointed the public defender's office to the case. If Woodruff posts bond of $25,000 or 10%, he was ordered to have no contact with any person under 18. State government reorganization The executive branch of Iowa state government, including its myriad departments and agencies, is headed for a massive reorganization now that legislation has been approved by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature. Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal to streamline state government passed the Iowa House on Wednesday, having previously passed the Senate. Reynolds proposal, which was informed by a Virginia-based consulting firm, would reduce the number of state agencies that report directly to the governor from 37 to 16, and would give the governor more leeway in setting salaries for top government positions, among myriad other provisions in a nearly 1,600-page bill. Regents to review diversity, equity and inclusion programs All diversity, equity and inclusion programs at Iowas public universities will undergo a comprehensive review, and no new DEI programs will be allowed to start during the review, the Iowa Board of Regents announced Tuesday. The announcement came as Republican state lawmakers are proposing legislation that would prohibit Iowas public universities from funding workers for DEI programs. State income tax reductions Current state income tax reductions would be sped up, and the tax eventually would be phased out entirely under legislation advanced by Iowa Senate Republicans. The bill would make those gradual reductions happen faster, reduce the state income tax rate to 2.55 percent by 2028, and create a mechanism to eventually phase out the state income tax altogether. Trump makes first Iowa trip of 2023 Former President Donald Trump touted trade policies that he argues have been a boon for Americas farmers and attacked Democratic President Joe Biden for a non-stop war on American agriculture in a speech Monday at the Adler Theatre in Davenport. It was Trumps first trip to Iowa since declaring his candidacy for president late last year. In what was billed as an education policy speech, Trump spoke much about trade policies and agriculture. He also spoke about immigration policy, the teaching of divisive concepts in schools, banning transgender girls from competing in girls sports, and breaking up the U.S. Department of Education. DeSantis speaks in Iowa as potential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made his first trip to Iowa as a potential 2024 Republican candidate for president, holding events last Friday in Des Moines and Davenport. DeSantis touted his legislative achievements in Florida, which largely mirror those passed by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature. State revenue down slightly from previous year Iowas estimated revenue for the current budget year improved slightly from December, but still is expected to be below last year as 2022 tax cuts take effect, according to the states Revenue Estimating Conference. And in fiscal 2024, which begins July 1, revenues are expected to be about 1% below 2023. THEY SAID ... If they keep behaving like that, I believe Majority Leader Windschitl is going to have a place for his foot moving forward. Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, jokingly intervening after pun-filled debate about podiatry Shortly after I win the presidency, I will have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled. It will take 24 hours, if it's not done before then. Former President Donald Trump during a campaign event in Davenport ODDS AND ENDS BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS: Birth control pills, contraceptive patches and vaginal rings would be available to Iowans from a pharmacist without a prescription under legislation approved Wednesday by the Iowa Senate including by Republican lawmakers who had previously rejected the proposal. MICROCHIPS: Collins Aerospace is pursuing a $22 million expansion of its northeast Cedar Rapids campus to begin the production of microchips. The Cedar Rapids City Council on Tuesday awarded $1.05 million in financial incentives to support the project for Collins, a division of Raytheon Technologies, to renovate an existing building on its campus. WATER COOLER FERRELL SPOTTED IN IOWA: Actor and comedian Will Ferrell made a surprise stop at the Deadwood Tavern in downtown Iowa City and visited City Highs Gender Sexuality Alliance Club last week as part of a cross-country road trip documentary with City High Alum, close friend and Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live senior writer Harper Steele who recently transitioned from male to female. WOMENS BASKETBALL CAPITAL: Three NCAA womens basketball teams from Iowa the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and Drake University won their respective conference tournament championships. The Big Ten champion Hawkeyes, Big 12 champion Cyclones, and Missouri Valley Conference champion Bulldogs all earned spots in the NCAA tournament field. A package of bills reforming hunting and access programs are advancing through the Legislature the product of negotiations between outfitters and public hunter groups aimed at finding common ground. The six bills, first announced at Elk Camp at the Capitol early in the session, are endorsed by the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition. Each bill passed its respective chamber to meet procedural deadlines and remain viable this session. Now, wildlife committees in both chambers are taking those bills up as lawmakers consider whether all or some make it all the way to the governors desk. In recent years Montana has seen an influx of new residents, as well as increasing demand from nonresidents coming here to recreate outdoors. In terms of hunting, that has increased pressure on public lands and private lands open to the public, leading to concerns of crowding and diminishing success and experiences. The six bills this session range from widely supported increases to the popular Block Management program and reducing nonresident doe deer licenses to a bill that has fractured groups on the public hunting side. That legislation would create a nonresident landowner preference pool for hunting licenses. Still, the consensus built around the package is a remarkable shift from the contentious and sometimes bitter debates of past legislative sessions over elk management and license allocations. Mac Minard, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, testified before the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on March 16 in support of Senate Bill 281, the doe license bill carried by Sen. Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade. SB 281 passed the Senate on a vote of 49-1 to move to the House. Its a great honor to be a part of a coalition of sporting groups and outfitters that for many years that have not seen eye-to-eye, Minard told the committee. Through the direction of legislators, the direction of the governors office, the direction maybe of our own family members, it was high time that we got together and figured out something that were incremental steps that led to quality elk management in Montana. Support for the bill also included the Montana Wildlife Federation and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, principal members of the elk coalition, and opponents of past bills to provide guaranteed outfitter licenses or transferable licenses for landowners. The bill, which caps the number of nonresident doe licenses that may be purchased by an individual, is good for struggling mule deer and reducing crowding on public lands, representatives for the organizations told the committee. Other bills have also seen strong support, including Senate Bill 58 from Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, which doubles the payment cap for landowners who allow public access through Block Management, and House Bill 243 from Rep. Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula, which institutes mandatory in-person field days for hunter education. A provision of House Bill 2, the Legislatures main budget bill, will fund a new state access specialist and has been passed by a budget subcommittee and main House Appropriations committee. Members of the negotiations often cite the efforts to reach consensus as they lobby for the bills before lawmakers. Those endorsements may come with caveats in noting apprehensions, but so far the package has remained intact. These bills represent small but important steps forward to rebuild trust between hunters, outfitters and landowners, and just as importantly, to broaden the management toolbox for elk and other species of wildlife, Kathy Hadley, of the Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition, said in a statement. Not every organization gets everything they want with this kind of work, but thats the nature of collaboration, and we think it sets us up to find more common ground in the future. House Bill 596 from Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, makes reforms to hunting access agreements, commonly called the 454 program for the bill that originally established the program. The bill has seen some disagreement, but support has carried it through the House to the Senate. At its core, the 454s provide a landowner a bull elk permit for a difficult-to-draw district in exchange for allowing a certain number of public hunters. But reforms last session drew the ire of some public hunter groups and resulted in a surge in interest from landowners. The changes reduced the public hunters from four to three, and allowed the landowner to select one of those hunters. Under HB 596, a landowner would have to provide a like opportunity to at least one public hunter, meaning that hunter would also get to hunt for a bull. It would also prioritize applications for landowners who provide additional public access beyond the minimum required in the bill. Kevin Farron with BHA told the Senate Fish and Game Committee last week that the 454 program continues to cause his organization some heartburn, but said he recognized improvements made by the bill and that he supports it. The bill from the package that has seen the most contention is House Bill 635 from Rep. Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton. The bill would allocate 15% of the 17,000 nonresident big game combination licenses for a landowner preference pool. Nonresident landowners would need to own at least 2,500 acres to apply, and the bill also incentivizes public access by allowing an additional bonus point for special permit applications should they enroll in a state access program, such as Block Management. Both the outfitters, who could potentially see their draw pool for clients decrease, and public hunter groups concerns about providing special privileges to those nonresidents wealthy enough to afford the property, have noted concerns with the bill. But it received enough support from both to be backed as part of the package. I cant say all of our groups are in support, but still the majority of the leadership council and majority of the policy council is in support of this bill, said Ben Lamb said on behalf of the elk coalition. Other supporters of the bill praised it for taking an incentive-based approach to landowners and potentially leading to more public access. BHA is among the groups breaking from the coalition to oppose HB 635. Farron told the Senate committee that Montana hunters are being asked to plug our noses and hope it reduces crowding, when analysis by his organization shows only a couple of hundred landowners might even qualify. He believes the bill may be setting a precedent for more guaranteed tags in the process. Steve Platt with Helena Hunters and Anglers said the bill amounted to a handout to the most elite and privileged people in America, wealthy enough own a large Montana ranch but do not live here. The bill narrowly passed the House 56-42 following the disagreement among hunting groups. It's now moving to the Senate, where a committee has not yet taken action on the bill. Flowers was asked whether he thinks supporters of the package believed it must pass in its totality. My sense is that they recognize each of these bills stand on their own. Their hope is that they pass as a package and they hope that the support theyve built over the last two months sustains the whole package through the whole process, but I think theyre clear-eyed enough to know that some may pass and some may not, he said. (CNN) President Vladimir Putin always relished his global outings, burnishing his image as one of the big guns running the world. While the Kremlin is dissing the International Criminal Court's war crimes charges against him, inside the Kremlin walls another reality will be emerging. Putin's world just got smaller. At the Hamburg G20 in 2017 he spent hours talking alone with arguably the most powerful man in the world at that moment, former President Donald Trump. A year later at the next G20 leader's summit in Buenos Aires Putin high fived Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman less than two months after suspicion fell on the Saudi over the brutal murder journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Basking in international focus he could thumb his nose at the world, or manipulate its leaders, in person, a perk if you will of his stubborn, decades-long grip on power. His love and use of the global limelight helped him at home too, bolstering his tough guy, bare chested, bear hunting image as protector of Russians, holding back supposed malign machinations of NATO marauding the country's borders. But all of that is over. Both Germany and Argentina are signatories to the Rome Statute, two of 123 nations who are obliged if Putin pitches up on their doorstep again to extradite him to the Hague to face trial as a war criminal. Putin faces a dilemma now, if he shows up in Delhi for this year's G20 in September. India, like the USA, is not signed up to the ICC, but what will Prime Minister Narendra Modi do? Shortly after the ICC announcement, President Joe Biden, when asked by a reporter, "should Putin be tried for war crimes," he replied "he's clearly committed war crimes," indicating Putin unsurprisingly would not be welcome in the US. It leaves ambiguous the type of legal snare Putin could inadvertently find himself in the future. Without careful planning Putin could touch down in a country apparently unaligned with the ICC and not beholden to the international law requirements he be handed over to the Hague, yet for unseen international political pressure, or their own new found desire for international justice triggering a legal process to get him to the Hague. Putin is unlikely to leave his destiny to the roll of the dice in a foreign court, so his world is smaller even than the ICC hold out nations. So regardless of Kremlin spin Putin's ego is dented. Of course, plenty of ICC indictees are on the lam, admittedly none with Putin's larger than life profile. The only other president among 15 ICC fugitives is former Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, successfully evading justice both in and out of office now for over 13 years. But international justice has a long reach. Former Serbian President Slobodan Milosovic, who fomented the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990's, eventually wound up the Hague in 2001 facing war crimes charges on a range of issues and died of heart failure in jail there a few years later. He was ousted from office constitutionally, never fled Belgrade and never expected its judiciary to hand him over for international trial. His accomplices in some of his war crimes, Bosnian Serb military Commander General Ratko Mladic its Serbian nationalist leader Radovan Karadzic both tried to hide from justice. Mladic was eventually picked up hiding out in a cousins farm near Belgrade and Karadzic was spotted in Belgrade despite his shedding his clean shaven looks for a full shaggy beard and hiding behind a new identity of a mystic faith healer. Both ended up facing international justice in the Hague, both were convicted of war crimes and both are still in jail. The lesson for Putin is you can run but you can't hide. Perhaps more salutatory, the lesson learned in Milosovic's case is unless you hold on to power, today's underlings could tomorrow become your jailors. Not only is Putin's world smaller, but his back also just got closer to the wall. His options, particularly if viewed through his sometimes paranoid prism are a lot more ugly than last week. Still, he does have some friends he can count on, for now at least. President Xi Jinping of China will be in Moscow Monday providing Putin the perfect image to reinflate his otherwise diminished standing. What will worry others in Putin's inner orbit are the implications from them. Could they face similar charges, will they be able to safely visit their kids scattered in Europe's top schools and universities free from fear of arrest, gain access to their offshore assets, even safely sunbath in the UAE, Moscow's elites new bolt hole, or book a table at a fancy Bosporus side restaurant in Istanbul. The ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan seems clear, no one is off limits "definitely nobody should feel they can act and commit genocide or crimes against humanity or war crimes with impunity." The further potential indictees are from the Kremlin and its protective embrace, the greater the potential ramifications will be. The courts chief judge, Pitor Hofmanski, said he hopes Putin's charges will be a "deterrence," for now the mood in Russia appears willfully truculent. The reality for Putin and the limits of his diminished world are only settling in. There is no turning back. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Putins world just got a lot smaller with the ICCs arrest warrant." Leafy greens in packages with the tagline Grown with love in Goochland County VA will soon hit store shelves across the Mid-Atlantic now that a local company has completed a deal with a mainstream grocery brand. Ready-to-eat containers of Goochland-based Greenswell Growers' locally grown leafy microgreens, such as romaine and arugula, are coming to Kroger locations, with an initial ship date set for sometime before the end of April. The move into Kroger is a major development for the company, which opened its $17 million automated commercial greenhouse in 2021. When it opened, the greenhouse operated just a portion of its 1.5-acre indoor space. Its now tripled that capacity, using all the available space across the facility with the ability to increase output even further if needed. The greenhouse is completely full with product, and were hitting retailers of scale, said President Carl Gupton. We wanted to measure twice and cut once in order to figure out what worked and what didnt work inside of this greenhouse. I think were going in the right direction with it. Customers 'across the board' interested Greenswells management was in talks with six grocery stores when the greenhouse opened, but had yet to announce where its greens would be sold. Its products have since spread throughout boutique grocers in the Richmond area as Greenswell picked up regional deals with Food Lion and Harris Teeter along the way. Weve had a mixture of food-service business, medium and high-end restaurants, really customers across the board, Gupton said. A key part of Greenswells journey was forming a partnership with Ukrops Homestyle Foods. Ukrops initially used Greenswells greens in its sandwiches and wraps. Then in November 2022, Ukrops started offering the co-branded packaged greens in Ukrops Market Hall after receiving positive customer feedback. Ukrops then pitched the co-branded microgreens to Kroger during its regular meetings with the national grocer. We are excited about our partnership with Greenswell Growers. The opportunity to work with a cutting edge, sustainable and local Virginia grower of crisp and delicious greens is a great fit for our company, said Scott Aronson, Ukrops co-president and chief strategy officer, in a statement. Having fresh greens available all year long (without the concerns of growing seasons and long-distance trucking, along with reducing the need for water) was an especially attractive option, as we strive to provide the freshest lettuce in our salads and sandwiches to the retailers and consumers we serve. The two companies will go into the national chain with a three-product line. Essential Green Leaf is light and crunchy, marketed as a replacement for romaine or iceberg lettuce. The Vibrant Greens Blend is a combination of two lettuces and arugula, and the Refreshing Romaine Blend is a mix of baby leaf romaine and fresh and crispy green leaf with a touch of sweetness. Gupton said Ukrops was instrumental in helping Greenswell. Were kind of the new guy on the block; how do you prove yourself? We know it tastes great, we know it lasts long, but we want to find a way to crack the retail code, and they helped us do that, Gupton said. Greenswells leafy greens are more than just green and red plants. The magic in its crunchy and vibrant flavors lies in its automated, indoor greenhouse. Most of the plants light comes from the sun, but high-pressure sodium lamps keep conditions consistent when its cloudy. Everything is engineered to be perfect for the plant. Temperatures fluctuate by only about 7 degrees between day and night, and every piece of plant nutrition, sunlight and water content is tracked from beginning to end. In popular growing areas, temperature variation is much higher, something like 30 degrees. Thats stress that will break down the plant as its trying to grow, and will deteriorate the plant and create a bitter taste, Gupton said. Those automated conditions also shorten the grow period to 21- or 28-day cycles, depending on the plant. Traditional outdoor farming yields about three or four harvests a year. Greenswells leafy greens also have an extended shelf life of around 18 days, Gupton said. On-site machinery packages the plants immediately when theyre through the grow cycle, and theyre distributed within a day. Company founded in 2021 Efficiency is key to Greenswells method. Gupton said the 1.5-acre greenhouse can yield 700,000 pounds of product per year, about 28 times more than traditional farming on the same acreage, while using 85% less water. The company was founded in 2021 by Charles Chuck Metzgar, a former managing director for the human resources consulting firm Mercer; Doug Pick, the president and CEO of Feed More, the hunger relief agency that operates Virginias largest food bank; and John May, a retired technology industry professional and president and CEO of the Center for Innovation and Development in Kilmarnock. Today the company has 27 employees. Greenswell originated from its founders mission to have a higher standard of nutrition for the meals at Feed More. Around 75% of its vegetable options were canned, meaning they were often packed with sodium and had added sugar or preservatives. It was hard to find enough volume to meet Feed Mores supply needs through traditional farming. While looking for farms to meet their demand, the founders stumbled into hydroponics. Greenswell was born. The company still donates to Feed More, providing about 60,000 meals last year. Greenswell is now focused on its expansion, with plans to build two more greenhouses at its West Creek Business Park location. Gupton said the company is in talks with two more grocery brands, but declined to name them. Our thought process with our greenhouse is, you can build this around major metro areas, Gupton said. We have 26 million potential customers in a 250-mile radius. In a days drive, we can be at 70% of the U.S. population. So the model is there. PHOTOS: Greenswell Growers A head-on collision involving an overcrowded passenger vehicle and semitractor-trailer tanker truck at the Maury Street roundabout injured six people, initially leaving two in life-threatening condition. The crash occurred at around 1:02 a.m. Saturday. When Richmond police arrived at the roundabout at East Fourth and Maury streets, they found the passenger vehicle with heavy front-end damage and six of the seven occupants suffering injuries. The police crash team determined the passenger vehicle, while traveling east on Maury Street, had crossed over into the westbound travel lane. There, the passenger vehicle struck the tractor-trailer head-on as the truck was moving from the roundabout onto Maury Street. The injured occupants of the passenger vehicle, which the crash team determined was overcrowded, were transported to a hospital. The two who were initially listed with life-threatening injuries have since had their conditions downgraded to critical but stable. The tractor-trailer driver remained on the scene. Police are continuing to investigate, and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RPD Crash Team Investigator R. Jamison at (804) 646-1665 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous. The Times-Dispatch's 'Photo of the Day' Jan. 1, 2023 Jan. 2, 2023 Jan. 3, 2023 Jan. 4, 2023 Jan. 5, 2023 Jan. 6, 2023 Jan. 7, 2023 Jan. 8, 2023 Jan. 10, 2023 Jan. 11, 2023 Jan. 12, 2023 Jan. 13, 2023 Jan. 14, 2023 Jan. 15, 2023 Jan. 16, 2023 Jan. 17, 2023 Jan. 18, 2023 Jan. 19, 2023 Jan. 20, 2023 Jan. 21, 2023 Jan. 22, 2023 Jan. 23, 2023 Jan. 24, 2023 Jan. 25, 2023 Jan. 26, 2023 Jan. 27, 2023 Jan. 28, 2023 Jan. 29, 2023 Jan. 30, 2023 Jan. 31, 2023 Feb. 1, 2023 Feb. 2, 2023 Feb. 3, 2023 Feb. 4, 2023 Feb. 5, 2023 Feb. 6, 2023 Feb. 7, 2023 Feb. 8, 2023 Feb. 9, 2023 Feb. 10, 2023 Feb 11, 2023 Feb. 12, 2023 Feb. 13, 2023 Feb. 14, 2023 Feb. 15, 2023 Feb. 16, 2023 Feb. 17, 2023 Feb. 18, 2023 Feb. 19, 2023 Feb. 20, 2023 Feb. 21, 2023 Feb. 22, 2023 Feb. 23, 2023 Feb. 24, 2023 Feb. 25, 2023 Feb. 26, 2023 Feb. 27, 2023 Feb. 28, 2023 March 1, 2023 March 2, 2023 March 3, 2023 March 4, 2023 March 5, 2023 March 6, 2023 March 7, 2023 March 8, 2023 March 9, 2023 March 10, 2023 March 11, 2023 March 12, 2023 March 13, 2023 March 14, 2023 March 15, 2023 March 16, 2023 March 17, 2023 March 18, 2023 March 19, 2023 March 20, 2023 March 21, 2023 March 22, 2023 March 23, 2023 March 24, 2023 March 25, 2023 March 26, 2023 March 27, 2023 March 28, 2023 March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023 March 31, 2023 April 1, 2023 April 2, 2023 April 3, 2023 April 4, 2023 April 5, 2023 April 6, 2023 April 7, 2023 April 8, 2023 April 9, 2023 April 10, 2023 April 11, 2023 April 13, 2023 April 14, 2023 It began with a generator failure. Without power, a special, supplemental set of underwater pumps went offline, causing incoming sewage at Richmonds wastewater treatment plant to overflow. In short order, raw city sewer water, the color of mustard, ran like an avalanche down Brander Street, the road that runs parallel to the James River as it curves south toward the Tri-Cities. Records indicate between 500,000 and 1 million gallons in total leaked from the facility enough, most likely, to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool, which takes 660,000 gallons. On Feb. 3, the city signed off on a deal with state regulators, agreeing to pay a $37,000 fine. On top of that, the city has promised to fix controls, rewrite its operating procedures and retrain the entirety of staff at the otherwise top-of-the-line wastewater facility. Rhonda Adams, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Utilities, said with confidence that the release had no impact on public health, nor does the department believe the sewage went directly into the James. The discharge occurred on Jan. 25, 2020. It marked an unfortunate start for the facility, which had just undergone a multimillion-dollar upgrade. That newness was part of the reason why things hit the fan, said Eric Whitehurst, an environmental compliance officer with the city of Richmond. It was in that same time frame, while the plant was in the process of doing tie-ins to increase our capacity, Whitehurst said. Regulators said the terms of the citys permit make it illegal to discharge noxious or deleterious substances, according to a public consent order agreed upon between the city of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Regulators also dinged the city for a number of smaller violations in the wake of the 2020 release. The DEQ found that the facility was miscalculating levels of ammonia and E. coli, for example. Wastewater representatives said they were overcalculating those chemicals and that, again, no harm was caused to the James River. Finally, the DEQ knocked Richmond for releasing millions of gallons of chlorinated drinking water across several incidents in which water mains leaked throughout the city. Those who have ever tried to take home a goldfish from a pet store have learned this lesson the hard way: chlorinated drinking water is lethal for aquatic life, and needs to be dechlorinated before leaving the water supply. Whitehurst said those leaks occurred as a result of new staff members learning the ropes of the job with the Department of Public Works. He also said millions of gallons is not actually that much in the world of wastewater. A million gallons of chlorinated water can leak from a main in an hour, Whitehurst said. Overall, Richmond regularly processes millions of gallons of wastewater every day at its wastewater treatment plant, which sits on the south side of the James River bank, directly across from Rocketts Landing. The facilitys goal is to take waste away from the city, but also to protect the health of the river from chemicals like nitrogen and from harmful bacteria. Nitrogen, quantities of which are high in untreated wastewater, acts as a fertilizer in freshwater. When it spills into the James, noxious algal blooms typically follow. Those blooms make it hard for other life in the river to survive. Capping nitrogen releases is one of the DEQs primary roles. The department and environmental advocates say it is critical to protecting the Chesapeake Bay. According to the DEQ, the James Rivers condition is currently impaired, a result of excess chlorophyll, high E. coli levels and polychlorinated biphenyls. Under the consent order, the city has to pay the civil charge and make two changes to come into compliance with the state, including retraining all of its workers within 180 days of the order and rewriting the wastewater facilitys operating procedures. Whitehurst said the city has already made those changes and retrained staff. Richmonds wastewater plant has undergone millions of dollars in renovations in recent years. According to the city, the new plant captures up to 91% of sewage overflow, although state legislators have discussed doing more. In 2017, the facility received a $120 million upgrade, followed by a subsequent upgrade in 2020. That most recent upgrade boosted its capacity to as much as 140 million gallons daily. As a result, the facility is one of the most efficient in central Virginia. It is capable of pulling as much as 80% of the nitrogen content out of incoming sewage. Because of that efficiency, the city actually makes a small profit off its permit by trading back nitrogen to state regulators, said Grace LeRose, program manager for regulatory compliance with the city of Richmond. Of our peers in central Virginia, we discharge the least amount of nitrogen, LeRose said. Close In May 1953, students at the York County Training School for Negroes had to attend class in school buses after a fire that week destroyed the schools 11-room main building near Yorktown. Five classes were held on buses and three in small buildings that were saved from the flames. In November 1982, a crowd filled Regency Square mall for the first day of Sunday store openings in Henrico County. Before the Sunday closing law, or so-called blue law, was formally repealed by the Board of Supervisors, Henrico residents who in a referendum that month voted in favor of repeal had to travel to surrounding localities to shop on a Sunday. In March 1959, visitors at the Richmond Boat Show inspected a new cruiser, a sort of floating camper, during the five-day event at the State Fairgrounds in Henrico County. It was considered to be the first strictly marine show to be held in Richmond. In August 1971, members of Camp Willow Run gathered outside their dormitories, which were former train boxcars. The railroad-themed camp, on a Lake Gaston peninsula in Littleton, N.C., is still run by Youth Camps for Christ Inc. The dining hall, modeled after an 1890 train depot and built from plans furnished by the Southern Railway Co., was the focal point of activities. In July 1963, John Adam, director of talking books for the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London, visited Richmond and showed Virginia Library for the Blind employee Mrs. Richard V. Carter a new cassette system for recording and reproducing audio tapes of books. Using a federal grant and tapping into British expertise, the Virginia library was testing the system, whose cassettes offered more capacity and lasted longer than old discs used by blind patrons. This September 1953 image shows the canal locks in downtown Richmond between 14th and Pear streets. After their installation and later refurbishment in the mid-19th century, the locks increased boat traffic and allowed for easier transport of goods to and from the city. In September 1935, a small group of men, part of a larger army of workers and 70 trucks, reinforced dikes with sandbags to protect the 5-mile area controlled by Richmonds Shockoe Creek Pumping Station from flooding caused by a severe storm. In July 1977, Christine Bunce, a student at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, worked in the Chippenham Hospital gift shop in Richmond as a volunteer. The nickname candy striper came from the red-and-white striped aprons worn traditionally by volunteers. In April 1976, men tended to the roasting planks at the 28th annualshad planking in Wakefield, an event in Sussex County that lured politicians, reporters, campaign workers and others to kick off the electoral season. Sponsored by the Wakefield Ruritan Club, the event historically was a function of the states Democrats, but it evolved into a bipartisan tradition. In October 1941, babies slept in the nursery at Brookfield, located on West Broad Street in Henrico County. The home for unwed mothers was the successor to Spring Street Home in Richmonds Oregon Hill area, which was established in 1874 by the Magdalen Association to help single women and their children. In April 1979, the St. Marys Hospital Orchestra rehearsed in the hospital auditorium in Henrico County. The orchestra, which formed in 1966 and initially consisted of staff doctors and hospital employees, performed several public concerts a year at the hospital. In May 1950, motorcyclists raced in the 10-Mile National Motorcycle Championship at the Atlantic Rural Exposition grounds in Henrico County. The winner was Little Joe Weatherly of Norfolk, who later turned to stock car racing and won NASCAR titles in the 1960s before being killed in a race accident in Riverside, Calif., in 1964. In July 1954, Kitty Liles performed with her band. Liles had played the drums for years, starting when she was a student at Varina High School in the 1940s. In 1954, Liles was using money from her gigs around Richmond to pay for her pursuit of a social work degree at Richmond Professional Institute. In September 1948, Richmond actress, singer and national radio show host Patsy Garrett greeted a friend downtown during her visit here. Garrett was known for her time on Fred Warings Pleasure Time radio show in the 1940s and for her recurring film and television roles in Nanny and the Professor, Room 222 and the Benji movie series. In September 1985, NASCAR Cup driver Kyle Petty inspected his wrecked Ford Thunderbird after a practice session at the half-mile Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway during the Wrangler 400. Pettys car hit Dale Earnhardts, with Petty getting the worst of it. In March 1969, balmy weather drew a large crowd to Monroe Park in downtown Richmond. A small band joined the gathering, serenading visitors as spring arrived. In April 1968, David Long manned the bar at an exhibit at a Virginia Restaurant Association convention, and Barbara Ann Brigel took a spot along the brass rail. That year, the General Assembly allowed liquor by the drink to become a local option in Virginia. In June 1941, Patrick Henrys Give me liberty or give me death speech was re-enacted at St. Johns Episcopal Church on Church Hill in Richmond as part of its bicentennial celebration. Construction of the church, built on land donated by city founder William Byrd II, was completed in June 1741. In July 1979, two boys walked along the rocks in the James River near the Lee Bridge in Richmond. In May 1942, actress-singers Dorothy Lamour (center), Patsy Garrett (at left) and actor Bert Lytell (at right) visited Richmond as part of a rally to stimulate sales of war bonds and stamps. They stood under a Welcome to Richmond sign and were flanked by Malcolm Bridges (left), the executive secretary of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Ship Ahoy Girls Jetsy Parker and Dorothy Schoemer. The rally drew more than 5,000 people. This 1966 image of a quiet night on Franklin Street in downtown Richmond was captured by Times-Dispatch photographer David Harvey, who became renowned for his National Geographic magazine work and has received national awards. His photographs have been exhibited nationwide, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts locally. In June 1977, John Stevens and his long-eared assistant performed a magic trick. Known as Nabis the Magician, Stevens was among the Richmonders in the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The local chapter had 25 members who met regularly to discuss their craft. In January 1970, Virginia Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. received his final salute from state police as he and his wife, Katherine, left the Executive Mansion in Richmond en route to the inauguration of A. Linwood Holton Jr. Godwin, then a Democrat, returned as governor four years later as a Republican. In July 1961, two men fished for bluegills in Chickahominy Lake, a large water-supply reservoir along the New Kent-Charles City county line. In June 1968, Toru Yanagida (left) and Ken Seguchi posed at Hillcrest Dairy in Crewe, in Nottoway County. They were learning American farming techniques from the dairy farms owners, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Johnson, who were their sponsors. Seguchi was a dairy farmer from Gifu, Japan, and Yanagida was a student in a college horticulture program in Hokkaido. In May 1973, local Scouts assembled their tents amid exhibits at the daylong Scout-O-Rama at the State Fairgrounds in Henrico County. In addition to traditional skills of woodcraft, wilderness survival, camping and cooking, the event highlighted Scoutings growing attention to archaeology, seamanship, aviation, metal detection, TV and space technology, among other topics. More than 2,000 Cub and Boy Scouts attended the event that year. In June 1977, a crowd lined up for drinks and barbecue chicken at the Virginia Chicken Festival in Crewe, a town in Nottoway County southwest of Richmond. Held on the pavilion grounds of the Southside Electric Cooperative, the annual affair was sponsored by the Burkeville Ruritan Club and the Crewe Kiwanis Club. It attracted state and local politicians including gubernatorial nominees John Dalton and Henry Howell among the more than 3,500 attendees that year. In February 1973, prisoners at the Virginia State Penitentiary made and stacked license plates. The pen was along Spring Street at Second Street in downtown Richmond. A print shop, metal shop, textile plant, leather shop and woodworking area offered vocational training to prisoners. Today the site is largely occupied by Afton Chemical Corp., a unit of NewMarket Corp. In November 1951, workers constructed a new lane on Monument Avenue in Henrico County. The truck was occupying what used to be the front yard of a house in the 6500 block. The road was being widened for divided lane traffic in the block between Bevridge Road and Roxbury Road. 29 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives In May 1953, students at the York County Training School for Negroes had to attend class in school buses after a fire that week destroyed the schools 11-room main building near Yorktown. Five classes were held on buses and three in small buildings that were saved from the flames. In November 1982, a crowd filled Regency Square mall for the first day of Sunday store openings in Henrico County. Before the Sunday closing law, or so-called blue law, was formally repealed by the Board of Supervisors, Henrico residents who in a referendum that month voted in favor of repeal had to travel to surrounding localities to shop on a Sunday. In March 1959, visitors at the Richmond Boat Show inspected a new cruiser, a sort of floating camper, during the five-day event at the State Fairgrounds in Henrico County. It was considered to be the first strictly marine show to be held in Richmond. In August 1971, members of Camp Willow Run gathered outside their dormitories, which were former train boxcars. The railroad-themed camp, on a Lake Gaston peninsula in Littleton, N.C., is still run by Youth Camps for Christ Inc. The dining hall, modeled after an 1890 train depot and built from plans furnished by the Southern Railway Co., was the focal point of activities. In July 1963, John Adam, director of talking books for the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London, visited Richmond and showed Virginia Library for the Blind employee Mrs. Richard V. Carter a new cassette system for recording and reproducing audio tapes of books. Using a federal grant and tapping into British expertise, the Virginia library was testing the system, whose cassettes offered more capacity and lasted longer than old discs used by blind patrons. This September 1953 image shows the canal locks in downtown Richmond between 14th and Pear streets. After their installation and later refurbishment in the mid-19th century, the locks increased boat traffic and allowed for easier transport of goods to and from the city. In September 1935, a small group of men, part of a larger army of workers and 70 trucks, reinforced dikes with sandbags to protect the 5-mile area controlled by Richmonds Shockoe Creek Pumping Station from flooding caused by a severe storm. In July 1977, Christine Bunce, a student at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, worked in the Chippenham Hospital gift shop in Richmond as a volunteer. The nickname candy striper came from the red-and-white striped aprons worn traditionally by volunteers. In April 1976, men tended to the roasting planks at the 28th annualshad planking in Wakefield, an event in Sussex County that lured politicians, reporters, campaign workers and others to kick off the electoral season. Sponsored by the Wakefield Ruritan Club, the event historically was a function of the states Democrats, but it evolved into a bipartisan tradition. In October 1941, babies slept in the nursery at Brookfield, located on West Broad Street in Henrico County. The home for unwed mothers was the successor to Spring Street Home in Richmonds Oregon Hill area, which was established in 1874 by the Magdalen Association to help single women and their children. In April 1979, the St. Marys Hospital Orchestra rehearsed in the hospital auditorium in Henrico County. The orchestra, which formed in 1966 and initially consisted of staff doctors and hospital employees, performed several public concerts a year at the hospital. In May 1950, motorcyclists raced in the 10-Mile National Motorcycle Championship at the Atlantic Rural Exposition grounds in Henrico County. The winner was Little Joe Weatherly of Norfolk, who later turned to stock car racing and won NASCAR titles in the 1960s before being killed in a race accident in Riverside, Calif., in 1964. In July 1954, Kitty Liles performed with her band. Liles had played the drums for years, starting when she was a student at Varina High School in the 1940s. In 1954, Liles was using money from her gigs around Richmond to pay for her pursuit of a social work degree at Richmond Professional Institute. In September 1948, Richmond actress, singer and national radio show host Patsy Garrett greeted a friend downtown during her visit here. Garrett was known for her time on Fred Warings Pleasure Time radio show in the 1940s and for her recurring film and television roles in Nanny and the Professor, Room 222 and the Benji movie series. In September 1985, NASCAR Cup driver Kyle Petty inspected his wrecked Ford Thunderbird after a practice session at the half-mile Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway during the Wrangler 400. Pettys car hit Dale Earnhardts, with Petty getting the worst of it. In March 1969, balmy weather drew a large crowd to Monroe Park in downtown Richmond. A small band joined the gathering, serenading visitors as spring arrived. In April 1968, David Long manned the bar at an exhibit at a Virginia Restaurant Association convention, and Barbara Ann Brigel took a spot along the brass rail. That year, the General Assembly allowed liquor by the drink to become a local option in Virginia. In June 1941, Patrick Henrys Give me liberty or give me death speech was re-enacted at St. Johns Episcopal Church on Church Hill in Richmond as part of its bicentennial celebration. Construction of the church, built on land donated by city founder William Byrd II, was completed in June 1741. In July 1979, two boys walked along the rocks in the James River near the Lee Bridge in Richmond. In May 1942, actress-singers Dorothy Lamour (center), Patsy Garrett (at left) and actor Bert Lytell (at right) visited Richmond as part of a rally to stimulate sales of war bonds and stamps. They stood under a Welcome to Richmond sign and were flanked by Malcolm Bridges (left), the executive secretary of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and Ship Ahoy Girls Jetsy Parker and Dorothy Schoemer. The rally drew more than 5,000 people. This 1966 image of a quiet night on Franklin Street in downtown Richmond was captured by Times-Dispatch photographer David Harvey, who became renowned for his National Geographic magazine work and has received national awards. His photographs have been exhibited nationwide, including at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts locally. In June 1977, John Stevens and his long-eared assistant performed a magic trick. Known as Nabis the Magician, Stevens was among the Richmonders in the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The local chapter had 25 members who met regularly to discuss their craft. In January 1970, Virginia Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr. received his final salute from state police as he and his wife, Katherine, left the Executive Mansion in Richmond en route to the inauguration of A. Linwood Holton Jr. Godwin, then a Democrat, returned as governor four years later as a Republican. In July 1961, two men fished for bluegills in Chickahominy Lake, a large water-supply reservoir along the New Kent-Charles City county line. In June 1968, Toru Yanagida (left) and Ken Seguchi posed at Hillcrest Dairy in Crewe, in Nottoway County. They were learning American farming techniques from the dairy farms owners, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Johnson, who were their sponsors. Seguchi was a dairy farmer from Gifu, Japan, and Yanagida was a student in a college horticulture program in Hokkaido. In May 1973, local Scouts assembled their tents amid exhibits at the daylong Scout-O-Rama at the State Fairgrounds in Henrico County. In addition to traditional skills of woodcraft, wilderness survival, camping and cooking, the event highlighted Scoutings growing attention to archaeology, seamanship, aviation, metal detection, TV and space technology, among other topics. More than 2,000 Cub and Boy Scouts attended the event that year. In June 1977, a crowd lined up for drinks and barbecue chicken at the Virginia Chicken Festival in Crewe, a town in Nottoway County southwest of Richmond. Held on the pavilion grounds of the Southside Electric Cooperative, the annual affair was sponsored by the Burkeville Ruritan Club and the Crewe Kiwanis Club. It attracted state and local politicians including gubernatorial nominees John Dalton and Henry Howell among the more than 3,500 attendees that year. In February 1973, prisoners at the Virginia State Penitentiary made and stacked license plates. The pen was along Spring Street at Second Street in downtown Richmond. A print shop, metal shop, textile plant, leather shop and woodworking area offered vocational training to prisoners. Today the site is largely occupied by Afton Chemical Corp., a unit of NewMarket Corp. In November 1951, workers constructed a new lane on Monument Avenue in Henrico County. The truck was occupying what used to be the front yard of a house in the 6500 block. The road was being widened for divided lane traffic in the block between Bevridge Road and Roxbury Road. Actor John Lithgow, whose breakthrough role was in the movie The World According to Garp, came to Richmond to give a talk about the World According to Lithgow. And that world is all about the importance of the arts in education. His talk at the Richmond Forum on Saturday night marked his first time in the city, but a brief theatrical brush made an earlier connection. One of his early stage appearances was a 1975 festival to celebrate 200 years of American theater, in which he played a Confederate Army officer who was in fact a spy for the Union. I feel a rush of relief: all is forgiven ... Richmond has welcomed me back, he said. Lithgow, 77, says his solo performances and readings and performances for children are aimed at advocating for literacy and arts education for kids. He told the audience stories of his school days, dreaming of being an artist, inspired by brilliant art teachers in high school, and talked about a program for Public Broadcasting Service stations in California, in which he joins with middle and high school students in art classes learning about ceramics, print-making, ethnic dancing and jazz. Lithgow said he hopes the program will eventually reach Richmond, and that the way he and the kids explore unfamiliar forms of art will bring a badly needed sense of joy and adventure to a generation of youth still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 years. He wrapped up his talk with a performance of his musical piece for children called Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo. Lithgow has written several best-selling childrens picture books, including Mahalia Mouse Goes to College, while his recordings for children have landed him four Grammy nominations. His three books of satirical poems, the Dumpty Trilogy, have earned him spots on The New York Times nonfiction bestseller list for three consecutive years. The first in the series, 2019s Dumpty, comprises poems and drawings to satirize former President Donald Trump. For instance, commenting on Trumps plan to build a wall on the Mexican border: Trumpty Dumpty wanted a wall To stir up a rabid political brawl. His Republican rivals, both feckless and dodgy Succumbed in the end to his rank pedagogy. Lithgow, the author of the memoir Drama: An Actors Education, has appeared in over 50 films and more than 40 television shows as well as on stage. His first stage appearance, in a 1973 Broadway production of The Changing Room by David Storey, earned him a Tony Award for best performance by a featured actor in a play and a Drama Desk Award. He won three Primetime Emmy Awards for his role in the TV sitcom 3rd Rock from the Sun, which ran from 1996 to 2001, as well as for his performance as Winston Churchill in the Netflix series The Crown and as a serial killer in the TV drama Dexter, for which he also won a Golden Globe. Lithgow was also nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance as Roberta Muldoon in 1982s The World According to Garp and for his role the next year as Sam Burns in Terms of Endearment. A graduate of Harvard University, he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and serves on a commission advocating for government support of the humanities and social sciences. The Richmond Forum says it is the nations largest nonprofit community lecture series. Since its start in 1987, the Forum has hosted more than 200 distinguished individuals, including former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher; international leaders Mikhail Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu and Benjamin Netanyahu; and entertainers Robert Redford and Oprah Winfrey. Oscar Best Actor winner from the year you were born Oscar Best Actor winner from the year you were born 1928: Emil Jannings 1929: Warner Baxter 1930: George Arliss 1931: Lionel Barrymore 1932: Wallace Beery 1933: Charles Laughton 1934: Clark Gable 1935: Victor McLaglen 1936: Paul Muni 1937: Spencer Tracy 1938: Spencer Tracy 1939: Robert Donat 1940: Jimmy Stewart 1941: Gary Cooper 1942: James Cagney 1943: Paul Lukas 1944: Bing Crosby 1945: Ray Milland 1946: Fredric March 1947: Ronald Colman 1948: Laurence Olivier 1949: Broderick Crawford 1950: Jose Ferrer 1951: Humphrey Bogart 1954: Marlon Brando 1955: Ernest Borgnine 1956: Yul Brynner 1957: Alec Guinness 1958: David Niven 1959: Charlton Heston 1960: Burt Lancaster 1961: Maximilian Schell 1962: Gregory Peck 1963: Sidney Poitier 1964: Rex Harrison 1965: Lee Marvin 1966: Paul Scofield 1967: Rod Steiger 1968: Cliff Robertson 1969: John Wayne 1970: George C: Scott 1971: Gene Hackman 1972: Marlon Brando 1973: Jack Lemmon 1974: Art Carney 1975: Jack Nicholson 1976: Peter Finch 1977: Richard Dreyfuss 1978: Jon Voight 1979: Dustin Hoffman 1980: Robert De Niro 1981: Henry Fonda 1982: Ben Kingsley 1983: Robert Duvall 1984: F. Murray Abraham 1985: William Hurt 1986: Paul Newman 1987: Michael Douglas 1988: Dustin Hoffman 1989: Daniel Day-Lewis 1990: Jeremy Irons 1991: Anthony Hopkins 1992: Al Pacino 1993: Tom Hanks 1994: Tom Hanks 1995: Nicolas Cage 1996: Geoffrey Rush 1997: Jack Nicholson 1998: Roberto Benigni 1999: Kevin Spacey 2000: Russell Crowe 2001: Denzel Washington 2002: Adrien Brody 2003: Sean Penn 2004: Jamie Foxx 2005: Philip Seymour Hoffman 2006: Forest Whitaker 2007: Daniel Day-Lewis 2008: Sean Penn 2009: Jeff Bridges 2010: Colin Firth 2011: Jean Dujardin 2012: Daniel Day-Lewis 2013: Matthew McConaughey 2014: Eddie Redmayne 2015: Leonardo DiCaprio 2016: Casey Affleck 2017: Gary Oldman 2018: Rami Malek 2019: Joaquin Phoenix 2020: Anthony Hopkins Oscar Best Actor winner from the year you were born 1928: Emil Jannings 1929: Warner Baxter 1930: George Arliss 1931: Lionel Barrymore 1932: Wallace Beery 1933: Charles Laughton 1934: Clark Gable 1935: Victor McLaglen 1936: Paul Muni 1937: Spencer Tracy 1938: Spencer Tracy 1939: Robert Donat 1940: Jimmy Stewart 1941: Gary Cooper 1942: James Cagney 1943: Paul Lukas 1944: Bing Crosby 1945: Ray Milland 1946: Fredric March 1947: Ronald Colman 1948: Laurence Olivier 1949: Broderick Crawford 1950: Jose Ferrer 1951: Humphrey Bogart 1952: Gary Cooper 1953: William Holden 1954: Marlon Brando 1955: Ernest Borgnine 1956: Yul Brynner 1957: Alec Guinness 1958: David Niven 1959: Charlton Heston 1960: Burt Lancaster 1961: Maximilian Schell 1962: Gregory Peck 1963: Sidney Poitier 1964: Rex Harrison 1965: Lee Marvin 1966: Paul Scofield 1967: Rod Steiger 1968: Cliff Robertson 1969: John Wayne 1970: George C: Scott 1971: Gene Hackman 1972: Marlon Brando 1973: Jack Lemmon 1974: Art Carney 1975: Jack Nicholson 1976: Peter Finch 1977: Richard Dreyfuss 1978: Jon Voight 1979: Dustin Hoffman 1980: Robert De Niro 1981: Henry Fonda 1982: Ben Kingsley 1983: Robert Duvall 1984: F. Murray Abraham 1985: William Hurt 1986: Paul Newman 1987: Michael Douglas 1988: Dustin Hoffman 1989: Daniel Day-Lewis 1990: Jeremy Irons 1991: Anthony Hopkins 1992: Al Pacino 1993: Tom Hanks 1994: Tom Hanks 1995: Nicolas Cage 1996: Geoffrey Rush 1997: Jack Nicholson 1998: Roberto Benigni 1999: Kevin Spacey 2000: Russell Crowe 2001: Denzel Washington 2002: Adrien Brody 2003: Sean Penn 2004: Jamie Foxx 2005: Philip Seymour Hoffman 2006: Forest Whitaker 2007: Daniel Day-Lewis 2008: Sean Penn 2009: Jeff Bridges 2010: Colin Firth 2011: Jean Dujardin 2012: Daniel Day-Lewis 2013: Matthew McConaughey 2014: Eddie Redmayne 2015: Leonardo DiCaprio 2016: Casey Affleck 2017: Gary Oldman 2018: Rami Malek 2019: Joaquin Phoenix 2020: Anthony Hopkins 2021: Will Smith 2022: Brendan Fraser For National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the Virginia War Memorial will host an event featuring the author of We Came Home: The Firsthand Stories of Vietnam POWs. The free event is scheduled March 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the war memorial at 621 S. Belvidere St. Author Barbara Powers Wyatt will speak about her book and also will be available to sign copies. Guests will be invited to view the war memorials new exhibit, 50 Years Beyond: The Vietnam Veteran Experience, following the presentation. Man wanted for fuel theft in Tlaxcala found hiding in Cancun Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala A man wanted for the theft of diesel fuel in the state of Tlaxcala was found hiding out in Cancun. On Friday, the Federal Ministerial Police (PFM) in Tlaxcal announced the arrest of Mauricio N on an outstanding warrant from Tlaxcala. The injunction was issued by the District Judge Specialized in the Accusatory Criminal System in the State of Tlaxcala due to a breach of procedural obligations by the sentenced party, the FGR reported. Mauricio N was re-apprehended in the city of Cancun through a re-apprehension order issued against him. The sentenced man was tried for the crime of illegal possession of diesel. Mauricio N has since been sent to the San Miguel Social Reintegration Center in the State of Puebla where he will face charges remotely for crimes committed in the state of Tlaxcala. Police arrest woman found with 52 debit cards from different banks Zapopan, Jalisco A woman found in possession of 52 debit cards was arrested from a public street in Jalisco. According to the Federal Ministerial Police (PFM) in Jalisco, it was the second time an arrest warrant for Karla M had been issued. The FGR of Jalisco reported that Karla M was re-arrested after a warrant was issued by the District Court Specialized in the Accusatory Criminal System for allegedly being responsible for the illegal possession of debit cards. Karla M was arrested for the first time by the Zapopan Public Security Police Station from a public street where she was found with 52 debit cards from different banks. However, Karla M did not appear before the judge when required. Another warrant was issued and the woman arrested for a second time on the same street in the same municipality on March 16. Her second arrest landed her in the State Womens Reinsertion Center in Puente Grande where she continues to be held. VivaAerobus to be first to operate out of upcoming Tulum airport Tulum, Q.R. VivaAerobus says they will be the first airline to operate out of the upcoming Tulum airport. Juan Carlos Zuazua, the CEO of VivaAerobus, said the airline has already committed to being the first to operate at the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport. He said talks have been had with federal authorities regarding operating out of the airport once its operational. He said initially, VivaAerobus will offer domestic routes, but mentioned that the airline is in talks with Allegiant Air, which could allow them to connect small and mid-sized U.S. cities to the Mexican Caribbean. With a flight schedule out of Tulum, VivaAerobus would be the only Mexican airline to operate out of all Quintna Roo airports including Cancun, Cozumel, Chetumal and Tulum. The Tulum airport is scheduled to be operational in April of 2024. Work officially begins on the Cancun expansion project of Chac Mool Avenue Cancun, Q.R. Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announced that work has already begun on expanding Chac Mool Avenue, an artery that will improve mobility in Cancun. The transformation is advancing fast in Quintana Roo, said the Governor when explaining that a 4.2 long kilometer road is being built that will connect Huayacan Avenue with the new Colosio Boulevard. The new Chac Mool Avenue will have four 3.5 kilometer lanes, two in each direction with a central median, drainage, exterior and interior shoulders, sidewalks and signs. She said that a little more than 255 million pesos will be invested to improve roads and cut travel times in favor of the people. PULASKI A mindfulness institute formed in Floyd County, a bosom of alternative lifestyles, cast around for a new home recently. It wanted someplace to introduce meditation practices to a new audience. With expansion in mind, InStill Mindfulness left its former home in the Floyd Center for the Arts and relocated to Pulaski County, the industrial hub on Interstate 81 in the New River Valley. Teaching mindfulness in Floyd is like bringing ice to the Eskimos, said Jamie Reygle, executive director and founder of Instill Mindfulness. Shannon Ainsley, who directs the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, said she and some of her colleagues didnt know much about the practice that the Mayo Clinic said lessens stress, anxiety and pain until InStill Mindfulness held its ribbon cutting. Reygle led a mindfulness exercise for attendees. We do now, she said. Instill Mindfulness is a nonprofit, secular organization dedicated to spreading mindfulness that launched in Floyd County in 2016. It sponsors a 1,000-person online community with 30 offerings a week and ongoing face-to-face gatherings weekly in Abingdon, in the Pilot community in Montgomery County and in Roanoke. Its well known for events, programs and carrying the torch of mindfulness. But after some of its in-person events in Floyd failed to attract sufficient participation, it ushered in a period of contemplation for the group. Taking stock of its motto, a mindful world for all, its founder and board decided to move on. The more we looked at it, the more the answer became we need to be someplace like Pulaski, Reygle said. We thought, Lets bring it to an area whereit could actually make a difference. Business and government representatives gathered at the new Instill Mindfulness office in the town of Pulaski at 246 N. Washington Ave. for a ribbon cutting March 2. The downtown business district, once a vigorous commercial and industrial center, has followed the same path as other Appalachian Rust Belt towns, and now contains numerous empty buildings buildings, a sign of economic contraction. Ainsley, the chamber chief, called Instills move to Pulaski a little unconventional. She said the organization will need to spread the word. Shes interested in attending an online event to obtain stress reducers for herself and speculated that local businesses might offer mindfulness sessions for employee wellness. Reygle envisions free classes on, for starters, substance abuse and parenting in the context of introducing mindfulness. He and volunteers seek to tailor offerings to the communitys needs. We are really entering a new domain, Reygle said. The office seats about a dozen people. There is a case of books which people can borrow with no return date, the director said. In addition to scheduled events, Instill Mindfulness is considering the possibility of drop-in hours. It hopes to open its doors for at least a few hours a day five days a week. Reygle, a certified mindfulness teacher, defined mindfulness as noticing with curiosity and without judgment. Born in Australia, Reygle worked in the music industry, had a radio show and did music journalism, but gave it up in search of greater fulfillment. He joined an intentional community, which had a meditation hall. He first learned about mindfulness there. He left Australia and traveled in the United States, following an inner compass. For a time he lived in Mexico. At some point he heard about the annual FloydFest outdoor music carnival and, being a Pink Floyd fan, decided to attend. At the 2005 running of the music festival, he met his wife, Elisha, and has lived in Floyd County since. They reside in a dwelling made of earth, sand and straw, he said. Bucolic Floyd County was rediscovered in the 1970s by new pioneers, back-to-the-landers seeking rural refuge. Many of the new residents were artists or artisans, according to a history by Lydeana Martin. In Floyd County, they found a land of natural beauty, a unique geography with all waters flowing out, rich hand-craft and music traditions, and open opportunities for creative living. Emblematic of that DNA was FloydFest, an expansive music festival born in 2002 and still going strong with the planned debut of a new location in Check this year. Reygle said Instill Mindfulness will continue offering events there. Joe Klein, a licensed professional counselor running a mindfulness-based addiction recovery program through New River Valley Community Services, supports Instills move to Pulaski. Klein co-founded Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, a global nonprofit teaching mindfulness to young people under the acronym iBme. Reygle taught at many of its retreats. He is someone who is good at bringing diverse people together to work on solving problems in the community, Klein said. Klein, who has clients from Pulaski, said a multigenerational, ingrained sense of poverty, addiction and trauma afflicts some area residents. People growing up in that kind of environment come into a kind of learned helplessness, he said. Health data for the Appalachian Region, of which Pulaski is a part, confirms the struggles of men in particular. Appalachians 25-54, in their prime working and child-rearing years, succumbed to diseases of despair, described as conditions caused by use of drugs and alcohol and by suicide, at a rate 47% higher than people in those age groups outside Appalachia in 2020. Appalachian men posted death rates from those conditions twice that of Appalachian women, according to a study by the Appalachian Regional Commission. It was co-written by Michael Meit with East Tennessee State Universitys Center for Rural Health Research.Counseling is available to Pulaski residents, as is medication, but mindfulness is an effective and complementary mode of self-care, Klein said. Mindfulness equips an individual to develop skills inside their own mind to work with their suffering. Practicing mindfulness creates beneficial states of mind and body, such as relaxation, love and kindness, and a greater capacity to ride the ups and downs of life. Multiple studies have found that eight weeks of brief daily practice can create observable changes in the brain, behavior and life satisfaction, he said. And its legal and its free and its safe, Klein said. Klein doesnt see people visiting Instill Mindfulness in droves right away, but described the facility as providing a pleasant location in which to practice with like-minded individuals assisted by experienced teachers. Reygle would like to see the community mindfulness program built in Pulaski become a model for rural America communities grappling with modern challenges, which go beyond personal mental health. That to me is so critical to reduce the divisions in this country. One of the things mindfulness does for a lot of people is it opens their minds to more possibilities and lessens the need to be right all the time, which is one of the biggest causes of division, right? he said. Its like, if you have to be right and the person youre talking to has to be right and you dont agree, youre going to have division. But, if someone can be in a position where, its like, well, I dont agree with you but I want to hear your position, I want to hear what you have to say about it, thats a more mindful approach to dialogue. So were hoping to foster that kind of mentality. And its not something you can really teach people but, if you can show people mindfulness, its something you get through mindfulness, through the practice. You start to get a little softer. Well, your edges start to get a little softer and more blurry. (CNN) Avai Yata'uyungana was just 12 when the soldiers dragged his father away to be executed. More than 70 years later, he remembers that feeling of helplessness, confusion and fear as if it were yesterday. "On that day, the military surrounded our family home," recalled the retired schoolteacher, age 83. "The county magistrate came to our village and told everyone that my father was engaged in corruption. (After they shot him) rumors spread about the allegations against him and my family went into hardship." His father Uyongu was a leader of the Tsou, one of Taiwan's Indigenous tribes, and among the thousands of islanders arrested in the years following the end of the Chinese Civil War and charged with collaborating with Mao Zedong's Communist Party. At the time, fears about Communist influence on the island were at their height; Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists had only recently set up a government in exile there after being driven out of the Chinese mainland by Mao's forces. Paranoia was high and the fledgling administration saw local leaders as a potential threat to their grip on power. But Uyongu's real "crime" was not that he had collaborated with the Communists -- a charge Taiwan's government posthumously cleared him of in 2020. His real offense was that he had been lobbying for greater autonomy for the island's original inhabitants. After centuries of migration by ethnic Han from China and a 50-year occupation by Japan, the island's Indigenous tribes had found themselves marginalized in their own native lands and hoped that the new administration would be open to a new approach. "My father and other leaders knew that Indigenous peoples were colonized and suppressed," said Avai. "They hoped that with the arrival of (the new Nationalist government), they would be able to change our fate." That hope was to prove fatally misjudged, as the Nationalist or Kuomintang government soon established a reputation for authoritarian rule and a policy of instilling "Chinese-ness" into the local population. On February 28, 1947 in what was to become known as the "228 Incident" the Kuomintang ruthlessly suppressed a popular revolt sparked by anger over official corruption. It then embarked upon a brutal four-decade crackdown on political dissent under one of the longest periods of martial law the world has ever seen. Today, Taiwan's government estimates that between 18,000 and 28,000 people lost their lives in that crackdown, known as the "White Terror". Uyongu and many other Indigenous leaders were among them. From persecuted to celebrated Fast forward seven decades, and the dynamic driving relations between Taiwan's government and its Indigenous communities has been transformed. No longer are these communities viewed with suspicion as potential sympathizers with the mainland's Communist authorities. If anything, say experts like Tibusungu 'e Vayayana, a professor in Indigenous studies at National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan society now views Indigenous communities as a bulwark against Beijing's territorial ambitions (the Communist Party continues to claim Taiwan as its own, despite never having controlled it, and has repeatedly refused to rule out the use of force in "reunifying" with it). The idea is relatively simple: What better way to demonstrate to the international community Taiwan's distinct identity, its separateness to mainland China, than the existence of native populations stretching back thousands of years, they say. "To highlight the uniqueness of Taiwan from China, the ethnic Han population in Taiwan are now emphasizing Indigenous cultures and are paying more and more attention to it," Vayayana said. Ku Heng-chan, a research fellow in Indigenous studies at Taiwan's Academia Sinica, said a turning point in the mindset of mainstream society came in the 1970s, when large-scale pro-democracy protests broke out. "The pro-democracy movement was fighting against the Nationalist Chinese regime (in Taipei), and they wanted to look for distinct characteristics that represented the Taiwanese identity," Ku said. "Of course, Taiwan's Indigenous groups gave it the most legitimacy, and so it also gave rise to subsequent Indigenous rights movements in the 1980s." Alongside this growing recognition of its Indigenous population came increasing efforts at reconciliation by the government, which culminated in in Taipei's first formal apology to the Indigenous communities in 2016. "For 400 years, every regime that has come to Taiwan has brutally violated the rights of Indigenous peoples through armed invasion and land seizure," said President Tsai Ing-wen in a public address. "For this, I apologize to the Indigenous peoples on behalf of the government." Since then Taiwan has moved to officially recognize Indigenous languages, allowing community members to register their names with Roman characters (as opposed to Chinese characters) on official documents. It has set aside seats in the legislature for Indigenous representatives and offered preferential treatment in university entrance exams. August 1 is now celebrated as Indigenous Peoples' Day. Last year Taipei doubled its offer of compensation to the families of people killed during the authoritarian era to $390,000 (NT$12 million). Such developments have brought hope to people like Avai, who last month made the 200 kilometer (124 mile) trip to Taipei from his home in Chiayi county to claim the money. Still, most experts say true equality remains far off. Wounds of centuries The government currently recognizes 16 Indigenous groups with a combined population of about 580,000, or about 2.5% of Taiwan's population of 23.5 million. Anthropologists say these groups have linguistic and genetic ties to Austronesian peoples, who are scattered across Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Their conflicts with the ethnic Han, who originate in China, date back to the first waves of Han migration in the 17th century. Over a period of hundreds of years the Indigenous groups lost control over swaths of land and gradually retreated to more remote areas, said Professor Vayayana, whose Tsou tribe established themselves near central Taiwan's Alishan Mountain, an area that today is popular with tourists. But the conflicts were not only with the Han. The Tsou and other tribes also suffered under the Japanese, who took control of Taiwan in 1895 and ruled the island for five decades before relinquishing it in the aftermath of World War II. Indeed, it was during this period, in 1908, that Uyongu was born. A top student, Uyongu was among the few in his people to receive a tertiary education. Proficient in Japanese, he became a leader in his tribe and was elected township chief after Japan handed Taiwan to the Nationalists in 1945. It was that high profile that had both emboldened Uyongu to speak out -- and marked him out as a target for the Kuomintang. "When the Nationalist government first came over, they wanted to get rid of Indigenous people with the sharpest minds. Its regime had failed in mainland China, and they were worried about resistance in Taiwan," Avai said. While in prison, Uyongu began writing letters to his family -- words that would be collected and published by his son decades later. His last letter, written to his wife just months before he was executed in 1954, included this line: "The truth of my wrongful offense will be revealed in the future." A prophecy, fulfilled As Uyongu had foresaw, things would not always be so bleak for Taiwan's Indigenous people peoples, though the suppression of local identities at the hands of the Kuomintang was to endure for decades yet. Among its various measures were a policy that banned the use of any language other than Mandarin Chinese in schools and another requiring all Indigenous people to adopt a Chinese name Uyongu's Chinese name was Kao Yi-sheng, while Vayayana's was Wang Ming-huey. Authorities even secretly placed radioactive waste on Lanyu, an outlying island inhabited by a local tribe, without their knowledge for decades -- a move that Tsai also apologized for on behalf of the government. It was not until the Nationalist government lifted martial law in 1987 and the island transitioned to democracy, after decades of efforts by civil rights campaigners, that things really began to change. With the advent of free elections the island's first direct presidential vote came in 1992, an Indigenous rights movement inspired in part by Uyongu and others like him became emboldened enough once again to call for greater freedoms. Among those leading the charge was Icyang Parod, a politician and member of the Amis tribe who now serves as the minister of Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples. In the late 1980s, Icyang led protests aimed at "freeing the Indigenous peoples from oppression" actions for which he would later serve eight months in jail. Among his demands was to have the derogatory term "shan pao" ("mountain compatriots") struck from the constitution and replaced with "Indigenous peoples." He also campaigned for the establishment of a ministry-level body that represents Indigenous rights a council he now serves on as minister. "We advocated that the rights of Indigenous peoples should be written into our constitution," Icyang said. "After more than a decade of campaigning, we were able to push for constitutional amendments, and now there is a clearer protection for our language, education and land rights." Breaking the glass ceiling Today, Avai feels "relief" that his father's legacy is gaining recognition. "When Indigenous peoples began fighting for the return of our ancestral homelands and greater autonomy, they realized that those ideals had been advocated for by my father," he said. "Our family was finally able to hold our heads up." Kolas Yotaka, a 48-year-old politician from the Amis tribe whose great-grandfather was also jailed during the White Terror, is among those who were inspired by Uyongu. In 2015, Kolas became a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, and took on various governmental roles following the party's victory over the Kuomintang in the following year's general election. In 2020, she became the first Indigenous person to be appointed as presidential spokeswoman a moment she hopes will inspire others. "I treat myself as a continuation of the Indigenous movement. Every job title that I have held, I hope they let people know that Indigenous peoples have unlimited potential, and that nobody can restrain us by a glass ceiling," Kolas told CNN. Still, like many others, she believes much work remains to be done. While running for mayor in eastern Hualien county last year, some people told her they wouldn't vote for an Indigenous person. "I think Indigenous communities still have their own fears and anxiety," Kolas added. "My parents used to tell me not to speak our native language in urban areas to avoid being looked down upon. Many of us may feel we can't achieve certain things in life simply because of our identity." Icyang, meanwhile, still receives reports of discrimination in the labor market. Among his main focuses now is trying to preserve the 42 Indigenous languages 10 of which are considered "endangered" by lobbying for them to be taught from kindergarten and encouraging families to speak them at home. "I hope that more and more people from the Indigenous community will realize that self-identity is important, and they will feel proud of being an Indigenous Taiwanese," Icyang said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "As Taiwan embraces its Indigenous people, it rebuffs China." In an online article last month, the Virginia Department of Health recommended reviewing restaurant inspection reports before dining out. I pulled the reports on record for the Famous Anthonys chain on the eve of its 2021 hepatitis A outbreak and called Bill Marler, the plaintiffs attorney who coordinated a $14 million settlement for hepatitis patients and their families. Did he think his clients would have eaten elsewhere had they checked the reports before the dining experience that made them sick? He said no. There was nothing in those reports that made the outbreak happen, Marlar said. Marlar said while the restaurant inspection program is valuable, yet a requirement to vaccinate restaurant workers against hepatitis A would be better. He explained why in a letter to the federal government. A hepatitis A vaccine is available and the health department has encouraged restaurant workers and the general public to get vaccinated, which requires two shots. No mandate requires restaurant workers to receive the protection. To Marler, making inspection reports public is a good idea because, since restaurants dont want negative findings before the public, the program creates an incentive to comply. The health department website carries an extensive library of restaurant inspection reports searchable by restaurant name. In addition, restaurants are required by law to notify customers that a copy of the most recent report is available upon request. Some restaurants comply by posting a QR code for fast access to the reports. The restaurant inspection program lapsed temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health workers stopped visiting restaurants for reasons of employee safety and responded to the health crisis. In-person dining was called off at many eateries. But eating out has resumed and so have routine, unannounced restaurant inspections, the health department said. All food establishments are inspected at least annually and most that serve the general public are seen twice a year, under inspection protocols. Investigators determined that a Famous Anthonys employee who worked at three of the chain restaurants locations Crystal Spring Avenue, Grandin Road Extension and Williamson Road set in motion the 2021 outbreak. Marlers letter said that, in the end, investigators assumed the worker, who was infectious but had not begun to experience symptoms, did not perform proper hand washing or follow glove use policy. Environmental contamination was found to have been a possible mode of transmission. The restaurants had earned passing marks from inspectors, with some violations nonetheless. Compliance with hand hygiene rules was 100%. Inspectors visited the Williamson Road location 13 days before the estimated start of the outbreak. They found temperature violations for some breakfast foods. In addition, while the establishment was generally clean, inspectors spotted some dirty nonfood-contact surfaces, the report said. Inspection reports for the Crystal Spring location, which has closed, no longer appear on the states restaurant inspection portal. Inspectors visited the Grandin Road Extension location in March 2021, four and a half months before the outbreak, and cited it for failing to employ a certified food protection manager, its report said. Nonetheless, a manager demonstrated knowledge of food safety protocols, a separate requirement that the eatery was found to be in compliance with. A certified food protection manager, mandated by state law since 2018, is a specifically trained staff member with in-depth knowledge typically obtained from passing a food safety course. Restaurants with certified food protection managers, a post sometimes identified as a CFPM, tend to employ better food safety practices, incur fewer serious violations and are less likely to have foodborne illness outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Inspectors cited the Grandin Road Extension Famous Anthonys for being without a CFPM at the time of inspection on Sept. 24, 2019, March 16, 2020, and March 19, 2021 the three inspections prior to the hepatitis A outbreak, according to Cindy McDow, environmental health manager for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. This specific violation, which is classified as low in severity, is not a legal basis to close a restaurant, health department spokeswoman Christie Wills said. However, inspectors in March 2021 directed the Grandin Road Extension Famous Anthonys to obtain a CFPM by May 31, 2021. McDow said she had no documentation to show whether the restaurant complied by the deadline. That Famous Anthonys site did have a certified food safety specialist on staff at the time of the outbreak, officials said. Forty-nine diners developed hepatitis A infection, with 40 confirmed and nine considered probable, Marler said. Thirty-one were hospitalized. Four died. The Seattle-based attorney computed the damages to be $40 million, much more than the funds provided for compensation in the major settlement. The whole thing is just, is just a tragedy and a tragedy that could have been prevented by vaccinating employees, Marler said. To find the reports online, start with this link: https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/virginia. PEARISBURG As Mary Huskey Palmers murder and abduction case moves closer to a jury trial, it is also entering a new area of Virginia law. Palmer, 52, of Pearisburg, is accused of second-degree murder for the fatal shooting of her husband nearly two years ago. Arthur Woody Palmer III, who was 38 when he died on July 3, 2021, was a sergeant at the New River Valley Regional Jail. He and the former Mary Huskey married in late 2018. At the time of his death, they were living separately and seeking a divorce. Mary Palmer also is charged with abducting her husbands daughter from a prior relationship, who was then 12, and with an assortment of other offenses that include theft of Arthur Palmers vehicle and of cell phones belonging to Palmer and his daughter. A charge of felony child abuse stems from an accusation that she kept Arthur Palmers daughter in the room as he died from a chest wound. In all, Mary Palmer is to face 11 charges, and the possibility of a life sentence, at a jury trial scheduled to begin July 24 in Giles County Circuit Court. The trial is set to last four days. A pretrial hearing on Wednesday was a chance for attorneys to set the stage for their upcoming presentations to jurors. Commonwealths Attorney Bobby Lilly and defense attorney Fred Kellerman of Christiansburg sparred over Kellermans plan to bring the case into what Lilly described as new territory by introducing evidence about Mary Palmers mental health that until recently would not have been allowed in Virginia courts. A law approved by the General Assembly in 2021, which took effect at about the time of Arthur Palmers death, allows new types of mental health evidence to be considered during the guilt or innocence portion of criminal trials. Mary Palmers trial could become one of the first where the new evidence is actually brought in, Brad Haywood, a founder of Justice Forward Virginia, an advocacy group that pushes for changes to the criminal legal system, said last week. Virginia criminal law held that mental health could be considered only when a defendant was seeking to be declared not guilty by reason of insanity, basically through a finding by a state-approved psychiatrist or clinical psychologist that someone could not control or understand their conduct. Mental health was otherwise immaterial. A perpetrator is either legally insane or sane; there is no sliding scale of insanity, declared the Virginia Supreme Court opinion in Stamper v. Commonwealth, a 1985 case that limited use of mental health evidence. Mental illness that was short of legal insanity could be brought up only during the sentencing portion of a trial, after a defendant was found guilty. But the 2021 law changed that in Virginia, allowing attorneys to bring in evidence of other mental conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder or developmental or intellectual disabilities, that might aid in understanding someones behavior. I think its important to show a whole picture of what happened when a criminal offense occurred, said Lauren Whitley, president of the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the chief public defender for Fredericksburg and the counties of King George, Stafford and Spotsylvania. Whitley noted that the shift brought Virginias rules for evidence in criminal trials into line with those in most other states. She predicted it would come to be seen as a significant change. But for now, she and other observers said, there was a great deal of uncertainty about how to handle the new evidence. Theres a lot to be worked out thats not included in the statute, Whitley said. Its a new area of law and were still feeling our way along. Jeremy Theisen, a former assistant commonwealths attorney in Roanoke and now an assistant prosecutor in Spotsylvania County, expressed similar thoughts in an article for the Virginia State Bar, warning that juries may have to contend with a confusing combination of expert testimony regarding a defendants mental condition. Haywood, the chief public defender for Falls Church and Arlington County, said that both prosecutors and defense lawyers might misunderstand the new law. Theres a lot of confusion about what the rule of evidence entails. There are people who are thinking its a diminished capacity defense and its not, Haywood said. The new law, Virginia Code 19.2-271.6, states that mental health evidence can only be allowed into a trial if it tends to show the defendant did not have the intent required for the offense charged. The law also says that evidence of a mental illness, disability or disorder can only be introduced if it can be shown that it affected a defendant at the time of an offense, and that it meets the diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association. Haywood said that the law may affect a smaller group of cases and the evidence may have a smaller impact on outcomes than some attorneys think. Theres very limited circumstances where this rule would ever lead to acquittal, Haywood said. In Palmers case, perhaps the most obvious defense application of mental health evidence would be to question if Palmer could truly form the malice necessary for a murder charge. Part of Virginias definition of malice is the intent to commit a wrongful act, without justification or excuse. Without malice, a wrongful death might be charged as manslaughter. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, as opposed to the 40-year maximum for second-degree murder. Palmers other charges carry potential penalties of decades more behind bars, and Lilly has noted that Virginia law allows a prosecutor to argue for a life sentence for the robbery charge involving the childs cell phone. At the pretrial hearing on Wednesday, Kellerman said that he hoped to present evidence to jurors that Palmer suffered a mental illness at the time of her husbands death, and that it affected volitional issues. After her arrest in 2021, Palmer was found to not be mentally competent to assist in her own defense and her case was put on hold while she received mental health treatment. The case resumed after she was declared to be restored to competency. Appointed to defend Palmer due to her indigence, Kellerman needed a judges approval for the state to pay an expert to review and present the mental health evidence. Judge Lee Harrell said that he would allow it. After Wednesdays hearing, Lilly echoed the uncertainties about the effects the new mental health evidence could have, both on Palmers case and more widely. There are mental health issues that dont rise to the level of sanity, Lilly said. We dont know how many doors this has opened. At the same time Virginia Tech is examining college affordability, administrators are also considering tuition and fee increases. No action on Virginia Tech tuition and fee rates, or on university access and affordability, is expected from the schools board of visitors during its quarterly meeting Monday, said Rector Tish Long during an information session Sunday afternoon. We dont have all the information that we need to make a decision here, Long said. We will be meeting before the June board meeting. Virginia Tech is considering a tuition increase between 0 and 4.9%, and a mandatory fee increase up to 8.8%, a public notice said previously. On Sunday, Amy Sebring, the universitys chief operating officer, said it is one thing to talk about percentages, but dollars are what comes out of families checkbooks. We do worry about pricing ourselves out of the market here, Sebring said. A 1% increase for our in-state students is about $120. A 1% increase in tuition for our out-of-state undergraduate students is about $330. By that math, the tuition rate could increase by as much as $588 for in-state students, and up to $1,617 for students from elsewhere. Thats not including the potential up to 8.8% fee increases. One factor slowing the universitys decision on how much or whether to increase student costs is Virginia lawmakers, who have yet to agree on state budget amendments for the year. That inaction leaves Virginia Tech unsure of its exact share of state resources. A special executive committee meeting later this spring, likely prior to May, will decide upcoming tuition rates, Long said. We are very mindful of decision timelines that students have to make, particularly incoming freshmen, by May 1, Long said. Tuition hikes are strongly opposed by current students, said undergraduate student representative Jamal Ross and graduate student representative Anna Buhle, both citing affordability concerns. When were talking about increasing fees by even $200 $200 can put students over the edge, Buhle said. Even though to some of us, that might not feel like a significant amount of money. At the same time the university is pondering price increases, it is also questioning how to make college more accessible and affordable, at least for in-state students. Access and affordability is of course a topic of great import. This was the number one issue from the board, Long said. How are we going to be able to have more students, more diverse students, across Virginia be able to afford a Virginia Tech education? Answers are forthcoming, said Matt Holt, a professor and department head who is co-chairing the universitys affordability and access initiative. We want to cover more unmet financial need for more in-state Virginia students, Holt said. Weve been talking about it. We have a pretty good idea in mind of where were headed. Unmet need-based financial assistance to in-state students is about $30 million annually, Holt said. By the time the board of visitors meets in June, plans will be more aligned and then ready to perhaps make a pretty big announcement about what we plan to do over the next 5-10 years, Holt said. Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said an additional up to $6 million of aid money is soon going to students in the form of state resources. Which is helpful, Sands said. Wed love more, but thats a piece of this. He said access and affordability is a top-two priority for the university because the conversation includes not only internal, but also outside stakeholder engagement. I do think that our donors, our friends will engage, because of the importance of the issue. Thats going to be very strategic, as to how we decide to engage them, Sands said, adding later: The opportunity for paid internships and apprenticeships with our employer community, that can become a very big part of access and affordability. Discussions will continue Monday during the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors quarterly meeting at 12:45 p.m. Watch a livestream by going online to the website bov.vt.edu. Move over, U.S. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert. Another Trump-loving, gun-defending, populist Republican woman appears to be ascending the American political stage. Del. Marie March and her foibles already are familiar fare for folks in Southwest Virginia. The Republican lawmaker/restaurateur lives in single-stoplight Floyd County. But Thursday, she achieved national recognition with write-ups in The Daily Beast and on RawStory.com. Both well-known news websites cover politics from a liberal perspective, and the RawStory article looks like a rewrite of The Daily Beasts. The headline on the latter is, Stop the Steal Lawmaker Wants to Make Passing Gun Laws a Felony. Each focused on a recent fundraising email in which March cast herself as an innocent and patriotic victim of evildoers attacking her and her business enterprises. March didnt respond Friday to attempts to contact her by phone, email and text. But she minced few words in the email, which asserts a copyright. I am going to be honest, I am being attacked by the fake news, the bureaucracy and the Richmond Swamp, March wrote. My small businesses are under attack and I am being personally targeted by lies and threats. Another section of the message makes clear March believes Virginia Republicans are behind the dirty deeds. It terms them RINOs, an acronym for Republicans in name only. March has abruptly closed at least two of her businesses in recent months, including Fatback Soul Shack and Due South BBQ in Christiansburg. The latters Roanoke location on Melrose Avenue remains open. Ive tried Due Souths pulled pork and its delicious. But many have found Marchs political antics far less palatable. A prime example was the criminal assault charge she filed last year against a Republican rival, Del. Wren Williams, R-Patrick. The two GOPers used to represent separate districts, but redistricting has cast them both into the same newly drawn district for the 2023 General Assembly elections. And since last fall, March has been on political warpath. She charged Williams with assault after he bumped her while exiting a Republican dinner-dance in Wytheville in September. In January, at Williams trial in Wythe County, a retired judge from Northern Virginia acquitted the Stuart lawyer, ruling prosecutors hadnt proved he acted intentionally. After the not-guilty verdict, March lashed out on social media, employing similar language she put in the 826-word email last week. Judges are appointed by politicians and the Swamp is deep, folks, March wrote in January. Our country is in a sad state of affairs. In December, March tipped off this newspaper to an art element on Patrick County Republicans website that depicted (as a reverse, hidden-pictures image) hooded KKK members underneath the legs of a red, white and blue elephant. That ruffled some feathers among the Virginia GOP as well. Republicans dominate the Richmond Swamp, which March explicitly acknowledges in her message. Currently, the GOP holds the posts of governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and speaker of the House of Delegates, in which Republicans have a slim majority. Democrats barely control the Senate, but that could change in November. In November 2022, when I introduced legislation to Repeal Red Flag and Pass Constitutional Carry, I was lectured by Richmond leadership that it would make Republicans look bad to fight to protect the 2nd Amendment in the 2023 Election, March wrote. Heck, with Republicans like these who needs Democrats? She added: But I did not back down, compromise or cut deals. And because of that now the Richmond Swamp RINOS are attacking me. The 2023 General Assembly session was indeed unproductive for the delegate from Floyd. All 18 measures she patroned failed. None of them made it out of the House of Delegates. Most of them died in committee and never got a floor vote. Thats a stunning record of defeat for a lawmaker whose party is in power. In the fundraising email, March launches new broadsides against Williams, accusing him of being soft on the Second Amendment. Besides Virginia Republicans, she decries efforts of Joe Biden and his cronies to push their anti-gun schemes in Washington. Because of my refusal to compromise on the 2nd Amendment, the Richmond Swamp is funding tens of thousands of dollars to my June 20th Primary opponent, who has never, ever fought to protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms, she wrote. The email also proposes legislation thats arguably more ridiculous than any of Marchs 18 bills that failed this year in Richmond. (One called for year-round deer hunting.) In 2024, with your help, I will lead the effort to outlaw every single Federal Anti-Gun Edict or rule change here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and make it a felony to try to push these anti-gun schemes on law-abiding citizens. How March intends to accomplish what she described remains unclear. Its a shame shes unwilling to explain it. If March is proposing a state law, the felony aspect might expose to prosecution any member of Congress who voted for gun control, and later unluckily set foot in Virginia. Its difficult to fathom how such a law would survive court challenges. Has any Virginia lawmaker ever before tried to outlaw votes cast in Congress? If shes calling for a Virginia exemption from federal gun laws or administrative restrictions, that could be problematic, too. As a state lawmaker, March is unable to even introduce such a measure in Congress. For that, perhaps she intends to rely on Greene, R-Georgia, or Boebert, R-Colorado two members of Congress as outspoken as they are ill-informed, whom Marsh seems to fashion herself after. Dozens of Roanokers gathered Saturday at the Melrose Branch Library to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Technically, the New Year doesnt begin until Monday, March 20, at exactly 5:24 p.m. and 28 seconds, Blue Ridge Literacy Executive Director Ahoo Salem said. The dates and times may vary to some degree, but in Iran, Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern countries, the New Year is celebrated around the spring equinox, as light and life start returning to the natural world. Nowruz is basically the beginning of spring, said Samim Noorzad of the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement Program. Its the New Year for us, and I know its different from the how the New Year is celebrated in the United States, but to us it means a lot. We welcome the nature on this day, we pray for a great year coming forward peace, prosperity and luck. Many of those who turned out Saturday arrived in beautiful, colorful clothing specific to their various cultures. Children dashed around laughing and playing while adults chatted. Some attendees lined up to purchase shawarma and baklava, while others investigated the jewelry and clothing for sale by Z&H Fashions Lisa Sadat. Sadat and her family drove from Alexandria to participate in the Roanoke Nowruz celebration. She said it means a lot to be able to raise her children around the same traditions she experienced while growing up. A New Years celebration at the [spring] equinox makes a lot of sense, for better weather, said state Sen. David Suetterlein, R-Roanoke County, who also attended Saturdays celebration. Its a great example of all the folks of different backgrounds who make Roanoke home. Roanoke is one of Virginias cities that helps resettle refugees. The city saw an influx of immigrants from Afghanistan in 2021 following the Talibans takeover of the country. That was part of the reason Local Colors, Blue Ridge Literacy, Commonwealth Catholic Charities and the city of Roanoke organized the first Roanoke Nowruz celebration event in 2022. Noorzad said some people feel awkward celebrating Norwuz in the United States, but events like the one held Saturday help. Knowing that there is a smaller community here and we celebrate it here, we hope that in the longer term there will be more people feeling welcome, Noorzad said. He said the Nowruz celebrations in Afghanistan are usually similar to those for the United States New Year. In Afghanistan when we had a government we had fireworks, the same way you have it, Noorzad said. Noorzad said it means a lot to be able to welcome newcomers to an area with an already established Afghan community. I have always felt the pleasure of serving them as part of the [Commonwealth Catholic Charities] refugee resettlement office. And holding events is just a sign from us and the city to show them that we welcome them and we respect their culture, Noorzad said. The full scope of the difficulties of moving across the world can only be imagined, but there are some similarities between the spring in Roanoke and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan usually this time of year, which is happening here, too, its rainy and sometimes you see the trees blossom, Noorzad said. The blossoms are also how Salem knows spring has officially arrived. Iran is a semi-arid country. When its spring in Iran we see the new leaves growing out and then we have the Nowruz celebration, Salem said. In Tehran, actually, everybody goes on vacation for two weeks so the city is empty. Here, when its spring, you see all the flowers, the dogwood, the red buds and the cherry blossoms. Tazhan Hadi and Ali Mangoory were excited to attend the festivities at the library Saturday. Hadi said they often celebrate by picnicking outside to appreciate the spring floral beauty and weather. The nature is changing; you can see the beautiful grass and trees. Here, its more green, but its very similar, Hadi said. Hadi and Mangoory said they hope the Roanoke Nowruz celebration becomes a strong annual tradition, a sentiment that Salem echoed. I live in a city that celebrates my New Year. But I also get to share it with others, and I dont think many people get that in their immigration journey. Nowruz on its own is very important but this celebration is extremely important, Salem said. FREDERICKSBURG A woman who made a name for herself in the field of electron microscopy also has written her name in the University of Mary Washington history books with the largest donation in the institutions 115-year history. The estate of Irene Piscopo Rodgers, a 1959 graduate and lifetime supporter of her alma mater, recently gifted $30 million to UMW, according to a news release. Rodgers, 84, died on July 18, 2022, in Huntington, New York. Rodgers earned a bachelors degree from then-Mary Washington College in 1959 followed by a masters degree two years later from the University of Michigan, according to her obituary. Her career as a chemist, microscopist and independent consultant spanned decades. She worked for the American Cyanamid Company and Philips Electronic Instruments, where she met her husband, James Don Rodgers, who hired her at a time when there were few women scientists in her field, according to a story on UMWs website. As the daughter of immigrants, and personally aware of the challenges and inequalities women often faced in establishing scientific careers, according to her obituary, Irene developed a passion for encouraging and supporting young women to pursue careers in the sciences. She often said Mary Washington had opened worlds for her. In turn, she helped pave the way for UMW graduates, especially women, to excel in STEM subjects. Gifts made over the years, including from her estate, will continue her legacy, UMW stated. Students who benefitted from Irenes generosity welcomed her into their lives, so she was able to observe firsthand the transformative power of her gifts, said UMW President Troy Paino. This unprecedented donation guarantees that exceptional students will continue to have access to a UMW education that delivers the kind of high-impact learning experiences that Irene valued so much. Paino said the $30 million will be used in the undergraduate research program. Students in biology, chemistry, physics, Earth and environmental sciences, computer science and math will have more opportunities during the academic year and at the Universitys Summer Science Institute, working alongside faculty mentors. The donation also will go toward four new Alvey Scholarships which provide full tuition, fees, and room and board for out-of-state undergraduate students for up to four years. Thats in addition to the eight Alvey Scholarships created by previous donations from Rodgers. With the gift from her estate, Rodgers donations over the years have totaled $39 million and include a transmission electron microscope, which she trained faculty and students in its use, according to UMW. To date, 85 students have benefited, including 15 Alvey Scholarship recipients and 28 research fellowships. Seven students received other scholarships and 35 students received scientific presentation grants for conference travel. UMW Provost Tim ODonnell called the donation a transformational gift for the mentored experiences the university will be able to offer with undergraduate STEM research. I dont know of another institution, regardless of size or mission, with such a focused investment, he said in the UMW story. I recently spent three days visiting the U.S.-Mexico border near Yuma, Arizona, with members of the House Judiciary Committee. Having visited the Southern border on two previous occasions, I saw and heard firsthand accounts of the disastrous impact that President Joe Bidens border policy is having on our law enforcement, Border Patrol, and entire communities in Arizona and throughout the country. The Biden administrations failure to confront or even acknowledge the record levels of illegal immigration have turned every town into a border town. Virginia and the 6th Congressional District are not immune to the impact of this inaction and have seen a sharp rise in deadly overdoses from fentanyl, an increase in human trafficking, and a strain on goods and services provided to residents. Our first stop was a nighttime tour at the Cocopah Indian Reservation in San Luis, Arizona, to the Morelos Dam sector of the border, where we saw massive gaps in the border wall. In fact, we were told that more than 200 illegal migrants were waiting to cross the border in the area after we left for the night. On day two of our visit, we held a field hearing with local law enforcement and community members who see the day-to-day impact of this crisis. The sheriffs we spoke to, like Sheriff Wilmot of Yuma County, told us about the dangers of the cartels smuggling fentanyl and illicit drugs into the nation, confirming what we already knew: this crisis was created because of open border policies and blanket amnesty. Since October, 169,000 pounds of drugs were seized at the Southern border. In January, 1,400 pounds of fentanyl were seized, making it the seventh month in a row with over a thousand pounds of fentanyl uncovered by Border Patrol agents. While I applaud their efforts, the terrifying fact is the drugs are flowing to the 6th District and across Virginia. From Roanoke, Virginia, to Los Angeles, California, American families have lost loved ones due to the cartels trafficking of deadly fentanyl in our communities. Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for adults ages 18-45 in Virginia, and fentanyl is involved in more than three-quarters of those deaths. Further, consider that according to the Virginia Department of Health, fatal opioid overdoses increased by roughly 260% in the last decade from 2011-2021, and in 2020, three out of every four overdoses were caused by fentanyl. In 2021, Virginia had a 15% increase in overdoses from 2020, with fentanyl accounting for 76.4% of those overdoses, amounting to the deaths of 2,700 Virginians. And the smuggling is hitting close to home, as a fentanyl smuggler in Abingdon was recently caught distributing 30,000 pressed fentanyl pills. In West Virginia, law enforcement officers in Morgantown confiscated a large batch of rainbow-colored fentanyl pills meant to target our children. But the drug epidemic is far from the only danger: the border crisis is also fueling the nightmare of human trafficking. This horrific and disturbing practice forces mainly young women and children into sex slavery, escort services and illicit massage businesses as a form of compensation to the cartels who led them on the dangerous journey across. Sources tracking human trafficking estimate that there are around 14,000 victims of trafficking within the commonwealth, including through transportation on roads that connect us, such as Interstate 81. With a suspected 270,000 illegal migrants and five sanctuary cities in Virginia, basic goods and services are affected from this crisis, too. The overflow of illegals is putting a strain on services that Virginia taxpayers are funding, like schools, transportation and law enforcement. The quality of medical care is affected as well, as illegal migrants use emergency room services, rather than primary care medical treatment, putting Virginians at risk. The impact of the crisis at our Southern border is increasingly in our own backyard. Rest assured, I am doing all in my power to blunt the tide of this crisis and restore the rule of law. The bad news is that another one million illegals have already crossed the border this fiscal year alone. The good news is that the new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is bringing transparency to the Biden administrations failed policies and leadership that have caused this disaster. For the sake of Americans in Virginias 6th Congressional District and across our country, we must secure our borders now. Shirley Contreras wrote for the Santa Maria Times from 1991 to 2022. Her book, The Good Years, a selection of stories is on sale at the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society, 616 S. Broadway. Some Trump rivals rally to his side as possible charges loom Top Republicans, including some of Donald Trumps potential rivals for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination, are rushing to his defense after Trump said he's bracing for possible arrest " " Broad-breasted white turkeys are bred for their white meat and fast growth -- not for their health, gobbles or brains. See pictures of wild turkeys. Dan Burn-Forti/Stone/ Getty Images Americans gobble up a lot of turkey: 267 million turkeys are sold in the United States each year [source: Elias]. Considering all those turkeys, it may surprise you to hear that there's one that dominates the competition at the supermarket: the broad-breasted white turkey. Most Americans have never eaten another kind. The turkeys look just like their name suggests: They're bred for big breasts, the bigger the better, and their pure white feathers (pop-up timer not present at birth). With their twin peaks and fair hair, they're like the Anna Nicole Smith of poultry. But turkeys weren't always like this. It wasn't until the 1950s that turkey farmer George Nicholas gave the birds a Hollywood makeover and transformed turkey farming into a multimillion-dollar business. In the 1930s, families began asking for small turkeys, little enough to feed smaller families and fit easily into refrigerators and ovens. They wanted more white meat and no dark pin feathers (back then, cooks needed to clean and dress birds in preparation for roasting -- steps that are now done before we buy our birds). By the end of World War II, selective breeding techniques gave customers what they wanted. Advertisement Selective breeding, also called artificial selection, isn't the same as genetic modification (GM), although the terms are often used interchangeably. They're both used to alter the genes of an organism (animal, plant or bacteria). Genetic modification is a high-tech way to change the DNA pattern in an organism -- today it's used commonly in cotton, corn, soy and canola production. With GM techniques, genes from any organism are crossed to create something new. Hypothetically, with GM you could crossbreed cotton and pigs. With selective breeding, two members of the same species are bred to exploit desirable dominant characteristics, which they pass along to their offspring. Cows that produce the most milk may be selected to breed and pass that trait to offspring, thereby increasing milk yields of future generations. Two types of corn could be crossbred to produce a high-yield hybrid. In the case of turkeys, quick-growing birds with bigger breasts and white feathers were selected to produce broad-breasted whites. Let's look into the life of the broad-breasted white turkeys and their distant cousins, the once nearly extinct heritage birds. LOS ANGELES When the pandemic shut down New York theaters, Tony-winning director Thomas Kail called a number of friends and asked, Do you have anything you want to do for TV? Interestingly, Frozens Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez had a musical they thought could work in a streaming format. Other friends joined the cause: Dear Evan Hansens Steven Levenson signed on to write the script. Moulin Rouges Sonya Tayeh agreed to choreograph. We developed the whole series on Zoom, says Levenson. Six to eight hours a day, he and fellow writer Danielle Sanchez-Witzel hammered out scripts. We met 18 months later in person for the first time, says Levenson. It was such a strange experience to make this musical. The result: Up Here, which tracks a relationship in the late 1990s. It is so strange how much of this series was conceived on screens and not actually together, Levenson says. The interesting rub: social media wasnt around to complicate the coupling. Things were just different then, Sanchez-Witzel says. You really had to make an effort to meet people, to get to know people. We werent just texting each other. The concept, Lopez says, involved getting into someones head. There are a lot of songs and emotion and yearning going on in everyones head that you never get to seewhat about a show like that? Anderson-Lopez says its about finding your soulmate. The musical pairs two seemingly disparate people in New York. Shes an aspiring writer; hes a mid-level executive. Mae Whitman and Carlos Valdes play the couple. Neither had starred in a musical. Being a child actor, going in front of a camera is no big deal, Whitman says. But theres something about singing that is so terrifying because its like the direct window to my soul. What was challenging for me was rendering that emotional life for (his character) and just laying that bare in front of the camera, says Valdes. I had to trust the music. I had to trust all the other components. Luckily, the produced team created what they called Up Here University, where the actors could practice dancing on one floor, singing on another. We basically recorded an album and rehearsed every single dance number every day for a month before we even started filming, says Whitman. There was this bonding experience that happened before we even began filming. Adds Kail: Thats where the intersection of ideas also happens. Im a big believer in trying to build ensembles as quickly as you can. And when you have Mae and Carlos leading the group, youre already in excellent hands. Those connected with the series realized it was impossible to remove the songs from an episode. The episode wouldnt work, Levenson says. And so that was always our goal to building something where the songs would be integral to the story. Instead of eight episodes of television we decided this was eight mini-musicals that would add up to one series-long musical. Without cellphones to affect the relationship, Whitman found she had to notice her surroundings and gather information from whats in front of you. It was like a dream for me. Valdes, who starred on The Flash, had done musical theater but hadnt starred in one on camera. It felt like this perfect little confluence of influences in my life, so it kind of elevated the auditioning experience. When he realized what Up Here could be, I felt there was a sort of rightness about it. It was very easy to let go of any of those voices of insecurity or doubt that sort of constantly intermingle in my head. Anderson-Lopez says Valdes understood what the creative team was trying to do. He has an amazing musicality. But he also really understood the humor of big feelings. Lopez says the Up Here experience could lead to more TV musicals. Theres never been a generation of musical theater songwriters that have loved TV as much as this generation, he explains. Thats the thing we grew up watching and were still watching. We feel very lucky to be a part of it. Up Here begins March 24 on Hulu. Seguin, TX (78155) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High near 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly cloudy skies. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was in an early lead Sunday evening in his bid for re-election, as Nigeria counted votes following local elections marred by violence and vote buying. Governors are powerful positions in Nigeria, with some controlling state budgets larger than those of several African nations. Saturday's election for 28 governors and more than 900 state assembly lawmakers took place three weeks after the governing party won a presidential race that opposition groups said was rigged. Outsider Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) caused a stir on February 25 by winning the most votes in Lagos, considered the fiefdom of president-elect Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). But nationwide Obi came in third position, after Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) -- both are contesting the results in courts. They key question on Saturday was whether Obi's growing popularity, especially with Nigeria's youth, would translate at the local polls. As results were gradually announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, putting Sanwo-Olu ahead in Lagos, the LP candidate for governor in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, took to social media. "I am convinced beyond any doubt that the results being released by INEC do not represent the wishes of majority of peaceful Lagosians," Rhodes-Vivour said on Twitter. So far, the APC has won the governorship races in Ogun, Kwara, Jigawa, Gombe and Yobe, while the PDP has won in Oyo and Akwa Ibom. Other competitive contests where results are still pending took place in southern Rivers and northern Kano, while northeast Adamawa could see the election of Nigeria's first woman governor. With President Muhammadu Buhari stepping down in May after two terms, many hoping for change were disappointed in the way the voting was conducted last month, a sentiment that could have impacted the local contests. Voters and opposition parties claimed that technical mishaps allowed for ballot manipulation, which the electoral commission has denied. Story continues After observing Saturday's poll, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) noted in parts of the country "a sense of discouragement that due to the unfavourable outcome of the presidential election 'there is no point' of coming out to vote". Despite signs of low turnout, observer group Yiaga Africa said it had recorded "significant improvement in the management of election logistics" on Saturday. Polling units mostly opened on time and both the biometric registration machines and online portal to view results functioned relatively well, both observer groups said. - Beatings and arrests - Violence was recorded across several states however, with thugs showing up at polling units to intimidate voters and in some cases destroying electoral material. In southeast Imo State, where armed separatist groups are active, a group of ad hoc electoral staff were taken hostage on Saturday morning, and while they were quickly rescued, election material went missing. In Lagos, "in the Lagbasa and Ado primary school in Ajah, there were reports of voters being flogged", according to the CDD. Amnesty International warned that these tactics were being "used to scare people from voting". "Many ended up with severe injuries... This is unacceptable and must be investigated thoroughly," the rights group said on Twitter. As a result of tensions, voting was postponed in some sites -- in Eti Osa district of Lagos and in Asari-Toru and Degema districts of Rivers State -- and were scheduled to take place on Sunday. "Processes were disrupted by actors over whom we have little or no control," said INEC official Festus Okoye, who condemned the violence on Sunday evening. He also said that "allegations of voter inducement, harassment and manipulation of results will be reviewed and addressed." Instances of vote buying was more rampant than during the presidential election, observers reported earlier in the day. Party agents were seen giving out 1,000 naira (about two dollars) in exchange for votes, as well as provisions of spaghetti, fabric and alcohol, Yiaga Africa said. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said on Saturday that it had arrested "no fewer than 65 persons... for alleged voter inducement". bur-lhd/ea Before I had kids, I can remember thinking, as I watched a mom struggling with her toddler in the grocery store: I wont ever find myself in such a predicament. Ive read a ton about effective parenting strategies. I will know what to do. Its simple. Eight years into motherhood, I recognize the absurdity of such a thought. In parenting, there are factors and considerations you dont realize until your kid is throwing a tantrum in aisle 9. Thats when your high ideals fade away, and the simple tricks heralded by all the parenting experts go out the window very quickly. Because, reality. Governing is the same way: There are challenges you dont truly appreciate until youre in the thick of it. And, of course, you never imagined that your proposed solutions, so seemingly simple and straightforward, might actually fail sometimes spectacularly. Thats the first thought that crossed my mind when I read a headline about how the Biden administration is considering restoring the Trump-era immigration policy of family detention a policy that President Joe Biden vehemently criticized during his campaign and swiftly ended after taking office. Reality seems to have set in for the president, along with the realization that there arent any easy fixes and that many of his idealized, progressive border policies have only exacerbated existing problems. This reality includes months of record border crossings, increased violence along the Texas-Mexico border, and the bombshell story that many of the migrant children released into U.S. custody (under Biden-era policy) end up with sponsors who force them to work full-time jobs in violation of federal law. The approach to migrant families crossing the border illegally that he once called pretty simple actually creates even more complications. And two years of administration officials demonizing Border Patrol agents and sparring with border governors have proved to be folly as well. The risky but ultimately genius political maneuver by Gov. Greg Abbott, who bused hundreds of migrants to northern sanctuary cities, also proved effective at driving home the practical challenges of having a porous border. Big-city mayors such as New Yorks Eric Adams, who only weeks before were befuddled by the inability of tiny border towns to absorb and care for the endless stream of migrants, quickly found themselves on the verge of self-proclaimed humanitarian crises. Public services and even charity groups were overwhelmed by what amounted to a fraction of the humanity entering Texas border towns every day. But a window into the practical consequences of oversimplifying our nations border challenges was opened, as Texas problems became New York City and Chicago problems, too. Its probably safe to assume that behind closed doors, there is pressure on the Biden administration to take some definitive action. That seems evident in the flurry of new policy proposals coming out of Washington. Indeed, only last month the administration announced a proposed rule that would establish a rebuttable presumption of asylum ineligibility for anyone who passes through another country to reach the U.S. border with Mexico without first seeking protection there. While the rule would offer a few exceptions to migrants in extreme circumstances, it is otherwise very similar to surprise another vilified Trump-era proposal that was struck down by a federal court. Still, news of the possible policy reversal is a trial balloon and not yet a decisive policy change. The administration is testing the waters to see just how angry its most progressive allies will get. If the musings of MSNBC analysts and op-ed writers in progressive journals are any indication, the pushback will be fierce. But the return of family detention will be only one of many immigration proposals the Biden administration will tease before Title 42, the pandemic-era policy that allows for the rapid expulsion of migrants at the southern border for public health reasons, expires May 11, when illegal entries are expected to soar. Whether the Biden administrations apparent immigration policy reversals are an attempt at triangulation as the presidential campaign draws closer or just a trial balloon that will pop, its evident that on immigration, the realities of governing dont fit nicely onto a bumper sticker. Even for Biden, nothing is pretty simple when it comes to managing the border. SIOUX CITY -- The curtains may be hung on rods instead of a stage proscenium and the high kicks in the "Easy Street" number may be a work in progress, but you can bet your bottom dollar that Hunt A+ Arts Elementary School's production of "Annie Kids" will be ready for showtime. The musical, an abbreviated version of the Tony Award-winning "Annie," involves the work of eight teachers and features a cast of 42 Hunt A+ Arts third through fifth grade students. The show, which is being performed Thursday and Friday, is the first production to be stage at the school's new building. In 2019, the aging Hunt Elementary School -- a mid-city school on 19th Street between Jackson and Nebraska -- was closed and demolished while construction of a building on the same site began. During the intervening years, Hunt students attended classes in the former Crescent Park Elementary School, 114 W. 27th St. According to music teacher Jody Nieuwendorp, this year's musical -- an annual tradition -- will be special. "Hunt has always been a neighborhood school and our families live nearby," Nieuwendorp, who is codirecting "Annie Kids" with third grade director Madison Geisler, explained. "When we were at Crescent Park, it wasn't always feasible for families to attend school productions. Since we're back in the neighborhood, families are often within walking distance of Hunt." Chances are great that families will be impressed by Hunt's new black box theater as well a large gymnasium, which includes a performance stage. Currently, the stage was being occupied by Lariyah Dean, who plays titular part of Annie, who was singing "Tomorrow" as a duet with Karla Manjarrez Cortez, playing the role of Sandy, Annie's dog. Yes, Sandy is played by a human and, yes, Karla does howl to the tune of "Tomorrow." For Lariyah, playing Little Orphan Annie, is a dream come true. "Annie is brave and strong and smart," the fifth grader explained. "I like that a lot." Lariyah also likes to sing and dance. In fact, she wants to be a performer when she grows up. Which is nice since Hunt A+ Arts emphasizes its special arts curriculum. Tristian Rager, who plays the part of the nefarious Rooster Hannigan, is also a born performer. That is, if the fifth grader can find a way to stay off of YouTube. "I can't stay off of YouTube Shorts," Tristian said of the video-sharing service's never-ending collection of 15-to-60-second videos. "I can't stop at one video because I keep on pressing play." While on YouTube, he can see countless scenes form big screen, small screen and stage adaptions of "Annie." "I've seen new versions of 'Annie' and really old versions of 'Annie,'" Tristian said, noting that all of the versions portray his character of Rooster as a bad guy who loves money. So does Rooster's gold-digging girlfriend Lily St. Regis, who is played by fifth grader Maeby Buckley. "Rooster and Lily St. Regis try to pose as Annie's parents in order to get a $50,000 reward," she explained. "They figure that will put them in Easy Street." When Maeby isn't playing a parent-poser, she is actually a prolific jewelry maker. "I love making jewelry, especially bracelets," she said, showing off her colorful of accessories. Yet performing is just as enjoyable to Maeby. The same is true for Lariyah, who is marking her leading lady debut as Annie. "I get a little bit nervous at the start," Lariyah said. "After that, I'll be fine." MAPLETON, Iowa Mapleton Mayor Brent Streck is officially serving as the city's police chief after losing half of department's staff. After two of the town's four police officers quit, including the police chief, Streck had to take over as chief under rules set in the Iowa Code, despite having no law enforcement experience. But this is not new territory for him. Two years ago, the town went through a similar situation. For around nine months to a year, Streck acted as the police chief and he hopes this time, they will find a solution sooner. We will make the best decision we can to make sure everyone has a good, safe feeling in the town, he said. It may not be the direction weve always gone or the direction we want to go but it may be the direction we need to go. If there are no qualified or willing individuals to take over as police chief after a resignation, Iowa Code allows the city to make a temporary appointment. Fielding phone calls, making schedules, and filing state paperwork are a few of the new responsibilities Streck now has. "It's nothing that's overwhelming, the only thing is I can't actually go out and patrol and take care of calls, so we're down that person, that's what's really hard," he said. Mapleton mayor searching for police officers Brent Streck, mayor of Mapleton, Iowa, talks about the process of looking for applicants for the open police officer positions for the city Fr Mapleton, a population of just over 1,400 people, would normally have four police officers including the chief. The town is what Streck described as being big enough for big town problems and small enough to have less of them. Normally, town coverage is determined by looking at what the police call volumes are at certain times and ensuring there is an officer on duty. "Definitely during school, because you have the school traffic issues, Friday nights, Saturday nights," he said. If there isn't someone actively patrolling, an officer would be on call. After the resignations, Mapleton has one full-time officer and one part-time officer. So far, there has been no issue covering police calls. That doesn't mean the department responds to every call, such as people complaining about their neighbor's dog barking, but they do respond to calls that require immediate police assistance, Streck said. The two former officers submitted their resignations at the beginning of March and were officially off duty as of Wednesday. Streck said the two officers did not leave because of disputes or issues with the community. At this point, he could not say where they went, except to a nearby county sheriff's department. Streck said the city is now starting conversations with Monona County Sheriff's Office to fill gaps just in case until new officers are hired or a different solution is found. When a similar scenario played out in Mapleton two years ago, Streck said the national police shortage was not as significant and after weeding out unqualified applicants, the city received applications from seven qualified individuals. "Four showed up for testing, two passed," Streck said. Since then, he said the town has seen the trend of fewer people applying for police jobs, with the most recent opening drawing just four applicants. So far, Streck said a Facebook post has garnered four applications, but they have now widened their job posting to a few police-targeted websites. The application deadline is April 1. "We're just hoping for more so we have more of a pool to draw from," he said. He said he doesnt want to hire just anyone, but would rather hire someone who understands how a small community operates. The town has an overall police budget of around $220,000 covering everything from vehicles, insurance and salaries. A starting salary for a Mapleton Police officer is around $44,000 for someone who is uncertified. It costs an additional $4,000 to $14,000 to send them to the police academy, which the city pays for. The former chief was being paid around $57,000 and a full-time officer around $47,000, Streck said. "In order to compete we're looking at 'do we need to increase those [salaries] if we increase them will we even get any candidates at that point' because there's more benefits ... for going union with the counties," he said. Previously, Streck has said the town would have to increase their starting salary by about $20,000 to be competitive, not including benefits. As a small town, Streck said Mapleton is a place where new officers can get adjusted to the job and see a variety of problems at a slower pace. He said the town has a great support structure in place for new officers. If the town is unable to find qualified replacements, they currently have two main options, he said. The first is a hybrid where a Mapleton police officer would work during the day and the Monona County Sheriff's Office would cover the rest of the time. Streck said Logan, Iowa is utilizing a similar system and their police chief said it works well. "That way our own officer could deal with the city issues, the code enforcements, things like that," Streck said. The other option is to abolish the city's police department and receive exclusively county sheriff coverage, similar to the situation in Onawa, Iowa. No decision has been made at this point and conversations are currently halted due to the retirement of Monona County Sheriff Jeff Pratt, effective at the end of the month, Streck said. With no new sheriff appointed, no contract negotiations can take place. The county plans to announce a plan regarding the sheriff's position on March 31. At that point, Mapleton will know how many applicants they received and can move forward with the planning process. Streck said if the city decides to go with one of these options, its because there was no other option. Its not like we can really say well theyre the exact same price and both are available right now, which one do we want, its more of we have to do this because of the local environment were in, he said. Streck said he and the city have had conversations trying to develop a variety of options and those options have been presented to the Monona County Board of Supervisors. He said the current officers are also included in the various conversations. "I'm very much a plan B, C, D, E, F, kind of person, so I want to make sure we explore every option," he said. When this situation occurred two years ago, Streck said there were many conversations with citizens on whether or not to keep the police department, with people passionate on both sides. This time, he believes people may have become "numb to it," but he has still received input from the community. Streck added he has been transparent with the community throughout the process so far, posting lengthy explanations on his Facebook page which are also published in the local newspaper. There is no clear-cut timeline for when the situation will be remedied. Streck said if the county were to take over completely, that could happen around August and September. Streck has been Mapleton's mayor since January 2020. ORANGE CITY, IowaContinued expansion of Northwestern Colleges academic programs has contributed to four years of record enrollment. Northwesterns fall 2022 enrollment of 1,712 students represented an 8% increase from the previous record of 1,585 set in 2021. A record number of graduate students, 531, were enrolled in masters degree programs in education, physician assistant studies and counseling. Masters degree programs in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling are the latest additions to Northwesterns Graduate School & Adult Learning division. They began last May in response to a local and nationwide scarcity of counselors. In Iowa alone, 92 of the 99 counties are considered shortage areas for mental health professionals. Both counseling programs are designed for working professionals and feature 100% online coursework, along with practicum experiences in clinical and school settings. Students integrate a Christian perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical clinical skills. Northwesterns counseling programs are aligned with the standards and competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), from which the college will apply for accreditation after the first cohorts graduate. Dr. Gregg Elliott, director of the counseling programs, says Northwesterns students are motivated by their Christian faith. They want to make a difference for Christ in the lives of hurting people in their schools and communities. One of those students, Ashley Hansen of Sergeant Bluff, has witnessed teens need for emotional support firsthand during more than a decade of teaching high school business. Seeing them struggle with self-esteem, social media, and returning to the classroom post-pandemic all contributed to her desire to become a listening ear for students as a school counselor. Kids need a sounding board and someone to empathize with them, she says. They have so many struggles and so little help at times. Just three months after Northwesterns counseling programs began, the first cohort of 24 students in Northwesterns physician assistant studies program graduated in August and followed their callings to a wide range of settings as medical professionals. Derrick Moss is working as an orthopedic PA with CNOS in Sioux City, Orange City and Hawarden. Northwesterns PA faculty and staff were truly invested in my learning and future, he says. Overall, the program was a perfect fit for me, and I wouldnt have wanted to be anywhere else. Physician assistants are trained as general medical practitioners, allowing them flexibility to practice in all health care settings. Northwesterns graduates accepted positions in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, emergency medicine, urgent care and surgery. The demand for physician assistants is expected to grow by 30 percent between 2020 and 2030, a rate much faster than the average for all occupations. Our graduates are not only competent and prepared to help fill the gaps in health care needs, says program director Jill Van Otterloo, but they are ready to fulfill their calling to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world. Members of the 2022 PA graduating class hailed from eight states, including Texas and Washington. Northwestern has also recently added some new undergraduate programs. A major in social enterprisepreparing students to use business leadership for social change and transformationand a minor in nonprofit management are in their first year while a minor in project management will begin in the fall. Lets be grateful that Ron DeSantis devotes so much of his time raging over drag queens and bragging how he punished Disney for disagreeing with him. An obsessive pursuit of woke has kept the Florida governor and apparent presidential candidate from mucking around serious matters. But, sadly, not always. DeSantis shocked many foreign policy experts, including some in his Republican Party, after characterizing Russias invasion of Ukraine as a mere territorial dispute between two countries and of not much import to America. Cozying up to Tucker Carlson, DeSantis obediently mimicked the Fox News celebritys on-air opinion, whether the governor and/or Carlson believed it and/or not. When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, then-Rep. DeSantis offered a very different view. We in the Congress have been urging the president, Ive been, to provide arms to Ukraine, he said back then. They want to fight their good fight. For DeSantis, spending grown-up time on a threat to the Western alliance might seem an unwanted distraction from his main theme of waging a comic-book war against woke. For example, his administration has just revoked the Hyatt Regency Miamis alcohol license because it hosted A Drag Queen Christmas. The theatrical displeasure centered on the presence of young people in the audience. That the minors had to be accompanied by an adult did not apparently matter to the ministers of Miami morality. To DeSantis, the parental right to make such judgements is a sometimes thing, rhetoric to the contrary. How fortunate that Some Like It Hot was made in 1959 and not 2023. It has Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon dressed in drag to hide from the mob as they scamper through the Seminole Ritz Hotel in Miami. Their exaggerated portrayals of women are hilarious to those with an intact sense of humor. In one scene, Osgood Fielding III, a besotted rich yachtsman played by Joe E. Brown, proposes marriage to Lemon dressed as Daphne. An exasperated Lemmon pulls off his wig and declares, Im a man! to which Brown replies, Well, nobodys perfect. Did the movie include performers wearing sexually suggesting clothing as specified in the charges against the Hyatts drag queen show? It did, but the performer was Marilyn Monroe singing I Wanna Be Loved By You in an almost-dress, her gender identification unmistakable. If Shakespeares works are not to the Florida governors taste, just as well. Some of the bards female characters disguised themselves as men. And back in Elizabethan days, male actors took on female roles because women were not allowed on the stage. The term in drag originally referred to male actors wearing long skirts that dragged on the stage floor. DeSantis might want to address the Bugs Bunny problem. On over 40 occasions, the wacky wabbit cavorts in female dress, most memorably as the Brazilian samba queen, Carmen Miranda. We also had Donald Duck playing a femme fatale in The Three Caballeros, a cartoon that sailed by the censors in 1944. Donald Duck is a product of the evil Disney studios, so going after him might seem a win-win in the DeSantis mindset. The big risk for DeSantis is making his opponent Donald Trump seem deep by comparison. Trump was in Iowa talking about ethanol. He warned that DeSantis was against Social Security. Thats a bad one, Trump added, rubbing it in. As bystanders in the political farce consuming much of the Republican race for president, we can give thanks that DeSantis has decided to battle against the sinister forces of wokeness and leave the important issues pretty much alone. But too bad about Miami. It used to be fun. SIOUX CITY -- After almost two years of construction, Hunt Elementary School opened this past fall. The midtown neighborhood school, just north of 19th Street between Jackson and Nebraska streets, welcomed its first students Aug. 23. We feel so blessed to be back in the Hunt neighborhood in our beautiful new building," Hunt Elementary Principal Cami Barker said. "Our new building offers countless possibilities for our staff, students, and families. The L-shaped building is about three times larger than the previous Hunt, which once stood near the construction site. The old school, built in 1906, was demolished in June 2019. Construction started September 2020. Since Hunt was officially closed in 2019, the school's students attended classes in the former Crescent Park Elementary School at 114 W. 27th St. When entering the new school there are seven words chosen by the staff on what Hunt means to them. The words are: believe, explore, dream, create, dance, imagine and inspire. Continuing into the commons area, the large "Hunt" letters carved into the sandstone from the original school building have been incorporated into the wall. This has been done in multiple new school constructions in Sioux City to remember the original buildings and provides a nostalgia feel. Other terra cotta decorations that were part of the original school are framed and displayed throughout the building. A majority of the school is on one floor, but a lower level features additional classrooms. Because of the design of the building, each classroom boasts large windows. Because Hunt is named the A-plus for arts and music school, there is a performing arts stage in the gymnasium that also features terra cotta aspects that were part of the original Hunt building. Barker said it is one of her favorite parts of the school. Barker said the teachers incorporate the arts in lessons every day and the arts are utilized to teach the standards. The school theme was known before the design process, so specific rooms were designed to cater to it. The black box theater is a space for students to do performances, as well as a space for clubs such as dance, theater, piano and vocal. Another new feature of the building is a gallery room, where students will be able to showcase artwork and parents will get to view different projects. "Our families were able to enjoy our first concert in the school building, and we are looking forward to our upcoming musical, 'Annie,'" Barker said. Our students and staff have genuinely enjoyed the integrated experiences we can provide them through our new Art Gallery room. Lastly, the rollout of our A+ clubs has been incredible." One of visitors' favorite parts in the new building is a large windowed stairwell that looks onto Jackson Street. There are three outdoor playgrounds, each geared to a specific grade level, the same as other recent elementary schools built in the district. As with other new schools, the new Hunt has one main entrance, with a security system during school hours to keep pupils safe. Visitors are directed solely to the principal's office area. Barker wants the school to be a safe space for students, both physically and emotionally. Tim Paul, the district's director of operations and maintenance said construction went smoothly, with only a few bumps due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the project started before the pandemic, many items were able to be ordered before there were shortages. The entire school is geothermal, a more efficient heating and cooling system. It is the only school in the district with a chilled beam system, to provide an even and moderate temperature throughout the building. Barker previously said it is amazing to see the building now, compared to when she saw the architect designs. She said more than 90 percent of the students walked to the original school. Originally there was only one bus that was intended for students living in shelters. The total cost of the project is estimated at $22 million. The project is being financed by the district's share of a 1-percent sales tax the state designates for new and expanded schools and other physical improvements. The school was named for Dr. Andrew Hunt, a physician and dentist who was also the first president of the Sioux City School Board, the previous school was easily the district's oldest. The oldest remaining school building in Sioux City is now Sunnyside Elementary, which dates to 1957. Sioux City residents should expect temperatures in the 40s. It looks to reach a brisk 48 degrees. 26 degrees is today's low. It should be a fairly cloudless day. The forecast is calling for clear skies. Sunday's winds could be brisk, with forecast models showing 20 mph wind conditions coming up from the South. This report is created automatically with weather data provided by TownNews.com. Keep an eye on siouxcityjournal.com for forecast information and severe weather updates.